Research programs in Kentucky.
11 local programs run in Kentucky, 4 of them free or paid. Plus 46 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.
Local to Kentucky
- ModerateUniversity of Louisville J.B. Speed School of EngineeringAMIST 3D Camp
Students learn 3D scanning, CAD, engineering inspection, and additive-manufacturing techniques before manipulating and printing their own scanned designs. The 2026 fee was $200.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNorthern Kentucky University CINSAMB.R.A.I.N. — Best Research Academy in Neuroscience
Students conduct EEG experiments, dissect animal brains, and study neurochemistry, neuroanatomy, and neurobehavior using NKU neuroscience laboratories. Academy tuition for community participants was $200 in 2026, with need-based scholarships.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateUniversity of Louisville J.B. Speed School of EngineeringBioengineering Camp
Students explore biomedical technologies through bioprinting, cell-culture techniques, and PCR-based genetic analysis. The 2026 three-day program cost $125.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of Louisville Brown Cancer CenterBrown Cancer Center High School Summer Research Program
Students complete two weeks of intensive wet-lab and drug-discovery work followed by seven weeks of mentored cancer research, then present their results at a poster showcase and research retreat. Participants receive $3,500.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveUniversity of Louisville J.B. Speed School of EngineeringBrown-Forman INSPIRE
Students spend a residential week exploring engineering, college preparation, and career pathways through faculty workshops, industry field trips, mentorship, and a team design challenge culminating in a presentation.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of Kentucky STEM ExperiencesChem Camp for High School Students
Students complete investigative chemistry laboratory experiences that extend high-school chemistry and expose them to university laboratories and research environments. No prior chemistry experience is required.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of Louisville J.B. Speed School of EngineeringChemistry Summer Camp
Students conduct experiments and laboratory activities involving real-world chemistry such as food and medicine while interacting with UofL faculty and students. The 2026 fee was $250.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of Kentucky STEM ExperiencesComputer Science Camp for High School Students
Incoming grades 9–12 receive hands-on programming experience using sensors and conditional-loop sequences, with activities designed to be accessible without advanced programming experience.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNorthern Kentucky University CINSAMCooking with Chemistry Jr. Academy
Students investigate the chemistry behind cooking and baking in a chemistry laboratory and then apply those concepts through hands-on food experiments. High-school eligibility extends through rising grade 10.
🎓 Grades 9–10 - Highly SelectiveMorehead State UniversityCraft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
Kentucky sophomores apply to spend their final two high-school years living at Morehead State and taking university STEM coursework for dual credit. Tuition, housing, and the standard meal plan are provided at no cost, though students may have textbook and personal expenses.
🎓 Grade 10 - SelectiveUniversity of Louisville J.B. Speed School of EngineeringDesign Thinkers Camp: Innovate, Design & Optimize
Students tackle engineering-design problems involving human-AI teaming, virtual-reality driving technology, physiological sensors, 3D scanning, and human-centered systems.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Nationwide programs open to Kentucky 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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