54 Best Research Opportunities for High School Students – 2026
February 18, 2026
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 such opportunities a valuable and rare commodity. 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. 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; however, they do exist. In this blog, we cover the best research opportunities for high school students.
Table of Contents
- Best Free, Funded, or Paid Research Programs
- Best Cost-Based Research Programs
- How to choose a research program
- The low-down on virtual programs
- Pay-to-play programs: Are they worth it?
Quick FAQs:
Q: What qualifies as a legitimate research program?
Lots of opportunities advertise themselves as “research programs” and range from introductory to highly advanced, so it’s important to be clear on what you hope to gain from the experience. For students hoping to stand out in the college admissions process, the most legitimate placement will be in a real working research group that provides structure, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute to experiments. These positions also typically entail some type of tangible output, such as a paper or presentation, and at least several hundred hours worth of work. For students looking for academic enrichment or career exposure, the most legitimate programs are typically run by universities, hospitals, or well-regarded research labs, offer a structured, rigorous curriculum (and sometimes college credit), and plenty of hands-on opportunities
Q: Does research look good on college applications?
Original, mentored, laboratory-based research completed over a period of months or years looks best. Highly selective free or funded summer research programs that result in original papers or presentations can also move the needle. Anything else typically falls into the category of “academic enrichment,” which is still worthwhile, just in a different way.
Q: Are cost-based, or “pay-to-play,” research programs worth it?
We’ll go into this in more detail later, but the short answer is this: the more selective, rigorous, and prestigious that a cost-based research program is, the more value it holds.
56 Best Research Opportunities for High School Students
Below, we’ve ranked programs by rigor, tangible outcomes, reputation, and accessibility, including cost and geographic restrictions. For each entry, we list the geographic location of the program, the time frame and length of the program, any associated costs or stipends, the eligibility criteria for participation, and who the program is best for.
Doing a quick scan? Refer to each program’s tags for a brief overview of what to expect:
- Remote: Offers remote options.
- Summer: Takes place during the summer months.
- All-year: Takes place during the academic school year.
- Competitive: Known for being moderately to highly selective.
- Free: No cost to participate.
- Stipend: Pays students to participate.
- Lab: Provides lab experience.
- Residential: Students are either required (or have the option) to live in provided housing.
- Local: Only accepts students from the local area.
- Commuter: Accepts local and non-local students, but those who do not live in the area must secure their own housing and transportation.
Best Free, Funded, or Paid Research Programs for High School Students
1. MIT Research Science Institute
SummerResidentialCompetitiveFree
Location: Cambridge, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors
- Best for: Exceptionally advanced juniors seeking an end-to-end research experience.
- What you do: After completing one week of STEM coursework with MIT professors, RSI students spend the remaining five weeks participating in an intensive, mentored individual project experience that culminates in a written and oral presentation.
- Reality check: One of the most selective and sought-after research programs in the country (only ~100 accepted) with rigorous academic/testing expectations and a demanding application (multiple essays, recommendations, transcripts; very high PSAT/ACT benchmarks).
2. Texas Tech University Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
SummerStipendCompetitiveLabCommuter
Location: Lubbock, TX
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a $750 stipend upon completion of their projects
Eligibility: Rising seniors and college freshmen aged 17+ by the start of the program
- Best for: High-achieving students who want a serious, small-cohort research experience that includes the completion of a paper.
- What you do: Work closely with a faculty mentor to complete a research paper in one of eight research areas spanning both STEM and the social sciences. Students also participate in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips.
- Reality check: Extremely selective (only 12 students chosen) and limited to older students (17+).
3. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
SummerStipendLabResidentialCommuter
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: Transportation (commuters) or room/board (residential; ~$2,450); stipends awarded at the end of the program
Eligibility: High school juniors
- Best for: Juniors who want a mentored research placement across a wide range of disciplines and can meet potential prerequisites (AP coursework, programming experiene=ce, etc.).
- What you do: After being matched with a mentor and research team, students are fully immersed in the research process. Placement availability varies from year to year, but typically about thirty projects are available across over a dozen disciplines, including biochemistry, computer science, geosciences, and pharmacological sciences. There is also a culminating poster symposium.
- Reality check: Not fully “free”—students cover commuting or housing costs (though the stipend does help), and some placements have prerequisites that can limit fit, such as specific AP courses or previous programming experience.
4. Jackson Lab Summer Student Program
SummerResidentialCompetitiveLabStipend
Location: Bar Harbor, ME
Format: Summer
Length: 10 weeks
Cost: Free; students receive a $7,500 stipend plus funded room, board, and travel
Eligibility: High school seniors
- Best for: Students who want to design and execute a substantial independent research project, especially in genetics/genomics-adjacent fields.
