15 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
If you’re a high school student, research can be one of the best ways to push your learning beyond textbooks. It gives you the chance to ask new questions, test ideas, and develop problem-solving skills that colleges value. Instead of just studying concepts, you actually get to apply them in real projects.
Choosing a local program makes this even more practical. Staying closer to home reduces the cost of travel and housing, and it also lets you build connections with mentors and institutions in your own community—relationships that can continue well beyond summer.
Georgia, in particular, is a strong place to begin your research journey. The state is home to leading universities and research centers like Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia, which open their labs and programs to motivated high school students. Whether your interest lies in public health, environmental science, law, engineering, or the arts, there are opportunities here that give you hands-on experience while strengthening your academic skills.
Below, you’ll find 15 of the best summer research programs in Georgia designed for high school students like you. Some are residential, some are local day programs, and others are virtual—so you can find an option that fits your goals and circumstances.
15 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
1. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Atlanta, GA (In-person)
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February–March (tentative)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors living in or near Atlanta | Must attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Dekalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwyneth County School Districts | Completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program
In this four-week program, you’ll explore how large-scale tech products move from concept to design. You’ll work in small teams on a development project for a Microsoft product group, focusing on identifying user needs and creating design-phase solutions. You will also attend sessions on Microsoft technologies and learn about roles such as software engineering, product management, and UX design. You will collaborate with peers and receive guidance from Microsoft professionals, which will help you develop problem-solving abilities. No prior technical background is required, as the program is designed to build foundational thinking. By the end, you’ll have an insight into how ideas become real products.
2. Ladder’s CEO Internship Program + Mentored Researched Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / None
Acceptance rate: Around 10% / 70-100 students
Dates: Varies by cohort (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter); 8 weeks + 15 weeks research program
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5-10 hours/week for 23 weeks
Ladder CEO Internship Program and Mentored Research Program, created by Harvard alumni, provide high school students with remote opportunities to work on substantial projects for startups, many of which are led by founders with backgrounds at top firms such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. During this 8-week internship, you will address practical business problems while working closely with startup founders. Concurrently, the 15-week research segment connects you with experienced mentors who support you in creating a comprehensive, college-quality research paper. You will participate in meetings with industry leaders, prepare and deliver project milestones, and benefit from thorough feedback and professional guidance. Additional activities involve consistent project discussions, collaborating with experts in the field, and presenting your final work to the company.
3. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 8 – 16
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders interested in STEM
The Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) is a free, residential summer program for rising 11th and 12th-grade students interested in engineering, science, math, or technology. You’ll engage in lab experiments, technical workshops, and group problem-solving activities across engineering disciplines. Faculty and student mentors will guide you as you explore how different fields intersect to address complex challenges. You’ll take part in projects that mirror the engineering design process, from concept to testing. Facility tours and admissions sessions are included to give you a broader view of engineering education. You’ll work closely with peers in collaborative settings, applying both technical and creative thinking.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available / None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year; Summer I cohort: June 2; Summer II cohort: July 14
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer I: May 11; Summer II: June 23
Eligibility: 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)
In this 12-week program, you’ll work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to produce a full-length academic research paper. You’ll select a topic, refine your research question, and receive guidance at each stage of the writing process. You’ll complete a 15-page paper and present your work at the Lumiere Research Symposium. The curriculum includes methodology workshops, writing support, and peer discussions. Research areas encompass data science, economics, gender studies, and engineering, with the flexibility to propose your own focus. You will also be eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). You can find more details about the application here.
5. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: Atlanta, GA – In-person
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 23–27; July 21–25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+)
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is an interdisciplinary, academic day camp designed for high school students in the summer before their junior or senior years. This one-week program introduces you to the core principles of epidemiology and public health. You’ll take part in activities such as mock outbreak simulations, environmental health investigations, and policy discussions. You’ll learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data to understand and prevent health threats. Each day includes hands-on exercises that connect science to real-world decision-making. Working in teams, you’ll solve challenges modeled on actual public health cases. By the end, you’ll understand the role of data in shaping health outcomes.
6. Emory Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,400
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Early February (typical)
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors (16+ by start date)
This six-week program is a prestigious and fully funded research experience tailored for ambitious high school students considering careers in cancer research, medicine, or related STEM fields. It places you in a laboratory or clinical research setting focused on oncology. You’ll work with a faculty mentor to design, conduct, and analyse a cancer-related research project. You’ll also attend lectures by oncologists and scientists covering topics like cancer biology, treatment development, and public health. Field trips to institutions such as the CDC Museum and Georgia Tech are part of the schedule. Your work will culminate in a formal presentation at a research symposium. You’ll gain experience in scientific processes while developing communication skills.
7. UGA Young Scholars Internship Program
Location: Athens, Griffin, or Tifton, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid, amount unspecified
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – 10
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by the program start date | Have completed sophomore year | Completed one of high school science course including laboratory and one algebra semester
The UGA Young Scholars Internship Program is a paid five-week summer research internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. You’ll work 30 hours a week on an individual project under the supervision of a UGA faculty member. Your research will lead to a poster presentation at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference. Workshops and site visits will show how science applies to food systems and environmental management. You’ll also develop practical skills in data collection and analysis. The program provides a realistic view of scientific careers in agriculture and related fields.
