If you’re interested in gaining early exposure to academic research, paid research mentorship programs for high school students can be a practical starting point. These programs place you in active research environments, where you work under the guidance of professors, principal investigators, or graduate researchers on clearly defined projects.
Why should you participate in paid research programs?
Participating in paid research mentorship programs for high school students allows you to develop advanced skills beyond standard coursework. Depending on the program, you may learn how to review academic literature, design experiments, analyze data, or document findings using field-specific tools and methods. This kind of hands-on experience also helps you understand how research actually functions through iteration, collaboration, and long timelines rather than short-term assignments.
Apart from technical skill development, paid research mentorship programs for high school students can help you assess whether research-intensive paths in STEM, medicine, or the social sciences align with your academic interests. They can also strengthen future college applications by demonstrating sustained engagement with research.
If you’re interested in related opportunities, you can also explore other structured research pathways, such as online research mentorship programs for high school students here or free research mentorship options here.
Below is a curated list of 12 paid research mentorship programs for high school students that offer structured mentorship and hands-on research experience.
12 Paid Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend | A limited number of need-based stipends available
Program Dates: June 8–July 30
Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors | Must be 16+ | Must live in and attend high school in the U.S. | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
This eight-week research program immerses you in a medically oriented lab environment where you’ll work alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate trainees. The curriculum introduces you to core biomedical research techniques, including molecular assays, cell culture, and data-driven analysis, used in translational science. You gain experience in interpreting experimental results, discussing methodological choices with mentors, and understanding how clinical questions are translated into testable hypotheses. The structure emphasizes inquiry, documentation, and iterative problem-solving: core skills for STEM and pre-medical pathways. By engaging with an active research group each day, you develop familiarity with scientific workflows, lab communication norms, and the broader ecosystem of biomedical investigation.
2. National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Multiple NIH campuses (main campus in Bethesda, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided | Amount varies by education level | $2,530 (before high school graduation) or $2,840 (after high school graduation) paid monthly
Program Dates: Varies as per program
Deadline: February 18 (application opens December 8)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents | High school seniors (must have graduated before start) and college/graduate students | Must be 18 by September 30 or must be 17 by June 1 with your permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus
SIP places you full-time in an NIH Intramural Research Program lab, where you work under the guidance of a Principal Investigator on projects in biomedical, behavioral, or social science research. You’ll gain exposure to wet-lab techniques, computational tools, and clinical or translational workflows while contributing to active investigations. The program also integrates professional development workshops, STEM career seminars, and a well-being curriculum. Interns present their work during NIH Summer Poster Day, building experience in scientific communication and data presentation. This structure is designed to help you develop technical proficiency and confidence working in research settings.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Hourly stipend for in-person participants | $500 scholarship for virtual participants
Program Dates: In-person: 8 weeks | Typically June–August
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | In-person applicants must reside in Baltimore City, MD | Students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply
JHIBS engages you in neuroscience research under the direct mentorship of faculty and lab personnel. Selected participants work with biomedical research professionals to explore the scientific method, gain insights into responsible research practices, and learn essential laboratory techniques. The in-person program offers one-on-one mentorship, educational resources, scientific seminars, and career guidance, all while you work on a research project over an eight-week period. The program emphasizes hands-on skill development, exposure to neuroscience research, and engagement with professional scientists.
4. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Remote or at sponsor’s business locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate | Up to $500 stipend provided for selected projects (stipend availability and amount depend on mentor/project)
Program Dates: June–August (varies by placement | typically 6–12 weeks)
Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students (juniors and seniors) with an interest in STEM, business, medicine, law, psychology, or related fields
SPARK connects high school students to summer internships across diverse industries. You’ll work on real-world projects in areas including computer science, software development, business analysis, medicine, psychology, law, and engineering. Selected interns gain hands-on experience by completing research, technical tasks, coding, data analysis, UX testing, or creative production, depending on the sponsor project. You’ll also learn skills in workplace collaboration, project management, and professional communication. Internships range from remote to in-person, lasting 6–12 weeks with flexible hours. The program emphasizes skill-building, mentorship, and career exploration, providing a practical introduction to professional environments and preparing students for future academic and technical pursuits.
5. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook, NY (residential or commuter options available)
Cost/Stipend: Residential program costs estimated at $2,450; stipend awarded at program conclusion
Program Dates: June 29–August 7
Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors (11th grade) | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Must be 16 or above by program start
The Simons Summer Research Program places you in a research group under a Stony Brook University faculty mentor, where you contribute directly to ongoing science, math, or engineering projects. You will learn advanced lab techniques, critical thinking, and research methodology while attending weekly faculty talks, workshops, and special events. At the program’s conclusion, you’ll present a research abstract and poster and receive a stipend. The program cultivates independence, creativity, and professional scientific skills, preparing you for future academic research and STEM-focused careers in medicine, engineering, and technology.
