If you’re aiming for a career in engineering, computer science, or biomedical research, gaining early experience in research, lab work, or advanced technical skills is key. Summer research programs help you explore specialized areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, genetics, and environmental science while developing problem-solving and analytical skills.
The research programs in the list below focus on research methods, lab techniques, and data analysis. You’ll work on real projects, design experiments, and use tools like Python for machine learning, MATLAB for simulations, or CRISPR for genetic engineering.
How have we shortlisted summer research programs for this list?
- These programs are highly competitive, and have a large applicant pool.
- The acceptance rates are quite low, and they’re backed by top institutions in the country.
- Many of them are free or offer stipends, making them merit-based and accessible.
To help you get started, here are 20 competitive summer research programs for high school students!
20 Competitive Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Honors College, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, except for a $25 application fee. Students will receive a $750 stipend upon completing the research project report.
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, will be at least 17 years old by the program start date, and are graduating in the next two years.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Cancer Biology, Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Cancer Bioimaging, History, Physics
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week research program for twelve high-achieving high school juniors and seniors. You will gain hands-on research experience under faculty mentorship while exploring independent research, attending weekly seminars, and engaging in social activities. Research areas include Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Computer Science, Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Cancer Bioimaging, History, and Physics. You can view past research projects here.
You’ll work closely with faculty on Texas Tech’s main campus and at the Health Sciences Center in a research-intensive setting. You’ll also participate in discussions and field trips to help you develop critical thinking skills and explore career interests. The program is highly competitive, with participants typically scoring in the 99th percentile on the SAT.
2. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, except for a $65 application fee. Students will receive a stipend, but the amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: December 11
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the program’s academic requirements can apply. High school seniors are not eligible.
Subject Areas: STEM Fields, Humanities, Research
The Research Science Institute (RSI), hosted at MIT by the Center for Excellence in Education, is one of the most competitive summer research programs for high school students in science, engineering, and mathematics. Each year, around 3,000 students apply, but only 100 are selected, making the acceptance rate about 3.3%. If you’re accepted, you’ll join students from around the world to work on advanced research with experts in your field.
At RSI, you’ll explore STEM disciplines like physics, biology, computer science, and engineering. You’ll conduct research using MIT’s computing resources, analyze complex datasets, and develop skills in scientific writing and presenting. The program includes seminars on cutting-edge topics, lab research under faculty mentorship, and access to academic papers and modeling systems. You’ll also attend guest lectures from leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and Nobel laureates.
3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
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.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Full need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. The early admission deadline for the upcoming summer cohort is March 23.
Dates: Several cohorts are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply for the AI Scholars program. To apply for the AI Fellowship, students must either have a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Programming, Machine Learning, AI
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session course covering AI, machine learning, and data science, with opportunities to work on real-world projects.
For advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides mentorship from university experts to develop specialized projects. The fellowship includes support from a publication team to help students publish their work in high school research journals. The program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to apply AI to fields like finance and environmental science. Examples of past student projects are available here.
5. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program
Location: Offered virtually or in person at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; interns do not receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: Distance learning: May 1 – July 1, Remote project work: June – July 5, Virtual projects: June – July 19, On-site projects (UT): July 6 – July 19, Virtual Science Symposium: July 21 – July 22.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have not previously participated as SEES interns
Subject Areas: Engineering, Astronomy, Planetary Science, Climate Science, Data Analysis, Research
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program, run by NASA and the University of Texas at Austin, gives you hands-on experience with real NASA research. The program begins with virtual learning from May to July, which you must complete to qualify for the internship. Depending on your project, you’ll work remotely or on-site, analyzing and visualizing data with NASA scientists.
Each year, SEES offers research projects in astronomy, remote sensing, Earth systems, engineering, and planetary science. You might identify pulsars from radio emissions, study extreme galaxies, map tectonic activity, or analyze astronaut photography and NASA datasets. Some projects focus on star formation and galaxy classification using large datasets. Last year, the program accepted 215 students from 2,000 applicants, making it highly competitive. If you complete the program, you’ll receive a NASA certificate recognizing your work.
6. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Location: Virtual and in-person opportunities available in the Greater Seattle area, WA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; some projects provide stipends
Application Deadline: April 22 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: The duration typically ranges from 8 to 12 weeks, usually between May and August, depending on the opportunity.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and live in the United States.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Quantum Technology, Software Engineering, Market Research, Data Engineering, Machine Learning, AI
The Spark Summer Mentorship Program is a competitive research internship that connects high school students with industry professionals and university researchers. You’ll work on in-person or remote projects applying machine learning, AI, and data visualization to real-world problems. With an acceptance rate of 3–5%, gaining a spot in this program is challenging.
You can choose up to five research projects that match your interests. Last year’s topics included extreme weather modeling, ML workflows, quantum technologies, semiconductor research, tick-borne infections, software engineering, low-temperature electronics, accessibility in engineering education, and data interfacing. Other projects explored technical writing, competitive analysis, and social media content generation.
7. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and participants will be paid for eight weeks of full-time work at 35 hours per week.
Application Deadline: December 13
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and belong to groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, as defined by NIH Guidelines
Subject Areas: Cancer Research
The YES in THE HEIGHTS program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) is a highly competitive summer internship focused on cancer research and health disparities. Designed for high school and undergraduate students, this two-year program offers hands-on research experience with mentorship from faculty and physicians. Last year, the acceptance rate for high school applicants was just 1%, making it one of the most selective STEM programs.
You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor whose research aligns with your interests. The program includes a weekly Cancer Biology Journal Club, where you’ll analyze and present research articles. Over eight weeks, you’ll participate in orientation, scientific and professional training, and develop an Individual Development Plan. You’ll also submit a scientific abstract, and second-year participants will present their research.
8. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS): In-Person Experience
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; in-person interns receive an hourly wage of $15 and transportation funding.
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June–August (8 weeks in-person)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented groups in the United States who live in Baltimore City, Maryland, and are enrolled full-time in a Baltimore City Public High School.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience Research
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a highly competitive summer research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. The in-person program selects eight students for an eight-week research project, where you’ll work with faculty mentors on topics like neurodegenerative diseases, brain imaging, and neural circuitry.
You’ll gain experience in analyzing MRI scans, conducting electrophysiology experiments, processing neural data with Python, and assisting in cognitive assessments. Clinical rotations with neurologists will expose you to patient case studies and diagnostic techniques. The program concludes with a final oral or poster presentation, where you’ll interpret and communicate your research findings. Students not selected for the in-person program may be offered a spot in the virtual program. You can view past projects here.
9. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program is tuition-free. However, students who choose on-campus housing must pay $2,360.25 for accommodation and meals, plus at least $500 for additional meal expenses. A stipend is provided, though the amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Subject Areas: Biomedical Informatics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computer Science and more.
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program is one of the most competitive STEM research opportunities, with an acceptance rate of just 5%. If selected, you’ll spend the summer conducting independent research in fields like neurobiology, biomedical informatics, pharmacological sciences, and atmospheric sciences, working alongside a faculty mentor and research team.
You will shadow researchers, design experiments, analyze data, and learn lab techniques firsthand. The program also includes faculty talks, lab tours, and workshops. At the end, you’ll present your findings in a research abstract and poster session, just like professional scientists. A full list of research fields and mentors for this year’s Summer is available here.
10. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: Preferred deadline: February 1; Final deadline: March 1
Dates: Virtual Jumpstart: June 16 – June 17; In-person (Residential): June 21 – August 2 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Subject Areas: STEM
Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College STEM Research Program is a fully funded, highly selective six-week experience with an acceptance rate of approximately 7%. Before arriving on campus, you’ll complete virtual modules on essential STEM research skills to prepare for the in-person experience. Once at CMU, you’ll take courses taught by faculty, participate in lab work, and present your findings at a research symposium in August.
You’ll work on a STEM research project under the guidance of faculty or graduate student mentors, gaining quantitative and computational skills applicable to fields like engineering, data science, and biomedical research. Workshops led by alumni, industry professionals, and university leaders will cover college admissions, research careers, and financial aid. The program includes “Student to Scholar,” a credit-bearing research course designed to help you transition from high school to college-level research.
11. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free except for a $40 fee (waivers available). No housing/meals. Stipend: $500+; need-based: $2,500+.
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
Subject Areas: Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Genetics, Immunology and more.
