15 Research Programs for High School Students in Kentucky
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 12 min read
If you’re interested in research, you might be looking for ways to explore subjects beyond what your high school classes offer. Structured research programs can introduce you to fields such as medicine, biology, engineering, agriculture, and data science while helping you build skills in analysis, scientific writing, and critical thinking. They also provide opportunities to work in academic and professional environments alongside mentors and researchers.
In Kentucky, research programs are offered through universities, medical centers, science organizations, and statewide academic initiatives. These opportunities include laboratory research placements, mentorship-based programs, residential academies, and summer research experiences across a range of STEM and healthcare fields.
Why should I do a research program in high school?
Research programs allow you to explore advanced topics while learning how academic and scientific research is conducted. You might work in labs, analyze data, conduct experiments, contribute to ongoing projects, or present your findings through posters and presentations while learning from faculty and mentors. Over time, these experiences can help you strengthen your academic skills, explore potential career interests, and prepare for future study in research-focused fields.
In this blog, we’ve reviewed 15 strong research programs for high school students in Kentucky.
If you’re looking for STEM programs in Kentucky, check out our blog here.
Location: Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Stipend: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective, ~20 students
Dates: June 1 – July 13
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by program start date. Must have taken at least one advanced science course, have an active bank account in their name, and have reliable transportation to/from campus each day. Students directly related to BCC faculty members are ineligible.
BCC’s Summer Research Program is a nine-week research program for high school students in Kentucky interested in laboratory medical research. You’ll start off the program with two weeks of training in wet lab research protocols, where you’ll complete hands-on experiments for a drug discovery project directed by the university’s leaders in the field. You’ll then spend 7 weeks working under the mentorship of a graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, or a faculty scientist from BCC to complete a cancer-focused research project related to your lab’s focus areas. You will deepen your understanding of your specialized research field through reading assignments, and learn about cancer research as a whole via a series of BCC seminars and departmental sessions, and events. You’ll develop a research poster on your findings to present at the Summer Research Poster Showcase and the Annual Brown Cancer Center Research Retreat.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective, ~6 students
Dates: 8 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by the program start date who have taken advanced courses in both Biology and Chemistry. Must have an active bank account in their name.
UKY’s College of Medicine offers a paid Research Training Fellowship program for high schoolers through its Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics. You’ll be placed to work in a lab matching your interests, where you’ll directly contribute to the lab's ongoing work in one of the Department’s core research areas. You will be trained in advanced lab research protocols and experimental techniques, complete readings to enhance your understanding of the field, and receive close mentorship from a graduate student, post-doc, or faculty member. As the program progresses, you will gain increasing independence, eventually conducting independent experiments in the final weeks. You will present your work to faculty members from across the department. Depending on your lab’s needs and your performance, you might have the opportunity to continue your research after the fellowship ends.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here.
Location: Remote or in-person at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY (depending on year)
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 13-24
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th grade students attending a Kentucky high school. Students must be from an underrepresented group; see here for more details. Students should have an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare and oncology.
The University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center offers a two-week research program for high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Kentucky. You’ll learn about the field of oncology through a combination of research, mentorship, activities, and guest lectures. You’ll work on specialized research projects within the field of oncology; during remote sessions, you’ll have free laboratory materials directly sent to your home. You will be mentored by experts in the field, with a particular emphasis on women leaders, and have the opportunity to attend guest lectures from industry specialists in oncology, medical practice, and research. Additionally, you will develop leadership and personal growth skills while receiving career guidance aimed at empowering underrepresented voices in medicine.
Location: University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY
Stipend: $291.67/month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 20 students
Dates: Saturday Sessions: August 10 – May 10 | Summer Program: June 8 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th-11th-grade students who are natives of one of Kentucky’s 54 Appalachian counties and attending school within one of these counties. Students must be a member of an underserved group in the research workforce; see here for additional details. Rising undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors at UKY are also eligible.
