15 Psychology Summer Research Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in psychology or neuroscience, a research program in the field can be a great way to spend the summer break. Through such research programs, you can build your theoretical understanding of the subject while gaining hands-on experience. You will also develop skills in data collection, experiment design, data analysis, and scientific writing by completing original research projects or contributing to ongoing research. These programs often offer mentorship from faculty, researchers, and other professionals. 

As a research program participant, you will also dive into niche topics in psychology, neuroscience, or cognitive/brain science and explore how research in the field connects to real-world psychology practice. This can also be an opportunity to explore college-level coursework as well as career options in the field. 

Here we have compiled a list of 15 psychology summer research programs for high school students. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on program; financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August); dates vary

Application deadline: May for summer cohorts

Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a mentored research opportunity for high school students. Here, you will conduct original research on a topic of your choice. You can choose a research focus in areas like psychology, health, or neuroscience. To help you conduct research and draft a paper, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor and get access to a writing coach. At the end of the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper. You can find more details about the application here.

2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Cost/Stipend: No cost; $15/hour stipend for in-person internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Five weeks (virtual) or eight weeks (in-person) in the summer

Application deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America (virtual) or in Baltimore (in-person)

JHIBS offers a research-focused summer internship to students interested in neuroscience research. Here, you will attend sessions led by researchers and scientists, learn about the scientific method and biomedical research, and participate in experiments. You will learn and apply laboratory techniques, participate in scientific presentations, and connect with professionals and peers. As an in-person intern, you will participate in a research project under the guidance of faculty, staff, and student mentors, as well as participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists. The program also offers access to professional development workshops and college prep classes to help you explore educational and career paths in the medical field.

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Spring and fall cohorts run for 15 weeks; summer cohort runs for 10 weeks (June – September)

Application deadline: Several deadlines throughout the year for spring, summer, and fall cohorts

Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (GPA above 3.67/4.0); some tracks require prerequisites

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students. Options are available across disciplines, including psychology. In this personalized program, you can choose either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a subject track, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who will act as your mentor throughout the program. By the end of the program, you will have completed 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 and detailed feedback that you can use to work on future projects.

4. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual or at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; need-based fee waivers available; no stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 18 – August 8

Application deadline: February 2

Eligibility: Students at least 15 years old

ASSIP offers virtual and in-person research internships in various fields, including neuroscience and psychology. You can choose a mentor who is working on psychology/neuroscience research while applying. During the program, you will work with your mentor, contributing to research and refining your scientific writing and communication skills over eight weeks. The program also offers insights into STEM career paths and opportunities to engage in discussion forums led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with the annual ASSIP Research Symposium and Celebration. 

5. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program

Location: Virtual and in person at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 16 – July 24

Application deadline: February 9

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16–18

The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program is a research-based experience that introduces you to crucial topics in neuroscience, especially Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research. The program also offers opportunities to engage in neuroscience seminars and neurology grand rounds, where you will hear from researchers. You will also partake in virtual lab activities to learn how to conduct research. Literature reviews and meetings with the journal club will provide exposure to contemporary neuroscience research. The program also offers mentorship. By the end of the program, you will have completed an independent research project.

6. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ

Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 30 – July 3

Application deadline: February 14

Eligibility: High school students 16 or older

The Barrow Neurological Institute offers summer internships to high school students interested in neurology, psychology, and related fields. During this internship, you will contribute to scientific neurology research. Positions are available in areas like marketing, neuroscience publications, and the Barrow Neurological Foundation. You will conduct lab work using advanced technology, developing research skills in the process. You will also receive mentorship throughout the program. You will evaluate scientific literature and develop communication skills. You will also complete independent projects that can be submitted to science competitions or publications.

7. Bethel College Summer Science Institute

Location: Bethel College, North Newton, KS

Cost: $60

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 36

Dates: July 13 – 18

Application deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12

The Bethel College Summer Science Institute allows high school students to participate in research in various science and mathematics fields, including psychology. During the program, you can participate in two research areas, one of which can be the Psychology of Film track. You will learn how to collect data, test hypotheses, use statistical software, and write code within your research group. The programming also includes field trips and informal discussion sessions. The program is sponsored by Bethel alumni, and you will have the opportunity to speak with them to learn about their career paths. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion and one hour of college credit.

