15 University Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student, summers can be more than just a break from classes; they can be an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research. Across the United States, many top universities open their labs, classrooms, and online platforms to motivated teens who want to explore academics and projects in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and beyond. These research programs give you access to expert mentorship, professional-grade equipment, and the opportunity to work on studies that address complex challenges, from decoding genetics to designing artificial intelligence tools for healthcare.
Participating in a university research program isn’t just about gaining technical skills; it’s about developing critical thinking, collaboration, and communication abilities that stand out in college applications and future careers. Whether you’re interested in medicine, neuroscience, engineering, or environmental science, there’s a program tailored to your interests. Below are 15 university summer research opportunities for high school students who want to take their learning to the next level.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: A stipend of $500 - $2,500. No housing and transportation provided
Please note: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipend of $ 2,500 and above are awarded on a needs-based system.
Program Dates: June 8 - July 30 (Tentative Dates)
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age. Students must be currently living in and attending high school in the U.S. AND are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card..
SIMR is a program that allows you to do research for eight weeks at Stanford. You will work closely with a mentor who is a Stanford graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. You will choose one field to study from Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, or Genetics and Genomics. You will spend most of your time in a lab learning how to design experiments, use research tools, collect and study data, and explain your findings. In the first weeks, you will attend lectures in the morning and work in the lab for the rest of the day. In the last two weeks, you will create a research poster about your project and present it to other students, teachers, your family, and the Stanford community.
2. Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: A stipend of $750
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors or seniors and at least 17 years old
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer STEM research program for high school students, with an intake of 12 participants each year. If you are accepted for the program, you will work with Texas Tech faculty on original research in a field of your choice, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering and economics. You will do independent research with guidance from mentors and attend professional development workshops. As a bonus, you will get a peek into college life.. At the end of the program, you will submit a written research report.
3. Young Scientist Program: Summer Focus at Washington University
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free to attend; stipend of $4,500
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Students who will be high school seniors in the Greater St. Louis area, with preference given to those from under-resourced schools or underrepresented groups in STEM.
This eight-week summer STEM research program gives high school students in the St. Louis area an opportunity to do biomedical research. You will be paired with a research mentor and work on lab investigations while also receiving tutoring and learning science communication skills. You will spend time in the lab and take part in college preparation activities. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a final symposium with your peers. You will also get guidance on college applications, financial aid, career options, and college admission tests.
4. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program
Location: Houston, Texas
Cost: No cost. Stipend of $6,800
Program Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Must be 18+ and enrolled in a Texas public, private, or charter high school or a Texas home school as a senior-level student during the Spring semester
The MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program chooses 10 students from Texas to participate in biomedical research. You will work with the faculty on a research project and learn how to ask questions, test ideas, and study results. You will spend five days a week in the lab gaining skills in research methods, data collection, and analysis, and attend seminars on various research topics. You will also take part in activities such as abstract writing and poster presentations. At the end of the program, you will give a presentation to the staff and faculty about your work at the Center.
5. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free of charge; travel expenses covered; need-based stipends may be available
Program Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
The Summer Science Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to participate in professional biomedical research at Rockefeller University. You will join a lab team and work with scientists and postdoctoral researchers on ongoing projects. You will learn lab techniques, practice data analysis, and improve your scientific communication skills. The program also includes elective science courses, seminars led by experts, and social events to connect with others. You will also gain experience in scientific writing and public speaking. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a formal symposium.
6. Simons Summer Research Program @ Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition fees. Housing is optional and costs $2,360.25, with about $500 more for meals. A stipend is provided
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old
The Simons Summer Research Program gives high school juniors the opportunity to do mentored university-level STEM research.. You will work with faculty and researchers on projects in areas such as biochemistry, neurobiology, computer science, and physics. During the application process, you choose preferred mentors so you can work on a project that is of interest to you. The program includes lab work, weekly lectures, workshops, and campus activities. At the end of the six weeks, you will share your research at a formal symposium with a poster and an abstract presentation.
7. UCSC’s Science Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Hybrid—online and in-person at UC Santa Cruz campus, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $4,850 + application fee of $60. Scholarships available
Program Dates: Week 1 (online): June 16 – 20 + Weeks 2 to 8 (on-campus): June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 or older (16 or older for certain projects) who are currently enrolled in school.
