If you’re a high school student interested in engineering, research programs can help you explore advanced topics and gain practical experience. These programs take learning beyond the classroom, allowing you to work with technologies and solve problems in areas like robotics, biomedical engineering, and computer science.
You’ll engage in hands-on projects, explore specialized concepts, and develop skills that prepare you for college and future careers. These programs emphasize creativity, critical thinking, and real-world applications, giving you a head start in the field of engineering.
Here are 15 engineering research programs designed for high school students to kickstart your journey!
15 Engineering Research Opportunities for High School Students in 2024-2025
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline Date: The Spring Cohort deadline is February 16, 2025. Other dates vary by cohort.
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
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, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort. The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024!
Duration: Flexible options from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Fully remote—join from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be a current high school student with strong academic performance, typically demonstrated by an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. No prior knowledge of the research area is required.
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs June–August, the fall from September–December, the winter from December–February, and the spring from March–June. Applications are currently open for the winter cohort!
Cost: Full financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an advanced research program designed for high school students looking to dive deep into academic research. Through this program, you’ll work closely with a Ph.D. mentor on a unique research project of your choosing, gaining hands-on experience in research methodologies.
By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have authored an independent research paper. Topics range widely, including economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Find detailed application information here!
3. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290, Fellowship: $5,400, Combined: $6,900, Accelerator: $9,400. Financial aid available for the AI Scholars program.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; deadline for the winter cohort is December 1, 2024.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: Open to motivated high school students worldwide. Applicants for the AI Fellowship must have either completed the AI Scholars program or possess prior experience in AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers multiple programs for high schoolers eager to learn about artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars Program is a 10-session boot camp for beginners interested in AI, machine learning, and data science, providing hands-on experience through real-world projects.
For students ready to advance, the AI Fellowship offers personalized mentorship from university experts. Participants undertake individual AI projects and receive support from a publication team to publish their work in high school research journals. This fellowship encourages interdisciplinary exploration, integrating AI with fields like engineering, finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more.
Cost: No cost, except for application fees. For U.S Students - $65; For International Students - $30
Program Dates: TBD
Deadline: December 11, 2024
Location: MIT, Boston
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: High school juniors only.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a fully-funded summer program for high school students. It combines STEM coursework with research opportunities.
The program starts with a week of classes taught by professors. Over the next five weeks, you will conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors. You will review literature, design experiments, and analyze data. The program ends with written and oral presentations of your findings in a conference-style format. RSI offers a chance to complete the full research cycle while learning from experts in science and engineering.
Cost: Free (transportation only)
Program Dates: June 15, 2024–July 26, 2024 (2025 Dates TBD)
Deadline: Usually February 1
Location: MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to take five courses in STEM and humanities, providing an academic experience similar to that of college. In addition to the coursework, you will participate in lab tours, social events, and receive guidance on the college admissions process. The program is designed to help you explore potential STEM careers, strengthen your academic abilities, and develop skills that will be useful in both school and future careers.
You’ll also gain practical experience through hands-on activities and exposure to new fields of study. Each student receives a detailed evaluation from instructors, which can be a valuable addition to your college applications. The program has a strong track record, with about 90% of MITES alumni gaining acceptance to top universities.
Cost: $8,500
Program Dates: July 6-26, 2025
Deadline: March 1st, 2025
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Subject Areas: Computer Science
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed at least one year of high school and be 15 years or older. Admission is highly selective, considering academic excellence, creativity, and teamwork. Each course has specific prerequisites.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) provides high school students with an immersive college-level engineering experience. You’ll take six courses that blend advanced theory with hands-on learning, covering subjects like computer science, robotics, and mechanical engineering.
The program awards college credit and maintains a 30:1 student-to-professor ratio for personalized instruction. You’ll live on Penn’s historic campus, connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, and access a global alumni network for ongoing support.
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI.
Cost: $950.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for a week in June.
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: High school girls entering 10th through 12th grades are eligible to apply.
MSOE’s High School Summer Program offers a week-long residential camp specifically for girls entering 10th through 12th grades who are interested in exploring multiple engineering disciplines. The program includes construction management, architectural, biomedical, biomolecular, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. You’ll learn from MSOE faculty with the support of female engineering students, providing a unique mentorship experience.
In addition to academic activities, you’ll take industry tours to see how engineering works in the real world. This Women in Technology program shares content with the Explore Summer Program but emphasizes women’s roles in the field of engineering.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA. This is a commuter-only program.
Cost: $3,197. Some need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for three weeks in June and July.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 who are at least 15 years old are eligible to apply.
UCLA’s Computer Science Summer Institute (Introductory Track) is designed for high school students interested in learning computer science and programming. You’ll get a hands-on introduction to coding through a mix of classroom lessons, lab tours, and UCLA coursework. You’ll learn how to use computers for problem-solving and creativity by designing and building programs. Topics include data types like integers, strings, and lists, control structures such as loops and conditionals, and functional decomposition. No prior experience in computer science is needed, making it a great starting point for you.
