If you’re a high school student interested in research, fall can be an ideal time to dig deeper into a subject you care about. Fall research programs let you explore advanced topics, sharpen your academic skill set, and gain meaningful experience working on long-term projects—often under the guidance of mentors or professionals in the field. Whether you’re into biology, economics, computer science, or something more niche, these programs offer a chance to go beyond your school curriculum and start thinking like a researcher.
Why should I do a fall research program for high school students? How is it different from summer?
- Since they technically run during the school year, they expect you to balance academics with research, an important skill that will come in handy when you start your undergraduate degree.
- The pace of these programs tends to be slower and more project-driven, allowing for deeper engagement with your topic over several weeks or even months in fall.
- If you’re looking for regular mentorship, more rigorous feedback, or a chance to build something meaningful while managing other responsibilities before the summer, a fall research program might be the right fit.
Here’s a list of 15 fall research programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5950. Financial aid is available
Application Date: Varies depending on cohort
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, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It also offers you 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 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. The program also provides you with a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. You can apply here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starts from 2990 USD. Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students who 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 Scholars Program is a research-focused initiative designed for high school students interested in exploring various fields. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You work one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, developing in-depth research projects that culminate in a university-level research paper.
The program is flexible, offering 12-week to one-year tracks, allowing you to manage your research alongside your regular school commitments. Research topics and timelines are customized based on your interests and schedules, making it suitable for high school students of various academic levels. You can find more details about the application here.
3. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA centers across the U.S., with some remote options depending on the project
Stipend: Varies based on academic level, project, and session length
Application Deadlines: Fall- May 16
Program Dates: Fall: ~16 weeks, late August/early September to mid-December
Eligibility: High school students, who are US citizens with a minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
Through the NASA OSTEM internship program, you’ll join research teams tackling real-world challenges tied to space missions, aerospace design, and scientific exploration. Depending on your project, you might run simulations, build and test prototypes, analyze datasets from space missions, or assist in science communication efforts.
Internships span topics like structural design, test equipment analysis, software development, and space biology. You’ll work closely with NASA mentors while contributing directly to active projects. Some placements are available remotely, but most are based at NASA centers across the country.
4. Harvard-MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Harvard or MIT campuses
Stipend: Funded by the City of Cambridge; exact amount not disclosed
Application Deadline: May
Program Dates: September – May
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (U.S. and international students)
SRMP is a year-long research program where you’ll work on original projects in astrophysics or climate science, guided by researchers from Harvard and MIT. You’ll be placed in a small group (typically 5–6 students) and matched with a mentor, with access to all the tools and support needed, including a dedicated laptop.
You will have weekly meetings that include research check-ins, seminars, and discussions with scientists. Throughout the year, you’ll build a foundation in scientific research methods and data analysis. The program ends with a formal presentation at a Harvard-hosted symposium. Admission is highly selective, with fewer than 15 students accepted each year.
5. MIT PRIMES
Location: MIT (Cambridge, MA), Virtual (PRIMES-USA), Online (CrowdMath)
Application Deadline: Opens in October
Program Dates: Year-long (January–December), organized in four research phases
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective; small cohort admitted annually
Eligibility: Varies based on the program
MIT PRIMES is a year-long research program where you’ll work on advanced problems in pure and applied math, computer science, or computational biology under the mentorship of MIT researchers. Depending on the track, you might engage in individual or collaborative research, proofreading, algorithm development, and theoretical problem-solving.
The program includes multiple components: in-person research for local students, remote opportunities through PRIMES-USA, math enrichment via PRIMES Circle, and open collaborative work through CrowdMath. You present your research at an annual conference and may contribute to academic publications.
6. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA (in-person and remote options available)
Cost: Not mentioned
Application Deadlines: August 15
Program Dates: Fall 2025: September 1– January 15
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12 (U.S. and international); no prior research experience required
ASDRP is a year-round research program where you’ll work on original projects in areas like cancer biology, AI, drug discovery, psychology, urban sustainability, and radio astronomy. You’ll be paired with mentors from academia and industry and contribute to real research that can lead to publications, conference talks, or patent filings.
The program includes weekly research colloquia, structured mentorship, and professional development workshops. Whether in-person or remote, you’ll follow a rigorous research process and join a collaborative community of student researchers.
7. U.S. Department of the Treasury – Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: June (for fall session)
Program Dates: September–December (Fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students
This internship places you inside the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where you’ll assist with projects tied to national and international economic policy. If you’re interested in research, you’ll gain experience conducting literature reviews, analyzing policy data, drafting internal reports, and summarizing key findings from meetings, hearings, or conferences.