- What you do: Conduct full-time, mentored research in bioinformatics and computational biology, cancer, developmental biology and aging, genomics, immunology and infectious disease, metabolic diseases, or neurobiology and sensory deficits, and present results at the end of the summer.
- Reality check: Very competitive with an intensive application (recommendations, transcript, resume, and multiple essays).
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
SummerCommuterCompetitiveLabStipend
Location: Various
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free, and all interns receive a $4,000+ stipend
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 16+, but some labs have additional requirements
- Best for: Students who want a paid, mentored research experience with strong STEM/engineering pathways and multiple lab options (each site has its own set of STEM focus areas).
- What you do: Participate in real Naval research while being mentored by professional scientists/engineers in a Department of the Navy (DoN) lab.
- Reality check: Competitive with an intensive application, and requirements/experience vary by lab site. Some have extra eligibility constraints.
6. American Chemical Society — Project SEED
SummerCommuterStipend
Location: Multiple
Format: Summer
Length: 8-10 weeks
Cost: Free; students receive a $4,000 stipend
Eligibility: All high school students whose families meet annual income requirements, but preferably current sophomores, juniors, or seniors
- Best for: Students from income-eligible households who want a paid, mentored research experience in the chemical sciences that has a strong national reputation.
- What you do: Work full-time on mentored, hands-on research in the chemical sciences, either independently or in small groups. All students either write a report or do a poster presentation at the end of their fellowship.
- Reality check: Income eligibility is required, and placements vary by site/mentor, so the exact experience and focus area can differ widely.
7. NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
VirtualSummerFree
Location: Virtual
Format: Summer
Length: 12 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen, who are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program is filled
- Best for: Students interested in space biology research, omics-based research, and bioinformatics/computational biology who want a free, remote research-training experience and can commit steady weekly time.
- What you do: Complete 20+ hours/week of asynchronous assignments, lectures, and office hours. Students may also apply to the Capstone Project track, where they work in teams of 4 to develop a research proposal and present it at the Capstone Showcase symposium.
- Reality check: Since this program is time intensive and completely virtual, students should be highly self-motivated. Acceptance is first-come, first-serve, so timing matters more than one’s credentials. However, the Capstone Project track is legitimately selective; top proposals may earn a funded trip to present at a conference.
8. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
SummerStipendLabCommuter
Location: Duarte, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 10 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend of $4,500
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Students interested in biomedical research who want a serious, full-time internship with tangible outcomes.
- What you do: Based on their interests and lab availability, students join a biomedical research team within the City of Hope/Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences (IMGS) research environment. They also take a biology course and a bioethics course, give a short talk, present a poster, and write a 3–4 page research paper.
- Reality check: Very competitive (they receive 800–1000 applications for ~70 spots), and non-local students must procure their own housing. Matching also depends on lab availability.
9. National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program
SummerCommuterCompetitiveLabStipend
Location: Research groups are available at many NIH intramural research facilities, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD
Format: Summer
Length: ~6-8 weeks
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Eligibility: High school seniors who will be 18+ by the start of the program
- Best for: Students seeking a research-intensive internship available across the biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, and social sciences.
- What you do: Work full-time in an NIH research group and gain exposure to real lab workflows. Many interns also present at Summer Poster Day.
- Reality check: Extremely competitive (7% acceptance rate), and the age requirement (18+) limits who can apply.
10. Scripps Student Research Internship Program
SummerStipendCommuterCompetitive
Location: La Jolla, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 10 weeks
Cost: Free; stipends are typically offered
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Students interested in translational medical research who can arrange their own housing.
- What you do: Develop an independent research project under a mentor and present your work at a poster symposium.
- Reality check: No housing is provided (an access barrier for non-local students), and the program is competitive; only 40 high school, undergrad, graduate, and professional students are accepted each summer.
11. University of Minnesota Lillehei Heart Institute Summer Research Scholars Program
SummerStipendCompetitiveLab
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive an hourly wage
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors age 16+ as well as undergraduate students
- Best for: Students strongly interested in cardiovascular research who are looking for an intensive lab experience.
- What you do: After being assigned to a laboratory as well as a faculty mentor, students spend the summer conducting intensive basic or clinical cardiovascular research. They also attend multiple field trips and seminars.
- Reality check: Extremely competitive (roughly 70 applications are received each year for 2 open positions), and non-local students must secure their own housing.
12. HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
SummerStipendLabLocalCompetitive
Location: New York, NY
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend of $1,200
Eligibility: High school juniors who live within 25 miles (New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey) of the main campus
- Best for: Local juniors interested in biomedical or computational research who are looking for a highly prestigious, lab-based internship.
- What you do: Join an MSK research lab and work with a mentor to complete a self-directed project that supports the lab’s research goals.
