20 Free Summer Research Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 25, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Feb 14
If you're a high school student, a summer research program can help you build your knowledge of a subject you’re interested in. It also offers hands-on experience and early exposure to the challenges and rewards of your chosen field. These programs can also enhance your college application. Admissions officers value students who go beyond the school curriculum to deepen their understanding. Through these programs, you can learn in various settings, including universities, hospitals, clinics, and research centers, and interact with industry professionals.
These programs can come with a cost that makes them less accessible to high schoolers. To help you, we've listed 20 free summer research programs for high school students. Note: Many of these programs provide stipends as well!
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research program for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost. The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. You can find the application form here.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: There are 4 annual cohorts that run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program is an 8-week, paid internship designed to help you explore different STEM fields. At the Salk Institute, you'll participate in advanced research projects with scientists, researchers, and scholars. You'll receive mentorship, learn laboratory techniques, and work on research projects, gaining practical lab and research experience. This internship will develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, preparing you for academic and professional STEM careers.
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA.
Application Deadline: April 5
Program Dates: June 17 - August 9 | 30-40 hours per week
Eligibility: Students who are San Diego County residents, have completed their most recent semester of high school at a public or private high school within San Diego County, are at least 16 years old on or before June 26, have completed at least one year each of high school level chemistry and biology. Check this page for all the program requirements.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level 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, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Varies according to cohort
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
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.
Cost: Financial aid available
This 5-week virtual research program is for high school students from underrepresented communities to promote inclusivity in neurological sciences. Participants will conduct research under the mentorship of leading researchers and engage in discussions, scientific seminars, and weekly development sessions. They will also interact with top neuroscientists at JHU. At the program's conclusion, students will present their research through oral or poster presentations. Learn about past projects here!
Location: Virtual and in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus.
Application Deadline: March 1, every year.
Program Dates: 8 weeks, June - August (in-person); 5 weeks, July - August (virtual)
Eligibility:
Juniors and seniors from around the country are eligible to apply to the 5-week virtual program.
Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area who are from underrepresented groups are eligible for the in-person program.
Stipend: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend (amount varies), while virtual interns receive a stipend of $500.
This is a prestigious internship opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors with the PHC Group. Interns will get the chance to build leadership skills and pursue independent interests. Students will work on social media and community projects, as well as meaningful marketing research, under the direction of the public health director. Interns will contribute to better remote collaboration and relationship building. Typical applicants possess strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Office, are fast learners, and are efficient workers for multiple projects and assignments.
Note: This is a paid internship. The exact amount is not available.
Location: Remote!
Application Deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible. Program Dates: Summer, exact dates not specified.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development's Summer Camp is designed to provide students with research experiences under the guidance of university faculty mentors. These camps offer opportunities to delve into high school, college-level, and pre-professional instruction under the guidance of industry leaders. Participants are exposed to intensive courses that delve into advanced concepts across various disciplines, including math, science, writing, technology, leadership, and service learning. Through rigorous coursework, students are encouraged to grapple with complex problems.
Note: 100% need-based financial assistance is provided for this program.
Location: Northwestern University
Application Deadline: June 5th for session 1.
Program Dates: June 23 - July 12
Eligibility: High school Students.
This internship program is ideal for students interested in renewable energy and energy storage. Available in half-time and quarter-time formats, it accommodates different schedules and commitment levels. Interns will engage in activities related to renewable energy and energy storage, such as researching emerging technologies, analyzing market trends, and contributing to articles and reports published by EnergyMag. The program often culminates in a substantial research project or a series of smaller projects. Students can expect a competitive selection process as this program is open to college students as well!
Location: Remote!
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round; you can apply here.
Program Dates: Flexible. During the summer as well.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class with a minimum GPA of 3.25 can apply.
This is a prestigious apprenticeship program that gives high school students the chance to work in Department of Navy laboratories across the country. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is fairly competitive. In this program, you will work with top researchers and engineers at Navy facilities on actual Naval research while being mentored by expert Navy scientists and engineers. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, including engineering, physics, chemistry, and more. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest.
Location: Varies based on lab locations.
Application Deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year. Program Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens can apply.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
SIMR is an 8-week internship where you collaborate one-on-one with a Stanford graduate student or postdoctoral fellow on research. You must choose from eight study fields: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics and Genomics. You will be assigned to a lab with a mentor based on your choice. This competitive program admits about 50 students, with an acceptance rate of less than 3%. In the final two weeks, you will create a research poster to present to peers, teachers, family, and the Stanford community.
Cost/stipend: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipends of $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 10 - August 1
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
RSI is a 6-week, highly selective free summer program for high school students in STEM. This program is hosted at MIT and accepts about 80 students each year. Here, students work with a researcher on an independent project and present their research to the broader community in a conference style at the end of the program. In 2019, there were about 1600 applicants for 80 spots, or around a 5% acceptance rate for the program. Students should have extensive research experience to be competitive for this program. International students will need to check on their specific country eligibility!
