Conduct and Publish Exceptional Research

Nova Research is an online program for ambitious high school students. Led by graduate researchers from top universities, offering students the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with experts engaged in cutting-edge research. Showcase your intellectual curiosity, build expertise in a field you’re passionate about, and strengthen your college applications with undergraduate-level research that sets you apart.

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Why do research in high school?

Stand out on your college apps

Showcase your intellectual curiosity, dedication to academics, and ability to engage with complex topics, all with the goal of making a meaningful impact on the world. As you prepare for college, admissions officers want to see what drives you and how you will use that to change the world.

Work with top researchers

Collaborate with experts at the forefront of their fields - all from the top 5 US universities. You will deepen your understanding of complex subjects and demonstrate your drive to learn from the best and apply that knowledge toward making a impact in your chosen area of study.

Cultivate your passions

Explore subjects you're passionate about in greater depth than traditional coursework offers. From the intricacies of space law to diving into cutting-edge GenAI applications, Nova allows you to push the boundaries of your learning and investigate emerging fields.

Learn advanced skillsets

From NLP to biotechnology, students acquire knowledge that can be applied to future internships and careers. This experience has also empowered students to take advanced classes, giving them a valuable head start on both academic and professional opportunities.

By the numbers

100+

Nova students

$50K+

Provided in financial aid

900+

Mentoring hours

120+

Nova mentors

We drive exceptional research across four stages

Stage 1: Learn

Learn how to conduct research, dive into the theory of your subject, and read research papers specific to your field with guidance from your mentor.

Stage 2: Plan

Add specificity and finalize your research question. Create a detailed work plan for your research and begin putting together the papers and data sets your work will require.

Stage 3: Analyze and Draft Paper

Learn all the essential tools and skills for your analysis. Refine your research question and approach as needed and draft your paper.

Stage 4: Finalize and Publish

Finish your paper based on findings and refine with publication expert; submit your work to research journals.

The Nova Research Process

First, apply to the Nova Research program

Students apply by submitting a written response outlining their educational goals, extracurricular activities, areas of passion, and their commitment to dedicating the time needed to develop exceptional research. The program requires a commitment of 5-7 hours per week.

Choose your research project

We have curated a list of research topics that our mentors are experts at. We'll suggest topics that would add to your existing academic passions and showcase depth in your areas of interest.

We'll take it from there

We'll walk you through the steps of developing and publishing meaningful research. Our program is the most rigorous of any research program for high school students; our mentors are from the world's leading universities and have extensive publication experience.

Two research pathways

Nova Standard‍
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Develop a ~5,000-word college-level research paper with the intention to publish.

10 hour-long individual sessions with expert mentor

Select from curated research topics

1 publication support session and revision ; opportunity to purchase additional revision support

Session with an admissions expert to integrate research experience into your college narrative

10 week-long program

Opportunity to extend

Nova Premium

Write a ~5,000-word college-level research paper with additional mentorship and publication support.

17 hour-long individual sessions with expert mentor

Select from curated research topics

5 publication support sessions, including revisions, application strategy, and submissions

Session with an admissions expert to integrate research experience into your college narrative

17 week-long program

Opportunity to extend

Example research projects

Students have conducted exceptional research across diverse topics - spanning Engineering, Medicine, Business, and Social Sciences & Humanities.

Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Access to Higher Education in the United States

Social Sciences

Literature Review

Description: Conduct a literature review on the socioeconomic factors affecting access to higher education in the United States. Students will examine how income, geographic location, race, and parental education levels influence college enrollment rates, financial aid accessibility, and academic preparation. Using research from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, and scholarly articles, this review will highlight disparities in college access and analyze the effectiveness of current policies and programs aimed at supporting low-income and marginalized students.

‍Outcome: A research paper that explores the socioeconomic barriers to higher education, with an emphasis on identifying key factors limiting access and evaluating the impact of policy interventions. The paper includes educational policy recommendations.

The Role of Literature in Social Movements During the United States Civil Rights Era

Humanities

Literature Review

Description: Explore the profound influence of literature on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, examining key works by authors like James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and Lorraine Hansberry. Students will investigate how literature served as both a reflection of the socio-political climate and a catalyst for change, shaping public discourse on race, justice, and equality. The project will focus on the themes of racial identity, resistance, and empowerment, and how these works contributed to the broader struggle for civil rights in America. By analyzing these literary contributions, students will gain insight into the role of the arts in driving social and political movements.
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‍Outcome: A research paper that analyzes the influence of key literary works on the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on their impact on public opinion and activism, and how these themes resonate with contemporary struggles for racial justice.

A Comparative Analysis of Sustainable Business Models in Eco-Friendly Brands

Business

Literature Review

Description: Conduct an in-depth analysis of how leading brands like Tesla, Beyond Meat, and Allds have integrated tainability into their core business models. The review will compare their approaches to environmental impact reduction, such as material sourcing, supply chain management, and product lifecycle sustainability.The project will also explore the challenges these companies face, such as balancing profitability with environmental goals, and the scalability of their sustainable practices across industries. By examining these brands, students will gain insight into how sustainability contributes to brand perception and long-term profitability.
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‍Outcome: A comprehensive comparative research paper evaluating the effectiveness of sustainable business strategies and providing insights into their potential for long-term success and brand loyalty, supported by case studies and financial performance analysis .

The Impact of Minimum Wage Increases on Small Businesses in the United States

Business

Data Analysis

Description: Analyze the economic impact of recent minimum wage increases on small businesses, focusing on regions with notable wage changes. Using a combination of public datasets and case studies, students will examine how these changes have affected profitability, hiring practices, employee retention, and overall business sustainability. The analysis will include sector-specific insights, identifying industries that are more resilient to wage increases and those that struggle to absorb the costs. The project will also explore how businesses have adapted to these policies, whether through operational adjustments or price changes.

‍Outcome: A detailed research paper outlining the economic effects of minimum wage increases, with data-driven insights and recommendations for balancing wage growth with business sustainability. The paper will include actionable strategies for small businesses to remain competitive in a changing labor market.

Analyzing Care Disparities for Individuals with Autism in Urban vs. Rural Areas in the United States

Medicine

Data Analysis

Description: Investigate healthcare access disparities for individuals with autism, focusing on the differences between urban and rural regions. Using publicly available data from sources such as the CDC, HRSA, and the U.S. Census Bureau, students will analyze key indicators such as the availability of specialized autism services, early diagnosis rates, and wait times for treatment. Statistical analysis tools like Python or R will be used to uncover trends and correlations, particularly in how geography impacts access to care. The project will also explore the implications of these disparities on long-term outcomes for individuals with autism.

Outcome: A research paper analyzing the geographic disparities in healthcare access for individuals with autism, highlighting the challenges faced by rural populations. The paper will include data-driven recommendations for policy changes and strategies to improve service delivery in underserved areas.

Evaluation of Telemedicine Effectiveness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Medicine

Literature Review

Description: Conduct a literature review on telemedicine’s effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on healthcare access, patient satisfaction, and treatment outcomes. By synthesizing research from sources like the CDC, WHO, and healthcare studies, students will explore how telemedicine mitigated barriers to care, particularly during lockdowns and healthcare facility closures. Key areas of focus will include completion rates of virtual appointments, reduced wait times, and accessibility for underserved populations. The review will also examine challenges in telemedicine adoption, such as digital divide issues, patient data privacy concerns, and the variation in patient satisfaction.
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‍Outcome: A comprehensive evaluation of telemedicine’s role during COVID-19, highlighting its strengths and limitations in healthcare delivery. The paper will provide recommendations for enhancing telemedicine practices, focusing on strategies to improve access and patient experience, with considerations for addressing the digital divide in future public health emergencies.

Exploring Fundamental Quantum Algorithms and Their Applications in Cryptography

Engineering

Literature Review

Description: Review key quantum algorithms such as Grover’s algorithm for database search and Shor’s algorithm for factoring large numbers. Students will explore how these algorithms operate in quantum computing environments and their revolutionary potential in fields like cryptography, optimization, and drug discovery. The project will include an analysis of recent advancements in quantum computing hardware and the practical challenges involved in implementing these algorithms. Additionally, students will examine potential future applications of quantum computing in solving complex problems that classical computers cannot efficiently address.
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Outcome: A comprehensive research paper explaining 3-5 quantum algorithms, their theoretical foundations, and real-world applications, with a discussion on the future trajectory of quantum computing and its impact on industries.

Evaluating Bias in Generative AI Chatbots and its Implications on Ethical AI

Engineering

Data Analysis

Description: Investigate how biases related to gender, race, and culture manifest in generative AI models such as GPT-3 and GPT-4. Students will analyze chatbot responses using publicly available datasets like Common Crawl, WinoBias, and StereoSet. The analysis will involve identifying patterns of biased outputs through natural language processing (NLP) techniques, such as sentiment analysis, word frequency analysis, and token distribution analysis. Additionally, students will apply bias detection metrics (such as toxicity scores and stereotype benchmarks) to quantify bias in model outputs. By comparing different prompts and model responses, students will assess how training data and model architecture contribute to biased behavior. This project will also explore corrective techniques like adversarial training and model fine-tuning to mitigate bias in AI-generated responses.

‍Outcome: A research paper detailing the nature of biases found in generative AI models, with recommendations for addressing these biases in future development to create more inclusive and fair AI systems.

Hear from our students

Mei

Roosevelt High School

The Economic Impact of U.S. Space Policy on the Commercial Aerospace Industry

"Before Nova Scholar, I had no background in political science research. There are so many opportunities in the field, and I now know how to analyze and add to real-world political issues."

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Olin

Woodbridge High School

An Examination of the Death Penalty's Legislative Evolution in California and Its Societal Impact

"I am grateful to Nova for this opportunity. I’ve grown as a researcher and have improved my Python. This program has laid a foundation for greater milestones"

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Aditya

Cypress Bay High School

Building Affordable 3D-Printed Pediatric Arm Prosthetics for Enhanced Accessibility

"Nova Scholar has been a transformative experience for me. The mentorship I've received not expanded my understanding of biology and helped me develop critical thinking skills."

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Want to learn more? Download our brochure

We'll go over everything you need to know about Nova Research and Nova Publication. Need for information? Schedule a planning call with our team to discuss your background and ambitions.