If you plan to pursue an undergraduate degree or career in STEM, humanities, or any other field, it is important to build strong research skills early on. A high school research program, specifically a prestigious one, is your best bet! A typical high school research program goes beyond what’s usually taught in school, and you will learn how to ask better questions, read summarize existing work, analyze data, design your projects, and explain your findings clearly.
You also get to build specific skills like academic writing, critical thinking, and using research tools like coding or lab software. These programs help you gain real experience in a subject you’re interested in and understand how people in that field actually work.
To help you get started, here are 15 prestigious research opportunities for high school students! You can also check out our blog for prestigious summer research programs for high school students.
When we say prestigious, we mean programs that have a low acceptance rate (below 10%), are fully-funded, and backed by a prestigious organization.
14 Prestigious Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $40 (application fee). There are no tuition fees. Students receive a stipend of at least $500
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age. Students must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents as well as living and attending school in the U.S.
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program is an 8-week research internship for high school students interested in medicine and related fields. You will be placed in one of Stanford’s eight research institutes, which include immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, and bioinformatics.
You’ll spend most of your time working in a lab, learning research methods, and contributing to ongoing projects. You’ll also work closely with a mentor throughout the internship. At the end of the program, you will present your research in a formal poster session.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: 100% financial aid is available
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The regular admissions deadline for the Summer Cohort I is May 11
Eligibility: Must be in high school with a 3.3+ GPA; no prior knowledge required.
Lumiere, founded by PhDs from Harvard and Oxford, offers a selective research opportunity for high school students. You will work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper in your chosen field, whether social sciences, STEM, or humanities.
The program allows you to stay up-to-date with current research, build technical skills, and improve your proficiency regardless of your starting point. Lumiere’s personalized approach gives you the flexibility to dive deep into interdisciplinary research, making it an ideal environment for students who want to explore multiple areas of study. Apply here.
3. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Program dates: June 2 – August 18
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are residents of New York
NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program offers high school students a 10-week research opportunity. The first four weeks are focused on remote learning, followed by six weeks of hands-on lab work. You will explore specialized fields like Applied Dynamics and Optimization, Automation for Civil Engineering, and Chromatic Genomics.
This selective program admits only 75-80 students each year. During the lab phase, you will assist researchers on real-world projects, gaining experience with research techniques and conducting experiments. The program culminates in a colloquium where you will present your findings.
4. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $25 application fee. On completion of the program, you will receive a $750 stipend.
Program dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are US citizens or permanent residents and are at least 17 years of age
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective 7-week research opportunity for high school students, accepting only 12 participants each year with an acceptance rate under 3%. During the program, you will engage in intensive research through lectures, hands-on experiments, discussions, and field trips.
You will also be paired with a mentor for personalized guidance throughout the experience. Research areas include cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, history, and more.
5. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who meet the required test scores. International students can apply as well.
MIT, one of the largest and most prestigious institutions in the world, offers the Research Science Institute (RSI), a highly selective program for high school students interested in research. Each year, only 80 students are chosen to participate in this program.
RSI starts with a week of STEM classes, followed by four weeks of independent research in a lab setting. During the program, you’ll be mentored by an experienced scientist or researcher, guiding you through the entire research process, from developing your project to conducting experiments and presenting your findings.
6. Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free. Travel and lunch stipends are provided after the completion of the program.
Program dates: July 7 – August 8
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who attend a NYC public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
Columbia University’s HK Maker Lab is a free summer program offering high school students the chance to explore engineering design through a hands-on, project-based approach. The program is divided into two phases.
The first phase, SHAPE, lasts two weeks and allows you to dive into fields like robotics, biomedical engineering, machine learning, sustainable engineering, and data science. The second phase is another two-week period where you will develop digital media, such as an app or website, to address a global issue.
7. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Students will get $15/hour and transportation funds
Program dates: Generally begins towards the end of June and goes on for 8 weeks
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM who live in Baltimore City, Maryland.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science is an 8-week summer research program for high school students interested in neuroscience and psychology. This competitive program selects only 8 students to work with the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology.
Throughout the internship, you will engage in a research project under the guidance of faculty mentors, and at the end of the program, you will present your findings. The program also includes scientific seminars, professional development sessions, and clinical rotations with professional neurologists.
8. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $4,800
Program dates: June 6 – August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: All high school students in the Chicago area. Familiarity in at least one programming language (Python, Java, C++, etc.) is preferred.
The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute Summer Lab offers a paid research opportunity for high school students to explore data science across various fields. During this program, you will be paired with a mentor and focus on the application of data science in areas like computer science, social science, energy policy, materials science, or biomedical research.
You will gain hands-on experience with data science tools and research methodologies. At the end of the program, you will create a final video summarizing your findings and present it at a symposium.
9. University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Summer Research Training Fellowship
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Stipend: $2,500
Program dates: Eight weeks between June 3-August 2 (depending on the assigned lab)
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have taken advanced classes in both Biology and Chemistry
The University of Kentucky’s Summer Research Training Fellowship provides high school students the opportunity to explore STEM research by participating in lab experiments. Under the guidance of a research scientist, post-doctoral fellow, or graduate student, you will learn key research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and laboratory safety protocols.
You will also develop critical skills in problem-solving, experimental design, and data interpretation. By conducting your own independent research, you will gain experience in scientific writing, presenting your findings through an oral presentation at the end of the program.
10. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location in NYC: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,100
Program dates: June 30-August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Summer Student Program offers 20 high school students the chance to work on an independent research project in a biomedical or computational lab. Over 8 weeks, you will be paired with a mentor and contribute to cutting-edge research in areas such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, immunology, and pharmacology.
The program allows you to gain hands-on experience in research techniques, data collection, and analysis while developing skills in scientific communication and problem-solving. You will also attend professional and personal development sessions that focus on career building, research ethics, and more. This program has an acceptance rate of just 2%, making it highly competitive.
11. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: You will be matched with one of City University of New York’s campuses
Stipend: A stipend is offered, but the amount varies depending on the assigned campus
Program dates: Depends on your assigned campus
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: New York City Public High School sophomores and juniors
The City University of New York’s STEM Research Academy offers high school students the chance to gain comprehensive research experience over two semesters. The program starts in the spring with a pre-college course where you’ll learn essential research skills, such as formulating research questions and conducting literature reviews.
In the summer, you’ll spend six weeks working in a CUNY research lab, applying your skills in fields like space science, animal behavior, toxicology, mechanical engineering, molecular biology, and more. The program culminates in an exhibition where you’ll present your findings. Each year, around 25 students are selected for the spring session, and 10 are chosen for the summer research internship.
12. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity’s Environmental Internship
Location: RISE Center, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Program dates: June 5-August 5
Application deadline: Applications generally open in March and close in May (tentative)
Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who live or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
The Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity offers the Environmentor Internship for high school students interested in environmental science research. This program focuses on fieldwork, specifically researching the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway shoreline. You’ll work in small cohorts, guided by a scientist mentor, and explore topics like marine mammal stranding, coastal dune restoration, flood monitoring, and the effects of algae blooms. The program also includes sessions on other skills like CPR training and water safety.
13. Genspace’s Biorocket Research Internship
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Program dates: Spring session from February 27-May 22, Summer session from June 30-August 15 (Students need to attend both sessions)
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who attend a New York City public or charter high school
Genspace offers the Biorocket Research Internship for high school students interested in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering. This highly selective 6-month program accepts about 13 students each year. Throughout the internship, you’ll learn advanced biology techniques and genetic engineering skills, gain hands-on research experience, and visit biotech companies.
You’ll also engage in practical activities like DNA extractions, allowing you to apply what you learn in real-world scenarios. You and your mentors will also design your summer research project, examples of which you can go through here.
14. City Of Hope Cancer Center’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
Stipend: $4,000
Program dates: June 3 – August 9
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and have completed high school courses in chemistry and biology
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy offers a 10-week opportunity for high school students to join a professional biomedical research team at the City of Hope Cancer Center. You will have the chance to select your research project and work under the guidance of experienced scientists and physicians.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop practical research skills, explore cutting-edge topics like DNA repair, neural stem cells, and plant signaling pathways, and gain insight into the biomedical field. The program concludes with a poster session where you present your findings.
Bonus research program for high school students –
15. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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.
16. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
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 – Stanford University