If you are in high school, this is a good time to start thinking about how to build experience outside the classroom. One way to do that is by joining a summer research program. Many universities run rigorous research programs to help students to work on complex projects, learn research methods, and get familiar with what it feels like to work in professional labs, archives, and offices.
Ivy League universities offer some of the strongest options for this. These programs let you spend your summer working with professors and researchers on topics in science, technology, engineering, math, business, medicine, and even areas like public policy, social justice, and climate studies.
Research is also one of the most accessible ways to test out a subject you’re curious about before choosing a college major or career path. These programs are made for students who want to learn, ask questions, and get hands-on experience.
With that, here are 20 Ivy League summer research programs for high school students!
20 Ivy League Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Princeton University – Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer (June – August); dates vary depending on the research opportunity
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older by June 15 and who live locally
The Princeton Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, cost-free summer research opportunity where you get to work directly on real research projects in science or engineering. You’ll be matched with a Princeton faculty member or research staff and spend several weeks contributing to lab work, data analysis, or technical tasks based on your assigned project.
You’ll work on campus full-time, but the exact schedule and duration depend on your mentor’s availability and the project needs. Most placements last 5 to 8 weeks during the summer. You’ll also write a two-page final report explaining your research question, how you approached it, what you discovered, and what it means.
2. Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: $7,306 (scholarships available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
Program Dates: July 6 – 16
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to students completing grades 10–12, ages 16–18 by June 15
The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab in Alaska lets you explore climate science and sustainability through hands-on fieldwork in arctic and marine ecosystems. You’ll spend time outdoors collecting and analyzing ecological data, studying how local environments connect to global climate systems.
You’ll visit places like the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center to understand the region’s cultural and environmental context. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with your peers to build an Action Plan—your own proposal to address a real environmental issue using what you’ve learned in the field.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 4; Session II: July 6 – 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Based on this year’s deadlines, the applications are open from November to early January each year.
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old by the first day of Session III, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant.
The Yale Young Global Scholars program offers a summer academic experience where you explore global issues through discussion-based seminars and group work. If you’re interested in sociology, you can join tracks like Solving Global Challenges or Literature, Philosophy & Culture, which focus on topics like inequality, race, media, and cultural theory.
You’ll build research-based thinking skills by analyzing texts, debating ideas, and working on collaborative projects. You’ll look at how social structures shape human behavior and learn how to examine global problems from multiple perspectives.
4. University of Pennsylvania Summer Academy in Applied Sciences Technology (SAAST) – Biotechnology
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,500 program fee + $85 application fee
Program Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: Applications open in January and close in April
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year’s coursework in Biology and Chemistry
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn gives you a three-week college-level experience in engineering. In the biotechnology track, you’ll study molecular biology and genetic engineering, with hands-on lab work focused on techniques like molecular cloning, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
You’ll work in teams to develop a research proposal, analyze recent biotech breakthroughs, and discuss real-world ethical and scientific issues. The course includes faculty-led sessions where you learn about ongoing research at Penn and how lab discoveries are applied in medicine and industry. You’ll earn college credit if you complete the course successfully.
5. Princeton University – Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 22 – March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and graduating seniors in high school when the internship begins
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship lets you work on real research in plasma physics and fusion energy. You’ll join a research team at one of the top U.S. energy labs and contribute to experimental or computational projects focused on clean energy challenges.
You might write code in Python or Java, use CAD tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD, or assist with lab-based tasks depending on your background. You’ll also get one-on-one mentorship from scientists and engineers, giving you a close look at how advanced energy research is done.
6. Penn Arts and Sciences Social Justice Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Tuition for the Summer Academies is $9,949, with a $100 application fee; Public or charter high school students in the School District of Philadelphia may be eligible for a Penn Summer Scholarship to attend for free.
Program Dates: July 5 – 26
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Social Justice Research Academy at Penn is a summer program where you explore major social issues through the lens of sociology, history, and political science. You’ll study topics like inequality, activism, civil rights, and environmental justice in small seminars led by Penn faculty and Teaching Fellows.
Each day includes classes, group discussions, and guest lectures, along with field visits to places like the Van Pelt Library and historical sites across Philadelphia. You’ll learn how to analyze social systems, build arguments using evidence, and examine how movements for justice take shape.
By the end of the program, you’ll complete a capstone project on a social justice issue you care about. This can be a research paper or a creative piece backed by research. Program themes shift each year, but always focus on current societal challenges and how people respond to them.
