If you are a high school student interested in spending your summer break investigating existing and new theories, a research program is worth considering. Participating in a research program is a great way to explore a field of interest, such as a specific STEM subject area, and develop useful skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. These programs involve hands-on work on a research project, which can give you some insight into data collection, interpretation, and presentation. You may also engage in lab work or learn how to conduct experiments, studies, and surveys here.
One way to get a comprehensive research experience is by choosing prestigious research programs. These programs are typically fully funded competitive research opportunities offered by reputed institutes. They are also known for their strict eligibility criteria. So, getting accepted into such programs can be a big deal! This experience would not only boost your profile but also be a chance to learn from leading researchers and work in well-equipped facilities.
To help you get started, here we have listed the 12 most prestigious summer research programs for high school students:
Subject areas: Biomedical sciences—immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fees. You can earn a minimum stipend of $500. A stipend of $2,500 or above is provided on a needs-based system. Housing and transportation costs are not covered.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: The 8-week program typically runs from June to August
Note: While students anywhere in the country are eligible to apply, the selection team favors local (Bay Area) students due to various grant requirements.
SIMR is a highly competitive research program with an acceptance
rate of approximately 3% and a cohort size of about 50 each year. In this 8-week program, you will get to work one-on-one with a mentor, who is either a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in research. You can choose from 8 areas of research—immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, and genetics and genomics.
The program begins with orientation and then involves two weeks of morning lectures and lab work. Special joint lectures, lab work, and poster preparation are also key parts of the experience. The program ends with a poster presentation where you and other SIMR participants get to share your research experiences with family, teachers, and Stanford community members. Through this experience, you will be able to explore a biomedical subject area in detail and get some hands-on research experience. You should go through the detailed program information here before applying.
You can also choose from a variety of other prestigious research opportunities offered by Stanford here.
Subject areas: Biomedical sciences
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. You get a stipend of $4,000.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have completed chemistry and biology courses can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: The 10-week program typically runs from June to August.
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Academy is a 10-week program that offers high schoolers and undergraduate students a chance to work on their own biomedical research projects. The participants can choose their areas of interest, as long as it is related to biomedical sciences. Then, they work on their project under the mentorship of the City of Hope faculty. They also get to interact with post-doctorates, graduate students, and lab personnel of the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences. Additionally, students learn about various scientific topics such as neural stem cells, plant signaling pathways, and DNA repair. The program consists of weekly laboratory meetings, weekly program meetings, and seminars. Students also get to learn more about pursuing careers as scientists and doctors via the program The program ends with the completion of the research paper and written report and presentation of a research poster, helping students work on their science communication skills. The program is highly selective; last year, it received 2,100 applications and accepted 82 students.
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—neuroscience, fluid dynamics and physics, theoretical mathematics, and behavioral economics, among many other subjects
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a fee. You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (at least 3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Application deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24, 2024–September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar: October 23, 2024–February 19, 2025
- Horizon lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Horizon Academic offers trimester-long research programs for high school students. If selected, you can choose from subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will be your mentor throughout your research journey. You will work on a 20-page university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication. This program is an opportunity to explore highly specialized fields in great detail under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. You can find out more about the program and apply here!
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—nutritional sciences, cellular biology and microbiology, computer science, neurobiology, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, history, and chemistry
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students can get a $750 stipend upon completing the program.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 when the program starts can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: The 6- to 7-week program typically runs from June to August.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, established in 1963, is a residential research program for high school juniors and seniors. Conducted at Texas Tech Univerity, the program involves hands-on work on a research project, along with the opportunity to engage with university faculty and experience life on a college campus. The program also involves weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips. Each year, students get to engage in hands-on research in not just STEM fields like computer science, chemistry, and neurobiology, but also humanities and business-related fields, like marketing and history. You can check out previous participants’ research areas and project topics here.
The program is highly selective, with all applications assessed on the basis of academic accomplishments, teacher recommendations, and career objectives of candidates. Each year, only 12 students are accepted. The program ends with the completion of the research project report, which can get you a $750 stipend! As a participant, you will get to develop critical thinking skills while working on your research and also explore career interests through interactions with faculty and like-minded students.
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is provided but the exact amount has not been specified.
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the academic requirements can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in December/January.
