If you’re a high school student in Texas interested in science, technology, or engineering, consider joining a research summer program in the state. Texas is where some of the country’s top universities and research institutions let you explore areas like robotics, bioengineering, computer science, and environmental science.
You’ll work closely with professors, researchers, and fellow students on real projects, from coding and data analysis to designing prototypes and conducting experiments. Whether you’re considering a future in computer science, medicine, engineering, or space research, these programs can help you lay the groundwork for your next research projects or internships.
Here are 15 STEM research programs for high school students in Texas that you should check out!
15 STEM Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon’s 1-1 lab program in STEM offers an exploration of CRISPR and gene editing, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of CRISPR systems, their evolution, and applications in genome engineering. Students investigate CRISPR’s molecular basis, including proteins like Cas9 and Cas12, and how these systems can be optimized for gene manipulation and disease treatment.
Throughout the program, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a respected university, who will guide you as you work on a 20-page research paper. This project is designed to be at the university level, and you may have the option to submit it to academic journals for publication. You can find more details regarding the program and apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a fee. You can get information regarding the cost by raising an interest form here.
Application deadline: 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. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — STEM Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with a structured research experience, offering personalized 1-on-1 mentorship. During the 12-week program, you’ll work with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent research project in a subject of your choice.
If you’re interested in STEM, you can select the program’s STEM track while applying. This gives you the flexibility to focus on areas that align with your interests while gaining research experience. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed a research paper based on your work. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Remote — You can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
3. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program, hosted by the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, offers a 10-week research opportunity for students who are interested in biomedical sciences. During the program, you’ll be working on a biomedical research project, like cancer research or genetics, alongside faculty members from MD Anderson.
You’ll get hands-on experience in the lab, learning the ins and outs of scientific research, including data collection and analysis. There will also be seminars to help you better understand the research process and the biomedical field. Each year, only 10 students are selected, making the program highly selective.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $6,800 for the 10-week program and $6,120 if participating for 9 weeks.
Application Deadline: January 20
Program Dates: June 2 — August 8
Eligibility: Open to Texas-resident high school seniors, 18+ at the start.
4. Welch Summer Scholars Program
The Welch Foundation Summer Scholars Program places high school sophomores and juniors in university labs across Texas for a six-week research experience. The program is free and hosted by five partner universities, including Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas A&M.
You will be matched with a lab based on your interests and assigned a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher as a mentor. A faculty member will also guide your project. Each day involves working directly on a research question using lab techniques, data collection, and analysis.
Location: One of five universities in Texas.
Cost: None. All program-related expenses (including housing) of participants are covered.
Application Deadline: March 16
Program Dates: The five-week program typically runs from June to July.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Texas can apply.
5. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) is a summer internship program offered by the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with NASA. This program gives high school students the chance to explore Earth and space research while learning how to analyze NASA satellite data.
The program kicks off with virtual learning modules covering Earth science concepts and the basics of Python programming. In July, you’ll head to the University of Texas at Austin for on-site research, where you’ll work alongside NASA experts to analyze satellite data. You’ll get hands-on experience with tasks like visualizing remote sensing data, mission design, and studying things like ice sheets and Earth’s gravity field. Upon completing the program, you’ll receive a NASA certificate of completion!
Location: Hybrid. The on-site portion of the internship is conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, TX.
Cost: None
Application deadline: Applications are typically due at the end of February.
Program dates: The program runs from May to August, however, the on-site experience typically starts in July.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the US can apply.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to engage in hands-on research in fields like STEM and the humanities. You’ll work directly with university faculty on a research project, participate in seminars, attend discussions, and take field trips to experience college life.
Throughout the program, you’ll gain skills such as data analysis, research methodology, problem-solving, and scientific writing. You’ll also have the chance to improve your public speaking by presenting your research findings and developing a research paper. The program is highly competitive, selecting only 12 students each year based on academic performance, teacher recommendations, and career goals.
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost: No cost. Students can get a $750 stipend at the end of the program.
Application deadline: February 24
Program dates: June 22 — August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old when the program starts can apply.
7. University of Houston’s Mohan Lab Summer Internship
The MohanLab, led by Dr. Chandra Mohan at the University of Houston, focuses on research in autoimmune diseases and cancer diagnostics. It offers a 9–10-week summer internship for high school students interested in fields like biomedical science, medicine, health, or bioengineering. At the start of the program, you’ll learn basic lab skills like pipetting, preparing samples, using centrifuges, and running gel electrophoresis.
Once you’re trained, you’ll join an ongoing research project, working closely with a scientist or graduate student. You’ll practice skills like collecting and analyzing data, maintaining lab records, and interpreting scientific results. Past interns have worked on projects such as identifying protein biomarkers in bladder cancer and studying RNA and protein interactions in kidney disease.
Location: MohanLab, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Application deadline: March 28
Program dates: June 2 — July 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors can apply.
8. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
The SMS Summer Research Program at Baylor College of Medicine is an eight-week, full-time research experience for high school students interested in science and medicine. You will spend about 40 hours per week in a research lab, working on a project guided by a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student.
