Research programs provide high school students with a solid chance to explore their interests and gain hands-on experience in a specific field. If you’re curious about fields like science, engineering, or social studies, these opportunities allow you to dive deeper into real-world applications while developing practical skills that go beyond traditional classroom learning.
Participating in research programs also helps you build a strong academic profile by showcasing your initiative, critical thinking, and dedication to learning. These experiences often include access to advanced tools, mentorship from experts, and the chance to collaborate on meaningful projects. They’re not just an opportunity to learn — they’re a step toward preparing for college and future career paths.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 free research opportunities for high school students!
1. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Subject Areas: Biology, cellular & microbiology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, history, mechanical engineering and physics
Eligibility: Students who are at least 17 years old by the program’s start date, graduating high school in 2025 or 2026, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is a prestigious 7-week research program for high school students, selecting only 12 participants each year. Although there is no cost to participation, there is a $25 application fee.
This immersive experience allows you to conduct hands-on research in a specific area of interest under the guidance of Texas Tech faculty. You’ll gain critical thinking skills and practical expertise while working with state-of-the-art facilities. The schedule also includes social activities, field trips, and seminars. By the program’s end, you’ll complete a research project and receive a $750 stipend, enhancing both your resume and your knowledge base.
2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: March
Program Dates: 5 weeks for the virtual program and 8 weeks for the in-person program
Subject Areas: Neurological sciences, neuroscience, psychology, behavioral health-related sciences.
Eligibility: Current rising high school juniors or seniors (by June 2025) with a strong academic record in STEM courses. The in-person program is only open to students enrolled full-time in a Baltimore City public or independent school.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer research program designed to immerse high school juniors and seniors in the field of neurological sciences. Providing educational resources and pre-college exposure, the JHIBS can help you begin your journey as a researcher or clinician scientist.
Participants engage in mentored research projects, attend scientific seminars, and receive professional development training, culminating in a final presentation of their work. In-person interns will also participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists. Besides conducting research, you will attend seminars and educational and professional development sessions.
3. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Subject Areas: Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Ecology and Evolution, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geosciences, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Materials Science, Medicine, Neurobiology, Pharmacological Sciences, Physics, and Astronomy.
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school juniors (11th grade) who are at least 16 years old by program start.
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University pairs students with mentors or places them in groups to work on a research project. During the program, you will collaborate with faculty mentors, contributing to active research projects and gaining practical experience in scientific investigation. The program includes weekly faculty research talks, workshops, and events.y
By the end of the program, you will deliver a research abstract and poster, which will be presented at the poster symposium. You will also receive a stipend when the program concludes.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Subject Areas: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, and Genetics.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living in and attending high school in the U.S. and U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card. Students living in the Bay Area will be given preference.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an intensive eight-week internship designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about biomedical sciences. This program invites students to conduct research under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, gaining exposure to cutting-edge medical research and methodologies. The program encompasses various institutes, including Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, and Genetics.
The program combines lectures with lab-based sessions and culminates in a poster session, where you will present your research as a poster. The stipend offered by the program ranges from $500 to $1,500, depending on other grants you may receive.
5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, in-person, or hybrid. In-person sessions will be held at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Application Deadline: February 2
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Subject Areas: Astronomy, proteomics and molecular medicine, chemistry and biochemistry, drug discovery, bioengineering, environmental science and policy, forensic science, neuroscience, mathematical modeling, physics, atmospheric, oceanic and earth sciences, climate change, biology, disease diagnostics, nanoscience, renewable energy, computer simulations, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, psychology, and more.
Eligibility:
- Remote internships: Must be 15 years or older by June 18.
- In-person or hybrid computer lab internships: Must be 15 years or older by June 18.
