15 Summer Astronomy Research Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student interested in astronomy, summer research programs can be an effective way for you to explore the field in depth. These programs often combine coursework, mentorship, and guided projects to help you apply theoretical knowledge to real scientific questions. They also expose you to professional research environments and teach collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills that are valuable across disciplines.
What are the benefits of an astronomy research program?
Astronomy research programs allow you to engage directly with astronomical data, observational techniques, and scientific problem-solving, and help you learn about the field beyond the classroom. They also provide networking experiences that connect you with mentors, researchers, and peers who share your passion for astronomy and space science. Whether you are analyzing cosmic phenomena, working with advanced tools, or exploring astrophysics through data-driven research, these experiences can clarify your interests and strengthen your academic profile.
To help you find the right fit, we have narrowed down 15 summer astronomy research programs for high school students.
If you are looking for astronomy internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Online
Cost: Depends on the program; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct individualized, mentor-guided astrophysics research in a fully online format. Founded by researchers affiliated with Harvard and Oxford, the program is designed to explore advanced scientific questions while producing a polished, university-level research paper. You will work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor and can choose to investigate topics such as cosmic evolution, dark matter and dark energy, exoplanet habitability, and other core areas of modern astronomy. The emphasis is on developing research skills, including literature review, data analysis, scientific writing, and hypothesis-driven inquiry. You will leave with a finished research paper! You can choose the length and intensity of your research experience based on your goals, making the program suitable for both beginners and students with prior research exposure.
Location: Virtual + residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; online course is open to all; residential portion is selective
Program dates: Year-long program—Online coursework: October – March + Summer experiences: June – July
Application deadline: September 27
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are Texas residents and U.S. citizens
High School Aerospace Scholars is a selective, research-driven STEM program that offers early exposure to space science, Earth science, and aerospace engineering through a NASA-centered learning experience. The program begins with a five-month online course where you explore space exploration concepts while building practical skills in coding, computer-aided design (CAD), and engineering problem-solving. As you progress, you will apply what you learn through engineering design challenges and research exercises that mirror how scientists and engineers approach real aerospace problems. If you are one of the top-performing students, you will be invited to a five-day virtual summer experience called Moonshot, where you will collaborate in teams and receive mentorship from NASA scientists and engineers.
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: Year-round participation
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up.
The Pulsar Science Collaboratory is an opportunity for high school students to take part in real astronomical discovery. After completing structured training, you will gain access to authentic radio astronomy data collected by major observatories and analyze it to search for previously undiscovered pulsars. You will work with datasets used by professional astronomers, learning how pulsars are detected, confirmed, and classified. This is also an opportunity to join an active scientific community, discuss candidate signals, and contribute to verification efforts while closely mirroring how real research teams operate.
Location: Virtual + UT Austin campus, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10.75%; 215 students/year
Program dates: Online modules and project work: May 15 – July 3; On-site projects: July 5 – 18; Virtual symposium: July 20 and 21
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old
SEES is a selective STEM research-focused program for high school students hosted by the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research in collaboration with NASA. You will begin with online modules focusing on programming basics and research fundamentals. You will work with NASA scientists and engineers to investigate topics in astronomy, remote sensing, planetary geology, and Mars Rover resource utilization. You will work with real satellite data and design missions, gaining insight into the workflow of professional space agencies. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a virtual symposium.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free; students receive stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 16 students/year
Program dates: September – May (weekly sessions)
Application deadline: Not specified; check the website for updates
Eligibility: Students enrolled at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) offers high schoolers the opportunity to conduct authentic, independent astrophysics research alongside professional scientists. You will work directly with an astrophysicist to explore real research questions in astronomy and astrophysics. You will gain hands-on experience in research design, data analysis, scientific communication, and collaboration, all while learning what it truly means to work as a scientist. The experience culminates in a formal symposium where you will present your findings through student talks, gaining exposure to scientific presentation and discourse.
