15 Selective Research Programs for High School Students

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 selective research programs below, with details on cost, dates, deadlines, cohort size, and eligibility. All information was checked against the official 2026 program pages. You can jump to [fully funded summer research institutes], [university lab research programs], [medical research programs], or [year-round research programs]. At least 5 of the 15 programs are free or offer a stipend. Most application deadlines fall between January and March, so you can start comparing programs and preparing your applications early. If you’re not sure you’ll get into the most selective programs or you’re looking for a place to start, explore Horizon’s research opportunities.

What makes a research program selective?

All selective research programs don’t use the same admissions process. The programs on this list usually have limited spots and look for students who are ready to take on real research work.

• Low acceptance rates or small cohorts: Some programs publish very low acceptance rates, while others simply take a small number of students each year. Fewer spots can make a program competitive even when no acceptance rate is available.
• Strong academic requirements: You might need a high GPA, specific courses, strong test scores, or success in academic competitions. These requirements help programs find students with the subject knowledge that is needed for advanced research.
• Essays, recommendations, and interviews: Many selective programs ask for essays, teacher recommendations, and/or interviews. These parts of the application process help reviewers see your interests, preparation, and ability to contribute to a research project.
• Experienced research mentors: You might work with professors, scientists, graduate students, or other researchers in the field. Check whether you’ll work directly with a researcher or mainly follow an instructor-led curriculum.
• A real research project: Strong research programs usually have you produce something concrete, such as a research paper, poster, presentation, dataset, or other project. You should look for programs that clearly explain what you’ll research and what you’ll produce.
• Free or paid, both can be competitive: Free programs can attract many applicants because there’s no tuition. Paid programs can still be competitive if they offer a limited number of research placements, university resources, or spots with experienced mentors.

Does a selective research program help your college application?

A selective research program can make your college application strong, but what you do during the program matters more than the program’s name. Getting into a competitive program shows that you can take on a demanding opportunity, but colleges will want to see what you actually did with it.

If you spend several weeks working on a research question, analyzing data, learning research techniques, and creating a paper or poster, you’ll have something specific to discuss in your application. You can explain what you studied, what challenged you, how your thinking changed, and what you contributed.

A finished research paper can be really useful because it shows that you took a project from an initial question to a clear result. A strong recommendation from your research mentor can also help, especially if they can describe your specific contributions, research skills, and ability to work independently.

The program’s reputation can provide useful context, but it won’t make up for a limited research experience. Two students can attend the same program and leave with very different experiences based on how seriously they engage with the research.

If you’re thinking about starting research before college, Why Starting Research Early Is One of the Best Decisions a High School Student Can Make explains how early research can fit into your longer-term academic plans.

Fully funded summer research institutes

1. Research Science Institute (RSI), MIT / CEE

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA | Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; $75 application fee
Cohort size: 100 students (MIT) | 50 students (Stanford)
Dates: June 20 – July 31 (MIT) | June 27 – August 7 (Stanford)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by July 1 of the program year and meet the program’s academic requirements | High school seniors are not eligible

MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective summer STEM program where students take college-level coursework and complete an individual research project. They study scientific theory, attend seminars and lectures, and work with experienced scientists and researchers. Students use computing tools, conduct guided lab work, study background research, and develop scientific writing and presentation skills. They finish by presenting their findings in a research paper and presentation. The program receives more than 2,500 U.S. and 600 international applications each year and accepts less than 2.5% of applicants.

Who is it right for? High school students with strong STEM preparation who want an intensive research experience. It works especially well for students with substantial coursework, competition, or research experience who are ready to take on a demanding six-week program.

2. Summer Science Program (SSP)

Location: Multiple college and university campuses across the United States and Canada
Cost: $11,800; full need-based aid available for eligible students, reducing the cost to $0 | $3,000 stipend for a limited number of students
Cohort size: 720 students across 20 programs and 13 campuses | Research groups of around 36 students, working in teams of three
Dates: Five-week sessions run between June 8 and August 1, depending on the research program and campus
Application Deadline: January (international applicants) | February (domestic applicants)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, aged 15–18 during the program | Required coursework completed or in progress by June for credit and a grade | Coursework requirements vary by research track

The Summer Science Program is a five-week residential research program where students work in teams of three on scientific projects in astrophysics, bacterial genomics, biochemistry, and cell biology. They collect and analyze data, use research tools, solve problems, and share their findings with guidance from Ph.D. scientist-educators and mentors. The program gives students experience with a substantial scientific project from start to finish. Students also build skills in teamwork, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Who is it right for? High school juniors who have completed the required science and math coursework and want an intensive, team-based research experience. It is highly selective, and need-based financial aid is available to eligible students regardless of family income.

