10 Engineering Research Programs for High School Students
As a high school student, participating in a research program can be a great way to enhance your academic journey. These engineering research programs for high school students allow you to explore subjects that interest you, gain hands-on experience, and build important skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation.
Research programs offer more than just academic knowledge—they can also strengthen your college applications. Admissions officers look for students who seek real-world challenges and engage in meaningful projects outside the classroom. A research internship shows you’re motivated and ready to tackle complex topics, making you a strong candidate for top colleges and future career opportunities. If you’re interested in engineering, check out this list of 10 engineering research programs for high school students that offer hands-on experience and valuable exposure to the field.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program designed for high school students. It offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subjects for you to explore.
You’ll be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to work closely on an independent research project. By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed your own research paper. Topics span fields such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. For more details about the application, you can find additional information here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. Horizon is one of the few programs that lets you choose between quantitative and qualitative research.
After selecting your subject track, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. mentor who will guide you throughout your research. As a participant, you’ll develop a 20-page research paper that you can submit to prestigious journals for publication.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback to help you refine your skills for future research.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective program for high school students interested in working with high-growth start-ups. The program offers internships across various industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore available opportunities through the application form.
Interns work closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, presenting their work to the company. The 8-week virtual internship provides hands-on experience with high-growth start-ups and offers a chance for high school students to explore engineering research programs.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is ideal for those looking to get started with AI, machine learning, and data science. This 10-session boot camp introduces students to the fundamentals of AI and data science while allowing them to work on real-world projects.
For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique project. Students in this program also have access to an in-house publication team to help secure placements in high school research journals. You can explore examples of past projects here.
5. RISE Internship Track by Boston University
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,210 (includes tuition, service fee, and $25 student health services) + $60 application fee
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Dates: June 29 - August 8, 2025
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year of high school in fall 2025.
The RISE Internship Track at Boston University is a six-week summer program for rising high school seniors interested in hands-on research. You’ll work full-time on a project in fields like Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, under the mentorship of faculty or graduate students.
The program includes weekly workshops on research ethics, the scientific process, and creating professional posters, along with college admissions and preprofessional health insights. You’ll showcase your work at a Poster Symposium at the end of the program.
Location: Fermilab, Illinois
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Application Deadline: Dates for 2025 are TBD
Dates: Dates for 2025 are TBD
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors at the time of application, enrolled in a school in Illinois, and with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0
Fermilab’s TARGET Program is a six-week summer internship for high school sophomores and juniors in Illinois interested in STEM. It’s a competitive program, selecting 15–25 students annually, focused on engineering physics, mathematics, computer science, and other STEM fields.
You’ll work with Fermilab scientists and engineers on real-world projects, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship. This exposure will enhance your technical skills and deepen your understanding of cutting-edge research in physics and engineering, providing insights into engineering research programs and future career paths in STEM.
7. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, MD
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 25, 2025
Dates: July 7 - August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students who have completed 11th grade by June 2025 with a minimum GPA of 3.2. You can find the detailed eligibility criteria on the program website.
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest Program offers a 4-week summer research opportunity for rising high school seniors passionate about engineering and technology. Designed for academically strong students, the in-person, commuter-based program provides a college-level engineering experience.
You’ll work on a research project, developing proposals, conducting literature reviews, and exploring engineering concepts. Mentorship from engineering students and faculty will prepare you for future academic and career challenges, while workshops on college applications and financial aid support your next steps.
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline:
Summer 2025: February 28, 2025
Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
Dates:
Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May
Summer Session: Late May to August
Fall Session Late August to Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students internships in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. These internships provide opportunities to collaborate with professionals at NASA centers or remotely, with various positions available year-round, including in engineering fields.
You’ll gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects under the guidance of NASA scientists and engineers, sharpening your technical skills and deepening your understanding of engineering concepts.
9. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: Hybrid
Cost: The program provides a full scholarship to participants.
Application Deadline: February 21, 2025
Dates: June 2 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade in June 2025.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at NYU offers high school students a 10-week opportunity to engage in STEM research. This engineering research program offers high school students hands-on experience in scientific inquiry and innovation across various fields like bioengineering, robotics, and chemical engineering.
During the program, you’ll dive into topics like bioengineering, robotics, AI, and chemical engineering, working alongside nearly 50 mentors from diverse STEM fields. The program focuses on collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, helping you tackle real-world challenges while refining your technical skills.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Multiple locations across the country. You can find a location of your choice here.
Stipend:
New participant: $4,000
Returning participant: $4,500
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 cohort are closed. Applications typically close in November.
Dates: The program runs for 8 weeks during the summer.
Eligibility: Applicants must be:
High school students who have completed at least Grade 9
Currently enrolled in high school
16 years of age or older by the internship start date
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high-achieving high school students the chance to work in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories on cutting-edge research projects. Over eight weeks during the summer, you’ll gain hands-on experience in science and engineering.
Through SEAP, you’ll collaborate with top scientists and engineers, exploring naval science and technology while developing your academic and professional skills. With 300 internships available across 38 labs nationwide, the program also provides personalized mentorship to help you prepare for college and future careers. Selection is based on academic performance, personal statements, recommendations, and research interests.
Image Source - NYU