economics research projects for high school students

3 Amazing Ideas for Economics Projects for High Schoolers!

• October 4, 2022

Are you a history or social studies teacher who is starting off the year teaching economics and is wondering,  “What is even economics?!” “How do I teach it?” “What are some ideas for economics project ?” “Where do I even start?” “How do you make economics fun?” I know the feeling and I’ve been there before. Teaching economics to high school seniors can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to teaching this subject. But it is also an exciting time! Teaching economics is an awesome opportunity to teach students concepts and terms that they use in their daily lives! In fact, I found that economics turned out to be one of my most favorite subjects to teach! A great way to bring economics to life and make the content more accessible, fun, and relevant for high school students is through engaging projects for high school economics ! 

Economics projects help students understand the content better and allows them to put into practice economic terms and concepts. It also helps students realize that economics isn’t as difficult as it seems and a lot of the concepts used in economics are concepts they actually use in their everyday lives! If you’re not sure about where to start with creating economics projects or you’re wondering, “How do I even come up with economics project ideas for high school students?” You’ve come to the right place! I’ll go over some examples of economic projects that I’ve done with my own students! 

Economics Project Ideas for High School Number 1

When I first started teaching economics, I was thrown into the subject and was unfamiliar with it. I spent countless hours learning economic terms trying to figure out how to make economics meaningful to my students. Most of the time, I was just trying to figure out what economics even was. Needless to say, my first year teaching economics didn’t go so well. I used the textbook most of the time and didn’t show students how economics was something that they actually used in their everyday lives. Which actually brings me to the first example of projects for economics students that can be used in high school classrooms!

One Economics project that will resonate with students is to have students create a budget based on their lifestyle. Since economics is about making choices, this project has students practice economic terms, such as opportunity costs, trade-offs, and cost-benefit analysis as they decide whether or not they are able to support their lifestyle with the salary they are earning. 

How to set it up

The first step is to set a salary for students. For this project, I set their salary to $17 or $2,947 a month. Feel free to set their salary to whatever you would like. Next, students had to find an apartment and furnish their apartment based on their salary. Students had to show proof that the apartment existed and then had to find furniture for their apartment. They also had to take into account things like water and utility bills. Next, students had to decide their mode of transportation. After all, they have to get to and from work. Will they rent a car? Buy a car? Take the bus? The next step of this project was for students to decide how they would use their leisurely or free time. Will they go to the movies, order out, go to a concert? All of these activities cost money.

Students had to think about their housing cost, their transportation cost, and their free time. Do they have all the money they need to support their lifestyle? The last part of this project was for students to write a reflection based on their experience. In their reflection, they had to use the following economic terms: scarcity, choices, wants, needs, opportunity costs, benefits, and trade-offs. 

Project ideas for economics students for high school classes number 2

Another great way for students to get invested in economics is to create a project where students have to analyze how the coronavirus pandemic affected society. Many students felt the effects of the pandemic especially since schools were shut down. This project is still very much relevant to their lives. The economic terms involved in this project and that students should be familiar with are wants needs, trade-offs, opportunity costs, and cost-benefit analysis.

How to set up project

The first step of this project is for students to identify three objects or items that became scarce during the covid19 pandemic. After identifying the items that became scarce, students must describe how people, businesses, or the government reacted to these items being scarce. Next, students must explain why these scarce items suddenly became “valuable.” The next step of this project is for students to conduct a cross-benefit analysis on closing the economy. They must research 5 cons and 5 pros to closing the economy. Finally, students are asked to act as President of a country with 1 million people. Covid-19 has begun to spread and they must decide whether or not to close the economy. Students must make an argument explaining what they will do in this situation using evidence to support their claims. 

Examples of economic projects for high school students number 3

Another project that can be used to gain students interests in economics is for students to create their own Music Festival Lineup. With this project, students should be familiar with the concepts of demand, law of demand, determinants of demand, supply, law of supply, equilibrium price, shortages, and surplus. Students enjoyed this project because they are interested in music and know about popular musical festivals.

For the first part of this project, students will decide on 3 musicians or musical groups that they would want to headline their festival. However, students must keep in mind that the musicians they choose should be musicians that are in high demand. To figure out which musicians are in high demand, students must do some market research and create an evidence-based argument for their act. Students also make a Festival Poster to advertise their Music Festival. Next, students must conduct a survey to determine at which prices their classmates would be willing and able to purchase tickets to their musical festival. After conducting a survey, students will then plot their data into a graph to determine the equilibrium price. After finding the equilibrium price, students write a reflection where they discuss the equilibrium price, shortages, and surpluses. 

These are all projects I have used in my classroom! If you don’t want to make them yourself, feel free to check out my store ! They have helped to make economics enjoyable to teach and have increased student buy-in in my economics classes! Teaching economics doesn’t have to be scary. A project-based approach and with these Ideas for economics projects for high school students , teaching economics  is manageable and you’ll find joy in watching students have fun!

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High School Economics Topics

Introduction

The Council for Economic Education (CEE) has compiled a list of the 51 key economics concepts common to all U.S. State requirements for high school classes in economics.

The resources arranged here supplement these recommended CEE topics. These free resources are appropriate for teachers of high school and AP economics, social studies, and history classes. They are also appropriate for interested students, home schoolers, and newcomers to the topic of economics.

Materials have been selected for authoritativeness, quality of writing, liveliness, and ease of understanding. Most of the suggested readings and podcasts were prepared by internationally respected professors of economics. Many are selected from the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics (CEE) , a widely used economics reference first published in 1993. Links to podcasts, original source materials, and other web pages are also included.

List of Topics

Fundamental Economics | Macroeconomics | Microeconomics | International Economics | Personal Finance Economics

Fundamental Economics

Decision Making and Cost-Benefit Analysis Division of Labor and Specialization Economic Institutions Economic Systems Incentives Money Opportunity Cost Productive Resources Productivity Property Rights Scarcity Technology Trade, Exchange and Interdependence

Macroeconomics

Aggregate Demand Aggregate Supply Budget Deficits and Public Debt Business Cycles Economic Growth Employment and Unemployment Fiscal Policy GDP Inflation Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve Real vs. Nominal

Microeconomics

Competition and Market Structures Consumers Demand Elasticity of Demand Entrepreneurs Government Failures/Public-Choice Analysis Income Distribution Market Failures Markets and Prices Price Ceilings and Floors Producers Profit Roles of Government Supply

International Economics

Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments Barriers to Trade Benefits of Trade/Comparative Advantage Economic Development Foreign Currency Markets/Exchange Rates

Personal Finance Economics

Compound Interest Credit Financial Markets Human Capital Insurance Money Management/Budgeting Risk and Return Saving and Investing

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Economics textbooks: teaching to despise.

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Dr. randall r. rojas.

Dr. Randall R. Rojas is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Economics at UCLA. His research interests entail a highly interdisciplinary endeavor that transcends disciplinary barriers. His work in Economics is predominantly in the field of econophysics and financial engineering where he applies principles from physics, statistics, and psychology to the study of financial markets. He is also an active researcher in the field of Cognitive Science where he applies Bayesian methodologies to the modeling of knowledge acquisition by humans (human causal learning).

Dr. Rojas’s current work in Astrophysics (mainly astrostatistics) focuses on developing novel statistical analyses of the large-scale structure (LSS) of the universe to better understand its rich complexity and history. He is also highly committed to his teaching responsibilities and was awarded the ‘My Last Lecture Award’ by UCLA’s Alumni Scholars Club in 2015.

Lee E. Ohanian

Lee E. Ohanian is Professor of Economics, and Director of the Ettinger Family Program in Macroeconomic Research at UCLA, where he has taught since 199. He is an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and previously has advised other Federal Reserve Banks, Foreign Central Banks, and the National Science Foundation. He has been an economic advisor to state and national political campaigns. His research, which recently has been discussed in the New York Times ,  Wall Street Journal ,  Washington Post , and other media sources, focuses on economic crises, and as been published widely in a number of peer-reviewed journals. He is a frequent columnist for the  Wall Street Journal ,  Forbes ,  Newsweek , and CBS Moneyline. He currently serves on the editorial boards of 3 journals. He previously served on the faculties of the Universities of Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He is co-director of the research initiative “Macroeconomics across Time and Space” at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Patrick Molligo

Patrick Molligo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Economics at UCLA. His research focuses on labor economics and economic history with an emphasis on vocational education in the United States. At UCLA he has taught classes on probability and statistics, econometrics, and data analysis, for which he received the departmental award for teaching excellence in 2022. Patrick received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before moving to Berlin, Germany for several years. Prior to graduate school, Patrick was a senior research assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. where he supported numerous monetary policy briefings.

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Participants in the program will need to have a laptop computer with access to Microsoft PowerPoint and a USB port. It is also recommended that students have a basic or graphing calculator. Please reach out to the program instructor if you have an issue with technological accessibility.

Required Textbooks: Principles of Economics. N. Gregory Mankiw, 9th Edition.  Electronic textbooks will be provided. The cost of the electronic text book will be assessed via BruinBill at the end of the program and typically ranges from $70-$80.

How is this different from taking Economics 1?

The program includes additional activities. Economics Summer Institute participants will be placed into study groups and work collaboratively to develop and provide PowerPoint presentations based on coursework.

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1 Attaining and Maintaining Price Stability

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Economic Inequality Theme Resource Center. The New York Fed conducts research to better understand what contributes to economic inequality in its many forms and we have provided an online collection of different resources available from the Bank and other sources. We invite High School Fed Challenge teams to submit academic papers on any topic that relates explicitly to this theme. Visit the Theme Resource Center.

A team consists of three to eight students who attend the same high school, advised by one to two adult advisors. A team can be formed in a number of ways:

• As part of an extracurricular activity. The team is made up of student volunteers and one to two faculty advisors who work on the Fed Challenge as a club or enrichment program.
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The Federal Reserve Bank of New York will provide an online collection of different resources available from the Bank and other sources to help students research the annual competition theme and select a topic. Students are not restricted to using the resources made available by the Bank and may use other reputable or scholarly sources for their research. However, the topic selected must relate explicitly to the annual competition theme.

What is the difference between the competition theme and the topic?

The annual competition theme is designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It will always relate to economics and have relevance in the field. Competing teams will write academically about topics that explicitly relate to the same annual theme. However, topics can vary, will tend to be more specific, and will differ across teams.

For example, if the designated theme were “Birthdays,” teams could decide to research and write about a variety of topics such as:

• Surprise! Types and social implications of birthday celebrations in the United States from 1910 – 1950
• Differences in the flavors of birthday cakes bought or made: A case comparison of New York City and Buffalo, NY
• Are you more likely to be named Dion in December in Denville? The relationship between name selection and birthday dates for newborns in New Jersey
• The global distribution of birthdays and impact on population growth rates

Note that the only requirement is that topics relate explicitly to the theme. A topic may be local, state, national, or global in scope. Sources may provide quantitative or qualitative evidence to support the research thesis (argument or perspective on the topic).

Registration for the 2023 - 2024 competition is closed.

Registration is open from September 13, 2022 to February 15, 2023

• Before registering, please review the High School Fed Challenge Rule Book for everything you need to know about the program and rules for participation.
• All correspondence and communication regarding registration, submission, and participation in the High School Fed Challenge will be done electronically through the New York Fed's website or email. It is the responsibility of faculty advisors and student participants to read and understand the competition rule book for the academic year as posted on the website, check the website for notices and other materials, read all email messages carefully, and be aware of competition rules and deadlines. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Faculty advisors will be asked to:

• Fill out all information about the team in the online registration system.
• Send a completed principal acknowledgment form via email to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Economic Education team at [email protected] . This endorsement is required for team participation.

