§ IA

Research programs in Iowa.

66 local programs run in Iowa, 37 of them free or paid. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

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Local to Iowa

University of Iowa College of Engineering
AI Youth Camp
Students explore machine learning, reinforcement learning, engineering ethics, open-source datasets, and practical AI applications during a free two-week Zoom camp.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Iowa
ALA Iowa Girls State
A week-long 'learning by doing' civics program where high school girls between their junior and senior year simulate city and state government, elect officials, and campaign for mock political parties.
📅 May🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Iowa Department of Education
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
Eligible Iowa students with financial need can receive state financial aid for attendance at an eligible Iowa college or university. The maximum 2026–27 award is $5,486 and can be renewable for multiple semesters.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
The American Legion, Department of Iowa
American Legion Boys State of Iowa
A six-day immersive civics camp where high school juniors build mock city, county, and state governments, debate policy, and interact with real state and local officials.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
The American Legion, Department of Iowa
American Legion Department of Iowa High School Oratorical Contest
A constitutional-themed speech competition testing students' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution through a prepared oration and an assigned-topic discourse, advancing from local posts through district, area, and department finals.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
BullD.O.G.S. in Healthcare
Students explore pharmacy, nursing, occupational therapy, and other healthcare professions through laboratory activities, educational sessions, a field trip, and interaction with Drake faculty and students. The residential program costs $200, with financial assistance available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation
Business Horizons
Iowa students form teams, create an original product or service, develop a business, and pitch it to industry professionals while participating in leadership activities and company visits. The residential 2026 program cost $650, with aid available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Cedar Rapids Independent Filmmakers
Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF) Student Categories
A regional film festival with dedicated student divisions (freestyle, narrative short and long form, documentary) plus a $1,000 Collins Road Theatres scholarship and a Student Audience Choice award at a discounted-ticket Student Cinema Sunday screening.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa State Chess Association / Chess in Iowa
Chess in Iowa Scholastic Tournaments
A statewide series of one-day scholastic chess tournaments including a high school division and state qualifiers for the national Barber, Denker, Rockefeller, and Ashley tournaments.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Coe College
Coe College Talented and Gifted (TAG) Summer Academy
Week-long advanced courses for motivated high school students taught by Coe College professors, combining classroom lectures with hands-on lab sessions and campus life in Cedar Rapids.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa State University College of Design
Creators of Tomorrow
Students interested in art, planning, and design complete a hands-on multidisciplinary project, interact with design professionals and current students, tour campus, and receive college and financial-aid guidance. The one-day program is free and offered in spring and fall.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa
Gateway Summer Program
High-school juniors entering senior year spend a free residential week studying business, meeting professors and professionals, consulting for local businesses, experiencing campus, and earning three college credits. Housing, meals, and activities are covered.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Grinnell College
Grinnell College Advanced Scholars Program
A dual-enrollment program letting academically strong high school students near Grinnell take Grinnell College courses tuition-free during the school year, with credits transferable if they later enroll at Grinnell.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
Heartland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Iowa and Nebraska's regional STEM research symposium where high schoolers submit original research papers and the top 15 present orally to judges for scholarships, with winners advancing to nationals.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
High School Research Symposium (HSRS)
Iowa and nearby high-school students submit original research papers for selection into oral or poster presentations at the University of Iowa. Winners receive UI scholarships of up to $4,000, and there is no attendance fee.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Iowa State University Department of Computer Science
High School Summer AI Bootcamp
A free five-day online program introduces high-school students to artificial intelligence, machine learning, practical applications, and guided hands-on exercises. No prior AI or programming experience is required.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State Historical Society of Iowa
History Podcast Camp
Students research Iowa history, conduct interviews, write scripts, learn audio storytelling, and produce their own podcast segment with help from museum staff and media professionals. The three-day camp costs $200.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Jacobson Institute, University of Iowa
Innovator Competition
A pitch competition open to U.S. high school students in grades 9-12 with a business, product, or invention idea, no business coursework required, culminating in a Zoom pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs for seed capital.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa DECA (DECA Inc.)
