Paid engineering summer research programs offer high school students an opportunity to explore specialized fields, without having to worry about the financial hassles that come with costly pre-college programs. These programs help you explore diverse topics, from aerospace and robotics to environmental engineering and computer science, giving you access to the technology and tools used by professionals early on.
Whether you’re prototyping designs, coding complex systems, or solving industry-specific problems, these programs will give you an understanding of how engineering innovations address real-world challenges.
Here are 12 paid engineering summer research programs for high school students in 2025:
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Subject Areas: Naval Research, STEM Fields, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) Laboratories across the U.S.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–12, including graduating seniors); must be 16 years old by the start date; U.S. citizens; additional requirements vary by lab
Application Deadline: November 1 annually (applications open August 1)
Program Dates: Eight weeks during summer (specific dates vary by lab)
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
SEAP offers high school students the chance to work alongside scientists and engineers in DoN laboratories, researching cybersecurity, robotics, environmental science, and more. You’ll gain hands-on experience, work on your technical skills, and explore STEM careers while contributing to real-world Naval research. You will be matched with mentors to learn about engineering methods and participate in meaningful projects that align with your interests and the lab’s goals. This program is designed to give you a better understanding of STEM fields and to help you explore future careers in engineering.
2. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Subject Areas: Nutritional Sciences, Biology, Microbiology, Computer Science, Neurobiology, Mechanical Engineering, History, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST)
Program Dates: June 22, 2025 to August 7, 2025
Stipend: $750
Through the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, you’ll engage in a seven-week research experience, working closely with Texas Tech University faculty on projects in disciplines ranging from bioinformatics and nanotechnology to political history and virtual reality. You’ll learn how to design and execute experiments, analyze complex data, and apply theoretical concepts to practical problems revolving around engineering. Weekly seminars and social activities are scheduled to encourage a collaborative environment where you’ll connect with other students and researchers. The program culminates in a detailed research report, giving you the experience of presenting scientific findings.
3. Northeastern University Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Subject Areas: Engineering, Health Sciences, Biotechnology, Robotics, Chemistry, Environmental Science
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) residing in Massachusetts, within commuting distance of Northeastern University; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: February 20, 2025
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31, 2025 (Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Stipend: Provided
In YSP, you’ll work directly with Northeastern University faculty on laboratory research projects across various disciplines, such as developing new cancer therapies, modeling environmental impacts, or innovating energy solutions. Along with your research, you’ll participate in seminars covering topics like robotics, lasers, and biotechnology while receiving personalized college and career counseling. There will also be field trips to companies and government labs will give you a firsthand look at engineering in action.
4. NASA Internships
Subject Areas: Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Space Science, and more
Location: Various NASA centers and facilities across the USA, with virtual opportunities also available
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above with a minimum GPA of 3.0; must be U.S. citizens
Application Deadline:
- Summer 2025: February 28, 2025
- Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
Program Dates: Flexible six-to-ten-week sessions during the summer, fall, or spring
Stipend: Provided
NASA’s Internship Program allows high school students to work on projects aligned with the agency’s mission of advancing space exploration and technology. You will collaborate with experts in engineering, robotics, and data science, engaging in tasks such as programming simulations, designing spacecraft components, and analyzing mission data. You will get hands-on experience with their tools and research methodologies and also be able to build a professional network in the organization.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Subject Areas: Aerospace Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Material Science, Environmental Science, and more
Location: Multiple Air Force Research Laboratory sites across the USA, including Kirtland AFB (NM), Wright Patterson AFB (OH), Edwards AFB (CA), and others
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students (age 16+), undergraduate and graduate students, K–12 educators in STEM fields
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (specific session dates vary by location)
Stipend: $492.40 per week for high school students
The AFRL Scholars Program offers you the chance to work alongside Air Force scientists and engineers in their research and development work. You can engage in projects ranging from advanced materials development to environmental monitoring and robotics, gaining technical experience and practical skills. You will use advanced analytical tools and software, contributing to real-world applications that support national defense initiatives. If you’re interested in STEM fields with a focus on research innovation, this program may be worth exploring.
6. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Subject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics – including specific fields like engineering, biomedical research, and technology
Location: U.S. Army Research Laboratories and affiliated university research labs across the United States, sites in Cambridge and Lowell
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, with a focus on those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds
Application Deadline: Variable
Program Dates: Variable
Cost: Free (participants receive a stipend)
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship offers you an opportunity to participate in Army-sponsored research projects, mentored by working scientists and engineers. You will be given tasks that involve high-tech equipment and advanced scientific methods. The program also provides career guidance, and opportunities to connect with a network of STEM professionals. This is an opportunity to enhance STEM skills and engage in a potential career path in biomedical research, environmental engineering, and defense technology.
7. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, and Materials Science
Location: Multiple locations across the USA, including academic institutions and industry settings
Eligibility: High school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry; U.S. residents
Application Deadline: Typically in April (exact date for 2025 TBA)
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks during summer 2025
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend
The ACS Project SEED Program provides economically disadvantaged high school students with summer research opportunities in the chemical sciences. You will work under the guidance of professional mentors on projects such as synthesizing new materials, analyzing chemical reactions, or exploring biochemistry concepts. You will also work on your technical and laboratory skills, and professional research methodologies through hands-on experiments. This program emphasizes college readiness and professional development, exposing you to chemistry-focused career paths.
8. Microsoft Discovery Program
Subject Areas: Technology, Product Design, Software Development, and Career Readiness
Location: Microsoft campuses in Redmond, Washington, and Atlanta, Georgia
Eligibility:
- High school seniors graduating in 2025
- Must reside within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
- Completed pre-calculus or equivalent course by program start
- Additional eligibility details based on affiliations with Microsoft-sponsored organizations or schools (varies by location)
Application Deadline: Applications open in late February 2025, reviewed on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1, 2025
Stipend: Provided
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week internship offering high school seniors an introduction to technology careers through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will engage in the design phase of product development while working on foundational technical skills and exploring how your interests align with career opportunities in technology. The program can serve as a starting point for students considering future roles in tech.
9. Meta Summer Academy
Subject Areas: Coding, Career Exploration, Soft Skills Development
Location: Meta campuses serving students from East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City, California
Eligibility:
- High school sophomores during the 2024-2025 school year
- Must reside in the specified locations listed above
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025 (transcripts and recommendation forms also due by this date)
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25, 2025 (30 hours per week for six weeks)
Stipend: Provided
The Meta Summer Academy offers high school sophomores the chance to explore careers in technology and the inner workings of a social media company. Over six weeks, you will develop coding skills, engage in career-building workshops, and refine your soft skills. The program helps you with early career exploration and skills development, equipping you with the tools that could help you navigate the tech industry.
10. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program
Subject Areas: STEM fields (Physics, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science) and non-STEM fields (Business, Operations Support)
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Eligibility:
- High school seniors and rising seniors enrolled in New Mexico high schools
- Must be at least 16 years old
Application Deadline: Varies based on individual internship opportunities (check the LANL careers website)
Program Dates: Typically runs during summer; specific dates depend on internship availability
Stipend: Provided
The LANL High School Internship Program provides hands-on research and professional experiences for high school students interested in STEM and other fields. You can expect to collaborate with expert mentors, contributing to projects in advanced manufacturing, environmental science, computational mmodeling, and nuclear safety. You will develop technical and professional skills while exploring career pathways in a dynamic national laboratory setting.
11. HighTech Bound
Subject Areas: Networking Technologies, Software Development, Hardware Engineering, Problem Solving in Emerging Tech
Location: University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (IOL), Durham, NH
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (students completing their junior year by summer 2025); open to U.S. residents
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7, 2025 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Stipend: Provided
The HighTech Bound Program offers high school students a hands-on, mentor-driven experience in technology fields. If you attend, you will work collaboratively on real-world projects involving networking technologies, software tools, and hardware used by companies like Cisco and Dell. You will develop technical skills in programming, embedded systems, and hardware testing while learning to solve practical engineering challenges. The program also includes opportunities to visit local tech companies, giving you an insight into potential career paths.
12. MIT Think Scholars Program
Subject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Green Technologies, Software Applications, and more
Location: Remote (with potential in-person experience at MIT’s campus in Cambridge, MA)
Eligibility: High school students (international students are welcome to apply)
Application Deadline: January 1, 2025
Program Dates:
- Mentorship begins February 2025
- Projects will be completed by June 2025
Stipend: Finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding for their projects and an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT (if conditions allow)
The MIT THINK Scholars Program supports high school students in turning their STEM project ideas into reality. If you make it as a finalist, you will receive weekly mentorship from MIT students, access to technical guidance, and project funding. Additionally, as a finalist, you can visit MIT to tour labs, present your projects to faculty and students, and engage with their peers and mentors.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing.
Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here!
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