35 Engineering Research Opportunities for High School Students
Updated: Sep 20
Updated September 1, 2026
TL;DR
With 35 programs on this list, the real question isn't which one is best; it's which ones are actually open to you. Cost splits the group more than anything else: roughly a third pay you (Navy SEAP tops out at $4,500), a third are completely free, and the rest range from a $150 virtual aerospace week to an $11,874 residential fellowship at UC Santa Barbara. Just as many rule you out before you even apply, since most assume you're a U.S. citizen, a specific state's resident, or already a junior. If any of that leaves you out, or you'd simply rather work with one mentor than compete for a seat in someone else's lab, look at the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It's open to any high schooler worldwide, pairs you 1:1 with a PhD mentor on your own project, and offers full financial aid.
This matters most if you're still weighing engineering against computer science or another STEM major. A real summer of research or an internship answers that question faster than a syllabus ever could, and it hands you something specific to talk about in your college essays instead of one more line about loving STEM.
If you want a broader list that isn't engineering-specific, see our guide to science research opportunities for high school students. If you already have a program in mind and need a research topic, our 25 engineering research ideas for high school students can help. And if competitions are more your speed than a summer program, see our 15 best engineering competitions for high school students.
Does research help with college applications for aspiring engineers?
Yes.
Admissions officers consistently say they're looking for intellectual curiosity that shows up outside the classroom, not just in grades.
A finished research paper, internship, or design project gives you a concrete story to tell in your essays, instead of a general statement about "loving STEM."
It also helps you and your family avoid an expensive mistake: a summer of real lab or internship work will tell you a lot more about whether you want to major in engineering than a class ever will.
Lumiere alumni have gone on to more than 215 universities worldwide, and Lumiere itself admits roughly 500 students a year out of about 4,000 applicants across all subjects, engineering included.
How to get into an engineering research program as a high schooler
Start practicing the actual skills these programs ask for. UMD's ESTEEM/SER-Quest and Simons Summer Research both want a research proposal or literature review before they'll consider you, so write one on your own first.
Ask a math or science teacher for a recommendation early. MITES, Simons Summer Research, and Clark Scholars all require one, and the strongest letters come from a teacher who has watched you work over a full year, not a single semester.
If you're a freshman or sophomore, don't wait until junior year. Lumiere, Immerse Education, Sally Ride Science Academy, UIUC's Illinois Aerospace Institute, and USC's SHINE are the only five programs on this list that will consider you before junior year.
Apply to more than one program. Acceptance rates at the most selective options, like MIT's RSI, Clark Scholars, and MITES, sit in the low single digits, so most students who get in also had a backup program lined up.
Pick a subfield before you apply, not after. A program built around aerospace, biomedical, or software engineering will ask why you want that specific track, and a vague answer is an easy way to get screened out.
How to choose the right engineering program
If you're | Look at |
Outside the U.S. or not a citizen or permanent resident | Lumiere, Immerse Education, MIT's RSI, Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program, Clark Scholars |
A freshman or sophomore | Lumiere, Immerse Education, Sally Ride Science Academy, UIUC's Illinois Aerospace Institute, USC's SHINE |
Looking to get paid, not pay | Navy SEAP, NASA, AFRL, NYU's ARISE, ASU's Cybersecurity Research Internship, Genspace's Biorocket program, Clark Scholars, Simons Summer Research |
Cost-constrained with no stipend available | MITES, Princeton's LLP, MIT's RSI, UMD's ESTEEM/SER-Quest, Tufts TUBERS, UPenn's TREES, Harvard's BioSTAR |
Focused on aerospace | |
Focused on biomedical engineering | Tufts TUBERS, Genspace's Biorocket program |
Focused on mechanical engineering | MIT's Women's Technology Program, CURIE Academy |
Focused on software or cybersecurity (closer to CS than traditional engineering) | Spark SMP, ASU's Cybersecurity Research Internship, CMU's AI Scholars |
Chasing the strongest credential | MIT's RSI (2.5 to 3% acceptance), Texas Tech's Clark Scholars (12 from roughly 700 applicants), MITES |
A young woman looking for programs built to support women in engineering | MIT's Women's Technology Program, Cornell's CURIE Academy, MSOE's Women in Engineering |
Application deadline: Early to mid-December (December 10 for the 2026 cycle)
Duration: 6 weeks, late June to early August
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (residential)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors only; U.S. and international students may apply
Cost: Free, including tuition, housing, and meals; no stipend
RSI is widely considered the single most selective summer research program for high schoolers, admitting around 100 students from roughly 3,100 applicants a year (2.5 to 3%). The first week is spent in college-level coursework, then five weeks go to mentored research, including engineering placements, ending in a written paper and an oral presentation.
