Summer Research Programs for High School and Middle School Students: Internships, Labs & Research Opportunities
May 31, 2026Andy Steinbach, PhD in physics · Founder, Bay AI Institute
This guide covers the major summer research programs for high school students, plus the year-round programs, internships, and research opportunities that surround them: elite residential fellowships, university and hospital research labs, government and national-lab internships, museum placements, and math intensives. They span biology, biomedical engineering, medicine, neuroscience, physics, mathematics, and computer science, and they vary enormously in funding, prestige, format (some run online or virtually), and what they require. Programs are grouped by type; numbering runs sequentially throughout. Most are aimed at students in grades 10 through 12; the smaller set open to 9th graders and middle schoolers is gathered in the Start Early section at the end. This is a companion to our guide on science research competitions for high school and middle school students.
Most programs distinguish between enrichment (structured learning alongside peers) and research (original lab work with a mentor). Where a program is one or the other, we note it. Programs marked Free typically cover tuition, room, and board. Programs that provide a paid stipend pay students directly. Fee-based programs charge tuition.
Updated May 2026. Links verified.
Elite Residential Research Programs
These are the most selective and most prestigious programs in the country. Acceptance rates range from 1–10%. Being selected is a meaningful credential in competitive college applications. Most are fully funded.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Rising seniors (grade 11) · Age 16+ · U.S. and international (via national competitions) · Free · cee.org/programs/research-science-institute
Six weeks at MIT, matched with a university or industry research mentor on an original scientific project across any STEM discipline. Students produce a written paper and oral presentation. Approximately 100 students are selected from ~3,100 applicants (roughly a 2.5% acceptance rate).
Advice: RSI weighs math/science competitions, prior research exposure, and recommendation letters heavily; applicants without any research background rarely advance past the first cut.
Deadline: ~December 10. Program runs late June–early August.
2. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science (MITES) Summer
Rising seniors (grade 11) · U.S. citizens or permanent residents only · Free · mites.mit.edu
Six-week residential STEM immersion at MIT. Students take five courses: math, science, a humanities seminar, and two STEM electives (options have included Machine Learning, Genomics, Architecture, and Electronics). Program explicitly prioritizes students from underrepresented backgrounds and public schools; reported acceptance rate 1.5–4%.
Advice: Strong essays about your specific STEM interest and background story matter more here than test scores alone.
Deadline: ~February 1. Program runs June–August.
3. Simons Summer Research Program
Rising seniors (grade 11) · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Free (optional on-campus housing ~$2,360) · stonybrook.edu/simons
Six-week residential research program at Stony Brook University. Each "Simons Fellow" is embedded in a faculty research group and takes ownership of an original project. Approximately 40 students accepted; acceptance rate ~5%. Students present at an end-of-summer symposium.
Advice: Unlike RSI, Simons draws heavily from the Northeast. Geographic proximity is realistic context, but applications are open nationally.
Deadline: ~late January (nominations) / early February (applications). Program runs late June–early August.
4. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Rising seniors (grade 11 only) · Ages 15–18 · U.S. and international · Fee-based ($11,800 sticker; free for families under ~$75K income; applications are need-blind) · ssp.org
Approximately 39-day residential research program in three tracks: Astrophysics (teams collect telescope observations to determine asteroid orbits), Biochemistry (wet-lab protein interaction experiments), and Bacterial Genomics. Students work in trios on a single research question and present final results. The majority of attendees receive financial aid.
Advice: Strong calculus and physics (astrophysics track) or biology and chemistry (biochemistry) is expected before applying. This is not an introduction to STEM.
Deadline: January 29 (international) / February 19 (domestic).
5. Clark Scholars Program
Rising seniors or recent graduates · Age 17+ · U.S. and international · Free + $750 stipend on completion · depts.ttu.edu/clarkscholars
Seven-week research program at Texas Tech University pairing each of 12 selected students with a faculty mentor across any STEM field. Students produce a formal research report and present their work. With only 12 spots and no geographic restriction, this is among the smallest and most selective programs in the country.
Advice: A concrete prior research interest (ideally one you can match to a specific TTU faculty member's work) strengthens the application substantially.
Deadline: ~February 16. Program runs June–August.
6. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Rising seniors (grade 11) · Greater Boston area high schools only · U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-authorized · Free + $3,600 stipend · broadinstitute.org
Six-week research program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in genomics, cancer biology, or computational biology. No prior research experience required; priority for students with limited access to research opportunities. One of the best-kept secrets in the Boston-area ecosystem.
Deadline: ~January 21. Program runs late June–early August.
7. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Grades 11–12 · Age 16+ · New York City area preferred · Free · rockefeller.edu/outreach/ssrp
Seven-week full-time placement in a Rockefeller University research lab in biomedical or life sciences. Thirty-two students accepted from hundreds of applicants. One of the most research-intensive programs at the high school level. Students work on real scientific questions in active labs, not curated student projects.
Deadline: ~January 2 (letters of recommendation due January 5).
8. Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Summer Student Program
Graduating high school seniors only (high school track) · Bar Harbor, Maine campus · Paid: $7,500 stipend + room and board + round-trip travel · jax.org/education-and-learning/high-school-students-and-undergraduates/learn-earn-and-explore
Ten-week paid research internship at the Jackson Laboratory, a world leader in mammalian genetics and genomics. The stipend and full room, board, and travel coverage make this effectively a paid research position (unusual at the high school level). Note: this program is for the summer after senior year, not during high school.
Deadline: ~January 26. Program runs late May–early August.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Rising seniors (grade 11) · U.S.-based students (citizens, permanent residents, and international students attending U.S. high schools) · Free for families under $200K household income (no housing provided) · bwsi.mit.edu
Four-week intensive engineering and computer science program at MIT in July. Students first complete a free online prerequisite course (February–May) and must pass to qualify for the in-person program. Tracks include autonomous vehicles, CubeSat design, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
Advice: The prerequisite online course is the real filter. Students who coast through it are not selected for the residential program.
Deadline: ~March–April for summer application. Online course opens February.
10. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Rising seniors (grade 11) · Age 16+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Targets underrepresented communities in STEM · Fully funded · cmu.edu/pre-college/academic-programs/sams.html
Six-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon covering college-level STEM coursework, exposure to CMU research, and mentorship. All costs covered except travel to Pittsburgh.
Deadline: Preferred February 1; final March 1. Program: late June–early August.
Year-Round Research Programs
These programs run during the academic year. Some of the most prestigious opportunities for students fall into this category.
11. MIT PRIMES and PRIMES-USA
Grades 10–11 · PRIMES: Greater Boston area (in-person) · PRIMES-USA: U.S. students at least 50 miles from Boston (remote) · Free · math.mit.edu/research/highschool/primes
Year-long research program in which students work one-on-one with MIT graduate students and postdocs on original unsolved mathematics or computer science problems. Students present at the MIT PRIMES Conference each May. Most admitted students have competition math experience. PRIMES-USA is fully remote and equally prestigious.
Advice: The application problem set is the primary filter. Competition math experience at the USAMO/AIME level is the realistic baseline.
Deadline: ~December 1 for both. Decisions announced late January.
12. Columbia Science Honors Program (SHP)
Grades 10–12 · Within 75 miles of Columbia University (NY, NJ, CT) · Fee-based ($700/year; tuition waivers for documented financial hardship) · outreach.engineering.columbia.edu/SHP
Saturday morning academic-year program offering college-level STEM courses to high-achieving local students. An entrance exam is required. Not a research program, but one of the oldest and most respected pre-college STEM programs in the country.
Deadline: Mid-April application; mid-May exam selection.
13. AMNH Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Grades 10–11 · New York City residents and students · Free + $2,500 stipend + 1 CUNY college credit · amnh.org/learn-teach/teens/science-research-mentoring-program
Academic-year program (August–June) at the American Museum of Natural History. Students spend four hours per week, two days per week, conducting original research with museum scientists. The stipend is paid on completion. Not a summer program, but a full-year commitment.
Deadline: ~March 1 for the upcoming academic year.
Intensive Math Programs
For students who love mathematics deeply, these residential programs are as competitive and respected as any science research program.
14. PROMYS: Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists
Ages 14–18 · Completed at least grade 9 · U.S. and international · Free for families under $80K income; need-based aid available for all · promys.org
Six-week residential mathematics program at Boston University, centered on number theory through independent discovery and rigorous proof-writing. Approximately 80 students attend annually (60 first-year, 20 returning); about 25 undergraduate counselors (mostly PROMYS alumni) run daily minicourses.
Advice: The application requires solving a challenging problem set. Your mathematical reasoning and approach are what's being evaluated, not your GPA.
Deadline: ~February 27. Program: late June–early August.
15. Ross Mathematics Program
Ages 15–18 · U.S. and international · Fee-based ($7,500; ~40% receive partial or full need-based aid) · rossprogram.org
Six-week residential number theory program offered at two sites in Ohio and Indiana. Students work intensively on problem sets designed to develop mathematical independence and rigorous proof-writing. Running since 1957. Applications require solving a set of number theory problems.
Deadline: ~March 8. Program: mid-June–late July.
16. Canada/USA Mathcamp
Ages 13–18 · U.S. and international · Fee-based ($7,500; free for U.S. and Canadian families under $100K income) · mathcamp.org
Five-week residential program where students choose from a wide daily menu of math courses and seminars taught by research mathematicians. More student-directed than Ross or PROMYS. Students build their own schedule across pure mathematics topics from algebraic topology to combinatorics.
Advice: The application "Qualifying Quiz" is a set of challenging problems: show your thinking process, not just final answers.
Deadline: ~February 23. Program: late June–early August.
17. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)
Primarily grades 10–11; occasional 9th graders · U.S. and international · Fee-based ($7,208; need-based aid available) · hcssim.org
Six-week residential math program at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Students spend four-plus hours in class six days per week doing mathematics through active exploration and proof-writing across number theory, abstract algebra, combinatorics, and topology. Famous for its intense and joyful mathematical culture.
Deadline: ~April 1 (rolling admissions beginning January).
18. Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOP)
Invitation only: top scorers on USAMO and USAJMO · U.S. only · Free · maa.org/student-programs/amc
Three-week intensive problem-solving camp at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. There is no application. Invitations go to top scorers on USAMO and USAJMO and a cohort of top freshmen and sophomores. This is the training ground for the U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team.
Path in: AMC 10/12 → AIME → USAJMO or USAMO. The pipeline begins each November.
University Research Fellowships & Internships
These programs place students in real university labs or pair them with faculty mentors for original research. Many are regional or state-specific. Check eligibility carefully before investing time in an application.
19. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Grades 11–12 · Age 16+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Strong preference for Bay Area students · Free · med.stanford.edu/simr.html
Eight-week biomedical research program at Stanford Medicine, pairing students with Stanford researchers on original laboratory projects across the biological sciences. One of the most competitive university-based high school research programs in the country.
Advice: The application asks for specific research interests. Vague enthusiasm won't advance; name the biology or disease area you want to study and why.
Deadline: ~February 21. Program: early June–late July.
20. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) at Boston University
Rising seniors (grade 11) · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Fee-based (~$8,500–$9,500 residential) · bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/rise-internship-practicum
Six-week research internship at Boston University with two tracks: Internship (40 hours/week in a BU lab across biology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, astronomy, chemistry, CS, physics, or public health) and Practicum (structured coursework). Among the more academically rigorous fee-based programs. Students do real lab work, not scripted exercises.
Deadline: ~February 4. Program runs summer.
21. Garcia Research Scholar Program
Rising juniors and seniors · Age 16+ · GPA 95/100 (3.8/4.0) required · U.S.-based · Fee-based ($3,700 + optional housing ~$3,097) · stonybrook.edu/commcms/garcia
Seven-week polymer materials science research program at Stony Brook's Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces. Students conduct hands-on laboratory research and present at an end-of-summer symposium. One of the longest-running university high school research programs in the country.
Deadline: ~early March. Program runs July–August.
22. UCSC Science Internship Program (SIP)
Ages 14–17 for program duration (some projects require 16+) · Must be currently enrolled in high school · U.S. and international · Fee-based (need-based scholarships available) · sip.ucsc.edu
Students intern in University of California Santa Cruz research labs alongside scientist mentors on real research projects across the sciences. One of the few programs open to students as young as 14.
Deadline: ~February 28 (applications open February 1).
23. UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Grades 10–11 (exceptional grade 9 students considered case-by-case) · GPA 3.80+ weighted · U.S. and international · Fee-based (~$6,000–$8,000 residential; scholarships prioritize California residents) · summer.ucsb.edu/programs/research-mentorship-program
Six-week residential research program at UC Santa Barbara pairing students with faculty mentors on original STEM research projects, with emphasis on biological, physical, and computational sciences.
Deadline: Rolling admissions December 15–March 9.
24. COSMOS: California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science
Grades 9–12 · California residents only · GPA typically 3.5+ · Fee-based ($5,518 residential; limited need-based scholarships) · cosmos-ucop.ucdavis.edu
Four-week residential program at five UC campuses (Los Angeles, Irvine, Santa Cruz, Davis, San Diego, Merced). Students join a specialized research "cluster" (topics range from robotics, genomics, and astrophysics to AI) and work on a project under UC faculty, culminating in a symposium presentation.
Advice: Apply to the campus whose cluster matches your interest, not just the closest campus. Different campuses offer completely different research tracks.
Deadline: ~February 6 (UCLA); varies by campus. Program: approximately July.
25. UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Rising juniors and seniors (grades 10–11) · ~40 students selected · Fee-based ($7,500; need-based reduction available covering up to 90%; $25 application fee with waiver) · education.ucdavis.edu/young-scholars-program
Six-week residential research program at UC Davis in biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences. Students work with faculty mentors on original projects. Need-based aid can cover nearly the full cost, making this more accessible than its sticker price suggests.
Deadline: Applications open January 1; close approximately March.
26. Stanford AI4ALL
9th graders only · Ages 14–15 · U.S.-based · Free or heavily subsidized · ai4all.spcs.stanford.edu
Two-week online session (June) followed by a two-week residential program at Stanford (July) focused on artificial intelligence for students underrepresented in technology. Students learn machine learning fundamentals, explore AI ethics, and work on projects with Stanford researchers.
Advice: This program explicitly targets underrepresented students in tech. If that describes you, the program is a highly selective opportunity worth prioritizing early in high school.
Deadline: ~February 6.
27. UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP)
Grades 7–11 (Secondary Division) · No geographic restriction · Fee-based (starting at $750; financial aid available; among the most affordable university summer programs) · atdp.berkeley.edu
Six-week summer program on the UC Berkeley campus offering accelerated courses in STEM and humanities. An assessment or entrance exam is required. One of the best-value university-affiliated summer programs in the country.
Deadline: Early deadline February 25; standard March 23; extended May 29.
28. WashU Young Scientist Program (YSP) Summer Focus
Students going into 12th grade (rising seniors) · Missouri and Illinois residents (St. Louis area) · Paid · sites.wustl.edu/wustlysp
Eight-week full-time paid research internship at Washington University in St. Louis. Students are matched with WashU faculty mentors across STEM disciplines; no prior research experience required.
