Robotics research offers high school students the chance to work on advanced technologies, refine their coding and engineering skills, and gain valuable experience in AI, automation, and machine learning. Participating in robotics-focused research programs allows you to dive into hardware design, algorithm development, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, equipping you for academic and professional success in STEM fields.
Here’s a curated list of 8 great robotics research opportunities for high school students in 2025!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
- Spring cohort: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer cohort: June 16, 2025 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible; applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance
Application Deadlines: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort, May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (minimum 3.67 GPA on a 4.0 scale). Most participants are 10th and 11th graders, and some subject tracks may have additional prerequisites
Subject Areas: Data Science, Machine Learning, Political Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Psychology, Robotics, and more
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students to explore and develop expertise in specialized academic fields. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research, making it one of the few programs tailored to diverse research interests. After selecting a specific subject track and research type, you’ll be paired with a mentor—a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university—who will guide you throughout your research journey. By the program’s end, you will complete a 20-page university-level research paper, with opportunities to submit your work to prestigious journals for publication.
This program is an excellent platform for building advanced research skills, receiving mentorship from academics, and exploring your chosen field in depth. Horizon also provides each student with a detailed feedback report, a letter of recommendation, and personalized project insights to support college applications and future research endeavors.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars Program: $2,290; AI Fellowship: $5,400; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Program Dates: Vary by cohort
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the upcoming spring cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students with an interest in AI and coding. AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars Program or equivalent experience with Python or AI concepts
Subject Areas: Finance, Medicine, AI, Robotics
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, provides cutting-edge programs tailored for high school students eager to delve into artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars Program is an excellent starting point, introducing you to fundamental AI concepts and their practical applications. Through hands-on learning, you’ll explore topics like neural networks, data science, and real-world problem-solving using AI tools. This program equips you with the skills to address challenges in various fields, such as finance, medicine, and robotics.
For students ready to deepen their expertise, the AI Fellowship offers an advanced experience. You’ll work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a personalized research project that aligns with your interests, giving you an in-depth understanding of AI and its applications. Veritas AI’s programs emphasize mentorship, personalized learning, and real-world impact, making them a standout opportunity for students interested in AI and technology.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $2,100 (limited scholarships available)
Program Dates: 2025 dates will be declared soon
Application Deadline: Applications open January 31, 2025. Rolling till seats are filled
Eligibility: Students entering 9th–12th grade
Subject Areas: Robotics, Programming, Engineering
The UT Computer Science Summer Academies offers high school students of all skill levels the chance to explore robotics through an immersive on-campus experience at the University of Texas. In this academy, you’ll dive into introductory programming, Arduino, sensors, and robot control. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to assemble and program robots, utilize tools in robotics research, and compete in a robot race to showcase your skills. Beyond the technical aspects, you’ll explore the UT Austin campus, meet current students, and experience college life.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 6 weeks, late June through early August
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are current high school juniors
Subject Areas: Engineering, Technology, Science, Machine Learning, Robotics
The MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) program is a rigorous six-week summer opportunity designed for high-achieving high school juniors. During the program, you will have seven hours of daily activities, including classes, workshops, and tours. In addition to core STEM courses, you will select an elective in subjects such as engineering design, robotics, or machine learning and work on a related project.
At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to present your project at a final symposium attended by the broader MIT community. This prestigious program provides a unique chance to deepen your knowledge of cutting-edge technologies and gain insight into the academic culture of one of the world’s leading institutions.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA and Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost: Free (students must cover transportation to and from MIT)
Program Dates: July 14 – July 27, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Subject Areas: Engineering, Radar Technology, Robotics
The MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) program is a two-week hands-on experience for rising high school seniors interested in engineering and radar technology. This specialized program allows you to work with MIT engineers and scientists, building small radar systems such as Doppler and range radars. Knowledge of radars can be useful for future robotics research. Throughout the program, you will engage in real-world problem-solving and collaborative projects.
Hosted at both the MIT campus and the Lincoln Laboratory, the LLRISE program offers you a chance to experience life at MIT, including staying in MIT dormitories. Working alongside mentors and peers will give you valuable technical skills and insights into radar systems in a research environment.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31, 2025
Application Deadline: February 20, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent Massachusetts residents and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences Research, Career Exploration, Robotics
The Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP) offers an exceptional opportunity for rising seniors in Massachusetts to gain hands-on research experience in various fields. As a participant, you will work with Northeastern faculty in laboratories within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You’ll be able to engage in research projects in areas such as bioengineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, and health sciences. Although this year’s research topics are yet to be finalized, you will gain exposure to some of the most innovative and exciting areas of STEM. This selective program is designed for academically motivated students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: The 2025 application will open soon
Eligibility: High school students entering their junior or senior year who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship
Subject Areas: Robotics, Social Behavior and Human Interaction, Engineering and Technology, Research
The Yale Social Robotics Lab High School Internship is a six-week summer program designed for students interested in robotics and the study of human social behavior. Through this unpaid internship, you’ll gain hands-on experience working in a lab alongside Yale researchers. During the program, you will contribute to advanced social robotics projects while learning new concepts and applying them to real-world research challenges. The internship emphasizes technical skill-building, collaboration, and exploring the intersection of robotics and human interaction. You’ll receive mentorship and training tailored to enhance your technical expertise and understanding of social robotics.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet these academic requirements
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Robotics
The Research Science Institute (RSI) offers a six-week summer research experience for high school students at MIT. You will gain access to MIT's advanced computing resources and learn essential research skills, such as finding current publications, modeling complex systems, preparing scientific papers, and delivering conference-style presentations. The evening lecture series features distinguished speakers, including Nobel laureates and technology entrepreneurs, providing exposure to advancements in science and technology. Past students have researched stereotactic robotics.
At the end of the first week, your mentor will assign you to a research project, and you will begin exploring advanced texts and journal articles. Laboratory research starts in the second week and continues through the fifth week. You will work intensively on your guided research project, culminating in an academic conference-level paper and oral presentation. An external panel of scientists selects standout work for special commendation during the program's final week.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.