Participating in university-level summer research programs can be a transformative experience for high school students, allowing you to step past the confines of traditional classrooms. These programs offer a rare opportunity to work alongside esteemed researchers, explore cutting-edge topics, and develop hands-on skills that go beyond textbooks. 

Moreover, such programs provide invaluable networking opportunities with professors, graduate students, and like-minded peers, offering mentorship and insights into potential career paths. As you tackle real-world challenges, you gain a deeper understanding of scientific methods, research ethics, and analytical approaches, becoming a more well-rounded scholar. These experiences can significantly boost college applications, showcasing your dedication, passion, and initiative in exploring your field of interest.

Here, we've curated a list of 11 top-tier summer research programs for high school students. These are opportunities to engage deeply in research, learn advanced skills, and make meaningful contributions to ongoing projects.

1. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program

Cost: Interns will receive a stipend but are expected to cover transportation, dining, and residential fees (est. $2,781,50).

Location: Stony Brook University, NY

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. 

Program Dates: June 30 - August 8, 2025. Though exact dates may vary annually.

Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, aged 16 or older by the program start.

The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school juniors a six-week, immersive research opportunity in various STEM fields. With an acceptance rate of about 5%, this prestigious program allows students to work alongside Stony Brook faculty, engaging in everything from hypothesis development to data analysis. The program's comprehensive curriculum enhances scientific understanding and research skills. 

Participants present their findings at a final research symposium, enhancing their public speaking and presentation skills. The hands-on experience helps students understand the intricacies of scientific methods and fosters strong mentor-mentee relationships, making it a strong choice for aspiring scientists.

2. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)

Cost: Free for all accepted participants, covering all costs, including lab materials and transportation within New York City; stipend provided.

Location: Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University, NY

Application Deadline: October 29, 2024

Program Dates: Typically runs from July to August; exact dates are pending.

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors nominated by BRAINYAC’s partner programs and reside in NYC.

The BRAINYAC program, hosted by Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute, provides high school students with a hands-on neuroscience research experience. Students are paired with experienced mentors from Columbia’s labs, guiding them through specific research projects and helping them develop skills in data analysis, neuroanatomy, and scientific communication. The program aims to give participants firsthand insight into how research is conducted and how scientific discoveries are made.

Students must be nominated by partner organizations such as BioBus and S-PREP, ensuring candidates are well-connected to relevant local groups. This approach fosters a supportive community where students not only learn about brain science but also explore career pathways in research and medicine.

3. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)

Cost: Free of charge for participants, though there is a $65 application fee that can be waived for need-based applicants.

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024

Program Dates: June 22 - August 2, 2025

Eligibility: Open to juniors in high school 

The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a prestigious six-week summer research program designed for outstanding high school juniors worldwide.  It combines coursework, independent research, and mentorship in fields like mathematics, biology, physics, and engineering. Participants attend college-level STEM classes taught by distinguished faculty during the first week and then engage in hands-on research for the remainder of the program. 

Students work closely with mentors to develop a research plan, conduct experiments, and present findings through written and oral presentations. RSI is one of the few fully-funded programs of its kind, making it highly competitive, with around 70-80 students selected each year from a large international applicant pool. It is recognized as a major stepping stone for students aiming for careers in STEM. 

4. Summer Science Program: Astrophysics

Cost: Up to $8,400, based on family income. Financial aid is available. 

Location: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, among other campuses.

Application Deadline: January 24, 2025 (international); February 21, 2025 (domestic)

Program Dates: Mid-June; runs for 39 days.
Eligibility: High school juniors that have completed these prerequisites by the summer between the ages 15-19

Founded in 1959, the Summer Science Program (SSP) is an immersive residential experience for high school students lasting 39 days. It provides a research experience relating to astrophysics, focusing on determining the orbits of asteroids. Participants work in teams to determine the orbits of near-Earth asteroids, learning to analyze observational data, write code, and solve complex problems. 

The program involves six-day weeks of intense classroom sessions, research labs, and field trips, with a strong emphasis on collaboration. It is one of the longest-running pre-college research programs, aiming to inspire and challenge students to exceed their limits. 

5. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Cost: $11,874 for residential participants; $4,975 for commuters.

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Application Deadline: March 17, 2025 

Program Dates: June 16 - August 1, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders; exceptional 9th graders considered case-by-case. A minimum 3.8 GPA is required.

The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara is a competitive six-week program that engages high-achieving high school students with research experience in various academic fields, exploring research techniques and enhancing their professional writing abilities. Participants work closely with university mentors, conducting research, learning new methodologies, and developing skills in data analysis, technical writing, and presentation. 

In addition to the research experience, students can earn university credits, which will be added to their official transcript at UCSB. Participants are fully immersed in university life, with the potential to gain valuable networking opportunities.

6. Honors College - The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Cost: Students receive a $750 stipend, along with a $500 meal card. Room and board are covered, but students are responsible for additional meal expenses.

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. 

Program Dates: June - August (6-7 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old by the start of the program. International students can apply. 

The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University offers a selective 7-week summer internship for 12 exceptional high school students. Participants can work on research projects across various fields, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences. They collaborate directly with faculty, gaining hands-on research experience. 