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (hybrid program)
Cost: Not specified; details available on contacting the program hosts.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students/year
Program dates: June 14 – August 30
Application deadline: Rolling till full
Eligibility: High school students
This program offers high school students a research-driven introduction to modern astronomy and space science using real data from active NASA missions. Hosted through George Mason University’s Young Scholars Research Program and led by faculty from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the program centers on professional-level analysis of NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) exoplanet candidates and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data. You will work on research problems that support ongoing NASA missions, including statistical validation of potential exoplanets identified by TESS. Under faculty guidance, you will learn how astronomers transform raw telescope data into scientifically meaningful results, applying tools such as Python, Jupyter notebooks, AstroImageJ, and FITS-based data analysis. You will develop a scholarly paper based on your data analysis and receive structured feedback throughout the summer. Completed papers are presented at a research conference and may be published on official George Mason University research pages.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,800; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students/year
Program dates: Online: June 22 – July 3 + Residential: July 5 – August 5
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics is designed for students who want to experience what real scientific research looks like at an elite university. Hosted at Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, the program blends two-week online self-directed preparation with an immersive on-campus research experience that mirrors the structure of undergraduate and early graduate-level work. The online portion focuses on observational astronomy and Python programming to prepare you for on-campus research. During the four-week residential portion, you will live in a Yale dorm, attend morning classes in astronomy, physics, and math, and spend afternoons in the observatory’s computer lab analyzing real astronomical data in small research teams. The curriculum covers topics such as telescope optics, photometry, spectroscopy, stellar evolution, numerical simulations, statistics, and scientific writing. You will also gain experience using telescopes, both in person and remotely, and work with professional-grade software and Python-based data analysis tools used by astronomers. At the end of the program, you will complete a full research project, write a scientific paper, and present your findings at a formal mini-conference.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050 + $100 application fee; scholarships are available for School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school students.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 11 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9 – 11; international students can also apply.
The Experimental Physics Research Academy at UPenn is a research-focused summer program that introduces you to college-level experimental physics, with direct exposure to astrophysics and modern physics concepts. Throughout the three-week residential program, you will move beyond memorizing formulas and focus on cause-and-effect reasoning, experimental design, and scientific inquiry, all essential skills for astronomy and physics research. Learning takes place through lectures, hands-on activities, and guided projects that reflect how physicists investigate real-world phenomena, including those connected to cosmic systems and fundamental forces. A key feature of the program is its connection to active university research. Each week, Penn faculty members present talks on their ongoing research, including topics related to astrophysics and modern physics, followed by interactive Q&A sessions. These discussions provide insight into how astronomical research is conducted at the university level and potential academic and career pathways in physics and astronomy.
Location: Multiple university campuses across the U.S.
Cost: $9,800; financial aid + need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Mid-June to late July (five to six weeks, depending on campus)
Application deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors; must be at least 15 and under 19 during the program; should have completed high school physics and precalculus by June.
Offered by the nonprofit SSP International, the Summer Science Program in Astrophysics is a research-intensive program that immerses you in real astronomical research at the college level. Over five to six weeks, you will work full-time as part of a small research team investigating near-Earth asteroids, using astrophysics, calculus, and scientific programming to analyze real observational data. Throughout the program, you will develop research skills essential to astronomy, including data analysis, computational modeling, telescope use, and scientific collaboration. You will explore career paths in space science and learn how astronomers design research questions, collect and interpret data, and draw evidence-based conclusions while connecting with instructors and professional scientists. At the end of the program, you will complete your research project and present your findings.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $2,500 for the core program + $1,500 for REACH Further; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Program dates: Core Program: Session I: June 15 – July 2; Session II: July 6 – 24 | REACH Further: Session 1: July 6 – 24; Session 2: July 27 – August 14
Application deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12; no prior experience in astronomy or programming required
REACH is a three- to six-week program designed to introduce high schoolers to modern astrophysics through collaborative, mentor-guided research. You will start with the three-week Core Program, which offers training in Python programming and astronomy-focused data analysis modeled after the tools and workflows used in real astrophysics research. Here, you will also build foundational knowledge in astronomy topics and research methodology, then apply these skills to mini research projects drawn from active CIERA research. The experience is supplemented with enrichment activities such as solar observing sessions, college and career panels, and community-building events. On completing the Core Program, you can apply to REACH Further, a selective three-week extension where you will work one-on-one with a CIERA mentor on an independent research project. This advanced option allows for deeper exploration of a specific astronomy topic and closer involvement in the research process.
