§ Collection

Research programs for high school students

Research programs put you in a lab or with a mentor on a real question. They are the most common path to a project you can actually write about later.

281 programs currently listed · 215 free or stipend-paying.

What to know

—Read the program page for what you will actually do. “Research” can mean running experiments or it can mean a lecture series.
—You do not need prior lab experience for most of these. You do need to explain why this specific lab.
—If nothing here is near you, cold-emailing a local professor is a real strategy — Atlas has a guide on it.

Programs in this collection

Stanford AIMI
Academic Year Research Internship
During the school year, students meet weekly in small groups with their student mentors to work on healthcare AI research projects under the guidance of Stanford researchers.
📍 Virtual🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
AI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
📍 PA⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference
All-expenses-paid journalism conference + $1,000 scholarship for 51 students.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 week📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Samford University
Alabama Governor's School
A three-week summer residential program for high-achieving high school students in Alabama.
📍 Birmingham, AL⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Allen Institute
Allen Institute Summer Intern
Paid neuroscience and cell biology research in Seattle.
📍 WA⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Amazon
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12
Selective
AICF
American Indian College Fund
Scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students attending tribal colleges or other colleges.
📍 United States⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars — Europe & Asia
Fully funded summer research at host institutions across Europe and Asia for undergraduates in the sciences.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program
ANSEP Acceleration High School
Free year-round STEM acceleration for Alaska Native students.
📍 AK⏱ School year + summer📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
ASDRP (RISE)
Free year-round Bay Area lab research. Open application.
📍 CA⏱ Year-round📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
The nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
APIA Scholars
Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander American students entering college.
📍 United States⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grade 12
Selective
George Mason University (GMU)
Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
A summer internship program that provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct research, develop new ideas, and invent new technologies.
📍 Fairfax, VA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arizona State University
ASU SCENE
Free science club + research opportunities for AZ high schoolers, with focus on first-gen students.
📍 AZ⏱ Year-round📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Auburn University College of Engineering
Auburn Engineering Summer Camps (HS Track)
One-week intensive workshops in robotics, aerospace, and medical engineering for Alabama high school students.
📍 Auburn, AL⏱ 1 week📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Auburn University
Auburn Summer Science Institute
Hands-on STEM research at Auburn — Alabama residents prioritized; in-state tuition aid available.
📍 AL⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Audubon Connecticut
Audubon Sharon Summer Internships (Youth)
Research and education internship at a wildlife sanctuary focusing on birds and habitat health.
📍 Sharon, CT⏱ 8 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
AAPT
Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers
Scholarships for high school students who plan to pursue a career in physics teaching.
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
College Board
BigFuture
A free, comprehensive set of digital resources that helps all students take a productive first step after high school. Includes information on planning for college and scholarships.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
BigFuture
BigFuture Scholarships (The College Board)
Guides juniors and seniors through the college planning process and offers the chance to earn scholarships, from $500 to $40,000, for every action that students complete.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge
Civic engagement competition awarding scholarships for student-led community impact projects.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Summer🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Biogen
Biogen Community Lab
Free hands-on biotech labs and high school research opportunities at Biogen sites.
📍 Cambridge, MA + RTP, NC⏱ Day to weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
World Food Prize Foundation
Borlaug-Ruan International Internship
Eight-week international research internship for World Food Prize Youth Institute alumni.
📍 International⏱ 8 weeks📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
City of Boston
Boston SuccessLink
Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Boston University
Boston University Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Six-week summer research program in 14 STEM disciplines.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Cornell University
Boyce Thompson Institute Plant Genome Research
Paid 7-week plant-genomics research; housing provided.
📍 Ithaca, NY📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Breakthrough
Breakthrough Collaborative
Free summer and school-year academic program for first-generation, low-income middle schoolers; high schoolers can serve as teaching fellows.
📍 30+ US cities⏱ Multi-year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Create a short video explaining a big idea in science or math. Global competition for ages 13–18 with a $250K college scholarship.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)
N/A
📍 Off Campus or On Campus🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Brown University
Brown Leadership Institute
Pre-college leadership program at Brown. Need-based scholarships.
📍 RI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
CSSSA Foundation
California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Multi-disciplinary arts sessions for young artists to collaborate and learn from professionals.
📍 Valencia, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
CEI
Caretakers of the Environment International
Annual international youth conference on environmental research and projects.
📍 Varies (International)⏱ 1 week📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Carnegie Mellon
Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars
Free three-week residential AI program for underrepresented students.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
CFA Institute
CFA Institute Research Challenge
Global equity research and analysis competition with high school divisions in some regions.
📍 Global⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Freedom Forum
ChiPS Chips Quinn Scholars (pipeline)
Diversity journalism pipeline programs for students of color.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Texas Tech University
Clark Scholars Program
Intensive research with TTU faculty across STEM and humanities. $750 stipend, room and board covered.
📍 TX (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Coca-Cola Foundation
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
USD 20K college scholarships for 150 graduating seniors annually. Free to apply.
📍 Online application⏱ Senior year📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Selective
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
An achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school who demonstrate capacity to lead and serve, and a commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
📅 September 30, 2026🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
CodeDay
CodeDay Labs Fellowship
High school students are paired with industry mentors to build a real-world software project.
