15 Best Summer Research Programs for High School Students at Universities

Summer research programs are a great way for you to step beyond the classroom and experience what it’s like to do real academic work. These programs give you hands-on learning opportunities without the high cost of college, letting you explore fields like science, technology, engineering, or medicine early on.

At many universities, summer programs are designed specifically for high school students, often with scholarships or stipends to make them more accessible. By participating, you’ll get the chance to apply what you’ve learned in school to real research questions, while also building skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry.

Beyond the skills, these programs connect you with mentors and peers who can guide your academic and career journey. You’ll leave with stronger experiences for your college applications and a clearer sense of what path you may want to pursue.

To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 15 of the best summer research programs for high school students at universities, each offering mentorship, hands-on projects, and a strong foundation for your future.

15 Best Summer Research Programs for High School Students at Universities

1. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1000 stipend after completing the program
Cohort Size: Around 65 students
Dates: May 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: New York City high school students enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade

ARISE is a 10-week summer program for NYC high school students that blends lab research with training in public speaking, science communication, and college readiness. In this program, you will spend seven weeks working on real research in university labs. You can choose from fields like biomedical engineering, robotics, or AI. You will get one-on-one mentoring from graduate students and faculty, attend college-readiness workshops, and build skills in coding, data analysis, and public speaking. At the end, you will prepare and present a research poster at a symposium. The program encourages diverse applicants and is free to attend.

2. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 plus a $40 application fee; financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school student | Above 14 years old | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or provide documentation of valid visa status

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a prestigious, two-week virtual program designed for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical imaging. You will join research teams, attend weekly lectures, and work closely with mentors in fields like radiology, data science, and machine learning. You’ll learn how to clean data, analyze medical images, and present your findings to peers and professionals. The program is fully virtual, making it accessible from anywhere. At the end of the program, you may qualify for an extended independent research opportunity and will receive a Certificate of Completion.

3. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program

Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: 
Cohort Size: 4 research teams of 8-10 scholars and 3 dedicated research mentors
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old at the start of the program

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a prestigious, six-week, in-person research experience designed for high school juniors and seniors, held on the university’s New York City campus. In this program, you will spend seven weeks in a real lab, working on ongoing biomedical research. You’re paired with a scientist who mentors you throughout, helping you learn lab techniques, handle data, and understand scientific questions. You will also attend professional development sessions and weekly seminars led by university researchers. In the end, you’ll present your work to peers and faculty. The program offers an opportunity to explore science beyond textbooks and be part of a respected research community.

4. Texas Tech University - Anson L. Clark Scholar Program 

Location: Residential, Texas Tech University campus
Cost/Stipend: None, but a $25 application fee / $750 tax-free stipend upon completion of a successful research project
Cohort Size: 12 students
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Graduating this year or next

This intensive seven-week summer program invites high school juniors and seniors to undertake independent research guided by a faculty mentor. You will explore social issues through disciplines such as history, political science, economics, or psychology. The program incorporates academic writing workshops, peer discussions, and seminars focused on research ethics and presentation skills. Past projects have examined topics like policy impact, media representation, and historical inequalities, applying sociological theories and methods to interdisciplinary subjects. You will also engage in field trips and social events, fostering connections with fellow students. At the end, you will submit a formal research paper summarizing your findings.

5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy

Location: Several lab locations across the country
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Cohort Size: More than 260 students participated last year
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older | U.S. citizens | Have completed at least 9th grade, including graduating seniors | Selected lab requirements or exceptions may apply

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy is a highly competitive summer internship that places academically talented high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Navy research laboratories for eight weeks. You assist with ongoing research, learn lab skills, and get exposure to real-world STEM careers. Many interns contribute to active Navy projects, gaining insight into national defense technology and scientific problem-solving. Labs are spread across the U.S., each offering unique projects and mentors. By the end, you’ll present your work, build technical skills, and experience the pace of federal research environments. 

6. UCSB Research Mentorship Program

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: Cost $5,175 for commuters and $12,474 for residents; limited scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–11 | Exceptional 9th graders may be considered | Minimum GPA of 3.8

The UCSB Research Mentorship Program is an immersive summer initiative designed for students to gain hands-on research experience under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The program starts with a virtual orientation to meet your mentors and understand what they do, followed by being on campus for six weeks, where you will spend 35–50 hours a week working on your project.  You choose a topic from over 60 research areas, from biology to humanities, and develop practical skills like data analysis, academic writing, and presenting findings. You’ll also attend GRIT talks with UCSB researchers, earn college credits, and present your project at a final symposium.  

7. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth: High School Entrepreneurship

Location: University of California (Berkeley) campus
Cost/Stipend: $80 application fee + $6,292 for California residents; $7,332 for out-of-state residents: Limited needs-based scholarships available
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: Two weeks during the summer between early July and early August
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students

The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is an intensive two-week summer entrepreneurship program held at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business for high school juniors and seniors. In this program, you will team up with students from around the world to build a real business plan. Faculty from Haas will guide your sessions, and MBA students will mentor your group. You’ll learn how to pitch, run market research, and work through case studies. By the end, you present your idea to a panel of professionals. You can expect lectures, team-based projects, and feedback from entrepreneurs.

