If you’re a high school student in Iowa looking for research opportunities, you’re in the right place. Iowa offers a range of programs where you can explore new ideas, work on real-world problems, and gain hands-on experience in fields like STEM, humanities, and more.
Top universities and research centers in Iowa provide programs that allow you to explore various topics through practical research and experimentation. These programs are designed to prepare you for college and beyond, giving you a closer look at fields that interest you.
Here are 10 great research programs for high school students in Iowa that you can apply for!
10 Research Programs for High School Students in Iowa
1. University of Iowa’s Secondary Student Training Program
Subject areas: Psychology, Anthropology, Religious Studies, Business Analytics, Medicine, Stem Research Areas Like Anatomy, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemistry, among others
Location: University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $7,500, which covers accommodation, meals, and programming materials and activities | Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11
Application deadline: February 14, 2025
Program dates: June 18–July 26, 2025
The Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) is a hands-on, research-based summer program for high school students, offered by the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center. If selected, you’ll join a group to work on a research project in areas like chemistry, anthropology, genetics, pathology, and psychiatry. In addition to conducting research, you’ll attend seminars to guide your learning and gain insight into scientific research.
The program ends with submitting a research abstract, poster, and project presentation. Completing SSTP earns you three semester hours of college credit. You can check out SSTP expectations and timeline to know exactly what to expect from the program.
2. World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University
Subject areas: Agriculture, Sustainability, Sanitation, Public Health, Human Rights, Animal Health, International Trade, Education, and Public Policy
Location: Memorial Union Building at Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A $1,000 scholarship to Iowa State University is awarded to all participants. You also have a chance to get an additional $2,000 in scholarship money. Check out the complete list of opportunities that participants can access through this program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Application deadline: March 31, 2025
Program dates: One-day event on April 30, 2025
The Iowa Youth Institute is a day-long event organized by the World Food Prize Foundation in partnership with Iowa State University. Unlike traditional research programs, you’ll need to complete a research paper before the event. The task is to write a 3-5 page Global Youth Challenge paper, following specific writing instructions. First, select a country, then choose a topic such as infrastructure, foreign aid, or sanitation. Investigate how your chosen topic impacts food security in that country and propose solutions to improve it.
At the event, you will present your research, interact with experts and researchers, and gain insights into ongoing research on the topics. If your paper and presentation stand out, you could earn scholarships, international internships, and paid fellowships. This event also provides valuable hands-on research experience, helping you refine your presentation and investigative skills. Check out the program flier here before applying.
3. Heartland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (Heartland-JSHS) Program
Subject areas: Life Sciences, Medicine and Health or Behavioral Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Chemistry
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; rewards include a chance for up to $2,000 in scholarships, an all-expense-paid trip to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and a $750 scholarship to the University of Iowa.
Eligibility: Iowa high school students | If submitting a research paper, it must meet the JSHS requirements.
Application deadline: No information is available on the registration deadline. However, students must submit the research proposal by January 14, 2025
Program dates: February 24–25, 2025
The Heartland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (Heartland-JSHS) is a competition for high school students in Iowa and Nebraska. To participate, you need to submit an original research paper on a topic in STEM or humanities. This program gives you the chance to develop research skills, improve your science communication abilities, and practice presenting your work. You’ll explore various topics, from biology and chemistry to engineering and computer science.
The event, sponsored by the Department of Defense, is free to join, and you do not need to submit a research paper to attend. If your paper is selected, you will present your research at the symposium and compete for scholarship awards, including $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $1,000 for third. The top five finalists also receive a $750 scholarship to attend the University of Iowa.
4. ACS Project SEED Program
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: The program is conducted in multiple states, including Iowa | In-person and virtual projects are available
Cost/Stipend: No participation fee | You can get a fellowship award and a Project SEED college scholarship for your participation
Eligibility: High school students belonging to economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Application deadline: April 12 (tentative, based on the 2024 deadline)
Program dates: TBA, but the program typically runs for 8 to 10 weeks from June to July.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing chemistry. Its Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged) Program offers in-person and virtual summer research experiences across the U.S., including Iowa.
Throughout the program, you’ll work on your lab preparedness, explore careers in chemistry, and receive support for your college readiness and professional development. You’ll also engage in hands-on research under the guidance of a scientist in an academic, industry, or government lab. This experience is a great opportunity to dive into a STEM field while honing professional and lab skills. Additionally, the program often provides fellowship awards and the chance to earn a Project SEED college scholarship.
5. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Subject areas: STEM disciplines
Location: Multiple sites throughout the U.S., including the Iowa State University campus, Ames, IA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns are provided an educational stipend. The details regarding the exact amount are shared with applicants only after they have been selected.
Eligibility: High school students | Additional requirements can vary for each AEOP internship opportunity
Application deadline: None. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program dates: The internships typically run for 6–10 weeks between May and August, however, the exact dates will be discussed with interns following their selection.
If you’re interested in hands-on STEM research, the AEOP Internships, sponsored by the U.S. Army, are a great opportunity. You’ll work alongside university researchers or Department of Defense scientists on real-world projects related to the U.S. Army, gaining valuable experience in a research lab and developing technical skills.
The program also provides workshops, webinars, and online resources to help you improve your academic and professional skills. At the Iowa internship site, your research will focus on materials science, specifically investigating methods for detecting industrial toxins and developing new frameworks for these assessments. You can learn more about the internship program and its application here.