- Reality check: Extremely competitive (the program receives 1000+ applicants each year and has a 2% acceptance rate) and limited to those who live within a 25-mile radius.
13. Broad Summer Scholars Program
SummerStipendLocal
Location: Cambridge, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive $3,600 stipend
Eligibility: Rising seniors who attend an MA high school and live within commuting distance
- Best for: MA-based students who live within commuting distance and want a paid, mentored placement at a top-tier research institute.
- What you do: Conduct an original research project with Broad scientists (areas can include cancer biology, psychiatric disease, computational biology, infectious disease, etc.) and present your work in a poster session.
- Reality check: Has geographical restrictions and is also selective; applicants should show strong math/science performance (B or better) and clear enthusiasm for science.
14. Chicago EYES on Cancer
All-yearCompetitiveStipendLabLocal
Location: Chicago, IL
Format: All year, with two 8-week summer research experiences
Length: 2 years
Cost: Free; all students receive $5,000 stipend per year
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior aged 16+ who is a resident of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
- Best for: Chicago-area students interested in cancer research who want a multi-year, high-support, paid program that involves lab work.
- What you do: Spend two consecutive summers working full-time in cancer research labs, supported by lectures, year-round workshops, and faculty mentoring. The program culminates in a research symposium where students showcase their work.
- Reality check: Two-year commitment requires sustained availability during the academic year and summer, and only students from specific counties are eligible. It’s also highly competitive; only 10 students are selected each year.
15. City Tech College STEM Research Academy
LocalAll-yearSummerStipendLab
Location: New York, NY
Format: Academic year & summer
Length: Two semesters (January-August)
Cost: Free; a stipend is provided and transportation is covered
Eligibility: NYC public school sophomore or junior with high school average of 80+
- Best for: NYC public-school students who want a structured pathway into research and can commit to an eight-month program.
- What you do: In this two-semester program, students build research foundations in a spring pre-college science course, then conduct hands-on lab research with a City Tech faculty researcher and lab team in the summer. They also complete a short project, write a paper, and present at a culminating poster session.
- Reality check: Restricted to NYC-area students.
16. Dana-Farber Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Summer Program
SummerStipendLocalCompetitive
Location: Boston, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 7-11 weeks
Cost: Free. This is a full-time, paid opportunity.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who attend an MA high school and can commute to Boston 5 days/week in the summer.
- Best for: MA high school students serious about biomedical & cancer research who can commit to daily commuting.
- What you do: After being paired with a research mentor, students conduct mentored cancer research while building scientific & professional skills. They’ll finish with an abstract and final presentation.
- Reality check: Access is restricted to local students who can work full-time and commute daily. The application process is also competitive and intensive, requiring a transcript, resume, and two recommendation letters.
17. Cedars Sinai INSPIRE High School
SummerStipendLabLocal
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 8-10 weeks
Cost: Free; all students are paid
Eligibility: High school students age 16+
- Best for: Students who want a paid, mentored research internship at a major medical center.
- What you do: Participate in research projects (basic, translational, or clinical) and receive exposure to technology while building core research skills like study design, data analysis, literature review, writing, and speaking.
- Reality check: Since there are multiple in-person touch points during the application process, this program is best for students local to LA. It’s also great for building foundational skills, but important to keep in mind that project specifics vary by mentor/team.
18. The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
SummerFreeLab
Location: New York, NY
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16+
- Best for: Students looking for a team-based, mentored research experience at a dedicated biomedical research institution.
- What you do: Work 35 hours/week on a mentored research project as part of a small research team (each of the four teams consists of 8-10 students and at least three research mentors). Research topics will be aligned to students’ interests and team leaders’ expertise.
- Reality check: Non-local students must arrange their own housing/transportation, and while program administrators make every effort to place students on a team that aligns with their interests, that is not guaranteed.
19. Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute
FreeLabCommuter
Location: Cleveland, OH
Format: Varies; depends on lab
Length: Varies; depends on lab
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Students interested in basic, translational, or clinical research at a top hospital.
- What you do: Either secure a placement by contacting a lab directly or apply to the formal, ten-week Summer Research Internship, which is geared toward students interested in gaining hands-on biomedical research experience and career exposure.
- Reality check: Opportunities vary widely across labs, so academic-year placements are best suited to local students who are proactive about outreach (and flexible). Non-local students accepted to summer internship programs will need to secure their own housing.
20. OHSU School of Medicine Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
All-yearSummerFreeLabLocal
Location: Portland, OR
Format: Academic semester + summer
Length: 16+ weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Oregon-based high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 16+
- Best for: Oregon students who want a structured biomedical research pipeline that builds research literacy before lab work.