Deadline: ~January 26. Program runs summer.
29. University of Chicago Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Grades 9–12 · Chicago-area residents only · Free + $5,600 stipend · datascience.uchicago.edu/education/summerlab
Eight-week paid research program pairing Chicago-area high school students with data science mentors across computer science, social science, climate and energy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research. One of the highest stipends available to high school researchers in the country.
Deadline: ~January 12. Program runs summer.
30. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Age 16+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Local New Jersey high school students (must commute; no housing) · Free (no stipend) · scienceoutreach.princeton.edu/laboratory-learning-program
Five-to-six week free research experience in Princeton University science or engineering labs. Students work during regular office hours only. One of the few genuinely free university research programs for local students, and a good first research experience if you're in the Princeton area.
Deadline: Application window February 15–March 15.
31. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) ASPIRE
Rising juniors or seniors (grades 10–11) · U.S. citizens only · Maryland, Virginia, and DC area only · Unpaid (190 hours minimum) · jhuapl.edu/education/stem-outreach/aspire
Intensive summer internship pairing students with APL staff mentors on engineering and science projects tied to national defense and aerospace research. Acceptance rate 15–20%.
Deadline: ~February 15 (applications open January 1). Recommendation forms due March 1.
32. Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) High School Summer Internship
Georgia residents attending Georgia high schools · Age 16+ · Paid (up to 24 hrs/week, ~5 weeks) · gtri.gatech.edu/stem/high-school-summer-internship
Students work in Georgia Tech Research Institute labs across Atlanta on applied STEM research projects. Approximately 60–70 students accepted per year. One of the stronger state-level government research programs available to high schoolers.
Deadline: Pre-application typically closes mid-January; main applications open December.
33. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS)
Grades 9–11 · No geographic restriction · Fee-based ($1,300 tuition + $1,000 residential; limited financial aid) · sites.lsa.umich.edu/mmss
Two-week residential program at the University of Michigan offering intensive courses in mathematics and science taught by U of M faculty. Enrichment rather than research, but one of the better-value short-format academic programs available nationally.
Deadline: ~mid-January to early April (seats fill quickly).
34. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Programs
Qualifying scores required (95th percentile+ on grade-level standardized tests) · Grades vary by course · U.S. and international · Fee-based ($3,149–$7,501 depending on format and course) · cty.jhu.edu
Wide array of intensive residential and online summer courses in STEM and humanities at multiple campus sites. One of the oldest gifted-youth programs in the country, with a national network. Students qualify through above-grade-level test scores.
Deadline: Priority deadline late January; rolling through spring.
Federal Government & DOE National Lab Programs
National laboratories run by the Department of Energy and other federal agencies offer some of the best-kept-secret high school programs in the country. Most require U.S. citizenship (not just permanent residency), and many have geographic restrictions. Deadlines are typically January–March.
35. SAGE Camps (DOE National Labs)
Public high school students ages 14–17 · Geographic restrictions vary by site · Free · mysagejourney.org/summer-camps
Free one-to-two-week summer day camps hosted by Department of Energy national laboratory scientists and engineers. Includes job shadowing, hands-on projects, career talks, lab tours, and professional development workshops. Sites in 2026 include Lawrence Livermore (Livermore, CA), SLAC (Menlo Park, CA), Oak Ridge (Oak Ridge, TN), and Los Alamos (Los Alamos, NM). The most accessible entry point to DOE lab programs. No prior research experience needed, and ages 14–17 are welcome.
Deadline: Varies by site; applications typically open early spring.
36. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) Experiences in Research (EinR)
Grades 10–12 · Age 16+ · Public schools in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco Counties, California · Paid ($500/week) · k12education.lbl.gov/programs/high-school/experiences-in-research
Six-week paid summer research internship working directly on projects alongside Berkeley Lab experts across STEM, computing, data science, and science communications. One of the best Bay Area high school programs for students who want a real lab experience.
Deadline: Typically early spring; check the site in December for the next cycle.
37. Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program (HSRP)
Completed grade 11 recommended · Age 16+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Active health insurance required · On-site in Upton, New York (Long Island) · Free (no stipend) · bnl.gov/education/programs/program.php?q=219
Six-week on-site program at Brookhaven National Laboratory collaborating with scientific and engineering staff on hands-on STEM projects. Students access world-class facilities including particle accelerators.
Deadline: Application window ~January 12–March 20.
38. Fermilab TARGET
Illinois high school sophomores or juniors · GPA 3.0+ · Must be eligible to work in the U.S. · Priority for underrepresented minorities and women · Paid ($17.20/hour) · diversity.fnal.gov/target
Six-week program at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. Students spend half the day in real research in particle physics, computing, or engineering and the other half in STEM and leadership workshops. One of the better-paying high school programs in the country at the government lab level.
Deadline: Typically closes February; email [email protected] to confirm.
39. Fermilab PRISM
Rising seniors or recent high school graduates · U.S. citizens · Illinois high school enrollment · Paid ($500/week) · internships.fnal.gov/prism
Four-week summer school at Fermilab covering particle physics, quantum science, engineering design, and artificial intelligence through lectures by expert scientists, hands-on activities, and exclusive lab tours.
