In STEM research as a high school student, you will access elite universities, helpful mentors, and transformative discoveries. Most importantly, these fellowships help young women in fields where women continue to be underrepresented (28% of global STEM workers are women). From engineering with their hands at MIT to conducting AI research with leaders in the field, there is more to these fellowships than academic credit. These fellowships provide community, confidence, and the skills to be the next generation of scientific leaders. Each fellowship outlined below is an opportunity to pursue passion and purpose, all while establishing a pathway for success as a STEM professional.
1. MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP)
Location: MIT Campus, Massachusetts (Residential)
Program Dates: Four weeks in summer after 11th grade
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising 12th grade women with strong math/science backgrounds
Application Deadline: January 2025
The Women's Technology Program (WTP) at MIT is an intensive, four week residential experience of engineering for high school females, through a variety of hands on projects, labs and experiential learning. The participants have a choice of two tracks of study: Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and all of the classes are designed and taught by MIT graduate students. WTP is specifically designed for students with a strong background in math and science, but little to no engineering experience, providing them with an academic experience that is more intensive than a typical summer camp. Participants will take classes, do laboratory work with professors, and work on team based projects, while living on campus with undergraduate mentors.
2. Girls in Research (GIR)
Location: Virtual (Global)
Program Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Cost: Varies by program track
Eligibility: High school girls worldwide
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Girls in Research is the first and only global virtual research incubator for high school girls, initiated by graduates of Harvard and Cambridge. The program connects students with leading researchers, with advanced degrees from top Ivy League Universities, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Oxford to conduct original university-level research projects. Students are paired working across a variety of fields including multimodal engineering, sustainability in aerospace, theoretical physics, and computational biology, and develop advanced skills around critical analysis and creative ideation. The program is designed to develop innovative research that is actually changing societies with attention on preparing participants for admission and success at elite institutions. Each scholar is offered tailored mentorship with world-class researchers, and be part of a global community of women in STEM for life.
3. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA centers nationwide or virtual
Program Dates: 10-week summer and fall sessions
Cost: Free with paid stipend
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, age 16+, minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 (summer), May 16, 2025 (fall)
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement provides paid internships allowing students to engage in hands-on learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in conjunction with world-famous projects related to space exploration . High school students and college-level students can work at NASA facilities or remotely to complete research projects with some of the best engineers, scientists, and industry professionals working on cutting-edge research projects.The internship will include mentorship opportunities, networking opportunities with NASA professionals, and experience with high-tech space technologies and research practices/methodologies . Students are required to be full-time students in high school or in college, and the internship would be particularly beneficial for those interested in pursuing prospective careers in aerospace, robotics, data science, and space exploration .
4. Regeneron Science Talent Search
Location: Washington, D.C. (Finals)
Program Dates: Application period June-November
Cost: Free with substantial prize money
Eligibility: High school seniors conducting original research
Application Deadline: November 6, 2025
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students in the United States, often called "the Super Bowl of science." Each year, around 2,500 students submit original research projects in fields of science that are important to society. 300 students are selected scholars and given $2,000; 40 students are selected as finalists and compete for more than $1.8 million in prizes.. Finalists are invited to present their research project in Washington, D.C. and have the chance to take home the grand prize of $250,000 while also receiving national exposure for their scientific work. The 2025 competition involved the largest number of applicants since 1967 and engaged students from 33 states, as well as international students from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Switzerland.
5. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, New York
Program Dates: June 30 - August 8, 2025
Cost: Free with stipend award
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Since it was established in 1984, the Simons Summer Research Program has provided high school students from all over the country the opportunity to participate in an intensive research apprenticeship at Stony Brook University. The students will be matched with faculty mentors and will participate in research teams, taking liberty of completing their own projects of their choosing while learning valuable lab techniques and beholding what it is like to attend and work at a major research university.At the end of the program, students will present their research findings, receive stipend awards, and get recognition for their scientific contributions.The program is supported by the Simons Foundation, and pays homage to the legacy of mathematician James H. Simons. If the participant accepts their role in this program, they will be afforded opportunities rarely available, such as access to state-of-the-art research facilities, faculty mentorship, and training in world-class full research experiences.
6. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
Location: Various (Multiple scholarship programs)
Program Dates: Annual application cycles
Cost: Free applications with scholarship awards
Eligibility: Female high school seniors and undergraduates in engineering
Application Deadline: Varies by specific scholarship
The Society of Women Engineers provides a variety of scholarships aimed at supporting women pursuing engineering degrees and careers . Since it became an international not-for-profit educational organization in 1950 , SWE has become a prominent advocate for women in engineering and technology, with over 47,000 member in total across the world . Generally, SWE scholarships will require some effort to demonstrate academic excellence, future leadership potential and women-centered leadership in engineering through essays and recommendations . Along with receiving financial support, scholarship recipients simultaneously gain access to SWE's network of professionals , other career resources and other ways to remain involved in engineering .
7. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual with corporate partners like Pfizer
Program Dates: Two-week sessions throughout summer
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Female or non-binary high school students grades 9-11
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Girls Who Code's Summer Immersion Program is an intensive two-week virtual experience where high school students are exposed to computer science basics and hosted by major corporate partners. Students learn foundational programming concepts for beginner programmers using Python and JavaScript, while creating games and working on interactive projects to showcase at the end of summer camp. No computer science experience is necessary to join so there are students interested in technology careers who may not be finalizing the right course of action just yet. The program's core values of bravery, sisterhood, and activism support the organization's mission of closing the gender gap in computing and increasing women's representation in technology.
8. Women's Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Summer program culminating in August showcase
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Students grades 6-12
Application Deadline: Varies annually
The Women's Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute (WASH SRI) provides unique opportunities for select students to engage in instruction from established mentors from prestigious universities including Princeton, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, and Cornell University. Students can choose from research tracks in microbiology/epidemiology, finance/computer science, and quantum physics, as well as attend weekly workshops lasting 2-3 hours with many addressing the basics as well as the most up-to-date applications. Each track culminating in student research projects graded by their mentors who evaluate work done by students and provide opportunities to continue publication and research opportunities.
9. Technovation Girls Challenge
Location: Global competition with regional events
Program Dates: 12-week program typically October-March
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Girls ages 10-18 working in teams of 1-5
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Technovation Girls is a free, technology-based program that allows teams of girls to address problems in their communities and design mobile apps to solve them. The program is designed to be comprehensive and spans 12 weeks, allowing for over 30 hours of work, and teaches girls how to collaborate with teams, identify problems, problem-solve, and lead, all while creating functional mobile apps using programming languages such as Thunkable, App Inventor, Swift, or Java. Senior division teams (ages 15-18) will design complete business plans in conjunction with their technical project, preparing them for a career in technology or entrepreneurship. Technovation has inspired thousands of girls around the world to pursue a career in STEM while creating meaningful projects that impact their communities and show the power of technology for social good.
These fellowships are much larger than academic positions -- they are the beginning of scientific leadership and innovation. In addition to providing young women with opportunities to learn through experience, their participation in these fellowships introduces them to a growing network of researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who are redefining fields in STEM and using their skills to tackle global challenges. Whether it be through proctored engineering experience at MIT, research in Artificial Intelligence with industry leaders, or app development in these communities, each program opens doors for scientific discovery in pursuit of their careers as professionals.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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