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31 Research Opportunities + Internships for High Schoolers in 2024

What’s covered:.

• Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students
• How to Find Research Opportunities in High School
• How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances?

Research drives innovation across every field of study, from natural sciences to health to history. Pursuing curiosity can impact industries, drive policy, and help us to better understand the world around us. Without curiosity and research, our society would surely stagnate. 

Contrary to popular belief, however, you don’t have to be a seasoned professional to conduct meaningful research. There are plenty of opportunities for high school students to get a head start on their future careers and contribute to substantial change. Keep reading to learn about 30 great opportunities for students looking for early chances to conduct research! 

Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students 

1. memorial sloan kettering human oncology and pathogenesis program.

Application Deadline: February 9

Location: New York, NY

Duration: Eight weeks (June 27 – August 22)

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is one of the most well-known cancer centers in the world. The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at MSK hosts a Summer Student Program for students to conduct independent research projects while participating in extracurricular activities, training, and other opportunities.  

During the eight-week program, participants work with a mentor who will act as a supervisor to help them develop their research skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to complete an independent research project that aligns with their mentor’s work. All participants will present their projects at a poster session at the end of the summer.

To participate, you must have completed at least 9th grade by June 2024, be at least 14 years old by June 27, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, and submit two letters of recommendation. This is a paid opportunity—participants will receive a stipend. 

2. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 5 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 8) 

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program allows high school students to conduct real, innovative research over seven weeks through the renowned Rockefeller University, under the guidance of leading scientists. 

SSRP scholars will be able to design and conduct their own research project as part of a themed research track, which is modeled after a Rockefeller research topic and/or technique, with the help of scientist mentors from the Rockefeller community. Most of the research will be conducted in the RockEDU Laboratory—a 3,000-square-foot research space specifically dedicated to developing biomedical research skills.

Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program to participate.  

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline : Varies by cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Location:  Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs high-school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have written an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, computer science, psychology, physics, economics, data science, business, engineering, biology, and international relations.

This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—you can participate in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, and the program is also conducted fully remotely. While you must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (most students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3), no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required. The cost of the program ranges from $2,800 to $8,900, but financial aid is available.

Note that this is a selective program. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program. You can find more details about the application here .

4. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Application Deadline: December 13 

Location: Cambridge, MA

Duration: Five weeks (June 23 – August 3) 

The prestigious RSI, which takes place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) annually, brings together 100 of the world’s top high school students. The free program blends on-campus coursework with off-campus science and technology research. 

Participants complete individual research projects while receiving mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers, and present their findings through oral and written reports in a conference-style setting at the end of the program. 

5. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Application Deadline: March 6

Duration: 10  weeks (June 3 – August 9)

Open to New York City high school students who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June 2024, the ARISE program provides access to college-level workshops and lab research across fields like bio, molecular, and chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and AI.

Over the course of 10 weeks—four virtual and six in person—participants will receive guidance from graduate or postdoctoral students at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. 

6. Simons Summer Research Program

Application Deadline: February 7

Location: Stony Brook, NY

Duration: Five weeks (July 1 – August 9) 

During Stony Brook ’s Simons Summer Research Program, high school students conduct hands-on research in areas like science, math, and engineering while working with faculty mentors. Simons Fellows have the opportunity to join real research teams and learn about laboratory equipment and techniques. They also attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in special workshops, tours, and events. 

At the closing poster symposium, students will receive a stipend for their participation. To apply, you must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and currently be in your junior year. 

7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program

Application Deadline: N/A

Location: Greater Seattle area

Duration: 8-10 weeks 

SPARK is a summer mentorship program that pairs high-achieving and highly motivated high schoolers with industry experts, university professors, and mentors to conduct research on customers and financial markets. The program is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

8. MDI Biological Laboratory – Biomedical Bootcamp 2024

Application Deadline: March 18 

Location: Bar Harbor, ME

Duration: One week (July 15 – 19) 

In this bootcamp, students will receive a hands-on introduction to biomedical research at MDI Biological Laboratory. Participants will learn essential scientific skills such as experimental design and hypothesis testing, cutting-edge laboratory techniques, data analysis, bioinformatics, and scientific communication. 

During the program, scientists and bioentrepreneurs at the lab will help participants explore scientific ethics at large, as well as career paths in biomedicine, research, and entrepreneurship in Maine and beyond.

Participants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and must be entering their junior or senior year in September 2024, or graduating in June 2024. 

9. Boston University – Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship  

Application Deadline: February 14  

Location: Boston, MA

Duration: Six weeks (June 30 – August 9)  

RISE is a six-week program for rising seniors with an interest in pursuing a major and/or career in STEM. There are a multitude of tracks available, in areas such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, and neuroscience. In each track, students conduct research under the mentorship of Boston University faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students. They will also attend weekly workshops with their peers. 

10. The Wistar Institute – High School Program in Biomedical Research

Application Deadline: March 31 

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Duration: Four weeks (July 15 – August 8) 

A leading biomedical research organization, The Wistar Institute is an ideal setting for students to learn research skills. Participants will complete their own research project while being trained in a principal investigator’s laboratory. They’ll also attend seminars, receive mentorship, and deliver a final presentation about their work.

Students are expected to participate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Absences of more than two consecutive days cannot be accommodated. Students will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon completion of the program, to compensate for commuting costs or other personal expenses accrued during the program. 

11. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Location: San Francisco, CA

Duration: Multi-year, year-round participation (after school and on weekends)

This long term program gives San Francisco students from communities that are underrepresented in STEM the opportunity to learn about the world of science and sustainability. Students receive mentorship, develop career skills, and more—all while getting paid for their work. Students also attend workshops and conferences throughout the course of the program. 

12. NASA OSTEM Internship

Application Deadline: February 2

Location: Varies

Duration: Varies

NASA offers a variety of internships for high school students across its numerous campuses. Interns gain real-world work experience by working side by side with research scientists and engineers, which will strengthen their resume and help prepare them for their eventual careers. All participants must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school full time.

13. New-York Historical Society Student Historian Internship Program

Application Deadline: April 7

Duration: July 9 – August 15

Not all research is conducted in STEM subjects! Developed for students interested in history, the New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian Program gives participants the opportunity to conduct research on a history topic—2024’s theme is Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America . During the program, participants will work with historian mentors, visit history archives around New York City, lead gallery tours, and develop their historical thinking, communication, and digital media skills.

Applicants must be entering grades 10, 11, or 12, and live in the New York City metro area. This opportunity is unpaid for most participants, but some interns with demonstrated financial need can potentially receive a stipend.

14. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship  

Application Deadline: March 1

Location: Chicago, IL

Duration: Six weeks (July 8 – August 14)

During this summer internship program, students will learn about the Adler Planetarium and the career opportunities within it and planetariums and museums in general, in areas ranging from Visitor Experience and Learning to Research. Students will also get the chance to see how research gets translated into a museum experience. 

15. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC)

Application Deadline: TBA for 2025 program

Duration: Eight weeks  

BRAINYAC participants receive the rare opportunity to work on research in a lab at Columbia University , one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, as high school students, which results in a stronger, more comprehensive understanding of how scientific discovery happens. They connect with real scientists, acquire essential research and laboratory skills, and learn about advances in neuroscience research. 

In order to apply, you must be in 10th or 11th grade and must be nominated by one of the program’s partners—S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus.  

16. Brookfield Zoo King Conservation Science Scholars Program

Application Deadline: Rolling admission 

Location: Brookfield, IL

Duration: N/A

Interactive workshops, fun activities, research, and community-based projects are at the core of this exciting internship. It’s an excellent opportunity for students who love animals and also want to gain research skills in the domains of zoology, environmental science, and conservation. 

As a King Scholar, you’ll learn about different topics through Foundation Courses, such as Diversity Awareness and Introduction to Conservation, all while networking with others and preparing for college and an eventual career in a related field. After one year of participation, you’ll be invited to apply for scholarships and paid positions at the zoo. 

17. The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History  

Application Deadline: March 8

Duration: One year (August to June) 

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the most iconic and fascinating places in New York City. Its Science Research Mentoring Program is an amazing opportunity for NYC high school students to conduct a yearlong research project with Museum scientists. 

Students in SRMP get paid to learn how scientific research is conducted. Depending on their topic of study, students can learn a variety of different research skills, like working with DNA in the lab, analyzing data from space-based telescopes, reading scientific articles, and learning to code and analyze data in Python, R, and other programming languages. 

18. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Application Deadline:   February 15

Location: Lubbock, TX

Duration: Seven weeks (June 16 – August 1) 

Through the Anson L. Clark Scholar Program, an intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors, students will gain hands-on experience with practical research alongside experienced and knowledgeable faculty at Texas Tech University .

Students can choose to participate in research in one field from a broad variety of options, including cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, history, and more! 

To apply, students must complete an online application that includes short essays, high school transcripts, test scores (at least a PSAT if no others are available), three recommendations (at least two from teachers), and a list of the student’s top five activities.

19. UChicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program  

Application Deadline: January 16 

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 2)

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program is an immersive eight-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago . During the program, high school and undergraduate students are paired with a data science mentor, whose expertise could be in computer science, data science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, biomedical research, or another related field.

Participants will hone their research methodology, research practice, and teamwork skills. No prior research experience is required to apply. All participants will receive access to applied data science research, which they will use to craft a research project. The project findings will be presented in a video that will be shown at an end-of-summer symposium.

20. UT Austin College of Natural Sciences High School Research Academy

Application Deadline: March 24

Location: Austin, TX

Duration: Five weeks (June 10 – July 17) 

Through UT Austin ’s HSRA, high school students participate in interdisciplinary research projects being conducted by active College of Natural Sciences laboratories in fields such as biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. 

There is a scholarship fund for underserved groups, so some stipends and free tuition scholarships may be available to students with demonstrated financial need. 

21. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience – Summer Research Internship

Location: Jupiter, FL

Duration: Six weeks (June 17 – July 26) 

The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers rising juniors and seniors an immersive laboratory experience where they can learn from seasoned researchers. The program is designed specifically for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. 

Program participants will participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare a written scientific abstract based on their research project, and deliver a short presentation at the end of the summer. Research tracks include neuroscience, scientific computer programming, and mechanical engineering as it relates to neuroscience.

Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, be residents of one of those two counties, and be at least 16 by the beginning of the internship. Interns will be paid at a rate of $12.50 per hour.

22. Lincoln Park Zoo Malott Family Zoo Intern Program

Application Deadline: March 11 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 9) 

During this paid seven-week program, high school students learn how to educate others about animal and conservation sciences while crafting digital messages to engage audiences. The program culminates in a final project. Throughout the internship, students meet with researchers and the Animal Care staff to explore careers in the animal science and conservation fields. 

Applicants must be Chicago residents between the ages of 15-18, and must be entering grades 10-12 or their freshman year of college by the start of the internship.

23. The Scripps Research High School Internship Program  

Application Deadline: April 19

Location: La Jolla, CA

Duration: Seven weeks  

The Scripps Research Institute’s La Jolla, California headquarters is proud to offer a seven-week hands-on research experience for San Diego County high schoolers. The program is specially designed to expose students to careers in the biological and chemical sciences, to provide hands-on laboratory experience, and to motivate and prepare students for continuing education in STEM. 

Because Scripps is committed to increasing the number of students from underrepresented communities in STEM college programs, a special emphasis is placed on identifying and recruiting students who are from groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences. All students will receive a $4,760 stipend.

24. QuarkNet Summer Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 31

Location: DuPage County, IL

Duration: Seven weeks (June 17 – August 2) 

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a strong interest in STEM have a unique opportunity to work with scientists on research projects during this paid seven-week program at the prestigious Fermilab, located just outside of Chicago near Batavia, IL.

Interns are encouraged to indicate areas in which they have a particular interest, although research projects vary yearly based on the work ongoing at the lab. Broadly speaking, Fermilab’s focus is on particle physics.

Required application materials include a questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and an essay. To apply, students must have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status and must provide evidence of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Participants will be paid at a rate of $17.20 per hour.

25. RISE Environmentor Internship

Location: Far Rockaway, NY

Duration: Six weeks (July 1 – August 15)

The Environmentor Internship offers a great opportunity for 9th through 11th graders who live or attend school near the Rockaway Peninsula to gain firsthand research experience. Participants are mentored by scientists from local universities and research institutions as they work on projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline. Past research topics have included sea turtle strandings, octopus behavior, mussel denitrification, and dolphin fin morphology.

Students will also take part in water safety courses, receive CPR training, and explore on-water activities like kayaking and surfing. Students receive up to a $1,200 stipend, as well as community service hours for their participation in the program.

26. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Application Deadline: February 24

Location: Stanford, CA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 1)

Students in this summer program are given the chance to perform research on a medically oriented project and work side by side with Stanford University students, researchers, and faculty. Students can choose from eight areas of research, including topics like immunology, cancer biology, and bioinformatics, which are all designed to increase their interest in the biological sciences and provide a deeper understanding of how scientific research is conducted.

The program is open to current high school juniors and seniors. Students will receive a minimum $500 stipend for their participation in the program.

27. Secondary Student Training Program

Application Deadline: February 16

Location: Iowa City, IA

Duration: June 19 – July 26

High schoolers in grades 10 and 11 can take part in an immersive research experience, which will allow them to explore their interests, enhance their academic skills, and build relationships with their peers during this research-focused summer program.

Participants can choose from a multitude of research areas, ranging from biology to industrial and systems engineering to religious studies. The program culminates with students creating and presenting a poster of their findings. All participants will live on the University of Iowa ‘s campus for the duration of the program, and have access to all of the university’s libraries, study areas, and computer facilities.

Although this program is quite expensive, with a fee of $7,500, financial aid is available to cover up to 95% of the cost.

28. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program

Location: Urbana, IL

Duration: Six weeks (June 20 – August 2)

This program, offered by the prestigious Grainger College of Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) , allows students to gain hands-on research experience in fields such as cancer immunology, AI, physics, quantum mechanics, and electrical engineering. They will also build valuable general life skills by participating in seminars on topics ranging from the college admission process to how to communicate scientifically.

The program is open to rising 10th through 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

29. Summer Science Program (SSP)

Duration: Varies depending on location and field of focus

Students in the SSP get the chance to work in small teams on a real research project and gain firsthand experience taking and analyzing data. Research opportunities are offered in three fields—astrophysics, biochemistry, and genomics—and are held at a variety of institutions, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Georgetown University , Purdue University , and New Mexico State University .

The program is open to high school juniors, although a small number of exceptional sophomores have attended the program. You must be between 15-19 to participate, and have completed prerequisite coursework, which varies by field. Financial aid is available for this program.

30. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Application Deadline: January 29

Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT

Duration: 10 weeks (June 1 – August 10)

Students immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research while learning about laboratory discovery and scientific communication, as well as building professional skills. Over the course of the 10-week program, students work with a mentor to develop a research project, implement their plan, analyze their data, and report their results.

This prestigious program is competitive. Just 40 students are selected to participate annually. Participants receive a $6,500 stipend and have their room, board, and travel expenses covered.

31. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Application Deadline: March 31

Location: Seattle, WA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 24 – August 16) 

This full-time, paid internship opportunity offers students a chance to immerse themselves in activities at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, one of the top cancer research centers in the world. The program begins with two weeks of laboratory training and is followed by six weeks of mentored activities, research seminars, workshops focused on college and careers, and social activities.

The program is open to high schoolers entering their senior year with a strong interest in science and high academic achievement, and is specifically aimed at students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. Interns receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.

How to Find Research Opportunities in High School 

Define your area of interest .

Before you start looking for opportunities, narrow your area of interest a bit, whether it’s cancer, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, or something else entirely. Also bear in mind that while there may be more STEM opportunities available for high school students, research isn’t limited to these fields—research is also a key component of the social sciences, humanities, and other non-STEM fields. 

While you should be somewhat specific about what you’re hoping to research, don’t narrow your scope so much that it’s impossible to find a valuable opportunity, especially since opportunities for high schoolers in general are more limited than they are for students who have completed at least some college.

Talk to People in Your Immediate Circle 

Teachers, neighbors, your family, parents of friends, friends of your parents—any of these people could know about a research opportunity for you, or at least know someone else who does. Throughout your life, you will find that networking is often the key to finding career opportunities. 

Leveraging your network can help you uncover unique opportunities crowdsourced by the people who know you best—the best opportunities aren’t always hosted by large universities or programs. 

Reach Out to Local Institutions and Laboratories 

In addition to networking with your immediate circle, reach out to local facilities, such as labs, hospitals, clinics, and universities that conduct research. Even if opportunities aren’t publicized, these institutions and laboratories may be willing to make room for you. Remember: when pitching your idea, don’t make it too niche—this will make it more difficult to find a fit and market your skills to labs. 

Cast a Wide Net 

Research opportunities are hard to secure, especially when you’re a young student, so you need to be persistent. You may need to write a hundred emails, but if you put in the effort and cast a wide net, you’ll vastly improve your chances of landing a great opportunity. 

Try not to be too picky, either. Of course, you shouldn’t just accept any offer , especially if it doesn’t appeal to you. But even if the opportunity doesn’t align perfectly with your skills and interests, it can still be a great chance to gain experience and make you a better candidate for future experiences.

How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances? 

How much participating in research enhances your college admissions profile depends on many factors, including the scope of the project, the prestige of the program or institution, your individual role and performance, the institution’s connections to or sponsorships by certain colleges, and even how much weight a college places on extracurricular activities in general. 

Generally speaking, there are four tiers of extracurricular activities that colleges think about when reviewing applicants’ activities. Selective, competitive, and prestigious activities are often found in the top tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 includes things such as being a highly recruited basketball player or an award-winning national science fair competitor. 

Tier 2 is similar, but is usually reserved for activities that are less exceptional than those in Tier 1. Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more common extracurricular achievements, such as holding school leadership positions or being a member of a debate team.

Research usually falls into Tier 2, and some particularly prestigious opportunities could even be Tier 1. That’s because it’s somewhat unusual for high school students to conduct research in professional and collegiate settings, so it’s more likely to impress colleges than other kinds of extracurricular activities.

Do you want to find out the impact research and other extracurricular activities might have on your chances of admission to top colleges and universities? Try using CollegeVine’s free chancing calculator ! 

Our tool evaluates your admissions profile, by accounting for factors like your grades,standardized test scores, and extracurriculars (including research!) to show you how you stack up against other applicants and how likely you are to get into hundreds of different colleges and universities. You’ll also receive tips on how to improve your profile and your odds—all for free.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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Research Opportunities for High School Students

Hands-on laboratory-based research experiences are coveted by just about every STEM-oriented teenager on the planet. Of course, this level of demand renders research apprenticeships a valuable and rare commodity for high school students. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable summer programs run by universities, government agencies, and private research laboratories that afford young scientists this highly sought after experience. Research opportunities during the actual school year are more challenging to locate as colleges are, at that time, catering to their own students, and the rigidity of the high school calendar makes participation a further challenge.

College Transitions’ list of Research Opportunities for High School Students includes a bevy of summer program choices as well as a list of internships and apprenticeships that are indeed offered during the school year. For each entry, we list the geographic location of the program, whether there is a residential component offered, the length of the program, any associated costs or—on the other end—stipends, when the application window opens and closes, and the eligibility criteria for participation. We hope that this collection of research opportunities leads to you/your teen finding the laboratory experience of their dreams.

To view additional data columns, click the + icon to the left of the program’s name

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Our mentors.

Research interests: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Catalysis, Carbon-Based Materials

Vladimir graduated from Moscow State University, Chemistry Department in 2017, during his Bachelor/Master. He has visited Utrecht University to study solid-state NMR and its application for protein research, Friedrich-Alexander University to work on synthesis of sp2-carbon-based materials, and Novartis to work on bioconjugates. In 2018, he moved to Friedrich-Alexander University to continue his studies on carbon materials as a PhD student. After his thesis defense in 2019, he began his Postdoc at Martin-Luther University to work on heterogeneous catalysis. In 2022, he joined Pentelute group at MIT, where he is currently working on peptide-protein interactions and drug development.

Research interests: Russian Language and Literature, Russian History, African Literature and History, Philosophy, Comparative Literature, European History

Professor Jeanne-Marie J. research spans Russian language and literature, Russian history, African literature and history, Philosophy, Comparative literature, and European history. Her first book, South African Literature's Russian Soul, is centrally concerned with how Russia's nineteenth-century "Golden Age" of literature and ideas provides a model for the study of South African realist forms and epistemologies, both during and after apartheid. Her second book, The African Novel of Ideas, tells a story of how the novel has negotiated between liberal selfhood and awareness of liberalism's failings across key African intellectual contexts.

Research interests: Machine Learning, Computer Systems, Bioinformatics

Dr. Eric S. has BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Cornell University. His research includes work in dynamical systems, machine learning, system theory, computer systems, communications systems and bioinformatics. He is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Morgan State University, a public research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Eric S. also has a breadth of industry experience in the fields of pattern recognition, machine learning, speech recognition, signal processing and power systems. He has been a participating member of the IEEE, Sigma Xi, and Sigma Pi Sigma. Dr. Eric S. is currently working on machine learning techniques for financial data analysis and blockchain applications and is currently a member of the Morgan State University Fintech Center for Blockchain Technology.

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High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

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An opportunity for high school students to spend a summer working in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH.

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About this program, diversity and inclusion, hs-sip cohort programs, eligibility criteria, stipend and other compensation, before you apply, how to apply, selection process.

This program is for 11th and 12th graders interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. With the exception of the HiSTEP program , these are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.

High school summer interns are selected by a central committee in each Institute/Center and placed in a research group to work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI). HS-SIP applicants should not contact NIH investigators directly to explore possible positions.

We offer research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. Students interested in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply. Summer interns may not work in administrative offices or outside of the NIH IRP.

All NIH summer interns have access to:

• professional development programs focused on core competencies needed for success in science careers
• educational and career advising
• a comprehensive well-being and resilience program

We also sponsor Summer Poster Day , where our interns share their research with the NIH community.

Diversity strengthens our community. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from:

• people from racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in biomedical research and healthcare fields
• people with disabilities
• people who identify as LGBTQ+
• people disadvantaged by life circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities.

Our goal is to support diverse students to enter careers in research and healthcare. To help us achieve this, we sponsor two cohort programs for high school students. Interns in these cohort programs have access to all resources of the broader HS-SIP program and also participate in orientation, leadership, professional development, and well-being programs as part of a learning community. The curriculum of each cohort program is tailored to the educational needs of the groups and includes a focus on science, professional, and personal skill development. The OITE sponsors two HS-SIP cohort experiences:

• HiSTEP for current high school juniors who will be rising 12th graders in the summer; this is a part-time program and interns do not work in NIH research groups.
• HiSTEP 2.0 for current high school seniors; this is a full-time program and interns are placed in an NIH research group.

To apply for the NIH HS-SIP, and HS-SIP cohort programs, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must:

• Be 17 years of age or older on June 15, 2024.
• Be enrolled in high school as a junior or senior when you submit your application. U.S. citizens may apply if they are enrolled at least half-time in high school. U.S. permanent residents must be enrolled in a high school in the U.S. to be eligible.
• If you are under 18 years old by June 15, live within 40 miles of the NIH campus on which you will intern when you submit your application.

Applicants with a family member working at NIH should be aware of the strict nepotism policy , which may limit your ability to work in certain NIH institutes, centers, or research groups.

Stipends for summer interns are adjusted annually and are based on educational level. There is free parking on each NIH campus; summer interns on some campuses may be eligible to participate in the Transhare program .

All summer interns must present proof of health insurance to participate in the program.

The decision to come to the NIH as a summer intern is an important one.  In most cases these are full-time research positions, and it is not possible to take summer classes or tend to other responsibilities during work hours.

Research groups are located on several different NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. Before you begin your application, we encourage you to learn more about:

• the NIH IRP and the mission of each Institute and Centers
• the various NIH campuses and the specific focus of the work performed there

Watch this important video before applying. It talks about the program and provides a framework for deciding if the program is right for you. It also discusses the application process and provides information on finding appropriate research groups.

Opening and closing dates

The HS-SIP application is currently closed.

The HS-SIP application closed on Friday, February 16, 2024 at noon ET. Reference letters are due before Friday, February 23, 2024 at noon ET.

Complete your application

You must use the NIH Application Center to apply for this program:

• After you complete the required sections of your profile, you will be asked to select a preferred program. Choose 'Summer internships for high school students'.
• You must select 'Apply' next to ‘High School Summer Internship Program’ for your application to be considered for this program.
• Ensure that you are eligible for this program before clicking 'Start Application.'
• To complete your application, import any relevant information from your profile. You must also submit:
• Coursework & Exams - a list of coursework and grades
• CV/Resume - a list of your education, experience, and other relevant history ( see an example resume )
• References - the names and contact information of two references
• Letter/Statement - a cover letter broadly describing your prior research experiences, your current interests and career goals.

5. Review all of your materials carefully before you submit your application

HS-SIP applicants should not reach out directly to NIH Principal Investigators since HS-SIP selections are made centrally by the HS-SIP summer coordinator in each Institute/Center (IC). Reach out to the HS-SIP coordinator in the NIH IC you want to work. Follow the guidance they provide, as the application process differs in each IC.

Applications are reviewed by the NIH Institute/Center (IC) who select their own summer interns and provide the funding to support them. Successful candidates will be informed by the hiring IC. Many NIH research groups are unable to accommodate high school students due to safety concerns, and the acceptance rate of HS-SIP is ~7%. Therefore, we strongly encourage applicants to seek other internship and employment opportunities.

Have questions?

Check out our extensive frequently asked questions list to support you in the application process.

Reach out to us with questions at [email protected] .

Lori Conlan

• Deputy Director, Office of Intramural Training and Education

Alexis Schirling

• Program Specialist

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This external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.

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Top Online Research Opportunities for High School Students

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/10/24

Read on to learn about the best online research opportunities for high school students and how to strengthen your college profile !

Enrolling in an online research program can help set you up for college success, particularly if you're interested in undergraduate research. 

This guide will teach you what you need to know about the benefits of virtual research, what to look for in research opportunities, and a list of the best online research opportunities for high school students !

Top 20 Online Research Opportunities for High School Students in 2024

These are some of the best online research opportunities for high school students: 

1. The Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Academic requirement : ​​Unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher

Duration : 12 weeks

College credit : No

This research program was founded by Harvard and Oxford scholars, allowing students to work one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors to create an "independently-developed research project." ‍

2. Horizon Academic (HARP)

Academic requirement : ​Unweighted GPA of 3.67 or higher

Duration : Three months

HARP is a trimester-long research opportunity . Students work with a professor as they develop a college-level research project. Most students complete a 20+ page research paper by the program's end. ‍

3. Pioneer Academics

Academic requirement : ​Demonstrated academic excellence

Cost : $6,850

Duration : Three to four months

College credit : Yes

Many top colleges hold Pioneer Academics in high regard : “it’s the only online credit-bearing research program” offering STEM, social sciences, and humanities disciplines. Students work one-on-one with U.S. university professors, and the program is open to students worldwide. 

4. Polygence

Academic requirement : Not required

Cost : Starts at $2,795

Duration : Four to six months

Polygence offers one-on-one mentorship with a research expert in the field and flexible scheduling. Students in the program can earn college credit from the University of California, write a research paper, and pursue “passion projects” such as starting a podcast, writing a novel, publishing a paper, and more.

5. Cambridge Future Scholar Programme

Academic requirement : Demonstrated academic excellence

Cost : $3,900

Duration : 13 weeks

This online research opportunity is taught by professors from Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, Stanford, and select Ivies . Students can choose from 34 STEM, Business, Social Sciences, and Humanities courses. Outcomes include a research paper and recommendation letter from an Oxbridge or Ivy League faculty member. ‍

6. CrowdMath

Academic requirement : N/A

Cost : Free

Duration : One year

CrowdMath is an open project run by MIT Primes and the Art of Problem Solving. The purpose is for students to “experience research mathematics and discover ideas that did not exist before.” Students can comment on the message board to try and solve complex problems.

7. Indigo Research

Cost : Starting at $3,800

Duration : 13 to 48 weeks depending on program

Their High School Research Program pairs students 1:1 with professors and mentors from top universities in the US and UK to develop their own research project. Indigo is known for having some of the strictest education requirements for mentors (including professors from Ivy League universities), as well as the most flexible research program, allowing students to tailor personalized mentorship sessions according to their schedule.

8. Summer Academy for High School Students

Cost : $1,200 for early registration, or $1,500

Duration : One month

This program offers hands-on experience in architecture, interior design, and landscape design for students. Virtual activities include exploring buildings, taking tours, and using design tools from home. Students get access to design software, a sketchbook, and a 3D printing pen to build portfolios for college applications.

9. Leadership Institute

Cost : $5,313

The Leadership Institute at Brown University empowers high school students who care about social justice to make a difference. Students join a supportive community to discuss important issues and find solutions. They learn skills like listening, problem-solving, and teamwork. By the end, they create a plan to bring positive change to their communities.

