50 Incredible Research Opportunities for High School Students

Research opportunities aren’t just for college students! There are plenty of programs that allow high schoolers the chance to get hands-on experience, hone critical thinking skills, and set themselves apart during the college admissions process. 

 Whether your interest lies in laboratory research, social science studies, or interdisciplinary projects, research can help you unleash your potential and prepare for the future. Empowerly’s expert staff has compiled a list of  50 research opportunities that are accessible to high school students. All of these programs, internships, and competitions  help aspiring scholars gain invaluable experience and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields.

The University of California, Santa Barbara’s summer research mentorship program pairs qualified high schoolers with professionals conducting interdisciplinary research. Students will learn about research techniques and career options  while clarifying their academic goals. Participants also get access to the GRIT talks lecture series, connecting them to others within the UC Santa Barbara community and their innovative research.

• Apply to: University of California, Santa Barbara
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors (11th)
• Location: Santa Barbara, California

The Olive Children Foundation’s Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) gives students the chance to participate in STEM research projects under three broad departments (Biological/Human/Life Sciences, Chemistry/Biochemistry/Physics, and Computer Science & Engineering)  and even publish and present their work. ASDRP participants are supervised by highly skilled scientists and engineers.

• Apply to: Olive Children Foundation Engineering Research Laboratory
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: Fremont, California

Fermilab’s Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) is a month-long program that immerses students into advanced STEM topics, including artificial intelligence, particle physics, and quantum science. PRISM provides high schoolers with a unique window into cutting-edge technological advancements. 

• Apply to: Fermilab Research Alliance
• Age Eligibility: Seniors and recent graduates
• Location: Fermilab campus in Illinois

Quest’s Student Research Institute (SRI) focuses on computer science-related research. Students explore how programming can translate to real-world applications, like data analysis, cryptography, and medicine. 

• Apply to: Quest SRI
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
• Location: Virtual meetings

Scripps’ student research internship program is a 10-week summer program that allows students from all levels, from high school to post-graduate studies, to collaborate together to conduct health sciences research. Scripps takes a broad, interdisciplinary approach to show students how medicine,  statistics, and computer science can revolutionize our world.

• Apply to: Scripps Research Institute
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: San Diego, California

Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program is a week-long program designed for high schoolers with a passion for science, math, or engineering. Simons Fellows conduct research alongside mentors from the Stony Brookfaculty, giving them unique exposure to laboratory techniques and university life. 

• Apply to: Stony Brook University
• Age Eligibility: juniors 
• Location: New York campus

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering offers both residential and commuter summer camps for middle to high school-aged students in a variety of disciplines, including aerospace engineering, city planning, and cybersecurity. They even have an Explore Your Options camp for students who aren’t sure what field they’d like to specialize in. 

• Apply to: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Age Eligibility: Rising 7th graders-rising seniors
• Location: Urbana-Champaign campus

The University of Pennsylvania’s Biomedical Research Academy focuses on how biological research can be used to treat diseases. This three-week residential experience gives high schoolers the chance to experience an Ivy League education with lectures, lab work, and group projects. 

• Apply to: The University of Pennsylvania
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who have completed at least one year of high school biology
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Chemistry Research Academy is another outstanding research opportunity from the University of Pennsylvania focusing on how chemistry can solve real-world problems.  About half of the academy focuses on hands-on laboratory experience, complemented by lectures, classroom learning, and field trips.

• Apply to: The University of Pennsylvania
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores,  and juniors who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If physics is more your speed, you can still benefit from The University of Pennsylvania’s exceptional resources. The Experimental Physics Research Academy introduces students to the principles of physics and how they can be used in a variety of industries, including astrophysics and quantum dynamics. No prior physics experience is required. 

• Apply to: The University of Pennsylvania
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors 
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rounding out Penn’s scientific research offerings, the Neuroscience Research Academy explores how the brain’s biology informs cognitive functions like emotion, memory, and morality. This academy is taught by undergraduates in Penn’s Biological Basis of Behavior program, giving high schoolers who may be considering Penn for college the chance to learn more about the Ivy League student experience.

• Apply to: The University of Pennsylvania
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors (11th) who have completed at least one year of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Research isn’t confined to the STEM fields! Penn’s  Social Justice Research Academy encourages students from diverse backgrounds to explore the complex, interdisciplinary issues at the core of social justice, including history, politics, and culture. Students conduct research exploring both past struggles and modern social justice issues, culminating in a capstone project.

