Students should do research because it helps them develop critical thinking skills and learn how to evaluate information carefully. Research teaches students how to ask meaningful questions, analyze evidence, and form logical conclusions. These skills are essential not only in school but also in real-life decision-making. By doing research, students become more independent learners and gain confidence in their academic abilities. Furthermore, demonstrating the dedication, time management, and independent drive required to complete a research project significantly strengthens college applications and provides a solid foundation for future academic and professional pursuits.
Why should you choose Nevada as a high schooler?
Choosing Nevada as a high school student offers a combination of educational pathways and exceptional future-building opportunities. The state is home to the Clark County School District, one of the largest and most diverse in the nation, which boasts highly ranked magnet programs and Career and Technical Education (CTE) academies that can give you a massive head start in fields like healthcare, tech, and hospitality. Beyond the classroom, Nevada’s booming job market in renewable energy and tech (like the Tesla Gigafactory near Reno) provides internship prospects, while the lack of state income tax means you get to keep more of the money you earn at any part-time jobs. Plus, if you maintain good grades, you can qualify for the Governor’s Millennium Scholarship, which helps pay for in-state college tuition.
Below, we have listed 15 research opportunities for high school students in Nevada. For similar programs, you can view the blogs here and here.
15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Nevada
1. Student Researcher – Community of Bilingual English–Spanish Speakers (CBESS), University of Nevada, Reno
Location: University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 17-month duration beginning in the junior year. This includes a 3-week Summer Research Program (1 week on-campus residential, 2 weeks virtual) between 11th and 12th grade, plus monthly mentoring during the senior year
Application Deadline: Typically due in the Fall (around October/November) of the student’s junior year
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior in Northern Nevada (predominantly Washoe County and neighboring rural areas) who is bilingual in English and Spanish
In this research program, you spend one week living on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno before transitioning to several weeks of virtual classes and activities. During this time, you study health care and community health topics in both English and Spanish. You collaborate in small groups to identify a local health concern and develop a student-led research project. At the end of the program, you present your findings to peers and mentors. You also take part in career exploration sessions that introduce different roles in health-related fields. Throughout your senior year, you stay connected with bilingual undergraduate mentors who provide guidance and support.
2. UNLV SPARK (Summer Program Advancing Research and Knowledge) Summer Camp
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), NV
Cost/Stipend: $550 per session
Dates: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: All high school students; the intermediate session requires a basic understanding of research, and taking the beginner session first is highly recommended but not strictly required
The UNLV SPARK Summer Camp is a university-based experience designed to build your foundational understanding of the scientific research process. During the program, you will explore essential topics like research methodology, data literacy, hypothesis testing, and the accurate interpretation of results. To gain practical experience, you will engage in hands-on activities such as formulating your own hypotheses, utilizing specialized data analysis software, and executing different stages of a research project. The camp features a tiered structure, allowing you to seamlessly progress from beginner concepts directly into an advanced intermediate track within the same summer.
3. Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science Student Research Grants
Location: Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, AZ/NV (administered via affiliated high school/college/university)
Cost/Stipend: High School Grants up to $100 per student
Dates: Funding use period not date‑restricted; funds support an ongoing research project on a flexible timeline; specific usage window unspecified
Application Deadline: High School Grants: December 15
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students in Nevada or Arizona; Research must be in a science, math, or engineering discipline; for high school: Advisor/Teacher must be a member
This program allows you to apply for this grant to support a specific, ongoing research project rather than to join a structured program or lab. You propose how you will use the funds, which can cover items such as equipment, supplies, publication costs, or travel to a field site tied directly to your research. You should already have a defined research question or project plan, because the Academy evaluates how clearly your proposal justifies the requested budget. You cannot use the funds for administrative or institutional costs, so you need to budget only for project‑related expenses.
4. Nevada INBRE Tribal Academy of Health and Science
Location: University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) / Statewide Nevada
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Spans the academic year and summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Native American high school (or college) students planning to attend a Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institution with an interest in a science or medicine career
The Nevada INBRE Tribal Academy of Health and Science is a pipeline program that supports Native American students like you in pursuing biomedical and healthcare careers. Throughout your enrollment, you will cover practical topics such as tribal health disparities, financial education, academic planning, and personal wellness. As a participant, you will engage in weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings, complete hands-on biomedical research internships, and attend targeted academic tutoring sessions. The program emphasizes culturally relevant support, pairing you with mentors who understand the specific challenges of navigating higher education as an indigenous student. By the end of your experience, you will develop concrete skills in research methodology, academic networking, and laboratory safety.
