30 best research programs for high school students
By Sarena Y, Editor of MehtA+ High School Thriving Guide
Summer programs are an integral part of high school. They provide high schoolers with an opportunity to explore their interests in their field(s) of interest for an entire summer. Not only do summer programs allow you to improve academically, but they also potentially give students the opportunity to live independently, gain skills and make new friendships.
Summer research programs, in particular, give students an opportunity to explore various fields further, in a hands-on-manner. For many students, a summer research program may be the definitive experience in their lives that motivates them to pursue or not pursue a field.
While research opportunities are often hard to come by for high school students who do not have prior experience or any connections to professors or industry professionals, summer research programs (especially those that offer generous financial aid) democratize the access to research opportunities for high school students.
Here is our list of the best research programs for high school students:
1. RSI
From MIT, RSI is the first cost-free summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.
Eligibility: High school juniors anywhere from the world
Dates and deadlines : Closed for 2023. To be announced for 2024
Cost: free
Type: residential
Acceptance rate: less than 5%
2. SSP
Summer Science Program offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science. Working in teams of three, 36 participants and 7 faculty form a supportive “living and learning community” over 39 days. Each team completes a real research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 2,500+ alumni of all ages.
Eligibility: High school juniors and exceptional sophomores anywhere from the world (they cannot sponsor visa)
Dates and deadlines: Feb 3 for international students and Mar 3 for US citizens or permanent residents
Cost: The program fee is scaled to what each family can afford. No one pays more than the program fee of $8,400 (2023), our cost per participant to operate the program.
Application fee: free
Financial aid: An applicant with family income:
- under about $70,000 will likely qualify for fully discounted fee (SSP is free) and travel expenses
- under about $130,000 will likely qualify for a partially discounted fee
- over $130,000 may qualify for a partially discounted fee, depending on individual circumstances
Type: residential
Affiliated Universities: Catech, Harvey Mudd College. MIT
3. MehtA+ AI/Machine Learning Research Bootcamp
This virtual 6-week university-level camp taught by MIT and Stanford engineers for 8th — 12th graders starts from the basics. Students are first introduced to the mathematics behind various AI, machine learning and deep learning models and then taught various data preprocessing techniques and how to train their own complex AI models from scratch.
For their midterm and final project, students work in teams of 3–4 and engage in cutting edge interdisciplinary machine learning research either in conjunction with a university or independently, in fields such as medicine, digital humanities, economics and linguistics. Upon conclusion of the project, students write and publish their research papers online and present their research posters to university professors in the annual MehtA+ Machine Learning conference.
Students who are interested in and qualify for the internship-study program should express interest in their financial aid application. Once the financial aid application is submitted and approved, the application form for the internship-study program will be made available to the student.
Eligibility: High school students
Application deadline: June 7, 2023
Application cost: Free
Program dates: June 19th, 2023 to July 28th, 2023
Financial aid: Need based financial aid available
Type: online
4. HSHSP
The Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Engineering/Mathematics Program (HSHSP) is a seven-week, intensive summer research program designed for motivated students from across the United States who wish to gain more experience conducting research while living on the campus of a major research-intensive university.
Eligibility: High school juniors
Application deadlines: March Ist 2023
Program dates: June 25 — August 12, 2023
Application cost:
Cost: around $4000
Financial aid: available
Affiliated Universities: Michigan State University
5. Research Mentorship Program
The Research Mentorship Program is a competitive summer program that engages qualified, high-achieving high school students from all over the world in interdisciplinary, hands-on, university-level research. Students will be paired up with a mentor (graduate student, postdoc, or faculty) and choose a research project from a large list of disciplines offered by the program each year.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (and exceptional freshmen)
Program dates: June 20 to August 4, 2023
Application deadline: March 15, 2023
Application cost: $75
Program cost: $4700 to $6599
Financial aid: A limited number of scholarships are available and awarded based on need, qualifications, and availability. Priority is given to California residents.
Type: Commuter or residential
Affiliated Universities: UC Santa Barbara
Acceptance rate: 6 to 8%
6. Summer Research Academics — UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara’s Summer Research Academies offer a dynamic summer experience that introduces qualified high school students to the research enterprise through project-based, directed research in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences fields. Students will take a 4-unit university course in which they choose and develop a research topic specific to the track they select, under the direction of an instructor who is conducting active research in that field.
