15 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in California
Participating in a chemistry program during high school allows you to work with scientific concepts instead of only reading about them in textbooks. These experiences often combine lab practice, data analysis, and mentorship, allowing you to strengthen problem-solving skills while exploring what research looks like in academic or professional settings. By participating, you can build confidence with laboratory techniques, learn how to communicate findings clearly, and develop habits that will be useful in both college and future STEM careers.
California is home to leading universities and national laboratories, all of which contribute to a rich environment for chemistry. Many chemistry programs in California draw on these resources, giving you access to faculty researchers, advanced facilities, and projects that connect classroom knowledge with applications. Both local and out-of-state students can avail these resources and find a program that suits their needs. You can explore your interests and add to your resume with these programs.
To help with your search, you’ll find a list of 15 chemistry programs for high school students in California.
1. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA
Cost: $1070 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by term; early applicants have a much higher acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Summer: April 15; Autumn: Aug 15; Spring: December 30
Eligibility: Current or rising high school students
At ASDRP, you will conduct original research that contributes to ongoing projects in chemistry, biology, computer science, and more. You’ll be matched with a research mentor who helps you design and carry out a project, from forming a question to writing up results. In chemistry, projects may involve drug discovery, antibiotic synthesis, or biochemistry, depending on your team. Along the way, you’ll build skills in experimental design, technical writing, and data analysis. Since ASDRP mirrors the environment of an R&D lab, you’ll leave with experience that looks and feels like what professional scientists do every day.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
3. Stanford Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 by the start of the program, who live and attend school in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, or San Mateo Counties
Instead of focusing on a single project, IFSS gives you the chance to shadow multiple graduate students in a university chemistry department. Over two weeks, you will observe different kinds of chemical research, talk with graduate students about their work, and see a variety of experimental techniques in action. This format means you will learn broadly about how research differs across labs and subfields rather than specializing in one. The goal is to help you build perspective on what chemistry looks like in practice and to show the many directions research can take. If you’re looking for chemistry programs for high school students in California that emphasize exposure over specialization, IFSS offers a unique approach.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students
Horizon is an online research program where you will create a full-length research paper under the guidance of university professors and PhD scholars. You can choose from pre-approved topics or design your own, with support from mentors who help refine your research question. The process combines small group classes, office hours, writing clinics, and independent work. Over 10–16 weeks, you’ll learn how to develop an argument, gather evidence, and use appropriate methodologies, from qualitative essays to data-driven analysis. By the end, you produce a 20-page manuscript that reflects the depth of your study. 6,450
5. Army Educational Outreach Program Internships
Location: Various locations across the country
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by project and lab
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
As an AEOP intern, you’ll spend time in a professional lab environment alongside scientists and engineers. These internships place you in U.S. Army research labs or university facilities, where you will contribute to ongoing projects while learning how research operates on a daily basis. You’ll gain practice with specialised equipment, techniques, and lab culture while working under the guidance of a mentor. The program also introduces you to a national network of STEM peers and professionals through the AEOP Learning Hub. In addition to the research itself, you’ll take part in workshops, webinars, and training sessions that highlight careers and skills in STEM fields.
6. American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED
Location: Nationwide, including California
Stipend: Scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in chemistry and/or science, who have completed at least one course of high school chemistry, and whose family’s annual income does not exceed 30% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Through ACS Project SEED, you can spend the summer in a professional research environment, working alongside scientists in chemistry and related fields. This chemistry program for high school students emphasizes experience, giving you a chance to participate in research rather than classroom experiments. You’ll be paired with mentors in academia, government, or industry who guide you through lab techniques and the research process. Some projects focus on areas like organic synthesis, materials chemistry, or chemical engineering, depending on the lab you join. In addition to experiments, you’ll gain insight into professional development, college readiness, and careers in science.
7. UCSB Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter), $12,474 (residential). Limited scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders with a minimum 3.8 academic weighted GPA
In this six-week summer program, you will work closely with a mentor to take on a university-level research project. The program begins with a virtual introduction to resources and faculty before you transition to on-campus research. Once in Santa Barbara, you’ll join a team, select your project, and dedicate 35–50 hours a week to active research. Depending on the project, you might spend your days in the lab, conducting fieldwork, or analyzing data. Along the way, you’ll attend lectures from UC Santa Barbara researchers, practice presenting technical findings, and complete a formal research paper. The experience is designed to help you understand how research questions are developed and answered at the university level.
