12 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you’re a high school student interested in chemistry, joining a structured program can help you move beyond textbook learning and explore the field. These programs give you space to explore topics like molecular interactions, materials, or chemical reactions while learning how researchers test, measure, and analyze their results. You also gain exposure to lab work, data collection, and collaborative problem-solving that strengthen your scientific foundation.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City offers a range of opportunities for students to explore chemistry through research, coursework, and mentorship. You’ll work on experiments, research projects, or coursework that encourage you to think critically and develop skills you can apply to advanced study. Whether you live locally or are visiting the city, these NYC programs can help you grow your profile and explore STEM opportunities.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 12 chemistry programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,000 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
NYU’s ARISE program is a free, 10-week summer research experience that places you in a university laboratory after a structured training period. The first four weeks focus on lab safety, research methods, and academic writing, helping you build the foundational skills needed for scientific work. You then spend six weeks working in one of more than 80 NYU labs, where chemistry-related placements may involve areas such as crystal engineering, flow chemistry, or applied chemical research, depending on mentor availability. Throughout the program, you work closely with faculty and graduate mentors while gaining roughly 120 hours of lab experience. You also participate in workshops focused on scientific communication, public speaking, and academic planning. The program concludes with research presentations at the NYU Colloquium and a poster symposium held at the American Museum of Natural History.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
The Veritas AI Fellowship is a 12–15-week online research program focused on independent project development with one-on-one mentorship from an AI expert. If your interests overlap with chemistry, you may apply machine learning methods to chemical datasets, emissions modeling, or other data-driven chemistry applications. The program begins with structured learning in core AI concepts and research design, allowing you to refine a feasible research question before moving into full project development. You are expected to work independently while receiving regular guidance and technical feedback from your mentor. At the end of the program, you present your project to peers and may submit your work to academic journals or conferences. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% acceptance rate with 20 interns selected per summer
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 years or older by June, have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of the main campus
The HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is an eight-week, full-time research internship for high school juniors. You are placed in a biomedical or computational research lab and work under the guidance of a mentor such as a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or research technician. Chemistry-related experiences may include work in chemical biology, pharmacology, drug development, or structural biology, depending on lab placement. You contribute to a self-directed project that aligns with the lab’s broader research goals. In addition to lab work, you attend lab meetings, educational sessions, and professional development events across MSK.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week online research experience where you develop a full academic paper under the guidance of a PhD mentor. If you choose a chemistry track, your research may focus on topics such as reaction kinetics, nanomaterials, renewable energy systems, or chemically driven biological processes. The program begins with a literature review and research design, followed by data analysis and academic writing. You meet regularly with your mentor to receive feedback on methodology, interpretation, and clarity. Participants may earn optional college credit through UC San Diego and often submit their completed papers to journals or competitions.
5. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program
Location: Varies based on lab choice, check here
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend is awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 350 students participate in the program each year
Dates: 8-10 weeks; June – August
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course (preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size)
ACS Project SEED is an 8–10 week paid summer research program that places you in a professional chemistry lab under the supervision of a practicing scientist. The program is specifically designed for high school students from economically disadvantaged or historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Depending on your placement, you may work on projects involving organic chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, or pharmaceutical research. Your time is split between hands-on lab work and a range of enrichment activities covering lab safety, career pathways, and scientific communication. You also complete a research report summarizing your findings at the end of this prestigious chemistry program for high school students in New York City.
6. Simons - NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 80 students
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors, as well as recent high school graduates who live in the U.S. | Must be at least 16 years old | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program is a three-week residential summer experience designed to introduce you to college-level study across the physical and life sciences. Hosted on NYU’s campus at no cost, the program combines faculty-led lectures with laboratory sessions in subjects including chemistry, biology, physics, neural science, and psychology. In chemistry-focused labs, you may explore introductory concepts in organic and inorganic chemistry through guided experiments. You also attend workshops and talks led by NYU faculty and visiting researchers. Outside of coursework, the chemistry program for high school students in New York City includes supervised social and cultural activities throughout the city.
