Ever wondered what it feels like to do research like a real physicist? If you’re a high school student fascinated by physics and curious about how the universe works, research programs can be an exciting way to explore the subject beyond the classroom. These opportunities range from university-based mentorships and pre-college programs to internships at national labs and research centers. They allow you to explore advanced topics such as particle physics, astrophysics, quantum science, and engineering, while working directly with scientists, professors, and graduate student mentors.
What makes physics research programs for high school students stand out is that they are designed to give you a taste of real scientific inquiry. You might analyze cosmic signals, study how materials behave at the subatomic level, or even contribute to ongoing defense projects. Along the way, you’ll build valuable skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and technical communication—skills that will serve you well in both college and future STEM careers.
To help you find the right opportunity, here’s a curated list of 13 physics research programs for high school students.
1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Cost | Stipend: Free | Both paid and for credit high school internships are available year-round
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective, with only a limited number of positions open to high school students
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1 (apart from the summer internship, year-round internships are open to high school seniors)
Application Deadline: November 22 – March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old can apply to the PPPL High School Summer Internship (high school seniors can also participate in PPPL internships during the school year)
The High School Summer Internship at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a selective five-week physics research program for high school students interested in plasma physics and fusion energy. As an intern, you’ll work alongside Princeton researchers and engineers on real projects, whether experimental or computational. Depending on your placement, you might analyze plasma data, code in Python or Java, or work with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Interns are matched with projects that align with both their interests and PPPL’s active research initiatives, giving them a direct role in advancing cutting-edge energy science. For high school seniors seeking a deeper experience, PPPL also offers academic-year internships that are paid and may even count for academic credit.
2. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Cost | Stipend: Free | $500/week
Program Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 13 – March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors or recent high school graduates | U.S. citizens | Enrollment in an Illinois high school
PRISM is a four-week summer program that introduces students to advanced topics in particle physics, quantum science, engineering design, and artificial intelligence. Each week focuses on a new theme, combining faculty lectures with guided lab activities and tours to some of the cutting-edge facilities at Fermilab, one of the country’s leading particle physics labs. You’ll get firsthand insight into how research is conducted at one of the country’s premier particle physics laboratories. You will also take on a research project, write a research abstract, and share your findings through both a poster and final presentation. The program combines mentorship by Fermilab scientists and professional development sessions, helping you build technical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of physics-focused STEM careers.
3. Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation (PING)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 13–26
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Physics Inspiring the Next Generation (PING) is a two-week, fully funded online physics research program for high school students passionate about a career in physics and research. The program lets you dive into college-level research in nuclear physics and radio astronomy. You’ll study topics such as nuclear matter, isotopes, and cosmic signals while collaborating with undergraduate mentors on structured research projects. The program focuses on building technical skills such as data collection, analysis, and scientific presentation. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your time-management skills, build your professional network, gain exposure to potential STEM majors, and develop a clearer picture of your education and career goals.
4. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 5% | Around 100 high school students (both U.S. and international students) are selected each year
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors | Recommended PSAT Math score: 740 or higher; Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score: 700 or higher | ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34 (lower scores can be offset by demonstrable indicators of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential)
This six-week Research Science Institute (RSI) program at MIT gives high school students an introduction to advanced STEM research. You’ll begin with a week of classes at MIT taught by accomplished professors in a range of STEM subjects, including Physics, engineering and more. After that, you’ll join a laboratory or research group to work under the guidance of experienced scientists on an independent project. Along the way, you’ll dive into journal articles, design a detailed research plan, and use MIT’s computing resources to simulate or model complex systems. Evenings feature lectures delivered by Nobel laureates and prominent scientists, giving you a front-row seat to today’s biggest scientific breakthroughs. The program concludes with a formal conference-style presentation, where you’ll share your findings in both a written paper and an oral report.
5. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost | Stipend: Free, except for a $25 application fee | $750
Cohort Size: 12
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2 – February 16
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week exclusive research-intensive experience restricted to a mere 12 students nationwide. Under the guidance of experienced faculty, you’ll take on advanced research projects in fields such as physics, electrical engineering, and computer engineering – gaining hands-on experience and contributing to real investigations. Beyond lab work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips that broaden your perspective on science and its applications. Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication, all while learning from world-class faculty and collaborating with students who are just as passionate about research as you are.
6. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA)
Location: The first two weeks are fully online, while the next four take place at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $8,000 (financial aid available)
Cohort Size: 32
Program Dates: The two-week online component is from June 23 – July 4, and the in-person, residential portion is from July 6 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 8 (tentative based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 15.5 years old, with an aptitude for science and math, and an interest in astrophysics
Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) is a six-week research program for high school students who are passionate about astrophysics. The program begins with a two-week online self-study curriculum, then moves into a four-week residential session at Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium. Students gain hands-on experience in various research methodologies, observational astronomy, and scientific writing, while collecting and modeling data from Yale’s telescopes and remote observatories worldwide. The program blends coursework in spectroscopy, stellar evolution, and numerical simulations with computer lab training in programming and data analysis using Python. A highlight of the program is the group research project, where you’ll collaborate with other students, write a scientific paper and present your findings to Yale Astronomy faculty and other students at a mini-conference.
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S. Check here.
