Nichable guide

Paid Research Programs for High School Students

Nichable lists 90 paid research programs for high school students right now, out of 176 in all. Each one is checked against the organization's own page. More figures

A paid research program puts you in a working lab, usually at a university, medical school or research institute, and pays you a stipend or hourly wage while you work on a real project under a mentor. You learn how research actually gets done, and you finish with a mentor who knows your work.

These programs are selective and usually local, since you need to get to the lab every day. Many are aimed at students from groups underrepresented in science or from lower-income families, and the pay is part of what makes them open to students who'd otherwise need a summer job.

What counts

• · Summer research programs with a stipend at universities and medical schools
• · Hourly paid positions in research labs that accept high schoolers
• · Research apprenticeships at government and independent research institutes

Real paid research right now

46 upcoming deadlines for research programs, by month, with a calendar you can subscribe to.

How to actually get one

• · Search near you. Paid research programs almost always require daily, in-person lab work, so the realistic options are the universities and hospitals within commuting distance.
• · Start in winter. Most summer research programs close between January and March.
• · You don't need prior research experience. Programs look for curiosity, reliability and good science grades; say specifically what draws you to the field.
• · Line up a science teacher for a recommendation early, since many applications ask for one.

Common questions