§ AL

Research programs in Alabama.

75 local programs run in Alabama, 32 of them free or paid. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

Filter the Finder by AL →Suggest a Alabama program →

Local to Alabama

U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Advanced Space Academy
A six-day, five-night immersive space-training program for teens featuring astronaut training, engineering design challenges and simulated space missions.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Alabama A&M University
AgriFCS Academy Summer Camp
A free residential week introducing rising juniors to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human-sciences disciplines through hands-on activities and campus experiences.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Alabama Cooperative Extension System / Alabama 4-H
Alabama 4-H Midwinter Teen Leadership Retreat
A weekend leadership retreat at the Alabama 4-H Center for Senior 4-H members ages 14-18, themed 'Launching into Leadership' and including lodging, meals and leadership workshops.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
American Legion, Department of Alabama
Alabama Boys State
A week-long model-government leadership program for rising high school senior boys, featuring simulated elections, political parties, mock legislation, interest groups, and a closing visit to the State Capitol.
📅 May🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation
Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation High School Senior Scholarships
A common application gives Alabama high-school seniors access to multiple foundation scholarships associated with agriculture and the cattle industry.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
QuantHub
Alabama Data Scholars
Alabama high-school students complete data and AI training and work on a real employer project. The program allows on-site, hybrid, and fully virtual placements.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
DECA Inc., Alabama Chartered Association
Alabama DECA
Alabama's chartered DECA association preparing high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through classroom instruction, competitive events, and an annual Career Development Conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee
Alabama Envirothon
A three-day environmental problem-solving and team-building competition for five-student high school teams, combining classroom training and outdoor field testing in aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife, plus a current-issue case study presented to judges.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Alabama FBLA
Alabama FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
A statewide career and technical student organization preparing high schoolers for careers in business, entrepreneurship, IT, management, and finance through classroom curriculum, leadership development, and academic competitions at district, state, and national conferences.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
FCCLA / Alabama CTSO
Alabama FCCLA
Alabama's chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a national Career and Technical Student Organization for students in family and consumer sciences education, offering competitive events, leadership development and career exploration.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Alabama
Alabama Girls State
A week-long, hands-on civic education program in which rising high school senior girls build and run mock city, county, and state governments, form political parties, and draft legislation, culminating in a visit to the State Capitol.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Samford University
Alabama Governor's School
A three-week summer residential program for high-achieving high school students in Alabama.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, hosted by UAH
Alabama High School Regional Science Bowl
A fast-paced, quiz-bowl-style academic competition testing high school teams' knowledge across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, math, and energy topics, hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Alabama Humanities Alliance
Alabama History Day
The Alabama state contest of National History Day, engaging students in grades 9-12 (Senior Division) in year-long primary-source historical research presented as a paper, documentary, website, performance, or exhibit, with winners advancing to the national contest.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alabama Academy of Science
Alabama Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) / Gorgas Scholarship Competition
A research-based scholarship competition and high school outreach program in which students in grades 9-12 present original research papers and defend them orally at regional and state symposia, with top competitors advancing to the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama, Alabama International Relations Club (AIRC)
Alabama Model United Nations Conference (ALMUN)
An annual weekend-long Model UN conference at the University of Alabama simulating General Assembly, Specialized Assembly and Crisis committees for high school delegations from across the Southeast.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Alabama Wildlife Federation / Alabama Nature Center
Alabama Nature Center Volunteer Program
Volunteers age 16+ can assist with animal ambassadors, citizen-science work, educational field trips, fishing programs, and other conservation activities.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Auburn University
Alabama Science and Engineering Fair — Senior Division
Students who advance through affiliated regional fairs present original science and engineering research for judging, awards, and advancement opportunities.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Auburn University COSAM Outreach / Science Olympiad
Alabama Science Olympiad (State Tournament, Division C)
A statewide STEM team competition where high school students (Division C) compete in up to 23 events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering, advancing from regional to state to national tournaments.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Alabama Department of Education / SkillsUSA
Alabama SkillsUSA
A career and technical student organization preparing Alabama high schoolers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations through personal, workplace, and technical skills training, with chapter, district, and state competitions leading to a State Leadership and Skills Conference.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
American Legion, Department of Alabama
American Legion Department of Alabama Oratorical Contest
A constitutional speech competition for high school students that advances from post to state to national levels, developing knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and public-speaking skills.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
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.
⏱ 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.
⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Alabama High School Athletic Association / Bryant-Jordan Foundation
Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program
Alabama high-school seniors at AHSAA member schools can be nominated for Scholar-Athlete or Achievement Awards, with 96 scholarships awarded annually.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy
Bulldog Pharmacy Camp
