8 Research Programs for High School Students in Washington, D.C.
If you’re a high school student in Washington, D.C., you can enhance your academic and personal growth by participating in research programs before college. These programs offer exposure to cutting-edge research, providing learning experiences beyond the classroom. Mentorship from university faculty or industry experts further increases your understanding, giving you the critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills essential for future success.
In addition to fostering intellectual growth, research experience can significantly strengthen your college applications. Admissions committees at competitive undergraduate programs value demonstrated initiative and a commitment to learning. Engaging in research showcases your ability to tackle complex challenges, collaborate with experts, and contribute to meaningful projects, setting you apart from other applicants.
If you’re interested in participating in a research program, check out this blog on 8 research programs for high school students in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — You can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
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.
Location: Washington, D.C
Cost: $5,950
Application Deadline: April 15
Dates: July 6 - July 18
Eligibility: Current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the academic year before the summer program with a minimum 2.0 GPA
The 2-week Social Justice & Public Policy Academy introduces you to the root causes of injustice and structural oppression. You will explore impactful approaches to social change, such as community-engaged research, activism, public policy advocacy, decolonial philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship. Activities are led by Georgetown faculty and undergraduate mentors. The program includes site visits to key organizations and institutions, offering insights into the city's social justice history and current challenges. By conducting community-focused research, you will enhance your understanding of systemic inequities while developing practical solutions. The program culminates in designing a student organization focused on addressing a social injustice through one of the explored pathways.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Washington, D.C
Cost: $8,410
Application Deadline: April 15
Dates: June 8 - June 27
Eligibility: Current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the academic year before the summer program with a minimum 2.0 GPA
Georgetown's Medical Immersion Academy offers high school students a glimpse into a first-year medical school curriculum. Under the guidance of Georgetown University School of Medicine faculty and medical students, you will study cell biology, pathology, immunology, cardiology, and endocrinology. The program emphasizes emergency medical skills like physical examinations, airway management, CPR, suturing, medication administration, and splinting. Through guest lectures and interactive sessions, you will gain insights into how clinicians diagnose, treat, and manage diseases. The curriculum includes creating a research-based poster linked to a medical theme you’ve explored during the academy. You will learn to analyze medical topics critically and present your findings.
Location: Various labs across the country
Stipend: New participant: $4,000; Returning participant: $4,500
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: The program runs for 8 weeks (with a possibility of extending to 10 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9, aged 16 or older by the internship start date
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a unique opportunity to engage in Naval research during this eight-week summer program. You will be placed in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country, working alongside scientists and engineers on real-world research projects. With mentorship, you will explore advanced STEM topics, gain experience with Naval technology, and develop problem-solving and technical skills. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: NASA Centers across the country
Stipend: Most internships are paid, but some volunteering opportunities are available.
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28; Fall: May 16
Dates: Dates vary depending on the internship opportunity you apply for
Eligibility: Be a full-time student (high school through graduate level), aged 16 at the time of application, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM Internship programs offer students an opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s leading professionals in science, engineering, business, IT, and finance. These internships provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities, introducing you to NASA’s cutting-edge projects. Working under the guidance of NASA scientists and engineers, you will explore innovative solutions to complex problems and enhance your analytical abilities. Through this experience, you will gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of your chosen field. To learn more about NASA internship opportunities, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Various locations across the country
Cost: $9,800 (Financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: January 24 (International deadline); February 21 (Domestic deadline)
Dates: The program begins in mid-late June
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have completed the pre-requisites by the summer and will be at least 15 years old, but not 19, during the program.
The Summer Science Program (SSP) offers high school students an introduction to experimental science designed to accelerate academic and personal growth. Throughout the program, you’ll work in teams of three on real-world research projects, supported by university faculty in a grade-free environment. In 2024, SSP featured 12 programs across diverse scientific disciplines. Students explored near-Earth asteroid orbit determination in Astrophysics, fungal crop pathogens in Biochemistry, antibiotic resistance evolution in Genomics, and drug creation in Synthetic Chemistry. To learn more about this program, check out our review here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16-27
Eligibility: High school students (entering 9th grade through 12th grade in the fall) over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual summer research internship for high school students to explore the intersection of AI and healthcare. Through technical lectures, mentoring sessions with Stanford researchers, and group projects, you will explore AI fundamentals and their medical applications. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion. You will work on projects addressing real-world challenges in AI and healthcare, including promoting health equity and excellence. An optional extended independent research internship may also be available for interested students.
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.
Image Source - Georgetown University Logo