Chicago is a serious research city. The University of Chicago, Northwestern, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and a network of world-class hospitals make this one of the best metro areas in the country for high school students who want to get involved in real research.
The challenge is knowing where to look and understanding what each program actually offers versus what it advertises. This guide covers the major options for Chicago-area high school students—university programs, national lab opportunities, science fairs, and remote alternatives—with honest assessments of each.
The University of Chicago is one of the top research universities in the world, and several of its programs are open to high school students.
Focus: Various STEM disciplines Duration: 4-6 weeks (summer) Cost: Tuition-based (financial aid available) Acceptance Rate: ~15-20%
UChicago's STEM immersion places high school students in faculty-led research projects across biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics. Students attend lectures, work in labs, and complete a research project.
Pros:
- UChicago's academic rigor is genuine—this is not a watered-down experience
- Access to faculty in one of the world's best research environments
- Smaller program size means more individual attention
- Good preparation for college-level research
Cons:
- Tuition costs can be significant (financial aid is available but limited)
- Short duration limits research depth
- Projects are often faculty-directed
- Primarily an enrichment experience rather than a publication pathway
Focus: Biological sciences Duration: 4 weeks (summer) Cost: ~$6,000-$10,000 (financial aid available) Acceptance Rate: ~15%
RIBS is a more focused program within UChicago's summer offerings. Students work in biology labs, learn lab techniques (PCR, gel electrophoresis, microscopy), and complete a research project. The program is well-structured and provides genuine lab skills.
Pros:
- Hands-on wet lab experience
- Small cohort with strong mentorship
- Exposure to UChicago's biology research community
- Useful for students considering biology or pre-med
Cons:
- Limited to biology
- Cost is a barrier for some families
- No guaranteed publication
- 4 weeks is short for producing meaningful results
Focus: Academic enrichment across disciplines Duration: Academic year (Saturdays) Acceptance Rate: Selective
This year-long program is designed for high-achieving Chicago Public Schools students. It includes research components alongside college-prep coursework. While not a pure research program, it provides sustained engagement with UChicago faculty and resources.
Best for: CPS students who want ongoing academic enrichment with research exposure.
Focus: Various STEM and social science fields Duration: 6-8 weeks (summer) Cost: Free or low-cost (varies by department) Acceptance Rate: ~10-15%
Northwestern's research mentorship program connects high school students with faculty and graduate student mentors across Evanston and Chicago campuses. Research areas include neuroscience, materials science, engineering, and social sciences.
Pros:
- Northwestern's research strength across multiple fields
- Mentorship from graduate students who are closer to your level
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities
- Evanston campus is accessible from much of the Chicago area
Cons:
- Competitive admissions
- Quality varies significantly by lab placement
- Limited spots available
- Some projects may be more observational than hands-on
Focus: Academic enrichment Duration: Varies (summer and academic year) Cost: Tuition-based
CTD offers courses and programs for academically gifted students, including some with research components in STEM fields. These are primarily enrichment programs rather than research experiences, but they can help students build foundational skills.
OSEP runs outreach programs connecting Northwestern researchers with Chicago-area students. Programs vary year to year but have included lab shadowing, workshops, and short-term research projects. Check their website in the fall for upcoming opportunities.
Argonne, located about 25 miles southwest of Chicago, is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's largest national laboratories. Its high school programs are among the best in the country.
Focus: General science exposure Duration: 1 day events Cost: Free
Argonne hosts public events and tours that introduce students to its research areas, including nuclear energy, climate science, materials science, and computational science. These are not research programs, but they are excellent for exploring interests.
Focus: Physics, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, computing Duration: Summer (varies) Cost: Free (some positions offer stipends) Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Argonne offers limited summer research positions for high school students. Students work alongside national lab scientists on real research projects using Argonne's advanced facilities, which include particle accelerators, supercomputers, and specialized labs that you simply cannot access anywhere else.
Pros:
- Access to facilities that do not exist at universities
- Work with PhD scientists and engineers
- Projects often contribute to real DOE research
- Unique experience that stands out on applications
Cons:
- Very few spots available
- Location can be challenging without a car
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for most positions
- Application process is not always well-publicized
Focus: Particle physics and related fields Duration: Saturday program runs fall-spring; internships are summer Cost: Free
Fermilab, located in Batavia, offers Saturday Morning Physics—a free lecture series covering particle physics, cosmology, and related topics. They also offer limited summer internships for high school students.
Saturday Morning Physics Pros:
- Free, world-class physics lectures
- No competitive application required
- Access to Fermilab scientists and tours
- Great for physics-curious students at any level
Internship Pros:
- Work at one of the world's leading particle physics labs
- Hands-on experience with real experiments
- Strong for college applications, especially in physics
UChicago Medicine occasionally offers research positions for high school students in its affiliated labs. Areas include oncology, cardiology, genetics, and public health. These are typically arranged through direct faculty contact rather than a formal application process.
