High school opportunities open now: November 2026

These 9 programs, competitions, research and writing opportunities for high school students were accepting applications when we checked on Nov 3, 2026. They are sorted by deadline, soonest first. For each one we list who can apply, what it costs, and whether the official page mentions homeschoolers.

Last checked Nov 3, 2026. Deadlines and rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.

1. Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027

Research competition from Society for Science

Deadline: November 5, 2026, 8 pm ET
Who can apply: High school seniors with an original research project.
Cost: No entry fee listed. $3.1 million in awards each year, first place $250,000.
Homeschool: Yes. The FAQ says homeschooled students can enter; they ask the Society to add their school and submit a course record as the transcript.
Official page: www.societyforscience.org (opens in a new tab)

2. Coolidge Scholarship 2026-27

Scholarship from Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation

Deadline: December 1, 2026, 5 pm Pacific Time (all materials, including letters)
Who can apply: High school juniors planning to start college full time in fall 2028; U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Cost: No application fee listed. The award covers full tuition, room, board and required fees for four years.
Homeschool: Yes. The eligibility page includes juniors "or the equivalent if home schooled."
Official page: coolidgescholars.org (opens in a new tab)

3. Research Science Institute (RSI) 2027

Summer research program from Center for Excellence in Education, at MIT and Stanford

Deadline: December 11, 2026, 11:59 pm (no time zone given)
Who can apply: High school juniors. Seniors are not eligible.
Cost: Free to students (CEE calls it cost-free).
Official page: www.cee.org (opens in a new tab)

4. MIT THINK Scholars Program 2026-27

Research proposal competition from MIT undergraduates

Deadline: January 1, 2027
Who can apply: High school students with a permanent U.S. address, alone or in a team of two.
Cost: No application fee listed. Finalists get up to $1,000 in project funding and mentorship.
Official page: think.mit.edu (opens in a new tab)

5. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) 2027

Summer research program from RockEDU, The Rockefeller University

Deadline: January 4, 2027, 5 pm ET (including the recommendation letter)
Who can apply: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 by June 21, 2027. Full time in New York City, June 21 to August 5, 2027.
Cost: Free to apply and free to attend.
Official page: www.rockefeller.edu (opens in a new tab)

6. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) 2027, Regular Decision

Summer program from Yale University

Deadline: January 6, 2027, 11:59 pm ET
Who can apply: Current high school sophomores or juniors, ages 16 to 18 by July 18, 2027, first-time participants.
Cost: $100 application fee (fee waiver available). Tuition $7,500 for a 2-week session; need-based aid can cover up to full tuition.
Official page: globalscholars.yale.edu (opens in a new tab)

7. Profile in Courage Essay Contest 2027

Essay contest from John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

Deadline: January 11, 2027, 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time
Who can apply: U.S. students in grades 9 to 12, plus some correspondence/GED students under 20 and U.S. citizens at schools overseas.
Cost: No entry fee listed. First place $10,000, second place $3,000, three finalists $1,000 each.
Homeschool: Yes. Open to students at "public, private, parochial, or home schools."
Official page: www.jfklibrary.org (opens in a new tab)

8. MITES Summer and MITES Semester

Summer STEM program from MIT

Deadline: February 1, 11:59 pm PST. This is the date listed in the MITES FAQ; confirm it on the official MITES page before you apply.
Who can apply: High school juniors (11th graders) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Cost: Free. Students pay only their travel to and from MIT.
Homeschool: Yes. The FAQ says public, private and homeschooled students are eligible (recommendations must come from non-family members).
Official page: mites.mit.edu (opens in a new tab)

9. Davidson Fellows Scholarship 2027

Scholarship for a finished project from Davidson Institute

Deadline: February 17, 2027, 11:59 pm Pacific Time
Who can apply: Ages 18 or younger at the deadline, U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the U.S., with a significant finished piece of work.
Cost: No application fee listed. Scholarships of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000.
Official page: www.davidsongifted.org (opens in a new tab)

Before you apply

If a program asks for a school transcript or counselor letter and the official page does not mention homeschoolers, email the program and ask what it accepts. Planning ahead for credit? See free and cheap college credit for homeschoolers, high school curriculum and free contests for kids. Planning summer? See free and low-cost summer 2027 programs for high schoolers.

Each listing was read on its official page on Nov 3, 2026. No affiliate links on this page.