Participating in research programs allows high school students to explore their academic interests. These programs provide exposure to scientific research, offering you a chance to work on real-world challenges. Guided by university faculty and industry experts, you will explore subjects ranging from biomedical sciences to environmental studies. You will also hone your critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills.

Beyond building knowledge, these experiences can enhance your college applications, especially if you’re aiming for competitive undergraduate STEM programs. Admissions committees value candidates who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and the ability to tackle advanced concepts—qualities cultivated through research programs. By contributing to meaningful projects and connecting with mentors, you can prepare for the academic rigor of college and position yourself as a standout candidate in the increasingly competitive college admissions landscape. 

Here is a curated list of 8 research programs for high school students in South Carolina!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 

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.

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility:

• You must be currently enrolled in high school

• Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

• No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).

2. Converse University - Science, Technology, Arts, and Research Scholars (STARS)

The STARS program pairs high school students with Converse College faculty to work on research projects in biology, biochemistry, psychology, and computer science. Through this program, you will engage in hands-on research and build foundational skills critical for academic and professional success. The program includes workshops on drafting research proposals, designing experiments, and understanding laboratory protocols. Additionally, you will receive training in research ethics, laboratory safety, and effective presentation techniques. STARS scholars present their findings at academic forums, building expertise in scientific communication. 

Location: Converse University, Spartanburg, SC.

Cost: TBA.

Dates: The program typically runs for 5 weeks in the summer. 

Application Deadline: TBA.

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Spartanburg County high schools can apply. Preference will be given to students who have completed AP courses in biology and chemistry.

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

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. 

Location: Virtual 

Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts. 

Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.

4. Medical University of South Carolina - South Carolina Cancer Health Equity Research Training Youth Enjoy Science Program

The SC CHEER YES program allows 15-20 students from Burke High School, Charleston Charter School for Math and Science, North Charleston High School, and St. John’s High School to engage in cancer research. Over two years, you will receive dedicated mentorship and gain hands-on experience in research laboratories. This program includes two paid summer internships at Hollings, offering a chance to deepen your understanding of cancer research while developing valuable scientific skills.

Location: MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC.

Cost / Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend. 

Dates: The 7-week research internship typically runs from June through July.

Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February and close in March.

Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors from Burke High School, Charleston Charter School for Math and Science, North Charleston High School, and St. John’s High School are eligible to apply. Students must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a biomedical science career and have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.5.

5. Furman University - High School Research Opportunities

Furman University offers local high school students the opportunity to participate in a six-week summer research program. These experiences are designed to provide early exposure to research for those interested in pursuing STEM majors and students considering Furman as a college option. You can email Dr. John Kaup at John.kaup@furman.edu to request an application form. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed to assess if it matches the potential research opportunities. You will be contacted directly if a suitable placement is identified or further information is needed.

Location: Furman University, Greenville, SC.

Cost: There is currently no information available on the website.

Dates: The program typically runs for 6 weeks in the summer.

Application Deadline: Research assignments with high school students are not made until mid/late March. 

Eligibility: Local high school students are eligible to apply. 

6. Clemson University - Summer Science and Academic Enrichment

If you are a high school student interested in science and engineering, Clemson University’s Bioengineering department offers a week-long Summer Science and Academic Enrichment course. Classes and lab sessions conducted by staff and graduate students will explore surgery, biomaterials, tissue engineering, biosensors, cell culture, bio instrumentation, and biomechanics. Beyond lab work, you will explore the campus, tour the Godley-Snell Animal Research Facility, visit departmental labs, and see cutting-edge facilities at Prisma Health Memorial Hospital. This research program equips you with skills to navigate scientific literature, introduces current bioengineering topics, and provides insights into potential career paths.

Location: Clemson University, Clemson, SC.

Cost: There is currently no information available on the website.

Dates: The program typically runs for a week in the summer. 

Application Deadline: Applications open in December.

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

7. The Citadel - Math Research Experience

This selective research program offers nine Lowcountry high school students the chance to explore mathematics beyond the classroom and standard curriculum. As a participant, you will join a group of three students guided by two mentors—one high school teacher and one Citadel professor. You will tackle mathematical problems related to Fibonacci numbers, number theory, combinatorics, statistics, and applied mathematics. Throughout the week, you will explore the research process by working on open problems published in respected journals like The Fibonacci Quarterly and The American Mathematical Monthly. You will also learn LaTeX, a scientific word-processing tool, to prepare your findings for publication. Your work will culminate in an opportunity to present at the South Carolina Junior Academy of Sciences annual meeting.

Location: The Citadel, Charleston, SC.

Cost: Free!

Dates: The program typically runs for a week in June.

Application Deadline: TBA.

Eligibility: Rising freshmen to seniors from the Lowcountry area are eligible to apply.

8. South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics - Summer Research

At the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, you can participate in a summer research experience under the guidance of academic and professional mentors. Through the Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI) and the international Research Experience Scholars Program (RESP), you can work in university and corporate labs across South Carolina, the U.S., Europe, and Asia during the summer between junior and senior years. These six-week programs allow you to collaborate with mentors and refine your findings throughout your senior year. Your work culminates in formal research papers and presentations at events like the GSSM Annual Research Colloquium and the SC Junior Academy of Science meeting. 

Location: Varies based on internship. 

Cost: Free!

Dates: The program typically runs for 6 weeks in the summer.

Application Deadline: TBA for summer 2025.

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors at South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville, SC, are eligible to apply.

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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.