Key Takeaways
- These 15 lab opportunities span a wide range of scientific fields, from biomedical research at MD Anderson and UTHealth to nanotechnology at UT Dallas and aerospace engineering at the Air Force Research Laboratory, along with Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offer a virtual research track across disciplines like biology, neuroscience, and data science.
- Program formats vary considerably: most require you to work on-site in a physical lab for several weeks, while Horizon runs entirely online, so you can choose based on whether you want hands-on bench work or a flexible, remote research experience.
- Costs range widely: some programs, like the AFRL Scholars Program and Houston Methodist’s research internship, are free to attend, while others, like the HSRA Summer Research Academy and UT Dallas’ NanoExplorers Program, charge several thousand dollars. Horizon’s cost varies by track, with financial aid available.
- Many placements pair you directly with a faculty mentor, graduate student, or research scientist on an active project, and Horizon follows this same model by matching you one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar for the full length of your research.
- For students who want to walk away with a completed, publishable research paper rather than a lab rotation, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations, including psychology, biology, and machine learning.
15 Lab Opportunities in Texas for High School Students
Lab programs are a strong option for high school students who want to experience science beyond the classroom. These opportunities provide exposure to university laboratories, research methods, and scientific techniques while helping you develop practical skills in experimentation, data collection, and analysis. Depending on the program, you may work in fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, biomedical sciences, or environmental science under the guidance of researchers and faculty mentors.
Many programs also introduce you to university-level academics, laboratory safety, and collaborative research, making them a valuable way to explore STEM before college. For students considering careers in science, medicine, or engineering, lab opportunities offer hands-on experiences that are difficult to replicate in a typical high school setting. Some programs emphasize independent research, while others focus on laboratory training, experiments, or exposure to ongoing university research projects.
Why should you choose a lab program in Texas?
Texas is home to several nationally recognized universities, medical schools, research institutes, and technology companies that provide students with access to advanced STEM learning opportunities. Institutions across the state conduct research in areas such as biomedical science, engineering, space science, and artificial intelligence, providing students with exposure to a wide range of scientific disciplines.
The state’s strong research ecosystem also means many programs are supported by experienced faculty, graduate researchers, and industry professionals. Whether you’re interested in laboratory research, healthcare, engineering, or biotechnology, Texas offers a broad range of opportunities to gain practical experience and explore potential academic and career pathways.
To help you find the best options, we’ve curated a list of 15 Lab Opportunities in Texas for High School Students, selected for their academic rigor, mentorship, research exposure, and overall educational value.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Based on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Horizon Academic Research Program is a trimester-long research experience that allows high school students to explore specialized academic fields under the mentorship of university professors and PhD scholars. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, biology, neuroscience, machine learning, cybersecurity, political theory, and data science, while pursuing either quantitative or qualitative research. Throughout the program, you’ll develop a university-level research project and produce a 20-page academic paper with personalized guidance and detailed feedback. Completed papers may be suitable for submission to academic journals, depending on their quality and scope. You’ll also receive a letter of recommendation that can support future research opportunities and college applications.
2. UT Dallas Intensive Research Internship in CS labs
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost/Stipend: $1500; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: Priority deadline is March 1; Applications are open after that as well, until spots are available
Eligibility: Advanced-level high school students (ideally, students finishing 10th and 11th grade) aged 15 years or older
The UT Dallas Intensive Research Internship in Computer Science Labs provides high school students with the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects in university laboratories. You’ll typically work 20–40 hours per week, with responsibilities varying by project and lab, including reading research papers, conducting simulations, developing software applications, and exploring emerging computing technologies. The program is intended for students who already have a solid foundation in computer science, as research projects often involve advanced technical concepts. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain experience with the research process while working alongside university mentors on real-world computing challenges. You’ll receive a completion certificate and an experience letter summarizing your work. Outstanding interns may also request a letter of recommendation.
3. HSRA Summer High School Research Academy
Location: College of Natural Sciences (CNS) Labs, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (limited number of scholarships available); No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Rising sophomore, junior, or senior (Texas residents prioritize)
The HSRA Summer High School Research Academy is a five-week, non-residential research program that gives you hands-on experience in active research laboratories at the University of Texas at Austin. You’ll work alongside faculty, undergraduate researchers, and fellow students on interdisciplinary projects in fields such as biochemistry, biology, neuroscience, genetics, ecology, environmental science, and data analytics. Throughout the program, you’ll learn modern laboratory techniques, attend research seminars led by guest scientists, and gain insight into the day-to-day work of STEM researchers. You’ll also earn university extension course credit and present your findings as a research poster at the closing symposium.