Iowa DECA
The Iowa chartered association of DECA, preparing high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through a competitive events program and business partnerships.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa Conservation Education Coalition
Iowa Envirothon
A team-based environmental problem-solving competition for grades 9-12 covering aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, soils, and current environmental issues, with the state winner advancing to the international NCF-Envirothon.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
Iowa FBLA High School Division
A statewide CTSO for business-minded students with over 200 chapters, offering competitive events, state officer leadership roles, and career exploration across business sectors.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)
Iowa FCCLA
Iowa's Family and Consumer Sciences CTSO, open to any student who has taken an FCS class, offering STAR Events competitions and community service projects.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa FFA Association
Iowa FFA Leadership Conference (State Convention)
The state's largest CTSO gathering, drawing more than 7,000 FFA members and guests to Ames each spring for agriculture-career workshops, competitive events, and state officer elections.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa State Bar Association
Iowa High School Mock Trial Program
An academic competition open to students in grades 9-12 that simulates a criminal trial, pairing roughly 90 high schools and 130 teams each year with practicing attorneys and judges.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Northern Iowa, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Iowa High School Model United Nations (IHSMUN)
A spring Model UN conference at UNI where nearly 450 high school delegates from across Iowa debate international issues across committees like the Security Council, ICJ, and ECOSOC and negotiate resolutions.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa High School Press Association (University of Iowa School of Journalism)
Iowa High School Press Association Fall Conference
An annual October conference for student journalists and advisers featuring skill-building workshops, plus nine year-round contests recognizing journalism excellence for IHSPA member schools.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa High School Speech Association
Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) Speech & Debate
The statewide organization running competitive debate, individual speaking events, and large-group performance contests for Iowa high schools, following National Speech and Debate Association topics and rules.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)
Iowa HOSA
A CTSO for students interested in healthcare careers, running a Fall Leadership Conference, Winter Leadership Summit, and State Leadership Conference with competitive events.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa Academy of Science
Iowa Junior Academy of Science
A mentoring program connecting middle and high school students with Iowa scientists, supporting original research projects, proposal writing, and presentations at the Academy's annual spring meeting.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
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.
⏱ 1 day📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Iowa / UI REACH
Iowa National Summer Transportation Institute
A free residential STEM camp introduces students to transportation careers, engineering, leadership, and college readiness through hands-on activities, university laboratory tours, and field trips.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA)
Iowa students whose schools cannot offer particular advanced courses can receive free access to nearly 30 online advanced and AP courses. Fall 2026 enrollment closed August 17, with additional enrollment cycles offered for later semesters.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF)
Iowa ProStart
A two-year culinary and restaurant-management curriculum for high school students that combines classroom instruction with mentored workplace hours, culminating in the ProStart Invitational culinary, management, and cake-decorating competitions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development
Iowa State 4-H Council
A leadership role for about 30 high school juniors and seniors who serve as statewide 4-H ambassadors, plan the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, and represent 4-H at the Iowa State Fair.
📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Iowa State University College of Health and Human Sciences
Iowa State Fashion Camp
Students explore fashion design, sewing, illustration, styling, trend forecasting, visual merchandising, Photoshop, sustainable design, and garment creation during a week on campus. The 2026 fee ranged from $625 to $925 depending on commuter/residential and registration timing.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Iowa Summer Journalism Workshops
Students choose intensive tracks such as investigative reporting, broadcast journalism, personal writing, photojournalism, graphic design, social-media storytelling, sports storytelling, or publication leadership during a residential five-day workshop.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program
Iowa Youth Crop Scouting Competition
Teams identify corn and soybean problems in the field and demonstrate crop-scouting and integrated-pest-management knowledge. Top teams earn cash prizes and advance to a regional competition; the 2026 team fee was $50 with financial assistance available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa State University
ISU Freshman-Sophomore Research Initiative
STEM research at Iowa State. In-state scholarships available.
⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Science Center of Iowa
Junior Camp Counselor
Teens ages 14–18 assist with children's science activities while developing communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. A two-week weekday commitment is required; summer 2027 applications open in February 2027.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Media Now / Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Media Now
High-school journalists spend four residential days developing skills in reporting, photography, design, video, sports broadcasting, multimedia storytelling, and communication. The 2027 camp is scheduled for July 6–9 and regular registration costs $575.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
State Historical Society of Iowa
National History Day in Iowa
A year-long research and presentation program where students create documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites on a historical topic, advancing from district contests to the state contest in Ames and on to nationals.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
NIACC Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
A free hands-on entrepreneurship program for North Iowa high school students that combines weekly in-person sessions with online instruction, culminating in a Pitch Night competition for seed money.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Northern Iowa School of Music
Panther Marching Band High School Marching Band Clinic
Students choose a leadership, drum-major, or colorguard track for a one-day intensive with experienced clinicians. The 2026 registration fee was $89 before June 26 and $99 afterward.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Humanities Iowa / University of Iowa Office of Community Engagement