8. SCAD Rising Star
Location: Savannah and Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $6,490; scholarships available / None
Acceptance rate: Low selectivity
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: At least 30 days before program start (applications open September 1)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The SCAD Rising Star program in Georgia is an intensive four-week pre-college experience designed for rising high school seniors ready for college-level work. You’ll take two college-level courses taught by SCAD faculty in subjects related to your creative interests. You’ll work in professional-grade studios and labs, building a portfolio that reflects your skills and growth. Class critiques and instructor feedback will help refine your work. You’ll also learn to use tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and explore career paths in creative industries. The structure mirrors the pace and rigor of first-year college courses. It also allows you to earn up to 10 college credits.
9. Oxford College Summer Experience Program
Location: Oxford, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders from Newton County and Putnam County Charter School Systems
The Oxford College Summer Experience Program by Oxford College of Emory University is a week-long immersive summer program for high school students from specified local school systems. You’ll study subjects such as political science, chemistry, and English with Oxford College faculty. You’ll also attend sessions on admissions, financial aid, and academic planning to prepare for college applications. The schedule includes field trips, team-building exercises, and wellness activities. Interaction with faculty and peers will help you develop study strategies and confidence in a college environment. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of how to align high school choices with your future goals.
10. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,000
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: May 28 – July 18
Application Deadline: Mid to late March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the Atlanta metropolitan area
The Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) is a paid six-week internship for high school juniors and seniors in the Atlanta area that offers placements in local law firms, government agencies, and corporations. You’ll gain firsthand experience with legal research, writing, and document preparation. You’ll work with attorneys and other professionals who will guide your understanding of legal processes. Weekly assignments will explore current legal issues, and you’ll complete a 750-word essay analyzing a Supreme Court case. The program combines workplace learning with academic components. By the end, you’ll have practical knowledge of the legal field and its career paths.
11. Georgia Tech Science, Technology, and Engineering Pipeline (STEP) Program
Location: Albany, GA or Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Exact dates not specified; typically 3 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: Typically entire March as per sites
Eligibility: High school students who are Georgia residents and are at least 16 by the program’s start
The Georgia Tech STEP Program is a free, two-week summer day camp held in Georgia, designed for Georgia high school students aged 16+ to engage in aerospace engineering projects. You’ll work in teams to design and build solutions to NASA-inspired problems, such as autonomous rovers, modifying a baseline model that would be useful for future Mars missions, and creating an ultra-light rover that can complete a course in very little time. You’ll receive training in design principles, prototyping, and testing in Georgia Tech’s Yang Aero Maker Space. Faculty and student mentors will guide your progress from concept to final product. The program ends with a showcase event where you present your project.
12. Governor’s Honors Program
Location: Statesboro, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: 20-21%
Dates: June 14 – July 11
Application Deadline: November 11 (school nominations), January 9 (student applications)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (currently 10th and 11th graders) in Georgia public, private, or home schools.
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a fully funded, four-week summer residential program held at Georgia Southern University for intellectually gifted and artistically talented rising juniors and seniors in Georgia high schools. It offers advanced study in academic and artistic disciplines. You’ll focus on one major area, such as engineering, computer science, visual arts, or world languages. You’ll participate in daily classes that emphasize discussion, problem-solving, and creative exploration. Evenings feature lectures, performances, and collaborative activities. The program is designed to deepen subject expertise without the pressure of grades or tests. It provides a strong academic challenge in a supportive environment.
13. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $600 (Option 1); $1,000 (Option 2) / None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Option 1 (3-week healthcare-anatomy-lab session): June 2 – 20; Option 2 (6-week Authentic Research Experience): June 3 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Option 1: High school students in grades 9-12; Option 2: Rising 10th through rising 12th grade student | Overall GPA 3.0 (both)
This pipeline program is aimed at increasing representation in medicine, health professions, and the scientific workforce by offering educational opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) disciplines. The three-week summer session includes healthcare app development, anatomy, health career explorations, laboratory techniques, and college workshops. It aims to provide hands-on experiences and educational workshops that introduce students to various aspects of healthcare and biomedical science. The six-week program immerses students directly in biomedical research by pairing them with an MSM research mentor. Participants engage in scientific investigations, gaining hands-on laboratory experience and exposure to health equity and careers in health professions.
14. VOX Media Café
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $100 refundable deposit (waivers available) / None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 2–13; Session 2: June 16–27
Application Deadline: April-May (typically)
Eligibility: Metro-Atlanta teens aged 13–19
The VOX Media Café is a summer multimedia production program hosted by VOX ATL (a non-profit organization affiliated with Vox Media), focused on introducing teens to multimedia production, journalism, and public speaking. It teaches journalism, podcasting, photography, and video production to aspiring students. You’ll work in small groups to create a multimedia project for VOX ATL’s platforms. You’ll learn interviewing, editing, public speaking, and visual storytelling from local media professionals. Field trips will connect you with Atlanta’s creative community. Each participant will contribute to a final article, video, podcast, or photo essay, with a focus on producing publishable work while practicing teamwork.
15. EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century
Location: Milledgeville, GA – In-person
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Georgia residents who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century is a competitive, week-long residential leadership development program focused on STEM and environmental sustainability. It combines STEM learning with leadership training around environmental themes, where you’ll attend workshops, team exercises, and discussions with professionals in energy, engineering, and sustainability. You’ll also visit Georgia Power and other partner sites to see how environmental challenges are addressed in industry. Topics include climate change, infrastructure, and corporate responsibility. A preparatory orientation in April builds foundational leadership skills. The program fosters both technical understanding and community engagement. You will stay in dormitories, eat in dining halls, and engage in diverse workshops, team-building, and professional development activities.
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