8. UC Davis Young Scholars Program
Location: University of California, Davis, CA
Cost: $45 application fee (can be waived) + $7,500 (fee reductions available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students
Dates: June 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
This program places you in a UC Davis laboratory for six weeks, where you’ll complete an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Past projects have included everything from fieldwork to bench chemistry and computational modeling. As you progress, you’ll maintain a research notebook, prepare a journal-style article, and present your findings at a symposium. You also receive structured support, with checkpoints that help you meet deadlines for writing and presentations. For high school students in California interested in chemistry programs with academic credit and intensive mentorship, this one provides a rigorous introduction to original research.
9. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $5,256 + $44 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 160–200 participants/campus
Dates: July 6 – August 1/August 2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students with demonstrated academic excellence in STEM
COSMOS is a four–week residential program that places you in a specialized academic “cluster” at a University of California campus. Each cluster includes two STEM courses and a science communication course, so you balance lab work with writing and presentation practice. You’ll learn from UC faculty and graduate researchers in subjects ranging from marine biology to robotics to chemistry. Group sizes are small, with about 20–25 students per cluster and a low student-to-faculty ratio, which gives you a more personal interaction with your instructors. For California high school students looking for chemistry programs that combine rigorous academics with mentorship, COSMOS provides structured exposure to advanced topics.
10. University of the Pacific Chemistry Summer Camp
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $500 nonrefundable deposit + $3,650 (discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 17 – 27
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
At this camp, you’ll investigate how chemists design and synthesize anticancer drugs. Working in a university lab, you’ll learn to handle glassware and instruments while conducting experiments that mimic real drug development research. Faculty and graduate mentors will guide you through modeling drug molecules, synthesizing compounds, and testing their properties. You’ll study how chemotherapy targets cancer cells and how chemical design influences effectiveness. The program also includes instruction in using scientific literature and computational tools to refine drug design. By the end, you’ll present your findings in a professional-style presentation, gaining both lab and communication skills. This camp is one of the more specialized chemistry programs for high school students in California, focusing specifically on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
11. UCLA Summer Sessions for High School Students
Location: Online/in-person at UCLA
Cost: $350 non-refundable registration fee + tuition costs (varies by cours e)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 3–10 errks programs across the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students
As part of UCLA Summer Sessions, you can enroll in one or two introductory chemistry courses taught by UCLA faculty. Options include classes such as General Chemistry for Life Scientists and Chemical Structure, each with online lecture and lab components. These courses are designed to mirror the academic rigor of UCLA’s undergraduate curriculum, giving you early exposure to college-level science. Because they are credit-bearing, you’ll complete graded assignments, exams, and lab reports. Alongside the coursework, you’ll interact virtually with instructors and other students in discussion sections. This is one of the few chemistry programs for high school students in California that allows you to take actual UCLA classes and earn university credit.
12. Pacific Summer High School Institute
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $500 nonrefundable deposit + $3,650 (discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 12; Session 2: June 17 – 27
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: High school students
During the Pacific Summer High School Institute, you can explore topics across science, engineering, arts, and more in a two–week residential setting. For chemistry and related sciences, you might work in university labs where projects emphasise applications and problem-solving. The program combines classes with activities in makerspaces, studios, and research facilities. Outside of academics, you’ll live in residence halls, join campus activities, and get a preview of college life. The schedule includes evening events like esports, movies, and team activities, giving you time to connect with other students.
13. Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: California 10th and 11th graders with an unweighted 3.5+ cumulative GPA and a household income equal to or lower than your category in the Family Income Eligibility Tables
BASE is an online UCLA program that pairs academic study with mentorship and advising. You’ll take one summer course while also earning college credit. Beyond coursework, the program emphasizes preparation for higher education through workshops on college admissions, study skills, and financial literacy. Each participant is matched with a UCLA undergraduate mentor who provides one-on-one guidance about adjusting to academic life. Weekly co-curricular activities help you build confidence in areas like public speaking and time management.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27; Session Two: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11
At Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, you can choose an intensive online course that focuses on one subject for two weeks. While the program covers a wide range of topics, courses in chemistry and related sciences give you the chance to explore advanced content not typically offered in high school. The classes are live and interactive, with small groups that allow real-time discussions with instructors and peers. You’ll learn directly from scholars and researchers who design their own course material. Unlike credit-bearing courses, the focus here is on exploration and curiosity rather than grades.
15. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: December 9 and February 17
Eligibility: High school students
Through the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth, you can take online courses that stretch beyond what most high schools offer. You’ll find classes across science, technology, language arts, history, and more. The program gives you choices in how you want to learn: session-based courses with deadlines, individually paced courses that let you set your own rhythm, or live courses that include real-time discussions. If you prefer collaboration, you can also join clubs that meet weekly to explore shared interests. You’ll use structured assignments, independent study, or live sessions depending on the format you choose.
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