University of Kentucky’s ACTION Program is an outreach initiative for underserved Appalachian high school students in Kentucky, providing training and hands-on experience in medicine. During the school year, you’ll attend weekly Saturday Sessions and spend about 15 hours each week on academic and professional development activities. You’ll study topics across cancer, healthcare disparities in Appalachian Kentucky, and explore careers in biomedicine and oncology. During the summer, you’ll be mentored by MCC faculty members to conduct research in oncology, experience clinical oncology practice with MCC oncologists, and receive training on research and experimental skills in a full-time capacity. You’ll continue participating in programming across cancer education, career planning, and academic programs to achieve your future goals in medical research or health care.
Location: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Stipend: $15/hour; students may work 20-30 hours/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~12 students
Dates: June 15 - July 24
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students aged 16+ living in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Louisville Science Pathways is a 6-week research program for high school students in Kentucky’s Jefferson County. You’ll be matched with a researcher from the University of Louisville’s Belknap and Health Sciences Campuses to design and complete a STEM research project. Potential research focus areas include neurobiology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, and more. You’ll receive personalized mentorship from your research supervisor, attend weekly Career Development Seminars, and explore academic and professional pathways in STEM. You’ll access professional development support, like learning about medical school, biomedical research careers, and guidance on preparing application materials for college and job applications. You’ll deliver a presentation on your research to your peers and internship research mentors at the end of the program.
Location: University of Kentucky
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A; students independently establish researcher partnership
Dates: Coordinated between student and mentor
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Kentucky high school students aged 14+
University of Kentucky’s High School Research Program supports hands-on research opportunities for high school students across Kentucky. Formerly a centralized program, the High School Research Program is now a personalized opportunity that helps to structure internships arranged between high schoolers and mentors. You’ll coordinate a mentorship agreement, project plan, and program timeline with a university mentor able to support your research interests and goals in a subject area of your choosing. You’ll have full freedom to choose your mentor; you can reach out to faculty members in any UK department. Past students have conducted research in areas ranging from tobacco research to plant sciences, civil engineering, and more. The University of Kentucky can help facilitate course credit at your high school for participation, or you can pursue it as an independent extracurricular activity. After completing your research, you’ll be eligible to present your work alongside current University of Kentucky students at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars to an audience of students, professors, and researchers.
Location: Western Kentucky University
Cost: $4,200; financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers not provided, but the program selects for gifted and talented students. Courses are capped at 16 students each.
Dates: June 21 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early applications are recommended | Financial aid deadline is April 15
Eligibility: Current 7th-10th grade students. SAT or ACT score required for all applicants, including middle school applicants. Individual courses provide specific standardized test qualifying scores.
The VAMPY program is an opportunity for gifted and talented middle and high school students to take on advanced coursework and research projects while living on campus at Western Kentucky University. You’ll enroll in an intensive class that you’ll focus on over the course of three weeks, choosing from options including Physics, DNA & Genetics, Astronomy, and Presidential Politics. You’ll attend lectures, participate in group discussions and activities, and complete assessments and homework assignments. Your research experience might include studying recent Supreme Court cases in relation to presidential politics, conducting hands-on physics experiments, or completing genetics laboratory work using CRISPR technology. Outside of class, you’ll attend interactive study halls, participate in game nights, take fun and educational field trips, and gain exposure to college life.
Location: Determined by student; must be in Kentucky
Stipend: Varies; typically several hundred dollars
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 2-3 projects funded each year, with consideration alongside undergraduate and graduate students.
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and graduate students from Kentucky. Must be a member of the Kentucky Academy of Science.
The Marcia Athey and Botany Fund is a competitive grant opportunity for high schoolers, undergraduates, and graduate students to support research in botany or other topics within the physical, biological, behavioral, or engineering sciences. While not a structured research program, this opportunity provides you with financial resources to complete a more complex project while adding a prestigious award to your resume. You’ll secure a faculty member from a Kentucky university to serve as your mentor with whom you’ll design a research plan. You’ll then submit a professional-level grant proposal that includes an abstract, literature review, research methodology, and budget, along with additional project details. Former research topics supported by the fund span climate change, invasive species, microbiomes and habitats, and more.
Location: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY | AJAS meeting site varies yearly
Cost/Stipend: Free, including travel and accommodations for the AJAS meeting
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~6 students selected as delegates
Dates: Kentucky Academy of Science: November 21-22 | American Junior Academy of Science Meeting: February 11 – 14
Application Deadline: October 13 (Abstract submission) | November 7 (Registration)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students from Kentucky.
