Research sits at the foundation of most fields, ranging from medicine to economics to environmental science. If you are interested in any of these areas, learning how research is conducted can be beneficial. Participating in a research program in high school lets you experience that environment while you are still exploring your academic interests.
These programs may involve laboratory work, field studies, data analysis, literature review, or collaborative inquiry under faculty supervision. You begin to understand how academic research differs from standard school projects.
Why Should You Choose Nevada as a High Schooler?
Nevada combines public universities, research-driven departments, and STEM outreach initiatives that support high school participation. You can explore opportunities in science, technology, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary research areas. Choosing a program within Nevada can be both practical and strategic, allowing you to gain experience while remaining connected to your local academic network.
With that in mind, below are 15 research programs for high school students in Nevada! For a wider look at high school research opportunities, see our blogs on free and online research programs here and research internships for high school students here.
15 Research Programs for High School Students in Nevada
1. Summer Program Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) – Secondary Sessions
Location: Las Vegas, NV (UNLV campus)
Cost: $595 registration fee; lunch included
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 20 – July 24
Application Deadline: July 6 (for refund eligibility)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–10
SPARK is a five-day research camp held on the UNLV campus for middle and early high school students. Each day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the schedule is built around applied research practice. You work through hypothesis formation, structured data collection, and guided analysis using research software. The program assumes you already understand basic research concepts and pushes further into interpreting results and identifying patterns in datasets. Sessions are hands-on, with structured exercises rather than abstract discussions. By the end of the week, you will have practiced building and testing research questions using real data.
2. AFRL Scholars Program
Location: Las Vegas, NV (AFWERX)
Cost: Paid (amount varies by academic level)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact rate not specified)
Program Dates: 8–12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10
Eligibility: U.S.-based upper-level high school students ages 16–18 with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The AFRL Scholars Program places selected high school students inside active research teams for 8 to 12 weeks during the summer. You work full-time alongside engineers and scientists on applied research tied to Air Force innovation projects. Depending on placement, tasks may include data analysis, prototyping, software development, testing, or technical documentation. Projects are real and ongoing, and you contribute within a structured research environment that operates on deadlines and measurable objectives. This is a sustained research commitment, not a short-term camp, and it requires maturity and technical readiness.
3. Beal Bank USA Southern Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV (UNLV Campus, Thomas and Mack Strip View Pavilion)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; open to eligible Southern Nevada high school students
Program Dates: March 5
Application Deadline: January 9 (registration); additional deadlines through February
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) in Southern Nevada counties, including Clark County and the Clark County School District; other Nevada students may participate with director approval if they have not competed in another ISEF-affiliated fair
This regional fair requires you to design and complete an independent research or engineering project before presenting it on the UNLV campus. You follow official ISEF rules, complete required documentation, and obtain pre-approval for regulated project categories such as human participants or hazardous materials. On judging day, you stand by your project display and explain your methodology, data, and conclusions directly to evaluators. The process tests your ability to defend your research design and interpret results clearly. Top projects may advance to Regeneron ISEF.
4. Anatomy Academy – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV (UNLV campus)
Cost: $125 (lunch included)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 1 – June 5
Application Deadline: Not specified (refund deadline: May 18)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12, plus recent high school graduates
Anatomy Academy is a five-day hands-on camp focused on human biology and biomedical science. Each morning includes organ dissections, digital anatomy tools such as Sectra tables, histology work, and clinical skill demonstrations like suturing or ECG practice. You will work in small groups led by undergraduates and faculty. The emphasis is on structured lab exposure and understanding how biological systems are studied in academic settings. It provides foundational lab-based experience for students considering biomedical or health research.
