If you’re looking to build research experience during the academic year, online winter research opportunities for high school students can be a great option. They are typically shorter than summer programs but offer a chance to develop advanced research skills, engage in real-world projects, and explore topics in-depth, all from the comfort of your home. They’re more accessible and flexible, allowing you to balance schoolwork while gaining hands-on academic exposure.
You will learn to formulate research questions, conduct literature reviews, design experiments and studies, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings. You may also become proficient in specific software tools and techniques used by professionals—Python and statistical tools in a data science project or bioinformatics software in a computational biology project. You will develop skills such as academic writing, collaboration, analytical thinking, and problem-solving while learning to prepare research proposals, progress reports, and research papers.
Whether you’re interested in STEM, social sciences, or interdisciplinary fields, online winter research opportunities for high school students can help you understand your academic interests, learn from experts, and strengthen your future college applications.
We’ve compiled a list of 14 online winter research opportunities for high school students that offer valuable experience without needing to travel or commit to a full summer schedule.
1. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Online
Cost | Stipend: NA | Students will receive a stipend based on the opportunity
Application Deadline: Rolling, see the application portal for open opportunities
Program Dates: APA offers year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter) internships. The exact dates will depend on the internship
Eligibility: High school students | Other requirements vary based on the internship
APA’s internship program offers high school students the chance to explore real-world applications of psychology in areas like policy, research, publishing, communications, and education. As an intern, you will take on tasks such as research, writing, web projects, and administrative support, all while being guided by professional mentors. You get the chance to learn theoretical knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios to better understand professional psychology environments. The program helps you develop skills such as communication, research analysis, and organizational behavior, build your network, and better understand workplace dynamics in psychology-related fields. You will also participate in workshops, discussions, and group projects that enhance their overall learning experience.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Online
Cost | Stipend: $5,950 (Financial aid available) | None
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
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 and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $2,990 (Financial aid available) | None
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 offers high school students a 12-week, 1-on-1 research experience with Ph.D. mentors. Students develop independent research papers in subjects like psychology, physics, economics, computer science, and more. The program is designed to help students dive deep into academic fields while gaining valuable mentorship and research skills. It’s a flexible and rigorous opportunity for students eager to explore their academic interests at a higher level. By the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper and gained experience in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing. More details about the application are here!
4. OHSU School of Medicine’s Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: December 8
Program Dates: January 22 – May 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | Should be at least 16 years old
The PSI program is a 16-week course for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Oregon and the Portland metro area interested in medicine or biomedical research. You will attend weekly sessions, learn about existing OHSU research projects, and gain firsthand knowledge of research methods. You will be guided by a mentor in the program and develop a research proposal. Those who complete the course may be offered a summer internship in a research or clinical setting. The program emphasizes supporting students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, having parents without graduate-level education, and those from low socioeconomic status.
5. Burke Neurological Institute’s Introduction to Neuroscience Course
Location: Online
Cost | Stipend: $500 | None
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: February 4 – March 27
Eligibility: All high school students who have successfully completed the NYS Regents Living Environment or equivalent Biology class
This online course is designed for high school students interested in understanding the mammalian nervous system. Held twice weekly in the evenings, it covers topics like neural structure, sensory processing, movement, memory, and learning related to the mammalian nervous system. It also covers understanding of events following a stroke, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and ways in which the nervous system can be repaired. You will engage in lectures, discussions, and virtual labs using advanced equipment and also be part of collaborative activities, thus gaining insight into current developments in neuroscience research. This program may help you land research opportunities at either Burke Neurological Institute or other similar institutions.
6. Cornell Precollege Program (Winter session)
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $1,840 per credit (Financial aid available) | None
Application Deadline: December 2
Program Dates: January 2 – 18
Eligibility: All high school students
Cornell’s Winter pre-college online program offers high school students the chance to earn 3 to 12 college credits through rigorous online courses in fields like biomedicine, economics, ethics, and more. Taught by Cornell faculty, the courses mirror actual undergraduate classes and challenge you to think critically, write analytically, and engage deeply with complex topics. Some courses incorporate independent research projects or final papers, allowing students to explore specific interests more deeply. You will sharpen your college-level learning and research skills, receive one-on-one admissions counseling, and connect with a diverse group of motivated peers, all from home during the winter break.
7. Jackson Lab Academic Year Fellowships
Location: In-person (Maine and Connecticut campuses) | Hybrid | Fully remote
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Depend on the project. Opportunities are available from fall to spring. Eligibility: High school students enrolled as a junior or senior in good standing at a high school | At least 16 years old
The Jackson Laboratory’s Academic Year Fellowships offer high school students the chance to engage in cutting-edge biomedical research. As a fellow, you’ll join an active JAX research group and learn core lab techniques while contributing to ongoing projects. With guidance from experienced mentors, including faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, you’ll design and carry out an independent research project aligned with the lab’s focus. Throughout the program, you’ll conduct experimental design, data analysis, report results, participate in discussions, and become part of a supportive community of aspiring researchers. By the end of the program, you will develop skills such as problem-solving, scientific communication, time management, and teamwork.