Deadline: ~March 1. Program: mid-July.
40. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Biotech Summer Experience
High school students who have completed Biology and Chemistry · On-site in Livermore, California · Note: National Disclosure Act restrictions apply (some non-U.S.-citizen students may be ineligible) · Free · st.llnl.gov/sci-ed/summer-workshops/biotech-summer-experience
Two-week immersive research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Students engage in authentic research, not a scripted lab exercise. Must bring own laptop.
Deadline: ~late February. Program: mid-July.
41. ORNL Next Generation STEM Internship (NGSI)
Rising juniors or seniors or recent graduates not yet enrolled in college · Age 16+ · GPA 3.0+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · On-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee · Paid ($500/week) · education.ornl.gov/ngsi
Seven-week on-site STEM research internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Students work on research projects with ORNL scientific and professional staff, with optional workshops, lab tours, and a poster session. Apply via Zintellect.
Deadline: Typically late winter/early spring.
42. SLAC NLR-SLAC Pathway Summer School Program
U.S. citizens · Age 16+ · High school students or recent graduates from the San Francisco Bay Area or Denver, Colorado · Paid ($500/week) · orise.orau.gov/nlr-slac-summer-school
Two-week on-site program at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California exploring scientific research alongside scientists and mentors. A partnership between National Labs for Resilience and SLAC targeting students from underserved communities near the labs.
Deadline: Check the site each spring.
43. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Biomedical Research
Graduating high school seniors who will have completed high school before the program · Must be age 18+ (or turning 18 between June 1–September 30 and living within 40 miles of an NIH campus) · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Paid (stipend varies by institute) · training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/sip
Full-time summer internship in NIH labs working on biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Each NIH institute (NIMH, NIEHS, NCI, NHLBI, and others) runs its own version with slightly different deadlines. The age-18 requirement means participants are almost always graduating seniors, not current underclassmen.
Deadline: Varies by institute; typically January–March. Applications open November.
44. NIH HiSTEP 2.0
Graduating high school seniors (post-graduation, pre-college) · Must reside in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Paid · training.nih.gov/histep_20_faqs
Eight-week biomedical research internship at NIH's main campus in Bethesda for students with little or no prior research experience. Students work alongside NIH scientists and attend weekly professional development and college prep sessions.
Deadline: Check training.nih.gov (typically early spring).
45. DOE Scholars Program
Rising juniors or seniors or recent high school graduates not yet in college · Age 16+ · U.S. citizens · Paid (stipend varies) · orise.orau.gov/doescholars
Policy analysis internship at DOE offices, focused on energy research, national security, and federal science policy rather than lab research. Most placements are for college or graduate students; the high school track is narrower but exists.
Deadline: Apply via Zintellect (search DOE-Scholars-2026-Gen).
46. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Rising juniors or seniors or recent graduates not yet enrolled in college · GPA 3.0+ · Must live within 50 miles of NIST Gaithersburg, MD or NIST Boulder, CO · U.S. citizens only · Unpaid · nist.gov/ship
Eight-week on-site research internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology across physics, chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. One of the few opportunities for high school students to conduct research inside a federal metrology laboratory.
Deadline: ~January 26. Program: late June–early August.
47. NASA Science Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES)
Rising juniors or seniors (grades 10–11) · Age 16+ by July 5 · U.S. citizens · Unpaid (housing and meals covered for scholarship recipients) · csr.utexas.edu/education-outreach/high-school-internships/sees
Six-week hybrid program coordinated by UT Austin in partnership with NASA. Students collaborate with NASA and academic experts using real NASA mission data across aerospace, astronomy, planetary science, and remote sensing. Virtual pre-work in June, then two weeks on-site at UT Austin in July.
Deadline: ~February 22. Notifications approximately May 1.
48. CDC Disease Detective Camp
Grades 10–11 (rising juniors or seniors) · Age 16+ · In-person at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia · Fee-based · cdc.gov/museum/camp/detective
One-week academic day camp immersed in public health. Students engage in disease investigation simulations and career exploration with CDC scientists. Not a research program. This is a structured enrichment experience inside one of the world's leading public health agencies. A good introduction to epidemiology and public health careers.
Deadline: Check cdc.gov for next cycle (2027 program info expected January 2027).
Military & Defense Research Programs
Several military branches run highly regarded, paid high school research apprenticeships. These require U.S. citizenship (not just residency) and place students inside real defense laboratories.
49. Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Grades 9–12 (including graduating seniors) · U.S. citizens only · Placed at Department of Navy laboratories nationwide · Paid ($4,000 stipend for new participants; $4,500 returning) · navalsteminterns.us/seap
Eight-week summer apprenticeship at one of more than 38 Department of Navy laboratories, mentored by Navy scientists and engineers on real defense research projects. Approximately 300 students placed annually. One of the larger government-sponsored high school research programs in the country.
Advice: SEAP has the earliest deadline of any major high school program. Applications open August 1 and close November 1 for the following summer. Most students miss it because it opens over the summer.
Deadline: August 1–November 1 (for following summer). Notifications January–March.
50. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeships
Grades 10–12 · STEM interest required · Priority for underrepresented students · Paid (up to $4,500 for up to 300 hours) · usaeop.com/program/high-school-apprenticeships
Eight-week summer placements at Army partner universities and labs across the country. Students apprentice in their chosen STEM field with a DOD scientist or engineer mentor, working on problems relevant to Army research and national security. Placements available at multiple sites nationally.
Deadline: Varies by host site (~April 15 for some sites). Check usaeop.com.
51. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Age 16+ · U.S. citizens only (permanent residents are not eligible) · GPA 3.0+ · Paid · afrlscholars.usra.edu
Eight-week paid internship alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on aerospace, defense, computing, and materials science research. Sites include Kirtland AFB (New Mexico), Eglin AFB (Florida), Wright-Patterson AFB (Ohio), and Maui (Hawaii).
Deadline: Rolling applications.
52. Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program
High school juniors (Class of 2027) or seniors (Class of 2026) · GPA 3.5+ unweighted · Age 16+ by June 1 · U.S. citizens · Dayton, Ohio area (Wright-Patterson) · Paid · wpafbstem.com/Wright_Scholar
Eight-week paid research assistant position working with Air Force Research Laboratory engineers and scientists. Students are placed as paid contractor research assistants, not participants in a structured program. Strong emphasis on engineering and applied science.
Deadline: Typically November 1–January 10. Program: June–July.
Hospital & Medical Research Programs
Major cancer centers and research hospitals run some of the best high school research placements available. Most are geographically restricted to the surrounding metro area.
53. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Summer Student Program
Current high school juniors only · Age 14+ · GPA 3.5+ in science · Within 25 miles of MSK's Manhattan campus (NY, NJ, CT) · Free + $1,200 stipend · mskcc.org/education-training/summer-student
Eight-week full-time laboratory internship in cancer biology, immuno-oncology, pharmacology, genomics, or bioengineering. Approximately 20 students accepted from more than 1,000 applications (roughly 2% acceptance). One of the most selective high school research placements in the United States.
Advice: Letters from science teachers who can speak specifically to your lab skills matter far more than generic academic endorsements.
Deadline: Applications open December 1; close February 6 (8 a.m. EST).
54. Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program
Rising juniors and seniors · Age 16+ · Must reside and attend school in San Diego County · Paid + optional transit stipend · salk.edu/about/education-outreach/programs/high-school-scholars
Eight-week paid research internship at the Salk Institute in La Jolla pairing students one-on-one with Salk scientists in neuroscience, cancer biology, genetics, computational biology, or bioengineering. Running for more than 40 years. Students present at a symposium.
Deadline: ~March 1. Applications open December 1. Program: mid-June–early August.
55. Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) CURE
Age 16+ · Must reside or attend school in Massachusetts · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Free + paid stipend · cure.dfhcc.harvard.edu/welcome/cure
Seven-to-eleven week paid summer research internship in cancer-related research at Dana-Farber or Harvard Cancer Center labs, spanning basic science, clinical, and population science. Open to both high school and undergraduate students.
Deadline: ~December 1. Check dfhcc.harvard.edu for current cycle.
56. Dana-Farber YES for CURE
Rising HS sophomores or juniors at program start · Massachusetts residents or school attendees · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Free + paid stipend · dfhcc.harvard.edu/research/cancer-disparities/students/yes-for-cure
Multi-year, 2.5-year commitment beginning as a sophomore or junior, running through the first year of college. Includes school-year training sessions plus mentored summer research placements at DF/HCC labs. Covers cancer biology, molecular techniques, public health, and bioinformatics. A rare program that invests in students across multiple years rather than a single summer.
Deadline: Check dfhcc.harvard.edu.
57. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Students entering senior year · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Priority for underrepresented communities · Seattle area · Paid + ORCA transit card · fredhutch.org/en/education-training/high-school-students/summer-high-school-internship-program.html
Eight-week full-time research internship at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. The first two weeks cover lab safety training; students then spend six weeks embedded in an active research group. Fred Hutch is one of the premier cancer research institutions in the world.
Deadline: Applications open early February; close ~March 31. Notifications ~mid-May.
58. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Pathways Research Explorers
Rising 10th–11th graders · Priority for students "furthest from opportunity" · Seattle area · Free · fredhutch.org/en/education-training/high-school-students/high-school-explorers-program.html
Two-week introductory summer program for students not yet eligible for the SHIP internship. Funded by the National Cancer Institute. Two sessions of approximately 16 students each, held in August. An accessible first step for younger students interested in biomedical research.
59. Cedars-Sinai SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge)
Current high school juniors only · Age 16+ · U.S. citizens or permanent residents · Los Angeles area (reliable transportation required) · Free + up to $4,500 stipend · cedars-sinai.edu/Research/Departments-and-Institutes/Regenerative-Medicine-Institute/High-School-Outreach-Program.aspx
Seven-to-eight week hypothesis-driven stem cell and regenerative medicine research project at Cedars-Sinai. Only 10 students are accepted. CIRM-funded; the stipend (up to $4,500) makes this one of the most generously compensated high school research placements in California.
Deadline: Check cedars-sinai.edu; contact [email protected].
