9 Chemistry Research Opportunities for High School Students

If you're someone who enjoys chemistry and wants to go beyond the classroom, consider a research opportunity! Chemistry research opportunities for high school students can offer meaningful insights into both academic and industry pathways. To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of chemistry research opportunities for high school students that are not only competitive but also backed by respected institutions. 

Chemistry research opportunities offer an early look into how research is conducted at the college level—through lab work, data analysis, or collaborative problem-solving. You also build real-world skills such as lab safety, scientific communication, and critical thinking while developing a network of important contacts for future career opportunities. Unlike private tutoring or commercial pre-college camps, many of these opportunities are fully funded or low-cost, making them more accessible to a broader range of students.

The chemistry research programs in this list stand out because they’re rigorous, offer strong mentorship, and are often free to attend. Some are hosted by prestigious organizations, and have low acceptance rates, making them solid additions to college applications, while others focus on community-based research or real-world problem-solving. 

Here's a look at 9 chemistry research opportunities for high school students.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track

Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,990 (financial aid available)

Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!

Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. If selected, you’ll work closely with mentors to create a college-level research paper based on your project, with additional support from writing coaches.

During this period, you’ll engage in thorough research, participate in workshops, and gradually refine your work. By the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper and gained experience in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing. More details about the application are here! You can choose your subject track in the application form, such as chemistry, as well as a specific area of focus, such as molecular structures, throughout your research experience! 

2. Horizon Academic Research Program – Chemistry Track

Location: Virtual

Cost: $5,950 (financial aid available)

Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.

Application Deadline: May 18

Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a >3.67/4.0 GPA. 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, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! In the business track, you can explore topics such as behavioral economics and market trends. 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 includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!

3. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June 22 – August 2

Application Deadline: Opens in fall; deadline typically mid-December

Eligibility: Current high school juniors (U.S. citizens or permanent residents); highly competitive academic background recommended, including standardized test scores and prior STEM experience

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Less than 5% for American students.

This MIT program is a six-week, fully funded summer program that brings together about 100 of the world’s top high school students for intensive STEM research. You’ll start with a week of advanced coursework taught by MIT faculty, followed by a five-week mentored research internship in a university or local lab. The research spans various chemistry disciplines such as biochemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, and you will complete the full research cycle: reviewing scientific literature, designing and executing experiments, and presenting your findings in both written and oral formats. The final week is dedicated to professional-level presentations that mimic real academic conferences. Mentorship is a key part of the experience, with guidance from experienced scientists and researchers.

4. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Cost: Free

Program Dates: 5–6 weeks during summer (exact dates vary by project)

Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15

Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. high school; must be 16 or older by June 15

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10 to 15%

This Princeton program offers local high school students the chance to participate in hands-on research across various STEM fields, including chemistry. If accepted, you'll be matched with a faculty-led lab project, such as photoredox catalysis, NMR-based metabolomics, or computational modeling of protein complexes. You’ll work with professional researchers, follow university safety protocols, and contribute to real scientific efforts. The program also includes workshops and lectures on essential research skills such as science communication, scientific ethics, experimental design, and data analysis. Each student is expected to complete a two-page summary of their research by the end of the program. 

5. UPenn Chemistry Research Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $9,949; financial aid available for eligible Philadelphia public/charter school students

Program Dates: July 5 – 26

Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are closed (typically open in early winter and close in spring)

Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students; international students welcome (B-2 visa required); must have completed one year of high school chemistry

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive

This academy is a three-week residential summer program focused on developing foundational and research-oriented skills in chemistry. While not a direct research placement, this program blends lab work with classroom learning, allowing you to explore areas such as spectroscopy, chromatography, synthetic optimization, and nanoscale materials. Around half of your time will be spent in the lab engaging in open-ended experiments and peer-reviewed challenges, with the remainder devoted to interactive lessons, guest lectures, and Journal Clubs with research students. You’ll also complete a Capstone project that guides you through the initial steps of planning an independent research project, which is ideal for future science fairs or school-based research. Tours of Penn’s research facilities and connections with university researchers round off the experience.

6. Summer Science Program - Synthetic Chemistry

Location: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK

Cost: $9,800 (Financial aid available)

Program Dates: June 8 – July 13

Application Deadline: January 24 (international); February 21 (domestic)

Eligibility: Current high school juniors (must be 15–18 years old during program); must have completed at least one high school chemistry course for credit

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10-15%

This program is a five-week, immersive research experience focused on the advanced synthesis and analysis of macrocyclic compounds. You’ll work in teams to conduct multi-step de novo synthesis, creating novel metal-ligand complexes and applying techniques typically taught in second and third-year college chemistry courses. You'll also gain experience presenting your work through a professional-style poster session and manuscript draft. The program is academically rigorous and emphasizes safety, critical analysis, and collaboration. Faculty mentors and guest chemists offer close guidance, helping you develop both technical lab skills and a deeper understanding of real-world chemistry applications. You can also request a stipend of $3,000 at the time of admission if you need to work during the summer.

7. Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: February 7

Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in 11th grade; must be at least 16 years old by program start

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 4%

This program offers rising high school seniors a six-week opportunity to conduct hands-on research at Stony Brook University under the guidance of faculty mentors. If selected, you’ll join a research group, contribute to an ongoing project, and take responsibility for a portion of the work. Chemistry placements may involve fields like materials science, catalysis, or chemical biology, depending on available mentors. You’ll also attend weekly seminars, workshops, and lab tours designed to broaden your understanding of scientific research. The program ends with a written abstract and a formal research poster presentation. This is a competitive and immersive experience ideal for students looking to explore academic research in a university setting. You will also receive a stipend at the end of the program.

8. Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July 6 – July 26

Application Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students (grade level not explicitly restricted); U.S. students encouraged to apply

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Extremely competitive, only 80 students selected per year

This program is a three-week, fully funded summer experience designed for high school students interested in the physical and life sciences. The program includes daily lectures and lab sessions led by NYU faculty, offering exposure to university-level concepts across disciplines like chemistry, neuroscience, and biology. You’ll gain experience working in real lab environments discussing current scientific topics and learn from some of the most innovative chemistry researchers. The program also emphasizes academic exploration, peer collaboration, and professional networking with faculty and graduate students. It’s intended for students who want to deepen their understanding of scientific fields before college.

9. St. Bonaventure University High School Student Research Program

Location: St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY

Cost: $1,000; need-based scholarships available

Program Dates: July 14 – July 25

Application Deadline: April 7

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors for summer 2025)

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: It is selective

This program is a two-week summer research experience that matches you with a faculty mentor for hands-on, authentic research in fields across the life sciences, chemistry, and engineering. You'll select areas of interest from available lab projects and work closely with university scientists to work on a cutting-edge scientific topic. The program includes lab work, peer engagement, and a final poster presentation, giving you a chance to build communication skills while sharing your findings. You will develop important scientific skills throughout the program such as critical thinking, scientific communication, laboratory techniques, data analysis, etc. You will also network with faculty and peers laying a foundation for future academic and professional endeavors.

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.

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