15 Competitive AI Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in artificial intelligence, a structured program is worth considering. Through AI programs, you may work with programming languages such as Python, analyze datasets, build and test machine learning models, or study how algorithms are evaluated and improved. Many programs also introduce areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and AI ethics, giving you a broader view of how technical systems interact with society. Along the way, you often receive guidance from instructors, researchers, or graduate mentors and work alongside peers with similar academic interests.

What is the benefit of a competitive AI Program?

Many AI programs for high school students are highly selective and admit small cohorts. In these settings, your work often mirrors early-stage college research or advanced coursework, such as completing structured coding assignments, contributing to group research projects, or developing an independent technical project under supervision. Programs like these are commonly hosted by universities or research institutions, which means you gain exposure to academic expectations, research workflows, and collaborative problem-solving environments.

To help you choose the right option, we have narrowed down 15 competitive AI programs for high school students.

If you are looking for AI internships, check out our blog here.

1. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective with small cohorts; acceptance rate not officially disclosed

Dates: June 20 – July 18

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars program is a fully funded, four-week, on-campus summer experience for rising high school seniors interested in artificial intelligence. You will begin with a virtual Python pre-course that introduces foundational coding skills, with no prior programming required. Once on campus, the curriculum covers core computing and AI concepts through faculty-led instruction, group research projects, and applied coursework. You will gain exposure to active AI research at CMU while working closely with faculty members and graduate student mentors. The program also includes seminars focused on college readiness, academic planning, and equity in STEM fields. Your work culminates in a collaborative capstone project presented publicly at a final symposium.

2. Veritas AI Programs 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer. 

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 been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity 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 get a chance 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. 

3. Research Science Institute

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5% applicants selected; 100 students/year

Dates: June 28 – August 8

Application deadline: December 10

Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites 

Research Science Institute is a six-week, cost-free summer program that combines advanced STEM coursework with independent research. You will begin with an intensive week of lectures covering topics across science, engineering, and mathematics, including computational and data-driven methods. The next five weeks are dedicated to individual research conducted under the supervision of experienced mentors. Projects may involve experimental work, theoretical modeling, or computational research, including AI-related applications. You will prepare both a formal research paper and an oral presentation suitable for an academic conference setting. The program concludes with a symposium where all participants present their findings.

4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 2 weeks in the summer 

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including biology, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

5. Princeton University’s AI4ALL

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive

Dates: July 9 – 30

Application deadline: April 9

Eligibility: 10th graders (rising 11th graders) who live in the U.S. and qualify as low-income 

Princeton’s AI4ALL program is an on-campus summer experience centered on artificial intelligence and its societal and policy implications. You will attend lectures led by Princeton faculty and researchers that cover both technical AI concepts and ethical considerations. A key component of the program is a small-group research project guided by graduate student mentors, with topics focused on public interest and social impact. The program includes mentoring sessions and career-focused talks from professionals working at the intersection of AI and policy. You will also take part in a multi-day field trip to Washington, D.C., exploring how AI connects to government and regulation. The experience ends with a group presentation showcasing your research findings.

6. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program 

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Cost/Stipend: No cost except a $25 application fee; $750 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year

Dates: June 21 – August 6

Application deadline: February 16

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 17 by the start date

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week, fully funded residential research experience for a small group of high school juniors and seniors. You will be paired with a faculty mentor to complete an independent research project in a field of your choice, which may include computer science or AI-related topics. Daily work varies by discipline and may involve data analysis, computational modeling, or literature-based research. The program includes weekly seminars, academic discussions, and organized field trips that broaden your exposure beyond your primary project. A final written research report is required at the end of the program.

7. Stanford AI4ALL

Location: Virtual or at Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Cost: Residential: $9,800 | Online: $4,120; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Residential: July 19 – 31 | Online: June 15 – 26

Application deadline: February 6 

Eligibility: Current 9th graders/rising 10th graders over the age of 14 by the start of the program

Stanford AI4ALL is a virtual summer program designed to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence through research-based learning and mentorship. You will work in small groups on research projects that connect AI techniques to real-world societal challenges. Instruction covers core areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and medical AI. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and industry professionals provide project guidance and mentorship throughout the program. In addition to technical content, the program covers discussions around ethics, bias, and equity in AI systems. Career panels and workshops will further help you understand how AI research connects to academic and professional pathways.

8. NYU’s Machine Learning Program

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY

Cost: $3,180 tuition + optional costs

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 17 | Session 3: July 20 – 31 + one-day online orientation scheduled 3–4 days before each session begins

Application deadline: May 15

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11 who have some programming experience and have completed Algebra 2; applicants typically have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

NYU Tandon’s Machine Learning Program is a two-week, in-person summer program focused on the technical foundations of machine learning and artificial intelligence. You will explore core concepts such as neural networks, linear regression, model evaluation, and data analysis through structured instruction and applied assignments. Daily schedules combine lectures, hands-on coding, and collaborative project work. The curriculum focuses on how machine learning is applied in areas like image recognition, autonomous systems, and medical diagnostics. By the end of the program, you will gain practical exposure to engineering-based problem-solving using ML methods.

