If you’re a high school student who wants to explore research under the mentorship of a seasoned researcher, research mentorship programs can be a good place to start. These programs go beyond what you usually do in school, and are usually super structured. You’ll work on research projects and learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and use tools like Python, R, or lab equipment, depending on your focus area.
You can choose programs in fields such as neuroscience, computer science, political theory, economics, or engineering. Along the way, you’ll develop technical skills, learn how to write and present your research, and receive guidance from researchers active in those fields. Many programs focus on hands-on, project-based learning and direct mentorship.
To help you get started, here is a list of 20 great summer research mentorship programs for high school students!
20 Great Summer Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Subject Area: Machine Learning, Data Science, Political Theory, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run 15 weeks; Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing (GPA > 3.67); most participants are in 10th or 11th grade
Horizon Academic offers a trimester-long research program for high school students interested in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and others. You can choose between a quantitative or qualitative research approach depending on your interest.
After selecting a subject track, you are matched with a professor or Ph.D. researcher who will mentor you throughout the program. You will work on a 20-page research paper at a college level, which you can submit to academic journals if you choose. The program includes written feedback on your project and a letter of recommendation.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Area: Data Science, Psychology, Chemistry, International Relations, Engineering, Neuroscience, Philosophy, AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,990
Program Dates: Year-round cohorts; Summer (June–August), Fall (Sept–Dec), Winter (Dec–Feb), Spring (March–June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; typically 1–2 months before the start date
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to help them design and complete an independent research project in a subject of their choice. You will work one-on-one with your mentor and receive additional support from writing coaches as you develop a college-level research paper.
Over the course of the program, you will conduct research, attend workshops, and revise your work. By the end, you will have a finished paper and experience with research methods, academic writing, and critical thinking. More details about the application are here!
3. Science Internship Program (SIP)
Subject Area: Astronomy, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics
Location: UC Santa Cruz campus and virtual option
Cost: $4,750
Program Dates: Week 1: June 16–20; Weeks 2–8: June 23–August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14+ (16+ for select projects), currently enrolled in school
The Science Internship Program (SIP) at UC Santa Cruz offers a mentored research experience for high school students across subjects like astronomy, bioinformatics, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science. You will be matched with a UCSC faculty member, graduate student, or postdoctoral researcher and work on an active research project.
Depending on your placement, you will learn lab techniques, data collection methods, and tools such as MATLAB, Python, or R. The program also includes weekly seminars on research ethics, scientific communication, and lab procedures. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a symposium.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Subject Area: Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Neurobiology, Bioinformatics
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $500 minimum stipend; $40 application fee (waivers available)
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (16+), citizens or permanent residents
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) allows high school students to take part in biomedical research at Stanford. You can work in areas like bioengineering, cancer biology, immunology, neurobiology, or AI applications in bioinformatics.
You will be matched with a research mentor and assist with lab experiments, data collection, and analysis using tools like MATLAB, Python, or R. The program includes lectures on research methods and ethics. It ends with a research symposium where you will present your project to faculty and other students.
5. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
Subject Area: Molecular Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science
Location: Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5–6 weeks over the summer (varies by lab)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18
The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program gives high school students the chance to work in a Princeton faculty lab in fields such as molecular biology, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or materials science. You will join an active research project and work with a lab team to learn experimental methods, analyze data, and participate in lab meetings.
Each project follows the schedule of the host lab and provides hands-on experience with equipment and data tools specific to your research area. At the end of the program, you are required to submit a two-page research summary. You will need to arrange your housing and transportation.
6. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Subject Area: Theoretical Math, Molecular Biology, Scientific Computing, Applied Mathematics, Physics
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors only)
The Research Science Institute (RSI) brings together 80 high school students from around the world for a six-week summer program that combines STEM coursework and mentored research. In the first week, you will take intensive classes in subjects like theoretical math, scientific computing, and molecular biology.
For the remaining five weeks, you will carry out original research with guidance from an MIT-affiliated mentor. You will learn how to design experiments, interpret data, and write in an academic format. The program ends with a research paper and an oral presentation following professional academic standards.
