If you’re a high school student with a strong interest in subjects like math, biology, journalism, astronomy, or nanoscience, a free virtual research program can offer a valuable way to deepen your knowledge and build advanced academic skills. These programs go beyond the typical high school curriculum, giving you the chance to work closely with expert mentors and explore real-world research questions.
You’ll gain experience in designing experiments, analyzing data, writing research papers, and using tools like Python, Linux, and digital archives. Whether you’re conducting interviews, building models, or writing journalistic pieces, you’ll strengthen your skills in critical thinking, scholarly communication, and collaboration.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 15 free virtual research programs for high school students that span a range of disciplines, including STEM, social science, media, and the arts.
1. MIT PRIMES-USA
Stipend: None
Program Dates: January 1 – December 31
Application Deadline: November 18
Cost: Free
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors living at least 50 miles away from Boston
In this year-long virtual program, you will conduct original mathematical research under the weekly guidance of mentors from MIT and other partner universities. The program has four phases, requiring 10 hours weekly for advanced reading, a research readiness report, project finalization, and a formal paper for the fall PRIMES conference. The program emphasizes the development of practical skills like mathematical reasoning, independent study, academic writing, and research communication. You’ll also gain experience in using tools such as Mathematica, SAGE, MAGMA, and other computer algebra systems to conduct research in pure or applied mathematics.
2. Student Research Institute (SRI) by the Harvard Undergraduate OpenBio Laboratory
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Weekly sessions throughout summer.
Application Deadline: April 30
Cost: Free except a $20 application fee (can request a fee waiver if required)
Eligibility: High school students from anywhere in the world
This virtual summer program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work on an independent research project or literature review in subject areas like biology, chemistry, engineering, or computer science. Over several weeks, you will meet regularly with your assigned mentor to develop a research question, conduct background reading, and write a final paper summarizing your findings. Select papers might even be published in an undergraduate research journal. Additionally, you will participate in live programming sessions that include research skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, and guest lectures from researchers in academia.
3. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
4. Veritas AI
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Cost: Financial aid offered
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI’s AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts and tools in AI and machine learning. Some of the topics covered in the program include linear and logistic regression, decision trees, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and natural language processing (NLP). You will also gain practical experience in exploratory data analysis, Python, and other programming languages. A key component of the program is the final group project, where you will collaborate with peers under the mentorship of AI experts to apply AI techniques to real-world problems in domains like gaming, education, or climate science. You can also choose to apply to the AI + Medicine or AI + Finance Deep Dive programs if you want to explore the various applications of AI in the field of medicine and finance. Apply here!
5. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Stipend: Selected finalists are awarded up to $1,000 in funding
Program Dates: February – June
Application Deadline: January 1
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students with permanent U.S. residency
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a semester-long virtual research initiative for high school students who have a well-developed STEM research idea but require mentorship and funding to bring it to fruition. If selected, you will receive up to $1,000 in funding to implement your proposed project, along with weekly virtual mentorship meetings for technical guidance and support with project development. Project topics can span a range of STEM fields, including software development, environmental engineering, robotics, biomedical devices, and more, as long as they are feasible within the program timeline and budget constraints.
6. Coding for Cancer
Stipend: $1,000
Program Dates: July 28 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 30
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Grade 11 and 12 students who preferably live in Washington state
In this four-week program, you will explore the fundamentals of computational biology and how coding tools contribute to cancer research. During the first two weeks, you will engage in small-group and individual activities to learn about cancer biology and build proficiency in the R programming language. In the second half of the program, you will use your newly acquired coding skills to carry out a guided research project. You will receive a $1000 award and a Credly badge upon successfully completing the program.
7. Zon Lab – Camp Zon
Stipend: Exact amount not mentioned
Program Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: April 27
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students | 16+ | Massachusetts resident
In this two-week virtual program, you will join the research team at Zon Lab to explore how zebrafish are used to further research in anemia and stem cell development. Working in small teams, you will formulate research hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze real data generated from live experiments conducted by lab scientists. Throughout the program, you will attend faculty-led lectures on topics like basic biology, genetics, and clinical translation of research, and learn how to do basic coding for data visualization. You will also learn to critically read primary scientific literature, analyze images generated through fluorescence microscopy, develop a research project, and present your findings to a panel of peers and scientists. The program also includes mentorship and career advice sessions led by Dr. Len Zon and other scientists in the lab.
8. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) – ASPIRE Virtual Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Cost: Free
Location: Fully Virtual (except for mandatory in-person onboarding, equipment returns, and extreme IT troubleshooting at APL, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | 15+ | U.S. citizen | GPA: ≥ 2.8 | Permanent residence in one of the following Maryland counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore (County or City), Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s; one of the following Virginia counties/cities: Alexandria, Arlington, or Fairfax; or the District of Columbia
The ARISE program offers you the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor at Johns Hopkins APL to contribute to real-world research across STEM fields like aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, AI/ML, data analysis, and environmental science. You’ll choose two focus areas — such as programming, information technology, or physical sciences — and up to three project types, which could include coding, design, or research and development. Depending on your mentor and area of placement, you might use programs such as Python or C++ to simulate spacecraft trajectories, understand the effects of space weather on satellites, map minerals on Mars, or investigate ways to save endangered coral reef systems. You’ll gain experience with subject-specific tools, such as MATLAB, Arduino Uno, and Linux, and practice technical skills including hypothesis testing, data visualization, prototyping, and scientific writing. If your mentor permits, you may even have the option of extending your internship through the academic year.
