10 Research Grants for High School Students
Research grants offer high school students the opportunity to engage in significant projects and advance their academic objectives. These grants provide more than just financial support—they enable you to explore subjects of deep interest, contribute to impactful work, and build essential skills. Securing a research grant can set you apart in college applications and future career paths.
In this blog, we cover 10 such research grants for high school students that you can use to pursue and develop your existing research!
1. National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Science Education Partnership Award
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences’ Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program supports educational initiatives designed to engage pre-college students, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with a focus on those underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences.
The SEPA program aims to inspire students to pursue advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by funding a range of activities, including skills development courses, research experiences, mentoring, curriculum development, and outreach.
SEPA funds two types of projects: classroom-based initiatives for students and teachers and informal science education (ISE) projects conducted in venues such as science centers, museums, and libraries.
Location: Conducted in informal settings such as science centers, museums, and libraries across locations.
Grant Amount: Up to $6,000.
Application dates: Projects are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: The SEPA program targets pre-college students with a focus on those underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences.
2. High School Student Research Assistantships (MPS-High) by the US National Science Foundation
The High School Student Research Assistantships (MPS-High) program, supported by the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate, is dedicated to expanding participation in the mathematical and physical sciences among high school students.
MPS-High focused on funding supplemental research assistantships in the fields of mathematical and physical sciences, and you’ll have to submit a summary of the proposed work, a justification for the supplement, and a budget page (among other things).
If you are interested in pursuing a career in mathematical or physical sciences, this is a great opportunity to receive funding and be recognized by a national foundation!
Grant Amount: Up to $6,000.
Eligibility: High school students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved groups in STEM fields, including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, first-generation college students, and women in underrepresented sub-disciplines.
3. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
While not a grant per say, the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a particularly solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: 4 annual cohorts run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort.
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2023.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. Students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
4. Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS) by US National Science Foundation
Through the Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS), NSF aims to foster a passion for biological sciences and broaden participation among high school students, especially those from underrepresented groups, including minorities, persons with disabilities, and women in less-represented sub-disciplines.
To get involved, students can explore available programs on the NSF website, which include options for direct applications or those requiring a principal investigator (PI). For those needing assistance, the NSF Awards Advanced Search can help find researchers who might be willing to collaborate and sponsor their applications.
Application Deadline: There are no fixed deadlines for RAHSS applications. Applications are considered on a rolling basis as part of a new or renewal NSF proposal or a supplemental funding request to an existing NSF award.
Grant Amount: Up to $6,000.
Eligibility: High school students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in the biological sciences. The application must be submitted by a principal investigator (PI) with an active NSF grant, who will oversee the research project.
5. Regeneron Science Talent Search by Society for Science
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition invites approximately 1,800 high school seniors each year to submit original research in critical scientific fields. The program identifies and supports students with exceptional potential in STEM, offering awards totaling about $1.2 million, with 40 finalists receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, and competing for an additional $1.8 million in awards, including a top prize of $250,000.
The Regeneron STS offers high school students a platform to showcase their groundbreaking research and innovative ideas. It also offers young scientists national recognition and a chance to compete for significant awards while also connecting with a community of peers and mentors who share their passion for science and technology.
If you’re interested in learning more, we’ve covered this competition in detail here!
Location: The final competition is held in Washington, D.C.
Grant Amount: Awards approximately $1.2 million in prizes to 300 scholars, with 40 finalists competing for an additional $1.8 million in awards, including a top prize of $250,000.
Dates: Spans 8 weeks between June and August. The exact dates for 2025 are to be announced.
Application Deadline: Typically opens in August. The application date for the 2025 competition is November 7, 2024, at 8 pm.
Eligibility: High school seniors in the U.S. who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or students attending U.S. high schools.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) provides targeted grants to support high school and undergraduate students who are passionate about the chemical sciences. These grants are designed to fund a range of activities, including chapter projects, collaborative research efforts, travel to ACS meetings, and other educational pursuits.