Location: Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA), Marina, CA
Cost: $3,000; the fee is waived for Monterey County residents. Scholarships are also available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: ~10 weeks between May and August; flexible dates
Application deadline: April 1; applications may be considered following the deadline on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility: High school students and college STEM majors
The Summer Internship Program at MIRA is a research-intensive astronomy program that places high school students directly alongside professional astronomers. You will work one-on-one with MIRA research staff on active astronomy projects that reflect real scientific inquiry. Research areas vary year to year but commonly include star formation, near-Earth asteroids, comets, gravitational lensing, stellar atmospheres, stellar activity, asteroseismology, and astronomical instrumentation. Many projects involve hands-on data analysis, computational modeling, or observational techniques used in professional astronomy. You will gain experience in using astronomy research methods and engaging in scientific communication and independent problem-solving during the program.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; residential fee: $2,360.25 (optional); a stipend will be awarded
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Program dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are at least 16 years old when the program begins
The Simons Summer Research Program is an in-person research opportunity for high schoolers conducted at Stony Brook University. It offers research opportunities spanning various STEM fields, including physics and astronomy. During the program, you will join a research team at Stony Brook University and contribute to a project while learning how to use professional laboratory techniques and tools. You will also attend weekly faculty talks to learn about various STEM fields and workshops to refine your research skills. You will submit and present a research abstract and poster at the end of the program.
Location: Online or George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Cost: $1,299
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 and up; undergraduate students are also eligible.
ASSIP is a research-intensive summer program that offers high school students the chance to conduct original research alongside faculty mentors. Hosted at George Mason University and collaborating institutions, ASSIP offers research opportunities across STEM disciplines, including astronomy, astrophysics, solar space weather, exoplanet discovery, planetary atmospheres, and Earth and space sciences. During this eight-week program, you will work closely with a faculty researcher on an authentic research project, often using advanced tools, datasets, and computational methods. You will build core research skills, including scientific writing, data analysis, and poster presentation, with the experience culminating in a formal research poster session at the end of the summer. Many participants go on to present their work at conferences or contribute to published research.
Location: University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
Cost: Not stated
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Five weeks/one month in the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; participation requires teacher nomination. All school districts can apply.
The CMAP REH is an in-person summer research internship that offers direct exposure to university-level scientific research in physics, astronomy, and planetary science. Hosted at the University of Rochester, the program introduces you to high-energy-density physics, planetary science, and Python programming within an active research environment. During the program, you will work alongside Rochester graduate students on real-world projects and experimental demonstrations in university laboratories. You will also get an inside look at large-scale scientific infrastructure through a tour of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, helping you understand how advanced physics research connects to planetary and space science. Beyond research, the program emphasizes college readiness and STEM career exploration, with structured support around college applications and exposure to different scientific pathways.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $2,899
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 – 30 students/academy
Dates: Week I (Introduction): July 12 – 18 | Week II (Advanced Topics): July 19 – 25
Application deadline: May 24
Eligibility: High school students completing their sophomore and junior years, ages 16 to 18
This two-week program at Rutgers is designed to offer you hands-on experience in astronomy through observations, data analysis, and research projects. You will work with astronomers, learning how to use telescopes to observe celestial objects and how to collect and interpret astronomical data. The curriculum covers topics including planetary science, stellar evolution, cosmology, and the search for exoplanets. During the second week, you will participate in a research project where you analyze real astronomical data and present your findings to peers and faculty. The curriculum includes both lectures and sessions at Rutgers’ observatory facilities.
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.
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