Who it's right for: Exceptionally strong juniors chasing the most prestigious credential on this list. Most applicants should have a backup program lined up.
Application deadline: Opens October 10, closes January 10, for the following summer
Duration: Typically 8 to 12 weeks in summer, with limited fall and spring slots
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the U.S.
Eligibility: At least 16 years old
Cost: Free; paid stipend
AFRL places students directly with full-time Air Force scientists and engineers, with project areas spanning aerospace design, electromagnetics, and materials science. It's also open to undergraduate and graduate applicants, so filter specifically for high-school-eligible opportunities.
Who it's right for: Students who want defense-research experience but don't live near a Navy SEAP lab. AFRL has more sites spread nationally.
Application deadline: Late February (2/27 for the 2026 cycle)
Duration: 10 weeks total: 4 weeks remote, then 6 weeks in person
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10 or 11
Cost: Free; stipend of at least $750 on completion
ARISE places you in an NYU lab after a month of remote workshops on research ethics, data analysis, and lab safety. Labs span mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, and other STEM fields. You'll present your research at a final colloquium.
Who it's right for: NYC 10th and 11th graders wanting paid, mentored lab research without leaving the city.
Application deadline: Opens August 1, closes November 1, for the following summer
Duration: 8 weeks, June to August
Location: Varies by lab; more than 30 Department of Navy labs nationwide
Eligibility: At least 16 by the internship start date; U.S. citizens (some labs allow exceptions)
Cost: Free; stipend of $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
SEAP places around 300 students a year across Navy labs on real research projects. Common areas include aerospace and mechanical engineering, robotics, materials science, and sensor technology. Acceptance has historically run from about 3% to 13% depending on the year.
Who it's right for: Students near a participating lab who want the highest-paying option on this list.
Application deadline: Rolling, varies by cohort (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Duration: 12 weeks to 1 year
Location: Remote, open worldwide
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school with strong academic achievement
Cost: Tuition-based; full financial aid available
Lumiere pairs you 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor to work on an independent research project across a broad range of subjects, including engineering, physics, and computer science. At the end of the program you'll have a university-level research paper. See application details here.
Who it's right for: International students, freshmen and sophomores who can't yet apply to junior or senior only programs, and anyone who wants a written paper of their own rather than a group poster.
Application deadline: Rolling, with multiple start dates; apply 4 to 6 weeks before your preferred start
Duration: Varies by track, often 2-week sessions, with longer mentorship options available
Location: Remote, open worldwide
Eligibility: Ages 13 to 18 (accredited options require age 14 and up)
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
You'll work 1:1 or in a small group with a tutor from Oxford, Cambridge, or another partner institution to investigate an engineering topic in depth, spanning mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, or environmental engineering. You'll finish with a written evaluation, and can opt in to publish your research or present at Immerse's Online Symposium.
Who it's right for: Students who want flexible timing and 1:1 mentorship rather than a fixed cohort schedule.
Status update: HSHSP, the oldest continuously running program of its kind in the U.S. since 1958, did not run in 2025. Michigan State's official program page still has not confirmed whether or when it will resume. The details below reflect the program's historical structure; check the official page before making any plans around it.
Application deadline (historical): Around March 1
Duration (historical): 7 weeks, mid-June to early August
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (residential)
Eligibility (historical): Rising seniors (11th grade at time of application); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost (historical): Around $4,000, covering instruction, room, and board; financial aid available
Historically, HSHSP matched students with a university mentor for hands-on research, with engineering as one of several research tracks alongside record-keeping, proposal writing, and conference-style presentations.
Who it's right for: Historically, students wanting one of the most established STEM research programs in the country, but only once its status is reconfirmed.
Application deadline: Typically closes in January
Duration: 4 weeks, late June to late July
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (residential)
Eligibility: Rising senior women and underrepresented students, U.S.-based
Cost: Free if family adjusted gross income is $120,000 or below; otherwise $2,000 to $6,000, with financial aid available
This introductory mechanical engineering program covers heat transfer, materials, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, working in small teams on daily and final projects. Only 20 students are selected each summer.
