10 Research Mentorship Programs for Gifted Middle School Students

If you're a middle school student eager to dive into meaningful research, a strong research mentorship program can be a fantastic option. These programs offer a taste of college‑level academics and real‑life research, not just textbook work, but with guidance that helps you build practical skills, gain industry exposure, and form valuable connections. You can explore fields from STEM to the humanities, all while still in middle school, setting a strong foundation for later years. You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to try it: many programs offer scholarships or no‑cost options. If you’re interested in research mentorship for gifted middle school students, you’ll want to look for programs that are rigorous, have excellent networking opportunities, are fully funded (or low cost), have highly competitive acceptance rates, and are hosted by respected institutions. 

With all that in mind, we have narrowed down a list of top programs for research mentorship for gifted middle school students—each offers strong value and selective opportunities. Across the listings below you’ll once again see the focus on research mentorship for gifted middle school students, feel free to use this list as a starting point to find the right fit for you.

10 Research Mentorship Programs for Gifted Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched 1-on-1 with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings. 

2. 4-H Tech Wizards Mentoring Program

Location: Various sites in New York City, including Fort Hamilton Military Base and St. Marks Day School in Brooklyn, Queens Community House, and a Bronx location

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate or cohort size: ~90 students across four sites

Dates: January–December (yearlong program)

Application Deadline: Rolling; selected by partner site staff or by contacting the coordinator

Eligibility: Students in grades 4–12, with a focus on underserved youth in NYC

In this yearlong mentorship program, you'll be paired with mentors who guide you through science and technology projects, with a focus on giving back to your community. The curriculum includes hands-on training in topics like website creation, robotics, GIS/GPS, and digital media. You'll also collaborate on a 15-hour tech-based community service project. Weekly sessions during the school year and additional summer activities ensure consistent engagement. The program is entirely free and designed to serve underserved students, making it a realistic path to explore research mentorship for gifted middle school students.

3. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end. 

4. NYU Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)

Location: Hosted at NYC public schools (e.g., IS 240 Andries Hudde Junior High and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY)

Cost/Stipend: Free (full scholarship supported by National Grid)

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not publicly listed; limited to NYC residents

Dates: July 8 – August 2

Application Deadline: April 29

Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th grade students who are NYC residents and between ages 12–14 at the program’s start

At SoSC, you’ll explore how cities can become more sustainable and efficient by diving into STEM fields like environmental science, coding, and engineering. The program is hands-on—you’ll work in teams to design real-world solutions using microcontrollers, sensors, and circuitry. Alongside the technical work, you’ll participate in Irondale, an improv-based theater program that helps boost your public speaking and communication skills. The full-day sessions take place over four weeks, offering a mix of academic rigor and creative exploration. For NYC students looking into research mentorship for gifted middle school students, SoSC delivers both technical depth and a unique interdisciplinary experience—without the high cost.

5. UC Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science to AI

Location: Online (hosted by Berkeley Coding Academy)

Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,699; limited scholarships available

Acceptance rate or cohort size: ~40 students per summer; small cohorts of ~6 students each

Dates: July 14 – August 1

Application Deadline: Rolling; early registration recommended

Eligibility: Ages 12–14 and 15–18 with prior experience in Python (e.g., writing functions, using libraries)

In this three-week online program, you'll learn how to analyze big data, build machine learning models, and code AI applications using Python. The curriculum is designed to help you master data science tools like pandas, matplotlib, seaborn, and machine learning libraries including Sklearn and Keras. You’ll work in a small cohort with peers of similar age and skill level, receiving 1-on-1 support and building a capstone project to showcase your skills. The experience ends with a final project presentation that can be used for college or internship applications. As a rigorous, project-based option for research mentorship for gifted middle school students interested in AI, this program offers both depth and flexibility.

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP)

Location: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI

Cost/Stipend: $1,500 per session ($1,450/session if attending both); $75 non-refundable application fee; scholarships available

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified; courses fill on a rolling, first-come basis

Dates: Session 1: June 14–19, Session 2: June 21–26

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Students completing grades 6–8

STEP is a week-long academic and residential experience where you’ll choose a single subject to explore in depth through 50 hours of instruction on UW–Madison’s campus. Course options include forensic science, AI-themed art, chemistry, leadership, writing, and more, with hands-on, project-based learning at the center. Outside of class, you’ll stay in dorms, engage in social programming, attend field trips, and take part in activities ranging from sports to arts. The program emphasizes both academic enrichment and personal growth, aiming to prepare you for the transition to high school. STEP is a strong entry point into research mentorship for gifted middle school students, offering early college exposure in a supportive, immersive environment.

7. American Museum of Natural History Lang Science Program

Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: Tuition ranges from free to $7,490/year based on family income; scholarships available

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not publicly stated; highly selective six-year program

Dates: July 7 – July 25 (summer session); 15–18 Saturdays during the school year

Application Deadline: Currently closed; typically opens for 6th graders in early spring

Eligibility: Current NYC 6th graders; program spans grades 7–12

Lang Science is a six-year program that lets you explore major scientific fields, like astrophysics, genetics, anthropology, and geology, by learning inside the museum, its collections, and research labs. You’ll start with structured science classes in middle school and transition to self-driven research in high school, gaining access to museum scientists and external field sites. Each year includes a summer session and Saturday classes during the academic year. If accepted, you’ll become part of a small cohort that meets consistently over several years, allowing you to build deep skills and mentorship relationships. This long-term, immersive program stands out as one of the most comprehensive options for research mentorship for gifted middle school students in NYC.

8. New York Academy of Sciences New York Academy of Sciences

Location: Online via the Launchpad platform

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; thousands of applications received globally each year

Dates: Fall program runs September–December; Spring program runs February–April

Application Deadline: July 8 (for Fall cohort)

Eligibility: Ages 13–17; strong English skills required; open to students worldwide

The Junior Academy is a fully virtual, challenge-based research mentorship program where you’ll join global peers to solve real-world STEM problems. After onboarding, you'll participate in innovation challenges sponsored by major organizations and guided by STEM professionals. You form your own team, develop a solution, and present your work through a structured project timeline on the Launchpad platform. Participation requires 3–4 hours per week and culminates in a certificate and Academy membership if all milestones are met. As a no-cost, mentor-driven opportunity, this program is a standout example of accessible research mentorship for gifted middle school students interested in collaborative global science.

9. Data Detectives Big Data Summer Academy 

Location: Emory University, Math and Sciences Center, Atlanta, GA

Cost/Stipend: Not listed; typically free or low cost through grant support (check future application cycles)

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not publicly stated; selection includes application and interview

Dates: June 2–6 and July 14–18 (students may attend only one week)

Application Deadline: Closed for now; typically opens in early spring

Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students

This one-week program introduces you to public health research using real cancer data and big data tools. You'll attend expert-led lectures, work with Emory STEM mentors, and dive into hands-on experiences with machine learning and AI applications in healthcare. The highlight is developing a Community Action Plan in teams to solve a real-world cancer-related issue, which you’ll present at the end of the week. With a focus on data science and health equity, this is a practical and meaningful path into research mentorship for gifted middle school students, especially those curious about health science and data analytics.

10. NYU Sounds of New York City (SONYC)

Location: Hosted at NYC public schools (e.g., IS 240 Andries Hudde Junior High and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY)

Cost/Stipend: Free (full scholarship)

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified; open to NYC residents only

Dates: July 8 – August 4

Application Deadline: April 29

Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th grade NYC residents, ages 12–14 at the program’s start

SONYC focuses on the science of sound in urban environments and how noise pollution impacts public health. You’ll investigate sound waves, collect field data, and build tech devices that analyze and respond to noise. The program combines engineering, coding, and environmental science with hands-on labs and design challenges. Students also participate in Irondale, a communication workshop that uses improv to boost your public speaking and presentation skills. As a free, research-focused opportunity for NYC youth, SONYC offers a meaningful way to engage in research mentorship for gifted middle school students through science, technology, and real-world problem-solving.

Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation. 

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