• Apply to: The University of Pennsylvania
• Age Eligibility: Freshmen , sophomores, and juniors 
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s summer institute offers a variety of research sessions for students to explore biomedicine, specializing in research at either the cellular or molecular level. Each session offers hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art laboratory with guidance from research professionals. 

• Apply to: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors (11th)
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Roswell Park’s High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) is ideal for ambitious young scientists who dream of finding cures for some of humanity’s most serious diseases. This comprehensive program combines laboratory work with classroom learning, guest speakers, and professional development. 

• Apply to: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Age Eligibility: Juniors from New York’s Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties
• Location: Buffalo, New York

The Summer Science Research Experience (SSRP) doesn’t just connect high schoolers with one laboratory; SSRP Scholars participate in programs with three top research institutions: Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 32 students are selected to work in small groups, overseen by a professional mentor, to tackle high-level medical research. 

• Apply to: The Rockefeller University
• Age Eligibility:  Juniors, and seniors 
• Location: New York City, New York

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a two month-long program that introduces highly qualified students to the basics of medical research. Students work alongside faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and other researchers to develop a strong understanding of laboratory techniques. 

• Apply to: Stanford University
• Age Eligibility: Juniors or seniors
• Location: Palo Alto, California

Stanford’s Genomics Research Internship Program (GRIPS) is an eight week  genetics research intensive designed for Bay Area  high school students. Program participants are immersed into a strong community that prioritizes scientific study, laboratory research, and professional development. 

• Apply to: Stanford University
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores , juniors,, and seniors residing in the Bay Area
• Location: Palo Alto, California (with hybrid meetings)

The University of California, San Francisco’s Summer Student Research Program connects high schoolers with mentors in the healthcare field, including providers and researchers, to conduct meaningful medical research. This program includes workshops, seminars, and networking, culminating in an individual scientific presentation, to show students what a career in medicine could look like. 

• Apply to: University of California, San Francisco
• Age Eligibility: Juniors and seniors 
• Location: San Francisco, California

The Future Scientist Program at Indiana University’s Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is designed to expose local public school students to scientific careers. Participants work directly with a professional mentor to conduct cancer research. 

• Apply to: Indiana University
• Age Eligibility: Juniors  from Marion County Public Schools
• Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Northwestern’s Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program is a highly competitive, paid program focusing on lung disease. Selected students receive one-on-one mentorship as they conduct biological research.

• Apply to: Northwestern School of Medicine
• Age Eligibility: Seniors 
• Location: Evanston, Illinois

This five-week summer program is a partnership between Aetna, a major health insurance company, and the University of Connecticut. Students focus on medical, dental, or biomedical research within the University of Connecticut’s laboratories.

• Apply to: University of Connecticut Health
• Age Eligibility: Juniors 
• Location: Storrs campus in Connecticut

The Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students is an unpaid biotechnology research internship. The four-week program gives students an inside look at Coriell’s production laboratories, culminating in a student presentation.

• Apply to: Coriell Institute for Medical Research
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
• Location: Camden, New Jersey

The University of Chicago’s Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) program is a  four-week intensive focusing on cellular biology, molecular biology, and microbiology techniques. RIBS immerses high schoolers in a professional laboratory setting, preparing them for future careers in research. 

• Apply to: The University of Chicago
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

The Magee-Womens Research Institute’s High School Summer Internship Program is perfect for Pennsylvania students who may be considering careers in women’s health. This internship allows high schoolers to conduct their own research project under supervision from industry professionals. .

• Apply to: Magee Womens Research Institute
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors 
• Location: Southwest Pennsylvania

This full-time, five-week summer program is designed to introduce young scientists to laboratory research techniques. Students join a real laboratory team, and they end the summer by presenting their findings alongside undergraduate research fellows. 

• Apply to: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores,, juniors, and seniors 
• Location: New York City, New York

The Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research offers both virtual and in-person workshops on molecular medicine that give high schoolers a unique experience to learn in an advanced setting. These challenging experiences are helmed by doctorate-level instructors who prepare students for medical careers.

• Apply to: Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: Virtual  and various in-person options in California, New York, and London

Lehman College’s College Now STEM Research Academy allows students to earn both high school and college academic credit while researching biology and DNA. In addition to engaging learning and hands-on research, students benefit from mentorship and professional development opportunities. 

• Apply to: Lehman College
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors
• Location: New York City, New York

The University of California, San Diego’s bioengineering research programs aim to introduce high school students not just to the rigor of scientific study but also the fun! This program offers multiple sessions to fit with students’ varying skill levels and schedules.