- What you do: From January to May, students attend a weekly lecture series, work with a research mentor, present a published research article, and develop a research proposal. Upon successful completion, they can elect to join a lab or clinical project during the summer, to which they must commit at least 250 hours and present at a poster symposium.
- Reality check: Restricted to Oregon residents, and requires an unpaid, full-time summer time commitment.
21. University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics Summer High School Research Program
SummerStipendLocalLab
Location: Rochester, NY
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend
Eligibility: Rochester-area high school students who have completed their junior year
- Best for: Local students excited by fusion lasers who are interested in diving into laser & plasma physics, engineering, or materials science.
- What you do: Work with scientists and engineers on a supervised research project connected to LLE’s laser research program, and present your results at a symposium.
- Reality check: Restricted to students from the Rochester area, and project topics are very specialized.
22. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Training Program
SummerStipendCompetitiveLabLocal
Location: Seattle, WA
Format: Summer
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend of $2,000
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors within commuting distance of downtown Seattle
- Best for: Local students interested in a career in biomedical research who are looking for a shorter, intensive program.
- What you do: Learn how to work in a research lab, explore topics like immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious disease, participate in college & career readiness workshops, and complete an independent project.
- Reality check: Restricted to students within commuting distance, and is very competitive; the lab only accepts 24 students per year.
23. Northeastern University Young Scholars Program
SummerFreeLabCompetitive
Location: Boston, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are rising seniors and live within commuting distance of campus
- Best for: Local students looking for mentored STEM lab experience, plus career exploration.
- What you do: Work in a research laboratory within Northeastern University’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences while receiving individualized mentorship, career and education counseling, and exposure to college life. All students participate in field trips as well as a final research presentation and poster session.
- Reality check: Restricted to MA residents within commuting distance. The application process is competitive and intensive, requiring essays and two teacher recommendations.
24. Columbia ENG (Engineering the Next Generation)
SummerStipendLocal
Location: New York, NY
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: Free; students are paid $17/hour for up to 25 hours/week
Eligibility: NYC-based high school juniors
- Best for: Local students who want a paid, mentored engineering research experience.
- What you do: Students are accepted to one of two tracks: Foundations of Research (FoR), which includes areas like biomedical science, computer science, and environmental engineering, or Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3), which explores how tech impacts urban life. In both, they receive practical research and professional experience as well as mentorship from Columbia Engineering researchers and faculty members.
- Reality check: NYC-only eligibility.
25. National Cancer Institute Werner H. Kirsten Student Internship Program
All-yearLocalFreeStipendLab
Location: Frederick, MD
Format: Academic year & summer
Length: 1 year
Cost: Free; academic credit available during school year, stipend provided in summer
Eligibility: High school junior age 17+ who attends an eligible school located within a 30-mile radius of campus
- Best for: Local students interested in biomedical research who want a long-term internship experience.
- What you do: Gain research experience in areas like molecular biology, cancer metabolism, sequencing, and cell biology over the course of a full year. Students start with an summer internship that is followed by a school-year internship.
- Reality check: Restricted to students who live within commuting distance and are able to make a year-long commitment to the program. It is also currently suspended as it undergoes restructuring, so students should confirm availability before planning to apply.
26. Argonne National Laboratory — Exemplary Student Research Program
All-yearFreeLocal
Location: Lemont, IL
Format: All Year
Length: 1 school year
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Application must be completed by participating teacher, and all students must be 16+
- Best for: Students in Honors/AP STEM classes whose teacher wants to lead a team-based research project in partnership with a national lab.
- What you do: Conduct a full research project cycle as part of a school team (4-8 students plus a teacher) mentored by Argonne scientists. Work occurs during the fall & spring and culminates in an annual poster presentation to the Argonne community.
- Reality check: Individual students cannot apply directly to this internship; they must have a teacher/school team that is willing to participate. Research teams must travel to Argonne twice and provide their own transportation to do so, making it most accessible to local schools.
27. Sandia National Laboratories—Internships
All-yearSummerStipendCommuter
Location: Livermore, CA
Format: Academic year and summer internships available
Length: Academic year or 10-12 weeks (summer)
Cost: Free; all positions are paid
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Students who want a paid, real-world STEM or technical business internship at a nationally recognized lab.
- What you do: Work on challenging, real-world projects that support national goals. Most internships are mentored and team-based; some also offer the opportunity to earn academic credit.
- Reality check: Projects and eligibility requirements vary widely, and location/logistics matter. Positions may also be more “applied” than traditional academic research.
28. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory High School Programs
CommuterAll-yearSummerStipendLab
Location: Richland, WA
Format: Summer & academic year positions
Length: Varies
Cost: Most positions are paid
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; some labs may require students to be 18+
- Best for: Students looking for a paid internship in research or business at a national lab, and can commit consistently during the school year or summer.
