Virtual research opportunities for high school students
Research from home can mean a year of weekly mentor meetings or a short team project. Compare the time commitment and eligibility first.
Sources checked Nov 10, 2026
Compare the programs
This is a selected list, not a ranking. Fees and eligibility come from the linked program sources. Check current dates before applying.
Scroll across the table to compare eligibility, costs, and project work.
| Program and sources | Who can apply | Costs to check | What you will work on |
|---|---|---|---|
MIT PRIMES-USA Remote mentored research | Grades 10–11, living in the United States outside Greater Boston. This is the remote PRIMES-USA section. | No program tuition. A computer, webcam, and reliable internet connection are required. | Year-long mathematics and bioinformatics research. Applied projects can include theoretical computer science. Expect at least 10 hours weekly in research phases. |
MIT PRIMES / AoPS CrowdMath Online collaborative research | High school and college students worldwide. Participation is collaborative rather than an individual lab placement. | The reviewed MIT overview does not specify fees. Check the current CrowdMath project and account requirements. | A year-long online mathematics research project with shared problem solving. Check the project page for the current research question. |
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship Remote mentored research Program details on SciTeens | For 2027: entering grades 9–12, older than 14 at the start, with strong independent programming skills. International applicants are welcome. | 2027 tuition: US$3,000. Need-based aid is available to eligible U.S. residents; do not assume international aid is available. | Two weeks of virtual team research using health data and AI. Live sessions follow Pacific time, with additional independent project work. |
Lumiere Foundation Breakthrough Scholar Program Remote mentored research | Low-income high school students worldwide. The foundation FAQ emphasizes seniors; confirm the current cohort criteria before applying. | Accepted Breakthrough Scholars pay no program fee. This is the nonprofit foundation program, not the paid Lumiere Research Scholar Program. | A 12-week research paper with individual mentor meetings. Confirm the available subjects and meeting schedule for your cohort. |
How this list was selected
These programs describe remote research or online collaboration. They differ in selection, subject, cost, and the amount of individual guidance.
Before you apply
Convert meeting times to your local time zone. Ask what computer access you need and what you must finish outside scheduled sessions.
SciTeens does not run these programs or decide admissions. A listing does not mean applications are currently open.