Stanford’s SIMR is a selective summer research internship where around 50 high school juniors and seniors work on medical research projects alongside Stanford faculty, students, and researchers. You’ll receive one-on-one mentorship in a lab, gaining experience in experiment design, data analysis, and scientific research methods within Stanford’s Institutes of Medicine.
The program includes eight research areas: stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioengineering, genetics, immunology, neurobiology, bioinformatics, and cancer biology. You’ll start with two weeks of morning lectures and afternoon lab work, followed by weekly research talks. In the final weeks, you’ll prepare a research poster for the closing session. If you prefer a hands-on experience without lab research, you can opt for the bioengineering boot camp instead.
12. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: The program is offered at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, and the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, CT.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free, and participants receive a $6,500 stipend along with room, board, and travel support.
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: May 31 – August 8 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: High school seniors (grade 12), 18+, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply. Bar Harbor accepts both seniors and undergraduates, while Farmington is for undergraduates only.
Subject Areas: Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Scientific Writing, Research Ethics
The Summer Student Program is a selective genetics and genomics research internship, admitting around 40 high school and undergraduate students each year. You will gain hands-on experience in DNA sequencing, PCR, gene expression analysis, bioinformatics, and statistical data analysis while working on an ongoing research project under a mentor’s guidance.
Beyond assisting in research, you will design and conduct an independent project, analyze genomic datasets using R or Python, and present findings at the final symposium. The program also includes training in scientific writing, research ethics, experimental design, and professional development. Outside the lab, students may visit Boston, New York, or Acadia National Park, depending on the program location.
13. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. Interns are paid $3,200 for 25 hours per week and $4,500 for 35 hours per week upon completing the program.
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending an SFUSD high school or a San Francisco charter school
Subject Areas: Stem Cell Research, Immunology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cancer
The UCSF SEP High School Intern Program is a highly selective 8-week paid summer internship, admitting 25 students annually to conduct biomedical research at UC San Francisco. You will work in a research lab under a scientist mentor, gaining hands-on experience in cell culture, microscopy, PCR, Western blotting, and data analysis across fields such as stem cell research, immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, and cancer.
In addition to lab work, you will develop science communication skills, write research summaries, and present findings. The program also includes resume and personal statement workshops, one-on-one college counseling, financial aid guidance, and campus tours to support academic and career planning. Past research projects can be viewed here.
14. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: The program includes remote workshops and in-person lab research at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Cost/Stipend: The program is fully funded through a scholarship, and participants receive a stipend of at least $1,000 upon completion.
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are NYC residents
Subject Areas: Chemical Engineering, Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, AI, Machine Learning
NYU’s ARISE is a free 10-week summer research program for high school students, with around 70 participants selected annually. The first four weeks focus on safety training, scientific writing, data analysis, and research methods. In the final six weeks, you will conduct 120+ hours of lab work in one of 80+ NYU research labs, working on real-world projects in Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Robotics, AI, and Machine Learning.
You will also develop lab skills, coding proficiency, and data interpretation abilities while contributing to an ongoing research project. The program includes networking with scholars and industry professionals, a research presentation at the NYU Colloquium, and a final showcase at the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium.
15. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: Offered at several lab locations across the country
Cost/Stipend: The program is free; new participants receive a $4,000 stipend, and returning participants receive $4,500.
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: The internship lasts eight weeks during the summer, with an option to extend for up to two additional weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade, are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, including graduating seniors. You should check if your selected lab has any additional requirements or exceptions.
Subject Areas: Applied Mathematics, Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, and more.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week STEM internship where high school students work alongside Navy scientists and engineers in Department of Navy (DoN) labs. Each year, about 300 students get placed in labs across the country, working on projects in fields like applied math, astronomy, computer science, marine biology, and engineering.
You’ll be running experiments, analyzing data, and working through real research problems. Along the way, you’ll get a look at how DoN labs operate, what career paths in naval science and engineering look like, and how research contributes to real-world applications. Selection is based on grades, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests, and lab placements depend on your preferences and project availability.
16. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; students will receive a $1,200 stipend after completing the program.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a 3.5 GPA in science courses, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, including areas in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Subject Areas: Cancer Biology, Computational Biology, Drug Development, Immunology
The Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) is an eight-week research internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) for high school students interested in biomedical and computational sciences. You’ll work in an MSK research lab, focusing on fields like cancer biology, computational biology, drug development, and immunology.