Among the specific grants offered are the Petroleum Research Fund and the Herman Frasch Foundation Grants. The Petroleum Research Fund supports fundamental research related to petroleum and fossil fuels, while the Herman Frasch Foundation Grants focus on agricultural chemistry research with practical benefits for U.S. agricultural development.
Grant Amount: Generally ranges from $500 to $2,000, depending on the specific program or activity.
Application Deadline: Applications vary depending on which grant you prefer.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12, typically for students in chemistry-related projects or activities associated with a school or community-based chemistry program.
7. Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship
The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship aims to reward exceptionally talented high school students who have completed significant and impactful work in their field. With categories spanning Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside the Box, the scholarship offers awards of $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000. The scholarship competition itself involves developing a project based on the prompt/ guidelines (or, with Outside the Box, developing your own project).
This competition is open to students aged 18 or younger who have made notable contributions with the potential to positively impact society. Awardees are invited to a recognition event in Washington, DC, with travel and lodging expenses covered.
Location: The awards reception and recognition events are held in Washington, DC.
Grant Amount: $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 scholarships.
Application Deadline: The 2024 application is closed; the 2025 application will open in Fall 2024.
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 or younger, U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, and may apply individually or as a team.
8. Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research
The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) program aims to enhance scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning and close mentorship between students and their advisors.
The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) program enables undergraduate and high school students to apply for grants to support their independent research projects across a variety of scientific disciplines. For Sigma Xi members, award amounts range from $500 to $2,000. Non-members, including both undergraduate and graduate students, are eligible for grants up to $1,000. Additionally, there are designated funds for specific research areas, such as up to $5,000 for astronomy research and $2,500 for vision-related research. The GIAR program encourages applications from women and underrepresented minorities, promoting diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.
Grant Amount: Grant amounts range from $500 to $5,000, with additional designated funds up to $5,000 for astronomy and $2,500 for vision research.
Application Deadline: Applications for the spring cycle are due by March 15, and the fall cycle by October 1.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and high school students conducting independent research.
9. Society for Science STEM Research Grants
The Society for Science’s STEM Research Grants offer crucial support to middle and high school educators who engage students in independent scientific research. Through this program, $775,000 has been awarded to 367 teachers since 2017, with priority given to schools serving low-income communities and underrepresented demographics in STEM fields. Teachers can apply for up to $5,000 to purchase specialized equipment or $1,000 for preselected items like Arduino starter kits, soil test kits, and PocketLab sensors.
The grants are intended for independent research projects involving experimentation, engineering design, or invention rather than traditional classroom materials. These projects often lead to entries in science fairs and other competitions, providing students with valuable hands-on experience beyond standard classroom activities.
Application Deadlines: October 2024.
Grant Amount: Up to $5,000.
Eligibility: Any teacher employed full-time in a high school or middle school in the United States can apply on behalf of their students.
10. 3M Young Scientist Challenge
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is an annual science competition for middle school students organized in collaboration between 3M and Discovery Education. You will be required to work on an individual and original project concept and send in the submission as a 1-2 minute video.
These projects should align with one of the predetermined challenges, which often relate to issues in STEM, and provide a viable solution to a real-world problem. After the submission period, finalists are selected to participate in a unique summer mentorship program, during which they collaborate with 3M scientists to develop their projects!
The competition culminates in a final event in October where selected finalists present their projects to a panel of judges, competing for the title of "America's Top Young Scientist" and the opportunity to win various prizes, including a substantial monetary reward, including the Grand Prize of $25,000. The top 10 finalists qualify for a prize of $1,000 each.
Application Deadlines: Submission window will open between January 2024 and May 2025 (tentative, based on 2024 program).
Grant Amount: Not applicable - prices of up to $25,000.
Eligibility: Any teacher employed full-time in a high school or middle school in the United States can apply on behalf of their students.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Society for Science Logo