Note: Advisors may not be current employees of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Who can participate in High School Fed Challenge?

Participating high schools must be:

• Located in the Second Federal Reserve District, which includes New York State; Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties in New Jersey; Fairfield County in Connecticut; Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How can my school register to compete in High School Fed Challenge?

To register for High School Fed Challenge, a faculty advisor from the school must complete an online registration form, on or before the registration deadline. To complete registration, the advisor must also submit a completed  principal acknowledgement form  (signed by the principal), which confirms that the team represents the school and the faculty member is the school’s appointed faculty advisor for its High School Fed Challenge team.

Does my school need to register? Why can’t we just submit without registering?

Teams must register for the competition before submitting their work for evaluation.   We would like to know of your school’s intention to submit so that we can better communicate with faculty advisors if there are any questions along the way. Timely registration will also help us to better manage the evaluation process.

What if my school registers and then the team decides not to compete? Or doesn’t finish its submission?

If registered teams decide not to submit, we would appreciate a notification in writing to  [email protected] . However, if registered teams simply do not submit their work on or before the submission deadline, they will not be eligible to compete.

When can my school register to compete? When will the theme be announced?

Registration opens in September and teams must register on or before the registration deadline at 11:59 p.m. The theme for the academic competition is announced when online registration for the competition becomes available.

What are the rules of the High School Fed Challenge?

The High School Fed Challenge  rule book  is available online. Please ensure you follow the rule book for the academic year in which your team is competing.

How does a team “win” the High School Fed Challenge?

The High School Fed Challenge will not designate only one winning team. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York competition judges will evaluate and select submissions to be published by the Bank in its Journal of Future Economists .

When is the deadline for papers to be submitted for the High School Fed Challenge?

To be considered for publication in the Journal of Future Economists , school teams must submit their final paper on or before the published submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. via email to [email protected]. Papers must be submitted on or before the deadline. Exceptions will not be made for late submissions.

How will the Federal Reserve Bank of New York evaluate the submissions?

The selection process for publication in the Journal of Future Economists will be based on a holistic evaluation that will consider academic quality, geographic representation of the various communities within the Federal Reserve’s Second District, and the relevance and variety of topics submitted. The evaluation committee will be comprised of Federal Reserve Bank of New York employees. More information on the evaluation process can be found in the rubric listed in the rule book.

How many submissions will be selected for publication in Journal of Future Economists ?

The holistic evaluation process will review each submission carefully. We anticipate that the committee will select as many submissions to be published as possible.

How will we be notified if our school team’s work is selected for publication in the  Journal of Future Economists ?

The faculty advisors for all school teams that submit on or before the submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. via email to  [email protected]  will receive a selection notification by email, on or before the notification deadline. The notification will indicate whether the paper has been selected for publication.

What if our school team’s submission is not selected for publication in the  Journal of Future Economists ?

All school teams that submit on or before the submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. via email to  [email protected]  will be acknowledged as competition participants in the  Journal of Future Economists . A selection notification will be sent via email on or before the notification deadline, which will indicate whether the paper has been selected for publication.

What if our school team’s work is not selected for publication and I disagree with the evaluation?

Decisions regarding the evaluation and selection for publication will be final. We understand that some teams will be disappointed. There is a subjective element in all types of evaluations. Decisions will not be made lightly, but they will be final. We kindly ask that faculty, students, parents, and Bank personnel conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and with integrity during all communications and interactions associated with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York High School Fed Challenge.

Who is publishing the  Journal of Future Economists ? How can I get a copy?

The  Journal of Future Economists  will be published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It will be available in digital and print form. We anticipate that it will be made available at no cost and at least one print copy will be provided to each participating school, as well as each individual member of the published teams.

When will the  Journal of Future Economists  be available? How often will it be published?

The  Journal  will be finalized and available during the summer. It will be published annually to recognize the authors of the selected submissions and acknowledge all the teams in High School Fed Challenge each year.

Congratulations to the schools selected to be published in the 2023 issue of the Journal of Future Economists . The schools and papers included in the journal are as follows, listed by school name, in alphabetical order:

• Bergen County Academies of Hackensack, NJ;   Holy Guacamole! The Avocado as a Globalized Good in the United States and Mexico
• Bethlehem Central High School, Delmar, NY;   Money Doesn’t Grow on Dead Trees: Invasive Species in Our Globalized Economy
• Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn, NY;   Pop Culture Economics: Japanese Anime Globalization and Impact
• Edison Academy Magnet School, Edison, NJ;   Biodiversity Loss: The Hidden Cost of Economic Globalization
• George W. Hewlett High School, Hewlett, NY;   Competing in the Global Semiconductor Industry: Let the Chips Fall Where They May
• Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT;   It’s a (s)Mall World: Globalization, E-Commerce, and Shopping Malls
• Hawthorne High School, Hawthorne, NJ;   Globalization Revolution: How Advancements in Technology Affect the Global Economic Landscape
• Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, NJ;   Goodz Gone Global: The International Success of Acai
• Niskayuna High School, Niskayuna, NY;   Generous Electric: How General Electric’s Globalization Lights and Hauls the World
• Northern Highlands Regional High School, Allendale, NJ;   Making CENTS of Petrodollars: The De-Globalization of Petrodollars and its Effect on the United States Economy
• Rye Country Day School, Rye, NY;   “Friendshoring” and Deglobalization in the Shadow of COVID-19 and Russia’s War in Ukraine
• TASIS School in Dorado, Dorado, Puerto Rico;   Lucid Economics Podcast: Dimensions of Globalization

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The Complete Guide to Independent Research Projects for High School Students

Indigo Research Team

If you want to get into top universities, an independent research project will give your application the competitive edge it needs.

Writing and publishing independent research during high school lets you demonstrate to top colleges and universities that you can deeply inquire into a topic, think critically, and produce original analysis. In fact, MIT features "Research" and "Maker" portfolio sections in its application, highlighting the value it places on self-driven projects.

Moreover, successfully executing high-quality research shows potential employers that you can rise to challenges, manage your time, contribute new ideas, and work independently. 

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to take on independent study ideas and succeed. You’ll learn how to develop a compelling topic, conduct rigorous research, and ultimately publish your findings.

What is an Independent Research Project?

An independent research project is a self-directed investigation into an academic question or topic that interests you. Unlike projects assigned by teachers in class, independent research will allow you to explore your curiosity and passions.

These types of projects can vary widely between academic disciplines and scientific fields, but what connects them is a step-by-step approach to answering a research question. Specifically, you will have to collect and analyze data and draw conclusions from your analysis.

For a high school student, carrying out quality research may still require some mentorship from a teacher or other qualified scholar. But the project research ideas should come from you, the student. The end goal is producing original research and analysis around a topic you care about.

Some key features that define an independent study project include:

● Formulating your own research question

● Designing the methodology

● Conducting a literature review of existing research

● Gathering and analyzing data, and

● Communicating your findings.

The topic and scope may be smaller than a professional college academic project, but the process and skills learned have similar benefits.

Why Should High School Students Do Independent Research?

High school students who engage in independent study projects gain valuable skills and experiences that benefit and serve them well in their college and career pursuits. Here's a breakdown of what you will typically acquire:

Develop Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Research and critical thinking are among the top 10 soft skills in demand in 2024 . They help you solve new challenges quickly and come up with alternative solutions

An independent project will give you firsthand experience with essential research skills like forming hypotheses, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. These skills will serve you well in college and when employed in any industry.

Stand Out for College Applications

With many applicants having similar GPAs and test scores, an Independent research study offer a chance to stand out from the crowd. Completing a research study in high school signals colleges that you are self-motivated and capable of high-level work. Showcasing your research process, findings, and contributions in your application essays or interviews can boost your application's strengths in top-level colleges and universities.

Earn Scholarship Opportunities

Completing an independent research project makes you a more preferred candidate for merit-based scholarships, especially in STEM fields. Many scholarships reward students who show initiative by pursuing projects outside of class requirements. Your research project ideas will demonstrate your skills and motivation to impress scholarship committees. For example, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology rewards students with original independent research projects in STEM fields. Others include the Garcia Summer Program and the BioGENEius challenge for life sciences.

Gain Subject Area Knowledge

Independent projects allow you to immerse yourself in a topic you genuinely care about beyond what is covered in the classroom. It's a chance to become an expert in something you're passionate about . You will build deep knowledge in the topic area you choose to research, which can complement what you're learning in related classes. This expertise can even help inform your career interests and goals.

Develop Time Management Skills

Time Management is the skill that lets you effectively plan and prioritize tasks and avoid procrastination. With no teacher guiding you step-by-step, independent study projects require strong time management, self-discipline, and personal responsibility – skills critical in college and adulthood.

Types of Independent Research Projects for High School Students

Understanding the different types and categories can spark inspiration if you need help finding an idea for an independent study. Topics for independent research generally fall into a few main buckets:

Science Experiments

For students interested in STEM fields, designing and carrying out science experiments is a great option. Test a hypothesis, collect data, and draw conclusions. Experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and psychology are common choices. Science experiment is best for self-motivated students with access to lab equipment.

Social Science Surveys and Studies  

Use research methods from sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, and psychology to craft a survey study or field observation around a high school research project idea that interests you. Collect data from peers, your community, and online sources, and compile findings. Strong fit for students interested in social studies.

Literary Analysis Paper

This research category involves analyzing existing research papers, books, and articles on a specific topic. Imagine exploring the history of robots, examining the impact of social media on mental health, or comparing different interpretations of a classic novel. If you are an English enthusiast, this is an easy chance to showcase your analytical writing skills.

Programming or Engineering Project

For aspiring programmers or engineers, you can take on practical student projects that develop software programs, apps, websites, robots, electronic gadgets, or other hands-on engineering projects. This type of project will easily highlight your technical skills and interest in computer science or engineering fields in your college applications

Historical Research

History research projects will allow you to travel back and uncover the past to inform the future. This research involves analyzing historical documents, artifacts, and records to shed light on a specific event or period. For example, you can conduct independent research on the impact of a local historical figure or the evolution of fashion throughout the decades. Check to explore even more history project ideas for high school students .

Artistic and Creative Works

If you are artistic and love creating art,  you can explore ideas for independent study to produce an original film, musical composition, sculpture, painting series, fashion line, or other creative work. Alongside the tangible output, document your creative process and inspirations.

Bonus Tip: Feel free to mix different ideas for your project. For example, you could conduct a literature review on a specific historical event and follow it up with field research that interviewed people who experienced the event firsthand.

How To Conduct an Independent Research Project

Now that you have ideas for project topics that match your interests and strengths, here are the critical steps you must follow to move from mere concept to completed study.

1. Get Expert Guidance and Mentorship

As a high school student just starting out in research, it is advised to collaborate with more experienced mentors who will help you learn the ropes of research projects easily. Mentors are usually professors, post-doctoral researchers, or graduate students with significant experience in conducting independent project research and can guide you through the process. 

Specifically, your mentor will advise you on formulating research questions, designing methodologies, analyzing data, and communicating findings effectively. To quickly find mentors in your research project area of interest, enroll in an online academic research mentorship program that targets high school students. You’d be exposed to one-on-one sessions with professors and graduate students that will help you develop your research and publish your findings.

The right mentor can also help transform your independent project ideas into a study suitable for publication in relevant research journals. With their experience, mentors will guide you to follow the proper research methods and best practices. This ensures your work meets the standards required, avoiding rejection from journals. 

