If you’re a high school student looking to work on research along with your regular academic commitments, consider applying to a research opportunity that takes place during the school year, and not just the summer.
Doing research during the school year gives you time to explore a subject in depth without the time pressure of a summer-only program. These opportunities typically take place over several months, allowing you to build skills gradually and work closely with a mentor or research team. You might improve your writing, learn how to analyze data, and get a better understanding of how research is done in real academic settings.
Below is a list of 13 research opportunities you can pursue during the school year—not during the summer. These programs cover a range of fields, including STEM and the social sciences.
1. MIT PRIMES USA
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Application Deadline: November 18
Program Dates: January 1 – December 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores living outside Greater Boston are eligible to apply
PRIMES-USA is a competitive, year-long remote research program for U.S.-based high school sophomores and juniors. Participants collaborate with MIT researchers on original projects in fields like pure math, theoretical computer science, or computational biology. The program emphasizes independent research, close mentorship, and academic rigor, with opportunities to co-author papers and present findings in scholarly settings.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,990 (financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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.
4. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None; students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: May 10
Program Dates: September – May
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS)
Harvard’s SRMP is a year-long astrophysics research program for students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, conducted in collaboration with the Harvard College Observatory and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Participants work one-on-one with researchers on independent projects and develop skills in coding, data analysis, and scientific writing.
The program includes monthly mentorship sessions and concludes with a symposium where students present their findings. Only 10–16 students are selected annually, and participants receive a stipend from the City of Cambridge.
5. Jackson Lab Academic Year Fellowships
Location: Bar Harbor, ME or Farmington, CT
Cost: None
Application Deadline: July 7 (Bar Harbor, ME) | September 15 (Farmington, CT)
Program Dates: Typically Fall – Spring (specific dates to be announced)
Eligibility: High school students aged at least 16 years and enrolled as a junior or senior in good standing at a high school within commuting distance of the Jackson Laboratory campus in either Farmington, CT, or Bar Harbor, ME
The Jackson Laboratory offers research internships for high school students in biomedical science, with options for in-person, hybrid, or remote formats. Interns are placed in active JAX research groups at the Maine or Connecticut campuses, where they gain technical skills and collaborate on independent research projects. The program emphasizes lab proficiency alongside essential soft skills, such as time management, teamwork, and scientific communication. Mentorship is offered by faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and research staff.
6. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Application Deadline: January 1
Program Dates: February – June
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores living outside Greater Boston are eligible to apply
The MIT THINK Scholars Program supports high school students with well-researched STEM project proposals that are in early development stages. Finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding and weekly mentorship from MIT students and faculty to advance their projects.
The program is structured to help students move from idea to execution, offering technical guidance and project feedback. Finalists also participate in a four-day visit to MIT, presenting their work and engaging with labs and mentors on campus.
7. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Students will receive a stipend
Application Deadline: April 5 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school – check if your school qualifies here;
The Careers in Science (CiS) program is a paid, multi-year internship for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Hosted by the California Academy of Sciences, it offers training in scientific research, fieldwork, and science communication. Interns collaborate with scientists and educators, participate in workshops, and complete either a research or environmental action project. The program also includes academic support, including college prep and mentoring.
8. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Ranges between $2,000 and $3,000.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis till the slots are filled
Program Dates: The program typically runs between January and March
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15, in grades 9-12, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
UC San Diego’s Academic Connections Research Scholars program allows high school students to explore research across disciplines such as bioengineering, marine science, life sciences, and medicine. In the Life Sciences track, students are introduced to molecular biology concepts and lab methods, conducting fieldwork and designing experiments based on original hypotheses.
The program emphasizes data collection, analysis, and synthesis of research findings. Students conclude the experience by presenting their work in a poster session attended by academic and industry professionals.
9. New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost: Free; with a $700 stipend awarded upon completion.
Application Deadline: Academic year internship applications open in early June.
Program Dates: The internship is offered twice a year: during the academic year (October 23 – June 11) and in the summer (early July to mid-August).
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 who live and attend school in the New York City metro area, including NYC’s five boroughs, and parts of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
The Student Historian Internship at the New-York Historical Society provides high school students with structured training in historical research, writing, and digital content development. Interns work with museum and library staff, gaining exposure to public history, archives, and digital humanities.
The program centers on an annual theme — currently “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America” — and includes independent and group research projects. Participants also sharpen communication and collaboration skills through peer work. Offered during both the academic year and summer, the program selects around 25 students per cycle.
10. University of Maryland – MRC Pathways Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: Two weeks before the start of the desired term (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
Program Dates: Varies by term; typically aligns with the University of Maryland’s academic calendar
Eligibility: High school students
The Maryland Robotics Center Pathways Program provides paid research internships for high school students interested in robotics. Interns work on active research projects with faculty mentors, gaining exposure to robotics systems, basic programming, and lab protocols. The program emphasizes skill development in both technical areas and workplace practices. Participants also visit university labs and industry sites to better understand robotics applications and career paths.
11. Internships at Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Livermore, CA | Albuquerque, NM | other Sandia sites.
Cost/Stipend: Students will receive a stipend commensurate with the work they put in, which will vary with the internship role.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; internship openings are continuously updated.
Program Dates:
- Year-round, if you choose that program option. For the Co-op internships, you can select your internship period in coordination with Sandia and your school.
- Summer Interns – 40 hours per week | Year-round Interns – 25 hours per week
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university, or high school, and are U.S. citizens can apply. Those applying must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for R&D, technical, or business roles.
Sandia National Laboratories offers high school students the opportunity to apply for technical and R&D internships tied to national security, energy, and computing. These internships are structured around hands-on project work with experienced scientists and engineers and may focus on areas like cybersecurity, engineering, and software.
Students are mentored by managers who help define project scope and timelines. The lab offers year-round internships for local students (part-time during school and full-time in breaks) and co-op roles tied to school calendars. These positions provide exposure to high-level research environments and national-scale technical work.
12. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various locations across the US or virtual
Cost: None; some internships are paid
Application Deadline: Varies from internship to internship. Spring programs typically have an August deadline, summer internships have an October deadline, and fall internships come with a January deadline.
Program Dates:
- Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
- Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May)
- Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August)
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students research-focused internships across areas like space science, engineering, aeronautics, and technology. Interns contribute to active NASA projects under the supervision of agency mentors, with opportunities that may include data analysis from missions, experimental design, or systems development. In addition to technical tasks, students gain exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration and professional development. Positions are available across multiple NASA centers and span both scientific and operational domains.
13. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
Location: ASDRP office, Fremont, CA
Cost: $1,070 | Several partial and full scholarships are available for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Application Deadline: Autumn: August 15 | Spring: December 30
Program Dates: 8 weeks | Spring and Autumn cohorts
Eligibility: High school students in 9th to 12th grades from the Bay Area, California, and around the world. Underrepresented students in STEM and socioeconomically disadvantaged students are encouraged to apply.
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program is a non-profit initiative that connects high school students with research mentors in STEM fields. Participants are placed in research groups led by faculty in areas such as data science, machine learning, quantum mechanics, and electrical and mechanical engineering.
Students conduct independent research, write formal papers, and present findings through poster sessions. The program also includes mock peer reviews and publication opportunities in both internal and external journals.
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