• Apply to: The University of California, San Diego
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors , or seniors 
• Location: San Diego, California (or hybrid meetings)

This program combines resources from the University of California, San Diego and the Boz Institute to expose high schoolers to a broad range of biological research techniques. There are multiple sessions with different focuses, and this comprehensive approach includes field work, lectures, and laboratory experience. 

• Apply to: The University of California, San Diego
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or seniors
• Location: San Diego, California (or hybrid meetings)

If you love the ocean, the University of California, San Diego’s marine science research program is for you! The program has two tiers: an ocean studies course for beginners and a marine research intensive for more advanced students. 

• Apply to: The University of California, San Diego
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: San Diego, California (or hybrid meetings)

UCSD’s Sports Medicine Summer Academy gives high schoolers a window into the field of sports medicine. For students who are passionate about both sports and medicine, this program provides invaluable professional experience and insight into a unique career path. 

• Apply to: The University of California, San Diego
• Age Eligibility: Juniors and seniors 
• Location: San Diego, California

UCSD’s BRIDGE program offers high schoolers the rare opportunity to conduct business-related research. Students learn the fundamentals of business while exploring the innovative techniques that are driving modern economics forward. 

• Apply to: The University of California, San Diego
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: Virtual Meetings

Louisiana State University’s summer research program brings together high school, college, and medical school students for eight weeks of sharing and learning. Students spend their time doing hands-on work alongside professional mentors and attending career preparation seminars, culminating in a poster and/or oral presentation.

• Apply to: Louisiana State University
• Age Eligibility: Juniors and seniors
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Vanderbilt University’s Aspirnaut program is a highly selective, paid internship that allows high schoolers to work on a real research team for 6 weeks. Students explore how chemistry, biology, physics, math, and engineering can help solve real-world medical issues, like diabetes and cancer.

• Apply to: Vanderbilt University
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: Nashville, Tennessee

The Naval Research Laboratory’s student volunteer program allows high schoolers to explore science and engineering careers within the US Navy. While this is a volunteer program, it can be a stepping stone to future employment.

• Apply to: US Naval Research Laboratory
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors , and seniors 
• Location: Washington, D.C.

The Air Force Research Laboratory offers paid internship opportunities for high schoolers interested in aeronautical engineering and/or science education. The program offers hands-on experience under experienced mentors in both research and educational settings. 

• Apply to: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
• Age Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors 
• Location: Several locations across the United States

Headwaters Science Institute’s 5-day intensive gives high schoolers the chance to create their own research projects about California’s diverse ecosystems. The program encourages students to literally explore their own backyards, learning more about the nature surrounding their local communities.

• Apply to: Headwaters Science Institute
• Age Eligibility: All high school students (9th-12th)
• Location: Multiple locations in California

Boston University's RISE program offers high school juniors a six-week immersive research experience working alongside distinguished faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. The program offers two tracks: the Internship track, where students spend 40 hours per week on hands-on research projects in areas like astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomedical engineering; and the Practicum track, which combines daily lectures with afternoon group research in Computational Neurobiology or Data Science. Both tracks culminate in a Poster Symposium where students present their findings.

• Apply to: Boston University Summer Term
• Age Eligibility: Juniors (domestic students only)
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

George Mason University's nationally recognized ASSIP provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers across dozens of scientific areas, including neuroscience, cybersecurity, drug discovery, climate change, machine learning, robotics, and environmental science. The program runs from mid-June through mid-August and culminates in a final poster session. ASSIP has placed hundreds of students into meaningful research that has led to published papers and conference presentations.

• Apply to: George Mason University College of Science
• Age Eligibility: Students ages 15+ (16+ for wet-lab positions)
• Location: Fairfax, Virginia (in-person, hybrid, and remote options available)

Stanford's Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SHTEM) program is an eight-week in-person research internship that provides early exposure to cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research. Students are grouped into multifaceted projects mentored by Stanford faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. SHTEM uniquely emphasizes the inseparability of the humanities from STEM, with projects spanning information science, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, philosophy, and design.

• Apply to: Stanford Compression Forum
• Age Eligibility: Juniors and seniors (U.S. citizens or permanent residents only)
• Location: Stanford, California (in-person; housing not provided)

GTRI provides paid five-week summer internships for Georgia high school students to work on real engineering and science research projects at Georgia Tech facilities. Interns work alongside GTRI faculty and staff on projects spanning cybersecurity, robotics, electronic systems, and more. The program bridges the gap in Georgia's STEM workforce by creating awareness of STEM career opportunities and providing first-hand research experience.

