15 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you're a high school student passionate about research, some programs and internships offer a practical, affordable, and good path. From building technical skills and collaborating with mentors to contributing to projects, research programs and internships can provide a level of exposure that goes beyond the standard classroom setting.
What makes virtual research opportunities for high school students an especially great option is their flexibility. You can participate from anywhere, often on your own schedule, and still work with mentors, conduct investigations, and build a portfolio of research work. Some of these programs are led by top universities, labs, and startups, and offer financial aid or low-cost options. Whether you're exploring AI, medicine, economics, or the humanities, there's something here to match your interest. We've narrowed down the top 15 virtual research opportunities for high school students.
1. Student Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Virtual with optional in-person meetings
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a stipend
Dates: September - May
Application Deadline: May 10
Eligibility: Students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
The Student Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) offers a year-long astrophysics research experience with mentorship from scientists at the Harvard & Smithsonian’s Center for Astrophysics. You’ll join a small team and work directly with researchers on projects in areas such as exoplanet detection, galaxy formation, or stellar evolution. The program emphasizes skills like Python programming, data analysis, and scientific writing. You'll meet weekly with your mentor, participate in monthly group workshops, and present your work at a formal research symposium. The flexible hybrid format makes it one of the most accessible and in-depth virtual research opportunities for high school students.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the 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, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a 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. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program
Location: Remote or in-person (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Cost/Stipend: None (10 paid stipends available for Summer based on financial need)
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: Typically November | Summer: March 1 | Fall: Typically July
Eligibility: Open to high school students with an interest in international relations or research
The FPRI Internship Program provides high school students with a chance to explore foreign policy through hands-on research and mentorship. You’ll be matched with a scholar or fellow and contribute to projects on global issues like diplomacy, security studies, or regional affairs. Interns attend weekly seminars led by experts in the field, offering a deeper understanding of both theory and real-world policy challenges. As part of the experience, you’ll write a research paper and may also contribute to FPRI’s blog or Intern Corner publication. This is one of the few virtual research opportunities for high school students focused on international relations and think tank work.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,990. Financial aid is offered
Dates: Year-round cohorts; Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), Spring (March–June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (typically 1–2 months before start date)
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a personalized research experience for students looking to explore academic topics in depth. You’ll be paired one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to conduct original research in fields such as neuroscience, biology, or chemistry, ultimately producing a publication-ready paper. The curriculum includes research planning, writing workshops, and weekly mentor check-ins, helping you master college-level inquiry and communication skills. Projects may be theoretical or data-driven, and timelines are flexible to fit school schedules.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Remote or in-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: The in-person program offers an hourly stipend, and the virtual program offers a $500 scholarship
Dates: June – August. The in-person program will last 8 weeks, while the virtual program will run for 5 weeks.
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the US for the virtual program (and in Baltimore City, Maryland, for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds are eligible to apply.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers a rigorous neuroscience research experience tailored for high school students interested in brain science. You’ll work virtually with Johns Hopkins neuroscientists on original research projects, gaining hands-on exposure to neurological data and lab techniques. The program includes weekly seminars led by faculty, covering both foundational and emerging topics in neuroscience. You'll receive structured mentorship, collaborate on experiments, and prepare a final presentation in oral or poster format. As one of the more competitive virtual research opportunities for high school students, JHIBS supports students with both intensive mentorship and a research stipend.
6. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) – Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application Fee: $40 | Tuition: $850. Financial aid is available
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship introduces students to artificial intelligence applications in healthcare through a two-week virtual program. You’ll explore cutting-edge topics in AI and medicine via expert-led lectures, hands-on research projects, and personalized mentorship from Stanford engineers. The program also features “Lunch and Learn” sessions with professionals from academia, nonprofits, and government, giving you insight into diverse career paths. Though academic credit is not offered, interns receive a certificate of completion. This program stands out among virtual research opportunities for high school students interested in both computer science and healthcare innovation.
7. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 14 or older, including international students, can apply
The Stanford SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Summer Internship is a selective eight-week virtual program for high school and community college students. You will collaborate with peers in small groups on interdisciplinary research projects under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, graduate students, and staff. Past projects have explored fields such as nanotechnology, artificial olfaction, virtual reality, computational biology, and design. The program emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and the intersection of STEM and the humanities. With a weekly time commitment of 30–40 hours, students gain hands-on experience, develop research skills, and present their findings at the end of the program. The remote format makes it accessible to students from across the globe and offers valuable networking within Stanford’s research community.
8. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: Online | Hybrid | In-person (University of California, San Diego, California)
Cost: $1,500 – $4,800; varies with the program and format
Dates: Programs are offered throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis till seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
UCSD Research Scholars, offered through UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies, offers high school students the opportunity to participate in university-level research and coursework across a variety of fields. Partnering with top institutions, the program includes subjects such as Bioengineering, Marine Science, Life Sciences, Business Research, and Medicine. Students work closely with faculty, researchers, and graduate students while gaining hands-on experience in labs. The curriculum blends academic theory with application and encourages the development of research, communication, and critical thinking skills. Courses are offered in online, in-person, and hybrid formats and range from introductory to advanced levels. Many projects culminate in a final presentation or research paper, helping students build a strong foundation for college applications and future research work.
