If you’re a high school student in Virginia looking to explore research, build technical skills, and learn how research works, a summer research program in the state is a strong place to start. These programs allow you to work at top labs, research centers, and field sites, where you work alongside scientists, engineers, and faculty mentors.
Whether you want to explore space technology with NASA, dive into environmental science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, or conduct independent research with a Ph.D. mentor, all of the programs in the list below provide hands-on research experience. You’ll gain skills in data collection, coding, lab techniques, and presenting your findings. These experiences also help you decide which research path fits you best.
To get started, here’s a list of 15 research summer programs for high school students in Virginia!
15 Research Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: Vary by cohort. Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts 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. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) Program
Location: Online, followed by an in-person summer residency at NASA Langley Research Center
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: October 26
Program Dates: December – April for the online component, July 5 – July 11 (Session 1 of the residency), July 19 – July 25 (Session 2 of the residency)
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are Virginia residents, United States citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 2.7
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) offers you a hybrid research experience focused on climate science and Earth systems. From December to April, you’ll complete seven interactive online modules where you’ll analyze satellite data and explore environmental systems with guidance from NASA researchers.
If you finish the online portion, you may be selected for a summer residency at NASA Langley, where you’ll collaborate with a team to design a satellite-based Earth science mission. If human spaceflight is more your interest, consider the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars Program (VASTS), which focuses on space exploration and follows a similar structure.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for the Summer Cohort I is May 11.
Eligibility: High school student with a GPA of 3.3, no prior knowledge required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to work 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors on independent research projects. Over 12 weeks, you’ll choose a topic from fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
By the end of the program, you’ll have created your own research paper. This program helps you develop research skills and gain experience in academic research. You can find more details about the application process here. You can find more details about the application here.
4. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; Virtual interns receive a stipend of $500
Application Deadline: March 1, annually
Program Dates: 5 weeks, July–August (virtual)
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors from across the U.S.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science is a five-week virtual program that gives high school students, especially those from underrepresented communities, hands-on experience in neuroscience research. You will work with neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins University, take part in research projects, attend scientific seminars, and join personal development sessions. At the end of the program, you will present your research through an oral or poster presentation.
5. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Rolling, check the application portal for open opportunities
Program Dates: Year-Round
Eligibility: High school students (specific details vary by internship)
Note: Available in-person (Washington, D.C.) and remotely
APA’s internship program lets you explore roles in research, policy, and related areas. Your tasks will depend on the office you are placed in and your interests. You might help with research, writing, online projects, or administrative work. The program helps you apply what you have learned in real situations while learning more about professional psychology. You will work closely with a supervisor who will guide your work and learning. You may also join workshops, group projects, and discussions.
6. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, in-person, and hybrid options available
Cost: $25 application fee; no stipend
Application Deadline: February 2
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote and computer lab-based internships and 16+ for in-person lab (“wet-lab”) placements
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers you the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers on advanced STEM topics. You’ll be paired with a mentor to conduct research in areas like molecular medicine, climate science, cybersecurity, mathematics, and forensic science. The program can be remote, hybrid, or on-site, depending on the research area.
During the internship, you’ll gain hands-on experience, use research tools, practice scientific writing, and address real-world problems. You’ll also develop professional skills and explore careers in science and engineering through project work and enrichment sessions.
7. James Madison University’s Honors Summer Institute
Cost: $1,500, Partial scholarships available for students with demonstrated need
Location: James Madison University (residential)
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: July 13 – 19
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year.
JMU’s Honors Summer Institute is a week-long residential program designed to introduce you to college-level academics through research-oriented learning. You’ll participate in an Honors Core Course, an interdisciplinary class that focuses on current issues to build skills in analysis, discussion, and synthesis across various fields.
Each day includes subject-specific seminars, rotating through different academic disciplines, giving you a glimpse into potential majors. You’ll also gain exposure to JMU’s honors community and become familiar with how college research programs work.
8. NOVA’s Bridge Programs in Computer Science/Information Technology and Engineering Technology
Location: Northern Virginia Community College
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 20 – June 29 and July 17 – July 28
Eligibility: Open to graduating seniors and current juniors
This two-week program offers two focused tracks: Computer Science/IT and Engineering Technology. In the CS/IT track, you will assemble computers, install operating systems, and explore areas like AI and cybersecurity using the systems you build. The Engineering Technology track introduces you to local industries such as data centers and semiconductor manufacturing.
