15 Summer Chemistry Research Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student looking to investigate a subject area or topic beyond the classroom, consider a research program. Research programs give you the chance to step into college-style labs, work through scientific questions, and learn directly from researchers and mentors. In the process, you will build practical skills, get a feel for college-level academics, and build connections with mentors.

What are the benefits of a chemistry research program?

If you are drawn to chemistry, research programs in the field allow you to see how chemical concepts connect to medicine, materials, energy, and the environment. Across many of these programs, you may work on activities such as designing experiments, analyzing chemical data, reviewing scientific literature, using laboratory instrumentation, or contributing to ongoing faculty-led research projects. These experiences help you better understand how chemistry research is conducted at the college level and whether long-term study or a career in the field aligns with your interests.

To help you get started, we have put together a list of 15 summer chemistry research programs for high school students. 

If you are looking for online chemistry programs, check out our blog here.

15 Summer Chemistry Research Programs for High School Students

1. Research Science Institute

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5%; 100 students/year 

Dates: June 28 – August 8

Application deadline: December 10

Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites 

The Research Science Institute is a six-week summer program that combines advanced STEM coursework with mentored research. During the first week, you will attend intensive classes in subjects such as chemistry, physics, and biology to build a theoretical foundation. In the remaining five weeks, you will engage in hands-on research in a lab or research group under the supervision of experienced mentors. Chemistry projects vary each year and may involve topics in molecular interactions, materials science, or biochemical systems. Throughout the program, you will engage with scientific literature, collect and analyze data, and document your findings. The program ends with a written research paper and a formal presentation delivered in a conference-style setting. 

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer cohorts, are scheduled each year; duration ranges from 12 weeks to a year, based on the format you choose.

Application deadline: May deadlines for summer cohorts

Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to complete a full-length research paper under the guidance of a PhD mentor. Conducted entirely online, the program lets you define a research question, review existing literature, and develop a solid academic argument. If you are interested in chemistry, you can investigate topics in materials science, energy chemistry, or chemical processes in biological systems through structured research methodologies. Regular mentor meetings will help you receive feedback on your data collection, analysis, and writing throughout the process. You will finish the program with a completed research paper. As a participant, you may also earn UC San Diego credit and submit your final papers to journals or competitions. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here. 

3. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program 

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Cost/Stipend: Free except for a $25 applicaiton fee; stipend of $750 available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students 

Dates: June 21 – August 6

Application deadline: February 16

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (i.e., students graduating high school in the program year or the next) who are at least 17 by the start date and U.S. citizens or permanent residents 

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week residential research experience hosted by Texas Tech University. You will work with a faculty mentor and spend the summer conducting independent research. You can highlight your preference for a chemistry-focused research placement. Projects related to chemistry often involve laboratory work in molecular science, materials research, or biochemistry. The summer chemistry research program for high school students also includes weekly seminars, field trips, and organized academic activities that place individual projects in a broader scholarly context. Close mentorship is a defining feature, with faculty guiding experimental design and interpretation.

4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 10 weeks (June – September)

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: High school students with good academic performance (>3.67/4.0 GPA); a majority of accepted students are 10th or 11th graders

Horizon’s Academic Research Program is a trimester-long research experience focused on producing a substantial academic paper under the guidance of a professor or Ph.D mentor. You will explore each stage of the research process, including question development, data analysis, and multiple rounds of revision. For a chemistry-focused research experience, you may explore topics in chemical engineering, sustainability, or environmental chemistry, depending on your mentor’s expertise. The program supports both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, allowing flexibility in project design. By the end of the term, you will complete a research paper of about 20 pages. You can also submit your research to journals and request recommendation letters based on mentor evaluations.

5. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program

Location: Various sites across the U.S. 

Stipend: $4,000 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in June – August

Application deadline: April 14

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course, whose family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Project SEED is a summer chemistry research program for high school students that offers placements in academic or industrial laboratories for 8 to 10 weeks. Under the supervision of a professional scientist, you will contribute to projects in areas such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, or pharmaceutical research. A lot of your time will be spent learning laboratory techniques, handling equipment, and assisting with experiments. The program also includes enrichment components that address lab safety, scientific careers, and college preparation. You will finish the program with documented lab experience that can support future academic and scholarship applications.

6. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY

Stipend: $1,000

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 1 – August 14

Application deadline: February 21

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are NYC residents enrolled in NYC schools

NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week, tuition-free research experience that combines structured training with lab placements. During the first four weeks, you will undergo training, learning about lab safety, research fundamentals, and academic writing. You will then spend the next six weeks working in one of NYU’s research laboratories, accumulating approximately 120 hours of hands-on experience. Placements in chemistry may span areas such as flow chemistry, crystal engineering, or applied chemical research. Throughout the program, faculty and graduate mentors will provide ongoing guidance. The experience concludes with formal research presentations at the NYU Colloquium and a poster symposium held at the American Museum of Natural History.

7. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Summer High School Intern Program

Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: June 22 – August 7

Application deadline: January 26

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and U.S. citizenship

The NIST Summer High School Intern Program is a seven-week internship where you work alongside federal scientists on active research projects. You will be placed within specialized laboratories such as the Materials Measurement Laboratory or the Center for Neutron Research. Depending on your assignment, you may contribute to studies involving polymers, nanomaterials, renewable energy, or chemical forensics. Your work may include assisting with experiments, analyzing data, or supporting the development of measurements. This summer chemistry research program for high school students ends with a poster session organized to help you share your research experience with peers and NIST professionals. 

8. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Summer Student Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center, New York, NY 

Stipend: $1,200

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2%; 20 interns/year

Dates: June 29 – August 21

Application deadline: February 6; applications open on December 1. 

Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 14 and above, with at least a 3.5 GPA in science; applicants must be legally able to work in the U.S. and live within 25 miles of MSK in NY, NJ, or CT

MSK’s Summer Student Program is an eight-week research-focused experience for high school juniors interested in biomedical sciences. During the program, you will join a research lab and work on a mentor-guided project. The program’s research areas span biomedical fields, including chemistry and chemical biology. The curriculum is designed to help you build research skills and learn from experts through professional development opportunities, lab meetings, and lab-based exposure to various aspects of translational medicine. At the end of the summer program, you will present your research work at a poster session.

9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program 

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5% applicants selected/year 

Dates: June 29 – August 7

Application deadline: February 5

Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the start of the program 

The Simons Summer Research Program places you within a Stony Brook University research group for an intensive summer experience. You will work with a faculty mentor on a defined research project. Placements span various areas in STEM, including chemistry. The program integrates lab work with weekly faculty talks and research workshops. You will also gain experience using advanced equipment and collaborating within a research team. The summer program concludes with the submission of a written abstract and poster presentation. 

10. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) 

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Cohort size: 32 students/year

Dates: June 22 – August 6

Application deadline: January 2

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 when the program begins

SSRP is a laboratory-based program for high school students seeking scientific research experience. While applying, you can indicate your preference for a chemistry-focused research experience. Over the course of seven weeks, you will work within a small research group led by scientists from Weill Cornell, Rockefeller, and MSK, learning lab practices, exploring research questions with peers, and working toward delivering a team presentation. The curriculum is structured to resemble real research lab workflows, allowing you to see what it is like to be a researcher. SSRP also offers access to workshops, electives, and guest speaker-led lectures to help you build research skills and explore paths in research.

11. University of Chicago’s After School Matters STEM Lab Internship

Location: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, IL

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Six weeks in the summer

Application deadline: TBA; applications open in March.

Eligibility: High school students attending public school in Chicago who are at least 16 years old

The After School Matters STEM Lab Internship at the University of Chicago is a six-week program that introduces you to university-level research. It begins with a one-week bootcamp focused on lab safety, research fundamentals, and scientific reasoning. You will then spend about 20 hours per week working in research labs associated with the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. The summer chemistry research program for high school students also covers training in science communication and mentorship. You will present your work in professional-style settings and receive support related to college preparation.

12. University of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Research Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA

Cost: $10,050; scholarships available for public and charter high school students within the School District of Philadelphia

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: July 11 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry with a minimum 3.5 high school GPA

UPenn’s Chemistry Research Academy is a three-week program designed to strengthen high schoolers’ understanding of chemistry through a mix of laboratory work and academic discussion. You will spend part of each day in labs learning techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and synthetic methods. The rest of the time, classroom sessions and research lectures will complement lab work by covering how these techniques are applied in current chemical research. Topics covered include nanoscale materials, coordination chemistry, and rare earth elements. You will also participate in journal clubs and group presentations that emphasize scientific communication. The program ends with a capstone project for which you will design and present a research proposal based on what you have learned.

13. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Cost: Commuter: $5,675 | Residential: $13,274; scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: June 15 – July 31

Application deadline: March 9 (rolling admissions)

Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grades with a minimum GPA of 3.8; exceptional 9th-grade students may be admitted on a case-by-case basis.

UC Santa Barbara’s RMP is a six-week research program that pairs you with a faculty member, graduate student, or postdoctoral researcher. After completing an online orientation, you will spend 35 to 50 hours per week conducting research in a lab or field-based setting. You can work on chemistry-focused projects, engaging in lab work involving chemical analysis, materials research, or interdisciplinary research connected to environmental or biomedical science. You will also manage formal research methods coursework that supports your hands-on work. Additionally, you will have access to the GRIT Talks lecture series, which highlights current UCSB research across disciplines. The experience ends with a technical paper, a symposium presentation, and UC Santa Barbara academic credit.

14. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)

Location: ASDRP Research Laboratory, Fremont, CA

Cost: $0 – $1,070; free participation offers to students who meet financial need eligibility criteria

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Summer, Autumn, and Spring sessions available

Application deadline: Varies by session

Eligibility: High school students; no prior research experience required

ASDRP is a mentored program that allows you to design and complete a research project. With your assigned mentor, you will develop your own research question and methodology in fields such as chemistry, biology, or engineering. Research is conducted in ASDRP’s dedicated laboratory spaces rather than on a university campus. You will also gain experience in reading scientific literature, writing formal papers, and participating in peer review. Chemistry projects typically involve studying reaction mechanisms, materials development, or applications in energy and medicine. The program concludes with a symposium presentation. You can submit your work to conferences or journals.

15. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waiver available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Remote/computer lab internships: Students who are at least 15 years old or older by June 18 | In-person wet lab internships: Students who are 16 or older by June 18

ASSIP at George Mason University is an eight-week, full-time research internship that places you in a faculty-led lab. You can choose a mentor working on projects in chemical analysis, environmental chemistry, or drug development. During the program, you will work with modern laboratory instruments while contributing to an ongoing research question. In addition to lab work, the program emphasizes scientific writing and presentation skills. You will also prepare reports or presentations that document their findings. Additionally, ASSIP offers access to discussions on STEM career paths and exposure to both academic and industry research environments.

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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