About

The SHTEM Summer Internships at Stanford University offer an eight-week research experience for motivated high-school juniors, seniors, and community-college students interested in engineering, computational science, mathematics, neuroscience, design, and technology. Hosted by the Stanford Compression Forum, the program places students in faculty research groups where they collaborate closely with mentors—often graduate students or postdoctoral researchers—on applied research problems. SHTEM is designed to provide students with early exposure to research methodologies used across engineering and computational fields, blending structured instruction with hands-on project work.

Admission to SHTEM is highly competitive. Students must be U.S.-based, and application materials typically include academic transcripts, statements of interest, and a letter of recommendation. Although prior research experience is not required, successful applicants generally demonstrate strong academic preparation and a clear interest in technical fields. Applicants should especially note that SHTEM is not looking only for academic ability or focus but a non-traditional, interdisciplinary mindset. The program has only a few projects each summer, and successful applicants must demonstrate how they can be integrated into one of Stanford’s existing projects. The program does not charge tuition or fees, but students must arrange their own housing and transportation. Cohort sizes vary by year, but recent groups have included approximately 60 participants across multiple research tracks.

Over the eight-week term, students join small research teams and contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as computer vision, machine learning, computational mathematics, neural engineering, human–computer interaction, data science, digital health, and sustainability-oriented technology. Work may include coding, data analysis, design tasks, scientific reading, prototyping, or exploratory experimentation under mentor guidance.

Students attend weekly seminar sessions led by faculty and research staff, engage in group meetings, and build skills in technical communication, documentation, and project iteration. The program culminates in a final poster session or project presentation summarizing students’ contributions and the research context. Notably, SHTEM explicitly emphasizes connections between humanities-grounded research abilities and success in STEM.

SHTEM distinguishes itself through its extended eight-week structure, multidisciplinary project placements, and emphasis on computational and engineering approaches across a wide range of domains. Because it is free, academically rigorous, and directly embedded in Stanford research groups, SHTEM is a highly sought-after opportunity for advanced high school students. Participants gain early familiarity with the workflows, expectations, and collaborative practices of university-level research.