15 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you’re a high school student passionate about chemistry, joining a chemistry program is a great way to delve deeper into the subject and gain experience. These programs let you work alongside professionals, improve your lab skills, and explore the latest developments in chemistry. Hosted by universities and organizations, you’ll also have the chance to connect with experienced mentors and develop your network.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to various universities, labs, and research centers, including New York University and Columbia University, that offer rigorous chemistry programs. Across the state, you can gain experience in university labs, work with advanced equipment, and apply your knowledge to explore topics such as materials science, environmental chemistry, and biochemistry. Whether you live in New York or are applying from out of state, these programs help you explore your interests and build your profile
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 top chemistry programs for high school students in New York State.
If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.
1. Project SEED–American Chemical Society
Location: Varies by placement; opportunities available in New York City
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend
Dates: 8–10 weeks, June–August
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and belong to low-income households (those with an annual income of ≤300% based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines)
Project SEED, organised by the American Chemical Society, is a national summer program that gives high school students from underserved backgrounds the chance to explore the world of chemistry through research. Over the course of the summer, you’ll work full-time in a university, industrial, or government lab under the mentorship of professional chemists who guide you through every stage of the research process. You’ll gain experience in a range of chemistry subfields, learning how to form hypotheses, design and run experiments, analyse data, and share your findings. Beyond lab work, Project SEED also offers career panels, field trips, and college preparation workshops that help you plan your future in science.
2. STEM Research Academy–Baruch College
Location: Baruch College, New York City (CUNY campus)
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,575 stipend
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically December
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | Overall 80+ average
The STEM Research Academy at Baruch College is a selective, two-semester program for New York City public high school students who are curious about science and want to experience research while still in school. It’s primarily designed for 10th and 11th graders who have a strong interest in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and environmental science. In the spring semester, you’ll take part in workshops and classes that teach you how scientists ask questions, design experiments, test ideas, and analyse results. Then, during the summer, you’ll spend six weeks working side by side with CUNY faculty mentors on real research projects. Throughout the program, you’ll learn what it’s like to think and work like a scientist, from forming a hypothesis to presenting your findings.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts across 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: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
4. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend of at least $1000.
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 1–August 14 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: NYC students who will have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program are eligible to apply
The program starts with four weeks of training in lab safety, research skills, and college writing, and then continues with six weeks of hands-on research in over 80 NYU labs. You’ll work closely with faculty and researchers on real science projects, gain about 120 hours of lab experience, and develop important skills like teamwork and public speaking. At the end of the program, you’ll have the chance to present your research at a colloquium and the AMNH Poster Symposium, giving you practical experience in STEM research and a glimpse into scientific careers.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Program Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as chemistry, physics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in 11th grade; must be at least 16 years old by program start
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week, fully funded summer program for high school juniors who are passionate about science, math, or engineering. In this program, you’ll work closely with faculty mentors on research projects, learning lab techniques, and become part of active research teams. You’ll also attend weekly research talks, participate in workshops and campus tours, and take part in events designed to broaden your understanding of STEM fields. The program concludes with a poster symposium, where you’ll present your research findings, giving you valuable experience in scientific communication and a deeper insight into academic research careers.
7. Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 6 – July 26
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students (grade level not explicitly restricted); U.S. students encouraged to apply
The Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program is a three-week, free summer program for high school students passionate about the physical and life sciences. In this program, you’ll take part in lectures and hands-on lab sessions led by NYU faculty and researchers, exploring subjects like biology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics, and psychology. You’ll also have the chance to connect with peers and mentors, gain practical research experience, and explore potential careers in STEM, all while experiencing what it’s like to study science at a top university.
8. City Tech STEM Research Academy
Location: New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,575 stipend
Dates: February 14 - May 16 (Spring) and TBA (Summer)
Application Deadline: December 12
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | Completed spring course
The STEM Research Academy at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) is a free, two-semester program for NYC public high school sophomores and juniors, with a special focus on students from schools traditionally underrepresented in STEM. It gives you the chance to explore scientific research in a real college environment while working alongside City Tech faculty mentors on projects in biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science. Throughout the program, you’ll develop key research skills by asking scientific questions, designing experiments, reviewing scientific literature, and analysing data through both lab and fieldwork. You’ll also take part in workshops, collaborate with other students, and engage in research activities that closely reflect the expectations and rigour of college-level study.
