Participating in a research program offers high school students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world scientific exploration. These programs provide hands-on experience, enhance critical thinking skills, and offer mentorship from experienced researchers, all while allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to actual research projects. For those interested in advancing their academic and professional careers through direct involvement in scientific research, here are 6 research programs in Texas for high school students!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Cost: Individual Research Program ($2800), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5400), the Research Fellowship ($8900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($9400)

Application Deadline:September 8, 2024 for the upcoming Fall Cohort

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

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility:

• You must be currently enrolled in high school

• Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

• No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!

Program Dates: Summer cohort runs from June to August, Fall cohort from September to December, Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous 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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 

The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. 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 find more details about the application here.

2. Veritas AI - Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

Cost: Fellowship: $4900 + Scholars $1790 = Combined Price of $5900

Application Deadline: September 8, 2024 

Program Dates12- 15 weeks

Eligibility: Open to students anywhere in the world

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. 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 have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here. 

3. Horizon Academic Research Program

Location: Virtual 

Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort 

Program Dates: 

• Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024

• Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025

• Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! 

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

Location: Honors College, Lubbock, TX

Stipend: Students will receive a $750 stipend upon successful completion of the research project report.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.

Program Dates: 6-7 weeks between the months of June and August

Eligibility: Open to applicants who are:

• at least 17 years of age by the program start date, and are participating in the summer before or after senior year of high school

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

5. Summer Resarch Program @ UT Dallas

Location: University of Texas, Dallas 

Cost: $500 fee but scholarships are available for low-income students 

Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are closed 

Program Dates: June to August(~9 weeks)

Eligibility: Open to applicants who have completed 10th and 11th grade. 

This eight-week summer program gives students a unique opportunity to engage in active research and delve into a variety of academic disciplines. Participants collaborate closely with faculty mentors on innovative research projects across STEM fields, such as app design and coding, computational biology, cybersecurity, data analysis, machine learning, and more. This experience aims to bolster students' research abilities and critical thinking skills, setting a solid foundation for future academic endeavors.

The program is divided into two main components: a research internship and research workshops. The internship track is highly competitive due to the limited availability of lab positions, allowing students to work directly in a laboratory setting. In contrast, the workshops, which are less selective, resemble informal college courses with meetings held at least twice a week. These workshops culminate in a final project or paper based on the chosen research area. Participants gather several times weekly, with specific goals tailored to each lab's focus in the internship component. This structure provides a comprehensive approach to research engagement, catering to different levels of interest and expertise.

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

Location: Hybrid (on-site experience at the University of Austin at Texas)

Cost: None as a stipend housing, meals, and local transportation will be provided

Application Deadline: Applications typically close around the end of February 

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

For high school students with a strong passion for mathematics, the SEES competition offers a distinguished and highly selective experience. Jointly organized by NASA and UT Austin, this national internship program 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 projects and foundational 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. Following this phase, participants have the chance to join an on-site experience at the University of Texas, Austin, where they engage in the vibrant research culture of a prestigious institution. 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. This program not only enhances mathematical proficiency but also provides invaluable exposure to the collaborative research environment.

7. MITRE’s Nationwide High School Student Program

Location: Various locations throughout the US

Stipend: Stipend is offered, but the amount is not specified

Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed

Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer

Eligibility: Open to current high school students who are  enrolled in grades 9-12 and are14 years old and above 

MITRE's Nationwide High School Student Program presents a unique opportunity for students keen on computer science. MITRE, unlike traditional tech companies, is a non-profit entity dedicated to the public good, working free from commercial conflicts. Their expertise extends across diverse fields, such as healthcare, aviation, cybersecurity, defense, and enterprise transformation.

In this program, you will serve as a student investigator, collaborating with experienced staff on summer research initiatives. Participants can explore various domains, including Robotics, Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence, allowing them to work on projects aligned with their interests and future STEM career aspirations.

Your involvement will include actively contributing to research and applying your skills and knowledge to tackle real-world issues. Responsibilities will encompass data collection and analysis, as well as the development of innovative technological solutions. Typically, by the end of the program, participants present or report on their research findings and contributions, showcasing their efforts and learning experiences.

One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Image Source - Lumiere Education Logo