For those passionate about math, the program provides a tailored opportunity to integrate mathematical principles into their chosen research field, whether through modeling, data analysis, or other approaches. The program also includes seminars, field trips, and networking opportunities. Scholars present their findings at the end of the program, making this an excellent opportunity for students interested in deepening their academic knowledge.

7. Summer Research Program @ UT Dallas

Cost: $500 program fee; scholarships available for low-income students.

Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 

Application Deadline: The summer 2025 application will be updated January 1, 2025.
Program Dates: June 9 - August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors.

The Summer Research Program at UT Dallas offers students hands-on research experience in fields like computational biology, cybersecurity, AI, and more. The program consists of two tracks: (1) Intensive Research Internships, where students work closely with faculty on lab projects for 40 hours a week, and (2) Research Workshops, which function like informal college courses, culminating in a final project. 

The program aims to foster technical skills, critical thinking, and teamwork, providing a strong foundation for participants pursuing STEM careers. Participants attend the Summer Platform for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) symposium at the end, presenting their research findings. 

8. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program

Cost: No program fees; transportation scholarships are available for selected students.

Location: Hybrid format, including on-site at the University of Texas at Austin, TX

Application Deadline: February 22, 2025

Program Dates: May to July for 11th graders; May to August for 10th graders.
Eligibility: U.S. high schoolers in their sophomore or junior year.

For high school students with a strong interest in mathematics, the SEES internship presents a competitive opportunity to engage with NASA experts on space and Earth research. Participants begin with virtual learning modules focused on analyzing NASA satellite data and other remote sensing tools. The program blends virtual learning with hands-on experience, culminating in an on-campus phase at UT Austin. 

This internship emphasizes collaboration, data analysis, and understanding complex Earth systems. Students then present their research at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, showcasing their contributions to real-world scientific endeavors.

9. MIT Lincoln Laboratory Rader Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)

Cost: Free, but students are responsible for their own transportation costs to MIT.

Location: Cambridge and Lexington, MA

Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program will open in January.
Program Dates: 2 weeks in July. 

Eligibility: Rising seniors in high school who are U.S. citizens

The LLRISE program is a two-week workshop that offers high school juniors an opportunity to build small radar systems, including Doppler and range radar, using problem-solving skills and hands-on techniques. Students work alongside MIT scientists and engineers, experiencing an in-depth introduction to radar technology. 

Participants will enhance their understanding of the mathematical concepts underlying radar systems through practical experience and expert mentorship. The program emphasizes practical engineering skills through the development of real-world projects. Participants live on the MIT campus during the program, with daily transportation provided to Lincoln Laboratory for hands-on work in radar design and implementation.

10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)

Cost/Stipend: Application fee is $40, but it can be waived based on need. Students receive a minimum stipend of $500, with potential for more based on special grants.

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Application Deadline: February 22, 2025 

Program Dates: June 9 - July 31, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 with U.S. citizenship or residency. 

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) offers a prestigious 8-week experience for high school students, accepting less than 3% of applicants each year. Participants work alongside Stanford graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in various research areas, including immunology, neurobiology, and cancer biology. 

The program begins with orientation and lab assignments, followed by hands-on lab work and lectures. Students also attend weekly meetings and a series of lectures on biomedical research. The experience concludes with a research poster presentation, where students showcase their findings to faculty and peers​. Each field is structured for deep immersion, making it an invaluable opportunity for those interested in advanced medical research.

11. Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics

Cost: $4,500, covering tuition, materials, housing, and meals (Monday-Friday). Partial scholarships are available.

Location: Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ

Application Deadline: Information about 2025 deadlines will be posted in December. 

Program Dates: 4 weeks from July to August. Specific dates vary. 

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12

The Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics offers a four-week summer program for high school students passionate about math. Participants immerse themselves in discrete mathematics, an area crucial to modern research. The program focuses on problem-solving and mathematical concepts, with guidance from university faculty and teaching assistants.

Participants engage in lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects, all aimed at developing a deeper understanding of the field. The curriculum covers various topics, such as graph theory, combinatorics, and algorithms, offering a strong foundation in this growing area of mathematics. 

Hosted on the Busch campus of Rutgers University, students live in comfortable residence halls with access to facilities and organized recreational activities. The program, held annually since 1990, has consistently received positive feedback from attendees.

Additionally, if you’re looking to do more research in virtual format, check out both Ladder Internships or the Lumiere Research Scholar Program!

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging initiative designed for high school students, providing personalized 1-on-1 research experiences across various subjects. Students are matched with PhD mentors to work collaboratively on independent projects over 12 weeks, culminating in a research paper.

Participants can select topics from diverse fields, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. For more information about the application process, you can check here.

Ladder Internships is a selective program aimed at ambitious high school students looking to gain valuable experience in the start-up environment. Participants intern with rapidly expanding start-ups across various fields, such as technology, health tech, journalism, and consulting, many of which are funded by notable investors, including YCombinator alumni and former employees of major companies like Microsoft and Google.

During this eight-week virtual internship, interns engage in meaningful projects that contribute to company growth while receiving guidance from company leaders and Ladder coaches. They also present their work, enhancing their professional skills in communication and time management, alongside group training sessions with peers.

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also 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 data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

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