10 Research Paper Opportunities for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 7
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 18
If you are a high school student trying to explore a subject that interests you, enrolling in a program that allows you to work on a research paper can be a good way to do just that. Writing a research paper is a skill that requires a combination of academic writing know-how and critical thinking ability. A research program can help you hone this skill, making it possible for you to then explore real-world questions in science, humanities, social science, or any field of choice through your research.
Additionally, participating in research paper opportunities designed for high school students can boost college applications and resumes, demonstrating your initiative, intellectual curiosity, and strong work ethic. These programs also offer access to mentorship, structured research writing instruction, and expert guidance.
Today, you can choose from various opportunities, including university-led programs, competitive fellowships, and online workshops, that align with your academic interests, offer access to experienced researchers, and give you the chance to publish or present your work.
To help you find the right fit, we have curated a list of 10 research paper opportunities that offer structured guidance, mentorship, and a chance to produce high-quality papers in high school.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring cohort (January deadline), Summer cohort (May deadline), Fall cohort (September deadline), and Winter cohort (November deadline) You can apply here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers several programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program introduces you to the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science through a structured 10-session boot camp, culminating in real-world project work. If you have some experience with Python and AI, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is worth considering. This program will offer you a chance to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on individual AI research papers. The program also offers students support via its in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school research journals. You can also check out a few examples of past projects here.
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Program options range from 12 weeks to 1 year. Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), and Spring (March–June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort | Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Current high school students demonstrating a high level of academic achievement | Accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4. No previous knowledge in your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a highly selective research opportunity for motivated high school students. Over a 12-week period, you will work one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors to develop an independent research project and complete a full-length academic paper. The program offers options in engineering, chemistry, biology, psychology, data science, economics, international relations, business, and more. Lumiere emphasizes academic depth, personalized mentorship, and the development of analytical skills. More information and application details can be found here.
Location: Varies depending on the participating schools
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective | Details regarding the cohort size/acceptance rate are unavailable.
Dates: The program starts in July and continues during the academic year
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
The Waksman Student Scholars Program offers high school students and their teachers the opportunity to engage in a research project focused on molecular biology and bioinformatics, with the potential to publish their results. This year-long initiative begins with a summer institute designed for educators and a select group of students. Following this session, the research continues within participating high schools during the academic year, allowing additional students to join the project. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with teachers and professional scientists, gaining hands-on experience in scientific research. This immersive approach can help you develop a better understanding and deeper appreciation for the scientific process, helping you decide if you want to pursue education and careers in STEM fields.
Location: Hybrid | Primarily virtual, with in-person options at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective program; 50 students | Details regarding the precise acceptance rate are not available
Dates: June 14 – August 30.
Application deadline: Applications open in the first week of February and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: Details available upon inquiry
The Young Scholars NASA Data Science Analysis and Research Paper Program offers motivated high school students a rigorous and immersive summer experience in space science and data analysis. Through this program, you will explore advanced topics in astronomy and statistical research by working on real NASA mission data. Under the guidance of George Mason University faculty and NASA experts, you will conduct original research, analyze exoplanetary systems, and develop professional-quality scholarly papers. The program also features remote access to the university’s 32-inch telescope and instruction in tools such as Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and AstroImageJ. Upon completion, you will get a certificate from George Mason University, and your research papers may be featured on official university platforms, with some eligible for competition or publication.
Location: Virtual or in-person at The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective | Details regarding the cohort size and acceptance rate are not available.
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
Cost: $1,000 for Intensive Research Internship in CS labs; $700 for in-person summer workshop attendees; $600 for virtual summer workshop attendees | Scholarships are available.
The University of Texas at Dallas offers Computer Science Summer Research Workshops that focus on coding skills and exploring emerging technologies. Each workshop culminates in a final project or research paper aligned with the specific research topic. You will receive a certificate of completion and an experience letter detailing the workshop content. Outstanding students may also request letters of recommendation, and top research presentations and papers will be recognized with awards and special certificates. Workshop themes include quantum computing, natural language processing with Python, applied logic, programming languages and systems (ALPS), data structures and algorithms, and cybersecurity.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 3%; About 80–100 students selected out of 3,000 applications
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors
Cost: None
Each summer, the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT brings together around 100 high school students for a prestigious, cost-free program that blends intensive academic coursework with hands-on research experience. The program begins with a week of STEM seminars led by distinguished faculty, followed by a five-week research internship where you will pursue individual projects under expert mentorship. You will engage in the full research process—from reviewing scholarly literature to developing research plans and presenting findings through academic papers and conference-style talks. You will also gain access to MIT’s advanced computing resources and attend evening lectures by leading scientists, including Nobel laureates. The program concludes with formal presentations, with select research papers recognized for excellence by a panel of academic and industry professionals.
Location: Hybrid. Primarily virtual, with optional in-person sessions at George Mason University, Manassas, VA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective | Information regarding the cohort size and precise acceptance rate is not publicly available.
Dates: June 21 – September 6
Application deadline: Applications open in the first week of February and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: Details regarding the fees are available upon inquiry | Scholarships are available; winning teams win $500 per member
The Young Scholars Research Program in BioScience offers high school students an opportunity to engage in advanced biomedical research alongside leading scientists. Here, you will explore real-world topics such as virus-cell interactions, HIV treatment strategies, and antibiotic resistance, while also studying the role of extracellular vesicles in immunity. Through hands-on projects, discussions with researchers, and exposure to scientific literature, you will gain a strong foundation in biomedical concepts across virology, immunology, and microbiology. Your final paper will be published on the Schar School Young Scholars Journals Webpage as well as the George Mason University (GMU) Library MARS Repository. Upon completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and may be eligible for awards and scholarships through the BioScience: AI & Life Science in Disease Research Conference.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students accepted each year
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age by the program start date
Cost/Stipend: No cost | A $750 stipend is offered
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is a competitive seven-week summer research initiative for twelve exceptional high school juniors and seniors. If selected, you will conduct hands-on research under the guidance of experienced faculty across diverse fields, including biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, history, and physics. The program also features seminars, discussions, and field trips, helping you build critical thinking skills. If you complete a successful research report, you will receive a stipend. Designed to attract talented students from around the world, the program offers an immersive experience in a research-focused academic environment.
Location: Bentley University, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; 65 students are accepted each year
Dates: June 25 –July 12
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students between 14 and 17 years of age
Cost: $4,500 | Financial aid is available.
The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is a rigorous two-and-a-half-week, project-based experience for high school students interested in computational thinking and artificial intelligence. You will engage in hands-on workshops, active-learning sessions, and lectures to pick up advanced programming and problem-solving skills and even work on mastering the Wolfram Language. Guided by expert mentors, you will work on original research projects tailored to your interests, producing interactive papers and computational essays. These projects, often suitable for academic competitions or publication, are developed in collaboration with Stephen Wolfram. Outstanding participants may gain access to further opportunities, including internships, mentorship, and advanced research programs within the Wolfram education ecosystem.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 30 – August 8.
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend. However, $2360.25 is the housing + dining cost for residential participants | A stipend is offered at the end of the program.
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers high-achieving and motivated high school students the chance to conduct hands-on research in science, mathematics, or engineering. You will be paired with faculty mentors, join active research teams, and take responsibility for individual projects. Throughout the program, you will learn about laboratory methods and experience firsthand the academic environment of a leading research institution. The program includes faculty-led seminars, specialized workshops, and campus tours. It ends with a research abstract poster presentation at the final symposium.
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 11 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Lumiere Education logo