14 Research Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you're interested in research but not sure where to start, research camps for high school students provide a great way to explore academic fields in greater depth. These shorter programs allow you to experiment, design, analyze, and collaborate in just a few days or weeks, offering a solid introduction to academic or professional research.
Many camps are low-cost or fully funded, making them an affordable way to access labs, advanced tools, and professional mentors. Whether you're into astrophysics, engineering, medicine, or math, these camps help you explore your interests while gaining valuable experience for your university applications.
You'll work in teams, attend expert-led workshops, tour research facilities, and present your ideas like a researcher. For students interested in innovation and academic exploration, these camps are an ideal first step. Below is a list of 14 research camps for high school students, selected for their rigor, mentorship quality, and prestige.
14 Research Camps for High School Students
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Graduates from high school between July 1 of the prior year and June 30 of the following year | International students ages 16–18 from selected countries | Strong academic performance in STEM | Check more details here
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a three-week residential program designed for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each year, delegates from every U.S. state, along with select international students, are chosen through a competitive process based on academic excellence and leadership. You will participate in lectures, hands-on seminars, and field expeditions led by scientists and innovators from various disciplines. The camp also includes research discussions, professional networking, and outdoor exploration activities designed to foster teamwork and scientific curiosity. Fully funded for all participants, NYSCamp provides an environment where you can engage deeply with STEM learning while forming connections with peers and professionals from around the world.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers motivated high school students the opportunity to conduct an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor from a top university. Over the duration of the program, you’ll work one-on-one with your mentor to identify a research question, design a methodology, analyze data, and produce a final research paper. The program is entirely remote, making it accessible to students worldwide, and spans a wide range of disciplines, including economics, political science, computer science, biology, and psychology. The program provides a strong foundation in academic research, critical thinking, and analytical writing. Many students use their completed papers for publication or competition submissions. You can find more details about the application here. You can also check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, with limited online options for MN students
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who have completed a year-long course in single variable calculus prior to program commencement
The IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp is a one-week program that introduces you to applied mathematics through real-world problem solving. You’ll learn how mathematical models can be used to understand and predict systems such as traffic flow, disease transmission, and climate change. Working in small teams, you’ll apply calculus and differential equations to develop and analyze models, supported by faculty mentors from the University of Minnesota. The camp includes daily lectures, collaborative workshops, and presentations where you’ll share your findings with peers. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in seeing how advanced math can be used to address real-world challenges.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program offers school students the opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities worldwide. You’ll work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. You’ll attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with your tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, building robotic arms in engineering, or participating in moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback, as well as a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with good academic standing
UT Tyler’s Pre-Med Summer Camp introduces rising high school juniors and seniors, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in East Texas, to medical career pathways and the process of applying to medical school. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore JAMP-participating colleges, learn about admissions requirements, and practice interview techniques used in medical school selection. The camp features clinical shadowing with local physicians, medical simulations, and guided research experiences. You’ll also interact with medical students, residents, and simulated patients, gaining a realistic view of clinical practice and medical training. Through this experience, participants strengthen both their academic readiness and understanding of healthcare professions.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest and potential in mathematics
√mathroots is a 14-day residential summer program hosted by MIT PRIMES for high-achieving high school students interested in exploring advanced mathematics. The program combines lectures, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving sessions led by MIT faculty, researchers, and graduate students. You will study topics such as number theory, combinatorics, and mathematical proofs—areas not typically covered in high school. Alongside academics, the camp emphasizes resilience, teamwork, and creative approaches to problem-solving. Designed to make advanced math more accessible, √mathroots provides a rigorous yet inclusive environment for students looking to strengthen their foundation for future research opportunities.
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Northern California high school students (age 14-17)
Hosted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the SAGE (Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement) Summer Camp is a one-week program designed to introduce high school students to real-world careers in STEM. You’ll shadow scientists and engineers in their day-to-day work, gaining firsthand insight into research, experimentation, and innovation across various disciplines. During the camp, you’ll also work on a small, mentor-guided project that culminates in a presentation on the final day. Professional development workshops and networking sessions also help you explore academic and career pathways in STEM while strengthening your communication and teamwork skills.
