13 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in San Diego
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a high schooler in San Diego looking for a way to do research in summer, look no further!
Summer research programs in San Diego are a great opportunity for you to experience college-level academics, gain practical skills, and explore careers in science and technology in an accessible manner. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals on real research projects, forge meaningful connections, and experience campus life, all while strengthening their college applications.
For those serious about research, a summer program offers a meaningful way to explore their interests in depth. These experiences offer students strong mentorship, professional exposure, and a competitive edge in their future academic pursuits.
We’ve narrowed down 13 summer research programs for high school students in San Diego by focusing on programs that are rigorous, selective, well-funded, and backed by prestigious institutions.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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 one-on-one 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.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program.
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence, with options based on your experience level. If you’re just getting started, the AI Scholars program introduces core concepts like machine learning and data science over ten sessions, along with a project that lets you apply what you’ve learned. If you already have a background in AI, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides a chance to develop a research project with one-on-one mentorship from researchers affiliated with top universities. The program also includes guidance on preparing your work for publication in student research journals and opportunities to present your project in a formal setting.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla (San Diego), CA
Cost: No cost; students must cover expenses for housing, meals, and transportation.
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional (medical, law, graduate, or business school) students who are at least 16 years old by the start of their internship.
The SRTI Student Research Internship Program allows high school to professional students to participate in research with scientists across various disciplines. Areas of focus include genomics, bioinformatics, digital health, and community-based research. Each of the 40 selected participants is paired with a mentor who supports both the research process and broader academic or career planning. Most placements involve dry lab work, though some wet lab opportunities are available; you can indicate your preference when applying. Over the 10-week program, you’ll engage with topics in translational science and develop a research project that you’ll present at a final symposium. The experience includes seminars and practical training in study design, mobile health tools, and clinical trial methods.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: The program without a research project is free, while the program with a research project costs $1,500. Financial assistance is available for the research program, and students eligible for free or reduced lunch are exempt from the fee.
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from San Diego County who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
The UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS), run by the San Diego Supercomputer Center, offers an eight-week volunteer opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects. You will explore the research process, covering hypothesis development, computational experiments, and result interpretation, across fields like computer science, neuroscience, software development, and cancer diagnostics. The program offers training sessions, discussions, and mentorship from research staff and graduate students. You’ll spend about 15–20 hours per week on your project and present your work in a scientific poster at a closing event in August. You can find more details about available projects here.
Location: University of California campuses: Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $5,300; Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: UCI, UCSD: July 6 — August 1 | UCD, UCLA, UCSC: July 6 — August 2
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders in California with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
COSMOS is a four-week residential summer program for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. Hosted across five University of California campuses , including UC San Diego , it offers project-based learning in focused subject areas known as clusters. At UC San Diego, topics have included climate science, kinetic sculpture design, tissue engineering, autonomous vehicles, and renewable energy, among others. As a participant, you’ll work in labs with university faculty and researchers, exploring advanced material not typically covered in high school. The program is designed to provide you with hands-on experience while helping you explore potential academic and career paths in STEM. Each campus admits approximately 160–200 students, and the curriculum reflects the faculty's strengths at that location.
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla (San Diego), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided, public transit stipends also available.
Application Deadline: March 5
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students who are at least 16 years old, have a minimum GPA of 2.75, and have completed at least one year of high school biology and chemistry.
The Heithoff Brody High School Summer Scholars Program at the Salk Institute offers an eight-week paid internship where you’ll assist with research under the guidance of a Salk scientist. Areas of research may include neuroscience, cancer, genetics, computational biology, and bioengineering. You’ll spend around 30–40 hours per week in the lab, generally between 8 AM and 5 PM, depending on your team’s schedule. The program offers seminars on data analysis, lab methods, bioinformatics, and science communication, plus workshops and events to introduce you to the Salk research community. It concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your project through a poster or oral presentation.
