15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Chicago

If you’re a high school student in Chicago looking to gain research experience without spending a ton of money, consider a local program! 

In Chicago, there are a range of programs and internships that provide practical opportunities to do so at top universities and organizations. These experiences allow you to build technical and analytical skills, work closely with expert mentors, and contribute to ongoing projects across fields, whether you're interested in biology, environmental science, engineering, AI, medicine, or the humanities. Some programs even offer flexible or virtual formats, making them accessible and affordable.

Participating in research during high school allows you to demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and a genuine passion for your chosen discipline. Many of these opportunities are offered by leading universities, research institutes, and local organizations, providing training along with the possibility to work on real-world problems. In this blog, we’ve highlighted 15 of the best research opportunities for high school students in Chicago, where you’ll be able to collaborate with experts, gain practical experience, and begin building a portfolio of work that will strengthen your college applications and help you explore your future career paths.

1. University of Chicago's After School Matters STEM Lab Internship

Location: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in March
Eligibility: Open to Chicago high school students who are at least 16 years old before the program begins
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Hosted by the University of Chicago, this internship gives students the chance to participate in lab-based research over the summer, offering insight into how science and engineering professionals work in a collaborative environment.. For six weeks, you'll work 20 hours a week in a research lab, starting with a one-week bootcamp that introduces you to the basics of scientific research. You’ll be mentored by University of Chicago researchers and supported by education staff throughout the program. An added bonus is that you’ll receive guidance on the college application process.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location:  Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost: Varies with the program type

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a nonprofit organization or high-growth start-up in a virtual internship setup. Start-ups and organizations that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship also includes professional skills training sessions.

3. NASA OSTEM Internships

Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities, and some virtual internships are also offered
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 Deadlines: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: Open to U.S. Citizens who are full-time students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; must be at least 16 years old at the time of application
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length

As a NASA OSTEM intern, you'll get the chance to work alongside scientists, engineers, and other professionals contributing to ongoing agency research in space exploration, technology development, and environmental science. Whether part-time or full-time, your internship could take place at a NASA center or facility and will give you hands-on experience in real projects that support NASA’s mission. You may be involved in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies in one or more of these subjects and disciplines—space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.                  

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students 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 is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

5. Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program

Location: Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois (about 30 mins from Chicago)
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Open only to high school juniors who are at least 16 years old before the start of the program
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid (amount not specified)

In this six-week summer program, you’ll be paired with a Northwestern University faculty mentor and assigned to a research project focused on lung disease that will contribute to ongoing research at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Apart from lab work, you’ll take part in workshops that help you prepare for college and applications, build your professional skills, and explore future careers in medicine and science! The program culminates with you presenting your research at the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium. 

6. UChicago Medicine's ResearcHStart

Location: University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, and Rush University laboratories
Dates: Second week of June to first week of August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are Illinois residents (including Lake County, Indiana). You must be at least 16 years old before the program begins and able to commit to the full program duration
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a $3,000 stipend

If you're interested in the field of medicine, ResearcHStart gives you the opportunity to conduct research while working at labs in some of the top research institutions in Illinois. You’ll spend the summer as a full-time member of a research team, gaining hands-on experience in areas like cancer immunology, bioengineering, and health disparities. In addition to research and lab work, you’ll attend faculty lectures, career-building workshops, and skills training sessions. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a research symposium.

7. Field Museum High School Science and Digital Learning Internship

Location: Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live in the Chicagoland area
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid $16.50/hour

Every year, the Field Museum selects 15 high school students for this five-week paid internship where they are matched with a museum scientist or expert to work on a research project. During the program, you will get to build technology and digital media skills that will support your research work, while also participating in professional development activities. As an intern, you will not just gain research experience and digital literacy, but also the opportunity to present your findings and connect with museum professionals and peers. The program encourages applications from students of all backgrounds, aiming to make science accessible and inclusive for students interested in technology, museum work, or research.

8. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)

Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Batavia, Illinois (1 hour away from Chicago)
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending an Illinois high school with U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status can apply
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $500/week

In this four-week program, you will get to explore scientific research and engineering, covering topics such as particle physics, quantum science, engineering design, and artificial intelligence. As a Fermilab intern, you will work alongside Fermilab scientists, engineers, and researchers while exploring innovations in STEM fields. During the program, you will attend lectures, participate in projects, expert-led discussions, and interactive lab experiences. Each week is dedicated to a new scientific theme so that participants gain a well-rounded perspective on the possibilities within STEM. In addition to technical training, students will tour state-of-the-art research facilities, and produce a research abstract, design a poster, and even present their work at the end of the program.