6. Stanford AI4ALL
Subject areas: Artificial intelligence and computer science
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000 | Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: Students in grade 9 (including rising 10th graders) who are at least 14
Application deadline: January 24, 2025
Program dates: June 18–July 2, 2025
StanfordAI4ALL is a virtual two-week program designed for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world applications. Along with AI, the program covers topics like robotics, medical AI, natural language processing, and computer vision.
You’ll engage in lectures, hands-on learning, and research projects while interacting with professionals and researchers in the AI field. Career development workshops are also offered to help participants prepare for future opportunities. This program provides a chance to explore how AI can benefit society, gain exposure to research, and develop collaboration and networking skills while working on projects with peers and experts.
7. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University
Subject areas: STEM fields, Medicine, Finance, Business, and Statistics
Location: Virtual internships are offered.
Cost/Stipend: None. An application fee of $25 is charged but it could be waived based on a needs-based system.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 when the program begins
Application deadline: February 2, 2025
Program dates: June 18, 2025–August 8, 2025
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives high school students the chance to work with faculty researchers for two months. During this time, you’ll gain hands-on experience in areas like computer science, mathematics, or bioengineering. You can browse through the mentor and topics list to select an area of interest and a mentor.
You’ll receive guidance to improve your scientific writing and communication skills. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a poster session. There is also a chance to publish your work in a scientific journal or present it at a conference. To know what kind of work is expected from interns, you can check out the projects of past ASSIP participants here.
8. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Subject areas: STEM, Business, Marketing, and more (depending on the project)
Location: Varies based on the organization offering the chosen mentorship opportunity
Cost/Stipend: No participation fee. A stipend may or may not be offered.
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. | The precise eligibility criteria can vary for each project/internship.
Application deadline: March or April 2025 (exact dates are yet to be announced)
Program dates: The 8- to 10-week mentorship program typically runs from June to August.
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP) is a paid opportunity for high school students. It allows you to work on STEM projects and connect with experts, professors, and mentors. If you’re in Iowa, you can find local opportunities or choose remote internships.
In 2024, one remote mentorship focused on Advancing Accessibility in Engineering Education. Interns researched and wrote reports on improving access to engineering education. Another virtual project focused on Power Grid Resilience to Extreme Weather, where interns modeled how extreme weather impacts the availability of electric power.
9. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
Subject areas: Plasma Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Location: In-person and remote internships available. Students in Iowa can select the “remote” internship option on the application form.
Cost/Stipend: No fee. A stipend is offered, but the amount is not mentioned on the official program page.
Eligibility: Applicants should be graduating seniors who are at least 16 years old. They must have some experience with coding/computer languages and/or computer-aided design and should have previously worked on a plasma physics project.
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
Program dates: TBA. The internship typically lasts 8-10 weeks in the summer, starting after high school graduation. Dates depend on your school schedule and may overlap with school.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a national laboratory of the US Department of Energy, focuses on plasma research. Through its internship program, graduating high schoolers can work on projects with research or engineering staff.
The work centers on plasma physics, but it also offers hands-on experience in scientific research, fusion energy, and lab work, which are important for building a STEM career. If selected, you’ll spend most of your time working on an experimental or computational plasma physics project. You will be expected to work about 40 hours per week during the program.
10. Iowa State University’s Science Bound Saturdays
Subject areas: Agriculture, Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering
Location: Iowa State University (ISU) campus, Ames, IA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students who complete the high school section of the broader Science Bound program and meet the college admission requirements get a full tuition scholarship to ISU
Eligibility: Students from Denison, Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Osceola (Clarke County) schools entering grade 8 (or even 9, in some cases)
Application deadline: None. The program itself identifies eligible students and invites them to participate in Science Bound in the spring of their 7th grade. Program participants then attend Science Bound Saturdays at the ISU campus.
Program dates: Dates TBA, but Science Bound Saturdays are typically scheduled three or four times each academic year.
Science Bound Saturdays are one-day research events that are part of the Science Bound program. This nine-year program helps Iowa students like you pursue careers in science, technology, agriculture, engineering, and math. You’ll get support from university faculty, and school teachers, and participate in research-based activities.
During Science Bound Saturdays, you’ll visit the Iowa State University (ISU) campus and take part in hands-on activities, such as a genetics module called “A Plant’s Molecular Raincoat.” You’ll also work on a project for the Science Fair, where you’ll present your research based on the scientific method.
To wrap up, here’s a remote opportunity for students interested in academic research.
11. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject areas: International Relations, Machine Learning, Philosophy, Physics, Neuroscience, Sociology, History, Biophysics, and more
Location: Online
Cost: You have to pay a participation fee. You can raise an interest form here and find out the exact cost | Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: High schoolers who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.67 on a 4.0 scale | A couple of tracks have a few formal prerequisites, which are listed on the application info page 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.
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) gives high schoolers like you the chance to create your college-level research project. You can choose from subjects like international relations, machine learning, medical sociology, math, computational neuroscience, critical history, physical sciences, and more. You’ll also get to pick between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you decide on your topic and research type, you’ll be matched with a mentor, usually a professor or PhD scholar. With their guidance, you’ll work on a 20- to 25-page research paper, which you can submit to well-known scientific journals for publication. This program helps you dive deep into a topic you’re passionate about and gain valuable experience.
At the end, you’ll receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project. You can find out more about the HARP experience by attending an info session and/or checking out the application form.
Image source – Iowa State University logo
