Top Summer Research Programs for High School Students

Looking to turn your summer into a launchpad for academic growth and admissions success down the road? Doing academic research can really be a game-changer, but more so in the context of your larger application — if your research extracurriculars fit into your larger story. In this post, you’ll find a curated list of some of the very best summer research programs for teens, to jumpstart your search process. You’ll also find tips on how to choose a research program that aligns with your college admissions aspirations and learn how you can highlight your research in your applications.

With the extra time summer offers, it can be an ideal time to take on a research project. For students looking for better ways to stand out as applicants to the most selective universities, completing and publishing high-quality academic research while still in high school really helps, because it’s that kind of academic rigor, focus, and commitment that the more selective universities genuinely value.

You’re likely to get even more out of your research achievements when applying to college if you align your research efforts and accomplishments with your core academic passions, interests, and aspirations. As MIT puts it, you want your research to illuminate the “intensity, curiosity, and excitement” that’s really fueling your drive to get into specific programs at the universities on the top of your list.

Elsewhere we’ve outlined the important ways that doing research in high school enhances your college journey and college readiness, including:

• Demonstrating genuine curiosity about a particular area of interest and inquiry, and your passion for learning more about it
• Spotlighting the depth of your academic initiative and your readiness to turn your passion into consequential research
• Learning how to navigate faculty mentorships that are an integral part of thriving in college — both as an undergraduate and in postgraduate programs

If you’re self-directed and think you have the “intensity, curiosity, and excitement” you need to bring a research project to life, then summer is a suitable opportunity to go for it — because completing a research project and reporting on it can take many weeks.

That said, you can also use the upcoming summer to simply get your feet wet — taking a more exploratory approach by choosing a program that introduces research concepts and methods while giving you a taste of what hands-on research feels like. Then, when your next summer approaches, you can get an early start seeking a more comprehensive summer research program and go all out.

So let's get started! In this post we'll share:

• Tips on what to look for in summer research programs
• A curated list of top summer research programs for high school students
• Expert advice on making the most of summer research for college applications

1. What To Look For in Summer Research Programs

Before you start looking at the many programs out there, it’s important to understand what sets one summer research program apart from another. By knowing what matters most to you and what factors align with your interests and circumstances, you’ll more quickly find the best matches for your goals.

Here are key factors to keep in mind...

Selectivity

Some programs are extremely selective, others highly or moderately selective, and some may be hardly selective at all. If your top choices are in the more selective range, then you may want to apply to more than one program — including one “safety” option, in case you don’t get selected for your other choices.

Cost

Most students and families will take the cost into account when choosing programs, but don’t default to using price as a proxy for quality — some lower-cost and free programs may actually be more selective and rigorous, and vice versa. Be sure to check whether tuition is fully covered, whether scholarships or stipends are offered, if you can apply for financial aid, and what’s included in the cost (housing, meals, travel, etc.).

Hands-On Research vs. Courses on Research Methods

Some summer programs focus on actual research, where students contribute to or even lead real-world investigations in labs or field settings. Others offer classroom-style learning that introduces students to research methods or prepares them for future lab work. Consider whether you’re seeking active participation in a research project or a foundation in research theory and design — both are valuable, but they serve different goals.

Individual or Team Research

Programs vary in how they structure student involvement. Some assign students to individual research projects with one-on-one mentoring, while others emphasize team-based research, encouraging collaboration and communication skills. Think about your working style — do you thrive on independent inquiry or collaborative problem-solving?

Time Required and Timeline for Completion

Summer research programs range from short commitments (1–2 weeks) to intensive multi-week ones (6–10 weeks). Some also offer ongoing extensions, where students continue their work into the fall. Be realistic about your summer availability, how the program fits into your broader plans, and whether you're prepared for the daily time demands of research work.

Level of Mentoring Support Offered

Strong mentorship can be the difference between a confusing experience and a transformative one. Some programs offer close guidance from faculty, graduate students, or professional researchers. Others take a more hands-off approach. Look for programs that offer the right balance of support and independence based on your experience level and learning preferences.

