If you’re a high school student in Arizona interested in gaining research experience, participating in a research program could be a great way to explore your interests. A research program will help you deepen your understanding of a subject, develop advanced skills, and gain practical experience in your chosen field.
Whether you’re interested in medicine, aquatic sciences, astronomy, sustainable development, or data science, these programs provide opportunities to work on projects. You will also interact with experts and learn about industry trends.
If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, here are 10 research programs for high school students in Arizona!
10 Research Programs for High School Students in Arizona
1. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) – High School Student Research Program
Subject Areas: Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Genetics, Neuroscience, Preventive Medicine, Research
Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost: There is no cost to participate. Students who are financially, educationally, or socially disadvantaged will be paid the minimum federal hourly wage for 40 hours per week throughout the program.
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025
Dates: June 2 – July 18, 2025
Eligibility: High school students, especially juniors, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, can apply. Priority will be given to students who are financially, educationally, or socially disadvantaged.
The Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) helps high school students enhance their education and health literacy beyond traditional classroom learning. Through the NIH High School Student Research Programs, you will work in productive basic and clinical research labs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine (Arizona Health Sciences Center).
During the program, you will work full-time in various medical labs and clinics at the Arizona Health Sciences Center, focusing on topics such as cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, genetics, cancer, and preventive medicine. At the end of the summer, you will present your research in an oral presentation and submit a 3-4 page summary report on your progress. You will be expected to work full-time (40 hours a week, Monday to Friday) for the entire duration of the program.
2. STAR Lab
Subject Areas: Programming, Virtual Computing, Bioinformatics, GPS/ArcView, Climate, Molecular Biology, Big Data, Biomedical Research
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: The tuition for enrolling in MCB103B is $176.50. Need-based scholarships are available through SARSEF.
Application Deadline: September 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: The STAR Lab program runs each year from late September to early March.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program in late September
STAR Lab is a mentoring program, run by SARSEF and the University of Arizona, that offers opportunities for high school students to conduct authentic research projects. As a STAR Lab participant, you will be paired with a mentor in your area of interest, working individually or in small groups. You will meet with your mentor weekly to develop and carry out your research projects.
At the end of the program, you will present your research at regional science or engineering fairs, such as the Arizona Junior Science and Humanities Symposium or the SARSEF Fair. You will also enroll in a University of Arizona class and complete three assignments: a research proposal, research paper, and slide deck, earning three units of credit.
3. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Neurology, Neuropsychology
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Dates: May 30 – July 3, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply. If you’re interested in laboratory research, you can review the lab descriptions to find one that matches your interests.
The Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program lets you work with advanced technology in fields like neuro-oncology, stroke, neuropsychology, and neurodegenerative diseases. You’ll also explore neuroimaging, neurosurgery devices, and spine biomechanics while getting mentorship and career guidance.
The program will deepen your understanding of biological principles and disease mechanisms. You will learn to evaluate scientific literature, apply advanced research techniques, address scientific questions, and enhance your communication skills. Additionally, you will develop scientific projects to present at local or national competitions or publish in scientific literature. You will also gain insight into the role of non-laboratory departments that support research studies.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject Areas: Meteorology, Chemistry, Oceanography, Physics, Government, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Astronomy, Statistics and Probability, Engineering
Location: Several lab locations across the country including in Arizona
Cost/Stipend: No cost; new participants receive a stipend of $4,000 while returning participants are provided with $4,500
Application Deadline: November 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: The internship lasts eight weeks during the summer, with the option to extend by up to two additional weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade, are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors may also participate. Students should check if their chosen lab has any additional requirements or exceptions.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides high school students with internships in STEM fields, guided by Navy scientists and engineers. Over eight weeks, you will work on real naval research projects in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories, gaining hands-on experience. SEAP offers about 300 internships at more than 38 labs across the country.
Selection is based on academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests, with placements matching individual preferences. In Arizona, you can apply to work at the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) in Flagstaff, contributing to research on the positions and motions of celestial bodies, Earth’s movements, and timekeeping.
5. BIO5 Institute’s Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) Research Internship
Subject Areas: Biotechnology, Data Science, Bioscience Methodology, Research, Science Literacy
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
Dates: June 2 – July 18, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old by June 2, 2025, and have been Arizona residents for at least one year
The BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research internship is a 7-week program for high school students interested in STEM fields. It offers hands-on experience with real-world projects under the guidance of University of Arizona scientists. Before starting the research, you will complete assignments in science literacy, data science, and biotechnology between April and June. The first week, known as Training Week, will teach essential skills to help you begin your research projects. Afterward, you will work full-time in a lab alongside UA researchers.
Each week, you will meet with staff and peers for the Science Seminar to hear presentations from UA researchers, practice presentation skills, and prepare your research poster. At the end of the program, you will present your work to family, friends, and the academic community at a research showcase.
6. TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy
Subject Areas: Bioethics, Science Communication, Experimental Design, Biosciences, Precision Medicine, Genomic Medicine
Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ
Cost: There is no cost to participate, but students are responsible for arranging their housing and transportation. Each program graduate will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Application Deadline: February 5, 2025
Dates: June 16 – June 27, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in Arizona who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
The TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy is a two-week summer program for high school students from Arizona, aimed at enhancing your knowledge of biosciences and precision medicine. Throughout the program, TGen scientists and staff will teach you research, technical skills, lab shadowing, clinical trials, bioethics, experimental design, and the clinical applications of genomic medicine.