Cost: Free. Transportation aid available, but no housing support.
Program Dates: TBD
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Location: MIT, Cambridge
Subject Areas: Mechanical Engineering
Eligibility: High school juniors, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with little to no engineering experience
The Women’s Technology Program (WTP) at MIT in Boston is designed for students with no prior engineering experience, with a focus on women and groups underrepresented in the field. In 2025, WTP will offer a Mechanical Engineering track, while the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) track will be unavailable. The program is academically rigorous, featuring labs, team projects, and practical lessons. Unlike a summer camp, WTP is a serious academic program where classes are ungraded, allowing you to explore college-level material and new areas of study without the pressure of grades.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Program Dates: June 3–August 9, 2024 (10 weeks); TBA for 2025
Deadline: March 6, 2024; TBA for 2025
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Subject Areas: Bio- and molecular engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 residing in New York
The ARISE Program at NYU provides high school students with hands-on experience in various engineering fields, including biomedical engineering. You will engage in lab work, attend classes, and participate in workshops on data collection, ethics, and lab safety. You will be mentored by NYU’s research faculty, allowing them to explore cutting-edge STEM research.
As a biomedical engineering student, you can also participate in the Applied Micro-Bioengineering Lab, where you'll have the chance to develop micro/nanoscale technologies and integrated biosystems for medical applications.
Cost: $5,500 (covers tuition, lab fee, materials, and activities). Need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in 2024; TBA for 2025 - Session 1: July 7–July 25, 2025, Session 2: July 28–August 15, 2025.
Deadline: March 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (Commuter program; housing not provided)
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, robotics, competitive programming, electrical engineering, sustainable engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, data science, math.
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and high school graduates
Columbia University's SHAPE program offers a hands-on pre-college experience for STEM enthusiasts. Over three weeks, you’ll take college-level engineering courses, guided by Columbia faculty. You can choose a subject and participate in electives, workshops, and college prep activities. In the Biomedical Engineering course, you’ll explore biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging. The program also provides the opportunity to engage in the engineering design process, using tools like 3D printing and laser engraving to build biomedical devices.
Cost:$1,500 with research project; free without a research project
Program Dates: June 19 – August 11, 2025 (tentative)
Deadline: March 15 (tentative)
Location: On-campus (UC San Diego, CA) & Virtual
Subject Area: Electrical Engineering
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders (San Diego County students prioritized, but applications accepted with summer housing)
UC San Diego and the San Diego Supercomputer Center offer an 8-week research program in computer science and AI, part of the SDSC’s outreach initiative. The program is designed to raise awareness of computational science and related fields. You’ll gain hands-on experience in computational research, working alongside UCSD faculty and experts.
Throughout the program, you’ll participate in an active research project, learning to formulate hypotheses, run experiments, and analyze data. You will attend lab meetings and engage in group discussions, enhancing your understanding of research processes. By the end, you’ll present your findings in a scientific poster, reflecting on your experience and career goals.
Cost: $4,050–$14,950, based on your choice of residential, commuting, or online. Financial aid available.
Program Dates: 4 week course: July 13-August 8, 2025, residential only
7 week course: June 21-August 9, 2025, residential, online and commuting
Deadline: Between January to April - varies based on application type and aid. Check full list here.
Location: Harvard University, Boston
Subject Area: STEM
Eligibility: High School Students
The Harvard Secondary School Program offers high schoolers the chance to take real Harvard classes, taught by Harvard professors, earning college credit. You can attend in-person, commute, or take courses online. The program gives you access to Harvard’s resources, including student facilities and tutoring services.
While this isn't a hands-on engineering program focused on research or industry experience, it’s a great opportunity for students who want to immerse themselves in STEM and challenge themselves academically. Plus, a recommendation from a Harvard professor can be a powerful asset for your college applications.
14. Stanford AI4ALL
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid available at 25%, 50%, and 100%)\
Program Dates: Typically July 8-26 (Based on last year’s dates)
Deadline: March 2025 (based on last year’s dates)
Location: Online
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders
Stanford AI4ALL is a three-week online program that immerses high school students in artificial intelligence through lectures, research projects, and mentorship. You will learn from Stanford Computer Science faculty and work on research projects focused on AI’s societal impact. The program covers AI subfields like computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and computational biology. You will also engage with professionals in AI applications for areas such as healthcare, disaster response, and poverty alleviation.
Cost: 2025 cost information will be released by early December 2024. You can check out last year’s costs here.
Program Dates: June 16-August 1, 2025
Deadline: Application window: December 15, 2024 – March 17, 2025
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara
Subject Areas: Research and Presentation Techniques, all STEM subjects including engineering
Eligibility: High school students
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara offers top high school students the chance to engage in hands-on, university-level research across various disciplines, including engineering. You will work closely with a mentor—such as a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member—on a research project that spans multiple STEM fields, including engineering, and computer science. The program focuses on research techniques and the development of academic and professional goals, culminating in a technical research paper and presentation at an academic symposium.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.