Who it's right for: Young women exploring mechanical engineering who want a low-pressure, non-graded introduction to college-level coursework.
Application deadline: Online prerequisite course opens around December; the summer application is sent to eligible students in mid-March
Duration: 4 weeks, early July to early August
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA, and online
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending high school in the U.S.
Cost: Free for most families; a fee applies if household income and assets exceed $200,000
BWSI runs project-based courses in robotics, autonomous systems, and aerospace systems. "Build a CubeSat" is a standout for mechanical or aerospace-minded students, covering design, assembly, and testing of a real space system. You'll need to complete an online prerequisite course before you can apply.
Who it's right for: Rising seniors who want a build-something engineering experience rather than a lab research placement.
10. UMD's Engineering Science and Technology to Energize and Expand Young Minds (ESTEEM) / Summer Engineering Research Quest
Application deadline: Opens early January, typically closes in late April
Duration: 4 weeks, July
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD; commuter program
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors at the time of application)
Cost: Free. UMD's current program page confirms there is no cost for selected participants
You'll develop a research proposal, complete a literature review, and carry out a research project at UMD's A. James Clark School of Engineering, alongside undergraduate and graduate engineering students.
Who it's right for: Maryland and DC-area students wanting a free, commuter research mentorship program.
Application deadline: Check the official program page each year for current dates
Duration: 1 week, July
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering's campus, Milwaukee, WI
Eligibility: Female-identifying students, grades 10 to 12
Cost: Around $950 in the most recently published cycle
Led by MSOE faculty and women engineering students, this program offers hands-on exposure to multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering, alongside evening social activities.
Who it's right for: Young women wanting a short residential taste of multiple engineering disciplines before committing to a major.
Application deadline: February 1 (student); February 15 (recommenders)
Duration: 6 weeks, late June to early August
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (residential)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost: Free, including housing and meals
MITES is one of the most selective STEM programs in the country, with an acceptance rate in the low single digits. It combines college-level coursework in math, science, and humanities with a project-based elective. Engineering design is one option, alongside machine learning and architecture.
Who it's right for: Strong juniors who want a program that mirrors a first year of MIT coursework, not just a single research project.
Application deadline: Opens February 15, closes March 15
Duration: 5 to 6 weeks over the summer
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ; commuter only
Eligibility: At least 16 by June 15; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students at a U.S. high school
Cost: Free, but unpaid; Princeton does not provide or arrange housing
Selected students join ongoing faculty research in engineering or the natural sciences. Past engineering projects have included soft robotics and battery materials research. Despite eligibility being open nationally on paper, Princeton is explicit that this isn't a residential program: the large majority of participants live locally and commute, and there are no exceptions for housing.
Who it's right for: Students who live in or near central New Jersey and can commute daily. It's less practical if you'd need to arrange out-of-state housing yourself.
Application deadline: Typically closes in May
Duration: 4-day sessions, weekly from July into August
Location: UC San Diego, CA; some sessions offered virtually
Eligibility: Open to all middle and high school students (grades 6 to 12)
Cost: Courses range from $175 to $450; financial aid available
This UC San Diego program offers workshops across STEM roles. "Space Out" is the aerospace-focused option, alongside courses like iOS Programming and Tiny Houses.
Who it's right for: Middle schoolers and younger high schoolers wanting a low-commitment, single-week introduction to engineering topics.
Application deadline: Typically closes in February
Duration: 7 weeks, June to July
Location: USC campus, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a GPA of 3.4 or higher
Cost: $6,330 plus a $50 application fee; full and partial scholarships available
SHINE puts you on a research team exploring how engineering solves real-world problems, including aerospace applications, through experimental lab work or computational research.
Who it's right for: Underclassmen, including freshmen, who want a genuine multi-week research team placement and can manage the cost or secure a scholarship.
Application deadline: Check the official registration page each year
Duration: Multiple one-week residential camps or four-day day camps, June to July
Location: University of Arizona campus, Tucson, AZ
Eligibility: Open to all 10th to 12th graders
Cost: $350 (day camp) to $750 (residential); need-based scholarships available (deadline typically April 15)
You'll work with professors and undergraduate and graduate students on design projects, learn about engineering as a career, and explore the UA campus.
Who it's right for: Sophomores through seniors wanting a short, flexible-format introduction to engineering.