Poetry Out Loud Iowa
A recitation competition that encourages grades 9-12 students to study and perform poetry, progressing from classroom and local contests to the Iowa State Finals and a chance at the national finals in Washington, D.C.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Polk County Conservation
Polk County Conservation Youth Corps
Teens complete paid conservation service restoring forests, prairies, wetlands, and trails while developing outdoor, teamwork, leadership, and environmental-science skills. Sessions are offered in spring, summer, and fall, with 2026 stipends reaching $600–$1,100 depending on session.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa State University Program for Women in Science and Engineering
RISE with WiSE Summer Experience
Rising juniors and seniors spend a residential week in either an engineering or life-sciences track, completing hands-on STEM activities and exploring majors and campus life. Tentative 2027 sessions are July 11–15 and July 18–22; applications open in January.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
State of Iowa / Iowa Department of Education
Robert D. Blue Scholarship
Iowa high-school seniors planning to attend an Iowa college or university can compete for $500–$1,000 awards based on academics, financial need, recommendations, and a 500-word essay.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
University of Iowa
Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
Five-week research internship for rising 11th/12th graders at U Iowa labs.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Simpson College
Simpson College Jazz Combo Camp
Middle- and high-school musicians study jazz improvisation, theory, history, masterclasses, rehearsals, and performance during an intensive six-day camp. The 2026 fee was $625 residential or $525 commuter, with scholarships available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
SkillsUSA Iowa
SkillsUSA Iowa State Leadership & Skills Conference
Iowa's annual skilled-trades CTSO conference where high school and college students compete in nearly 70 hands-on competitions spanning nearly every skilled trade.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
Summer Writing Online
Students participate in a three-week synchronous writing residency featuring fiction, poetry, screenwriting, seminars, critiques, author talks, and workshops led by University of Iowa writers. Admission is rolling and the program costs $295, with financial aid available.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Des Moines Art Center
Teen Arts Academy and Teen Clay Academy
Motivated high-school artists participate in a nine-month program of instructor-led studio classes, independent work, critiques, museum discussions, guest artists, and college-portfolio development. Art Center materials describe the academies as free.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Northern Iowa School of Music
UNI Jazz Combo Camp
Students entering grade 10 and above spend a week studying jazz improvisation, theory, ear training, masterclasses, combo performance, and jam sessions. The 2026 fee was $600 residential or $450 commuter.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Northern Iowa School of Music
UNI Music Career Day
Juniors and seniors considering music careers attend free breakout sessions, college classes, ensemble rehearsals, student panels, campus tours, and career-specific activities. The next listed event is November 6, 2026.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Northern Iowa STEM Support Services
UNI STEM Scholarship
High-school juniors who participate in designated Iowa STEM competitions can apply for one-time $2,000 scholarships toward UNI. One scholarship is awarded for each qualifying competition.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
University of Iowa / GEAR UP Iowa
University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience
Rising 10th graders spend a free residential week exploring medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, biomedical engineering, and research through hands-on activities, mentoring, and college-readiness workshops. Travel, housing, meals, activities, and one college credit are covered; the next program is planned for July 2027.
🎓 Grade 10
Highly Selective
University of Iowa
University of Iowa TRIO Upward Bound
Eligible first-generation and/or income-qualified students from Columbus Community, Muscatine, and West Liberty high schools receive free year-round college preparation, tutoring, STEM programming, college visits, and a summer residential experience.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Iowa
VFW Voice of Democracy (Iowa)
An annual audio-essay scholarship competition for grades 9-12 on a patriotic theme, with Iowa's state winner advancing to the national contest for a shot at a $35,000 top scholarship.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wartburg College
Wartburg Meistersinger Music Camp
A summer music camp with band, choir, orchestra, piano, and organ tracks for high school musicians of all skill levels, plus a companion All-State Camp preparing vocalists entering ninth grade and up for Iowa All-State auditions.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Northern Iowa School of Music
We Sing
High-school treble singers spend a day rehearsing repertoire with UNI singers and faculty before performing in an evening concert. The 2026 festival fee was $30 and included dinner and a shirt.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Iowa State Bar Association / Center for Civic Education
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (Iowa)
A constitutional studies program where student teams prepare four-minute statements and 'testify' in a simulated congressional hearing before a panel of judges, with the top Iowa high school team advancing to nationals in Washington, D.C.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Kirkwood Community College
Workplace Learning Connection High School Internships
Students complete worksite internships with regional employers, earn dual high-school/college credit, and develop career and professional skills. Participation is free; winter/spring 2027 applications run September 28–October 23, 2026, and summer 2027 applications December 21, 2026–February 5, 2027.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
World Food Prize Foundation
World Food Prize Global Youth Institute
Research and conference program on global food security for high schoolers.
⏱ 3 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State Historical Society of Iowa
Young Writers' Workshop
Students use museum collections and historical material as inspiration for a three-day writing experience. The 2026 workshop cost $200.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Polk County Conservation / Great Outdoors Foundation
Youth Corps Scholarship
High-school seniors who previously completed Polk County Conservation Youth Corps and plan an environmentally related major may compete for one of two $2,500 scholarships.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Blank Park Zoo
Zoo Crew
Teens ages 13–17 volunteer with zoo camps, visitor education, events, and other operations while developing job skills and learning about animal science and conservation. Summer 2027 applications run January 1–March 1.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Iowa 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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