As interns, you will be placed across departments like Tax Policy, Domestic Finance, International Affairs, and Public Affairs, depending on your background and interests. The work emphasizes research, writing, and data analysis—which can be useful for you if you’re exploring careers at the intersection of economics, law, and public service.\
8. City Limits CLARIFY
Location: Virtual with in-person field trips in NYC
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: September 9 (for fall cohort)
Program Dates: 8 weeks starting October 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in a NYC school and living in one of the five boroughs
CLARIFY is an 8-week journalism internship run by City Limits, New York City’s longest-standing nonprofit investigative news outlet. As a participant, you’ll explore public service journalism through hands-on reporting on local issues. The program trains you in core research skills like interviewing, sourcing, fact-checking, story development, media ethics, editing, and photojournalism.
You’ll work directly with professional reporters and contribute to real news stories published by City Limits and in a student-led newsletter. The small cohort—just 12–15 students—offers a close-knit, mentorship-driven experience for those curious about journalism and civic reporting.
9. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program
Location: New York City
Stipend: $16.50/hour (paid)
Application Deadline: Fall deadline not updated yet
Program Dates: September-April
Eligibility: Must be at least 16, a current NYC resident, have valid working papers, and be in high school or entering college
This internship places you inside the city government, where you’ll support real policy and administrative work across departments that match your interests. Your tasks will include conducting research, preparing reports and briefings, analyzing data, helping coordinate events, and attending internal meetings.
You’ll also participate in a Speaker Series featuring high-level city officials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at public sector leadership. A collaborative service project is part of the experience, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned to support NYC communities directly.
10. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $37,238 for the term, paid monthly
Application Deadline: Varies by sponsoring senator
Program Dates: September 1-January 23
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents (with SSN), ages 16–17, rising juniors or seniors, minimum 3.0 GPA, with required health clearance and insurance
As a Senate Page, you’ll work directly on the floor of the U.S. Senate, assisting with day-to-day legislative operations. Your responsibilities will include delivering correspondence, preparing the chamber for sessions, and supporting senators during roll call votes.
While not research-focused in the traditional sense, the role gives you a close-up view of policymaking and procedural government work. Pages are sponsored by senators and live in supervised housing with living expenses covered. This will be a structured experience, combining civic learning, public service, and mentorship in a D.C. setting.
11. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internships
Location: Remote or in-person (Philadelphia, PA)
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Mid-July
Program Dates: September – December
Eligibility: High school students with U.S. work authorization are considered case-by-case basis
FPRI’s internship offers a chance to engage in research on global affairs, diplomacy, and national security. You’ll collaborate with scholars on tasks like policy analysis, writing, editing, and strategic research, while learning how think tanks influence foreign policy debates.
Weekly seminars with international affairs experts provide exposure to topics such as defence strategy and geopolitical risk. High-performing interns may co-author pieces for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner, giving you direct experience in producing policy-oriented writing for a public audience.
12. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid (above minimum wage)
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: 9th or 10th grade students in SFUSD with at least a 2.5 GPA and a C or higher in science and math
The CiS Intern Program gives San Francisco public school students early exposure to environmental science and research through hands-on work at the California Academy of Sciences. You’ll participate in fieldwork, contribute to sustainability projects, and support public science education efforts.
Training includes science communication, data collection, and basic financial literacy, along with workshops on college prep. You may also get the chance work alongside scientists and educators and present at local STEM events or conferences. It’s a long-term commitment designed to build your skills across multiple dimensions of science and outreach.
13. Field Biology Internship (FBI) – Alley Pond Environmental Center
Location: Alley Pond Park and other sites in Queens, NY
Cost: $150 (financial aid available upon request)
Application Deadline: August 1
Program Dates: Saturdays, October 5 – November 9
Eligibility: High school students, age 14 and up
This weekend internship introduces you to ecological fieldwork through hands-on research in urban ecosystems across Queens. You’ll explore habitats within Alley Pond Park and nearby environments while learning techniques in data collection, species identification, water and soil sampling, and observational logging.
Sessions cover experimental design, record keeping, and environmental communication. The program also includes meetings with local environmental scientists, offering insight into careers in biology and conservation. It’s a strong starting point if you’re interested in ecology, research methods, or environmental science.
14. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions—apply any time
Program Dates: Flexible. Half-time: 2–8 weeks, ~20 hours/week. Quarter-time: 1–9 months, ~8 hours/week
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who’ve completed at least one honors-level science or English class
EnergyMag’s virtual research internship allows you to dive into research focused on renewable energy technologies and the clean energy industry. You’ll analyze companies, trends, and innovations shaping the sector while building research, writing, and critical thinking skills.
The program is self-paced, with flexible scheduling based on your availability. You’ll be paired with a mentor who guides you through each stage of the process—from information gathering to writing analytical reports. At the end, you’ll receive a letter of accomplishment documenting your work.
Image source – NASA