Avenues for Publishing Your Research

If you're interested in sharing or showcasing your work, some programs provide formal opportunities to publish research findings or present them at symposia, poster sessions, or even conferences. This can be a valuable addition to your college application and a boost to your academic confidence. For example, many programs — because of time limitations — culminate in student researchers or student teams creating and formally presenting a research poster. A program, like Indigo Research, on the other hand, can provide a more personalized and flexible one-to-one mentoring approach — an approach that can include resources and guidance for completing research papers and submitting them for publication.

Student presenting a research poster, National Institutes of Health

Location & Lodging

Summer research programs offer you different locations and settings. The majority require in-person participation at a sponsoring university campus. This is because students typically work individually or in teams under the direct supervision and guidance of a graduate student or faculty research mentor while using on-campus research facilities and resources. However, some programs provide on-campus residential accommodations, but others don’t, leaving it up to students and families to find an accommodation nearby — so be sure to check. A small number of summer research programs offer virtual options — a good alternative if you need flexibility or can’t travel.

Key Reminders:

💡 Start early — Start your search early because research program deadlines can fall well before summer approaches.

💡 Consider your interests and goals: Choosing programs that align with your academic interests and career goals will boost your motivation, make the experience more rewarding for you, and make it easier to connect your research interests with your larger application narrative when applying to college.

💡 Reflect on your level of commitment: Consider the scope and quality of research you want to pursue in light of time commitments and your overall aspirations.

• Do you have the passion, curiosity, and self-discipline to enjoy and learn from this kind of extracurricular?
• Are you aiming to engage in an intensive research project and mentorship program, or do you want to simply learn about research topics and methods — taking a more exploratory approach?

💡  Review program requirements and deadlines: Carefully review the requirements and deadlines for each program.

💡 Make sure you’re eligible: Some programs have specific requirements for eligibility, such as age, grade level, GPA, or language proficiency level, and so forth.

The best program is the one best for you...

In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and summer research programs come with lots of options and variations.

The best program for you will be one that challenges you, supports your growth, and fits your schedule, interests, and academic path.

2. A Curated List of Top Summer Research Programs for High School Students

1. Research Science Institute (RSI)

This program, a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education and MIT, offers in-depth research in a variety of scientific disciplines.

• Location: MIT
• Eligibility: High school juniors only

Description: A free summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. RSI scholars first participate in a week of intensive STEM classes with accomplished professors. The heart of RSI is the five-week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers. During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects.

2. Computer Science and Informatics Summer Research Experience Program (CSIRE)

• Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
• Eligibility: High school students 14 years and above with strong programming or data science skills

Description: CSIRE is a summer program to provide opportunities for high school students to participate in research and motivate the students to pursue a career in the field. The program is held jointly by the Department of Biomedical Informatics and the Department of Computer Science. Each student will be working in a lab on a research project mentored by a faculty or a Ph.D. student. Students will also visit labs and attend seminars introducing cutting edge research in both computer science and informatics. The students will present their work to their classmates and mentors during the middle and the end of the program. Programming background is required.

3. Simons Summer Research Program

• Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
• Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, US citizens/permanent residents

Description: Gives academically talented, motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on research in science, math or engineering at Stony Brook University. Simons Fellows work with distinguished faculty mentors, learn laboratory techniques and tools, become part of active research teams, and experience life at a research university. The Simons Fellows conclude their apprenticeship by producing a written research abstract and a research poster.

4. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program

• Location: Rockefeller University, New York, New York
• Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old when program starts

Description: SSRP Scholars will participate on a research team designed and guided by scientific trainees from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC). SSRP teams mirror the structure of a research laboratory, where there are 1-3 lead team leads who are supported by additional scientists. Each team will have their own space and resources in one of the dedicated RockEDU laboratories. The topics of each SSRP Research team are based on the expertise and scientific interests of the research team leaders. Program staff try to match scholars to a team that aligns with their scientific interests. The SSRP experience is enhanced by relevant elective courses, guest lectures, workshops, networking opportunities, and social events.

5. SIMR - Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

• Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
• Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16 years or older when program starts) who are US citizens or permanent residents attending a US high school (Note: selection process highly favors students in the local region due to program mission)

Description: An eight-week program in which high school students with a broad range of experiences, interests, and backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers on a medically-oriented project. Students applying to the program can choose from eight areas of research (institutes). After being accepted, they are then assigned to a specific institute based on their choices. The program culminates in students presenting a research poster at a community event.

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

6. AIMI Summer Research Institute

• Location: Stanford University Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), Stanford, California
• Eligibility: Rising 9th grade through 12th grade students (at least 14 years old by start of program); strong math and/or programming skills preferred; must be US citizen, permanent resident, or provide proof of valid visa status

Description: This two-week virtual program is designed to ignite curiosity and empower the next generation of AI innovators in medicine. Participants will explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in healthcare through technical lectures, mentoring sessions with Stanford researchers, and hands-on group research projects. The experience also includes virtual social activities and “Career Lunch & Learn” sessions featuring guest speakers from academia, industry, and beyond. For those interested in going further, an extended research internship may be available. By the end of the program, students should have a deeper understanding of how AI can advance human health and receive a Certificate of Completion.

7. Boston University – Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship

• Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
• Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, US citizens or permanent residents

Description: A six-week program for academically-motivated rising seniors. Conduct research for 40 hours per week under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, or graduate student mentor. Participate in weekly workshops that provide insight into the scientific process, research ethics, reading a research paper, making a poster, and networking in the scientific community. You will also benefit from valuable sessions on college admission strategies and pre-professional health programs. Students acquire valuable technical and analytical skills, culminating in the Poster Symposium. In some cases, research interns will submit their work to national science fair contests such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

8. Summer Science Program (SSP)

• Location: Various research universities across the US
• Eligibility: Must be a high school junior (but some sophomores may qualify) between 15 and 19 years of age (international students must already be in possession of a visitor visa by the application deadline)

Description: SSP International is a nonprofit organization with well-established STEM research programs for youth, designed to foster teamwork, curiosity, and innovation. SSP International’s flagship program is a rigorous five-week residential summer research experience designed for highly motivated high school juniors. With mentorship from rising college seniors, graduating seniors, and graduate students in STEM fields, SSP participants engage in advanced research in astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and synthetic chemistry while living on a college campus and using professional research equipment. Format provides for intensive research activity along with supplemental camp-style recreational programming. Program does not culminate in an individual research component, but students receive a letter of completion and may request a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

9. Indigo Research

• Location: Virtual
• Eligibility: High school student or international equivalent

Description: Indigo Research specializes in providing online research mentorship for high school students. The research program is designed to culminate in publishable research and students are mentored by PhDs and postgraduates from top US and UK universities. Students can choose between three different service tiers, which are adapted to different levels of student readiness, commitment, and interest. Programs support research in STEM, Social Science, and Humanities. Mentorships include guidance and resources to help students get their research published.

10. UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

• Location: Online and UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
• Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders (and international equivalent) from around the world

Description: A competitive six-week, intensive, interdisciplinary, program emphasizing hands-on university-level research. High achieving students from around the world are paired with a mentor (graduate student, postdoc research, or faculty member) and choose a research project from a long list of offered disciplines. Students learn research skills, gain insight into professional research-based opportunities, and mature their academic goals while immersed in life on a research university campus alongside other highly motivated peers.

11. UChicago Summer Research in Biological Sciences

• Location: University of Chicago Campus, Chicago, Illinois
• Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders (at least 15 years of age)

Description: A four-week hands-on program focused on cutting-edge techniques in the field of biological research at lab facilities at the University of Chicago. The research practicum is a graded course and students earn credits equivalent to two undergraduate courses.

12. Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)

• Location: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 (open to international students, but student visa required)

Description: An intensive, five-week summer research program. Students conduct research under the mentorship of world-class faculty from a research-intensive university. Students can choose a research discipline from a list of more than twenty disciplines each program year. Research projects culminate in the creation of a research poster.

13. Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP)

• Location: Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
• Eligibility: High school students (women only; rising 9th grade through 12th grade); open to international students

Description: SSEP participants work alongside Smith faculty members and learn how scientists and engineers formulate questions, work on sophisticated scientific instruments, and develop valuable critical thinking and analytical skills. The two-week program at this all-women liberal arts college includes informal lectures in the lab and out in the field. Students are encouraged to ask questions, and they learn how to conduct actual experiments.

14. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

• Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
• Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or students who have just graduated from high school; must be US citizen or permanent resident

Description: A highly selective, intensive, seven-week summer research program that’s free except for the application fee and travel expenses. Upon completion of a successful research project participants are eligible to receive a $750 stipend. Students conduct hands-on, practical research under the guidance of experienced faculty. Research disciplines vary from year to year with recent options including topics in biology, engineering, computer science, physics, and history.

15. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) – Frontiers Program

• Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
• Eligibility: Rising 10th grade to 12th grade

Description: Project-based STEM and humanities courses for motivated students looking to explore college-level research and academics.

3. Making the Most of Summer Research for College Applications

Research as an extracurricular can really give your college applications a boost. So in this section we break down the ways that you can list and talk about your summer research in your own college applications.

How to spotlight research on your college applications

• Activities Lists: Be sure to list your research program and activity on your activities list, alongside other extracurricular activities. If you did genuine research in a discipline related to your proposed major, you may want to use the “additional information” section of the activities list (on the Common App) to provide a very concise synopsis of your activity and the area of academic focus.
• Letters of Recommendation: Some colleges may accept a letter of recommendation from your research mentor or research advisor — providing another way to highlight your efforts, achievements, and your personal contributions as seen through the eyes of your faculty or graduate student mentor.
• Sections for Honors/Awards: If your research won an honor, such as placing in a research project competition, or it was selected to be published in a journal, then you should share this information when listing any honors or awards.
• Supplemental Materials: When schools allow you to submit supplemental materials, these are typically not mandatory but provide an opportunity to add information to your college application. If you have completed a final research paper, article, or report, or you created a research poster or similar presentation, then you can submit it as supplemental material. Just make sure both the research project and presentation are good and that any presentation or report is thoroughly proofread.
• College Essays & Personal Statements: Depending on specific prompts and topics you want to write about and reflect on, college essays also offer many opportunities to reflect on how your research highlights your academic curiosity and passion for your proposed major. In addition, you can share thoughts about how the research effort accelerated areas of personal growth, or sparked new intellectual interests.
• Resumes: The common app and some school-specific applications allow you to include your resume. If you think it's fitting, you can list and summarize your research experience on your resume, including formalities such as the research project title, the sponsoring program or institution, relevant dates, the name and title of the research mentor or advisor. You can also describe how you contributed to the project, any research or presentation tools or methods you used, and so forth, sticking to what’s most important and relevant.

For further reading, check out:

How to Write About Research in College Applications

Should You Publish Your Research for an Extra Admissions Boost?

Getting your research published can definitely give you an extra boost when it comes to future admissions success. But you need to remember that many summer research programs involve students in research projects directed by university graduate students or faculty — so the research you do in these instances likely won’t be yours to publish.

If you want to develop and carry out your own research project (individually or as part of a group or team), you’ll want to look for programs that support that approach, such as Indigo research.

According to Indigo Research, there’s no surefire way to guarantee or know if a specific research project and paper will get accepted for publication, nor in what journal, but there are many kinds of journals out there and other options for publication as well.

For further reading, check out

Publishable Research with Indigo: Aiming High for Admissions

The Complete Guide To Publishing Your Research In High School

17 Top-Notch Summer School Programs for College Bound Teens

Final Thoughts

Beyond offering some welcome opportunities to rest a bit and relax, summertime is also a chance to grow academically, explore new interests, and gain an edge on your path to college.

While there are many kinds of summer programs for high school students — from volunteering, to study abroad, and pre-college summer school courses and workshops, for example — pursuing a high quality research program could give you more of a boost when applying to college compared to many other kinds of programs.

But research also takes a sustained commitment — another reason why summer can be ideal for this kind of extracurricular.

The list of programs above offers you a good view of the variety of programs and program features you’ll come across when choosing the summer research opportunity that’s best for your goals and circumstances. But also remember to look for additional opportunities — especially programs where you live that may be open only to students in the area where you live. These regionally focused programs are not included on the list above, but there are many of them out there, and many that are high quality too.

If you’re looking for expert guidance to make smart summer choices, Crimson Education offers experienced admissions strategists and advisors who can help you identify the best-fit programs — for your individual interests and to help you continue to craft a stand-out admissions profile for Ivy League schools and other highly selective universities.

To get started, schedule your free feedback session today. A friendly and experienced advisor from our global network of admissions specialists will be eager to hear about your summer and university goals, provide helpful feedback, and answer any questions you have about our personalized, one-stop approach to admissions coaching.

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