20 Free Summer Programs for High School Students
A pre-college or summer program can help you, as a high school student, build your knowledge and skills in a subject you’re passionate about, plan to major in, or pursue a career in. It can give you a head start on your college journey by offering hands-on experience and early exposure to the pressures and rewards of your chosen field.
It also helps enhance your portfolio and college application! Admissions officers value students who have put in an extra effort to build their knowledge and skills beyond the school curriculum. With such programs, you will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals and clinics, and research centers, and to meet with industry professionals.
Often, these programs can come with a cost that isn’t always feasible. In this article, we’ve listed 20 free summer programs to get you started.
Note: Many of these programs also offer stipends!
Quick Recap
Top pick for AI: Veritas AI
Best paid biomedical research option: NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Best for engineering and defense lab research: SEAP and AFRL Scholars
Best journalism option: Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Best for fully funded residential STEM study: MITES Summer, RSI, and SAMS
1. Veritas AI
Founded and run by Harvard graduates and alumni, Veritas AI offers virtual programs for high school and middle school students passionate about AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), and data science.
The AI Scholars program is a virtual 10-week boot camp that introduces high school students to AI & ML through lectures, coding exercises, and hands-on projects. Students will learn to code using Python, and the course material will take a deep dive into neural networks, deep learning, image classification, AI ethics, and more.
The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program is a 1-on-1 mentorship program where students create unique AI projects under the guidance of PhD mentors. Over 12-15 weeks, you can pick a field of interest at the intersection of AI, ML, or data science to produce an individualized research paper, software/model, app, or presentation. Veritas AI has a publication team available to help students publish their papers in journals. Here are some past projects you can look at!
Note: 100% aid is offered for this program.
Location: Virtual. You can attend from anywhere in the world!
Application deadline: The program runs in cohorts throughout the year. Applications for the n summer cohort close on April 21, 2024. You can apply here!
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from July to September. The AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for 12-15 weeks.
Eligibility: Applicants can be anywhere in the world.
- For the AI Scholars program, no previous experience is required - applicants need to show a keen interest in AI.
- For the AI Fellowship program, applicants will either need to complete the AI Scholars program or have had past experience with AI concepts or Python.
2. Ladder Internships
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers high school students virtual internship opportunities at startups and nonprofits worldwide. These organizations span various industries, allowing participants to choose the specific field they are most passionate about. As an intern, you will work on a project that contributes to the organization’s larger mission and present your work at the end of the program. Ladder internships allow you to engage in practical research and innovation, while also offering opportunities to hone your professional skills. You will be paired with a manager at your organization and with a Ladder coach, who will act as your second mentor during the internship. The fields you can choose to intern include AI, engineering, tech, healthcare, media, journalism, sustainability, finance, business, and more.
Note: 100% aid is offered for this program.
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1) | May 12, 2024 (Regular Admission 2).
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
3. Lumiere Research Scholars Program
Founded by Harvard and Oxford graduates, Lumiere offers selective research programs for high school students, where students get to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. The program offers a wide range of disciplines, and you can opt for a research topic in a subject of your interest or one that’s at the intersection of multiple disciplines. Due to its one-on-one nature, you can expect to learn the most recent developments in the field and expand your skill sets by working directly with experts.
A bonus is the opportunity to interact with mentors from universities such as Harvard, Stanford, CMU, and more. This program is a particularly solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Check out our review of Lumiere Education!
Note: 100% aid is offered for this program.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: For the summer cohort, the final application deadline is in May. The program runs in winter, fall, and spring as well.
Program Dates: The summer cohort typically begins in June. The program length depends on which one you choose to attend!
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
You can find the application form here.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (GPA of 3.67 on a 4-point scale) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites; more details can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
5. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
NIH offers a suite of summer internship programs for high school students in the scientific realm. HS-SIP is a unique opportunity for students to engage in hands-on biomedical research alongside leading scientists and mentors. In it, you will work on ongoing research projects, analyze data, and acquire essential laboratory skills.
HiSTEP is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and promoting diversity in STEM. The program partners with renowned research institutions to help you dive into cutting-edge scientific investigations across diverse disciplines. HiSTEP is not a hands-on, full-time research program. It will combine an introduction to scientific, professional, and personal skills with leadership training, wellness programming, and an exploration of STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medically-related) careers. In addition, it will help prepare you for future scholarships and internships.