3. Clark Scholars Program, Texas Tech

Location: Honors College, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; $25 application fee + travel, personal, and medical expenses not covered | $750 stipend
Cohort size: 12 students
Dates: June 20 – August 5
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates who are at least 17 by the program’s start | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer research program where students work closely with Texas Tech faculty mentors on individual, college-level research projects. Research areas include biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, economics, and physics. Students take part in weekly seminars on academic writing, research ethics, and professional development, as well as field trips, discussions, and social activities. They finish by submitting a formal research report explaining their findings. Students get research experience, practice working with faculty, and experience communicating scientific or academic results.

Who is it right for? Academically strong students with a clear research interest who want close faculty mentorship and an intensive individual research experience. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who meet the program’s age and graduation requirements.

4. MITES Summer, MIT

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; travel expenses not covered
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 20 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade or equivalent at the time of application attending public, private, or home schools anywhere in the United States | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a current U.S. green card

MITES Summer is a six-week residential STEM program at MIT which includes advanced coursework, hands-on projects, and college preparation. Students take five math, science, and humanities courses and work with MITES instructors and mentors. They also tour MIT labs and local companies, attend STEM seminars, and explore electives such as genomics, electronics, machine learning, architecture, and engineering design. College admissions counseling and a college fair are also included. Students finish with a Final Symposium where they present their projects to the MIT community.

Who is it right for? Rising high school seniors with strong STEM preparation who want an intensive residential academic experience instead of an independent research internship. It’s a good fit for students who meet the MITES eligibility requirements and want STEM coursework, mentorship, and college preparation.

University lab research programs

5. Simons Summer Research Program, Stony Brook

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition; an estimated $2,450 for housing + a $120 starter meal plan for residential students | Stipend is paid
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, aged 16 or older | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | High school nomination required, with up to two nominees per school

The Simons Summer Research Program places students in Stony Brook University research groups, where they work with faculty mentors in science, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Students learn research methods, lab techniques, and experimental design while taking responsibility for a research project. They also attend faculty talks and workshops, then prepare a written abstract and poster. The program ends with a poster symposium where students present their findings and receive a stipend award. Simons reports that about 5% or fewer applicants are admitted, making the program highly selective.

Who is it right for? 11th graders who are interested in science, mathematics, or engineering and want to spend time doing research with faculty mentors. It’s also a good fit for students who can meet the school nomination requirement and are ready for a highly selective admissions process.

6. Garcia Summer Research Program, Stony Brook

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 laboratory usage fee + $50 non-refundable registration fee + $66 student health services fee | $2,599 on-campus room package + $600 meal plan (both are optional) | No financial aid or scholarships
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old by July 4 with an unweighted GPA of 3.8/4.0 or higher, standardized test scores at or above the 60th percentile, and at least three relevant subjects completed, including English, chemistry, mathematics or calculus, physics, and biology | International students are eligible if authorized to legally reside in the U.S. during the program

The Garcia Summer Research Program places high school students in research projects focused on polymer science and related fields at Stony Brook University. Students work with faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other research staff on laboratory projects in materials science, biotechnology, energy, computation, and engineering. They gain experience with hands-on experiments, laboratory techniques, research discussions, and scientific presentations. Students can also develop their work into abstracts for the Materials Research Society Fall Meeting. The program offers an optional academic-year Mentor Program for students who want to continue research with a faculty mentor.

Who is it right for? High schoolers with solid science and math coursework who want an intensive, lab-based research experience. It’s best suited to families who can cover the program’s high cost, as financial aid and scholarships aren’t available.

7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; $50 application fee, with fee waivers available | Limited need-based stipends available through special grants
Cohort size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 7 – July 29
Application Deadline: February 21 (tentative); applications open on December 18
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors graduating within the next two years who are at least 16 years old by the program start, are currently living in and attending high school in the U.S., and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card | Strong preference for students living in the Bay Area

SIMR is an eight-week summer research program where high school students conduct medically focused research in Stanford laboratories. Students work one-on-one with mentors and contribute to ongoing projects under Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff. Research areas include immunology, cancer biology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, genetics, and bioengineering. Participants receive research training, attend scientific lectures and seminars, and present their work at a final poster session. They gain hands-on research experience and exposure to biomedical research. SIMR also offers a Bioengineering Team Internship focused on designing biomedical prototypes.

Who is it right for? Academically strong juniors and seniors who are interested in biomedical research and meet the U.S. citizenship and residency requirements. Students outside the Bay Area can apply, but Stanford gives preference to local applicants during selection.

8. Boston University RISE Internship

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,415 (commuter students) | $10,735 (residential students) + $75 nonrefundable application fee | Limited need-based financial aid is available
Cohort size: Approximately 190 students
Dates: June 27 – August 6 (residential students) | June 28 – August 6 (commuter students)
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents | Strong academic record is required, with the most competitive applicants typically in the A to A- unweighted GPA range

The six-week RISE Internship places rising high school seniors in Boston University laboratories for 40 hours of research each week. Students work on projects with BU faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate student mentors in areas such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics, psychology, computer science, engineering, and public health. They build technical and analytical skills and attend weekly workshops on research methods and ethics. Students also join Practicum participants for academic and professional development workshops one day each week. The program ends with a Poster Symposium where students present their research findings and gain practical research experience.