- What you do: Work with and receive mentorship from PNNL scientists, engineers, and business staff while gaining applied experience. Students can also participate in leadership development, lab tours, and career workshops. During the year, students can work up to four hours per day, five days per week; summer roles can scale up toward full-time.
- Reality check: Laboratories (and some fieldwork settings) require interns to be 18+, so younger students may have limits on where they can work. Opportunities and requirements vary significantly by role.
29. Jackson Lab Academic Year Fellowships
All-yearFreeLabLocal
Location: Farmington, CT or Bar Harbor, ME
Format: Academic year
Length: 1 school year
Cost: Free, but students must be able to receive academic credit for their work
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors age 16+ within commuting distance
- Best for: Local students who want a school-year, lab-based research experience.
- What you do: Join a JAX research group and work with a mentor to design an independent research project aligned with the lab’s ongoing work.
- Reality check: Students must be able to commit 180+ hours during normal business hours, be able to earn academic credit for their work, and live within commuting distance. It’s also not accepting applications for 2026, so be sure to confirm current status.
30. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program
CompetitiveSummerFreeLab
Location: Princeton, NJ
Format: Summer
Length: 5-6 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students who attend local school districts, aged 16+
- Best for: Local students looking for a full-time, faculty-supervised research position in natural sciences or engineering.
- What you do: Students work closely with faculty & staff on a real, ongoing Princeton research project. There are over three dozen projects to choose from, and students apply only to the opportunities they are most interested in.
- Reality check: Restricted to local students who are able to commute. It’s also free but unpaid, and students will need to be semi-flexible as each project has its own schedule that will determine the dates of involvement.
31. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science Summer Research Program (RITMS)
CommuterSummerFreeLab
Location: Rutgers, NJ
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Students interested in biomedical lab science looking for a team-based research experience.
- What you do: Plan experiments, perform lab work, analyze results, and present findings as part of an established research team. Students also receive mentorship and career guidance.
- Reality check: Requires a GPA of 3.0+ in math & science, at least one year of biology, two teacher recommendations, and an essay. All students must be able to commute to the program, and non-local students must arrange their own housing.
32. UCSF SEP High School Intern Program
SummerStipendLocal
Location: San Francisco, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a $4,500 stipend at the end of the summer
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in an SFUSD high school or SF public charter school
- Best for: SF-based students, especially those who are low-income or first-generation, who are looking for a rigorous, mentored research experience.
- What you do: Within a cohort of 25 peers, students conduct a biomedical research project for 35+ hours per week with guidance from a scientist mentor, and present their work at the end of the program.
- Reality check: Must be local to San Francisco, but entry requirements are more relaxed than some other programs; acceptance is based on interest & willingness to learn, not current grades or career intentions.
33. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
SummerStipendLabCommuter
Location: Oakland, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend of $3,000
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, aged 16+, who have competed at least one year of math and biology and are considered underrepresented in the sciences
- Best for: Underrepresented students who want a rigorous biomedical research experience.
- What you do: Participate in active laboratory, clinical, or public health research as well as workshops, seminars, and training; most placements are located at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. All students are matched with a mentor and ultimately present their findings at a formal research symposium.
- Reality check: Students must be underrepresented in science have completed coursework prerequisites. Non-local students must secure their own housing and transportation.
34. Baruch College STEM Research Academy
SummerAll-yearLocalStipend
Location: New York, NY
Format: Spring/summer
Length: 4-month research skills course followed by a six-week summer research experience
Cost: Free; all students receive a stipend of $1,575
Eligibility: Must be a NYC public high school sophomore junior with an average of 80+ to apply
- Best for: NYC public-school students who want a structured pathway into mentored research and are willing to commit to a six-month program.
- What you do: In this two-semester program, students first take a credit-bearing research methods course in the spring. Those who pass are matched with CUNY research faculty for a mentored summer research experience.
- Reality check: Restricted to NY-area students, and prioritizes those from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
35. Yale Pathways Research Internships
SummerStipendLabLocal
Location: New Haven, CT
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend of $2,500
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who attend a public high school in New Haven, West Haven, or Orange/Amity; preference is given to juniors and those without research experience
- Best for: Local public-school students who want a mentored lab placement and are new to research.
- What you do: Get placed into one of roughly 20 Yale research labs to learn about the scientific process, explore new fields, and create relationships with researchers.
- Reality check: Restricted to specific districts, and requires GPA of at least 3.0 as well as a STEM teacher recommendation.
36. California Academy of the Sciences—Careers in Science Intern
LocalAll-yearFree
Location: San Francisco, CA
Format: All Year
Length: Multi-year (2-3 years)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: 9th or 10th grade student enrolled in an SFUSD school with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Best for: SFUSD students from groups underrepresented in STEM who want a long-term experience that involves public engagement.