📍 Online⏱ 3 months📅 May 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
QuestBridge
College Admissions Conferences (through College Prep Scholars Program)
Exclusive access to college admissions conferences as part of the College Prep Scholars Program.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
QuestBridge
College Prep Scholars Program
Get a head start to a top college as a high school junior with scholarships, awards, and resources designed to help you stand out in college admissions. Offers expert guidance, access to summer program scholarships, college admissions conferences, personalized support, and community.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines REACH
Engineering immersion at Mines. Scholarships for Colorado students from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 CO⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
The Concord Review
Concord Review (Humanities Publishing)
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Cooke College Scholarship Program
An undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. The award can provide as much as $55,000 per year.
📅 August 19, 2026 (application opens)🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
Coolidge Scholarship
The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. This one-of-a-kind scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university in the U.S.
📍 Any accredited college or university in the U.S.📅 Not yet announced — officially listed as TBD on the Coolidge Scholars' own site🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Coolidge Scholars Foundation
Coolidge Senators Program
Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.
📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Coro Northern California
Coro Youth Fellows
Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
Propose, design, and conduct your own research project, working on topics and seeking answers to questions that are currently unknown to the specific discipline.
📍 On Campus or Online🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
CS Scholars
Pre-College CS Scholars program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Harvard / edX
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Introduction to computer science from Harvard University available for high schoolers.
📍 Online⏱ 12 weeks📅 Self-paced — no fixed deadline🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Curieux
Curieux Academic Journal
Monthly student-run academic journal publishing research by high schoolers worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
DAAD
DAAD RISE Germany
Summer research internships in Germany for undergraduates from North America, UK, and Ireland; monthly stipend + travel.
📍 Various📅 December🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth Bound (Free)
Free fly-in program for high-achieving, low-income juniors.
📍 NH⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows
Scholarships of USD 10K, 25K, and 50K for students under 18 with significant work in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
📍 Online application⏱ Project-based📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Up to $50,000 scholarship for original work in STEM, literature, music, and 'outside the box' areas, ages 18 and under.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Dell Scholars
Dell Scholars Program
Recognizes academic potential and determination in students that have a definite need for financial assistance.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Google
Doodle for Google
Annual K-12 art contest with college scholarships.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Spring🎓 Grades 1–12
Selective
Duke University
Duke Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at Duke. Need-based scholarships.
📍 NC⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Emory University
Emory Pipeline Collaborative
Free pipeline program for Atlanta-area students interested in health professions.
📍 GA⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
FinAid
FinAid
Links to scholarships, grants, loans, and graduate aid.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
FIRST
FIRST Robotics Competition
Team-based robotics season culminating in regional and world championships. Team participation fees vary; financial aid available.
📍 Local team + regional events⏱ 6-week build📅 Jan kickoff🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship
Paid cancer research in Seattle. Prioritizes students underrepresented in biomedical sciences.
📍 WA⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 Late January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Various
Freedom Summer Collegiate
Free college-prep program in the Mississippi Delta taught by graduate students. Travel and housing covered.
📍 Mississippi⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
From the Top
From the Top
Public radio classical-music showcase with full scholarship awards for selected young musicians.
📍 Touring venues⏱ Performance📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
From the Top
From the Top's Scholarship & Radio Program
A national competition for classical music performers for a chance to perform on the radio.
📍 Online / Boston, MA📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National FFA
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
K-12 agricultural leadership organization with competitions, scholarships, and SAEs.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Stony Brook University
Garcia Research Scholars Program
Seven-week polymer research program for highly motivated high school students.
📍 Stony Brook, NY⏱ 7 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Stony Brook University
Garcia Summer Scholars
Polymer research with university mentors; partial stipend.
📍 Stony Brook, NY📅 Not yet announced — 2027 cycle dates not yet posted🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Gates Cambridge Trust
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Fully funded postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge.
📍 Cambridge, United Kingdom⏱ 1-4 years📅 December🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Gates Scholarship
Last-dollar scholarship covering full cost of attendance for 300 outstanding minority high school seniors from Pell-eligible families.
📍 Online application⏱ Senior year📅 September🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Georgia / GOSA
Georgia GHP - Agriscience Research
A residential summer academy for Georgia students focusing on agricultural and environmental sciences through hands-on research.
📍 Athens, GA⏱ 2 weeks📅 May 1🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech Summer Research at CSE
Paid CS/engineering research at Georgia Tech. Strong recruitment of Georgia students.
📍 GA⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Pioneer Academics
Global Problem-Solving Institute
Tackle the world’s most complex challenges alongside high school students from around the globe in a 12-week virtual innovation lab. Guided by four university professors, you’ll apply design- and systems-thinking to real-world problems, collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, and earn college credits through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
📍 Online, Globally Accessible🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
The World Food Prize Foundation
Global Youth Institute
An international organization that empowers students to research and propose solutions to the global food security crisis.
📍 Des Moines, IA/Global⏱ Year-long📅 January 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
United Nations / WHO
Global Youth Mobilization Fellowship
An online-based global youth leadership accelerator focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
📍 Online⏱ 3 months (Learning)📅 May (Annual)🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Goizueta Foundation
Goizueta Legacy Scholarship
Provides scholarships for the children of Coca-Cola employees.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Google Official
Google Generation Scholarship (Americas)
Google's scholarship aimed at supporting students with disabilities pursuing CS degrees.