60. CHOP Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES)
Rising juniors at Philadelphia public or charter schools · Age 16+ · Priority for West Philadelphia and partner school students · Paid · research.chop.edu/services/chop-research-internship-for-scholars-and-emerging-scientists-chop-rises
Six-week STEM research internship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Monday through Thursday. Designed as a two-summer program: students apply in their sophomore year and continue as rising seniors.
Deadline: ~April 3. Program: late June–early August.
61. Stanford PIPS (Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford)
Rising juniors and seniors · Age 16+ · GPA 3.0+ unweighted · Must reside and attend high school in specified Northern California counties · Free + $3,000 stipend for financial need · med.stanford.edu/pediatrics/education/pediatrics-internship-program.html
Seven-week research program at Stanford Pediatrics working with faculty, postdocs, and researchers on an original project. Designed as an introductory experience: no prior research experience required. 30 hours per week commitment.
Deadline: ~February 23. Program starts June 8.
62. MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
Texas residents · Graduating seniors (or recently graduated) · Up to 6 students accepted · Paid · mdanderson.org/education-training/research-training/early-career-pathway-programs/summer-research-programs/programs/high-school-summer-program.html
Ten-week intensive research internship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Students work five days per week, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., in MD Anderson labs under faculty mentorship. Texas residency required.
Deadline: Applications open ~November 17; close ~January 14. Program: June–August.
63. Mayo Clinic HERO (Healthcare Experience and Research in Oncology)
Grades 9–11 · Interest in STEMM · Virtual (open nationally) · Free · mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/mayo-clinic-cancer-center/about-us/crtec/summer-healthcare-experience-in-oncology
Two-week part-time virtual summer program. Students collaborate four hours per day, Monday through Friday, on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study from Mayo Clinic oncologists. One of the few fully virtual hospital programs accessible to any U.S. high school student regardless of location or background.
Deadline: ~April 24. Program: late July.
64. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
High school students from diverse backgrounds · Bay Area students preferred · Free + $3,000 stipend · summerstudents.ucsf.edu
Seven-week paid biomedical research program in UCSF labs spanning neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, stem cells, and developmental biology. Priority for students from underrepresented communities.
Program dates: mid-June–July 31.
Museum, Science Center & Natural History Programs
65. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) High School Internship
Ages 15–18 · Grades 9–12 · Must be able to commute to Washington, DC (DC, MD, or VA area) · Paid (~$3,600–$5,600) · naturalhistory.si.edu/education/youth-programs/high-school-internship-program
Eight-week paid internship at the National Museum of Natural History. Students work on projects in entomology, exhibit development, or other museum departments alongside Smithsonian scientists. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. An accessible entry point for students interested in natural history and biological sciences who live in the DC area.
Deadline: ~March 20. Program: late June–mid-August.
66. AMNH Science Communication Internship Program (SCIP)
Current 10th graders only · New York City students · Free + paid · amnh.org/learn-teach/teens/science-communication-internship-program
Six-week paid summer internship at the American Museum of Natural History. Students learn to interpret science for museum visitors using collections and hands-on exhibits. Focused on science communication, a distinct and underserved skill for students who may want to write about, teach, or communicate science professionally.
Deadline: ~March 1.
67. Field Museum High School Programs
High school students · Chicago area · Paid ($17/hour or stipend depending on program) · fieldmuseum.org/landing/internships
The Field Museum runs several paid summer internship tracks: a plant and insect collections research program (five weeks, 15 students with museum scientists), a Chicago Green Ambassadors environmental conservation internship (five weeks, $17/hour, 21 hrs/week), and a Women in Science program (six weeks). Check the internships page for the current year's offerings.
Deadline: ~April 18 (varies by program).
68. Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Ages 15–18 · Completed at least one year of high school · San Francisco area · Paid (~$19/hour, 13–19 hrs/week) · exploratorium.edu/about/explainers/high-school
Year-round program (with a summer full-time track) in which student Explainers work on the museum floor facilitating science demonstrations and engaging visitors. 130 positions, acceptance rate ~15%. Running since 1969, one of the longest-standing science education internships in the country. Summer applications typically open in March.
69. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Rising 10th graders (grades 9–10 at entry) · SFUSD school enrollment (San Francisco) · GPA 2.5+; C or better in science and math · Must be work-authorized · Paid (above San Francisco minimum wage) · calacademy.org/careers-in-science-cis-intern-program
Multi-year, year-round paid internship continuing through high school graduation. Students work Saturdays during the school year and weekdays in summer, combining fieldwork outdoors, public floor facilitation, STEM communication training, and college guidance. Priority for girls and underrepresented students of color from San Francisco. Applications open approximately February.
Ocean, Environment & Field Science
70. SEA Pre-College: Ocean Sciences in Woods Hole
Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates · U.S. and international · Fee-based (need-based financial aid available) · sea.edu/program/high-school-and-pre-college/sea-pre-college
Three-week academically rigorous program in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. College-level coursework taught by PhD scientists, field sampling on Cape Cod, and lab analysis; students also visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Laboratory, and other leading research institutions. One of the best ocean and marine science programs available to high school students anywhere.