- What you do: On Saturdays during the school year and weekdays in the summer, students learn, conduct fieldwork outdoors, and lead experiences for visitors at the California Academy of Sciences.
- Reality check: Restricted to freshmen and sophomore SFUSD students, and is more of science & community engagement internship than a traditional lab research placement.
37. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
CommuterSummerFreeLab
Location: Camden, NJ
Format: Summer
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school student aged 17+
- Best for: Students interested in gaining exposure to the biotechnology industry.
- What you do: Work alongside professional scientists and technicians in Coriell’s Production Laboratories and learn day-to-day biotech processes, such as stem cells, biobanking, karyotyping, and DNA extraction.
- Reality check: Free but unpaid, and non-local students but must arrange their own housing.
38. Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program
All-yearSummerFreeLocal
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Format: Academic year and summer internships available
Length: 10+ weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: New Mexico high school juniors and seniors aged 16+
- Best for: Local students who want to explore STEM or business careers at a national lab.
- What you do: Students can apply to dozens of placements, which range from technical operations, like detonator production, to community partnerships. Interns are part-time during the school year (10–20 hours/week) with potential full-time work during summer.
- Reality check: Geographically restricted to NM students (who must also have a GPA of at least 2.75), and roles can differ a lot in technical depth and research intensity.
39. University of Kansas Biotech Research Apprentice Program
All-yearFreeLabLocal
Location: Overland Park, KS
Format: Academic year
Length: Semester
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students age 16+
- Best for: Local students exploring biology or biotech who are interested in gaining lab experience during the academic year.
- What you do: Assist KU undergraduates with their senior capstone projects, which involves generating data, interpreting results, and presenting findings.
- Reality check: This is a research support role rather than an independent project, so it’s typically best for students looking for a structured, introductory experience.
Best Cost-Based Research Programs for High School Students
1. Summer Science Program
ResidentialSummer
Location: Multiple host campuses (program/location depends on track)
Format: Summer
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $11,800 max; all program fees are scaled according to what each family can afford
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
- Best for: Juniors seeking a well-known residential research program (it’s one of the oldest in the country!) that requires a very high level of involvement.
- What you do: Participate in an intensive research experience in one of four tracks: astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, or cell biology). Students spend six days/week and 60 hours/week in class investigating their research topics and learning more about general experimental science.
- Reality check: The sticker price cost is expensive, but fees are assessed on a sliding scale and the program meets 100% of demonstrated need, including travel costs. Host locations do vary from year to year, which may impact logistics and fit.
2. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Internship Program (ASSIP)
SummerLabCommuterCompetitive
Location: Fairfax, VA
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $1,299 (to cover the cost of college credits earned)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ or 16+, depending on program
- Best for: Students who want to choose from a wide variety of research disciplines and value earning college credit.
- What you do: Work one-on-one with faculty researchers on a real project in one of 50+ fields, including everything from astronomy and chemistry to bioengineering, botany, drug discovery, and STEM-related business. All students participate in a final poster session to showcase their work, and earn three college credits.
- Reality check: The program fee is only to cover the cost of college credits, and students with a certain level of financial need will see that fee completely waived. Some remote and hybrid internship placements are available, but any non-local students accepted to an in-person placement will need to secure their own housing and transportation.
3. University of California Davis Young Scholars Program
SummerCompetitiveLabResidential
Location: Davis, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $7,750
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who will be 16+ by the start of the program
- Best for: Students interested in biological, agricultural, environmental, or natural sciences who want one-on-one mentorship and a tangible outcome (journal-quality paper + symposium presentation).
- What you do: Pursue an independent original research project with faculty mentorship, producing the aforementioned paper and presentation. A lecture series, field trips, and five college credits are also on the table.
- Reality check: Very competitive (only 40 accepted) and costly. Students should be ready for sustained research & writing at a high level.
4. Michigan State High School Honors Science, Math and Engineering Program
SummerResidentialCompetitive
Location: East Lansing, MI
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: $4,000
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
- Best for: Juniors who want a longer residential experience and are ready for an “authentic” research process (including uncertainty and iteration).
- What you do: Learn research fundamentals and then deeply investigate a problem of interest in science, engineering, or math while working with professionals and peers. Many students have gone on to publish their work or be recognized at prestigious research competitions.
- Reality check: Highly selective and not running in 2026, so students should confirm future availability and consider alternatives.
5. Boston University RISE
SummerResidentialCompetitiveLab
Location: Boston, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $5,930 plus room & board
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
- Best for: Juniors who want either full-time lab immersion or a more structured research experience.