Eligibility: High schoolers
Program dates: June 29 — July 28, 2023
Application deadline: March 29, 2023
Application cost: $75 (non-refundable)
Program cost: $2300 to $5,399
Financial aid: A limited number of scholarships are available and awarded based on need, qualifications, and availability. Priority is given to California residents
Type: Commuter and residential
Affiliated Universities: UC Santa Barbara
Acceptance rate: 20% to 30%
7. ASSIP
The nationally known Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology across many disciplines.
Eligibility: High schoolers
Program dates: To be announced for 2024
Application deadline: Closed for 2023. Applications for 2024 will open in mid-November.
Application cost: $25 (fee waiver available)
Program cost: Free
Financial aid: Available
Type: Remote, In person and hybrid options
Affiliated Universities: George Mason University
Acceptance rate: around 10%
8. The Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
YSPA is a 2-week online + 4-week residential research and enrichment program for 36 rising high school seniors who are interested in astronomy, physics, math, computer programming, and other science and tech fields.
Eligibility: High school juniors
Program dates: June 26, 2023 to August 6, 2023
Application deadline: March 13, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT
Application cost: Free
Program cost: $6,900
Financial aid: Available(up to a 80% tuition remission).
Type: Part of it is online and part is residential
Affiliated Universities: Yale
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
9. SIP
The Science Internship Program provides motivated, advanced students with a unique opportunity to work and learn at a premier research institution.
SIP is a summer-long (10 week) research internship program for high school students in STEM fields. UCSC faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers provide one-on-one mentoring of these high-school interns. The research projects are real in that they are not made up just for the high-school students; instead students are inserted into existing research projects here at UCSC.
Eligibility: High schoolers (atleast 14 years old)
Program dates: June 25–August 19
Application deadline: March 31 (5 PM PDT)
Application cost: $60
Program cost: $4000
Financial aid: Need based scholarships available
Type: hybrid
Affiliated Universities: UCSC
Acceptance rate: 8%
10. Pioneer Research Program
The Pioneer Research Program provides undergraduate-level research opportunities to talented, intellectually motivated high school students from around the world. It is the only online credit-bearing research program for high school students that offers STEM, social sciences and humanities disciplines.
Eligibility: High school students
Program dates: 6,650 USD
Application deadline: April 9, 2023
Financial aid: Need based scholarships for students in countries and cases in which need can be assessed.
Type: online
Affiliated Universities: The faculty is from prestigious universities
Acceptance rate: around 20%
11. RISE Internship/Practicum
If you’re passionate about the sciences and are a domestic student currently in your junior year of high school, we invite you to apply for the Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program. You will spend six weeks at BU conducting university laboratory research with some of the nation’s brightest scientific minds while advancing your STEM knowledge and skills.
Eligibility: High schoolers who are US citizens
Program dates: July 2, 2023 to August 11, 2023
Application deadline: Feb 14, 2023
Application cost: $50
Program cost: $5,100
Financial aid: Need based financial aid available
Type: Residential or commuter
Affiliated Universities: Boston University
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
12. The Clark Scholars Programs
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is an intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. The Program at Texas Tech University helps the Scholars to have a hands-on practical research experience with outstanding and experienced faculty. Upon completion of a successful research project report, the Scholar will receive a $750 tax-free stipend.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 on June 18
Program dates: June 18, 2023 to August 3, 2023
Application deadline: Closed for 2023 session. To be announced for 2024
Type: Residential
Affiliated Universities: Texas Tech University
Acceptance rate: Literally like 12 people
13. Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program in which high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students, helping students to understand how scientific research is performed, and increasing diversity of students and researchers in the sciences.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are US citizens or permanent residents
Program dates: June 12- August 3, 2023
Application deadline: February 25th, 2023
Application cost: $40 (fee waiver available)
Program cost: Free, all students are given a $500 minimum stipend
Type: commuter
Affiliated Universities: Stanford
Acceptance rate: Around 50 students
14. Student Science Training Program
The University of Florida Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP) is a six week residential research program for selected students entering senior year and at least 16 years old by the program start date who are considering science, medicine, math, computer science, or engineering careers. The program emphasis is research participation with a UF faculty research scientist and his or her research team. Students interested in attending the UF SSTP must possess a high level of maturity, an ability to live and learn independently, a desire to work collaboratively, and a sincere interest in research.
