If you are a high school student based in and around New York looking for a productive way to spend your summer, a local research program is worth considering! Research programs allow you to explore your academic interests and strengthen your college applications. These programs give you the chance to learn advanced concepts, work with mentors, and experience what research looks like at the university level.
Research opportunities in New York span fields as wide-ranging as neuroscience, computer science, psychology, philosophy, and environmental science. As a participant, you will also get to build practical skills, work on projects under expert supervision, and see how your classroom knowledge connects to real research questions. A research program is an opportunity to challenge yourself academically while building valuable connections with peers, scientists, and researchers.
To help you find the right option, we have compiled 15 summer research programs for high school students in New York.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in summer (June – August)
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement; typically, students with a minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0 are accepted
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a personalized research opportunity designed for high school students. As a participant, you will work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and conduct an independent research project over 12 weeks or more. Opportunities span various disciplines, from psychology and economics to data science, computer science, and engineering. After choosing a topic within your subject track, you will complete a full-length research paper under the guidance of your mentor and present your work at the end of the program. The program offers structured mentorship, writing support, and peer discussions, helping you develop the academic skills required for university-level research.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Veritas AI programs combine structured instruction with project work, primarily focusing on artificial intelligence. If you choose the beginner-friendly AI Scholars, you will explore the basics of Python and data science fundamentals before progressing to machine learning techniques such as regression, neural networks, and natural language processing. You will apply these concepts to projects involving image classification, sentiment analysis, or text processing under close mentorship. You can opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers you mentorship to help you develop your own unique research-based project. This program also offers support from its in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school journals. You can check out past projects here.
3. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition (optional residential fees applicable for those accessing university housing); a stipend is provided
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is an opportunity to engage in STEM research for six weeks. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and integrated into a research group, working on projects in areas like chemistry, biology, physics, computer science, engineering, and more. You will conduct hands-on research, write an abstract, and present your work as a research poster. The program is designed to provide you with a realistic understanding of what academic research involves, including daily lab work, collaboration with peers, and problem-solving guided by faculty experts.
4. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Students who are completing grades 10 or 11 and are NYC residents attending city schools
NYU’s ARISE is a competitive program that brings high school students into university labs for 10 weeks of engineering and science research. Here, you will work under the mentorship of faculty and graduate students while exploring fields like robotics, computer science, machine learning, and biomedical engineering. Prior to lab work, you will attend workshops on ethics, lab safety, and college preparation. You will learn how to design experiments, collect data, and present your findings at a research colloquium. Overall, you will gain about 120 hours of lab experience working on a research project in your area of interest.
5. CUNY STEM Research Academy
Acceptance rate: Selective; cohort size varies by site
Location: Varies; 10 CUNY campuses offer the program in NY
Stipend: Up to $1,575 offered for completing the summer research component
Dates: Two-semester program—semi-weekly commitment during the spring semester + five–six-week commitment in the summer; dates can vary by site
Application deadline: Typically, January
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores and juniors
CUNY’s STEM Research Academy is a two-part program, beginning with a spring research methods course and continuing with a five-week summer research experience. Upon completing the spring coursework, you will get the chance to engage in summer research. During the summer, you will be paired with a faculty mentor at CUNY or City College and work in a lab, contributing to research in STEM. You will design and present a research project, with the chance to showcase your work at institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. The program also focuses on boosting science literacy and preparing you for competitions such as the NYC Science & Engineering Fair.
6. Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC Program
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Provided; amount not specified
Dates: June–August (eight weeks)
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in October (for the following summer)
Eligibility: NYC high school sophomores and juniors enrolled in one of the specified partner programs
BRAINYAC offers high school students hands-on exposure to neuroscience research at Columbia University. If accepted, you will be matched with a Columbia scientist who will mentor you while you work on a lab-based research project. You will learn how to handle lab equipment, ask research questions, and contribute to ongoing neuroscience discoveries. As a participant, you will gain a deeper understanding of how brain research is conducted and insights into possible careers in neuroscience. The program also offers instruction, covering topics like basic Python, neuroanatomy, how to read a research paper, techniques like pipetting and microscopy, and responsible conduct of research.
7. Environmentor – Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE)
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Dates: June 5 – August 15
Application deadline: May
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 who live or attend school near the Rockaway peninsula
RISE Environmentor connects you with mentors from universities and research institutions, allowing you to conduct environmental science research projects on the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. Past research topics include air quality monitoring, sea turtle strandings, and salt marsh restoration. You will design and carry out an independent research project and present your findings through a poster session. The program also offers CPR training, recreational activities like kayaking and biking, and exposure to careers in conservation. Offering a mix of research, mentorship, and fieldwork, Environmentor can help you get an introduction to the field of environmental science.