HiSTEP 2.0, an advanced continuation program, offers an in-depth exploration of scientific research. Tailored for students who have completed HiSTEP or similar research experiences, HiSTEP 2.0 allows you to design and conduct independent research projects under the guidance of mentor scientists in the field of biomedicine. You will also participate in weekly workshops and seminars designed to develop your scientific, professional, and personal skills.
Note: Part of the HS-SIP consists of two programs: the High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)and HiSTEP 2.0. We have covered these programs in detail here.
Location: Students can choose from NIH campuses across the country. The NIH main campus is in Bethesda, MD.
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Program dates: Minimum of 8 weeks in summer
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application (or who have recently graduated) and are 17 years of age or older on June 15, 2024, may apply. Do review all eligibility requirements before applying. There are some additional requirements for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Stipend: $2,300-2,530 (for students currently in high school) | $2,570-2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
6. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is highly competitive, accepting only 12 high school students each year. As a scholar in this program, you will conduct research across a wide range of fields, including engineering, and receive 1-on-1 mentorship and guidance from some of the country’s top scholars. As part of the program, you will also attend discussions, seminars, and field visits. With this program, you can expect to gain practical research experience, build your knowledge base, and engage in social activities. Students will learn from experienced faculty members of the university’s engineering department. More information about the research disciplines available for this program will be updated on the program website soon. In 2023, the program offered research options in biology, physics, electrical and computer engineering, and chemistry.
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX. This is a residential program!
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Dates: June 16, 2024 - August 1, 2024 (7 weeks)
Eligibility: Students who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date, are set to graduate in 2024 or 2025, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply.
Stipend: $750 (on completion of the program)
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy
This research-focused apprenticeship program gives high school students the chance to work in Department of Navy laboratories across the country. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is fairly competitive. In this program, you will work with top researchers and engineers at Navy facilities on actual Naval research, while being mentored by expert Navy scientists and engineers. By working on hands-on projects, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills across STEM disciplines, including engineering, physics, chemistry, and more. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest.
Location: Varies by lab.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year.
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
8. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
This program gives you the opportunity to receive guidance from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers while touring AFRL laboratories and working on cutting-edge research and technology. You can expect to work on areas such as aerospace / mechanical design for morphing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, and metalens design and modeling (to name a few). You will work on hands-on projects in research areas such as biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, additive manufacturing, biochemistry, aerodynamic modeling, adaptive optics, photovoltaics, and more.
These opportunities are also open to undergraduate and graduate-level students so be sure to filter for specific opportunities open to high school students. Go through some of the mentor bios here!
Location: Multiple locations across the country.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: Varies by project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for 9 weeks.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are highly encouraged to apply; a GPA below 3.0 will not disqualify applicants. Students applying must be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline). It’s recommended you read through all the eligibility requirements before applying.
Stipend: $468.80 per week.
9. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
The SIMR is an 8-week internship program where you will get to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in hands-on research. You will have to select one of eight study fields – Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics and Genomics. Based on your choice, you will be allocated to the lab where you will be mentored. This is a fairly competitive program with a cohort size of about 50 students, at an acceptance rate of less than 3% (approximately).
During the first couple of weeks of the program, you will attend lectures in the morning and spend the rest of the day working in your lab. A majority of the program will be spent in full-time lab work. During the last 2 weeks of the program, you will work on the research poster of your project, which you will present to your peers, teachers, family, and the Stanford community at the end of the program.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
Stipend: Students earn $500-$2,500. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Please note: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipends of $2500 or more are awarded on a needs-based basis through special grants.
10. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Each summer, 100 talented, high-achieving high school students are selected to participate in the Research Science Institute (RSI) conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). RSI is the first cost-free summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus research in science and technology. You will experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. You will read current literature in your chosen field, execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on your findings.
RSI scholars first participate in a week-long intensive STEM program with accomplished professors. The heart of RSI is the five week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers – in a field of their choice, so you can choose AI! During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects. For students genuinely passionate about artificial intelligence, RSI represents a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills significantly. Past participants have explored projects ranging from developing AI to predict disease outbreaks to creating algorithms for autonomous vehicle navigation, setting a high standard of research and innovation.
Here is everything you need to know about RSI!
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: July - August
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Rising High School Seniors. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33, and verbal scores at least 34.
11. ResearcHStart at the University of Chicago
ResearcHStart is a multi-institutional program conducted in partnership by the University of Chicago in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northwestern University, and Rush University. It’s an opportunity for students to explore cancer research and potential careers in the field. During the program, you will work full-time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers, gaining hands-on experience in areas at the forefront of the field: cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental cancer therapeutics, cancer disparities, and more.
