16 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Texas

If you’re a high school student looking to engage in a field outside the typical classroom curriculum, research is a solid way to go about it! 

One way to work on a research project of your own is by joining a research program. Research programs offer a great opportunity for high school students to explore a subject, apply their academic understanding to solve problems, and examine advanced concepts. You’ll gain an understanding of how research works and learn lab techniques, formulating questions, and interpreting results. 

Many of these summer research programs are residential, which will help you build connections with peers and immerse yourself in your chosen field. 

If you’re based in Texas, look no further!Texas is home to many universities and labs that offer summer research programs for high school students, and can be an affordable way to engage in research for you. We’ve narrowed down the list of the top 16 summer research programs for high school students in Texas. 

1. High School Research Academy (HSRA)

Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000 (Need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 9 - July 16 (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior for the upcoming year; 15 years or older; preference given to Texas residents

The High School Research Academy (HSRA) is an interdisciplinary summer research program. You’ll work on a lab-based research project in fields such as biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science, genomics, molecular biology, and physics. You will be matched to a research group and receive mentorship from faculty researchers and undergraduate students. 

Previous interns have worked on research projects in subjects such as cancer genomics, materials science and energy, and medicinal chemistry, with a focus on infectious diseases. The program includes weekly seminars by faculty and researchers. You will get to present your research project at the closing symposium at the end of the program. Selection is based on a personal essay and alignment of research interests with the program.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Application deadline: Fall Cohort deadline is August 24; Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November) 
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Virtual 
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts. 
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here. 

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.

4. Welch Summer Scholar Program

Location: Various Universities based in Texas
Cost: Free (housing, on-campus meals, and laboratory expenses covered)
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 8 to July 11 (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school sophomore or junior students who attend school in Texas

The Welch Summer Scholar Program (WSSP) is a five-week residency program where you’ll get research training at a Texas University. You’ll work on a chemistry-based scientific research project and receive mentorship from faculty members and graduate students in the field of your choice. 

Previous interns have worked on research projects such as fuel cell optimization and energy efficiency, rapid diagnostics for viral detection in humans, and detection of trace metals in biological systems. Additional activities include tours of research facilities, assignments, and an on-campus college experience. You will have to present your research findings at the end of the program. Selection is highly competitive with a small cohort, and the selection committee will consider SAT and ACT scores, extracurriculars, academic standing, writing, and teacher recommendations.

5. NanoExplorers

Location: Nanotech Institute, University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors

The NanoExplorers is a nanotechnology-based program in which you’ll be working on original research and exploring career pathways in STEM and engineering. During the program, you’ll join a faculty member’s research lab based on your interests and projects. You’ll receive mentoring in formulating research questions, research techniques, lab safety, teamwork, and working with new concepts. Students will present their research work at the NanoTech Institutes’ annual research symposium. 

6. Greehey CCRI Donald G McEwen Memorial Summer Research Program

Location: Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; 16 or older

The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute provides you with the opportunity to do hypothesis-driven research on childhood cancer. You will gain practical experience with research methods and technologies used in both basic and translational science. Working alongside cancer researchers will help you discover the latest advancements and challenges in the field. The program covers areas such as genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular imaging using advanced research facilities. Research topics you can work on include cancer genomics, RNA biology and microRNA, DNA damage & repair, pediatric preclinical therapeutics, drug development, and epigenetics. You will present your data, defend your conclusions, and share your summer research experience at a research symposium at the end of the program. 

7. MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX
Stipend: $6,800
Cohort Size: Up to 12 students
Dates: June 2 - August 8 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors who are 18 or older

The MD Anderson Cancer Center allows you to conduct research and explore career paths in allied health. As part of the program, you’ll participate in a research project in a biomedical discipline under the mentorship of a faculty member. You’ll gain practical and research experience and understand what it is like to be a biomedical researcher. Mentors will teach you about new advances in the field. You can choose to do basic or translational research in the field of your choice. The program includes seminars, activities, and competitions to keep you engaged. You’ll present your experience at the end of the program. 

8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free (includes meals, housing, and programming; $25 application fee)
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Must be at least 17 by the program start date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University. You’ll gain practical research experience, receive mentorship from faculty, and work in the health science center. Research areas you can work in include biology, cellular & microbiology, and cancer biology, among others. The program includes field trips, weekly seminars, and discussions. Selection is highly competitive and is based on teacher recommendations, academics, SAT scores, and career objectives. 

9. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)

Location: Center for Space Research, Cockrell School of Engineering, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Online learning modules - June - July 5 | On-site internship - July 6 - July 19
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; 16 or older; U.S. citizens

The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science is an internship program where you can explore career paths in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. You’ll receive mentorship from scientists and engineers, learn how to conduct earth and space research, and interpret NASA satellite data. Research areas you can work on include astronomy, remote sensing, space geodetic techniques, natural hazards, and climate science. You will learn how to analyse NASA satellite data to study Earth systems, along with the fundamentals of remote sensing and space mission design. You will present your research in a virtual symposium at the end of the program. 

