Paid Research Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 26 paid research programs for high school students. Of these, 2 offer virtual participation. Examples include A.C.T. Young Conservatory, Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, and California DECA.
- 26
- listed
- 2
- virtual
- 26
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are paid research programs for high school students?
- Paid Research Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are these research programs paid?
- Yes, this page only shows paid opportunities. EC Finder also lists both free and paid options if you want to compare.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 2 of the 26 research programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
Related Categories
26 activities found·Browse by category
A.C.T. Young Conservatory
Students take theater training classes (acting, musical theater, ensemble work) culminating in public performance; no audition required.
Adirondack Youth Climate Summit
An immersive two-day climate-leadership experience where students from Northern New York create individualized Climate Action Plans through workshops and plenary sessions, part of a growing network of youth climate summits nationwide.
California DECA
State chapter of DECA preparing students for marketing, finance, hospitality, and management careers via school chapters and role-play/written competitive events.
California FBLA (State Leadership Conference)
State chapter of Future Business Leaders of America preparing students for business careers through chapters, competitive events, and leadership conferences.
California Junior Classical League State Convention
California Latin/Classics students compete in academic tests, Certamen, and creative-arts contests at the annual statewide NJCL-affiliated convention.
California State PTA Reflections Arts Program
Students create original work in one of six mediums (visual art, music composition, film, dance choreography, literature, photography) responding to an annual theme, advancing through school/district/state judging.
California State Thespian Festival
Inducted Thespians attend professional workshops, compete in dozens of individual performance/tech events, and audition for scholarships alongside 1,600+ CA Thespians.
CASMEC / California All-State Honor Ensembles
Top student musicians statewide, selected via regional auditions, rehearse 3 days under nationally recognized conductors and perform in All-State Band, Orchestra, or Choir.
CuriOdyssey Leader in Training / Leadership Development Program
Entry-level and advanced volunteer tracks where teens build leadership, science-communication, and environmental-stewardship skills facilitating exhibits at this nature/science center.
From the Top
Nonprofit known for its NPR/PBS programs showcasing pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8-18, including instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers, who perform and share their stories to a national radio audience along with scholarships.
NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles
The top national honor ensembles for high school musicians, run by the National Association for Music Education, including concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, and modern band, culminating in performances at the NAfME National Convention.
National Youth Poet Laureate Program (Urban Word)
A program spanning 70+ cities/states/counties that identifies and elevates exceptional youth poets who use their voice for civic change, advancing local Youth Poet Laureates toward state and national titles.
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (Monterey Jazz Festival)
Top HS jazz musicians nationwide, chosen via blind audition, rehearse under a GRAMMY-nominated director and perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival mainstage.
NFMC Junior Festivals
National Federation of Music Clubs annual Junior Festivals give young musicians (18 and under) a yearly performance evaluation, plus competitions/awards in voice, instrumental, and composition, awarding over $750,000 annually.
NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools
A school-based program through NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in which a school commits to a conservation/stewardship project connected to its local ocean or watershed, with curriculum support and small grants.
ODC SEEDS Teen Hip Hop Dance Company
Pre-professional teen company blending street dance styles with storytelling and restorative-justice practice; members train, perform, and attend Bay Area dance events.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy
Serious young musicians take private lessons, musicianship classes, and ensemble training on Saturdays year-round, building conservatory-level skills.
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
Bay Area HS musicians audition for a seat in this pre-professional training orchestra, rehearsing under professional conductors and performing at Davies Symphony Hall.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Bay Area Region)
Students submit original art or writing in 28 categories for regional jurying; regional Gold Key winners advance to national judging for scholarships and publication.
TiE Young Entrepreneurs – Orange County (TYE OC)
Students meet weekly at UCI to learn AI-enabled entrepreneurship, developing a startup from concept to investor pitch over 12 weeks.
TiE Young Entrepreneurs – Silicon Valley (TYE SV)
Students build a real startup in teams over 8 weeks, learning market research, business modeling, and investor pitching from mentors, culminating in pitch competitions.
University of Utah High School Math Modeling Workshop
A math-modeling workshop for high schoolers run by the University of Utah math department.
WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity) Student Chapters
Student chapters that run recruitment, retention, mentorship, and skill-building activities in cybersecurity, giving students community, mentorship, and access to WiCyS resources and events.
YMCA Youth & Government California (MLC)
Students draft legislation or argue court cases in local delegations, then attend statewide Training & Elections and Sacramento events as elected officials, lawyers, and judges.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) – Manhattan Beach
24-week evening program at Mira Costa HS where students conceive, plan, and launch a real business, with the chapter winner advancing to YEA! Nationals.
Young Founders Lab
Virtual startup bootcamp founded by Harvard entrepreneurs where students build a revenue-generating startup or nonprofit with one-on-one mentorship, ending in a demo day.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.