8 Fall Research Programs for High School Students
Participating in a research program during the fall can provide students with valuable skills and experiences that set them apart from their peers. Engaging in research allows students to delve deeper into subjects of interest, develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and gain hands-on experience in real-world applications.
For those aiming to strengthen their college applications, research programs can showcase a commitment to academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. Additionally, they offer opportunities for mentorship, networking, and the potential to contribute to meaningful projects, making them a strategic investment in a student’s future academic and professional success. Here are 10 research programs that take place in the fall!
1. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
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.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
$4,700 for both
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: Individual Research Program ($2990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5900), 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
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.
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! You note that Horizon is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research! Once you select a particular subject track as well as the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed universities who act as mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
4. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Partners for the Future Program
Stipend: Not specified
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open in January 2025
Program Dates: September through March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, you must be nominated by your school’s science chairperson to participate in the program
The Partners for the Future program offers high school seniors the chance to engage in an after-school research experience. Applicants go through an interview process with lab scientists and must dedicate a minimum of 10 hours each week to conduct original research.
Throughout the program, students work closely with a scientist mentor, allowing them to delve into real-world scientific research. At the end of the program, students present their research findings to an audience that includes their mentors, laboratory leaders, teachers, and family members.
5. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost; A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Location: Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA), Cambridge, MA. Virtual mentorship options are also available.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 SRMP Cohort are closed but expected to open in May 2024 for the 2025 SRMP Cohort.
Program Dates: September– May
Eligibility: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School students (grades 9–12) are eligible to apply.
With an acceptance rate below 5%, this program gives high school students a unique chance to collaborate on a year-long astrophysics research project with scientists from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center. Each year, only 10-16 students are selected and grouped into 5-8 teams to work closely on their assigned research projects.
Participants engage in monthly workshops and lectures that are designed to enhance their skills and deepen their knowledge. Additionally, monthly advisory meetings with the SRMP team provide students with opportunities to discuss their progress. At the program's conclusion, students present their research through posters and presentations at a symposium, showcasing their accomplishments and contributions to the field of astrophysics.
6. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Stipend: Weekly stipends are provided based on the education of the students (GS pay scale)
Location: Various lab locations across the U.S.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Program Dates: The program offers internships throughout the year. Check out the available internships when they are posted to see when yours will be.
Eligibility:
Be U.S. Citizens
Be enrolled or accepted at an educational institution, taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate for the semester immediately preceding the internship session.
Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Be 16 years of age by the application deadline with a valid government ID.
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid program designed for high school students with a strong interest in aerospace engineering. Accepted participants have the opportunity to work on innovative research and technology projects under the guidance of seasoned mentors who are full-time scientists and engineers at AFRL.
This experience allows students to dive into hands-on work while benefiting from personalized mentorship. An added bonus is that the program also includes tours of AFRL labs, giving students a firsthand look at cutting-edge research environments!
7. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Location: Online
Cost: There is no cost for internships, but some are paid
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025, Deadlines differ by internship, so applicants should check the application portal frequently for updates
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: Criteria vary by internship
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the leading professional and scientific organization for psychologists in the United States. APA internships provide students with a strong interest in applying psychological principles to benefit society, offering opportunities in areas like policy, communications, research, IT, and finance.
As an intern, you can expect to do work ranging from research and writing to web-based projects, and even supporting staff with administrative duties and special projects! Additionally, interns may have the chance to participate in workshops, collaborative projects, discussions, and other activities designed to enhance their overall experience and skill development.
Stipend: Stipend provided, but the amount is unspecified
Location: Various locations across the country with each internship
Application Deadline: Dependent on the internship
Program Dates: Internships span through different seasons of the year
Eligibility: Open to those with U.S. citizenship and a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers internship opportunities across various locations in the United States, including both physical and virtual options. Students living near a NASA center can apply for internships at local research facilities, while those further away can opt for virtual internships. To find suitable opportunities for high school students, you’ll need to navigate through NASA’s internship database.
These internships provide hands-on experience in engineering, making them highly advantageous for high school students aiming to pursue engineering degrees in college. The esteemed reputation of NASA can also greatly enhance your college applications.
For more detailed information about these internships, we’ve provided an in-depth look at the program!
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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