Research opportunities are available across a wide range of subjects, including STEM, medicine, computer science, economics, political science, psychology, and the humanities. Some programs are highly selective and fully funded, while others are open to students with limited prior research experience.
Types of Research Opportunities for High School Students
Summer Research Programs
Summer is one of the most popular times for high school students to participate in research. Summer research programs typically last several weeks and allow students to work with university faculty, graduate students, professional researchers, or other mentors.
Depending on the program, students may conduct laboratory experiments, analyze data, study academic literature, develop computational projects, or complete an independent research project under supervision.
University Research Programs and Internships
Universities, research institutions, and medical centers offer programs that allow high school students to experience academic research firsthand. These opportunities can range from short-term summer internships to intensive research experiences lasting several months.
Examples include programs at universities such as MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Boston University, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and other research institutions.
Because eligibility varies significantly, students should carefully check requirements such as grade level, location, citizenship or residency, previous coursework, and research experience.
Research Competitions
Research competitions allow students to develop and present original projects, experiments, or investigations. These competitions can be a good fit for students who want to pursue an independent question while working toward recognition, awards, scholarships, or opportunities to advance to a larger competition.
Some competitions focus specifically on scientific research, while others cover areas such as psychology, environmental science, computer science, or the humanities.
Mentored Research Programs
In a mentored research program, students work with an experienced researcher, professor, or academic mentor who provides guidance throughout the research process.
Mentorship can be especially valuable for students who are new to research because students receive support with developing a research question, finding academic sources, designing a methodology, analyzing evidence, and communicating their findings.
For students interested in producing a substantial research paper or pursuing publication, a structured mentorship can provide additional academic support.
Independent Research
Students do not necessarily need to join a formal summer program to begin conducting research. Independent research allows students to identify a question, conduct a literature review, collect or analyze evidence, and develop their own conclusions.
However, independent research can be challenging without guidance. Students should understand how to evaluate academic sources, develop a research question, use appropriate methodology, and properly cite their sources.
For students who want more structure, a mentored research program can provide a useful alternative.
Aralia Students Are 4x More Likely to Publish a Research Paper
Research Opportunities by Subject
STEM Research
STEM research opportunities may include biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental science, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, and medicine.
Students interested in STEM can explore university research internships, laboratory programs, science competitions, and independent research projects.
Political Science Research
Political science research allows students to investigate topics such as government, public policy, international relations, political institutions, elections, and social movements.
Explore Political Science Research Opportunities for High School Students →
Economics Research
Economics research can involve topics such as markets, inequality, trade, economic development, behavioral economics, and public policy.
Students who are unsure where to begin can also use research-topic guides to identify questions that could become the foundation of a research project.
Explore Economics Research Topics for High School Students →
Humanities Research
Research is also possible in disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, cultural studies, and other humanities fields.
Explore Humanities Research Topics for High School Students →
Most Well-Known Summer Research Programs for High School Students
The RSI invites 100 high school juniors to participate in a five-week internship program at MIT. Students will experience the research cycle, read the most up to date literature in their field, draft and execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings. Students will be paired with a mentor, take lessons for 1 week highlighting current research topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and humanities. Then, they will start conducting guided research for 5 weeks. In the meantime, they will prepare papers and oral presentations at a level appropriate for an academic conference.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: early- to mid-December, typically on Wednesday of the second full week in December
University of California, Santa Cruz has a summer-long (10-week) research internship program for high school students in STEM fields. High school students have the chance to receive one-on-one mentoring from UCSC faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.
High school students who are interested in STEM fields and research are highly encouraged to participate in this program. Students participate in real and existing research projects at UCSC, not made-up projects.
Students are required to be at least 14 years of age on the program start date, and be currently enrolled in high school. Accepted students are normally from Bay Area high schools, but out-of-area students who have local housing are also encouraged to apply.
Cost: $4,850
Submission Deadline: The application will open on January 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM Pacific Time and close on February 27, 2026.
The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program is an NYC high school internship. The internship prepares today’s youth to become tomorrow’s scientists. Each student is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist– a mentor who guides the student through a research project. Interns come away from the experience with an enhanced understanding of how laboratory research leads to transformative discovery, exposure to a professional academic environment, and a stronger connection to science as a career. Applicants must reside in New York City, with preference given to upper Manhattan and South Bronx students.
Application Deadline: October 2026.
JHIBS is an 8-week (in-person) or 5-week (virtual) summer program for high school juniors and seniors that helps them pursue a career in the neurological sciences. High school juniors and seniors from Baltimore city and metro areas are allowed to apply. The internship is held at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus. Interns will participate in a research project guided by faculty, staff, and student mentors and participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists.
