Data science is a fast-growing field, and more high school students are passionate about it than ever. If you want to use data to make a difference, exploring university research opportunities is a great way to gain experience and strengthen your resume. Here are ten data science research opportunities for high school students. Dates and fees change each cycle, so confirm the current details with each program.
Top Data Science Research Opportunities
1. Research Science Institute at MIT
Description: each summer, 100 of the world’s most accomplished high school students gather at MIT for the Research Science Institute (RSI). RSI was the first cost-free summer science and engineering program to combine on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus research.
Participants experience the full research cycle: they read current literature in their field, execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings.
- Age: high school juniors only
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Length: six weeks
Want to get into RSI? Watch this video for insider tips from Rishab, who was accepted to RSI.
2. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Data Science
Description: an online summer program of single-subject intensive study, with small class sizes and academically motivated peers. Courses span business, bioscience, computer science, creative writing, engineering, math, philosophy, and more, each designed for deep, hands-on exposure.
- Age: high school students in grades 9-12
- Location: remote
- Length: two weeks
- Application: varies by program
3. DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago
Description: the Data Science Institute Summer Lab is an immersive 8-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago. Undergraduates and Chicago-area high school students are paired with a data science mentor across domains like computer science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research, building real research skills.
- Length: 8 weeks
- Application: typically mid-January
- Program fee: around $4,800
4. AI4ALL/UW at the University of Washington
Description: the University of Washington’s Taskar Center for Accessible Technology invites students from traditionally underrepresented groups to a free, 20-week introductory data science workshop. Students learn to understand, analyze, interpret, and discuss real-world applications of data science and machine learning.
- Age: rising high school juniors, seniors, or college freshmen
- Location: online
- Length: 20 weeks
- Cost: free
5. Google Summer of Code
Description: a global, online program that brings new contributors into open-source software development. Contributors work with an open-source organization on a 12+ week programming project under mentor guidance, with lectures and workshops on open-source topics including data science.
- Age: 18 and older (so it’s open to older high school seniors)
- Location: remote
- Length: 12+ weeks
- Application: typically late January to early February
6. Veritas AI
Description: an AI program for high school students founded and run by Harvard graduates. The AI Scholars program teaches the fundamentals of AI and lets students build a real-world project with a group of peers.
- Age: high school students in grades 9-12
- Location: remote
- Length: 10 weeks
- Application: rolling, roughly January through April
7. Girls Who Code
Description: high school students build the computer science skills to make an impact and prepare for tech careers in these free, virtual summer programs. Participants learn about tech jobs, meet industry leaders, and build a supportive community. No previous computer science experience is required.
- Age: high school students in grades 9-12
- Location: remote
- Length: 2 or 6 weeks, depending on the program
- Application: typically late March
8. NIST Summer Research Program
Description: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a summer high school intern program across several of its divisions, which can include data science work.
- Age: high school juniors and seniors
- Location: Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
- Length: 8 weeks
- Application: typically early February
9. Wharton Data Science Academy
Description: data science here is motivated by real-world problems. Students learn to identify relevant problems, run sensible analyses, and communicate their findings. By the end, they’re equipped with techniques like data visualization and data wrangling, exposed to modern machine learning, and proficient in the R language, which is widely used by professional data scientists.
- Age: high school students
- Length: 4 weeks
- Application: typically early April
10. Code Connects at Columbia University
Description: this 5-week program lets students develop data science skills and conduct research with university faculty. Students are paired with PhD candidate mentors and work on current research at Columbia.
- Age: incoming 10th-12th graders and college freshmen
- Location: remote
- Length: 5 weeks
- Program fee: around $3,995
Applying for Data Science Research Opportunities
- Start early. Many programs have fall or winter deadlines, so plan ahead.
- Write a strong personal statement that highlights your academic achievements, research interests, and goals.
- Get letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors to help you stand out.
- Practice your interview skills, since many programs interview applicants.
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