2. Develop a Compelling Research Question

Once you are familiar with the type of independent research best suited to your strengths and interests, as explained in the previous section, the next step is to develop a question you want to answer in that field. This is called a research question and will serve as the foundation for your entire project.

The research question will drive your entire project, so it needs to be complex enough to merit investigation but clear enough to study. Here are some ts for crafting your research question:

●  Align your research question(s) with topics you are passionate about and have some background knowledge. You will spend a significant amount of time on this question.

●  Consult with your mentor teacher or professor to get feedback and guidance on developing a feasible, meaningful question

●  Avoid overly broad questions better suited for doctoral dissertations. Narrow your focus to something manageable, but that still intrigues you.

●  Pose your research question as an actual question, like "How does social media usage affect teen mental health?" The question should lay out the key variables you'll be investigating.

●  Ensure your question and desired approach are ethically sound. You may need permission to study human subjects.

●  Conduct preliminary research to ensure your question hasn't already been answered. You want to contribute something new to your field.

With a compelling research question as your compass, you're ready to start your independent study project. Remember to stay flexible; you may need to refine the question further as your research develops.

3. Set a Timeline and Write a Proposal

After defining your research question, the next step is to map out a timeline for completing your research project. This will keep you organized and help you develop strong time management skills.

Start by creating a schedule that outlines all major milestones from start to finish. In your schedule, allow plenty of time for research, experimentation, data analysis, and compiling your report. Always remember to build in some cushion for unexpected delays.

Moreover, you can use tools like Gantt charts to design a timeline for an independent research project . Gantt charts help you visualize your research project timeline at a glance. See the video below for a tutorial on designing a Gantt chart to plan your project schedule:

[YouTube Video on How to Make a Gantt Chart: https://youtu.be/un8j6QqpYa0?si=C2_I0C_ZBXS73kZy ]

Research Proposal

To have a clear direction of the step-by-step process for your independent study, write a 1-2 page research proposal to outline your question, goals, methodology, timeline, resources, and desired outcomes. Get feedback from your mentor to improve the proposal before starting your research. 

Sticking to your timeline requires self-discipline. But strive to meet your goals and deadlines; it will build invaluable real-world skills in time and project management. With a plan in place, it's time to move forward with your research.

4. Do Your Research

This is the active phase where a student is conducting a research project. The specific method you will follow varies enormously based on your project type and field. You should have your methodology outlined in your approved research proposal already. However, most independent research has a similar basic process:

• Review existing studies : Perform a literature review to understand current knowledge on your topic and inform your own hypothesis/framework. Read relevant studies, articles, and papers.
• Create methodology materials : Design your independent research methodology for gathering data. This may involve experiments, surveys, interviews, field observations, or analysis of existing artifacts like texts or datasets.
• Permissions and Equipment :  Secure any necessary equipment and permissions. For example, if doing interviews, you'll need a recording device and consent from participants.
• Collect your data : For science projects, perform experiments and record results. For surveys, recruit respondents and compile responses. Gather enough data to draw valid conclusions.
• Analyze the data using appropriate techniques : Quantitative data may involve statistical analysis, while qualitative data requires coding for themes. Consult your mentor for direction.
• Interpret the findings : Take care not to overstate conclusions. Look for patterns and relationships that shed light on your research question. Always maintain rigorous objectivity.

While a student's project methodology and its execution are unique, ensure you follow the standard practices in your field of interest to ensure high-quality acceptable results. You can always refer to the plan in your research proposal as you diligently carry out the steps required to execute your study. Ensure you have detailed records that document all your processes.  

5. Write Your Final Paper and Presentation

Once you've completed your research, it's time to summarize and share your findings with the world by writing the final paper and designing its presentation. This involves synthesizing your work into clear, compelling reporting.

Drafting the paper will likely involve extensive writing and editing. Be prepared to go through multiple revisions to get the paper polished. Follow the standard format used in academic papers in your field;  your mentor can provide you with examples of independent study related to yours. The final product should include: 

• Abstract : A short summary of your project and conclusions.
• Introduction : Background on your topic, goals, and research questions.
• Literature Review : Summary of relevant existing research in your field.
• Methods : Detailed explanation of the methodology and process of your study.
• Results : Presentation of the data and main findings from your research. Using visual representations like charts was helpful.
• Discussion : Objective interpretation and analysis of the results and their significance.
• Conclusion : Summary of your research contributions, limitations, and suggestions for future work.
• References/Bibliography : Full citations for all sources referenced.

Adhere to clear academic writing principles to keep your writing objective and straightforward. Generally, stick to a 10-15 page length limit appropriate for student work. However, you may need to write more depending on your project type.

6. Research Presentation

After writing your research project report, you should prepare a presentation to share your research orally. Moreover, a research presentation is a tangible opportunity to practice public speaking and visual communication skills. Your presentation will include slides, handouts, demonstrations, or other aids to engage your audience and highlight key points in your independent study project.

Once you have written your final paper, you will likely want to publish it in relevant journals and publications. For detailed tips see our guide on how to publish your student research paper . Some options you have to formally publish your high school-level independent research include:

• Submitting your paper to academic journals and competitions
• Presenting at symposiums and science fairs
• Sharing on online research databases
• Adding your work to college applications

Publishing your independent project allows you to share your findings with broader scholarly and student audiences. It also helps amplify the impact of all your hard work.

Independent Research Project Examples

To spark creative ideas for independent research projects, it can be helpful to read through and examine examples of successful projects completed by other high school students in recent years. Here are some inspiring examples:

●  Using machine learning to diagnose cancer based on blood markers (bioinformatics)

●  Applying feature engineering and natural language processing to analyze Twitter data (data science)

●  Investigating connections between stress levels and HIV/AIDS progression (health science)

●  The Relationship between Color and Human Experience

These published i ndependent research project examples demonstrate the impressive research high schoolers take on using the Indigo research service with mentors from different fields. Let these case studies motivate your creative investigation and analysis of the best ideas for your project.

Need Mentorship for Your Independent Research Project?

As outlined in this guide, conducting a rigorous independent research study can be challenging without proper guidance from experts, especially for high school students. This is why partnering with an experienced research mentor is so crucial if your goal is to produce publishable research work.

With Indigo's structured research programs and ongoing expert feedback, you can elevate your high school independent study to a professional level. To get matched with the perfect research mentor aligned with your academic interests and passions, apply to Indigo Research now.

Indigo Research connects high school students with PhD-level researchers and professors who provide one-on-one mentorship through the entire research process - from refining your initial topic idea all the way through analyzing data, writing up results, and finalizing your findings.

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31 Research Opportunities + Internships for High Schoolers in 2024

What’s covered:.

• Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students
• How to Find Research Opportunities in High School
• How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances?

Research drives innovation across every field of study, from natural sciences to health to history. Pursuing curiosity can impact industries, drive policy, and help us to better understand the world around us. Without curiosity and research, our society would surely stagnate. 

Contrary to popular belief, however, you don’t have to be a seasoned professional to conduct meaningful research. There are plenty of opportunities for high school students to get a head start on their future careers and contribute to substantial change. Keep reading to learn about 30 great opportunities for students looking for early chances to conduct research! 

Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students 

1. memorial sloan kettering human oncology and pathogenesis program.

Application Deadline: February 9

Location: New York, NY

Duration: Eight weeks (June 27 – August 22)

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is one of the most well-known cancer centers in the world. The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at MSK hosts a Summer Student Program for students to conduct independent research projects while participating in extracurricular activities, training, and other opportunities.  

During the eight-week program, participants work with a mentor who will act as a supervisor to help them develop their research skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to complete an independent research project that aligns with their mentor’s work. All participants will present their projects at a poster session at the end of the summer.

To participate, you must have completed at least 9th grade by June 2024, be at least 14 years old by June 27, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, and submit two letters of recommendation. This is a paid opportunity—participants will receive a stipend. 

2. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 5 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 8) 

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program allows high school students to conduct real, innovative research over seven weeks through the renowned Rockefeller University, under the guidance of leading scientists. 

SSRP scholars will be able to design and conduct their own research project as part of a themed research track, which is modeled after a Rockefeller research topic and/or technique, with the help of scientist mentors from the Rockefeller community. Most of the research will be conducted in the RockEDU Laboratory—a 3,000-square-foot research space specifically dedicated to developing biomedical research skills.

Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program to participate.  

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline : Varies by cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Location:  Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs high-school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have written an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, computer science, psychology, physics, economics, data science, business, engineering, biology, and international relations.

This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—you can participate in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, and the program is also conducted fully remotely. While you must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (most students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3), no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required. The cost of the program ranges from $2,800 to $8,900, but financial aid is available.

Note that this is a selective program. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program. You can find more details about the application here .

4. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Application Deadline: December 13 

Location: Cambridge, MA

Duration: Five weeks (June 23 – August 3) 

The prestigious RSI, which takes place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) annually, brings together 100 of the world’s top high school students. The free program blends on-campus coursework with off-campus science and technology research. 

Participants complete individual research projects while receiving mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers, and present their findings through oral and written reports in a conference-style setting at the end of the program. 

5. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Application Deadline: March 6

Duration: 10  weeks (June 3 – August 9)

Open to New York City high school students who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June 2024, the ARISE program provides access to college-level workshops and lab research across fields like bio, molecular, and chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and AI.

Over the course of 10 weeks—four virtual and six in person—participants will receive guidance from graduate or postdoctoral students at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. 

6. Simons Summer Research Program

Application Deadline: February 7

Location: Stony Brook, NY

Duration: Five weeks (July 1 – August 9) 

During Stony Brook ’s Simons Summer Research Program, high school students conduct hands-on research in areas like science, math, and engineering while working with faculty mentors. Simons Fellows have the opportunity to join real research teams and learn about laboratory equipment and techniques. They also attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in special workshops, tours, and events. 

At the closing poster symposium, students will receive a stipend for their participation. To apply, you must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and currently be in your junior year. 

7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program

Application Deadline: N/A

Location: Greater Seattle area

Duration: 8-10 weeks 

SPARK is a summer mentorship program that pairs high-achieving and highly motivated high schoolers with industry experts, university professors, and mentors to conduct research on customers and financial markets. The program is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

8. MDI Biological Laboratory – Biomedical Bootcamp 2024

Application Deadline: March 18 

Location: Bar Harbor, ME

Duration: One week (July 15 – 19) 

In this bootcamp, students will receive a hands-on introduction to biomedical research at MDI Biological Laboratory. Participants will learn essential scientific skills such as experimental design and hypothesis testing, cutting-edge laboratory techniques, data analysis, bioinformatics, and scientific communication. 

During the program, scientists and bioentrepreneurs at the lab will help participants explore scientific ethics at large, as well as career paths in biomedicine, research, and entrepreneurship in Maine and beyond.

Participants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and must be entering their junior or senior year in September 2024, or graduating in June 2024. 

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

Application Deadline: February 14  

Location: Boston, MA

Duration: Six weeks (June 30 – August 9)  

RISE is a six-week program for rising seniors with an interest in pursuing a major and/or career in STEM. There are a multitude of tracks available, in areas such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, and neuroscience. In each track, students conduct research under the mentorship of Boston University faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students. They will also attend weekly workshops with their peers. 

10. The Wistar Institute – High School Program in Biomedical Research

Application Deadline: March 31 

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Duration: Four weeks (July 15 – August 8) 

A leading biomedical research organization, The Wistar Institute is an ideal setting for students to learn research skills. Participants will complete their own research project while being trained in a principal investigator’s laboratory. They’ll also attend seminars, receive mentorship, and deliver a final presentation about their work.