6. University of Illinois Young Scholars Summer STEM Research Program
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: No program fee; housing, meals, and a monetary award provided
Program Dates: June 20–August 1 (Online orientation: May 29 or June 11–12 | In-person orientation: June 17–18)
Deadline: Applications will open in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program immerses you in six weeks of hands-on STEMM research at UIUC. You’ll be matched with a research team, often paired with another student and occasionally a teacher, and gain practical experience in areas like cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. You’ll develop professional and college-ready skills through weekly seminars on scientific communication, research poster preparation, and college admissions. This program emphasizes mentorship, peer collaboration, and confidence-building, providing the opportunity to showcase your research at a final symposium while learning advanced experimental methods, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary problem-solving applicable to future STEM careers.
7. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is provided | The exact amount is not specified | Free ORCA card for commuting
Program Dates: June 22–August 14
Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising seniors | Must be 16+ by program start | Must reside in the Greater Seattle area | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SHIP places you in an intensive eight-week biomedical research environment designed to give first-time researchers authentic exposure to laboratory science. You’ll begin with two weeks of structured lab skills training, covering safety, pipetting, instrumentation basics, sterile technique, and experimental workflow navigation. You’ll then join a Fred Hutch research group, where you execute mentored projects, troubleshoot protocols, analyze experimental data, and participate in scientific seminars. Professional development workshops build your understanding of research careers, college pathways, and STEM communication. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with peers, engage with scientists across disciplines, and prepare a final research presentation delivered to the Fred Hutch community. This structure helps you develop practical lab competency, confidence in reading scientific literature, and the ability to describe your work with clarity and precision.
8. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $4,500 for the 10-week program is paid
Program Dates: June 1–August 7
Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students | Must be 16+ before June 1 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This 10-week research academy immerses you in a full laboratory environment, where you’ll design and execute an independent project under the guidance of City of Hope faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. You’ll participate in weekly seminars covering molecular biology, neural stem cells, plant signaling, and research career pathways, alongside training in experimental design, data interpretation, and presentation structure. Throughout the program, you’ll present progress updates, engage in peer seminars, and attend distinguished guest lectures. You’ll also prepare a professional research poster for a culminating symposium, developing communication skills central to academic science. With structured mentorship, exposure to diverse labs, and a collaborative student community, you gain firsthand experience in biomedical research and the discipline required to contribute meaningful scientific findings.
9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $1,200 is paid
Program Dates: June 29–August 21
Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors | Must be 14 or older | Must reside within 25 miles of MSK Main Campus | Must have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects
In this program, you’ll spend eight weeks in a biomedical or computational research lab, conducting a self-directed project under a dedicated mentor. Your work will support the Principal Investigator’s objectives while developing technical skills and participating in lab meetings. The program offers professional and personal development sessions, exposing you to translational medicine, clinical departments, and MSK research culture. Research areas include cancer biology, immunology, structural biology, pharmacology, computational biology, and engineering. This full-time program emphasizes hands-on experience, scientific reasoning, and communication skills, preparing you for potential careers in biomedical research.
10. Harlem Children Society (HCS) Research Internships
Location: Research institutions across the U.S. (partnered labs)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend for participation (varies by placement)
Program Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks in summer | Some placements continue into the academic year
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) | Priority for students from under-resourced or under-represented communities
Harlem Children Society facilitates paid research placements for high school students from under-resourced communities in academic labs at institutions such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Columbia University. You’ll be matched with a scientific mentor and participate in hands-on research that includes lab techniques, data collection, and scientific inquiry. The program also offers seminars and training that support your understanding of research methods and ethics. In many cases, research continues into the academic year through after-school involvement, allowing you to deepen skills in experimental design and scientific communication under sustained mentorship.
11. Wistar Institute High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Cost / Stipend: A stipend of $1,500 is paid upon successful completion
Program Dates: July 6–30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who have completed at least one high school science course | Priority given to students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia
The Wistar Institute High School Fellowship offers paid mentorship in biomedical research, where you’ll work directly in professional laboratories under faculty supervision. You’ll participate in active projects in areas such as immunology, molecular biology, and cancer research. Structured lab rotations provide instruction in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific documentation, accompanied by weekly mentor check-ins and lab meetings. You’ll also attend seminars covering research methodology, ethics, and emerging biomedical topics. This hands-on experience develops both technical and analytical skills, while the stipend acknowledges your contributions to ongoing research activities.
12. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME & The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
Cost / Stipend: A stipend of $7,000 is paid
Program Dates: May 30–August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors or graduating seniors who are 18 years or older | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) immerses high school students interested in genetics and genomics in a collaborative research environment. Under the guidance of experienced scientific mentors, you’ll implement a project aligned with the lab’s work, gaining increasing autonomy throughout the 10-week program. Structured training covers genetic testing, data visualization, scientific communication, and peer review, while weekly Journal Club meetings and informal discussions expose you to diverse scientific careers. You’ll present your research to JAX faculty, peers, and family, building presentation and analytical skills. SSP also emphasizes co-curricular development, responsible research conduct, and engagement in a supportive, nationwide scientific community.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
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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