11 Research Programs for High School Students in West Virginia
- Stephen Turban
- 23 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re interested in exploring a subject beyond your high school classes, research programs can help you investigate questions in greater depth while learning how new knowledge is developed. These opportunities introduce you to fields like biomedical science, neuroscience, engineering, psychology, and physics while helping you build skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication. They also provide exposure to university research, laboratory environments, and mentored academic projects.
In West Virginia, research opportunities are offered through universities, statewide science competitions, academic camps, and national STEM initiatives. These programs include laboratory experiences, mentored research projects, scientific presentations, and summer academies that vary in format, duration, and subject focus.
Why should I do a research program in high school?
Research programs allow you to explore academic topics through investigation, experimentation, and independent inquiry. You might conduct laboratory experiments, analyze data, develop research questions, prepare scientific presentations, or complete an independent project while working with faculty, researchers, and mentors. Over time, these experiences can help you strengthen analytical and communication skills, explore potential career paths, and prepare for college-level research and coursework.
To help you find the right fit, we have narrowed down 11 research programs for high school students in West Virginia.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 11 programs span biomedical research, neuroscience, physics, psychology, engineering, data science, and scientific communication, so students with a wide range of academic interests can find a relevant research opportunity in West Virginia or online.
Several programs are free or offer financial compensation, including WVSEF (free to participate), JSHS (scholarships up to $12,000 for national finalists), Marshall University NeuroCamp ($250 stipend), National Youth Science Camp (free), SPINWIP (free), and ASSIP (fees fully waivable based on financial need).
Many programs lead to tangible academic outputs, including published research papers (Lumiere, HARP, ASSIP), scientific poster and oral presentations (WVSEF, JSHS, ASSIP), and college credit (ASSIP awards three GMU credits), which can strengthen college applications and demonstrate academic initiative.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from a week-long enrichment camp (Marshall NeuroCamp, WVU M2M) to a full academic year of mentored project development (JSHS virtual mentorship program), so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Several programs require students to advance through preliminary competitions or steps before reaching the main experience, including WVSEF (school, county, and regional fairs) and JSHS (written research report submission), so students should plan and prepare well in advance of the stated deadline.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is availableDates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley, WV
Cost: $2,000; limited number of scholarships available
Dates: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school who have earned a B or better in science and math classes and demonstrate excitement for science. No previous research experience is required
The West Virginia University Molecules to Medicine (M2M) Summer Camp offers a specialized look into the process of medical discovery, from laboratory research to patient care. Participants engage in practical science and math activities that illustrate how molecular research addresses complex medical issues. The curriculum introduces various health-related disciplines and highlights how they work together to enhance patient outcomes. Students take part in lab sessions to observe or perform techniques used in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Although M2M is mainly an enrichment camp, it provides students with essential laboratory skills, an understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork, and scientific reasoning, forming the groundwork for future careers in biomedical research.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop 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 for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Charleston, WV
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate
Dates: Annually in March
Application Deadline: Fall of the preceding academic year (contact your county fair coordinator)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 enrolled in West Virginia schools. Students must first compete at their school fair, then advance through county and regional fairs before qualifying for the state competition.
The West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair is the state's premier student research competition, organized by the West Virginia Department of Education and held annually at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. You begin by designing and executing an original experimental or engineering research project, then compete sequentially through school, county, and regional fairs before reaching the state level. At WVSEF, you present your project to a panel of expert judges from scientific and engineering fields and field detailed questions about your methodology, results, and conclusions. The competition spans biological, physical, behavioral, engineering, mathematical, and computer science disciplines, giving you the flexibility to pursue your specific area of interest. Top finishers earn the opportunity to represent West Virginia at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), one of the most prestigious pre-college science competitions in the world.
Location: West Virginia
Cost/Stipend: Free; top regional finishers receive undergraduate tuition scholarships up to $1,500; national finalists can earn scholarships up to $12,000
Dates: Regional competitions held January–March annually; National Symposium held in spring
Application Deadline: Fall/early winter (varies by year; check the WV regional JSHS page)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The West Virginia Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a U.S. Department of Defense-sponsored research competition that challenges you to conduct original independent research in a STEM field and present your findings publicly. JSHS requires you to deliver a formal oral presentation of your research to a panel of scientific judges. You apply by submitting a written report detailing your completed research investigation, including your hypothesis, methodology, data, and conclusions. Strong submissions are selected to present at the regional symposium, where the top five performers earn an all-expenses-paid invitation to the National Symposium. Beyond the competition itself, JSHS offers a virtual mentorship program that connects you with a research mentor throughout the academic year to support your project development.
Location: Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Stipend: $250
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to High school students
The NeuroCamp hosted by Marshall University is an immersive scientific experience that introduces you to the biological and medical foundations of neuroscience. You work in university laboratories, using specialized medical equipment such as SpikerBoxes to record and analyze electrical signals from nerves and muscles. The curriculum guides you through neuroanatomy and the physiological impacts of conditions such as stroke and addiction. You collaborate with faculty and graduate students on hands-on experiments involving sensory illusions and behavioral models. Through these professional interactions, you gain practical insights into neurorehabilitation and clinical research while contributing to active studies.
