15 Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)

If you’re a high school student who enjoys chemistry, summer programs in New York City can help you explore the subject beyond the classroom. These programs let you work in labs, use advanced tools, and apply chemistry to problems in health, energy, and the environment. You’ll also meet mentors, collaborate with peers, and get a taste of what studying or working in the chemical sciences is really like.

Why should you attend a program in New York City?

New York City offers some of the best opportunities to study chemistry, with programs hosted by major universities and research institutions. You might analyze samples in university labs, design experiments that test chemical reactions, or work on sustainability projects that connect science with community impact. Whether you’re a local student or visiting from out of state, these programs give you a glimpse into college-level research and the city’s vibrant STEM community.

Below, we have listed 15 chemistry summer programs for high school students in New York City (NYC).

If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.

1. CCNY – The STEM Institute

Location: The City College of New York, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; 150 and 200 students each summer across all grade levels

Dates: July 7 – August 7

Application Deadline: May 25

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 who reside in or attend school within the five boroughs of New York City

The STEM Institute offers a range of science-related courses, taught through practical experiments, hands-on projects, and expert lectures. If your interests lie in chemistry, you can opt for the. In the General Chemistry course, you will learn concepts like stoichiometry, states of matter, thermochemistry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, redox reactions, solids, liquids, and intermolecular forces. You participate in hands-on adventures such as using chromatography to separate chemical mixtures and performing high-accuracy measurements to solve stoichiometry problems. You can also explore quantum concepts, such as qubits and entanglement, through experiments. The program also has college and career prep sessions that equip you with the skills that make you stand out in future college applications. 

2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase 

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1:1 mentor-student ratio

Dates: Multiple cohorts in the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Application Deadline: Varies according to the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here

Eligibility: Students who have either completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python

The Veritas AI program is your opportunity to explore AI by attending lectures, working on projects, and receiving 1-on-1 mentorship. In the AI Fellowship program, in particular, you will work on an independent project that implements AI in any subject of your interest. If you are interested in chemistry, you will spend 15 weeks learning essential chemistry concepts and the machine learning model needed, and then develop your project that combines chemistry and AI. As part of your project, you will come up with a research question, analyze data, and write your code. You can find examples of previous projects here. 

3. American Chemical Society Project SEED 

Location: Varies by placement; opportunities available in New York City

Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; over 350 students selected annually

Dates: June–July

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)

The Project SEED initiative allows high school students from underserved backgrounds to contribute to research within the chemistry field. If selected, you will be working at a university, industrial, or government lab while receiving mentorship from professional chemists. After working in the lab, you will learn how to develop your hypothesis and present the results. Additionally, the program will be scheduled with other beneficial sessions like career panels, field trips, and college prep support. You may also be invited to conferences at the American Chemical Society. 

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track

Location: Remote 

Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 1:1 mentor-student ratio

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)

Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)

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, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here. 

5. College Now STEM Research Academy

Location: New York City College of Technology, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,575 stipend for the summer research internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 25 students

Dates: Spring portion: February 14 – May 16; Summer internship: July 6 – 26

Application Deadline: January 16

Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors

This STEM Research Academy has two parts; the first component is the Introduction to Science Research Course, which takes place in the spring. In this 10-week course, you will learn to determine your research questions, work on experiments, and use scientific literature to conduct your research in either chemistry or biology. Subsequently, during the summer, you will join a City Tech lab team that conducts research in your chosen field of interest. While you will work four days a week, you will attend college-level seminars on one day.

6. Rockefeller University – Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost / need-based travel stipends are given

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 32 students per summer

Dates: June 22 – August 6

Application Deadline: January 2

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the program start date

At The Rockefeller University’s SSRP, you step into the shoes of professional scientists, trading traditional classrooms for a high-stakes, collaborative laboratory environment. The journey begins with intensive technical training, where you'll sharpen the lab skills necessary to investigate complex chemical reactions or molecular interactions. Once your research question is set, you’ll spend several weeks conducting experiments and gathering data, eventually synthesizing your findings for a final poster presentation. This experience also involves specialized workshops and lectures from guest experts, providing a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how high-level chemistry and biological research drive modern scientific careers.

7. Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program

Location: New York University, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 80 students

Dates: July 5 – 25

Application Deadline: March 13

Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders plus recent school graduates who are at least 16 years old, reside in the US, and have citizenship or permanent residency in the US

In the Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program, you will be part of an all-expenses-paid, three-week residential experience that teaches college-level chemistry. The curriculum involves advanced topics like protein synthesis, chemical bonding, and the molecular principles behind everyday products. You will spend your days in professional NYU laboratories, where you might extract DNA, perform gel electrophoresis, observe light refraction, and even synthesize your own lotions and skincare products. This immersive environment not only clarifies potential career paths in the chemical sciences but also equips you with the confidence to handle the pace and complexity of a premier research university. 

8. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's Secondary School Field Research Program (SSFRP)

Location: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, NYC

Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified  

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 30–40 students

Dates: July 6 – August 14

Application Deadline: Mid-to-Late March

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from NYC

In the Columbia SSFRP program, you will explore the chemical and ecological health of the Hudson River estuary through intensive field and laboratory research. You'll master chemistry topics like nutrient cycling, groundwater geochemistry, and the natural carbon sequestration of Piermont Marsh. Your experience will involve collecting water and soil samples from kayaks, analyzing bacterial levels, and even constructing soil-microbe-powered batteries. A unique feature is the "tiered mentoring" system, where you work in a research team alongside undergraduate mentors and world-class Lamont scientists. By presenting your findings at a final symposium, you'll leave with a deep understanding of environmental chemistry and authentic scientific inquiry.

9. Manhattan University: Chemical Engineering Summer Program

Location: Manhattan University, NYC

Cost: $400 (if paid before June 1); $450 (if paid before July 1)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; likely 15–30 students

Dates: July 27 – 30

Application Deadline: July 1

Eligibility: Current rising high school juniors and seniors

In this program, you’ll discover how chemical engineers bridge the gap between scientific theory and real-world solutions like sustainable fuels and new medicines. You spend time in advanced labs running experiments, tackling engineering design contests, and learning to calculate material balances. Beyond the technical work, you get to connect with current undergraduates and hear directly from alumni working in the industry. Covering everything from green technology to cosmetics, the experience provides a broad look at the field. You walk away with a certificate and a fee waiver for your future Manhattan University application.

10. Yeshiva University – Summer Session Chemistry Courses

Location: Yeshiva University, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: Estimated $620 per credit + $65 application fee

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 15–25 students per lab section

Dates: Session 1: May 27 – July 3; Session II: July 7 – August 7

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum grade of 80 or a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale

The Summer Session at Yeshiva University offers college-level classes in various subject areas, including four course options in Chemistry. Two of the course options, CHEM 1010 Essentials of Chemistry, which includes both lecture and lab sessions, and CHEM 1045 General Chemistry I, are available in session I. In session, you have CHEM 1046 General Chemistry II and CHEM 1047L General Chemistry Lab. Regardless of which course you pick, you will spend five weeks familiarizing yourself with primary concepts in the subject while earning college credit, while staying on campus. 

11. Cooper Union Summer STEM: Chemical Engineering

Location: The Cooper Union School of Engineering, NYC

Cost: 3-week courses: $3,150; 6-week courses: $5,150

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 18–25 students per class

Dates: 3-week courses, Session 1: July 6 – 13; Session 2: July 27 – August 13 | 6-week courses: July 6 – August 13

Application Deadline: March 27

Eligibility: High school students between 9 – 11th grades; some advanced courses require a 93rd percentile or higher in Math and Chemistry

In this program, you will explore the intersection of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve real-world environmental and health challenges. Throughout this experience, you will learn college-level topics like material balances, thermodynamics, and chemical reaction kinetics. You will engage in hands-on activities such as building 3D-printed prototypes, conducting laboratory experiments to synthesize sustainable materials, and performing lifecycle assessments. The program provides an opportunity to work directly with Cooper Union faculty and "near-peer" undergraduate mentors in a highly selective, collaborative studio environment. By the end of the course, you will have developed professional-grade skills in technical data analysis, computer-aided design, and persuasive scientific communication.