9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (less than 1.5 hours away from NYC)

Cost/Stipend: No tuition, but a residential fee of $2,450 applies to students who need university housing; a stipend will be awarded.

Acceptance rate: ~5%

Dates: June 29 – August 7

Application deadline: February 5

Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 when the program starts

The Simons Summer Research Program is an on-campus STEM research program for high school students. It offers research opportunities spanning fields like astronomy, physics, engineering, geoscience, computer science, math, and chemistry, as well as artificial intelligence and machine learning. During the program, you will join a Stony Brook University research team and contribute to a research project while gaining familiarity with laboratory techniques and tools. You will attend faculty talks every week to learn about STEM fields and engage in workshops to refine your research skills. At the end, you will submit and present a research abstract and poster.

10. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute 

Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Free pre-requisite course; the summer program fee is zero for students with family income less than $150,000, and is $2,350 for other applicants.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Online Courses: Starts February 3 | In-person Summer Program: July 6 – August 1 or 2

Application deadline: March 31

Eligibility: High school students, in grades 9 – 11, who live in the U.S. or will live in the U.S. during the program 

The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a project-based STEM program that allows you to explore niche tech topics through various online/in-person courses, including several AI-focused summer offerings. You will complete a required online prerequisite course during the spring before advancing to the summer program. During the summer, you will spend about four weeks on the MIT campus or online learning through AI-related tracks that cover topics like serious game design, autonomous systems, or remote sensing using machine learning tools. Much of the work is team-based, requiring you to design, test, and refine technical systems over several weeks. Additionally, guest speakers will provide applied perspectives from fields such as disaster response, ethics, and system design.

11. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship

Location: Remote

Cost: Application fee: $45 + Program participation fee: $2,400; financial aid available

Cohort size: ~50 students

Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17

Application deadline: February 20

Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred

This virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of real-world healthcare problem-solving. As a participant, you will explore how AI is used to address issues in medicine and healthcare and work on tackling a real medical challenge with the assistance of AI tools. You will work with a team of peers on research projects and engage in social activities, online group work sessions, and career-focused sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to mentorship offered by Stanford Student Leads and researchers. You may also be eligible to access an extended academic year research opportunity once the summer experience ends. 

12. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps

Location: Online and in-person camps (sites vary by year)

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; exact details not publicly shared

Dates: Multiple two-week sessions available between June and August

Application deadline: March; dates TBA

Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18 

Kode With Klossy runs free, two-week summer coding camps designed for high school students from underrepresented genders in technology. You will learn through a specific technical track, such as machine learning, data science, web development, or mobile app development. In the machine learning track, you will learn about algorithms, datasets, and natural language processing using Python. You will also learn how to use these tools to train a chatbot. Other tracks also cover core concepts in coding/programming and exercises to help you practice what you learn. Additionally, the curriculum includes discussions on accessibility, algorithmic bias, and responsible technology use. 

13. Columbia University’s 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: Selective; 25 students/class

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; applicants must be 16+ for the residential program.

Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program is a three-week, on-campus introduction to college-level engineering coursework. ​​You can choose from various courses, including options in AI and programming. For instance, the AI Builders course allows you to progress from foundational AI concepts to applied topics such as neural networks, decision trees, and large language models. Here, you will use Python programming to build and test intelligent systems through interactive notebooks. The course also includes discussions and experiments related to bias, fairness, and ethical AI design, while lectures from researchers and industry professionals provide exposure to current applications of AI. You will complete the program by developing an individual or group-based AI project.

14. UC Berkeley’s Teen Research Programs: Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving

Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA

Cost: $1,550 + optional residential add-on: $1,350; financial aid available 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in the summer

Application deadline: Varies by session

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12 

This week-long program offers an in-person introduction to artificial intelligence. You will attend sessions covering ongoing artificial intelligence research led by Berkeley scientists and experts. You will develop technical skills through coding workshops, creating machine learning models, and exploring the mathematical concepts underpinning AI. You will also work on guided projects and present your work at the end of the program. You also experience campus life through organized activities and exposure to Berkeley’s research environment.

15. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program

Location: Virtual 

Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Starts on June 15

Application deadline: April 15

Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated ability in computer science

The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program places you in a research-focused environment applying machine learning to clinical and biomedical problems. You will work on projects involving areas such as cancer diagnostics, pathology imaging, electronic health records, or multi-omics data. The experience is centered on coding, data analysis, and algorithm development using tools like Python, R, and high-performance computing systems. You will also attend seminars on pathology, medical AI, and ethical considerations in clinical research. You will gain experience presenting technical findings to scientific and medical audiences. 

Image source - Immerse Education