10. BETA Camp Summer

Cost : $3,000

BETA Camp is an online program for teens with big business ideas. With expert guidance and a supportive community, they learn how to turn their startup ideas into reality. They'll develop skills like researching, marketing, and pitching to investors.

11. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience 

Cost : No cost

Duration : Two weeks

This Stanford summer program in Behavioral and Psychological Sciences teaches students about cutting-edge research in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Students work together on a final project, which they present to Stanford professors, peers, and families at the end.

12. Summer College – Research Immersion Program

Cost : $1,985, plus $65 application fee

Duration : Six weeks

Syracuse University’s Summer College: Research Immersion Program (SCRIP) is a six-week program for high school students. During this time, they work closely with faculty on research projects and present their findings.

13. Summer Writing Online

Cost: $2,200

Duration: Three weeks

The University of Iowa has a renowned creative writing program that offers a three-week intensive course for high school writers. Students learn from Iowa's respected faculty, get workshop feedback, and hear from famous authors. It's a great opportunity for young writers seeking guidance and support for their creative projects this summer.

14. Summer Session for Pre-College Students

Cost: $4,850 for one course credit 

Duration: One month

High school students can join Yale summer classes with Yale undergrads, a cool chance to dive deep into a subject they love or try something new. They'll get the real feel of studying at a top-notch university, earn college credit, and meet Yale's awesome faculty.

15. Secondary School Program 

Cost: $3,700 per four credit course, plus $75 application fee

Duration: Seven weeks

This program offers more than 200 courses. It's a great chance to explore college-level research on a topic you like, taught by famous professors.

16. Pre-College Summer Programs

Cost: $1,950 (one credit), $562 (non-credit)

Duration: Two to 10 weeks

College credit : Depends on the program

Johns Hopkins University offers many online programs for high schoolers. These courses let you learn at your own pace and include live teaching. They have different time options so that you can fit them around your summer plans.

17. International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)

Duration: Two weeks

ISSYP has been teaching future physicists for 20 years. This two-week online program is for high schoolers who've taken physics and want to study it in college. Through interactive sessions with peers and experts, they'll learn about modern physics topics like quantum mechanics and black holes. It's perfect for juniors or seniors interested in physics research.

18. Summer Program

Cost: $1,075-$1,375 per course

AwesomeMath has an online summer program for high schoolers who are good at math and want to ace competitions like AMC, AIME, or IMO. The program has Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory courses at four skill levels, spread over three summer sessions.

19. Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Cost: $800 plus $35 application processing fee

Duration: One week

This summer program teaches high schoolers how to use economics in decision-making and become leaders in public policy. Taught by economics professors and leadership experts, the classes are hands-on and include group projects. It's perfect for students who want to research economics and public policy.

20. Medical Research Program

Cos t: $1,495 - $1,795

Duration : One to four weeks

Georgetown University has a special online program for high schoolers who want to do medical research in college. Students learn about clinical research, evidence-based medicine, and ethics. They'll create their study and turn it into a scientific paper. This mentorship program is great for anyone interested in medical school or clinical research.

These are some of our top picks, but it doesn’t stop here! Taking initiative to find research opportunities will look excellent on your college application, so you should keep looking until you find the right one for you.

In-Person vs Online Research Opportunities: When to Choose

Deciding between in-person and online research opportunities depends on various factors. In-person research can offer hands-on experience and direct interaction with mentors and equipment. It's ideal for those who prefer a traditional learning environment and thrive in face-to-face interactions. 

On the other hand, online research provides flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This option suits individuals with busy schedules or those who prefer working independently. 

Benefits of Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students 

In general, research exposure is important for high school students. According to the American Psychological Association , research for high school students can help provide early career exposure, develop necessary life and career skills, and build and expand a professional network. 

However, virtual research opportunities for high school students in particular have added benefits: 

• Generally lower costs compared to in-person programs 
• No need to navigate transportation, accommodations, or any other travel logistics 
• Flexibility (depending on the program) 
• A mix of guided and independent work 

Overall, virtual research opportunities for high school students mean they can get valuable research experience with fewer barriers, such as high costs, time, and distance.

What to Look For in an Online Research Opportunity 

There are three main factors you should consider when looking for the best online research opportunities for high school students: 

• Who offers the program : Check your source (an organization, school, etc.) and learn more about them. Are they reputable? Will partnering with them give you the tools you need to succeed? 
• The program’s value : Consider what your role would be in the program and what skills you'd learn. Does the program offer enough guidance for your success? Does the program offer mixed learning through webinars and workshops? Is the research you'd be doing relevant to your passions? 
• The time commitment/flexibility : Will the program's schedule fit with your own? Do you have to attend live meetings/lectures, or are they pre-recorded? Can you speak one-on-one in real-time with a research expert? Consider time commitments and flexibility to see if a program works for your busy schedule. 

To summarize, look for programs with a reputation for excellence, offer guidance and the opportunity to hone or build new skills, and work for you when added to your schedule.

Final Thoughts

Virtual research opportunities for high school students can help you explore your interest areas, gain the necessary skills you'll need for undergraduate research, and build your professional network. Before applying, consider the program's source, value, and time commitment. 

Remember, the best online research opportunity for any high school student is one that you’re passionate about participating in. Whether you're interested in STEM, business, pre-med, or humanities, there’s a research opportunity waiting for you.

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5 Free Virtual Research Opportunities For High School Students

Virtual research opportunities for high school students are programs that provide hands-on experience and research projects in various STEM fields, such as mathematics, computer science, computational biology, physics, neuroscience, and engineering. These programs are designed to deepen students’ understanding of STEM and help them develop the skills needed to succeed in their academic and professional careers. 

Participating in these programs can also help high school students expand their knowledge and skills in their areas of interest and work on exciting, unsolved problems with established researchers from top-tier universities. 

Virtual research opportunities are especially useful for high school students who are unable to attend in-person programs due to distance, cost, or other factors. They offer a flexible and accessible way to gain valuable experience and knowledge from the comfort of their own homes. In this article, we will discuss five free virtual research opportunities available for high school students.

1. MIT Primes  

MIT PRIMES is a free, year-long after-school program that provides research projects and guided reading to high school students in the areas of mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. The program is designed for students living within driving distance from Boston, and it offers four sections: PRIMES, PRIMES-USA, Menezes Challenge PRIMES Circle, and Yulia’s Dream.

PRIMES is a research-focused program in which participants work with MIT researchers to solve exciting, unsolved problems. PRIMES-USA is a distance mentoring math research section for high school juniors and sophomores from across the United States. Menezes Challenge PRIMES Circle is a math enrichment section for underrepresented groups living within commuting distance from Boston. Yulia’s Dream is a math enrichment and research program for exceptional high school students from Ukraine.

In addition to these sections, PRIMES runs two collaborative initiatives: MathROOTS, a two-week summer program for high-potential high school students from underrepresented backgrounds or underserved communities, and CrowdMath, a year-long online collaborative research project open to all high school and college students worldwide.

Finally, PRIMES STEP is a year-long math enrichment program for middle school students from Greater Boston.

Overall, MIT PRIMES aims to provide challenging and engaging opportunities for students with a passion for mathematics and science. Through research projects, guided reading, and collaborative initiatives, PRIMES seeks to foster the intellectual growth and development of high school and middle school students, and to inspire them to pursue their interests in these fields.

MIT PRIMES is a prestigious year-long after-school program that offers research projects and guided reading to high school students interested in mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. 

The admissions for the 2023 cycle are closed, and the admission decisions are made by February 1. However, for the 2024 cycle, new problem sets will be posted on October 1, 2023, and applicants will have until November 30, 2023, to solve the relevant problem set(s). 

To apply for MIT PRIMES, you must be a high school student (or a home-schooled student of high school age) living in the Greater Boston area, able to come to MIT weekly from February to May.

To apply, you need to fill out a questionnaire, ask for two or three letters of recommendation, and submit your solutions of the PRIMES problem set. Applicants to the Math section must solve the Math problem set (at least 70%), and applicants to the Computer Science and Computational Biology sections must solve the Computer Science problem set (100%) and the General part of the Math problem set (at least 70%). Admission decisions are based on all components of your application, and there is no application fee.

MIT PRIMES suggests a list of recommended readings as a preparation for entering the program and as a background for further research. By participating in MIT PRIMES, students can gain hands-on experience working on exciting, unsolved problems with MIT researchers and expand their knowledge and skills in these areas.

The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a program that provides opportunities for underrepresented high school students to explore STEM fields. The program is designed to deepen students’ understanding of STEM through traditional classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and sustained engagement with faculty and staff mentors. 

SAMS Scholars are taught by renowned faculty and staff who are deeply committed to their success. They also have the opportunity to collaborate and develop meaningful relationships with peers from across the country. Through SAMS and other outreach initiatives, the program aims to develop a diverse and supportive community of STEM Scholars interested in attending top-tier universities.

The program consists of two parts: Part one is a virtual jumpstart that will occur prior to the start of the residential program. This will focus on skill-building that will be needed for the in-person program. Part two is a 5-week in-person Pre-College program where students will move into the residence halls and attend full days of courses and meetings. The academic portion of the program will conclude with a symposium, and students will move out of the residence halls at the end of the program. 

SAMS is a fully funded, merit-based program, and there is no cost for scholars to participate. To be eligible for the program, students must be at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a junior in high school at the time of application submission. Scholars are expected to participate fully for the duration of the program and cannot participate in any other programs if selected for SAMS.

3. University of Illinois – High School Summer Research Program

The High School Summer STEM research program invites current 9th-11th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin to apply for an authentic six-week STEMM research experience at a world-class research university. Participants will be matched with another student, and in some cases, a teacher from their school. 

The program aims to provide hands-on experience in various STEMM fields, including cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering.

Participants will work with established researchers in engineering, computer science, and medicine and attend weekly seminars on topics such as college admission processes and support available, communicating scientifically, and preparing research posters etc. Students will also interact with faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, and local high school teachers.

Participants will showcase their research with a research poster and symposium at the end of the program. They should plan for 30-35 hours per week of research and professional development time, with a majority of activities taking place on the University of Illinois campus. 

The program covers some transportation/parking expenses, meals, and a monetary award.

High school teachers play an essential role in the program, with some research projects requiring a teacher to be a co-researcher, and others having a teacher mentor who checks in weekly with the students to discuss their research progress and address any issues or challenges. 

Teachers and students do not need to come from the same school, and interested individuals should apply regardless of whether they can recruit others from their school to apply.

The program also invites research faculty, staff, and graduate student researchers affiliated with The Grainger College of Engineering and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine to propose a high school research project for consideration. The proposals will be mentored by POETS YS, GEnYuS, or SpHERES research teams, which will guide two high school juniors/seniors from limited understanding to completion of a related project of their own and poster presentation explaining their research.

In summary, the High School Summer STEM research program provides high school students with an opportunity to engage in authentic STEMM research and develop professional and college-ready skills. Participants work with established researchers, attend weekly seminars, and showcase their research at the end of the program. 

The program aims to provide hands-on experience and build confidence in students as scientists and engineers.

4. Simons Summer Research Program

The Simons Summer Research Program is a highly selective program that offers high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on research with Stony Brook faculty mentors. Founded in 1984, the program attracts applicants from all over the country, with Simons Fellows being paired with a faculty mentor, joining a research group or team, and taking responsibility for a project. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independence, creativity, and an aptitude for hands-on work, with a strong interest in science. The program takes place during the summer before the student’s senior year of high school, with students participating in the program from June 26, 2023 to August 11, 2023.

In addition to working on their research project, Simons Fellows attend weekly faculty research talks, special workshops, tours, and events. At the closing poster symposium, students present their research project through a written research abstract and a research poster. Participants receive a stipend award.

The Simons Summer Research Program is supported by the Simons Foundation and is open to US citizens and/or permanent residents who are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program. The program is an opportunity for high school students interested in science to learn valuable techniques, experience life at a major research university, and develop independence, creativity, and an aptitude for hands-on work. The program aims to give students a glimpse into the world of scientific research and inspire them to pursue careers in science.

5. EnergyMag Internship

EnergyMag is offering virtual internships for high school and college students interested in increasing the share of renewable energy in the world and gaining work experience in the energy storage industry. 

The internships aim to provide students with research and analysis skills that will be valuable for their future professional lives. The virtual internship allows students to complete their internship hours virtually, providing flexibility to fit the experience into their busy personal and professional lives. Additionally, virtual interns enjoy the unique rewards of learning from experts regardless of their geographic location and strengthening their information and computer skills. 

The internships are strong resume boosters for employers, graduate college programs, and undergraduate programs. 

EnergyMag offers half-time and quarter-time virtual internships. Half-time internships are available in the summer for two to eight weeks, with interns expected to work approximately 20 hours per week. Quarter-time internships are available all year round for one to nine months, with interns expected to work approximately eight hours per week. The internships are unpaid, and interns work from home while maintaining daily electronic contact with EnergyMag and their mentor. 

Depending on the student’s graduation date, academic record, and experience, interns will be asked to research and analyze a specific company, technology, or market. The intern will be mentored, briefed, supervised, and assisted in producing a draft analysis report. If the report is publishable, EnergyMag will give the intern an internship Letter of Accomplishment. 

The application process for college and high school internships requires an application explaining why EnergyMag should grant an internship, a Skype or voice interview, and a writing sample upon request. College interns are also required to provide their academic record, and high school interns should have at least one honors science or English class with a GPA above 3.25. 

EnergyMag believes that internships provide the opportunity for students to learn on-the-job skills that are not easy to acquire at school but will make a big difference in their future professional success, such as learning how to research a scientific or business issue, approach strangers with positions of authority in a friendly and professional manner, analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources, and communicate professionally in writing.

The blog highlights five virtual research opportunities for high school students, providing hands-on experience and research projects in various STEM fields such as mathematics, computer science, physics, neuroscience, and engineering. These virtual research opportunities aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of STEM and develop the necessary skills to succeed in academic and professional careers. Furthermore, these programs help expand knowledge and work on unsolved problems with established researchers from top-tier universities.

Virtual research opportunities for high school students provide a flexible and accessible way to gain valuable experience and knowledge from the comfort of their own homes. These programs aim to foster the intellectual growth and development of high school and middle school students, and inspire them to pursue their interests in these fields.

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It’s what your pupil says to you because you saw something in your student that he/she didn’t see in himself/herself. UCIxGATI collaborates in partnership with you. Whether you are recommending your pupil to us or participating in GATI Teachers Symposium, your voice matters for your pupil’s success.

Helping high school scholars around the world to jumpstart their research careers.