A weeklong overnight camp introducing high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to the pharmacy profession through compounding labs, simulation experiences and tours of local healthcare facilities.
📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Business Explorations Day Camp
Rising sophomores through seniors complete hands-on business projects, hear from industry guests, and explore leadership and business disciplines.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Alabama, College of Communication & Information Sciences
CAMP (Communication and Media Preview)
A six-day, five-night immersive experience for high schoolers to build skills in broadcasting, journalism, media production, writing and public speaking while living on the UA campus and working with current technology alongside faculty.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of South Alabama, School of Computing (Center for Forensics, Information Technology, and Security)
CFITS Cyber Camp
A two-day, non-residential introduction to cybersecurity topics including cryptography, steganography, digital logic, password safety, phishing awareness and cyber ethics for highly motivated incoming 9th-12th graders.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Jacksonville State University
Choral for Musical Theatre — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Students practice ensemble singing alongside acting, blocking, choreography, and other musical-theatre performance skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Auburn University
Coastal Fisheries Camp
Five-day marine-science program featuring field and laboratory work, water sampling, plankton studies, salt-marsh ecology, marine-species identification, and research-vessel experiences.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
State of Alabama / CollegeCounts
CollegeCounts Scholarship
Need-based scholarship for eligible Alabama high-school seniors planning to attend an eligible Alabama college or university. Awards are listed at $4,000 for four-year institutions and $2,000 for two-year institutions.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Jacksonville State University
Creative Writing — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Participants work on creative-writing forms that include poetry, fiction, play or screen writing, and story development.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Auburn University
Creative Writing Studio
Students develop fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through writing workshops, feedback, portfolio development, and exposure to literary publishing.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business
Culverhouse Business Prep Summer Program
A one-week residential program for rising high school seniors in Alabama to explore business majors, connect with faculty and alumni, complete hands-on workshops and a local business field trip, and compete in an elevator-pitch competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Engineering
Engineering Summer Camps: Innovation & Ascend
Full-day engineering camps for rising high schoolers — Innovation for rising 9th-10th graders and Ascend for rising 11th-12th graders — combining hands-on design projects with college-preparation activities.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Jacksonville State University
Film — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Students move from script development through filming and post-production while learning cameras, lighting, color, and editing.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Auburn University
Fisheries and Aquaculture Camp
Students explore fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic ecology through hands-on field activities at Auburn research facilities, including pond sampling and fish-management work.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Fundamentals of Algebra 1 Summer Intensive
A three-week summer intensive covering the major topics of a first-semester Algebra 1 course, including graphing-calculator activities, for students entering grades 7-12.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Jacksonville State University
Game Development — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Participants build game prototypes while working with animation, sound, physics, controller input, and AI-related game-development concepts.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Samford University, University Fellows Program
Great Ideas Summer Institute (GISI)
A weeklong residential honors program letting selected high school juniors and seniors experience university seminar life, studying the Western intellectual tradition through faculty-led discussions and campus excursions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Troy University, IDEA Bank / Small Business Development Center
IDEA Bank Youth Entrepreneurship Academy
A summer entrepreneurship academy teaching business planning, financial literacy, marketing, brand development and pitching skills, culminating in a Pitch Competition awarding a $2,000 Troy University scholarship.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Jimmy Rane Foundation
Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship
Graduating seniors are evaluated on academics, financial need, leadership, and community involvement for renewable college scholarship support. Alabama is an eligible state.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Alabama Early College
LEAP (Leaders Exploring Academic Possibilities)
A five-day summer program for rising high school freshmen offering academic, leadership, and service-oriented activities, team-building, and exploration of UA majors and community service in Tuscaloosa.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
University of Alabama
Marillyn A. Hewson Cybersecurity Summer Camp
High-school students learn cybersecurity through standard or advanced camps covering cybersecurity concepts and web/infrastructure topics.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama
MOORE Scholars
Rural Alabama high-school seniors explore health professions through coursework, seminars, clinical shadowing, field trips, and other preparation for medical careers.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of South Alabama, School of Computing
PACK Camp (Programming and Computer Knowledge)
An introduction to programming for rising high schoolers using Python and other tools, with hands-on problem-solving exercises and time spent alongside computing faculty and students on campus.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Tuskegee University
Pathways in Architecture, Construction, and Technology (PACT)
Two-week residential program introducing rising sophomores through seniors to architecture, design, construction, and related technology through immersive coursework and projects.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of South Alabama, PASSAGE USA
PEP Summer Camp (Postsecondary Education Preview)
A postsecondary-preparation summer camp for high school students with intellectual disabilities, covering independent-living, employment and college-readiness skills through mini classes and an individualized plan.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Alabama Writers' Forum (in partnership with the NEA and Poetry Foundation)
Poetry Out Loud - Alabama
