If you’re a high school student interested in exploring STEM through hands-on learning, a research program can be a strong first step.
These programs allow you to work on real-world problems across fields like machine learning, environmental science, physics, and biology — under the guidance of researchers and academic mentors. You will write code, analyze datasets, conduct experiments, or present your findings to peers and professionals as a young researcher. Many programs are designed to be accessible to beginner-level students, so go ahead and apply even if you’re just starting out in a subject of your choice.
If you’re ready to take your interest in STEM beyond the classroom, here are 15 of the best research opportunities for high school students to consider. You can also check out our blog for prestigious summer research programs for high school students.
16 Best STEM Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5-6 weeks during the summer (depending on the specific project)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age and are US citizens, legal permanent residents, or international students currently in the United States
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program is a summer research opportunity where you work alongside Princeton faculty in university labs. The program focuses on natural sciences and engineering. Past projects have included topics like human genetic variation, soil salinity effects, nanoparticle formation, plasma propulsion, and computational modeling. You will take part in hands-on lab work and complete a 2-page report that summarizes your findings. This is a highly competitive program with an acceptance rate of around 2%.
- 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.
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1200
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 is an 8-week internship where you take part in lab-based research in biomedical or computational science. You are paired with a mentor and work on a self-directed project that contributes to ongoing research.
You can explore research areas such as cancer biology, immunology, computer science, pharmacology, and engineering. Throughout the program, you build technical and analytical skills while learning how research is conducted in a clinical setting. The program is highly competitive, admitting only 20 students each year with an acceptance rate of about 2 percent.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, 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 and living and attending school in the U.S.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program is an 8-week internship where you take part in medical research under the guidance of Stanford faculty. You will work in one of eight institutes focused on areas such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, or bioinformatics.
Most of your time will be spent doing lab work and gaining experience with scientific tools and methods. At the end of the program, you will create a research poster that summarizes your project and present it at a final session.
5. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Online
Cost: $5950. However, financial aid is available
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts on June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Horizon Academic Research Program is a trimester-long research opportunity where you work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to complete an independent research paper. You can choose from subjects like data science, biology, engineering, medicine, or physics, and decide whether to focus on qualitative or quantitative research.
You will develop a 20-page paper that involves a literature review, data analysis, and academic writing. Throughout the program, you build research, writing, and critical thinking skills while exploring your topic at a university level. You can find the application form here!
6. 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 is one of the world’s leading institutions in science and technology. Its Research Science Institute offers a summer program for high school students, with about 80 students accepted each year. The program allows you to engage in the entire research cycle, including formulating a research plan, reviewing current literature, modeling complex systems, and presenting your findings in a conference-style report.
The program includes one week of STEM lessons and four weeks of independent lab work on your research project. In addition, you will attend lectures from science and technology leaders and go on field trips.
7. The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program
Location: The program has two locations — Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Stipend: $6,500
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Seniors who have completed 12th grade and are at least 18 years old
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program is a research internship where you work on an independent project in genetics and genomics. You will be one of 40 high school and undergraduate students selected to join the program.
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will design a research project, carry out experiments or data analysis, and prepare your results for presentation. Research areas include bioinformatics, cancer, developmental biology, aging, genomics, immunology, and neurobiology. The program ends with a poster session and a symposium, where you will present your findings.
8. 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 Scholar Program is a 7-week intensive research opportunity that admits only 12 high school students each year. You will work closely with university faculty on a hands-on research project in a field such as biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, history, or physics.
The program includes lectures, lab work, discussions, and field visits to help you build a strong understanding of your chosen subject. As a participant, you will take part in the full research process while developing critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills. The program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 3 percent..
9. Summer Science Program
Location: Multiple locations available, including New Mexico State University, Purdue University, Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and more
Cost: $9,800. However, the fee is scaled to what each family can afford, and 100% need-based financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Multiple five-week sessions are available to choose from
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are between the ages of 15 and 19 and have completed the required courses
The Summer Science Program is a 5-week residential research experience where you live and work at a university while taking part in advanced STEM research. The program offers tracks in astrophysics, bacterial genomics, biochemistry, and synthetic chemistry. You will be guided by mentors and faculty as you carry out research in university labs.
Your work may involve activities like calculating asteroid orbits, analyzing microbial genomes, or studying enzyme inhibitors. The program focuses on building research skills through hands-on work, collaboration, and daily academic sessions.
10. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: You can choose between in-person and virtual internships
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Online learning component from May 1 – July 1, project work from June 1 – July 19, Virtual SEES Science Symposium from July 21-22
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are US citizens and at least 16 years of age.
The NASA and UT Austin STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) Summer Intern Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to work with real NASA satellite data in Earth and space science. You will gain hands-on experience with astronomy, remote sensing, and space geodetic techniques, learning how to analyze and visualize complex data.
The program combines distance learning with in-person research, covering topics such as planetary geology, moon exploration, aerospace engineering, in-space refueling, and more. Throughout the program, you will work closely with experts and mentors to develop your research and technical skills. The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of about 3-4 percent.
11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Locality-based internship followed by the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas
Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week summer internship designed for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be paired with a local fisheries professional and participate in both lab and fieldwork.
Throughout the program, you will learn techniques like fish population surveys, electrofishing, water quality testing, and specimen analysis under a microscope. At the end of the program, you will attend the Hutton Scholars Summit, where you can network with industry experts and share your research findings.
12. 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 an NYC public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
Columbia University’s HK Maker Lab offers a project-based summer program focused on engineering design. The program is divided into two parts: SHAPE, a 2-week session that dives into a specific engineering sub-field, followed by an additional 2 weeks where you will create a form of digital media to address a global issue.
Past projects have included developing apps to monitor blood pressure or creating digital tools to encourage healthy eating. This program provides a solid opportunity to work on interdisciplinary projects, combining engineering skills with real-world applications.
14. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Stipend: A fellowship payment is provided, but the amount is not specified!
Program Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors residing in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin.
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a 6-week intensive research opportunity for high school students. The program offers three tracks, covering topics like neuroscience, biological engineering, quantum physics, aerospace engineering, and materials science.
You will participate in weekly seminars, lab research, and professional development sessions, leading up to a final symposium where you will present your findings. Throughout the program, you will gain in-depth knowledge of your chosen research area while developing skills in scientific communication. You will also learn how to create a research poster to effectively share your work with others.
15. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; however, if you choose the residential track, you will need to pay $2,360.25 as residential fees.
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years of age
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to join a professional research group and take on a real project. You will learn research methodologies and tools while working with mentors in fields like applied mathematics, civil engineering, computer science, chemistry, medicine, and orthopedics. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a closing symposium with a research abstract and poster. You can go through the full list here.
16. City Of Hope Cancer Center’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
Stipend: $4,500
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 City of Hope Cancer Center’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy offers a hands-on biomedical research experience for high school and undergraduate students. You will choose your research topic and be mentored by professional scientists or physicians.
At this well-known cancer center, you can explore topics like DNA repair, plant signaling pathways, and neural stem cells. The program ends with a poster session, where you will present your research findings through a poster.
Image source – Princeton University