§ MO

Research programs in Missouri.

69 local programs run in Missouri, 31 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 Missouri

Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
A+ Scholarship Program
Merit-based Missouri program helping eligible graduates of A+-designated high schools pay tuition at participating two-year colleges and technical schools. High-school participants must enter an agreement with their school before graduation.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Accelerated Environmental Scientist
Intensive field-based environmental-science experience covering ecosystems, water quality and related topics, with an optional university-credit component.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Advanced Robotics
Students design and build robotic systems while working with mechanical design, programming and CAD in teams.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The American Legion, Department of Missouri
American Legion Missouri High School Oratorical Contest
A Constitutional speech contest challenging Missouri high school (and homeschool) students to explore the U.S. Constitution while competing for scholarship awards, now in its 93rd year in Missouri.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Art in the Outdoors Camp
Students use painting, photography and multimedia art while drawing inspiration from outdoor and natural environments.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology / ASM International
ASM Exploring Materials in Your World
Free selective materials-science program using laboratory equipment, experiments and team problem solving to investigate how materials behave and are engineered.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Truman State University & A.T. Still University
ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy
One-week residential academy where students explore healthcare professions through hands-on activities, discussions and campus experiences. 2026 tuition was $1,050, with need-based aid available.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Bio Space Academy
Combines biological experimentation, rocket/space systems and laboratory activities around the challenges of life and research in space.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
BioMed IQ Camp
Health-focused program using hands-on activities and case studies to introduce biomedical and healthcare careers. 2026 fee was $850.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Break It to Make It
Engineering camp centered on reverse engineering—taking products or systems apart, understanding their design and applying those ideas to build or improve things.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Bright Flight
State merit scholarship for top-scoring Missouri high-school seniors who attend approved Missouri postsecondary institutions. No separate Bright Flight application is required.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Children's Mercy Kansas City
Children's Mercy High School Student Volunteer Program
A summer hospital volunteer program for high schoolers at least 16 years old, supporting guest services, hospitality, and outpatient activities to make patients, families, and visitors feel welcome throughout the hospital.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri
Constitutional Democracy Academy
Rising juniors and seniors spend a week studying constitutional history, political thought, the Supreme Court, federalism and related topics through discussion seminars and field trips. Only a $100 deposit is charged; housing, meals and program expenses are otherwise covered.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Washington University in St. Louis Pre-College Programs
Creative Immersion Institute
Two-week residential institute built around intensive creative, college-level work in small classes, combined with college-readiness and academic enrichment. The 2026 fee was $3,985 and need-based scholarships are available.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Washington University in St. Louis Cancer Research Club
CRISPr — Cancer Research Inspiring Future Scientists Program
Nine-week cancer-research internship pairing high-school students with WashU biomedical research labs for roughly 40 hours/week, plus workshops and a final symposium. Participants receive a $4,800 stipend.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
CyberMiner Camp
Returning in summer 2027, this camp introduces high-school students to computer science, computer engineering, information technology and cybersecurity topics.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Derivative of Thrills Summer Institute
Free selective program using roller-coaster design and related problems to explore mathematics and engineering concepts.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Discovering Chemistry
Laboratory-centered chemistry camp exploring molecules, reactions and experimental chemistry. The 2026 fee was $800.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Drones: Design, Print, Take Flight
Students combine drone technology, design software and polymer 3D printing to design and work with flight systems.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment Scholarship
Covers tuition and fees for financially eligible Missouri high-school students taking approved dual-credit or dual-enrollment courses. The fall 2026/spring 2027 application is currently open.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Engineering with Biology
Hands-on laboratory camp centered on using biology and engineering concepts, including synthetic-biology-style challenges.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Jackling Introduction to Engineering
Broad engineering exploration program with hands-on activities and exposure to multiple Missouri S&T engineering disciplines.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Kansas City Zoo VolunTEEN Program
A year-round teen volunteer program in which students in grades 8-12 lead animal presentations, work alongside animal care specialists, and develop communication, technology, and leadership skills; high school seniors may also participate during summer only.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics
MCTM High School Math Contest
Missouri high-school mathematics competition with qualifying events followed by a state contest. The 2026 state contest charged $10 per qualifying student.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Mechanical Crash Course
Mechanical-engineering program involving product design and hands-on projects, including work related to autonomous vehicles.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Mercy Hospital St. Louis
Mercy Hospital St. Louis TLC (Teens Learning in the Community)
A summer volunteer program for students ages 16-18 interested in a career in medicine, exposing 40 accepted participants to clinical and non-clinical hospital departments including nutrition, patient transport, and administration on a twice-weekly schedule.