7. Dartmouth College – Pre-College Online STEM Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students 13 or older
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program lets you explore STEM subjects from home at your own pace. You can take courses in areas like psychology, biology, and regenerative medicine, all taught by Dartmouth faculty. The program focuses on building your analytical and problem-solving skills through interactive content and mentor support.
Each course ends with a capstone project where you apply what you’ve learned to a real-world problem or research question. You’ll work independently but get feedback from mentors along the way. Once you finish the course, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth.
8. University of Pennsylvania – Engineering Summer Academy at Penn
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000; limited financial aid is available to highly qualified applicants
Program Dates: July 6 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 2 – March 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed their freshman year in high school (9th grade) and are at least 15 years of age by the start of the program
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn is a three-week program where you explore advanced engineering topics on the University of Pennsylvania campus. You can choose from six tracks—Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, or Robotics.
Each track combines lectures, lab work, and team projects to help you dive deep into the subject. You’ll learn from Penn faculty, work in university labs, and build technical skills through hands-on experience. The program also gives you a taste of college life, with residential housing and college credit awarded when you complete the course.
9. Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University
Location: Columbia University campus, NY
Cost: None; stipend provided
Program Dates: June – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in October
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors nominated by BRAINYAC’s partner organizations.
BRAINYAC is a neuroscience summer research program where you work alongside scientists at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute. You’ll be matched with a mentor and take part in a real neuroscience lab, learning how to design experiments, analyze data, and present scientific findings.
This program is focused on brain science and gives you the chance to do hands-on research while building your communication and critical thinking skills. You’ll also attend workshops and lab meetings that help you understand how neuroscience research connects to real-world questions.
10. Project Success by Harvard Medical School
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: None; Students will receive a stipend.
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Boston and Cambridge who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum GPA of 2.70 can apply. Students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here before applying.
Project Success is a six-week paid internship for high school students in Boston and Cambridge who are interested in biomedical science. You’ll be placed in a research lab at Harvard Medical School or one of its affiliated hospitals, where you’ll assist with real lab work and learn how biomedical research is done.
Outside the lab, you’ll take part in seminars led by researchers and doctors, visit hospitals and biotech companies, and get training in computer skills and scientific communication. The program helps you explore different careers in biomedicine while building strong mentorship connections.
11. Yale Pathways Research Internships
Location: Varies depending on the host lab
Cost: None; Students receive a stipend of $2,500
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Public high school students from the New Haven area; 16 by program start; GPA of at least 3.0
Yale Pathways Research Internships is a seven-week summer program where you get to work in Yale research labs on real science projects. You’ll be paired with a graduate student mentor who will guide you through experiments, help you learn lab techniques, and support your growth in research and analysis.
In addition to lab work, you’ll join workshops on scientific methods, data interpretation, and college prep. YPRI is open to high school students who are part of the Yale Pathways to Science program, with a focus on students from New Haven and surrounding areas.
12. Brown University – STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,788; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 8 to 9
This two-week summer program at Brown University gives you a focused academic experience in STEM research and problem-solving. You’ll take part in advanced coursework that combines classroom learning with hands-on lab or fieldwork. The program centers on a research project or design challenge where you apply what you’ve learned to a real-world question.
You’ll work with peers, build skills in inquiry and data analysis, and learn how to approach problems like a scientist or engineer. Along the way, you’ll connect with Brown graduate students and hear about their research paths and experiences.
At the end of the program, you’ll present your project and receive a Digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report that summarizes your work and progress.
13. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University and University of Maryland
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors. Black and Indigenous students, other students of color, and/or students who have experienced economic hardship are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a fully funded six-week program for high school sophomores and juniors interested in sociology, history, and social justice. You can choose between two academic tracks: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS). Both tracks use literature, historical texts, and art to examine how power, identity, and inequality shape society.
You’ll take part in daily seminars, discussions, and readings guided by university faculty. Outside the classroom, you’ll live with other students in a shared space that encourages collaboration, self-governance, and open dialogue.
14. GenCyber Summer Program at Dartmouth
Location: Dartmouth College campus, Hanover, NH
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 26 – 30 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: Rising high school students who have some familiarity with cybersecurity and information technology
The GenCyber Summer Program at Dartmouth is a one-week on-campus experience where you explore the world of cybersecurity through hands-on labs, simulations, and lectures. Run by the Institute for Security, Technology, and Society (ISTS), the program covers topics like ethical hacking, digital forensics, network security, and intrusion detection.