8. Nova Southeastern University's Summer Training Program 

Location: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cost: $400

Cohort size: 16–18 students

Dates: July 7 – 18

Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full

Eligibility: High school students entering their junior or senior year in the fall

NSU’s Summer Training Program is a two-week opportunity to learn about neuroscience and research from university faculty. During the program, you will attend faculty-led workshops and demonstrations related to brain science topics like cognition and stress, brain dissection, and genetic and environmental influences on taste. Additionally, you will learn how to conduct research and work on your own neuroscience research project, which you will present at the end of the program. The program also focuses on transition to college, offering you support and guidance to prepare for undergraduate competitive programs.

9. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University

Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Cost: $1,595 (virtual) or $2,895 (on campus); need-based scholarships available

Acceptance rate: 12%

Dates: June 16 – 27 (virtual) | July 7 – 18 (on campus) | July 21 – August 1 (on campus)

Application deadline: Rolling basis until March 1

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 14–18

CNI-X is a rigorous summer program available online and in person. Over two weeks, you will gain exposure to topics in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Interactive seminars led by faculty and researchers will help you explore principles of psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, and neuroscience research. You will also learn about career options available in these fields and about the transition to adulthood. During the program, you will work in a group on a capstone research project, where you are expected to devise an innovative solution to a real issue in psychology. You will present this project at the concluding session.

10. Camp Psych at Gettysburg College

Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

Cost: $1,395; one or two full-tuition waivers available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 13 – 18 (tentative)

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Camp Psych offers a glimpse into the world of psychological science and opportunities to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Here, you will engage with college-level coursework and current research in the field. You will also conduct original research investigating a question of choice after learning about research methodologies and techniques. A typical day at camp involves exploring the academic dimensions of psychology, designing studies, and collecting and analyzing data. You will also participate in discussion sessions and present your research to other participants.

11. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute

Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC

Cost: $3,400; need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: To be announced; typically one week in the summer

Application deadline: Rolling basis starting November 1

Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9–12 with a strong academic background

Wake Forest’s Psychology Institute is an on-campus opportunity to learn about the perspective of a psychologist and how the brain works. The program covers various topics such as the influence of emotions, the disordered brain, sensation and perception, neuroscience, and the psychology of addiction. In addition to academic learning, you will engage in hands-on experiments and activities, like dissecting a sheep’s brain to understand brain structure. You may also undergo brain training and attend neuroplasticity and sensory perception labs. Additionally, you will conduct observational research and present your findings to your peers.

12. UChicago’s Fundamentals of Psychology: Theory & Research

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Cost: $8,900; need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 7 – 26

Application deadline: January 22 (priority) | March 5 (regular) | April 15 (extended)

Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11

Fundamentals of Psychology, one of the University of Chicago’s pre-college offerings, is an introductory course on human behavior. Here, you will attend lectures and discussions on the scientific study of psychology and complete assigned readings. The course covers topics such as sensation and perception, emotions, memory, development, and psychological disorders. You will also have the opportunity to go on field trips and attend lab-based demonstrations. Additionally, you will work in teams to design and complete original experimental research projects.

13. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Cost: $5,175 (commuter) | $12,474 (residential); scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 16 – August 1

Application deadline: March 17

Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA

UCSB’s RMP offers a six-week opportunity to engage in university-level research under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student. The program begins with a virtual orientation, where you will explore available projects and meet your mentor before starting hands-on work on campus. You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology. You will spend the majority of your time on research, lab experimentation, and data analysis. You will also write a research paper and present your findings at a formal symposium. The program also offers the opportunity to earn eight university credits through participation in two interdisciplinary research courses that cover research techniques, methods, scientific writing, and research presentation.

14. Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program— Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior

Location: Virtual

Cost: $3,995 (college credit course) | $1,895 (enrichment course)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Several sessions of varying lengths throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies according to the sessions

Eligibility: Students, ages 13 or up

Georgetown University’s Psychology program delves into the interplay between the brain and human behavior. You will investigate questions of mental health and disorders, the influence of social media and popular cultures, brain injuries, learning disabilities, and the psychology of product and web design. You will also learn how psychologists design experiments and execute an experiment of your own. The course offers insights into the brain structure in relation to neuroscience as well as career paths for psychology majors. By the end of the program, you will have completed a capstone project that demonstrates how psychological science applies to your life. While this is not a typical research program, it offers some exposure to psychology research.

15. UT Southwestern’s Internship for High School Students

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Two weeks in June

Application deadline: Early February

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students and rising college first-years

UT Southwestern offers a two-week internship to high school students interested in pursuing a career in mental health. During this internship, you will meet and interact with licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists. The professionals share insights into their academic and career journeys. Prior to the online sessions, you will be required to complete assigned readings, including media and journal articles, which will offer exposure to psychology research. You will also gain insights into career pathways in the mental health field.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source - Johns Hopkins University logo