10. UT DALLAS CS Summer Research Program 

Location: UT Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $1,000 (lab fee); $700 (In-person workshop); $600 (Virtual workshop)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March (Tentative based on previous year)
Eligibility: Students finishing 10th and 11th grade; 16 or older by start date

UT Dallas’ CS Summer Research program is designed for those interested in studying computer science engineering in college. As an Intensive Research intern, you’ll be spending your time in CS labs conducting simulations, developing apps, and analyzing research papers. You can also participate in Summer Research Workshops, where you’ll attend college-level classes, focus on a specific research area, and work towards a final project. Workshop topics include Python programming, data processing, machine learning, AI/ML model building, and deep neural nets. You will get to present your research at the end. The program is selective as each lab has limited capacity. 

11. High School Emerging Researcher Experience

Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 8  August 1 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not disclosed
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by the start of the program; current high school juniors and seniors; Minimum 3.5 GPA

The High School Emerging Research Experience is an 8-week summer research program where you’ll get to work on translational research at the Houston Methodist Hospital. You will be matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects in fields such as radiology, immunobiology, neurosciences, and nanomedicine. You will receive instruction in laboratory techniques, with a focus on biomedical research methods and practices. Interns will present poster presentations of their work during the summer in a research symposium. The program includes prep for college applications, professional development, sports events, seminars, and lectures. 

12. Summer Research Opportunities (STARS)

Location: Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Summer (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older

The Summer Research Opportunities is an 8-week program for high school students to work on biomedical research alongside a faculty host in a research lab. You’ll gain practical lab experience, training in research methods, and mentorship from biomedical researchers. Your research work will be based on topics such as biomedical sciences, molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, and cancer research. The program includes seminars on different biomedical-related topics from faculty members and researchers, informative programs, and research-based training. You will also build skills in communication and public speaking by presenting the results of your research at the end of the program at your school as an emissary of the program.

13. Texas A&M University PATHS-UP Program

Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate:
Dates: June 9 – July 27
Application Deadline: Summer (exact dates not specified)
Eligibility: 16 or older; Current or permanent U.S. residents; Los Fresnos CISD or Sharyland ISD, or South Texas ISD high school sophomores or juniors

The PATHS-UP Program is a three-week residential engineering research program offered by Texas A&M University. The program focuses on research in the field of health sciences, engineering, and biomedical research. As an intern, you’ll conduct lab research in biomedical engineering and health technologies, learn how to conduct literature searches, read scientific papers, and build a peer network. You will attend classes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that connect back to your research. The program also includes seminars, meetings, discussions, and college discovery discussions. You’ll present your summer experience in a virtual research symposium at the end of the program. 

14. DACCPM Summer Research Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 18 or older

The DACCPM Summer Research Program is a 10-week research program where you will get matched with a faculty mentor and work on a research project. You will get training on conducting basic research, lab safety practices, collecting and presenting data, and performing literature reviews. You will work on cancer research, including topics such as opioids, chemotherapy-induced pain, perioperative immune function, and factors influencing cancer recurrence. One half of the program will be dedicated to a cancer biology boot camp, and you’ll receive study material at the start. The program also includes professional development training, prep for graduate school applications, and career exploration. You will showcase your research project at a poster symposium at the end of the program. 

15. Honors Summer Math Camp

Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
Cost: $ 6,600 (scholarships available on a financial need basis)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: High school students

The Honors Summer Math Camp is a summer program for high school students interested in exploring career paths in fields such as math, science, and engineering. You’ll learn how to conduct your research and work on a faculty-mentored research project. Previous interns have worked on topics such as quantum computing, abstract algebra, geometry, graph theory, number theory, dynamical systems, machine learning, and optimization algorithms. The program features advanced math classes, group sessions, guest lectures, working on daily problem sets, and field trips. You will be introduced to topics such as combinatorics, abstract algebra, topology, and analysis to build a firm understanding of the subject. You can also conduct original research in teams and participate in research competitions. 

16. MohanLab Summer Internship Program

Location: Science & Engineering Research Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

The MohanLab Summer Internship program is for high school students interested in conducting STEM research and exploring careers in biomedical, medical, bioengineering, and health-related fields. The internships begin with 2 weeks of instruction, where you’ll learn about basic laboratory techniques. Over the next 8 weeks, you’ll get the opportunity to conduct basic research under the mentorship of a scientist or graduate student. Previous interns have worked on topics including fibrosis biomarkers, diagnostic antibodies, medical AI, blood-brain barrier integrity, AI in pathology, and kidney bioprinting. You’ll present your research findings at the end of the program. Interns can choose to extend their research with the lab beyond the internship period. Selection is competitive and requires a resume, essay, and two teacher recommendations. 

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