15 Summer Science Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student who likes science, consider participating in a science research program over the summer. Summer science research programs offer you a valuable opportunity to explore new fields within science, develop skills, and gain exposure to academic or professional work. As an intern in these programs, you may work in laboratory settings, collaborate on projects, and receive guidance from mentors. Completing a research program in high school can also set you apart in the college admissions process by showing your interest and ability in the field.
These programs expand your knowledge and help you identify areas of science that align with your interests, potentially influencing your future career path. Many universities, hospitals, and organizations across the U.S. offer structured summer programs that allow high schoolers to conduct science research. Below is a list of 15 great summer science research programs for high school students, including internships, mentored projects, and academic research experiences.
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free (covers tuition, housing, and meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 80 students, highly selective
Program Dates: June 22 - August 2 (six weeks)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a strong academic and research background
MIT’s Research Science Institute is one of the leading summer science research programs for high school students. Your summer at RSI begins with a week of seminars in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, math, and the humanities. After that, you dive into a full research placement under the guidance of a mentor. From week two, you’ll spend long hours in a lab or research center, using advanced resources to design and complete your own project. But RSI isn’t just about lab work. You’ll also attend evening lectures from leaders in science and technology, use MIT’s computing tools, and learn how to prepare research papers and conference-style presentations. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings to professionals and other students, with top projects even earning special recognition. Alongside academics, you’ll also enjoy field trips and community activities in Boston.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: 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 for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Simons Summer Research Program — Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 5%
Program Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students must be in their junior year (11th grade) of high school and must be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program is a summer science research program for high school students where you’ll work with faculty and graduate researchers in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. You’ll join a research group, take responsibility for a project, and learn advanced techniques – while experiencing what it is really like to study at a major research university. Outside the lab, you’ll attend weekly faculty talks, workshops, and special events that expose you to new areas of science and connect you with other students. This program concludes with a research abstract, a poster presentation at the closing symposium, and a stipend award recognizing your work. Supported by the Simons Foundation, this program challenges you to push your limits while giving you an opportunity to experience what authentic scientific research is like.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50–60 students
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, minimum age 16, and currently attending high school in the U.S. Preference given to Bay Area students
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an 8-week program that gives high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to conduct biomedical research. You’ll work closely with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students on real projects across genetics, stem cell biology, cancer biology, neuroscience, and immunology. The program is designed to spark an interest in the biological sciences and medicine while giving you a taste of what real-world research feels like. Beyond the lab, you’ll attend lectures and workshops to broaden your knowledge and skills. The program concludes with a poster presentation, where participants showcase their findings to the Stanford community.
6. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students each summer
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7 (7 weeks, full-time – 35 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: January 3 (recommendations due January 6)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors, age 16+ by program start
SSRP allows you to spend over seven weeks working in a real research lab alongside scientists from Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC. You’ll join a small team of high school students, learn advanced lab techniques, choose your own research question, and carry it through data collection, analysis, and presentation of the findings at the closing symposium. Each team of 8–10 students is guided by multiple research mentors, giving you a strong support network for learning. Beyond lab work, you’ll also take part in elective courses, guest lectures, workshops, and networking events that round off your experience of science and research. This is a full-time program, amounting to 35 hours a week, so you’ll get a sense of what scientific collaboration feels like in a professional research setting.
7. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: NIH campuses across the U.S. (main campus: Bethesda, MD)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends provided (based on education level)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by research group
Program Dates: Typically June - August (full-time, 8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes early March (varies by year)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 18+; must be a high school senior (at least half-time) or enrolled in college, graduate, or professional school
The NIH Summer Internship Program is a full-time internship in a cutting-edge research lab under the mentorship of NIH scientists. You’ll explore topics across biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, anything from molecular biology and bioinformatics to psychology and clinical research. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend seminars, career workshops, and a Graduate & Professional School Fair that helps you think about your future career path. You’ll present your research at Summer Poster Day in August, sharing your findings with the NIH community. Because the selection is PI-driven, you’ll need to connect directly with NIH investigators whose work interests you. This program not only gives you hands-on experience but a deeper perspective on potential careers in science and healthcare.
8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No program fee; $750 stipend upon successful completion (meals and on-campus housing provided; travel and personal expenses not included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 12 students
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies; check official site for updates
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 17+, current high school juniors or recent graduates
The Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer experience at Texas Tech, where you’ll dive into hands-on research with the faculty mentors. You’ll explore areas such as biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, gaining experience in a research environment. Beyond the lab, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, group discussions, and field trips that enhance your learning. The program places a strong focus on critical thinking, collaboration, and mentorship. At the end of the summer, you’ll submit a research project report and receive a stipend for your work. It's not all academics–you’ll also enjoy social events and weekend activities that make the experience fun and memorable.
9. Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Florida State University
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; residential program covers meals and housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 40 students
Program Dates: June 8 – July 19 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Florida high school students who have completed 11th grade (rare exceptions for 10th graders), minimum 3.0 GPA, completed Pre-Calculus, scored in the 90th percentile or higher in math on a standardized exam
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Florida State University is a six-week residential experience that allows you to explore science, mathematics, and computer programming. You’ll take three courses created specifically for the program and work on an independent research project under the guidance of FSU professors in areas such as robotics, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, geology, or zoology. Two days each week are dedicated to hands-on research, giving you plenty of time to collect data and build real experience in the lab. The program wraps up with an academic conference, where you’ll present your findings to faculty and fellow students – just like a real scientist.