📍 Nationwide⏱ One-time payment📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Society for Science
Google Science Fair (Alumni Network + Regional Fairs)
Regional science fairs affiliated with ISEF that welcome international student researchers.
📍 Global (affiliated fairs)📅 Varies by fair🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Harvard University
Harvard Pre-College (Need-Based Aid)
Pre-college courses with substantial need-based scholarships covering up to full tuition.
📍 MA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2-7 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Brookhaven National Laboratory (DOE)
High School Research Program (HSRP) at Brookhaven
Paid summer research program for local students to gain hands-on experience in physics and engineering at a major particle physics lab.
📍 Upton, NY⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
HSF
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Need- and merit-based scholarships for Hispanic American students. Awards from USD 500 to USD 5K annually.
📍 Online application⏱ Annual📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins
Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
Eight-week paid summer neuroscience research internship for Baltimore high schoolers.
📍 Baltimore, MD⏱ 8 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Horizon
Horizon Academic Research Program
Individual research mentorship program producing a college-level paper; open worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 10 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Indian Institute of Science
IISc Summer Fellowship
Research fellowship at India's premier science institute in Bengaluru.
📍 Bengaluru, India⏱ 8 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay Summer Research Fellowship
Competitive summer research placement at IIT Bombay across engineering fields.
📍 Mumbai, India⏱ 8 weeks📅 March🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Imi Hoʻōla Pathway / UH Manoa SHARE
Free research program for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.
📍 HI⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Immerse Education
Immerse Education Essay Competition
Free international essay contest; winners receive 100% scholarships to Immerse summer residencies at Cambridge, Oxford, and elsewhere.
📍 Global📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Indigo Research
Indigo Research
One-on-one mentored research projects with university faculty.
📍 Online⏱ 3-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Inspirit AI
Inspirit AI Scholars Program
Live-online AI program for grades 9-12 taught by Stanford and MIT grad students.
📍 Online⏱ 2 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Institute for Youth in Policy
Institute for Youth in Policy (Economics Dept)
A youth-led organization providing resources for high schoolers to conduct and publish research in economics.
📍 Online⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Fryderyk Chopin Institute
International Chopin Piano Competition for Young Pianists
One of the world's most prestigious international piano competitions; youth divisions available.
📍 Warsaw, Poland📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Terra Science
International Journal of High School Research
Open-access peer-reviewed journal for HS research across disciplines.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
IYPT
International Young Physicists' Tournament
International team competition where students research and defend solutions to open-ended physics problems.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 January (national selection)🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
IYRC
International Youth Research Conference & Mentorship
Student-run research group providing mentorship and resources for high schoolers to conduct and publish original research.
📍 Online⏱ Flexible📅 May (for summer/fall)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa Academy of Science
Iowa Junior Academy of Science Symposium
A statewide competition in Iowa where students present original STEM research to judges from industry and academia.
📍 Iowa City, IA⏱ 1 day📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Iowa
Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Premier creative writing program from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Need-based aid available.
📍 IA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Society for Science
ISEF Awards
Regeneron ISEF finalists compete for over $7 million in awards, prizes, and scholarships.
📍 Phoenix, AZ (2026)📅 Varies (part of ISEF competition)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Society for Science
ISEF Project Database
Searchable database of abstracts from Regeneron ISEF projects from 2014 to 2026.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa State University
ISU Freshman-Sophomore Research Initiative
STEM research at Iowa State. In-state scholarships available.
📍 IA⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship
A national scholarship provider dedicated to advancing the education of promising students who have financial need. Open to high-achieving high school seniors who seek to attend and graduate from some of the nation's best four-year college and universities.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars
Five-year pre-college scholarship for high-achieving 7th graders with financial need.
📍 United States⏱ 5 years📅 Spring🎓 Grade 7
Selective
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars
Free 5-year program for 7th-grade high-achieving low-income students. Includes summer programs, college advising, and scholarships.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 5 years📅 April🎓 Grade 7
Selective
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
Five-year scholarship for high-achieving 8th graders with financial need.
📍 Online📅 Not yet announced — no next application window posted yet🎓 Grades 7–8
Selective
The Jackson Laboratory
Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Paid genetics research at JAX. Highly competitive, all expenses + stipend.
📍 ME⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Jackson Lab
Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Independent genetics research; $6,500 stipend, room & board.
📍 Bar Harbor, ME📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
JEI (Harvard)
Journal of Emerging Investigators
Free peer-reviewed publication venue for middle/high school STEM research. Real PhD reviewers.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
JRHS
Journal of Research High School
Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed HS journal.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
DoD / National Science Teaching Assoc
JSHS
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Regional and national competitions in original STEM research, with cash awards and DoD lab tours.
📍 Regional sites nationwide⏱ 2 days📅 Regional Jan-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kenyon Review
Kenyon Review Young Writers (Online Program & Publication)
The official high school literary magazine of the Kenyon Review, accepting poetry and prose globally. Virtual workshops also available.
📍 Online/Kenyon College⏱ Annual publication📅 May (Summer Review)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kenyon College
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Intensive creative writing workshop with published authors. Need-based scholarships.
