Research programs in Missouri.
18 local programs run in Missouri, 6 of them free or paid. Plus 46 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.
Local to Missouri
- SelectiveMissouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce DevelopmentA+ Scholarship Program
Merit-based Missouri program helping eligible graduates of A+-designated high schools pay tuition at participating two-year colleges and technical schools. High-school participants must enter an agreement with their school before graduation.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveMissouri University of Science and TechnologyAccelerated Environmental Scientist
Intensive field-based environmental-science experience covering ecosystems, water quality and related topics, with an optional university-credit component.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyAdvanced Robotics
Students design and build robotic systems while working with mechanical design, programming and CAD in teams.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyArt in the Outdoors Camp
Students use painting, photography and multimedia art while drawing inspiration from outdoor and natural environments.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveMissouri University of Science and Technology / ASM InternationalASM Exploring Materials in Your World
Free selective materials-science program using laboratory equipment, experiments and team problem solving to investigate how materials behave and are engineered.
🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateTruman State University & A.T. Still UniversityATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy
One-week residential academy where students explore healthcare professions through hands-on activities, discussions and campus experiences. 2026 tuition was $1,050, with need-based aid available.
🎓 Grades 9–11 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyBio Space Academy
Combines biological experimentation, rocket/space systems and laboratory activities around the challenges of life and research in space.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyBioMed IQ Camp
Health-focused program using hands-on activities and case studies to introduce biomedical and healthcare careers. 2026 fee was $850.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyBreak It to Make It
Engineering camp centered on reverse engineering—taking products or systems apart, understanding their design and applying those ideas to build or improve things.
🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveMissouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce DevelopmentBright Flight
State merit scholarship for top-scoring Missouri high-school seniors who attend approved Missouri postsecondary institutions. No separate Bright Flight application is required.
🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateKinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of MissouriConstitutional Democracy Academy
Rising juniors and seniors spend a week studying constitutional history, political thought, the Supreme Court, federalism and related topics through discussion seminars and field trips. Only a $100 deposit is charged; housing, meals and program expenses are otherwise covered.
🎓 Grades 10–11 - Highly SelectiveWashington University in St. Louis Pre-College ProgramsCreative Immersion Institute
Two-week residential institute built around intensive creative, college-level work in small classes, combined with college-readiness and academic enrichment. The 2026 fee was $3,985 and need-based scholarships are available.
🎓 Grades 9–11 - SelectiveWashington University in St. Louis Cancer Research ClubCRISPr — Cancer Research Inspiring Future Scientists Program
Nine-week cancer-research internship pairing high-school students with WashU biomedical research labs for roughly 40 hours/week, plus workshops and a final symposium. Participants receive a $4,800 stipend.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyCyberMiner Camp
Returning in summer 2027, this camp introduces high-school students to computer science, computer engineering, information technology and cybersecurity topics.
🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveMissouri University of Science and TechnologyDerivative of Thrills Summer Institute
Free selective program using roller-coaster design and related problems to explore mathematics and engineering concepts.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyDiscovering Chemistry
Laboratory-centered chemistry camp exploring molecules, reactions and experimental chemistry. The 2026 fee was $800.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateMissouri University of Science and TechnologyDrones: Design, Print, Take Flight
Students combine drone technology, design software and polymer 3D printing to design and work with flight systems.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveMissouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce DevelopmentDual Credit / Dual Enrollment Scholarship
Covers tuition and fees for financially eligible Missouri high-school students taking approved dual-credit or dual-enrollment courses. The fall 2026/spring 2027 application is currently open.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Nationwide programs open to Missouri 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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