7. Columbia University Pre-College Summer Programs – Intensive Modern Chemistry Laboratory
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 (Residential) | $6,310 (Commuter) | Financial aid available for Commuter Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 7 (Summer A) | July 21 – August 7 (Summer B)
Application deadline: March 2 (Residential) | April 2 (Commuter)
Eligibility: High school students; only students who are 15 years or older can apply to the Residential Program | Prerequisites are Algebra 1 & Algebra 2, as well as one year of high school chemistry
The Intensive Modern Chemistry Laboratory is a college-level course offered through Columbia University’s Pre-College Summer Programs. You spend extended hours in Columbia’s teaching and research labs, completing experiments that reflect current topics in medicinal, environmental, and materials chemistry. This chemistry program for high school students in New York City focuses on hands-on training with professional-grade instruments, including spectroscopy and chromatography, along with data analysis and computer-based simulations. Coursework includes collaborative experiments, class discussions, and guest lectures from academic and industry scientists. The program concludes with a small research project, a written scientific paper, and a group presentation.
8. Columbia University - Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential fee: $10,705 | Commuter fee: $5,880 (Need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average class size is 25 students
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 24 | Session 2: July 27 – August 14
Application deadline: March 2 (Regular) | December 22 (Priority)
Eligibility: Current high school students (16+ for the residential program)
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program is a three-week pre-college experience focused on hands-on engineering coursework. If you enroll in a chemistry-related option such as Intro to Chemical Engineering: Material and Energy Balance, you explore how chemical engineers analyze reactions, track material flows, and evaluate energy use in industrial processes. The course emphasizes quantitative problem-solving and process analysis through faculty-led instruction and applied assignments. You also engage in broader engineering workshops and supervised project work. SHAPE includes access to Columbia’s Makerspace, where tools like 3D printers and laser cutters may be used, depending on your course. Additional program components cover college preparation and academic support from Columbia staff and students.
9. Arizona State University - Introductory Chemistry
Location: Remote
Cost: $25 application fee and $400 credit conversion fee that you pay only if you’re satisfied with your grade and want to add it to your transcript
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Arizona State University’s Introductory Chemistry is a 16-week online course that introduces chemistry through a molecular-level perspective. You study core topics such as atomic structure, molecular bonding, chemical reactions, and material properties, and apply these ideas to real-world contexts such as blood pH regulation, materials science, and health applications. Instruction is delivered through video lessons, guided notes, quizzes, problem sets, and laboratory components, all supported by instant feedback to reinforce understanding. You also learn how chemistry connects to fields such as biology, engineering, and alternative energy. Through ASU’s Universal Learner program, successful completion allows you to earn four transferable college credits.
10. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote
Cost: $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18 for the remote internships and for the in-person/hybrid internships with computer labs; Wet-lab in-person/hybrid internships require you to be at least 16 years old by June 18
George Mason University’s ASSIP is an eight-week, full-time research internship where you work directly with faculty mentors in university or partner institution labs. Projects span a wide range of STEM fields, including chemistry, forensic science, molecular medicine, and materials research. If placed in a chemistry-related lab, you may focus on areas such as chemical analysis, drug development, or environmental chemistry using professional research tools and methods. The program is focused on original research, with students expected to contribute meaningfully to ongoing investigations. You also develop scientific writing and presentation skills through reports, discussions, and poster preparation. The experience concludes with a research symposium, and some projects may contribute to conference presentations or publications.
11. Johns Hopkins University - Applications of Chemistry in Medicine
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,950 + $85 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling; starts November 20
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade before the start of the program and have a minimum 3.0 out of 4 GPA
Applications of Chemistry in Medicine is an online course offered through Johns Hopkins University’s pre-college programs that examines how chemical principles support healthcare and pharmaceutical science. You study topics such as compound synthesis, molecular interactions, reaction pathways, and materials development as they relate to drug discovery and diagnostics. This online chemistry program for high school students in New York City also explores the role of chemistry in consumer and industrial applications, including cosmetics, pigments, and polymers. Optional live sessions provide opportunities for discussion, clarification, and deeper engagement with the material. Upon completion, you earn one academic credit from Johns Hopkins, which is recorded on your official academic transcript.
12. UCLA Summer Online - Chemistry
Location: Remote
Cost: Fees vary based on unit enrollment, plus additional registration, international/extracurricular, and documentation fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Varies depending on the course; program typically runs for 3 – 10 weeks from June to September
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines depending on the course; applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 and above
UCLA’s Summer Online Chemistry courses allow you to complete for-credit university coursework remotely across a wide range of chemistry subjects. Depending on your background, you may enroll in classes covering general chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopy, biochemistry, or catalysis in drug discovery. Course content includes lectures, graded assignments, exams, and virtual laboratory components designed to reflect UCLA’s academic standards. You engage with topics such as molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, thermodynamics, and chemical analysis within an online timeline. Successful completion results in transferable UCLA credit documented on an official transcript.
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