If you’re a high school student interested in science research, joining a research program is a great way to start. These programs let you work on projects in engineering, medicine, environmental science, and technology while learning from experts. Many programs also train you in lab techniques, data analysis, coding for scientific computing, microscopy, genetic sequencing, and statistical modeling.
You’ll learn to design experiments, interpret results, and present findings through research papers and presentations. You’ll also work with tools like Python for data analysis and lab equipment for chemical or biological testing.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 10 science research programs for high school students in New York!
10 Science Research Programs for High School Students in New York
1. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program is tuition-free, but participants opting for on-campus housing must pay $2,360.25 for accommodation and meals, with an additional budget of at least $500 for extra meal costs. A stipend is included, though the amount is unspecified.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program provides high school juniors with the opportunity to conduct independent research in STEM fields. You can select your top three areas of interest or preferred mentors. Research areas for the current cohort include data analysis, computational modeling, molecular biology, AI applications in science, and more. You can explore available mentors and the full list of research fields for Summer here!
You’ll work with a faculty mentor, join a research group, and develop a project while learning experiment design, coding, lab techniques, and statistical modeling. The program includes faculty talks, workshops, tours, and special events. By the end, you’ll create a research abstract and a poster for the final symposium.
2. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation in the program is free, and students receive a stipend, although the specific amount is not disclosed
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: The program runs from January to August (7 weeks), starting with weekend training sessions in the winter and spring, followed by a full-time internship during the summer.
Eligibility: The program is open to NYC students in grades 10–11 who are at least 16 years old and nominated by partner organizations and schools. Preference is given to students from the South Bronx and upper Manhattan.
The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program provides a seven-week neuroscience lab experience for high school students. The program includes weekend lab training in winter and spring, followed by a full-time summer internship where you will conduct experiments, analyze data, and learn lab techniques.
You will be paired with mentors from Columbia’s neuroscience department to work on specific projects, gaining hands-on experience in microscopy, electrophysiology, and brain imaging. For example, you might study how neural circuits process sensory input or analyze brain activity patterns. You can also apply for the Merit Fellowship to continue working in your lab during the school year or the following summer. You’ll also have opportunities to apply for paid research positions, join alumni networking events, and participate in lab visits and science outreach programs.
3. Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,900 (Includes room, meals, and research supplies). Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: February 15
Dates: July 13 – July 19
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and strong performance in math and science courses can apply. You can check the additional requirements for CURIE and CATALYST academies here.
The Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program offers one-week residential academies, CURIE and CATALYST, for high school students interested in engineering research and applications. Held during the third week of July at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, each academy admits 35–50 students. The academies feature lab-based sessions led by Cornell Engineering faculty, covering mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and computer engineering. You will engage in hands-on activities, explore academic and career pathways, and participate in a session with Cornell Engineering Admissions focused on the college application process.
In the afternoons, you will work on faculty-led projects with graduate and undergraduate mentors, culminating in a technical presentation. Past projects have included topics like AI, robotics, biomedical devices, and data management. You can read about some of the past academy research projects in the Cornell Chronicle.
4. Environmentor – Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Research Mentorship Program
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program is free, and participants can receive a stipend of up to $1,200 for their participation and research work.
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer program will open in February
Dates: June 5 – August 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 who live on or attend school near the Rockaway Peninsula
Environmentor is a science research mentorship program for high school students focused on environmental conservation. During the program, you will be paired with scientists from local universities or research institutions to conduct supervised research. You’ll work on individual projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. Topics include sea turtle and pinniped strandings, air quality monitoring, bottlenose dolphin biodiversity, salt marsh restoration, and dolphin morphology.
The program provides a comprehensive educational experience, combining research, mentorship, practical skills training, and community service. You will also receive water safety and CPR training and engage in biking, kayaking, and surfing. You can learn more about past student projects here.
5. Boyce Thompson Institute’s High School Research Program
Location: Cornell University campus, Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; high school researchers receive a stipend of $4,200 for the program, paid monthly.
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: June 30 – August 7
Eligibility: Current high school students who reside near Ithaca, NY year-round, are at least 16 years old by the program’s start date, and have not graduated before the program begins
Boyce Thompson Institute’s High School Research Program offers opportunities for students to engage in hands-on research in plant science, working on active research projects. You will participate in bioinformatics, wet lab experiments, and fieldwork in collaboration with Cornell University and the USDA. Over 6–7 weeks, you will be paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor, along with a faculty mentor, to work on a project suited to your interests and background.
You will spend time in various environments such as fields, greenhouses, labs, or working on computers, depending on your project. You will also learn about scientific careers, undergraduate and graduate programs, and work in an international research setting. You will write a research proposal, practice peer reviews, and develop scientific communication skills. At the end of the program, you will present your research at the annual George and Helen Kohut Symposium.
