Summer is an ideal time for high school students to gain real-world experience and build a portfolio in a subject of their choice. If you’re interested in applying your classroom curriculum in a real-world setting, research programs are a great option!
If you’re a high schooler in Washington, there’s multiple research opportunities that you can consider locally.
As a participant in these programs, you will learn to work with real scientific data, test hypotheses, and come up with solutions to complex problems. Whether you’re interested in genetics, neuroscience, bioengineering, or marine biology, you’ll have the chance to explore these fields in depth. You’ll also sharpen important skills like writing research papers, creating presentations, and building scientific posters.
To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer research programs for high school students in Washington!
15 Research Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: 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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. It is one of the few programs that lets you choose between doing quantitative or qualitative research.
After you choose your subject, Horizon pairs you with a professor or PhD researcher who will guide you through the entire process. You’ll work on developing a 20-page research paper, which you can submit to research journals for possible publication. You also receive a recommendation letter and detailed feedback on your project.
2. Seattle Children’s Research Training Program for High School Students
Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Application Deadline: January 6 – March 9
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: Current 10th graders
Seattle Children’s Research Training Program gives you early exposure to biomedical research through hands-on lab work. You’ll explore gene editing, immunotherapy, and biochemistry. You’ll also learn lab protocols, experimental design, and data interpretation.
The program focuses on technical precision, scientific reasoning, and building your research project. You’ll also gain experience with pipetting, microscopy, biosafety practices, and analyzing results. Outside the lab, you’ll attend sessions on college prep and research careers..
3. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of the Navy (DoN)
Location: Multiple locations
Stipend: New participant: $4,000; Returning participant: $4,500
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9, are currently enrolled in high school, and are 16 and above by program start
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) lets high school students spend eight weeks doing hands-on research at the Department of the Navy labs. There are placements at more than 38 labs across the U.S.
You’ll work with scientists and engineers, gaining real experience in STEM fields and exposure to advanced Naval research. You’ll learn lab techniques, problem-solving, and how research supports real-world challenges. SEAP is selective, and you’re chosen based on academics, personal statements, recommendations, and career goals.
5. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s SHIP is an eight-week, full-time, paid internship for high school students from communities underrepresented in STEM. In the first two weeks, you’ll get hands-on training in lab safety and molecular biology techniques like tissue culture and PCR.
For the next six weeks, you’ll join a research group, work with mentors, and contribute to real projects. Each week includes sessions on research ethics, career paths, data science, and college applications. You’ll present your work at a final symposium.
6. Neuroscience Summer Student Program
Location: University of Washington
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 1
Dates: 8-week program
Eligibility: High school graduates who are 18 years of age or older by the first day of the program with a GPA of 3.2 and above
If you’re interested in neurology or neuroscience research, the UW Medicine Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program offers hands-on experience. This eight-week program includes placement in a neuroscience lab, clinical shadowing in neurology or neurosurgery clinics, and time in neurosurgical operating rooms. Each week, you’ll attend faculty lectures, grand rounds, and discussions with neurosurgery residents. You’ll complete a research project and present it at the end.
7. Young Women in Science
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, WA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Depends on the opportunity you apply for. Check the careers page to find available opportunities.
Dates: June – August
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The Young Women in Science (YWIS) internship is a 10-week, full-time summer program for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). You will work closely with a scientist-mentor in a specific research area, gaining hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
The program helps you develop skills such as scientific research techniques, data analysis, and professional communication. You will also have opportunities to participate in educational activities like laboratory demonstrations, field trips, and career awareness workshops.
8. Spark Program
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the project you apply for.
Application Deadline: Depends on the project you apply for.
Dates: Depends on the project you apply for.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 for the current school year in the Seattle area
SPARK pairs you with a mentor who’s working in the kind of field you might want to enter, whether that’s scientific research, public health, policy, or software development. You’re given real tasks. You might break down a research paper, write a professional email, build a small database, or design a simple survey. Every week, you write about what you’re learning and how you’re handling it. Your mentor reads it, gives you feedback, and you figure out how to do better the next time.
9. NASA OSTEM Internship
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, some opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16 | Spring: September 12
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May/Early June – August | Fall Session: Late August/Early September – Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA is a world leader in space exploration and cutting-edge scientific research. Through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), NASA offers internships where high school students can work alongside NASA scientists and engineers on real-world projects.
