If you are a high school student in Dallas, TX, you can explore a variety of research programs locally to strengthen your research skills, resume, and college applications (without spending a ton of money). You can choose from various research areas, including biology, mathematics, and psychiatry, to name a few. These programs allow you to work in laboratories and produce papers under the supervision of faculty, researchers, and graduate students.
Working on research projects can help you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, communication, and project management skills. Moreover, you will be better prepared for STEM careers and college life.
We have compiled a list of 12 research opportunities for high school students in Dallas, TX, offering a balanced mix of on-campus and virtual programs.
1. NanoExplorers Program at UT Dallas
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Eligibility: Current high school students entering the 10th-12th grades
Application Deadline: March 28
Program Dates: June 2 – August 1
Cost: No cost
Stipend: No stipend
In 2002, the NanoTech Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas launched the George A. Jeffrey NanoExplorers Program, introducing high school students to nanotechnology research. If selected, you can join a research lab aligned with your interests and work closely with the research team. Through contributing to original, funded projects under faculty guidance, you can gain hands-on experience that’s both meaningful and valuable. Over the 8-week program, you’ll develop skills in innovation, experimentation, and collaboration. At the concluding annual research symposium, each NanoExplorer will present their research and receive a certificate of completion.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students interested in doing undergraduate-level research
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines depending on cohort. Fall (August 31), Winter (November 23)
Program Dates: Cohorts throughout the year, usually lasting about 12-16 weeks. Current dates: Fall (Starts in September), Winter (Starts in December)
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available for low-income students)
Stipend: No stipend
Horizon Labs aims to connect high school students with PhD/post-doc scholars from esteemed universities and help them produce a 20-page research paper. You can choose from over 300 topics in various subject areas, including ancient history, behavioral economics, formulation chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. During 1-1 sessions with your instructor, you will learn about ways to formulate original research topics and different research methods. You will also be paired with a writing coach who will guide you on how to write the paper. At the end of the program, you will have a research paper that you can send to high school or college-level journals for publication.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with academic excellence, the ability to work independently, and a curious mindset
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available for low-income students)
Stipend: No stipend
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program to help high school students develop their 15-page research paper. You can attend individual sessions with a researcher and a writing coach, as well as workshops on the research process. Under the supervision of a mentor, you will learn each stage of research — from selecting a topic to conducting the study and preparing the final paper. You can explore various research areas, including biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, gender studies, engineering, and more. In the final two weeks of the program, you will submit your paper and present it at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
4. Summer Biology Research Workshop at UT Dallas
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th graders above the age of 15 years at the time of registration (priority given to Texas residents)
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Cost: Not specified (previous workshops were $1,500)
Stipend: No stipend
The Summer Biology Research Workshop is designed for high school students interested in exploring biological sciences. During the 4-week program, participants will work on research projects in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics laboratories at UT Dallas. The first week involves hands-on training, where faculty and graduate students will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice in a biology lab. You will work on a research project with the assigned research group and mentors in the following three weeks. You can also participate in seminars or presentations organized by the Department of Biological Sciences. Toward the end of the program, you can present your work at the Summer Departmental Research Symposium.
5. Computer Science K-12 Outreach Summer Research Program at UT Dallas
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Eligibility: High school students who have finished 10th or 11th grade
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1
Cost: Intensive Research Internship in CS labs ($1,000) + Summer Research Workshops ($700 for in-person attendees and $600 for virtual attendees); scholarships available to students from low-income families
Stipend: No stipend
The Computer Science K-12 Outreach Summer Research Program is divided into two types of research opportunities: The first is the Intensive Research Internship in CS labs, where selected interns conduct project work in a computer science lab for 20-40 hours per week; you can read research papers, conduct simulations, develop apps, and more. The Summer Research Workshops track consists of informal college-style courses held at least twice a week to help participants develop a final project or paper related to their research area. A more intensive workshop is the Deep-dive AI Workshop, which runs for all eight weeks, covering Python programming, data processing, machine learning, and AI/ML model building, among other topics.
6. Summer Research Opportunities (STARS) at UT Southwestern
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Eligibility: High school juniors (at least 16 years old by June 1) in North Texas with no prior research experience
Application Deadline: January 20
Program Dates: 8 weeks in summer
Cost: Not specified
Stipend: Stipend is paid, but exact figures are not disclosed
UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Summer Research Program is for students in North Texas looking to pursue a career in science. You’ll be placed in a biomedical research lab, working alongside faculty mentors on current projects. Since the program is aimed at students with little to no lab experience, you’ll get hands-on training and learn the fundamentals of real-world scientific research. During the summer, you can develop hands-on lab skills, learn how to analyze and share results, and present your research at a final symposium.
7. Welch Summer Scholar Program (WSSP)
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors currently in high school in Texas
Application Deadline: March 16
Program Dates: June 8 – July 11
Cost: Free
Stipend: No stipend
The Welch Summer Scholar Program (WSSP) has provided STEM research opportunities to over 3,000 students in Texas since its inception. Our five-week summer residency program gives participants a hands-on experience with cutting-edge scientific research in state-of-the-art labs. You’ll also live on campus for over a month, getting a taste of college life. Throughout the program, you’ll receive one-on-one guidance and training from faculty and graduate students. You’ll work on assignments, research projects, and presentations, and attend guest lectures and facility tours to enhance your research skills. WSSP acts as a launching pad for students eager to pursue careers in STEM.
8. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (5-6 hour drive from Dallas, TX)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age by the program start date
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Cost: $25 application fee
Stipend: $750 tax-free stipend
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week intensive research program open to students from various disciplines, including the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and fine arts. The selected batch will work closely with faculty on campus and at the Health Science Center. You can apply to any research area, including biology/cellular & microbiology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, history, mechanical engineering, and physics, such as cancer bioimaging. In addition to research work, you will attend weekly seminars, group discussions, and field trips. The program helps Clark Scholars develop critical thinking skills and define future career paths and goals.
9. Research Apprentices Program at Texas Christian University
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX (about 40-50 minutes by road from Dallas, TX)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: Not specified, but you can apply here.
Program Dates: Not specified
Cost: Not specified
Stipend: Not specified
The Research Apprentices Program is organized by the Department of Physics & Astronomy at TCU College of Science & Engineering. It offers high school students a chance to get practical experience in a scientific research lab. You’ll work alongside faculty and their research teams, which include undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and science teachers. Research areas include biomolecular chemistry, observational astronomy, biophysics, solid state physics, and nanotechnology. The program can help you to enhance your scientific knowledge, co-author research journal papers, present at scientific conferences, and participate in science competitions.
10. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Intern Program at UT Austin
Location: The University of Texas Center for Space Research, Austin, TX (around 3 to 3.5 hours by road from Dallas, TX); Virtual option also available
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors interested in STEM careers
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: On-site (July 6 – July 19), Virtual (June – July 5), SEES Virtual Science Symposium (July 21 – July 22)
Cost: Free
Stipend: Not provided
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) is a collaborative program between NASA and the University of Texas Center for Space Research. It is designed to introduce high school students to the field of Earth and space research while working under the guidance of scientists and engineers. While working in teams, you will learn to investigate, interpret, and decode NASA satellite data related to Earth systems such as gravity fields, ice sheets, natural disasters, and weather conditions. Other subject areas include engineering, astronomy, and planetary science. The program will culminate with the SEES Virtual Science Symposium, where every project team will present its research.
11. MIT PRIMES-USA
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores (or home-schooled students of the same age)
Application Deadline: November 18
Program Dates: Runs year-long
Cost: Free
Stipend: Unpaid
PRIMES-USA is a year-long math research program run by MIT’s Department of Mathematics. It’s split into four phases, with each phase lasting a different amount of time. Phase I is for advanced readings, Phase II is when you do your active research, Phase III lets you study on your own, and Phase IV is for presenting your findings and writing your final paper. High school juniors can work on individual or group projects, whereas sophomores are required to work on group projects. Throughout the program, you will work under faculty and graduate students from MIT and other universities.
12. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th grade through 12th grade, must be over 14 years at the start of the program
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Cost: Application fee ($40) + Program participation fee if accepted ($850); financial aid is available for lower-income students
Stipend: Not available
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) launched its Summer Research Internship for high school students interested in exploring the use of AI in medicine. You will participate in lectures, hands-on group research projects, and social activities if selected. The program can equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct AI research and develop solutions that enhance human healthcare. All students who complete the 2-week virtual program will receive a Certificate of Completion. Interested participants may also have the opportunity to extend their research.
Image source – The University of Texas at Austin