10 best research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania (2026) | RISE Research

TL;DR: This list covers the 10 best research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania in 2026, including free university-based programs, selective stipend programs, and paid mentorship programs. Options range from fully online to in-person at Pennsylvania universities. If you want a published research paper before your college application, RISE Research is the strongest option on this list. Book a free Research Assessment to confirm whether the timeline works for your grade.

Introduction

Pennsylvania high school students have access to a genuinely strong set of research opportunities. The University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, and Temple University all run programs that accept local high school students. That local access is a real advantage. The challenge is not finding a program; it is choosing the right one for your specific goals, timeline, and academic profile.

Some programs offer lab access and in-person mentorship. Others are fully online and available to students anywhere in the state, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to rural Centre County. Some are free and highly selective. Others are paid and offer 1-on-1 mentorship with a guaranteed output. The right choice depends on what you want to produce, when your college application deadlines fall, and what level of commitment you can sustain alongside your coursework.

We have ranked these programs by their outcomes, including publication rates, admissions results, and what students actually produce, not by marketing claims.

How to choose the right research program for high school students in Pennsylvania

Before you apply anywhere, ask these five questions about every program on your list.

1. Does it produce a verifiable output? A research paper submitted to an academic journal is the strongest output for college applications. A poster presentation or lab report carries less weight. Ask which journals the program targets and what percentage of students actually publish.

2. Who are the mentors? PhD-level mentors with active publication records are the standard to aim for. Check whether the mentor is assigned based on your subject interest or randomly matched.

3. Is it online or in-person, and does that work for you? In-person programs at Penn or CMU are excellent but require you to live within commuting distance. Online programs are available to every Pennsylvania student regardless of location.

4. What is the real cost? Some programs advertise a base fee but charge separately for journal submission, editing, or certification. Get the all-in number before you apply.

5. What are the verified admissions outcomes? Programs that publish acceptance rate data for their alumni are far more credible than those that offer only testimonials.

6. Is there a local in-person option, or is it fully online? Both formats are legitimate. Know which you are signing up for and whether the in-person option requires relocation or just a commute.

The 10 best research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania in 2026

1. Penn Summer Science Academy

University of Pennsylvania | In-person, Philadelphia | Paid | Deadline: Rolling, Spring 2026

The Penn Summer Science Academy is a residential and commuter program run by the University of Pennsylvania that places high school students in active research labs across biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and engineering. Students work alongside Penn faculty and graduate students for three to six weeks during the summer. The program is well suited to Pennsylvania students who can commute to or stay near the Penn campus in West Philadelphia. Cost varies by program track; check the Penn Summer High School Programs page for current pricing. The primary output is lab experience and a research portfolio rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Best for: Philadelphia-area students who want hands-on lab experience at an Ivy League institution.

2. RISE Research

RISE Global Education | Fully online | Paid | Summer 2026 cohort open now

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students in Grades 9 through 12 conduct original, university-level research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. The program runs for 10 weeks at roughly one to two hours per week, making it compatible with AP coursework and extracurricular commitments. Students produce an original research paper submitted to one of 40 or more peer-reviewed academic journals, and RISE reports a 90% publication rate across its scholar cohorts. Because RISE is fully online, it is available to every Pennsylvania student regardless of whether they are in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, or a rural district with no nearby university.

The admissions outcomes for RISE scholars are independently striking. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% acceptance rate to Stanford, compared to the 8.7% general applicant rate, and a 32% acceptance rate to UPenn, compared to 3.8% for the general pool. The program connects students with a network of 500 or more mentors across subjects including biology, economics, computer science, psychology, history, and public policy. RISE is a paid program and selective in its admissions. It is honest about both. The investment is justified by the output: a submitted, often published research paper that forms a central part of a student's college application narrative. You can explore RISE admissions results and RISE scholar publications on the program website.

Best for: Pennsylvania students in Grades 9 to 12 who want a published research paper before their college application deadlines, particularly those targeting Penn, CMU, or Ivy League schools.

3. Carnegie Mellon University Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science (SAMS)

Carnegie Mellon University | In-person, Pittsburgh | Free (selective) | Deadline: February 2026

SAMS is a free, six-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon for rising 11th and 12th graders from underrepresented backgrounds. Students engage in college-level coursework in STEM fields and work on research projects under CMU faculty. The program covers tuition, room, board, and materials at no cost to participants. Admission is highly selective and prioritizes first-generation college students and students from underserved communities. The output is a research project and presentation rather than a peer-reviewed publication, but the CMU affiliation and residential experience carry strong weight on college applications.