Who is it right for? Academically strong rising seniors who are interested in hands-on STEM research and meet the U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirement. It is a good fit for students who can commit to six weeks of full-time research and are ready for a competitive admissions process.

9. UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,675 (commuter option) | $13,274 (residential option) | Limited need-based scholarships are available, with priority for California residents
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 14 – July 30 (Virtual Component: June 14 – 16)
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 or 11 with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA | Advanced 9th graders are considered on a case-by-case basis

UCSB RMP is a six-week, in-person research program with a virtual preparation component. Students work with a UC Santa Barbara graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, or faculty mentor and choose projects across STEM, humanities, and social sciences. Depending on the project, they spend 35–50 hours each week conducting research, collecting data, using library or laboratory resources, or doing fieldwork. Students also attend research talks and build field-specific skills. They finish with a research paper and symposium presentation and earn 8 college credits from two courses: Presentation Techniques and Introduction to Research.

Who is it right for? Academically strong 10th & 11th graders who want an intensive, mentor-guided research experience and can commit to a full-time summer program. Advanced 9th graders might also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Biomedical and medical research programs

10. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)

Location: National Institutes of Health campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD
Cost: No program tuition; housing expenses are not covered | High school interns receive $2,530 per month before graduation and $2,840 per month after graduation, based on the current NIH stipend table
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: May 10 – August 31; internships run for 8–10 weeks
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors enrolled at least half-time when applying and graduating before the internship begins who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 18 years old by September 30 | Students who are 17 on June 1 may qualify if they turn 18 by September 30 and have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus

The NIH Summer Internship Program places eligible students in full-time research positions within the NIH Intramural Research Program. Interns work with research groups led by NIH Principal Investigators on biomedical, behavioral, or social science projects in fields such as biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, engineering, epidemiology, computer science, and bioinformatics. They also take part in professional development and career programs and can present their work at NIH Summer Poster Day. There is no centralized admissions process, and individual Principal Investigators review applications and select interns.

Who is it right for? Graduating high school seniors who meet the age, citizenship, and enrollment requirements and want a full-time research experience at NIH. The program is generally not open to students in grades 9–11.

11. UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School High School Summer Research Program

Location: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: $4,000, including registration and lab coats | Housing and parking expenses are not covered
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 7 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program

The High School Summer Research Program is a four-week medical science program at UTHealth Houston. Students conduct hands-on bench research with faculty and student mentors in interdisciplinary laboratories and work on team projects. Weekly meetings with UTHealth clinicians and scientists provide exposure to medical and biomedical careers, and seminars offer opportunities to meet faculty, medical students, and healthcare professionals. Students build laboratory, scientific communication, and professional development skills through research discussions and workshops. They also get to present their findings at a final Minisymposium and leave with practical research experience and career guidance.

Who is it right for? Rising juniors and seniors with a strong interest in biomedical research, medicine, or related scientific fields who are prepared for an intensive four-week laboratory experience.

12. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: No tuition; housing is not provided | Stipend is available (exact amount not published) + free ORCA card for public transportation in the greater Seattle area
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications close in March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start, have strong scientific interest and academic background, and are current residents of the Greater Seattle area or surrounding regions | International and out-of-state students are not eligible

SHIP is an eight-week research internship at Fred Hutch. Students learn about laboratory safety and core techniques such as pipetting, DNA isolation, PCR, tissue culture, and gel electrophoresis for the first two weeks. They then spend six weeks working with faculty and research scientists in a Fred Hutch research group, where they help prepare lab solutions, collect and enter data, observe biomedical procedures, and attend lab meetings. Interns participate in Weekly interactive sessions on research ethics, meet-the-scientist talks, Big Data visualization, effective presentations, health disparities research, and biostatistics. They also join essay-writing sessions, college and career workshops, and team activities. They conclude by sharing their experience with the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends.

Who is it right for? Seattle-area rising high school seniors looking for their first substantial biomedical research experience. It’s a good fit for students with strong interests in science who have limited prior lab research experience.

13. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free; OMNY card provided for public transportation to and from campus | Need-based stipends might be available for students facing financial hardship (amount not published)
Cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start | Applicants from outside the New York Tri-State Area can also apply, but housing or visa assistance is not provided by Rockefeller

The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University is a seven-week, team-based research program focused on hands-on laboratory science. Students work in groups of 8–10 with one to three lead mentors and other scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. They learn lab techniques, develop research questions, analyze data, conduct experiments, and create research posters. Research areas include biochemistry, neuroscience, cell biology, immunology, genetics, cancer biology, and computational biology. Students also attend electives, guest lectures, and workshops as well as present their work at a final research symposium.