4. UTHealth Summer Research Program (Houston)
Location: UTHealth Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $3,800; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years of age
The UTHealth Summer Research Program is a four-week opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in medical research at McGovern Medical School. You’ll work alongside faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical student mentors on interdisciplinary research projects related to the medical sciences. The program includes laboratory experiments, scientific training, seminars, and networking sessions with healthcare professionals to broaden your understanding of biomedical research. You’ll also develop practical laboratory techniques, strengthen your scientific communication skills, and receive guidance on academic and career pathways in medicine and research.
5. Summer Research Opportunities (STARS)
Location: UT Southwestern Campus, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: 8 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Participant must be currently classified as a junior and be enrolled in high school; 16 years or older
The Summer Research Opportunities (STARS) program is an eight-week, non-residential research internship that places high school students in biomedical research laboratories alongside faculty mentors. You’ll work on an active research project, gaining hands-on laboratory experience while learning how scientific investigations are designed and conducted. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with researchers, build practical laboratory skills, and deepen your understanding of biomedical science. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research findings, developing your scientific communication and presentation abilities. You’ll also receive a stipend, and high school juniors are encouraged to share their research experiences with their school communities after completing the program.
6. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $7,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 6 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors age 18 +
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences gives qualified Texas high school students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Working five days a week in research laboratories under faculty mentorship, you’ll contribute to an ongoing research project while learning the principles that underpin scientific investigation. Most of your time is spent performing hands-on laboratory work, complemented by seminars on biomedical research and professional development activities. You may also take part in abstract, poster, and elevator speech competitions before presenting your research at the program’s conclusion.
7. Houston Methodist’s Summer High School Research Internship
Location: Main Houston Methodist Hospital campus at the Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school junior or senior; 16 years of age; Minimum 3.5 GPA
Houston Methodist’s Summer High School Research Internship is a 10-week program that introduces academically motivated high school students to translational biomedical research in a leading healthcare environment. Based on your research interests, you’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and assigned to a laboratory project, where you’ll learn laboratory techniques, contribute to ongoing research, and develop scientific writing skills. Throughout the summer, you’ll participate in seminars, guest lectures, networking events, and professional development sessions while working alongside undergraduate research interns. The program concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your findings through a scientific poster. This experience also provides valuable exposure to research careers and strengthens your preparation for college and future STEM opportunities.
8. MLSI – Mohanlab Summer Internship Program for High School students
Location: MohanLab, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No details provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising seniors
The MLSI – MohanLab Summer Internship Program is a 9–10-week research experience for high school students interested in biomedical sciences, bioengineering, neuroscience, and health-related fields. During the first one to two weeks, you’ll learn essential laboratory techniques before spending eight weeks conducting supervised research with scientists or graduate student mentors. The research projects may involve biomedical engineering, AI-driven data analysis, image analysis, or investigations into diseases such as cancer and kidney disorders. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in an oral presentation, with some projects contributing to scientific publications. You may also have the opportunity to continue collaborating with the lab after the internship through research, data analysis, or manuscript preparation.
9. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various lab locations, including Texas
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend will be given based on educational level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students who are at least 16 years old can apply
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program is a research internship for high school students interested in aerospace engineering and STEM research. You’ll work alongside AFRL scientists in labs and engineers on cutting-edge projects in areas such as machine learning, atomic physics, satellite navigation, astrodynamics, and aerospace systems. Depending on your selected research topic, you may contribute to projects involving launch vehicle design, rocket engine modeling, or other advanced technologies while developing technical and problem-solving skills. The program also includes mentorship from research professionals and opportunities to tour AFRL laboratories, providing insight into real-world scientific research. Through this experience, you’ll gain exposure to advanced research environments and emerging technologies in aerospace and engineering.
10. Greehey CCRI Donald G McEwen Memorial Summer Research Program
Location: Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute at UT Health San Antonio, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
The Greehey CCRI Donald G. McEwen Memorial Summer Research Program is a 10-week research internship that gives high school and undergraduate students hands-on experience in childhood cancer research. You’ll conduct hypothesis-driven research in faculty laboratories while working alongside scientists on both basic and translational research projects. The program provides training in advanced research techniques, including genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, molecular imaging, and classical genetics, using state-of-the-art facilities. Throughout the summer, you’ll also strengthen your scientific communication and public speaking skills by learning to present and defend your research findings.
11. UT Dallas’ NanoExplorers Program
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: $5,000; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: 10–12 grade students aged 16 years or older
The UT Dallas NanoExplorers Program is an eight-week, non-residential summer research experience that introduces high school students in grades 10–12 to nanotechnology and interdisciplinary STEM research. You’ll join a faculty research lab, contribute to ongoing projects, and learn advanced techniques such as electron microscopy and nanomaterial fabrication while working alongside faculty, graduate students, and researchers. Depending on your lab placement, you may explore applications of nanotechnology in areas such as medicine, energy, engineering, or computer science. Throughout the program, you’ll participate as an active member of a research team and present your work at a closing research symposium.