Best for: Pittsburgh-area or Pennsylvania students from underrepresented backgrounds who want a free, prestigious residential STEM experience.

4. Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | In-person, various PA universities | Free | Deadline: January to February 2026

The Pennsylvania Governor's Schools are state-funded, tuition-free intensive summer programs held at Pennsylvania universities including Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, and Millersville University. Programs cover the sciences, international studies, teaching, and the arts. Science-focused students work on research projects alongside university faculty. Admission is competitive and based on academic achievement. The program is one of the few free, state-sponsored research experiences available exclusively to Pennsylvania residents, which makes it a strong option for students who want in-state prestige without cost. Check the Pennsylvania Department of Education website for the 2026 application window.

Best for: High-achieving Pennsylvania residents who want a free, state-recognized academic program at a Pennsylvania university.

5. Temple University's High School Research Apprenticeship Program

Temple University | In-person, Philadelphia | Free (selective) | Deadline: March 2026

Temple University offers research apprenticeships for Philadelphia-area high school students, placing them in faculty labs in fields including biology, public health, chemistry, and engineering. Students work for several weeks during the summer under direct faculty supervision. The program is free and prioritizes students from Philadelphia public schools, making it one of the most accessible in-person options in the state. The output is a lab research experience and a final presentation. Publication is not a standard outcome, but the hands-on training is strong preparation for undergraduate research.

Best for: Philadelphia public school students who want free, in-person lab access at a local research university.

6. Penn State Summer Research Opportunities

Pennsylvania State University | In-person, State College | Varies by program | Deadline: Rolling, Spring 2026

Penn State runs several summer programs for high school students interested in research, including programs in engineering, environmental science, and biomedical research. Some tracks are free or subsidized; others carry a program fee. Students work in Penn State labs and attend seminars led by faculty researchers. The University Park campus in State College is central to the state and accessible to students from across Pennsylvania. Specific program costs and deadlines vary by department; check the Penn State website directly for 2026 offerings.

Best for: Central Pennsylvania students who want in-person research exposure at Pennsylvania's flagship state university.

7. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Center for Excellence in Education | In-person, MIT (national program) | Free | Deadline: December 2025

RSI is one of the most selective free research programs in the United States. It places approximately 80 students per year at MIT for six weeks of intensive research under university scientists. Pennsylvania students are eligible and have attended in past cohorts. Students produce original research papers, and many go on to compete in Regeneron ISEF and similar competitions. The acceptance rate is extremely low, and the December deadline has likely passed for 2026. Pennsylvania students who missed the RSI deadline should treat it as a 2027 target and pursue one of the other programs on this list in the interim.

Best for: Exceptionally strong Pennsylvania students in Grade 11 who are prepared to compete for one of the most selective free research programs in the country.

8. Drexel University's Pre-College Programs

Drexel University | In-person, Philadelphia | Paid | Deadline: Rolling, Spring 2026

Drexel offers pre-college summer programs for high school students in engineering, business, design, and health sciences. Students work on applied projects under Drexel faculty and gain exposure to university-level research methods. The program is paid and does not guarantee a published output, but the co-op model Drexel is known for means students get practical, applied research training. It is a strong option for Philadelphia-area students interested in engineering or health sciences who want a university-affiliated experience without the selectivity of Penn or CMU programs.

Best for: Philadelphia-area students interested in applied engineering or health sciences research in a university setting.

9. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

Society for Science | National competition, research conducted independently | Free to enter | Deadline: November 2025 (note: 2026 cycle deadline has passed)

Regeneron STS is the most prestigious high school science research competition in the United States. Students submit an original research paper and compete for awards totaling over $3.1 million. Pennsylvania students have historically performed well in STS. The competition itself is free to enter, but students need to have completed original research independently or through a program before applying. STS is best treated as a destination for research conducted through another program on this list rather than a standalone program. Pennsylvania students pursuing RISE Research or a university lab apprenticeship should consider submitting their completed work to STS.

Best for: Pennsylvania students who have already completed original research and want to compete for national recognition and scholarship funding.

