8 Research and Summer Programs in New York For High School Students

student who just conducted research graduating in new york city

Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in New York

The top research programs in New York for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability. See research opportunities in other states here.

Institution
Location
Tuition
Event type

Polygence Core is an online research program that connects motivated high school students with expert mentors from top universities. Founded by researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, Polygence helps you explore any topic you're passionate about through one-on-one mentoring over 3–6 months, ending with a project of your choice—like an academic research paper ready for publication, a prototype, or podcast.

Hosting Institution

Polygence

Online/In Person

Online

Cost

Starting at $2895

Application Deadline

Feb 23, 2026

Recommended for you

Categories

Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Sci, Econ, Engineering, Humanities, Medicine, Neuro, Psychology

Explore the program

Polygence Pods Research Program

Summary

Learn Academic Research skills and build a foundational understanding of cutting edge subjects in Polygence Pods. Join a group of 6 students and meet weekly with a PhD-level mentor who is an expert in their respective field. Perfect for beginners, your program will culminate in a short-form research paper.

Hosting Institution

Polygence

Online/In Person

Online

Cost

Starting at $495

Application Deadline

Varies by program

Short courses

Categories

Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Other

Explore the program

Other programs

Sotheby’s Summer Institute

See website

Hosting Institution

Sotheby’s

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$5,940-$7,440

Application Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Categories

Arts

Summary

The Sotheby's Summer Institute welcomes high school students who possess a curiosity and passion for the arts to participate in a two-week program in the vibrant art capital of the world - New York City. This immersive experience is designed to inspire creativity and engagement by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the art world. The courses cover a wide range of topics, from learning about the intricacies of running galleries and museums to exploring the history of painting and drawing techniques. Led by top professionals and scholars in the field, the program leverages the global expertise of Sotheby's Institute of Art, and provides behind-the-scenes access to world-class museums, galleries, auction houses, artists' studios, and other art-related establishments.

Parsons Summer Intensive Studies: New York

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Hosting Institution

Parson's New School

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$5,400 plus fees

Application Deadline

Jun 2, 2026

Categories

Arts

Summary

Parsons is widely recognized as one of the top names in the art school domain, and students with a keen interest in the arts will find this summer program especially appealing. The four-week intensive course takes place at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City and includes an array of activities such as special events, guest lectures by renowned art experts, and immersive learning experiences. For those who desire an international experience, a similar program is available in Paris through Parsons.

Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

See website

Hosting Institution

Rockefeller University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

Jan 3, 2026

Categories

Chemistry, Biology

Summary

High school students have the opportunity to create and conduct their own research projects through this 7-course program, which follows a thematic research methodology framework. Each research project is conducted as a Rockefeller process, which includes a team of scientific advisors from the Rockefeller community working on a specific research topic.

Coding for Game Design

See website

Hosting Institution

New York University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$2,745

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Comp Sci

Summary

"Through this two-week program, students learn about the principles of game design, and are introduced to C# and Unity scripting, which they use to create their own custom games. The program emphasizes team collaboration and close work with experienced game designers and developers from NYU Steinhardt’s Consortium for Research and Evaluation of Advanced Technologies in Education (CREATE). Through a mix of lectures, collaborative small-group activities, and individual projects, students gain valuable coding skills"

Python Data Science & Machine Learning Program NYC

See website

Hosting Institution

NextGen Bootcamp

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$2,495

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Categories

Engineering, Comp Sci

Summary

"In the first half of this hands-on Python course, you will begin by learning the fundamentals of Python code and then transition into more complicated programming tasks. The second half of the course focuses primarily on data science using Pandas, Matplotlib, and Sci-Kit learn. These packages will teach you how to input, analyze, and graph data.

XR Through Virtual Worlds and User Experience Design

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Hosting Institution

New York University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$3,050-$4,100

Application Deadline

May 14, 2026

Categories

Comp Sci

Summary

NYU Tandon's Summer Program for User Experience Design introduces high school students to the fundamentals of using design research to develop innovative and creative design interventions in the form of digital products and services. Programs in Design and Digital Media focus students on creative practice, design research and multidisciplinary experimentation with emerging media technologies. These offerings purposefully explore ‘STEAM‘, combining artistic inquiry with scientific research and technological practice and tools. Students can develop innovative and creative design interventions in the form of digital products and services, or work on their UX technical skills with design software.

Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM)

See website

Hosting Institution

Wave Hill

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

Mar 7, 2026

Categories

Data Science

Summary

The 14-month program provides motivated high school students with an exceptional opportunity to delve into the field of ecology and engage in hands-on fieldwork and authentic scientific research. Participants will have the chance to explore various ecological concepts and methodologies through immersive experiences, including field trips, data collection, and analysis. They will work closely with experienced mentors who will guide them in their research projects, allowing them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry skills. By actively participating in the program, students will gain a deeper understanding of ecology and the natural world, while also cultivating their passion for scientific exploration and discovery.

Tisch Summer High School

See website

Hosting Institution

New York University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

New York (NY)

Cost

$13,350

Application Deadline

Dec 2, 2026

Categories

Comp Sci, Arts

Summary

"Tisch Summer High School program is an intensive 4-week program through which students recieve professional training from Tisch faculty in one of eight artistic disciplines, including Dance, Drama, Game Design, and Recorded Music. Program curricula for each artistic track follows the first-year undergraduate curricula at Tisch. Students work independently and collaboratively on projects and performances, and the program culminates in 4-6 college credits."

Are there many Research Opportunities for High School Students in the state of New York?

New York is home to a number of elite institutions and universities (such as NYU, Columbia, and Cornell) that host students every year to conduct on-site research. It is a bustling hub of academic innovation and research. We've just selected a few of the top programs from leading institutions, but there are many opportunities for high school students to conduct research from top institutions!

What other research opportunities are available?

For a full set of research opportunity listings, see our guide to research opportunities for high school students.

Want to start a project of your own?

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