Program dates: The 6-week program typically runs from June to August.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is another selective program that allows high school students to engage in scientific research at MIT. RSI is a highly competitive program with an acceptance rate of around 3%, given that it selects just 70–100 high school students each year out of 3,000 applicants. Hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, the program involves hands-on work on a research project under the guidance of MIT professors and scientists. As a participant, you also get to attend college-level classes taught by faculty members.
You will begin the program with one week of seminars covering current research topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and humanities. At the end of the first week, you will get your research assignments and then work on them for the next 5 weeks. In the final week, you will also present your findings. So, throughout the program, you will get to work on key research skills like data collection, interpretation, and presentation. Also part of the program are lectures (check out past speakers here) and field trips.
Subject areas: Various STEM fields
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fee, but participants who want to stay on campus will have to pay $2781.50, which covers accommodation and meals. A stipend may be offered at the end of the program but the exact amount isn’t mentioned.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: July 1, 2024–August 9, 2024
The Simons Summer Research Program is a STEM research program that allows high school juniors to work on a research project. You can choose from various STEM areas, including but not limited to biochemistry, applied mathematics, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, medicine, neurobiology, and physics. While applying, you can check the list of mentors and mention your top three choices of mentors or areas of research. Once accepted, you will be assigned to mentors and research groups. Then, you will learn about research techniques, work on your project, and participate in weekly faculty research talks, special workshops, tours, and events. You will have to work on a written research abstract and a research poster, which you will present at the closing poster symposium that concludes the program. You may also get a stipend at the end of the program!
Note that this is a highly selective program with an acceptance rate of 5%.
Subject areas: STEM and medicine—cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering,
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Housing (non-local participants) and meals are covered. You may get a fellowship payment at the end of the program.
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin are eligible to apply,
Application deadline: Applications typically close during the end of March or early April each year.
Program dates: The program typically runs from June to August
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a prestigious 6-week opportunity for high school students to engage in cutting-edge research in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine. Also part of the program are weekly seminars, which can help you develop professional and academic skills and learn about college admissions. During the program, you will also develop scientific communication skills and learn how to prepare a research poster. Additionally, you will work on a STEMM project and interact with university faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students. At the end of the program, you will present your research at the end of the experience with a research poster and symposium. The program is highly selective; in the last two years, it accepted just 30 students out of 600 applicants. If selected, you will be assigned to one of the following three research groups based on your coursework and interests:
- POETS Young Scholars group focuses on the intersection of electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials science. Here, you will work with researchers in the Center for Power Optimization and Electrothermal Systems, who work on building better batteries or power distribution processes and improving the efficiency of large vehicles.
- SpHERES (Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science) Young Scholars group focuses on medicine, bioengineering, and neuroscience. Here, you will work with researchers affiliated with the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, an institution where bioengineers collaborate with medical providers.
- Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS) group works on department-specific research in fields like computer science, mechanical engineering, nuclear or quantum physics, aerospace engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and more.
Subject areas: Health-related fields—biology, epidemiology, neuroscience, immunology psychology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, and bioinformatics
Location: NIH research campuses in the USA including the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A monthly stipend of $2,300 is provided.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and seniors living within 40 miles of the NIH Campus on which they will intern can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: The program typically runs from June to August
HS-SIP is a paid research program conducted by the NIH or National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the primary medical research agency of the US government. With an acceptance rate of ~7%, this program gives a select few students each year a chance to participate in research under the guidance and supervision of researchers. So, this can be an opportunity to learn how to investigate existing and new health-related theories by carrying out experiments, studies, surveys, and data analysis. After applying, each applicant is assessed by a central committee at each Institute/Center and if selected, placed in a research group to work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator. Once selected, you get to carry out cutting-edge research under the mentorship of experienced researchers. You can find research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences and engage in basic, translational, and clinical research. For instance, you might get to carry out research in fields like neuroscience, cancer biology, epidemiology, genetics and genomics, immunology, and more.
During the 8 to 10 weeks, you will spend a major chunk of your time on your research project. However, along with research, a key part of the program is personal and professional development. For this, the program offers a series of workshops on becoming a resilient scientist, as well as career development and science skills sessions. At the end of the program, the Summer Poster Day is held, where you and other interns get to share their research with the NIH community. You can either apply to HS-SIP or one of its student cohorts: HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Fields: Machine learning/AI, programming, healthcare and medicine, biology, and math
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are over the age of 14 can apply. Students with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project are encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close at the end of March.