Students are expected to participate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Absences of more than two consecutive days cannot be accommodated. Students will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon completion of the program, to compensate for commuting costs or other personal expenses accrued during the program. 

11. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Location: San Francisco, CA

Duration: Multi-year, year-round participation (after school and on weekends)

This long term program gives San Francisco students from communities that are underrepresented in STEM the opportunity to learn about the world of science and sustainability. Students receive mentorship, develop career skills, and more—all while getting paid for their work. Students also attend workshops and conferences throughout the course of the program. 

12. NASA OSTEM Internship

Application Deadline: February 2

Location: Varies

Duration: Varies

NASA offers a variety of internships for high school students across its numerous campuses. Interns gain real-world work experience by working side by side with research scientists and engineers, which will strengthen their resume and help prepare them for their eventual careers. All participants must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school full time.

13. New-York Historical Society Student Historian Internship Program

Application Deadline: April 7

Duration: July 9 – August 15

Not all research is conducted in STEM subjects! Developed for students interested in history, the New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian Program gives participants the opportunity to conduct research on a history topic—2024’s theme is Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America . During the program, participants will work with historian mentors, visit history archives around New York City, lead gallery tours, and develop their historical thinking, communication, and digital media skills.

Applicants must be entering grades 10, 11, or 12, and live in the New York City metro area. This opportunity is unpaid for most participants, but some interns with demonstrated financial need can potentially receive a stipend.

14. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship  

Application Deadline: March 1

Location: Chicago, IL

Duration: Six weeks (July 8 – August 14)

During this summer internship program, students will learn about the Adler Planetarium and the career opportunities within it and planetariums and museums in general, in areas ranging from Visitor Experience and Learning to Research. Students will also get the chance to see how research gets translated into a museum experience. 

15. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC)

Application Deadline: TBA for 2025 program

Duration: Eight weeks  

BRAINYAC participants receive the rare opportunity to work on research in a lab at Columbia University , one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, as high school students, which results in a stronger, more comprehensive understanding of how scientific discovery happens. They connect with real scientists, acquire essential research and laboratory skills, and learn about advances in neuroscience research. 

In order to apply, you must be in 10th or 11th grade and must be nominated by one of the program’s partners—S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus.  

16. Brookfield Zoo King Conservation Science Scholars Program

Application Deadline: Rolling admission 

Location: Brookfield, IL

Duration: N/A

Interactive workshops, fun activities, research, and community-based projects are at the core of this exciting internship. It’s an excellent opportunity for students who love animals and also want to gain research skills in the domains of zoology, environmental science, and conservation. 

As a King Scholar, you’ll learn about different topics through Foundation Courses, such as Diversity Awareness and Introduction to Conservation, all while networking with others and preparing for college and an eventual career in a related field. After one year of participation, you’ll be invited to apply for scholarships and paid positions at the zoo. 

17. The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History  

Application Deadline: March 8

Duration: One year (August to June) 

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the most iconic and fascinating places in New York City. Its Science Research Mentoring Program is an amazing opportunity for NYC high school students to conduct a yearlong research project with Museum scientists. 

Students in SRMP get paid to learn how scientific research is conducted. Depending on their topic of study, students can learn a variety of different research skills, like working with DNA in the lab, analyzing data from space-based telescopes, reading scientific articles, and learning to code and analyze data in Python, R, and other programming languages. 

18. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Application Deadline:   February 15

Location: Lubbock, TX

Duration: Seven weeks (June 16 – August 1) 

Through the Anson L. Clark Scholar Program, an intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors, students will gain hands-on experience with practical research alongside experienced and knowledgeable faculty at Texas Tech University .

Students can choose to participate in research in one field from a broad variety of options, including cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, history, and more! 

To apply, students must complete an online application that includes short essays, high school transcripts, test scores (at least a PSAT if no others are available), three recommendations (at least two from teachers), and a list of the student’s top five activities.

19. UChicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program  

Application Deadline: January 16 

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 2)

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program is an immersive eight-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago . During the program, high school and undergraduate students are paired with a data science mentor, whose expertise could be in computer science, data science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, biomedical research, or another related field.

Participants will hone their research methodology, research practice, and teamwork skills. No prior research experience is required to apply. All participants will receive access to applied data science research, which they will use to craft a research project. The project findings will be presented in a video that will be shown at an end-of-summer symposium.

20. UT Austin College of Natural Sciences High School Research Academy

Application Deadline: March 24

Location: Austin, TX

Duration: Five weeks (June 10 – July 17) 

Through UT Austin ’s HSRA, high school students participate in interdisciplinary research projects being conducted by active College of Natural Sciences laboratories in fields such as biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. 

There is a scholarship fund for underserved groups, so some stipends and free tuition scholarships may be available to students with demonstrated financial need. 

21. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience – Summer Research Internship

Location: Jupiter, FL

Duration: Six weeks (June 17 – July 26) 

The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers rising juniors and seniors an immersive laboratory experience where they can learn from seasoned researchers. The program is designed specifically for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. 

Program participants will participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare a written scientific abstract based on their research project, and deliver a short presentation at the end of the summer. Research tracks include neuroscience, scientific computer programming, and mechanical engineering as it relates to neuroscience.

Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, be residents of one of those two counties, and be at least 16 by the beginning of the internship. Interns will be paid at a rate of $12.50 per hour.

22. Lincoln Park Zoo Malott Family Zoo Intern Program

Application Deadline: March 11 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 9) 

During this paid seven-week program, high school students learn how to educate others about animal and conservation sciences while crafting digital messages to engage audiences. The program culminates in a final project. Throughout the internship, students meet with researchers and the Animal Care staff to explore careers in the animal science and conservation fields. 

Applicants must be Chicago residents between the ages of 15-18, and must be entering grades 10-12 or their freshman year of college by the start of the internship.

23. The Scripps Research High School Internship Program  

Application Deadline: April 19

Location: La Jolla, CA

Duration: Seven weeks  

The Scripps Research Institute’s La Jolla, California headquarters is proud to offer a seven-week hands-on research experience for San Diego County high schoolers. The program is specially designed to expose students to careers in the biological and chemical sciences, to provide hands-on laboratory experience, and to motivate and prepare students for continuing education in STEM. 

Because Scripps is committed to increasing the number of students from underrepresented communities in STEM college programs, a special emphasis is placed on identifying and recruiting students who are from groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences. All students will receive a $4,760 stipend.

24. QuarkNet Summer Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 31

Location: DuPage County, IL

Duration: Seven weeks (June 17 – August 2) 

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a strong interest in STEM have a unique opportunity to work with scientists on research projects during this paid seven-week program at the prestigious Fermilab, located just outside of Chicago near Batavia, IL.

Interns are encouraged to indicate areas in which they have a particular interest, although research projects vary yearly based on the work ongoing at the lab. Broadly speaking, Fermilab’s focus is on particle physics.

Required application materials include a questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and an essay. To apply, students must have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status and must provide evidence of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Participants will be paid at a rate of $17.20 per hour.

25. RISE Environmentor Internship

Location: Far Rockaway, NY

Duration: Six weeks (July 1 – August 15)

The Environmentor Internship offers a great opportunity for 9th through 11th graders who live or attend school near the Rockaway Peninsula to gain firsthand research experience. Participants are mentored by scientists from local universities and research institutions as they work on projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline. Past research topics have included sea turtle strandings, octopus behavior, mussel denitrification, and dolphin fin morphology.

Students will also take part in water safety courses, receive CPR training, and explore on-water activities like kayaking and surfing. Students receive up to a $1,200 stipend, as well as community service hours for their participation in the program.

26. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Application Deadline: February 24

Location: Stanford, CA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 1)

Students in this summer program are given the chance to perform research on a medically oriented project and work side by side with Stanford University students, researchers, and faculty. Students can choose from eight areas of research, including topics like immunology, cancer biology, and bioinformatics, which are all designed to increase their interest in the biological sciences and provide a deeper understanding of how scientific research is conducted.

The program is open to current high school juniors and seniors. Students will receive a minimum $500 stipend for their participation in the program.

27. Secondary Student Training Program

Application Deadline: February 16

Location: Iowa City, IA

Duration: June 19 – July 26

High schoolers in grades 10 and 11 can take part in an immersive research experience, which will allow them to explore their interests, enhance their academic skills, and build relationships with their peers during this research-focused summer program.

Participants can choose from a multitude of research areas, ranging from biology to industrial and systems engineering to religious studies. The program culminates with students creating and presenting a poster of their findings. All participants will live on the University of Iowa ‘s campus for the duration of the program, and have access to all of the university’s libraries, study areas, and computer facilities.

Although this program is quite expensive, with a fee of $7,500, financial aid is available to cover up to 95% of the cost.

28. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program

Location: Urbana, IL

Duration: Six weeks (June 20 – August 2)

This program, offered by the prestigious Grainger College of Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) , allows students to gain hands-on research experience in fields such as cancer immunology, AI, physics, quantum mechanics, and electrical engineering. They will also build valuable general life skills by participating in seminars on topics ranging from the college admission process to how to communicate scientifically.

The program is open to rising 10th through 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

29. Summer Science Program (SSP)

Duration: Varies depending on location and field of focus

Students in the SSP get the chance to work in small teams on a real research project and gain firsthand experience taking and analyzing data. Research opportunities are offered in three fields—astrophysics, biochemistry, and genomics—and are held at a variety of institutions, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Georgetown University , Purdue University , and New Mexico State University .

The program is open to high school juniors, although a small number of exceptional sophomores have attended the program. You must be between 15-19 to participate, and have completed prerequisite coursework, which varies by field. Financial aid is available for this program.

30. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Application Deadline: January 29

Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT

Duration: 10 weeks (June 1 – August 10)

Students immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research while learning about laboratory discovery and scientific communication, as well as building professional skills. Over the course of the 10-week program, students work with a mentor to develop a research project, implement their plan, analyze their data, and report their results.

This prestigious program is competitive. Just 40 students are selected to participate annually. Participants receive a $6,500 stipend and have their room, board, and travel expenses covered.

31. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Application Deadline: March 31

Location: Seattle, WA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 24 – August 16) 

This full-time, paid internship opportunity offers students a chance to immerse themselves in activities at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, one of the top cancer research centers in the world. The program begins with two weeks of laboratory training and is followed by six weeks of mentored activities, research seminars, workshops focused on college and careers, and social activities.

The program is open to high schoolers entering their senior year with a strong interest in science and high academic achievement, and is specifically aimed at students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. Interns receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.

How to Find Research Opportunities in High School 

Define your area of interest .

Before you start looking for opportunities, narrow your area of interest a bit, whether it’s cancer, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, or something else entirely. Also bear in mind that while there may be more STEM opportunities available for high school students, research isn’t limited to these fields—research is also a key component of the social sciences, humanities, and other non-STEM fields. 

While you should be somewhat specific about what you’re hoping to research, don’t narrow your scope so much that it’s impossible to find a valuable opportunity, especially since opportunities for high schoolers in general are more limited than they are for students who have completed at least some college.

Talk to People in Your Immediate Circle 

Teachers, neighbors, your family, parents of friends, friends of your parents—any of these people could know about a research opportunity for you, or at least know someone else who does. Throughout your life, you will find that networking is often the key to finding career opportunities. 

Leveraging your network can help you uncover unique opportunities crowdsourced by the people who know you best—the best opportunities aren’t always hosted by large universities or programs. 