Cost | Stipend: Free | $501.60/week
Program Dates: Program dates vary based on location and project
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 9 for the summer internships
Eligibility: Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 | Must be at least 16 years old (18 and above if you want to apply to the California locations) | Only U.S. citizens
AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) Scholars Program gives high school students an opportunity to work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on real aerospace research. Depending on your placement, you might work on projects in satellite fault detection, spacecraft autonomy, cislunar dynamics, and even cold-atom technologies for navigation and timing. Many projects involve coding, simulation, and experimental design, so you’ll build technical skills while contributing to research that directly supports national defense missions. Though the program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, select placements are reserved specifically for high school students. Click here to find a project and set the filter option to your academic level to see available high school students placements.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost | Stipend: Free tuition, but participants are responsible for transportation, dining, and residential costs (click here for more information) | Students are given a stipend award at the end of the program (exact amount not available)
Acceptance Rate: About 5%
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University allows high school students to dive into real research across fields such as physics, astronomy, mathematics, biology, and engineering. Once admitted, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and integrated into an active research group, where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects and learn advanced lab and analytical techniques. Over the course of six weeks, you’ll produce both a written abstract and a research poster summarizing your findings. The program also features weekly faculty lectures, specialized workshops, and lab tours designed to broaden your understanding of research in a university setting.
9. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of Navy
Location: Various Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country. See all locations here!
Cost | Stipend: Free | $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 300 placements in more than 38 DoN labs
Program Dates: 8 weeks in summer (with a possible extension of up to two weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: Current high school students who have at least completed Grade 9 (graduating seniors can also apply) | 16 years or older | Solely U.S. citizens (there might be lab-specific eligibility criteria, so check individual lab pages)
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week summer internship that places high school students in Department of Navy research laboratories across the country. You’ll work alongside Navy scientists and engineers, on real projects in physics, engineering, robotics, and applied mathematics. Depending on your placement, you might dive into physics-heavy research areas such as mechanics, aeronautics, meteorology, oceanography, and applied physical science. Along the way, you’ll build skills in experimental design, coding, and the use of lab tools for data collection and analysis. Beyond lab work, SEAP also includes seminars and mentoring sessions to introduce you to the full spectrum of science and technology careers within the Navy. The program is highly competitive, with around 300 placements available each year for top high school students nationwide.
10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Cost | Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, as well as graduating high school seniors who have not yet started college | U.S. citizens | Required minimum GPA is 3.0 | Individual labs might have their required coursework. Check here for more information
The SHIP program at NIST gives high school students an opportunity to step into real research labs and work on cutting-edge science projects. As an intern, you will be placed in one of NIST’s six world-class research labs where you will work alongside scientists and engineers on active research projects. If physics is your passion, you might join the Physical Measurement Laboratory, where research covers everything from atomic, molecular, and optical physics, to radiation science, astrophysics, bioelectronics, and nanotechnology. You’ll learn how professional researchers design experiments, interpret data, and apply measurement science to solve complex problems. Each intern works under the guidance of mentors, gaining firsthand experience with the tools and methods that drive modern STEM discovery.
11. UPenn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949 (based on previous years, subject to change) (limited number of scholarships available for Philadelphia residents enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia public or charter high schools)
Program Dates: July 11 – 25 (2-week Academies) | July 11 – August 1 (3-week Academies)
Application Deadline: Open in December and closes mid-May (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 13 years old | Minimum GPA of 3.5 | Previous experience in Physics is recommended, but not necessary
The Experimental Physics Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania introduces high school students to a range of physics topics, from mechanics and electromagnetism to relativity, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics. You’ll start with fundamentals such as kinematics, optics, and electricity before moving into advanced areas such as relativity, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics. Beyond lectures and discussions, you’ll hear directly from Penn faculty in research talks that highlight cutting-edge work across physics subfields. In your final week, you’ll join a project team led by graduate teaching assistants and professors, working on specialized topics that deepen your understanding of experimental design and scientific reasoning. By the end of the program, you’ll have a stronger foundation in physics and firsthand insight into how physicists approach big, unanswered questions.
12. Boston University’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program – Internship Track
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,185 (Commuter Program) or $9,785 (Residential Program — inclusive of room, board, and 19 meals per week) (subject to change) | There is an additional application fee | Financial aid
Cohort Size: Approximately 190 students
Program Dates: June 28 – August 7 (Residential) | June 29 – August 7 (Commuter) (tentative, subject to change)
Application Deadline: Application opens on December 15, but the application deadline is TBD. Click here for the latest information.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
RISE program’s Internship Track at Boston University is a six-week summer program where you’ll step into a real real Stem lab and work on hands-on research. You’ll spend 40 hours per week working under the guidance of BU faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate student mentors on research in areas such as physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Along the way, you’ll learn how to design experiments, analyze complex datasets, and present your scientific findings, just like any researcher. Weekly workshops cover core research skills such as reading academic papers, understanding research ethics, and preparing posters for conferences. The program culminates in a Poster Symposium, where you’ll share your work with the University community. Many students even go on to submit their projects to national competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
13. COSMOS Program
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz, depending on the cluster you choose
Cost: $5,256 + $44 application fee (financial aid available)
Cohort Size: Each campus hosts 160–200 participants, with typically 20–25 students per cluster
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1 (UC Irvine & UC San Diego) or August 2 (UC Davis, UC Los Angeles, & UC Santa Cruz)
Application Deadline: January 8 – February 7
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8–12 can apply | GPA of 3.5 or above | Only open to California high school students | Some clusters might have their own prerequisites—check here before applying
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a four-week residential program that allows high students to explore advanced STEM topics while living on a University of California campus. At UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, and other campuses, you can dive into physics-focused tracks such as Quantum Mechanics and Applications to Nanotechnology, Explorations of the Subatomic World and the Expanding Universe, Introduction to Astrophysics, or Quantum Information Science and Engineering. Each cluster combines lectures, labs, and team-based research projects, giving you the opportunity to apply advanced physics concepts to real-world problems. You’ll gain experience in data analysis, computational modeling, and experimental techniques, while working closely with UC faculty in state-of-the-art labs.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Boston University