Location: Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Cost: $1,500 ($750 for commuters); scholarship provided for applicants in financial need
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to qualified students in the 10th and 11th grades (9th or 12th grade applicants considered on a case-by-case basis) with a Minimum 3.5 GPA
Marshall University’s STAR Summer Camp is an enrichment program designed to immerse you in the fields of science, technology, and research. You participate in laboratory activities that enable you to practice scientific techniques and translate theoretical knowledge into real-world applications. The curriculum emphasizes enhancing your critical thinking through collaborative projects and interactive demonstrations guided by university faculty. While STAR is primarily a science enrichment experience rather than a formal research program, it provides access to university laboratory facilities and professional mentorship, offering students a realistic preview of what research-oriented STEM careers entail in practice. Additionally, the program offers college-prep sessions to help you understand the academic pathways to advanced science degrees.
Location: Monongahela National Forest, WV
Cost: None
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school graduates with strong academic excellence and notable achievements in STEAM, along with curiosity, extracurricular involvement, and plans to pursue a STEAM career. They must commit to full participation in NYSCamp and meet COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements.
The National Youth Science Camp is a highly selective STEAM program that connects you with leading scientists and researchers from across the nation. You attend a comprehensive lecture series covering cutting-edge topics ranging from astrophysics to environmental conservation. You participate in "directed studies," which are small-group research tracks where you receive personalized mentorship from subject matter experts in various technical fields. The program integrates physical challenges, such as hiking and caving, with ecological study, teaching you to apply scientific principles in the field. You also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to collaborate with national science policy leaders and tour premier research institutions.
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid positions available; unpaid academic credit positions also available
Dates: Year-round; spring, summer, fall, and winter cycles
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by position
Eligibility: Must be enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; must be eligible to work in the U.S. via e-verify; students under 18 must submit a D.C. work permit; students may apply to up to three positions per cycle
The APA Internship Program places students in remote positions across the American Psychological Association's departments, including policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, and education. Interns work directly under a supervisor on daily tasks and learning objectives, with opportunities to attend workshops, contribute to group projects, and network with APA staff across departments. The program is designed to help students develop practical skills, explore non-traditional career paths in psychology, and build a professional network in the field. West Virginia students are eligible for the remote track, making it one of the more accessible psychology-adjacent opportunities for students outside major research hubs.
Location: Online (virtual; synchronous via video meetings)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: Applications for the current cycle are closed; sign up for the mailing list for the next cycle
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11; open to domestic and international students; students of any gender are welcome to apply
SPINWIP (Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics) is a free three-week virtual physics program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. Students attend lectures by Stanford professors and researchers covering cutting-edge topics in quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology, while working in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates on Python coding projects applied to physics problems. The program also includes college planning and career development workshops, and students have the opportunity to form mentorship relationships with Stanford students and faculty. No prior physics or coding experience is required.
Location: Remote (virtual); in-person option available at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, for students who can commute
Cost: $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits; $25 application fee; both fees fully waivable based on financial need
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: Typically late January; check website for current cycle
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+; West Virginia students eligible for the remote track; U.S. and international students welcome
ASSIP pairs students one-on-one with George Mason University faculty mentors for an eight-week research internship, with a fully remote track available for students who cannot attend in person. Students interested in science can apply to work with mentors across a range of areas, including biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, environmental science, machine learning, cybersecurity, and data science. You work full-time on an original research project for the duration of the program, earning three college credits from GMU upon completion. Past intern research has been published in scientific journals and presented at conferences, and some students have gone on to file patents based on their ASSIP work.
Frequently asked questions
What research programs are available for high school students in West Virginia?
Options include virtual mentored research programs, such as Lumiere, HARP, and ASSIP, university-based science camps, such as WVU M2M, Marshall NeuroCamp, and Marshall STAR, statewide science competitions, such as WVSEF and JSHS, a remote psychology internship through APA, a virtual physics program through Stanford SPINWIP, and the National Youth Science Camp held in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.
Are there free research programs for high school students in West Virginia?
WVSEF, JSHS, National Youth Science Camp, and Stanford SPINWIP are all free, and ASSIP fully waives its tuition and application fees for students with financial need.
Which programs allow West Virginia students to publish or present original research?
Lumiere, HARP, and ASSIP all support students in producing publishable research papers, while WVSEF and JSHS involve formal judged presentations that can qualify top finishers for national competitions.
Are there research programs in West Virginia that offer scholarships or stipends?
JSHS offers undergraduate tuition scholarships up to $12,000 for national finalists, Marshall NeuroCamp provides a $250 stipend, ASSIP can be taken for three college credits, and some WVU M2M participants qualify for limited scholarships.
Which West Virginia research programs are open to students outside the state?
Lumiere, HARP, Stanford SPINWIP, APA Remote Internship, and the remote track of ASSIP are all fully virtual and open to students regardless of location.
When should I apply to research programs for high school students in West Virginia?
JSHS and WVSEF both require fall preparation, as students must complete and submit research projects before winter regional events, while ASSIP typically closes in late January, SPINWIP in early spring, and WVU M2M on May 1.
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.