Reach Out to Local Institutions and Laboratories 

In addition to networking with your immediate circle, reach out to local facilities, such as labs, hospitals, clinics, and universities that conduct research. Even if opportunities aren’t publicized, these institutions and laboratories may be willing to make room for you. Remember: when pitching your idea, don’t make it too niche—this will make it more difficult to find a fit and market your skills to labs. 

Cast a Wide Net 

Research opportunities are hard to secure, especially when you’re a young student, so you need to be persistent. You may need to write a hundred emails, but if you put in the effort and cast a wide net, you’ll vastly improve your chances of landing a great opportunity. 

Try not to be too picky, either. Of course, you shouldn’t just accept any offer , especially if it doesn’t appeal to you. But even if the opportunity doesn’t align perfectly with your skills and interests, it can still be a great chance to gain experience and make you a better candidate for future experiences.

How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances? 

How much participating in research enhances your college admissions profile depends on many factors, including the scope of the project, the prestige of the program or institution, your individual role and performance, the institution’s connections to or sponsorships by certain colleges, and even how much weight a college places on extracurricular activities in general. 

Generally speaking, there are four tiers of extracurricular activities that colleges think about when reviewing applicants’ activities. Selective, competitive, and prestigious activities are often found in the top tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 includes things such as being a highly recruited basketball player or an award-winning national science fair competitor. 

Tier 2 is similar, but is usually reserved for activities that are less exceptional than those in Tier 1. Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more common extracurricular achievements, such as holding school leadership positions or being a member of a debate team.

Research usually falls into Tier 2, and some particularly prestigious opportunities could even be Tier 1. That’s because it’s somewhat unusual for high school students to conduct research in professional and collegiate settings, so it’s more likely to impress colleges than other kinds of extracurricular activities.

Do you want to find out the impact research and other extracurricular activities might have on your chances of admission to top colleges and universities? Try using CollegeVine’s free chancing calculator ! 

Our tool evaluates your admissions profile, by accounting for factors like your grades,standardized test scores, and extracurriculars (including research!) to show you how you stack up against other applicants and how likely you are to get into hundreds of different colleges and universities. You’ll also receive tips on how to improve your profile and your odds—all for free.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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16 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students

Every discipline of study, from economics to physics to sociology, relies on research to fuel innovation. Research impacts the everyday functioning of industries, the direction of major policy decisions, and helps us understand the world around us. Today, research has become one of the most important ways for high school students to spend their time during the summer, with research experience becoming a distinctive advantage in the college admission process.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a lot of research opportunities and experiences that students previously had access to. Due to social distancing rules, many high school students are finding it more difficult to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, several students who live in other parts of the world can have trouble accessing research opportunities located on-campus in countries abroad. Fortunately, a number of research opportunities are now virtual, making them more accessible for students.

Here are 15 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students:

1. Perimeter Institute International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)

ISSYP is a summer program for current juniors and seniors who are interested in theoretical physics and want to pursue it in college. Students attend Perimeter Institute experts' talks on the newest theoretical physics issues, as well as short courses, keynote speeches, and mentorship sessions. ISSYP is a very competitive program that only accepts 30–40 students each year. While ISSYP used to be hosted at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, it is now an entirely online program.

Cost : $195

2. Veritas AI  - AI Fellowship

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship.  

These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. 

The   AI Fellowship  program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects   here

The application requires you to fill out an online application form , answers to a few questions pertaining to your background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest. It is open to all ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python. Do note that the application deadline and programs dates close on a rolling basis, with multiple cohorts throughout the year!

$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship 

$4,700 for both

Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply   here . 

3. UC San Diego Academic Connections Research Scholars

This summer program selects 25 students to work on research, individually with a UCSD faculty researcher, in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or Nanotechnology. The program has shifted online for the 2022 edition. The program is available to rising sophomore, junior, and senior students. The program lasts 6 weeks.

Cost : $4200

4. Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) (University of Iowa)

Designed for advanced students in their sophomore and junior years, this program is highly selective, and offers students the chance to conduct research in a wide list of fields ranging from Biochemistry to Religious Studies. Participants are placed under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and get to work on research with them. While some disciplines can only be researched offline, others are available online. The length of the program is 5 weeks. Applications for this program close on February 18th.

Cost : $6395

5. United Nations

On the United Nations' database, there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers who work from home are connected to government bodies, like the United Nations, and they help with a variety of civic advocacy efforts. Research, writing, translation, social media, and art and design are among the other volunteer activities available through the United Nations platform.

Cost : None

6. Camp Psych, Gettysburg College

This virtual program takes place over 5 days, rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible. This year, the dates are July 11-15th, 2022. The program is designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and involves approximately 17.5 hours of live sessions via Zoom. Students will spend most of the week in small groups, complemented with a few larger whole camp sessions. Each session will involve lectures, discussions, activities, and demonstrations. Instructors will answer questions about college, careers, and research.

Cost : $350

7. Syracuse University Pre-College Accelerated Online Semester: Social Psychology

The 8 week pre-college course is taught by SU faculty and instructors, and classes are structured like real college classes. The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The program offers a wide variety of courses, ranging from forensic science to academic writing. Students attend classes and explore research on prominent topics in their chosen discipline.

Cost : $695

8. EnergyMag Research Internship

Open to high school and college students, EnergyMag offers virtual research internships to students looking to gain experience working in the renewable energy sector. Students gain research and analytical skills, alongside work experience, by researching specific companies, technologies, and markets. Internships can be half-time (2-8 weeks, 20 hours per week) or quarter-time (1-9 months, 8 hours per week)

9. PHC Group, LLC Mary Miller Summer Program

Through this paid internship, rising high school seniors and graduates can build leadership skills and pursue independent interests. Students will work on social media and community projects, as well as social marketing research under the direction of the public health director.

10. Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory – High School Student Summer Research Fellowship

In this research fellowship, students join MDI Biological Laboratory to develop their lab science research skills. Participants receive hands-on training and experience in research from instructors who work at premier labs. Before applying, students must be nominated by a teacher. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

Cost : None 11. Camp Euclid – A Mathematics Research Camp

Camp Euclid is a math research program for kids that takes place online. Math problems will be presented to the participants (which have never been solved before). Within a circle of fellow scholars, students spend time on understanding, solving, and applying complex math problems. The opportunity is open to students over the age of 13.

Cost : $1400

12. Seattle Children’s Research Institute – Research Training Program

Students can become familiar with research and gain hands-on experience, as well as increase their knowledge of global health. They will also participate in workshops on college readiness and career exploration. The program has both online and in-person components.

13. The Summer Youth Intensive Program

The College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley coordinates and conducts the Summer Youth Intensive Program (SYIP). The one-year program helps students who are interested in scientific research to gain hands-on experience, and improve their chances of success in college. It also aims to assist students in adjusting to college life.

Cost : $14,500

14. CHORI – Cystic Fibrosis Summer Research Program

The CHORI Summer Student Research Program allows students to spend three months during the summer immersed in basic and/or clinical research. The program matches students with one or two CHORI PIs who act as mentors, guiding them through the whole research process. The phases include research design, hypothesis testing, and methodological development. At the end of the program, students present their findings to their peers.

15. Simons Summer Research Program

Conducted from June 27th to July 29th this year, the Simons Summer Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to undertake hands-on research in a variety of disciplines, ranging from science and math to engineering. Students can join research teams, collaborate with faculty members, and learn about laboratory equipment and methodologies. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

16. UIllinois – High School STEM Research Programs

This program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors. Students receive an authentic STEM research experience at a research university for 6 weeks during the summer, in disciplines ranging from cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, to electrical engineering. Students accepted into the program will be matched with another student and a teacher from their chosen field.

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project, in any discipline of your choice. Last year over 1500 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.

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• Resources for Students

Undergrad research opportunities

Several economics associations invite undergraduates to present essays at their annual meetings and some award prizes for the best essay. Other organizations invite participation by undergraduates and provide summer and other opportunities for college students to pursue their interest in economics.

Annual Meetings that Invite Submission of Undergraduate Essays

Eastern Economic Association Undergraduate Sessions The Eastern Economic Association invites undergraduates to submit essays for presentation at its annual meeting in late Feburary or early March. The deadline for submission is early November.

International Atlantic Economic Society: Best Undergraduate Paper Competition To encourage undergraduate interest in economic issues, the International Atlantic Economic Society invites undergraduate students to compete in the IAES annual undergraduate paper competition. The winner of the student competition will receive: a $500 check, a handsome commemorative plaque, and complimentary publication of the paper in the Atlantic Economic Journal . The winner will be selected at the International Atlantic Economic Conference annual conference in October. The submission deadline is June 15.

Midwest Economics Association Undergraduate Sessions The Midwest Economics Association invites undergraduates to present their essays at special undergraduate sessions of the annual meeting each March. An award of $200 goes to the best undergraduate essay. The deadline for submission of the essay is November 15.

Missouri Valley Economic Association invites undergraduates to submit proposals to present essays at the MVEA annual meeting and provide cash awards for top essays.

Council on Undergraduate Research provides a variety of venues for undergraduates to present their research.

Carroll Round at Georgetown University is an annual conference on international economics "provides a unique forum for research and discussion among the nation’s top undergraduates."

Journals for Undergraduate Student Research in Economics

The Berkeley Economic Review is the University of California at Berkeley's undergraduate, peer-reviewed, academic economics journal, and publishes undergraduate research papers and honors theses in the field of economics, political science, public policy, business, statistics, and related fields. They also accept academic term papers, class essays, policy briefs, and op-eds. All undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university are welcome to submit content for review.

The Developing Economist is edited at the University of Texas at Austin and welcome submissions from undergraduate economists.

Equilibria: Duke Economics Review accepts outstanding papers in economics and related fields such as business, accounting, finance, marketing, public policy, and game theory. Students from all academic disciplines may submit their work.

Issues in Political Economy is edited and refereed by undergraduates and publishes essays by undergraduates. This journal is published by Elon University and the University of Mary Washington.

Undergraduate Economic Review is edited by undergraduates and publishes essays authored by undergraduates. It is based at Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Columbia Economic Review publishes essays by undergraduate with an issue each semester. It is published by students at Columbia University. 

The Stanford Economic Review is Stanford's only undergraduate economics publication, accepting research papers and commentaries from all fields related to economics, including public policy, finance, international relations, business, and more.

The Student Monthly Labor Review is a pilot project by the Bureau of Labor Statistics dedicated to publishing social science research by undergraduate students. Subjects that the Student Monthly Labor Review publishes include, but are not exclusive to, demographics, labor economics, prices, environment, community research, and social statistics.

Summer Opportunities for Undergraduates

American Economic Association Summer Program and Minority Scholarship Program The American Economic Association's Summer Program and Minority Scholarship Program is now based at Howard University. A program begun in 1974, the AEA Summer Program seeks to prepare talented undergraduates for doctoral programs in Economics and related disciplines, by offering a unique opportunity for students to gain technical skills in Economics, and conduct research with prominent faculty.

Contests for Students

St. Norbert College cosponsors the iOMe Challenge , inviting teams of undergraduatres to submit an essay and a short video to illustrate some of the economic issues associated with financial security. A blue ribbon panel chooses winning teams. The top prize is $10,000 to the winning student team and $2,000 to that team's faculty advisor. The winning team may also be invited to Washington, D.C. to present their entry to Members of Congress, policymakers and other notables interested in this policy issue. There will also be honorable mention prizes of $2,500 for teams and their faculty advisors. More details and specific rules are available at the contest's website . The deadline for teams to submit the essay and video is in the fall. 

