11 Virtual + Free Research Opportunities for High School Students That Are Accepting Applications
Engaging in research opportunities during high school can offer a solid platform to develop practical skills, gain industry exposure, and build valuable connections – and this can be done with minimal expense. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of free research opportunities that can help you enhance your academic understanding while also providing insight into real-world applications, fostering a deeper appreciation for various fields. These programs make research more accessible to a diverse range of students and serve as a great avenue to delve deeper and explore potential career paths.
1. Veritas AI Scholars Program
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a virtual 10-week boot camp introducing students to AI and machine learning through lectures, coding exercises, and hands-on projects. You will learn to code using Python and work on topics like neural networks, deep learning, and AI ethics. The program culminates in a capstone project where you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios. While AI Scholars is a paid program, it does offer full financial aid!
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies
Dates: Multiple 10-week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in AI; no prior experience required
2. Lumiere Foundation Program
The Lumiere Foundation Program is designed to help high school students conduct rigorous, college-level research with the guidance of Ph.D. mentors from top institutions. You can choose research topics across a wide array of disciplines, including economics, biology, computer science, and international relations. The program emphasizes personalized 1:1 mentorship and lets you produce a well-crafted research paper by the end of the term. You will also receive support for publishing your research in journals or presenting it at conferences.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, small cohorts
Dates: Multiple sessions held throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic background and an interest in conducting in-depth research
3. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is an intensive summer program designed for high school students with a strong interest in advanced mathematics. It allows you to explore university-level topics, including abstract algebra, number theory, and combinatorics, through rigorous coursework and problem-solving sessions. The program is a great opportunity to build your mathematical thinking skills and expertise. SUMaC is an excellent opportunity if you’re looking to challenge yourself in a structured academic setting at one of the best universities in the country.
Quick Facts:
Location: Virtual and in-person at Stanford University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Four weeks in mid-June to July
Application Deadline: Early February annually
Eligibility: High school students (must have completed at least one year of high school) with a strong background in mathematics
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
The JHIBS program offers high school juniors and seniors a highly exclusive 5-week virtual internship focusing on neuroscience research. JHIBS includes educational presentations, professional development training, laboratory technique, and mentorship training. The program aims to increase diversity in neuroscience and mental health fields by focusing on students from underrepresented backgrounds. Virtual interns who successfully complete the internship receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective
Dates: Five-week program, typically from early July to mid-August
Application Deadline: March 1 annually
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented populations with a strong academic record in STEM subjects
5. STEM-Away® Virtual Internships
STEM-Away® offers virtual internships that blend research with hands-on projects in fields like bioinformatics, software engineering, and data science. High school students work on collaborative projects under the guidance of industry professionals and mentors. Many of the internships culminate in the presentation of the final project to peers and mentors.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open, but selective cohort sizes
Dates: Cohorts begin at multiple points throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM; no prior experience required
6. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
SPINWIP is a free, virtual summer program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department, designed to inspire high school girls to pursue physics. Over three weeks, participants learn about cutting-edge research areas such as quantum physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. The program includes coding workshops in Python, lectures from Stanford professors, and collaborative projects. No prior physics or coding experience is required.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies
Dates: Three-week program in July
Application Deadline: May 1 annually
Eligibility: High school girls in grades 9 through 11, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds in physics
7. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers and Community College Students
The Stanford SHTEM program is a multidisciplinary research opportunity that combines STEM with humanities and the arts. High school students are mentored by students, faculty, and staff of the Stanford Compression Forum as they work on innovative research projects. Project opportunities span communication, engineering, the arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design, among several other fields.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited cohort size
Dates: Six weeks during the summer, from mid-June to early August
Application Deadline: Early April annually
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
8. MIT THINK Scholars Program
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is an independent research initiative for high school students interested in STEM fields. Unlike traditional summer programs, THINK provides the opportunity to work on research projects remotely with mentorship from MIT students. You will receive funding to conduct experiments and develop your research ideas. The program emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving, enabling you to explore cutting-edge scientific questions in a self-directed manner.
Location: Virtual (remote mentorship from MIT)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective – typically around 6 students chosen annually
Dates: January–May (students conduct research independently)
Application Deadline: Start of January
Eligibility: U.S. high school students interested in STEM research
9. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship, hosted by the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI), provides high school and undergraduate students with exposure to AI applications in medical research. You will get the valuable opportunity to collaborate with Stanford researchers on AI-driven healthcare projects, gaining experience in machine learning, data analysis, and medical imaging. The program offers mentorship, hands-on research, and opportunities to contribute to real-world AI innovations in medicine. While it has a fee, there are plenty of need-based financial aid as well as merit-based scholarships available.
Location: Virtual (some in-person components possible)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students accepted per year
Dates: From mid to end June
Application Deadline: End of February
Eligibility: High school students (must be at least 14 years old) with an interest in AI and medicine
10. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
The SRMP pairs high school students with Harvard and Smithsonian astrophysicists to conduct original research. You will work on real scientific problems in areas like exoplanet detection, black holes, and galaxy formation. The program provides mentorship, access to professional research tools, and opportunities to contribute to scientific publications. SRMP aims to increase diversity in STEM by prioritizing applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.
Location: Virtual and in-person at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, with only 10-16 applicants selected per year
Dates: September–May (academic year program)
Application Deadline: August annually
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in astrophysics
11. Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence and its applications. The program focuses on ethical AI development, machine learning principles, and real-world problem-solving. You’ll get to engage in hands-on projects, receive mentorship from Stanford researchers, and explore AI’s role in fields like healthcare, environmental science, and social justice. While the program is expensive, it has extensive need-based financial aid for eligible students.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Stanford University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size
Dates: From mid-June to early July
Application Deadline: End of January
Eligibility: 9th and rising 10th graders with math and/or computer skills
Image Source - Johns Hopkins University