5. UNR Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS)
Location: University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Academic year support + a 6-week Summer Academy)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Ages 13-19, U.S. citizen/permanent resident, low-income and/or first-generation college student, demonstrates STEM interest, and attends either Earl Wooster or Edward C. Reed High School
The UNR Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) program engages you in a rigorous academic environment designed to build your foundational research capabilities for future college success. Throughout the program, you will explore core topics like advanced mathematics, scientific inquiry, post-secondary goal-setting, and STEM career exploration. To build your portfolio, you will actively participate in a six-week summer academy, engage in hands-on STEM research activities, complete dual-enrollment college courses, and attend college preparatory Saturday sessions. A highly unique feature of this pipeline is its hybrid summer structure, offering a one-week residential experience at the Lake Tahoe campus followed by five commuter weeks on the main Reno campus alongside year-round tutoring.
6. Shaking Up STEM (DRI & Nevada/Utah Schools Partnership)
Location: Participating high schools in Utah and Nevada
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Integrated continuously throughout the academic school year
Application Deadline: No individual student application process
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student taking participating science classes at an official partner high school.
This initiative turns your science classroom into a live seismology lab by partnering your school with the Desert Research Institute. You dive into earth science, seismology, and engineering by monitoring local and global geological events. During the year, you analyze real-time data from a campus Raspberry Shake sensor, conduct hands-on geology labs, identify seismic signals from earthquakes or mining, and contribute to a global citizen-science network. The program allows you to operate a real regional seismic node and collaborate directly on actual government research. By participating, you build concrete skills in data analysis, scientific observation, and hardware operation to prepare for future STEM careers.
7. UNR Biotechnology Summer Research Internship
Location: University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Early July – Early August
Application Deadline: Varies (Historically coordinated through the spring Biotechnology Symposium)
Eligibility: All high school students (Primary focus on Reno/Washoe County residents)
In this structured research immersion program, you explore microscopic organisms, DNA, and proteins to address challenges in agriculture and medicine. You cover specialized topics spanning human health sciences, plant biology, and molecular genetics. During your placement, you will actively shadow research professors, observe advanced laboratory techniques, interact with university students, and present a research poster at the annual Biotechnology Symposium. A unique feature of this program is its custom-matched, direct faculty mentorship across various college departments. Ultimately, you develop skills in scientific observation, molecular biology concepts, experimental design, and professional scientific communication.
8. Beal Bank USA Southern Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair – High School Division
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV (on‑campus fair at the Thomas & Mack Strip View Pavilion and Science & Engineering Building)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: March 5
Application Deadline: January 16 (for projects not requiring prior SRC approval) or February 20 (final deadline for project abstracts via STEM Wizard)
Eligibility: High school students in Southern Nevada (grades 9–12), including Clark County and Clark County School District; students from other Nevada counties may participate with approval from the fair’s director and provided they have not already competed in another ISEF‑affiliated fair
In this program, you design and complete an independent research or engineering project in STEM, following either ISEF guidelines (for high school projects that may be eligible to advance) or UNLV‑adapted rules for local competition. During the fair day, you check in your display, set up your project, and then present your work to judges, explaining your research question, methodology, data, and conclusions in a format similar to a scientific poster session. You also submit an abstract in advance, which functions as a short written summary of your research, reinforcing skills in concise scientific communication. You must follow formal ISEF‑style documentation and ethical‑review processes, which mirror how research projects are vetted and reported at the national level.
9. UNLV & Codingscape IT Talent Pipeline Internship
Location: Las Vegas, NV (UNLV Campus & International Innovation Center)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-long program (Fall through Summer)
Application Deadline: Late August
Eligibility: Nevada high school junior or senior; 2.0+ unweighted GPA; enrolled in an IT Career Cluster or took at least one IT course
In this program, you will experience applied research by building functional technical solutions that address actual business and community needs. You will cover essential topics including information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. During your time, you will execute specific hands-on activities like fine-tuning synthetic AI data, developing AI-powered talent chatbots, constructing graphical databases, and coding mobile applications for local nonprofits. The program’s standout unique feature is its dual-enrollment design, which lets you simultaneously earn six college credits, one high school elective credit, and a professional industry credential.
10. Excel Academy Urban Air Quality Lab (UAQL) Internship
Location: Las Vegas, NV (UNLV School of Public Health & Excel Academy)
Cost/Stipend: $1,800 + $73.36 processing fees;
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders; GPA ≥ 3.75; must have home outdoor power/WiFi, a PC, and a GPS smartphone
In this intensive five-day internship, you will dive into environmental health research by investigating how urban and indoor air quality impacts local communities. You will explore topics like particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) pollution, indoor-outdoor pollution dynamics, and environmental health fundamentals. Throughout the week, your core activities include training on PurpleAir Zen and SDL607 sensors, monitoring air quality directly at your own residence, and actively mapping urban pollution variations around the Las Vegas airport using mobile GPS. The program features a hands-on, hyper-local approach, where your field data may actually contribute to a published research note.