Other Organizations

American Economic Association Membership in the American Economic Association includes subscription to nine journals and a reduced rate for registration at the annual meeting. The journals are the American Economic Review , American Economic Review: Insights , the Journal of Economic Literature , the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics , the  American Economic Journal: Microeconomics , the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy , the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics , and AEA Papers and Proceedings . The American Economic Review is published monthly and the other journals are published quarterly, with the exception of AEA Papers and Proceedings , which is published once a year in May. The AEA annual meeting happens every year in January. Economists from all over the world attend the meetings. There is also a job market for economists.

Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession CSWEP, a committee of the American Economic Association, publishes a newsletter containing information that helps women keep up-to-date about what is happening in the profession.

Omicron Delta Epsilon ODE is an honorary society of economics students, organized as chapters at participating campuses.  ODE honors "achievement in economics worldwide" and published The American Economist .

Council for Economic Education The Council for Economic Education is a nationwide network that leads in promoting economic literacy with students and their teachers. The mission is to help students develop the real-life skills they need to succeed: to be able to think and choose responsibly as consumers, savers, investors, citizens, members of the workforce, and effective participants in a global economy.

Graduate degrees in economics

Careers in economics.

Research Opportunities for High School Students in 2024: More Than 50 Options Across Multiple Academic Disciplines and Interests

By Jin Chow

Co-founder of Polygence, Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education

24 minute read

High school research projects offer a gateway for exploring passions, honing critical skills, and showcasing ambition for college admissions. Details from Harvard suggest that applicants who provide evidence of “substantial scholarship or academic creativity” have a much greater chance of gaining admission.

High school research projects offer a gateway for exploring passions, honing critical skills, and showcasing ambition for college admissions. Details from Harvard suggest that applicants who provide evidence of “substantial scholarship or academic creativity” have a much greater chance of gaining admission. In fact, 92% of students who completed the Polygence high school student research program were admitted to R1 universities in 2023. They significantly enhance a student's profile and academic creativity, boosting their chances of admission to top universities. These projects not only boost learning enthusiasm but also contribute positively to mental well-being .

Our curated list provides a program overview of over 50 research opportunities and programs for high school students covering various fields, emphasizing affordability, prestige, rigor, and social engagement. We encourage current students to verify program details, such as the necessary application information, and review updates as they may change yearly.

For personalized, self-driven projects, consider Polygence Core Program research mentorship to achieve your unique goals.

Do your own research through polygence

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own.

7 Top Business, Economics, Finance, and Leadership Research Opportunities for High School Students

1 . beta camp .

Hosting institution: BETA Camp

Super Early Bird (Enroll by January 15, 2024): $3,000

Early Bird (Enroll by March 1, 2024): $3,500

Regular (Enjoll by June 15, 2024): $3,950

Format: Online

Application deadline: Mid-April

In this 6-week program, high school students aged 13-18 can learn from experts at world-class companies like Google, IKEA, Airbnb, and more. Participants create a real-world company, reach out to influencers, and partner with them to promote a real solution. Participants also practice their skills on real companies with feedback from their top executives. Finally, all learnings go toward building your own startup with weekly guidance. 

2 . Essentials of Finance 

Hosting institution: Wharton University

Cost: $7,299

Format: In-person (Philadelphia, PA)

Application deadline: Early April

This two-week intensive program gives high school students in grades 9 - 11 an opportunity to learn finance theory and methods at one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Participants are exposed to the fundamentals of both personal and corporate finance. Other topics include the time value of money, the trade-off between risk and return, equities, and corporate accounting. You’ll learn the fundamentals of finance with real-world applications and case studies.

3 . Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)

Hosting Institution: Haas School of Business - University of California, Berkeley

Cost: $7,050

Format: In-person (Berkeley, CA)

Application deadline: Mid-March

With an intimate cohort of only 50 students, this immersive two-week college prep business program invites students to learn concepts of teamwork, communications, presentations, writing a business plan, and research skills. While immersed in on-campus life, participants also experience social activities, hear from guest speakers, and collaborate with a team to build a business plan which they then present at the end of the course. We think this is a great, immersive experience and B-BAY’s cost is the only reason it falls lower on the list of top business research opportunities for high school students.

4 . Entrepreneurship Academy

Hosting Institution: Georgetown University

Cost: Estimated tuition $5,775

Format: In-person (Washington, DC)

Application deadline:

Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2024

Final Deadline: May 15, 2024

This high school student business program in Washington, DC, would have been higher on our list, but the Entrepreneurship Academy price tag relative to its short week-long length made it less cost-effective than our top options. That said, this program offers high school students the opportunity to hone practical business skills like public speaking, networking strategies, and team-building techniques. They also participate in the complete startup process: from doing market research to developing business plans to giving a pitch presentation to running their own enterprise. This high school student business program is a mix of classroom lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and group discussions.

Lets get down to business

Interested in Business? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

5 . Camp Business

Hosting Institution: Drexel University

Cost: $950-$2,000

Application deadline: Ongoing

Camp Business is a great option for business-minded high school students. This hands-on summer program is designed to teach rising high school sophomores and juniors skills, such as accounting, marketing, and stock market basics. Students also take part in a team business pitch competition and learn critical soft skills such as leadership, professional image, etiquette, and team building.

6 . Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) 

Hosting institution: Penn State

Cost: $50 registration fee, only if accepted

Format: In–person (State College, PA)

Application deadline: Late March

BOSS is an excellent pick for business-minded high school students. This competitive two-week program gives students a taste of college life via college prep and business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty. In addition to coursework in Hospitality Management, Risk Management, and Management and Organization, students are invited to participate in social activities. Typically, around 60 high school students are accepted to this business program.

7 . Summer High School Sessions and Pre-College Programs

Hosting institution: Adelphi University

Cost: $5,200

Format: In-person (Garden City, NY)

Application deadline: Late May

During this three-week course, high school students can delve into various aspects of starting a business as well as review the parameters for business success. Students are introduced to the primary areas of business including accounting, finance, production, operations, marketing, human resources, and information/technology. Creating business plans and exploring communication skills are integral to the program. Adelphi University summer sessions and pre-college programs made it to the top of our business program list because participants are provided with a ton of valuable information in a very short timeframe.

Business, Economics, Finance, and Leadership Research Resources for High School Students

High school research opportunities:.

Business and Finance research opportunities for high school students

Leadership research opportunities for high school students

High school research and passion project ideas:

Economics and Business passion project ideas for high school students

Leadership passion project ideas for high school students

High school research mentor profiles:

Business research mentors

Economics research mentors

Finance research mentors

Organizational Leadership research mentors

13 Top Biology, Medical, and Neuroscience Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. embarc summer design academy.

Hosting institution: UC Berkeley

Cost: $9,675

Application deadline: Early May 

This summer science research program is perfect for high school students interested in both environmental studies and urban planning. Students at embARC study urban design, architecture, and sustainable city components. Throughout the program, you will have access to the Cal Architecture and Urban Design Studio. You’ll also have the chance to participate in Sustainable City Planning and Digital Design workshops and engage in an Environmental Design Conversations Series and a Community Build project.

2. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Hosting institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Format: In-person (Atlanta, GA)

Application deadline: End of March

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) had a lot of media exposure during the pandemic and students interested in biology and medicine may recognize its value like never before. This week-long summer program allows high school students to fully immerse themselves in subjects such as epidemiology, environmental health, public health law, global health, and public health communication. Newsworthy topics are woven into many of the camp’s activities. Students will even experience re-created outbreaks and mock press conferences. This is a short but academically rigorous program that we believe provides a unique and valuable student experience.

3. High School Research Immersion Program

Hosting institution: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Cost: Free; you get paid a $4,800 stipend

Format: In-person (Memphis - Shelby County, TN)

Application deadline: January 31, 2024

This 8-week summer program for incoming high school seniors based in the Memphis, TN area offers you a chance to work in partnership with a research mentor and showcase your research project in a community exhibition. Your research project will be conducted in St. Jude laboratories and could focus on oncology, epidemiology, clinical research, pharmaceutical science, or another topic. You will also work with a science educator; develop a personal statement for your college application; explore St. Jude career paths; and gain valuable experience in scientific research.

Student participants must attend in person 40 hours a week within a typical 9 am-5 pm weekday schedule; housing is not provided. The St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program launched in 2022 , so it’s still relatively new. We believe it has great potential and is an incredible opportunity that Memphis area students with a passion for science and medical research should consider.

4. Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Hosting institution: Texas Tech University

Format: In-person (Lubbock, TX)

Application deadline: February 15, 2024

This free and intensive seven-week program offers exceptional junior and senior high school students interested in biology the opportunity to work with outstanding professors at Texas Tech University's General Health Sciences Center . Although the program is research-based, it also includes weekly hands-on seminars, discussions, and field trips. We’re very impressed by this program’s academic rigor and its on-campus experience with zero cost to the student. The biggest drawback is that only twelve students are selected every year, so getting into this research program is extremely competitive.

Contribute to the cure

Interested in Medicine? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

5. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Hosting institution: University of Pennsylvania

Application deadline: May

Though this college preparatory experience is only available to Philadelphia, PA high school students, its academic rigor, excellent facilities, and no-cost status earned it a spot on our top biology opportunities for high school students list. SMP is a 4-week immersion summer program that pairs participants with one of the five affiliate University of Pennsylvania Professional Schools. It is highly competitive and typically accepts between 40-50 high school students each year.

6. Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)

Hosting institution: Brown University

Cost: $2,707-$9,459

Format: In-person (Anchorage, AK; Mammoth, CA; or Providence, RI)

Application deadline: May 10, 2024

For high school students looking to literally expand their horizons, BELL is a great chance to visit a spectacular landscape, learn its native history, and do your own research. You will also investigate the causes and impacts of climate change, identify sustainability practices, and learn about socially responsible leadership. This program guides you to create your own environmental action plan and apply your learnings to issues in your hometown. This high school student research program can be a bit more of an investment than a paid internship, but it’s one of our top picks for future environmental leaders.

7. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Hosting institution: University of Colorado Boulder

Cost: None; you get paid a $3,500 stipend

Format: In-person (Boulder, CO)

Application deadline: Early February

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Pediatrics offers summer research opportunities for rising high school seniors, college students, and first-year medical students. After the research program, the summer research interns hand in a 2 to 3-page written summary of their research experience. They are encouraged to submit these abstracts to local, regional, and national meetings. The Child Health Research Internship also provides funding for travel and registration if a student’s paper is accepted at a medical conference. We feel this is a uniquely robust program and really love that it gives you the opportunity to walk away with professional presentation experience.

8. Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Honors Biology

Hosting institution: Johns Hopkins University

Cost: $1,455

Although the CTY Honors Biology program doesn’t have that same exciting campus feel as some of our other top picks for high school students, we’re impressed by its academic rigor, cost-effectiveness, relative affordability, flexible scheduling, and geographic accessibility. This grade 7+ course allows academically advanced students to dig into challenging biological concepts with expert instructors and a dynamic online environment. Courses are offered in various formats to fit your schedule. If biology isn’t your primary study interest, take note that CTY offers online courses in a variety of other disciplines as well.

9. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program

Hosting institution: MD Anderson Cancer Center

Format: In-person (Houston, TX)

Application deadline: January 17, 2024

This is an incredible opportunity for aspiring doctors. The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program offers a rare chance for high school students to participate in a research project in one of the biomedical courses under the guidance of a full-time MD Anderson faculty member. Program participants will learn the importance of basic principles that form the basis of scientific research. Selected students will work in the MD Anderson labs during the week, participating in hands-on research. Students walk away from the experience with a clear understanding of what it means and what it’s like to be a researcher in the biomedical sciences . Although this program is only open to current Texas high school seniors, it made our top 10 list of biology opportunities for teens because its no-cost aspect makes it accessible to underrepresented communities.