9. Columbia S-PREP
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: July 6 - 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: New York State resident students in grades 7 to 13 with an 80% grade average, particularly in Maths and Science
In this STEM summer program, you’ll take part in an enriching experience designed to prepare you for careers in medicine and related fields. During the summer, weekday classes cover subjects like chemistry, anatomy, algebra, and test preparation. Throughout the academic year, you’ll continue learning on Saturdays through math and science courses, PSAT/SAT prep, and personalised counselling. Beyond the classroom, you’ll go on field trips, visit college campuses, and participate in workshops focused on college and career readiness. You can also apply for partner research programs such as BRAINYAC or YES in the HEIGHTS, where you’ll work in labs, receive mentorship from scientists, and even present your research findings.
10. Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Six weeks; varies yearly
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 11th grade, are 16+, and are US citizens
The High School Research Program (HSRP) at Brookhaven National Laboratory offers a hands-on summer research experience for students interested in exploring careers in science. If selected, you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on real projects in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, or environmental science. During the program, you’ll learn how to use laboratory equipment, collect and analyse data, and keep a detailed research log as part of your training. Weekly seminars introduce you to different areas of STEM and help you understand what a career in research looks like. The program ends with a final presentation, where you share your findings with Brookhaven staff and fellow participants, gaining experience in scientific communication and teamwork.
11. Chem-E Camp- University at Buffalo
Location: University of Buffalo’s North Campus, NY
Cost: $400
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students entering 11th and 12th grade in the fall of the current year are eligible to apply, provided they have already completed Regents Chemistry (or enrolled in Regents Chemistry in the fall).
The University at Buffalo’s Chem-E Camp is a week-long summer program that gives high school students a hands-on introduction to chemical engineering. In this program, you’ll take part in lab experiments and digital simulations, meet and interact with faculty, students, and industry professionals, and even enjoy lunch with UB experts. The camp also includes special visits to companies like Linde, DuPont Corian®, and Rich Products, along with tours of UB’s chemical and biological engineering labs, giving you a glimpse into the field and what a future in chemical engineering could look like.
12. High School Student Research Program-St. Bonaventure University
Location: St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY
Cost: $1,000; need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
In this program, you’ll be matched with a lab project that fits your interests and work closely with university scientists on research. You’ll spend your time doing lab work, collaborating with peers, and presenting your findings in a final poster presentation, which helps you develop strong communication skills. Along the way, you’ll build essential scientific skills like critical thinking, data analysis, laboratory techniques, and research communication, while also connecting with faculty and fellow students to support your future academic and career goals.
13. Columbia University Pre-College program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $6,310
Dates: June 30-July 18 (Session 1), July 22-August 8 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: Typically opens in mid-November
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Students need to be at least 16 years old if they are opting for the residential program
In this course, you’ll join daily seminars where lecturers talk about the latest chemistry research, followed by group discussions and lab work to explore the ideas hands-on. During the program, you’ll take part in discussions, and by the end, you’ll complete a short research project and write a scientific paper, giving you practical experience in both experiments and presenting your findings.
14. James Madison High School-Online Chemistry
Location: Virtual. New York State students can apply
Cost: $399
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; aligned with the College Prep track; prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry
The chemistry course from James Madison High School helps high school students build a strong understanding of key chemistry concepts such as matter, atomic and molecular structure, and chemical reactions. You’ll explore major branches like thermochemistry, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and nuclear chemistry, while also discovering how chemistry connects to everyday life — for example, water’s role in biological processes. The course includes reading materials, interactive reviews, quizzes, and a final exam, along with support from live teacher-led sessions and academic advisors through an online learning platform.
15. Arizona State University – Introductory Chemistry
Location: Virtual. New York State students can apply
Cost: $25+$400
Dates: January 13 (16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
In this 16-week online course offered through ASU’s Universal Learner program, you’ll earn four college credits while strengthening your foundation in chemistry. The course introduces key topics such as atomic structure, molecular bonding, and the chemistry behind real-world systems like blood pH regulation. You’ll learn through video lectures, problem sets, quizzes, and virtual labs that provide instant feedback to reinforce your understanding. By the end of the program, you’ll be able to solve molecular-level problems, predict chemical reactions, and connect chemistry concepts to fields such as health science, alternative energy, and the environment.
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