7. Johns Hopkins University Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS)
Subject Area: Neuroscience, Clinical Neurobiology, Neurodevelopment, Neuroimaging
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD / Virtual
Cost: None. A stipend of $15/hour for in-person participants
Program Dates: In-person: June – August, Virtual: July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school students mentored research in neuroscience and clinical neurobiology. You will work with Johns Hopkins researchers and clinicians on projects in areas such as neuroimaging, neurodevelopment, or disease modeling.
If attending in person, you will also rotate through clinical settings to observe patient care and diagnostic procedures. All participants engage in structured research, attend weekly seminars, and receive training in scientific presentation. The program ends with a formal research talk and a written summary of your findings.
8. Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Subject Area: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, Nursing
Location: Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from Philadelphia; public and charter school students strongly encouraged to apply
The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) gives high school students four weeks of structured exposure to academic and professional fields. You will be placed in one of five schools at the University of Pennsylvania—Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, or Nursing—based on your interests and application.
The program includes seminars, skill-building workshops, case studies, and guided projects. You will receive feedback and support from faculty and mentors while exploring potential career paths and building academic skills. The experience also includes reflective writing and formal presentations.
9. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Subject Area: Environmental Science, Data Analysis, Software Development, Engineering Design
Location: Greater Seattle area or Virtual
Stipend: Paid opportunities available
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: High school students in the Greater Seattle area; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; full-time (40 hrs/week) availability required
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) offers project-based mentorship with professionals from academia, industry, and community organizations. You will be matched with a mentor based on your academic interests and complete an independent research or development project.
You are expected to take initiative by coordinating meetings, providing weekly updates, and producing a final deliverable. Projects differ by field and may involve environmental science, data analysis, software development, or engineering design. You may also have the chance to co-author a research publication.
10. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Subject Area: Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Chemistry, Genetics
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be 16+ by the start of the program
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program gives high school students hands-on lab experience in fields like molecular biology, neuroscience, chemistry, and genetics. You will join an ongoing research project and contribute to experimental work, data collection, and analysis with guidance from Rockefeller scientists.
Depending on your lab, you may learn techniques such as PCR, Western blotting, microscopy, or computational modeling. The program focuses on research design and communication and ends with a formal presentation of your work. You will also attend research seminars and lab meetings to build your understanding of the life sciences.
11. Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars (SLIYS)
Subject Area: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Language Documentation
Location: Virtual
Cost: $550 per session
Program Dates: SLIYS 1: June 9–13 or July 14–18, SLIYS 2 (optional): June 23–27 or July 21–25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning February 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Linguistics Institute for Young Scholars (SLIYS) offers an intensive introduction to linguistic research through lectures, workshops, and projects. You will study key areas such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax, focusing on analytical methods.
You will conduct simulated fieldwork by interviewing speakers of unfamiliar languages and analyzing original linguistic data. Projects may include transcription, morphological parsing, and building syntactic trees.
SLIYS 1 covers foundational theory and methods, while SLIYS 2 explores advanced topics like language typology and experimental phonetics.
12. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Subject Area: Molecular Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science, History
Location: Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend upon completion
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, age 17+ by start date; juniors and seniors
This seven-week program gives high school students one-on-one research mentorship with Texas Tech faculty in fields like molecular biology, engineering, chemistry, economics, and computer science. You will set a research goal, conduct experiments or theoretical work, and write a final report.
The program includes seminars on research ethics, communication, and academic careers. Depending on your project, you may use tools like MATLAB, R, or lab equipment specific to your field. The program ends with a presentation and a written research summary.
13. High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Subject Area: Biochemistry, Genome Engineering, Neuroscience, Environmental Science
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX (non-residential)
Cost: Scholarships available (includes stipend + free tuition)
Program Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students, age 15+ by June 1
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) places you in active labs at the College of Natural Sciences. You will contribute to research in areas such as biochemistry, genome engineering, neuroscience, and environmental science.
You will work with faculty, undergraduates, and graduate mentors to learn lab techniques, data analysis, and hypothesis testing. The program includes seminars on STEM careers and research methods, and ends with a formal research symposium.
You will also earn UT extension course credit (NSC309) for your work. Depending on your lab, you may use software like R, Python, or genome-editing simulations.
14. Cornell Art Mentorship Program
Subject Area: Visual Arts, Drawing, Sculpture, Transmedia, Digital Media
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,750 per credit
Program Dates: June 24 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: High-achieving high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (15+ years old)
This mentorship program, led by Cornell B.F.A. students, offers high school students an introduction to the visual arts. You will take part in studio work focused on drawing, sculpture, and transmedia practices. The program focuses on critique, portfolio building, and exploring different artistic media.
You will receive one-on-one mentorship from Cornell undergraduates and take part in virtual exhibitions. Projects may include using digital tools like Adobe Creative Suite and discussing conceptual ideas.
15. Harvard-Smithsonian / MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Subject Area: Astrophysics, Data Modeling, Exoplanets, Stellar Evolution
Location: Harvard University or MIT
Cost/Stipend: No fee; stipend provided by the City of Cambridge
Program Dates: September – May (academic year)
Application Deadline: May 1 – May 10
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from the Cambridge, MA area
The Harvard-Smithsonian / MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) offers a year-long mentored research experience in astrophysics and related STEM fields. You will work in small teams with researchers from places like the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Harvard, and MIT.
You’ll contribute to ongoing projects on topics such as exoplanets, stellar evolution, and data modeling. You will develop skills in literature review, Python coding, statistical analysis, and interpreting astronomical data. It ends with a symposium where you present your research to the academic community.
16. Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)
Subject Area: Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Laboratory Research Methods
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 17 – 28
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; local applicants preferred due to lack of housing
IFSS lets you shadow Stanford chemistry graduate students or postdocs for a day to observe lab research. You will see experimental design, chemical synthesis, the use of analytical instruments, and data analysis. Mentors discuss academic paths and career options in STEM, giving insight into graduate research environments. It is not project-based but offers a close look at working in a chemistry lab.
17. Simons Summer Research Program
Subject Area: Molecular Biology, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (16+ years old by program start)
The Simons Summer Research Program places high school students in active research labs at Stony Brook University. You will work under the mentorship of faculty on projects in fields like molecular biology, physics, biomedical engineering, and computer science.
You will gain experience in lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing while collaborating with a research team. The program includes weekly seminars with guest researchers and ends with a formal abstract and poster presentation at a symposium. Participants receive a stipend.
18. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program
Subject Area: Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Sciences
Location: Urbana, IL
Stipend: Fellowship payment provided; includes housing and meals
Program Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, IA, and WI
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program places students in UIUC research labs for mentored projects in neuroscience, bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and other STEMM fields. You will work under faculty and graduate student guidance, dedicating 30 to 35 hours per week to activities like experimental design, data analysis, and technical reporting.
Weekly seminars cover topics such as scientific writing, poster preparation, and readiness for college. The program ends with a campus-wide research symposium where you will formally present your findings.
19. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Subject Area: Business, Market Research, Financial Modeling, Entrepreneurship
Location: UC Berkeley campus, CA
Cost: $6,050 (CA residents); $7,050 (out-of-state residents)
Program Dates: Session I: July 6 – 20, Session II: July 20 – August 3
Application Deadline: February 29
Eligibility: Current high school students
B-BAY offers an introduction to business research, innovation, and entrepreneurship through lectures led by Berkeley Haas faculty and collaborative project work. You will conduct independent market research, financial modeling, and business planning with support from faculty and teaching assistants.
Group projects conclude with a formal pitch of a startup concept, applying skills in market analysis, budgeting, and strategy. The program also includes workshops focused on college admissions and opportunities to interact with college advisors. You will receive a Certificate of Completion after finishing the program.
20. ARISE Program – New York University
Subject Area: Computer Science, Robotics, Machine Learning, Data Ethics
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend provided
Program Dates: June 2 – August 18
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors residing in New York City
ARISE provides a structured research experience starting with two weeks of workshops on research methods, data ethics, and STEM communication. Afterward, you will work in NYU labs on projects in computer science, robotics, machine learning, or related fields.
Under the guidance of university researchers, you will gain hands-on experience with data processing, coding, or hardware prototyping. The program includes weekly colloquia and ends with a presentation of your research findings.
Image source – New York University