10. Simons Summer Research Program

Stony Brook University | In-person, New York (accessible to Eastern PA students) | Free (selective) | Deadline: January 2026

The Simons Summer Research Program places high school students in Stony Brook University labs for seven weeks of full-time research under faculty mentors. It is free and covers the full cost of the research experience. While Stony Brook is located in New York, it is accessible to students in eastern Pennsylvania, particularly those in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions. Students produce a research paper and present at a symposium. The program is highly selective and well regarded in college admissions. Pennsylvania students who are willing to commute or arrange housing near Stony Brook should consider applying.

Best for: Eastern Pennsylvania students willing to travel to New York for a free, highly selective university lab research experience.

Quick comparison: Pennsylvania high school research programs at a glance

Which research program is right for high school students in Pennsylvania?

The right program depends on three things: your location within Pennsylvania, your target output, and your application timeline.

If you are in Philadelphia and want in-person lab access at a top university, the Penn Summer Science Academy and the Temple Apprenticeship Program are the strongest local options. If you are in Pittsburgh, CMU SAMS is the most prestigious free option available to you. If you are in central Pennsylvania or a rural district with no nearby research university, a fully online program is not a compromise; it is the practical choice, and RISE Research is built for exactly that situation.

If your goal is a published research paper before November Early Action deadlines, RISE Research is the only program on this list with a 90% publication rate and a 10-week timeline that makes that goal achievable. If your goal is a free, selective residential experience and you have the academic profile to compete, CMU SAMS, the Pennsylvania Governor's Schools, and Simons are all worth pursuing. If you have already completed research through another program, submitting to Regeneron STS adds a national competition credential to your application.

For a broader look at what research programs are available to US students, see our guide to the best research programs for US high school students and our roundup of the best summer research programs for high school students.

The RISE Summer 2026 cohort is open to students across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between. If a published research paper before your college application is the goal, book a free 20-minute Research Assessment to confirm whether the timeline works for your grade and subject area.

Frequently asked questions about research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania

Are there free research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence, CMU SAMS, and the Temple University High School Research Apprenticeship are all free programs available to Pennsylvania students. CMU SAMS and the Governor's Schools are highly selective. Temple's program prioritizes Philadelphia public school students. Free programs typically do not guarantee a published paper as an output, but they carry strong institutional credibility.

Do I need to be near a university to join a research program?

No. Fully online programs like RISE Research are available to students anywhere in Pennsylvania, including rural districts with no nearby university. In-person programs at Penn, CMU, Temple, and Penn State require you to be within commuting distance or willing to arrange housing. Both formats are legitimate; the right choice depends on your location and what you want to produce.

How do online research programs compare to in-person programs for college applications?

Admissions officers evaluate the output, not the format. A published peer-reviewed paper produced through an online program carries more weight than a lab visit that produced no verifiable output. In-person programs at prestigious universities carry name recognition, but a 90% publication rate through an online program like RISE Research is a more concrete credential. The strongest applications often combine both: in-person lab experience plus a published paper from an online mentorship program.

What research programs look best on a Pennsylvania student's college application?

Programs that produce a verifiable, published output are the most compelling. RISE Research's 90% publication rate and its scholars' 32% acceptance rate to UPenn specifically are relevant data points for Pennsylvania students targeting Penn. For students targeting CMU, RSI, or national science competitions, completing original research through any rigorous program and then submitting to Regeneron STS adds a second layer of recognition. You can review RISE scholar admissions outcomes for context on what published research achieves in selective admissions.

Can Grade 9 students in Pennsylvania apply to research programs?

Yes. RISE Research accepts students from Grade 9 onward, which gives younger Pennsylvania students a three-year window to build a research profile before senior year applications. Most university-based programs in Pennsylvania target rising 11th and 12th graders. Starting in Grade 9 through a program like RISE gives students time to publish in one subject area, explore a second, and potentially compete in Regeneron STS before graduation. See the full guide to research programs for high school students for more on early-start options.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania high school students have access to a strong range of research programs in 2026, from free state-sponsored experiences at Pennsylvania universities to fully online mentorship programs that produce peer-reviewed publications. The Pennsylvania Governor's Schools and CMU SAMS are the strongest free options for students who qualify. For students who want a guaranteed, publishable output and 1-on-1 mentorship from a PhD researcher, RISE Research stands apart from every other program on this list on the basis of its 90% publication rate and its verified admissions outcomes at Penn, Stanford, and other selective universities.

The Summer 2026 Priority Deadline is approaching. If RISE Research sounds like the right fit for your goals, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable before your application deadlines. You can also explore RISE mentors and past RISE scholar projects to get a clear picture of what the program produces.