10 . Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)

Hosting institution: Columbia University

Format: In-person (New York, NY)

Application deadline: Fall

BRAINYAC is a bit of a niche neuroscience program based solely in New York City, but it provides exceptional mentorship at no cost to the student. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships offer New York City high school students a hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. Each student is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist who guides the student through a research project. In the process, participants learn key skills required to work in a research environment, and the experience looks great on a college application.

11 . Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Hosting institution: Carnegie Mellon

Format: In-person (Pittsburgh, PA), with an online “pre-course”

Application deadline: March 1, 2024

This is a great program for high school students interested in taking a deep dive into engineering (it’s a five-week course) and it’s free. SAMS concludes with an exciting symposium. Students explore math, science, seminars, writing workshops, small group mentoring, and collaborative learning, as well as have a chance to learn about financial aid, FAFSA, and college admissions. We love this program because it is a fully funded, merit-based program for participants, making it accessible to traditionally underrepresented communities.

12. Summer Student Program

Hosting institution: The Jackson Laboratory

Cost: None; you get paid a $6,250 stipend

Format: In-person (Bar Harbor, ME)

Application deadline: January 29, 2024 (by 12:00 pm EST)

If you’re going to be a graduating high school senior and you love genetics, this highly competitive 10-week program is an amazing opportunity. Approximately 40 students are chosen to work alongside an experienced mentor on a genetics or genome-centered research project. Each student develops an independent project in state-of-the-art facilities, implements their plans, analyzes data, and reports results. Outside the lab, students are encouraged to visit Acadia National Park . You’ll receive a great stipend, room and board is provided, as well as roundtrip travel costs.

13. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)

Hosting institution: Stanford University 

Cost: $1,295

Format: In-person (Stanford, CA); online options are also available

If you’re interested in medicine, this immersion experience for high schoolers is a great pick for you. This shorter 10-day program provides you with basic exposure to the study of neuroscience, psychiatry, and brain science in addition to a potential chance to finish a cooperative capstone project. High school students get the chance to work with Stanford professors and researchers and engage in exciting and cutting-edge research in the standards of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, and other areas within neuroscience research. In addition to participating in interactive lectures, you would also work in small teams to design solutions to pressing issues related to psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience.

Biology, Medical, and Neuroscience Research Resources for High School Students

Biology research opportunities for high school students

Medical research opportunities for high school students

Neuroscience research opportunities for high school students

Biology passion project ideas for high school students

Environmental Studies passion project ideas for high school students

Medical passion project ideas for high school students

Neuroscience passion project ideas for high school students

Biology research mentors

Cancer research mentors

Chemistry research mentors

Cognitive research mentors

Environmental Science research mentors

Healthcare research mentors

Medicine research mentors

Psychiatry research mentors

Public Health research mentors

Neuroscience research mentors

Surgery research mentors

Check out the unique journey Polygence cancer research mentor Selena Lorrey took to discover her passions and become a cancer researcher and PhD candidate at Duke University.

14 Top STEM Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. california state summer school for mathematics and science (cosmos).

Hosting institution: University of California (students apply to one of four campuses: Davis; Irvine; San Diego; and Santa Cruz)

Cost: $5,008 (for California residents)

Format: In-person (California)

Application deadline: February 9, 2024

This four-week study program for future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians lets high school students work alongside university researchers and faculty. You can explore topics that extend far beyond the common high school curriculum. Past topics have included Biodiesel from Renewable Sources, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles.

2. Engineering Academy

Hosting institution: Oxford University

Cost: £6,495 GBP

Format: In-person (Oxford, UK)

This program allows high school students to experience Oxford-style teaching with practical challenges and debates. Small class sizes help students explore the concepts of hydraulics, pneumatics and the math behind engineering. The curriculum also helps students develop skills in public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork. If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in Oxford life , love engineering, and can afford its price tag, Engineering Academy is an amazing teen study program to pursue.

3. Academy for Robotics

Hosting institution: University of Texas at Austin

Cost: $2,100

Format: In-person (Austin, TX)

Application deadline: Closes after first 60 accepted registrants

ChatGPT and Bing are all the rage, and the robotics market is expected to grow 400% by 2026. Our list, therefore, would not be complete without a high school research opportunity focused on robotics. This program focuses on the study of AI robotics and teaching participants how to think critically to solve complex problems. Students will delve into Linux and C++ programming, sensor thresholding, skid steering, utilize tools used in robotics research, and compete in a robot race.

4. High School Research Academy (HSRA)

Cost: $3,500 per student

Application deadline: Late March 

This great (albeit costly) on-campus experience offers STEM research opportunities for high school students. This 5-week program provides participants with immersive and hands-on research experiences in the fields of biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. Students participate in research projects and active laboratories in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and get a real taste of life as a researcher.   

5. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship

Hosting institution: Adler Planetarium

Cost: None; you get paid a $350 stipend

Format: In-person (Chicago, IL)

Application deadline: Early March

If you live in Chicagoland and want a more diverse yet still immersive experience, this is an amazing option. This 6-week hands-on internship allows Chicago area high schoolers to engage with STEAM fields while preparing for a variety of careers. Participants are given space for personal growth and scientific experimentation while connecting with peers from around the city. You may also get the opportunity to present your research at the end of the internship.

6. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Hosting institution: The Water Environment Federation

Format: In-person (location varies year to year)

This is a bit of a niche opportunity and more of a competition rather than a research program. However, for those high schoolers who can participate, it is an excellent opportunity to expand on your existing research (especially if you have participated in science fairs such as Regeneron ISEF ) and reach a worldwide audience. If you’re a high school student who has conducted a water-related science project, you can present it to this panel of expert judges. They will rate it on relevance, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, creativity, and paper/presentation. A national winner is chosen to compete in an international competition in late August, with all-expenses-paid travel to Stockholm.

7. Genes in Space

Hosting institution: Boeing and miniPCR bio, along with ISS U.S. National Laboratory and New England Biolabs

Application deadline: April 15, 2024

If you love space exploration , this program for high school students is a wonderful option. To apply to the program, you must first design DNA experiments that address a challenge in space exploration using tools such as the fluorescence viewer, PCR thermal cycler, or the BioBits cell-free system (or a combination of them). The grand prize is an opportunity to participate in Space Biology Camp and travel to the Kennedy Space Center to see the launch of your DNA experiment into space! Initially, you must be self-driven enough to drive your own research and the social aspect is rather limited at first, but there is the potential for networking on a grand scale. At least one student from each finalist team must be available to present at the ISS Research & Development Conference (late July to early August).

8. CURIE Academy

Hosting institution: Cornell University

Cost: $1,850 (tuition subject to change)

Format: In-person (Ithaca, NY)

We appreciate that this one-week residential engineering program is designed specifically for rising junior and senior high school girls. Because, let’s face it: engineering is still a male-dominated field. This wonderful program helps female students feel more confident about engineering as a viable career choice and shows them graduate school pathways into engineering. High school students work collaboratively with professors, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Additionally, they participate in nine field sessions across the school’s engineering majors, as well as a field session focused on the admissions process.

9. Yale Summer Session

Hosting institution: Yale University

Cost: $4,650 (+$85 technology fee)

Format: In-person (New Haven, CT) and online

If engineering is your passion, this might be a top program for you. At these Yale Summer Sessions, high school students can pick from five-week courses such as Multivariable Calculus for Engineers, Engineering Improv: An Introduction to Engineering Analysis, and Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. You will get an on-campus feel for the rigors of an Ivy League college experience, but this experience does come with a heftier price tag than other high school STEM research opportunities on our list.

10. Simons Summer Research Program

Hosting institution: Stony Brook University

Cost: None; this is a paid fellowship

Format: In-person (Stony Brook, NY)

Application deadline: February 7, 2024

This prestigious and highly selective program matches about 30 high school students each year with a Stony Brook faculty mentor in the fields of science, math, computer science, and more. Simons Fellows are selected based on their academic achievements, research potential, and personal qualities such as creativity, curiosity, and dedication. This program gives you a great opportunity to join research groups, produce a research abstract, work with a supportive community of peers and mentors, plus receive a stipend award. This high school student fellowship program is supported by the Simons Foundation .

11. Internship and Fellowships

Hosting institution: Library of Congress

Cost: Free, with some paid internships

Format: In-person (various locations)

Application deadline: Various 

This hidden gem of a program offers around fifty different internship and research opportunities for all sorts of under-represented areas of interest and is open to high school students. Research opportunities range in focus from the Digital Data and Geographic Information Systems to the Young Readers Center to the Manuscript Division . We love that you can get paid for your time and that the program offers scheduling flexibility. This is an opportunity that’s worth looking into, especially if you’re an ambitious high school student interested in history, architecture, art, or literature.

12 . Laboratory Learning Program

Hosting institution: Princeton University

Format: In-person (Princeton, NJ)

Application deadline: March 15, 2024

This is an intensive, academically rigorous 5 to 6-week summer internship program with prestigious Princeton faculty and research staff, who will mentor you in ongoing research projects. The fields of study are engineering and natural science. High school students submit a 2-page research summary of their summer project at the end of the Laboratory Learning Program internship. These research papers can be used to great effect on college applications and/or serve as a jumping-off point for independent research.

13. Internship Programs

Hosting institution: NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM)

Cost: None; these are paid internships

Format: In-person (Greenbelt, MD; Wallops Island, VA; New York, NY; or Fairmont, WV)

Application deadline: Varies according to program 

It doesn’t get much better than NASA when it comes to name recognition. These internships are designed to provide you with the exciting opportunity of performing research under the guidance of a NASA mentor at an actual NASA facility. NASA offers many internship opportunities for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors over 16 years of age. In addition to being able to put this research experience on your resume and college applications, you will be paid for your efforts. Students can find available intern positions via NASA STEM Gateway .

14. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Hosting institution: Center for Excellence in Education (CEE)

Application deadline: December 13, 2023

Our top cost-effective, prestigious, academically rigorous, socially enriching pick is the Research Science Institute (RSI) program. The biggest caveat is that RSI is highly selective and only admits about 80 high school students each year from a pool of thousands of applicants. The program is hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Students are selected based on their academic achievements, research potential, and personal qualities such as creativity, leadership, and motivation. RSI is free, with all expenses paid (including travel, room and board, and research supplies).

STEM Research Resources for High School Students

Computer Science research opportunities for high school students

Data Science research opportunities for high school students

Engineering research opportunities for high school students

Participating in a high school science fair or competition is another opportunity for teens to utilize STEM research - and maybe win awards!

Computer Science passion project ideas for high school students

Data science passion project ideas for high school students

Engineering passion project ideas for high school students

AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) research mentors

Animation research mentors

Biotech research mentors

Computer Science research mentors

Engineering research mentors

Game Design research mentors

Math research mentors

Polygence computer science mentor Ross Greer wrote a High School Computer Science Research Guide that details everything from how to scope, create, and showcase your own high school research project . It’s a great resource to refer to when deciding on a passion project to pursue, especially if you’re considering taking on a STEM-related study topic.

Dig deep into that code

Interested in Computer Science? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

13 Top Humanities Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. medill cherubs.

Hosting institution: Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute

Cost: $5,000

Format: In-person (Evanston, IL)

Application deadline: Mid-March 

Notable alumni of the Medill School of Journalism include NPR host Peter Sagal , CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Guupta and Vox co-founder Ezra Klein , which gives you some indication of its reputation and proven track record. This Northwestern University summer program for high school students gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in all aspects of media for five weeks at this esteemed school. Areas of study include: writing, reporting, and editing for print, digital and broadcast; photography; videography; and website and podcast creation. Collaborative learning occurs both inside the classroom and on field trips. The Medill Cherubs program includes private mentoring sessions.

