15 Mentoring Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 2
- 10 min read
High school is full of decisions. You are expected to think about college, subjects, activities, and future paths, often without much context. Mentoring programs exist to close that gap. They give you time and space to talk with someone who has already gone through similar stages and can explain what those choices actually look like in real life.
Mentoring programs also help you slow things down. Rather than rushing from one decision to the next, you can ask questions, reflect, and understand why certain paths worked for others. Over time, these conversations help you connect school experiences with what comes after high school.
Why consider a mentoring program in New York City?
New York City offers access to mentoring programs run by schools, nonprofits, universities, and professional organizations. Many mentors are college students, educators, or working professionals who meet regularly with students and talk through academics, college life, and career exploration. Because these programs are local, mentoring relationships can build gradually instead of feeling rushed. Being in NYC also means exposure to many fields in one place, which makes guidance more grounded and relevant.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 mentoring programs for high school students in NYC!
Note: We’ve also covered subject-specific offerings hosted in NYC for high school students, such as law, coding, and film!
15 Mentoring Programs for High School Students in NYC
Location: New York University Campus, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice.
Cost: No cost, $1000 stipend provided
Program Dates: June 1-August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors based in New York City are eligible to apply.
ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) is a fully funded summer research program for New York City public and charter high school students, hosted by NYU Tandon School of Engineering. You work in NYU research labs on real projects, guided by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty mentors. The program focuses on building research skills such as designing experiments, analyzing data, solving technical problems, and explaining results clearly. By the end of the program, you leave with hands-on research experience and a clearer sense of how academic research works.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard alumni, offers high school students the chance to explore artificial intelligence through structured mentorship programs. The AI Scholars program is designed for beginners, introducing core concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science through ten sessions that include both instruction and applied projects.
More advanced students can pursue the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where they develop individualized research under the guidance of mentors from leading universities. You will work on original projects, receive editorial assistance, and be encouraged to submit your findings to student research journals. Past participants have created projects across diverse domains, demonstrating how AI can be applied to real-world challenges.
Location: DNA Learning Center (DNALC), Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 stipend
Dates: Academic year program; commitment of ~55 hours during the school year
Application Deadline: May 27
Eligibility: High school students in NYC who are at least 13 years old
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) is a year-long research program for New York City high school students interested in genetics and biodiversity. You begin the program at the DNA Learning Center, where you receive hands-on training in lab techniques, research design, and basic molecular biology used in DNA analysis. You work in small teams with a scientist mentor to design a research question, collect samples from the local environment, and use DNA barcoding to identify species. The program focuses on real data, real lab work, and collaborative research. It ends with a research symposium where you present your findings and practice explaining your work to other students and scientists.
Location: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Manhattan, NY + remote sessions
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,500 stipend
Dates: August – June (year-long program)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders in NYC | Passing classes for the last three semesters | Enrolled in specific programs or partner schools
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) is a year-long research program for high school students who want to study science through real research. You work with scientists at the American Museum of Natural History on original projects in fields such as astrophysics, anthropology, biology, genetics, and earth science. The program starts with a four-week summer institute, where you learn research basics and begin shaping your project. During the school year, you continue working with a mentor, developing research questions, analyzing data, and refining your work. The program ends with a final colloquium where you present your research and explain your findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Year-round between January and December
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and sophomores residing in the United States outside the Greater Boston area
PRIMES-USA is a year-long, online research program for high school students who want to study mathematics at a serious level. You work through advanced math readings, learn how to approach open problems, and gradually move toward developing original ideas. At the start, you receive training in how to read and write mathematics so you can work independently. Throughout the year, you meet regularly with mentor mathematicians who guide you through difficult problems, give detailed feedback, and help you turn your work into a formal research paper.
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6; applications open on December 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 14 and up, with at least a 3.5 GPA in science; applicants must be legally able to work in the U.S. and live within 25 miles of MSK in NY, NJ, or CT
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program is an eight-week, research-focused experience for high school juniors interested in biomedical sciences. In this program, you join a research lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering and work on a mentor-guided project in fields such as chemistry, chemical biology, and other biomedical areas. The program is designed to help you develop hands-on research skills while learning from experts through lab meetings, professional development sessions, and direct exposure to translational medicine. At the end of the summer, you showcase your work in a poster presentation.