📍 OH (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation High School Journalism
Various Knight-funded high school journalism programs and fellowships.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kode With Klossy
Kode With Klossy Applications
Kode With Klossy scholars are curious, community-minded, creative individuals who want to explore the possibilities of technology. We welcome all applicants who identify as young women and gender expansive, ages 13-18 — regardless of CS experience.
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Kansas
KU Project SEARCH
Paid biomedical research at KU Med Center for Kansas students.
📍 KS⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America
LEDA Scholars Program
Free summer college-prep program for high-achieving low-income HS juniors.
📍 Princeton, NJ⏱ 7 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Caltech
LIGO SURF
Gravitational-wave research at Caltech. Need-based travel and housing aid.
📍 CA⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Louisiana State University
LSU HSSR (High School Summer Research)
Paid research at LSU for Louisiana students.
📍 LA⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Education Individual Research
One-on-one research mentorship with PhDs producing a publishable paper.
📍 Online⏱ 3-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Research Scholar (Aid)
Independent research papers with PhD mentors. Need-based financial aid up to 100%.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 12 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Independent research program mentored by PhDs; open to high schoolers worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Matter of Trust
Matter of Trust Citizen Science
Free citizen-science volunteer projects in oil-spill remediation and sustainability.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Flexible📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
MD Anderson Summer Experience
Paid summer internships for high school students in Houston to explore careers in clinical care, research, and support services.
📍 Houston, TX⏱ 8 weeks📅 March 31🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft High School Internship Program (Redmond Area)
Paid summer internship doing technical research or development at Microsoft.
📍 Redmond, WA⏱ 4-10 weeks📅 February 1🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
MIT Sloan
MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference Student Programs
Premier sports analytics conference with student research competition and case competition.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 2 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
MIT
MIT THINK Scholars
Funded research mentorship; finalists travel to MIT for an all-expenses-paid weekend.
📍 Online📅 Not yet announced — 2026-27 cycle not yet posted🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mitacs (Canada)
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Paid 12-week summer research internship in Canada for undergraduates from partner countries.
📍 Various📅 September🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Major League Hacking
MLH Fellowship
A 12-week fellowship for aspiring software engineers to contribute to Open Source projects.
📍 Online⏱ 12 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Actuarial Foundation
Modeling the Future Challenge
Free actuarial science / data analysis competition for HS students with cash scholarships.
📍 Online⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Montana State University
Montana Apprenticeship Program (MAP)
Paid research apprenticeships at MSU for Montana Native American students.
📍 MT⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Mississippi Medical Center
MS Rural Physicians Pipeline (high school strand)
Free med-school pathway program for rural Mississippi students.
📍 MS⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Memorial Sloan Kettering
MSK HOPP Summer Student Program
Paid cancer research at MSK for students from groups underrepresented in medicine.
📍 NY⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Michigan State University
MSU High School Honors Science Program
Research immersion at MSU labs. Aid available for Michigan students.
📍 MI⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Michigan State University
MSU Veterinary Medicine Enrichment Summer Program
An intensive three-week program exposing students to the diverse careers in veterinary medicine through clinical rotations and labs.
📍 East Lansing, MI⏱ 3 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA
NASA Citizen Science
Dozens of free NASA citizen-science projects. Your contributions co-author published papers.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Council for Economic Education
National Economics Challenge
Team economics competition with state and national rounds. Open to all US high schoolers; many states offer scholarships.
📍 State + national⏱ Multi-round📅 March-April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NFMC
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Competitions
A prestigious scholarship competition for vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers.
📍 Online📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NHSJS
National High School Journal of Science
Free peer-reviewed online journal publishing high school students' STEM research.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National History Day
National History Day
Year-long historical research project competition culminating at the national contest.
📍 College Park, MD⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
NMSC
National Merit Scholarship
PSAT-based scholarship recognizing top US high-school juniors.
📍 Online📅 No fixed deadline — entry is via the PSAT/NMSQT, administered each October by individual high schools🎓 Grade 11
Selective
National Center for Atmospheric Research
NCAR Atmospheric Research Internship
Paid climate/atmospheric science research in Boulder.
📍 CO⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NCWIT
NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing
Free annual award for high-school women, genderqueer, and non-binary students with interest in computing. Affiliate and national levels.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 September🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Supercomputing Challenge Outreach
New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge
A unique research program in New Mexico that places high school students in state-of-the-art laboratories through the Supercomputing Challenge.
📍 Los Alamos, NM⏱ Year-round📅 January 31🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Institutes of Health
NIH High School Summer Internship
Paid biomedical research internship at NIH labs.
📍 Bethesda, MD📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Two-week immersion in 25+ academic fields.
📍 Notre Dame, IN⏱ 2 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program
Two-week pre-college program across 20+ academic disciplines.
📍 Notre Dame, IN⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
U.S. State Department
NSLI-Y (Critical Languages)
Fully-funded US government scholarship for high schoolers to study languages like Arabic, Mandarin, Korean abroad.
📍 Abroad (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks or academic year📅 Early November🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
US Dept. of State
NSLI-Y National Security Language Initiative
Fully-funded scholarships for HS students to study Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, Turkish abroad.
📍 Global⏱ 6 weeks - 1 year📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Nuffield Foundation
Nuffield Research Placements
Fully-funded UK STEM research placements for Year 12 students, prioritized for those from low-income backgrounds; hosted by universities, research institutes, and companies.
