If you’re a high school student interested in developing your research and writing skills, working on a research paper can be an excellent way to dive deep into a topic you’re passionate about. Whether you’re exploring environmental science, medicine, technology, psychology, or public health, writing a research paper helps you build critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills that are essential for success in both college and future careers.
Many programs now offer high school students the opportunity to design and write original research papers with the support of mentors, professors, or graduate students. These experiences can give you a clearer understanding of how real-world research is conducted and how to present your findings in a compelling and academically rigorous way.
To help you take the next step in your academic journey, here are 12 research paper programs for high school students!
1. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend offered
Application Deadline: February 7 (tentative; based on previous years)
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (16+) in the U.S.
With an acceptance rate of around 5%, this program gives you the chance to work alongside university professors and researchers on active science projects in laboratories at Stony Brook. You’ll get to learn how to use standard lab tools and follow research procedures. As part of the experience, you’ll attend scientific talks, participate in skill-building workshops, and go on field visits related to STEM fields. These activities are designed to give you a practical understanding of how research is conducted and what studying science or engineering in college involves. At the end of the program, you will complete a research abstract and create a poster summarizing your project.
2. NYU ARISE
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,000 stipend
Application Deadline: March 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 2 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: New York City high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade (as of program application time) who are at least 16 by program start
This immersive summer program offers motivated students the opportunity to conduct STEM research at NYU Tandon. You will be matched with research labs and principal investigators in diverse fields ranging from African Paleosciences and Bioengineering to Cybersecurity and Data Science. The program runs for over nine weeks, during which you will participate in faculty-mentored research, gain exposure to advanced lab techniques, and receive professional skills workshops. Completion of a research paper and presentation at a colloquium is required, with students expected to make meaningful contributions to their assigned projects.
3. The MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable application fee of $75; None
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Dates: 6 weeks from June – August
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (U.S. and international) with a strong academic and research background
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective six-week summer program for high school students interested in STEM research. The program starts with a week of STEM classes to build foundational knowledge, followed by five weeks of mentored research in a chosen field. As a participant, you’ll go through the full research process, reviewing existing literature, developing a research plan, and conducting your own project. A key part of the experience is producing conference-style oral and written reports and presenting your findings in a professional setting, giving you practice in academic writing and communication.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 minimum stipend
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21 (tentative)
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; Preference for local Northern California students
The SIMR program is dedicated to broadening access to biomedical research for high school students and building a diverse future STEM workforce. As a participant, you will be assigned to active biomedical research labs across Stanford, where you will work under faculty and postdoctoral mentorship. Over approximately eight weeks, you will engage deeply with lab-based projects, develop a science identity, and gain training in the scientific process. A research paper and final presentation are required to demonstrate practical experience and comprehension of biomedical research methodology.
5. RISE Internship/Practicum | Boston University Summer Term
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Approx. $5,570; Financial aid available
Application Deadline: December 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: Residential: June 29 – August 8; Commuter: June 30 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
RISE is a six-week summer research program offering two tracks: Internship and Practicum. In the Internship track, students spend 40 hours per week engaged in hands-on research projects in university labs, mentored by BU faculty, postdocs, or graduate students. The Practicum track provides students with a structured group research experience in computational neurobiology or data science under direct faculty guidance. All participants attend weekly academic and professional skills workshops and networking events with biotech or pharmaceutical companies. The program culminates in a Poster Symposium, where you present your research findings. You will develop research, analytical, and presentation skills while learning how to read and write research papers in a university environment.
6. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: In person at Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus and Online
Cost/Stipend: None; $15/hour stipend for in-person program
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Dates: In-Person Program: 8 weeks; Virtual Program: 5 weeks
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. and Canada; Must reside in Baltimore City, Maryland, to attend the in-person program
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences is a research-based program designed for high school students interested in neuroscience and its applications in medicine. Throughout the program, you will develop lab-related skills, learn how to read and interpret scientific papers, and become familiar with research methods. Program activities include attending scientific seminars, participating in weekly sessions focused on academic and professional development, meeting with faculty mentors, and preparing a final presentation — either oral or poster (research paper) format — that summarizes your work. For those unable to attend in person, a five-week online option is available. This virtual experience includes live lectures, interactive workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
7. Rockefeller University: Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: January 3 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 23 – August 7 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (16+); Must commit to full-time, in-person attendance for all seven weeks
During SSRP, you will join research teams based on the scientific expertise and interests of mentors from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC). Teams consist of 8-10 high school students guided by a team of research scientists. Over the seven weeks, you will learn research techniques, choose questions to explore, collect and analyze data, and prepare a poster for a concluding symposium. The program also features elective courses, guest lectures, professional development workshops, and social activities.
8. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; Stipend of $750
Application Deadline: January 2 – February 16
Dates: June 22 – August 7 (based on previous years)
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age
During the program, you will work closely with a faculty mentor on a research project in an academic or health science field. Alongside your research, you will take part in weekly seminars, group discussions, and field visits related to various disciplines. In the past, students have presented their research posters at a symposium. Research options are available across STEM departments. Admission to the program is selective and considers academic performance and interest in research-related careers.
9. Scripps Research: Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $4,830
Application Deadline: April 4 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 23 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: San Diego County residents (16+) attending one of six REACH partner high schools; Minimum GPA 3.0; Completed 1 year each of high school chemistry and biology
During this program, you will complete a pre-internship training “boot camp” and then work 40 hours per week on mentored research projects. The program emphasizes scientific skill development, understanding of contemporary biomedical issues, and professional growth. You will be expected to produce research papers documenting your projects and gain insights into the college application process through mentorship. In the past, students have presented their research posters at a symposium.
9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: None; Paid a monetary award
Application Deadline: Priority: March 24 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: In-person orientation: June 17 – 18; Research: June 20 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders residing in IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, IA, or WI
As a participant, you will take part in research guided by university faculty and graduate mentors in diverse research groups, including biomedical engineering, neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and AI. Weekly seminars support professional development, such as scientific communication and college readiness. Research culminates in a research poster and symposium presentation, highlighting the findings and methodologies developed over the course of the program. You will share your work with peers, faculty, and mentors, gaining essential experience in scientific presentation and networking in a professional research community.
10. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: March 28 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 16 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students (16+) with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (exceptions considered); Must have completed at least one year of high school chemistry and biology; Must be able to commit 30-40 hours per week
This eight-week paid program places students in cutting-edge research labs where they work closely with scientist mentors on independent projects. The program includes participation in seminars, workshops, and biotech site visits designed to enhance STEM skills and scientific communication. You will be required to present your research projects at the Summer Scholars Research Symposium at the program’s conclusion, where you may deliver either a scientific oral presentation or a scientific poster, showcasing your work to mentors, peers, and families.
11. J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Summer Internship Program
Location: Rockville, MD, and La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $17.50/hour
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: 10-15 weeks; Summer and academic year internships available
Eligibility: High school students (16+); U.S. residents eligible to work; Minimum GPA 3.0; Strong interest in science
JCVI offers a highly selective summer internship program where students work with world-class scientists on cutting-edge genomic research. You will receive dedicated mentorship, collaborate on research projects tailored to your academic experience, and gain hands-on exposure to advanced technologies. Professional development workshops, journal clubs, and seminars are provided throughout the internship to support scientific and soft skills growth. At the program’s conclusion, you will participate in a judged poster presentation to showcase your research findings, offering experience in scientific communication and presentation in a professional setting.
12. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Late January (tentative)
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors; Minimum GPA of 3.0; Full commitment required for all 8 weeks
SHIP is a competitive volunteer internship providing high school students the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge scientific research under the mentorship of NIST scientists and engineers. As an intern, you will work full-time on independent research projects during the eight-week program, developing skills in scientific inquiry, experimentation, and critical analysis. You will work on research projects that culminate in research papers, reflecting your contributions to scientific knowledge. The program requires full participation for its duration, with no exceptions, and offers valuable experience in a professional research environment.
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 – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign