15 Computer Science Research Opportunities for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in computer science, finding the best way to explore your interests outside the classroom can be challenging. Research programs, internships, and specialized courses offer a structured, affordable way to dive deeper into coding, machine learning, data science, and more. These opportunities allow you to gain experience, build skills, and connect with professionals and mentors.

Computer science research opportunities for high school students are especially valuable because they combine academic exploration with practical application. From mentored research internships to university-led summer programs, these experiences focus on solving problems using code, collaborating on group projects, or presenting your work to an audience. 

In this post, we’ve narrowed down the top 15 computer science research opportunities for high schoolers. Whether you're looking for a virtual program with flexible hours or an in-person internship where you can work directly with researchers, there’s something here for every kind of learner.

1. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited cohort size
Location: Virtual 
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+ who are U.S. citizens; undergraduates with CS background may apply for student-led roles

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers an introduction to how AI is changing healthcare and diagnostics. Over two weeks, you’ll work with Stanford researchers to explore machine learning applications in radiology, medical imaging, and disease modeling. You’ll engage in coding challenges, discussions on research ethics, and training with medical datasets. Expect to analyze clinical data and build predictive models that mirror work done in academic and industry labs. This program is great for students with a strong interest in both computer science and medical technology.

2. Veritas AI

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies
Location: Virtual
Dates: 10–15 weeks 
Application Deadline: June 22 for Summer Cohort II
Eligibility: High school students; Fellowship requires prior Python experience or completion of AI Scholars

Veritas AI provides high school students with research-based learning in machine learning and artificial intelligence through two structured tracks. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll work on guided projects in fields like environmental science and medicine using Python and tools like pandas, scikit-learn, and TensorFlow. Advanced students can join the AI Fellowship, where you’ll develop an independent research project with one-on-one mentorship, often culminating in a final paper or presentation. The curriculum emphasizes ethical AI, reproducible code, and applications of algorithms across industries.

3. The Coding School Summer Research Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Virtual 
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Typically runs for five weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Open to incoming 10th–12th graders and recent high school graduates

This virtual research program places you in the role of a student research assistant, working closely with Columbia faculty and graduate student mentors. You will explore how data science is applied in sectors like healthcare, finance, and sports analytics while developing proficiency in R, web scraping, data visualization, and machine learning. Through guided instruction and one-on-one mentorship, you’ll complete an independent project that showcases your technical and analytical skills. The program is a great fit for students looking to build a portfolio in data science or computational research.

4. Ladder Internship Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by cohort
Location: Remote
Dates: Multiple cohorts across Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November
Eligibility: Open to high school students, who can commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships offers a unique research-driven experience for high school students interested in computer science and related fields. You’ll be matched with a startup working in areas like AI, software development, or health tech, and contribute to real-world projects involving coding, data analysis, machine learning, or technical writing. Throughout the 8–12 week remote program, you’ll receive weekly mentorship from a Ladder Coach and collaborate with your host company to solve problems or conduct independent research. The experience culminates in a formal presentation to industry professionals, enabling you to develop both your technical and communication skills in a research-focused context.

5. Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective with regional priority given
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free (non-research track); $1,500 (with research project)
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders from San Diego County

UCSD’s REHS program gives you an opportunity to explore computing topics through an eight-week experience at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. You’ll work with researchers on projects involving AI, data science, and parallel computing, using tools like Python, TensorFlow, and HPC platforms. If you opt into the research track, you’ll develop your own project in areas such as bioinformatics or climate modeling. Those in the non-research track engage in structured workshops, seminars, and faculty-led lectures on emerging technologies like robotics and NLP. This program is great for San Diego students seeking accessible exposure to computer science research.

6. Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, priority given to students from select Bay Area counties
Location: Berkeley Lab, CA
Stipend: $500/week 
Dates: June 17 – July 25
Application Deadline: February – March 21
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from the Bay Area, particularly Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties

BLDAP is a fully funded six-week program hosted by the Berkeley AI Research (BAIR) Lab that introduces you to AI and machine learning projects. You’ll work alongside UC Berkeley researchers and AI professionals, engaging with technologies such as computer vision, reinforcement learning, and robotics. Workshops and coding labs are paired with collaborative research experiences focused on problems in autonomous systems, NLP, and robotics control. The program is designed to expose underrepresented students to interdisciplinary applications of AI while building technical and professional skills.

7. UC San Diego Mentor Assistance Program (MAP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, CA
Cost: Free application; $1,000 program fee (financial aid available)
Dates: October 1 – May 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12

UCSD’s Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) offers long-term, mentored research experience across STEM fields, including computer science and data analysis. Over eight months, you’ll develop and complete an independent research project under the guidance of UCSD faculty, potentially using tools like Python, MATLAB, or data visualization platforms. Bi-weekly meetings, academic readings, and lab visits will support your research development, while optional science fair submissions are encouraged. Students showing strong progress may be invited to continue their work over the summer as well.

8. Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; travel assistance available
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: Typically in spring
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders aged 16+ by June 21; must demonstrate financial need

AI Scholars is a fully funded, four-week residential program that introduces you to artificial intelligence through lectures, collaborative research, and tech industry engagement. Hosted at Carnegie Mellon, you’ll explore AI topics like neural networks, algorithm design, and social-good applications while working on team-based projects. The program includes mentorship from faculty, college preparation sessions, and site visits to tech companies, offering broad exposure to the field. With a focus on both technical and ethical aspects of AI, it’s designed for students ready to pursue computing.

9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person at Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivable)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Remote: Age 15+; In-person/hybrid: 15+ for CS labs, 16+ for wet labs

ASSIP is an eight-week mentored research internship where you’ll work on a focused project in fields like cybersecurity, NLP, or data science. You’ll be paired with faculty researchers and use tools to build models, document workflows, and present findings. The program emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and exposure to current academic and industry work, with supplemental seminars on research ethics, careers in STEM, and scientific writing. Remote and hybrid options allow for flexible participation depending on your interests and availability.

10. ASPIRE – Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (~15–20%)
Location: Virtual or Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (age 15+) with a GPA of 2.8+ living in the Washington–Baltimore metro area

ASPIRE places you in a research environment where you will contribute to applied projects in fields like cybersecurity, aerospace systems, and data science. You’ll be matched with a mentor at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) and work on problems using industry-standard tools and methods. The program offers both virtual and in-person formats, allowing for flexibility while maintaining a focus on collaboration and technical skill-building. You'll gain experience in documentation, problem-solving, and teamwork within a professional research setting.

11. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 
Cost: $25 application fee + $5,160 program fee
Dates: June 23 – July 4
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 with little to no prior coding experience

This two-week residential program introduces students to computer science using UC Berkeley’s Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum. You’ll learn foundational CS concepts through the visual programming language Snap!, engaging in daily coding challenges and designing your own computing application for a final project. Instruction is led by experienced BJC educators, with support from Berkeley undergraduates to provide mentorship and technical guidance. The program is tailored for students new to CS and offers a supportive introduction to the field.

12. SPARC – Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27, Session 2: July 7 – July 18, Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (rising 10th–12th graders); U.S. and international students

SPARC is a two-week program focused on robotics, mechatronics, and coding through project-based learning. You’ll design and build autonomous robots, learning how to program microcontrollers and integrate sensors and actuators. Core topics include C/C++ or Python programming, circuit design, and mechanical systems, culminating in robot competitions that test your problem-solving and engineering skills. Great for students with a strong STEM foundation, SPARC offers technical training in applied robotics within a university setting.

13. Meta Summer Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Menlo Park, CA 
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a 2.0+ GPA residing in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City

Meta Summer Academy offers a paid, six-week introduction to careers in technology through projects and mentorship. You’ll explore topics like software engineering, data science, and machine learning while working on technical challenges with tools used at Meta. The program includes digital mentorship, equity-focused discussions, and peer-to-peer feedback sessions to help you develop both technical fluency and critical thinking around the societal impacts of tech. It’s designed to support students from historically underrepresented communities in tech.

14. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual, with optional events in Greater Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Dates: May – August (8–12 weeks, depending on project)
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12; priority given to Seattle-area applicants

SPARK SMP is a virtual research mentorship program where you’ll collaborate with academic and industry mentors on projects in machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence. Over 8–12 weeks, you’ll take on 1–5 advanced projects tailored to your interests. Past topics have included disease detection, quantum modeling, and predictive algorithms. Students gain valuable technical training and are encouraged to submit their work to research competitions or academic venues.

15. Girls Who Code

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Stipend:$300 available for students with financial need
Dates: SIP Session 1: July 7 – July 18, SIP Session 2: July 28 – August 8, Pathways Program: Self-paced over six weeks
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Female or non-binary students in grades 9–11

Girls Who Code offers two accessible virtual programs to introduce high schoolers to computer science and tech careers. The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a live, two-week bootcamp covering Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and UX/UI design through collaborative projects. You’ll receive mentorship from tech professionals and connect with peers across the country. The Pathways Program offers a more flexible option, letting you explore fields like AI and cybersecurity at your own pace. Both tracks emphasize skill development and confidence-building in underrepresented communities.