§ HI

Research programs in Hawaii.

60 local programs run in Hawaii, 48 of them free or paid, and 1 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

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Local to Hawaii

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social Sciences
Academy for Hawaiʻi Intelligence Studies Summer Program
Students study international security and intelligence through a university course, simulations, games, field trips and meetings with Hawaiʻi and national intelligence professionals.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)
Agricultural Snail Survey Internship
Paid, year-round internship in which rising juniors and seniors from Central and West Oʻahu high schools survey farms for invasive pest snails while learning GIS mapping and field data analysis.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
The American Legion, Department of Hawaii
American Legion Department of Hawaii High School Oratorical Contest
Constitutional speech contest for Hawaii high schoolers, with the state winner advancing to the national finals where scholarships up to $25,000 are awarded.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine / AHEC
CANOE Academy
Graduating seniors explore healthcare through problem-based learning, pre-health advising, clinical certifications, professional networking and residential university programming.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
Chaminade University of Honolulu (GEAR UP)
Chaminade University Summer Institutes
Free 10-day courses for rising Hawaii public high school juniors and seniors, funded by a federal GEAR UP grant, covering subjects from marine science to entrepreneurship to spoken word poetry.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
CHI Health
CHI Health Teen Volunteer Program
Teen volunteers age 14 and up serve after-school and weekend shifts at CHI Health hospital locations across Nebraska, completing training and a one-year minimum commitment (no hands-on patient care).
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
CTAHR Summer Research Institute
Eight-week program where students conduct original faculty-mentored laboratory, field or library research addressing food systems, sustainability, community resilience and related problems, then present at a research symposium.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Kapiʻolani Community College
Early Admit Program
Dual-credit program letting qualified Hawaii high schoolers take college courses that count toward both high school and college credit at no cost, provided they place into ENG 100 and MATH 82.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaii Chess Federation
Guy Ontai Hawaiʻi K-12 Scholastic Chess Championship
Annual statewide scholastic chess tournament with four grade-level divisions run in Swiss format with USCF-rated play; state champions can advance to the National Tournament of State Champions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
HAAEA Summer Internship Program
High-school and university students complete hands-on aerospace activities, develop research skills and build professional skills through UH's Hawaiʻi Aspiring Aerospace Engineers Academy.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Haumana Program (BYU–Hawaii)
One-day on-campus recruitment and college-exploration event for Hawaii high school students in grades 9-12, including a campus tour, Polynesian Cultural Center visit, and devotional.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education / JABSOM / Anatomage
Hawaiʻi Anatomage Tournament
Teams use life-sized digital cadaver tables to compete on detailed human anatomy and physiology knowledge through elimination rounds.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi State Board of Education / HIDOE
Hawaiʻi Board of Education Student Representative
One public-high-school student serves as the statewide non-voting student representative to the Board of Education and provides student perspectives on education policy.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Common Scholarship
A single application matches Hawaiʻi students with hundreds of donor-funded scholarships based on residence, school, academics, financial need, career plans and other eligibility factors.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaii State CTSO / DECA Inc.