9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

Location: Various AEOP locations nationwide, including the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Central in Chicago, Illinois
Dates: 6–10 weeks, May–August (exact dates vary with location)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; specific site deadlines may apply
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A GPA of 3.0 is recommended due to the program’s competitive nature.
Cost: No cost; stipend provided

This program gives students the opportunity to engage in scientific research at U.S. Army laboratories across the country. You’ll collaborate with top scientists and engineers, gaining experience in STEM fields while working on real-world research projects. You will also receive mentorship from professionals, helping you develop technical skills, explore careers in STEM, and build your professional network. AEOP offers a number of specialized research areas that vary with the host institution. For instance, the program at the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Central in Chicago, introduces students to concepts in high-performance computing, impact physics, machine learning, data science, materials science, quantum science, and more.

10. Northwestern University's SciHigh Summer Program

Location: George O'Brien Kidney Research Core Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois (about 30 mins from Chicago)
Dates: June 16 – July 18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who have completed beginner and intermediate Biology and Chemistry classes. You must be able to commit to the full program
Cost/Stipend: None

This five-week summer program, offered by Northwestern University’s School of Medicine, pairs students with a Northwestern faculty member to conduct research in their lab and work on a project based on the faculty member’s area of expertise. You will be matched with a mentor based on your interests and skills. Alongside your research, you’ll participate in weekly workshops on research development, evaluation, and communication, and attend interactive sessions led by STEMM experts. You will also get to present your research at a presentation at the end of the program. This program aims to help students build practical research skills, while encouraging their interest in STEMM fields with resources and learning opportunities.

11. UChicago's Data Science Institute Summer Lab

Location: University of Chicago Campus, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Open to Chicago-area high school students
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $4,800

The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute offers a summer program for high school students that allows them to explore interdisciplinary research. In this 8-week paid research program, you will be matched with a mentor who specialises in data science to contribute to research projects at the intersection of data science and different fields (including biomedical science and climate policy). Through this internship, you will familiarize yourself with research methods while receiving training in your area of choice, improve your coding and analytical skills, and gain experience working on team-based research. You will also learn how to apply data science to solve practical challenges. At the end of the program, your research will be showcased in a video presentation. 

12. Chicago Architecture Center Summer Fellows

Location: Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: Summer - Spring (3 semesters)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Chicago high schools can apply
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is provided

This program is designed to give high school students a chance to develop core design and architecture skills while exploring potential careers in the field. Spanning three semesters, the program lets you take college-level courses, create your own design projects, and build a portfolio using tools like SketchUp, AutoCAD, and other industry-standard software. You’ll also visit important architectural sites, work with physical models, and learn from practicing architects and designers. By the third semester, students are placed in a paid internship at a local architecture or design firm, gaining workplace experience and creating professional connections. 

13. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Various locations across the country; you’ll be placed within 45 minutes of your home.
Dates: June to July/August (flexible based on you and your mentor)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 before the internship begins
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a $3,000 stipend + all expenses paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas

Through the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, you’ll be paired with a professional mentor for an immersive summer internship in fisheries science or aquatic biology. Your experience will vary depending on your mentor’s work, but you can expect to gain research experience both in the field and in the lab. As an intern, you might conduct fish population surveys, test water quality, analyze data, or assist in educational programs. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data procession, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more.

14. Nicholas Senn High School Summer Science Internship

Location: Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: 7 weeks starting June-end
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to public high school students
Cost/Stipend: None

Through this 7-week summer internship, you will gain practical experience in research laboratories at Loyola University. The program begins with a week-long biology workshop, where past projects have included experiments on fruit fly larvae and circadian rhythms. After the workshop, you’ll be matched with a research lab in chemistry, biology, or engineering, where you will assist and work with Loyola faculty and students on research topics like microplastics in water, river bacteria, or assistive systems for elderly mobility.

15. UChicago's Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology

Location: Virtual
Dates: 2 weeks, typically in the second half of July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois, or Lake County in Indiana
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 stipend

In this virtual two-week program, you will collaborate on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study focused on cancer. Apart from conducting medical research, you'll also attend skill-building workshops, daily lectures, panel discussions, and workshops led by oncology professionals from multiple institutions, giving you the chance to start building a professional network. If you are interested in medicine, biology, or related fields, we recommend applying.

Image Source - University of Chicago