Application deadline: Sessions run on separate cycles; for example, the Summer 2027 session closes February 26, 2027
Duration: Typically 8 to 10 weeks in summer; shorter sessions available in fall and spring
Location: NASA centers nationwide, plus some remote roles
Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a 3.0 GPA or higher, at least 16, full-time students
Cost: Free; the majority of interns receive a paid stipend that varies by academic level and session
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement runs internships across every NASA center, with aerospace engineering a common thread through many projects. Opportunities are posted center by center, so check listings regularly rather than assuming a single fixed deadline.
Who it's right for: Students near a NASA center, or comfortable with a remote placement, who want NASA specifically on their resume.
Application deadline: Rolling, accepted until sessions fill
Duration: 1 week per on-campus session; a 1-week virtual session is also offered
Location: Urbana, IL, or virtual
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12
Cost: $1,000 (on-campus) or $150 (virtual); scholarships available
Sessions cover flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and rocket propulsion. No prior aerospace experience is required, though juniors and seniors are given some preference for on-campus sessions.
Who it's right for: Freshmen and sophomores curious about aerospace who want a short, low-commitment intro, including a fully virtual option.
Application deadline: Typically the third week of February
Duration: Online modules begin May 1; the internship ends by August 4 or 5
Location: Hybrid: online plus on campus at UT Austin
Eligibility: Strong academic record; must be in grades 10 to 11 with demonstrated STEM interest
Cost: Free; housing, meals, and local transportation covered
SEES is focused on Earth and space research, with students analyzing and visualizing data, a foundational skill for aerospace engineering. All teams present at a Virtual SEES Science Symposium.
Who it's right for: Students who want a hybrid remote-plus-campus structure and an Earth and space science angle on engineering.
Application deadline: Opens January 13, closes March 28
Duration: Multiple one-week camps, June to July
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Eligibility: Must be in 11th or 12th grade in the fall
Cost: $1,500; limited financial aid available
You'll take classes on airfoil and aircraft performance, work in wind tunnel and building labs, and build and fly a model airplane with faculty and undergraduate support.
Who it's right for: Juniors and seniors wanting a short, hands-on aerospace and mechanical build-and-fly experience.
Application deadline: April 1
Duration: 1 week, mid-June
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ
Eligibility: Ages 14 to 18
Cost: $1,700, including supervised housing, meals, and materials
Camps span space flight, aviation maintenance, air traffic control, and accident investigation, aimed at students exploring aerospace and aviation careers specifically.
Who it's right for: Students specifically interested in aviation careers, like piloting or air traffic control, rather than engineering research broadly.
Application deadline: March 1
Duration: 4 weeks, June to July
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (residential)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, at least 16 by the program start
Cost: Fully funded, including tuition, housing, meals, and activities
This program introduces rising seniors to artificial intelligence through college-level coursework, research projects, and mentorship, alongside college-prep seminars.
Who it's right for: Students specifically interested in AI or computer science. This leans closer to CS than to traditional engineering disciplines.
Application deadline: Opens January 13, closes January 27
Duration: 8 weeks, starting late May
Location: Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Eligibility: High school students in the Phoenix area with an interest in cybersecurity and programming
Cost: Free; $1,800 stipend
You'll work on cybersecurity research and Capture the Flag competitions alongside graduate students and professors, presenting your findings at the end.
Who it's right for: Phoenix-area students with programming experience wanting paid cybersecurity research. This is closer to computer science than traditional engineering.
Application deadline: April 22
Duration: 8-week internship; exact dates set individually
Location: Bellevue, WA (in-person)
Eligibility: U.S. high schoolers with a GPA of at least 3.8/4.0 and experience in a mainstream programming language
Cost: Some internships offer a stipend
You'll work on real software projects, like front-end web development, infrastructure, or mobile development, mentored by engineers. See our full guide here.
Who it's right for: Strong programmers wanting real software engineering experience. This is closer to software and CS than traditional engineering.
Application deadline: Mid-February (February 16 for the 2026 cycle)
Duration: 7 weeks, late June to early August
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (residential)
Eligibility: At least 17 by the program start; rising seniors or recent graduates; U.S. and international students eligible
Cost: Free, including housing, meals, and activities; $750 stipend on completion
Clark Scholars work under faculty mentorship on research spanning mechanical and electrical engineering, among other fields. With only 12 students selected from roughly 700 applicants a year, this is one of the most selective programs here. See our full guide here.