9. NYU Pre-College Programs
Location: Online | In-person (New York University, New York City, New York)
Cost: Varies depending on the number of courses and credits a student registers for. You can check the complete details here
Dates: Spring Term: January 21 - May 6 | Summer Term: July 2 - August 13
Application Deadline: Spring Term: January 1 | Summer Term: June 16
Eligibility: Rising/current 11th and 12th-grade students
NYU’s Precollege Program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses for credit. Held over six weeks during the summer, students can choose from over 30 subjects, including computer science, biomolecular science, film, literature, journalism, and business. The program allows students to explore potential majors, earn up to 8 college credits, and learn from NYU faculty. Students also gain access to academic resources, libraries, and labs. Participants also attend College 101 workshops covering admissions, essay writing, research, and financial aid, equipping them with valuable tools for the college application process. A five-week College Writing Workshop is also available to strengthen academic writing skills.
10. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Several strong virtual options
Cost: $3,050 + $65 application fee (waiver available). Some courses may require additional purchases of materials like textbooks, which will not exceed $100. Financial aid is available for tuition fees.
Dates: Session One: June 17 — June 28 | Session Two: July 8 — July 19
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application submission are eligible
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online program for high school students seeking in-depth academic exploration. With over 60 courses to choose from, including game design, AI, creative writing, philosophy, environmental science, and entrepreneurship, students can dive deeply into a single subject of interest. Courses are led by Stanford instructors and limited to small cohorts of about 16 students, allowing for personalized attention and lively discussion. Each course runs for 10 days and meets live online for two hours daily (Monday–Friday). The program emphasizes interaction and collaboration through project-based learning, peer engagement, and instructor feedback. While the courses do not offer grades or credit, participants receive a Certificate of Completion and a written evaluation from instructors, which can strengthen college applications.
11. Duke Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Online | In-person (Duke University, Durham, North Carolina)
Cost: Varies with the course
Dates: Exact dates vary with the course; typically three 10-day sessions in late June or July.
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students from grades 6 to rising 12th graders are eligible to apply, including International students
Duke Pre-College Programs give high school students the opportunity to explore advanced, college-level topics not typically offered in school. The program offers in-person, online, and marine lab courses across six disciplines: Engineering, Humanities, Math, Science, Social Sciences, and Technology. Each course is designed like a college seminar, encouraging deep engagement with a focused topic. You might study subjects like neural integration, cryptography, rare books and archives, or race and criminal law. Courses are taught by Duke faculty, graduate students, and affiliates. Students learn through lectures, field trips, experiments, research, and interactive group work. Online courses offer flexibility for remote learners, though with a slightly smaller selection. Each day includes around 6 hours of academic work and a college prep session, along with optional evening activities and events.
12. Georgetown University's Pre-College course in Medical Research
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795 (scholarships available)
Dates: Multiple sessions are offered across the summer. Check details here
Application Deadline: Varies based on available courses
Eligibility: High school or U.S.-high-school-equivalent students aged 13 or above.
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Course in Medical Research is a flexible online program for high school students interested in medicine and clinical research. Available in 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week formats, the course covers clinical trial design, evidence-based medicine, research ethics, biostatistics, and epidemiology. You will explore medical research in cancer and develop your own study using professional research methods. The program includes mentorship, guided projects, and career exploration. You will learn how to navigate online databases, interpret scientific articles, and craft your own research questions using the PICO method.
13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Online | Hybrid | In-person (Fairfax, Virginia)
Cost: $25 application fee (waivers available)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old at the start of the internship
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a full-time eight-week research program for high school students interested in STEM. The program offers a virtual track focusing on data science, machine learning, earth observation, and geospatial technologies. Through this track, students explore research in AI, cybersecurity, environmental systems, and more, while building valuable skills in coding, statistical modeling, and data-driven decision-making. You will work closely with faculty and researchers, gain experience using advanced lab equipment and research technologies while contributing to projects. ASSIP emphasizes the development of core scientific skills, including data analysis, lab techniques, scientific writing, and public speaking. Students also participate in workshops on programming, analytical thinking, and career development, and have opportunities to present their research or even publish it in scientific journals.
14. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Location: Virtual | Hybrid (Washington, DC)
Stipend: Paid, but information on the exact amount is not available
Dates: 10 weeks between May-August, with a flexible schedule for virtual internships
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internship offers high school students the opportunity to gain experience in science communication, marketing, and STEM education. Interns support SSEC’s mission to improve K–12 science education by contributing to projects in digital media, communications strategy, social media, and graphic design. You’ll work alongside professionals to create outreach materials, manage content assets, conduct background research, and help strengthen the SSEC brand. This internship is ideal for students interested in science education, digital storytelling, or nonprofit communications. You’ll gain insight into how a communications team functions within an educational organization and develop practical skills in messaging and strategy. Roles may be hybrid or fully virtual, allowing for flexible participation.
15. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Online options are also offered
Cost/Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length
Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August)
Application Deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school students, providing the opportunity to work on projects across science, technology, engineering, aeronautics, and space exploration. You’ll collaborate with NASA professionals, including scientists, engineers, and analysts, on mission-critical challenges tailored to your interests, from designing experiments and developing new technologies to analyzing data from space missions. Internships are available across multiple NASA centers and cover a wide range of fields such as robotics, AI for air traffic systems, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications. Many positions also offer fully virtual formats, allowing students nationwide to participate. Throughout the internship, you’ll receive mentorship, career development training, and firsthand experience with NASA’s research environment.
You can check out a complete list of positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students.
Bonus! Here are a few more programs you can consider:
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
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Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Apply now!