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Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students in Dallas

Updated: Nov 21

Hey there, Dallas students and parents! Are you looking to dive into hands-on research this summer and get a head start on your future? As a high school student in Dallas, you have a wealth of incredible research programs right in your backyard that can boost your college application, enhance your skills, and maybe even spark a lifelong passion. In this guide, I'll walk you through some of the top summer research opportunities available for high schoolers in the Dallas area.


Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students in Dallas. Boost your college application, enhance your skills, and maybe even spark a lifelong passion.

1. UT Dallas Computer Science Research Program for High School Students (Summer Research Internships + Workshops)


If you’re aiming for serious, lab-style research in computer science, UT Dallas runs one of the most structured high-school research programs in Texas. Students can apply for either (a) an intensive lab internship inside a UTD CS research group or (b) a guided research workshop that functions like a mini college course with a final project.


Latest posted schedule (Summer 2025 for reference):

  • Program dates: June 9 – August 1, 2025 (8 weeks).

Who it’s for:

  • Advanced high-school students; lab internships require students to be age 15+ by the summer start date and are highly selective.

Fee (latest posted):

  • Lab research internship: $1000.

  • Research workshops: $700 in-person / $600 virtual.


Why it stands out:You’re not just shadowing—you are contributing to real ongoing CS research and producing tangible outputs (reports, apps, simulations, etc.).



2. UT Dallas Summer Biology Research Workshop (SBRW)


For students leaning into biology, neuroscience, biochem, or pre-med, SBRW is UT Dallas’ flagship research-lab experience for high-schoolers. It’s built as a true research immersion: training first, then full lab work under faculty and graduate mentorship.


Verified 2025 schedule (used as reference until 2026 dates post):

  • Hands-on training: June 29 – July 7, 2025

  • Mentor-guided lab research: July 7 – July 25, 2025

  • Total duration: 4 weeks.

Who it’s for:

  • Rising 10th–12th graders, age 15+, with strong interest in biological research. Texas residents are prioritized.

Fee (latest publicly posted):

  • Most recently posted registration fee: $1500.


Why it stands out:Students get an authentic lab workflow and present their research at UT Dallas’ Summer Departmental Research Symposium.


3. UT Southwestern STARS Summer Research Program (2026 Cohort)

UT Southwestern’s STARS Summer Research Program is the premier biomedical research option in Dallas for high-school students. Students work side-by-side with faculty in UT Southwestern research labs and present their work at the end of the summer.


Verified 2026 application window:

  • Applications open November 21, 2025 and close January 20, 2026.

Program format:

  • 8-week, non-residential summer lab placement.

  • Students receive a stipend and must complete a final research presentation.

Who it’s for:

  • High-school juniors who will be 16+ by June 1 of the program year.

  • U.S. citizens / nationals or those eligible to work in the U.S. are eligible.

  • Prior research experience makes applicants ineligible for the student track.


Why it stands out:It is one of the only Dallas programs that places high-schoolers directly into a major medical center’s active research labs.


Here's a little something! If your kid is inclined towards research(STEM or Non-STEM) early on, EduretiX runs highly selective online research programs in association with some of the best emerging research organisations globally, round the year. Sounds like something you wanna know more about? Fill this form to register your interest and we should be knocking at your door soon!
Research programs run by EduretiX for high school students. Boost your college applications with our highly selective research programs.

4. Clark Summer Research Program at UT Dallas (for incoming UTD freshmen)


This is a summer research bridge for students who have already been admitted to UT Dallas and are entering college in Fall 2026. If you’re a Dallas-area senior planning to attend UTD, this is a high-impact way to start college with real research credentials.


Latest posted structure:

  • Nine-week full-time summer research program, typically running early June through late July.

Who it’s for:

  • First-time-in-college, first-year UT Dallas students (graduating seniors who will enroll at UTD in Fall 2026).

Benefits (verified):

  • Paid research placement + mentorship, and the program provides housing and meals for the summer cohort.


Why it stands out:You enter college already integrated into a research group, and many students continue in that lab during freshman year.


5. NanoExplorers Program at UT Dallas (NanoTech Institute)


NanoExplorers is UT Dallas’ long-running nanotechnology research experience for high-schoolers, hosted by the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute. Students are placed into active nanotech labs and trained as real entry-level researchers.


Program focus:

  • Original research in nanotechnology with faculty-lab placement after admission.

Who it’s for:

  • High-school students entering 10th–12th grade.


Why it stands out:It is one of the very few high-school programs in Texas built around authentic nanoscale research, and students present their work at the institute’s symposium.


6. Dallas ISD Summer Internship Program (Summer 2026)


Dallas ISD runs a large, paid summer internship pipeline that places high-school students into professional roles across multiple career clusters. While not limited to lab research, many placements are STEM or health-adjacent and can function as strong pre-college research/industry exposure.


Verified Summer 2026 calendar:

  • Internship runs June 1 – August 7, 2026.

Pay (verified):

  • Students earn $16 per hour.

Who it’s for:

  • Dallas ISD high-school students (priority for upper-class students with CTE or pathway alignment).


Why it stands out:It’s one of the biggest paid high-school internship ecosystems in Texas, with placements that can translate directly into college-level research readiness.


7. ITS Exploration Camp at UT Dallas (Summer 2025 reference)


This is a short, high-signal research-adjacent option for students who want to explore emerging technology fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, and intelligent systems before applying to deeper lab programs.


Latest posted dates (Summer 2025):

  • June 23 – June 27, 2025.

Fee (verified):

  • $395.

Who it’s for:

  • Students entering grades 9–12.


Why it stands out:It’s compact (one week), but gives a clean entry into research-heavy tech areas and is a strong stepping stone into UTD’s longer CS research internships.


Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students in Dallas


There you have it; a roundup of some of the best summer research opportunities for high school students in the Dallas area! These programs not only provide hands-on experience but also help you build a strong college application by demonstrating your passion for research and innovation.

Remember, the key to success is to start early, keep an eye on application deadlines, and choose the program that aligns best with your interests. Whether you’re dreaming of a future in STEM, the arts, or social entrepreneurship, there’s a research opportunity waiting for you.


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