Deadline: Rolling; apply in fall for the following summer.
71. Bigelow Laboratory Keller BLOOM Program
Current Maine high school juniors only (including homeschooled) · 16 students · Geographic representation across Maine counties prioritized · Free (room and board included) · bigelow.org/education/bloom.html
One-week residential ocean science program at Bigelow Laboratory's East Boothbay, Maine campus. Students spend three days doing field sampling on the Sheepscot River estuary and three days doing lab analysis of phytoplankton, zooplankton, pigments, nutrients, bacteria, and marine viruses. One of the only programs giving high school students direct access to an active ocean research institution with overnight housing.
Deadline: ~April 10. Program: late May.
Diversity-Focused National Programs
72. ACS Project SEED
Economically disadvantaged students · Completed at least one year of high school chemistry · Paid ($4,000 fellowship) · acs.org/education/students/highschool/seed.html
Eight-to-ten week paid summer research internship placing students in academic and industry chemistry labs with scientist mentors nationwide. More than 350 students placed per year. Program targets economically disadvantaged students regardless of race or gender. One of the largest and most accessible national research placement programs for students without means.
Deadline: Student applications typically open ~February 10; close ~April 6–7.
73. SMASH (Summer Math and Science Honors) Academy
Students in grade 9 at time of application · Students of color underrepresented in STEM (African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American, Filipino, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian) · Priority for local students near SMASH sites · Free · smash.org
Three-summer, five-week residential program: students apply in 9th grade and attend the same program three consecutive summers through 11th grade. STEM coursework in math, CS, engineering, and science plus mentorship and monthly school-year activities. Sites include Berkeley, Stanford, UC Davis, Morehouse, Spelman, Northeastern, University of Illinois, and University of Michigan. Alumni have 100% college enrollment rates.
Deadline: Priority February 1; final March 1. Program: approximately July 11–31.
Math & Science Enrichment Camps
These programs focus on enrichment and competition preparation rather than original research, but provide rigorous academic experiences alongside motivated peers.
74. AwesomeMath Summer Program
Ages 12–18 · U.S. and international · Online only · Fee-based ($1,275–$1,575 per 3-week session) · awesomemath.org/summer-program
Three-week intensive online competition math program with three sessions available June through August. Courses span algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory at four difficulty levels from AMC 10/12 preparation through USAMO-level. Daily lectures followed by intensive problem-solving sessions.
75. IDEA MATH Summer Program
Middle and high school students · Residential (Greater Boston) and day program (Northern California; North Texas) · Fee-based ($1,675–$3,985+; financial aid available for U.S. families) · ideamath.education
Four-week intensive competition math training. Residential program near Boston; day programs in Cupertino/San Jose and Plano/Dallas. Seminar-style lectures in algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory at the AMC/AIME competition level.
76. Euler Circle
Advanced high school students who love proof-based math · Bay Area in-person + online nationally · Fee-based (~$850/quarter; need-based aid available; admission is need-blind) · eulercircle.com
Year-round, college-level mathematics courses for advanced high school students. Courses include combinatorics, infinite series, topology, p-adic analysis, and Markov chains. Summer sessions are online only and include a research and paper-writing option. Not competition prep, but university-style pure mathematics.
77. AlphaStar Academy
Grades 4–12 · Santa Clara, California (in-person) + online nationally · Fee-based (~$3,250–$3,550 for CS camps) · alphastar.academy
WASC-accredited year-round academy and summer program in mathematics, computer science, and physics. Competition training tracks include AMC, AIME, MATHCOUNTS, United States of America Computing Olympiad (USACO), and Physics Olympiad. Artificial intelligence camps also offered. A strong Bay Area-based option for students pursuing competition-level STEM training.
Start Early: Programs for Younger Students
A small number of programs admit students before 10th grade, grouped here by the youngest grade they accept. Most are math and enrichment camps; the elite research programs almost all begin in grade 11.
Programs that accept 9th graders
- Stanford AI4ALL (#26): 9th graders only, AI and machine learning at Stanford.
- COSMOS (#24): grades 9–12, UC campus research clusters (California residents).
- UCSC SIP (#22): ages 14+, UC Santa Cruz lab internships.
- UC Berkeley ATDP (#27): grades 7–11, accelerated UC Berkeley summer courses.
- Michigan MMSS (#33): grades 9–11, University of Michigan math and science courses.
- Canada/USA Mathcamp (#16): ages 13+, intensive residential mathematics.
- Mayo Clinic HERO (#63): grades 9–11, virtual oncology research (open nationally).
Programs that accept middle schoolers
- Johns Hopkins CTY (#34): entry grade varies by course, including middle school.
- Canada/USA Mathcamp (#16): ages 13+, intensive residential mathematics.
- UC Berkeley ATDP (#27): grades 7–11, accelerated UC Berkeley summer courses.
- IDEA MATH (#75): middle and high school, competition math training.
- AwesomeMath (#74): ages 12+, online competition math.
- AlphaStar Academy (#77): grades 4–12, math, computer science, and physics.
Updated May 2026. All links verified. Programs listed are active as of this writing; always confirm current-year details directly with each program before applying.
