If you’re interested in research across different academic fields, a structured research program during high school can help you get started. Research programs allow you to work on focused questions in areas such as biology, engineering, environmental science, computer science, psychology, or physics through guided projects and mentorship. Depending on the program, you may analyze scientific papers, collect and interpret data, conduct experiments, or use coding and statistical tools to investigate specific problems. Some programs also introduce you to laboratory methods, fieldwork techniques, and research communication through presentations or written reports. These experiences can help you understand how academic and applied research is conducted in university and professional settings.
What do Research programs for high schoolers include?
Research programs for high school students are typically project-based and centered around solving or investigating a specific question. In these programs, you may learn how to review scientific literature, design experiments, collect quantitative or qualitative data, and analyze results using tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, spreadsheets, or lab equipment, depending on the field. You may also learn how to document findings, create research posters, write technical reports, or present your conclusions to mentors and peers.
Why should you choose a program in Oregon?
Oregon offers access to a strong mix of university research, environmental fieldwork opportunities, and technology-driven innovation. Institutions such as Oregon State University and the University of Oregon support research in areas including environmental science, marine biology, engineering, robotics, neuroscience, and sustainability. Oregon’s geography also makes it especially relevant for field-based research, with access to forests, mountains, rivers, and coastal ecosystems that support ecological and climate-related studies. In addition, the state has connections to semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy research, and outdoor technology industries, giving students exposure to applied STEM work beyond the classroom. Many programs in Oregon combine university-level research with hands-on investigation, allowing you to work directly with data, experiments, or field observations in active research environments.
With that in mind, here are 14 research programs for high school students in Oregon! You can also check our blog on online research programs here.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon high school students can access research programs across biomedical science, cancer biology, cardiovascular research, environmental conservation, biomedical engineering, and AI in medicine, with strong anchors at OHSU and Saturday Academy
- Several programs on this list are paid, including OHSU CURE ($12.50/hour), OHSU Dentistry Research Internship ($15/hour), Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship (stipend provided), and DICR SHE in Oncology ($500 stipend), making research experience financially accessible
- Virtual programs including Stanford AIMI, Summer Health AI Bootcamp, Stanford CNI-X, George Mason ASSIP, and DICR SHE are open to Oregon students regardless of location, significantly expanding the options available beyond in-person placements
- Most programs conclude with a poster presentation, research showcase, or final presentation to faculty and peers, giving students direct practice in scientific communication alongside the technical research work
Location: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Free; $12.50/hour stipend
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Eligibility: Oregon high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have completed at least one lab science course
The Ted R. Lilley CURE Program gives high school students the opportunity to participate in biomedical cancer research at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. During the 8-week program, you’ll work closely with a faculty mentor in a research lab for up to 40 hours each week, gaining experience with laboratory techniques, data collection, and scientific investigation. Alongside lab work, you’ll attend seminars focused on scientific research, healthcare topics, and health equity in medicine. You will also learn how research findings are communicated through scientific discussions and presentations. At the end of the program, you’ll prepare and present a research poster summarizing your work to researchers, staff, and fellow participants.
2. Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships at OHSU
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Dates: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students
The Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships at OHSU offer several research-focused opportunities for students interested in biomedical engineering, quantitative biology, and health sciences. Depending on the internship, you may work on topics such as cardiovascular disease research, fluorescence imaging, computational biology, or health equity in scientific research. Most internships last 8-10 weeks and involve hands-on laboratory work, data analysis, and participation in ongoing research projects alongside faculty and researchers. You may also learn research methods used in biomedical engineering, including imaging techniques, biological data interpretation, and experimental design. Many programs conclude with a poster presentation or research showcase where you present your findings to mentors and peers. Some internships are unpaid initially, while others offer stipends or pathways to future paid research opportunities.
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $240-$300 tuition fee (tuition assistance available); $450 weekly stipend with up to $50 weekly bonus opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Session I: June 23 – July 25 | Session II: July 29– August 29
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
The Youth Community Program at Northwest Youth Corps provides high school students with hands-on experience working on conservation and environmental restoration projects across the Portland area. Over five weeks, you’ll work in crews led by trained field staff on projects such as trail maintenance, tree planting, habitat restoration, fencing, and fuel reduction on public lands and community spaces. Through this field-based work, you will gain practical exposure to environmental science, land management, and ecological conservation practices. The program can also be valuable if you are interested in environmental or sustainability research, as it teaches you how conservation projects are planned, monitored, and carried out in real-world settings. You can develop observational and data collection skills relevant to environmental studies while gaining a firsthand understanding of ecosystems and land-use challenges. In addition to technical field experience, the program emphasizes teamwork, outdoor leadership, and environmental stewardship through daily project work.
Location: Universities, hospitals, research institutions, and private companies across Oregon and Southwest Washington
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 6
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer; dates vary by internship
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; additional requirements vary by placement
The Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) program at Saturday Academy connects high school students with research and industry mentors for hands-on STEM internships. Over the course of eight weeks, you may work in university labs, hospitals, engineering firms, or private companies on projects related to science, technology, medicine, or engineering. Depending on your placement, you could assist with experiments, data collection, product testing, coding, fieldwork, or design-based tasks while learning how professionals approach research and technical problem-solving. Some students also contribute to publications, presentations, or product development during their internships. Through the experience, you gain practical exposure to STEM careers while building technical, analytical, and research-related skills in a professional environment.