12. AEOP High School Internships
Location: Various locations, including Texas
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend will be given
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
The AEOP High School Internship Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on STEM research under the mentorship of university researchers or Department of Defense scientists and engineers. You’ll work on real-world science and engineering projects in university laboratories or U.S. Army Research Laboratories while gaining experience with advanced research techniques, professional laboratory environments, and cutting-edge technology. Beyond research, the program includes mentorship, college and career-readiness support, virtual workshops, webinars, and networking opportunities with STEM professionals and fellow interns across the country. You’ll also develop professional skills, explore STEM career pathways, and receive guidance from outreach specialists to prepare for future academic and career opportunities. You’ll receive an educational stipend in recognition of your research contributions.
13. MD Anderson – DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: All high school students, 18 years or older
The MD Anderson DACCPM Summer Research Program is a 10-week research experience that introduces high school students to both laboratory and clinical cancer research. The program begins with a Cancer Biology boot camp, providing a strong foundation before you are matched with a faculty mentor and assigned an independent research project. Depending on your placement, you may conduct laboratory experiments, analyze clinical data, or perform literature-based research on topics such as cancer biology, pain medicine, chemotherapy-induced pain, or perioperative immune function. Throughout the program, you’ll learn research ethics, laboratory safety, scientific data analysis, and literature review techniques while attending lectures and professional development sessions. The experience concludes with an abstract submission and a scientific poster presentation showcasing your research.
14. UPWARDS Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $7,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 14 (extended to January 19)
Eligibility: Under-represented incoming high school seniors aged 18 years or older
The UPWARDS Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a 10-week, full-time biomedical research experience for high school students from underserved communities. You’ll work in a faculty-led research laboratory, contributing to studies in cancer biology and related life sciences while developing practical laboratory skills. Alongside hands-on research, you’ll attend scientific lectures, seminars, and professional development sessions focused on STEM careers and academic planning. The program also provides ongoing mentorship to support your future educational and career goals in biomedical research. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at the CATALYST poster symposium.
15. TCU – Research Apprentices Program
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Cost/Stipend: Unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information provided
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The TCU Research Apprentices Program (RAP) gives high school students the opportunity to work alongside university faculty on active research projects in biology and related natural sciences. You’ll join a research team that may include graduate and undergraduate students while gaining hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Throughout the program, you’ll learn modern research techniques and contribute to ongoing scientific investigations in a university laboratory setting. Depending on your project, you may also help prepare research presentations or co-author scientific papers for conferences and publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of lab opportunities are available to high school students in Texas?
You’ll find a mix of program types, including biomedical research placements like the UTHealth Summer Research Program and MD Anderson’s UPWARDS program, engineering and technology-focused labs like UT Dallas’ NanoExplorers Program and CS research internship, and specialized research like the AFRL Scholars Program in aerospace. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent research remotely across subjects such as biology, neuroscience, and data science, rather than joining a fixed on-site lab placement.
Do you need prior lab experience to apply?
It depends on the program. Some, like UT Dallas’ Intensive Research Internship, expect a solid existing foundation in computer science before you arrive, while others, like the HSRA Summer Research Academy and Houston Methodist’s internship, are designed to teach laboratory techniques and research methods from the start. Horizon is generally open to students in good academic standing rather than requiring specific lab prerequisites, though a few of its specialized tracks do have prerequisites.
Are there free options available?
Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a fee. The AFRL Scholars Program, Houston Methodist’s Summer High School Research Internship, the Greehey CCRI Summer Research Program, and the AEOP High School Internships are all free to participate in. Horizon’s cost varies depending on the program type you select, but financial aid is available there as well.
Which programs offer stipends?
A number of these programs provide a stipend. The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation program and the UPWARDS Summer Program both offer $7,200 stipends; the MD Anderson DACCPM program offers $3,600; and both the STARS program and the AEOP High School Internships provide stipends as well. Several others, like UT Dallas’ NanoExplorers Program and the HSRA Summer Research Academy, charge a program fee and don’t offer a stipend.
Which programs focus specifically on cancer or biomedical research?
If biomedical or cancer research is your main interest, MD Anderson Cancer Center hosts several dedicated programs, including the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation Summer Program, the DACCPM Summer Research Program, and the UPWARDS Summer Program. The Greehey CCRI Donald G. McEwen Memorial Summer Research Program at UT Health San Antonio also focuses on childhood cancer research, using techniques such as genomics and proteomics.
Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured lab placement?
Yes. If you want a mentored research experience without committing to a single on-site lab rotation, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pair you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, entirely online. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.
When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. The AFRL Scholars Program has one of the earliest deadlines at January 10, while several others cluster in mid-January, including the UTHealth Summer Research Program, the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation program, and the MD Anderson DACCPM and UPWARDS programs, all due around January 14 to 15. February and March bring more deadlines, including UT Dallas’ NanoExplorers Program (February 28) and the HSRA Summer Research Academy (March 22). Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.
Image source: University of Texas at Dallas