Summer break is usually a time to relax before school starts again. But if you’re a high school student interested in chemistry, it’s also a chance to get some hands-on experience working in labs. These programs let you try different experiments, collect data, and learn how scientists do research.
You’ll learn skills like measuring chemicals, running reactions, analyzing results, and writing reports. This is a step beyond what you do in regular school classes. Joining a chemistry summer research program also gives you a serious edge for college applications and future careers.
With that, here are 15 chemistry summer research programs for high school students to get you started!
15 Chemistry Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track
Location: Online
Cost: $2,990 onwards; financial aid is available for eligible students
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA >3.3/4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives you a chance to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor on a 12-week research project in fields like chemistry, psychology, physics, computer science, economics, and more.
You’ll choose a topic, learn how to build a research question, and write a full-length research paper. Along the way, you’ll get help from both a research mentor and a writing coach. The program also includes workshops to guide you through each step of the research process.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program – Chemistry Track
Location: Online
Cost: $5950 onwards; financial aid options available
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
Eligibility: High school students with GPA >3.67/4.0, typically 10th/11th graders
The Horizon Academic Research Program is a 12-week online research experience where you work one-on-one with a professor or Ph.D. mentor from a top university. You’ll choose a subject track and decide whether you want to do quantitative or qualitative research.
If you’re interested in chemistry, you can join the Formulation Chemistry track. You might use machine learning to predict chemical reactions or study materials science by reviewing academic papers. You’ll build skills in research design, data analysis, and academic writing.
By the end of the program, you’ll write a 20-page research paper. You’ll also get detailed feedback and a letter of recommendation. This program gives you the structure and support to complete a college-level project in chemistry.
3. Chemistry Research Academy – University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949 (includes program fees, residential costs, and enrolment deposit); $100 application fee; financial aid options available
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26
Deadlines: May 16
Eligibility: 10th/11th graders with at least one year of high school chemistry
The Penn Summer Science Initiative’s chemistry track gives you the chance to do hands-on lab research at the University of Pennsylvania. You’ll spend about half your time in the lab learning techniques like spectroscopy and gas chromatography.
The rest includes lectures on chemistry topics and group projects with other students. You’ll work on improving synthetic methods, analyze results, and learn how scientists solve real problems. This program also helps you build teamwork and science communication skills.
4. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program
Location: Various locations across the USA; Online
Cost: None with a stipend of $4,000
Program Dates: June to July, 8-10 weeks
Deadlines: April 14
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged juniors or seniors
In ACS Project SEED, you work in a real chemistry lab during the summer and get paid for it. You’ll learn how to use tools like pipettes, spectrometers, and chromatography equipment. You’ll perform chemical experiments, collect and analyze data, and practice writing clear lab reports and giving presentations.
You’ll work closely with scientist mentors who guide you through real research projects. The program helps you build skills in lab safety, chemical analysis, and experimental design.
5. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Hosted across 14 college campuses throughout the US
Cost: $9,800; full scholarships available to all students
Program Dates: Late June to late July; 5 weeks
Deadlines: January 24 (international); February 21 (USA)
Eligibility: High school juniors between the ages of 15-19 with biology and chemistry courses
The Summer Science Program (SSP) offers high school juniors the opportunity to engage in rigorous research in either Biochemistry or Synthetic Chemistry. In the Biochemistry track, you’ll design enzyme inhibitors to combat fungal infections, studying enzyme kinetics and protein structures through computer modeling and lab experiments.
In the Synthetic Chemistry track, you’ll explore organic and inorganic chemistry to synthesize macrocyclic compounds with applications in medicine and technology. Both tracks involve hands-on lab work, teamwork in small groups, and guest lectures that deepen your understanding of scientific concepts.
6. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Late June to late July; 6 weeks
Deadline: Early December
Eligibility: High school juniors with strong STEM records
At RSI, you conduct original chemistry research alongside top scientists at MIT. You learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and communicate your results. You’ll present your findings in settings like scientific conferences.
You get access to advanced labs and equipment, working in areas such as organic chemistry or materials science. The program includes seminars and workshops that expand your understanding of different scientific fields.
7. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition fee. Residential costs: $2360.25 and Dining costs: $500
Program Dates: June 30–August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, at least 16 years old
The Simons Program at Stony Brook involves you in chemistry research groups with faculty mentors, where you will be responsible for a project. You’ll work on advanced laboratory techniques and scientific methodologies, presenting findings at a poster symposium, and building skills in chemical analysis and research design.
