If you're interested in data science, joining a research programme could be your next great step. These programs, hosted by universities, research institutes, and organizations, provide high school students with a unique chance to explore areas like data analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Through hands-on research, you'll develop key skills in coding, data visualization, and statistical analysis. These opportunities will allow you to work on real-world projects, where you can apply data science principles to analyze large datasets and solve complex problems.
Finding the right program can be overwhelming, but don't worry - we've put together a list of the top 10 data science research opportunities for high school students in 2025!
12 Data Science Research Opportunities for High School Students
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) offers you a trimester-long opportunity to explore advanced topics in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science. This program pairs you with professors or PhD scholars from leading universities, enabling you to engage in rigorous independent research. You work to develop a 20-page university-level research paper that demonstrates your technical expertise and critical thinking abilities.
Through this program, you gain practical experience in key areas such as algorithm design, data analysis, predictive modeling, and applied research. The curriculum encourages creativity and collaboration, equipping you with essential skills in coding, statistical reasoning, and data visualization.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Political Theory, Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Chemistry, and more.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 10–12) with a GPA of 3.67 or higher.
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Location: Online
Cost: $5950 onwards; financial aid options available
Application Deadlines: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
The Veritas AI Scholars Program is an online educational experience designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Developed and led by graduates from Harvard University, the program combines theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on projects to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI concepts and their real-world applications. You engage in live, interactive sessions covering topics such as data science, exploratory data analysis, linear and logistic regression, neural networks, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs).
You also receive guided instruction in Python programming, focusing on the application of AI algorithms and models to real-world datasets. Working in small groups of 3–5 peers, you collaborate on AI projects that allow you to apply learned concepts to develop and implement AI models. Through this experience, you gain technical proficiency in Python programming, analytical thinking skills, and the ability to solve complex problems using AI methodologies.
Subject Areas: Python Programming, Data Science, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, and AI Ethics.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9 - 12.
Program Dates: Offered year-round, with multiple cohorts.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: The Spring cohort deadline is January 5, 2025. Multiple cohorts offered year round.
The MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) Summer Program is a six-week, on-campus experience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed to immerse you in advanced STEM education. Within this program, you have the opportunity to explore the field of data science through specialized elective courses such as Machine Learning and Genomics. These electives provide hands-on exposure to key data science tools and techniques, including statistical modeling, data visualization, and algorithm design.
Through project-based learning, you analyze real-world datasets, enhancing your ability to interpret complex data and solve meaningful problems. You engage in discussions about the ethical implications of data science, preparing you to apply your knowledge responsibly in the future.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors at the time of application.
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26, 2025 (Based on last year’s program dates)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Machine Learning, Genomics, Mathematics, Science, Humanities.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025.
The Wharton Data Science Academy is a three-week intensive program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of data science and its applications in the real world. Led by Wharton instructors who are data science experts, the program focuses on identifying problems, conducting analyses, and communicating findings effectively. You will develop proficiency in the R programming language, widely used by professional data scientists in both academia and industry.
The program teaches key data science techniques, like data wrangling and visualization, along with machine learning methods. You’ll gain hands-on experience through real-world cases and sharpen your problem-solving skills. The program concludes with a team project where you present your findings. After completion, you’ll earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2, 2025.
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Machine Learning, Programming, Analytics, Statistics.
Cost: $9,799. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: April 2, 2025
The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship Track at Boston University offers you a six-week, immersive research experience in computer science. You engage in full-time research, working 40 hours per week under the mentorship of BU's distinguished faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students. This program provides hands-on experience in various computer science domains, such as algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis.
This program helps you build skills in Python and Java while learning the research process. You’ll attend weekly workshops on topics like research ethics and scientific communication. The program ends with a Poster Symposium where you’ll present your research, improving your presentation skills. It’s a solid foundation for future studies and careers in computer science.
Eligibility: Open to students in their senior year of high school in fall 2025.