- Wet-lab in-person or hybrid internships: Must be 16 years or older by June 18.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school and undergraduate students the chance to engage in innovative research across various STEM disciplines. You can interact one-on-one with George Mason faculty researchers, utilizing advanced technology to address hypothesis-driven questions. ASSIP is a competitive program that emphasizes hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment, developing scientific writing and communication skills, and the exploration of STEM career paths through discussions and mentorship. Your work may also be published in scientific journals or presented at conferences.
6. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Application Deadline: March 15,
Program Dates: Varies depending on project specifics; internships typically span 5-6 weeks during regular office hours over the summer.
Subject Areas: Natural sciences and engineering
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older by June 15 and are U.S. citizens may apply.
The Princeton LLP is a full-time, free research experience where students can work under the supervision of Princeton faculty and research staff. You’ll engage in university-level research across various scientific and engineering disciplines. Although the program is scheduled depending on the staff and project’s specifications, you can expect to conduct research full-time for about 5–6 weeks in the summer.
By the end of the program, you will submit a 2-page research summary highlighting the research question, methods, data, and conclusion of the study.
7. NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Subject Areas: Anthropology, biology, biomedical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, civil and urban engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 10 or 11 in June and living in New York. You must be able to commit full-time to the program and demonstrate a passion for STEM subjects.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering offers a comprehensive 10-week summer research experience for New York City high school students. For the first four weeks, you will participate in workshops, college advisement, and activities tailored to prepare you for college applications. The workshops will also introduce you to scientific ethics, contemporary issues in scientific inquiry, data collection and analysis, research practices, and lab safety.
For the remaining six weeks, you will conduct research in NYU faculty labs under the mentorship of a graduate or postdoctoral student. You will also be trained in presentation and public speaking. The program culminated in a colloquium where you will present your research findings to NYU staff, fellow participants, other academics, family, and friends. Participants receive a stipend of at least $1,000 upon completing the program.
8. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Application Deadline: March 12
Program Dates: June 2– August 8
Subject Areas: Biomedical sciences
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old before the start of the program.
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope offers a 10-week immersive experience in biomedical research. You will work with post-doctorates, graduate students, and lab personnel of the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences throughout the program. Faculty members will also speak about various scientific topics to enhance your learning and encourage career-centric discussions.
In the weekly seminar sessions, you will be expected to present your research findings, and by the end of the academy, you will have completed a written report. Such presentations and reports will enable you to develop oral and written communication skills. You will also get to display your research in the annual poster session.
9. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: MPFI, Jupiter, FL
Application Deadline: March 4
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, scientific programming, and mechanical engineering
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school can apply.
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship focuses on theoretical topics in neuroscience and helps you get familiarized with imaging techniques and technology in the field. Working with MPFI scientists, you will complete a research project, write a scientific abstract, and present the findings at the end of the summer program.
In the neuroscience track, you will gain hands-on experience in wet lab techniques. The scientific programming track will have you developing software to be used in data analysis. In the mechanical engineering track, you will be trained in designing and creating custom parts using a CAD program called SolidWorks. Interns are compensated at $13 per hour and are expected to work full-time
10. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 22
Subject Areas: Cancer biology, cell & molecular & developmental biology, chemistry/chemical biology, computer science/ computational biology/ genomics, engineering/ optics/ imaging/ research tools, immunology/ immuno-oncology, pharmacology & drug development and structural biology
Eligibility: High school juniors living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center can apply.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Summer Student Program pairs students with mentors to gain technical skills in conducting research in a biomedical or computational lab setting. The program entails completing an independent project that supports the Principal Investigator’s overall research objectives. The program includes independent research projects, professional development events, and exposure to translational medicine and research.
You will get the opportunity to meet various people in the laboratory meetings and program sessions. Beyond the laboratory, you will participate in events hosted by the Office of Scientific Education & Training, various Memorial Hospital clinical departments, and Human Resources to delve into translational medicine and research. Participants also receive a stipend of $1,200 for the summer; however, housing is not provided.
Bonus – Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall.
One other option – Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs
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! Financial aid is available.
Image source – Stanford University logo
