15 After School Research Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 25 minutes ago
- 12 min read
If you're a high school student, an after-school research program is a solid way to explore a subject seriously and practically, without having to wait until summer to do it!
These programs let you build something real, gradually, alongside your regular classes. You'll also come away with skills that matter well beyond the program, such as reading research papers, working with data, and explaining your findings clearly to people outside the project.
Why should I do a research program in high school?
Research programs give you the chance to work on an actual question or project, guided by a mentor who knows the field, rather than just completing an assignment for a grade. That kind of sustained, one-on-one guidance is hard to find in a regular classroom setting.
For college applications, this kind of experience carries real weight. Admissions officers see plenty of students with strong grades in science or math, but far fewer who've actually done sustained, independent research. A completed project, a research paper, or a mentor who can speak specifically to your work tells a much more convincing story than a transcript alone.
To help you get started, we've compiled a list of 15 after-school research programs for high school students!
If you’re looking for after-school programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span mathematics, AI, biotechnology, astrophysics, biomedical science, film, and engineering, so students with a wide range of academic interests can find a relevant after-school research option.
Several programs are free, including MIT PRIMES-USA, MITES Semester, Fred Hutch Girls Who Code, and Reel Works, while others, such as Genspace Biorocket ($2,000), Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP, and California Academy of Sciences CiS, offer paid stipends.
Many programs run throughout the academic year rather than just the summer, including MIT PRIMES-USA, Emory EPiC, UBRP, Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP, and California Academy CiS, making them strong options for students who want sustained research experience alongside regular classes.
Application deadlines vary widely, with some programs opening in the fall, such as MIT PRIMES-USA (December 1) and Stanford ULO-I (October to January), while others, such as Genspace Biorocket (January 8) and Fred Hutch Girls Who Code (April 14), have spring deadlines.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Phase I: January 1 – Pi Day | Phase II: Pi+0.01 Day – June 15 | Phase III: June 15 – August 31 | Phase IV: September 1 – December 31
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores living in the U.S. outside the Greater Boston area are eligible to apply
Unlike short-term enrichment programs, MIT PRIMES-USA stretches across an entire year and asks students to tackle problems that researchers themselves have not yet solved. High school sophomores and juniors from outside the Greater Boston area work remotely with mentors from MIT and other universities on advanced projects in mathematics, theoretical computer science, and computational biology. Sophomores typically participate in collaborative group research, while juniors may pursue individual or small-group investigations depending on the project. Throughout the program, you'll read advanced mathematical literature, meet regularly with mentors, write technical reports, and gradually develop the skills required for independent mathematical research. Many participants finish the program with research papers suitable for competitions, conferences, or publication.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) are eligible to apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with PhD mentors from top universities for a one-on-one independent research experience. You'll work closely with your mentor to develop an original research question, conduct a literature review, and produce a full research paper over 12 weeks. The program is offered across 20+ subject areas, including STEM, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Students who complete the program can submit their papers for publication in academic journals or present at conferences. Lumiere also offers the Research Inclusion Foundation, a fully funded option for talented, low-income students. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. You can apply to the program here.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) are eligible to apply
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Various locations across the United States
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies depending on the internship
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply
If you're looking for research experience that fits around the school year, Sandia National Laboratories' Year-Round Research Internships offer far more flexibility than most summer-only programs. Depending on your placement, you could join teams working in cybersecurity, software development, engineering, energy systems, or other technical fields that support Sandia's national research mission. You'll work alongside scientists, engineers, and technical professionals on real projects, gaining experience with industry-standard tools and research workflows instead of simulated assignments. High school interns typically work part-time during the academic year and can transition to full-time schedules during school breaks. Along the way, you'll receive mentorship, competitive pay, and, in some cases, academic credit through your school.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10-15 students
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Dates: The program runs for 6 weeks, starting April 21
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 are eligible to apply
The Girls Who Code Club at Fred Hutch Cancer Center introduces you to programming through the lens of biology and medical research. Led by computational biology graduate students from Fred Hutch and the University of Washington, the program meets weekly in small groups, making it easy to ask questions and receive individualized guidance. You'll learn programming fundamentals while working on collaborative projects inspired by real scientific challenges, such as analyzing infectious disease data, studying protein evolution, or programming robots to complete navigation tasks. The club is specifically designed for students with little or no background in coding or computational biology, so prior experience isn't expected.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual and in-person at Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: Orientation Day - February 20 | Spring Session: February 25 – May 21 | Summer Session: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students aged 16 years and above are eligible to apply
The Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace gives you six months to explore modern biotechnology through research and science communication. Working with scientist mentors and fellow interns, you'll help design and carry out an original research project while learning laboratory techniques commonly used in genetics and molecular biology. Outside the lab, you'll visit biotechnology companies, tour research facilities, and participate in career development sessions that introduce you to different STEM pathways. One of the program's most distinctive features is its improv-based communication training, which helps you explain complex scientific ideas clearly to different audiences. At the end of the internship, you'll present your research while joining a growing community of student researchers across New York City.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 36 students
Location: DNALC NYC at City Tech (Brooklyn, NY) or Harlem DNA Lab, plus various NYC research institutions
Stipend: $500 stipend upon successful completion
Dates: Two weeks of lab training in late August, followed by after-school and weekend research sessions throughout the academic year (minimum 55 hours), culminating in a symposium in May or June
Application Deadline: Late May (typically May 26 or 27)
Eligibility: New York City high school students who are at least 13 years old
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) provides New York City high school students with an introduction to biodiversity research using advanced genetic and bioinformatics tools. Sponsored by the DNA Learning Center (DNALC) of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and funded by the Pinkerton Foundation, the program begins with two weeks of intensive summer lab workshops where you will learn DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequence analysis. During the school year, students form small teams and are matched with scientist mentors from local research institutions to design and execute a custom DNA barcoding project. Teams spend at least 55 hours outside of regular school hours collecting environmental samples, analyzing molecular data, and mapping out the genetic biodiversity of the NYC metropolitan area. The program concludes with a formal symposium in the spring, where students present their research posters to the scientific community and earn a $500 stipend.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10-16 students
Location: Virtual and in-person at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: September to May
Application Deadline: May 29
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School are eligible to apply
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian allows students to spend an academic year working alongside professional astrophysicists on original research. Selected students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School are placed into small research teams and matched with scientist mentors who guide them through every stage of a project, from reviewing scientific literature and analyzing astronomical data to interpreting results and refining research questions. Weekly meetings with mentors and monthly advisory sessions provide consistent support throughout the year. The program concludes with a symposium hosted at Harvard, where students present their findings through scientific talks and research posters while receiving a stipend for their participation.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: After-school and weekends
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: San Francisco high school students are eligible to apply
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is designed as a long-term pathway rather than a single summer experience. You will join the California Academy of Sciences as paid interns and continue participating throughout high school, gradually taking on more responsibility each year. Early experiences focus on science communication, public engagement, and supporting museum programs, while later stages introduce field research, leadership opportunities, and collaborative projects with Academy scientists. Beyond scientific work, you will attend college tours, STEM conferences, financial literacy workshops, and professional development sessions that prepare you for future education and careers. Individual mentorship helps students explore their interests while building confidence in both scientific and professional settings.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Alvernia University, Reading, PA
Cost: Semester membership: $700 | Full Academic Year: $1,236
Dates: Spring semester: January 26 – April 23 | Academic Year: September 16 – April 23
Application Deadline: May 14
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
If you've ever wanted to develop your own research idea instead of joining someone else's project, the After-School Student Research Program at Alvernia University is built around that goal. You'll spend several hours each week working on a project that reflects your own interests, whether that's in science, technology, engineering, the arts, or another field. Faculty mentors, university students, and community partners help you refine your ideas while giving you access to advanced equipment and research resources. As your project develops, you'll also learn about copyrights, patents, and trademarks, gaining practical insight into how original ideas are protected and moved beyond the research stage.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: In-Person: $525 each quarter | Virtual: $500 each quarter
Dates: Sessions offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Spring Quarter: March 30 – June 4
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
The Stanford Math Circle offers mathematically curious students a chance to explore ideas rarely covered in high school classrooms. Meeting weekly throughout the academic year, the program brings together students in grades 9–12 for collaborative sessions led by mathematicians from Stanford and the broader research community. Each meeting focuses on creative problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and discovering new concepts through discussion and exploration. Since different instructors lead different sessions, you'll encounter a wide range of topics and mathematical perspectives over the course of the quarter, whether you attend virtually or on campus.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Three-year program with 12 after-school sessions per academic year
Application Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: Current sophomores enrolled at Carver STEAM, Douglass, Jackson, South Atlanta, or Washington High School are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled in at least one honors, AP, or IB course, or demonstrate potential.
The Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC) is designed as a long-term pathway rather than a one-time summer experience. Beginning in 10th grade, you'll spend three years participating in after-school sessions, summer programming, and mentorship focused on health professions and college preparation. Each year explores a different area of health science, including reproductive health, neuroscience, mental health, and public health, through workshops led by graduate students and professionals from Emory's medical, public health, and health sciences programs. Alongside academic learning, you'll build clinical skills, prepare for the SAT, visit healthcare facilities and college campuses, and receive guidance on financial aid and college applications. Undergraduate mentors support you throughout the program, while eligible students also receive stipends during later years.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; selective for certain labs
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Academic year (weekly after-school sessions; specific labs vary
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students (typically ages 14–21; some programs have additional requirements like language proficiency)
The Reel Works After-School Filmmaking Program gives you practical experience in film and media production through structured, after-school sessions. You learn key skills such as storytelling, scriptwriting, filming, editing, and sound design while working on your own creative projects. You are mentored by professional filmmakers who guide both technical skills and creative development. Programs like Film School Friday offer weekly workshops focused on different aspects of filmmaking, while specialized labs (such as podcasting or audio storytelling) offer more intensive, short-term experiences.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – December 6
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply
MITES Semester blends challenging STEM coursework with long-term college preparation over six months. The program begins during the summer, when you'll take live online classes covering subjects such as machine learning, thermodynamics, astrophysics, calculus, computer science, physics, or science writing. Many courses revolve around projects that encourage you to apply concepts rather than simply memorize them. Once the school year begins, the focus shifts toward preparing for college through weekly virtual workshops covering application essays, interviews, financial aid, and admissions strategies. The experience concludes with an in-person conference at MIT, where you'll meet fellow participants, faculty, and mentors after months of learning together online.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition: $3,900 | Application Fee: $35. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: January 26 – May 15
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 5
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Applicants must be well prepared in single variable calculus and have completed AP Calculus BC or equivalent.
If you've already mastered single-variable calculus and are ready for more advanced mathematics, Stanford's Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Immersive offers the opportunity to study material typically reserved for first-year university students. You'll choose from courses such as Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra or Discrete Mathematics, both taught using a curriculum developed for Stanford undergraduates. Weekly assignments, exams, and instructor office hours create a structured academic environment that mirrors a university course rather than a traditional enrichment program. Throughout the semester, you'll strengthen your proof-writing, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills while earning official Stanford Continuing Studies credit upon successful completion.
Frequently asked questions
What after-school research programs are available for high school students?
Options include mathematics and computer science programs, such as MIT PRIMES-USA and Stanford Math Circle, AI and data science programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere, biomedical and biology programs, such as Genspace Biorocket, UBRP, and Fred Hutch Girls Who Code, astrophysics programs, such as Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP, and multi-year pathways, such as California Academy CiS and Emory EPiC.
Are there free after-school research programs for high school students?
Yes, several programs are free, including MIT PRIMES-USA, MITES Semester, Fred Hutch Girls Who Code, and Reel Works. Lumiere and Veritas AI charge tuition but offer need-based financial aid, and programs, such as Genspace Biorocket and Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP, are free and also provide stipends.
Which after-school programs run throughout the school year rather than just the summer?
Several programs are specifically designed to run alongside the academic year, including MIT PRIMES-USA (January to December), Emory EPiC (three years of after-school sessions), UBRP (August through May), Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP (September to May), and California Academy CiS (a multi-year pathway).
When should I apply to after-school research programs for high school students?
The earliest deadlines are MIT PRIMES-USA (December 1) and Stanford ULO-I (October to January). Spring deadlines include Genspace Biorocket (January 8), MITES Semester (February 1), and Fred Hutch Girls Who Code (April 14). Students should identify target programs in the fall and begin preparing materials early.
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.