- What you do: Conduct lab research in one of two tracks: Internship or Practicum. Internship students work full-time on an interest-aligned project in one of 15 subject areas with faculty/postdoc/grad mentorship; Practicum students work in small groups on structured neuroscience/neurobiology research.
- Reality check: RISE is both competitive and expensive, though some need-based financial aid is available. Also, the level of “authentic research independence” is typically higher in the Internship track than the Practicum track.
6. Stony Brook University Garcia Center Research Experience for High School Students
ResidentialCommuterAll-yearSummerLab
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Format: Summer (with possible academic year continuation)
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: $4,000 plus room & board
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
- Best for: Highly motivated, high-achieving students interested in materials/polymer science who want a intensive research experience. Local students also have the option to continue research during the school year.
- What you do: At the Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces, students design an original research project in polymer science and technology.
- Reality check: Successful applicants will have very strong academics records (3.8+ GPA and 60th percentile or above test scores). Tuition and housing costs also apply, and the focus area is relatively niche.
7. University of Florida Student Science Training Program
SummerLabResidentialCompetitive
Location: Gainesville, FL
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: $5,500
Eligibility: Rising seniors aged 16+
- Best for: Older students considering STEM/medicine who want a mentored university research experience plus writing & presentation skills.
- What you do: Work with a faculty mentor and lab team on university-level, ongoing research for 30+ hours per week, participate in a science lecture series as well as a UF Honors Program seminar class, write a research paper, present a poster, and give two oral presentations.
- Reality check: Entails a significant time commitment, so students should be ready for intensive requirements.
8. University of California Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
SummerLabCompetitive
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 7 weeks
Cost: $13,274 (residential); $5,675 (commuter)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
- Best for: Students who want a mentor-guided research experience across STEM or humanities and are comfortable with a heavy weekly time commitment.
- What you do: Spend 35–50 hours/week on an interdisciplinary research project in one of 30 areas that include biochemistry, CS, history, music, anthropology, etc. Students also take two credit-bearing courses in research and presentation techniques, and some students continue their research remotely during the academic year, depending on their mentor’s availability.
- Reality check: Very expensive (especially residential) and highly competitive. Also, it’s important to note that academic year continuation is not guaranteed.
9. University of Iowa Secondary Student Training Program
ResidentialSummerCompetitive
Location: Iowa City, IA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $7,500
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
- Best for: Students looking for a structured environment and small-group research experience.
- What you do: Conduct research in a small group supported by a University of Iowa faculty member. Students choose from nearly twenty active research areas and work on their project approximately seven hours per day. All groups create and present a poster at the culmination of the program.
- Reality check: Intensive and competitive, and since it’s not a solo lab-internship model, your work and outcomes are largely group-based.
10. University of California Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP)
ResidentialSummerLabCompetitive
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 8 weeks (one week virtual, seven weeks in-person)
Cost: $4,250 plus room & board
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+, although some research groups require students to be 16+
- Best for: Students who want authentic, open-ended mentored research with lots of project variety (including beyond traditional STEM).
- What you do: Join a research group for an active project (100+ options yearly) across science/engineering, social science, humanities, and even art, then present at a culminating symposium.
- Reality check: Program cost & housing can add up, and some labs set higher age requirements, so fit depends on the specific project you’re matched to. It’s also very competitive.
11. University of California Santa Barbara Summer Research Academies
SummerLab
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Format: Summer
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $9,874 (residential); $3,475 (commuter)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- Best for: Students who want a structured, interdisciplinary research experience that includes college credit (up to four).
- What you do: Learn core research concepts in a university-level course while developing a research question, running hands-on labs, analyzing results, and presenting findings. Twelve research tracks are available. Expect to spend 25-40 hours per week working.
- Reality check: Since it’s more structured and classroom-based than other lab internship models, it’s great for fundamentals. However, it’s expensive, especially for non-locals, but does result in four college credits.
12. University of Massachusetts Amherst Summer Research Intensives
SummerCompetitiveLabResidentialCommuter
Location: Amherst, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $12,813 (residential); $7,133 (commuter)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
- Best for: Students who want full-time lab immersion in biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, psychology, or food science.
- What you do: Work in one of 10 professional labs alongside faculty, grad students, and undergrads while learning research methods and producing a poster presentation.
- Reality check: Expensive (especially if residential) and highly selective; successful applicants will have at least a B average in their math and science courses.
13. University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
SummerResidentialCompetitiveStructured
Location: Chicago, IL
Format: Summer
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $15,200
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors
- Best for: Sophomores and juniors with strong science grades who want a structured pathway to lab research.
- What you do: Learn and practice molecular, microbiological, and cell biology research techniques, then apply them while completing and presenting an independent research project. There are also weekly writing assignments and seminars.
- Reality check: Highly selective and expensive; competitive applicants typically show demonstrated interest in science and top grades in relevant coursework.