Program Dates:
- Residential: June 29 – August 8, 2025
- Commuter: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Location: Boston University campus, Boston, MA.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Data Science Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analysis.
Cost:
- Residential: $8,940
- Commuter: $5,820
(Costs based on 2024 program details; updates may be available.)
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025.
The Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab at the University of Chicago offers an immersive eight-week paid research program where you’ll work alongside experienced mentors in various fields, such as computer science, social science, and biomedical research. You'll gain hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while enhancing technical skills like programming, machine learning, and data visualization.
This program provides opportunities to apply data science to global challenges, developing your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities. It includes workshops, seminars, and a final symposium where you present your research.
Eligibility: Open to Chicago-area high school students
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025.
Location: University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Computer Science, Social Science, Climate and Energy Policy, Public Policy, Materials Science, Biomedical Research.
Cost: Free. Participants receive a stipend of $4,800 (2024 program details; 2025 stipend may be similar or higher).
Application Deadline: January 12, 2025
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering offers you a two-week summer program focused on machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). You’ll explore key ML techniques, such as cross-validation, linear regression, and neural networks, while working on real-world applications like image recognition and autonomous vehicles. The program emphasizes hands-on projects and collaboration, helping you improve your coding skills. You’ll also engage in discussions about the ethical implications of AI. By the end of the program, you’ll gain the foundational knowledge needed to pursue future studies or careers in AI and data science.
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14+ (15+ for housing), with completion of Algebra 2 or equivalent and basic programming experience.
Program Dates:
- Session One: June 16 – June 27, 2025
- Session Two: July 7 – July 18, 2025
- Session Three: July 28 – August 8, 2025
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering campus, Brooklyn, NY.
Subject Areas: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Analysis, Mathematics.
Cost: $3,050.
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025.
The Computer Science Scholars (CSS) program at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, four-week residential summer program. You will engage in college-level coursework and hands-on research projects under the mentorship of CMU faculty and staff. The program focuses on programming skills using Python, covering topics like variables, functions, loops, and data structures. You’ll also enhance your mathematical reasoning through a pre-concepts of math course.
The curriculum includes group projects where you will solve real-world problems, gaining practical experience in computer science. Weekly seminars cover important topics such as college admissions and personal development.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19, 2025.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Programming (Python), Mathematics, Algorithmic Thinking, Problem-Solving Techniques.
Cost: Free.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025.
Princeton AI4ALL is a three-week residential summer program at Princeton University that introduces you to artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on its societal impact and ethical implications. This program is designed to inspire future leaders to engage with AI responsibly. You’ll gain a strong understanding of AI concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and computer vision through interactive lectures, research projects, and mentorship from Princeton’s faculty and graduate students.
The curriculum explores the ethical side of AI, such as issues related to privacy, bias, and fairness. You will collaborate on group projects tackling real-world challenges, including applications in healthcare, environmental sustainability, and education.
Eligibility: Open to all rising 11th-grade students who qualify as low-income.
Program Dates: The program lasts three weeks; exact dates are to be announced.
Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Ethics in AI, Societal Impacts of AI.
Cost: Free.
Application Deadline: To be announced. The application deadline for the 2024 session was March 15, 2024.
The Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (Cog*Works) course is part of the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI). It is an intensive four-week residential program that equips you with foundational skills in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science.
Through project-based learning, you explore the intersection of data science and AI by designing and implementing cognitive assistants that process and analyze real-world data.
You gain hands-on experience in programming with Python, algorithm development, and natural language processing (NLP). The program also covers key data science concepts, such as data wrangling, visualization, and statistical analysis, enabling you to work with complex datasets effectively. You also learn about algorithms that process audio, visual, and language data, building cognitive systems capable of interpreting and responding to user input. The program ends in a showcase where you present your projects.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: July 11 – August 7, 2025.
Location: MIT Beaver Works, Cambridge, MA.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Python Programming.
Cost: Families that earn $150,000 or more are required to pay a fee for the July summer program. Financial aid is available for families who qualify.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.