📅 February🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Mining the Mind
Psychology camp exploring the brain, behavior, psychological research and how psychologists investigate human thought and action.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Missouri Extension, Missouri 4-H
Missouri 4-H State Congress
A statewide leadership conference on the Mizzou campus for 4-H'ers entering grade 9 through those who just completed grade 12, featuring workshops, college department tours, keynote speakers, and election of the State 4-H Council.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Fellowship Program
A fellowship immersing St. Louis-region high schoolers in plant science and conservation, working alongside Garden scientists and horticulturists on botanical research and ecological restoration projects, for students planning to pursue higher education in a related field.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
The American Legion, Department of Missouri
Missouri Boys State
An 8-day mock-government and civics leadership program for Missouri high school juniors, who build a fully functioning simulated state government divided into 16 cities and two political parties. The 2026 session runs June 20-27 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
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
Lindenwood University Economic Education Center / Council for Economic Education
Missouri Economics Challenge
Teams of Missouri students complete an online competition covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics, with state champions advancing to national semifinals. Participation is free.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri Department of Natural Resources / Missouri Envirothon
Missouri Envirothon
A natural-resource problem-solving competition for 5-student high school teams, testing knowledge of aquatic ecology, soils/land use, forestry, and wildlife at outdoor field stations plus an oral presentation on a current environmental issue.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri FBLA
Missouri FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
Missouri FBLA prepares high school students to become community-minded business leaders through career exploration, competitive events, and leadership conferences. It serves over 12,000 members across 450+ chapters, making it the second-largest state FBLA chapter in the nation.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri FFA / Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Missouri FFA Association
Missouri FFA helps students in agricultural education develop leadership talents and explore agriculture career pathways through chapter activities, competitions, and state officer programs. The association has over 26,800 members across hundreds of chapters, ranking eighth nationally in membership.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri State University
Missouri Fine Arts Academy
Two-week residential academy offering intensive work in visual art, music, creative writing and other arts disciplines. Tuition for the 2026 academy was fully covered by state/private funding.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Missouri
Missouri Girls State
A week-long civics and government leadership program for Missouri high school juniors, evaluated on leadership ability, interest in government, service, and academics. Approximately 700 delegates attend each June at Lindenwood University in St. Charles.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL)
Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition
Founded in 1979, this statewide competition has students argue simulated courtroom trials as lawyers and witnesses in front of practicing attorneys, advancing through Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield regionals to a state championship.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri HOSA / Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Missouri HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
Missouri HOSA is a career and technical student organization for students interested in health science and biomedical careers, offering competitive events, leadership conferences, and service projects through school chapters statewide.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Missouri
Missouri Scholars Academy
Three-week residential academic academy for highly capable Missouri sophomores. The 2027 cohort carries a $600 scholar fee, with waivers available to qualifying students.
🎓 Grade 10
Moderate
Missouri State University College of Education
Missouri State University #BearsTeach
A summer program recruiting Missouri high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in the teaching profession, combining ACT prep, essay writing, college-readiness workshops, and classroom observations.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Missouri State University, Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Missouri State University CSI Camp
A crime-scene-investigation day camp for incoming high school freshmen through seniors, teaching forensic techniques such as fingerprint analysis, blood spatter examination, and evidence collection.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Missouri State University School of Health Sciences
Missouri State University DNA Camp
A hands-on biology day camp for high schoolers exploring how the human body works, taught by biomedical professionals through scientific puzzles and lab activities.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Missouri
Mizzou High School Journalism Workshops
Summer journalism workshops at the nation's oldest J-school.
⏱ 1-2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Mizzou Mini Medical School
Annual week-long program for Missouri high-school juniors featuring patient-based learning, anatomy, microbiology, simulation and interactions with physicians and medical students. 2026 tuition was $650 with scholarships available.
🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
MOHAI History Lab
Two-week summer intensive for high school students interested in local history and storytelling who conduct their own research and publish a work of historical interpretation on the Rainy Day History website.
📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Movie Makers Summer Camp
Filmmaking camp where students work with production equipment, scripts, camera techniques and short-film creation.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
State Historical Society of Missouri
National History Day in Missouri
Missouri's affiliate of National History Day invites middle and high school students to research and present history projects as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website, advancing from local contests to the state contest at the University of Missouri.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Nuclear Engineering Camp
Residential introduction to nuclear engineering, including nuclear power and biomedical/technical applications. 2026 fee was $1,200.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Outdoor World: Urban and Rural
Returning in summer 2027. Students investigate environmental challenges such as water quality, planning and sustainability while connecting them to civil/environmental engineering and public-health issues.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Missouri Arts Council
Poetry Out Loud Missouri
A national poetry recitation competition for high school students, in which participants memorize and perform poems, advancing from school-level competitions through seven regional contests to the Missouri state championship and national semifinals.
📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Science Coach / St. Charles Community College
Show-Me SCIENCE Competition
Missouri statewide science, invention, and engineering competition for students who advance from affiliated regional fairs. The April 8–9, 2027 competition includes biology, chemistry, computing/math, engineering, environmental science, medicine, physics/astronomy and other categories; top students advance to ISEF.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SkillsUSA Missouri / Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
SkillsUSA Missouri
SkillsUSA Missouri serves high school students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations across nine districts and 85+ local chapters, culminating in a State Leadership and Skills Conference with more than 150 competitive events.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Saint Louis University School of Science and Engineering
SLU STEM Pre-College Programs (Aviation & Engineering Summer Academies)
SLU's School of Science and Engineering runs residential summer academies -- including an Aviation Summer Academy (flight science, aircraft design, UAVs) and an Engineering Summer Academy (aerospace, mechanical, biomedical, electrical, civil) -- introducing high schoolers to STEM career paths.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
SLU Summer Scholars Program
A four-week, in-person healthcare pathway program for St. Louis-area students entering grades 10-12 interested in medicine, offering hands-on healthcare experiences coordinated by first-year SLU medical students on weekday mornings in June.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Saint Louis University
SLU Visiting Young Scholars
A dual-enrollment opportunity for qualified high school juniors and seniors to take college classes on SLU's St. Louis campus, its Spain campus, or online, earning college credit before graduation.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Space — The Final Frontier
Returning in summer 2027. Students design, build and fly small-satellite systems while learning aerospace and space-science concepts.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Superconductor Quantum World Camp
Students explore superconductivity and quantum-related physics through experimental and engineering activities. The 2026 session charged $500.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Saint Louis Art Museum
Teen Arts Council
Ages 14–18 advise the museum on teen programming, plan an annual juried teen art exhibition, attend workshops and field trips, and meet every other week from September through May. Members receive a $200 stipend each semester for full attendance.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business
Trulaske Wall Street Summer Camp
Residential finance camp where students study capital markets, build and monitor mock portfolios, use Bloomberg terminals and participate in a stock-pitch competition. The inaugural 2026 camp cost $1,000 including room and board.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Truman State University
Truman State University Band Academy
A one-week residential music program for grades 8-11 where young musicians rehearse and perform alongside Truman faculty and student mentors, culminating in a final concert on campus.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
University of Missouri-Kansas City
UMKC STAHR Scholars Program
A free, multi-month pipeline program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in dentistry, medicine, or pharmacy, combining a six-week in-person summer session of clinical observation and research with mentorship and coaching through the following April.
📅 February🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Missouri
VFW Voice of Democracy Missouri
An audio-essay scholarship competition, established in 1947, letting Missouri students in grades 9-12 record a patriotic-themed essay; the 2026-27 theme is 'What a Veteran Taught Me About America.'
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Washington University in St. Louis
WashU High School Summer Institutes
Two-week residential pre-college institutes for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to experience undergraduate-level curriculum without a letter grade, through lectures, small-group collaboration, and final projects.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
Washington University in St. Louis
WashU High School Summer Scholars Program
A five-week program for rising high school seniors to enroll in credit-bearing WashU undergraduate courses across the humanities, math, natural sciences, and social sciences, with residential, commuter, and online options.
📅 April🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School
WashU Olin Business School Pre-Collegiate Program
A hybrid business program for rising juniors and seniors combining virtual sessions with a one-week residential experience on campus, introducing business, leadership, teamwork, and career-preparedness skills.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Washington University in St. Louis, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
WashU Sam Fox School Pre-College Programs
Two summer pre-college programs for high schoolers -- Portfolio Plus (studio art) and the Architecture Discovery Program -- let students develop fundamental art, design, and architecture skills while producing work in a real studio for college credit.
📅 December🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Washington University in St. Louis
WashU Young Scientist Program
Paid biomedical research for St. Louis-area students from underrepresented backgrounds.
⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Saint Louis Zoo
ZooTeens
Summer volunteer program for ages 15–18 in which students serve as junior ambassadors, junior docents or other Zoo volunteers while learning about animals and conservation. At least 30 service hours are expected.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Missouri 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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