15 Lab Opportunities in NYC for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 28
- 13 min read
As a high school student, lab opportunities are one of the most effective ways for you to engage with academic subjects beyond the classroom. When you participate in a structured research environment, you gain exposure to college-level coursework, develop technical and analytical skills, and learn how to approach problems systematically. You also build meaningful connections with mentors, researchers, and peers, which can be valuable for future academic and career pathways.
If you are interested in pursuing research, New York City offers a particularly strong ecosystem. With access to leading universities, medical centers, and research institutes, you can work in well-equipped labs and learn directly from experts in the field.
Why should I participate in a lab opportunity in high school?
Participating in a lab opportunity during high school allows you to move beyond theoretical learning and actively apply concepts in a practical setting. You gain firsthand experience with experimental design, data collection, and analysis, skills that are essential in STEM fields. From a college admissions perspective, lab experience demonstrates intellectual curiosity and initiative, especially when you engage in selective or competitive programs. Additionally, working under mentors or within research teams helps you develop communication and collaboration skills. In many cases, these experiences can lead to strong letters of recommendation or even independent research projects, further strengthening your academic profile.
To help you get started, below is a list of 15 lab opportunities in NYC for high school students.
If you’re looking for internships in New York City, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span biomedical research, cancer biology, chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, biotechnology, smart cities, and science education, so students with a wide range of research interests can find a relevant lab opportunity in or near New York City.
Several programs are free and provide substantial stipends, including BEYOND ALBERT ($2,500), ARISE ($2,000), Biorocket ($2,000), Project SEED ($4,000), STEM Research Academy (up to $1,575), MSK Summer Student Program ($1,200), and Environmentor (up to $1,200), making professional lab experience accessible without financial barriers.
Many programs specifically prioritize NYC public school students, students from under-resourced backgrounds, or students from specific boroughs, including BEYOND ALBERT (Bronx students), Hk Maker Lab (students meeting economic need criteria), STEM Research Academy (NYC public schools), and Biorocket (NYC public and charter schools).
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from four-day intensive workshops, such as Manhattan University Chemical Engineering and ECE programs, to six-month immersive placements, such as Biorocket, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including SSRP at Rockefeller (January 2), STEM Research Academy (January 16), BEYOND ALBERT (January 12), and MSK Summer Student Program (February 6), so students should prepare and submit applications well before the new year.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; must be full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a rigorous, fully funded 10-week summer research program that combines foundational training with hands-on lab experience at NYU. In the first four weeks, you participate in remote workshops focused on research methods, lab safety, and college-level writing. The remaining six weeks place you in one of NYU’s research labs, where you work alongside faculty and mentors on active projects. During the program, you gain approximately 150 hours of lab experience, develop communication skills, and engage with a network of researchers and peers. You also present your findings at a formal colloquium and showcase your work at the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium.
Location: Rockefeller University (Tri-Institutions: Rockefeller, MSK, Weill Cornell), NYC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~32 students accepted
Program Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2; recommendations due January 5
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be 16+ and commit full-time (~35 hours/week)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is an intensive, team-based lab experience where you work on real research projects guided by scientists from leading NYC institutions. You are placed into a small research team with dedicated mentors, simulating the structure of a professional lab environment. Early in the program, you learn core lab techniques and refine a research question aligned with your team’s focus. Over the following weeks, you conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate closely with mentors to develop your findings. The program concludes with a formal research poster presentation, where you showcase your work at a symposium.
Location: City College of New York (CUNY), NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free; up to $1,575 stipend for summer internship participants
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; ~25 students (spring) and ~10 students (summer research)
Program Dates: Spring (February 10 – May 23) + Summer (July 6 – August 6)
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores and juniors meeting GPA and Regents criteria
The STEM Research Academy at CCNY is a two-phase program that begins with a spring research course and progresses into a competitive summer lab internship. In the spring, you participate in a 45-hour, hands-on course that develops foundational research skills and explores scientific inquiry in a structured academic setting. Students who perform well can advance to the summer phase, where they are matched with a CUNY or CCNY faculty mentor and work in a research lab for over 100 hours. During this internship, you conduct experiments, analyze data, and complete an independent research project aligned with your interests. The program concludes with a formal poster presentation at venues such as the American Museum of Natural History, providing exposure to a broader scientific community.
Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,500 stipend + meal vouchers + transportation support
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: Summer (late June – August) + academic year (September – May)
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Bronx high school students; age 16+; rising juniors and seniors
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program is a paid, immersive research opportunity focused on biomedical science and oncology. During the eight-week summer session, you work full-time in a laboratory at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, collaborating with faculty, researchers, and mentors on active projects. Alongside lab work, you participate in workshops, seminars, and career development sessions designed to strengthen your understanding of scientific research and healthcare careers. You also develop and present an independent research project, gaining experience in scientific communication. The program continues through the academic year with weekly mentorship and enrichment sessions, providing sustained exposure and guidance.