Best Summer Research Programs for High School Students 2023

• March 3, 2022
• Career Guidance , College Admission Guidance , Parents Must Read , Under Graduate

Summer is an extremely important time as colleges want to know what the student is doing during their spare time. Based on your own interest, you can do just about anything. The sky is the limit – online courses, summer programs, internships, etc. Another great option is a research project; especially if you are aiming to get into the Ivy and elite colleges from India and other Asian countries . Here are some of the best-in-class   in-person and online summer research programs for high school students in 2023.

Summer Research Programs for High School Students

College is a giant academic leap from high school, and as such, it requires careful preparation, often beyond what high school can provide. Thus,  students (and their parents) often spend the summer after senior year  brushing up on skills that will give them the competitive edge they need to succeed in college and in their future careers.

A research program is one of those critical extracurricular activities that can demonstrate that you willingly take on challenging material and that you thrive amid competition. Your activities list will tell colleges that not only are you ready for college, but you also have experience in the research field.

The opportunity to have your scientific findings from a summer program published or presented in the scientific community is the ticket to sending your college applications to the next level .

Since many summer research programs themselves are selective, they provide you with experience as they mimic the college application process. They can range anywhere from one week to last the majority of your summer break (and even 6 months).

The prices range greatly too, with some free options alongside programs that cost thousands of dollars . A few of them (e.g. Lumiere and SHRM) also provide financial aid for deserving candidates with financial constraints.

How does a Research Project Help in College Admissions?

A research project on your resume can help you to demonstrate:

• Self-motivation and Initiative
• Long-term commitment
• Consistency and Depth within Interests
• Connection to Academics
• Creativity and Originality

You can use this list as a starting point for finding an online research program or summer pre-college program that matches your intended major. Read more about how research publications can help with college admissions .

Best Online Summer Research Programs for High School Students 2022

Why Undertake Online Research Programs in 2022?

The pandemic is still around. We are not 100% sure if there is going to be any other variant in the near future. So, we have prioritized online research programs for high school students. After all, safety is more important.

Summers in 2020 and 2021 showed us that students will be able to find activities that work in a virtual environment, and in doing so, they’ll learn a little more about themselves. With some creativity, they can find new ways to engage in their interests and develop new skills. Bonus points if they make a positive impact on others in their community in the meantime.

Online research programs for high school students offer a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills in research and pursue the possibility of having their findings published. 

Lumiere Education

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective research program for high school students. Students work 1-1 with a research mentor from a top university to develop a full-length, undergraduate-level research paper. The program offers the opportunity to do research in any academic field of your choice, ranging from machine learning and economics to physics and history.

In the 2020-2021 school year, over 1500 students applied to the program. An analysis of ED/EA admissions of former Lumiere students showed that alumni were 26% more likely to be accepted to the top ten universities in the US .

Lumiere also helps students with the publication process for their research. Students’ past research projects have gone on to be finalists at MIT Think, published in journals like the Cornell Undergraduate Economic Review, and have won competitions like Regional ISEF Regeneron fairs.

Lumiere also provides scholarships to students whose families make less than $35,000 per year (US applicants) or 15 lakh rupees per year (Indian or non-US applicants).

Interested in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program 2022?

Application Deadline: March 13, 2022.

Research Areas at Lumiere:

• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Gender Studies
• Business & Entrepreneurship
• International Relations

Horizon Academic

Horizon Academic (HARP) is a trimester-long online research program for extraordinary high school students to refine their interest in an academic subject. Students will develop a college-level research project under the individualized guidance of a professor from a globally renowned university.

Students choose their own subject area and work with a professor, post-doc, or Ph.D. student to develop a unique research proposal. After a trimester of reading, writing, and exploring, students finish their final projects, most often a 20-25 page research paper.

By showcasing a student’s very best work, Horizon gives students the opportunity to get letters of recommendation, seek outside recognition of the quality of their work, and demonstrate their exceptional talent to universities.

Research Areas:

• Machine Learning and Biotechnology
• Cancer Biology (CRISPR)
• Neuroscience
• Protein Physics
• Formulation Chemistry
• Ancient Greek-Roman History

SHRM Biotechnologies

SHRM Biotech is an affiliated training institute under the Life Science Skill Sector Council, Govt. of India. It is dedicated to providing training to students coming from life science backgrounds and high school students passionate about science. They provide a wide range of services including Research Projects, Training (both offline and online), contract research facilities, assistance in the development of project reports, and so on.

Research projects are usually of longer tenure, like 12-16 weeks, and involve the participation of the students in gathering data, analyzing it, and then coming to a fruitful conclusion. There are other reasons why students must opt for dissertation projects, they are mentioned here:

• Performing investigation while dealing with a research problem and simultaneously collecting and organizing information (or data).
• Checking the validity of the data by performing required experiments in the laboratory under experienced faculty
• Application of data analysis by application of technology and intellect to critically evaluate information
• Showcase the findings of the dissertation as a well-explained report by aligning it with the present scientific knowledge
• Present the research in your institution or an audience.

Need Help with Profile Building / College Admissions?

Fill Out the Profile Evaluation Form to Get a Call from Stoodnt or Team SHRM Biotech

Pioneer Academics

It’s a great option to do a research project online and earn credits from a US college. Pioneer is well respected for its rigorous academic standards which apply to both the faculty members and the students.

The Pioneer Research Program provides undergraduate-level research opportunities to talented, intellectually motivated high school students (and college students) from around the world. It is the only online credit-bearing research program for high school students that offers STEM, social sciences and humanities disciplines.

In the Pioneer Research Program, selected students to work one-on-one with leading US university professors in advanced study and research of a topic of their interest, culminating in a full-length research paper. The program is conducted entirely online, allowing high school students from all over the world to participate.

It’s another platform that provides opportunities to high school students to conduct research projects online. The platform allows students to connect with an expert mentor online and develop a college-level research project. The projects allow students to showcase their work through a publication, conference presentation, or creative piece.

Students need to have a solid idea of what they want to study and preferably some research ideas as well. Here are some of the  projects done by previous students .

CrowdMath (a joint program by the Art of Problem Solving and MIT Primes)

It’s a massive online collaborative year-long research project open to all high school (and college) students around the world.

Students get a unique opportunity to collaborate on a large research project with top-tier research mentors and an exceptional peer group. MIT PRIMES and Art of Problem Solving are working together to create a place for students to experience research mathematics and discover ideas that did not exist before.

Click here for more information on Project 2022 .

Recommended Articles:

Free Online Courses for High School Students

Other Top Online Summer Research Programs for High School Students

• International Research Institute of North Carolina (IRI-NC)
• ScholarLaunch
• BioChemCoRe
• J Craig Venter Institute
• Apple World Wide Developers Conference
• Congressional App Challenge
• Google Code Jams
• InternWorks
• UCI Summer Premed Program
• Anson L Clark Scholar Program
• Cambridge Future Scholar Programme

Best Summer Research Programs for High School Students

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program
• Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
• Research Science Institute (RSI)
• Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
• Simons Summer Research Program
• Research in Materials Science Program (RIMS)
• Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship

Summer Research Programs for High School Students on Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

• Center For Disease Control Disease Detective Camp  – Atlanta, Georgia
• Coriell Institute For Medical Research Summer Experience  – Camden, New Jersey
• City Of Hope Cancer Center Eugene And Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy  – Duarte, California
• Wistar Institute Summer Fellowship Program In Biomedical Research  – Philadelphia, PA
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jump Start Program  – College Park, Maryland
• McLaughlin Research Institute For Biomedical Sciences Summer Internship  – Great Falls, Montana

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25 Research Opportunities for High School Students

• Last modified 2023-12-11
• Published on 2023-12-05

1. Envirothon - NCF-Envirothon

Hosted by the National Conservation Foundation, this is one of the research opportunities that invites students from grades 9 – 12 (or ages 14-19) across the United States, Canada, and China to participate in solving environmental problems in the areas of aquatic ecology, forestry, soils, land use, wildlife, etc. Teams are made up of 5 students who are then given 6 hours to formulate a solution to a specific environmental problem and create an oral presentation. After 6 hours, students present their solutions.

2024 Topic: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future

Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Geneva, New York)

Competition dates: July 28 – August 3, 2024

2. Research Science Institute

The RSI invites 100 high school juniors to participate in a five-week internship program at MIT. Students will experience the research cycle, read the most up to date literature in their field, draft and execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings. Students will be paired with a mentor, take lessons for 1 week highlighting current research topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and humanities. Then, they will start conducting guided research for 5 weeks. In the meantime, they will prepare papers and oral presentations at a level appropriate for an academic conference.

Application Deadline: December 13, 2023, 11:59 pm E.T

3. UCSC’s Science Summer Internship Program

University of California Santa Cruz has a summer-long (10 weeks) research internship program for high school students in STEM fields. High school students have the chance to receive one-on-one mentoring from UCSC faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers.

High school students who are interested in STEM fields and research are highly encouraged to participate in this program. Students participate in real and existing research projects at UCSC, not made-up projects.

Students are required to be at least 14 years of age on the program start date, and be currently enrolled in high school. Accepted students are normally from Bay Area high schools, but out-of-area students who have local housing are also encouraged to apply.The application will open on March 1, 2024, at 8 AM PDT and closes on March 31, 2024

4. BRAINYAC

The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program is an NYC high school internship. The internship prepares today’s youth to become tomorrow’s scientists. Each student is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist– a mentor who guides the student through a research project. Interns come away from the experience with an enhanced understanding of how laboratory research leads to transformative discovery, exposure to a professional academic environment, and a stronger connection to science as a career. Applicants must reside in New York City, with preference given to students in upper Manhattan and South Bronx.

Application Deadline: October 2024.

5. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

JHIBS is an 8-week (in-person) or 5-week (virtual) summer program for high school juniors and seniors that helps them pursue a career in the neurological sciences. High school juniors and seniors from the Baltimore city and metro areas are allowed to apply. The internship is held at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus. Interns will participate in a research project guided by faculty, staff, and student mentors, as well as participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024

6. The Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Program (SRP)

This program is designed to serve students from populations underrepresented in biomedical and clinical research during the summer after their senior year in high school. Selected participants will be paired with a research mentor. Research projects may involve laboratory-based research, computer-based database research, or clinical research. Students will learn about research methodology and will complete a project over the summer. They will present their findings during oral presentation sessions. High school students who are applying must have completed their senior year by the program’s start date.

Program Dates: Monday, June 5 – Friday, July 28

The application deadline is February 2024, but the program suggests students apply earlier due to rolling admission.

7. Stanford STEM to SHTEM Program

This program aims to provide high school students with exposure to cutting-edge research in an academic environment, and introduce them to the diversity of research topics pursued in engineering. Projects will be mentored by students, faculty, and staff of the Stanford Compression Forum and its affiliated organizations. Themes will span and combine the science of information and communication, engineering, the arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design, among other areas. High school students must be current high school juniors or seniors by the time of their application. The program is 8 weeks long, starting from June 13 to August 15, 2022.

Application Deadline: February 2024

8. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program

The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University is a program for high school students that provides hands-on training in various scientific research fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering. The program offers students an opportunity to work with Princeton researchers and graduate students in state-of-the-art labs and research centers. For this year’s program, students can participate in engineering and natural science opportunities.

Application Deadline: February 15 to March 15, 2024

9. Boston University RISE (Research in Science and Engineering) Internship

Rising seniors will conduct research for 40 hours per week under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, or graduate student mentor. Students have the opportunity to choose from multiple research fields– from astronomy, and chemistry to psychology and public health. In addition to research, students participate in weekly workshops that provide insight into the scientific process, research ethics, reading a research paper, making a poster, and networking in the scientific community.

Applicants must be rising seniors and US citizens or legal permanent residents

Program Fee: $5,570 (Commuter) or $8,558 (Residential)

Deadline: February 14, 2024

10. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

Hosted by the Society for Science, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is an annual science fair in the United States. More than 1500 students from roughly 70 countries and territories compete in the fair for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and grand prizes.

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Date: May 11-17, 2024

11. International BioGENEius Challenge

High school or home-schooled students from the United States and Canada are invited to participate in different challenges (local, national, and international). There are three challenges: The Global Healthcare Challenge, The Global Sustainability Challenge, and The Global Environment Challenge. All project submissions must utilize and apply biotechnology. Students must be enrolled in high school-level biology, or science-related courses at their high school or in their home-school curriculum to participate.

Date: Varies from state to state

12. National Science Bowl

Hosted by the Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl is a competitive science education and academic event for middle and high school students. Students are asked to solve scientific and mathematical problems in teams of four. Regional science bowl championship teams receive an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the national event in Washington, D.C. in April.

National Finals Date: April 25 – 29, 2024

13. THINK Scholars Program

The THINK Scholars Program is a STEM program run by undergraduate students at MIT, sponsored by tech companies and educational organizations. High school students participating in the program must write a project proposal that, if accepted, they will work on for one semester. Projects can be completed by an individual or in a team of two during the Spring semester with a $1,000 budget.

Project Completion Date: June 2024

Deadline: January 1, 2024

14. United States Army’s eCybermission Competition

eCYBERMISSION is a virtual STEM competition for students in grades 6-9. Students are invited to participate in one of seven challenges – ‘alternative sources of energy’, ‘environment’, ‘food, health, and fitness’, ‘forces and motion’, ‘national security and safety’, ‘robotics’, or ‘technology’. Each team includes 2-4 students, who must choose one of two paths: Science – Asking a question/exploring a problem, or Engineering – Solving a problem. After identifying the problem, teams will apply scientific principles and methods to develop solutions.

Registration Deadline: February 28, 2024

15. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

During the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, high school students from grades 9-12 can participate in competitions for various major disciplines including Environmental Science, Biomedical Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology, Life Sciences, Medicine & Health/Behavioral Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Math and Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, etc. Students are invited to compete in an affiliated JSHS regional symposium, and may win the opportunity to advance to the National JSHS. Participating students are required to write an original research paper 5-20 pages in length, and present their findings to a group of judges and peers.

National Event Date: April 12-15, 2023

16. New York University Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

The ARISE program is a dynamic and opportunity-driven initiative offered by New York University (NYU), designed to immerse students in a comprehensive 7-week summer experience. The program provides participants with rigorous lab experience and mentorship from NYU’s esteemed research faculty. Students will be trained to do college-level research and will have the opportunity to present their research at the end of the program.

Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade in June 2024

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Program Date: June 17 – August 9, 2024

17. National Science Olympiad

The National Science Olympiad is a national science competition for high school students. In teams of 15, students compete in various scientific fields, such as Forensics, Anatomy, Physiology, and more in three categories: Study, Build, and Lab. During the National tournament event, students can participate in social media contests, STEM Expo, and Science Olympiad $50K Founders’ Scholarships.