2. Sotheby’s Summer Institute

Hosting institution: Sotheby’s

Cost: $5,560 for day students; $6,845 for residential students

Format: In person (New York, NY)

Monday, February 6 (Early Decision)

Monday, March 13 (Priority + Financial Aid)

Monday, April 24 (Regular)

Curious and passionate about the arts? This two-week program will immerse you in one of the most vibrant art capitals in the world: New York City. High school students are invited to learn the intricacies of running galleries and museums as well as to explore painting and drawing techniques throughout history. Each course draws on the caché of Sotheby's Institute of Art , taking students behind the scenes of world class museums, galleries, auction houses, artists’ studios, and more. 

3 . RISD Pre-College

Hosting institution: Rhode Island School of Design

Cost: $8,715 - $11,350

Format: In-person (Providence, RI)

Application deadline: February 8, 2024 

This visual arts summer program offers an intensive six-week-long pre-college experience for young artists at, arguably, one of the top design schools in the world. High school students experience a college-style curriculum with day-long studio classes and can avail themselves of resources such as the RISD Nature Lab and the RISD Museum . Participants experiment with new materials, tools and techniques, learn from mentors, and create final projects that can be used for college application. Its hefty cost kept this opportunity for high school students from being higher on our list. However, need-based financial aid can cover up to 50% of the RISD Pre-College program tuition and fees .

4. SCAD Rising Star

Hosting institution: Savannah College of Art and Design

Cost: $6,334

Format: In-person (Atlanta, GA; Savannah, GA; or Hong Kong) and online

Application deadline: May 31, 2024

Creative high school students should definitely consider SCAD Rising Star as one of the top US design schools. This intensive five-week program lets you take two college-level art classes while helping you build your personal portfolios. The program includes courses in a variety of disciplines, and students have the option of participating online, or in-person in Savannah, Atlanta, or even Hong Kong. If the SCAD Rising Star pre-college program cost is prohibitive, you might be eligible for financial aid.

5. Summer Drama Program

Hosting institution: Yale

Cost: $9,475 (plus meals and housing)

Format: In-person (New Haven, CT)

Application deadline: Mid-April 

This is our top pick for high school students interested in theater. The Yale School of Drama is considered to be one of the most prestigious and selective drama programs in the world, and the Summer Drama Program at Yale is no exception. Applicants can choose between the 5-week-long Conservatory for Actors and the 10-day Director’s Workshop . With small groups of 10-12 students, participants will benefit from focused collaboration and attention. Rehearsing and clowning are part of the “out of classroom” experience of living on campus.

6. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies

Hosting institution: Parsons New School

Cost: $4,675

Format: In-person (New York, NY or Paris, France)

Application deadline: Mid-May to Mid-June

Parsons School of Design is a highly esteemed art school and this three-week summer program can provide a life-changing experience for arts-minded high school students. Offered in two cultural centers of the art world, this program enables students to focus on their own projects, present their work, explore the city during art and design field trips, network with guest speakers, and earn up to 3 college credits.

7. Met High School Internships

Hosting institution: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cost: None; this is a paid internship

If you’re interested in art history, writing, marketing, social media, education, or conservation, this is a top pick for you. The program accepts rising juniors and seniors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut high schools and connects them with professionals at one of the world’s finest museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Throughout this program, students will develop professional skills, build a network, gain work experience amidst masterpieces, and get paid.

8. Summer Immersion: New York City

Cost: $2,825-$12,449

This is our top pick for future journalists, but we also recognize the cost might be prohibitive for some. High school students can choose either a one-week or three-week program and will learn reporting and interviewing skills through writing assignments such as profiles, op-eds, features, and audio pieces. Summer Immersion: New York City is an exciting pre-college program since you will work with Columbia writing professors and acclaimed journalists in the field.

9. Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential-Track

Hosting institution: University of California, Berkeley

Cost: $15,800 (8-week session); $14,500 (6-week session)

Application deadline: March 11, 2024

Although this program’s social, prestigious, intensive, and academic advantages put it in our top ten picks of humanities research opportunities for high school students, we took points off for its expense. Still, it offers students from all over the world a chance to experience college campus life at UC Berkeley and take college-level courses taught by Berkeley professors. Here, you can earn college credit while experiencing university campus life with a cohort of students. Like us, you may believe that earning college credit can later justify the program’s expense. High school students can enroll in 2 different courses offered through Berkeley’s Summer Sessions program and participate in a series of extracurricular activities and excursions.

10. Camp ARCH

Hosting institution: Texas A&M University

Cost: $1,500

Format: In-person (College Station, TX)

This week-long program sponsored by the Texas A&M School of Architecture is for high-achieving high school students. Camp ARCH combines academic courses with social activities to create an in-depth research-focused pre-college experience. Participants work with faculty and choose an area of focus from architecture, construction science, or landscape architecture and urban planning.

11. Summer Arts Camp

Hosting institution: Interlochen Center for the Arts

Cost: $1,830-$10,880

Format: In-person (Interlochen, MI)

Application deadline: January 15, 2024

Art students, this is a fantastic option for you. High schoolers can choose to spend 1 week, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks at Interlochen Center for the Arts pursuing visual arts, dance, creative writing, music, theatre, or film and new media. Arts Merge, a 3-week interdisciplinary arts program , is open to students in grades 6 through 9. All of Interlochen’s programs encourage the creation of original work as final projects. The social opportunities and beautiful natural surroundings it provides also really round out the teen participants’ experience.

12. Film and Television Summer Institute - Digital Filmmaking

Hosting institution: UCLA

Cost: $4,225

Format: In-person (Los Angeles, CA)

Application deadline: June 1, 2024

Future filmmakers, this is the research opportunity for you. This two-week, intensive production workshop gives high school students a chance to get hands-on experience course can expand high school at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. Along with filming collaboratively on projects, students will attend film screenings, hear guest speakers, and visit a Hollywood studio. If cost is a barrier, UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support is a financial aid option for California high school students that is worth looking into.

13. Art as Experience: Drawing and New Media Program

Cost: $5,040

Art is woefully under-represented on this list, but this immersive Cornell University pre-college studies course can expand high school students’ understanding of the ideas and practices of art today. Studio projects include a range of media from drawing and collage to digital photography and video installation. Participants attend online seminars; synchronous and asynchronous lectures; labs; and discussions, supplemented by readings and critiques. You may earn up to 3 college credits and an official Cornell transcript as a high school student , which helps justify the cost. Despite its virtual nature, many participants have made long-lasting friendships with other artistically gifted students all over the globe.

Humanities Research Resources for High School Students

Architecture research opportunities for high school students

Arts research opportunities for high school students

Arts and Humanities research opportunities for high school students

Literature research opportunities for high school students

Architecture passion project ideas for high school students

Arts and humanities passion project ideas for high school students

Creative Writing passion project ideas for high school students

Design passion project ideas for high school students

Literature passion project ideas for high school students

High school research project mentors:

Arts research mentors

Creative Writing research mentors

Dance research mentors

Fashion research mentors

Illustration research mentors

Languages research mentors

Linguistics research mentors

Literature research mentors

Music research mentors

Photography research mentors

3 Top Social Science Research Opportunities for High School Students

1 . explo psychology + neuroscience.

Hosting institution: Wellesley College

Cost: Residential: $7,895; Commuter: $3,995

Format: In-person (Norwood, MA)

This EXPLO Pre-College Career Concentrations program gives high school students interested in psychology the chance to deep dive into highly specific topics. For the neuroscience concentration, participants will dissect a brain, diagnose mental illness in patients, and analyze neurochemical reactions to connect how brain structures and biology deeply impact the way that humans think and behave. Key benefits for participants include the chances to learn from industry experts, such as Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett – one of the most-cited scientists in the world for her psychology and neuroscience research – who was a guest instructor in 2023; and earn credits at Sarah Lawrence College, Hampshire College, or Wheaton College .

2. Pre-College Program in American History

Hosting institution: William & Mary and National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD)

Cost: $5,600

Format: Online and in-person (Williamsburg, VA)

15 May 2024: Deadline for domestic students applying to Session 1

1 June 2024: Deadline for domestic students applying to Session 2

History buffs will love this program, both for its historic campus and its curriculum. This three-week program gives high schoolers a good preview of college-level history while helping you earn college credit. Students will participate in class discussions, read 30-60 pages of college-level articles and primary source documents each night, and submit written work each week. Coursework includes Artifacts of American History (a new course), The Road to the American Revolution, and The Road to the United States Civil War.

3. Student Volunteer Program

Hosting institution: United States Secret Service (USSS)

Format: In-person (various)

Application deadline: Various

If you’re interested in sociology, criminal justice, history, government, homeland security, and other related fields, the Secret Service Student Volunteer Program is a unique, hands-on, and fast-paced opportunity. It gives high school students insight into the nature and structure of the USSS while teaching important “soft skills”, such as excellent communication, analytical observation, and problem solving. Student volunteers must be at least 16 years old and devote at least 12 hours per week. While the positions are unpaid, you may receive academic credit for your time.

History and Social Science Research Resources for High School Students

History research programs for high school students

Psychology research programs for high school students

History passion project ideas for high school students

Psychology passion project ideas for high school students

History research mentors

Psychology research mentors

Social Science research mentors

Psychology research guides

How to do psychology research

Data collection in psychology

The IRB approval process

Additional Ways to Conduct Research as a High School Student

Of course, our lists don’t include every pre-college program, internship, and research opportunity available to high schoolers; there are lots of other amazing options out there, likely in your city or state. If you don’t come across a perfect match for you and your interests, create your own research opportunity!

Find high school research programs close to home

Our High School Student Research Opportunities Database is an excellent resource you can use to find research programs for teens based on location .

Work directly with a professor

If you have a clear idea of your passions, you can reach out to professors in your field to see if they are open to collaborating with you. Refer to our Guide to Cold-Emailing Professors (written by Polygence literature research mentor Daniel Hazard , a PhD candidate at Princeton University).

Engage in your own research project

Students with initiative and focus can opt to tackle research on their own. Carly Taylor , a Stanford University senior who has completed several research projects this way, outlined a guide about how to write a self-guided research paper . By reading it, you’ll get a better understanding of what to expect when taking on this type of project.

Need some inspiration to prepare yourself to develop your own high school research opportunity? Here are some resources to help you:

Types of research ideas for high school students

Passion project ideas for high school students

Research projects completed by Polygence students

Choosing the perfect project idea using ikigai

5 exciting ways to discover your passions

How to brainstorm your way to perfect research topic ideas

The essential elements of research

Connect with a research project mentor

You’re never too young to start researching, especially if you think you'll be interested in doing undergraduate research as a college student. And if you're one of many prospective students looking to get into a great school like Rice University, Baylor College, or George Mason University contact us to get matched to a mentor from one of those schools!

Polygence has helped over 2,000 students work with leading research mentors in their field to conduct high-quality research projects. High school students have been able to achieve amazing outcomes, ranging from award-winning short films to conversations with local politicians about policy improvement . We provide research project support , from pairing students with mentors to offering showcasing opportunities , to guiding students in their passion identification and discovery process.

Learn more about what sets Polygence apart from other middle school and high school student research opportunities.

Want to start a project of your own?

Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors who can help take your project off the ground!