8. UMBC’s Pre-College Program – Winter Session
Location: Online | Hybrid | In-person classes on campus
Cost | Stipend: Varies as per course | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: January 2 – 24
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
UMBC’s Winter Session offers high school students college courses in subjects like languages, statistics, psychology, mathematics, American culture, ancient studies, and biology. Some of the topics include Gender, Race, Media, Classical Mythology, American Sign Language, the Principle of Macroeconomics, Medical Terminology, Creating the Constitution, State and Local Politics, etc. UMBC offers flexibility with both synchronous and asynchronous online classes and some courses include research components, helping you build analytical and academic skills early on. You will also develop critical thinking, and time management and gain up to 4.5 transferable credits.
9. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment Program
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $914 for one credit hour + $100 online application fee (Financial aid available) | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: January 6 – March 13
Eligibility: High school student | At least 16 years of age
The SCAD Joint Enrollment Program allows high school students to earn college credits through fully virtual, university-level courses. You can take up to two subjects per quarter across areas such as writing, fashion, and design to academic fields such as business, economics, and math. While the program isn’t strictly research-focused, some liberal arts courses—like anthropology (ANTH 101), psychology (PSYC 101), visual culture (CTXT 121/122), and English literature (ENGL 123)—incorporate critical analysis, inquiry, and research-based assignments that help build foundational concepts and practical skills. You will earn a college credit and build a strong portfolio, enhancing your college applications.
10. MIT’s PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school junior or sophomore | US resident outside of the Greater Boston area
MIT’s PRIMES-USA is a highly selective remote research program focusing on math, computer science, and computational biology. You will be mentored either individually or in a group by MIT faculty, graduate students, or post-docs, where you will deep dive into advanced topics and real research problems. Open to students from across the country via its distance-mentoring format, the program has a structured four-phase research process of reading, active research, independent study, and write-up. You will gain advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and scientific communication skills, including writing a research paper and presenting its findings, leading to your college application receiving a boost.
11. Foreign Policy Research Institute – Research Internship
Location: Virtual | In-person at FPRI HQ, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid, but determined according to the intern’s financial need
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Check details here
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
This remote internship is ideal for high school students interested in international relations, national security, and foreign policy. You’ll support scholars researching regions like Eurasia, Asia, and the Middle East, conducting research, analyzing data, and contributing to policy reports. The program offers mentorship, skill-building, and potential publication opportunities. Strong writing and critical thinking are essential; some roles may also require language or data analysis skills. You will conduct policy research, be part of foreign policy seminars, and contribute to material for think tank publications. The program also provides access to FPRI’s events, offering exposure to experts in diplomacy, security studies, and global governance.
12. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: Virtual | In-person at several NASA centers and facilities
Cost | Stipend: NA | Paid based on academic level and session duration
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Check details here
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: U.S. citizens | A cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) | At least 16 years old at the time of application
There are four programs available under OSTEM – Pathways Internship, Fellowship, JPL Internship, and International Internship. These competitive internships offer high school students hands-on experience in STEM fields like robotics, aerospace engineering, and climate science. You’ll contribute to active research projects, analyze real mission data, and access cutting-edge NASA labs and technology. Internship tracks include roles such as Flight Software Development and Climate Resilience. The program also provides mentorship, technical training, and career development guidance, making it a strong early introduction to scientific research. The Pathways internship also acts as a pipeline for full-time employment upon graduation.
13. UC San Diego’s Research Scholars
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Varies depending on the program (Financial aid available) | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Year-round programs
Eligibility: High school students between grades 9-12
This program offers research opportunities in diverse topics such as bioengineering, life sciences, marine science, engineering in medicine, and business. You will learn from university-affiliated instructors and assume the role of a researcher while working on projects with real-world applications. The program emphasized hands-on activities such as using loaner lab kits, conducting experiments, preparing cell media samples, using microscopes, and collecting data. You will also use statistical tools such as R programming or bioinformatics tools to analyze data, build models, and run simulations. You will gain essential skills like literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You also receive pre-college units at the end of the program.
14. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round.
Program Dates: Not fixed. Quarter-time internships are available all year round.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors only | Have taken at least one honors science or honors English class | Minimum GPA of 3.25
The EnergyMag Research Internship is a remote opportunity for high school students interested in researching and analyzing renewable energy and energy storage. Offered in half-time (20 hrs/week) and quarter-time (8 hrs/week) formats, it allows flexibility across both summer and year-round sessions with hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting of a scientific or business issue. You will research technologies, companies, and markets, often culminating in a publishable report credited to your name. Mentors provide guidance throughout, helping students develop real-world skills in research, professional communication, and writing.
Image source – UC San Diego