Research Programs in Illinois 2026 | UChicago, Northwestern & Fermilab

Research experience is one of the strongest signals a high school student can show selective colleges. Working on a real project — in a university lab, a structured mentorship, or an independent study — demonstrates intellectual initiative that grades and test scores cannot. Illinois combines the University of Chicago and Northwestern with national labs like Fermilab and Argonne and Chicago's business core.

Well-known options include the Research Science Institute (RSI), Stanford's SIMR, the Summer Science Program (SSP), Pioneer Academics, and Polygence, alongside hundreds of university and hospital lab placements.

Admissions officers value research because it shows you can ask a question, stay with a hard problem for months, and clearly communicate what you found.

How to get started with research programs

  1. Pick a field you'd happily read about on a Saturday — biology, economics, machine learning — and narrow it to one specific question.
  2. Build a shortlist: structured mentorships (Polygence, Pioneer), free selective programs (RSI, SSP), and 8–10 professors whose recent papers you actually skimmed.
  3. Email professors a short, specific note — what you read, one question it raised, and how you'd help — rather than a generic 'can I join your lab.'
  4. Apply to 2–3 structured programs as a backup and track every deadline in the free Activities Tracker.
  5. Once you have results, share them: submit to a journal like JEI, present at a science fair (ISEF), or turn your project into a Common App essay.

Featured programs

Browse 10+ curated programs for high school students:

  • Fermilab TARGET Summer Research Program — Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: Summer research at America's premier particle physics laboratory. Work with world-class physicists on cutting-edge experiments. Paid internship.
  • Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) — University of Chicago Summer Session: Explore a four-week summer program in molecular biology with hands-on lab research at UChicago. Build skills, boost college applications, and dive int
  • Stones and Bones — The University of Chicago & Field Museum: Explore paleontology in this summer program with lab research in Chicago and fieldwork in Wyoming. Gain hands-on experience and boost your college app
  • CAA High School Field School — Center for American Archeology: Four-week archaeological field school in Kampsville, Illinois for students 13-17: real excavation at a Late Woodland habitation site, lab analysis, an
  • Argonne Exemplary Student Research Program — Argonne National Laboratory: Year-long research program in which Chicago-area high school teams of 4-8 students and their teacher run a real experiment at Argonne's Advanced Photo
  • American Junior Academy of Science — National Association of Academies of Science: The national honor society for high school researchers: state academies of science nominate their top student researchers as AJAS delegates, who prese
  • Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) — Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: Fermilab's four-week paid summer program ($500/week) for Illinois high school seniors and new graduates, combining hands-on STEM projects and mentorsh
  • University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) — University of Chicago: Intensive biology research program at UChicago. Conduct original research in molecular and cellular biology.
  • TARGET Science and Engineering Program — Fermilab: Explore a free, in-person high school internship in physics, engineering, and computing. Gain research skills, hands-on STEM experience, and boost you
  • High School Research Aide (HSRA) — Argonne National Laboratory: Explore paid high school research aide positions in STEM at Argonne. Ideal for grades 11-12 seeking hands-on experience in energy, computing, and mate

Frequently asked questions

Are these research programs only in Illinois?

These programs are based in or strongly tied to Illinois, but many also accept students from out of state and some offer virtual participation. Always check eligibility on each listing.

Do I need prior experience to join a research program?

Most beginner-friendly options (Polygence, Pioneer, and many university labs) look for curiosity and commitment rather than published work. Start by emailing professors or applying to a structured mentorship.

Are high school research programs free?

Some are fully funded or paid (RSI, SSP, and many NIH and university labs), while mentorship platforms charge tuition. Filter by cost on the list below and look for need-based aid.

Can I publish my research as a high schooler?

Yes. Students publish in journals such as JEI and present at fairs like ISEF and the Regeneron Science Talent Search. See our guide on publishing research as a high schooler.