5. Community of Bilingual English-Spanish Speakers (CBESS) – University of Nevada, Reno
Location: Reno, NV (University of Nevada, Reno campus; includes virtual components)
Cost: No cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 30 students selected for the full program; an additional 64 students selected for limited participation
Program Dates: Summer (one week on campus plus two or more weeks virtual; specific dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Bilingual English-Spanish high school juniors in Northern Nevada
CBESS is a multi-part program designed for bilingual juniors who are interested in healthcare and STEM careers. If selected as a Student Researcher, you’ll spend one week living on the UNR campus during the summer, followed by at least two weeks of virtual programming where you attend daily classes in both English and Spanish and develop a student-led research project focused on a community health issue. You’ll learn how to conduct hypothesis-driven research and create your own project tied to real health challenges affecting your community. The program also includes career exploration events with healthcare professionals, campus lab and facility tours, and monthly mentoring from a bilingual undergraduate during your senior year. After the summer, you’ll complete an outreach internship based on your research project.
6. STEM Sisters Research Program – University of Nevada, Reno
Location: Reno, NV (University of Nevada, Reno campus)
Cost: Paid (students receive a stipend; exact amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very small cohort (first cohort supported four student researchers)
Program Dates: Six‑week summer research experience (dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Local high school students (with a focus on young women from backgrounds underrepresented in science) selected through partnerships such as Upward Bound
STEM Sisters is a six‑week paid summer research program in biology that places a small group of local high school students in an active UNR lab to conduct independent research at a college level. You learn experimental methods and background content from graduate‑student mentors, then generate your own hypothesis, collect and analyze data, and synthesize your findings into a poster that you present at a university symposium and an international scientific meeting. A recent cohort worked in the Voyles Lab studying how body temperature affects microbial growth on frogs, giving participants authentic experience with hypothesis‑driven research, lab equipment, and scientific communication in a supportive, women‑centered environment.
7. miRcore Computational Biology & Sequencing Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small groups of 5–6 students per teaching assistant
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7 (varies by camp and module)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students nationwide; Sequencing Your Genome Module 3 requires age 16+; college students may also apply to select programs
These virtual camps center on computational biology and genomics research. You will work in small groups analyzing real biomedical datasets, including cancer genomics or RNA sequencing data. Some modules introduce machine learning methods for pattern recognition in biological systems. You will write code, test hypotheses, interpret outputs, and present findings. In the Sequencing Your Genome module, eligible students analyze structured genomic data within a research framework. The focus is on data-driven biological research.
8. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 50 students per session
Program Dates: Session A: June 15 – June 26; Session B: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students ages 14+; preference for students with math, programming, or healthcare project experience
This two-week virtual internship explores artificial intelligence applications in healthcare research. You will start with foundational instruction in AI concepts used in medicine, then move into team-based research projects. Groups analyze healthcare problems and develop research-driven solutions under guidance from Stanford-affiliated mentors. The program emphasizes structured research thinking, collaboration, and final project presentation. It does not involve independent wet-lab work, but it focuses on applied AI research within health systems.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee; $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: Application cycle closes in early February; decisions released by April
Eligibility: High school students age 15+ (16+ for wet lab placements); no maximum age if not yet graduated from university
ASSIP is an eight-week, full-time summer research internship where you work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on an original research project. You’ll use university lab equipment or advanced computational tools, depending on your field, and contribute to active research across areas like neuroscience, machine learning, bioengineering, environmental science, cybersecurity, and more. You’re embedded in a research lab and expected to produce meaningful work that can lead to conference presentations or publication. The program includes structured research training, scientific writing development, and a final poster presentation, and you earn three college credits upon completion. Because placements vary, some internships are in wet labs while others are computational or hybrid.
10. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Hybrid (Virtual June – early July; on-site July 5 – July 18 in Austin, TX)
Cost: Not specified; housing and meals provided for selected on-site interns; limited travel scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Nationally competitive (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: Distance learning May 15 – July 1; Project work June – July 3; On-site July 5 – July 18; Virtual Symposium July 20 – July 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade high school students
SEES is a nationally competitive summer research internship where you collaborate with NASA scientists, university researchers, and industry experts on mission-driven Earth and space science projects. Before arriving on site, you’ll complete distance learning modules in Earth and space science and, if required, Python programming. During the research phase, you’ll analyze real mission data in fields such as remote sensing, planetary science, aerospace engineering, microgravity research, or natural hazards. You’ll work directly with project mentors on authentic NASA-aligned research and contribute to a team project presented at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium. Selected interns spend two weeks on-site in Austin, working intensively with their teams, while others may complete fully virtual projects depending on placement. Because the program combines structured coursework, real data analysis, and collaboration with NASA-affiliated scientists, it offers a rigorous introduction to aerospace and Earth science research.