8. MIT's Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus
Cost/Stipend: Free for students with family adjusted gross income of $120,000 or less; $2,000 - $15,000 for income between $120,000 and $400,000+ respectively
Cohort Size: 60 students
Dates: June 27 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: 11th-grade students who identify as female | U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

The MIT Women’s Technology Program (WTP) is a four-week summer residential experience where 60 female high school students explore engineering through hands-on classes, labs, and team projects. In this program, you will spend time at MIT learning either Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering. Classes are hands-on and led by women engineers and you’ll build circuits, program microcontrollers, or design mechanical systems from scratch. Lab sessions, problem sets, and team projects keep the pace fast and focused, while guest lectures and Q&A sessions let you connect with professionals working in the field. 

9. Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Computer Science Scholars Program

Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Around 30 students
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores at the time of application | At least 16 years old | U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, or DACA-registered students

Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Computer Science Scholars Program (CS Scholars) is a fully funded, four-week immersive summer experience held on the CMU campus for rising high school juniors. In this program, you will take courses in programming, problem-solving, and computer systems, all taught by CMU faculty. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and data structures like lists and dictionaries, blending classroom instruction with hands-on research projects. You will engage in lab sessions and group projects to develop both technical proficiency and teamwork skills. You will also have opportunities to meet computer science professionals and alumni through panels and site visits.

10. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None, except for a $65 application fee
Cohort Size: Approximately 80-100 students
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the program's academic requirements | High school seniors are not eligible

The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious, fully funded, six-week summer research program held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for high-achieving high school juniors. In this program, you’ll spend six weeks at MIT working on a research project under the guidance of top scientists. The first week covers scientific theory and practice. In the remaining five, you’ll conduct individual research in fields like physics, biology, or computer science. You’ll analyze data, write a paper, and present your work. Beyond labs, there are lectures, social events, and chances to connect with peers who share your interests. Some of the past projects can be seen here.

11. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program

Location: Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend of $1,200 
Cohort Size: Around 20 students
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7 
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects | Age 14+ | Living within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers high school students in New York City an engaging biomedical and computational science-based research internship. In this eight-week program, each student is matched with a mentor and placed in a lab based on their interests. You’ll assist researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering with hands-on lab work in biomedical science. You’ll also learn how to collect data, run experiments, and present scientific findings. Weekly seminars and faculty talks give you a glimpse into ongoing cancer research. In the end, you’ll present your project to peers and researchers. 

12. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs

Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: None / Unspecified fellowship payment for full participation
Cohort Size: Approximately 30 students
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders living in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin

The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs at the University of Illinois offer a six-week immersive research experience for rising 10th to 12th graders from Illinois and nearby states, focusing on hands-on STEMM fields like cancer immunology, neuroscience, AI, bioengineering, and engineering. The program pairs you with faculty mentors, and you will assist in real lab work and contribute to ongoing research. You’ll gain technical and presentation skills, attend seminars, and explore STEM careers through guided sessions. In the end, you’ll present your findings at a research symposium. The program is free and designed to open doors for students who are historically underrepresented in STEM. 

13. Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) at The University of Chicago

Location: University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $14,490 + $50 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Around 40 students
Dates: June 14 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors | Completed at least one year of high school biology before the program starts

The Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) program at the University of Chicago is an intensive four-week summer training program designed for high school sophomores and juniors with a background in biology. You’ll work in university labs and learn core techniques used in molecular biology research. You will practice PCR, electrophoresis, gene cloning, and bacterial transformation. Faculty will guide you through hands-on experiments, giving you a close look at how real labs operate. You’ll read scientific papers, analyze data, and present your findings to peers and mentors. The program is intense but focused, designed to show what it’s like to study biology at the college level.  

14. Stony Brook University – Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None, but on-campus housing and meals cost $2,360.25, plus $500 for extra food / Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Cohort Size: 30 – 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older by the program’s start date | U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a highly selective, six-week summer research opportunity for academically talented high school juniors. It allows you to work alongside faculty mentors in science, math, or engineering labs at Stony Brook. You can choose up to three preferred research areas in fields such as mathematics, biomedical informatics, computer science, astronomy, pharmacology, civil and mechanical engineering, neurobiology, and more. You will spend six weeks designing experiments, running tests, and collecting data, along with joining weekly seminars and professional development sessions. You’ll end the program by presenting your research in a university-style poster session. 

15. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program

Location: Various NASA centers nationwide
Cost/Stipend: None / Provided based on their academic level and session duration
Cohort Size: 2000+ applicants across all centers
Dates: Summer internships run 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
Application Deadline: Summer session: February 27
Eligibility: High school students | U.S. citizen | At least 16 years old at the time of application | 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

The NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program, offered by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, allows students to contribute to NASA’s mission by working on real projects under the mentorship of NASA scientists, engineers, and professionals. You will join teams working on real agency projects in science, engineering, or tech and assist with data analysis, software testing, or lab work. Internships are remote or on-site, depending on the role. You’ll attend meetings, follow agency protocols, and contribute to tasks that support ongoing missions. Mentorship is part of the experience, and interns often work with professionals from various fields. Three sessions are offered each year: summer, fall, and spring.

Bonus: Ladder Internships

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type: financial aid is available / None
Cohort Size: 70-100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline:  Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships connects you with startups across fields like AI, biotech, finance, and sustainability. They connect you with remote internships at global startups backed by  Y Combinator, whose founders have worked in companies like McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You work on real-world projects matched to your interests. Each internship is remote, flexible, and designed to deliver rigor, industry exposure, and networking opportunities. You get hands-on training in research, product design, or strategy, depending on your placement. Weekly workshops and optional career panels give added perspective. In the end, you present your work to your startup team. You can apply here.

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