15 Best Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students
Pursuing a research opportunity in high school can help you develop practical skills, gain industry exposure, and build meaningful connections with experts in your field of interest. Unlike expensive academic programs or summer schools, many research opportunities are affordable or even fully funded, making them an accessible path for you to dive into hands-on learning. Some of the best virtual research opportunities for high school students provide early exposure to disciplines like STEM, humanities, business, and more, offering you the chance to experience real-world problem-solving and even contribute to ongoing projects at prestigious institutions.
Beyond technical knowledge, you’ll gain valuable mentorship from professionals, collaborate on team projects, and sharpen your ability to work independently. With a growing number of reputable organizations, including top universities and research centers offering virtual research programs, we know that finding the right one can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the 15 best virtual research opportunities for high school students. Let’s dive in!
1. Stanford AIMI’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 program fee + $40 application fee (scholarships available)
Cohort Size: Around 25 students typically
Dates: June 17 – 28
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th-12th grade in the fall; over the age of 14; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
Standford AIMI’s Summer Research Internship is one of the best virtual research opportunities for high school students. During the program, you will be introduced to the technical and clinical applications of AI in healthcare. Hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI), the program includes lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring sessions with leaders in AI and healthcare. You’ll explore how AI is transforming clinical care through real-world projects and, if you have advanced technical skills, you can take on leadership roles to guide project development.
2. Veritas AI
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
Acceptance Rate: High selectivity
Application Deadline: Varied based on cohort. February 23 for the spring cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts in March.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students from anywhere in the world. To apply for the AI Fellowship program, applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is a virtual program that was founded and run by Harvard graduates. It focuses on providing high school students passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. If you’re new to the field of AI, ML, and data science, you can check out the AI Scholars program. It is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to the fundamentals of AI & data science and gives you a chance to work on real-world projects.
The AI Fellowship program will allow you to pursue independent AI research projects. To participate, you’re expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. You will get to work on your 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. Both programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. You can apply here!
3. Harvard Secondary School Program (SSP): 7-Week
Location: Virtual (7-Week SSP only)
Cost: $75 application fee (non-refundable) + Program costs of $4,050 (4 credits) or $7,900 (8 credits). Financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in 2025, 2026, or 2027. Must be at least 16 years old by June 21; must not turn 19 years old before July 31
Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP) is a rigorous academic program for motivated high school students that gives you the chance to experience what it’s like to be a college student. It provides two options you can choose from: the 4-week residential option and the 7-week option that offers residential, online, or commuting alternatives. During the program, you’ll get to explore your areas of interest, discover a potential career path, and study alongside other SSP students, college students, and adults. You can choose from over 50 different topic areas, from the humanities to STEM. Most of the courses are taught by Harvard faculty as well as other distinguished visiting faculty. Participating in the SSP will make your college applications stronger as it shows that you’re able to participate and succeed in a rigorous college class.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting from $2,990
Acceptance Rate: Relatively competitive
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Summer cohort deadlines are:
Early Admission: February 9
Priority Admission: March 9
Regular Admission I: April 13
Regular Admission II: May 11
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The summer cohort starts on June 2
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students that offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities 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, and at the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here.
5. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) – Stanford
Location: Virtual or in-person (Stanford University)
Cost:
Virtual: $1,595
In-person: $2,895
Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates:
Virtual: June 16 – 27
Session I: July 7 – 18
Session II: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: The waitlist is open until early April
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is one of the best virtual research opportunities for high school students. It’s a two-week virtual program that introduces you to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through interactive lectures, seminars, and team-based projects. Hosted by Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CNI-X explores topics like behavioral neuroscience, neuroimaging, and clinical innovation.
During the program, you’ll collaborate in small teams to develop solutions for real-world mental health challenges, which will then be presented at a final capstone session. Along the way, you’ll explore career paths in medicine and science while gaining insight into self-care and the transition to adulthood. The program’s diverse curriculum offers exposure to critical areas like psychiatric epidemiology, mindfulness, and innovations in mental health care. Scholarships are available for qualified students.