Location: Genspace Community Biolab, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: February – August (spring + summer sessions)
Application Deadline: Applications open November 1
Eligibility: NYC public/charter high school students; age 16+; must commit February–August
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a six-month immersive experience where you learn and apply modern biology and genetic engineering techniques in a real lab setting. The program begins with a spring training phase, where you build foundational lab skills and explore scientific concepts through guided sessions. In the summer, you transition into hands-on research, collaborating with peers and scientist mentors to design and execute your own project. You also participate in lab tours, field trips, and workshops that expose you to careers in biotechnology and research. A distinctive component of the program is its emphasis on science communication, including improv-based training to help you present complex ideas clearly.
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and research labs (including NYC sites)
Cost/Stipend: Free; educational stipend provided (varies by placement)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (varies by site)
Program Dates: 6–10 weeks (typically May–August)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by specific opportunity
Eligibility: High school students; requirements vary by internship site
The AEOP High School Internships are structured research placements where you work alongside university faculty or Department of Defense scientists on active STEM projects. Depending on your placement, you may assist with experiments, collect and analyze data, and contribute to ongoing research initiatives. The program provides exposure to real lab environments and introduces you to the expectations of scientific research. In addition to hands-on work, you participate in professional development sessions, webinars, and skill-building workshops.
Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (targeted toward students from under-resourced backgrounds)
Program Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: Applications closed (typically early in the year)
Eligibility: NYC public/charter high school students; current 10th–11th graders; must meet economic need criteria
Hk Maker Lab is a two-phase, hands-on engineering and design program that combines academic coursework with applied innovation projects. In the first three weeks, you participate in Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program, where you take a course such as biomedical engineering or innovation and design under faculty guidance. The final two weeks focus on a Hackathon for Health Equity, where you collaborate in teams to develop solutions, such as apps or digital tools, addressing real-world health challenges. The program emphasizes practical skills, including design thinking, prototyping, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY (1 hour away from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: Free; up to $1,200 stipend + community service hours
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (priority for Shore Corps participants)
Program Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Applications closed (typically spring)
Eligibility: NYC high school students (grades 9–11); must live or attend school near the Rockaway peninsula
Environmentor is a place-based environmental research program where you conduct hands-on scientific studies focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. You work closely with mentors from universities and research institutions to design and carry out your own research project. The program begins with training and workshops, followed by several weeks of fieldwork and data collection. In addition to lab and research activities, you participate in skill-building experiences, such as water-safety training, CPR certification, and outdoor activities like kayaking. You also present your findings through research posters, gaining experience in scientific communication.
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,200 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~20 students (~2% acceptance rate)
Program Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors; must live within 25 miles of NYC and have a strong science GPA (~3.5)
The Summer Student Program (SSP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering is a highly competitive biomedical research internship where you work full-time in a professional lab environment. You are paired with a mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects in areas such as cancer biology, genomics, immunology, or computational biology. Over the course of eight weeks, you develop technical lab skills, attend research meetings, and complete a self-directed project aligned with your lab’s objectives. Beyond lab work, you participate in seminars and professional development sessions that provide insight into translational medicine and scientific careers. The program concludes with a poster presentation, where you present your research findings to the broader scientific community.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY (1 hour away from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (nationwide applicant pool)
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified (typically early year)
Eligibility: High school juniors; must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents and 16+
The Simons Summer Research Program is a prestigious research internship where you work closely with faculty mentors at Stony Brook University on an independent scientific project. You are integrated into a research group, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to ongoing work in fields such as biology, physics, or engineering. Throughout the program, you attend weekly faculty lectures, workshops, and campus events that provide insight into advanced research and academic pathways. A key component of the experience is developing your own research output, culminating in a written abstract and a formal poster presentation. This program offers a comprehensive introduction to university-level research, combining mentorship, technical skill development, and exposure to a professional academic environment.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: 5 weeks (summer; exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Not specified (typically early year)
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 8–10; must demonstrate strong academic performance and interest in STEM
The ieSoSC program is a hands-on summer experience that explores how technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship intersect in urban environments. You attend daily sessions led by NYU faculty and graduate students, learning concepts such as design thinking, computer science, and smart infrastructure systems. In the second half of the program, you work in teams to design and prototype a solution, such as an app or device, using an Internet of Things (IoT) approach to address real-world city challenges. You also receive training in public speaking and presentation through interactive workshops. The program culminates in a final showcase, where you present your prototype to an audience of engineers, urban planners, and community members.