Exam Date: October 17, 2023 / November 21, 2023 / December 5, 2023

18. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship invites students under the age of 18 years old residing in the United States to participate. Categories include Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside the Box. Students may be in teams of no more than 2 people. To be considered, the project must be “an exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge, a new idea with high impact, an innovative solution with broad-range implications, an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon, an interdisciplinary discovery, or another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment.”

19. TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

Hosted by the American Psychological Association, the TOPSS Competition invites students to submit an essay of up to 1,500 words addressing the role of psychology in tackling societal systemic problems. Students should cite research from at least two peer-reviewed journal articles in their essays. Up to three students will receive $300 scholarships for their winning essays.

Deadline: April 10, 2023 

20. Scripps Research High School Internship

The Scripps Research High School Competition invites high school students from grades 9-12 to write a 1- to 2-page essay answering the following question: “What topic would you want to investigate/research and why?” Students are expected to know information about their topic of interest, have a hypothesis, and explain the results of their research. While showing an in-depth understanding of scientific research, students should also have clear and concisely written communication and proper citations of literature in their bibliography. The internship runs from June 3 – August 9, 2024, OR June 17 – August 23, 2024, or students can write specific dates on the application form (10 weeks).

Deadline: March 30, 2024

21. The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program

SSRP (Summer Science Research Program) Scholars participate in a structured research experience led by trainees at the Rockefeller University. The program emulates the laboratory structure at Rockefeller, with one trainee serving as the team lead and scientist-mentors providing support. High school juniors and seniors will follow a weekly schedule to conduct research while attending elective scientific courses, guest lectures, and social events.

Program Date: Monday, June 24 – Thursday, August 8, 2024

Application Deadline: January 5, 2024

22. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

Careers in Science is a comprehensive year-round internship and youth development program for high school students. As interns progress in the program, they have the chance to join project groups led by Academy researchers or partners. These small groups of students collaborate on science research or environmental action projects. Interns may also become members of the CiS Leadership Council and have the opportunity to receive personalized mentorship from experts at the Academy.

Eligibility: 9th or 10th-grade students in a San Francisco Public School who belong to underrepresented communities in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including girls and students of color.

Deadline: February 2, 2024, through April 5, 2024.

23. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope

This program seeks to find students possessing exceptional potential for performing biomedical research. Students will design and work on their own research projects in their specific areas of interest. In addition to research, students also communicate their results and findings to their peers and instructors during a weekly student seminar series. Students will produce a written report at the end of their project.

Eligibility: High school students who are at latest 16 years old before the internship begins

Program Date: June 5 – August 11, 2023

Application Deadline: March 16, 2023

24. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers and Community College Students

This internship aims to give students an early introduction to research that crosses traditional boundaries. Participants will be divided into projects that will use their current interests and abilities while introducing them to new subjects. The projects will be supervised by students, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum and its associated organizations. The themes will include a combination of information and communication science, engineering, arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design, among other fields.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2023

25. Research Opportunities with Aralia Research Program

The Aralia Research Program is designed to provide high school students with a unique opportunity to delve into the world of research, encouraging them to explore their interests in-depth and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields. This unique program transcends disciplinary boundaries, extending its reach to every subject.

Under the mentorship of experienced and dedicated instructors, students in the Aralia Research Program embark on a journey of discovery, developing critical research skills and gaining insights that extend beyond the boundaries of traditional classroom learning. This hands-on experience not only enriches their academic profile but also instills a sense of confidence and independence in their pursuit of knowledge.

Further reading:

• 12 Research Journals for High School Students
• 24 Summer Internships for High School Students 2023
• Competitions , Extracurricular Activities

Interested in learning more?

Aralia Education is an innovative online education platform for ambitious middle and high school students worldwide. Aralia’s instructors propel students forward by helping them build a strong foundation in traditional academic courses. They also actively engage and guide students in exploring personal interests beyond their school curriculum. With this holistic approach, Aralia ensures its students are well-prepared for college and equipped for success in their future careers.

• College Accelerator Program
• Comprehensive Introduction to High School
• Academic Empowerment Program
• Test Preparation Bootcamp
• Private Lessons
• Student Awards
• Competitions

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• Office of the Director of National Intelligence
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Students and Internships

We offer internships, scholarships, a co-op program and other programs for students in high school up through doctoral candidates. The application process for our student programs is the same as our job application process.

Our programs are paid; salary is based on your education level. We may also offer paid time off, holiday and sick leave, subsidized housing assistance (if eligible) and travel reimbursement (if eligible).

Undergrad and graduate programs

We generally accept applications from September 1 to October 15. Check the individual programs for exceptions. Each internship announcement will provide specific application requirements.

Mathematics programs

Director's summer program (dsp).

Open to: Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors Majors/fields: Mathematics, computer science and physics When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Each summer, we invite about two dozen exceptional mathematics students to collaborate with each other and with NSA mathematicians on problems critical to the intelligence gathering and information assurance missions of the agency. You will work on a wide range of problems and apply abstract algebra, geometry, number theory, analysis, probability, statistics, combinatorics, graph theory, algorithms and computer science skills. You will use mathematical theory, apply what you learn to real-time solutions and enjoy success built on hard work and innovation. You will use state-of-the-art resources, as well as a variety of computational algebra and statistics packages.

We are seeking participants who have distinguished themselves in undergraduate research or national mathematics competitions. Admission to this program is highly competitive.

Cryptanalysis and Signals Analysis Summer Program

Open to: Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors Majors/fields: Mathematics and computer programming When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will contribute to mission-essential operations by transforming collected data into a format analysts can readily consume for intelligence purposes by analyzing signals and protocols and overcoming security measures. Each summer, we invite 12 students to learn, use and further NSA's tradecraft as they work on operational problems of national importance.

This program begins with classified briefings on modern cryptography and operational projects that you will use for research throughout the summer. Research problems may include applications of math, statistics, computer science, reverse engineering and software development. You will work with data from many sources, analyze a wide range of technologies and access cutting-edge computing resources. Your results are integrated to provide new capabilities to our organization.

Graduate Mathematics Summer Internship (GMP)

Open to: Graduate students Majors/fields: Mathematics and statistics When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

In this program, exceptional mathematics and statistics graduate students work directly with mathematicians and statisticians on mission-critical problems and experience the excitement of the NSA technical community firsthand. You will work on a wide range of problems involving mathematics, statistics, data science, cryptology, and communications technology and document your work in internally published technical papers. You will access state-of-the-art computing resources and software packages such as Python, R, Sage, Magma, MATLAB and others.

Summer Program for Operations Research Technology (SPORT)

Open to: Graduate or doctoral students Majors/fields: Applied mathematics, data science and big data analytics, statistics, operations research, modeling and simulation, industrial engineering, systems engineering, computer network engineering, computer science or management science. When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

SPORT offers you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in the stimulating professional environment of one of the most advanced intelligence agencies in the world. You will spend the summer developing innovative solutions to unique problems.

You will apply the technical skills you've learned in graduate school to challenging operational problems. You will lead the technical development of your project and communication with your agency customer, work with operations research analysts and attend weekly seminars on best methods and practices. At the end of your internship, you will present your findings directly to your project customer, fellow interns and senior leadership.

Cybersecurity programs

Centers of academic excellence in cyber operations (cae-cyber ops) summer intern program.

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

The CAE-Cyber Ops Summer Program is our premier outreach program for students enrolled in the cyber operations specialization at NSA-designated universities. You will gain knowledge of specific cyber-related topics and apply your skills to address various real-world technical challenges. You will work on a broad range of problems involving applications of computer science and engineering.

You will participate in a capstone activity focused on specific real-world technical problems. You will gain better understanding of how to conduct data analysis and will apply that learning to developing real-time solutions and experience the excitement of success built on hard work and innovation. The outstanding work you accomplish is documented in the program's year-end report.

The goals of the program:

• Introduce our country's future leaders in cyber-related fields to the agency's mission and share the excitement of working on problems of national importance.
• Provide a deep understanding of the vital role that computer science and engineering play in enabling the agency to tackle a diverse set of technical challenges.
• Encourage undergraduate and graduate computer science and engineering majors to continue cyber-related studies and careers.
• Afford participants the opportunity to provide solutions to current operational problems.

Cyber Summer Program

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students Majors/fields: Cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, mathematics, network security, Information assurance When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

This program is our outreach effort to the very best undergraduate and graduate computer cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, mathematics, network security and information assurance students in the country. You will work with other students in teams and directly with technical professionals on mission-critical cyber-related problems.

You will work on a broad range of problems, applying computer science and engineering skills. In the first two weeks, you are broadly exposed to the NSA's cyber mission through lectures, classes and tours. Then, you choose a current mission-drive problem that you will focus on for the summer. You will present your work to senior leadership, as well as have it documented in the year-end report. You will learn and develop data analysis, network analysis and exploitation techniques, apply what you learn to come up with real-time solutions and experience the excitement of success built on hard work and innovation.

The goals of the program are to:

• Introduce our country's future leaders in cyber-related fields to the Agency's mission and share with them the excitement of working on problems of national importance.
• Provide a deep understanding of the vital role that cybersecurity, engineering, mathematics, network security and information assurance majors to continue their studies and pursue careers in the cyber-related fields.
• Provide solutions to current operational problems.

Cybersecurity Directorate Summer Intern Program (CSDIP)

Open to: Undergraduate juniors, graduate students and doctoral students Majors/fields: Cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering, information systems, information assurance, computer forensics, systems engineering, network engineering When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

The National Security Agency's (NSA) Cybersecurity Directorate Summer Intern Program (CSDIP) is an exciting opportunity for outstanding undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in a variety of technical fields to experience and contribute to the mission of NSA. The newest of NSA's internship programs, CSDIP invites students in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Computer Forensics, Systems Engineering and Network Engineering to participate in a 10-12 week program where they join the Cybersecurity Directorate (CSD) and work directly with NSA technical professionals on mission-critical cyber-related problems.

The goal of the CSDIP is to:

• Introduce our country's future cyber leaders to the CSD mission in cyber-related fields and to share with them the excitement of working on problems of national importance.
• Provide a deep understanding of the vital role that Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Computer Forensics, Systems Engineering and Network Engineering plays in enabling the Cybersecurity Directorate to tackle a diverse set of technical challenges,
• Encourage bright undergraduate, graduate and doctorate students in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Computer Forensics, Systems Engineering and Network Engineering majors to leverage their studies and pursue careers in the cyber-related fields,
• Provide solutions to current cyber related operational problems.

The students participating in the program work on a broad range of cybersecurity problems involving applications of computer science, cybersecurity and engineering. The students are presented with a set of current mission-driven problems which they will focus on for the summer. Students learn and develop data analysis and cybersecurity skills, apply what they learn to obtain real-time solutions, and experience the excitement of success built on hard work and innovation within NSA's Cybersecurity Directorate.

Hawaii CAE Cyber Operations Summer Internship

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors or seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Your knowledge is applied to real-world, mission-related technical projects. Participants in the program will work on a broad range of problems involving computer science and engineering. As an added bonus, this position is in Hawaii, so you will spend the summer in a tropical paradise unlike anything you can find stateside.

As a participant in the program:

• You will learn about NSA's unique mission and will be exposed to the broad scope of cyber studies and careers.
• You will gain a deep understanding of the vital role that cyber operations play in enabling NSA to work a diverse set of technical challenges.
• You will work on a classified project that will support a real mission.

Computer science, engineering and information systems programs

Installations and logistics (iandl) intern program.

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Architecture, accounting, business management, business statistics, control systems, data analytics, data visualization, design and planning, economics, engineering, environmental science, finance, fire protection, operations/supply chain management and urban development/city planning When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Along with valuable work experience, you will gain substantial exposure to our mission operations through supporting functions and tours of various sites. You will interact with leaders daily and receive unparalleled mentorship and professional development. The internship will culminate in a final presentation to senior leadership, describing your project impact and summer experience at the NSA. By the end of the program, you will understand the infrastructure backbone of an intelligence agency.

Previous intern projects have included:

• Contribute to construction and renovation projects that support facility operations and maintenance through infrastructure planning, design development, standards application and project management services.
• Monitor our 24/7 operations at the Facilities Control Center with a team of control systems specialists, including experts on fire alarms, SCADA and electrical systems.
• Coordinate master plans for the new campus under construction, backed by quantifiable cost-benefit analysis.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical system deficiencies through control management systems with a team of seniors engineering and optimizing functionality for successful future operations.

Data Center Facility Management (DCFM) intern program

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Mechanical engineering, electrical/power engineering, industrial control systems and information technology/networking When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

This program provides you with real world exposure to data center facility management and technology. You will gain hands-on experience managing a data center. Positions are available in Washington D.C.–Ft. Meade, San Antonio, Texas and outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

You will learn about the dynamic field that governs the facilities and complex engineering frameworks that support massive parallel computing systems. DCFM involves an unprecedented integrated approach that combines power and HVAC engineering disciplines with information technology. All these branches of knowledge join together to help create a safe and secure environment where parallel computing systems and their infrastructure can operate at peak efficiency with optimal potential for future expansion. DCFM also ensures that efficient and forward-thinking practices are implemented during the design, construction, installation, and maintenance projects that occur regularly within the walls of an operating data center.

• Research of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools, which are software-based programs to better manage most aspects of a data center.
• Creation of room layouts to optimize efficiency of a data center.
• Collect and analyze power space and cooling data for new system installations.
• Use of 6 Sigma Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool to better understand how certain factors affect the information technology environment.
• Design of a new-zero data center facility with the latest industry power and cooling infrastructure technology.

Science of Security (SoS) summer intern program

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, information technology, mathematics, psychology When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

This paid internship allows you to gain hands-on experience working with researchers on innovative cybersecurity research and technology. The Research Directorate (RES) is home to a highly technical and talented workforce that performs cutting-edge research and creates breakthroughs in mathematics, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, physics, neuroscience and linguistics that lead to creative solutions to our most challenging problems.

The Summer Intern Program for Science and Technology (SIPST)

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores or juniors Majors/fields: Computer science, cybersecurity, data science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, network engineering, software engineering, telecommunications When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will work with leading computer scientists and engineering on the nation's toughest cyber problems while enhancing your skills in assignments related to your major. You will work closely with a project mentor on a specific, mission-focused problem while learning in an exciting high-tech environment.