You will learn how to perform basic lab techniques such as pipetting, growing cells, and analyzing data. The program also focuses on developing scientific writing and presentation skills. Weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions cover topics like research ethics, STEM careers, and the college application process.
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Cost: None; Stipends are provided.
Application Deadline: April 18
Program Dates: June 11 — August 4
Eligibility: High school students must be 18+ by the start date (some projects accept 16–17). Must have joined Saturday Morning Science or be linked to Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, or similar minority-serving institutions.
9. Summer High School Research Academy (HSRA)
The Summer High School Research Academy at UT Austin is a five-week program where you work on real research projects with university faculty. You’ll be placed in a research lab based on your interests and spend each day building STEM skills through experiments, data analysis, and technical reading. You will explore fields like biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering while learning how to design research questions, test hypotheses, and present your findings. Along with your project, you’ll also work with a small group to complete a shared research task.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $3,500 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: March 23
Program Dates: June 9 — July 16
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Texas residents and will be at least 15 years old can apply.
10. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars is a year-long STEM program for high school juniors in Texas that connects classroom learning with NASA’s work in space exploration. It starts with a five-month online course during the school year, where you complete lessons on Earth science, robotics, aeronautics, and space systems. You’ll take on design challenges and receive feedback from NASA scientists and engineers as you progress.
If you complete the course successfully, you can be selected for Moonshot, a virtual summer experience. Over one week, you’ll join a student team and work through engineering simulations and mission-planning exercises based on real NASA projects. You’ll build problem-solving and research skills while applying science and math concepts to plan a Moon or Mars mission.
Location: In-person at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and virtual.
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in October.
Program Dates: This is a year-long program. Check the program dates here.
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in Texas are eligible to apply.
11. PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program at Rice University gives high school students the chance to explore how engineering and medical technology are used to solve healthcare problems. You’ll work on a research project that involves areas like digital electronics, computer science, and physics.
Projects may use tools such as GPS sensors, pulse oximeters, or accelerometers to build a working device that reflects ongoing research at the PATHS-UP center. Throughout the program, you’ll develop STEM research skills in circuit design, data collection, and technical analysis.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost
Application deadline: April 4
Program dates: June 9 — 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Houston, TX, can apply.
12. UT Computer Science Academy for Women
The UT Computer Science Academy for Women is a week-long summer camp for high school students who want to explore computer science in a hands-on and beginner-friendly way. You’ll learn the basics of programming and work on small projects that introduce you to real-world applications of computer science.
One of the featured activities is programming an Arduino microcontroller to build a light show, giving you experience with both coding and hardware. Throughout the week, you’ll attend talks from UT professors and guest speakers from the tech industry, who will share what it’s like to work in fields like software engineering, data science, and AI.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: June 8 — 14
Eligibility: Female high school students entering grades 10–12 in fall can apply.
13. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
The AFRL Scholars Program gives high school students a chance to explore aerospace engineering and STEM research through a paid summer internship. You’ll work on real-world projects in areas like satellite navigation, machine learning, atomic physics, or rocket propulsion, depending on the topics available at your chosen Air Force Research Lab location.
You can apply to up to three research projects that match your interests. During the internship, you’ll be mentored by AFRL scientists and engineers, tour high-tech labs, and build skills in research methods, data analysis, and technical communication. Past interns have tackled projects such as designing launch vehicle systems or simulating detonation engines.
Location: Several locations across the United States. Students in Texas can choose the AFWERX site in Texas.
Cost: None. A stipend of $492.40/week is offered to participants.
Application Deadline: Deadlines can vary based on the chosen site.
Program Dates: ARFL internships typically run 10–12 weeks in the summer, with a minimum requirement of 8 weeks. They can extend to 14 weeks based on mentor preferences and availability of funds.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here.
14. Rice STEM Academy
The Rice STEM Academy is a free, week-long summer program for high school girls interested in science and engineering. You’ll explore sustainability-focused engineering challenges through hands-on activities in Rice University’s labs. Working alongside faculty and graduate students, you’ll learn how real-world problems are approached using scientific principles.
During the program, you’ll take on projects like designing landing capsules, experimenting with circuits using Micro Bits, and exploring motion through programmable TI Nspire Rovers. You’ll also dive into physics concepts and see how they connect to sustainable engineering solutions.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX.
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for a week in July.
Eligibility: High school students entering 10th or 11th grade can apply.
15. Health Sciences Summer Institute
The Health Sciences Summer Institute is for high school students who are thinking about a healthcare career. The program gives you a close-up look at the medical field through clinical simulations, lab sessions, and hospital visits. You’ll explore topics like patient care, medical ethics, and how healthcare systems work while learning about the roles of different medical professionals.
Along the way, you’ll meet and talk with people working in the field, including doctors, nurses, and researchers. These conversations give you a better sense of what it takes to pursue medicine and how to prepare for medical school.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $500 (scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Currently accepting applications. Applicants will be notified regarding their selection by April 30.
Program Dates: June 10–14 and June 24–28. (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students in 9th through 11th grade. If your school is in a partner district, you may require a school nomination.
Image source – Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin