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10 Best STEM Research Programs for High School Students
10 Best STEM Research Programs for High School Students
Written by
Written by
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
Published on
Published on
One of the best ways for high school students interested in STEM to gain hands-on experience and strengthen college applications is to participate in a research program. These programs allow students to investigate real scientific questions, develop technical skills, and contribute to meaningful projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, biology, medicine, and computer science.
Whether you’re hoping to publish research, present your findings, or explore a future STEM career, here are the 10 best STEM research programs for high school students.
The Research Science Institute is one of the world’s most prestigious STEM research programs for high school students. Hosted at MIT by the Center for Excellence in Education, the six-week program is fully funded, making STEM more accessible to students around the world. The program begins with a week of advanced STEM seminars taught by leading professors, then transitions to five weeks of conducting original research in MIT-affiliated laboratories under the guidance of experienced scientists and researchers.
The program also gives students access to MIT’s computing resources, evening lectures by Nobel laureates and technology leaders, and tours of local science and technology facilities. At the end of the six weeks, students will present their research to a panel of Boston-area academic and corporate scientists, who will select five papers and five presentations for special commendation.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
If you want to study directly at MIT, you can apply for the Beaver Works Summer Institute rather than the Research Science Institute. This four-week STEM program offers immersive, project-based courses that teach advanced skills in STEM fields like artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, robotics, and engineering.
Through hands-on workshops, students work with experienced instructors and mentors to develop solutions to real-world challenges. BWSI also offers year-round introductory programs and national STEM challenges if you want to continue developing your skills beyond summer.
Cost: Free for students whose family income and asset liability is less than $200,000. Otherwise, $2,400
Location: Virtual or in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July to August
Eligibility: Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade who live in the United States
Deepen by Delta Careers is an eight-week personalized mentorship program designed for high school students who want to explore a specific field and build real-world experience. Students work one-on-one with industry professionals, career experts, and Ivy League alumni to develop advanced skills, explore career pathways, and complete a portfolio-ready project. You can fully customize the curriculum based on your interests, working closely with your mentor to develop technical skills and a project that addresses real-world problems you’re actually interested in.
Through 20 hours of personalized mentorship, you’ll receive guidance through every stage of your project. By the end, your project will be ready to showcase on college applications and you’ll receive a mentor recommendation letter highlighting your achievements and abilities.
Cost: $6,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Flexible start dates throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students globally
Delta Launch offers 2 main programs: Delta AI Immersive and Delta Code Immersive. The program runs for 12-weeks and is designed for students who want to build an advanced AI or code project with one-on-one guidance from industry professionals. Students receive 25 hours of mentorship from AI and Code engineers, researchers, and data scientists working at top companies like Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Apple, and Citibank.
By the end of the program, you will have a portfolio-ready project, GitHub repository, technical documentation, and a mentor recommendation letter to strengthen college applications. Delta’s AI and Code Immersive programs are a good fit for students who are interested in diving deep into the subject and working on hands-on projects, while maintaining detailed and research-oriented documentation to substantiate their work.
Cost: $4,800
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming deadline is October 23. Students can apply here
Program Dates: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students globally
The Simons Summer Research Program is a long-standing research opportunity for high school juniors, as it was established in 1984. It matches students with Stony Brook faculty mentors and research teams, where they take on independent projects in areas like science, engineering, and mathematics. Over the course of the summer, Simons Fellows develop research skills, learn advanced techniques, and contribute to ongoing university research.
Students can also attend faculty research talks, workshops, laboratory tours, and special events. At the end of the program, participants will present their findings through a written research abstract and poster at a closing symposium.
Cost: Free
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
If you’re specifically interested in materials science or engineering applications, Stony Brook University’s Garcia Research Scholars Program may suit you better than its Simons Summer Research Program. It connects students with faculty mentors to conduct hands-on research addressing real-world challenges in areas like medicine, tissue engineering, materials science, energy, computation, and mathematical modeling.
A key goal of the program is helping students develop an abstract they can submit to the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting, where selected students may present their research.
Cost: $4,000 (Plus optional residency costs)
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August
Eligibility: High school students who are least 16 years old by the start of the program and have an unweighted GPA of 95/100
For students who can’t complete an in-person research internship, Stanford University’s AIMI Summer Research Internship is a great option. It’s a two-week virtual program for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Students will learn about how AI is developed and applied in clinical settings through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative research projects, as well as explore topics like machine learning, medical imaging AI, healtcare datasets, and model evalutaion.
To learn about different career pathways, students will hear from experts across academic, healthcare, industry, and government. Students will also be paired with Stanford Student Leads and research mentors to complete a health AI research project, receiving a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Cost: $2,400 and $45 application fee
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 2 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: U.S. students entering 9th through 12th grade
Students based in New Jersey who are interested in hands-on laboratory experience can apply for Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program. You’ll join ongoing research projects and work closely with Princeton faculty and research staff to gain hands-on laboratory experience.