You also practice scientific writing and presenting your results clearly at a poster symposium. The program includes seminars on a variety of science topics, giving you a look at university-level research.
8. Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) – Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 16– June 27
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, 16+, local to Stanford
Stanford’s IFSS program lets you shadow chemistry graduate students for two weeks, giving you a close-up look at their research and daily lab work. You’ll see how they use techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and sample preparation to solve real problems.
Alongside observing, you’ll join discussions about what it’s like to work in a research lab and explore different scientific career paths. You get to see what the work involves and how a lab day runs.
9. Summer Research Connection (SRC) at Caltech
Location: Pasadena, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 6 weeks in summer (differs yearly)
Application Deadline: March (differs yearly)
Eligibility: Pasadena Unified School District high school students
The Summer Research Connection (SRC) at Caltech gives you a six-week chance to work on real research in Caltech’s chemistry and chemical biology labs. You’ll study topics like organic synthesis, molecular interactions, energy materials, or environmental chemistry.
Mentors guide you through each step of the research process—from forming a hypothesis and running experiments to using lab tools and analyzing complex data. You’ll also practice writing lab reports and presenting your findings.
10. Garcia Summer Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 (room/board at $2,700); $50 application fee
Program Dates: June 26–August 8; 7 weeks
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students, 16+, GPA >3.8/4, and course requirements
The Garcia Summer Program at Stony Brook University offers you a seven-week experience focused on polymer chemistry research. You’ll work with faculty and staff mentors to design and carry out your research project, learning advanced lab techniques and how to analyze data.
The program includes lectures on the latest in polymer science and lets you continue your research during the school year. You’ll build skills in experimental design, scientific writing, and presenting your work.
11. Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter); $12,474 (residential); scholarships available
Program Dates: June 16–August 1; 6 weeks
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: 10th/11th graders (outstanding 9th graders accepted on a case-by-case basis); GPA >3.8/4
The RMP at UC Santa Barbara lets you do real chemistry research over seven weeks, starting with a virtual introduction. You’ll work closely with mentors like graduate students and professors who guide you through your project.
You’ll get hands-on experience with techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and titration, plus learn how to analyze your data and follow lab safety rules. Along the way, you’ll attend lectures on the latest chemistry topics and finish by writing a technical paper to explain what you found.
12. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Lubbock, TX
Cost: None. Pays a stipend of $750
Program Dates: June 22–August 7; 7 weeks
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Outstanding high school students, at least 17 years old, US citizens/permanent residents only
The Texas Tech Clark Scholars Program gives you a chance to do chemistry research with faculty mentors. You’ll get hands-on experience in the lab, learning how to design experiments, use instruments like spectrometers, and analyze data. You’ll also present your results at a symposium. The program includes seminars and field trips to help you understand different science topics.
13. High School Summer Science Program at Eastern Michigan University
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 23–July 14; 3 weeks
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students with at least one science class
The High School Summer Science Program at Eastern Michigan University allows you to explore chemistry research in depth. Over three weeks, you’ll work in pairs with a faculty mentor and an undergraduate researcher on an original project.
This hands-on experience helps you develop essential skills in experimental design, data collection, and scientific communication. You’ll also learn about lab safety, research ethics, and how to present your findings effectively.
14. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: Gaithersburg, MD; Boulder, CO
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23–August 8; 8 weeks
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates; GPA >3.0/4; US citizens only
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s SHIP gives you the chance to work on chemistry research in advanced labs. You’ll use high-tech equipment and learn chemical analysis, lab techniques, and research methods.
Scientists guide you through real projects, helping you build skills for science and tech careers. You’ll also attend seminars on measurement science and standards to strengthen your understanding of the field.
15. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: More than 38 laboratories around the country (students choose preferred labs)
Cost: Free. A stipend of $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Program Dates: Eight weeks during the summer with the possibility to extend up to two additional weeks (specific dates confirmed in the offer letter)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places you in the U.S. Navy research lab for eight weeks to work on real science and engineering projects. You’ll be paired with a Navy scientist or engineer and get trained to use lab equipment, follow safety procedures, and run experiments related to topics like marine biology, biotechnology, or environmental science.
SEAP gives you exposure to how federal research labs work and helps you build skills in data analysis, lab methods, and technical writing. Around 300 students are selected each year for placements at over 38 labs across the country.
Image source – Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