Computer Science Intern Program (CSIP)

Open to: Undergraduate students, graduate students and doctoral students Majors/fields: Computer science with preference given to those who have completed courses in data structure, discrete mathematics or structures and calculus I and II. When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

In this program you are assigned to projects that contribute to our mission. Projects culminate in a short presentation and technical paper. Projects are typically in the areas of:

• Information retrieval
• Information visualization
• Computer and network security
• Machine learning/artificial Intelligence
• Human language technology/computational linguistics
• Ontology/taxonomy and graphical analysis
• Information query and question answering
• Knowledge and data representation, distillation and sharing
• Knowledge and database crawling
• Software agent planning and control
• Signal processing
• Architecture and systems

Summer Intern Program for Information Assurance (SIP/IA)

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate and doctoral students Majors/fields: Computer science, computer networking, cyber and Information Security, computer technology/computer information technologies, management information systems, information systems security, information assurance, computer and information systems, network system administration, computer engineering, cybersecurity engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, software engineering, electrical engineering, system/network administration and operations, systems security engineering, information assurance systems and project acquisition, cryptography, threat and vulnerability assessment, risk management, operations of computer emergency response teams, education and management, computer forensics/cyber forensics/digital forensics, defensive information operations When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Accelerate your career in the field of information assurance in this program by experiencing hands-on technical experience. You will work on projects that enable the cyber mission through current analysis, expertise, training and tools. You will work on projects that include protecting and defending the nation's information systems networks and outmaneuvering cyber adversaries. To participate in this program, students must return to school for at least one semester following the internship.

Signals Intelligence Collection Program (SICP)

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores or juniors Majors/fields: Computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, data science, physics, information systems, political science, area studies, international relations, history, telecommunications When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

In this program you will support NSA as a salaried intern by working on projects involving the development, production and modification of tools, software applications or hardware. You will have the opportunity to leverage your skills to support information collection strategies, implement mission initiatives with lawful compliance, manage collection tasks and understand critical mission data flows. You are mentored by experienced SIGINT professionals and will discover various career paths you could pursue in the future as full-time NSA employees. Finally, the friendships and networks SICP interns build during their tour can last a lifetime.

NSA Colorado College Summer Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores and juniors Majors/fields: Computer science, engineering, mathematics, cybersecurity, political science, criminal justice, English or history When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

This program offers you the chance to gain hands-on work experience while building knowledge and skills in fundamental aspects of the NSA mission. We offer internships in multiple mission areas requiring a range of competencies like computer science, programming and engineering.

There are two positions offered for the NSA Colorado Summer Internship:

Software engineer internship positions duties:

• Analyze user/customer requirements related to software or software system design.
• Build software prototypes.
• Design, develop and debug software applications.
• Troubleshoot and debug computer code.

Target analyst internship positions duties:

• Conduct analysis of metadata.
• Conduct target analysis.
• Conduct target research.

Texas Summer Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores and juniors Majors/fields: Computer science, engineering, mathematics and related fields When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will gain hands-on work experience while building knowledge and skills in fundamental aspects of the NSA mission. We offer internships in multiple mission areas requiring a range of competencies like computer science, programming and engineering.

NSA Hawaii Technical Summer Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomores and juniors Majors/fields: Computer science, engineering, mathematics or related fields When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

In this program, we offer internships in multiple mission areas requiring a range of competencies like computer science, programming, engineering and analysis.

You will gain hands-on work experience while building knowledge and skills in fundamental aspects of the NSA mission. Plus, this position is in Hawaii, so you will spend your summer in a tropical paradise unlike anything you can find stateside.

NSA Georgia Summer Internship Program

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Science and technology, applied mathematics, computer engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, cyber intelligence and security, information assurance or information technology When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

How would you like to spend your summer developing technological solutions that contribute to the security of our nation? Does the prospect of applying your skills to NSA/CSS mission spark your interest? You can join a team of highly skilled, motivated and passionate professions who lead the cryptologic enterprise.

You will gain hands-on work experience while building knowledge and skills in fundamental aspects of the NSA mission. Take charge of your professional development and experience a once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunity.

Research Experience Student Program (RESP)

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students Majors/fields: Cybersecurity, computer network operations, computer science, engineering, physics and information technology When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

The National Security Agency (NSA) Laboratory for Telecommunication Science (LTS) Summer Internship Program offers paid research internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate-level university students pursuing STEM degrees.

The 12-week program offers interns the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with full-time NSA researchers on innovative cybersecurity research and technology. NSA/CSS Research Directorate (RES) is home to a highly technical and talented workforce that performs cutting-edge research and creates breakthroughs in cybersecurity, computer network operations (CNO), computer science, engineering, and physics that lead to creative solutions to NSA’s most challenging problems.

This internship offers introductory opportunities for collaboration with other Federal Laboratories and organizations.

Analysis programs

Summer language program.

Open to: Undergraduate students, graduate students and doctoral students Majors/fields: Any When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Are you looking for an opportunity to use your critical language skills to aid in national security? The Summer Language Program provides hands-on language analysis experience to college undergraduate and graduate students during a 12-week paid internship. High foreign language proficiency combined with a wide array of majors and minors will be considered for this program. If eligible, participation during a second summer is encouraged but not required. At the end of your internship, a job offer may be extended for you to join NSA in a full-time position after graduation.

The Summer Language Program hires students with proficiency in Chinese, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, and various South Asian and African languages. The languages may change from year to year based on the agency's projected hiring needs.

Intelligence Analysis Summer Program

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: International affairs/relations, intelligence studies, regional studies When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Are you looking for an opportunity that will provide innovative professional work experiences that are meaningful to your career goals, enable you to explore the fascinating world of intelligence and give you the opportunity to serve your country? In this paid internship program, you will train in a multi-faceted cryptologic discipline and build knowledge and skills in the intelligence analysis field.

You will also build:

• Knowledge of the fundamental concept of modern digital communications and network analysis.
• Skills in advanced analytic tools and techniques.
• Knowledge of the structure and processes of the Intelligence Community through immersion in signals intelligence topics, projects and meetings.
• Skills in conducting independent and original research, document results and communicate findings to help satisfy customer requirements.
• Skills in systematically applying logic, creativity and judgement to the evaluation and use of intelligence.

Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency (CLPT) summer intern program

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: International affairs/relations, intelligence studies, regional studies, economics, psychology or data science When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to learn about the NSA's mission while also directly contributing to civil liberties and privacy efforts? Would you like to join a team that promotes meaningful government transparency while helping NSA achieve the right balance between privacy and national security? In this program, you will see firsthand how fundamental privacy principles influence decision-making daily. We will expose you to a variety of cryptologic disciplines and civil liberties and privacy processes.

You will actively participate in or support ongoing CLPT activities like:

• Identifying and documenting existing Civil Liberties and Privacy (CLP) activities.
• Identifying and making recommendations regarding improvements to existing gaps in CLP protections and identifying topics for and providing input to external reports on activities.
• Creating written and briefing material suitable for both internal executive-level and public audiences.
• Establishing or coordinating mechanisms to ensure compliance with appropriate Department of Defense and Intelligence Community regulations and standards to ensure that protection of civil liberties and privacy is incorporated into policies and procedures.
• Managing or preparing, as appropriate, mandatory internal and external reports.

Workforce support programs

Office of the inspector general summer intern program.

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Accounting, information technology or cybersecurity When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Are you looking for an opportunity that will provide innovative professional work experiences that are significant and meaningful to your career and academic goals, enable you to explore the fascinating and unique world of intelligence and give you the opportunity to serve your country? This program offers you training and experience in auditing multiple disciplines (e.g., program performance, cybersecurity and financial statements). You can be an agent for change, analyzing operations for efficiency and effectiveness and deliver results to our customers to reduce program costs and provide value to the NSA and the U.S. taxpayer.

You will join an audit team from day one with an assigned supervisor and sponsor to help you learn and acclimate. During your first few days on the team, you will participate in an overview to become familiar with various business functions at the NSA and within the Intelligence Community. You will have the opportunity to work on audits that provide meaningful recommendations for change within the agency and influence the direction of the Intelligence Community and DoD.

Your specific responsibilities are to:

• Assess and evaluate internal controls within the context of the audit objective.
• Identify and evaluate criteria to measure performance and evaluate compliance.
• Conduct interviews within the context of an audit or evaluation.
• Gather and analyze audit evidence and compare observed results to specified requirements in the criteria.
• Identify problems and develop recommendations to improve the agency's efficiency and effectiveness.
• Write work papers and reports outlining results and findings from audits and evaluations.

Summer Strategic Communications Intern Program (SSCIP)

Open to: Undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students Majors/fields: Writing, editing, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, social media, visual arts, television production, animation, museum management, archives When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will support the strategic communications organization's role of providing accurate and timely information on signals intelligence and cybersecurity mission and accomplishments to a variety of audiences using state-of-the-art messaging products.

You can intern in the following positions

• Corporate communications, messaging and public affairs: responsible for communications and major initiatives for the worldwide NSA workforce and external audiences.
• Multimedia production: videography or animation to support corporate video production.
• Graphic design: creating original artwork ranging from project graphics, cartooning, web graphic images, storyboarding and presentation graphics.
• Photography
• Museum collections management, archives or conservation.

Security and Counterintelligence Summer Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Communications, political science, international relations, sociology, history, criminal justice, homeland security, computer science or computer forensics When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Join the Security and Counterintelligence (S&CI) world and support ongoing mission activities in areas like personnel security investigations, adjudications, physical security and access control, anti-terrorism/force protection or counterintelligence programs. You will work directly under the guidance of veteran security professionals responsible for protecting personnel, facilities and operations worldwide. In the process, you will understand how the S&CI group supports and interacts with the larger NSA enterprise and counterpart organizations across the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology Intern Program

Open to: Graduate and doctoral students Majors/fields: Industrial and organizational psychology When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

As an intern working in the human resources strategy and program design unit, you'll learn to apply scientific and quantitative methods to address a wide range of human capital issues. You will gain valuable applied experience by working alongside psychologists in areas like personnel assessment (i.e. research and development work to support assessments used to select applicants for mission-critical positions), organizational design and development, human capital systems design and consulting, occupational/job analysis, organizational assessments and workforce surveys and program evaluation.

Well-Being Services Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Health promotion and wellness, health education, nutrition and dietetics When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will gain practical health promotion experience within the Office of Occupational Health Environmental and Safety Services (OHESS).

We seek candidates with:

• Interpersonal relationship and team-building skills.
• Program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Organizational skills for project places and events.
• Public speaking.
• Assistance with meditation and stress reduction programs.
• Assistance with health promotion and wellness special programming.
• Partnering with clinical staff to select appropriate health education materials.
• Judgment and insight to develop updates to our wellness webpages.
• Research for cause/benefit analysis and return on investment for wellness programs.
• Research topics and craft health tips for distribution to the agency workforce.

Office of Reasonable Accommodation and Accessibility Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Rehabilitation counseling, counseling, psychology or sign language interpretation When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will gain practical experience in workplace accommodations and will gain a broad understanding of the reasonable accommodation processes and implementation. You will work alongside experienced sign language interpreters and reasonable accommodation experts.

In the reasonable accommodation part of this program, you will:

• Gain sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the reasonable accommodation process, from the initial request for accommodations through the implementation of the approved accommodations.
• Work directly with employees, management and resources available at NSA.
• Enhance your ADA and section 504 and 508 knowledge and compliance requirements.
• Enhance your counseling skills to aid employees and managers in the accommodation process.
• Facilitate briefings on working with persons with disabilities for various offices and staff at NSA.

In the sign language interpreter part of the program, you will:

• Gain sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts of interpreting and managing communication within highly technical and dynamic work environments.
• Enhance your understanding of NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct and how it applies in the workplace setting.
• Develop professional/personal skills that enable a skillful navigation through the diverse interpreting needs presented by the NSA community.

Human Resources Intern Program

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Human resources, business, economics or data science When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

You will acquire practical human resources experience while putting your intelligence and creativity to work in the Intelligence Community. We will assign you to one of these specialty areas: total compensation, human resource strategies, recruitment and staffing, benefits and employee services, human resources information systems, data analytics or global service delivery.

You will learn how to use data to deliver consultation and analysis to customers across the agency to help them gain a better understanding of their workforce. We will expose you to many parts of the agency, and you will interact with personnel at all levels. We look for teammates who want to learn how to help others to leverage workforce-based information for better decision-making and who demonstrate curiosity about information and data. Exposure to business intelligence tools (examples include Cognos, Tableau, PowerBI, Python, R, MS Excel, etc.) is beneficial but not required.

Business Management and Acquisition Summer Internship

Open to: Undergraduate juniors and graduate students Majors/fields: Finance, accounting, marketing, business administration, economics, operations research, industrial engineering, statistics or mathematics When: 12-week program from mid-May or June

Do you want to gain professional significant and meaningful work experiences that enable you to explore the fascinating and unique world of intelligence and give you the opportunity to serve your country? You will train and gain experience within a multifaceted business organization for business majors or those interested in applying their math knowledge to financial challenges. In this paid internship, you will build knowledge and skills in a variety of disciplines within the business field and attend various operational tours so you can understand what the NSA does in defense of our nation.

You will work directly with seasoned business professionals on activities like:

• Developing negotiation positions or negotiating multimillion dollar contracts.
• Preparing the agency's annual budget.
• Acquiring products and services from industry partners.
• Providing financial support in execution of the agency's budget and for major acquisition programs.
• Analyzing financial, performance and requirements data for business decision making.
• Gain knowledge of the fundamental concepts of government planning, programming, budgeting and execution.
• Preparing and processing contractual agreements.
• Using business IT systems and tools.
• Gaining a working knowledge of the agency's acquisition processes.
• Learning fundamentals of cost and price analysis of proposals.
• Using financial principles to identify trends in data.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Programs

You will alternate semesters of full-time work with full-time study from entry into the program until you graduate. We require a minimum of 52 weeks of co-op work experience before graduation. You will work a regular 40-hour week during work periods, with each work block focusing on the specific areas you can focus on as a career.

We accept applications twice a year, from February 1 to March 31 and from September 1 to October 31.

Cooperative Education Program in STEM

Open to: Sophomores and second-semester freshmen Majors/fields: Computer sciences, electrical engineering or cybersecurity

Electrical or computer engineering

You will design, develop, test and evaluate electronic communications systems in advancing areas like optics, lasers, acoustics and microprocessors.

Computer science

You will explore high-tech opportunities, such as object-oriented methodology, multimedia, data warehousing/data mining, design/analysis development of software and systems, client/server development, networking and Internet technology.

Cybersecurity (technical track)

You will work on the frontlines of defense against our cyber adversaries, focused on the technical expertise needed by the NSA.

Cooperative Education Program—Hawaii

Open to: Second-semester freshmen and sophomores Majors/fields: Chinese language and studies, computer sciences, computer/electrical engineering, cybersecurity

Chinese language and studies

You will assist on projects and will have full use of NSA labs, equipment and advanced technologies. You will work in the original written or spoken foreign language by determining the relevance of the intelligence collected, researching it, analyzing it and putting it into context for national-level policymakers, military commanders and other customers.