The topics covered include neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases, along with discussions on various careers in biosciences. The curriculum, designed by TGen scientists, includes shadowing, journal clubs, tours of labs and medical facilities, and professional development activities.
7. Mayo Clinic CARES (Career Advancement, Research, and Education Summer) Program
Subject Areas: Clinical Genomics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Biomedical Research, Public Health, Medical Laboratory, Radiology, Healthcare Careers, Social Work, Engineering, Community-Engaged Research
Location: Mayo Clinic campus in Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend for their full participation. However, if students miss any program days, their stipend will be reduced accordingly.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Dates: June 3 – June 26, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors living in Arizona
If you’re interested in healthcare, the Mayo Clinic CARES Program gives you the chance to explore a range of healthcare career paths. You will gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting, learn about various healthcare professions, and receive long-term mentorship from selected Mayo Clinic mentors.
The program also includes life skill-building activities like personal wellness, presentation skills, interview techniques, resume writing, college preparation, and strength assessments. You will be exposed to careers such as physician, surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, rehabilitation medicine, biomedical research, medical laboratory, radiology, engineering, social work, clinical genomics, public health, and community-engaged research.
8. Cybersecurity Internship at Arizona State University
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Programming, Hacking, Research
Location: The internship is hybrid, with mandatory in-person sessions on Tuesdays. These in-person sessions take place in the CTF lab at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, but interns are responsible for transportation and any related costs. Interns receive a $1,800 stipend, which is prorated or forfeited if the program is not completed.
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Program Dates: The internship will begin on May 27, 2025, and run for 8 weeks, ending in late July.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in the Phoenix area at the time of application
Cybersecurity is a critical field in today’s world, where every day, systems and data are at risk. Arizona State University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations offers a research internship for high school students interested in hacking and computer science. During the internship, you’ll work closely with a PhD student mentor, who will guide you through exciting projects in cybersecurity. If you have your project idea, you can collaborate with a graduate student to fully develop it for the internship.
You can choose to work on topics like securing finance systems in Python, analyzing social media scams, or examining how hosting providers respond to phishing. After eight weeks, you’ll present your findings to graduate students, professors, and industry professionals, gaining valuable exposure in the field.
9. Arizona State University’s SCENE High School Program
Subject Areas: Science, Engineering, Research
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: The program cost is not listed on the website.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: The program runs from September to April. Students may continue working with their mentors after April by arrangement.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
Arizona State University’s SCENE High School Program allows high school students to design and conduct original research in science or engineering. The program runs from fall to spring, ending after the state fair, with 60-80 students typically accepted each year, depending on mentor availability.
You will work with an ASU scientist to develop and conduct research related to your field. You’ll spend 6-12 hours per week on your project, with more time required once the experiment starts. Your schedule will be arranged with your mentor based on the project’s needs. In the fall, you’ll focus on background research, experimental design, and lab techniques, and by December, you’ll choose your research question. From January to March, you’ll carry out your experiment and, in late March or early April, present your findings to the SCENE group and at the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.
10. Helios Scholars at TGen
Subject Areas: Bioscience, Laboratory Research, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Mathematics and Statistics, Research Administration, Scientific Writing
Location: Most Scholars work at TGen’s headquarters in downtown Phoenix, AZ, while some interns are placed in the Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff, AZ.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. High school students will be paid $14.70 per hour.
Application Deadline: February 5, 2025
Dates: June 9 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, eligible to work in the United States, and will graduate from an Arizona high school by June 9, 2025
Helios Scholars at TGen is a paid, eight-week summer internship for students interested in biomedical research. You will work full-time on a research project under the mentorship of a TGen scientist. Your research will focus on genetic components of diseases such as diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer, public health issues, and pathogens like Valley Fever and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Internships are available in areas such as laboratory research, computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics, and research administration.
The program includes seminars to develop professional skills, opportunities to explore bioscience careers, practice scientific writing, present research, attend networking events, and create a scientific poster. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your project findings.
Bonus:
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Areas: Political Theory, Biophysics, Machine Learning, Behavioral Economics, International Relations, Environmental Health And Engineering, Psychology, Data Science, Network Science, Chemistry, Sociology, Physics, History, Neuroscience, Biotechnology, Philosophy, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program 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 physics, data science, chemistry, political theory, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose to focus on either qualitative or quantitative research methods.
After selecting a subject and research method, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university who will guide you throughout the program. At the end of the program, you will produce a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted to academic journals for potential publication. This program allows you to explore specialized fields with expert mentorship. Additionally, you will receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work to assist with future research and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Areas: Physics, Gender Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Data Science, Environmental Science, Business, Psychology, Computer Science, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
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 opportunity for high school students to conduct independent research. You will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will offer 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 provides assistance to help you complete a detailed independent research paper. Fields of study include history, physics, data science, sociology, chemistry, engineering, anthropology, economics, and more. If your interests go beyond these fields, you can customize your research topic to suit your preferences. Further details about the application process are available here.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Data Science, AI, Machine Learning, Programming
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the upcoming spring cohort. You can apply here!
Program Dates: Several cohorts run throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Applicants for the AI Fellowship program must either have a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduates, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is designed for beginners and covers essential topics in AI, machine learning, and data science. In this 10-session boot camp, you will learn core concepts and work on hands-on projects. For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides personalized mentorship from university experts to help develop individual projects. You will also receive support from a publication team to publish your work in high school journals. The fellowship encourages applying AI to fields such as finance, medicine, sports, and environmental science. You can view examples of past projects here.
Image source – Arizona State University logo
