15 Research Opportunities for High School Students During the School Year
If you’re a high school student interested in research, you don’t have to wait until summer to get started. Many programs run during the school year, giving you the chance to explore fields like neuroscience, public policy, biomedicine, or environmental science while balancing your regular classes. These opportunities let you apply what you’re learning in school to projects, build practical skills, and form lasting connections with mentors. School-year research often frees up your summer for jobs, travel, or other programs, while still helping you strengthen your college applications. Here are 15 research opportunities for high school students during the academic year worth exploring.
1. PRIMES-USA at MIT
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, small cohort
Dates: January – December
Application Deadline: October 1 – November 18
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living outside Greater Boston
PRIMES-USA is a year-long virtual research program in mathematics run by MIT for students outside the Greater Boston area. You will work on math research projects with guidance from MIT faculty and graduate students. The program is divided into four phases, including reading, research, independent study, and final presentation. You will produce a research paper that may be submitted to journals or math competitions. The program is known for its rigor and is highly competitive.
2. Ladder Mentored Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Spring, Fall, and Winter cohorts (8–16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder offers a mentored research program where high school students work one-on-one with researchers. Over 8 to 16 weeks, you will complete an independent research project in fields like economics, neuroscience, or environmental science. The virtual format is flexible and designed to fit around school schedules. Mentors help you frame questions, conduct analysis, and write reports that can be submitted to publications or competitions. This program is great if you want structured support while exploring college-level topics. Research experience through Ladder can also strengthen college applications.
3. Penn State College of Medicine Research Internships and Observations
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends may be available depending on the lab
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; students must secure a mentor
Dates: Flexible, based on mentor availability
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students residing in the U.S. who are sponsored by a faculty mentor
This opportunity allows you to participate in short or long-term research experiences by working with Penn State medical faculty. Students can shadow researchers, observe lab work, and potentially participate in biomedical research projects over several weeks or months. Before applying, students must contact a faculty member to arrange mentorship. Observation-only options are also available for those with limited time. It's a strong fit for students interested in clinical or lab-based research who want flexible timing during the academic year.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
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: Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers academically driven high school students the chance to conduct in-depth, 1-on-1 research with Ph.D. mentors. Students work independently on a project in a field of their choice and produce a research paper by the end of the program. Topics span a wide variety of disciplines, including psychology, engineering, computer science, economics, chemistry, and international relations. The flexible, remote format makes it ideal for students to pursue during the school year.
5. Student Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at Harvard-Smithsonian
Location: Cambridge, MA (in-person and virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10–16 students per year
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Open only to students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
SRMP allows high school students from CRLS to work with scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. You will be grouped into small teams and paired with professional researchers to complete a project over the academic year. You’ll meet weekly with mentors and attend monthly advisory sessions for additional guidance. At the end of the program, you can present your work at a public symposium. The program covers areas such as astrophysics, space science, and data analysis. Both in-person and virtual participation options are available.
6. UC San Diego Research Scholars Program
Location: UC San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $2,000–$3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically runs January – March
Application Deadline: Rolling until slots are filled
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, age 15+, GPA of 3.0 or higher
This research immersion program allows high school students to join a university lab and conduct guided research in tracks like bioengineering, marine science, life sciences, or medicine. You will learn to formulate hypotheses, collect samples, analyze data, and present findings through a final poster showcase. Each track includes research mentorship, lab techniques, and exposure to university-level academics. While the program is paid and in-person, its format makes it suitable for students seeking school-year research experience.
7. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program
Location: In-person (Philadelphia, PA) & Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Spring (Feb–May), Summer (Jun–Aug), Fall (Sep–Dec)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students interested in international relations or public policy
FPRI offers internships for students during the Summer, Fall, and Spring terms. The internship gives you access to U.S foreign policy think tanks. You are matched with mentors and attend weekly seminars on international affairs and careers in policy. You’ll help with research, attend live events, and may contribute to articles for the FPRI Intern Corner. You can work on a research paper that may be eligible for publication. Remote options are available, making this a flexible way to explore political science and global studies during the school year.
8. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round (after school and weekends for 2–3 years)
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 1
Eligibility: 9th or 10th graders enrolled in SFUSD with a GPA ≥ 2.5 and a valid U.S. work permit
The CiS Intern Program is a multi-year, paid opportunity designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. You will work alongside scientists and educators on lab research, fieldwork, and public science communication. You’ll gain technical skills while also receiving mentorship, career guidance, and college application support. The program requires a long-term commitment and offers a strong support network throughout high school.
9. Sandia National Laboratories Internship Program
Location: Livermore, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and other U.S. locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount varies by role)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-round and summer options
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with GPA ≥ 3.0
Sandia National Labs offers research internships for high school students interested in science, engineering, cybersecurity, and national security. You will get the opportunity to work alongside scientists and engineers on federal R&D projects through various internship formats. You can choose part-time during the school year or full-time during school breaks. Co-op roles lasting 3–8 months are also available. These positions offer technical experience and exposure to research in a government setting.
10. MITES Semester
Location: Virtual (with in-person capstone at MIT)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: November – February
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors (underrepresented and first-generation students encouraged to apply)
MITES Semester is a hybrid STEM and research program for high school juniors, run by MIT. You’ll take two advanced online courses: one core subject and one project-based elective, and attend weekly webinars with STEM professionals. The semester includes a final research presentation and an optional in-person conference at MIT. The program emphasizes college readiness and high-level science exploration for underrepresented students. You’ll also get academic support and mentorship while gaining exposure to advanced topics like machine learning, astrophysics, and thermodynamics.
11. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Virtual and In-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Stipend availability varies; academic credit may be offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The APA Internship Program introduces students to research, communications, policy, and psychology-related fields through structured mentorship. You will contribute to web projects, research summaries, administrative work, and team projects. You will also get the opportunity to attend skill-building workshops and discussions with professionals in psychology and behavioral sciences. This is one of the few research opportunities for high school students focused on social sciences and mental health. You can work virtually or in Washington, D.C., depending on availability.
12. OHSU Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: January 15 – May
Application Deadline: November 24
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The PSI program introduces students to biomedical research through weekly lectures by OHSU scientists and mentored research development. Their program accepts sophomore, junior, and senior high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research through a 16-week course from January to May. You’ll explore the scientific method, develop your own research questions, and present published journal articles in a journal club format. With help from mentors, you’ll propose original research and may later join a lab or clinical project over the summer.
13. Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute
Location: Cleveland, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admissions; varies by lab
Dates: Flexible (based on lab and student availability)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
This program lets high school students reach out to Cleveland Clinic researchers to request lab experience, gain experience in laboratory techniques, and explore careers in biomedical research. You will identify labs of interest and email investigators with a short introduction and availability. Once accepted, you can observe lab work, learn basic techniques, and build foundational research experience. Opportunities vary across biomedical disciplines and depend on individual lab schedules and openings. This model gives students flexibility and control over when and how they participate.
14. Burke Neurological Institute – Introduction to Neuroscience Course
Location: Online (via webinars)
Cost/Stipend: $500 (full scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: February 6 – March 28 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Application Deadline: Typically closes in February
Eligibility: High school students who have completed biology or NYS Living Environment
This course introduces high school students to core topics in neuroscience, including neuron structure, brain systems, and sensory processing. Sessions include interactive lectures, demonstrations, and guided discussions led by faculty and researchers. You will explore how neural signals are transmitted, how different parts of the brain control behavior, and what happens when systems break down. You’ll also analyze case studies and engage with common experimental methods used in neuroscience research.
15. Jackson Laboratory Academic Year Fellowships
Location: Farmington, CT, or Bar Harbor, ME
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Dates vary by campus and project
Application Deadline: July 7 (Bar Harbor) | September 15 (Farmington)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors aged 16+, enrolled in a school near the campus
The Jackson Laboratory Academic Year Fellowship places students into biomedical research teams at JAX’s Connecticut or Maine campuses. You are paired with mentors and receive training in basic lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll work with mentors to design and complete a research project aligned with ongoing lab work. Over the course of the program, you can develop skills in problem-solving, time management, and teamwork. You will also get the opportunity to present findings in a lab meeting or poster format by the end of the term. Some positions are in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, depending on lab availability.
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