Research opportunities vary each year but focus on natural sciences and engineering topics. At the end of the program, you’ll submit a report summarzing your research question, methods, data, and conclusion.
Cost: Free
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 5 to 6 weeks during summer
Eligibility: Students over 16 who are enrolled in a local New Jersey high school
The Summer Science Research Program at The Rockefeller University is a seven-week mentored research experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science and laboratory research. Students work in teams guided by scientific trainees, gaining hands-on experience in research environments that mirror professional laboratories.
Participants will also develop research questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings at a final symposium. Outside of the classroom, the program offers elective courses, guest lectures, workshops, networking opportunities, and social events.
Cost: Free
Location: New York City, New York
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an intensive seven-week research experience that accepts only 12 participants each summer. Participants are paired with Texas Tech faculty members and conduct research across 8 STEM disciplines, including: Biology/Cellular & Microbiology, Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering: Cancer Bioimaging, and Physics.
In addition to hands-on research, students will also attend seminars, networking events, and professional development workshops. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings summarizing your project, methods, and findings.
Cost: Free ($25 application fee), $750 stipend
Location: Texas Tech University, Texas
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August
Eligibility: Must be 17 years of age by the program start date and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
An additional option for students interested in STEM:
UPenn x Delta Institute: Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation & AI for Young Leaders
This is a 3-week virtual program developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania for high school students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI. Students learn how to identify problems worth solving, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and use AI to move from an initial idea toward a real-world solution through live sessions and hands-on project work. The program is taught entirely by faculty from UPenn.
Upon completion, students receive a University of Pennsylvania Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and AI and create a portfolio project, which may take the form of an AI app, website, or pitch deck. This program is a good fit for students interested in practical, hands-on learning from industry and academic leaders from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cost: $7,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: January 8 for cohort I; June 15 for cohort II. Students can apply here
Program Dates: Cohort I - January 23 to February 7, 2027; Cohort II - July 9 - July 24, 2027 Eligibility: Open to high school students globally (selective cohorts with limited spots)
One of the best ways for high school students interested in STEM to gain hands-on experience and strengthen college applications is to participate in a research program. These programs allow students to investigate real scientific questions, develop technical skills, and contribute to meaningful projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, biology, medicine, and computer science.
Whether you’re hoping to publish research, present your findings, or explore a future STEM career, here are the 10 best STEM research programs for high school students.
The Research Science Institute is one of the world’s most prestigious STEM research programs for high school students. Hosted at MIT by the Center for Excellence in Education, the six-week program is fully funded, making STEM more accessible to students around the world. The program begins with a week of advanced STEM seminars taught by leading professors, then transitions to five weeks of conducting original research in MIT-affiliated laboratories under the guidance of experienced scientists and researchers.
The program also gives students access to MIT’s computing resources, evening lectures by Nobel laureates and technology leaders, and tours of local science and technology facilities. At the end of the six weeks, students will present their research to a panel of Boston-area academic and corporate scientists, who will select five papers and five presentations for special commendation.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
If you want to study directly at MIT, you can apply for the Beaver Works Summer Institute rather than the Research Science Institute. This four-week STEM program offers immersive, project-based courses that teach advanced skills in STEM fields like artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, robotics, and engineering.
Through hands-on workshops, students work with experienced instructors and mentors to develop solutions to real-world challenges. BWSI also offers year-round introductory programs and national STEM challenges if you want to continue developing your skills beyond summer.
Cost: Free for students whose family income and asset liability is less than $200,000. Otherwise, $2,400
Location: Virtual or in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July to August
Eligibility: Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade who live in the United States
Deepen by Delta Careers is an eight-week personalized mentorship program designed for high school students who want to explore a specific field and build real-world experience. Students work one-on-one with industry professionals, career experts, and Ivy League alumni to develop advanced skills, explore career pathways, and complete a portfolio-ready project. You can fully customize the curriculum based on your interests, working closely with your mentor to develop technical skills and a project that addresses real-world problems you’re actually interested in.
Through 20 hours of personalized mentorship, you’ll receive guidance through every stage of your project. By the end, your project will be ready to showcase on college applications and you’ll receive a mentor recommendation letter highlighting your achievements and abilities.
Cost: $6,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Flexible start dates throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students globally
Delta Launch offers 2 main programs: Delta AI Immersive and Delta Code Immersive. The program runs for 12-weeks and is designed for students who want to build an advanced AI or code project with one-on-one guidance from industry professionals. Students receive 25 hours of mentorship from AI and Code engineers, researchers, and data scientists working at top companies like Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Apple, and Citibank.