Eligibility: High school juniors who will be 16 years old or older by June 11, 2023
Application deadline: There is no application deadline. Application review and selection will begin March 14th and the process is rolling
Application cost: $50
Program cost:$5200
Financial aid: need based scholarships available
Type: online and residential
Affiliated Universities: University of Florida
Acceptance rate: 90 students
15. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
The primary goal of the Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope is to provide young people (high school and university students) with an opportunity for a “hands-on” research experience. This program seeks to find students possessing exceptional potential for performing biomedical research.
City of Hope’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy gives curious and hardworking students the opportunity to learn about science by actually doing science work. Summer program participants also receive a stipend of $4,000 for their work.
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old on their first day in the Academy who are US citizens or permanent residents.
Program dates: June 5 — August 11, 2023.
Application deadline: March 16, 2023.
Type: Commuter
Affiliated Institution: City of Hope
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
16. Enrichment Summer Program
The Enrichment Summer Program (ESP) provides three weeks of veterinary experience focused on leadership development, academic preparation, and career knowledge for undergraduate students who have selected veterinary medicine as their career choice.
Eligibility: Michigan permanent resident and more
Program dates: June 5 to June 23, 2023
Application deadline: Closed for 2023
Application cost: Free
Type: Commuter
Affiliated Universities: Michigan State University
17. Biomedical Research Training for High School Students
High School SIP (HS-SIP) provides an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: February 1, 2023
Affiliated institutions: National institute of health
18. Werner H Kristen Student Intern Program
The Werner H. Kirsten Student Intern Program (WHK SIP) at the National Cancer Institute at Frederick is designed to expose high school seniors to research and administrative management in a health care environment. The scientific interns experience the basic methods of biomedical research through “hands-on” laboratory training. The students in the Internships in Support of Science/Research are assigned projects in the budget, personnel, information technology, graphics, and media.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizen or resident alien
Total stipend: $3600
Affiliated institute: National cancer institute
19. Center for Talented Youth
The Center for Talented Youth, a nonprofit academic center of Johns Hopkins University, delivers academic excellence and transformational experiences to advanced learners in grades 2–12.
Program cost:
- LIVE courses: $1,300
- Individually Paced courses: $919 — $1,399
- Session-Based courses: $409 — $2,045
- Clubs: $175 — $365
Financial aid: Available who are U.S. citizens, an eligible permanent U.S. resident with a green card, or permanently resides in the U.S.
Type: online or residential
Affiliated Universities: John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
20. Garcia Scholars at Stony Brook University
This is an intensive seven week program for gifted high school students which combines formal instruction with independent research and allows students to design original research projects with guidance from Garcia Center faculty, students, and staff. Students can continue during the academic year in the Mentor Program, which allows them to plan a research schedule with a faculty mentor throughout the year. Pre-arranged transportation and class schedules are coordinated with local school boards to enable students from a large geographical area to enroll in the program. Almost three hundred high school students have participated in the mentor program since its inception.
Eligibility: 2023 Applicants MUST be at least 16 years old on or before July 4, 2023
Program dates: June 26 — August 11, 2023
Application deadline: By March 3rd, 2023
Application cost: $50
Program cost:$3700
Type: Commuter or residential
Affiliated Universities: Stony Brook University
21. Jackson Lab Summer Student Program
The Summer Student Program is designed for students who want to immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research. It emphasizes laboratory discovery, communication of knowledge, and professional growth.
Eligibility: 18 year old high school students who have completed senior year and are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. College students are also eligible.
Program dates: June 3 — August 13, 2023
Application deadline: Passed for 2023
Stipend: $6250
Affiliated institute: The Jackson Laboratory
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
22. Princeton University Summer Internships
The Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, free research experience in the sciences or engineering for high school students. Students are included in ongoing research programs where they are closely supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff. The participation dates are customized according to the schedules of the research personnel and the specifics of the project. Internships typically span 5–6 weeks during regular ‘office hours’ over the summer (no evening or weekend activities). Each research opportunity has its own schedule.
