If you’re a high school student looking to build a career in AI, participating in an AI research program can help you get the necessary exposure. AI Research programs provide an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop critical skills, and explore emerging topics in machine learning, data science, and neural networks.
These programs allow you to go beyond classroom learning, work alongside experts, and collaborate with like-minded peers. By participating, you’ll build field-specific research skills, strengthen your academic profile, and gain insights into AI’s real-world applications.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 AI research programs for high school students eager to explore this cutting-edge field.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Full need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
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: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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 and 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. Horizon Academic Research Program: AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here. Full financial aid is available.
Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June – September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. In the AI and ML track, both novices and advanced learners will explore the foundational and pragmatic aspects of ML. For those focused on AI, courses include AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science; Applications of Machine Learning; Cybersecurity; and Machine Learning & Social Media.
You can either analyze a real data set or explore mathematical aspects of ML. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; $750 stipend at the end of the program.
Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students who are graduating in 2025 or 2026, are at least 17 years old by the start of the program, and are US citizens or permanent residents.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is an intensive, seven-week research experience designed for high-achieving high school students. Each year, only 12 students are selected to work closely with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects across a variety of disciplines, including computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, and biomedical sciences.
If you choose the AI-focused track, you’ll explore topics such as machine learning, data science, and automation, gaining hands-on experience in AI research and computational problem-solving. Beyond lab work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, guest lectures, and networking events, which provide insights into academic research, career pathways, and interdisciplinary collaboration. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in a formal research report and receive a $750 stipend.
4. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Tuition is fully covered by a scholarship, and a stipend of at least $1000 is provided for completing the program.
Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade in June 2025
NYU’s ARISE program has 4 weeks of online workshops followed by 6 weeks of in-person labs. You will conduct hands-on research in interdisciplinary STEM subjects, such as Bio-and Molecular Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, AI, and Machine Learning. You will be assigned to a lab based on the matching process.
In addition, you will be mentored by a graduate or postdoctoral student, receive a $1,000 stipend, and participate in workshops and college advice sessions. Training in public speaking will prepare you to present your research at the colloquium at the end of the program.
5. Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars Program
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and are US citizens, permanent residents, or registered with DACA.
AI Scholars is a fully funded, 4-week program wherein you will take college-level courses in computing and AI. You’ll engage in rigorous AI and machine learning instruction, participate in interactive labs, and collaborate with peers on a real-world AI application project, which you’ll present at the end of the program. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, ethical considerations in AI, and the role of AI in shaping various industries, encouraging you to think critically about the technology’s impact.
Beyond coursework, you’ll benefit from personal and professional development sessions, mentorship from CMU faculty and researchers, and field trips to leading AI and tech companies.
6. Princeton AI4ALL
Location: Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Deadline: March 15 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Program Dates: July 14 – August 3 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders living in the U.S. who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Household income does not exceed $60,000
- Qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch
- Eligible for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
The Princeton AI4ALL program is a three-week, fully funded summer experience designed to introduce students from underrepresented backgrounds to the field of artificial intelligence and its societal impact. Through a combination of lectures from Princeton faculty, hands-on research projects, and interactive discussions, you’ll explore core AI concepts, machine learning techniques, and ethical considerations surrounding AI technologies. One of the program’s highlights is a field trip to Washington, D.C., where you’ll learn about the intersection of AI and public policy by engaging with experts in government and technology.
Guided by graduate student mentors, you’ll work in teams to conduct a research project investigating AI’s role in society, which you’ll present at the end of the program.
7. Wharton Data Science Academy
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,799. Need-based financial aid is available.
Deadline: April 2
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 10 or 11 who have a strong background in math and coding and an interest in data analytics. A previous understanding of statistics is preferred.
The Wharton Data Science Academy is an intensive three-week program that introduces high school students to data science, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques using real-world applications. In the program, develop key skills in predictive modeling, data visualization, and algorithm development. You’ll also gain working proficiency in R, a widely used programming language in data science and research.
Guest speakers from the data science and business industries will share insights into their careers, providing a practical perspective on the field’s impact across industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
8. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter) and $12,474 (residential). Need-based financial aid is available.
Deadline: March 17
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade who have a minimum 3.80 academic weighted GPA
UCSB’s Research Mentorship Program enables you to complete hands-on university-level research in various fields, including AI. Paired with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty as a mentor, you’ll engage in fieldwork, data collection, and technical research, gaining firsthand experience in scientific methods, critical analysis, and academic writing. Throughout the program, you’ll also attend workshops on research techniques, professional development, and college preparation, helping you refine your academic and career goals.
The program culminates in a formal research symposium, where you’ll present your findings to peers, mentors, and UCSB faculty, providing valuable experience in scientific communication and public speaking.
9. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person in Cambridge, MA
Cost: $2,350 for those who have a family income of $150,000 or more
Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: Students who are in a grade level no higher than a junior and are residing and physically attending high school in the US
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a rigorous, project-based STEM program designed to immerse high school students in advanced fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. The program blends lectures, hands-on lab work, and team-based projects, allowing you to apply engineering and computational skills to solve real-world challenges.
BWSI offers multiple specialized courses, each focusing on cutting-edge technology and research applications. If you join the AI track, you’ll explore machine learning, autonomous cognitive systems, and AI-driven game development. Other courses cover topics such as self-driving cars, drone programming, and ethical hacking, with some requiring prerequisite coursework before applying.
10. Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving Program – The Lawrence Hall of Science
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,465. Need-based financial aid is available.
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions from June 23 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12
The Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving program, offered by The Lawrence Hall of Science in partnership with the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, is designed to provide an immersive introduction to AI technologies. Over the course of a week, you’ll engage in hands-on coding workshops, develop machine learning models, and delve into the mathematical concepts that form the foundation of AI. Guided by Berkeley scientists and experts, this program offers a unique opportunity to learn about ongoing AI research and its practical applications.
Image source – NYU logo