Who it's right for: Students chasing one of the most selective research credentials on this list.
Application deadline: Application window generally opens in spring and closes in April
Duration: About 7 weeks, July to August
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Eligibility: At least 16 years old
Cost: Free
You'll conduct experimental protocols and hypothesis testing in biomedical engineering, ending with a poster presentation. Only 15 to 20 students are typically accepted. See our full guide here.
Who it's right for: Students specifically interested in biomedical engineering wanting a deep, single-topic research placement.
Application deadline: Early February (February 5 for the 2026 cycle); requires a school nomination by late January, capped at 2 students per school
Duration: 6 weeks, late June to early August
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, at least 16, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, nominated by a school official
Cost: Free; stipend awarded at the closing symposium
Research areas include biomedical, civil, computer, and mechanical engineering, among others, matched with a faculty mentor. See our full guide here.
Who it's right for: Juniors whose school can nominate them, wanting engineering research alongside other STEM fields. Confirm your school's nomination process early.
Application deadline: Typically early to mid-February
Duration: 1 week, mid-July
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (residential)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who identify as women; minimum 3.0 GPA
Cost: Around $2,000; need-based financial aid available
CURIE Academy introduces you to nine engineering disciplines through classes, labs, and a group project. See our review of this program here.
Who it's right for: Young women choosing between engineering majors who want a fast, broad survey of the field before committing to one.
Application deadline: February 5
Duration: 4 weeks, July to August
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Grades 10 to 12 from the Philadelphia area; minimum GPA of 3.0; underrepresented groups encouraged to apply
Cost: Tuition-free for all accepted participants
After two weeks of lab-technique training, you'll design and run your own research project, including environmental engineering topics like water quality management, and present a final report.
Who it's right for: Philadelphia-area students interested in environmental engineering, wanting a full research-report experience.
Application deadline: Typically closes in April
Duration: 1 week, July
Location: Harvard SEAS, Allston, MA
Eligibility: Boston-area students, at least 16 years old
Cost: Free; Harvard does not cover housing or transportation
You'll design and run bioengineering experiments, including cell culturing, microfluidics, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, under SEAS graduate students and research fellows. Only 15 students were accepted in the most recently published cycle.
Who it's right for: Boston-area students wanting a short, intensive, hands-on bioengineering lab week.
Application deadline: Applications open December 1
Duration: 3 weeks, July
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential)
Eligibility: Current 10th to 11th grade students
Cost: Tuition-based; students at a public or charter high school in the School District of Philadelphia may qualify for a full Penn Summer Scholarship
Roughly half the program is hands-on lab time, covering spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and synthetic technique, alongside lectures on materials science and chemical bonding.
Who it's right for: Students deciding between chemistry and chemical engineering who want a chemistry-heavy academy rather than open-ended engineering research.
Application deadline: Applications open December 1
Duration: 3 weeks, July
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 9 to 11
Cost: Tuition-based; students at a public or charter high school in the School District of Philadelphia may qualify for a full Penn Summer Scholarship
This academy covers astrophysics, mechanics, quantum dynamics, and electromagnetism through lectures, projects, and faculty presentations.
Who it's right for: Students deciding between physics and an engineering major who want a coursework-heavy academy rather than a research placement.
Application deadline: Typically closes in January
Duration: About 6 months (spring or summer session)
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: At least 16 by orientation; NYC resident or attends a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend
This program blends engineering and biotechnology, with participants researching biofilm behavior, water purification, and biosensor technologies alongside professional scientists.
Who it's right for: NYC-area students interested in bioengineering or biotech wanting a paid, longer-term community-lab placement.
Application deadline: Rolling
Duration: Varies by location (typically a summer internship)
Location: Nearly every state; designed for commuters, so transportation, meals, and housing are not included
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents; additional requirements vary by location
Cost: Free; stipend offered, with the amount varying by location
You'll work directly with university and Department of Defense researchers on defense-related engineering projects, such as electronic and biochemical engineering.
Who it's right for: Students near a participating site wanting defense-related engineering research with the broadest geographic footprint on this list.
Application deadline: March 18
Duration: 6 weeks, June to August
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Eligibility: Grades 10 to 11 (strong 9th graders considered case-by-case); minimum weighted GPA of 3.80
Cost: $4,975 (commuter) or $11,874 (residential): the most expensive program on this list
You'll work 35 to 50 hours a week with UCSB faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, earning 8 university credits alongside your research, and present at a closing academic symposium.
Who it's right for: Families who can absorb the cost and want an interdisciplinary research placement that also earns college credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free or paid engineering programs for high school students?
Both. Roughly ten of the 35 programs here pay a stipend. Navy SEAP pays the most, at $4,000 to $4,500, followed by NASA, AFRL, ASU's Cybersecurity Research Internship ($1,800), Genspace's Biorocket program ($2,000), and smaller stipends from NYU ARISE, Clark Scholars, and Simons Summer Research. About nine are free and offer no stipend. The rest charge fees ranging from $150 (UIUC's virtual aerospace session) to $11,874 (UCSB's residential research program), and most of the paid programs offer need-based financial aid.
Can sophomores or freshmen apply to engineering programs?
Five programs will consider you before junior year: Lumiere (any enrolled high schooler), Immerse Education (ages 13 to 18), Sally Ride Science Academy (grades 6 to 12), UIUC's Illinois Aerospace Institute (grades 9 to 12), and USC's SHINE (freshmen and up, with a 3.4 GPA). Nearly everything else on this list requires junior or senior standing, usually tied to lab-safety rules or minimum-age work requirements.
Is an engineering "internship" different from an engineering "research program"?
Not always. Several of the strongest options here, including Navy SEAP, NASA's internships, and AFRL, are literally titled internships, and involve the same kind of mentored, hands-on lab work as programs branded "research." The main practical difference tends to be pay: programs titled "internship" are more likely to pay a stipend, while programs branded "research program" or "academy" are more likely to be unpaid or charge tuition. Don't rule a program out just because of which word is in its name.
Are there engineering programs open to international students?
A limited set. Lumiere and Immerse Education are open to any student worldwide. MIT's RSI accepts some international students, and Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program and Clark Scholars accept international students already enrolled at a U.S. high school. Most of the government-run programs, like SEAP, AFRL, NASA, and AEOP, require U.S. citizenship, with few exceptions.
How do online engineering programs compare to in-person ones?
In-person programs give you access to real lab equipment, fabrication tools, and build experience that's hard to replicate remotely. Beaver Works' CubeSat build or MITES' lab tours are good examples. Remote programs give you access no matter where you live, longer timelines, and, in Lumiere's case, an independent written paper rather than a shared group project or poster. If you want to learn a physical build process, go in person. If you want a research credential under your own name and can't relocate for the summer, remote mentorship gets you further.
How do you apply to an engineering research program?
Most programs want an online application, a transcript, one or two letters of recommendation (often from a math or science teacher), and short essays. Deadlines cluster from November through March for summer programs, though a few, like Navy SEAP and AFRL, open applications the previous fall. A handful, like Simons Summer Research, require a school official to nominate you rather than applying directly, so check that requirement early if it applies to a program you're targeting.
What do you actually do in a high school engineering program?
It depends on the program type. Government internships like SEAP, AFRL, and NASA put you to work on real technical projects alongside professional engineers, often 40 hours a week. University research placements like MITES, RSI, and ARISE pair you with a faculty or grad-student mentor on an ongoing lab project. Shorter academies like CURIE and UIUC's Illinois Aerospace Institute mix lectures with team-based design projects rather than open-ended research. Almost all of them end in some kind of presentation, poster, or written report.
How long do these programs run?
Most in-person summer programs run 4 to 8 weeks. The shortest are one week: UIUC's Illinois Aerospace Institute, CURIE Academy, Harvard's BioSTAR, NC State's Look Up! Way Up!, and Embry-Riddle. Navy SEAP, Clark Scholars, and Tufts TUBERS run 7 to 8 weeks. Genspace's Biorocket internship runs about 6 months. Lumiere's remote mentorship runs longest, from 12 weeks up to a full year, which is typically what it takes to finish an independent research paper start to end.
Stephen Turban is the co-founder of Lumiere Education and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics before beginning a PhD at Harvard Business School. A former McKinsey & Company consultant and former researcher, his research has been covered by the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, and the Washington Post. In his articles for Forbes, he writes on what students and professionals can learn from high school research, high school passion projects, critical thinking, and mentorship. At Lumiere, he leads a selective research program where students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper. Connect with him on LinkedIn.