High School Summer Research Opportunities at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, is globally recognized for its pioneering research and academic excellence. For high-achieving high school students with medical school ambitions Johns Hopkins’ summer research programs offer transformative academic exposure. These programs provide opportunities to engage with collegiate-level coursework, collaborate with seasoned faculty, and connect with intellectually curious peers. 

Why Summer Research Matters

Summer research programs do more than just pad your CV. They:

• Cultivate Passion and Direction – Exposure to advanced topics helps students discover or refine academic and career interests.
  
  
• Build Resilience and Independence – Working on complex, open-ended projects builds perseverance and intellectual grit.
  
  
• Develop College Readiness – Programs demonstrate authentic commitment to learning, appealing to selective universities.
  
  
• Hone Analytical Thinking Skills – Real-world challenges help students develop problem-solving skills and research methodologies.
  
  
• Provide Networking Opportunities – Students build meaningful relationships with faculty and peers.
  
  

Research Programs at John Hopkins University

1. Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) supports gifted learners from grades 2–12. For high schoolers, it offers:

• Advanced summer courses in math, science, engineering, and writing.
  
  
• Project-based learning that mirrors college-level rigor.
  
  
• Tuition Fees> Live (synchronous) courses: $1,125; Individually paced (asynchronous): $955–$1,455; Session-based: $695–$2,130; Clubs: $185–$380

2. Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI)

• Covers multiple engineering disciplines through labs, group challenges, and design work.
  
  
• Prerequisites: algebra, trigonometry, and lab sciences.
  
  
• Runs in July
• Tuition Fees: $8,000
  
  

3. Sustainable Energy Engineering

• Focuses on climate change and renewable energy.
  
  
• Students explore solar panel optimization, wind turbines, and battery technology.
• Tuition Fees: $3,800
  
  

4. Discover Hopkins: On-Campus and Online Exploration

Discover Hopkins provides diverse academic exposure through accelerated courses in subjects as diverse as, Neuroscience, Global health, Humanities, and Photography

Program Format

• Students may stay in residence halls on the Homewood Campus.
  
  
• Sessions vary in length and focus.
  
  
• Both in-person and online formats are available.
  
  
• Costs depend on session type and course selection.
  
  

5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS)

JHIBS is a competitive internship designed to diversify neuroscience research by engaging underrepresented students.

Key Features

• Lab-based experiments
  
  
• Data analysis
  
  
• Faculty mentorship
  
  
• Typically free of cost; stipends may be available
  
  
• Applications are usually due in early spring
  
  

Students gain practical insights into neuroscience and the demands of lab research, often solidifying long-term academic goals.

6. Additional Department-Specific Opportunities

Beyond flagship programs, Johns Hopkins offers:

• Workshops in Epidemiology (Bloomberg School of Public Health)
  
  
• Collaborations in Engineering & Medicine
  
  
• Leadership Institutes or Humanities-Focused Intensives
  
  

Practical Tips for Maximizing Summer Research

• Identify Your Goals – Be clear on whether you want hands-on experience, mentorship, or subject immersion.
  
  
• Stay Organized – Use planners to track lectures, labs, and group meetings.
  
  
• Engage Fully – Ask questions and participate actively, even in virtual settings.
  
  
• Keep a Research Journal – Reflecting daily can help shape college essays and future research.
  
  
• Network Intentionally – Build relationships with mentors and peers for future opportunities.
  
  
• Seek Follow-Up Programs – Platforms like Nova Scholar allow continued exploration beyond the summer.
  
  

How Nova Scholar Education Extends Summer Research

Participating in a Johns Hopkins program can be just the beginning of your research journey. This is where Nova Scholar Education steps in: mentors can help you build on your momentum, expanding a concept that intrigued you during the summer into a months-long research or patent-focused project.

Nova Scholar’s tailored structure ensures students remain motivated and challenged. By matching participants with a mentor from Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or MIT—each a leader in their respective discipline—Nova Scholar adds depth and continuity to what might otherwise be a short-lived exploration. To learn more about the Nova Scholar program, visit our website.

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