15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Toronto
If you are a high school student in Toronto, research programs, specialized courses, and internships can offer an affordable and effective way to build practical skills, gain industry exposure, and form meaningful connections.
The research opportunities for high school students in Toronto below are hosted by leading universities and prestigious organizations such as the University of Toronto and the Toronto Metropolitan University. These programs allow students to explore their interests deeply without the high costs of other academic options, housing, and travel.
Whether interested in medicine, science, or other fields, research opportunities for high school students in Toronto are a great way to experience real-world work and strengthen your profiles for the future.
We’ve curated a list of the top 15 research opportunities for high school students in Toronto for you to explore and excel. They also include a few virtual research opportunities that allow students in Toronto to apply.
15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Toronto
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: Very competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors | 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program provides high school students with a paid, eight-week summer internship in the field of fisheries science. You will work full-time alongside a professional mentor in their local community, gaining hands-on experience with aquatic ecosystems in marine and freshwater environments. Duties can include monitoring fish populations, restoring habitats, snorkeling, examining specimens under microscopes, water quality testing, data processing, electrofishing, or participating in educational outreach efforts. As part of the program, you will be expected to submit regular timesheets and progress reports. Internship placements differ, offering diverse settings such as the outdoors, laboratories, or even on boats.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
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; apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships provides motivated high school students with hands-on experience by interning at fast-growing start-ups. You will be matched with dynamic, high-growth start-ups, many of which are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. During the 8-week virtual internship, you will collaborate on real projects under the guidance of a start-up manager and receive additional support from a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program offers remote internship opportunities across diverse industries, including technology, AI/ML, deep tech, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more, all accessible through their application form. It culminates with students presenting their contributions directly to the company.
3. SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program
Location: The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, ON
Stipend: Minimum wage and 6% vacation pay
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Early May - Mid August
Application Deadline: Typically early sprint (March-April)
Eligibility: High school students in their final year
The SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct summer research under the guidance of a SickKids scientist. The program begins with an orientation and lab safety training, covering topics like clinical research ethics, fire safety, and workplace health. Throughout the summer, you will attend weekly lectures by prominent scientists, exploring a wide range of research in health and disease. Skills-based workshops will help you develop strong abstracts, create impressive posters, and build networking confidence. The experience concludes with Symposium Day, where you will showcase your research and compete for awards in poster and oral presentations.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
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 | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research initiative designed exclusively for high school students. It provides personalized, one-on-one research opportunities across a wide variety of academic disciplines. You will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor to collaboratively develop and carry out an independent research project. Throughout the 12-week program, you will work toward producing and submitting your research paper and be eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD. Available research fields include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and many others. To learn more about how to apply, click here.
5. SickKids Students Advancing Research Program (StAR)
Location: The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, ON
Stipend: Paid, amount unspecified
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 6 weeks in the Summer
Application Deadline: Typically late February or early March
Eligibility: Black, Filipino, or Indigenous 11th-12th graders | At least 16 years old by start date | Must have previously taken Grade 10 Science
The StAR (Students Advancing Research) Program provides high school students with a paid six-week summer internship in a premier research laboratory at SickKids. You will join a lab team, carry out an independent research project on-site, and share your results at a culminating research symposium. Through the Kids Science initiative, the program also offers mentorship and career development opportunities, allowing you to engage with leading scientists and healthcare professionals. StAR will help you strengthen your research techniques, develop essential lab skills, and gain insight into STEM careers, all while connecting with like-minded peers.
6. Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program
Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: None | Stipend paid, amount unspecified
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 2
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a high school student | At least 16 years of age by July 1 | Strong academic standing in math and sciences | Legally authorized to work in Canada
The Focused Ultrasound Summer Research Program allows high school students to delve into the nuances of medical research. You will support projects in areas such as engineering, experimental biology, programming, and technology development within the FUS Lab and get hands-on knowledge. Supervisors provide training in essential skills, including introductory coding, to help you contribute meaningfully to existing projects. The program aims to spark interest in future careers in science, engineering, and healthcare innovation. Some of the past projects in this program included image-guided ultrasound potential therapies, opening of the blood-brain barrier for molecular imaging, ultrasound therapy delivery through intact skulls, etc.
7. RBC Summer Tech Labs Program
Location: Hybrid with in-person at downtown Toronto
Stipend: Paid, exact hourly rate will be mentioned in the offer letter
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 2 - August 20
Application Deadline: Typically closes several months before the summer start, with applications reopening in Spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12
The RBC Summer Tech Labs Program is a paid eight-week internship where you will collaborate with teams to tackle technology problems. The program kicks off with onboarding, setting up your tech tools, and coding refreshers. Working in groups of four, you will use agile practices to develop and deliver solutions on a weekly basis. Each week features progress presentations, constructive feedback, and new challenges to address. The experience also offers mentorship, tech talks, and networking opportunities with RBC professionals. You will gain practical experience deploying code and enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment.
8. Medicine Youth Summer Program
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: $1,668 per module
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies as per module; dates between July 7 and August 1
Application Deadline: Registrations are open till spots are filled up
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 | Students in grade 9 are eligible for Module 4: Microbiology - Learn To Appreciate The Little Things In Life
The Medicine Youth Summer Program (Med YSP) offers high school students a chance to explore medicine and biology at the University of Toronto. You can select from four one-week modules: Human Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Microbiology. The program blends lectures, hands-on lab experiments, and interactive activities such as polygraph testing, analyzing antibiotic resistance, and applying crime scene investigation methods. You can also take part in discussions on the ethical implications and societal impact of medical research, all while building foundational skills for future health science studies. The program is also open for international students.