You will receive rigorous training, and be part of career development and skill-building workshops and a lecture series. The program is a chance to network with faculty and peer mentors. At the end of the program, you will participate in a research symposium attended by your peers, family, and members of the scientific community. Note that this program is highly competitive, with only 30 students being accepted every year.
Location: This is a multi-institutional program that will take place in a number of locations around the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign area.
Application deadline: Applications typically close by January-end.
Program dates: Typically, mid-June to the first week of August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, are eligible.
Stipend: $3,000
12. Medical Student Research Internship Program at Scripps Research Translational Institute
The competitive 10-week internship brings together 40 talented and motivated students (high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional) from across the country for an immersive, college-level research experience. During it, you will learn about current topics in translational science and precision medicine, with a focus on digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement. You will also study design and analysis procedures relevant to translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies. You will observe the steps of proposing, designing, undertaking, and analyzing clinical trials. At the end of the program, you will present a scientific concept to your peers and mentors. Based on your interests, you will be assigned a primary mentor for the program who will guide and advise you.
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA. The institute provides a few resources to help students find housing.
Application deadline: February 29, 2024
Program dates: May 20, 2024 - July 29, 2024. If these dates do not work for you, the institute recommends that you note your available dates in your application (you are required to give 8 weeks, with 40 hours per week).
Eligibility: Highly motivated students in high school who will be at least 16 years old before the internship begins can apply.
Stipend: A stipend will be provided, but no information on the exact amount is available. Travel and housing expenses will be covered.
13. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
This program by Carnegie Mellon University is for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to earn college credit while "developing mastery of fundamental ideas in higher-level collegiate math and science." Classroom training, hands-on research projects, and professional and academic development courses are all part of SAMS. Over 6 weeks, SAMS Scholars engage in a rigorous curriculum led by dedicated faculty, gaining a strong foundation in STEM. The program blends classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and close mentorship. Students also build valuable connections with peers nationwide. SAMS consists of two parts: a virtual segment for skill-building and a six-week, fully funded, in-person pre-college program. Scholars attend full-day courses and meetings, concluding with a symposium. Full participation throughout the program is required.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Dates: 6 weeks, June 22, 2024 - August 3, 2024
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors from high school and underrepresented communities.
14. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU
NYU's ARISE is a comprehensive summer experience for students interested in engineering and its various subsets. The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum covers courses and disciplines such as chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, bio- and molecular engineering, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, and AI.
ARISE is designed to help students develop skills across various STEM disciplines through hands-on research in labs. Students will also attend classroom learning sessions, workshops (on ethics, lab safety, and data collection), and college admissions prep sessions. One of ARISE's distinguishing features is the mentorship provided by NYU's research faculty. This mentorship fosters an environment of collaboration, guidance, and innovation, enabling you to work on meaningful research projects that advance your chosen STEM fields. At the end of the program, students will present their findings at a colloquium.
The 2024 cohort is set to accept 76-80 students.
Location: NYU campus, New York City, NY
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Program Dates: June 3, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (10 weeks). The first 4 weeks will be remote after-school workshops, and the next 6 weeks will have in-person labs on weekdays.
Eligibility: Students residing in New York City who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June 2024 are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend of at least $750.
15. Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University
This program offers students the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers in Princeton laboratories, assisting them with ongoing research, often in engineering and the natural sciences. LLP is a highly selective program, with only 40 students selected across Princeton’s 25 labs. During this program, you’ll spend most of your time in the lab - conducting research and learning techniques.
Princeton faculty lead research teams that include postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, as well as other staff researchers. At the end of the program, interns must produce a two-page research summary report. Research opportunities change every year, depending on the laboratory and the researcher’s focus. Some of the research projects interns participated in last year included:
Machine learning methods for power magnetics modeling
Heat pumps to save the world
Investigating heteroresistance to antibiotics
Machine learning for green power generation
Decoding human genetic variation in human health and disease
Biofuel oxidation at supercritical pressure
You can see the entire list of 2024 research opportunities here!
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Eligibility: Students who
are enrolled in a U.S. high school and are at least 16 years old. High school graduates who will not turn 18 by June 15, 2024, can apply (for the 2024 cohort)
are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students enrolled in a U.S. high school can also apply. Princeton does not sponsor visas for the program.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the researchers' schedules. Each research project has its own schedule. Interns work full-time, Monday to Friday, with no weekend activities.
16. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Summer
MITES Summer is a highly competitive program that offers students the opportunity to dive into a range of STEM subjects. Students take one math, one life sciences, one physics, one humanities, and one project-based elective course. Scholars are placed into the math, life sciences, and physics courses based on their knowledge and skills. In the past, elective courses have included Engineering Design, Architecture, Machine Learning, and Electronics. Students keen on engineering can pick courses suited to their interests!'
The program also includes social activities, events, lab tours, and admissions counseling to help students gain deeper insight into the field and what to expect from a career in engineering. This program takes in around 80-100 students annually. Selected students will learn from experts and MITES alumni while participating in immersive classes, workshops, recitations, and field visits. Students will receive a written evaluation at the end.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA. This is a residential program!
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024
Program Dates: The program typically runs late June through early August (6 weeks).
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Note: Housing and other fees will be covered. This is a fully-funded program.
17. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
This program is perfect for students keen on political journalism. A highly selective program, PSJP admits only 40 students to its annual cohort. It offers high-achieving students from low-income families a free residential journalism and college-prep program where they will study politics and current affairs, learn from Princeton professors and journalists, and collaborate with a college advisor. Students will take part in a summer intensive that includes virtual and on-campus workshops and lectures led by program graduates and journalists from publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Politico, and CNN, among others.
The program will conclude with its 10-day residential program, at the end of which students will publish the Princeton Summer Journal. The website provides last year’s publications for interested students to review.
Location: Hybrid (virtual + on-site at the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ)
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Dates: July 2024 - August 2024 (around 5 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors in the U.S. from low-income backgrounds with an unweighted 3.5/4.0 GPA can apply.
Note: All housing, food, transportation, and equipment costs will be covered for the on-site portion of the program.
18. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
TASS is one of the country’s most selective summer programs for high schoolers, with an acceptance rate of less than 5%. This 6-week program focuses on creative thinking, problem-solving, community building, and academic enrichment. As a TASS participant, you will attend lectures, discussion sessions, team-building activities, and work on group projects with your fellow participants. The program expects you to dedicate 3 hours a day to college-level classes and also exposes you to activities such as planning community service projects and spending from a fixed program budget for them.
This educational experience covers all costs, including tuition, room and board, field trips, and books, ensuring socioeconomic and cultural diversity in their cohort.
Location: Cornell University, Maryland University, and Michigan University
Application Deadline: January 3, 2024
Program Dates: June 23, 2024 - August 3, 2024
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 15 years of age and not older than 18 by June 23, 2024.
19. Summer Student Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco
Integrated with the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, this summer program offers students one-on-one mentorship with health care providers and researchers, along with access to unique workshops, seminars, training, simulations, and networking opportunities. The goal of the program is to stimulate interest in health sciences among underrepresented students while helping them build professional skills for a STEM career.
During the program, you will conduct clinical or basic science research under your mentor’s guidance. At the end of the program, you will present your independent research findings to the scientific community, many of which continue on as future grants, publications, and advances in healthcare.
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Application deadline: Applications are typically due mid-February.
Program dates: Typically 9 weeks, from early June to early August.
Eligibility: Eligible students must
Be high school juniors or seniors who have at least one completed year in math and biology
Be 16 or older by June 1, 2024
Be from backgrounds considered under-represented in the sciences (individuals from racial/ethnic groups typically underrepresented in the sciences, individuals with disabilities, first-generation college students, individuals who reside with families who are low income or otherwise considered disadvantaged.
Stipend: Summer stipends range from $ 3,000–$ 4,300, depending on student status and granting agency.
20. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Girls Who Code seeks to bridge the gender gap in technology by offering a summer program that combines hands-on projects with networking opportunities alongside women in the tech industry. Students can opt for their 2-week immersion program. While the program is open to all backgrounds, half of the participants represent underrepresented groups, including Black, LatinX, and individuals from low-income households, who identify as girls, women, or non-binary. This immersion aims to introduce beginners to intermediate computer science concepts, delve into the iterative design process, explore the basics of UX design, and provide an initial glimpse into the tech industry.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2-week program typically close in March. Students can start the self-paced program at their convenience.
Program Dates: 2-week programs and self-paced programs are offered.
Eligibility: All female and non-binary high school students are eligible.
Image Source - MIT Logo