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1 annually
Selected participants will be paired with a university researcher. Research projects may involve laboratory-based research, computer-based database research, or clinical research. Students will learn about research methodology and will complete a project over the summer. They will present their findings during oral presentation sessions. High school students who are applying must have completed their senior year by the program’s start date.
Eligibility: High school juniors at Indianapolis and all Marion County public schools
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31, 2026
The application deadline is January 31, 2026
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University is a program for high school students that provides hands-on training in various scientific research fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering. The program offers students an opportunity to work with Princeton researchers and graduate students in state-of-the-art labs and research centers. For this year’s program, students can participate in engineering and natural science opportunities.
Eligibility: High school students who are enrolled in a US high school and are 16 years old or older. LLP participants must be US citizens, legal permanent residents, or international students currently in the United States attending a US high school.
Research Opportunities: Engineering Research Opportunities and Natural Science Research Opportunities
Application Deadline: February 15 to March 15 annually
Rising seniors will conduct research for 40 hours per week under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, or graduate student mentor. Students have the opportunity to choose from multiple research fields, from astronomy and chemistry to psychology and public health. In addition to research, students participate in weekly workshops that provide insight into the scientific process, research ethics, reading a research paper, making a poster, and networking in the scientific community.
Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade.
Deadline: February 4, 2026
Program Dates: June 28 – August 7, 2026
The ARISE program is a dynamic and opportunity-driven initiative offered by New York University (NYU). It is designed to immerse students in a comprehensive ten-week summer experience. The program provides participants with rigorous lab experience and mentorship from NYU’s esteemed research faculty. Students will be trained to do college-level research and will have the opportunity to present their research at the end of the program. Students also receive a $1000 stipend upon successfully completing the program.
Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade
Application Deadline: February 20, 2026
Program Date: June 1 – August 14, 2026
Build Research Skills That Set You Apart
How to Find Research Opportunities in High School
Finding a research opportunity often starts with understanding what type of experience you want. Consider:
- Your academic interests: What subject or question do you want to explore?
- Your experience level: Are you completely new to research, or have you already completed a project?
- Your preferred format: Would you rather work independently, with a mentor, or as part of a structured program?
- Your schedule: Are you looking for a summer opportunity or something you can do during the school year?
- Your budget: Are you looking specifically for free or fully funded programs?
- Your location: Are you able to travel, or do you need a local or virtual opportunity?
Students can search university websites, research institutions, academic organizations, hospitals, museums, and research competitions for opportunities.
You can also contact professors and researchers directly. For students interested in this approach, our guide on How to Cold Email for Research Opportunities as a High School Student explains how to write a professional outreach email.
How to Pursue a Research Interest in High School
You do not need to wait until you are accepted into a prestigious summer program to start exploring research.
A student can begin by identifying a subject they are curious about, reading academic literature, identifying an interesting question, and gradually developing a research project.
Our guide on How to Pursue Research Interest in High School provides a more detailed look at how students can turn an academic interest into a research experience.
Understanding the Research Process
Many high school research projects ultimately result in a research paper. Writing the paper requires students to organize their research, explain their methodology, analyze evidence, and communicate their conclusions clearly.
Students should generally focus on developing a clear thesis or research question, using credible academic sources, organizing evidence logically, and properly citing their sources.
For a step-by-step guide, see How to Write a Research Paper: 6-Step Guide.
How to Write a Research Paper
Once you have a research question, you need a process for investigating it.
A typical research project involves:
- Developing a research question
- Reviewing existing research
- Choosing a research methodology
- Collecting and analyzing evidence
- Drawing conclusions
- Communicating your findings
Our guide to the 6 Steps in the Research Process explains each stage in greater detail.
Understanding the research process can help students approach projects more systematically and avoid common mistakes.
How to Publish High School Research
Publishing research can be a valuable next step for students who have completed a strong research project. Several academic journals accept submissions from high school students, although each journal has different subject areas, requirements, and selection standards.
Students should carefully review the submission guidelines and ensure their work is appropriate for the journal before submitting.
Explore our guide to 17 Research Journals for High School Students to learn more about potential publication opportunities.
Research Opportunities with Aralia Research Program
The Aralia Forefront Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to explore their academic interests through structured, in-depth research. Designed for students across disciplines, the program helps students move beyond classroom learning to investigate meaningful questions and develop research projects in areas they are genuinely passionate about.
With guidance from experienced instructors and research mentors, students learn how to identify research questions, evaluate academic sources, develop a research methodology, analyze evidence, and communicate their findings effectively. Through personalized mentorship and hands-on research experience, students build the skills and confidence needed to pursue more advanced academic work.