A free national recitation competition for high schoolers that builds public speaking skills and confidence, with students reciting published poems (and optionally original or social-issues poetry) through classroom, regional, state, and national rounds.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds (PRISM)
An eight-week, full-time research experience in which selected high-school juniors work with UAB investigators on surgery- and medicine-related research and receive research training and mentoring.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
UAB Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine
PRISM (Pre-College Research Internship for Scholarship and Mentoring)
An eight-week, full-time mentored research internship pairing high school juniors from underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds with UAB surgical faculty for hands-on biomedical research, seminars, workshops, and clinical shadowing, ending in a poster symposium.
📅 January🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Alabama A&M University
Research Experience for Secondary School Students in Ceramics and Nanostructures
High-school students work in university laboratories on ceramics and nanostructured-materials research with faculty mentors during a summer research appointment.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Retirement Systems of Alabama
RSA Summer Internship Program
Students work full-time temporary summer positions with RSA, including clerical-aide and laborer roles, and receive wages.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama
Rural Health & Dental Scholars Program
Rural high-school juniors live on campus for five weeks, take college-level courses, attend health seminars and field trips, and explore rural health and dental careers.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Senior Showcase
A day-in-the-life engineering preview for rising high school seniors, featuring discipline exploration, admissions information, and facility tours at Auburn's College of Engineering.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
University of Alabama, Styslinger College of Engineering
SITE (Student Introduction to Engineering)
A six-day, five-night residential summer camp introducing rising high school sophomores through seniors to engineering and computing disciplines through hands-on labs, an industrial plant tour, and a team design competition.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
US Space & Rocket Center
Space Camp
Week-long astronaut training simulation programs for ages 9-18 in Huntsville.
⏱ 1 week📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 4–12
Moderate
University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Science (with CAP & GOWN Project)
STEM Summer Institute
A free outreach institute combining ACT-prep classes with hands-on STEM projects, campus tours and interactive sessions with UAH professors across nursing, optics, biology and physics facilities.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Samford University Debate
Summer Debate Institute
An immersive debate camp for middle and high school students across Alabama, led and mentored by Samford's nationally recognized debate team, focused on Public Forum and Birmingham Area Debate League-style debate.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Summer Engineering Expo
A one-day, hands-on exploration of the engineering profession for rising 10th and 11th graders, led by engineering student organizations, faculty, and current students.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM)
Summer Science Institute (SSI)
A residential week-long program for rising 11th and 12th graders from Alabama or Georgia to explore advanced scientific research through hands-on laboratory, field, and medical education experiences alongside Auburn faculty.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UAB Center for Community OutReach Development
Summer Science Institute III — Student Research Internship
Students spend eight weeks conducting full-time mentored research at UAB in biomedical, behavioral, translational, clinical, cancer, or community-based fields.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Children's of Alabama
Teen Summer Program (Volunteer Services)
A half-day hospital volunteer program for teens combining patient/family support with education about healthcare careers and hospital operations, requiring a four-week commitment with a required midday Lunch and Learn session.
📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
McWane Science Center
Teen Volunteer Program
Teens help present STEM activities, support camps and visitors, and develop communication, leadership, and science-education experience.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama
Tide to Success
A six-hour, self-paced online college-readiness course for Alabama high-school students covering ACT preparation, majors and careers, scholarships, and college planning.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Auburn University
Tiger Takeoff
Alabama rising seniors spend three days living on Auburn's campus, experiencing sample college classes, leadership activities, university resources, and peer mentoring.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Alabama A&M University
TRIO Upward Bound
Eligible first-generation and/or income-qualified students from participating North Alabama schools receive tutoring, mentoring, ACT and college preparation, financial-literacy instruction, enrichment, campus visits, and a summer residential component.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of North Alabama (with Alabama Space Grant Consortium support)
UNA Summer STEM Camp
A three-day, two-night residential STEM camp giving high school students project-based learning experiences in physics, astronomy, math and computer science led by UNA faculty.
📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Montevallo
University of Montevallo Music Camp
Middle- and high-school musicians attend intensive band, choir, or piano instruction with both day and residential participation options.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Jacksonville State University
Visual Art — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Students explore techniques including printmaking, collage, digital illustration, and collaborative artmaking.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
Women in STEM Teen Conference
Girls participate in hands-on STEM activities and a career expo with women working as scientists, engineers, physicians, and other STEM professionals.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Jones Valley Teaching Farm
Woodlawn High School Internship
Selected Woodlawn High School students receive pay and course credit while helping manage a two-acre urban farm and selling food to the surrounding community.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alabama A&M University
Workshop on Nanoscience & Technology
Students complete four days of faculty-guided, hands-on nanoscience and technology activities and receive a participation stipend.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Young Women in Business Camp
Rising sophomores through seniors explore leadership, communication, personal branding, business careers, and experiences of women in business.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Birmingham Zoo
ZooTeen Program
Teens make a one-year service commitment and can assist with Discovery Crew, Camp Crew, special events, education, and other zoo activities.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate

Nationwide programs open to Alabama students

University of Pennsylvania
Academic English & University Readiness Academy
Two-week residential academy at Penn for non-native English speakers. Students do university-style work: reading, lectures, discussions, research and group projects, ending in a final presentation. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 26 - August 8, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly 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.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)
AFSA National High School Essay Contest
An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.
📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
AI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
AI4ALL
AI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
AIME
Invitational round for top AMC scorers. 15-question, 3-hour exam that gates the USAMO. No fee for invited students.
⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Amazon
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
AMC 10/12
The entry-level American Mathematics Competition. Top scorers qualify for AIME and the path to the USAMO. Open to all US high schoolers; school registration required.
⏱ 75 minutes📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
ACSL
American Computer Science League (ACSL)
A multi-division computer science competition covering both theory and programming.
⏱ School year📅 November 30🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Online Seminar
Two-week online seminar (daily Zoom sessions) teaching basic ASL conversation and narrative skills in an immersion setting, plus Deaf community perspectives through vlogs, lectures and a panel of Deaf professionals. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 13 - 24, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Apple Inc.
Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
⏱ 1 month📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Berklee College of Music
Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
The world's premier summer performance program for contemporary music, including jazz, rock, and pop.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
Astronomical Techniques Research Academy
Two-week residential academy at Penn. Students learn observational astronomy and data analysis, build simple cameras and spectrometers, observe the Sun and stars, and analyze data with Python. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 11 - 25, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
NCWIT
Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bard College at Simon's Rock
Bard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
MIT Lincoln Lab
Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
ELASH / Bebras US
Bebras Computing Challenge (US)
An international computational thinking and informatics competition. Students can take the test remotely or through a local school coordinator.
⏱ 45 minutes📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Showing 20 of 210. See all in the Finder →

Browse other states

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY INTL