14. Rutgers Waksman Institute Summer Experience Program
SummerLabVirtualCommuter
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Format: Summer
Length: 2 weeks
Cost: $2,200 (in-person); $600 (virtual)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a high school-level biology course
- Best for: Students who want a short, highly structured research experience & publishing opportunity in molecular biology/bioinformatics.
- What you do: Conduct molecular biology lab work and perform DNA sequence analysis while attending daily seminars conducted by Rutgers faculty. At the end of the program, students submit their vetted DNA sequences to GenBank, an international DNA sequence repository. Students whose sequences are published receive name attribution within the database.
- Reality check: This is a short program, so the in-person version is best for local students (non-local students have to procure housing). An online version of the program is also available.
15. Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program
SummerResidential
Location: Northampton, MA
Format: Summer
Length: 2-4 weeks
Cost: $4,985 (2 weeks); $9,970 (4 weeks)
Eligibility: Female high school students in grades 9-12; some programs have specific prerequisites
- Best for: Female high school students in grades 9-12 who want a hands-on, team-based introduction to STEM and research.
- What you do: Take an intensive course (or two) with lectures plus experiments and fieldwork. Each session offers multiple course options; students attend class & activities five days per week and work in teams.
- Reality check: This program is more of an introduction to immersive STEM learning & experimentation rather than a full independent lab internship.
How do I choose the best research program for me?
If you’re hoping to conduct authentic, laboratory-based research with a mentor, your best bet is to start reaching out to faculty members at local colleges who are doing work in your area of interest. These types of positions can be exceptionally hard to nail down, so it may take many tries before you find someone who is willing to bring you into their lab, but if you’re successful, it will be well worth it. A few pieces of advice:
- Authentic research groups are conducting serious work, so they’re looking for driven, high-achieving students who will positively enhance their dynamic. Your subject area knowledge, work ethic, and technical & communication skills can go a long way in helping you land a position.
- These positions typically require a longer time commitment, with students spending months, or even years, working full-time (or close to full-time) in the summer and part-time during the school year. Be sure you’re ready for that level of involvement.
- Due to safety concerns and restrictions associated with lab-based research, students typically need to be at least 16 years old to participate.
On the other hand, if you’d rather apply to an established, structured program, whether during the summer or academic year, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Selectivity: The lower the acceptance rate, the more options you should apply to.
- Time commitment: Some programs require a multi-week, full-time commitment over the summer, while others require nights and weekends during the school year (sometimes for multiple years). What works with your schedule?
- Cost/stipend: Do you have to pay for the program, or does the program pay you? Note that many residential programs are cost-based while commuter programs (especially those that only accept local students) are more likely to be fully funded and/or offer a stipend. Any program you choose should be a good fit for your financial situation.
- Location: Would you rather attend a local program, or are you willing to travel anywhere? If you’re looking outside your local area, make sure to research the housing situation. Some programs provide housing, but others require students to secure their own housing and transportation.
- Level of mentor interaction: During some programs, you’ll have a 1:1 mentor, while in others, you’ll be working in a team of peers, which may result in less mentor interaction.
- Opportunity to publish, present, or enter research competitions: If publishing research, presenting at a conference or poster session, or submitting your project/paper to a research competition is important to you, look into if and how the program prepares you for that venture.
Are virtual research programs for high school students worth it?
Solid virtual research opportunities are few and far between, but some do exist. Look for the Virtual tag in our list above, along with the same qualities you’d look for in an in-person program: structure, rigor, mentorship, and tangible outcomes.
However, virtual programs do not typically provide the same level of networking, peer interaction, and exposure to the research process that an in-person program does, so keep that in mind. Students who do best in a virtual program will also be highly self-motivated and independent.
Are pay-to-play research programs legitimate?
Although some cost-based research opportunities offer little in the way of experience, others are truly excellent opportunities to work with a mentor and delve into an area of interest—no different than many other summer programs.
That said, it’s important not to conflate cost with quality, or feel like you have to attend an expensive research program to enhance your college application. In actuality, nearly all cost-based research programs, no matter how reputable and selective they are, will be viewed by admissions officers as “academic enrichment” rather than “authentic lab experience,” and in most cases, the associated admissions benefit will be relatively minimal, especially at highly selective colleges.
If you do attend one of these programs, it should be because you’d like to prioritize your intellectual curiosity and spend several months seriously pursuing a topic of interest. Your new knowledge, skills, and career clarity will be your most important takeaways. These, of course, will enhance your college application in their own way.
Final Thoughts
If gaining research experience is important to you, it’s in your best interest to explore a number of different programs, evaluating whether their structure, length, cost, and outcomes are in line with your goals. Finding the right opportunity may take some time, but it will be well worth the effort required.
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