12 Online Research Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student interested in research, online research summer programs for high school students offer a great opportunity to engage with college-level academics, develop practical skills, and make industry connections. These programs allow you to participate in independent research projects, learn from expert mentors, and collaborate with peers, all from home. Additionally, online programs are often more affordable than traditional in-person experiences, making them accessible to students worldwide.
Participating in an online research summer program for high school students enhances your academic knowledge and helps you build critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. These experiences can strengthen your college applications or prepare you for careers in STEM, humanities, or social sciences.
To help you find the best opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 online research summer programs for high school students. Our criteria include rigorous coursework, full funding, a low acceptance rate, and affiliation with prestigious institutions, as well as mentorship and networking opportunities that enrich your research experience.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research opportunity designed for high school students looking to gain hands-on experience in academic research. The program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors, allowing you to work independently on a project within your chosen subject area.
Throughout the 12-week program, you will participate in rigorous research. By the end of the program you will produce a polished independent research paper. Areas of study include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Fully remote – available to students worldwide.
Cost:Â Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2,990; Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks): $5,900; Research Fellowship (6-12 months): $8,900.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Highly selective.
Application Deadlines: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts run throughout the year – Spring (March - June), Summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February).
Eligibility:Â Open to high school students demonstrating strong academic performance (typically a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No prior knowledge in the chosen field of study is required.
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized AI programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
The AI Scholars Program is a 10-session boot camp designed for beginners, covering fundamental AI and data science concepts through hands-on projects.
If you are seeking more advanced experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides one-on-one mentorship from top university researchers. You can work on an individual AI-driven project and have access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team to assist with research journal submissions.
Location:Â Fully virtual.
Cost:Â AI Scholars Program: $2,290 (10 weeks); AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase: $5,400 (15 weeks); Both Programs Combined: $6,900; available based on need.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Highly selective.
Application Deadlines: Rolling basis – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Program Dates:Â 12-15 week cohorts available in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide. AI Fellowship applicants should have prior AI knowledge, either through the AI Scholars program or experience with AI concepts or Python.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a neuroscience research program designed for high school juniors and seniors, offering hands-on experience in neurological sciences. In this program, you will collaborate with leading neuroscientists on research projects, gaining exposure to laboratory techniques and engaging in scientific discussions.
JHIBS provides both in-person and virtual options, making it accessible to students from various locations. You will receive mentorship from Johns Hopkins faculty and have the opportunity to attend expert-led seminars. The program culminates in a final research presentation, where you can share your findings through oral or poster presentations, helping you develop public speaking and scientific communication skills.
Location:Â Virtual
Acceptance rate: Highly selective (5–6 students per cohort)
Cost:Â $500 stipend
Program Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility:Â High school juniors and seniorsÂ
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students focused on exploring AI applications in medicine. You will learn about the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare through expert-led lectures, collaborative research projects, and one-on-one mentorship with Stanford AI research engineers.
The program includes Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions, allowing you to interact with guest speakers from academia, nonprofits, and government sectors, providing insights into diverse career paths in AI and healthcare. While the program does not offer academic credit, you will receive a certificate of completion that recognizes your engagement and achievements in this innovative field.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â $850 + $40 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Highly selective, accepting only 20 interns per session
Application Deadline:Â February 28
Program Dates:Â June 16 - 27
Eligibility:Â Open to high school students aged 14 and older. Student leads must be California residents, while student interns must reside in the U.S. Undergraduate students with a background in computer science can apply for student lead positions.
The Summer Research Program at Columbia University provides high school students with a hands-on opportunity to develop essential technical skills in data science. Designed to transform beginners into proficient researchers, the program covers data analysis and visualization, web scraping, data cleaning, programming in R, research protocols, project development, and effective oral presentation techniques.
You will work as a research assistant under the mentorship of Columbia professors and Ph.D. candidates, contributing to active research projects. Additionally, you will have the chance to develop your own research project and presentation. This experience can enhance your college applications. The program is highly selective and ideal for students eager to gain practical research experience in data science. Application details and deadlines will be announced soon.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â To be announced
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Highly selective
Application Deadline: To be announced for this year’s edition
Program Dates:Â 5 weeks during the summer (exact dates TBA)
Eligibility:Â Open to high school students interested in data science
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program allows high school students to work on cutting-edge research and technology projects at NASA. You will collaborate with NASA engineers and scientists to tackle real-world challenges, including space exploration, artificial intelligence for air traffic management, augmented and virtual reality applications, and robotics.
The program offers both virtual and on-site internship opportunities at various NASA centers nationwide. Internship durations and focus areas vary, providing hands-on STEM experience, mentorship from NASA professionals, and access to advanced research environments. Some internships may also offer stipends based on project scope and commitment level. For more information and a complete list of available positions, visit the NASA OSTEM internship page.
Location:Â Virtual & on-site options at NASA centers
Cost: Free registration
Acceptance rate:Â Competitive, more than 2000 applicants per year
Application deadline:Â February 28 (Summer), May 16 (Fall)
Eligibility:Â U.S. citizens, high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
The NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program is a four-week bioinformatics research internship focusing on big data analysis, computational biology, and machine learning techniques. Sponsored by NASA’s Ames Research Center, the program trains you in omics-based bioinformatics research, enabling you to analyze complex biological data related to space environments.
You will engage in interactive courses, such as "Molecular Biology and the Omics Revolution," gaining hands-on experience with NASA’s GeneLab Data System. The curriculum covers organismal physiology in microgravity and explores NASA’s life sciences research. Additionally, you will attend guest lectures, virtual field trips, and networking sessions with scientists and industry experts. The internship ends with a research competition, where top teams present their findings at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference, showcasing their discoveries.
Location:Â Virtual
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective, approx. 30 students per cohort
Cost/Stipend: :Â Free (Participants receive a small stipend)
Program Dates:Â June 2 - August 29
Application deadline:Â May 15
Eligibility:Â Must be at least 16 years old by December 31, entering junior or senior year in Fall, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have completed at least one high school biology course.
The Rosetta Institute’s Biomedical Research Workshops provide advanced training in molecular biology and bioinformatics, equipping you with essential skills for careers in medicine, biotechnology, and biomedical sciences. These intensive courses focus on genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, and medicinal chemistry, promoting a thorough understanding of biomedical research.
Workshops cover specialized topics such as Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry, and Medical Bioinformatics. You will engage in interactive online lab activities, data analysis, and expert-led discussions, developing practical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Tailored for specific age groups, each workshop runs at different times throughout the summer, offering a personalized learning experience.
Location:Â Online.
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective.
Cost:Â Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: $510; Medicinal Chemistry: $670; Medical Bioinformatics: $1,070.
Program Dates: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: June 9 – June 20; Medicinal Chemistry: July 7 – July 18; Medical Bioinformatics: June 2 – June 13.
Application Deadline:Â Rolling admissions.
Eligibility:Â High school students with an interest in biology.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University allows high school students to collaborate with faculty researchers on advanced STEM projects. This 8-week program offers hands-on experience with technologies such as data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, preparing you for future careers in STEM fields.
You will develop skills in scientific writing, programming, and analysis while working on innovative projects in areas like electrical and computer engineering, agent-based simulation, and digital innovation. The remote internship track, led by Ron S. Mahabir, emphasizes data science, earth observation, natural language processing, machine learning, and deep learning. This experience will enhance your data analysis, research methodologies, and technical solution development skills, providing a solid foundation for college and beyond.
Location:Â Remote, hybrid, and in-person options at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Acceptance rate:Â Competitive.
Cost/Stipend:Â $25 application fee (waivers available); internship is unpaid.
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8.
Application Deadline:Â February 2.
Eligibility:Â Remote internships require participants to be at least 15 years old by the program start date. In-person/hybrid computer lab internships also require participants to be at least 15, while wet-lab internships require participants to be at least 16.
The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center offers high school students a chance to engage in machine learning research with applications in healthcare. The program emphasizes the development, validation, and scaling of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance clinical efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
You will gain hands-on experience with machine learning models and use R, Python, and high-performance computing to address complex medical challenges. Projects may include analyzing gigapixel medical images, developing AI-driven diagnostic tools, and applying natural language processing in clinical research. The program also provides opportunities to present your research findings to an academic audience while focusing on scientific writing and healthcare technology innovation, preparing you for future careers in AI and medicine.
Location:Â Virtual
Acceptance rate:Â Competitive
Cost:Â Not specified
Program Dates:Â April 15 to June 15
Application deadline:Â February 28
Eligibility:Â High school students with a background in computer science
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internship offers high school students hands-on experience in digital media, marketing, and science education outreach. You will contribute to content creation, social media strategy, video production, and graphic design projects.
Your responsibilities may include research, content brainstorming, and asset management to support the Smithsonian’s STEM education initiatives. The internship format—either virtual or hybrid—varies based on the selected role, allowing for flexibility in work hours and responsibilities.
Location:Â Virtual or hybrid at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Washington, DC
Acceptance rate:Â Selective
Cost/Stipend: :Â Free (Stipend available, amount unspecified)
Program Dates:Â Eight to ten weeks between March - May
Application deadline:Â February 3 - March 7
Eligibility:Â Students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs, as well as high school students (at least 16 years old)
The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) provides high school students with both on-site and virtual research opportunities in geology and related fields. The in-person program in Greenland focuses on topics such as biodiversity, glacial geology, climate science, ice coring, and natural resources.
You will collaborate with undergraduate and graduate mentors, developing hands-on research and teamwork skills. For those unable to attend in person, Dartmouth University offers a virtual option featuring interactive polar science and engineering projects. Both programs conclude with a research symposium, while the in-person experience includes a $1,500 stipend and fully covered travel expenses for a more immersive geological research experience.
Location:Â Greenland / Virtual
Acceptance Rate:Â Selective
Cost:Â No cost for the virtual program; $1,500 stipend and all travel expenses covered for the in-person program.
Program Dates:Â The virtual program runs in July/August, while the in-person program takes place from June to July.Â
Application Deadline:Â The application deadline is to be announced.
Eligibility:Â The virtual program is open to high school juniors who are U.S. citizens, while the in-person program requires participants to be U.S. citizens aged 18 (but not 19) by June 1 and have completed the remote program.
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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