Program dates: The two-week program typically runs in June
Stanford’s Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a selective program, typically accepting around 20 high school interns each year. This 2-week virtual program is meant for students interested in exploring the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. If selected, you will get to engage in introductory as well as technical lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare, mentoring activities with Stanford student leads and researchers, and group work sessions on research projects. You will also be expected to virtually participate in social activities, and career sessions with guest speakers from academia, industry, non-profit, and government. The internship is conducted Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm. An extended independent research internship opportunity could be offered to you. Additionally, you will be given a certificate of completion once the program ends. The internship involves solving practical problems in AI used in healthcare, so it can help you work on your problem-solving skills.
Subject areas: Neurological sciences
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: The in-person program provides an hourly stipend and covers transportation, but not housing. The virtual program offers a $500 scholarship to interns to support their education.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in December and close in March.
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June–August.
JHIBS is a summer research internship offered by Johns Hopkins’ Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The program is meant for high schoolers interested in neuroscience, medicine, and research. It is also a chance for participants to learn from biomedical research professionals, explore the scientific method, and understand how to conduct research responsibly. Students can choose between an 8-week in-person internship and a 5-week virtual program. The in-person program is more competitive here, accepting just 8 students each year. Those who don’t get selected for the in-person format may be offered a chance to participate in the virtual program instead.
The in-person program involves a research project, one-on-one mentorship, scientific seminars, educational resources, and career guidance sessions in neurological sciences. The virtual program offers activities related to science and the opportunity to learn basic laboratory techniques. In both formats, students get access to professional development workshops, college preparatory classes, mentorship training, scientific presentations, and networking activities. In-person participants will also work on a final oral or poster presentation describing their work. Check the past JHIBS research topics here.
Subject areas: Biology (animal and aquatic science), ecology, environmental sciences, conservation
Location: The program runs throughout the US along with Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands. You will be assigned mentors in your area typically within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns get a $3,000 stipend and an all-expense-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the US, Mexico, and Canada can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program dates: The program runs for 8 weeks in the summer. Start and end dates are flexible and are set by the intern and the mentor.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship meant for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the program offers research-based fisheries science experiences to high schoolers in a marine or freshwater setting. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be mentored by fisheries professionals and explore topics like conservation issues and the importance of healthy aquatic systems. You will also participate in projects that focus on habitat restoration, protection, and management. The program also offers a sneak peek into the life of a fisheries biologist and other career opportunities available in the animal and aquatic sciences.
During the internship, you will spend time outdoors and indoors, at times on a boat, and the rest of the time in the laboratory or office. You will also work on tasks like taking fish population surveys, electrofishing, examining specimens, data processing, and establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, among others. Also part of the program is an all-expense paid 4-night trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit, where you will attend sessions on college preparation and fisheries as a field. You will also present your project at the end of the internship. The program is competitive; in 2023, it received 530 applications and selected 43 students.
Subject areas: Earth science, aerospace engineering, physics, climate science
Location: Hybrid. The on-site portion of the internship is conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, TX. Virtual internships may also be available.
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the US can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: The program runs from May to August. However, the on-site experience typically starts in July.
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) is a summer internship program conducted by the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with NASA. It offers high school students a chance to engage in Earth and space research and learn how to interpret NASA satellite data. A competitive program, SEES accepted just 205 students from over 2,000 applications in 2023. This hybrid internship involves virtual/distance learning modules and on-site research. As an intern, you will begin with distance learning modules covering Earth science and Python (programming language). Then, in July, you will get to work on-site at the University of Austin, Texas campus and engage in research and interpretation of NASA satellite data alongside NASA subject matter experts. Under the mentorship of project scientists, you will have to visualize and analyze remote sensing data, mission design, analysis of ice sheets, Earth’s gravity field, and other observations. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a virtual SEES Science Symposium. You will also receive a NASA certificate of completion when the program concludes
Bonus:
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Summer cohort runs from June to August, Fall cohort from September to December, Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
- $1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
- $4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
- $4,700 for both
- Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions pertaining to the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.