It includes site visits, equipment demos, and certification opportunities like the OSHA 10 credential. Both tracks are designed to help you apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, providing a strong foundation for future research or technical internships.
9. Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)
Location: Virtual and NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: October 26
Program Dates: Online course (December–May); In-person summer residency (June–August)
Eligibility: Virginia high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens with a GPA of 2.7 or higher
VASTS is a NASA-affiliated program that introduces you to aerospace research through academic study and applied problem-solving. During the academic year, you will complete an online course that challenges you to analyze and propose solutions to aerospace engineering problems, such as improving systems aboard the International Space Station.
If you perform well, you will be invited to NASA Langley for a week-long summer residency to collaborate on a mission design for human travel to Mars. While on site, you will tour advanced research facilities, attend technical briefings, and work closely with NASA professionals, including engineers and astronauts.
10. National History Academy’s Residential Summer Program
Location: VA
Cost: $9,995
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Program Dates: July 6-August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school 10th- 12th graders
The National History Academy is a month-long residential program that combines U.S. history, civic engagement, and public policy through discussion-based learning and site visits. You will explore landmark legal cases, study original documents, and engage with scholars, legal experts, and policymakers.
The program focuses on case-based learning, modeled on Harvard’s curriculum, allowing you to critically analyze primary sources and develop your arguments. You will also visit over a dozen historic sites, from Gettysburg to Capitol Hill, providing context and depth to your research.
11. VIMS Governor’s School
Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, VA; students are housed at Christopher Newport University
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Varies; typically between January and February
Program Dates: July 6-26
Eligibility: High-achieving Virginia high school students with a demonstrated interest in marine science; selection is competitive and coordinated through the Virginia Department of Education
The VIMS Governor’s School is a four-week summer residential program in marine science offered in partnership with the Center for Gifted Education at William and Mary. You will work with VIMS faculty mentors on real research projects. Activities include field sampling in the Chesapeake Bay and laboratory analysis to study marine ecosystems and environmental issues.
You will develop research skills by creating questions, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting your findings to the VIMS community. The program builds experience in scientific inquiry and prepares you for future academic and research work in environmental and marine sciences.
12. NIAHD’s Pre-College Program in American History
Location: William and Mary Public University, Virginia
Cost: $6200
Application Deadline: Between May and June
Program Dates: Between June and August
Eligibility: High school students
The National Institute of American History and Democracy offers a summer program focused on public and social history. You will explore American history through daily field trips to museums and historic sites, using material culture and place-based learning to connect everyday experiences to broader historical narratives.
These visits are supported by seminar-style discussions and readings that help you study major themes and debates in American history and democracy. Faculty from William and Mary’s History Department teach the program, using current historical research and methods.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid. Certificate awarded upon completion, with the potential to extend the internship.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16–27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with strong skills in math, programming, or prior experience in healthcare-related projects
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week virtual program that introduces you to the use of AI in healthcare. You will take part in lectures, mentorship sessions, research projects, and virtual networking events to learn how machine learning is applied to medical problems.
The program is designed for students interested in both technical and biomedical fields. You will work in small teams on healthcare-related AI projects, develop analytical skills, and gain experience in a growing area of research. Sessions are led by Stanford faculty and guest experts.
14. VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars
Location: VCU School of Pharmacy, MCV Campus, Richmond, VA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Dates: July 7–11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 interested in exploring a career in pharmacy
The VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars program is a one-week experience that introduces you to the field of pharmacy and healthcare. You will take part in hands-on activities such as non-sterile compounding, interact with current pharmacy students, and tour various pharmacy settings to learn about different career paths.
The program helps you understand the pharmacist’s role in healthcare and gives you a practical view of the profession. It is designed to build early interest in pharmaceutical sciences and provide foundational knowledge for future education and career planning in healthcare.
15. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded with a stipend provided by the City of Cambridge
Application Deadline: Expected in May
Program Dates: September–May
Eligibility: Open to students at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, with plans to broaden the scope
The Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program is a year-long opportunity for high school students to work on astrophysics research with scientists from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Each year, 10 to 16 students are selected and placed into small research teams for focused collaboration. The program can be in-person or virtual.
You will attend monthly workshops and lectures to build your understanding of astrophysics and develop research skills. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a symposium through posters and presentations.
Image source – Harvard University