📍 United Kingdom⏱ 4–6 weeks (summer)📅 March (UK Year 12)🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
National University of Singapore
NUS High School Research
Undergraduate-level research mentorship at NUS for advanced high school students.
📍 Singapore⏱ 12 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Carnegie Hall
NYO-USA
Free national youth orchestra tour for top high-school musicians; full scholarship including travel and residency.
📍 New York, NY📅 Auditions typically held each December for the following summer — exact date not yet posted🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Ohio State University
Ohio State Young Scholars Program
Free year-round academic + research support for first-gen Ohio students.
📍 OH⏱ Year-round + summer📅 Rolling (school-based)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oregon Health & Science University
OHSU On Track OHSU!
Free pipeline program for Oregon students from rural and underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 OR⏱ Year-round + summer📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NYU Tisch
Online High School Filmmakers Workshop
High school first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will work in online crews and collaborate to direct, shoot, and edit music videos and short films. Special emphasis is placed on storytelling through visual language. You’ll develop your writing, directing, shooting, and editing skills, and participate in screenings of significant works, master classes, and discussions with industry professionals/Tisch faculty. This program culminates in four college credits (units).
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Columbia University Pre-College Programs
Online Summer
Dive into the Ivy League experience with Columbia’s world-class instructors and a rigorous and collaborative online experience.
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oregon State University
Oregon State Environmental Science Internship
A program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in environmental research and data science.
📍 Corvallis, OR⏱ 6 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ORNL High School Summer Internship
Paid DOE national lab research at Oak Ridge.
📍 TN⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Oklahoma
OU Sooner Health Research
Paid health research at OU for Oklahoma students underrepresented in medicine.
📍 OK⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Oxbridge Academic
Oxbridge Global Scholars Programme
Summer academic residencies at Oxford, Cambridge, Barcelona, Los Angeles. Financial aid for admitted students.
📍 Various📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Goethe-Institut
PASCH-Initiative
German government initiative offering scholarships to attend summer language and STEM courses in Germany for students at partner schools worldwide.
📍 Germany⏱ 3–4 weeks📅 January (school-nominated)🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
UC Berkeley ATDP
Pathway Scholarship
Information about the Pathway Scholarship for ATDP programs.
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
PBS
PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Network of student newsrooms producing stories for PBS.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Pennsylvania
PennApps
One of the oldest college hackathons; HS-track sometimes available. Travel stipends offered.
📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 36 hours📅 Spring/Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
QuestBridge
Personalized Support (through College Prep Scholars Program)
Personalized support for the college application process as part of the College Prep Scholars Program.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UBC
Physics Olympics
Annual lab and theory physics competition for high schools.
📍 Vancouver, BC⏱ 1 day📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Academics (Aid)
Accredited college-level research with US professors. Need-based aid up to full tuition.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 15 weeks📅 Multiple cycles🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Academics Research Program
One-on-one online research program with US professors across humanities, social sciences, and STEM; produces publishable paper.
📍 Online⏱ 4-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Research Institute
The world's first and only fully accredited online research program for high school students. Work directly with leading professors to conduct original research projects and earn four college credits. Participants engage in research group seminars, literature review, and 1:1 mentorship to develop an original, undergraduate-level research paper.
📍 Online, Globally Accessible🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Point Foundation
Point Foundation LGBTQ Scholarship
Scholarships and mentorship for LGBTQ students from high school through graduate school.
📍 United States⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Polygence
Polygence Core Program
One-on-one online research mentorship with PhDs in any field; produces a tangible project.
📍 Online⏱ 3-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Polygence
Polygence Press
Symposium and publication outlets for high school student researchers in any field.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Polygence
Polygence Research Mentorship
1-on-1 online research mentorship with graduate students across any field; open globally.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Polygence
Polygence Scholars (Financial Aid)
1:1 research mentorship with PhDs across any field. Full financial aid for qualifying students.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 10-20 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Posse
Posse Foundation
Full-tuition leadership scholarships nominated by partner cities. High schoolers from cities like New York, Chicago, LA, Atlanta nominate by August of senior year.
📍 Partner cities⏱ Senior year📅 August🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Posse Foundation
Posse Scholarship
Full-tuition leadership scholarship sending diverse cohorts to top colleges.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 4 years📅 Fall🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Pratt Institute
Pratt Fall and Spring PreCollege Classes
Spend Saturdays developing your skills in classes designed to fit a high school schedule. With both online and in-person options, students collaborate with peers from near and far while receiving expert guidance on their projects.
📍 Brooklyn, New York (and remote)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Princeton University
Princeton Laboratory Learning Program
Free competitive lab research program for HS students in NJ-area Princeton labs.
📍 Princeton, NJ⏱ 5-6 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Purdue University
Purdue STAR (STEM Academic Research)
Free research immersion at Purdue for Indiana students underrepresented in STEM.
📍 IN⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
QuestBridge
QuestBridge College Prep Scholars
Junior-year program with summer scholarships and admissions support for low-income students.
📍 Online📅 Not yet announced — 2027 cycle date not yet posted (historically late March)🎓 Grade 11
Selective
QuestBridge
QuestBridge National College Match
Full four-year scholarships matching low-income HS seniors with partner colleges.
📍 United States⏱ 4 years📅 Fall🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Notre Dame
RADIANT: Research, AI, Data Innovation, and New Technologies
A course offered as part of the Notre Dame Leadership Seminars program.