During the internship, you will develop essential skills such as data analysis, problem-solving, technical writing, and teamwork. You’ll also gain hands-on experience using scientific tools and software, giving you practical knowledge in STEM fields.
10. Summer Academic Challenge (SAC)
Location: University of Puget Sound
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: June 1
Dates: June 26 – July 24
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
SAC (Summer Academic Challenge) gives you the chance to apply science and reasoning to real-world problems. If you’re in 9th or 10th grade, you’ll focus on environmental systems like tracking salmon populations, testing water quality, and studying how policy affects ecosystems. If you’re in 11th or 12th, your work shifts to transportation tech.
You’ll look at how different systems, from public transit to automated vehicles, interact with infrastructure and sustainability goals. Throughout the program, you work in teams to solve problems, interpret data, and share your findings. Workshops teach you how to write about science, connect data points, and present complex topics in a way that makes sense.
11. US Naval Research Laboratory Student Volunteer Program
Location: US Naval Research Laboratory, WA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round
Dates: No fixed dates; students can start anytime based on position availability and coordination with their school.
Eligibility: Students over the age of 16
The Student Volunteer Program at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) allows you to assist with research in a federal science and engineering environment. As a volunteer, you’ll gain hands-on experience in materials science, electrical engineering, and oceanography.
You’ll develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also learn to apply lab protocols, document data accurately, and use problem-solving techniques. Besides, you’ll improve your understanding of lab safety, quality control, and the importance of precise scientific practices.
12. Camp BIOmed
Location: Northwest Association for Biomedical Research
Cost: $645 – $845
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 15 and close as seats fill up
Dates: June 23 – June 27 (Whitworth University); July 7 – August 15 (Seattle Pacific University)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 in the fall
If you’re a high school student interested in health and science careers, Camp BIOmed offers a one-week, hands-on experience to dive into biomedical research. The program lets you choose from six tracks, each focusing on a specific area of science: cancer biology, genetic engineering, microbiology, forensics, bioinformatics, or global health.
You’ll also engage in practical lab techniques like DNA fingerprinting, PCR, and antibiotic testing, all while tackling real-world issues and case studies. With guidance from expert instructors, you’ll not only conduct experiments but also learn how science intersects with medicine, technology, and global health.
13. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory High School Research Intern Program
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, WA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications open in early February.
Dates: August – May
Eligibility: High school students
The PNNL High School Research Intern Program offers you the opportunity to gain early experience in STEM research while still in high school. During the academic year, you’ll split your day between attending regular classes and working up to four hours per day at PNNL alongside a mentor in a specific research area.
You’ll participate in educational activities such as lab demos, field trips, and career development workshops. This internship also contributes toward graduation credits through your school’s work-based learning program. While students under 18 may have restrictions on lab access or fieldwork, the program still provides solid exposure to scientific environments.
14. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Student Research Apprenticeship Program
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, WA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Depends on the opportunity you apply for. Check the careers page to find available opportunities.
Dates: 10 weeks between June – August
Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, or senior at the time of application, at least 16 years or older by the program start date, with a GPA of 3.0 and above
The PNNL Student Research Apprenticeship Program is a 10-week summer internship for high school students interested in STEM. As a participant, you’ll be placed in a PNNL lab and work under the guidance of experienced scientists. Beyond the lab, the program includes field trips, leadership workshops, and educational seminars to enhance your understanding of scientific research.
15. ISB In-Person Summer Internship for Rising Seniors
Location: ISB Baliga Lab, WA
Stipend: Paid interns receive a $5,000 stipend
Application Deadline: March 14
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: Current 11th graders
The ISB Summer Internship for rising seniors is an 8-week, full-time, paid program that focuses on systems biology research. Each year, the program covers different topics, including cancer biology, microbiomes, computational modeling, and bioengineering. You’ll work directly with professional mentors and contribute to active research projects.
Throughout the internship, you’ll develop coding and professional skills, engage in curriculum design, and gain practical exposure to scientific careers. As part of the program, you’ll also create a website to showcase your learning and experiences.
Image source – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory