15 Most Prestigious Summer Research Programs for High School Students
Summer research programs are a great way for high school students to explore scientific inquiry, gain hands-on experience, and study the real-world applications of various fields. Many top colleges and research institutions offer these programs at low or no cost, making them accessible and valuable opportunities for high schoolers. By participating in a summer research program, you can work alongside professionals, use advanced lab equipment, and contribute to ongoing research.
Participating in research early not only boosts your college applications but also helps you clarify your academic and career interests. These programs are a good way to start exploring your field of interest. To help you get started, we've curated a list of the 15 most prestigious summer research programs for high schoolers.
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) (Virtual track)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
If you’re curious about neuroscience and how the brain works, this program is for you. JHIBS is a five-week virtual summer program for high school juniors and seniors across the country. This experience gives you an introduction to neuroscience through research activities, talks, and virtual lab skills training. You will benefit from career guidance and mentorship from scientists. By the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
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.
3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Cohort Size: 25
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 - February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall; over the age of 14 by the program’s start
The AIMI Summer Research Internship, offered by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, is a two-week online program for high school students with a strong background in math, coding, or statistics. This program explores how AI is used in healthcare through lectures, group research projects, and one-on-one mentorship from Stanford experts. You will also join “Lunch and Learn” sessions to hear from professionals across industries about their career journeys. A Certificate of Completion is awarded to those who finish the program, and interested students may have the chance to pursue further independent research afterward.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
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.
5. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
CNI-X is a two-week summer program open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This program covers key areas in neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry through seminars led by Stanford researchers and faculty. Alongside academic exploration, the program encourages personal development and provides insights into mental health, neuroscience research, and careers in science and medicine. You will work in small groups to design creative solutions to real-world challenges in neuroscience, presenting your ideas in a final capstone project.
6. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: 11th to 12th graders from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science
SHIP is a full-time opportunity for high school students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The program begins with two weeks of training in lab safety and essential molecular biology techniques such as PCR and tissue culture. For the remaining six weeks, you will join a research team and work alongside mentors on active scientific projects. Each week features sessions on research ethics, career exploration, data science, and college preparation. Interns will showcase their research at a final symposium. Participants are responsible for arranging their housing and transportation.
7. Harvard Medical School Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston and Cambridge high school students; ages 16 and above by the program start date; a minimum GPA of 2.70
Project Success, offered by Harvard Medical School, is a seven-week paid research internship for high school students. You will be placed in a leading research laboratory where you will work alongside scientists and doctors on advanced biomedical research projects. The program includes structured mentorship, career exploration activities, and visits to hospitals and biotech firms. You will also participate in seminars covering topics like public speaking, technical skills, and career paths in biomedicine. Beyond the summer, the program provides continued support through academic workshops and networking events.
8. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: November 22 - March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors, at least 16 years old when the internship begins
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers a full-time summer internship for high school seniors following graduation. You will collaborate with Princeton’s research or engineering teams on active projects. Applicants should have a strong interest in plasma physics or fusion energy and a background in physics, chemistry, math, or engineering. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python or Java, or experience using design tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD, is strongly encouraged. This competitive program offers experience in cutting-edge plasma and fusion science.
9. The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research
Location: Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stipend: $1,500
Cohort Size: 15 students
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age by the program start date and have completed at least one high school science course. Applicants from the School District of Philadelphia are prioritized
The Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research is a four-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to biomedical science. You will work in Wistar’s Training Lab, learning core laboratory techniques while contributing to real scientific research. In addition to lab work, the program includes career exploration in biomedical fields, instruction on interpreting scientific papers, and a final presentation of each student’s research. Open to just 15 students, this competitive program does not require prior experience and offers a valuable opportunity to build research skills in a professional environment.
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, some opportunities are unpaid.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May to August | Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28 | Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
NASA’s OSTEM internships offer students the chance to contribute to real-world projects in science, engineering, and information technology. You will collaborate with mentors to develop aerospace innovations, write software for space tools like rover navigation, and apply engineering concepts to plan missions to Mars. Projects may involve studying fluid dynamics, using satellite data to aid wildfire response, and creating technical solutions for space exploration challenges. Beyond the technical experience, you will develop skills in teamwork and creative problem-solving. Previous participants have helped build software for the Perseverance Mars Rover and supported research for astronaut landing missions.
11. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,580
Cohort Size: 64
Dates: Session 1: June 16 - July 4 | Session 2: July 7- July 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11
SUMaC is a highly challenging online program for high school students who have a deep interest in mathematics. Spanning several weeks, the camp introduces you to advanced mathematical areas such as number theory, abstract algebra, and algebraic topology. Through live sessions, collaborative exploration, and guided research, you will engage with college-level material in a setting that prioritizes mathematical growth over grades or academic credit. The camp includes daily problem sets and lectures by professional mathematicians.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $1,000 reimbursement on project costs
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Project completion in June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Full-time high school students at the time of application
The MIT THINK Scholars Program supports U.S. high school students with original STEM research ideas who may not have access to the resources needed to pursue them. Run by MIT undergraduates, the program offers up to $1,000 in funding along with mentorship to guide students through the development and execution of their projects. Finalists receive weekly mentorship sessions for technical advice and project support. They may also be invited to MIT for a fully funded, four-day trip to showcase their work, explore campus labs, and connect with the program organizers.
13. Summer Student Research Program by UCSF
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Stipend: $3,000–$4,300
Acceptance Rate: No information available
Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students in their junior or senior year, with at least one completed year in math and biology, 16 years of age or older by June 1
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program offers high school students the chance to gain experience in biomedical research. You will be paired with a mentor to work on clinical or basic science projects. You will learn techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture, as well as analyze patient data and case studies. You will explore scientific literature and attend weekly seminars covering research methods, bioinformatics, and healthcare topics. The program features networking opportunities with scientists. You will also get to develop a research proposal, plan experiments, use tools like R or Python for data analysis, and present your results at a final symposium.
14. CURE Research Internship Program by UCSF
Location: San Francisco, California
Stipend: This is a paid internship
Acceptance Rate: No information available
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current 11th grader in high school, at least 16 years old by the start of the program, with a minimum GPA of 2.5, must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
The CURE Research Internship at UCSF is a two-month program that offers high school students the chance to gain experience in basic, clinical, and behavioral science research. You will collaborate with UCSF faculty and graduate mentors on projects involving lab work, data analysis, and experimental design. You’ll also learn about careers in healthcare and biomedicine. The program features college and career support and the opportunity to present research at a final symposium. You will develop skills in techniques like PCR, microscopy, statistical tools, and scientific communication, building a strong foundation for future careers in medicine, public health, or biomedical science.
15. Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research
Location: Hybrid/Virtual (Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, California)
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students enrolled in high school in Northern California with experience in independent work who will be at least 16 years old by June 16
The Experiences in Research (EinR) Internship Program at Berkeley Lab offers high school students practical research experience. Over six weeks, you will collaborate with experts on projects in areas like data science, experimental research, and science communication. As an intern, you will build coding, data analysis, and scientific writing skills. The program offers knowledge of research techniques and how STEM is applied across disciplines, as well as critical thinking skills. Project areas include administration and communication, data science (coding and non-coding), and experimental research and data collection.
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