§ NE

Research programs in Nebraska.

64 local programs run in Nebraska, 40 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 Nebraska

Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship
Pays tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying low-income Nebraska high-school students taking college courses through dual or early enrollment at participating Nebraska institutions.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska Writers Collective
All Writes Reserved Youth Spoken Word Festival
Nebraska and Iowa high-school teams receive free spoken-word instruction throughout the school year and then perform in a multi-round spring youth poetry-slam festival. The 2026 festival ran from preliminary bouts in March through finals on April 28.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion, Department of Nebraska
American Legion Department of Nebraska High School Oratorical Contest
High school students (grades 9-12) deliver prepared and impromptu speeches on the U.S. Constitution, competing for Nebraska scholarships up to $1,500 with a chance to advance to national finals worth up to $25,000.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Architecture
Career Explorations in Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture Workshop
Six-day residential design workshop featuring studio projects, design discussions and exploration of architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The 2027 session is already confirmed for June 6–11 and costs $650, with scholarships available.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
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
American Legion, Department of Nebraska
Cornhusker Boys' State
A weeklong civics and leadership program since 1938 where rising high school seniors build a model city, county, and state government, electing officials and running a mock legislature and judiciary on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Nebraska
Cornhusker Girls State
About 400 Nebraska high school juniors spend a week on the UNL campus building and running a mock city, county, and state government, participating in elections, legislative sessions, and mock trials, with little or no cost to families.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Digital Expressions Media Camp
Students use professional video and audio equipment to produce news programming, DJ on campus radio, learn videography/editing and visit broadcast organizations. The 2026 camp cost $200.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
Discover Accounting
Free residential business program where students meet accounting professionals, tour workplaces, solve a business challenge and experience campus life. Participation can also help students qualify for additional accounting scholarships.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
Discover Actuarial Science
Free residential program introducing actuarial science through mathematical problem solving, industry visits and a team business challenge. Applicants should have completed Algebra II or provide a teacher recommendation.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
EducationQuest Foundation
Do the FAFSA Nebraska Scholarship
Seventy-five Nebraska seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships for Nebraska colleges or universities after completing the 2027–28 FAFSA and a short application.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
DREAMBIG Academy: Discover Business
Rising seniors explore business careers, leadership and networking while working with College of Business faculty and peers. UNL identifies its high-school business discovery programs as free.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
EducationQuest Foundation
EducationQuest Scavenger Hunt Scholarship
Nebraska students complete an online EducationQuest scavenger hunt after creating a ScholarshipQuest profile. Two students receive $500 contributions to a 529 college-savings plan.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
EducationQuest Foundation
Get Social Scholarship
Nebraska students in grades 9–12 can enter for $500 college-savings awards whenever EducationQuest reaches designated social-media follower milestones. Entry windows remain open for 72 hours after each award is announced.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Creighton University, College of Arts and Sciences
Haddix STEM Corridor Program
Juniors from Omaha North, Omaha Central, and Omaha South high schools spend eight weeks conducting paid STEM research with Creighton faculty mentors, attending career workshops, and presenting a final research poster.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Hastings College
Hastings College Open Space for Visual and Performing Arts
High school juniors and sophomores with strong artistic ability spend a week immersed in visual arts (up to 35 students) or performing arts (up to 35 students in music or theatre), with Jackson Dinsdale Endowment scholarships covering most of the cost.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Hastings College
Hastings College Scholars Academy (HCSA)
A weeklong residential summer academy for academically talented students entering 8th and 9th grade, offering hands-on coursework in mathematics, communications, robotics, or science taught by Nebraska teachers and Hastings College faculty.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
University of Nebraska at Kearney / Central Nebraska AHEC
Health Science Explorers Summer Camps
Hands-on healthcare exploration through simulations, case studies and activities involving fields such as forensics, IV administration, ultrasound, physical therapy and other health professions. Multiple Nebraska locations are offered; recent camps ranged from free to $25.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Prep Academy
High School Accounting Adventures Overnight Camp
Residential program showing how accountants use technology, solve business problems and support organizational decision-making while introducing students to accounting careers and college life.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Prep Academy
High School Banking and Finance Overnight Camp
Residential camp exploring banking, finance, financial planning and related careers through hands-on learning and interaction with finance professionals.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Prep Academy
High School Digital and Social Media Marketing Overnight Camp
Students explore digital/social marketing strategy, creativity and careers while living on UNO's campus. The 2026–27 youth-program page confirms the camp will return; CBA Prep camps are free except for a waivable $20 registration deposit.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Prep Academy
High School Exploring Economics Camp
Students examine real-world economic decision-making, prices, markets and how economic choices affect businesses, governments and communities. The camp is scheduled to return in the 2026–27 program cycle.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Creighton University, Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity
HS-MACA/CPHHE Summer Research Institute
High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors conduct paid biomedical or community-based public health research under Creighton faculty mentors, culminating in a student presentation of their findings.
📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, UNL
Innovate: The Raikes School Way
Two-week residential computing program teaching programming, innovation and leadership to students ranging from beginners to experienced coders. Students also interact with research labs and industry partners; full and partial scholarships are available.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
Judge Lyle Strom High School Mock Trial Program
More than 1,000 Nebraska students and teachers participate annually in this mock trial program, preparing prosecution/plaintiff and defense cases from an original fictional case packet, competing regionally before advancing to the State Finals and potentially the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska High School
K.O. Broady Scholarship
Need- and merit-informed scholarship providing full or partial payment of UNHS tuition and administrative fees for current or prospective University of Nebraska High School students. The Fall 2026 application is currently open.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Joslyn Art Museum
Kent Bellows Mentoring Program
Year-round mentorship pairing high-school artists with professional artists. Students develop original work, technical skills and portfolios and participate in exhibitions; separate foundations and core tracks serve younger and older high-school students.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Launch Leadership, hosted at Doane University
Launch Leadership Summer Leadership Workshop
A five-day, four-night residential leadership experience running over 60 years, where high school students (grades 9-12) work in small cooperative groups on skill tracks like communication, group dynamics, and decision-making, with scholarships available to reduce cost.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Methodist Health System (Nebraska Methodist Hospital)
Methodist Volunteen Program
Incoming and current Omaha-metro high school students volunteer at Methodist Hospital or Methodist Women's Hospital, committing to a minimum of one year of service; the program is popular enough to maintain waiting lists.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Metropolitan Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.
Metropolitan Science & Engineering Fair
Greater Omaha students present individual or team research projects to professional scientists and engineers. The 2027 fair serves as the eastern Nebraska NJAS qualifier, offers awards and requires a $15 per-student registration fee.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Mid-America Transportation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Mid-America Transportation Center STEM Academy
Free multi-day residential STEM academy featuring university labs, engineering activities, career exploration and interaction with faculty and industry professionals.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Nebraska Center for Materials & Nanoscience, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
NCMN STEM High School Internship
Lincoln-area high-school students conduct real research in UNL physics, engineering or chemistry laboratories for about eight weeks. Interns work roughly 20 hours/week, earn $15/hour and complete a final research poster; no prior research experience is required.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Nebraska 4-H (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension)
Nebraska 4-H National Congress Delegate Program
4-H members ages 15-19 submit a county-level Achievement Application and, if selected, compete at the state level to become one of Nebraska's delegates receiving a partial scholarship to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Nebraska DECA (chartered association of DECA Inc.)
Nebraska DECA
Nebraska DECA prepares emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through 31 chapters and 1,727 members statewide, culminating in an Association Career Development Conference with qualifiers advancing to the international conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts (NRDs)
Nebraska Envirothon
Five-member high school teams test their knowledge of soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and range management plus a current environmental issue, advancing from regional field days to the state competition and potentially the international NCF-Envirothon.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska FBLA
Nebraska FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
Nebraska FBLA serves over 5,800 middle and high school students across 150+ schools with business-focused leadership development, competitive events, and conferences including the Fall Leadership Conference and State Leadership Conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska FFA Association / Nebraska Department of Education Agricultural Education
Nebraska FFA Association
Nebraska's FFA chapters give agricultural education students leadership and career development events, degree and award programs, and an annual State Convention that draws over 7,000 members and guests in Lincoln.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska HOSA
Nebraska HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
Nebraska HOSA connects secondary and postsecondary students interested in health careers through leadership development, Health Science Experiences like Discovery Days, and an annual State Leadership Conference with competitive events.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences
Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences State Science & Engineering Competition
Students develop original science, engineering or agriculture research and advance through one of six Nebraska regional competitions to the statewide event at UNL. Top senior projects can advance to the American Junior Academy of Science. Regional entry fees vary; recent Nebraska regions charged roughly $6.50–$15 per student.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska Medicine
Nebraska Medicine Volunteer Services
Volunteers age 16 and up support patients, families, and staff across hospital departments, requiring a six-month minimum commitment of 2-4 hours weekly after completing orientation, a health screening, and a background check.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
National History Day, Nebraska affiliate (hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan University, sponsored by Humanities Nebraska)
Nebraska National History Day
Middle and high school students conduct original historical research and present it as a paper, exhibit, documentary, performance, or website, advancing from seven regional district contests to the Nebraska state contest at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Nebraska SkillsUSA
Nebraska SkillsUSA
Nebraska SkillsUSA partners students, teachers, and industry to build a skilled workforce, with members competing in over 140 hands-on skill and leadership contests at the annual State Leadership and Skills Championships.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
Nebraska Young Artist Awards
Nebraska juniors submit work in visual art, music, dance, theatre, or film/emerging media for statewide recognition. Selected students attend an awards and arts-exploration day at UNL and may become eligible for a Hixson-Lied scholarship if they later enroll there.
🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Nebraska Writers Collective
Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate
Nebraska poets ages 13–19 compete through a poetry portfolio, résumé and civic-engagement essay. The laureate receives mentorship, public-reading opportunities, chapbook publication, regional/national competition eligibility and $1,000–$2,000 toward a community project.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Research Apprenticeship Program
Omaha Public Schools students age 16+ work for a semester in an active biomedical research laboratory, learning molecular biology and areas such as cell biology, cancer biology and microbiology. Students are paid hourly, transportation assistance is available, and placements may continue beyond one semester by mutual agreement.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Nebraska College of Engineering / Peter Kiewit Foundation
Peter Kiewit Engineering Academy
Cohort scholarship and support program for Nebraska seniors entering engineering, computing or construction at UNL or UNO who demonstrate financial need and commitment to advancing women in these fields. The package can cover tuition and fees plus housing, food, materials and additional professional-development support.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Nebraska Arts Council
Poetry Out Loud Nebraska
A free national poetry recitation program for grades 9-12 where students memorize and perform poems, advancing from classroom and local competitions to the Nebraska State Finals and a chance at the national competition in Washington, D.C.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska System
Presidential Scholars Program
For Fall 2027, qualifying Nebraska seniors with a perfect ACT composite/STEM result or 1570–1600 SAT receive full cost of attendance at any University of Nebraska campus plus a $5,000 annual stipend, renewable for up to eight semesters.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Physics and Astronomy
QUASAR — Quest for Understanding Astronomy, Science, and Research
Residential space-science camp involving professional telescopes, water rockets, gravitational mechanics, CAD, engineering challenges and the UNK Planetarium. The 2026 three-day program cost $100 including housing and meals.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Sounds in the Summer Marching Band Clinic
Intensive three-day clinic for high-school drum majors and color guard members focused on marching-band leadership and performance. The 2026 fee was $140 commuter or $200 residential.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHARP)
Ten-week bench-research program for sophomores and juniors age 16+. Scholars train in biomedical techniques, analyze data and complete a research poster through participating UNMC research programs, including funded high-school placements such as Travis B. Lewis and H-STAR.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Nebraska at Omaha Theatre
Summer Musical Theatre Academy
Tuition-free four-week intensive where Omaha-area high-school artists train with UNO faculty and industry professionals in performance, technical production and instrumental music while mounting a full-length musical.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Buffett Foundation
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship
A program providing financial support and mentoring for Nebraska high school students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing higher education.
⏱ Multi-year📅 January 31🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Nebraska Legislature / University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Unicameral Youth Legislature
Week-long legislative simulation where students act as Nebraska senators, introduce bills, conduct committee hearings and debate legislation inside the State Capitol while learning directly from senators and legislative staff. Full-cost civic scholarships are available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Music
UNK All-State Vocal Camp
Three-day intensive helping high-school singers prepare Nebraska All-State Chorus repertoire through vocal technique, sectionals and full rehearsals. The 2026 commuter/residential fees were $175/$225.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
UNL Young Nebraska Scientists
Free STEM camps at UNL for Nebraska students.
⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (Nebraska)
Rostered high school classes use a constitutional-democracy curriculum and compete in simulated congressional hearings before a panel of judges, with the state champion advancing to the national finals near Washington, D.C.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program
A two-week residential camp, running since 1983, where academically advanced middle and high school students take courses in quantitative, verbal, and social subjects taught by college professors and live in campus dorms.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Nebraska EPSCoR / University of Nebraska
Young Nebraska Scientists (YNS) High School Research Program
Current 10th and 11th graders spend eight weeks as paid researchers embedded in a university science laboratory team, gaining hands-on experience beyond a typical camp.
📅 May🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
Nebraska EPSCoR / University of Nebraska
Young Nebraska Scientists (YNS) High School STEM Camps
Current 9th-11th graders attend residential or commuter STEM enrichment camps on Nebraska university campuses, such as Explorations in Biology at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Biodiversity at Cedar Point Biological Station, with need-based scholarships available.
📅 May🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Young Scientist Research Workshop
Free, selective week-long biomedical-research workshop teaching hypothesis formation, experimental design, data analysis and laboratory techniques through insect physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology experiments. Only five high-school places were available in 2026.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska Writing Project, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Young Writers Camp
Students write fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and other forms alongside writers and educators, with participant work compiled into the program's annual anthology. The 2026 camp cost $50 and scholarships were available.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Zoo Crew
Year-round youth volunteer program in which high-school students assist with Zoo educational and on-grounds programming, interact with guests, build public-speaking skills and deepen their conservation knowledge. Applications for the next cohort are open now.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Lincoln Children's Zoo
Zoo Crew (Lincoln Children's Zoo)
One of Nebraska's largest youth volunteer programs, with 400 students in grades 7-12 choosing an animal-care or education track each summer session, gaining zookeeping and camp-instruction skills for a $250 session fee.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate

Nationwide programs open to Nebraska 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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