Cooperative Education Program—Languages

Open to: Second-semester freshmen and sophomores Majors/fields: Foreign languages, including Russian, Korean, Farsi, Arabic or Chinese

Scholarship Programs

Louis stokes education scholarship (stokes) program.

Open to: High school seniors Majors/fields: Computer science, computer/electrical engineering, or Russian/Chinese language When: A minimum of 12 weeks during the summer

The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program allows you to gain valuable experience in your field while attending college and earning a degree. You will acquire real-world experience and receive a salary year-round. After you graduate college, you won't have to go through the job search hassle—we will hire you for a position in your area of study. By participating, you will agree to work for the NSA for at least 1.5 times the length of your study after graduation.

This scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees up to $30,000 per year, a salary, and housing and travel costs during your summer employment if the school is more than 75 miles from headquarters. It also includes federal benefits.

High school student programs

We accept applications between September 1 through October 31.

High school student programs information

Gifted and talented language program.

Open to: High school seniors who are at least 16 years of age Majors/fields: Foreign language aptitude in Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi or Arabic When: 12 weeks from mid-May to mid-August

This 12-week summer internship in Fort Meade, Maryland, runs from mid-May to mid-August following your high school graduation. The program is for high school students with aptitude in Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi or Arabic. You will gain valuable experience in a foreign language.

High School Work Study Program

Open to: High school juniors who are at least 16 years of age Majors/fields: Business, computer sciences, applied arts, engineering, graphic arts or manufacturing When: Part-time employment from September to August of your senior year

This program is for students who plan to participate in a school-sponsored work experience program during their senior year. Positions are available based on requirements at each site. When applying, ensure the job opening is for your local site.

Administrative and technical students:

• Office assistant—you will perform basic administrative tasks—type, file, maintain records, answer phones and operate business equipment like word processors and personal computers.
• Computer aide—you will operate or maintain data processing equipment, often the most sophisticated equipment on the market.

Vocational students:

• Model shop—You will learn skills like machining, precision sheet metal, welding, woodworking, 3D printing, graphic design, sewing and painting.
• Vo-Tech—you will assist with:
• Operating and maintaining printing.
• Binding and packaging equipment.
• Operating computer graphics software across various computer platforms/experience in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Operating industrial/production equipment, machinery and tools such as die cutters, laminators, air compressors and soldering equipment.
• You will perform assembly line tasks requiring excellent hand-eye coordination to produce electronic assemblies, electronic media and printed products.
• Installation and logistics—You will assist with installing and maintaining architectural building systems by repairing, altering or constructing replacement items from materials such as wood, plastic or metal. You will apply surface finish treatments such as painting or staining. You may sanitize, declassify or destroy materials and dispose of other materials by recycling or other methods.

Language students:

• Chinese—You will use your Chinese language skills to perform daily duties. You need to excel in Chinese reading, writing and listening skills and have a lead Chinese instructor recommend you.
• Russian—You will use your Russian language skills to perform daily duties. You need to excel in Russian reading, writing and listening skills and have a lead Russian instructor recommend you.

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Students interested in a research experience at Stanford are encouraged to reach out to a lab of their choice, or contact the  Director of Education Administration . You can start by exploring the  Division  web pages or by reviewing our  Community Academic Profiles .

Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP)

Undergraduate students often are hired as hourly employees in labs. They also can apply to the  Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) , where participants are matched with a Stanford faculty member and work in one of Stanford's state-of-the-art research facilities. Applications are accepted between November and February 1st each year.

High School Student Programs

Pediatrics internship program at stanford (pips).

The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week program in which high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to learn about science, medicine, and research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in Bay Area high school students, helping students to understand how scientific research is performed, and increasing diversity of students and researchers in the sciences. Students will spend 30 hours per week in the program (Monday through Friday, approximately 6 hours/day). There is no cost associated with participation in this program – priority will go towards students underrepresented in medicine (racial/ethnic minority, first-generation college, low-income, etc)

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

High school students can apply to the  Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) . The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine among high school students, helping students to understand how scientific research is performed and increasing diversity of students and researchers in the sciences. Applications are due in February each year.

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week immersive enrichment program focused on science and medicine that is open to low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California. Students can apply to the  Summer Residential Program , a five-week program open to low-income sophomore and junior high school students. Applications are accepted between December and February each year.

Raising Interest in Science and Engineering (RISE)

Stanford laboratory for cell and gene medicine (lcgm).

Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine (LCGM) is an innovative, state-of-the-art, multi-product manufacturing facility that develops cell and gene-based therapies for early phase clinical trials in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) FDA regulations. LCGM’s projects represent diverse therapeutic modalities including hematopoietic stem cells and host alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells to prevent Graft versus Host Disease, genetically engineered immune cells (T-cells) for cancer immunotherapy and complex immune syndromes and CRISPR gene correction for sickle cell disease amongst others. A unique biotech startup in an academic environment, LCGM provides an exciting opportunity to work with world class scientists who support translational medicine. LCGM is committed to making positive change in the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our community.

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Call for High School Projects

Machine learning for social impact .

The Thirty-Eighth Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2024) is an interdisciplinary conference that brings together researchers in machine learning, neuroscience, statistics, optimization, computer vision, natural language processing, life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and other adjacent fields. 

This year, we invite high school students to submit research papers on the topic of machine learning for social impact.  A subset of finalists will be selected to present their projects virtually and will have their work spotlighted on the NeurIPS homepage.  In addition, the leading authors of up to five winning projects will be invited to attend an award ceremony at NeurIPS 2024 in Vancouver.  

Each submission must describe independent work wholly performed by the high school student authors.  We expect each submission to highlight either demonstrated positive social impact or the potential for positive social impact using machine learning. Application areas may include but are not limited to the following:

• Agriculture
• Climate change
• Homelessness
• Food security
• Mental health
• Water quality

Authors will be asked to confirm that their submissions accord with the NeurIPS code of conduct and the NeurIPS code of ethics .

Submission deadline: All submissions must be made by June 27th, 4pm EDT. The system will close after this time, and no further submissions will be possible.

We are using OpenReview to manage submissions. Papers should be submitted here . Submission will open June 1st.  Submissions under review will be visible only to their assigned program committee. We will not be soliciting comments from the general public during the reviewing process. Anyone who plans to submit a paper as an author or a co-author will need to create (or update) their OpenReview profile by the full paper submission deadline. 

Formatting instructions:   All submissions must be in PDF format. Submissions are limited to four content pages , including all figures and tables; additional pages containing only references are allowed. You must format your submission using the NeurIPS 2024 LaTeX style file using the “preprint” option for non-anonymous submission. The maximum file size for submissions is 50MB. Submissions that violate the NeurIPS style (e.g., by decreasing margins or font sizes) or page limits may be rejected without further review.  Papers may be rejected without consideration of their merits if they fail to meet the submission requirements, as described in this document. 

Mentorship and collaboration:  The submitted research can be a component of a larger research endeavor involving external collaborators, but the submission should describe only the authors’ contributions.  The authors can also have external mentors but must disclose the nature of the mentorship.  At the time of submission, the authors will be asked to describe the involvement of any mentors or external collaborators and to distinguish mentor and collaborator contributions from those of the authors.  In addition, the authors may (optionally) to include an acknowledgements section acknowledging the contributions of others following the content sections of the submission. The acknowledgements section will not count toward the submission page limit.

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10 Best Summer Research Programs for High School Students

If you’re a high school student and are interested in going beyond classroom learning, you should definitely consider applying to a summer research program.  Having research experience can prove to be a significant point of differentiation in your college applications, and participating in one at your dream college can improve your chances even more.

Summer research programs will give you the hands-on experience you need while allowing you to take your learning to the next level with research projects and networking opportunities. These opportunities are highly selective and geared towards attracting talented high schoolers like you! 

To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the 10 best summer research programs for high schoolers interested in various fields!

1. Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) at The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago's Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) program is a rigorous four-week pre-college summer initiative designed to introduce students to diverse research methods in molecular biology, microbiology, and cellular biology.  The primary focus of the program is hands-on lab work and projects, although they are supplemented by lectures that are included in the curriculum. At the end of the program, students have the opportunity to present their individual projects.

Location: The University of Chicago campus

Cost: $14,000

Program Dates: June 15, 2024, to July 13, 2024

Application Deadline: January 18 (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade students

2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship.  These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. 

The   AI Fellowship  program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here . 

Location : Virtual

$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship 

$4,700 for both

Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here . 

Application deadline : On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023. 

Program dates : Various according to the cohort

Program selectivity : Moderately selective

Eligibility : Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.

Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions pertaining to the students background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest. 

3. MIT's Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

MIT's Women's Technology Program (WTP) is an intensive four-week summer academic experience introducing high school students to engineering through hands-on classes, labs, and team projects after their 11th-grade. The program is completely free with a mechanical engineering focus and looks to empower students with limited STEM access . You can expect to be introduced to topics such as fluid mechanics, statics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering design. The program is designed and taught by graduate students and assisted by undergraduate students at MIT. 

Location: Massachusetts's Institute of Technology (MIT) campus

Program Dates: June 29, 2024, to July 26, 2024

Application Deadline: January 22 

Eligibility: Female-identifying 11th-grade students

4. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) – Haas School of Business, University of California (Berkeley)

This two-week course at UC Berkeley allows students to familiarize themselves with teamwork, communications, presentations, creating a business plan, and research methods in a highly selective cohort of only 50 students.  In addition to the program, students will also attend guest lectures, engage in social activities, and work in teams to create a business plan that they will present at the end of the course.  As part of the program, they will also be able to interact with other UC Berkeley students. 

Location:  University of California (Berkeley) campus 

California resident tuition: $6,050

Out-of-state resident tuition: $7,050

Program Dates: 

Session I: July 6 – July 20, 2024

Session II: July 20 – August 3, 2024

Application deadline:  March 15, 2024

Eligibility:  High school students

5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)  

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week opportunity that lets high school students with diverse experiences, interests, and backgrounds engage in research alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. The program aims to boost interest in biological sciences and medicine among high school students and provides insight into the process of scientific research. Each year, about 50 students are accepted and participants are given a minimum stipend of $500. Participants are also allowed to choose from 8 research areas within the program. 

Location: Stanford University campus

Cost: $40 application fee

Program Dates: June 10, 2024, to August 1, 2024

Application Deadline: February 24, 2024

Eligibility: All 3 of the following requirements must be met (no exceptions):

Students must currently be juniors or seniors at the time of application (as of the spring of 2024).  Students must be in the graduating class of 2024 or 2025.

Students must also be 16 years old or older by the start of the program.

Students must currently be living in and attending school in the U.S. AND must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card in order to apply.

6. Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Computer Science Scholars Program

CS Scholars (CSS), part of the CS Pathways initiative, is a fully funded, 4-week immersive program at CMU for rising high school juniors.  It is led by Carnegie Mellon faculty and researchers, and offers college-level courses, college prep seminars, and hands-on Python programming with a focus on problem-solving techniques. In this program, you can expect to learn algorithmic components, basic data structures and computational skills. Students will engage in a group project addressing real-world challenges using computer science and present their work at the end of the program. Beyond the program, students will get to interact with CMU faculty and industry leaders in the field of computer science. 

Location: Carnegie Mellon campus

Program Dates: June 22, 2024, to July 20, 2024

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Eligibility: To be eligible for CS Scholars, students must:

Be 16 years old by the program start date.

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students who are registered with DACA are also eligible.

Be a sophomore in high school at the time of application submission.

7. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)

The prestigious Spark Summer Internship Program matches high school students with industry experts, professors, and community leaders to introduce them to the idea of working on projects in the real world under their mentos . As part of the program, students take on research projects through their internship for a period of 8-12 weeks. In the new model that the program is adopting in 2024, the mentors will choose their preferred candidates for the internship and guide them through their research work. The program focuses on various STEM fields and prepares students for a potential career in scientific research. 

Location:  Depends on internship provider

Cost: To be announced

Program Dates: To be announced

Application Deadline:  April (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility:  To be able to apply for SPARK SIP, you must:

Be in grades 9-12 during the current school year. Each internship project may have slightly different requirements, so make sure you check before applying!

Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. The program is not open to international students.

Be committed to full participation in a residential internship at the location specified by the sponsor. This may involve expenses above the program fees.

8. YLAC’s The Young Researchers for Social Impact (YRSI) program

The Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) program allows high school students to be a part of live research projects that enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program helps you partner with organizations such as Indian School of Democracy, World Resources Institute, Lung Care Foundation, Breakthrough, and Teach for India.  This is the perfect summer research opportunity for students interested in working on issues across advocacy, gender, governance, public policy, public health, and environment. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: INR 25,000 plus taxes

Program Dates: June 22, 2024, to July 21, 2024

Application Deadline: May 5, 2024

Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who are not more than 18 years old at the start of the program 

9. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) – Boston University

PROMYS is a six-week residential math program that aims to build a deeper understanding and appreciation of mathematics among students. One of the salient features of the program is the opportunity that it offers to work alongside professional mathematicians on projects at the PROMYS-designed exploration labs. The research projects that students work on in small groups are a part of the concluding material that they present at the end of the program. This program is also partially funded by sponsors and explores topics such as number theory.  You will be challenged and encouraged to develop your problem-solving and investigation skills.

Location: Boston University campus

Cost: $6,100

Program Dates: June 30, 2024, to August 10, 2024

Eligibility: Students must satisfy ALL the following criteria by the first day of the program:

Be at least 14 years old

Have completed 9th grade (or its equivalent)

Not yet enrolled as a full-time college or university student

10. Research Science Institute (RSI)

The Research Science Institute (RSI) provides students with a summer research initiative that is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), and hosted at MIT. During this 6-week program, students participate in intensive STEM courses while working on their research projects. You will have the opportunity to work under esteemed scientists and get a hands-on understanding of the various components of a usual research cycle . You will also create a research project that you have the opportunity to present and publish at the end of the program.

Location: MIT campus

Program Dates: June 23, 2024, to August 3, 2024

Application Deadline: December 13 (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Current 11th grade students

One other option

If you are interested in building a university-level research project this summer, you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form  here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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High School Student Researches Real-Life Marketing

Authentic exploratory research hones students’ business and analysis skills..

Posted May 1, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

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This is the second post in a series.

What if high school students could conduct methodical research on important questions like graduate students and researchers do? Well, as the students at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) are demonstrating, they can.

In Part I of this series I interviewed Jun Shen, the passionate teacher and edtech coordinator who runs LBHS’s Authentic Exploratory Research (AER) Program . AER is an independent research course inspired by Palo Alto Unified School District’s Advanced Authentic Research program . The program pairs students with adult mentors (such as LBUSD staff, industry experts, and academics) who assist the teens in researching their own big questions in fields of their choice. Shen’s explanation of how the AER program works, combined with students’ input through the rest of this interview series, lets us glimpse some of the different ways students can use the program to pursue individual passions , as well as how other educators can implement such a program.