📍 Notre Dame, IN📅 Annual — 2027 dates not yet announced🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Political Science Association
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
Funded political science research for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 Multiple (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Reagan Foundation
Reagan Foundation Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities for outstanding student leaders.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Society for Science
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
The world's largest pre-college STEM research competition with affiliated fairs in 60+ countries.
📍 USA (affiliated fairs worldwide)📅 Regional fairs Winter–Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Society for Science
Regeneron Science Talent Search
Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM. Each year, around 2,600 students enter Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study and full application for holistic review. $3.1 million in awards are distributed annually, including the first place prize of $250,000.
📍 Washington, D.C.📅 2026-11-05T20:00:00 EST🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Society for Science
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM. Each year, around 2,600 students enter Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study and full application for holistic review. $3.1 million in awards are distributed annually, including the first place prize of $250,000. It is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students.
📍 Washington, D.C. (Finals Week, if selected), Remote (Application)📅 November 5, 2026🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CEE × MIT
Research Science Institute (RSI)
The most selective free summer research program in the US. Six weeks of STEM research at MIT with PhD mentors.
📍 MA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-January🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Rhodes Trust
Rhodes Scholarship
Postgraduate scholarship to study at the University of Oxford (long-term aspirational track for HS students).
📍 Oxford, United Kingdom⏱ 2-3 years📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Rice University
Rice Engineering Summer Academy
Pre-college engineering at Rice. Scholarships available.
📍 TX⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Schmidt Futures × Rhodes Trust
Rise
A lifetime program for 15- to 17-year-olds worldwide; the top ~500 finalists receive scholarships, mentorship, and career support to work on problems that matter.
📍 Remote application + summer residency⏱ Ongoing📅 Late January🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Rise
Rise (Schmidt Futures × Rhodes Trust)
Global program identifying brilliant young people who need support. Scholarships, mentorship, funding.
📍 Multiple + Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Lifetime support starting at age 15-17📅 January🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
Boston University
RISE Internship/ Practicum
Conduct university-level STEM research in a laboratory setting.
📍 Boston, MA🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Rockefeller University
Rockefeller Summer Science Research
NYC-area students do paid biomedical research at Rockefeller.
📍 NY⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
RoundPier
RoundPier Networking & Competition Portal
An online platform where students can find curated digital internships, summer courses, and research opportunities specifically for HS.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI)
Free college-prep and research program for rural Alaska Native and rural Alaska students.
📍 AK⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Rutgers University
Rutgers Future Scholars Research
Free college-prep + research for first-gen New Jersey students.
📍 NJ⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling (program-based)🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the US — writing, visual art, photography, film.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Year-long competition📅 December-January (regional)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Scholastic Art & Writing
Scholastic Art & Writing Scholarships
Information about scholarships available through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
📍 remote🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Writing Awards
Regional and national recognition for student writers in 11 categories. Need-based fee waivers available.
📍 Regional + national⏱ Self-paced📅 Sept-Dec by region🎓 Grades 7–12
Moderate
New York Public Library (Schomburg Center)
Schomburg Center Junior Scholars Program
A six-month program for NYC students to examine inequality and social justice through research and advocacy.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 6 months📅 January 15🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Department of the Navy / ONR
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Interns work at a Naval laboratory on real-world research under the mentorship of professional scientists and engineers.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Dakota Mines
SD Mines Summer Tech Academy
STEM camps at SD Mines. In-state aid.
📍 SD⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Seattle Children's Research Institute
Seattle Children's Research Internship
Paid pediatric biomedical research in Seattle.
📍 WA⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Iowa
Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
Five-week research internship for rising 11th/12th graders at U Iowa labs.
📍 Iowa City, IA⏱ 5 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
SETI Institute
SETI Institute REU
Astrobiology and astronomy summer research.
📍 Mountain View, CA⏱ 10 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Sierra Club
Sierra Student Coalition
Youth-led grassroots environmental network with trainings, fellowships, and campaigns.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Stony Brook University
Simons Summer Research Program
Seven-week stipended research program for HS juniors in STEM at Stony Brook labs.
📍 Stony Brook, NY⏱ 7 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Smith College
Smith Summer Science & Engineering Program
Research courses for young women in STEM. Substantial need-based aid.
📍 MA⏱ 2-4 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
South Dakota State Legislature
South Dakota Legislative Page Program
A year-long fellowship for South Dakota high school students to engage in state policy-making and legislative observation.
📍 Pierre, SD⏱ 1 year📅 April 1🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Stanford School of Medicine
Stanford AIM-HI
Free Stanford program for under-resourced Bay Area students interested in health equity careers.
📍 CA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Stanford
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)
Medical research at Stanford labs. Need-based stipend available. Strong focus on accessibility.
📍 CA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 Late February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
STEM Fellowship
STEM Fellowship Big Data Challenge
International data science competition with publication in STEM Fellowship Journal.
📍 Online⏱ 8 weeks📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
STEM Fellowship
STEM Fellowship Journal
Peer-reviewed journal publishing student STEM research.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Security Agency (NSA)
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
Scholarship and internship program for students interested in a career in cybersecurity.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Varies📅 December 15🎓 Grade 12
Selective
QuestBridge
Summer Program Scholarships (through College Prep Scholars Program)
Exclusive access to scholarships for summer programs as part of the College Prep Scholars Program.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Stanford AIMI
Summer Research Internship
Two-week virtual opportunity to explore technical and clinical aspects of AI in healthcare.
