Are you interested in carrying out research in a STEM subject in an accessible format? If so, consider an online STEM summer research program.
What are online STEM summer research programs for high school students?
Online STEM research programs provide high school students with hands-on experience in advanced topics while building research and problem-solving skills. These programs offer the opportunity to explore complex subjects, apply scientific methods, and work on real-world challenges—experiences typically reserved for college-level study.
Participating in these programs allows you to deepen your understanding of a specific STEM field, enhance data analysis skills, and develop critical thinking abilities. Many of the research programs below are fully funded, making them even more accessible!
Here are 15 online STEM summer research programs for high school students:
1. RSI (Research Science Institute)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: June-August 2025 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors with a strong academic background.
Co-sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education and MIT, this program combines professional development, scientific coursework, and on-campus research. You will engage in research in fields like quantum physics, computational biology, and engineering design, working closely with expert mentors.
After a week of STEM lectures and problem-solving workshops, you will undertake a five-week research internship, tackling complex scientific problems. You will be using field-specific programs and tools like MATLAB for simulations and Python for data modeling. The program concludes with a formal symposium and a written research report. RSI admits only top students with demonstrated research and inquiry skills.
2. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: Applications for each year’s cohort tentatively open in May of that year.
Program Dates: September — May
Eligibility: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student.
This highly selective program (<5% acceptance rate) offers high school students a free, virtual research experience in astrophysics with Harvard and Smithsonian CfA experts. Each year, 10–16 students work in teams of 5–8, contributing to real research projects.
The program includes virtual and in-person workshops, lectures, and a final research symposium, though a fully virtual option with online mentorship is available. You will present your findings in a poster session, gaining experience in public speaking and research communication. This hands-on experience and mentorship help build essential skills and strengthen college applications.
3. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid is available
Application Date: Feb 16 (spring cohort)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in summer, spring, fall, and winter
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 in fields like data science, machine learning, biology, chemistry, psychology, and more. You’ll have the option to work on either quantitative or qualitative research projects, giving you the flexibility to explore topics in STEM, social sciences, or the humanities.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation and feedback on your project, which can be useful for your college applications. For eligible students, full financial aid is available to help make the program more accessible. You can apply here.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp, where you are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
5. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: July 7 — 25
Eligibility: Female and gender minority students in grades 9–11 worldwide can apply. Preference is given to first-generation students, those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics, and rising seniors.
SPINWIP is a three-week virtual summer program designed to encourage high school students, especially girls and gender minorities to explore physics. It covers advanced topics like quantum physics and astrophysics while introducing Python coding—no prior experience is required.
The program includes online lectures, group projects, and workshops on college planning and career development. You will receive mentorship from Stanford students and professors, gaining guidance and support. SPINWIP aims to build skills and confidence for future success in physics. Each year, 8–10 students are selected per counselor.
6. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available (program costs $850 + $50 application fee)
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering grades 9–12 (ages 14+), with preference for those with experience in math, programming, or healthcare.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a competitive two-week virtual internship for high school students exploring AI in healthcare. The program includes lectures, mentorship, and research projects, providing hands-on experience in applying AI to medical challenges.
You will work on technical tasks, learn research methods, and work on developing problem-solving and communication skills. Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions feature guest speakers and industry professionals. While the acceptance rate is unspecified, about 50 students are selected annually.
7. University of Maryland MathQuantum Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: 2 weeks, July — August
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in mathematics, computer science, physics, and/or quantum science.
The University of Maryland’s MathQuantum Fellowships offer high school students a two-week online program in quantum information science (QIS). Open to beginners and those with prior knowledge, the program strengthens mathematical skills through lectures, seminars, activities, and a mini-project.
You will receive mentorship from professionals and explore research at the intersection of math and QIS. If you are selected, you may also attend the Quantum Computing Summer Camp for free. While the acceptance rate is unspecified, about 10 students are chosen annually.
8. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July — August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors nationwide can apply to the five-week virtual program.
The JHIBS five-week virtual research program provides high school students from underrepresented communities a free opportunity to explore neurological sciences. Each year, only 5–6 students are selected.
You will work on research projects under the guidance of neuroscientists, gaining hands-on experience in research and data analysis. The program includes scientific seminars, mentorship, and personal development sessions. You will present your findings through oral or poster presentations, enhancing communication skills while contributing to neuroscience research.
9. MIT THINK Scholars
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 1
Program Dates: Finalists are announced in February, and projects are completed by June.
Eligibility: All high school students.
The MIT THINK Scholars program supports high school students with a research proposal in science, technology, or engineering. Finalists receive weekly mentoring, technical assistance, and up to $1,000 in funding to develop their projects. The program includes a four-day visit to MIT’s campus in Cambridge, MA, with a virtual option available.
You will gain experience in research design, project management, and technical communication while working closely with experts. You will also present your projects and engage with professionals. With an acceptance rate below 6%, selection is highly competitive.
10. Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA — Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: June 16 — July 24
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors, especially those from underrepresented communities, with an interest in neuroscience.
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program allows high school juniors and seniors to explore neuroscience, focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). You can choose a six-week in-person summer session or a virtual option.
The virtual program includes neuroscience seminars, guidance on starting an Alzheimer’s Awareness Club, and engagement with faculty. You may also have opportunities to contribute to research projects, gaining practical experience.
11. Rosetta Institute’s Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: Virtual
Cost: Ranges between $430 – $1050 depending on the workshop.
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks between June– August
Eligibility: High school students interested in biomedical science
Molecular medicine workshops at the Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research cover immunology, neuroscience, and cancer research. Virtual labs and simulations teach molecular pathways, protein synthesis, and gene expression.
The Medicinal Bioinformatics course focuses on analyzing large biomedical datasets, and developing skills for future research. In Medicinal Chemistry, you will explore drug design, resistance, and safety.
12. Stanford University Math Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online
Cost: $3,580
Application Deadline: March 1.
Program Dates: June 16 – July 4 & July 7 – 25
Eligibility: High school students.
This program offers high school students the chance to explore advanced mathematical concepts beyond the standard curriculum. It covers number theory and abstract algebra, emphasizing problem-solving and proof-based learning.
You will collaborate with peers worldwide through daily lectures, interactive problem sessions, and research projects. The focus on mathematical theory and reasoning provides a strong foundation for college-level math. You will also gain hands-on experience with symbolic computation software like Mathematica.
13. Stanford AI4All
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4000
Application Deadline: January 24
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: All high school students.
Stanford AI4All is a three-week summer program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence (AI) and its real-world applications, with a focus on underrepresented groups in tech. You will explore AI concepts like computer vision, neural networks, machine learning, and natural language processing.
You will develop AI models, work on social and environmental projects, and gain hands-on coding experience with Python and TensorFlow. The program includes guest lectures, ethical discussions, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. AI4All provides a strong foundation in AI while encouraging critical thinking about its ethical and societal impact.
14. GirlsWhoCode’s Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: Applications open in mid-January, with an early acceptance deadline in mid-February and a general deadline in late March.
Program Dates: The program lasts two weeks, typically in July, but exact dates may vary.
Eligibility: Open to all female and non-binary high school students.
Girls Who Code offers free summer programs to help close the gender gap in tech through hands-on experience and networking. Options include a two-week immersion program for beginners and intermediate learners, covering computer science fundamentals, the iterative design process, and basic UX design, along with industry exposure.
The six-week self-paced program offers web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) or intermediate Python with applications in cybersecurity or data science. Nearly half of the participants come from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, LatinX, and low-income students who identify as girls, women, or non-binary.
Image source – GirlsWhoCode