12. Columbia University – Intensive Modern Chemistry Laboratory

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: Residential: $12,829; Commuter: $6,375 + $50 additional expenses; need-based scholarships are available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified

Dates: Summer A: June 29 – July 17; Summer B: July 21 – August 7

Application Deadline: April 2

Eligibility: Rising 9th through current 12th grade domestic and international students who have completed Algebra 1 & Algebra 2 and one year of high school chemistry and are 15 years or older

This pre-college course offered by Columbia University allows you to dive into important chemistry theories and learn research methods related to the field. The program involves mandatory morning and afternoon sessions, which include laboratory experiments, data analysis, and class discussions that are catered towards the current chemistry research scene. During the program, you will learn the implications of chemistry in medicine, the environment, and materials. You will also develop lab skills, learning to use equipment like spectroscopy, chromatography, and computer simulations.

13. Barnard Pre-College STEMinist: Chemical Happenings & Connections

Location: Barnard College Campus, NYC

Cost: Residential: $10,771; Commuter: $8,160 + $75 application fee (if applying after February 10); need-based financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not disclosed; cohort sizes are approximately 13–20 students per course section

Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 17; Session 2: July 20 – August 7

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program

In the Barnard Pre-College Chemical Happenings & Connections program, you will explore atomic-scale events such as transferring electrons and breaking chemical bonds. This intensive STEMinist track combines complex chemical principles with hands-on laboratory experiments, focusing on molecular structures and reaction behaviors. You will engage in unique activities, such as using NMR spectroscopy to identify organic compounds, building three-dimensional molecular models, and calculating electron distributions using advanced software. The program has an interdisciplinary approach, where you will analyze chemistry-influenced literary memoirs by authors like Primo Levi and Oliver Sacks. This experience provides a rigorous foundation in college-level chemistry while connecting scientific theory to philosophical and artistic questions.

14. Columbia SHAPE: Chemical Engineering

Location: Columbia University Morningside Campus, NYC

Cost: Residential: $10,705; Commuter: $5,880; limited need-based scholarships are available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small cohorts

Dates: Session 1: July 6 – July 24; Session 2: July 27 – August 14

Application Deadline: March 2

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates

In the Columbia SHAPE Chemical Engineering program, you will dive into foundational material and energy balances to solve global issues in health and sustainability. Throughout this intensive three-week experience, you learn chemical reaction optimization and bacterial balance applications while exploring diverse engineering roles. You spend your days engaging in hands-on activities, such as calculating complex process flows, conducting Makerspace experiments, and collaborating on a final group project. What sets this program apart is the "near-peer" mentoring and exclusive site visits to engineering firms. You will sharpen your technical data analysis and quantitative problem-solving skills, leaving you well-prepared for college.

15. Brown Pre-College – Acid/Base Chemistry: From Food to Everyday Phenomena

Location: Online

Cost/Stipend: $3,364 + application fee of $80; scholarships are provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 20–30 students

Dates: July 14 – July 25

Application Deadline: May 8

Eligibility: High school students in 9–12 grades between the ages of 14 and 18

This chemistry program teaches high school students about acids and bases, where they will attend lectures, work on assignments, and read course materials. Through this program, you will learn various theories related to acids and bases, including the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis acid/base theories. By the end of the program, you will be familiar with using tools like pH meters, UV-vis spectrophotometers, and volumetric pipettes that are commonly used in chemistry labs. Ultimately, this pre-college program prepares you for careers in chemistry and related fields. 

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