6. APA Remote Internship Program
Location: Virtual (American Psychological Association)
Stipend: Internships are paid (amount unspecified) or unpaid (academic credit)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students under 18 (must submit a D.C. Work Permit) and enrolled part-time or full-time in academic institutions; must reside in a state where APA is already registered as an employer
The APA Remote Internship Program is a year-round program that includes remote internships in areas like policy, research, education, publishing, and communications, giving you the flexibility to work on projects suited to your interests. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with supervisors on tasks that apply psychological theory to practical challenges while participating in workshops on research, graduate school applications, networking, and federal advocacy. Depending on the position, you may also be involved in group projects or discussions designed to develop your professional understanding of psychology.
7. CCIR Future Scholar Programme
Location: Virtual (CCIR)
Cost: £5,300 (scholarships available)
Cohort Size: 2-5 students per course
Dates: Multiple cohorts in the year. The spring cohort starts in late March or early April.
Application Deadlines: Rolling. March 1 – March 15 (early to regular deadlines)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (11th and 12th graders)
Run by the Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR), the Future Scholar Programme is a 13-week online research course offering advanced research experience under the guidance of Oxbridge and Ivy League mentors. With over 90 course offerings in STEM, social sciences, business, and the humanities, you’ll start by building foundational knowledge through weekly lectures and discussions before transitioning to your own independent research project. The program also provides publication guidance and writing support, helping you aim for publication in academic journals. Personalized feedback from faculty ensures that you leave with a well-developed research paper and a strong understanding of academic research.
8. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online and residential (Stanford University)
Cost:
Online: $3,580
Residential: $8,575
Acceptance Rate: Competitive; limited spots (64 online, 40 residential)
Dates:
Online: June 16 – July 4 or July 7 – July 25
Residential: June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (grades 10-11) with a strong passion for mathematics
SUMaC offers an immersive summer program for high school juniors and seniors, blending advanced mathematics study with guided research and problem-solving activities. You’ll dive into areas like abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology while also exploring current lines of mathematical research. Whether you choose the online or residential format, you’ll collaborate with like-minded peers, work on daily problem sets, and complete final research project presentations. With real-time instruction from Stanford faculty and TAs, SUMaC encourages you to engage in rigorous mathematical thinking.
10. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Virtual with a potential in-person visit to MIT
Stipend: $1,000 funding for your project
Acceptance Rate: Limited number of finalists selected
Dates: Mentorship begins February 2025; final presentations in June 2025
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Full-time high school students with permanent U.S. residency
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is ideal for high school students who have innovative STEM project ideas but need the resources and mentorship to bring them to life. Unlike traditional research programs, THINK focuses on guiding you through the early stages of your project development.
Finalists receive weekly mentorship from MIT undergraduates and experts in the field, technical guidance, and up to $1,000 in project funding. Selected students may also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT’s campus, where they tour labs, present their projects, and network with peers and faculty. By the end of the semester, you’ll have developed a full-fledged research project.
11. PRIMES-USA (MIT)
Location: Fully virtual, with teleconferencing and online collaboration tools
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective; highly advanced background expected
Dates: January to December (year-long program)
Application Deadline: Early January (refer to the program’s website)
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or sophomores outside the Greater Boston area. Selected applicants must have demonstrated extraordinary mathematical ability, potential for conducting original research, and self-motivation for independent study.
PRIMES-USA is a prestigious, year-long virtual research program in mathematics for high school juniors and sophomores residing outside the Greater Boston area. As a participant, you’ll collaborate with mentors, including graduate students and university faculty, to conduct advanced research in areas like algebra, geometry, or number theory. The program is structured into four phases: advanced reading, active research, independent study, and final project write-up. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a conference and write a final research paper that could be submitted to national science competitions or professional journals.
12. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual + On-site
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee. Stipends are provided to students who demonstrate financial need.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive (~60 students)
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 14+ by June 17)
Stanford SHTEM is a fully virtual, 8-week summer internship that introduces you to multidisciplinary research that blends STEM and the humanities. Hosted by the Stanford Compression Forum, the program allows you to work in small groups on research projects in fields like information science, psychology, computer science, biology, and engineering. No prior research experience is required, making it a great fit for students eager to explore new areas of study. With mentors from Stanford’s faculty and research staff, you’ll develop problem-solving, research, and collaboration skills while contributing to projects that may even lead to presentations or science fair submissions.
Stanford SHTEM is on hiatus for 2025 and will reopen in the summer of 2026 with on-site attendance. Sign up here for updates on when the next round of applications opens.
13. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program
Location: Remote or in-office (Philadelphia, PA)
Stipend: Limited number of paid internships
Acceptance Rate: Limited spaces available (10 paid internships were available for Summer 2024)
Dates:
Spring: February to May (closed)
Summer: June to August
Fall: September to December (Check website for updates)
Application Deadline: Varies by term; summer deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; U.S. citizenship not required
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program offers you a chance to gain hands-on experience in international relations and global affairs research. The program provides remote internships in several focus areas, including Eurasia, Middle East, Africa, and Asia studies, allowing you to collaborate with scholars on current foreign policy challenges. Through mentorship, you will develop critical research and writing skills by assisting with policy analysis, data collection, and report creation.
For those interested in developing industry-specific competencies, FPRI also offers specialized tracks in communications, event planning, and operations. Remote interns also have access to FPRI’s virtual resources and can submit research papers for publication in FPRI’s Intern Corner.
14. MITES Semester – STEM and College Prep Program
Location: Fully virtual, with an in-person MIT conference
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June through December (6 months)
Application Deadline: Check for fall junior year application deadlines
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; high school juniors
MITES Semester is an intensive, six-month STEM and college preparation program designed for high school juniors passionate about science and engineering. The program features two online courses: a project-based STEM course and a core course in subjects like Calculus, Physics, or Computer Science.
As a participant, you’ll explore real-world scientific problems through research-oriented projects, collaborative assignments, and critical problem-solving activities. Past projects have included fields like Astrophysics, Machine Learning, and Computational Biology, offering you a chance to engage in data-driven exploration and innovation. The program concludes with a research presentation, where you will showcase your work.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology (virtual and in-person options)
Stipend: Hourly wage (in-person) and a certificate of completion (virtual)
Cohort Size: 8 students (in-person); broader selection for virtual participants
Dates: Virtual: 5 weeks during summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
JHIBS is a summer research internship offering high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to delve into neurological sciences. The virtual experience spans five weeks and focuses on scientific education, professional development, lab techniques, and mentorship. You’ll collaborate on real-world projects and gain exposure to key topics in neurology and neuroscience. Through this program, you’ll strengthen your understanding of research and prepare for future STEM and clinical careers. Participants who complete the virtual program will receive a certificate of completion.
16. UC San Diego Research Scholars Program
Location: UC San Diego (online, in-person, or hybrid)
Cost: $1,500 onwards; varies based on program
Acceptance Rate: Medium selectivity
Dates: Flexible, depending on course
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by program, check the program website for details
Eligibility: High school students interested in bioengineering, life sciences, business, and more; specific requirements vary based on program
The Research Scholars program at UC San Diego offers high school students the opportunity to become fully immersed in research projects with real-world applications in bioengineering, life sciences, marine science, or business. The program is offered in various formats, including online, hybrid, and in-person, making it accessible for students from anywhere.
As participants, you will learn highly sought-after research and analytical skills, network with experts, and gain practical knowledge that strengthens your academic and professional profiles. Projects involve hands-on problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and creative thinking, helping you build a robust foundation for college and career aspirations.
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 and 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!
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