15 Research Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jan 31, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: May 14
Many students are looking for research opportunities and ways to volunteer with researchers, but often don’t know where to look for them. In this article, we outline 15 research volunteer opportunities for high school students. These opportunities are all free, and while some require an application, others are always open to volunteers.
Quick response: The most prestigious research opportunities for high school students are the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT (5% acceptance rate, free, considered the most selective STEM program in the country), the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (3% acceptance, $6,000 stipend, genetics and genomics), the NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) (15% acceptance, $2,080/month, biomedical research at NIH facilities), the Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook (~8% acceptance, stipended), and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech (12 students admitted nationally). For ongoing volunteer opportunities without competitive admissions, the United Nations Online Volunteers platform and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute are open-access options. For students seeking structured 1-on-1 PhD research from anywhere in the world, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote alternative with rolling cohorts.
15 Research Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
This program combines college-level workshops and lab research in subjects such as civil and urban engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and robotics. It is open to high school sophomores and juniors. Students can receive supervision from graduate or postdoctoral students at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering for 7 weeks. Students will also receive presentation and public speaking training from ARISE's partners at Irondale Ensemble Project, and will present their research findings to NYU faculty and graduate students, ARISE peers, other academic experts, family members, and friends at the program's concluding colloquium. Each participant receives a stipend of at least $750.
The Clark Scholars Program is a 6 week long comprehensive research program, giving students the opportunity to conduct research in practically every field, from accounting to dance to philosophy and everything in between. One-on-one research with academics, as well as weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits, are all part of the curriculum. With just 12 students selected each year, the Clark Scholars Program is very competitive. Applicants must be 17+ by the program start date. The program offers a $750 stipend. The application for this year closes on February 16th.
This program is for rising high school juniors and seniors. Students are offered research experience across various STEM fields, including cancer immunology, pharmacogenomics of anticancer agents, physics, biophysics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. Those accepted into the program are matched with another student and a teacher from the field of their choice. The program is 6 weeks long, with a required time commitment of 30-35 hours per week.
RIMS, which is hosted by the City University of New York’s Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), allows students to conduct research in ASRC facilities. They also attend professional development workshops during the 8-week program. Students earn a stipend for their participation, and admission is very competitive.
The Jackson Laboratory Student Summer Program is a 10-week genetics and genomics research program for undergraduates and high school students who are 18 years old and have finished grade 12 at the time of enrollment (current seniors can apply). Only around 40 students, or about 3% of those who apply, are accepted each year. Students spend the summer engaged in an independent research project under the guidance of a mentor, with the goal of presenting their findings at the conclusion of the program. The program offers a $ 6,000 stipend.
HS-SIP provides high school students with the opportunity to do full-time biomedical research at NIH facilities, working alongside world-renowned professionals. Applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of application and 17 years old at the commencement of the program to be considered. HS-SIP is extremely competitive, with only around 15% of candidates being accepted. The program lasts 8 weeks and offers a stipend of $2080 per month.
On the United Nations' database, there are numerous volunteer opportunities. Volunteers who work from home are connected to government bodies, such as the United Nations, and help with a variety of civic advocacy efforts. Research, writing, translation, social media, and art and design are among the other volunteer activities available through the United Nations platform.
This summer program takes place at the Rockefeller University and is a full-time in-person research program from June 27 to August 11. Students must be 16+ at the time of application to be eligible and must be a current high school junior or senior. The program requires a letter of recommendation. Applications close early for this program (usually the fall of the summer before), so be sure to apply early!
Conducted from June 27th to July 29th this year, the Simons Summer Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to undertake hands-on research in a variety of disciplines, ranging from science and math to engineering. Students can join research teams, collaborate with faculty members, learn about laboratory equipment and methodologies, and get to fully experience life at a research university. Students must be 16+ to be eligible for the application and obtain 2 letters of recommendation. The program has an acceptance rate of about 8%. Students receive a stipend for their participation.
A program for students interested in computer science and related fields, Spark SIP offers students the opportunity to learn from and connect with prominent industry professionals, while undertaking research in real-world settings through the internship program. The program requires a student to be able to work full-time (30-40 hours per work) for 8-12 weeks throughout the summer to be eligible to participate. The program offers a maximum stipend of $500.
The Coriell Institute is a leader in stem cell research and genetic discoveries. Select students are invited to participate in the four-week Summer Experience, which allows them to work with world-renowned scientists and researchers. Students attend staff lectures, conduct independent research, learn data analysis, attend a resume-building session, and present their findings in a final presentation. The program offers participants the opportunity to work in Coriell's Cytogenomics and Stem Cell labs and receive a $1,000 stipend. Before beginning the program, students must be 17 years old.
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship is an 8 week-long, full-time internship for rising high school senior students. The program is specifically designed for students from underrepresented communities, who are interested in the field of biomedical science. Along with receiving hands-on training on laboratory safety techniques and skills in the Fred Hutch Training Labs, students also participate in research education seminars, attend professional development workshops, and receive mentorship from Fred Hutch research groups. Applications for 2022 will open on February 1st. Students receive a stipend for their participation.
Offered by Carnegie Mellon University, SAMS is for current sophomores and juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who want to earn college credit while "developing mastery of fundamental ideas in higher-level collegiate math and science." Classroom training, hands-on research projects, and professional and academic development courses are all part of SAMS. The program is 6 weeks long. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by Carnegie Mellon University faculty.
RSI is generally considered the most selective STEM research program for high school students. This program, hosted at MIT, accepts about 80 students each year. In the program, students work with a Boston-based researcher on an independent project. At the end of the program, students present their research to the broader community in a conference-style format. In 2019, there were about 1,600 applicants for 80 spots, or an acceptance rate of about 5% for the program.
The BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute offers high school students the opportunity to participate in research education events throughout the year. These events aim to inform students of exciting research discoveries and encourage careers in science and research. The research institute does not have a formal placement process for high school students but those interested can get involved in research by volunteering to work with investigators at BC Children's Hospital. Interested students can view the profiles of affiliated investigators and contact the research teams directly about available opportunities. Students must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer.
Cold Outreach
You can also reach out to professors using cold outreach. Cold emailing is an effective method to virtually reach out to research professors to convey your interest in working with them in their field, on a topic of your interest, in hopes of learning more about that field. A cold email for a research position must be formal, but also show genuine interest in the professor’s research. Emails that demonstrate clear research into their work, an interest in their prior publications, and an honest passion for their field are usually well received. Ensure that your email is concise, to the point, and describe how you were introduced to the professor’s research and express why you are interested in what they do.
Consider A Research Program If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project. Last year over 1500 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply to US research programs? Most US-government-funded programs (NIH HS-SIP, NASA internships) require US citizenship. University-based programs like RSI, Jackson Lab, and Clark Scholars are typically open to international students, but verify each program's eligibility requirements. International students are best served by Lumiere (remote), UN Online Volunteers, or cold outreach to professors at international universities.
How do I do research as a high school student without a program? Cold outreach to university professors is the most common DIY path. Identify professors whose research interests align with yours, read 1–2 of their papers, and send a concise, specific email asking about volunteer or remote research opportunities. Building research relationships outside formal programs is also possible through hospitals, museums, and local research institutions that don't have formal student programs.
What's the difference between a research program and a research volunteer opportunity? Research programs are typically competitive, structured, time-limited (4–10 weeks in summer), and often stipended. Research volunteer opportunities are usually ongoing, less competitive or open to applications, and unpaid, but they can lead to long-term mentorship and stronger recommendation letters than a short program. Many strong applicants combine both — a structured summer program for prestige plus ongoing volunteer or independent research throughout the school year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.