10 STEM Research Programs for High School Students
As a high school student, being a part of a research program can significantly impact your college applications, as they offer practical experience in research and a deeper understanding of your area of interest. The hands-on approach to research will help you understand the real-world settings associated with the field of your interest. Moreover, adding a summer program to your resume will show the admissions committee just how dedicated and motivated you are.
Another benefit of participating in a STEM-based research program is that it gives you the chance to work with industry professionals and benefit from the guidance of a professor or a mentor.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 10 STEM Research Programs for high school students that are bound to buff up your resume and college applications. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Washington University Young Scientist Program Summer Focus
Location: Washington University, MO
Application Deadline: Applications open November 4th and will close around February 2025 (tentatively).
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Must be high school juniors or seniors from the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri and Illinois).
Stipend: A stipend of $4,000 is provided
Washington University’s Young Scientist Program (YSP) is designed to boost the participation of historically underrepresented science students by offering the Summer Focus Program, an 8-week-long paid internship for high school students. As a scholar, you will be paired with a mentor and a tutor, typically Washington University graduate students, post-doctoral associates, or faculty. While the mentor guides you through biomedical research projects in the lab, the tutor provides additional support throughout your research experience.
In addition to hands-on research, you will take two courses to enhance science communication skills and college readiness. The program culminates in a symposium where you will present your research findings to a set of mentors, tutors, labmates, and other attendees. Past research topics have included genetics and genomics, developmental biology, cancer biology, neuroscience, microbiology, ecology, and biomedical engineering. You can explore the profiles and projects of previous Summer Focus students here.
2. MIT Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Program Dates: June 22 to August 2, 2025 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to only high school juniors, including international applicants
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is provided. The additional cost includes a $30 application fee.
MIT's Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious program that immerses selected students in the whole research cycle, from developing the initial question of interest to carrying out hands-on experiments. Offered under the guidance of expert faculty, You will work on real-world projects, exploring areas such as molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics. The program is structured to provide insights into the scientific process and acquaint you with the latest developments in the field of your interest.
As a participant, you will work on a detailed research plan, get up-to-date with current literature, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on your findings, working independently under the faculty and researchers. There will also be multiple field visits and social activities to add to the list. It is important to note that this opportunity is highly selective with only 100 students forming the cohort for a year.
If you’re interested, you can check out this blog, which covers the program in detail!
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Application Deadline: Applications open on Dec 15th, 2024, and close on February 22nd, 2025.
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31, 2025 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Must be current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age and are attending school in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: There is a stipend of $500 – $1,500 and a $40 application fee.
SIMR is one of the most prestigious research programs for high school students, combining both internship and research components. This 8-week program allows participants to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor and engage in hands-on research. You can choose from one of eight study fields: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. Prominent scholars, researchers, and PhD fellows in the medical field will assign you a specific field based on your preference after selection.
This highly competitive program accepts around 50 students every year. As a participant, you will attend lectures in the morning and work in the lab for the rest of the day. In the final two weeks, you’ll focus on preparing a research poster on your project, which you will present to your peers.
4. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute, CA
Application Deadline: Opens on Dec 6, 2024, and closes on March 5, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 to August 8, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are San Diego residents and are at least 16 years old before the start of the Internship. You can read more about the program criteria here.
Stipend: $16 per hour
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute is an eight-week paid internship that lets students gain hands-on scientific explorative experience. The first-hand, real-world experience gained while doing scientific research, combined with vital STEM career skills, is integral for academia.
Throughout the program, you will build on skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—crucial for future scientific work. It is a highly competitive program that will give you the chance to work on current research projects led by notable scientists and researchers across an array of disciplines. If your interest lies in medicine, you‘ll be paired with a mentor accordingly. You will also be able to learn advanced laboratory techniques.
Location: TGen headquarters in Phoenix
Application Deadline: Opens on Dec 16, 2024, and closes on Feb 5, 2025
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Must be graduating high school seniors enrolled in college for the upcoming fall and at least 16 years old. You must be a graduate of an Arizona high school to participate. Check out all requirements here.
Stipend: $14.35 per hour
Helios Scholars, hosted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), is designed for students interested in the field of biomedical research. As an intern, you will get hands-on laboratory experience and mentorship from leading scientists. You will live the life of a scientist by working full-time on a research project focused on public health and pathogens, supported by your mentor.
As an intern, you will work on research projects in areas such as genomics, cancer biology, neurogenomics, and infectious diseases. Adding to the practical experience, you will attend educational seminars, practice scientific communication, get career guidance in biosciences, and present your research. There will also be networking opportunities for you to interact with your peers. The program will conclude with a symposium where you will present your research project findings.
6. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Intern Program
Location: Hybrid/on-site experience at the University of Austin at Texas
Application Deadline: Applications should open on Nov 20, 2024, and will typically close around the end of Feb of the next year.
Program Dates: May – July for 11th graders | May – August for 10th graders
Eligibility: Open to high schoolers in their sophomore or junior years who have U.S. citizenship and are at least 16 years old
Cost: No costs except for your transportation costs to/from Austin. Transportation scholarships are also provided.
Jointly organized by NASA and UT Austin, the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science is a national internship program that provides a platform for collaboration with NASA experts on research projects related to Earth and space. Students play a crucial role in analyzing and visualizing data, essential for advancing their foundation for understanding aerospace engineering.
The program begins with a virtual learning phase, which immerses students in real-world research, allowing them to refine their mathematical abilities. Participants will then have the chance to join an on-site experience at the University of Texas, Austin, and engage in their research culture. A key feature of this phase is presenting their research outcomes at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, showcasing their contributions to Earth and space studies.
7. Scripps Student Research Internship Program
Location: The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California
Application Deadline: March (tentatively). Applications for 2024 have closed; check the website in November for updates on the 2025 session.
Program Dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Unpaid but academic credit available
The Scripps Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week intensive research program focused on translational science. As a participant, you will explore the genetic basis of various human traits and diseases and learn how to integrate mobile technologies into healthcare. You will apply study design and analysis methods, such as genomic/genetic association studies and mHealth trials, as part of the program and work under a research mentor who will provide you with guidance in both the research and career realms.
Additionally, you will learn how to present scientific concepts, including study design, research findings, data analysis, and result interpretation. There will be multiple chances for you to observe clinical trials as well as be a part of practical and experiential laboratory-based projects. You will also get to attend seminars, draft a research proposal, and present your research at a poster symposium at the end of the program.
8. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, CA
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in December and close by February every year.
Program Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Eligibility: Must be Bay Area high school students who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be familiar with biology, chemistry, or computer programming.
Cost: No cost | Need-based scholarships available
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS), directly offered by the Department of Genetics at Stanford University, gives students a chance to delve into computational genetics and genomics. As a participant, you will get to work on dedicated research projects in a research-intensive environment under the guidance of experienced lab mentors, in the form of faculty and expert scientists. You will also participate in panels and seminars that will cover diverse topics and careers in biomedical research.
There will be regular meetings with mentors so that you get personalized guidance and support throughout your research journey. The professional development workshops offered will help you get prepared for the future career you are interested in. Alongside networking, you will get to participate in multiple community-building activities and field trips.
The program is selective with a small cohort size, so it is recommended to apply early with a strong application.
9. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 2025 (based on previous years)
Program Dates: Usually two weeks in June
Eligibility: Open to high school students above the age of 14 who are enrolled in high school
Cost: None
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) provides a selective opportunity for students eager to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. Over two weeks, participants will collaborate with like-minded peers and seasoned scientists. They will learn the basics of AI in healthcare while being mentored by top Stanford faculty and researchers and work on a hands-on group research project.
Moreover, participants will engage in various social events to network with peers and attend guest lectures from professionals across different industries, aiding in career decisions. By the conclusion of the program, students will have made significant contributions to innovative research in AI and healthcare and will receive a certificate of achievement. Additionally, there is an opportunity for high-performing students to secure an extended research internship.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: Multiple locations across the United States. You can check them out here.
Application Deadline: Applications are open till November 1st, 2024
Program Dates: 8-week programs in the summer. The exact dates will vary depending on the lab you choose.
Eligibility: The criteria are as follows:
High school juniors and seniors
Students must be 16 years old or older by the program's start date
Must be U.S. citizens
Note: Eligibility changes are based on lab-to-lab, so check the criteria out.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
SEAP is a prestigious program for those interested in naval research and engineering-related fields. The program is conducted in several laboratories nationwide.
During this internship, you will get the opportunity to carry out world-class science and engineering research under the guidance of renowned navy scientists and engineers. While doing hands-on work on your research projects, you will build on your valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.
The lab assignments are based on your interests, offering a tailored experience that aligns with your academic and career goals. SEAP is highly competitive and regarded as an invaluable experience because of its association with the US government.
Bonus Programs
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; the winter cohort closes on Oct 20, 2024. You can apply here!
Program Dates: 10-15 weeks | Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: Open to high school students passionate about AI. A basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required before participating in the AI Fellowship program.
Cost: $2290 – $6900 | 100% financial aid available
Veritas AI is a program designed for high school students looking to build their foundation in computer science. As a participant, you will get to learn about various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence, like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using Python, and more.
Veritas AI offers two main programs. During the AI Scholars program, you will get to do hands-on work on real-world projects in groups of 3-5 students and showcase your interests and skills. During the AI Fellowship program, you will work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique machine-learning projects.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The winter cohort closes applications on November 24, 2024.
Program Dates: Individual Research (12 weeks) | Premium Research (16-20 weeks) | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) | Professor Premium (16-20 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to students anywhere in the world
Cost: Individual Research Program ($2,990) | Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900) | The Research Fellowship ($8,900) | Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900) | Financial aid available
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 subject areas, including international relations, psychology, physics, chemistry, economics, computer science, data science, engineering, and more.
As a participant, you will be paired with a PhD mentor, who will do 1-on-1 work with you on an independent research project. By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper that you might be able to present at a symposium! If you participate in the Premium Research and Publication Program, you’ll even get to submit your paper to a journal for publication. You can apply here.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: The upcoming Winter Cohort deadline is on November 24, 2024.
Program Duration: 8-week program with multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to all high school students and gap year students
Cost: Starting $2,490. Financial aid is available!
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers high schoolers virtual internships at startups and nonprofits across the world. You can choose to work in a field of your choice – whether it’s machine learning, technology, engineering, finance, marketing, media, journalism, medicine, and more.
As a participant, you will get the chance to work on a real-world project that’s essential to the larger goal of the company. You will also be paired with a startup manager, who will guide you throughout your internship, and a Ladder coach, who will serve as a second mentor. Then at the end of the internship, you’ll get to present your work to the company.
This internship also comes with professional skill training sessions and group sessions with other interns.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers. It’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to allow students to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
Image Source - Stanford Logo