Location: Various locations, including sites in New York City
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: June – July or August (8 – 10 weeks)
Application deadline: April
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and belong to low-income households (i.e., those with an annual income of ≤300% based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines)
Project SEED, organized by the American Chemical Society, is a national summer program that gives high school students the chance to explore chemistry through hands-on research experiences. In this program, you spend 8–10 weeks working full-time in a university, industry, or government lab, where experienced researchers serve as mentors and guide you through authentic scientific investigations. You learn to develop research questions, design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and present your findings, gaining practical experience across multiple branches of chemistry. The program also includes career talks, field trips, and college-readiness workshops.
Location: Virtual opportunities available for NYC students
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by June 18
ASSIP (American Summer Science Internship Program) is an eight-week summer research program where you work in a lab at George Mason University. You choose a faculty mentor whose research matches your interests, such as chemistry, chemical analysis, drug development, or environmental chemistry. You take part in hands-on experiments, learn how to use laboratory equipment, and follow real research procedures. The program also focuses on scientific writing and communication. You prepare written reports and present your results at the end of the program. Along the way, you interact with researchers and professionals, helping you understand how lab research connects to STEM careers.
10. NYU GSTEM
Location: NYU or other academic institutions in New York City, NY
Cost: $5,750 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (housing and meal expenses); financial aid available
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 11th graders with a demonstrated interest in STEM
The gSTEM program at the NYU Courant Institute is a six-week summer research program for high school students. You work with a research mentor and contribute to an original project in a lab or research workspace. The program starts with an orientation week, then moves into hands-on research. You can focus on chemistry-related topics while also taking part in workshops on scientific writing and presentations. The program includes guest talks from women working in STEM fields and organized field trips. Each Friday, you visit NYU’s campus to meet other students and learn more about science and technology opportunities in New York City.
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 with good academic performance and high aptitude and interest in science | Local applicants and participants of any HICCC/Columbia University-related events or activities are given preference.
THE HEIGHTS Program at Columbia University is a research program where you work with researchers and physicians on cancer-related projects. You gain hands-on lab experience and scientific training while contributing either to an ongoing study or to an independent project, depending on your placement. Alongside lab work, you take part in weekly journal clubs where you read and discuss cancer biology research papers. These sessions focus on understanding scientific literature and improving your presentation and writing skills so you can communicate research findings clearly.
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost: Free with a $2,500 stipend
Dates: Late June – August
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students in the Bronx who are at least 16 and are entering the 11th and 12th grades in the fall
The Bronx Einstein Youth Oncology Network, Dedicated to Academic Learning, Biomedical Education, and Research Training (BEYOND ALBERT) program allows you to explore biomedical and cancer research under the mentorship of Einstein faculty. During the program, you participate in hands-on lab research, attend workshops and seminars to develop professional and scientific skills, and prepare a research presentation to share with faculty members. You’ll also learn from MECCC faculty, students, and postdocs during weekly seminars. Beyond the summer experience, you can join the optional after-school program from September through May, continuing to build your research skills through interactive scientific discussions and engaging activities.
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June in the first year to May in the following year
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students
The BrainSTORM program at Columbia University is a selective, two-part experience for high school students passionate about neuroscience and research. During the academic year, Columbia faculty lead monthly seminars covering topics such as dementia, genetics, neuro-critical care, and neuropsychological testing. In the summer, you enter the mentorship phase, working closely with a research mentor on a neuroscience project, either in person, online, or in a hybrid format. The program concludes with a research symposium and poster presentation, allowing you to share your findings and gain hands-on experience in scientific communication and professional presentation skills.
Location: The City University of New York’s School of Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Conducted over two years, including two four-week summer sessions
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors with an overall minimum GPA of 80
The Health Professions Mentorship Program (HPMP) at the CUNY School of Medicine is a two-year program that starts when you are a high school junior. You work with faculty and medical students while developing a community-based project focused on real healthcare issues in New York City. You attend regular seminars and problem-solving sessions that build teamwork and decision-making skills. Saturday sessions introduce you to different healthcare careers and include clinical case discussions, college preparation, SAT or ACT guidance, and mock interviews.
15. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,120
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders who are over the age of 14 by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online summer program that gives high school students a hands-on introduction to artificial intelligence and its real-world applications. Through lectures, mentorship, and project work, you explore topics like machine learning, data science, computer vision, natural language processing, and medical AI, all while learning how to use technology for social impact. The program helps you build both conceptual knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to develop AI-based solutions for societal challenges. In small research groups, you apply what you learn to real projects while receiving guidance from Stanford researchers and industry professionals.
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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