15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Massachusetts

If you're looking to deepen your academic interests through practical learning, research opportunities can be a great way to do so. These programs, courses, and internships often combine lab or project-based work with professional mentorship, giving you practical skills and exposure to scientific and academic environments. Participating in a research program can help you stand out in college admissions by demonstrating your academic curiosity and ability. 

From universities like MIT and Tufts to research institutes and virtual platforms, Massachusetts is home to a wide range of programs that support student research. You'll find chances to connect with faculty, work alongside graduate students, and explore everything from neuroscience to data science. Some of these programs are in-person, while others are remote, allowing for flexibility. We've put together a list of 15 research opportunities for high school students in Massachusetts to help you get started with your research experience!

15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Massachusetts 

1. MIT’s Research Science Institute

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per cohort 
Dates: June 22–August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors worldwide

At MIT’s RSI, you'll join a global cohort of high school students for six weeks of research and academic coursework. The program starts with a week of STEM seminars before you dive into an individual research project mentored by university scientists. Over the course of the summer, you’ll read current scientific literature, conduct research, and prepare both oral and written presentations of your findings. RSI is highly selective and fully funded and includes access to MIT’s labs, libraries, and computing resources. Evening lectures, social activities, and field trips enrich the experience and allow you to connect with leaders in science and technology. The research opportunity culminates in a conference-style symposium where students present their research to peers and experts.

2. Ladder Internship's Mentored Research Program

Location: Remote – you can work from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships is an entirely virtual, eight-week program connecting you with startups tackling problems across sectors such as tech, healthcare, journalism, and AI. You'll be matched with a startup and a dedicated Ladder Coach, working on projects that require critical thinking and creativity. The experience emphasizes independent contribution, weekly check-ins, and presentation of your work to company teams at the end of the term. Instead of working in a traditional lab, you'll be embedded in a dynamic business environment where you’ll gain insight into how research and development take place in startups. If you’re looking for a more extensive commitment, the Combination Program adds a CEO internship element, allowing you to work closely with startup founders alongside the mentored research.

3. Broad Scholars Summer Program

Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge
Stipend: $3600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors who are US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorization (i.e. DACA), attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad, and have earned a B or higher in science and math classes 

The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) brings together rising high school seniors for six weeks of scientific research at the Broad Institute. You’ll be paired with a Broad scientist and take on your own research project in areas like cancer biology, infectious disease, computational biology, or chemical biology. The research opportunity also includes a college fair, social events, and workshops on scientific communication, including how to prepare posters and present findings. You’ll also get tutoring in scientific concepts related to your project, plus exposure to both experimental and computational techniques.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
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: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

This remote program gives you the chance to design and carry out a research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor, usually over the course of 12 weeks. Lumiere allows for specialization in a wide range of STEM topics, from neuroscience and biotechnology to computer science and economics, and is designed to prepare your work for publication or submission to competitions. You’ll work independently but with regular guidance from your mentor, gradually producing a formal research paper that reflects your interests and depth of study. This can be especially useful if you're aiming to explore college-level research without committing to a residential summer program. 

5. LEAH Knox Scholars Program 

Location: Cambridge and Boston
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July - August
Application deadline: Applications are typically open from January - March annually
Eligibility: Boston-Area Public School students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the first day of the program

If you're a rising junior or senior from the greater Boston area and interested in a long-term pathway into science, the LEAH Knox Scholars Program offers a two-year experience. In the first summer, you’ll participate in a paid five-week lab skills course at MIT, where you’ll learn foundational techniques and attend career-building workshops. The following summer, you’ll be placed in a research lab in Boston or Cambridge for a six-week internship, gaining experience in a scientific environment. During the school year, you’ll have access to a paid STEM teaching internship, one-on-one mentoring, and monthly events like lab visits and college readiness sessions.

6. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Location: Northeastern University, Boston
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents  

Through the YSP at Northeastern University, you’ll spend six weeks immersed in research within university laboratories across engineering, health sciences, and more. You’ll be assigned a mentor and work on a real research problem; past topics have ranged from battery chemistry and biomedical sensors to cancer drug resistance and agent-based modeling. The experience is rounded out with seminars led by faculty, career exploration sessions, and site visits to local tech companies and research centers. You'll also get a better understanding of college pathways in science and engineering through individualized advising and group discussions. 

7. √Mathroots @ MIT

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 1–15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or attending high school in the U.S. (before the last year of high school) who are between the ages of 14-18

√Mathroots is a two-week summer program hosted by MIT PRIMES for students who are eager to explore mathematical thinking. You’ll take part in a mix of problem-solving sessions, lectures, and group activities designed to introduce you to creative and advanced topics not typically covered in school. The curriculum emphasizes proof-based reasoning and elegant mathematical ideas, with plenty of opportunities to collaborate and engage with peers who share your interests. The program also includes guest lectures from professional mathematicians and mentors with experience in both research and competition math. Students are expected to be comfortable with algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and precalculus, but the focus is on how to approach problems creatively and analytically.