LBHS student Aryana Mohajerian was the first to give us an account of her experience in AER and the findings that her AER research produced. Mohajerian’s answers follow each question below.

Jenny Grant Rankin: In short, what was your research study about?

Aryana Mohajerian: In short, my research was about marketing a membership program to different target demographics in a small, high-end, health-conscious, confectionary business in Hawaii.

I analyzed how new marketing efforts will help increase overall revenue and cash flow in the business. The new strategies I implemented were creating a set target market using survey data. I also created a brand kit with all the customer values, color palettes for the website, and copy.

JGR: What were your most important findings?

AM: My most important findings were that it is critical to know the psychology of business and be able to put yourself in the customer’s shoes. I had to figure out what a target market’s values, goals , and mindset are like to better appeal to their logic and emotions when trying to make a sale.

I distributed a survey to better understand the company’s current customers, what their values are, and what draws them towards purchasing.

When proposing ideas for what draws customers to the company, my hypothesis proved correct. 100% of people selected that they value environmental sustainability and the farm-to-table process. 70% of people selected that they are health-conscious consumers and 85% love the Hawaii-island, beachy lifestyle. With these proven conclusions, I created three new membership plans for Lonohana, each targeting a specific audience, according to the survey results.

The first membership was family-oriented, catering to children and their parents. The customer values were inclusivity, appeals to a health-conscious family, and living an active lifestyle in the great outdoors. The second membership caters to young adults. For example, college students or recent graduates living a youthful, and spontaneous lifestyle. This membership was an affordable line of products, since young adults like to have fun on a budget. These young individuals love the island lifestyle of Hawaii and love trying Lonohana’s unique flavors. The third membership was targeted toward more professional and formal individuals. These high-end customers value luxury products and the education behind making them. This membership included informational cards on each bar, describing how it was made and where the ingredients come from.

JGR: What was the biggest thing you learned about conducting research?

AM: The biggest thing I learned about conducting research is that it requires thorough planning and first making a hypothesis of what the results will be. Understanding the psychology behind why people spend money on luxury items was essential because it guided me on how I worded my survey to get the most honest responses from customers. For example, a customer value I noted was a sense of family and community involvement. Therefore, I concluded that customers are likely to purchase membership boxes to have enough gifts on hand for family or community gatherings, which was proven true based on the survey.

JGR: What was the biggest thing you learned about communicating research?

AM: The biggest thing I learned about communicating research is that I need to create an eye-catching, yet simple poster to present at the AER Symposium. When I did my presentation, I mainly focused on the visuals of my project and some easy-to-read graphs. I brought the marketing materials I had made, such as brochures, business cards, and the printed-out brand kit to show my audience. I found that having a hands-on experience with cohesively colored materials helped me get my message across in a fun way that did not bore anyone. Having all these materials helped invoke questions from my audience as well.

JGR: What was your favorite part about AER?

AM: My favorite part about AER was the fact that I was able to work with a real-world company while in high school alongside a mentor who was working my dream job. AER was such a unique opportunity for me to learn about my interest in marketing and the psychology behind why we buy luxury items. Although this was a class, it did not feel like traditional learning because I went out into the real world to enhance a business’s marketing tactics. Learning by doing is the best way to gain experience. I learned a lot more about marketing through my AER project than I did taking “Intro to Marketing” in a dual-enrollment community college class.

It’s exciting to find that the program advanced not only Mohajerian’s research skills but her career skills, as well. That is a common theme in students’ accounts of their AER experiences.

Jenny Grant Rankin, Ph.D., is a Fulbright Specialist for the U.S. Department of State.

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18 Research and Summer Programs in Massachusetts For High School Students

Research Opportunities for High School Students in Massachusetts

The top research programs in massachusetts for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability. see research opportunities in other states here ..

Hosting Institution

Online/In Person

Starting at $2695

Application Deadline

Dec 15, 2023

Neuroscience, Biology, Psychol...

Polygence is an online research program designed to offer high school students accessible research opportunities, making them more inclusive. The program was created by researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford and provides tailored research projects, allowing students to explore their interests, acquire professional skills, and increase their competitiveness for college admissions.

Summer Science and Engineering Program

Smith College

Northampton (MA)

Mar 5, 2024

Engineering

SSEP's research courses focus on active learning by doing, rather than passive listening and observing. Students have the option to select two-week research courses where they collaborate in small groups with Smith faculty members and undergraduate interns. Through informal lectures both in the lab and in the field, students are encouraged to ask research questions and conduct actual experiments. The majority of the work is carried out through teamwork, but there are also opportunities for individual contributions. By participating in SSEP, students learn about the process of formulating research questions, working with sophisticated scientific instruments, and developing critical thinking and analytical skills.

Secondary School Program

Harvard University

Cambridge (MA)

$3,900-$14,250

Apr 10, 2024

Neuroscience

Harvard Summer School's Secondary School program is a rigorous seven-week academic program intended for highly motivated high school students who aspire to excel in college courses and earn college credits. The program offers a range of courses to choose from, including Neuroinvesting: Neuroscience and Financial Decision Making, Mind and Brain: Themes in the History of Neuroscience, and Becoming a Brain Scientist: Neuroscience and Psychology Research, among others.

Northeastern Young Scholar’s Program (YSP)

Northeastern University

Boston (MA)

Mar 15, 2024

Data Science

The Northeastern University Research Experience for High School Students is a program designed to offer rising senior students from Massachusetts hands-on research opportunities. Participants will collaborate with experienced faculty members from Northeastern University's Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences, engaging in various research projects. Although the specific projects for this year are yet to be determined, they may encompass fields such as bioengineering and artificial intelligence. In addition to research experience, the program provides valuable education and career counseling, allowing students to explore college life, partake in field trips, and attend seminars on engineering and career exploration. This comprehensive program aims to inspire and prepare students for future academic and professional pursuits in science and engineering.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mar 6, 2024

If you have a specific interest in radar systems and want to gain hands-on experience in this field, MIT's Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) program is a great opportunity for you. This program, held in July, focuses on teaching participants how to build small radar systems, including Doppler and range radar. You will have the chance to work closely with highly talented scientists and engineers who will provide guidance and support throughout the workshop. The program takes place at two locations: the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA and the Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. By participating in LLRISE, you will gain valuable knowledge and practical skills in radar systems, preparing you for further studies or a career in this specialized area of engineering.

The Research Science Institute (RSI)

Dec 13, 2023

This unique summer program, held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the first of its kind to be completely free of charge. Students participating in this program have the opportunity to delve into the realms of science and engineering, gaining hands-on experience in the entire research process. Spanning seven weeks, the program includes attending classes led by renowned professors, engaging in a five-week research internship, and culminating in the preparation and delivery of written and oral presentations to showcase their research findings.

Research Science Institute (RSI)

McLean (VA)

RSI (Research Science Institute) is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and competitive research programs available for high school students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This exclusive program takes place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and accepts approximately 80 students each year. During their participation in RSI, students have the opportunity to collaborate with accomplished researchers based in Boston on independent research projects. At the conclusion of the program, students showcase their research findings to the wider community in a conference-style setting. This allows them to share their discoveries and insights with peers, mentors, and other interested individuals. The level of competition for admission to RSI is exceptionally high. For instance, in 2019, the program received around 1,600 applications for just 80 available spots, resulting in an acceptance rate of approximately 5%. This competitive acceptance rate underscores the program's selective nature and the caliber of students it attracts.

Mar 1, 2024

Mathematics

Mathroots, a 14-day summer program hosted by MIT-PRIMES, is an exceptional opportunity for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds or underserved communities who have a passion for mathematics. This program offers a creative and immersive experience where students can explore various topics in the field. Led by a team of experienced instructors, the program includes classes, group sessions, and lectures that cover both research and competition math. By participating in Mathroots, students can develop their problem-solving skills, expand their mathematical knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject. Whether you are interested in pursuing advanced math or simply want to explore creative mathematical ideas, Mathroots provides a supportive and engaging environment for growth and exploration.

SEA Summer High School Programs

Sea Education Association

Woods Hole (MA)

$8,250-$22,875

Biology, Comp Sci, Social Scie...

SEA offers unique summer high school programs for current high school students as well as graduating seniors. Choose from a shore-based field program on our campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts on beautiful Cape Cod, or an at-sea voyage aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer with a focus on oceanographic research under sail. At SEA, there’s an adventure with a purpose waiting for every student interested in exploring the marine environment through hands-on, experiential, and community-based learning!

MIT’s Women’s Technology Program

No deadline

This program is specifically centered around empowering women. To be eligible, applicants should be high school juniors or seniors. It offers a 4-week immersive summer experience, combining academics and residence, catered to 60 female high school students. The focus of the program is to delve into engineering through interactive classes led by female MIT graduate students, laboratory sessions, and collaborative team projects. Participants can choose to concentrate on either Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME). The aim is to provide hands-on learning opportunities and foster a supportive environment for young women interested in pursuing engineering disciplines.

MITES Summer

MITES Summer is indeed a highly prestigious and competitive program offered by MIT, aimed at promoting diversity in STEM fields. The program provides a unique opportunity for talented high school students to engage in rigorous academic coursework in mathematics, science, and humanities. Participants not only benefit from in-depth learning experiences but also gain exposure to cutting-edge research through lab tours and social events. Additionally, MITES Summer offers valuable college admissions counseling and a chance to immerse oneself in the vibrant campus life of MIT. This program fosters a supportive community of like-minded peers, encouraging networking and collaboration. Students can expect a challenging yet rewarding summer experience that prepares them for future academic and career pursuits in STEM.

MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is set to provide academically motivated high school students with a range of virtual project-based courses. While these courses cover diverse engineering concepts such as Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking and Serious Game Development with AI, there are specific options available for students interested in aerospace engineering. These include the Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing and Remote Sensing for Disaster Response courses. The program offers a comprehensive experience with classes scheduled from 10 am to 6 pm EDT on weekdays, incorporating a blend of lectures, labs, and office hours. Participating students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, collaborate on projects, and deepen their understanding of aerospace engineering concepts. The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute presents an exciting avenue for high school students to explore their passion for engineering in a dynamic virtual learning environment.

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)

During the 6-week program, high school students will engage in a full day of activities, including classes, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and tours, covering a wide range of subjects in STEM and humanities. Students will have the opportunity to explore elective courses, where they can work on specialized projects such as engineering design or machine learning. These projects allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical setting, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities. The program culminates in a final symposium, where students present their projects to the broader MIT community, showcasing their achievements and sharing their insights and findings. This immersive experience provides a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of various disciplines, collaborate with like-minded peers, and gain exposure to the vibrant academic community at MIT.

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Summer

MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) is indeed an exceptional program designed to provide students from minority communities with exposure to STEM fields and a taste of college life at MIT. The program's six-week duration allows participants to engage in a rigorous academic curriculum encompassing subjects such as math, life sciences, physics, and humanities, providing a well-rounded education. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choose an elective course based on their interests. MITES goes beyond academics by offering insights into various STEM professions, fostering social interactions through organized events, and providing a firsthand experience of the vibrant campus community at MIT. As the program concludes, participants receive valuable written evaluations from their instructors, offering feedback and recognizing their achievements. For students interested in exploring other summer programs at MIT, the provided link offers a comprehensive list of available opportunities.

MIT Think Scholars Program

THINK is a unique program designed for students who have a passion for research and are in the early stages of developing a project. Unlike other programs that require a completed research project, THINK welcomes applicants who have extensively researched the background of a potential project and are seeking additional guidance to further their work. The program is organized by a group of undergraduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), known for their expertise in various fields. Through THINK, students have the opportunity to receive mentorship, guidance, and resources to refine their research ideas and gain valuable insights into the research process. It provides a supportive environment for students to explore their academic interests and develop their research skills under the guidance of experienced mentors from MIT.

MIT's Beaver Works Institute

The Beaver Works Institute at MIT offers a highly rigorous and renowned STEM program that encompasses a range of courses, including the exciting mechanical engineering-focused course, "Build a Cubesat." This four-week program immerses students in the process of designing, building, testing, and flying a Cubesat, a small satellite used for space missions. Through a combination of online sessions and hands-on work in the lab, students will engage in design trades, assembly, and testing of the space system. The course provides a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in developing systems for space, allowing students to apply their mechanical engineering skills in a real-world context. By participating in "Build a Cubesat," students will not only enhance their technical knowledge but also develop invaluable problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities necessary for success in the field of space engineering.

MIT's Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)

MITES Summer is an exceptional six-week program hosted by MIT, specifically designed for rising high school seniors who possess a keen interest in science or engineering. The program is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields, prioritizing students from underrepresented backgrounds. Throughout MITES, students engage in a transformative learning experience that includes rigorous coursework, hands-on lab experiments, and the exploration of various career paths in science and engineering. Additionally, participants benefit from college admissions counseling, equipping them with invaluable guidance as they navigate the application process. To deepen their understanding of mechanical engineering, students have the opportunity to work on exciting projects involving robotics, thermodynamics, and design thinking. Furthermore, at the conclusion of the program, each student receives a comprehensive written evaluation from their instructor, which can serve as a valuable supplemental material for college applications. MITES Summer empowers students, fosters their passion for STEM, and prepares them for future academic and professional success in the field of science and engineering.

MIT’s THINK Scholar Program

THINK, organized by a group of undergraduates at MIT, offers a unique opportunity for high school students who have extensively researched a potential project but seek additional guidance in its early stages. Unlike programs that require completed research projects, THINK focuses on providing support and mentorship to students as they develop their research proposals. The program welcomes proposals in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, green technologies, and practical software applications. If you have prior experience in research and are seeking a program that can further enhance your project and provide valuable guidance, THINK is an excellent fit. This program empowers students to refine their research skills, receive mentorship from experienced undergraduates, and make progress on their projects in a supportive environment.

Are there many Research Opportunities for High School Students in the state of Massachusetts?

Consistently ranked at or near the top of U.S. News & World Report's Best States list, Massachusetts is home to some of the world's leading hospitals, educational institutions and one of the strongest economies in the nation, giving residents an exceptionally high quality of life. While a number of the top universities in Massachusetts have the advantage of being located in or close to the thriving city of Boston, a few are found further out in smaller cities. The state’s two top universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, are both located in the city of Cambridge, just a short drive from Boston.

What other research opportunities are available?

For a full set of research opportunity listings, see our guide to research opportunities for high school students .

Want to start a project of your own?

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