• Apply to: Georgia Tech Research Institute
• Age Eligibility: Georgia high school students ages 16+ (graduating classes of 2026, 2027, or 2028)
• Location: Atlanta and Warner Robins, Georgia

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Young Scholars program is a free, six-week authentic research experience at a world-class research university. Students gain hands-on experience in areas such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. Housing, meals, and a monetary award are provided at no cost. The program is a Broadening Participation initiative that prioritizes traditionally excluded populations in STEMM.

• Apply to: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign WYSE
• Age Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
• Location: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

The University of Texas at Dallas offers an eight-week summer research program for advanced high school students passionate about computer science. Options include intensive research internships in CS labs (working 20–40 hours per week on projects involving AI, simulations, and app development) and structured research workshops. Students work directly with faculty and graduate student mentors and receive a completion certificate and experience letter.

• Apply to: University of Texas at Dallas CS K-12 Outreach
• Age Eligibility: Students ages 15+ (ideally finishing 10th or 11th grade)
• Location: Dallas, Texas (in-person)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, offers summer research internships for high school students to gain hands-on experience working on cutting-edge projects alongside experts in STEM. Research areas span administration, communications, experimental research, and more. Berkeley Lab also offers the introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM), a paid summer intensive focused on biotechnology and biofuels.

• Apply to: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory A-LIFT
• Age Eligibility: High school students (varies by program)
• Location: Berkeley, California

NASA offers highly competitive internship opportunities for high school students at select centers across the country. Interns work on cutting-edge research in areas such as aerospace engineering, astrophysics, earth science, and robotics, and receive mentorship from current NASA employees. Internships are available during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Spaces for high school students are limited to select centers, making this one of the most prestigious STEM opportunities for young researchers.

• Apply to: NASA STEM Gateway
• Age Eligibility: Students ages 16+ with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Location: Various NASA centers across the United States

The National Institutes of Health's High School Summer Internship Program places students in NIH research laboratories for eight weeks during the summer. Interns work under the mentorship of world-renowned scientists on biomedical research projects spanning genetics, immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and more. The program is one of the most prestigious government-sponsored research opportunities available to high school students in the United States.

• Apply to: National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training & Education
• Age Eligibility: Students ages 17+ who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Location: Bethesda, Maryland (NIH campus)

The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, offers a 10-week paid research internship for students interested in genetics and genomics. Participants conduct independent research projects under the mentorship of JAX scientists, attend lectures and workshops, and present their findings at a final symposium. The program provides a stipend, housing, and meals, making it accessible to students regardless of financial background. JAX is one of the world's leading biomedical research institutions.

• Apply to:The Jackson Laboratory
• Age Eligibility: Students ages 16+ (high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduates)
• Location: Bar Harbor, Maine

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) on Long Island, New York, offers research-focused programs through its DNA Learning Center. The Urban Barcode Research Program partners New York City high school students with CSHL scientists to conduct original DNA barcoding research projects over the course of a school year. Students collect specimens, extract and analyze DNA, and present their findings at a symposium. CSHL also offers summer research camps and workshops in molecular biology and bioinformatics.

• Apply to: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center
• Age Eligibility: High school students (varies by program; Urban Barcode Research Program is for NYC students)
• Location: Cold Spring Harbor, New York / New York City

MIT PRIMES is a free, year-long research program that pairs mathematically talented high school students with MIT researchers and graduate students to work on original research projects. The program runs from January through May, with students meeting weekly with their mentors to work on unsolved problems in mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. Many PRIMES students have published their research in professional journals and presented at national conferences.

• Apply to: MIT Department of Mathematics
• Age Eligibility: High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) in the greater Boston area
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (in-person meetings at MIT)

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), administered by the Society for Science, is the nation's oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Students submit original research projects along with essays and recommendations. The top 300 scholars are recognized nationally, and 40 finalists travel to Washington, D.C., to present their work to leading scientists and compete for awards totaling over $1.8 million, with the top prize of $250,000. The competition has produced numerous Nobel Prize and MacArthur Fellowship winners, and it is widely considered one of the most impactful extracurricular achievements a high school student can earn.

• Apply to: Society for Science
• Age Eligibility: High school seniors
• Location: Research conducted independently; finals held in Washington, D.C.

High school research opportunities are just the start of your educational journey, and Empowerly is here to help! We can help you build a well-rounded extracurricular profile, including research, service, and leadership roles, that will make you stand out when it’s time to apply to college. When it comes to your education, there’s no need to compromise. Schedule a consultation with Empowerly’s expert counselors today to ensure you’re on the right track for success in high school and beyond.