14 Prestigious Online Research Opportunities for High School Students in 2025
For high school students, participating in research programs can be an invaluable experience. These opportunities not only offer exposure to practical skills and industry-specific knowledge but also provide meaningful connections that can give students a head start in their academic and professional journeys. Many of these research opportunities come at affordable costs, no cost, or even with stipends, making them highly accessible.
Whether you are curious about STEM, social sciences, or the humanities, these research opportunities can help sharpen your academic focus and offer a glimpse of what it’s like to work on real-world projects. Independent research, particularly at the high school level, teaches problem-solving, critical thinking, and how to approach challenges methodically. Check out our list of 15 prestigious online research opportunities for high school students in 2025!
1. Cambridge Centre for International Research - CCIR Academy
CCIR Academy offers highly selective online research opportunities for high school students, led by faculty from Oxbridge and top Ivy League universities. These programs emphasize independent research, allowing you to work closely with experienced mentors to develop a research paper in your field of interest. Programs include the 1-on-1 Research Mentorship and the Future Scholar Programme, where you conduct independent research and publish in journals like IEEE and the Columbia Undergraduate Research Journal. CCIR also provides access to the CCIR Lab at MIT, where students can conduct in-person research under PhD-level supervision.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective; <20%.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadlines: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record are eligible to apply.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous online research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project over 12 weeks. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement are eligible to apply. Accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4. No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
3. MIT PRIMES USA
PRIMES-USA is a highly selective, free, year-long online research program for high school juniors and sophomores across the country. You will work remotely with MIT mentors on original research in pure mathematics, theoretical computer science, and computational biology. The program provides structured mentorship, collaboration with peers, and opportunities to publish research in leading academic journals.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Program Dates: January 1 - December 31.
Application Deadline: November 18.
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores living outside Greater Boston are eligible to apply.
4. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
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.
Program dates: Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
The JHIBS Virtual Experience is a five-week online summer research program for high school juniors and seniors. Hosted by the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, this program provides an introduction to neurological sciences research through educational presentations, mentorship, professional development training, and virtual lab techniques. You will learn about experimental design, data analysis, and career pathways in neuroscience and medicine. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Program Dates: The program runs for five weeks in summer.
Application Deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
6. Foreign Policy Research Institute - Research Internship
The FPRI Research Internship is a remote research opportunity for high school students interested in foreign policy, international relations, and national security. You will work with scholars focused on regions such as Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, conducting research, analyzing data, and assisting with policy reports. The program offers mentorship, professional development, and potential publication opportunities. Applicants should have strong writing, research, and critical thinking skills; some roles require foreign language proficiency or data analysis experience.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Program Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June–August | Fall: September – December.
Application Deadlines: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
7. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship is a remote research opportunity for high school students interested in renewable energy and energy storage technologies. You will conduct scientific and market research, analyze data, engage with industry professionals, and write reports that may be published on the EnergyMag website. The program provides mentorship, flexible scheduling, and hands-on training in research and professional communication.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Program Dates: Half-time internships take place in the summer and typically run for 2–8 weeks. Quarter-time internships run throughout the year and typically last for 1–9 months.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.25, and at least one honors science or honors English class are eligible to apply.
8. American Psychological Association - Remote Internship
The APA Remote Internship Program offers virtual research and policy internships in psychology, providing high school students the opportunity to work on applied psychological research, policy analysis, and academic publishing. You will work remotely under the APA’s Education Directorate, gaining exposure to psychological research, data analysis, and professional development workshops. Some roles include opportunities to contribute to publications, federal advocacy initiatives, and psychological education projects.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Program Dates: Multiple roles offered throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varies by the internship.
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution are eligible to apply.
9. Smithsonian - Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internship offers remote research opportunities for high school students interested in cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, linguistics, and museum studies. You will engage in hands-on projects under the mentorship of experienced professionals, contributing to initiatives like the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and cultural sustainability programs. This internship provides mentorship, professional development, and research training in the humanities and social sciences.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective; 100+ interns selected annually.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 10 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: High school students interested in folklore, anthropology, music, or cultural heritage are eligible to apply.
10. UC San Diego - Research Scholars
The UC San Diego Research Scholars Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct online research in fields like bioengineering, life sciences, marine science, and business research. Through this program, you will engage in data analysis, experimental design, and problem-solving, working under the guidance of UC San Diego faculty. Research topics focus on real-world applications, helping you develop advanced skills.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Program Dates: Varies depending on the course.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school students interested in Bioengineering, Life Sciences, Marine Science, Business Research, and related fields are eligible to apply.
11. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
SUMaC offers an intensive online mathematics research opportunity for high school students interested in exploring advanced mathematical concepts beyond the typical high school curriculum. Through lectures, guided research, and problem-solving sessions, you will work alongside peers and faculty, engaging in topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology. The program culminates in final research project presentations, allowing participants to showcase their mathematical discoveries.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive.
Program Dates: Session One: June 16 – July 4 | Session Two: July 7 – July 25.
Application Deadline: February 3.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a strong background in mathematics are eligible to apply.
12. Stanford University - Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers a two-week virtual research opportunity for high school students interested in the intersection of AI and medicine. You will engage in introductory and technical lectures, work with Stanford mentors, and participate in hands-on AI research projects focused on healthcare applications. The program also includes career talks with experts from academia, industry, non-profits, and government organizations. Students who complete the full program receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Competitive with ~25 students selected per year.
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old are eligible to apply.
13. MIT THINK Scholars Program
The MIT THINK Scholars Program allows high school students to propose innovative STEM research projects and receive funding and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. Unlike traditional research programs, THINK is designed for students who have conducted extensive background research on a project idea but lack the resources to execute it. Selected finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding and weekly mentorship from MIT undergraduates and faculty to help develop their projects. Finalists are invited for a four-day all-expenses-paid trip to MIT’s campus, where they tour labs, present their research, and engage with the THINK team.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Program dates: February – June.
Application deadline: January 1.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
14. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
The SPINWIP program is a virtual summer outreach initiative hosted by Stanford’s Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. During this three-week research program, you will dive into subjects such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology. The program focuses on teaching Python coding and applying it to physics-based projects. Students attend lectures by Stanford professors, work in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates, and participate in college planning and career development workshops.
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective.
Program Dates: July 7 - July 25.
Application Deadline: To be announced.
Eligibility: High school students between 9th to 11th grade at the time of application are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to rising seniors and students from underrepresented backgrounds.
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