15 Free Research Programs for High School Students
Free research programs for high schoolers give you structured exposure to how academic and applied research are conducted across different fields. These programs allow you to work on defined projects, learn research methods, and receive guidance from faculty members, graduate students, or professionals. Depending on the program, you may analyze data, conduct experiments, review literature, or present your findings while building skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.
Why should I participate in a free research program in high school?
Participating in a free research program allows you to gain experience without financial barriers. Because these programs are fully funded, they are often more selective and attract a competitive applicant pool. Being accepted can demonstrate your academic readiness, initiative, and ability to work in structured research settings, making these programs a strong addition to your college admissions profile.
Research isn’t just for STEM students; there are great programs in social sciences, policy, and the humanities that allow you to study questions from different perspectives. With guidance from mentors, you can begin developing skills that are highly valued in both college and future careers. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 free research programs for high school students across a wide range of disciplines.
1. Broad Summer Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: On-site at the Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend, partial transportation reimbursement
Program Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in MA within commuting distance, with strong grades in science and math, and authorization to work in the U.S.
The Broad Summer Science Program is your chance to dive into the world of biomedical science. Over a period of six weeks, you will work one-on-one with Broad Institute scientists on original research projects in cancer biology, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, computational biology, and infectious disease. You will gain experience using both experimental and computational methods while developing skills in research design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Throughout the program, you’ll attend scientific talks, participate in poster sessions, and explore STEM career pathways. You’ll also have access to a tutor to help you grasp complex scientific concepts and receive training on creating effective research presentations. Beyond the lab, you’ll participate in social and team-building activities, so you can connect with other students who share your curiosity and love for science.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple throughout the year (cohorts in Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; can commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective program that connects high school students with high-growth start-ups for hands-on, real-world projects that make an impact. As an intern, you’ll work 10–20 hours a week for 8–12 weeks, collaborating directly with your manager and a Ladder Coach while contributing to meaningful work. Start-ups you’ll work with come from a wide range of industries, including technology, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. Many of these companies are rapidly expanding, with an average of over a million dollars in funding. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your work to your start-up team, gaining both practical skills and professional exposure in a virtual setting.
3. Summer Student Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: On-site at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,200 stipend provided
Dates: June 30 - August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK's main campus, aged 14 or older, legally authorized to work in the U.S., with strong academic performance in science
This eight-week summer program is your chance to experience what it's like to work in a biomedical or computational research lab. Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, you’ll undertake a self-directed project that contributes to the lab’s research objectives. Depending on your placement, you might study topics such as cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, structural biology, pharmacology, and engineering. Alongside lab work, you will participate in professional development sessions, laboratory meetings, and programs that would introduce you to translational medicine – where scientific research meets clinical practice. You’ll also get a clearer picture of different career paths in the field of science and medicine. This program helps you develop technical skills, research design experience, and scientific communication abilities. By the end of the summer, you can expect to have a deeper understanding of laboratory work and gain experience collaborating with scientists and researchers in biomedical research.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
5. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students selected annually
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), RSI is a six-week program that combines STEM coursework with research opportunities. You will experience the research cycle from end-to-end, reading scientific literature, executing a research plan with your mentor, and even presenting your research via written and oral presentations. This is a rare opportunity to be mentored by MIT scientists and researchers in an intense academic environment.
6. Student Historian Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: On-site at The New York Historical, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; $700 stipend upon successful completion
Dates: October 29 - June 24
Application Deadline: Exact deadlines vary each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live and attend school in the New York City metro area (includes NYC, parts of NY State, Connecticut, and New Jersey)
The Student Historian Internship offers an incredible opportunity to step into the shoes of a real researcher. As a student historian, you’ll use museum and library resources to conduct research on American history and collaborate with the staff to learn about the museum, digital humanities, and history. You’ll also work closely with other students to develop your research, writing, and digital media skills through hands-on projects. The program encourages creativity – you’ll produce digital educational resources that help bring history to life. This year’s theme, “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America,” connects historical scholarship with contemporary issues. By the end of the program, you’ll have deepened your understanding of history, sharpened your communication and presentation skills, and created something meaningful.
7. Simons Summer Research Program — Stony Brook University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 5%
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a stipend
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students must be in their junior year (11th grade) of high school and must be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
The Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program is an opportunity for high school students who are eager to experience real scientific research. In this program, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and join a research team, taking ownership of your project and learning techniques used in scientific investigations. You’ll also attend weekly faculty talks, workshops, and campus tours to deepen your understanding of research and university life. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll write a research abstract and present your findings at a poster symposium, giving you experience in scientific communication.
8. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Location: On-site at NIH campuses, including Bethesda, MD
Cost/Stipend: Stipend based on education level
Dates: Typically June - August (full-time, 8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in November; reviewed on a rolling basis through April 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; currently enrolled as a senior in high school, undergraduate, or graduate student; 18+ by June start
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program is meant for students passionate about science and scientific research. As a summer intern, you’ll join a research group led by a Principal Investigator and contribute to projects in biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences. You’ll gain experience in basic, translational, or clinical research while learning technical and professional skills that prepare you for future STEM careers. Beyond lab work, the program includes career development sessions, educational advising, and resilience training, giving you a broader perspective on life as a scientist. You’ll also participate in professional events such as a Graduate and Professional School Fair and the Summer Poster Day, where you’ll present your research to the NIH community.
9. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective (12 students)
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (On-campus, residential)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; no program participation fees; includes meals, room & board, weekend activities; $750 stipend upon successful project completion
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be at least 17 by program start; U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Anson Clark Scholar Program is a seven-week program for high school students dreaming about a career in science. You'll work closely with university faculty on research projects across biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, history, and mechanical engineering, with a focus on cancer bioimaging or physics. Along the way, you’ll gain practical lab experience, attend weekly seminars, and participate in social and academic activities designed to broaden your understanding of research and college life. Throughout the program, you’ll receive guidance on completing a research report.
10. University of Houston – Mohan Lab Summer Internship
Location: On-site at the University of Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; no program fee
Dates: June 8 - July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising seniors (completed Grade 11) with an interest in STEM Fields; programming experience in Python or MATLAB is helpful but not required
The Mohan Lab Summer Internship (MLSI) is a free research program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, and research. The program begins with 1–2 weeks of lab training, where you’ll learn core laboratory techniques. You will then move into an eight-week research project, where you’ll work alongside graduate students and scientists in areas such as biomedical sciences, neuroscience, bioengineering, and big data analytics. Depending on your placement, you might use machine learning to study biomedical images, work with genomic datasets, or even design Arduino-based biomedical sensors. You’ll wrap up the program by sharing your findings in an oral presentation. In some cases, your work may contribute to published research or even continue beyond the summer through manuscript writing or data analysis.
11. The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (fee waiver available); no other cost
Dates: June 18 - August 8
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 or older who have not graduated from university
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a free research program for high school students who wish to jump into real scientific research and explore the world of STEM. You’ll work full-time over eight weeks alongside faculty mentors on advanced research projects spanning a wide range of fields, from astronomy, molecular medicine, chemistry, drug discovery, to bioengineering, environmental science, and neuroscience. You might even explore robotics, renewable energy, computer modeling, data science for social good, or STEM-related entrepreneurship. As an ASSIP intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and technologies, while developing skills in research design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also participate in discussion forums and career sessions with professionals to learn about potential pathways in STEM.
12. Carnegie Mellon University – AI Scholars
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (Residential)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; housing, meals, and all activities covered
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; U.S. citizens; must be 16+ by the start of the program
This AI Scholars program is for students who are curious about the working of artificial intelligence. During this four-week residential program, you’ll explore artificial intelligence through hands-on projects and collaborative research. You’ll attend lectures from faculty and graduate students while working with other students to apply AI techniques to problems. The program also provides opportunities to develop professional and personal skills, including workshops on college preparation, career development, and teamwork. You’ll take part in field trips to leading AI companies, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at innovation in action. The program culminates in a final symposium, where you’ll present your work to friends, mentors, and industry experts. By the end of the program, you will have built AI research, computational problem-solving, and collaborative project work skills – all in a supportive, college environment.
13. SEES High School Summer Intern Program – NASA & UT Austin
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Location: Virtual & in-person (Austin, Texas)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: May - July (6–8 weeks) includes an on-site component
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, age 16+ by July 5; rising juniors or seniors
The NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship is a chance to work alongside NASA scientists and UT Austin faculty on Earth science research projects. Depending on your placement, you may join teams focused on Earth System Explorers, Urban Heat Island studies, Air Quality monitoring, or Exoplanet Transits. You’ll gain hands-on experience using satellite data, conducting local fieldwork, and working with research software. Along the way, you’ll strengthen skills in Python programming, data visualization, and scientific analysis, giving you practical skills for future STEM research. Whether participating virtually or in person, you’ll collaborate with mentors and peers to complete a research project. The internship concludes with the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, where you present your findings to NASA experts and fellow interns from across the country.
14. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 15–20%
Location: Virtual | In-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June - August (Summer) | September - May (Academic Year option)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (age 15+), minimum GPA 2.8, U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the Washington–Baltimore Metro area (for in-person program)
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is meant for high school students eager to dive into STEM research. You’ll choose from eight focus areas—biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, IT and cybersecurity, mathematics and data analysis, physics, or planetary science—and collaborate with APL mentors on research projects. You might find yourself running simulations, analyzing scientific data, or contributing to engineering and computing projects, all within a professional research environment. An academic-year extension is also available for students who want to continue their projects beyond the summer.
15. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 32 students divided into 4 teams
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 23 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, age 16+ by program start
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is an opportunity to dive into hands-on science at some of New York’s leading institutions. As an SSRP scholar, you’ll join a small research team led by scientists from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Weill Cornell. You’ll learn key research techniques and lab norms, and you’ll get to choose a research question that aligns with your interests. Over seven weeks, you’ll conduct experiments, analyze data, and showcase your findings in a poster presentation at the closing symposium. The program includes elective courses, guest lectures, and professional workshops, giving you exposure to different aspects of scientific research and STEM careers. You’ll also take part in networking events and social activities while working closely with mentors and other students.
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