The Science Internship Program at UC Santa Cruz is a summer STEM research program meant for high school students, with opportunities to work in fields such as astronomy, bioinformatics, computer science, and environmental science. You will be paired with a mentor, usually a faculty member or graduate researcher, and work on research projects. Depending on your project, you will learn lab techniques, practice data analysis, and use programming tools such as Python, MATLAB ,and R. You will also attend seminars on ethics and communication. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a symposium.
8. Summer Student Research Program by UCSF
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Cost: Stipend of $3,000–$4,300
Program Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students in junior or senior year, with at least one completed year in math and biology, 16 years of age or older by June 1
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program gives high school students experience in biomedical research. You will work with a mentor on clinical or basic science projects. You will learn lab skills such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture. You will also study patient data, review case studies, and read scientific papers. You will attend weekly seminars on research methods, bioinformatics, and healthcare. You will meet and network with scientists, prepare a research proposal, plan experiments, use tools such as R and Python to study data, and present your findings at a final symposium.
9. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free; no stipend
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are permanent Massachusetts residents attending school in the state year-round and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Young Scholars Program gives Massachusetts high school students the opportunity to do advanced research in Northeastern’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You will work in university labs on projects such as programmable signal acquisition and temperature sensor calibration for microelectronics. You will attend weekly engineering seminars, career development sessions, and field trips. You will work closely with faculty and graduate student mentors, thus developing the necessary technical and professional skills.
10. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC
Cost: Stipend is paid
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Residents of North Carolina within commuting distance of Duke University West Campus who are high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors and at least 15 years old
DUNE is an eight-week summer STEM research program for high school students in neuroscience labs at Duke University. You will work full-time with faculty or lab researchers on neuroscience projects. You will also take part in college preparation workshops and career exploration sessions. At the end of the program, you will present your work in a poster presentation. This experience gives you practical training in neuroscience, mentorship, and an insight into careers in academia.
11. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who are graduating and at least 16 years old
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers full-time summer internship for high school seniors after graduation. You will work with research and engineering teams on ongoing projects in plasma physics and fusion energy. You will use skills in physics, chemistry, math and engineering, and may work with programming languages such as Python and Java, or design tools including SolidWorks and AutoCAD. You will learn how to apply scientific methods, conduct experiments, and use technical tools while gaining experience in plasma and fusion science.
12. UC San Diego’s OPTIMUS
Location: Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, CA
Cost: A stipend is provided
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools
OPTIMUS, run by UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, is an eight-week summer STEM research program for high school students interested in cancer biology and clinical medicine. You will do lab research and shadow physicians at the center. You will also receive training in clinical skills such as suturing, learn from surgical residents, and take part in guided lab work. The program also gives you mentorship and access to academic workshops.
13. Georgetown University's Pre-College course in Medical Research
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions are offered across the summer season. Check here for details
Application Deadline: Varies based on available courses
Eligibility: Students in high school students aged 13 and above
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Course in Medical Research is an online program for high school students interested in medicine and clinical research. You can choose a 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week format. The course covers clinical trial design, evidence-based medicine, research ethics, biostatistics, and epidemiology. You will study about cancer research and create your own sample study using professional research methods. You will receive mentorship, work on guided projects, and explore career options. You will also learn to use online databases, read and understand scientific articles, and develop research questions using the PICO method.
14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) (Virtual track)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who live anywhere in the U.S. and Canada
If you want to learn about neuroscience and how the brain works, this program is meant for you. JHIBS is a five-week virtual summer program for high school juniors and seniors across the U.S.A. and neighboring Canada. You will take part in research activities, listen to talks, and learn virtual lab skills. You will also receive career guidance and mentorship from the brain scientists at the centre. At the end of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) – Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application Fee: $40, Tuition: $850. Financial aid is available
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14 or older who have strong math or computer programming skills or experience working on a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to how artificial intelligence is used in healthcare. You will learn through expert-led lectures, real-world research projects, and one-on-one mentorship from Stanford engineers. The program also includes “Lunch and Learn” sessions with professionals from academia, nonprofits, and government, giving you insights into different career paths. While you will not earn any academic credit, you will receive a certificate of completion. This program is a good learning opportunity if you are interested in both computer science and healthcare.
Bonus program
Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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 industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options on their application form here. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that typically raise funds exceeding a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Bonus - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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. You can also earn UCSD credit upon successful completion!
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