9 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Dallas, TX
If you’re a high school student in Dallas, summer research programs are a good way to explore different fields, from biomedical sciences to technology. These programs provide hands-on learning in professional labs, enabling you to work directly on research projects with mentors who are experts in their areas. Participating in a research program not only builds foundational skills for STEM careers but also allows you to develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities.
Conducting research in a competitive program can significantly enhance your college applications. Admissions officers may see your acceptance into the program as an achievement, and the research skills you develop will benefit you as an undergraduate.
Here’s a list of 9 great summer research programs in Dallas, Texas, tailored for high school students.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
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: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program 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 PhD 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.
2. Veritas AI—AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
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: Winter cohort deadline: December 1, 2024
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort
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.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are interested in the field of AI an environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni, and you can expect a fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or to have completed the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program allows students to pursue an independent AI research project. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the fields of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. February 9, 2025 for the upcoming spring cohort
Program Dates: Multiple year-round programs, including in the summer
Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
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.
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! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice of either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university 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.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,200 registration fee, scholarships available for low-income students
Application Deadline: Application deadline for 2025 will be released on January 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th or 11th grade
This 8-week summer program offers an opportunity for high school students to conduct hands-on research across various STEM fields, such as app development, computational biology, data analysis, and machine learning. You will work closely with faculty mentors on real-world research projects, building critical thinking and research skills to prepare for future academic success.
The program is split into two main paths:
Research Internship Track: This option allows you to engage with research labs, working 20-40 hours per week on projects like simulations, coding, or app development.
Research Workshop Track: For those seeking a less intensive option, workshops are run like informal college classes. They meet twice a week, culminating in a final project or paper. These workshops are ideal for students who want to explore research topics in a more structured format.
Location: Dallas College's Cedar Valley and Richland campuses, TX
Cost: No information has been provided
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 10 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
The Dallas College Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP) offers an enriching summer program for students interested in STEM fields. You will engage in interactive workshops and laboratory experiments that simulate real-world applications, gaining an understanding of how STEM concepts are applied in different industries. You will also complete hands-on projects that challenge your creativity and technical skills, working in teams to solve complex problems. The program offers access to state-of-the-art resources and technology at Dallas College, giving you an opportunity to use cutting-edge equipment. By the end of the program, you will have strengthened your knowledge base while gaining valuable exposure to college life and professional opportunities in STEM-related fields.
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Cost: No information has been provided
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer 2025, exact dates have not been released
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The George A. Jeffrey NanoExplorers Program is an opportunity for high school students entering 10th to 12th grades to explore nanotechnology research. Launched by the NanoTech Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas, the program inspires future scientists and engineers by inviting students to join real research labs based on their interests.
Under the guidance of faculty, NanoExplorers develop skills to test their ideas, collaborate in teams, and explore new concepts. You will work on projects linked to funded research, contributing meaningful results and gaining lab experience. You will be able to present your findings at the annual research symposium. Since its inception in 2002, over 200 students have participated, with many going on to prestigious universities or returning to continue their research.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, TX
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: The application for 2025 will go live on January 2, 2025
Program Dates: Dates will be announced soon, check here
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors at the time of application
The Welch Summer Scholars Program (WSSP) is a five-week summer residency designed for high school sophomores and juniors. Held at the University of Texas at Dallas, this program gives you an opportunity to conduct hands-on scientific research in a university lab setting. As a WSSP participant, you will work closely with faculty mentors and graduate students on real scientific projects, gaining access to advanced lab equipment not typically available at the high school level.
In addition to lab work, the program includes weekly lectures, facility tours, workshops, and group activities, providing a well-rounded view of the academic research environment. At the end of the program, you will complete a research paper and a final presentation, showcasing your findings in a professional setting. This experience gives you a head start in STEM and helps develop skills that can lead to future college and career success in scientific fields.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,500
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Current high school students entering grades 10 to 12
The UT Dallas Summer Biology Research Workshop is an intensive, four-week non-residential program designed for high school students who have an interest in biological sciences. This workshop provides a hands-on research experience in UTD's School of Natural Sciences and Math labs.
In the first two weeks, you will undergo training in core areas like biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and data analytics. Afterward, you will be paired with research labs in fields such as neuroscience, genomics, and cancer biology. This program offers the chance to gain practical research skills, explore advanced biological concepts, and work alongside researchers at UTD.
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Program Dates: Program dates have not been published yet
Eligibility: High school juniors in North Texas who will be at least 16 years of age by June 1, 2025
The STARS Summer Research Opportunities program is an enriching eight-week, non-residential experience for high school juniors and teachers, allowing participants to work directly alongside faculty in research labs. You will conduct biomedical research, enhancing your practical skills and scientific knowledge. By the end of the summer, you will present your research findings, gaining experience in scientific communication.
This program is specifically for high school juniors in North Texas who show strong academic achievement and a passion for science. You will experience life in a biomedical research lab and gain insight into research practices. Note that applicants with prior research experience are not eligible.
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.