Location: A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA with no C's in Math and Science Courses | Must have completed Chemistry with at least a grade B and be ready to take Pre-Calculus by 12th grade
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program is a free, four-week commuter research program for rising 12th graders from Maryland interested in engineering. It pairs you with a research mentor to work on an engineering project while learning to develop a research proposal, conduct a literature review, and present your findings. The program also includes workshops on college admissions, financial aid, and career readiness, as well as opportunities to network with undergraduate and graduate students. Through this experience, you’ll gain exposure to real-world engineering research and strengthen the skills needed for success in college and beyond.
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school juniors | Must be a resident of New Jersey who is nominated by their high school | Check more details here
The New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences (GSNJS) is a prestigious three-week residential summer program hosted at Drew University for rising high school seniors across New Jersey. The program offers students an accelerated academic environment through college-level courses, research projects, and lectures from scientists. You will work closely with Drew University faculty and peers on group research projects, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Alongside the academic component, the program fosters collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking through workshops and seminars. Administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), GSNJS provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing future studies or careers in science and research.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (a virtual Jumpstart for participants)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 20 – August 1 (required virtual sessions on June 16 and 17)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in 11th grade (must be 16+ by program start)
The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, six-week residential program for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in STEM fields. It begins with a virtual “Jumpstart” before transitioning to in-person coursework in biology, chemistry, math, and computational thinking. You’ll participate in research projects under the guidance of CMU faculty or graduate mentors and present your findings at a final symposium. Alongside academics, SAMS includes a credit-bearing college transition course and workshops on admissions and financial aid. The program also provides mentorship through the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, helping you build the academic and personal skills needed for success in STEM.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students between 9th and 11th grade at the time of application | Preference will be given to rising seniors and to students from under-resourced backgrounds
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a free, three-week virtual summer program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. Designed for high school girls, the program introduces you to fields like quantum physics, astrophysics, and cosmology while teaching Python programming. Through interactive lectures, small-group projects, and workshops on college and career planning, you gain exposure to research and academic pathways in physics. The program also offers mentorship opportunities with Stanford undergraduates and faculty, allowing participants to explore physics in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Application will start in mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week, tuition-free enrichment program in science and medicine for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. You’ll engage in a public health research project focused on issues such as health disparities, working in small teams to produce a research paper, presentation, and academic poster. Alongside this, you’ll participate in hospital internships at Stanford Health Care, where you’ll observe patient care, explore medical careers, and attend hands-on laboratory workshops. Mentorship from medical professionals, Stanford faculty, and college students forms a key part of the experience, helping you understand the academic and professional pathways into healthcare. While SMYSP emphasizes research and clinical exposure, it is also designed to build confidence, leadership, and community among future health science scholars.
Location: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 14 – 21
Application Deadline: February–May
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Hosted by San Diego State University’s SMILE Lab and Talent Search program, the SDSU Robotics Camp is a free, week-long experience that introduces middle and high school students to robotics, coding, and engineering. You will learn to code in Scratch and Python, explore artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy, and build and program MBot Mega robots. The camp also covers drone flight and programming through hands-on sessions and team challenges. You’ll visit SDSU’s engineering labs, meet faculty, and attend guest lectures from STEM professionals. While the camp is primarily skills-focused, students also participate in exploratory design and problem-solving activities, providing them with exposure to how engineering research teams operate.
Location: Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR
Cost: $6,600 | Free for US and Canadian families with household incomes under $100,000 (with typical assets)
Dates: June 29 – August 3
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Middle and high school students between the ages of 13 and 18 | Limited to approximately 120 students (65 new students and 55 returning alumni)
Canada/USA Mathcamp is a five-week residential summer program for high school students with strong mathematical ability and curiosity. The camp offers advanced, university-level courses in areas such as abstract algebra, topology, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. Instruction is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, and collaborative workshops led by mathematicians and graduate students. A distinctive feature of the program is the Qualifying Quiz, which emphasises creative problem-solving over memorization. Mathcamp provides an academically rigorous environment where you can explore complex mathematical ideas, develop independent research habits, and connect with peers who share your academic interests.
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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