If you’re a high school student in Alaska interested in research, joining a specialized program can help you explore industry trends, build your skills, delve into your areas of interest, and gain insight into the research process under professional guidance.
Universities and research centers across Alaska provide programs addressing real-world challenges in fields such as ecology, medicine, anthropology, engineering, earth science, native studies, and more. These opportunities can support your preparation for higher education and potential future careers while demonstrating your ability to work with advanced material and your dedication to your field of interest.
Here is a list of 10 research programs for high school students in Alaska.
1. University of Alaska Anchorage’s Della Keats Program
Subject Areas: Biomedical Research, Job Shadowing, Healthcare Careers, and Medicine
Location: University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Anchorage, AK
Cost: This program is fully funded, covering travel, food, and accommodations.
Application Deadline: Early deadline: January 31/Standard deadline: February 21
Dates: July 6 – August 4
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (both incoming and current) can apply
The Della Keats Program is a 4-week residential program for high school students held on the UAA Anchorage campus. The program is administered by the UAA WWAMI School of Medical Education (Alaska WWAMI).
During the program, you will experience university life, complete health science coursework, engage in health-related research projects, and shadow at least four medical or healthcare professionals. The program offers intensive summer courses designed to increase college readiness and provide exposure to various healthcare careers.
2. UAF’s Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI)
Subject Areas: Process Technology, Library Science, Anthropology, Recreation, Chemistry, Basic Equipment & Truck Operation, Indigenous Cultures of Alaska, Research, and Preventive Maintenance
Location: UAF’s Troth Yeddha campus, Fairbanks, AK
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: May 27 – July 11
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are Alaska Native or rural Alaskan and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) program gives rural and Alaska Native students the opportunity to experience college life. For six weeks, you will live on UAF’s Troth Yeddha campus, take about 9 college credits, explore interior Alaska through outdoor activities, and volunteer in the Fairbanks community.
RAHI offers four tracks, and each track includes a recreation class and courses to support your academic and career interests. If you’re interested in research, you can choose the RAHI Research track, where you’ll work on science projects and take courses such as Writing, Indigenous Cultures of Alaska, Library Science, Intro to Research, Research Experience, or Anthropology.
3. Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL)—Alaska
Subject Areas: Research, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Leadership
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: $7,306 + a $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Priority Enrollment Deadline: March 31 | Final Deadline: May 9
Dates: July 6 – July 16
Eligibility: Students who will have completed grades 10 to 12 and are aged 16 to 18 by June 15
Based in Anchorage, Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) offers high school students the chance to learn Alaska’s history from an Alaska Native perspective, with visits to the Anchorage Museum, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and day trips to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Matanuska Glacier. During the program, you’ll identify a local issue you’re passionate about and, with support from instructors and peers, create an action plan to address it.
You’ll learn about Alaska Native history, cultural preservation, and Alaska’s ecosystems, including arctic, marine, and terrestrial environments. The program includes classroom lessons and fieldwork, where you’ll explore key research areas in Alaska and examine climate change’s effects on culture, economics, and the environment. You’ll receive a Course Performance Report and Digital Certificate of Completion after the program.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject Areas: Environmental Science, Oceanography, Physics, Astronomy, Government, Earth Science, Meteorology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics & Probability, and more.
Location: Opportunities are available at various lab locations across the country, including in Alaska
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. New participants receive a stipend of $4,000, while returning participants receive $4,500.
Application Deadline: November 1 (tentative, based on previous editions of the program)
Dates: The internship lasts eight weeks during the summer, with the option to extend for up to two more weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade, are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors can also participate. Students should check if their chosen lab has any additional requirements or exceptions.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides high school students with internships in STEM fields, where they work on real naval research projects under the guidance of Navy scientists and engineers. Over eight weeks, you will gain hands-on research experience in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories. SEAP offers about 300 internships at more than 38 labs across the country. Selection is based on academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests, with placements matching each student’s interests.
If you’re interested in research opportunities in Alaska, you can apply to work at Carderock’s Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC), where you will assist with evaluations to identify sources of radiated acoustic noise, assess vulnerability, and develop quieting measures.
5. Alaska Songbird Institute’s High School Internship Program
Subject Areas: Ecology, Nest Monitoring, Bird Banding, Recording And Managing Data, Research, Wildlife Conservation
Location: Creamer’s Field and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), Fairbanks, AK
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost; interns who volunteer at least 85 hours per season will receive a $500 stipend
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: May 13 – July 19 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
The Alaska Songbird Institute’s High School Internship Program offers high school students the chance to explore careers in research, wildlife, and conservation. You will receive training in basic field research skills such as bird banding, nest monitoring, and data management.