8. MIT Think Scholars Program

Location: Virtual and MIT campus, Cambridge
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February–June
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students with permanent residence in the U.S.

Instead of submitting a completed project, you’ll apply with a detailed proposal outlining your goals, background research, and timeline. If selected as a finalist, you’ll receive up to $1,000 to carry out your project and be paired with MIT student mentors who support your progress throughout the semester. While the program is primarily virtual, finalists may also visit MIT’s campus to meet researchers, tour labs, and present their work. Your final output includes a research paper and presentation, developed with continuous feedback from the THINK team. Project topics can span science, engineering, or technology, provided they’re feasible within the program’s scope. 

9. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)

Location: Tufts University, Boston
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 1–August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program and reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy.

TUBERS invites high school students to immerse themselves in biomedical engineering labs at Tufts University, working closely with research teams to study cells, tissues, and systems. You’ll learn research protocols, test hypotheses, and engage in critical thinking as you complete a project from start to finish. Daily lab work is combined with mentorship from university researchers, giving you an insider’s look into academic life and scientific inquiry. Students are encouraged to use their research in local or national competitions, with support from lab mentors. The program concludes with a presentation of findings to peers, parents, and faculty.

10. Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE)

Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge
Cost: No cost; stipend $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission, small cohort
Dates: June 9 – August 8
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to rising or graduating seniors who are 16 years old or older

The Summer Experience at Ragon Institute engages high school students in immunology research through a blend of lab work, seminars, and community activities. You’ll begin with a one-week orientation that covers the institute’s mission, lab safety, and what to expect from your role as a research intern. Over the next several weeks, you'll work about 25 hours per week in a lab, participate in a twice-weekly immunology course, and attend lectures and journal clubs. There are also workshops on college applications and career planning, as well as team-building activities and field trips to other science institutions. The program ends with a formal presentation of your work to the larger institute community. 

11. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship

Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including Cambridge and Boston
Cost: Free; stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by location; typically June–August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old to qualify

The AEOP High School Apprenticeship program places students in research labs affiliated with the U.S. Army Research Office for a valuable summer experience. You’ll work under the supervision of a professional scientist or engineer, contributing to a project in fields such as regenerative medicine, materials science, nanotechnology, or chemical defense. This is a commuter program that includes a stipend and requires submission of a formal research abstract at the end. In addition to lab work, you'll join virtual sessions hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology on topics like applying to college and careers in STEM fields. 

12. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)

Location: Boston University campus
Stipend: Up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: Open to current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston who are at least sixteen years old by July 1

GROW is a six-week summer program at Boston University that allows rising high school seniors to engage in research within university labs across disciplines like biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science. After a two-day orientation, each student is placed in a lab and joins an ongoing project alongside faculty and graduate mentors. You’ll meet regularly with the program coordinator to discuss your progress and prepare for a final summer symposium, where you'll present your work to peers and guests. In addition to research, the program includes career talks, STEM-focused site visits, and workshops designed to strengthen your science communication skills. 

13. sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, small cohort
Dates: June 23–August 8
Application deadline: Rolling 
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (preference is given to students underrepresented in neuroscience or without prior research experience)

This free, virtual research opportunity immerses high school students in neuroscience research using openly accessible tools and resources. You’ll develop your own independent project, supported by weekly lectures, journal clubs, and meetings with a volunteer mentor who provides feedback and check-ins. By the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a 10- to 15-minute talk and write a formal paper, which some students later submit to student journals. The curriculum allows you to follow your interests within the field of neuroscience, and all core sessions are recorded, giving you flexibility in how you engage.

14. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application deadline: February 7 - March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)

In this six-week virtual summer program, you'll study neuroscience topics with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly how these affect underrepresented communities. Through structured three-hour sessions held three times a week, you'll engage in seminars, journal discussions, and research mentorship while learning about health disparities and cultural sensitivity in science. The experience is designed to increase diversity in neuroscience and build your understanding of both the science and the community challenges related to brain diseases. By the end, you’ll complete a mentored research project and become more familiar with the research process. The sessions also include exposure to clinical and academic perspectives via neurology grand rounds and lectures.

15. BU RISE Internship

Location: Boston University campus
Cost: $5,700 tuition (plus other additional costs)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 110-130 students
Dates: Residential: June 29–August 8 | Commuter: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Open to students entering their senior year of high school in the fall who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents

RISE is a six-week summer program where you’ll get to work full-time in a Boston University lab under the guidance of faculty and graduate researchers. You can choose between two tracks: Internship or Practicum. In the Internship track, you’ll contribute to an ongoing research project in fields like neuroscience, public health, or engineering, gaining direct lab experience and presenting your findings at a poster symposium. The Practicum track is more structured, focusing on computational neurobiology or data science through lectures and group research. Both tracks include professional development workshops and networking with local biotech companies. The research opportunity is open to rising seniors and offers a deep dive into academic research and the scientific process. 

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