6. Wildlife Conservation Society | Bronx Zoo Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Location: WCS Headquarters, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Summer interns get $750 plus a MetroCard or $16/hour via SYEP; fall interns get $350.
Application Deadline: March 7
Program Dates:
- Summer Program: June 30 – August 21
- Fall Program: September 13 – December 20; with an additional Saturday for final presentations
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors living in the Bronx who are willing to work in both indoor and outdoor settings
Project TRUE, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Education team in partnership with Fordham University, is an urban ecology research program. You will work in teams with Fordham undergraduate mentors and receive additional guidance from WCS staff. The program includes a summer research component followed by a fall session with field trips, lessons, and workshops.
You’ll design and carry out ecological research projects, using tools such as camera traps, collection nets, plant surveys, and point counts. You’ll conduct field research on topics like mammal distribution, bird community composition, water quality, and invasive species management. The program provides training in scientific research, science communication, and college preparation.
7. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; students earn a $2,000 stipend
Application Deadline: January 8
Dates:
- Orientation Day: February 21
- Spring session: February 27 – May 22
- Summer session: June 30 – August 15
- Students are required to attend both sessions
Eligibility: Students who attend an NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace and are at least 16 years old
The Biorocket Research Internship Program offers high school students a 6-month opportunity to learn about genetic engineering and laboratory biology skills. The program covers topics like genetic modification, bioinformatics, and DNA sequencing, helping you understand the scientific process and connect with peers who share similar interests.
You will enhance your lab techniques and analytical skills by working with advanced lab equipment and technology. Mentors will provide career guidance, and you’ll have the chance to tour labs and biotech companies. Also, the program will help you develop science communication skills as you present your research. You can view past projects here.
8. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and students will receive a $1,200 stipend upon completing the program.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the US, and live within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) is a competitive summer internship for high school students interested in biomedical sciences. You will be assigned an 8-week internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in a biomedical or computational lab. Under the mentorship of a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or research technician, you will conduct independent research and present your findings in a poster session.
Research areas include Cancer Biology, Drug Development, Computational Biology, Immunology, and more. During the internship, you will develop technical skills and work on a project related to the Principal Investigator’s research. You will also attend lab meetings, program sessions, and events focused on translational medicine.
9. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; participants will be paid for 8 weeks of full-time work, which is 35 hours per week.
Application Deadline: December 13
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and belong to groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, as defined by NIH Guidelines
The YES in THE HEIGHTS program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) is a summer internship for high school and undergraduate students focused on increasing the participation of underrepresented youth in STEM. Funded by the National Cancer Institute, this two-year program provides hands-on cancer research experience with guidance from leading researchers and physicians.
You will be paired with a Faculty Mentor whose research aligns with your interests. You will also participate in a weekly Cancer Biology Journal Club, presenting and discussing cancer research articles. The 8-week summer component includes orientation, scientific and professional training, creating an Individual Development Plan, submitting a scientific abstract, and delivering an oral presentation if you’re a second-year participant.
10. RockEDU’s LAB Jumpstart Program
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free program. Transportation is covered with MetroCard/OMNI. $500 stipend for spring and $3,500 for summer
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates:
- Phase One (Spring Session): February 27 – June 12
- Phase Two (Summer Session): June 23 – August 7
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
RockEDU’s LAB Jumpstart program offers 16 NYC high school students a combined after-school and summer research experience. You will collaborate with a research team, attend guest lectures, and develop scientific and research skills through workshops and mentorship.
The program runs from February to August in two phases. In the spring, after-school sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where you will explore scientific research and develop research questions. In the summer, you will participate in the Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) for up to 35 hours per week. You’ll join an SSRP research team, learning research techniques and contributing to projects on topics like Coronavirus Immune Response, RNA Virus Discovery, and Ant Social Biology.
Bonus –
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! 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 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 your subject and research method, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university who will guide you through the program. By the end, you will produce a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted to academic journals for potential publication. This program provides the opportunity to explore specialized fields under expert mentorship. Additionally, you will receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work to support future research and college applications. You can apply here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a 12-week opportunity for high school students to conduct independent research. You will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will provide personalized guidance throughout the program. Lumiere also offers UCSD credits upon successful completion of the research program.
With support from your mentor and a writing coach, you will select and refine a research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and offers assistance in completing a detailed independent research paper. Fields of study include data science, sociology, history, physics, chemistry, engineering, economics, and more. If your interests extend beyond these fields, you can tailor your research topic to fit your preferences. Further details about the application process are available here.
Image source – Stony Brook University logo