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR | University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 15
Internship Dates: June 24 – July 12
Eligibility: Current high school students
The HEART Internship is a three-week interdisciplinary research program focused on heart development, congenital heart disease, and biomedical engineering approaches to cardiovascular science. During the program, you’ll explore how biological processes, genetics, fluid mechanics, and engineering tools are used to study heart formation and function. The internship includes laboratory activities, computational exercises, workshops, and collaborative research projects involving students from both OHSU and UC Irvine. In the first week, you’ll investigate core concepts related to heart structure, blood flow, and developmental biology through experimental and data-driven activities. You will then work in teams to analyze and exchange research findings while applying methods commonly used in biomedical research. The program concludes with a written research paper and a final presentation shared with both university communities, giving you experience in scientific communication and collaborative research workflows.
Location: University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations, Portland, OR
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: NA
Dates: July 13-16
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old by the first day of camp
The High School Summer Nurse Camp at the University of Portland introduces students to nursing, healthcare practices, and clinical learning through a short immersive program. Over four days, you’ll learn foundational healthcare skills such as measuring vital signs, infection prevention, and clinical hygiene procedures through guided activities and demonstrations. The camp also includes interactions with nursing students, faculty members, and healthcare professionals who discuss nursing education and patient care environments. You will tour the university’s nursing facilities and gain exposure to how healthcare training and clinical simulation work in academic settings. The camp is especially designed to support students from diverse, low-income, and first-generation backgrounds interested in healthcare careers.
Location: OHSU School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Free; $15/hour or current minimum wage
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) and college students interested in science or healthcare
The Research Internship Program at the OHSU School of Dentistry provides students with hands-on experience in dental and oral health research through an intensive summer internship. During the program, you’ll work closely with a research mentor on an individual project related to oral health, biomedical science, or healthcare research. Depending on the project, you may assist with laboratory techniques, scientific data analysis, literature review, or clinical research activities while learning how research studies are designed and conducted. The internship is especially useful for students interested in scientific or healthcare research because it introduces you to professional research environments, scientific communication, and mentor-guided investigation. Participants also complete presentations analyzing scientific papers and reflecting on their own research progress. The program concludes with a final research showcase where interns present their findings and experiences to the broader academic community.
8. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee
Application Deadline: February 13
Dates: June 15 – June 25; July 6-17
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship introduces high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, healthcare systems, and medical imaging research. During the program, you’ll explore how machine learning models are applied to healthcare challenges such as diagnostics, imaging analysis, and clinical decision-making. The internship includes research-focused activities, discussions on health equity and ethics in AI, and exposure to current developments in biomedical AI. Working with researchers and professionals in the field, you will gain insight into both the technical foundations of AI and its real-world medical applications. The program is especially valuable for students interested in AI or healthcare research because it demonstrates how computational methods, data analysis, and medical research intersect in professional research environments. Through guided projects and mentorship, you’ll also develop familiarity with research workflows and emerging technologies used in AI-driven healthcare.
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: Oregon high school students who are at least 16 years old by May 30
The Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship introduces high school students to cardiovascular medicine, biomedical research, and clinical healthcare environments through a summer internship experience at OHSU. During the program, you’ll explore topics related to heart health, cardiovascular disease, and medical innovation through laboratory tours, workshops, and collaborative learning activities. You may also participate in clinical shadowing experiences that expose you to healthcare settings and patient-centered medical work. The internship provides direct interaction with researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals working in cardiovascular science. Through discussions and guided activities, you’ll learn how scientific research, diagnostics, and clinical care intersect in modern medicine. The program also helps you build familiarity with research pathways and healthcare careers within academic medical institutions.
10. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual | George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by the start of the program
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives high school students the opportunity to work on advanced STEM research projects alongside university faculty and research teams. During the internship, you may participate in research related to neuroscience, nanotechnology, cybersecurity, machine learning, software engineering, game development, or human-computer interaction, depending on your assigned lab. The program emphasizes hands-on research experience, allowing you to assist with experiments, coding tasks, computational analysis, or technical project development in active research environments. ASSIP is especially valuable for students interested in research because it exposes you to university-level investigation, mentor-guided problem solving, and interdisciplinary scientific collaboration. Some students also contribute to conference presentations or scientific publications through their research work. Through the internship, you’ll gain practical experience with research methods, technical tools, and scientific communication across STEM fields.
11. Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program – Gibbs Laboratory
Location: Gibbs Laboratory, Portland, OR
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Flexible; minimum 10 weeks
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students
The Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship at Gibbs Laboratory introduces students to biomedical imaging research and laboratory techniques used in disease detection and molecular analysis. During the internship, you’ll learn about fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, organic synthesis, cell culture methods, and computational approaches for image analysis and data processing. The program focuses on developing contrast agents and imaging technologies that improve how diseases are identified and studied in research settings. You will work in a laboratory environment while gaining hands-on exposure to experimental workflows, scientific instrumentation, and data interpretation methods commonly used in biomedical research. While the first summer is unpaid and centered on skill development, returning students may later be considered for paid research opportunities.
12. Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,000 participation fee + $45 application fee
Application Deadline: February 13; 20
Dates: Session A: June 15-26, 2026; Session B: July 6-17, 2026
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
The Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare. Through interactive lessons, group activities, and discussions, you’ll explore how AI tools are applied to medical data, healthcare systems, and clinical problem-solving. The program covers topics such as machine learning concepts, evaluation metrics, collaborative project strategies, and emerging technologies, including generative AI. It is especially useful for students interested in AI or healthcare research because it demonstrates how computational methods are used to analyze information and support decision-making in medical settings. You’ll also interact with professionals from different fields during career-focused sessions that discuss research, technology, and healthcare pathways. Alongside technical learning, collaborative activities and team discussions help you engage with real-world challenges at the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence.
13. Stanford University Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Between $1,725-$3,325
Program Dates: CNV-X Session 1 (Virtual via Zoom) June 8 – June 19; CNV-X Session 2 (Virtual via Zoom) June 22 – July 3; CNI-X Session 1 (In-person on campus) July 6 – July 17; CNI-X Session 2 (In-person on campus): July 20 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 who will not turn 19 before June 16
The Stanford University Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a virtual program that introduces high school students to clinical neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, and behavioral science through discussion-based learning. During the program, you’ll participate in live sessions with Stanford faculty, clinicians, and researchers while exploring topics such as neuroimaging, sleep medicine, neuroethics, forensic psychiatry, and artificial intelligence in neuroscience. You’ll also collaborate in small groups on a capstone project addressing a real-world mental health problem, helping you develop analytical and research-oriented thinking around neuroscience topics. The program is especially useful for students interested in neuroscience or healthcare research because it provides exposure to current scientific discussions, clinical applications, and interdisciplinary approaches in brain science.
14. DICR Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend
Application Deadline: Varies by host institution
Program Dates: Two-week program in July
Eligibility: Female-identifying rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors from underrepresented minority groups who are at least 16 years old before the program begins
The DICR Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a virtual program that introduces high school students to cancer biology, biomedical research, and healthcare science. Through online lectures, case studies, and small-group discussions led by researchers from the eCLOSE Institute, you’ll explore how cancer develops, spreads, and is treated in clinical and research settings. The program emphasizes core research skills used in biology and oncology, including reading scientific literature, analyzing experimental data, and understanding laboratory approaches used to study cancer cells. You’ll also engage with real-world examples of oncology research and learn how scientific discoveries contribute to medical treatment and healthcare innovation.
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!
FAQ
What research programs are available for high school students in Oregon?
Oregon students can access research programs at OHSU (CURE cancer research, Biomedical Engineering internships, Dentistry Research Internship, Knight Cardiovascular Internship, HEART Internship), Saturday Academy ASE, Northwest Youth Corps, and the University of Portland Nurse Camp. Virtual options including Stanford AIMI, George Mason ASSIP, Stanford CNI-X, and DICR SHE are also accessible to Oregon students from anywhere in the state.
Do I need prior lab or research experience to apply?
Most programs do not require prior research experience. OHSU CURE requires completion of at least one lab science course, and the Saturday Academy ASE program has requirements that vary by placement. Programs like the Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship, HEART Internship, and Northwest Youth Corps Conservation Program are accessible to motivated students without prior formal research backgrounds.
Are there paid research programs for high school students in Oregon?
Yes. OHSU CURE pays $12.50 per hour, the OHSU Dentistry Research Internship pays $15 per hour or current minimum wage, and the Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship provides a stipend. Northwest Youth Corps pays $450 per week with bonus opportunities. DICR SHE in Oncology offers a $500 stipend. Several other programs are free with no associated cost.
Are there research programs in Oregon for students interested in healthcare or medicine?
Yes. OHSU alone offers multiple healthcare-focused internships covering cancer research, biomedical engineering, cardiovascular science, dental research, and heart development through the HEART Internship. The University of Portland Nurse Camp introduces clinical healthcare environments. Stanford CNI-X covers clinical neuroscience and psychiatry, and DICR SHE focuses on oncology research, both accessible virtually.
Are there programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds?
Yes. DICR Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is specifically designed for female-identifying students from underrepresented minority groups. The University of Portland Nurse Camp prioritizes students from diverse, low-income, and first-generation backgrounds. Northwest Youth Corps offers tuition assistance and is open to students from a broad range of backgrounds.
When should I apply to research programs in Oregon?
Several programs have early deadlines. George Mason ASSIP and Stanford AIMI close in February, Saturday Academy ASE and Gibbs Laboratory both close March 6 and 15 respectively, and the HEART Internship closes March 15. OHSU programs vary by cycle, and the Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship closes in May. Reviewing program requirements in late fall and preparing application materials, including transcripts and any required essays, by January puts you in the strongest position.
Image Source: George Mason University