Research programs in Washington, D.C..
14 local programs run in Washington, D.C., 8 of them free or paid, and 2 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 46 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.
Local to Washington, D.C.
- SelectiveFreedom ForumAl Neuharth Free Spirit Conference
All-expenses-paid journalism conference + $1,000 scholarship for 51 students.
⏱ 1 week📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveUniversity of the District of ColumbiaArchitecture Summer Camp
Students sketch designs, build physical models and use AI, digital modeling, laser cutting and 3D printing to develop an original architectural project.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateGeorgetown UniversityArtificial Intelligence Academy
One-week Georgetown academy introducing high-school students to artificial intelligence through academic instruction and applied activities.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateAmerican UniversityAU High School Summer Scholars
Students complete a four-week asynchronous college course in areas such as international diplomacy, law, psychology or neuroscience and receive an official AU transcript.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateGeorgetown UniversityBiotechnology for Science & Health Academy
Two-week academy focused on biotechnology and its applications in health and biological science through intensive Georgetown programming.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateGeorgetown UniversityBridges to Social Justice Academy
Three-week academy combining seminars, workshops, dialogue, site visits and project design around social justice, civic engagement and community change.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveGeorge Washington UniversityCaminos al Futuro
Three-week residential program where rising seniors examine social, political and economic issues affecting Hispanic and Latino communities and develop leadership/community-impact projects.
🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveChildren's National HospitalColaco Scholar Program
One or two area high-school students spend about eight weeks in Children's National's clinical laboratory learning medical testing, shadowing pathologists/hematologists and participating in research projects.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateAmerican University School of International ServiceCommunity of Scholars
Rising juniors and seniors complete a three-credit international-affairs course with two weeks on campus followed by one asynchronous online week, plus visits to government and international institutions.
🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateHoward University School of BusinessComputer Information Systems Career Awareness Program (CISCAP)
Students explore data analytics, programming, cybersecurity, networking, AI and machine learning within a business context through interactive instruction and hands-on exercises.
🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of the District of ColumbiaData STEAAM Summer Camp
Six-week business-intelligence and research program where DC students use data analytics to study agriculture, energy, architecture and public-policy problems while working in university labs and research farms.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveDC College Access ProgramDC CAP University Partner Scholarship
Eligible DC public and charter seniors can receive renewable DC CAP funding combined with additional aid from participating university partners and long-term college-success coaching.
🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveDC DOESDC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment
Free paid summer jobs for DC youth 14-24. Wide range of placements.
⏱ 6 weeks📅 Feb-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveOffice of the State Superintendent of EducationDC STEM Fair
DC students present original STEM research at the District's official science and engineering fair. High-school overall winners and runners-up can advance toward Regeneron ISEF.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Nationwide programs open to Washington, D.C. students
- SelectiveArmy Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmerican Foreign Service Association (AFSA)AFSA National High School Essay Contest
An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.
📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityAI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAI4ALLAI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveMathematical Association of AmericaAIME
Invitational round for top AMC scorers. 15-question, 3-hour exam that gates the USAMO. No fee for invited students.
⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveFreedom ForumAl Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAmazonAmazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateMathematical Association of AmericaAMC 10/12
The entry-level American Mathematics Competition. Top scorers qualify for AIME and the path to the USAMO. Open to all US high schoolers; school registration required.
⏱ 75 minutes📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateACSLAmerican Computer Science League (ACSL)
A multi-division computer science competition covering both theory and programming.
⏱ School year📅 November 30🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveApple Inc.Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
⏱ 1 month📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBerklee College of MusicAspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
The world's premier summer performance program for contemporary music, including jazz, rock, and pop.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNCWITAward for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBard College at Simon's RockBard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveMIT Lincoln LabBeaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveELASH / Bebras USBebras Computing Challenge (US)
An international computational thinking and informatics competition. Students can take the test remotely or through a local school coordinator.
⏱ 45 minutes📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBennington CollegeBennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlack Girls CODEBlack Girls CODE Workshops
Program that provides coding workshops and tech exposure to young girls of color.
⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlue Ocean Strategy / variousBlue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition
Free global pitch competition with cash prizes. Teams pitch a novel business idea via video; finalists present live.
⏱ 3 months📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBreakthroughBreakthrough Collaborative
Free summer and school-year academic program for first-generation, low-income middle schoolers; high schoolers can serve as teaching fellows.
⏱ Multi-year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
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