You will work with biologists, other interns, and volunteers on the Swallow Ecology Project, monitoring up to 70 active Tree Swallow nests from egg laying to chick-fledging. Your tasks will include checking nest boxes, recording data, assisting with bird capture and banding, and taking measurements. As an intern, you will be expected to volunteer 8-10 hours per week. Morning shifts (2-3 hours) will be at Creamer’s Field, and afternoon shifts (2-3 hours) will take place at UAF.
6. Alaska Tides to Tongass Science and Arts Academy (ATTSAA)
Subject Areas: Marine Ecology, Research, Alaska Fisheries, Biology, Northwest Coast Traditional Art Forms, Creative Writing, and more.
Location: Port Alexander, AK, and Sitka, AK
Cost: A fee of $850 covers airfare from Sitka, Alaska, housing, meals, and all program costs. Needs-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: April 21
Dates: August 29 – November 10
Eligibility: U.S. students (public or home-schooled) who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the upcoming school year
The Alaska Tides to Tongass Science and Arts Academy is a 10-week program for high school students in Port Alexander, Alaska, focusing on temperate rainforest and ocean ecosystems. You’ll study local species, their habitats, and human impact while practicing scientific thinking in the field. You will live with host families and engage in community events, service projects, and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and foraging.
You’ll follow a curriculum that includes core subjects, Outdoor P.E./Survival, and Art, with frequent field learning. Guest lecturers provide lessons on topics like marine ecology, wilderness survival, and Alaska fisheries. At the end of the program, you will attend a 3-day symposium at Sitka WhaleFest, where marine scientists present research-focused lectures. You will also earn dual high school and college biology credits. Six to ten students are selected each year.
7. UAA Summer Engineering Academies
Subject Areas: Arduino Robotics, Text-Based Coding, Engineering, 3D Design & Printing, Microsoft Minecraft Coding, Robotics
Location: University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Anchorage, AK
Cost:
- Each week-long camp costs $225 per participant, which covers instruction, lunch, and materials.
- Tuition waivers are available for low-income families.
Application Deadline: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis (tentative dates, based on the previous year’s program)
- Early Bird Admission Lottery Deadline: March 15,
- Admission Lottery Deadline: April 26,
Dates: Multiple one-week camps are available between June and August
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3 to 12
The UAA Summer Engineering Academies are week-long, hands-on day camps for students entering grades 3 through 12. These camps aim to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and support historically underserved and underrepresented students. The academies are organized into one-week sessions for elementary, middle, and high school students, with each session focusing on a different topic, such as robotics, coding, 3D computer modeling, computer programming, and engineering fundamentals.
Each session will be led by faculty and staff from the College of Engineering, with engineering students serving as assistant instructors. With a student-to-staff ratio of approximately 7:1, you will receive individual attention and small-group support. In previous years, participants have learned structural engineering by using 3D computer analysis to design structures, programmed in Python or block-based languages within the Minecraft universe, and used FIRST-based TETRIX robotics kits to design, build, and program robots to complete tasks. You can view descriptions of past academies here.
8. University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF) Upward Bound/T3 Alaska Summer Program
Subject Areas: Arts, Engineering, Science, Technology, and Mathematics
Location: UAF College of Engineering & Mines, Fairbanks, AK
Cost/Stipend: The program is free for all students at participating schools. Advanced students can apply for a work-study stipend.
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: The program offers an introductory and advanced session (tentative dates, based on the previous year’s program)
- Introduction to T3 Experience: June 2 – June 29
- Advanced T3 Community Engagement: July 7 – July 24
Eligibility:
- Introduction to T3 Experience: For students who have completed grades 8-10 and are new to the Upward Bound and T3 Alaska programs
- Advanced T3 Community Engagement: For students who have completed grades 10-12 or returning summer program students who want to continue their learning
The Upward Bound (UB) Summer Program offers high school students at participating schools the chance to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) careers and prepare for post-secondary education. The program includes two sessions—an introductory session and an advanced session:
- The first session, Introduction to T3 Experience, features three strands focused on earth monitoring sensors, drones, and Makerspace equipment.
- The second session, Advanced T3 Community Engagement, will allow you to apply your knowledge to energy, climate, and oceanic issues.