You’ll also examine the ethical side of cybersecurity—how to think critically about privacy, data protection, and responsible tech use. The program is taught by Dartmouth faculty and cybersecurity professionals, giving you direct access to real-world tools and systems.
15. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) at Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: Session I: July 7 – 25 | Session II: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and recent high school graduates can apply.
SHAPE is a summer engineering program at Columbia University where you take college-level courses and work on hands-on projects. One of the featured courses is Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet. In this course, you’ll study biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging while doing lab-based activities and real design work.
A key part of the course is creating your own biomedical device using tools like 3D printers and laser cutters. You’ll go from concept to prototype, learning how design and engineering solve real medical problems. Alongside the core course, you’ll also take electives that help you build technical skills, prepare for college, and connect with Columbia faculty and students.
16. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
Location: Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $8,000. Limited, need-based financial aid is available usually ranging from 50–80%
Program Dates: 2-week directed self-study online from June 23 – July 4 followed by a four-week residential program from July 6 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Open only to rising seniors who are 15.5 years or older by July 9
The Yale Science & Engineering Program for High School Students is a four-week summer program where you combine classroom learning with hands-on research in a small group of just 36 students. You’ll study topics like telescope optics, spectroscopy, and observational astronomy, and apply what you learn through real research at Yale’s Leitner Observatory
You’ll get experience using professional-grade telescopes, work with coding tools to analyze astronomical data, and work with your team on a full research project. You’ll write a scientific paper and present your results at the end of the program. In some cases, student projects have even been published in peer-reviewed journals.
17. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: Can be virtual or in person
Cost: Fully funded. A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Application Deadline: Applications open in May.
Program Dates: September – May
Eligibility: Must be a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student, but they are looking to broaden the scope of their program.
The Harvard-Smithsonian SRMP is a selective year-long research program where 10 to 16 high school students work with scientists from Harvard and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. You’ll join an active astrophysics research project, either in person or remotely, and collaborate directly with your mentor on data analysis, modeling, or coding.
Throughout the year, you’ll attend monthly lectures and workshops that build your background in astronomy, physics, and scientific methods. You’ll also learn how to read academic papers, write up your own findings, and communicate your work to different audiences.
The program ends with a research symposium where you present your project to a community of researchers, students, and teachers. With an acceptance rate under 5 percent, this is a competitive opportunity.
18. Brown University – Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Ranges between $4,540 – $5,788; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: In-person session I: June 29 – July 11 | In-person session II: July 13 – July 25 | Virtual: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 to 12
The Brown Leadership Institute gives you the chance to study social justice issues while building real leadership skills. You can choose between a two-week on-campus experience or a four-week online program. Both formats bring together high school students from around the world to explore topics like gender equity, educational access, and community engagement.
In your course, you’ll dive into readings, group discussions, and case studies. You’ll also take part in practical activities that help you learn how to communicate clearly, lead with empathy, and make decisions that reflect your values.
By the end of the program, you’ll have created a leadership action plan focused on a social issue you care about. You’ll also receive a Digital Certificate of Completion, and if you take a multi-week course, you’ll get a Course Performance Report that outlines your work and progress.
19. Harvard’s Data Science in Action Program
Location: Harvard University, Boston, MA
Cost: $50 registration cost
Program Dates: Part 1: June 21 – August 1; Part 2: August 5 – 14
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: All high school students who have a basic understanding of algebra. Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Harvard’s Data Science in Action is a four week hands-on summer program that introduces high school students to machine learning, AI, and programming through a real-world project. You work in a team to build and train a self-driving toy car while learning Python, image classification, statistics, and Raspberry Pi programming. You attend coding workshops and lectures from Harvard researchers that cover both the theory and application of data science.
20. UPenn’s Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Applicants must live in or around Philadelphia, have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the summer, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
The TREES program at the University of Pennsylvania is a selective summer research opportunity for high school students interested in environmental science. It starts with two weeks of lab training and research basics, then moves into independent project work under the guidance of Penn researchers. You design and carry out your own research, building skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program ends with a formal research paper and a public presentation.
Bonus research programs for you to consider-
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
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).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Program Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives you a chance to work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor on an independent research project over 12 weeks. You’ll pick a subject that interests you and develop your own research paper from start to finish.
You can choose topics from areas like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program is designed to guide you through every stage of the research process and help you produce work that’s ready to submit or present. You can find more details about the application here. You can also earn UCSD credit upon successful completion!
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Princeton University