📍 Virtual🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SSP International
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Team-based real research in astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics. Need-based aid covers full tuition.
📍 CA, NM, IN, CO (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 39 days (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Buffett Foundation
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship
A program providing financial support and mentoring for Nebraska high school students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing higher education.
📍 Lincoln, NE⏱ Multi-year📅 January 31🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Fermilab (Department of Energy)
TARGET Program
Students engage in cutting-edge research in high-energy physics and accelerator science at a national laboratory.
📍 Batavia, IL⏱ 6 weeks📅 January 31🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
The Concord Review, Inc.
TCR Academic Coaches
Provides academic coaches to help students with their historical writing and research.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech Clark Scholars Program
Highly selective seven-week paid research program for 12 high schoolers across all fields.
📍 Lubbock, TX⏱ 7 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Amy Lowell Trust
The Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship
One of the most valuable writing scholarships for high school seniors, based on a portfolio.
📍 Online📅 January 21🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Concord Review
The Concord Review
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research essays. Students submit 5K-9K word papers; selected essays are printed and indexed.
📍 Online submission⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The Concord Review
The Concord Review Submissions
The Concord Review is the only quarterly journal in the world to publish the academic research papers of secondary students. Students are encouraged to submit their history papers for consideration.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Coolidge Foundation
The Coolidge Scholarship
Full merit scholarship for students demonstrating academic excellence and interest in public policy, including a summer program in Vermont.
📍 Plymouth, VT⏱ 4 years📅 January 23🎓 Grade 11
Selective
San Francisco State University
The Great Sunflower Project (Citizen Science)
A massive collaborative project where students collect soil samples and perform data analysis for ecological research. Hybrid model.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Ongoing📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pittsburgh Promise (Related to Opportunity)
The Heinz Scholars Program (Historical Affinity) / Pittsburgh Promise
Award for high-achieving, low-income students in PA and OH to attend a partner college.
📍 PA/OH⏱ 4 years📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12
Selective
The NSHSS Foundation
The NSHSS Foundation
Fosters the growth of students pursuing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth and career interests.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Scholarship Academy
The Scholarship Academy
Offers curriculum to help students identify tailored scholarship options and build solid scholarship profile.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Provides scholarships, programmatic and capacity building support to the 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
NYU Tisch
Tisch Summer High School Four-Week Residential Program
This residential program is a commitment of four weeks on campus that encompasses a highly structured class schedule, which include projects, professional training, and collaboration. Tracks include: Animation, Dance, Drama, Production & Design, Dramatic Writing, Filmmaking, Game Design, Photography and Imaging, and Recorded Music. The program is tuition-based and culminates in four to six college credits (units).
📍 New York, NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Tulane University
Tulane Summer Pre-College
Pre-college courses at Tulane. Need-based scholarships available.
📍 LA⏱ 2-4 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Toronto
U of T Summer Mentorship Program
Summer research and mentorship program hosted by the University of Toronto for high school students.
📍 Toronto, Canada⏱ 4 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
University of Utah
U of U ACCESS Program
Year-long STEM research program for women entering the U of U from Utah high schools.
📍 UT⏱ Summer + school year📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Arizona
UA KEYS Research Internship
Paid bioscience research at the UA — Arizona students only.
📍 AZ⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
UAMS Summer Science Program
Paid biomedical research for Arkansas students underrepresented in healthcare.
📍 AR⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Chicago
UChicago DATA High School Program
Computational science and modeling fellowship for underrepresented high school students.
📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 6 weeks📅 January 15🎓 Grade 11
Selective
UCLA
UCLA Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Paid biomedical research at UCLA for LA-area students.
📍 CA⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UC San Francisco
UCSF SEP High School Intern
Paid summer research for SFUSD students underrepresented in science.
📍 CA⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
UCSF
UCSF Summer Research Training Program
Mentored research in basic and clinical science for SF Bay Area students.
📍 San Francisco, CA📅 Not yet announced — official site says 2027 info will be posted later🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment
UD Marine Science Summer Camp (Advanced Track)
High school students conduct marine science and oceanography experiments at the University of Delaware's coastal campus.
📍 Lewes, DE⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Georgia
UGA Young Scholars Program (CAES)
Laboratory-based research for high school students in agricultural and natural resource sciences.
📍 Athens, GA/Tifton, GA⏱ 6 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
UIUC Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering
STEM camps at UIUC. Need-based aid for Illinois students.
📍 IL⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland
UMD Young Scholars
Pre-college research at UMD. Need-based aid available.
📍 MD⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Minnesota
UMN Eureka! and Talented Youth Math
Free STEM enrichment for Minnesota girls and underrepresented students.
📍 MN⏱ Summer + school year📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
United Nations
UN Youth Opportunities Board
Curated board of fellowships, internships, and youth advisory roles across the UN system.
📍 Various📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UNCF
UNCF Scholarships and Internships
Awards 10,000 students each year through 400 scholarship and internship programs so that students from low- and moderate-income families can afford college tuition, books and room and board.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of North Dakota
UND Summer Healthcare Programs
Free intro programs for North Dakota students, including INMED for Native American students.