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
Stipend/cost: The program provides a $500 stipend. There is a $40 application fee with a need-based refund.
Application deadline: December 2
Program dates: June - August
Eligibility: High School Juniors only (U.S. and International)
Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
This program by Carnegie Mellon University is one of the free summer programs for high school students 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. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by Carnegie Mellon University faculty.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application deadline: March 15
Program dates: 5 weeks, July 1- August 5
Eligibility: Applicants must be sophomores or juniors from high school, and from underrepresented communities
This free summer program allows high school students to become familiar with research, gain hands-on experience, and increase their knowledge of global health. They will also participate in workshops on college readiness and career exploration. The program has both online and in-person components.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: April
Program dates: 1-3 weeks in July.
Eligibility: This program is open to all high school students (U.S. and International)
Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Clark Scholars Program allows students to conduct research in various fields, from mathematics to history. 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.
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Stipend: The program provides a $750 stipend
Application deadline: February 13
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 18 - August 3
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate this or next year (U.S. and International)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s Recruitment & Training for Under-Represented Populations (RTURP) Program
The Recruitment & Training Program for Under-represented Populations is one of the premier free summer programs for high school students who are interested in the scientific basis of drug abuse. The program prioritizes students from under-represented communities, who attend classes and learn research practice as part of the Intramural Research Program (IRP).
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus (Baltimore, MD)
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: Typically in July
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old and high school or college students
Math ExpLR is one of the best free summer programs for high school students focused on mathematical biology. In this program, students will be paired with undergraduates and collaborate on a computational biology research project with a principal investigator. There will also be weekly skill development events, such as how to deliver presentations or how to write math on the computer.
Location: UC Irvine campus (Irvine, CA)
Deadline to apply: March
Program dates: June - July
Eligibility: Released with the new application
SHTEM is a prestigious free online research program for high school students, offering virtual opportunities to explore research projects during the summer. These projects cover a broad spectrum of fields, including the science of information and communication, engineering, arts, linguistics, psychology, and biology, among others. Mentoring is a key component of the program, with guidance provided by Stanford Compression Forum’s students, faculty, and staff. The program emphasizes the inseparability of humanities and the human element from STEM research.
Location: Virtual, hosted by Stanford University
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program dates: June 17 - August 9
Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11-12 at the time of application, OR full-time community college students (within the first 3 years of community college), are eligible to apply.
APA internships offer diverse roles in research, policy, and more. As an intern, you will have a variety of responsibilities. You may participate in research, writing, and web-based projects and assist staff with administrative tasks and special projects. Interns will have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practice and foster a better understanding of a workplace environment in professional psychology. Interns will report directly to their supervisor for daily tasks and support for overall learning objectives. Interns may also attend workshops and discussions and participate in group projects.
Application Deadline: Rolling, see the application portal for open opportunities
Program dates: Available year-round
Eligibility: High school student; specific details vary based on the internship
Location: These internships are offered both in-person (Washington, D.C.) and remotely.
Conducted by the National Institute of Health, the HiSTEP program offers internships in the areas of biomedical engineering and healthcare. You’ll learn about research and healthcare careers through lectures, research group visits, networking events, small group discussions, and group projects. You will also receive guidance on the college application process, develop career readiness and leadership skills, and participate in a resilience and well-being program. Spanning over 5 weeks in Bethesda, MD, you'll delve into the scope of the scientific enterprise and the importance of biomedical research and other STEM-M careers.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,300 - $2,530 (monthly stipend before graduation).
Location: NIH main campus in Bethesda, MD
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: July 2–August 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and live in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
Under the aegis of the U.S. Department of Energy, the QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab allows students to conduct research alongside scientists. The focus areas at Fermilab generally include particle physics, quantum science, particle accelerators, computing, and detectors, although specific projects can differ. During the program, you will engage in practical research activities and tasks like data collection and oral presentations. This could include gathering and analyzing data through surveys conducted at the beginning and end of the program or contributing to the development of the team's research abstract.
Cost/Stipend: Free (transportation, housing, and meals not provided). A stipend of $17.20 per hour is provided to the interns.
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January and are expected to open in November.
Program Dates: June 17–August 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending an Illinois high school with U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status can apply.
BRAINYAC provides high schoolers with a summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. During your internship, you will be paired with a mentor from Columbia's neuroscience department, who will oversee your involvement in a specific research project. By the end of the program, you will have insight into an academic research career and a stronger foundation in neuroscience principles. Past participant Edgar Garcia researched the role of specific neurons in transmitting sensory information from the external environment.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is provided to the students.
Location: Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University, NY
Application Deadline: Applications open in October.
Program Dates: 5 weeks during the summer between June and August.
Eligibility: Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school nominated by BRAINYAC’s partner programs, and they must reside in New York City; preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
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.