7 Online Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Dec 30, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Participating in an online research mentorship program before college can be a valuable experience for high school students. These programs offer an opportunity to gain exposure to scientific research while working with university faculty or industry experts. This allows you to explore problems, develop critical thinking skills, and build a solid foundation in research methodologies.
Beyond the academic benefits, these experiences can enhance your college applications, especially when applying to competitive undergraduate programs. Admissions committees value candidates with initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to academic excellence. Engaging in research highlights these qualities and sets you apart by showcasing your ability to contribute meaningfully to the academic community.
Here are 7 online research mentorship programs for high school students worth checking out!
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.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The MathQuantum High School Fellowships introduce you to the intersection of mathematics and quantum information science (QIS). This program includes lectures, seminars, professional development workshops, activities, discussions, and mini-projects. The program aims to bridge skills in mathematics and QIS, enabling you to explore interdisciplinary research. Fellows also gain exposure to career paths through industry connections and professional development sessions.
Cost: Free (no stipend provided).
Dates: 2-week program during the summer (specific dates vary annually).
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program designed to increase diversity in artificial intelligence. The program combines lectures, research projects, and mentorship to introduce you to cutting-edge AI applications. The program applies AI to medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. You will work closely with professionals from the Stanford AI Lab, gaining exposure to AI research.
Cost: $4,000 (one-time payment)
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Students entering 9th grade or 10th grade who will be at least 14 years old by the program's start date.
SPARK SIP provides high school students with learning experiences by connecting them with industry professionals, educators, and mentors from diverse fields. With an acceptance rate of less than 5%, SPARK SIP allows you to work on research projects in computer science and related disciplines. Previous cohorts have tackled projects such as designing tools for detecting tick-borne diseases and breast cancer, classifying DNA sequences using electrical signatures, and exploring 2D materials as potential conductors or semiconductors. Primarily conducted in person, the program also offers limited remote opportunities. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Application Deadline: Typically closes in May
Program Dates: 6–12 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Cost/Stipend: Participants receive a $500 stipend. For in-person roles, students are responsible for arranging their lodging, transportation, and meals.
JHIBS is a summer research program that exposes high school students to the neurological sciences, particularly neuroscience and psychology. The program provides mentored research experiences and allows you to explore career opportunities in behavioral health sciences. The internship includes in-person and virtual options, focusing on diversity in the biomedical field. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM courses.
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students interested in exploring AI's technical and clinical aspects in healthcare. The program offers lectures, mentoring, research projects, and career development activities related to AI and its medical applications. You will work on group research projects, receive mentoring from Stanford student leads and researchers, and engage in social activities. The program also includes virtual career sessions with guest speakers from various sectors, such as academia, industry, and government. You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the program's end. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: Students entering 9th to 12th grade in the fall who will be over 14 years old by the program's start and are U.S. residents.
Fees: Application Fee: $40, Program Participation Fee: $850 (if accepted)
PRIMES-USA is a research program for high school sophomores and juniors in the U.S. outside the Greater Boston area. Focusing on advanced mathematics research, the program allows you to work on individual or group projects under the guidance of MIT mentors. You will develop proof-writing skills, gain exposure to higher-level mathematics, and collaborate with peers and experts. PRIMES-USA operates entirely online, enabling students nationwide to participate. Admission is highly competitive and based on a comprehensive application, including a problem set submission and recommendations.
Application Deadline: November 18
Program Dates: January to May
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live at least 50 miles from Boston (those closer should apply to MIT PRIMES).
Fees: No participation fee
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.