📍 ND⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UNCF
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholarships
Hundreds of scholarships for African American students attending college.
📍 United States⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 12
Selective
UWC International
United World Colleges Scholarships
Two-year, needs-blind scholarships to complete the IB Diploma at one of 18 UWC schools worldwide; students selected by their country's national committee.
📍 18 campuses worldwide⏱ 2 years📅 National deadlines: fall/winter🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
UNL Young Nebraska Scientists
Free STEM camps at UNL for Nebraska students.
📍 NE⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nevada Reno
UNR Davidson Academy Research
Pre-college STEM research at UNR. In-state scholarships.
📍 NV⏱ 2-4 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy
A residential program for high-achieving high school seniors interested in careers in medicine and biomedical research.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA⏱ 4 weeks📅 Late February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Student Conservation Association
Urban Green
Paid green jobs, including single-day service projects, seasonal work and year-long internships or fellowships in major metropolitan cities.
📍 Various US cities🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
USC
USC Bovard Scholars
Fully-funded college-prep and academic program for high-achieving, low-income California juniors.
📍 CA⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
MD Anderson Cancer Center
UT MD Anderson HS Summer Program
Paid cancer research at MD Anderson for Texas students.
📍 TX⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Virginia
UVA Summer Medical Leadership Program
Free medical exposure program at UVA for Virginia students underrepresented in medicine.
📍 VA⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Vermont
UVM Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at UVM. Need-based scholarships.
📍 VT⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Washington Bothell
UW Bothell Research Experiences
Local UW Bothell faculty research opportunities — great for North Seattle students.
📍 WA⏱ Variable📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Washington
UW Genome Sciences Summer Bridge
Seattle-area paid genomics research. Strong support for first-gen and low-income students.
📍 WA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW-Madison PEOPLE Program
Free year-round college-prep + research for Wisconsin students of color and first-gen.
📍 WI⏱ Year-round + summer📅 Rolling (school-based)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Wyoming
UWyo High School Institute
Free residential STEM camps at UWyo for Wyoming students.
📍 WY⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Veritas
Veritas AI / Veritas Research
Online AI research and project programs taught by Harvard/MIT mentors.
📍 Online⏱ 10 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech C-Tech²
Free cybersecurity and tech camp for high school women.
📍 VA⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
VFW
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay
Audio-essay scholarship competition with $35,000 top prize.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wharton (UPenn)
Wharton Global Youth Future of the Business World
Online Wharton-led business program. Some scholarships available.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton Leadership in the Business World
Wharton business program. Need-based aid available.
📍 PA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Emory University School of Medicine
Winship Cancer Institute Summer Program (Winship Win)
Program at Emory focusing on cancer research, providing hands-on laboratory experience and professional development.
📍 Atlanta, GA⏱ 8 weeks📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Philadelphia Youth Network
WorkReady Philadelphia
Free paid summer work experience for Philadelphia youth ages 12-24.
📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
World Food Prize Foundation
World Food Prize Global Youth Institute
Research and conference program on global food security for high schoolers.
📍 Des Moines, IA⏱ 3 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Demidec
World Scholar's Cup
Team academic tournament — debate, collaborative writing, quiz bowl, and scholar's bowl — with regional, global, and Tournament of Champions rounds at Yale.
📍 Regional rounds worldwide⏱ 2–3 days per round📅 Rolling · regional dates🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
West Virginia University
WVU Health Sciences Summer Camp
Free health-sciences exposure for West Virginia students from rural communities.
📍 WV⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Yale School of Medicine
Yale Discovery to Cure High School Internship
A competitive program where students engage in biomedical research with world-class investigators at Yale.
📍 New Haven, CT⏱ 7 weeks📅 February 28🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Yale University
Yale Young Global Scholars
Two-week interdisciplinary academic enrichment program.
📍 New Haven, CT⏱ 2 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Yale University
Yale Young Global Scholars (Need-Based Aid)
YYGS offers full need-based scholarships covering tuition, travel, and room.
📍 CT⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Peking University
Yenching Academy Scholars Program
Master's fellowship at Peking University in China Studies for outstanding international graduates.
📍 Beijing, China⏱ 1-2 years📅 December🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
U.S. State Department
YES Abroad
Fully-funded year-long high school exchange to countries with significant Muslim populations.
📍 Abroad (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Academic year📅 January🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
YMCA
YMCA Youth and Government
Model state-legislature program. Local YMCA fees vary; scholarships available.
📍 State capitals⏱ School year📅 Fall-Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UC Davis
Young Scholars Program (YSP)
A high-level research internship where students work in labs at UC Davis on environmental and biological projects.
📍 Davis, CA⏱ 8 weeks📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Zooniverse
Zooniverse Citizen Science
Free crowdsourced research platform. Contribute to active university research projects in any field from your laptop.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Adler Planetarium / Zooniverse
Zooniverse Citizen Scientist Volunteer
Research and tag images for academic science projects. High schoolers can contribute to NASA or university data sets from home.
📍 Online⏱ Flexible📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective

Other collections

Free summer programs for high school students Free summer programs for high school juniors Summer programs for high school sophomores Paid internships for high school students Online and virtual programs for high school students STEM programs for high school students Programs for underrepresented and under-resourced students Free programs for high school seniors

Or build your own filter in the Finder →