8. NYU GSTEM
Cohort size: 40
Location: NYU or other academic institutions in New York City, NY
Cost: $5,500 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (housing and meal expenses); financial assistance available
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school juniors with a demonstrated interest in STEM
Hosted by NYU’s Courant Institute, GSTEM is a six-week summer research program for high school students in New York. As a participant, you will work with a mentor and contribute to an original STEM research project. GSTEM begins with the orientation week, following which you will engage in research work with your mentor in a lab or university setting. Additionally, you will engage in weekly field trips, attend lectures, and attend skill-building workshops covering scientific writing and research presentation. You will spend most of the week engaging in your projects, and on Fridays, you will meet other GSTEM participants at NYU to network and explore NYC.
9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2%; 20 students selected
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering research labs in NY
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, are authorized to work in the U.S., and live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s main campus on the Upper East Side in Manhattan
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers eight-week internships, where you will join a research lab and contribute to ongoing biomedical or computational research work. You will spend the summer working on a project under the supervision of a research mentor and attending lab meetings, program events, and cross-departmental sessions. The work spans areas such as cancer biology, genomics, pharmacology, and immunology, providing a clearer understanding of how laboratory discoveries connect to patient care. You will also have opportunities to build professional skills beyond lab training.
10. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Cohort size: 32
Location: Rockefeller University, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; need-based stipends may be provided
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Rockefeller University’s summer research program for high school students is a team-based experience. Here, you will work on a project shaped by mentors from Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, and Rockefeller. You will work within a team that will mimic the workings of a small research lab, with lead scientists guiding you and providing lab training. The first week involves orientation and foundational instruction, after which you will choose a research question to explore for the rest of the program. You will gain insights into and experience in research planning, experimentation, data analysis, and teamwork. Additionally, you will design a research poster and present your findings at a formal symposium.
11. Columbia Pre-College: The Science of Psychology Course
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY; in-person and online formats available
Cost: $3,960–$12,449, depending on the session and format you choose; financial aid available for NYC commuter students
Dates: Multiple two- to three-week sessions between June 24 and August 2
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12; residential participants must be at least 16
Columbia University offers various in-person and virtual pre-college programs during the summer to allow high schoolers to enroll in college-level courses in subjects of their choice. The Science of Psychology course introduces you to research in cognitive science and behavior. Over two to three weeks, you will explore areas like memory, perception, cognitive development, and language acquisition, as well as psychology research methods. You will study the foundations of psychology while practicing how to evaluate studies and think critically about human behavior. The program combines lectures with discussions and small projects, giving you a taste of college-level coursework in psychology.
12. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: Spring session: February 27 – May 22 + Summer session: June 30 – August 15
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students who are at least 16 years old
Biorocket is a six-month internship program that combines spring prep with summer research at Genspace, a community biology lab in Brooklyn. You will work with peers and scientist-mentors on projects involving genetic engineering, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics. You will gain experience in working with lab equipment, analyzing genetic data, and presenting your research to the public. During the program, you will get to visit research labs and biotech companies. The program also offers career guidance and opportunities to network with scientists and practice science communication.
13. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Secondary School Field Research Program (SSFRP)
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, NY, and Piermont Marsh
Stipend: Provided
Dates: Six weeks between June and August
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 enrolled in one of SSFRP’s partner schools are eligible.
SSFRP brings together high school students, teachers, and researchers to study ecological and physical processes in New York wetlands. You will join research teams that investigate topics like nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and invasive plant management. You will collect field samples, analyze data, and present your results at a summer symposium. The program uses a tiered mentorship model, offering you access to the guidance of both undergraduates and professional scientists. Alongside fieldwork, you will engage with scientific literature and gain a deeper understanding of the methods used in environmental research.
14. Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Project TRUE
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Bronx Zoo, New York, NY
Stipend: Summer stipend: $750 (or hourly pay through SYEP if eligible); fall stipend: $350
Dates: Summer: Late June – August + Fall program (only on Saturdays): September – December
Application deadline: Typically, early March
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living in the Bronx
Project TRUE places you in a research team studying urban ecology at the Bronx Zoo in partnership with Fordham University. You will work alongside an undergraduate mentor and WCS staff members to conduct field studies on topics like mammal distribution, water quality, and invasive species. You will collect and analyze ecological data and present your findings to peers, scientists, and the public. The program emphasizes both research and communication, helping you build science writing and presentation skills.
15. DNA Learning Center’s Urban Barcode Research Program
Cohort size: ~36 students/year
Location: DNA Learning Center, Brooklyn, NY – In-person
Stipend: $500
Dates: Training in August + academic year commitment; symposium in May/June in the following year
Application deadline: May 27
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9–12
The Urban Barcode Research Program offers an introduction to genetics and biodiversity research through hands-on lab work. You will enroll in an initial training course and then conduct your own DNA barcoding project under the supervision of mentors. You will learn techniques like DNA isolation, amplification, and analysis, contribute to research, and gain experience in science communication while presenting your research at a final symposium. You will experience the entire research cycle, from the development of a research question to summarizing the findings. The program also focuses on connecting biodiversity studies to human activities, offering you insights into conservation biology.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – NYU