How to find these opportunities:
- Identify faculty at UChicago Medicine whose research interests you
- Write a detailed email expressing your interest and relevant background
- Ask your science teacher or school counselor for connections
Similar to UChicago Medicine, Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals offer informal research opportunities for high school students. The key is finding the right faculty connection.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has research programs that occasionally involve high school students, particularly in pediatric research areas. Check their education programs page for current offerings.
Open to: All Illinois high school students Timeline: Regional fairs in February-March, state exposition in May Cost: Free to enter
IJAS is the primary science fair pathway in Illinois. Regional events are held across the state, with top performers advancing to the State Science Exposition. Strong results can qualify students for ISEF.
Tips for Chicago students:
- The Chicago regional is one of the most competitive in the state
- Start your project in September for a spring submission
- Find a mentor early—a teacher, professor, or remote mentor can make a significant difference
- Focus on original research, not demonstrations or well-known experiments
Regeneron STS is open to all U.S. high school seniors. Chicago students have historically done well in this competition thanks to the strength of local research mentorship. If your research is strong enough, this is worth pursuing. See our Regeneron STS guide for details.
While Science Olympiad is a team competition rather than an individual research program, it builds skills (experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication) that are directly transferable to independent research.
Chicago has strong local options, but there are legitimate reasons to consider remote programs:
- Program fit: If your research interest is in marine biology, computational linguistics, or another field not well-represented locally, a remote program gives you access to the right mentor
- Capacity constraints: Local programs accept a limited number of students each year
- Schedule flexibility: In-person programs require daily commuting during summer; remote programs work around your schedule
- Publication focus: Many local programs end with a poster or presentation; remote programs can be structured around peer-reviewed publication
Focus: All STEM disciplines Duration: Flexible (typically 3-6 months) Cost: Paid program Format: Fully remote, 1-on-1 mentorship
The YRI Fellowship is a strong option for Chicago students who want personalized mentorship and a focus on publishable research. Each student is paired with a PhD-level mentor and works on an original research project of their choosing.
What makes it different from local programs:
- You select your research topic based on your interests
- 1-on-1 mentorship rather than group lab settings
- Designed to produce peer-reviewed publications
- Flexible timeline that works around school, sports, and other commitments
- Students have published in IEEE, won science fairs, and used their work in successful college applications
See real student outcomes or learn about how the program works.
Do not apply to programs blindly. Spend time reading about different fields. What problems fascinate you? What would you want to spend 6 months thinking about? This clarity will strengthen both your applications and your research.
Before applying to competitive programs, build skills that make you a stronger candidate:
- Learn basic statistics (many free online courses)
- Read published papers in your field of interest
- Take relevant AP or honors courses
- Learn a programming language if your field uses data analysis (Python is the most versatile)
Apply to 3-5 programs that match your interests. Include a mix of:
- High-reach programs (SIMR-equivalent, Argonne)
- Moderate programs (UChicago RIBS, Northwestern mentorship)
- Guaranteed options (remote programs, independent research with a mentor)
The students who produce the best research are those who start in the fall or winter, not those who wait for summer programs. Consider beginning a research project during the school year with a remote mentor or teacher.
Whatever program you choose, push for concrete results: a submitted paper, a science fair entry, a conference presentation. These outcomes matter far more for college applications than program attendance alone. Learn about how to get research published while still in high school.
It depends on your field and goals. UChicago and Northwestern offer strong university-based programs. Argonne and Fermilab are exceptional for physics and materials science. For personalized mentorship and publication potential across all STEM fields, remote programs like the YRI Fellowship are a top option.
Most competitive programs accept 10-20% of applicants. Programs like Argonne can be even more selective. Having a strong academic record, a clear research interest, and a thoughtful application are essential. If you do not get into your top choice, remote alternatives ensure you can still do meaningful research.
Yes, both labs offer limited positions for high school students. Argonne's summer program and Fermilab's internships are the main pathways. These are competitive, so apply early and express specific interest in their research areas. Fermilab's Saturday Morning Physics is open to all students and requires no application.
Most summer programs open applications in December-February. Start preparing in the fall by identifying programs, drafting personal statements, and securing recommendation letters. Year-round opportunities through remote programs are available at any time.
Most programs do not require prior experience but look for intellectual curiosity, strong academics, and a genuine interest in the research area. Having a specific research question or topic in mind strengthens your application significantly. Read about how to choose a research topic if you need help getting started.
Chicago's unique strengths are its national labs (Argonne, Fermilab), which offer access to facilities that simply do not exist at universities. The university programs at UChicago and Northwestern are comparable to peer institutions in other major cities. For students whose interests are not well-served by local options, remote programs provide access to mentors nationwide regardless of location.