Beyond lab work, you’ll attend lab meetings, discuss research findings, and take part in sessions on translational medicine and clinical research. These sessions are led by MSK scientists, clinicians, and staff from the Office of Scientific Education & Training. The program is highly selective, admitting 20 students from over 1,000 applicants each year.
17. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Location: Internships are offered in remote, hybrid, and in-person formats at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free to participate in, but there is a $25 application fee, which may be waived for students with financial need. The internship is unpaid, and participants are responsible for their own transportation and housing costs.
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: Interns must be 15+ for remote, in-person, or hybrid computer lab internships and 16+ for in-person or hybrid wet lab internships.
Subject Areas: Physics, Geography, Data Sciences, Forensic Science, Astronomy, and more.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is an eight-week research internship where high school students work on projects in chemistry, bioengineering, neuroscience, astronomy, environmental science, physics, and computer science. You will learn data analysis, programming, lab techniques, microscopy, molecular modeling, and computational simulations, depending on your research area.
The program also includes training in scientific writing, technical communication, and research presentations. Some projects lead to conference presentations or journal publications. Previous research projects from various departments and institutes can be explored here. Last year, 292 students were accepted out of 2,821 applicants, making it a selective program.
18. Cornell University’s Boyce Thompson Institute’s High School Research Program
Location: Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University campus, Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and high school researchers receive a $4,200 stipend, paid monthly.
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: June 30 – August 7
Eligibility: Current high school students who live in Ithaca, NY, year-round, are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and have not yet graduated
Subject Areas: Bioinformatics, Plant Molecular Biology, Biological Engineering.
The Boyce Thompson Institute’s High School Research Program is a 6–7 week summer internship where you get hands-on experience in plant science research. You’ll join a research team, working on projects in bioinformatics, biological engineering, plant molecular biology, and plant-biotic interactions. Depending on your project, you might be running lab experiments, analyzing genetic data, or working on computational models. You’ll have two mentors—a graduate or postdoctoral researcher and a faculty mentor to guide you through the process.
Outside the lab, you’ll attend weekly seminars with scientists from BTI, Cornell, and the USDA, go on field trips to Cornell labs, and sit in on lab meetings where real research decisions happen. You’ll also write a research proposal, give peer feedback, and practice explaining your findings to other scientists. The program ends with a final presentation at the George and Helen Kohut Symposium. It’s not easy to get in, last year, only 4 high school students were selected, along with 46 undergraduates.
19. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins University
Location: Offered virtually or in-person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: The program is free for all accepted participants; however, it is unpaid.
Application Deadline: February 15
Dates: Summer: June 24 – August 21. Academic year: September 15 – May. By December 31, seniors need 60 hours, juniors need 30 hours.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older with a minimum GPA of 2.8 can apply. Applicants must also be permanent residents of specific Maryland counties.
Subject Areas: Aerospace, Mathematics, AI, Programming, Life Sciences, and STEM
The ASPIRE program is a summer internship for high school juniors and seniors to get hands-on experience in STEM fields before picking a college major. You’ll work with APL staff mentors on real projects, building both technical skills and problem-solving abilities in a professional setting. While you can pick two areas of interest, your final project and mentor will be assigned by the program.
Fields include Aerospace and Space Engineering, AI and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Life Sciences, Data Analysis, Programming, and STEM Communications. You can also choose up to three project types, such as lab experiments, public relations, research and development, or social impact projects. Last year, the acceptance rate was around 10%, making it a selective opportunity.
20. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (ICLEM) by JBEI
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, but students are responsible for arranging their transportation. A stipend of $3,000 will be provided to the students.
Application Deadline: March 16
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors who live in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County and are at least 15 years old
Subject Areas: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biofuels, and Synthetic Biology
JBEI’s iCLEM (Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology) is a paid summer research program for high school sophomores and juniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. You’ll work with JBEI scientists on a microbiology project, gaining lab experience in biochemistry, biofuels, molecular biology, and synthetic biology.
Beyond lab work, the program also includes career exploration, professional development, and college application support. You’ll meet STEM professionals, visit biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and learn how to communicate scientific research. More information on past projects and student experiences is available here.
Image source: Texas Tech University
