10 Prestigious Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you're a high school student in Texas interested in research, applying for a summer research program is a great way to start exploring the field. These programs provide exposure to fields like biomedical sciences, engineering, computer science, and environmental research. They help you develop critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. Plus, they offer valuable mentorship and networking opportunities that can be useful for college applications and future research opportunities.
Early involvement in research can make a significant difference in your academic journey. Participating in a selective, fully funded research program demonstrates intellectual curiosity and academic ability to college admissions officers. These programs typically allow you to conduct lab experiments and analyze scientific data with faculty and graduate students.Â
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 prestigious summer research programs for high school students in Texas that offer exceptional learning experiences.Â
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective, seven-week summer program for 12 high school juniors and seniors. You will work with faculty mentors, conducting research in fields such as cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, and history. This experience allows you to gain insights into advanced academic research, develop critical thinking skills, and explore potential career paths. You will also participate in seminars, professional development sessions, and research discussions. Upon completing your research project and final report, you will receive a $750 stipend. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. Â
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective, 12 participants per session
Cost:Â $25 application fee; $750 stipend upon completion
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline:Â February 24
Eligibility:Â High school students at least 17 years old by the program start date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Location:Â Lubbock, TX
This is a highly selective, 10-week internship for Texas high school seniors interested in careers in biomedical research and healthcare. Only 12 students are selected each year to participate in this experience at one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions. You will be paired with MD Anderson faculty mentors, including department heads and biomedical researchers, to work on dedicated cancer research projects. You will contribute to ongoing studies in oncology, diagnostics, and therapeutic technologies. The experience culminates in a final research presentation at a celebratory luncheon, where you will present your work to faculty, peers, and guests. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective, 12 students chosen annually
Stipend:Â $6,800
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline:Â January 15
Eligibility:Â Texas high school seniors, 18 years or older by the program start date
Location:Â MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
HSRA offers a five-week research experience for high school students interested in STEM. You will work in active College of Natural Sciences (CNS) laboratories, engaging in research across disciplines such as biochemistry, neuroscience, genetics, genome engineering, data analytics, and environmental science. You will collaborate with faculty, undergraduates, and peers. The program includes weekly seminars with UT guest speakers, mentorship from university researchers, and the opportunity to present findings at the HSRA Research Symposium. You will also earn NSC309 UT extension course credit, adding to your academic portfolio. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate:Â Moderate
Cost:Â Need-based scholarships available (includes stipend + free tuition)
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application deadline:Â March 23
Eligibility:Â High school students (15+ years old by June 1)
Location:Â Austin, TX (non-residential)
The George A Jeffrey NanoExplorers Summer Program is a highly selective, seven-week summer research experience. You will be placed in faculty research labs based on your interests, where you will participate in research and develop skills in scientific inquiry, teamwork, and innovation. You will work on original research projects tied to funded university programs. Throughout the program, you will gain lab experience, develop problem-solving skills, and collaborate with faculty and peers.Â
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective
Cost:Â Not specified
Dates:Â June 2 - August 1
Application deadline:Â March 28
Eligibility:Â High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Location:Â University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX
Camp ARCH is a one-week pre-college program at Texas A&M University’s School of Architecture for students interested in architecture, visualization, construction science, and urban planning. This experience combines academic instruction, research exposure, and social activities, giving you insight into college-level studies in architecture and design. Throughout the program, you will participate in workshops, design projects, and research activities, working alongside faculty and industry professionals. Camp ARCH allows you to explore architectural concepts, develop your creative and technical skills, and gain exposure to urban planning and construction science.Â
Acceptance rate:Â Moderate
Cost:Â $1,500
Dates: July 7 – 12
Application deadline:Â March 1
Eligibility:Â High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (graduating seniors are ineligible)
Location:Â Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program is a research-intensive opportunity for Texas high school seniors interested in biology and medicine. Hosted by the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, this program offers biomedical research experience under the MD Anderson faculty’s mentorship. You will participate in laboratory research, learning the fundamental principles of scientific investigation. In addition to lab work, you will attend faculty-led seminars that provide insight into biomedical sciences and medical research. This program offers a generous stipend, making it an excellent opportunity for students aiming to explore careers in medicine, oncology, and biomedical research.
Acceptance rate:Â 12 students per year
Stipend:Â $6,800 for 10 weeks; $6,120 for 9 weeks
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline:Â November 18 - January 15
Eligibility:Â Current Texas high school seniors with strong academic records
Location:Â MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
The Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience is a highly selective research experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in biology and medicine. This 10-week program provides training in translational research labs, where you will work alongside Houston Methodist faculty mentors on biomedical research projects. You will receive guidance in laboratory techniques, scientific writing, and research methodologies while participating in a professional development curriculum that covers college selection, scholarship applications, and career planning. The program aims to give students the skills and experience necessary for future studies in medicine, biomedical sciences, and healthcare research.
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective
Cost:Â Free (scholarships available for room and board)
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: December 2 - January 31
Eligibility:Â High school students in their junior or senior year who will be at least 16 years old by June 9th
Location:Â Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center
The High School Summer Research Internship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Houston is a highly selective, six-week research program. You will work under the guidance of faculty mentors, receiving training in research data generation, analysis, and laboratory techniques. You will develop essential skills such as biological sample processing, literature reviews, plating bacteria, running PCR assays, and basic microbiological methodologies. The program emphasizes rigor and reproducibility in scientific research, preparing you for future studies in pharmacotherapy, biomedical research, and healthcare. Selected participants receive a $2,000 scholarship to support their research experience.
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective
Stipend:Â $2,000 scholarship
Dates: June 20 – August 5
Application deadline:Â Applications open in June
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale), Math/Science GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
Location:Â University of Houston, Houston, TX
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship, hosted by NASA and the University of Texas at Austin, is a highly competitive national program for high school students interested in Earth and space science research. You will work alongside NASA experts, analyzing and visualizing scientific data to solve challenges in planetary science, remote sensing, and space exploration. The program consists of online coursework from March to August, culminating in a two-week residential internship at UT Austin in July. You will work in research teams, complete independent projects, and present your findings at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium. Housing, meals, and local transportation are covered, with limited travel scholarships available for out-of-state students. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective
Cost:Â Fully funded (housing, meals, and local transportation provided; limited travel scholarships available)
Dates:Â July 1 - 22
Application deadline:Â February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who will be 16 years old by July 1 and are U.S. citizens
Location:Â University of Texas at Austin, TX (with online components)
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships offer high school students experience in STEM, space exploration, and scientific research. You will work on projects alongside NASA professionals, contributing to innovations in AI & ML for Air Traffic Management, AR/VR applications, and the NASA Ames Astrobee Facility. Internships are available in virtual and in-person formats. As an intern, you can take on full-time or part-time roles, working on data analysis, research, and technical projects. The program is highly competitive, making it an excellent opportunity for students seeking experience in engineering, physics, computer science, and space technology.
Acceptance rate:Â Highly selective with low cohort size
Cost/Stipend:Â Varies by position
Dates:Â Varies by position
Application Deadlines: February 28 (Summer cohort) and May 16 (Fall cohort)
Eligibility:Â High school students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) who are U.S. citizens
Location:Â Multiple locations and virtual options available
Bonus ProgramsÂ
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.
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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.Â
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.Â
Location: VirtualÂ
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.Â
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
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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