11. American Cancer Society – High School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by institute (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the institute
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
This two-week virtual program introduces you to the fundamentals of cancer research through interactive sessions, case studies, and collaborative projects. You’ll work with the eCLOSE Institute to explore cancer biology, research methods, and current challenges in oncology. The experience blends structured learning with small-group engagement, helping you understand how laboratory research connects to patient care and public health. You’ll analyze case studies and participate in guided research discussions focused on real-world cancer research questions. The program also includes mentorship and optional year-round career development opportunities after the summer session ends.
12. Biomedical Engineering Innovation
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,900 and a $60 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: Summer Session: June 22 to July 31; Fall Session: Late August to early December
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Current high school students; strong academic preparation required (talented rising sophomores may be considered)
This three-credit online course introduces you to how engineering principles apply to biological systems. Through recorded lectures and optional live sessions, you’ll complete structured design-based projects such as modeling the human arm, analyzing circulatory system mechanics, or designing a biosensor. The course culminates in an independent project that may involve a literature review, experimental proposal, or biomedical device prototype, followed by a virtual poster presentation. You’ll engage in project-based learning that mirrors the structure of introductory undergraduate biomedical engineering coursework. While this is an academic course rather than a mentored lab internship, it emphasizes design thinking and research planning skills.
13. Stanford AI4ALL – Stanford University
Location: Online or Residential (Stanford University, CA)
Cost: Not specified (tuition and financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not specified)
Program Dates: Online: June 15 – June 26; Residential: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: Typically in winter
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week program focused on introducing students to artificial intelligence and its real-world applications. You’ll attend lectures, watch live demonstrations from AI companies, and work in teams on research projects exploring areas like computer vision, medical AI, natural language processing, and robotics. The curriculum is designed to help you understand both the technical foundations of AI and its broader societal impact. You’ll complete a collaborative research project and engage directly with AI researchers and industry professionals through structured mentorship and workshops. Unlike independent lab research programs, this experience emphasizes guided exploration, teamwork, and exposure to AI careers.
14. CrowdMath – MIT PRIMES & Art of Problem Solving
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment (advanced math background required)
Program Dates: Varies by project cycle (Latest CrowdMath theme: Arithmetic Conjectures on Rational Semirings)
Application Deadline: No formal application; participation through AoPS account registration
Eligibility: High school and college students worldwide with a very advanced mathematical background
CrowdMath is a large-scale, open collaborative mathematics research project where students work together to tackle a single, challenging research problem. You contribute ideas, conjectures, proofs, and counterexamples on a shared discussion platform modeled after professional “polymath” research collaborations. The goal is to collectively develop new mathematical results, potentially leading to a jointly authored paper under the pseudonym P.A. CrowdMath. You’re engaging in real, open-ended mathematical research rather than solving preset contest problems. Participation requires strong proof-writing skills and comfort with abstract mathematics, since discussions move quickly and assume significant prior knowledge.
15. MITES Semester
Location: Online
Cost: Free of charge. Students may only pay for the transportation to and from MIT for the conference.
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Program dates: Six months from June to December
Eligibility: High school juniors; underrepresented, underserved, and first-generation students are especially encouraged to apply.
The MITES Semester Program runs from June to December and combines online classes with weekly live sessions. You take two science or engineering courses, which may include subjects like Machine Learning, Thermodynamics, or Astrophysics. Alongside those, you complete a project-based course and one core subject such as Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, or Science Writing. Classes meet in the evenings, so you can manage school and other commitments. The workload includes regular assignments and applied projects, similar to an early college schedule. In the fall, weekly webinars focus on college preparation, including guidance on applications and conversations with STEM professionals.
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: AFRL Scholars Program