15 Summer STEM Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student who wants to explore science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM research programs are a valuable way to gain experience. Unlike traditional classes, these programs allow you to work on research projects, learn from scientists and professionals, and develop skills that will serve you in college and beyond. Research opportunities, offered by top universities and organizations, can also introduce you to fields you may not have considered before, from biomedical sciences and engineering to computer science and environmental studies.
One of the best aspects of these programs is that they often provide access to industry professionals and academic mentors who can guide your future academic decisions. You’ll find options hosted at leading universities, research institutes, and nonprofits that emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and career readiness. Many even give you the chance to present your findings at symposia, publish in student research journals, or continue into a year-long mentorship.
We’ve compiled this list of 15 summer STEM research programs for high school students, which also includes a few virtual options.
15 Summer STEM Research Programs for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (waivers available); $500–$2,500 stipends offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Must be at least 16 at program start
SIMR is an eight-week summer research program that immerses high school students in the biomedical sciences. You will select from specialized tracks such as Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, or Genetics, and conduct hands-on lab research under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and researchers. The program also includes seminars, professional development workshops, and community outreach activities to broaden your perspective on the field of medicine and research. By working closely with mentors, you will gain valuable technical skills while contributing to a larger research project. The experience concludes with a final symposium, where you will present your findings to peers, faculty, and family members.
2. Ladder Internship Program—Mentored Research Track
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 - 25% / 70 - 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts (8–12 weeks); Summer Cohorts I and II begin June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; May 11: Summer Cohort I; June 23: Summer Cohort II
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; must commit 10–20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects ambitious students with high-growth start-ups across industries such as biotech, health tech, and environmental science. You will work on real-world projects directly with company teams, gaining firsthand experience in the fast-paced world of start-up innovation. You will be paired with a Ladder Coach who provides mentorship and professional guidance, ensuring you build both technical and workplace skills. Over the course of the internship, you will collaborate on projects that contribute to the company’s growth and present your work to leadership. With selective placements and a focus on meaningful contributions, Ladder Internships offers an opportunity to explore STEM-related fields while building professional connections and industry insight.
3. MIT's Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $75 application fee (waivers are available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective (3–5%) / Approximately 100 students
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who are 16 years of age by July 1 of the program year
The Research Science Institute (RSI) offers a six-week, fully funded experience at MIT. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM coursework taught by MIT faculty, followed by five weeks of mentored research in fields such as mathematics, computer science, and engineering. You will collaborate with professional scientists and researchers to design and conduct an independent project, gaining exposure to advanced research methods. RSI emphasizes both scientific writing and communication, culminating in a symposium where you present your findings to peers and mentors. The program also includes field trips to leading technology and science facilities in the Boston area.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / Varies as per cohort; mentors ensure 1-on-1 mentorship for each student
Dates: Summer Cohorts I and II begin June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; May 11: Summer Cohort I; June 23: Summer Cohort II
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 a selective research opportunity that allows high school students to design and complete an independent project under the guidance of a Ph.D.-level mentor. You will work one-on-one with your mentor over 12 weeks, learning research design, data analysis, and academic writing while exploring a subject area of your choice. Popular fields include psychology, physics, computer science, engineering, economics, and international relations. At the end of the program, you will produce a research paper showcasing your findings. Even though the program isn’t run by a university, completing it may make you eligible to receive UCSD credit.
5. ARISE: Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive / 65 - 80 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a 10-week summer STEM research program at NYU that provides high school students with in-depth exposure to university-level research. The program begins with four weeks of training in lab safety, academic writing, and research skills, before transitioning into six weeks of mentored research in one or more of the more than 80 NYU labs. You will contribute directly to projects in fields ranging from molecular biology to artificial intelligence, gaining about 120 hours of lab experience. Alongside lab work, you will attend seminars, mentorship sessions, and college application workshops. The program concludes with a research presentation at the American Museum of Natural History.
6. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: RockEDU laboratories, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial issues
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old at program start
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a mentored research experience hosted by Rockefeller University in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell Medicine. You will join a small research team led by graduate students and postdocs, working on questions tied to the team leaders’ areas of expertise. Over seven weeks, you will learn lab techniques, design and explore a research question, analyze data, and present your findings at a culminating symposium. The program also incorporates electives, guest lectures, professional development workshops, and networking and social opportunities. With its structured team-based format and strong mentorship, SSRP offers an in-depth introduction to laboratory science and biomedical research.
7. Young Scientist Program: Summer Focus
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,500 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 15 – 18 students
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri or Illinois)
Summer Focus is an eight-week program that involves high school students in biomedical research while also providing academic support and college preparation resources. You will be matched with a faculty research mentor, spending your summer conducting hands-on experiments and learning advanced lab techniques. Alongside research, the program integrates tutoring, career exploration workshops, and training in science communication. A final symposium allows you to present your findings to peers, mentors, and faculty, giving you experience in professional scientific presentation. With a stipend and emphasis on mentorship, Summer Focus is both a research opportunity and a stepping stone toward higher education in STEM.
8. CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,575 stipend for students completing summer internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 25 students in spring course; 10 students selected for summer internship
Dates: Spring Course: February 11 – May 22; Summer Internship: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th or 11th graders | 75 or above on ELA, NYS Living Environment, or Earth Science Regents | 85 or above GPA in English or U.S. History | Minimum overall GPA of 80 | Passed the NYS exams of at least one of Algebra, Algebra II, or Geometry with a grade of 66 or better
The College Now STEM Research Academy at CCNY offers high school students a pathway from classroom-based learning to hands-on research. In the spring, you will complete a 45-hour science course focused on inquiry-based research skills and earn a potential elective credit. From that cohort, 10 students are selected for a summer internship where they will join a CUNY or CCNY faculty lab and work on a structured research project. The summer experience includes full-time lab work, weekly seminars, and mentorship, culminating in a poster presentation at both CCNY and the American Museum of Natural History.
9. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2360.25 + $500+ meal costs (estimated); bifurcation here / Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 5% / 30 – 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, at least 16 years old at program start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to conduct full-time research under the mentorship of Stony Brook faculty and researchers. You will join a lab and contribute to active projects in fields such as biochemistry, neurobiology, physics, or computer science, with mentor matching based on your academic interests. The six-week program also includes weekly lectures, professional development workshops, and campus activities that provide a well-rounded research experience. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your work at a formal research symposium through both poster and abstract presentations. The program has a competitive acceptance rate and emphasizes mentored lab research.
10. BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,500 stipend, daily meal voucher, and MetroCard provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / About 15 - 20 students
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Bronx residents and high school students entering 11th or 12th grade | At least 16 years old by program start
The BEYOND ALBERT program provides Bronx high school students with intensive summer research experience and year-round enrichment opportunities in biomedical science. Over eight weeks, you will conduct hands-on laboratory work under the guidance of faculty and research staff, while also attending seminars and professional development workshops. The program emphasizes skill-building in scientific research and communication, culminating in a final presentation of your work. Students who continue into the after-school program benefit from weekly talks, workshops, and individualized mentorship throughout the academic year. With structured mentorship, BEYOND ALBERT equips students with the tools to pursue STEM research and healthcare careers.
11. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend provided, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Around 13 - 15 students per year
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school students who are San Diego County residents and have completed their most recent semester of high school at a San Diego public or private high school | At least 16 by June 16 | Completed at least one year of high school biology and chemistry | Minimum GPA of 2.75
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program allows San Diego students to spend eight weeks conducting hands-on research at the world-renowned Salk Institute. You will join a laboratory team working on advanced projects in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, and bioinformatics. The program combines lab immersion with mentorship, professional workshops, and training in scientific communication. By the end of the program, you will present your research findings at a symposium attended by peers and institute scientists. With direct exposure to cutting-edge biology research and structured mentorship, this program provides a strong foundation for students considering careers in STEM and biomedical science.
12. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 2 delegates per U.S. state, plus select international representatives, bringing the total size to 110 - 120 students
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Varies as per state, most have February 28, while some have March 3
Eligibility: Recent U.S. high school graduates; international students ages 16–18 from select countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago)
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a three-week residential program that brings together top STEM students from across the U.S. and the Americas. You will participate in lectures, hands-on seminars, and research discussions with distinguished scientists and STEM leaders. The program also includes outdoor adventure activities that foster leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Delegates live in a close-knit, technology-limited community, encouraging complete scientific and cultural exchange. You may also share your own interests by presenting seminars to peers. With its combination of advanced scientific learning, leadership training, and international collaboration, NYSCamp is one of the most unique free summer STEM research programs for high school students.
13. Project Success – Harvard Medical School
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend provided but varies by placement (amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 13 students
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Boston or Cambridge | At least 16 years old; minimum 2.7 GPA | Identify as underrepresented in medicine or come from a disadvantaged background | Have completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry
Project Success at Harvard Medical School is a six-week research program that introduces high school students to careers in biomedical science and medicine. You will be matched with a research lab at HMS or one of its affiliated hospitals, working directly with scientists and clinicians on active projects. The program also integrates academic seminars, biotech and hospital site visits, and workshops focused on writing, public speaking, and computer literacy. Through these activities, you will gain exposure not only to biomedical research but also to the medical profession as a whole. Project Success provides a rigorous and supportive introduction to STEM careers.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee; financial aid is available for both fee types / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school student | Above 14 years old | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or provide documentation of valid visa status
The AIMI Summer Research Internship, run by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, explores the intersection of AI and healthcare. Over two weeks, you will attend lectures on machine learning in diagnostics, participate in team-based research projects, and receive small-group mentorship from Stanford faculty and researchers. The program also includes “Career Lunch & Learns” with professionals from academia, government, and nonprofit sectors, giving you a broader perspective on AI applications in medicine. By the end of the program, you will have developed both technical and collaborative skills while tackling healthcare-related challenges with AI.
15. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Around 32 students
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are permanent Massachusetts residents | U.S. citizens, or permanent residents
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers rising seniors the chance to explore STEM research while preparing for college and careers. You will work in a university laboratory alongside faculty and graduate students, contributing to projects in areas such as biotechnology, cancer therapy, battery chemistry, robotics, and AI algorithms. In addition to research, the program includes career exploration seminars led by engineering faculty, site visits to local companies and government labs, and personalized college and career counseling. Students also experience campus life, gaining access to university resources like the Snell Library and Curry Student Center.
Image Source - Stanford Institutes of Medicine Logo