§ DE

Research programs in Delaware.

66 local programs run in Delaware, 51 of them free or paid. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

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Local to Delaware

American Legion, Department of Delaware
American Legion Delaware Oratorical Contest
Annual constitutional oratory competition where Delaware high schoolers deliver a prepared speech and an impromptu response on U.S. citizenship, advancing from district to department to national rounds.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Delaware
Autonomous Driving Academy
Students build and program autonomous robotic vehicles using Python, C++, ROS, sensors, perception and control systems inside UD's CAR Lab.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Delaware Higher Education Office
B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship
Major merit scholarship for a Delaware senior enrolling at the University of Delaware.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Brandywine Zoo
Brandywine Zoo VolunTEEN Program
Summer volunteer program for teens 14 and older to lead conservation education activities for guests, assist in the barnyard, and support summer camp at the Brandywine Zoo.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Career-Based Scholarship
Supports Delaware students pursuing high-demand fields such as computer science, data science, engineering, finance, nursing and healthcare administration at Delaware institutions.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship
Merit scholarship for high-achieving Delaware seniors attending an accredited undergraduate institution full time.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Delaware
College Readiness Scholars Institute (CRSI)
Multi-year college-access program beginning with an intensive summer session and continuing through the school year with academic seminars, admissions guidance and personal-development programming.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Delaware Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery Legal Art Contest
Students interpret a legal theme through an essay, poem, visual artwork or musical composition. The 2026 theme was "Equity: What Does it Mean to You?"
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation (DASEF)
DASEF Aerospace Academy
Hands-on STEM academies integrating aerospace, earth science, and space education for students in grades 2-10, offered as full-day and overnight summer sessions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–10
Moderate
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development
Delaware 4-H State Teen Council
Leadership program in which Delaware 4-H members age 13 and older serve as program ambassadors, plan community service and philanthropic activities, and lead the annual State Teen Conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion, Department of Delaware
Delaware American Legion Boys State
A week-long civic education program where high school junior boys build a mock state government, hold elected office, and learn about Delaware government firsthand while residing at Goldey-Beacom College.
📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Delaware Department of Education
Delaware ArcGIS StoryMap Competition
Students use maps, data, images and narrative to investigate a real issue. The 2026 high-school theme focused on sustainability challenges in students' communities.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Community Foundation
Delaware Community Foundation Scholarship Program
A common application matches students to dozens of scholarships based on school, county, intended field, financial need and other criteria.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Delaware DECA
Delaware DECA
State association of DECA preparing high school students in marketing, business, finance, and hospitality pathways for competitive events and leadership conferences.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Envirothon / New Castle Conservation District
Delaware Envirothon
Statewide environmental problem-solving competition for high school teams of five, testing knowledge of aquatic ecology, soils, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues through hands-on stations and an oral presentation.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)
Delaware FCCLA
State chapter of FCCLA offering leadership conferences and competitive events in family and consumer sciences for Delaware middle and high school students.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware FFA Association / Delaware Department of Education
Delaware FFA Association
Statewide agricultural education organization for middle and high school students, offering Career Development Events, leadership conferences, and participation at the Delaware State Fair.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Delaware
Delaware Girls State
American Legion Auxiliary program where high school junior girls elect officials, run a mock government, and craft legislation during an immersive week-long civics program.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
State of Delaware / University of Delaware
Delaware Governor's School for Excellence
Highly selective residential program with academic and visual/performing-arts tracks. Students study subjects including humanities, government, science, economics and the arts with UD faculty.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Delaware Law Related Education Center / Delaware Judiciary
Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition
Statewide competition where student teams argue a case as attorneys and witnesses before real judges and scoring juries over two days at Wilmington's Leonard L. Williams Justice Center.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Historical Society
Delaware History Day
Year-long historical research and creative expression program for students in grades 6-12, culminating in a statewide competition judged on research quality, theme connection, and presentation.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware HOSA
Delaware HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
State chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, offering competitive events, community service, and leadership development for students pursuing healthcare careers.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Press Association
Delaware Press Association High School Communications Contest
Annual statewide journalism and communications contest for Delaware student writers, photographers, and media makers, with first-place winners advancing to a national competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Restaurant Association / Delaware Restaurant Foundation
Delaware ProStart Invitational
The state's premier secondary school competition in culinary arts and restaurant management, where Delaware ProStart student teams compete for scholarships and a spot at the National ProStart Invitational.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
PlayVS / Delaware Department of Education, in partnership with NFHS Network
Delaware Scholastic Esports League
Officially sanctioned high school esports league where Delaware teams compete in titles such as Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Overwatch, and Valorant.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SkillsUSA Delaware
Delaware SkillsUSA
State association of SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization offering skills competitions and leadership conferences for students in trades, technical, and health science pathways.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State of Delaware
Delaware State Board of Education Student Member
One high-school student serves a full one-year term as a non-voting State Board member and contributes student perspectives on curriculum, graduation requirements, equity and accountability.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Delaware Chess Association / US Chess Federation
Delaware State Scholastic Chess Championship
Annual K-12 state chess championship with a dedicated high school section for grades 9-12, featuring five rounds of rated play and team trophies for top schools.
📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Delaware State University
Delaware State University Dual Enrollment / Early Bird Program
Program allowing Delaware high schoolers to earn college credit through Hornets Fast Track courses taught at their high school or DSU campus-based courses delivered via Zoom, alongside near-peer mentoring support.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Tech Youth Summer Camps
Summer camps and pre-college activities at Delaware Tech's Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton/Wilmington campuses spanning academics, careers, sports, and the arts for area youth.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Delaware Teen Science Café
Free teen-only science events featuring local STEM experts, hands-on activities, collaborative discussion and topics ranging from astronomy to biology.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Delaware Teen Science Café Leadership Team
Students choose Science Café themes, work with STEM speakers, market events and host programs for other Delaware teens while earning community-service hours.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Theatre Company
Delaware Young Playwrights Festival
Students develop original plays, receive professional critique and revise their work; finalists participate in workshops leading to a professional public performance.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Salesianum School
DELMUN (Delaware Model United Nations Conference)
Student-run Model United Nations conference hosted by Salesianum School, welcoming high schoolers from across the mid-Atlantic to debate global issues such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and endangered species protection through committee simulations.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship
Diamond Challenge
Global high school entrepreneurship pitch competition with $100k+ in prizes.
⏱ Academic year📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
DVR Pre-Employment Transition Summer Work Programs
Eligible students with disabilities participate in workplace-readiness training and work-based learning; multiple 2026 providers offered four-week paid placements with Delaware employers.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean & Environment
ECO Camp — Marine Science
Residential program exploring Delaware coastal ecosystems through field sampling, laboratory work, underwater robotics, microscopy and marine research techniques.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean & Environment
ECO Camp — Technology to Measure Our Changing Environment
Students build and fly drones, map environmental resources, evaluate freshwater ecosystems and study climate change, sustainability and environmental degradation.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Delaware
Edge Summer College Program
Five-week residential college experience where rising juniors and seniors live on campus, take university courses for credit and participate in college-readiness and leadership programming.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others
Provides tuition assistance to qualifying Delaware youth whose parent died in qualifying military/state service or was declared missing in action or a prisoner of war.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Educator Support Scholarship — Undergraduate Programs
Supports Delaware students preparing for high-need teaching fields such as math, science, special education, bilingual education and world languages.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Delaware
Forensic Science Pre-College Summer Program
Students process mock crime scenes, perform toxicology, chemistry, DNA/PCR and other forensic laboratory work, visit forensic agencies and prepare a court-ready capstone report.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Delaware Department of State
Future Leaders Internship Initiative (FLii)
Delaware high-school students work inside state agencies, participate in professional-development workshops, meet government and private-sector leaders, and complete a case study.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Volunteer Delaware
Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards
Delaware youth are nominated for statewide recognition based on sustained volunteering, leadership, community impact or environmental stewardship.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Herman M. Holloway Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Major merit scholarship for a Delaware high-school senior enrolling at Delaware State University.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
University of Delaware CHARM MRSEC
HighRise — Materials Laboratory Experiences for High Schoolers
Students rotate through university soft- and hard-materials laboratories and explore polymers, semiconductors, nanomaterials and materials engineering with researchers.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Delaware
Individual University Credit Courses for High School Students
Qualified high-school students may enroll in regular University of Delaware credit courses as Continuing Education non-degree students, either on campus or online where offered.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Delaware Community Music School
Jazz Band Camp
High-school musicians receive ensemble instruction, improvisation training, ear training, sectional coaching and guest performances, culminating in a public concert.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri DECA / Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Missouri DECA
Missouri DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through school-based chapters, competitive events, and advisor-mentored projects. The organization has 180 high school chapters with 7,708 members statewide.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nemours Children's Health
Nemours Children's Health Summer VolunTeen Program
Competitive summer hospital volunteer program placing high schoolers in age-appropriate clinical and support department roles, with many positions allowing direct patient and family interaction.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Delaware
Neuroscience Pre-College Summer Program
Students explore brain function, psychology and research methods through laboratory experiments, neuroimaging facilities and a team research capstone presented to neuroscience experts.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Delaware Division of the Arts
Poetry Out Loud Delaware
Statewide poetry recitation competition that builds public speaking skills and literary appreciation, advancing students from classroom competitions to school, regional, and state finals.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
S.T.E.A.M. Squad
Year-round teen volunteers lead science and nature activities and assist with gallery interpretation, museum collections, education programs, special events and summer camps.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Higher Education Office
Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP)
Need-based state scholarship for Delaware students attending an eligible Delaware institution or certain out-of-state programs unavailable in Delaware.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Delaware Department of Labor
State Summer Youth Employment Program
Youth receive up to ten weeks of summer employment through approved providers while learning workplace expectations and building work experience.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Delaware Community Music School
Strings in Harmony — High School Edition
High-school string musicians receive chamber coaching, explore traditional and avant-garde repertoire and participate in creative, student-led music activities.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Delaware
Summer Math Modeling Program for High Schoolers
Students work collaboratively on real-world mathematical modeling problems and interact with UD mathematics faculty.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Superior Court of Delaware
Superior Court High School Internship Program
One-week internship introducing students to Delaware's state-court system at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Delaware College of Education & Human Development
Teachers of Tomorrow
Rising juniors and seniors interested in teaching complete a two-week institute with academic skill-building, leadership, college preparation and education-career exploration, followed by continued support.
🎓 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.
⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Delaware
Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy
Eligible New Castle County students complete intensive summer academics, SAT preparation, college/career activities and, for qualifying older students, a residential campus experience.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Delaware
VFW Voice of Democracy Delaware
Audio-essay scholarship competition for grades 9-12 on an annual patriotic theme, submitted through local Delaware VFW Posts, with the state winner earning a trip to the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Center for Civics Education (University of Delaware Biden School)
We the People Delaware
Delaware's coordination of the national We the People program, in which high school students study the Constitution and prepare testimony for simulated congressional hearings before panels of judges.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wilmington International Film Festival
Wilmington International Film Festival Student Film Competition
A seven-week filmmaking workshop and competition for Delaware high school students led by Wilmington University instructors and local filmmakers, culminating at the festival.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Wilmington University
Wilmington University Pre-College / Early College Credit Program
Early College Credit and dual enrollment programs letting high-achieving Delaware juniors and seniors take Wilmington University courses on campus, online, or through their high school.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Rehoboth Beach Film Society
YOUR WORLD Youth Environmental Film Festival
Youth film festival inviting Sussex County middle and high school students to submit short films made on a smartphone exploring environmental and global issues, with no filmmaking experience required.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Delaware 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

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