Eligibility: 16 year old high school students who have completed senior year and are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Application deadline: March 15, 2023.
Program cost: Free
Affiliated Universities: Princeton University
23. Lillehei Heart Institute Research
The Lillehei Heart Institute offers annual summer research scholarships in basic science research related to cardiovascular disease. These highly competitive, prestigious scholarships are designed to expose highly qualified students to several disciplines within cardiovascular disease research and its clinical applications. Each scholar will be supported by a research scholarship. The major focus will be intensive basic or clinical research as each scholar will be assigned a laboratory and a faculty mentor. In addition, scholars will be introduced to clinical, industrial, and academic medicine through a variety of field trips, seminars and hands-on experiences.
Eligibility: High school US citizens and undergraduate college students
Program dates: Tentative dates for the 2023 program are May 30 through July 28. Scholars are required to attend Cardiopalooza on July 26, 2023
Application deadline: Closed for 2023. To be announced for 2024
Stipend: Undergraduate Scholars will receive a $4,000 stipend. High School Scholars will receive a $3,000 stipend.
Affiliated Universities: University of Minnesota
24. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research
The Summer Research Program (SRP) at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful first-hand exposure to these fields.
Eligibility: High school seniors
Program dates: June 5 — July 28, 2023
Application deadline: March 1, 2023
Affiliated Universities: Indiana University
25. The Google Summer of Code
The Google Summer of Code (GSoC) program gives new contributors to open source the opportunity to gain real world experience by working on a 12+ week coding project with one of about 200 open source organisations under the guidance of dedicated mentors.
Since 2005, GSoC has brought more than 18,000 students and new contributors into open source software development.
Eligibility: minimum 18 year old who is not a resident of an United States embargoed country
26. Pre-College Computer Science Scholars
CS Scholars will take a deep dive into the world of computer science through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on research projects, faculty lectures, and industry engagement with leading tech companies around the country. As a CS Scholar you will engage in college-level courses in computer programming and mathematics, as well as weekly seminars that explore college admissions, financial aid, building independence, mental health, emotional wellness, and more. You will be given the opportunity to develop meaningful connections with peers and mentors while being fully immersed in the college experience.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school sophomores
Program dates: July 1, 2023 to July 28, 2023
Application deadline: March 15, 2023
Financial aid: Merit based financial need
Affiliated Universities: Carnegie Mellon University
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
27. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program is a hands-on learning experience offered on-campus and online. High school students dive deep into a field of study with access to world-class faculty, researchers, and industry professionals
Eligibility: High School Students
Program dates: June 11 to July 28, 2o23
Program cost: Depends on the program
Type: online or residential
Affiliated Universities: Wake Forest University
Acceptance rate: Less than 20%
28. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Open to high school students preparing to enter their junior or senior year, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship offers aspiring scientists an immersive laboratory experience with MPFI researchers. This six-week internship is designed for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. Interns will participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare a written scientific abstract based on their research project, and deliver a short presentation at the end of the summer.
Application deadline: March 1,2023
Program dates: June 12 — July 21, 2023
Stipend: $12/hour
Affiliated institute: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
29. Summer Students Program
Welcome to the HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The HOPP Summer Student Program provides high school students with hands-on experience in laboratory techniques. Students conduct independent research projects and attend enriching training sessions and tours designed to support their interest in the clinical side of translational research and fuel their curiosity for science.
Eligibility: High schoolers who are eligible to work in the united states
Program dates: end of June to mid-August
Affiliated institute: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
30. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy
The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a rigorous 2-week experience designed for motivated students between ages 16 and 17 who are interested in computer science, and wish to gain an excellent understanding of college-level student life. This summer academy is designed for all students regardless of previous coding experience; students will be assigned to one of two groups based on their prior coding experience.
Eligibility: The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is open to both domestic and international high school students who will be 16–17 years old by the start of the program (Sunday, June 18, 2023).
Program dates: June 18 — June 30, 2023
Application deadline: March 14, 2023
Application cost: $25
Program cost: $5060
Type: Residential
Affiliated Universities: Berkeley