10. Summer Science Program (SSP International)
Location: Various campuses across the U.S. and international sites
Cost/Stipend: Need-based tuition assistance and stipends available; free or discounted admission for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 500–600 participants each year
Program Dates: Mid-June (exact dates vary by site)
Application Deadlines: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors with a strong interest in STEM
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a five-week research experience in fields such as astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, cell biology, and synthetic chemistry. You’ll live across various campuses, work alongside world-class scientists and other students, using professional research equipment, conducting experiments, and sharing your findings – getting a feel of real scientific research. You’ll be mentored by teaching assistants, alumni, and faculty, attend guest lectures, and participate in field trips, hikes, talent shows, and social activities that make the community fun and close-knit. Along the way, you’ll also learn about career options in the sciences and what it takes to become a successful scientist.
11. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8 (remote workshops June 2–27; in-person labs June 30–Aug 7; final colloquium Aug 8)
Application Deadline: February 21 (recommendations due Feb 27)
Eligibility: Open to New York City high school sophomores and juniors (10th–11th grade) with strong academic records and demonstrated interest in STEM
The ARISE program is a six-week program at NYU, where you’ll gain research experience working in one of NYU’s labs, guided by faculty and graduate student mentors. Before your placement begins, you’ll complete four weeks of evening online workshops that prepare you for lab work and research. Research areas span biomedical engineering, computer science, materials chemistry, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and more. During the program, you’ll work on your technical skills, collaborate closely with peers and mentors, and learn how to communicate your work effectively. You’ll also receive professional training in presentation and public speaking, culminating in a colloquium where you present your research findings to faculty, other students, and guests.
12. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine & Farmington, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend, plus room, board, and travel covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program Dates: May 30 – August 7 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 26 (applications open in November)
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors and undergraduates with a strong interest in genetics, genomics, and biomedical research
In this program, you’ll work alongside JAX scientists on an independent project in genetics and genomics. Beyond research, you’ll join professional development sessions, journal clubs, and skill-building workshops in areas such as data visualization, genetic testing, and science communication. Mentors and visiting professionals - from grant writers to veterinarians - will provide insight into diverse career paths in science. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings to faculty, peers, and family in a formal research symposium. Living and learning in a collaborative community, you’ll develop both as a scientist and as part of a supportive research network.
13. RISE Internship / Practicum (Boston University)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; limited financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program Dates: June 29 – August 8 (residential) | June 30 – August 8 (commuter)
Application Deadline: Opens December 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors
If you’re a high school junior interested in exploring advanced science and engineering, BU’s RISE program gives you six weeks to contribute to university-level research. You can choose between two tracks: the Internship track, where you’ll spend 40 hours a week in a lab, conducting hands-on research under the mentorship of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, or the Practicum track, which combines coursework and group research experiences. As a RISE intern, you’ll work in fields such as astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, physics, computer science, and public health. In addition to research, you’ll take part in weekly workshops on topics such as reading scientific papers, designing posters, networking, and preparing for college admissions. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a Poster Symposium, and some students even go on to submit their work to national competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
14. Stony Brook University – Garcia Center Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, New York
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 laboratory usage fee; optional room and board ($2,507 for housing + 120 meal plan + fees)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Program Dates: June 26 – August 8 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: typically due early in the year
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ by July with an unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0) and at least three core subjects (English, Chemistry, Math/Calculus, Physics; Biology optional). Standardized test scores must be at least 60%.
This seven-week research program gives high school students an opportunity to conduct original research in polymer science and materials engineering. With guidance from Garcia Center faculty, graduate students, and staff, you’ll design and execute independent research projects – learning what it's like to work at the cutting edge of science. Alongside lab work, you’ll receive formal instruction that helps in building technical skills and deepening your understanding of the field. You may even continue with the Mentor Program during the academic year to expand on your research work. The program culminates with presentations of research findings, giving students an experience in communicating science, just like real researchers.
15. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free to apply; finalists receive up to $1,000 in project funding plus an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT (if permitted)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Semifinalists announced January 30; finalists announced February 5; projects completed by June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students with innovative STEM project proposals; applicants do not need to have completed prior research but should have a well-developed idea, clear goals, and a feasible plan
The MIT THINK Scholars Program supports high school students with innovative STEM project ideas that can be completed in one semester with up to $1,000 in funding. Unlike many programs, THINK doesn’t require prior lab experience – it's all about originality, planning, and research potential. Finalists receive weekly mentorship from MIT undergraduates, technical guidance, and resources to make their projects a reality. You’ll also explore MIT research, participate in workshops and lab tours, and present your findings to MIT faculty and peers. Past programs have spanned green technology, engineering, computer science, and applied sciences – making THINK a unique way to fund your ideas, gain mentorship, and step into the world of research.
Image Source - MIT Research Science Institute Logo