The Kentucky Junior Academy of Science is a two-day event where high school students can explore STEM fields and compete for the chance to represent Kentucky at a national science conference. Participants will attend academic sessions and lectures, visit booths from Kentucky universities and research centers, and network with professional scientists. The program also helps students prepare for their future careers through a Lab Crawl tour of the University of Louisville’s research facilities and an engaging STEM Careers Lunch with research mentors. You’ll deliver a presentation on independent research you’ve conducted to professional scientists, who will select the strongest 6 students to serve as Kentucky’s delegates at the American Junior Academy of Science. You’ll also view posters and oral presentations from your peers in fields including math, microbiology, engineering, environmental sciences, and more. The program can also match you with a graduate student or professional mentor to prepare you for your research.
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~95 students admitted
Dates: 2-year program (11th and 12th grade)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students apply while in 10th grade. Must be a current domiciled resident of Kentucky. Must have completed Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry prior to enrollment. ACT Math score of 22+, or SAT Math score of 540+. See here for additional details.
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science provides high-achieving high school students from Kentucky with a two-year academic program that replaces their traditional 11th and 12th-grade years. You’ll take college courses alongside current WKU students, with a particular focus on STEM disciplines. Research is a substantial element of the Academy’s curriculum; you’ll take on research projects throughout the school year in any academic discipline at WKU, participate in funded summer research internships, and receive guidance on pursuing opportunities for competitions, publications, and presentations. Gatton Academy students have received many prestigious awards and national recognition for their work; you can see prior research outcomes here. You’ll graduate from the Gatton Academy having earned 60-72 college credits, with the opportunity to finish your degree at WKU or to apply to other colleges with a head start on academic requirements.
Location: Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, and other sites in Central Kentucky Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: June 8-12
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Male high school students from Kentucky
Kentucky State University’s Harvesting Potential Summer Agriculture Program provides high school boys with a 5-day academic experience in agriculture from both academic and industry perspectives. You’ll learn about careers across the field of agriculture, including research, technology, agribusiness, and sustainability. You will participate in educational classes, hands-on workshops, and network with professors from KSU’s School of Agriculture & Natural Resources and industry professionals. You’ll visit various on- and off-campus agriculture research facilities to gain practical experience in different agricultural research methods, and you will go on field trips to other industry locations. Additionally, you will receive training in leadership and career readiness skills.
Location: Multiple sites in the Norton Healthcare system
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Program runs throughout the academic year.
Application Deadline: March; exact date TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 17+; must turn 18 by July 1 of the year the program ends.
Norton Health’s High School Academy Program is a year-long, paid opportunity for Kentucky high schoolers to gain real-world work experience in a healthcare and research setting. You’ll work 12 hours each week, providing professional-level services as an intern in one of Norton Healthcare’s departments with mentorship from an experienced employee. Placement options include Patient Care, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy Technician, Diagnostic Imaging, and more. While your work will not be primarily research-focused, you’ll gain exposure to a research hospital setting and learn applications of medical research through working in specialized medical care units. Outside of your work, you’ll also receive professional development guidance, including career symposiums, career coaching, and job shadowing opportunities, where you can work more closely with a research staff member. Participation in the program can lead to full-time employment opportunities following high school or provide substantial professional experience in the healthcare field before entering college.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Kentucky are eligible. Contact the lab for additional details.
Hosted by the Collaborative Research On MEdication (CRoME) use & family health Lab at the University of Kentucky, the Pharmacy Summer Research Scholars program provides training and research experience to high school students interested in pharmacy. You’ll learn about the field of pharmacy research, covering topics such as experimental design, data collection and analysis, and the interpretation and communication of research findings. You’ll work alongside your peers to develop and execute a collaborative research project under the guidance of mentors from the CRoME Lab. After completing your time in PSRS, you’ll be eligible for more advanced work through the Alumni Opportunities programs. The CRoME High School Student Internship offers additional research experience, opportunities to contribute to the lab’s publications, and the chance to present research at community outreach events. The CRoME Lab Diversity in Pharmacy Program offers training in career development and preparation for advanced work in pharmacy and health sciences for minority students.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.