9 Research Programs for High School Students in Florida
Research programs for high school students offer an opportunity to engage in scientific inquiry and problem-solving before college. These programs provide access to cutting-edge research, mentorship from university faculty or industry experts, and the chance to explore topics ranging from neuroscience to engineering.
By participating in a research program, you will develop critical thinking and written communication skills, which will be useful for all college majors. For those applying to competitive colleges, research experience can be a great addition to your applications. These programs can show admissions officers your initiative and dedication to learning.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 9 research programs in Florida designed for high school students!
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).
The Student Science Training Program at the University of Florida is a residential program for high school seniors interested in science, medicine, math, computer science, or engineering. You will work closely with UF faculty mentors on active research projects, attend daily lectures on advanced topics, and join honors seminar classes. Alongside research, the program fosters leadership and communication skills through social and service activities. Florida students may earn dual enrollment credit during the program.
Location: CPET, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,200 plus a $50 application fee (financial aid available)
Dates: The program typically starts in June/July
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students currently in the 11th grade or students entering grade 12 who are at least 16 years old
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
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: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Various according to the cohort. Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers a six-week program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. You will work alongside MPFI researchers on projects exploring brain function, structure, and advanced imaging techniques. Tracks include Neuroscience, Scientific Programming, and Mechanical Engineering. The internship provides learning opportunities for lab techniques, software development for data analysis, and CAD-based mechanical design. You will also prepare a scientific abstract and deliver a presentation.
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost: No cost; interns will be compensated at $14/hour
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 7
Eligibility: Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years and must reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties. Check more details here.
The University of Florida’s Research Explorations Program involves hands-on experiments, interactive lab visits, and seminars with UF faculty and graduate students. You can choose between two tracks:
Biomedical Science Track: Epxlores advanced experimental techniques such as CRISPR, gel electrophoresis, DNA, and protein science, connecting research to clinical therapeutics.
Environmental Science and Toxicology Track: Focuses on the environmental impact of pollutants on human health and ecosystems. You will engage in studies of aquatic health, pollution, conservation methods, and the effects of invasive species.
This program exposes you to active research labs, fostering problem-solving skills. It’s a valuable opportunity for students interested in science and engineering careers.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,400 (includes accommodation, social activities, meals, insurance, staffing and supervision, and program supplies) plus a $35 non-refundable application fee
Dates: The program typically runs between July and August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
The Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program is a residential STEM program for high school students in Florida. You will take specialized mathematics, science, and computer programming courses designed exclusively for YSP. You will also work on independent research projects under faculty and graduate student mentorship, culminating in a poster presentation. The program includes social and recreational activities, such as organized trips, dorm-based games, and fitness activities. YSP provides a well-rounded experience, blending academic rigor with community-building.
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: Free for all accepted students
Dates: June 8 – July 19
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who have finished 11th grade in a Florida high school; a few spots are available for highly qualified 10th graders (who have at least a 3.0 GPA). Check more eligibility requirements here.
This internship at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine offers high school juniors from Miami-Dade and Broward areas an opportunity to explore biological and computational sciences. This paid internship is held at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG), where you will work with faculty, post-docs, or staff on cutting-edge research projects. You will gain hands-on research experience and enhance your presentation skills. This internship allows you to explore advanced topics in human genomics to study and prevent human diseases.
Location: John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: No cost; a stipend will be provided
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
SPARK, hosted by Mayo Clinic's Jacksonville campus, offers high school juniors and seniors from Duval or St. Johns counties a research experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. During the summer and throughout the year, you will conduct research in fields like biochemistry, immunology, AI, and cancer biology. SPARK scholars often present competitive projects at science fairs, earning awards, and many pursue prestigious college programs and careers in science and medicine.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: N/A
Dates: June 3 – December 2
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at a high school in Duval County or St. Johns County, Florida. Check more details here.
The I-DeepLearn Summer Workshop at Florida Atlantic University is an NSF-supported program for female students entering grades 10-12. This competitive workshop introduces you to machine learning and deep learning, with a strong focus on AI applications in healthcare. Key topics include machine learning basics, types, and applications. You will engage in hands-on projects, explore programming with Python, and receive mentorship from expert researchers. The program prepares you for advanced studies and careers in AI and computer science.
Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FLCost: No costDates: June 3 – December 2Application Deadline: December 31Eligibility: Rising female 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with a minimum 3.25 high school GPA. Check more details here.
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.