If you’re a high school student interested in engineering, participating in a research program can be a valuable way to explore the field more deeply. These programs allow you to investigate specific topics—such as mechanical, electrical, or environmental engineering—while developing technical and analytical skills.
These programs will also pair you with expert mentors, introduce you to advanced tools and methodologies, and offer insights into potential career paths. You will also have opportunities to work in labs, refine your scientific writing skills, conduct experiments and/or surveys, and prepare research posters, abstracts, or even full-length papers. Engaging in such experiences can also set you apart in college applications and help you make informed decisions regarding your major.
Whether you are drawn to mechanical systems, environmental innovation, or computer modeling, there’s an engineering research program designed to match your interests.
To help you take the first step, we have compiled a list of 17 engineering research opportunities for high school students interested in STEM.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program: Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Vary by cohort; the spring and fall cohorts run for 15 weeks, and the summer cohort runs for 10 weeks (June – September)
Application deadline: Several deadlines throughout the year for the spring, summer, and fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic performance (>3.67/4.0 GPA); a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs to high school students across subject areas, including engineering. Here, you have a choice to conduct either quantitative or qualitative research on a topic in engineering that interests you. Once you select a topic and track, Horizon pairs you with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who will act as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will get to develop a 20-page college-level research paper that you can submit to prestigious journals for publication. Additionally, the program offers a letter of recommendation and project feedback, which you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Engineering Track
Location: Online
Program dates: Vary based on the cohort you choose; summer cohorts typically begin in June/July.
Application deadline: Multiple cohorts are scheduled in a year with different application deadlines; summer cohort applications are typically due in May/June.
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is meant for high schoolers interested in exploring an area of interest through research. Here, you will get to work on an independent research project under one-on-one mentorship of a Ph.D.-level expert. You can choose from various research areas, including engineering, software engineering, and aerospace engineering. Then, you, along with your mentor, can decide on a topic in the chosen engineering track. During the program, you will also have access to a writing coach, who will help you understand the research process and scientific writing. By the end of the session, you will have a complete university-level research paper! You can learn more about the available program formats and research areas on the application form here.
3. Research Science Institute
Location: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Program dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
MIT’s Research Science Institute is a competitive engineering research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM, typically accepting 80–100 students out of ~2,000 applicants. The program begins with an intensive week of seminars covering foundational and emerging topics in the fields of engineering, biology, and mathematics. Then, you will engage in a five-week research experience, working under the mentorship of university researchers or scientists on an individual project. You will also attend evening lectures from leaders in science and technology, access MIT’s computing infrastructure, and engage in academic discussions. Toward the end of the program, you will complete a formal research paper and deliver a conference-style oral presentation, which will be evaluated by experts.
2. NYU Tandon’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free with $1,000 stipend
Program dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school; must be New York residents.
If you are a high school student interested in STEM research, the ARISE program at NYU Tandon is a free 10-week research opportunity that you can consider. In the initial four weeks, you will undergo training in lab safety, academic writing, and research methods to prepare for independent inquiry. Then, in the next six weeks, you will be placed in one of 80+ active NYU labs, where you will assist in real-world projects in fields like engineering, robotics, and computer science. You will log around 120 hours of lab experience, collaborate with researchers, and present your findings at both NYU’s Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History’s symposium. This research opportunity also comes with college prep support, networking opportunities, and a $1,000 stipend.
3. Johns Hopkins ASPIRE
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: June 24 – August 21; the internship experience can continue into the academic year based on student and mentor needs and availability
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and reside in specific regions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s ASPIRE is a STEM research opportunity for high school students. If selected, you can choose one of several STEM-based placement areas, including engineering and aerospace engineering. Then, you will be paired with a mentor, who will offer support to help you work on your engineering research project. During the program, you will find opportunities to build technical and interpersonal skills. The program ends with the submission of your digital project poster. You can also choose to continue your ASPIRE experience during the academic year.
4. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; no tuition fee; a $750 stipend offered
Program dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S citizens and at least 17 years old
At the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University, you will participate in a one-on-one research experience with a faculty mentor in a field aligned with your academic interests, which can include engineering. This selective program invites a small group of students each year, chosen based on academic achievement, recommendations, and clear research goals. You will work on an independent project, contribute to ongoing research, and engage in weekly seminars and field visits designed to offer insights into scientific and academic careers. The engineering research opportunity can help you get experience in experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, and deep inquiry, and develop technical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
5. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote and in-person at George Mason University campuses in Fairfax, VA, and Manassas, VA
Cost: None apart from a $25 application fee; need-based waiver available
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old (at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships)
George Mason University’s ASSIP is an intensive eight-week, full-time research opportunity. You will get to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on advanced research projects across a wide range of disciplines, including various engineering topics. In addition to conducting experiments or running simulations in labs or virtually, you will get to develop your scientific writing and communication skills. You may even contribute to peer-reviewed publications or conferences! The program blends hands-on lab work with weekly forums and career discussions designed to help you explore career paths in science and engineering.
6. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free to attend; residential students need to pay housing costs
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start date and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program places you in a university lab for seven weeks, where you will join a Stony Brook faculty-led research team and contribute to an ongoing project in engineering or other STEM fields. As a Simons Fellow, you will be matched with a mentor and engage in tasks like designing experiments, analyzing data, or using specialized lab equipment, depending on your assigned field. The program also offers access to regular faculty seminars, workshops, and research-focused activities. You will write a formal research abstract and create a scientific poster that summarizes your findings, which you will present at the program’s final symposium and be eligible to receive a stipend.
7. NIST Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; applicants must live near a NIST campus and be U.S. citizens
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) lets you work directly with federal scientists and engineers in laboratory settings for eight weeks. During your internship, you will be assigned a research project in areas such as artificial intelligence, chemistry, materials science, or quantum computing, depending on your interests and mentor. For instance, you may get to research building materials and structure, intelligent manufacturing technologies, or the reliability of certain electronics. You will get access to high-end lab equipment, technical seminars, and regular check-ins with your mentor as you carry out research tasks and contribute to ongoing studies. The internship culminates in a final poster session where you’ll present your work to peers and researchers.
8. Texas A&M PATHS-UP University Young Scholars
Location: Texas A&M University campus
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Program dates: In-person research: June 9 – July 27 | Virtual lecture series: July 7 – 25 | Research Symposium: July 31
Application deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, ages 16 or older, in Los Fresnos CISD, Sharyland ISD, or South Texas ISD, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
At the PATHS-UP Young Scholars program hosted by Texas A&M University, you will spend three weeks on campus engaging in hands-on research in biomedical engineering and health-related technologies. This fully funded residential internship is meant for high school students interested in exploring careers in engineering and science. Here, you will work alongside faculty and graduate students, learning how to conduct lab research, write scientific papers, and engage in technical discussions. You will also participate in a virtual research symposium with students from partner universities, including UCLA and Rice. Daily activities often include lab experiments, seminars, and discussions that connect your research to broader STEM concepts and career pathways.
9. WIE RISE!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in mid-January
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students
WIE RISE! is a one-week virtual research program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of engineering through a mix of interactive lab tours, at-home experiments, and virtual workshops. Hosted by current engineering students at the University of Maryland, the program is part of the RISE initiative and is designed to help you explore different engineering fields, such as electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering. Throughout the week, you will engage with research labs, learn how to read and write scientific papers, and perform hands-on experiments using materials found at home. You will also get a glimpse into undergraduate life and research culture through conversations with Maryland Engineering undergraduates in this engineering research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM.
10. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Intern Program
Location: Virtual or hybrid at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Dates: Virtual: June – July 5 | In-person: July 6 – 19 | Virtual Symposium: July 21 – 22
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old by July 5
The SEES program offers selective summer internships to allow high school students to collaborate with NASA-affiliated researchers on Earth science topics like climate change, satellite data interpretation, and planetary systems. You begin with distance-learning modules before traveling to the University of Texas at Austin for a two-week research experience. During the program, you will work under the mentorship of scientists and engineers on projects that use real NASA data to study natural hazards, environmental change, or geodetic science. You will also get to work on NASA’s remote sensing data, mission design, ice sheet analysis, and information regarding Earth’s gravity field during the program. Your work will end with a formal virtual presentation at the SEES Science Symposium, where you get to share your findings with peers and professionals.
11. AEOP High School Internship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide
Cost: Free; stipend is provided
Program dates: Varies by location; typically June–August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens/permanent legal residents; grade and coursework requirements vary by site
The AEOP High School Internship offers high school students the chance to gain real research experience by working in university laboratories or U.S. Army research centers over the summer. In this program, you’ll be matched with a professional mentor and take part in projects related to advanced technology, biomedicine, materials science, and other areas critical to national interests. Alongside your lab work, you will join workshops and virtual sessions that focus on research skills, college preparation, and career development. The engineering research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM includes peer networking and access to “near-peer” mentors who can share guidance based on recent experience. Selection criteria and project areas vary by location, but all placements involve collaborative and problem-solving activities related to STEM research.
12. Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 who are 16 years old and are U.S. citizens
The Department of the Navy’s SEAP program is an eight-week apprenticeship. Around 300 high school students are placed annually across more than 38 labs nationwide to engage in tasks related to electronics, materials testing, environmental science, and systems engineering. If selected, you will work in a Navy research lab, contributing to ongoing engineering or scientific projects. You will be mentored by researchers in the field and participate in the day-to-day operations of a federal lab, gaining exposure to applied science and its role in defense innovation. As an intern, you will also participate in workshops, seminars, lab tours, and other professional development activities. The day-to-day tasks can vary by lab and area of focus.
13. University of Maryland’s ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland campus at College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest program at the University of Maryland offers a four-week summer opportunity to develop and carry out a small-scale research project. This engineering research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM offers an introduction to college-level research. Here, you will identify a topic of interest, conduct a literature review, and come up with a research proposal with the support of faculty and graduate student mentors. Alongside project work, you will engage in sessions covering the college application process, financial aid, and career readiness. You will interact with current undergraduates and gain insights into what it’s like to study engineering at a research university.
14. Summer High School Research Program at Wayne State University
Location: Wayne State University – College of Engineering campus, MI
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 7 – 31
Application deadline: June 20
Eligibility: Students who are 13–17 years old
Wayne State University’s Summer High School Research Program is a four-week opportunity to work on projects in areas such as renewable energy systems, CAD and 3D modeling, or fuel cell technology. Here, you will participate in research activities on campus four days a week, with each week focusing on a different engineering theme and providing you with a well-rounded look at how STEM knowledge applies to real-world challenges. Through hands-on research assignments and guided mentorship, the program can help you explore concepts, tools, and technologies used in engineering research and practice. The experience concludes with lab tours and a final presentation where you share your work with faculty and peers. Throughout the program, you will get insights into energy, environmental engineering, and mechanical and computer-aided design.
15. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Online Courses: February 3 – June 20 | In-person Summer Program: July 7 – August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are entering their senior year and are U.S. citizens
At MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute, you will dive into advanced engineering topics through project-based courses designed by MIT faculty and Lincoln Laboratory researchers. Each course explores a specialized field, ranging from autonomous drones and underwater vehicles to quantum software, embedded systems, medical data analytics, and satellite imaging. Depending on your track, you may build and program an autonomous racing robot, use Python to analyze real-world disaster response data, or design your own microchip for fabrication. This free engineering research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM also allows you to engage in research, work in teams, write code, test systems, and engage in iterative problem-solving while exploring areas like control theory, machine learning, cryptography, and/or circuit design. Most courses culminate in a capstone project and opportunities to present your work.
Image source – Wayne State University