10 Research Programs for High School Students in Chicago, Illinois

Research programs for high school students in Chicago give you the chance to explore various STEM, tech, innovation, and research programs and options. Whether your passion lies in environmental science, engineering, biomedical, or independent research, these programs can provide hands-on experiences that can help shape your academic goals. 

In this blog, we have curated 10 research programs for high school students in Chicago, Illinois across various fields. Each has unique approaches and capabilities, from state-of-the-art labs to conferences and mentorship. 

1. Lumiere Research Program

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: February 9, for the upcoming spring cohort

Program Dates: Individual Research (12 weeks) | Premium Research (16-20 weeks) | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) | Professor Premium (16-20 weeks). Spring cohort starts on March 3

Eligibility: High school students anywhere in the world

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students that offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subjects. The program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. 

You can find more details about the application here.

2. Horizon's Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Virtual

Cost: $5,950. Financial aid available

Application Deadline: The spring cohort deadline is February 16

Dates: Trimester-long programs throughout the year; the spring cohort starts on March 3 

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12

HARP offers trimester-long research experiences in data science, biology, psychology, and more. As a participant, you'll choose a research project and learn from mentors, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presenting your findings. By the end of your research, you would have completed a 20-25 page research paper, along with an opportunity to get letters of recommendation and recognition based on the quality. You’ll also benefit from mentorship, flexible research options (quantitative or qualitative), and the potential to present at a symposium.

3. Argonne National Laboratory Exemplary Student Research Program

Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL

Cost: Not mentioned

Application Deadline: July 1 (tentatively)

Dates: Usually June – August

Eligibility: High school students. The teacher applicant should have a valid teaching certificate for grades 9-12 and must attend a workshop in August to learn about the program requirements. 

Argonne National Laboratory’s ESRP allows high school students and their teachers to conduct research projects alongside Argonne scientists from start to finish. The program lasts an entire school term, beginning in the summer when your teacher will have to apply. After an introductory workshop, teachers are matched with a scientist mentor and charged with selecting a team of 4-8 students. 

During the fall, teams prepare a research proposal, design, and set up the experiment by gathering and analyzing data, making conclusions, and creating the final poster. In this program, school teams are considered part of the larger user community at Argonne: ESRP posters are presented annually to the Argonne scientific community in the spring.

4. University of Chicago’s Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines from January 22

Cost: $14,490; financial aid available

Dates: June 14 – July 14

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12; prior biology coursework required

RIBS offers an intensive four-week experience in molecular biology and biochemistry. This program uses a project-based approach that teaches you the basic lab applications of current molecular techniques in cell biology, genetics, development biology, and more. It offers a deep dive into biological research, where you'll learn key lab techniques and design your own experiments to explore fascinating biological questions. 

As a participant, you can expect hands-on lab experience, inspiring lectures from leading researchers, and opportunities to present your project findings. Weekly assignments and meticulous record-keeping in a lab notebook are integral parts of the program.

5. Field Museum’s High School Science & Digital Learning Internship

Location: Field Museum, Chicago, IL

Stipend: Paid internship (amount unspecified) 

Application Deadline: April 1 (tentatively). Check back again in February or March to apply. 

Dates: 6 weeks between June – August

Eligibility: High school students graduating around  2025 – 2028 can apply

The Digital Learning Internship selects 15 high school students from Chicagoland to be scientists for the summer. As a participant, you are introduced to researchers and museum experts from across the Field Museum and can choose one to work with on a 5-week research project. Once selected for the program, you must be available to work in person at the Museum 4 or 5 days a week. You will also have behind-the-scenes access to museum collections and will participate in ongoing field studies.

As an intern, you will learn technology and digital media skills to support your research. You will also participate in professional development and enrichment sessions focusing on various topics, such as resume building, interview skills, and portfolio building, to ensure you can capitalize on the skills you develop over the summer.

6. Chicago Botanic Garden’s Science First

Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

Stipend: Available (amount unspecified) 

Application Deadline: April (tentatively)

Dates: July – August; official dates for 2025 TBA

Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders from Chicago Public School. Applicants will need a recommendation letter from a science teacher.

This four-week program introduces students to plant science and conservation biology. As a participant, you will conduct experiments, learn about sustainable practices, and get hands-on with your research by conducting a scientific investigation under the guidance of experienced mentors. You’ll get to learn lab techniques, dissect specimens, and even collect data in the field. You can expect field trips to natural habitats, hands-on conservation projects, and mentorship from botanists. After completing Science First, you can apply for the College First paid high-school internship program. 

7. Adler Planetarium’s Far Horizons Teen Program

Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

Cost: Not mentioned

Application Deadline: January 7 – January 28

Dates: March – May 

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12

In partnership with the Adler Planetarium, Horizons Teens empowers students to explore their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) interests. This program offers opportunities to prepare for diverse careers, become engaged community thinkers and change-makers, connect with peers citywide, and—most importantly—have fun.

As a participant, you'll develop problem-solving and investigative skills while working alongside the Far Horizons research team to study the extent and impact of light pollution in Chicago. This program focuses on astronomy and space science. You can also learn more about data analysis, telescope observations, and public science communication. You will receive access to Adler’s observatory and the opportunity to co-author research papers.

8. Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering & Science (SpHERES)

Location: The Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, IL

Stipend: $2,400 

Application Deadline: Open in February 

Dates: June 17 – August 1

Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin

The Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering & Science (SpHERES) program provides hands-on experience in a real research setting, allowing you to contribute to projects and develop valuable research skills. As a participant, you will benefit from a multi-layered mentorship program, receiving guidance and support from faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, medical students, and physicians, providing a diverse network of expertise.

Beyond research, the program offers weekly seminars covering various topics crucial for academic and professional success. These sessions will explore research projects, college readiness strategies, innovation and entrepreneurship principles, holistic, inclusive care approaches, and essential clinical skills. This comprehensive approach will help you acclimate to a university environment and build confidence in your ability to thrive in higher education. The majority of activities will take place on the University of Illinois campus.

9. Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS)

Location: The Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, IL

Stipend: Paid

Application Deadline: Open on February 1

Dates: June 17 – August 1

Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th Graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin

The GEnYuS program offers an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research within diverse engineering disciplines. As a participant, you will join department-specific research groups and explore computer science, dark matter, mechanical engineering, nuclear or quantum physics, aerospace engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, civil engineering, bioengineering, and more. This immersive experience provides hands-on exposure to real-world engineering challenges and fosters a deep understanding of research methodologies.

Beyond research, GEnYuS emphasizes professional and academic development. Weekly seminars equip you with essential college-ready skills, covering topics like navigating the college admission process, understanding available support resources, mastering scientific communication techniques, and creating effective research posters. 

10. University of Chicago Medicine's ResearcHStart

Location: University of Chicago Medicine research facilities

Stipend: $3,000

Application Deadline: January 20

Dates: Second week of June to first week of August

Eligibility: High school students from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas who are at least 16 and have a strong science background

ResearcHStart is a highly competitive 8-week, 40-hour-per-week program for highly motivated students interested in cancer research. During the program, you'll work in advanced labs alongside top researchers and learn about bioengineering, cancer immunology, and other exciting fields. 

You will work full-time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental cancer therapeutics, and cancer disparities. Prepare to undergo an intensive research experience, mentorship from leading scientists, and presentation opportunities at a program 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 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source - University of Chicago Logo