By the end of the program, you will have a portfolio-ready project, GitHub repository, technical documentation, and a mentor recommendation letter to strengthen college applications. Delta’s AI and Code Immersive programs are a good fit for students who are interested in diving deep into the subject and working on hands-on projects, while maintaining detailed and research-oriented documentation to substantiate their work.
Cost: $4,800
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming deadline is October 23. Students can apply here
Program Dates: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students globally
The Simons Summer Research Program is a long-standing research opportunity for high school juniors, as it was established in 1984. It matches students with Stony Brook faculty mentors and research teams, where they take on independent projects in areas like science, engineering, and mathematics. Over the course of the summer, Simons Fellows develop research skills, learn advanced techniques, and contribute to ongoing university research.
Students can also attend faculty research talks, workshops, laboratory tours, and special events. At the end of the program, participants will present their findings through a written research abstract and poster at a closing symposium.
Cost: Free
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
If you’re specifically interested in materials science or engineering applications, Stony Brook University’s Garcia Research Scholars Program may suit you better than its Simons Summer Research Program. It connects students with faculty mentors to conduct hands-on research addressing real-world challenges in areas like medicine, tissue engineering, materials science, energy, computation, and mathematical modeling.
A key goal of the program is helping students develop an abstract they can submit to the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting, where selected students may present their research.
Cost: $4,000 (Plus optional residency costs)
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August
Eligibility: High school students who are least 16 years old by the start of the program and have an unweighted GPA of 95/100
For students who can’t complete an in-person research internship, Stanford University’s AIMI Summer Research Internship is a great option. It’s a two-week virtual program for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Students will learn about how AI is developed and applied in clinical settings through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative research projects, as well as explore topics like machine learning, medical imaging AI, healtcare datasets, and model evalutaion.
To learn about different career pathways, students will hear from experts across academic, healthcare, industry, and government. Students will also be paired with Stanford Student Leads and research mentors to complete a health AI research project, receiving a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Cost: $2,400 and $45 application fee
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 2 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: U.S. students entering 9th through 12th grade
Students based in New Jersey who are interested in hands-on laboratory experience can apply for Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program. You’ll join ongoing research projects and work closely with Princeton faculty and research staff to gain hands-on laboratory experience.
Research opportunities vary each year but focus on natural sciences and engineering topics. At the end of the program, you’ll submit a report summarzing your research question, methods, data, and conclusion.
Cost: Free
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 5 to 6 weeks during summer
Eligibility: Students over 16 who are enrolled in a local New Jersey high school
The Summer Science Research Program at The Rockefeller University is a seven-week mentored research experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science and laboratory research. Students work in teams guided by scientific trainees, gaining hands-on experience in research environments that mirror professional laboratories.
Participants will also develop research questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings at a final symposium. Outside of the classroom, the program offers elective courses, guest lectures, workshops, networking opportunities, and social events.
Cost: Free
Location: New York City, New York
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an intensive seven-week research experience that accepts only 12 participants each summer. Participants are paired with Texas Tech faculty members and conduct research across 8 STEM disciplines, including: Biology/Cellular & Microbiology, Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering: Cancer Bioimaging, and Physics.
In addition to hands-on research, students will also attend seminars, networking events, and professional development workshops. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings summarizing your project, methods, and findings.
Cost: Free ($25 application fee), $750 stipend
Location: Texas Tech University, Texas
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August
Eligibility: Must be 17 years of age by the program start date and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
An additional option for students interested in STEM:
UPenn x Delta Institute: Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation & AI for Young Leaders
This is a 3-week virtual program developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania for high school students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI. Students learn how to identify problems worth solving, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and use AI to move from an initial idea toward a real-world solution through live sessions and hands-on project work. The program is taught entirely by faculty from UPenn.
Upon completion, students receive a University of Pennsylvania Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and AI and create a portfolio project, which may take the form of an AI app, website, or pitch deck. This program is a good fit for students interested in practical, hands-on learning from industry and academic leaders from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cost: $7,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: January 8 for cohort I; June 15 for cohort II. Students can apply here
Program Dates: Cohort I - January 23 to February 7, 2027; Cohort II - July 9 - July 24, 2027 Eligibility: Open to high school students globally (selective cohorts with limited spots)
About the Author
George Gatsios holds a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge and is the founder of Delta Institute. He leads the organisation’s global strategy, overseeing programme design, partnerships, operations, and product innovation across education, career development, and technology. His work centers on building scalable, hands-on learning experiences that connect students with real-world industry exposure and future-ready skills. Alongside his leadership at Delta Institute, George serves as a Research Assistant in Economics at the University of Cambridge and London Business School, contributing to research at the intersection of economic theory, empirical analysis, and policy. He is an active member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and a strong advocate for lifelong learning and internationally minded education.
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Oct 14, 2026
Oct 14, 2026