Hawaiʻi DECA
Career and technical student organization for Hawaii high schoolers pursuing business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship careers, combining classroom instruction with competitive events and business partnerships.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaii State CTSO / FCCLA
Hawaiʻi FCCLA
Family and consumer sciences CTSO offering STAR Events competitions and leadership conferences for Hawaii high schoolers, with pathways to the National Leadership Conference.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi FFA Association / Hawaii State CTSO
Hawaiʻi FFA Association
Statewide agricultural education organization with 21+ chapters across the islands offering leadership development, hands-on agricultural experience, and competitive career-development events for high school students.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary – Department of Hawaii
Hawaiʻi Girls State
Week-long summer leadership and citizenship program in which high school girls who just completed their junior year form a mock state government, run for office, and learn civic processes firsthand.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Hawaii State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Hawaiʻi High School Mock Trial Program
Statewide mock trial competition in which student teams work with volunteer attorneys to prepare and argue a full case, culminating in a State Championship at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court with advancement to nationals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities
Hawaiʻi History Day
Year-long project-based history and civics program for grades 4-12, in which students research an annual theme and present at district, state, and national competitions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaii State CTSO / HOSA
Hawaiʻi HOSA – Future Health Professionals
Student-led CTSO for middle and high schoolers interested in health careers, offering competitive events, leadership training, and an annual State Leadership Conference with health professionals.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Medical Assistant Program
High-school seniors complete two semesters of coursework followed by a 225-hour clinical externship and prepare for national medical-assistant certification.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Student Volunteer Program
Students volunteer in healthcare settings on a regular schedule and gain exposure to hospital environments and patient-support services.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kapiʻolani Community College
Hawaiʻi Physics Olympics
High-school teams solve hands-on physics and engineering challenges involving design, measurement and problem-solving.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaii Scholastic Journalism Association
Hawaiʻi Scholastic Journalism Association – Journalism Day & Awards
Statewide network supporting student journalists through the annual Journalism Day conference, the Hawaiʻi Journalist of the Year award, and the Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaii State CTSO / SkillsUSA
Hawaiʻi SkillsUSA
CTSO for high schoolers pursuing trade, technical, and skilled service careers, offering 17 statewide contests and pathways to national championships.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UH Mānoa CTAHR Extension
Hawaiʻi State 4-H Program
Statewide youth development program for ages 5-19 offering clubs and projects in agriculture, environmental science, technology, and leadership, including teen-specific initiatives like the PONO disaster-preparedness training and the Read to Me community service program.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi State Legislature
Hawaiʻi State High School Legislative Intern Program
Public-high-school students work inside the Hawaiʻi House and Senate and gain firsthand exposure to legislative operations and policymaking.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Academy of Science
Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair
Students advance through district fairs and present original science or engineering research at Hawaiʻi's statewide fair, with top projects advancing toward ISEF.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services
Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission
Fifteen young people advise the Governor and Legislature on policies, programs, budgets and priorities affecting Hawaiʻi youth and participate directly in public-policy advocacy.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Academy of Science
Hawaiʻi STEM Poster Contest
Students create original artwork interpreting an annual STEM theme; high-school entries are judged separately and top students receive cash prizes.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation
HDOT Student Internship Program
Students complete paid project-based work with HDOT, receive mentorship and skills workshops, interact with employers and present their work to stakeholders.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Health Careers Summer Internship
Graduating high-school seniors spend six weeks working within Hawaiʻi Pacific Health facilities and explore clinical and non-clinical careers including surgery, pharmacy, IT, rehabilitation, imaging and hospital operations.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaii High School Athletic Association / PlayVS
HHSAA Esports State Championships
Sanctioned varsity esports competition for Hawaii high schools with spring and fall seasons in League of Legends and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, culminating in state championship banners.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy
HI STAR — Hawaiʻi Student/Teacher Astronomy Research
Maui students learn astronomy research methods using real astronomical datasets and receive mentorship in scientific investigation.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
HIDOE Student Internship Program
Public-high-school students work at schools, complex-area offices and state offices in fields including agriculture, education, business management and therapeutic services.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)
HIFF ʻŌpio Fest
Annual spring festival showcasing short films by Hawaiʻi's young creatives, including a high school 'Next Gen' showcase alongside screenings, workshops, and industry guest sessions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State of Hawaiʻi
High School Internship Program — Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Six selected students work in the State Capitol on research, writing, public speaking, teamwork, leadership and civic-engagement projects.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Waikīkī Aquarium / University of Hawaiʻi
High School Teen Educator Program
Teens learn about Hawaiian marine organisms and ecosystems and then communicate science to Aquarium visitors while developing public-speaking and leadership skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kauaʻi Community College
Hoʻolei Scholarship
Graduating Kauaʻi public- and charter-school seniors who enroll directly at Kauaʻi CC can have remaining first-year tuition covered after other financial aid.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Pacific University
HPU 500 Summer Courses
Summer college courses open to current high school freshmen through seniors in Arts & Humanities, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Leadership, Math, and Science, earning transferable college credit.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Imi Hoʻōla Pathway / UH Manoa SHARE
Free research program for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.
⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi
JA Company Program
Experiential entrepreneurship program in which high schoolers identify a community need and build, capitalize, and manage a real student-run business venture.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering
Junior Engineers Summer STEM Experience (JESSE)
Rising seniors spend six weeks working directly in UH engineering research laboratories on projects involving medical robotics, structural engineering, environmental biotechnology, materials, networking and drones, plus industry site visits.
🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Mānoa Academic Merit Scholarship
High-achieving first-year Hawaiʻi residents are automatically considered for renewable merit aid based on their admission application and academic record.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology / Coral Resilience Lab
Marine Molecular Mentorship Program
Hawaiʻi high-school girls live at Moku o Loʻe while learning molecular-biology techniques, coral science, evolution and marine field-research methods with women scientists.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Marine Science Investigations
Weeklong immersion in marine-science research at Moku o Loʻe, giving students hands-on experience inside an active tropical marine-research environment.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium / Maunakea Observatories
Maunakea Scholars
Program pairing Hawaiʻi public high school students with professional astronomy mentors to write research proposals and compete for observing time on Maunakea's world-class telescopes.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Students experience medical-school-style learning through anatomy demonstrations, clinical-skills laboratories, patient simulations, vital-sign measurement and diagnostic scenarios.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Hawaiʻi Pacific Model United Nations
PacMUN – Hawaiʻi Pacific Model United Nations
Three-day Model UN conference in Honolulu hosting 500+ high school delegates from across the Hawaiian Islands and beyond to simulate international diplomacy and committee negotiations.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts & Honolulu Theatre for Youth
Poetry Out Loud Hawaiʻi
Free national poetry recitation competition for grades 9-12, progressing from classroom to school, state, and national finals, with curriculum materials supplied by the National Endowment for the Arts.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center on Disability Studies
Project Hōkūlani Summer STEM Program
Students explore six STEM areas through culturally grounded hands-on activities, college and STEM-company visits and interaction with professionals.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Hawaiʻi Creative Media / Hawaiʻi Department of Education partners
SHOOTS Summit Hawaiʻi
Statewide student-media gathering featuring workshops, industry speakers and competitions in film, broadcast media, photography, graphic design and related creative fields.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Hawaiʻi / State of Hawaiʻi
State of Hawaiʻi B Plus Scholarship
Need-based scholarship for Hawaiʻi public-high-school graduates who complete a rigorous curriculum and earn at least a 3.0 GPA.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Honolulu Community College
Summer CTE Academy
Students rotate through career and technical fields including computer networking, automotive technology, welding, fashion, music and early-childhood education through labs and projects.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Summer Marine Mammal Intensive Learning Experience (SMMILE)
Twelve students live at Moku o Loʻe for ten days and train in marine-mammal research involving acoustics, stranding science, field observations, drones and laser-scanning technology.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
UH Hilo Upward Bound Summer Academy
Six-week, fully-paid (room, board, and activities) residential summer academy for low-income and first-generation incoming high school freshmen through juniors, combining core academic coursework with college-life experiences.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College
UH Mānoa Summer Scholar Program
Qualified high-school students enroll in regular UH Mānoa summer courses and earn transferable university credit while experiencing college-level academics.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
University of Hawaiʻi
UH System Common Scholarship
One systemwide application allows incoming students to compete for numerous UH scholarships across participating campuses and scholarship funds.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
VFW Department of Hawaii
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Program (Hawaii)
Annual patriotic-themed audio-essay competition for grades 9-12, with entries judged at the Post, District, state, and national level for a share of over $2 million in scholarships.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Hawaii 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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