Location: Harlem and Lower East Side, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Paid (hourly)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (record number of applicants)
Program Dates: Summer (July – August) + academic year (October – June)
Application Deadline: Applications closed (typically early in the year)
Eligibility: NYC high school students with an interest in science and teaching
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is a hybrid research-and-teaching program in which you gain hands-on lab experience while engaging in science outreach. You receive mentorship from professional scientists and conduct independent research projects, developing skills in experimental design and data analysis. A distinctive aspect of this program is its teaching component, in which you help lead science activities for younger students, strengthening your communication and leadership abilities. The internship runs across both summer and the academic year, allowing for sustained engagement and skill development. With its combination of research, mentorship, and public engagement, this program offers a well-rounded introduction to both scientific practice and science education.
Location: Multiple research labs (including NYC sites)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend (Summer I and II programs)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by site
Program Dates: June – August (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; must meet financial eligibility criteria and have completed one chemistry course
Project SEED is a paid summer research fellowship where you work in a professional lab on a chemistry-focused project under the mentorship of a scientist. You commit to the program full-time, typically working in a lab for about 8 hours a day and gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Unlike observational programs, you actively contribute to meaningful research and often complete a final report or poster presentation. Depending on your site, you may also participate in field trips, career panels, or even present your research at major conferences like the American Chemical Society National Meeting.
Location: Manhattan University, NYC
Cost: $400 (early) – $450 (standard); includes breakfast and materials
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 27 – July 30
Application Deadline: Rolling registration (early deadline June 1; final by July 1)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Chemical Engineering Summer Program at Manhattan University is a short, intensive introduction to chemical engineering through hands-on learning and faculty-led sessions. Over four days, you explore how chemical engineers contribute to industries such as biotechnology, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and food production. The program includes interactive activities, lab tours, and team-based challenges that help you understand real-world applications of engineering concepts. You also engage directly with faculty, alumni, and professionals, gaining insight into academic pathways and career options. In addition, the program provides guidance on college admissions and offers a certificate of completion, along with a fee waiver, to applicants to Manhattan University’s chemical engineering program.
Location: Manhattan University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: $400 (early) – $500 (standard)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited enrollment
Program Dates: July 27 – July 30 (full-day, on campus)
Application Deadline: Rolling registration (early deadline May 1; final by July 1)
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Summer Program at Manhattan University is a hands-on introduction to modern technology and engineering systems. Over four days, you explore key areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and electronic design through interactive workshops and lab-based activities. The program emphasizes practical learning, enabling you to tackle real-world challenges and participate in competitions that reinforce core concepts. You also gain exposure to the industry through site visits to technology companies and research centers.
Frequently asked questions
What lab opportunities are available for high school students in NYC?
Options include biomedical and cancer research programs, such as SSRP at Rockefeller, MSK Summer Student Program, and BEYOND ALBERT, chemistry and biotechnology programs, such as Project SEED and Biorocket, environmental field research, such as Environmentor, engineering and design programs, such as ARISE, Hk Maker Lab, and ieSoSC at NYU, university lab placements, such as STEM Research Academy at CCNY and Simons at Stony Brook, and science education programs, such as BioBus Junior Scientist Internship.
Which NYC lab programs offer stipends or pay?
Several programs provide financial compensation. Project SEED pays $4,000, BEYOND ALBERT pays $2,500, Biorocket pays $2,000, ARISE pays $2,000, Environmentor pays up to $1,200, MSK Summer Student Program pays $1,200, STEM Research Academy pays up to $1,575, and BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is paid hourly. Simons at Stony Brook also provides a stipend upon completion.
Which programs are most competitive for NYC high school students?
MSK Summer Student Program has an approximately 2 percent acceptance rate and accepts around 20 students annually, making it one of the most selective options. SSRP at Rockefeller accepts around 32 students from a competitive applicant pool, while Simons at Stony Brook draws from a nationwide applicant pool.
Which programs are specifically for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds?
Hk Maker Lab at Columbia specifically targets students from under-resourced backgrounds and requires applicants to meet economic need criteria. BEYOND ALBERT is designed for Bronx high school students. Biorocket prioritizes NYC public and charter school students, and Environmentor prioritizes students living near the Rockaway Peninsula. STEM Research Academy is open to NYC public high school students meeting GPA and Regents criteria.
When should I apply to lab opportunities for high school students in NYC?
SSRP at Rockefeller has the earliest deadline, closing January 2. STEM Research Academy closes January 16, BEYOND ALBERT closes January 12, and MSK Summer Student Program closes February 6. ARISE closes February 27, and Project SEED closes April 6. Programs such as Biorocket open applications in November for the following spring, and Manhattan University programs accept rolling applications through early summer. Students should begin preparing applications in the fall to avoid missing the earliest deadlines.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.