13 Online Research Programs for High School Students
Are you a high school student looking to challenge yourself academically? Online research programs and internships are a great way for high school students to explore their academic interests. They’re designed to help you gain research experience, connect with mentors, and understand how innovation happens. Participating in a selective research program can also help you stand out in the college admissions process. Conducting independent research while still in high school is rare, and the experience can help you prepare for the rigor of undergraduate academics.
Many universities and research institutes offer online research programs for high school students. These programs can help you strengthen your skills in analysis, writing, time management, and communication. To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve shortlisted 13 online research programs for high school students.
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences is a five-week online program tailored for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. Through virtual lectures and interactive modules, you will explore topics such as brain development, neurodegenerative disorders, and mental health conditions. You’ll gain exposure to core laboratory methods, engage in research-oriented projects, and receive mentorship as well as career guidance from experts. With a nationwide cohort, the program fosters collaboration and provides a comprehensive foundation in brain science. Upon completion, you are awarded a certificate recognizing your participation and learning.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers high school students the opportunity to gain real-world experience working with fast-growing start-ups. Conducted remotely, the program places you in companies across diverse industries such as technology, AI/ML, deep tech, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Many partner start-ups are Y Combinator-backed and led by founders with backgrounds at top firms like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You will collaborate with both a start-up manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, contributing to meaningful projects and presenting their outcomes at the end. All open roles can be explored through the program’s application form.
3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; waivers are available | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective, around 10%
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University allows you to engage in cutting-edge research under the guidance of faculty mentors. You’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced tools and techniques across disciplines such as bioengineering, neuroscience, nanoscience, climate science, and cybersecurity. The program emphasizes skill-building in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving, while connecting you with accomplished STEM professionals. You may have opportunities to publish your findings or present at academic conferences.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program; Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students; No previous experience necessary
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the chance to pursue personalized, in-depth research under expert mentorship. You will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to design and execute an independent project tailored to your academic interests. Over 12 weeks, you will work closely with your mentor to produce a full-length research paper. The program spans a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, computer science, data science, and international relations, among others. You can explore available topics and apply through the official program link here.
5. American Cancer Society - High School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None | $500
Acceptance rate: Varies as per the institute
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the institute
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old when the program starts
The American Cancer Society’s High School Program is a two-week virtual summer experience that introduces high school students to the field of cancer research. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, biomedical science, or oncology, the program helps you by blending interactive learning with professional exploration. You will collaborate with the eCLOSE Institute on research projects and case studies, deepening your understanding of cancer biology and related career paths. After the summer session, you can stay involved through year-round career development and networking opportunities. The program offers both foundational research experience and mentorship for future pursuits in health and science.
6. Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,170 | None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Summer Session: June 23 – August 1 | Fall Sessions: August 25 – December 5
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Current high school student; talented 9th-graders (rising sophomores) may be considered | For academic prerequisites, see here
Johns Hopkins University’s Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online is a three-credit course designed for high school students eager to explore how engineering concepts apply to biological systems. Offered primarily in an asynchronous format, it includes recorded lectures, optional live sessions, and flexible scheduling. You can complete projects such as designing a biosensor, modeling the human arm and circulatory system, and developing an independent project, ranging from a literature review to an experimental plan or biomedical device prototype, culminating in a virtual poster presentation. The course promotes interactive, hands-on learning through an engaging online experience.
7. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees) | None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will attend technical lectures on core AI concepts and their applications in medicine, complemented by daily mentorship and team-based research projects. There will be guest speakers from academia, industry, and government who will provide you with insights into cutting-edge innovations in medical technology. There will be career-oriented “Lunch and Learn” sessions that highlight opportunities at the intersection of healthcare and technology. You may continue with extended research after the main program, and you will also receive a Certificate of Completion.
8. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial aid available | None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Program 1: June 23 - July 4 | Program 2: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of the program
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship offers you a hands-on introduction to the field of cardiothoracic surgery. This program combines lectures with guided lab sessions covering cardiac and thoracic anatomy, physiology, and surgical conditions. Under the instruction of Stanford faculty and surgical residents, you will learn core technical skills such as suturing, dissection, knot tying, valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass techniques. The curriculum also explores ECG interpretation, echocardiography, imaging methods, and major surgical diseases. You’ll gain practical experience using surgical tools and studying porcine heart anatomy to deepen your understanding of cardiac structures.
9. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Application Deadline: January 24
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders in the summertime, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to the core principles and applications of artificial intelligence. Through lectures, research projects, and mentorship, you will explore areas such as robotics, computer vision, and medical AI. Hosted by the Stanford AI Lab, the program connects you with experienced AI professionals and peers, fostering both community and collaboration. It also offers you a perspective on how AI research fuels innovation across industries. The program helps you build technical skills and career awareness, with an emphasis on ethics, diversity, and accessibility.
10. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Paid program, fees not specified | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: Typically February
Eligibility: High school or rising college freshman | 16 years of age and older | Residing in Massachusetts
Camp Zon is a paid, two-week virtual research program for high school students passionate about biology and medicine. Working in teams, you will design and analyze a research project focused on anemia using zebrafish as a model organism. Each group formulates a hypothesis, plans experiments, and interprets live data collected from the lab. The program features lectures by leading scientists, training in scientific literature review, and coding exercises for data visualization. You will also receive career mentorship and conclude the experience with a final team presentation to the research lab.
11. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Virtual / In-person at FPRI
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Rolling
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – December
Eligibility: High school students skilled in writing and research
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers virtual internships for high school students eager to explore global affairs and international relations. You will collaborate with professionals, gaining hands-on experience while developing essential workplace skills like communication, teamwork, and organization. You’ll also attend foreign policy seminars, career development workshops, and FPRI-hosted events, deepening your understanding of global issues. Based on your interests, you can focus on areas such as research, communications, event planning, or operations.
12. Summer@Brown Online - Breakthroughs: An Exploration of Laboratory Organisms in Biomedical Research
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218
Application Deadline: May 9
Dates: June 23 – July 3
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15, who have completed a high school biology course
If you’re curious about the science behind major discoveries, this Summer@Brown course introduces you to the model organisms driving research. You will investigate how species like frogs, yeast, worms, and mice are used to study topics such as cancer, stem cells, and aging. Through virtual lab tours and real-world case studies, you’ll observe how experiments progress before reaching human trials. You will also explore ethical considerations in animal research, alongside the creation of a final project on an organism of your choice. By the program’s end, you’ll understand how these models advance knowledge of human biology and disease.
13. BioEngineering And Me Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: August 11 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students
The BEAM Summer Program offers you a free, two-week online introduction to biomedical engineering. You will engage with Rowan University’s BME faculty and students through workshops and virtual lab demonstrations that showcase real-world applications. The program emphasizes interactive learning, incorporating activities like Kahoot! games and small group discussions to strengthen understanding. You’ll also explore career pathways in bioengineering and discover how biology and engineering intersect to drive medical innovation.
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