9. University of Toronto’s Engineering Outreach Programs - Blueprint
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Black high school students in grades 10 & 11
Blueprint is a four-week summer academic enrichment program designed for Black high school students passionate about science and engineering, followed by a program of year-long engagement. You’ll learn the engineering design process and apply it to real-world challenges through innovative, hands-on projects. The program includes two engineering-focused courses, such as Engineering and Human Health or Mechatronics and Automation, where you’ll explore fundamental concepts and conduct laboratory experiments. Master’s and doctoral students teach the courses, with mentorship from undergraduate engineering students. Beyond the summer, Blueprint offers year-long workshops to develop leadership skills and prepare you for higher education.
10. CREATE: Engineering Design Challenges
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: $725/week for domestic students; $1,100/week for international students + $135 non-refundable deposit; $100-$150 discounts available depending on duration enrolled for
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: July 7–August 22
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed in 4 rounds with varying deadlines for each
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
CREATE: Engineering Design Challenges is a week-long academic summer program designed for high school students interested in science and engineering. It emphasizes engineering design challenges that are similar to undergraduate programs within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. You’ll explore cutting-edge research and also get to work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Guided by undergraduate and graduate mentors, you’ll tackle hands-on projects, lab experiments, and site visits to solve real-world problems using the Engineering Design Cycle. Course options include topics like robotics, biomedical devices, sustainable design, artificial intelligence, and more. Throughout the program, you’re encouraged to ask questions and develop meaningful solutions.
11. Intern Abroad HQ - Remote Marine Ecology Internship: Hosted out of Greece
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,099 - $1,799
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Flexible, year-round start and end dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
The Remote Marine Ecology Internship out of Greece allows high school students to contribute to real-world marine conservation research. Hosted by a respected non-profit NGO, you’ll assist by analyzing video data collected during field surveys of Mediterranean habitats. Projects focus on key issues such as carbon sequestration in seagrass meadows, invasive species monitoring, biodiversity assessment, and artificial reef success. You will also help evaluate seagrass as a nursery for fish and invertebrates by studying species behavior and density, and get a thorough understanding of the health of the Mediterranean marine environments. All data contribute directly to regional conservation strategies and scientific databases.
12. Intern Abroad HQ - Remote Finance Internships: Hosted out of Spain
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,099 - $1,799
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Flexible, year-round start and end dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
Intern Abroad HQ’s Remote Finance Internships, hosted out of Spain, place students in companies from varying fields such as business, sports, communication, real estate, taxes, labor consultancy, venture capital, accountancy, and more. You will be placed in company finance departments where you will provide research, analysis, and insight into diverse financial variables. Daily tasks often involve investment analysis, budget planning, and assessing company performance. Projects may include competitor research, attending virtual conferences, and managing financial projects. Each placement is customized to suit your specific skills and career interests. This fully remote internship enhances your resume while offering flexibility and practical finance experience.
13. University of Toronto - SPRINT
Location: University of Toronto St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: None
Cohort Size: Typically 50+ students
Dates: July 15 - 26 (based on last year’s program)
Application Deadline: Typically spring; a random lottery is used to select participants
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in and attending a high school in Ontario | Not participated in the program before | Priority is given to applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black, and racialized and/or members of other historically underrepresented social groups
SPRINT at the University of Toronto is a free summer program for Ontario high school students eager to learn about psychology and research. The program offers two paths: the Lecture Stream for foundational learning, and the Research Stream, where you will craft a group research proposal. You will be guided by graduates, post-doc researchers, and volunteers, faculty, staff, librarians, and community advocates. Activities include lectures, demonstrations, panels, and hands-on exercises inspired by university classes. You’ll meet researchers, hear about new studies, and talk to undergraduates about life at university. The program also fosters connections among students passionate about psychology.
14. DEEP Summer Academy
Location: University of Toronto St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: $725/week for domestic students; $1,100/week for international students + $135 non-refundable deposit; $100-$150 discounts available depending on duration enrolled for
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions running from July - August
Application Deadline: Round 1: March 23 | Round 2: April 13
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) Summer Academy, organized by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, offers high school students an immersive STEM experience via diverse courses. You will engage in advanced coursework in engineering, science, and technology, gaining hands-on experience with real equipment. Instructors are graduate researchers, PhD candidates, and Master’s and undergraduate students, who bring expertise and mentorship to the program. The environment is collaborative, encouraging students to take risks and think critically. You will connect with peers who share their interests while building their STEM abilities.
15. Women’s College Hospital - Emily Stowe Scholars Program
Location: Women's College Hospital, Grenville St, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: None | Stipend paid, amount unspecified
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized women, 2SLGBTQI+, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and persons with a disability | Enrolled in grade 11 or 12 of high school and/or will be graduating in June | Must have previously taken grade 11/12 Biology and Chemistry
The Emily Stowe Scholars Program gives high school students identifying as Black, Indigenous, or racialized women, 2SLGBTQI+, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and persons with a disability, the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in health sciences research at Women’s College Hospital. Over six full-time weeks in the summer, you will work on current research projects alongside professionals in the field. Weekly seminars, panel discussions, and networking events will give you additional insight into health sciences careers. You will also meet in groups each week to discuss your progress and share your learning with peers. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your learnings at a Research Symposium.
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