You will visit locations like Fairbanks, Anchorage, Valdez, Cordova, Chena Hot Springs, and Kotzebue. You will also tour the UAF campus, develop technology skills and hands-on learning through off-campus field trips, engage in research, and collaborate with community partners. The UB Summer Program supports personal growth, teaches practical skills, and connects students with communities for future internship and career opportunities.
9. Alaska Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Subject Areas: STEM fields
Location: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Cost: There is no fee to register for or participate in a regional JSHS event
Application Deadline: January 10
Dates: February 21 – February 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12, enrolled in public, private, or home schools, are eligible to participate in their local Regional Symposium. For eligibility details, you can refer to the Rules of Competition.
Founded by the U.S. Army in 1958 and later joined by the Navy and Air Force, JSHS provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in original STEM research as preparation for potential future STEM careers. You can present your research at regional symposia, competing for scholarships and recognition. Through this experience, you will explore STEM research opportunities within the Defense Industrial Base and can contribute to national scientific progress.
At the symposia, you will present your work alongside peer researchers and professionals from the government, industry, and academia, earning recognition and awards for your achievements. You will also learn about the role of research in human affairs and the importance of ethical principles in its application. Students starting research projects for the regional JSHS competition can sign up for virtual mentoring through the Chronus platform, which is available year-round.
10. Juneau Icefield Research Program
Subject Areas: Earth Science—Ecology, Local Petrology, Geomatics, Climate Science, Geochemistry, Glaciology, and Tectonic History
Location: Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska and northern British Columbia
Cost: The total cost for the Expedition ranges from $12,000 to $14,000. For a detailed breakdown of the fees, you can check here.
Application Deadline: December 27
Dates: Early June – Early August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students at least 18 years old
The Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) is a summer course for high school students interested in glacier science and field skills. Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside research teams and receive mentorship from staff. Projects vary each year based on faculty and can cover topics like glaciology, climate, and ecology.
The academic curriculum covers undergraduate-level Polar sciences, focusing on glaciology, climate, and related topics. You will interact with faculty from around the world and attend lectures and workshops on subjects like Alaskan geology, remote sensing, and science communication. The field safety curriculum teaches backcountry skills, including packing, nutrition, and wilderness medicine, preparing you to work safely in alpine and polar environments. By the end of the program, you will have gained glacier science knowledge, improved fieldwork skills, and access to an alumni network, which can support graduate studies and potential careers in research, education, policy, or outdoor leadership.
11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject Areas: Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries, Water Quality Testing, Biology, Data Analysis
Location: The Hutton Program is available to students from all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. The program matches participants with internships within a 45-minute commute from their homes.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate in the program. Students receive a $3,000 stipend and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: The internship lasts 8 weeks, typically from June to late July or August. Exact dates are flexible and arranged between the mentor and the student.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, is an 8-week paid summer internship for high school students interested in exploring careers in fisheries and aquatic sciences. During the program, you will work with professional mentors to learn about conservation, habitat restoration, and fisheries biology while gaining hands-on experience. You’ll work 32 hours per week, with occasional 10-12 hour field days. You will have an initial meeting with your mentors to discuss your responsibilities and project scope.
Mentors are located nationwide, offering various internship opportunities. Depending on the location, you may work outdoors, on boats, in labs, or in offices. Tasks include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, water quality testing, data analysis, and outreach. Some internships may involve overnight or multi-day fieldwork. For more information about the program, you can refer to the full guide here.
12. ANSEP Acceleration Academy (Statewide Summer)
Subject Areas: Science, Engineering, Math, Writing, Alaska Native Studies
Location: University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
Cost: All ANSEP opportunities are free for students and their families. The program covers all costs related to attending Acceleration Academy, including tuition, fees, class materials, housing, meals, and transportation (if applicable).
Application Deadline:
- Priority deadline: February 7
- Final deadline: April 4
Dates: May 24 – June 27
Eligibility: Current 8th to 11th-grade students from across the state may apply.
The Acceleration Academy (Statewide Summer) is a 5-week program held during the summer for students across Alaska. While living on the UAA campus, you will take one or two college courses in subjects such as math, science, engineering, Alaska Native studies, or writing. You can participate in multiple sessions throughout high school.
The program includes hands-on STEM activities, team-building, social events, field trips, and mentoring by Alaska Natives and other professionals. You will earn college credits, explore career options, network with professionals, attend study sessions, and have access to scholarships. Math course placement is based on your ALEKS score or prior completion of a UAA math course. A minimum score of 30 is required for eligibility. Optional courses in Alaska Native Perspectives (AKNS 201) or Introduction to Engineering (ENGR 151) may also be available.
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!
Image source – University of Alaska Anchorage
