High school students passionate about math can benefit greatly from research programs. These opportunities allow you to explore advanced topics like number theory, algebra, and applied mathematics while learning directly from experts.
By participating, you’ll work on your critical thinking and analytical skills, tackle complex problems, and prepare for advanced studies, all while building a strong academic profile for future research projects and internships.
Here are 10 math research programs for high school students to get started!
10 Math Research Programs for High School Students
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: There is no participation cost, except for a $65 application fee. Students will receive a stipend, although the exact amount is not specified
Application Deadline: December 11
Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who fulfill the program’s academic requirements
The Research Science Institute (RSI), hosted at MIT and organized by the Center for Excellence in Education is a research program where high school students can conduct advanced research. You’ll work on hands-on projects with MIT professors and scientists while attending college-level classes taught by faculty. The program starts with a week of seminars on current research topics in mathematics, other STEM fields, and the humanities, followed by five weeks dedicated to research projects. In the final week, you will present your findings.
Previous mathematics projects include topics like “The Classification and the Hilbert Polynomials of the Coloring of Quandles with Size 6 (2023)” and “Classifying bi-polynomial Hopf algebras over graded local rings (2023).” As an RSI participant, you will develop skills in data collection, analysis, presentation, and literature review. The program also includes lectures and field trips.
2. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Online program $3,580 (materials up to $100), Residential program $8,575 (includes housing, meals, materials, and field trips); need-based financial aid available.
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
Program Dates: Online program: June 16 – July 4, 2025, | July 7 – July 25, 2025, Residential program: June 22 – July 18, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application can apply. Participants who will be 18 or older during the program can only apply for the online version.
Stanford University’s SUMaC program gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore advanced mathematics, including abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology. You will conduct research, explore topics, and learn about the history and applications of key math areas.
SUMaC has two formats: online and residential. Both offer the same content. The residential program includes in-person social events and field trips, while the online version provides virtual events, guest speakers, and support. The residential program has 40 spots, and the online program has 64. You can apply for one or both formats.
3. MIT PRIMES USA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: November 18, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program). Admissions for the 2026 cycle will begin on October 1, 2025.
Dates: Year-round, from January 1 to December 31.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (or home-schooled students of the same age) in the U.S., excluding the Greater Boston area, can apply. Students near Boston should apply to MIT PRIMES.
PRIMES-USA is a free, year-long mathematics research program for high school sophomores and juniors across the U.S. Through this program, you will develop key math skills such as problem-solving, mathematical modeling, and advanced research techniques.
As a sophomore, you’ll work on group projects to enhance your collaboration and communication skills, while juniors can choose individual or group projects to deepen their understanding and focus on independent research. Mentors from MIT and other universities will guide you throughout the program, helping you refine your mathematical abilities and apply them in real-world research scenarios. You can review past problems and solutions here.
4. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fees, but on-campus housing costs $2,360.25. Participants must budget $500+ for meals. Stipend provided, amount unspecified.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school juniors the chance to work on a research project in various STEM fields, including mathematics and statistics. You can apply to the Applied Mathematics & Statistics Department if you’re interested in mathematics-based research. Here, you’ll work on algorithms for high-performance computing, machine learning, and multiscale modeling of biological and medical processes.
You can choose your top three areas of interest or mentors, and once accepted, you’ll be paired with a mentor and assigned to a research group. Throughout the program, you will learn research methods, work on your project, and participate in workshops, faculty research talks, tours, and special events. At the end of the program, you will prepare a research abstract and create a poster for presentation at the final symposium.
5. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California campuses: Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: The cost is $5,256 plus a $44 application fee. All payments are non-refundable. This fee covers housing, meals, activities, orientation, field trips, and on-site support. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Dates: UCI, UCSD: July 6 – August 1, 2025, UCD, UCLA, UCSC: July 6 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders in California with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
COSMOS is a four-week residential summer program for high school students interested in STEM, including mathematics. You will work on hands-on, lab-based projects in math-related clusters such as Computation and Machine Learning, Number Theory, Mathematical / Computational Modeling, and Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems.
At one of five University of California campuses, you’ll work alongside faculty and researchers in state-of-the-art facilities. This program will expose you to new career opportunities in math and STEM, and it will expand your understanding of these fields.
6. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,100 for non-financial aid students; free for domestic students from families earning less than $80,000. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Dates: June 29 – August 9, 2025
Eligibility: Students who have completed 9th grade (or its equivalent), are at least 14 years old, and are not yet full-time college or university students
PROMYS is a six-week summer mathematics program at Boston University for high school students. As a first-year student, you’ll explore scientific problems through labs. Returning participants will work on mentored research projects, tackling original problems proposed by research mathematicians. Your work will culminate in written reports and presentations, with some papers being published or presented at major conferences like the Joint Mathematics Meetings.