9. Library of Congress High School Summer Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the time of internship | U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and visa holders
In this 4-week virtual internship, you will collaborate with Library of Congress staff and peers to develop a new experiential learning space aimed at family and youth engagement. You will research and analyze collection materials, develop exhibit-related content, and contribute ideas to future Library of Congress initiatives. As a participant, you’ll serve as a teen advisory member, providing research-backed input on exhibition content, public programming, and youth engagement strategies. You will also strengthen your research, writing, and communication skills while gaining exposure to careers in libraries, museums, and public history.
10. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) – Virtual Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: May 19 – July 22
Application Deadline: February 22
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors | 16 years and above | U.S. citizen
SEES is an 8-week virtual research internship where you’ll work with NASA scientists and engineers on Earth and space science projects. As a SEES intern, you’ll be matched with a research team based on your interests and will take part in data-driven projects in fields like astronomy, climate science, planetary science, and environmental monitoring. Depending on your project, you may work with various tools and platforms, including photometry software, Google Earth Engine, Jupyter Notebooks, NASA Worldview, AppEEARS, Collect Earth Online, and the GLOBE Observer app. You’ll also collaborate with peers and NASA mentors during weekly synchronous sessions to work on your research project, which you will present at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium. Some projects may lead to co-authored research papers or submissions to public NASA databases.
11. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Experience
Stipend: None
Program Dates: 5 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in North America (U.S. and Canada)
This five-week virtual internship introduces you to foundational concepts in neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical science through guided instruction and mentorship from researchers at Johns Hopkins University. As a JHIBS intern, you’ll take part in virtual sessions covering topics such as brain development and degenerative and neurological disorders. You will acquire essential laboratory skills through virtual demonstrations, while also gaining hands-on experience in neuroscience research methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program also includes direct mentorship opportunities, college preparation, and professional development training.
12. City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) Program
Stipend: $500
Program Dates: Varies depending on opportunity
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (with occasional on-site field trips)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors living in New York City
CLARIFY is a highly competitive paid internship that offers training in public service journalism and investigative reporting. You’ll learn how to report on local issues by conducting interviews, filing public records requests, analyzing civic data, and writing articles under tight deadlines. Through workshops, professional mentorship, and real-world assignments, you’ll sharpen your investigative instincts and build confidence in speaking with public officials, community members, and unfamiliar sources. This program focuses on developing skills vital for both journalism and wider research activities, such as critical thinking, verifying sources, fact-checking, public speaking, journalistic ethics, and media literacy.
13. Remote Joint Science Education Project (JSEP)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: One week in late July or August
Application Deadline: January 31 (tentative, based on previous years)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors
Remote JSEP is a one-week virtual research program for high school students interested in Arctic science, climate change, and environmental research. As a participant, you will engage in interactive science and engineering modules led by Dartmouth graduate students and faculty, covering topics such as snow and ice physics, cold region engineering, Arctic ecology, and the human dimensions of Arctic change. Throughout the program, you’ll work collaboratively with students from the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark on an inquiry-based research project, guided by a graduate student or faculty mentor. You will also take part in virtual visits to polar research stations and join discussions led by international scientists working on current Arctic research.
14. The New York Academy of Sciences – The Junior Academy
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Fall Semester: September – November | Spring Semester: February – April
Application Deadline: Fall Semester: July 1 | Spring Semester: January
Cost: Free
Eligibility: 13–17 year old students with a strong level of English proficiency
The Junior Academy is a virtual, project-based STEM program that enables high school students from around the world to collaborate in international teams on solving research-driven challenges in fields such as public health, biomedical sciences, and artificial intelligence. As part of the program, you’ll self-select into international teams, conduct background research, analyze data, and design solutions, with structured checkpoints and feedback from mentors along the way. All project work and communication take place on Launchpad, which also hosts community discussions, expert talks, and access to curated STEM resources. Previous challenges focused on topics like AI ethics and waste management. All participants will receive a certificate and a Young Memberbership to the New York Academy of Sciences upon successfully completing the challenge.
15. University of Maryland’s WIE RISE! A Summer Research Program (Virtual)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students
WIE RISE! Summer Research Program is a free, week-long virtual experience for students interested in exploring engineering research. Hosted by the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering and the Women in Engineering Program, the course introduces a different engineering discipline each day through virtual lab tours and guided discussions. You’ll learn how to read and write scientific research papers, conduct simple experiments at home, and network with current Maryland engineering undergraduates to understand what academic and career pathways in engineering may look like.
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 – University of Maryland