Research programs in Illinois.
14 local programs run in Illinois, 5 of them free or paid, and 1 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 46 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.
Local to Illinois
- ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepAI Explorers
A virtual high-school summer program introducing students to artificial intelligence and related computational concepts. The 2026 price was listed at $300.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveArgonne National LaboratoryArgonne Exemplary Student Research Program
Chicago-area students conduct year-long research mentored by Argonne scientists.
⏱ School year📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepBiomedical Engineering: Drug Delivery Innovations
Students explore biomedical engineering through the design and science of drug-delivery technologies. The 2026 residential program was listed at $3,000.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepBuild Your Own Robot
Students gain hands-on robotics and engineering experience by designing and building a robot. The 2026 daytime program was listed at $650.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveLincoln Park ZooCamp Teen Volunteer Program
Teens entering grades 9–12 complete a five-week service-learning placement supporting the zoo's conservation-focused summer camp. The position is volunteer rather than paid employment.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepChemistry Scholars
An intensive high-school chemistry summer program offered through Illinois Tech's Elevate College Prep portfolio. The listed 2026 program price was $4,500.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer CenterChicago EYES on Cancer
A two-year cancer-research program combining two full-time eight-week summer laboratory experiences with school-year virtual enrichment. High-school participants receive a $5,000 taxable stipend each year.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveField Museum / Youth Conservation Action partnersChicago Green Ambassadors Program
Paid youth interns explore environmental issues affecting Chicago communities and connect residents with neighborhood green spaces through conservation and community-engagement work. It particularly serves youth from several South and West Side neighborhoods.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNorthwestern CTDCivic Leadership Institute
Service-learning summer program for civic-minded teens.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepCoding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python
High-school students learn introductory Python programming through a structured summer day program. The listed 2026 price was $550.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveChicago Botanic GardenCollege First
CPS sophomores and juniors participate in a seven-week paid summer experience that combines environmental coursework with a mentored scientific investigation, field trips, and college preparation. School-year follow-up opportunities are also provided.
🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateIllinois Institute of Technology Elevate College PrepData Science Basics
Students receive an online introduction to core data-science concepts and methods. The 2026 virtual program was listed at $350.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of ArchitectureDiscover Architecture
Rising sophomores through seniors explore architectural design through studio work and other hands-on activities. The next listed session is July 11–17, 2027, with the program fee listed as TBD.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateDePaul University Driehaus College of BusinessDriehaus Summer Business Institute
Students spend a week learning core business disciplines and work in teams on a business pitch while experiencing DePaul's downtown campus. The 2026 fee was $1,000.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Nationwide programs open to Illinois students
- SelectiveArmy 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 - SelectiveAmerican 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 - SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityAI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAI4ALLAI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveMathematical Association of AmericaAIME
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 - SelectiveFreedom ForumAl 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 - SelectiveAmazonAmazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateMathematical Association of AmericaAMC 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 - ModerateACSLAmerican Computer Science League (ACSL)
A multi-division computer science competition covering both theory and programming.
⏱ School year📅 November 30🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveApple Inc.Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
⏱ 1 month📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBerklee College of MusicAspire: 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 - SelectiveNCWITAward 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 - ModerateBard College at Simon's RockBard 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 - SelectiveMIT Lincoln LabBeaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveELASH / Bebras USBebras 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 - SelectiveBennington CollegeBennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlack Girls CODEBlack Girls CODE Workshops
Program that provides coding workshops and tech exposure to young girls of color.
⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlue Ocean Strategy / variousBlue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition
Free global pitch competition with cash prizes. Teams pitch a novel business idea via video; finalists present live.
⏱ 3 months📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBreakthroughBreakthrough Collaborative
Free summer and school-year academic program for first-generation, low-income middle schoolers; high schoolers can serve as teaching fellows.
⏱ Multi-year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
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