If you are a high school student outside the United States, you can spend part of your summer doing research with some of the leading universities in the country. Joining a summer research program gives you the chance to see how academic work happens in real settings, under the guidance of experienced faculty and researchers. You learn how to plan a project, collect data, and clearly organize your findings.
Many universities in the US open their labs and departments to international high school students during the summer. You might work on experiments in biology or chemistry, analyze data in computer science, or take part in research in engineering or the social sciences. These experiences show how research is carried out from start to finish and how teams approach problems using evidence and methods.
If you want to gain early exposure to university-level research and understand how ideas move from concept to result, joining a summer research program in the US can be a practical step. It also helps you build a clear sense of what kind of study or field you may want to pursue later.
With that, here are 13 summer research programs for international high school students!
13 Summer Research Programs for International High School Students
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 2.5% | Around 80–100 students are selected each year (two-thirds are from the U.S., and the remaining one-third are from all over the world)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: Typically Early December
Eligibility: Grade 11 students with high PSAT (Math 740+, EBRW 700+) or ACT (Math 33+, Verbal 34+) scores. Open to U.S. and eligible international students; selection varies by country; check here for more details.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week, cost-free summer program held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the world’s leading universities. It brings together high school students from around the world for advanced study and research. During the first week, you take rigorous courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering taught by MIT faculty and researchers. The following five weeks are spent in university labs, where you conduct an independent research project under the guidance of a mentor. You learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and present your findings through a formal research paper and a conference-style presentation.
2. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 7 – 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current grade 9, 10, or 11 students from the U.S., as well as other countries; preference given to current 11th graders and to students from under-resourced backgrounds
SPINWIP is a free, three-week virtual summer program for high school students interested in physics and coding. The program is hosted by Stanford and introduces you to cutting-edge research in areas such as quantum mechanics, optics, lasers, astrophysics, quantum computing, and cosmology. You’ll work on problem sets and group projects, guided by Stanford undergraduates, while learning Python and using tools like NumPy and Matplotlib for physics-based projects. The program also includes sessions on college planning and career development. You can check the program syllabus here for more information.
3. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at The Rockefeller University
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory at The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost | Stipend: Free | Need-based stipends offered to students experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 32 scholars who are divided into 4 research teams consisting of 8–10 scholars and at least 3 dedicated research mentors each
Program Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current grade 11 or 12 students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program | The program is open to international students, but does not provide any assistance with visa applications
SSRP at The Rockefeller University lets high school students take part in real laboratory research guided by scientists from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. You’ll join a small research team, learn core lab techniques, analyze data, and explore a scientific question based on your team’s area of study. Alongside research, you’ll attend elective courses, workshops, and guest lectures that build your understanding of research processes and lab etiquette. The program runs full-time for seven weeks and ends with a poster presentation, where you share your findings with a scientific audience. However, it is important to note that you cannot use any part of the work produced during the SSRP for science competition submissions.
4. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (Commuter Program) | $12,474 (Residential Program) | Limited number of scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31, with a mandatory RMP preparation webinar on May 28 or 30
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 or 11 from all over the world (outstanding grade 9 students are occasionally accepted on a case-by-case basis) | Required minimum academic weighted GPA is 3.80
The UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP) is a summer research program for high school students interested in exploring academic research at a top public university. Run by UC Santa Barbara, it pairs you with a research mentor who may be a graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or faculty member to work on a project in your chosen field. You can explore subjects such as biology, engineering, computer science, psychology, or sociology. During the program, you take two university courses on research writing and presentation, spend 30 to 35 hours each week doing hands-on research, write a technical research paper, and present your work at a formal symposium.
5. Research Experience for High School Students at Stony Brook University, Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 (Laboratory usage fee) + $2,687.25 (Optional Room and Board Package) + $50 Registration fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with a minimum 3.8 GPA. Must have taken at least three subjects from English, Chemistry, Math/Calculus, Physics, or Biology. Standardized test scores should be 60% or higher. International students must already have valid U.S. documents.
The Research Experience for High School Students at Stony Brook University’s Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces is a rigorous seven-week summer program that immerses students in independent research in polymer science and engineering. You’ll receive formal instruction in advanced scientific concepts while working hands-on in the lab under the mentorship of Garcia Center faculty, staff, and student researchers. Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also learn how to present your findings at conferences and competitions, gaining experience in both academic and professional settings.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus (Manassas, VA), the Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge Campus), or the Fairfax Campus
Cost: Free, except for an application fee of 25 USD (need-based fee waivers available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote or computer labs-based internships; required minimum age for hybrid or in-person “wet-lab” interns is 16 | Non-U.S. citizens can apply, but not all labs might be available to them; the program does not sponsor visas for international students
ASSIP at George Mason University is an eight-week, full-time research program that lets you work directly with faculty mentors and researchers across a range of STEM fields. You gain hands-on experience using advanced lab equipment and technologies, develop scientific writing and communication skills, and explore career options through meetings and discussion forums. Research areas include molecular medicine, neuroscience, environmental science and policy, computer science, forensic science, physics, and engineering, among others. Depending on your mentor’s lab, internships can be in-person, remote, or hybrid. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings.
7. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: 1,595 USD (Virtual) | 2,895 USD (In-person) | Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 15%
Program Dates: June 16 – 27 (Virtual) | July 7 – 18 (In-person Session 1) | July 21 – August 1 (In-person Session 2)
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students from around the world | 14–18 years old | Must have high proficiency in English
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is a two-week summer program that introduces high school students to a wide range of research in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through seminars with Stanford faculty, you’ll explore topics such as neuroimaging, sleep science, autism, ethics in neuroscience, and mental health. You’ll also work in small teams on a capstone project that addresses a real-world issue in mental health or brain science. The program emphasizes scientific thinking, collaboration, and public speaking as you present your group’s findings at the end of the session.
8. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,580 (Online) | $8,575 (Residential) | Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 64 participants for the Online Programs and 40 participants for the Residential Program
Program Dates: June 16 – July 4 (Session 1: Online) | June 22 – July 18 (Session 2: Residential) | July 7 – 25 (Session 2: Online)
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Current grade 10 and 11 students | Students 18 and older are not eligible for the Residential Program, but they can apply to the online program
SUMaC is a summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring advanced mathematical theory and research. You can join the program in person at Stanford or online, depending on your preference. Courses cover topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology, and include lectures, guided research, and daily problem-solving sessions. In the residential track, you live on campus and take part in social and academic activities, while the online track features live discussions, guest lectures, and collaborative projects. Both versions follow a college-level curriculum and emphasize active participation and critical thinking.
9. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: ASDRP Labs in Fremont, CA (Participants who are from outside the Bay Area may work virtually)
Cost: $1,070 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Summer acceptance rates range from 3% to 33% based on whether you apply before the priority deadlines; the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting accepted
Program Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms; Summer Term is from June 1 – August 30
Application Deadline: Summer term application window is October 25 – April 15; Priority Deadlines #1 and #2 are February 1 and March 1, respectively
Eligibility: High school students from all around the world who are currently enrolled in or entering grades 9–12
ASDRP is a nonprofit research institution in Fremont, California, that offers high school students the chance to conduct independent, university-level research. You’ll work with mentors, scientists, and engineers with academic or industry experience, on projects in fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, neuroscience, and astrophysics. Research at ASDRP isn’t based on pre-determined results; instead, you’ll design and carry out original research projects that add to existing scientific knowledge. Throughout the program, you’ll gain experience in experimental design, data analysis, and technical writing, and present your findings at an end-of-summer research expo or in academic publications.
10. Summer Science Program International (SSPI)
Location: Various university campuses
Cost | Stipend: $9,800 (full and partial discounts available) | Need-based stipend of 3000 USD offered as “lost wages” to students who typically need to work during the summer
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 500–600 participants each year
Program Dates: 5 weeks in June – August; exact dates vary by program and university
Application Deadline: December 12 – January 24 (for international students)
Eligibility: Current grade 11 students who are 15–18 years old and have completed the relevant coursework by the start of the program | International students are required to have a visa by February 16 | Check individual program pages for course-specific prerequisites
SSPI is a five-week residential research program for high school juniors interested in fields like astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, cell biology, and synthetic chemistry. You will work in small research teams, as you use professional lab equipment and learn how to design, test, and analyze experiments with guidance from scientists and educators. The program also includes lectures, workshops, and mentoring sessions that help you understand different areas of scientific research and develop practical lab skills. By the end of the program, you will present your findings and gain experience in collaborative research, data analysis, and scientific communication.
11. Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $8,575 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 11 (Session One) | July 13 – August 1 (Session Two)
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 10 or 11 who are under 18 years old
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a three-week residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring college-level humanities. You enroll in one course taught by Stanford professors and graduate instructors, with options such as The American Enlightenment, Ancient Rome and Its Legacies, Books to Bollywood, and Racial Identity in the American Imagination. Classes combine lectures, discussions, and readings, along with independent research and writing projects developed under faculty guidance. You live on the Stanford campus, participate in afternoon workshops and field trips, and engage with peers from around the world in an academic community focused on critical thinking and scholarly inquiry.
12. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, Huttonsville, WV
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Two delegates from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia, as well as up to 2 international delegates from each of the participating countries
Program Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Application timeline varies by country for international applicants
Eligibility: 16–18 years old high school students from one of the countries selected to send delegates | Must be eligible for a J1 visa and proficient in English | Must have documented superior academic proficiency, including recognition in mathematics or the sciences | Must have documented leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in school or community activities
NYSCamp is a residential summer program in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest for high school graduates interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). You’ll attend lectures by STEM professionals, join small-group seminars, explore a range of STEAM research topics, and take part in hands-on arts sessions. The program also includes directed studies that allow for deeper academic engagement and mentorship, along with outdoor field experiences like rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking that connect scientific learning with the natural environment. Delegates from across the U.S. and other countries in the Western Hemisphere attend at no cost, with all housing, meals, transportation, and materials provided.
13. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research – Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: Virtual or in-person at various university campuses
Cost: Varies based on the workshop, program type, and location; check here (scholarships are only available for U.S. residents)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort size varies by workshop; the earlier you apply, the better chances you have of getting accepted into your preferred workshop
Program Dates: Summer workshops run from June – August
Application Deadline: There is no application deadline; acceptance is on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 11–18 (varies depending on the workshop) | High school biology is recommended, not required | International students are welcome to apply, but need to make their own travel and visa arrangements before the start of the program
The Molecular Medicine Workshops at the Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research allow high school students to explore advanced topics in biomedical research and molecular biology. You take in-depth courses in areas such as cancer biology, molecular neuroscience, immunology, and bioinformatics, taught by PhD-level instructors. Classes combine lectures, lab sessions, and independent research, allowing you to study how normal molecular and cellular processes are disrupted by disease. The program concludes with a capstone project where you apply what you’ve learnt to design and present an original research project focused on a specific gene or molecular pathway.
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 – Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research