Each day, you will attend Number Theory lectures and solve challenging problems to explore mathematical patterns, develop conjectures, and create proofs. First-year students will focus on foundational problems while returning students and motivated newcomers can join advanced seminars. You will also hear weekly lectures on topics such as ethics in science, the relationship between pure and applied mathematics, and career paths in mathematics and science.
7. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Internships are available in remote, hybrid, and in-person formats at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, with a $25 application fee (waived for those with financial need). Transportation and housing costs are not covered, and the internship is unpaid.
Application Deadline: February 2, 2025
Dates: June 18 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: 15+ for computer lab internships, 16+ for wet lab internships.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers high school and undergraduate students the opportunity to work alongside faculty researchers at George Mason University and partner institutions. This 8-week program gives you hands-on experience with advanced technology across various STEM fields. You will gain valuable skills in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving, and explore STEM careers by engaging with industry professionals.
Past mathematics-related projects have included topics like Mathematical Models for Understanding Depression, COVID-19 Epidemic Simulation, and Mathematical Modeling of Racism Spread. These projects allow you to apply math to real-world problems, deepening your understanding of mathematical applications. You can find more examples of past research from the Department of Mathematical Sciences on their website.
8. UC Irvine’s Math ExpLR Summer Research Program
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: The program is free to attend, but students may be responsible for housing, meals, and transportation costs.
Application Deadline: April 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: June 17 – July 25, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Students who are currently in high school and not graduating this spring
The Math ExpLR program is a six-week mathematical biology program where high school students work with UC Irvine undergraduates and a principal investigator on computational biology research projects. The program includes workshops on mathematical modeling, LaTeX, Matlab programming, and research presentations.
In the first two weeks, you will learn research fundamentals and start drafting a mid-term report. The following weeks involve group work on reports and presentations, while the final two weeks focus on completing final papers, presenting research, attending a reunion, and completing a post-program survey. You can explore the full list of research topics here.
9. Ross Mathematics Program
Location: Otterbein University in Columbus, OH | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN
Cost: The program fee is $7,000, covering tuition, housing, and meals at the Ross Program. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
Dates: Otterbein University: June 15 – July 25, 2025; Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: June 15 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: The program is open to students aged 15–18, though younger or older students may be considered in certain cases.
The Ross Mathematics Program is a residential summer session for high school students with a solid math background, offering an opportunity to work on advanced topics in mathematics. The program focuses on independent mathematical research and collaboration among students.
During the program, you will solve problem sets on abstract mathematical concepts, such as algebra, number theory, and combinatorics. You will study one topic for several weeks, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding. The program also includes writing mathematical proofs and presenting your research.
10. University of California Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter option) | $12,474 (residential option). A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on qualifications, need, and availability. Priority is given to California residents.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 with a minimum GPA of 3.8 (9th graders may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara offers high school students the opportunity to engage in university-level research, including mathematics. If accepted, you will be paired with a mentor – such as a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member and select a research project in mathematics or related fields. The program spans six weeks, during which you will dedicate 35–50 hours per week to your project, involving activities like fieldwork, library research, and data collection.
At the end of the program, you will write a research paper, present your findings at an academic symposium, and earn 8 college credits by completing two courses: Introduction to Research and Presentation Techniques. The program also includes GRIT Talks, a lecture series where UC Santa Barbara researchers present their innovative projects.
Bonus –
If you’re looking for remote opportunities, here are 2 bonus math research programs you can join from anywhere in the world!
11. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Math Track
Subject Areas: Mathematics, Data Science, Environmental Health and Engineering, Machine Learning, Political Theory, History, Biophysics, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadline: The deadlines vary by cohort: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort and May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort.
Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.67 on a 4.0 scale can apply. Most participants are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which you can review here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like mathematics, physics, data science, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, political theory, and psychology. You can choose between qualitative or quantitative research methods. For math, Horizon offers a Theoretical Mathematics course, focusing on knot and link models in 2+1-dimensional spacetimes and using computable link invariants to explore causality detection.
After selecting your subject and research method, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will mentor you throughout the program. By the end, you will complete a 20-page research paper that can be submitted to academic journals. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and feedback to support your future endeavors. Apply here!
12. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Math Track
Subject Areas: Economics, Mathematics, Business, Engineering, Data Science, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Gender Studies, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort.
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall cohort from September to December, the winter cohort from December to February, and the spring cohort from March to June.
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week program for high school students to conduct independent research. During the program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will provide personalized guidance throughout the program.
With support from your mentor and a writing coach, you will choose and refine a research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and guidance for completing a comprehensive independent research paper. Available fields of study include physics, engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, data science, economics, and more. If your interests extend beyond these areas, you can customize your research topic.
Image source – MIT logo
