Chemistry is one of the domains behind many cool discoveries, inventions and breakthroughs, the life-saving medicines, the incredible new materials that we're developing, the better ways to get fuel, and solutions that help protect our planet. If you are passionate about chemistry, you need to enroll in a chemistry program.
These programs allow you to actually do actual research, work alongside amazing mentors, and gain access to those sleek college labs that most students never get to see. It's not simply about studying more chemistry, you'll make your college applications sparkle, potentially figure out what you want to do with your life, and gain the sort of confidence that'll allow you to dominate college.
Why Chemistry Research Matters in High School
Real-world abilities: You will learn methods such as spectroscopy, you’ll do titration, and data interpretation.
Academic momentum: Immersive laboratory courses assist high school students to stand out in college applications and investigate chemistry or engineering degrees.
Inspiration: From medicine to green technology, high school research demonstrates how chemistry is addressing the world's problems.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT
Location: Cambridge, MA
Dates: ~Late June to late July (6 weeks)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong STEM records
Deadline: Early December 2024
RSI offers a six-week immersion combining college‑level classes and original chemistry research under MIT-area mentors. Students also deliver oral and written research presentations in a culminating symposium. Admission is highly selective (under 5%).
2. RISE Research
Location: Online
Dates: Flexible, year-round enrollment with customized timelines based on student needs.
Cost: $2,000 (publication included)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students (grades 8–12) from any country.
Deadline: Rolling admissions
RISE Research provides high school students exclusive one-on-one mentoring, helping them to create research projects that lead to esteemed publications. RISE helps students succeed academically and stand out on college applications by matching them with mentors from prestigious international universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Cambridge. RISE alumni have gained unique talents by pursuing a variety of fields, including psychology, economics, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) – Chemistry Track
Location: Stanford, CA
Dates: ~June–August (8 weeks)
Cost: Free + stipend
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors/seniors, ≥ 16 years old
Deadline: Feb 22, 2025
SIMR places students in lab teams working on chemistry-related biomedical research under one-on-one mentorship. Participants attend lectures and may join specialized tracks like CIRM SPARK in stem cell chemistry. Program hosts about 60 students.
4. ACS Project SEED
Location: Nationwide
Dates: June–July (8–10 weeks)
Cost: Free + ~$4,000 stipend
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged high school sophomores–seniors with chemistry coursework
Deadline: Mid‑April 2025
This paid ACS internship places students in industrial, academic, or federal labs to conduct real chemistry research alongside mentors, with additional webinar training and potential scholarships. More than 400 students participate annually.
5. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA
Dates: ~Summer + optional academic year
Cost: Free (nonprofit funding)
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; underrepresented/minority students encouraged
Deadline: December 30, 2025 (priority Nov 15)
ASDRP offers students to do research in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry while being under experienced scientists. Participants often publish findings and present at symposia across the Bay Area. Sessions continue into the school year.
6. Summer Science Program (SSP) – Biochemistry Track
Location: Multiple campuses, North America (+ international site in 2025)
Dates: ~5 weeks (June–July)
Cost: Tuition-based with financial aid
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors in STEM
Deadline: Typically Feb (check site)
SSP provides immersive authentic lab experience in biochemistry, synthetic chemistry, genomics, or astrophysics. Participants collaborate in teams, attend fast-paced lectures, and conduct original research, with 24–36 students per site.
7. Boston University RISE Internship – Chemistry
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: ~June–August (varies)
Cost: Varies; often paid
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors with strong academics
Deadline: Varies by year
BU’s RISE program connects students with chemistry research labs, where they analyze data, prepare reagents, and even co-author reports. Students attend weekly seminars and may present at BU’s undergraduate symposium.
8. Garcia Polymer Chemistry Summer Program
Location: University-based (varies by host university)
Dates: July to August
Cost: Varies; some scholarships available
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors interested in materials science
Deadline: Varies
This program is about polymer synthesis and applications, includes lab work, lectures on polymer characterization techniques, and group research projects addressing real-world materials challenges. So if you have a thing for polymers, go for it.
9. Young Scientist Program (YSP) – Washington University in St. Louis
Location: St. Louis, MO (Greater metro area)
Dates: Summer 5 to 8 weeks
Cost: Free + around $4,000 stipend
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from Greater St. Louis | historically excluded groups encouraged
Deadline: Check site yearly
YSP provides chemistry lab experience with mentorship from Washington University scientists. Students attend research workshops, gain hands-on biochemical lab training, and participate in outreach events sharing results with local schools.
HS‑SIP takes in high school students into NIH labs to conduct biomedical and chemistry research. You also get to experience workshops, seminars, and professional development sessions. This program takes in 7% of total applicants.
10. PREFACE – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Location: Troy, NY (RPI campus)
Dates: July 20 to August 2, 2025 (2 weeks)
Cost: No cost; financial aid available
Eligibility: Rising 11th & 12th graders | U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Deadline: April 4, 2025 (application) | decisions by mid‑May
PREFACE invites students to investigate engineering design, such as chemical engineering principles such as nuclear energy applications, through project work and site visits. Participants utilize RPI facilities, get guided by faculty/staff, and experience scientific equipment and team working hand-in-hand. A laptop loan is offered for participants who do not own one.
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!
Read More