Who is it right for? High school juniors and seniors interested in collaborative biomedical research who can commit to the full seven-week program. Students who live outside the commuting distance of New York City will also need to arrange their own housing.

Year-round and mentorship-based research programs

If you want to fit research around your school schedule, year-round and mentorship-based programs offer more flexibility than traditional summer programs. You’ll work with a research mentor over several months, develop your project gradually, and have more time to create a substantial final product.

14. MIT PRIMES

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Cohort size: Not published
Dates: January 1 – December 31
Application Deadline: November 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live within driving distance of Boston, including homeschooled students of the same age | Students living elsewhere in the U.S. can apply to PRIMES-USA | Not open to international students residing outside the U.S.

MIT PRIMES is a free, year-long research program in mathematics and bioinformatics. Students work with MIT academic mentors, usually graduate students or postdoctoral scholars, on advanced reading and original research involving unsolved problems. Sophomores complete group projects, and juniors might work individually or in groups. Students follow research and writing milestones throughout the year, present at a fall conference, and complete a final research paper. The program selects students for strong mathematical ability, research potential, and self-motivation.

Who is it right for? Mathematically advanced sophomores and juniors who are comfortable with proof-based math, independent study, and can commute to the program in Boston. It is particularly great for students with experience such as USAMO or USAJMO qualification, college-level proof-based coursework, or advanced summer math programs.

15. Horizon Academic Research Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Cohort size: 3–6 students for Professor Seminar courses | Horizon Labs offers one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Cohorts run throughout the year; fall, winter, and spring cohorts run for 15 weeks, and the summer cohort for 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the winter, spring, summer, and fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record and generally a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.67 or equivalent | Most accepted students are in grades 10 or 11 | Additional prerequisites for some subjects

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, economics, machine learning, history, political theory, and more. Students choose a quantitative or qualitative research track and work with a professor or PhD scholar as a mentor. They develop a 20-page research paper that can be submitted to academic journals for publication. Each student also receives a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on their project to support future work. Horizon reports a 26% acceptance rate based on 6,539 applications and enrolls around 150–200 students each year.

Who is it right for? Academically strong high school students who want to work on a specific research question with ongoing mentorship instead of completing a short summer project. It also works well for students looking for an online program that fits around the school year.

How to get into a selective research program

Getting into a selective research program takes more than strong grades. Your application should show that you’re genuinely interested in research and have made an effort to explore that interest.

• Apply to a mix of highly selective and more attainable programs. Don’t rely only on programs with very small cohorts. Look for options with different levels of selectivity, eligibility requirements, and costs.
• Start your essays early so you have time to write specific answers, revise them, and remove generic statements. Your essays should explain why research interests you and what you want to explore.
• Give your recommenders at least a month’s time. You should choose teachers or mentors who know your academic work and can describe how you approach challenging problems. You need to give them your resume, deadlines, and relevant program information so they can write a focused recommendation for you.
• Show that you are actually interested. Independent projects, science or math competitions, research reading, coding projects, and other subject-related work can show that your interest is more than regular class assignments. Formal research experience isn’t required for every program, but you should have something concrete to highlight.
• Tailor your application to the specific program. You need to research its subject areas, mentors, and project structure before you apply. You should explain why the program fits your interests instead of using the same application for every program.
• Keep all your deadlines and requirements in one place. A spreadsheet or calendar can help you track application and recommendation deadlines, required materials, fees, and interview dates.

If you’re looking for a first research experience rather than a highly selective program, you can check out 14 Research Programs for Complete Beginners for options that don’t require prior research experience.

Frequently asked questions

Resources: More from Horizon

Program pages

• Research Science Institute (RSI)
• Summer Science Program (SSP)
• Clark Scholars Program
• MITES Summer
• Simons Summer Research Program
• Garcia Summer Research Program
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
• Boston University RISE Internship
• UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
• NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
• UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School High School Summer Research Program
• Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
• Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
• MIT PRIMES
• Horizon Academic Research Program

Guides from Horizon

• Horizon Programs
• The Most Competitive Summer Programs for High School Students
• 14 Research Programs for Complete Beginners
• 14 Grants for High School Students Research
• Why Starting Research Early Is One of the Best Decisions a High School Student Can Make
• Is It Worth Paying for a Paid Summer Program?

Go start your own project

Selective programs are worth aiming for, but you don’t have to wait for an acceptance to start researching. You should apply to different programs, explore your interests now, and build research experience on your own timeline. If you want structured guidance, you can apply to Horizon to work on your own research project with a PhD mentor or join an info session to learn more about the program.

Image source: Stony Brook University