11. AIMI Summer Research Internship — Stanford Center for AI in Medicine and Imaging
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $45 application fee + $2,400; financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (entering grades 9–12 in Fall) who will be at least 14 years old by the start; must reside in the U.S. during the program
This tightly structured, two‑week virtual research internship introduces you to how artificial intelligence is designed and applied in medicine and healthcare. You work in small teams guided by Stanford‑affiliated student leads and research mentors, framing a research‑style question, exploring data, and communicating findings in a way that mirrors a real‑world AI‑in‑medicine research project. During hands-on project sessions, you apply the AI and health‑care concepts you learn, iterating on your approach and collaborating with teammates to build a coherent project outcome. The program expects you to engage with the material at a fairly technical level and contribute meaningfully to your team’s research‑style inquiry.
12. GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) — NASA Ames / GeneLab
Location: Fully online, hosted by NASA Ames GeneLab team; participants access the program remotely from anywhere in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 15, or until 1,000 applications are received, whichever comes first
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents (including citizens of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Marianas), attending U.S.‑based high schools; rising juniors, rising seniors, or students entering college as freshmen in Fall; minimum unweighted GPA 3.0; at least one high school biology course completed
In this program, you participate in a 12‑week online program grounded in NASA’s space biology research, specifically how biological systems respond to spaceflight conditions. The curriculum introduces you to omics‑based research, teaching you how to analyze complex biological data such as genetic sequences and protein interactions using bioinformatics and computational‑biology methods. You work through self‑paced recorded lectures and JupyterLab‑style exercises, learning to process and interpret large‑scale omics datasets linked to NASA Space Biology science. In the Capstone track, you join a student‑formed team, build a hypothesis‑driven research proposal based on original analysis of datasets from the Open Science Data Repository, and present your proposal at a virtual symposium, which simulates a real‑world scientific conference setting.
13. Online Research Academy (High School) — NC State University Global Training Initiative (GTI)
Location: Fully online, hosted by NC State University’s Global Training Initiative (GTI), Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $1,295 per student; $50 early‑bird discount if registered by April 15; partial scholarships are available
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: Mid-June
Eligibility: All high school students (Must be a rising 10th grader or higher); International students must meet English proficiency requirements (e.g., TOEFL iBT 75, IELTS 6.0, or Duolingo 95)
In this program, you join a four‑week virtual research program that treats you as a research trainee rather than a passive learner, guiding you through a full, college‑level research cycle from start to finish. You choose one of several faculty‑designed research projects (e.g., AI‑driven stock trading, sustainable bioremediation, autonomous‑robot navigation, textile sustainability) and then apply classroom‑level concepts to a real‑world problem, collecting data or simulation outputs, running analyses, and communicating results. You meet regularly online with a faculty or senior researcher mentor, receive personalized feedback on your methodology and analysis, and refine your project in an iterative way that mirrors how research is conducted at the university level.
14. IMD Summer High School Research Program
Location: Fully online, Mathematics & Democracy Institute network
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Six‑week Summer program
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Advanced high school students; projects involve quantitative or social‑science research using real‑world data (elections, census, etc.)
In this program, you participate in a small cohort where you work in teams on applied research projects using real-world datasets. The group meets twice each week, and you spend additional time collaborating independently with your teammates. Project topics vary and may focus on mathematics, data science, or social science policy, depending on the group’s interests. As you work through the project, you practice defining research questions, analyzing data, and preparing written or visual reports. The program is fully remote, so you can take part regardless of your location, including outside the U.S.
15. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Program is free to apply; selected finalists receive up to $1,000 in project funding; no application fee mentioned
Dates: Applications open: November 1; Semifinalist interviews: January 30; Finalists notified and mentorship starts: February; Project completion and final presentations: June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; projects must be science, technology, or engineering–based, completable within one semester and within a $1,000 budget; applicants must have done substantial background research on a project idea but not yet completed the full project
In this program, you receive up to $1,000 in funding and regular weekly virtual mentorship from MIT undergraduates and, where applicable, MIT professors and researchers in your field, who help you refine your experimental design, troubleshoot, and plan your project’s timeline. The program is structured so you develop and complete a full‑scale, semester‑long research or innovation project under external guidance, then submit a final report and present your results online to the THINK team, other finalists, and MIT students. Finalists also have the opportunity to travel to MIT for an all‑expenses-paid, four‑day visit to tour labs, present their work, and engage with MIT students and faculty.
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 – University of Nevada, Las Vegas