12 Science Research Opportunities for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 8
- 8 min read
If you are a high school student seeking ways to explore your interest in science in a structured environment, summer research programs are an ideal option. They provide you with critical thinking skills, teamwork experience, and sometimes even a glimpse of campus life. These programs offer an affordable way to explore your interests, providing experience in research and the chance to connect with experts and peers.
Participating in a competitive science research opportunity in high school can also help your college applications stand out. Unlike more costly academic options, these programs will allow you to pursue your curiosity without financial strain.
With so many choices available, selecting the right program can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve carefully curated a list of the top 12 science research opportunities for high school students.
RSI at MIT is one of the most prestigious science research opportunities for high school students. Over 6 weeks, you will participate in a comprehensive research process, from learning advanced scientific theory to conducting original research in your chosen field. The program kicks off with a week of intensive seminars covering a range of topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. This is followed by a 5-week research internship, during which you'll work with mentors to tackle scientific problems. The final week is dedicated to preparing written papers and oral presentations on your findings, similar to what you would present at an academic conference. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 - August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with excellent standardized test scores from across the world.
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
If you're a high school student in New York City with a strong interest in STEM, the ARISE program at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering is a great opportunity. During this 6-week program, you'll work with graduate or postdoctoral mentors to contribute to ongoing research projects. The projects span fields such as engineering, life sciences, and computer and data sciences. Along with lab experience, you'll also participate in workshops covering key topics such as scientific ethics, research practices, data analysis, and lab safety. ARISE offers training in presentation and public speaking through its partnership with the Irondale Ensemble Project. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a colloquium attended by NYU faculty, graduate students, and other professionals. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: New York University campus, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2 – August 8 (preceded by 4 weeks of remote evening workshops)
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Students completing 10th or 11th grade in June and living in New York City.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a 7-week science research opportunity for high school students. As a participant, you will conduct independent research under the guidance of university mentors in various STEM areas. You will attend weekly seminars that expose you to different research methods and network with peers and professionals. The program’s competitive nature means that only a small group of students is selected each year, but the experience and mentorship could significantly improve your academic future. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Program dates: June 22 - August 7
Application deadline: January 2 - February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the start of the program and should graduate in this or next year.
SIMR is a highly competitive science research opportunity for high school students that offers the chance to engage in medical and biological research at Stanford University. Over 8 weeks, you’ll work with a mentor from one of Stanford's Institutes of Medicine on a research project in fields such as immunology, cancer biology, neurobiology, bioengineering, and more. You can select from several research institutes. The learning environment fosters essential skills, including data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific communication. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Fully funded; paid opportunity
Program dates: June 9 - July 31
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year, and at least 16 years old by June 9. Applicants must reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card.
The Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC provides high school students with experience in neuroscience research. This program is designed to introduce you to scientific inquiry by placing you in a Columbia University laboratory to work with a neuroscientist mentor. Over the summer, you’ll work on research projects, developing skills such as data analysis, scientific writing, and lab techniques. The BRAINYAC program is open to students from select schools and programs in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Throughout the experience, you’ll not only gain technical knowledge but also connect with scientists and peers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University, NY
Cost: Fully funded, paid opportunity
Program dates: 7 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: October 29
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who reside in NYC and are nominated by BRAINYAC’s partner programs are eligible to apply.
The Summer Science Program is an advanced science research opportunity for high school students interested in astrophysics. In this program, you’ll work with faculty mentors and peers to gather and analyze data, experiencing what it’s like to be a part of the scientific process. There are no grades or tests; instead, you’ll engage in a supportive, team-based environment. As you take on complex astrophysics topics, you’ll develop crucial skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and scientific communication. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Georgia College & State University, New Mexico State University, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Colorado Boulder, Colby College, Knox College
Cost: Up to $9,800, based on family income
Program dates: Mid-late June
Application deadline: International: January 24 | Domestic: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be at least 15 years old, but not yet 19, during the program.
The Simons Summer Research Program offers motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in college-level research in science, mathematics, or engineering. As a Simons Fellow, you will be paired with a faculty mentor in an active research team to work on the project and learn valuable laboratory techniques. You will also attend weekly faculty talks, participate in specialized workshops, and tour Stony Brook’s research facilities. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings through a research abstract and a poster at the closing symposium, where you’ll also receive a stipend for your work. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Cost: Fully funded, paid opportunity
Program dates: June 30 - August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens and/or permanent residents and are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program can apply.
The Summer Research Program at UT Dallas offers two opportunities for high school students interested in scientific research. The Intensive Research Internship in Computer Science (CS) labs is a highly selective program that allows you to work with researchers on specific projects. If selected, you'll read research papers, conduct simulations, or even develop applications. Alternatively, you can participate in Summer Research Workshops, which are designed to be more flexible and less competitive. These workshops meet at least twice a week, either in person or online, and guide you toward completing a final project or paper related to the research topic.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $500
Program dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA on January 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
UC Santa Barbara's RMP engages high-achieving high school students in university-level research across a range of interdisciplinary fields. You will be paired with a mentor, such as a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member, and work on a research project in areas like biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, marine biology, and many more. You’ll dedicate 35-50 hours a week to your project, gaining insight into how professional research is conducted and honing your academic goals. The program includes courses on research techniques and presentation methods, and you will earn college credits for your permanent academic record. At the program's conclusion, you’ll present your research at an academic symposium. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter: $5,175 | Residential: $12,474
Program dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grades with a minimum 3.8 GPA can apply. Exceptional 9th-grade students may be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
The MSK Summer Internship Program offers a valuable opportunity for high school students to participate in biomedical or computational research. This 8-week research internship will pair you with a mentor in one of MSK’s research labs, where you'll contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and computational biology. As an intern, you’ll participate in lab meetings and gain exposure to a diverse group of professionals within the MSK community. You’ll attend events hosted by MSK’s Office of Scientific Education & Training, clinical departments, and HR that offer insights into the broader world of translational medicine and research. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: MSK Cancer Center, NY
Cost: Fully funded; students are paid a stipend of $1,200
Program dates: June 30 - August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA in science subjects, who reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Main Campus in Manhattan, and are legally authorized to work in the United States. Applicants must also be at least 14 years old by June.
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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