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, CA
Cost: Free application; $1,000 program fee (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: May 15
Dates: October 1 – May 31
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 10–12)
The UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) offers an eight-month research mentorship where you work closely with UCSD faculty and researchers on an independent project. You can explore areas such as bioengineering, computer science, neuroscience, or physics, and conduct experiments, analyze data using tools like MATLAB or Python, or prepare work for science competitions. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in bi-weekly mentoring sessions, complete academic readings, and visit labs to learn research methods. Based on your progress, there may be an option to continue your work through a summer internship.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (hybrid/online options are available)
Cost: The cost ranges from $1,500 – $4,800, depending on the program and format
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Dates: Programs are offered seasonally throughout the year, including summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The Research Scholars program at UC San Diego, offered through the Division of Extended Studies, enables high school students to work on research projects in fields such as bioengineering, Business Research, Life Sciences, and Marine Science. In the Life Sciences track, for example, you’ll study molecular biology and lab techniques, conduct fieldwork, design and carry out experiments, and analyze your results. The program concludes with a poster session where you present your findings to local scientists and industry professionals, giving you a chance to share your work and connect with others in the scientific community.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000 + $50 application fee for the summer
Application Deadline: Summer session: April 15
Dates: Summer session: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school students (grades 9–12) and community college students are eligible. Students under 16 years old must follow the Minors in Laboratories from UCSD.
The UCSD IEM OPALS High School Internship Program provides you with a foundation in STEM through hands-on research in engineering and medical science. You’ll work with researchers on projects such as studying cellular responses in neurodegenerative diseases, stress reactions in cells, nanotechnology, and AI applications in image processing. There are two sessions: the Spring session runs from mid-January to June, requiring 2–4 hours per week with monthly Zoom and occasional in-person meetings. The Summer session is an intensive four-week program held in person on weekdays. The program concludes with a research presentation or poster.
Location: The program provides both in-person and virtual research projects for students. Lab locations are available here, with opportunities in San Diego, CA.
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend
Application Deadline: April 14
Dates: June – July
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course. Your family income must not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, adjusted for family size. Project SEED provides various methods to verify financial eligibility, which can be accessed here.
Project SEED is a paid summer fellowship offering high school students hands-on chemistry research. You’ll work full-time for 8 to 10 weeks in a lab at a university, government site, or similar facility, either independently or with others on a project. At the end, you’ll prepare a report or poster. The Summer I program is intended for new participants to perform research with a mentor's guidance, while Summer II allows returning students to either continue their previous project or start a new one You may also have the chance to present your work at a national chemistry conference. Additionally, virtual camps focus on career development, college readiness, and lab skills.
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla (San Diego), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns are paid an hourly rate based on education level. You can view the stipend rates here.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis once positions are posted. View current postings here.
Dates: Most internships are offered during the summer, with some available throughout the year. Semester internships last between 10 and 15 weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have a 3.0/B average, and reside in the United States are eligible. Students under 18 must obtain a work permit from their local high school in Maryland and California, regardless of their residence.
The JCVI Summer Internship Program invites high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to participate in research across a variety of STEM fields. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and collaborate with scientists on projects that match your interests and skills, gaining hands-on experience with modern equipment and technology. Research areas include genomics, synthetic biology, environmental science, and other related fields. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend seminars to expand your scientific understanding and join workshops on professional skills and career development. The program also includes activities like journal clubs and interdisciplinary seminars to support your growth as a researcher.
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla (San Diego), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Application Deadline: April 1 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program).
Dates: The program runs for six weeks, starting in mid-June. For inquiries, you can contact CIRM at education@cirm.ca.gov.
Eligibility: California high school students aged 16 or older, with preference given to those from San Diego or Imperial County.
The Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK) is a paid, six-week internship for California high school students interested in stem cell research. You’ll work in a research lab, such as at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, gaining experience with techniques like cell culture, genetic analysis, and bioengineering. Some spots are reserved for students affiliated with the San Diego MESA Alliance, which supports underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in the STEM fields. The program ends with a presentation of your research at the annual SPARK conference. SPARK is available at 11 institutions throughout California, each with its own application process.
Location: Scintillon Research Institute, San Diego, CA
Cost: The program costs between $2,000 and $2,500, with need-based financial aid available.
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students from San Diego County school districts
The SURE Program at Scintillon Institute provides high-achieving and underserved high school students from San Diego County with an introduction to basic scientific research. If accepted, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who will guide you throughout the program and offer support until graduation. The program offers a schedule designed to fit your availability while maintaining the commitment needed for lab work. You’ll participate in hands-on wet lab research in person, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Past participants have gone on to attend universities like Stanford, Yale, and UC San Diego.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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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