15 Computer Science Summer Research Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student, a summer research program can be a good way for you to explore the field in an immersive environment without the cost or long-term commitment of full-time boot camps or programs. You can develop technical skills while benefitting from mentorship and networking opportunities with researchers and industry professionals as you gain experience in designing and conducting research.
California is renowned for its top universities and tech ecosystem, offering a wide range of programs provide accessible, high-quality summer research experiences. Whether hosted by research institutions or linked to Silicon Valley’s innovation culture, these programs provide accessible, high-quality pathways to deepen your interest in computer science. They also help you develop practical skills that can be applied in both academic projects and everyday problem-solving.
We have curated a list of 15 computer science summer research programs for high school students in California.
1. Department of Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program
Location: Various labs across the country; NIWC Pacific - San Diego, and NAVFAC - Port Hueneme, CA
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: highly selective
Dates: Depends on the lab
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens at least 16 years older (additional requirements depend on specific labs)
The Science and Apprenticeship program offers internships in various STEM-related fields, including engineering and computer science, making it an option if you’re looking for computer science summer research programs for high school students in California. You will work on projects alongside expert researchers to gain experience and develop your professional skills. Daily activities such as guided research projects, lab tours, job shadowing, seminars, and team-building workshops will offer a comprehensive experience where you will learn university-level methods and engineering applications. The program helps you lay a strong foundation for STEM careers with practical research experience in a world-class professional lab environment.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 - 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; summer applications typically close in May
Eligibility: High school students from around 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 program offers an opportunity if you’re looking for virtual computer science summer research programs for high school students in California. Over 15 weeks, you will receive 1-on-1 mentorship from AI practitioners and graduate students as you learn about the interdisciplinary applications of AI in areas such as sustainability, finance, and healthcare. You will be engaged in the full research cycle, which involves developing a research hypothesis, implementing research methodology, analysing findings, and presenting your conclusive results at the end of the program. You will also have the opportunity to publish your work, ensuring you receive a strong foundation in both academic research and applied computer science.
3. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual or in-person at NASA facilities across the country
Cost/Stipend: Stipend depends on the academic level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: selective
Dates: depend on the internship
Application Deadline: February 27 for Summer; various deadlines for different cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: U.S citizens, with a GPA of 3.0; high school through graduate level students, at least 16 years old
NASA OSTEM internships offer computer science summer research programs for high school students in California with virtual and in-person options. This gives you the chance to contribute to NASA’s groundbreaking work in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration while working alongside professional mentors, including research scientists and engineers, gaining experience in projects that advance aeronautics, robotics, environmental science, and more. This opportunity combines research experience with professional development, ensuring a comprehensive experience. You can browse the available opportunities to find a range of options that suit your interests.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12 – 16 weeks starting June 2 (Summer Cohort I) or July 14 (Summer Cohort II)
Application Deadline: May 21 (Summer Cohort I); June 23 (Summer Cohort II)
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers an intensive research opportunity while you work with a Ph.D. researcher and gain one-on-one mentorship for your independent research project. You can explore a wide range of topics and subjects, including various aspects of computer science, and choose from different program options. In the Individual Research Program, you will have 9 sessions with your mentor over the course of 12 weeks, along with guided writing support and workshops on the research process to help you successfully conduct research and draft a 15-page research paper. If you’re looking to publish, you can opt for the Premium Research & Publication Program, which is an extended program running 16 weeks and includes additional writing support, structured publication guidance, and collaboration with Lumiere’s publication team to build a concrete publication plan. The Professor Premium Publication Program offers similar benefits, but you will be paired with a faculty professor. This program offers a holistic experience with rigorous academic research, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that enable you to produce professional-level research outcomes.
5. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI): Student Research Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: 10 weeks (June 2 – August 8 OR June 16 – August 22)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ through graduate/professional students
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) offers 10-week computer science summer research programs for high school students in California, and also accepts undergraduate and professional students. Focused on personalised medicine, the program introduces you to cutting-edge translational research exploring the genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic correlates of health and disease. You will experience dry lab research and be closely mentored and guided throughout the research project as you design and analyse studies, including genomic association projects and mobile health (mHealth) trials. The program encourages professional development and enhances your scientific communication skills as you present your findings to mentors and peers in the final poster symposium. This is a great opportunity to build a network with seniors and peers, gain experience, and explore the practical applications of computer science in medical settings.
6. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 28 (based on previous deadlines)
Eligibility: High school students in San Diego County who are 16+ years old and have completed chemistry and biology, with a minimum 2.75 GPA
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute is an 8-week paid summer internship that gives you laboratory experience as you work directly with the institute’s scientists on research projects. You will also develop practical skills in wet lab techniques, bioinformatics, data analysis, and science communication while benefitting from seminars, workshops, biotech site visits, and enrichment activities designed to broaden your understanding of STEM fields and empower you to explore potential career paths. You will be paired with a scientist mentor who will provide personalised guidance on an independent research project, and you can present your findings at the Summer Scholars Research Symposium. You will gain access to the Salk Institute’s research culture, community, and collaborative environment, allowing you to build a strong network with established researchers, making this a valuable option if you’re looking for computer science summer research programs for high school students in California that offer a comprehensive experience.
7. Caltech Research Internship Program
Location: Caltech, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: highly selective
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer; exact dates not available
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in the Pasadena Unified School District
This program will give you experience in scientific research while you work in Caltech’s research labs with teams of teachers and other students, to foster collaborative learning. You will be guided by experienced research mentors and gain lab skills, engage in scientific problem-solving, and learn how professional researchers approach complex questions. At the end of the program, you will showcase your findings in a seminar presentation, which may be featured on Caltech’s official YouTube channel, giving you a large platform to share your work with a broader audience.
8. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Centre, UC San Diego, CA
Cost: $1500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Residents of Southern California; High school students in grades 10-12; 16+ by June 15; A minimum GPA of 3.0
This is an eight-week summer research program that allows you to delve into various avenues of computer science, such as data visualisation, machine learning, high-performance computing, and more. As you work in pairs or small groups, you will receive personalised mentorship from UCSD researchers while engaging in seminars, coding workshops, and projects. You will gain access to advanced tools and might have an enriching experience that enhances your technical skills by giving you scenarios to apply your theoretical knowledge in a lab setting. The program also helps you develop your presentation and scientific communication skills as you present your findings to peers and mentors, while learning to collaborate in an authentic research environment. Your hours will vary based on the specific project you are working on, but you can typically expect to commit to about 20 hours per week. At the end of the program, you will showcase your research through scientific posters that will be displayed in a celebratory event.
9. UC Santa Barbara – Summer Research Academies (SRA)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: $2,775 (commuter option); $,774 (residential option which includes housing and meal fees). Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 25 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in grade 9, 10, or 11, with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.6
UC Santa Barbara offers rigorous computer science summer research programs for high school students in California, which allow you to earn four university credits as you complete an interdisciplinary course. The program is designed to integrate lectures, labs, and discussions with research guided by active UCSB faculty. You will also be engaged in a virtual preparatory module that will equip you with the academic and professional tools required to transition seamlessly into the immersive on-campus experience. The program will give you a platform to develop critical skills in teamwork, investigation, and analysis as you dedicate up to 40 hours per week to your projects. Key highlights of this program include the GRIT Talks lecture series, exposure to groundbreaking UCSB research, and the opportunity to present your findings at a formal capstone seminar.
10. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California campuses across the state
Cost/Stipend: $5,256 + $44 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 160-200/campus
Dates: July 6 – August 1/2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students in grades 8 - 12
The California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS) offers residential computer science summer research programs for high school students in California, with four weeks of intensive STEM learning at leading University of California campuses. Designed for students with a strong academic background and demonstrated passion for STEM subjects, this is an opportunity that allows you to work closely with UC faculty, researchers, and scientists in labs and research facilities. It offers an academically rigorous yet collaborative environment that offers education and research development beyond the traditional high school curriculum. You can work in a cluster focused on a specialised STEM discipline and engage in projects, lab-intensive coursework and benefit from mentorship from distinguished faculty. This offers a combination of advanced technical knowledge and skill development in critical research, problem-solving, and teamwork.
11. Science Internship Program (SIP) – UC Santa Cruz
Location: UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost/Stipend: $65 application fee + $4,250 tuition; housing and transport costs depend on which option you choose. Scholarship available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Online research week: June 16–20 | Active research weeks: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students must be 14–17 years old on the program start date (some placements require age 16+). Applicants must be currently enrolled in high school and may not have graduated by the summer
UCSC offers noteworthy computer science summer research programs for high school students in California, giving you the opportunity to engage in research experiences across disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and STEM fields. It gives you a platform to collaborate with UCSC faculty, graduate students, and research teams on projects, where you will learn how to design experiments, collect and analyse data, and present your findings effectively. With an emphasis on mentorship and critical thinking, SIP introduces you to the full research process as you draft a hypothesis question, design and implement research, and communicate your results. Beyond technical skills, the program also offers mentorship and community-building opportunities while giving you a glimpse into college life with an immersive on-campus experience in an inclusive environment.
12. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: $5,175 (commuter option); $12,474 (residential option includes housing and meal fees); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: advanced 9 - 11th-grade students with a minimum 3.8 GPA
This program will pair you with a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate mentor for university-level research in an immersive environment. The program begins with a virtual orientation week, followed by an intensive on-campus research residency where you will dedicate up to 50 hours per week to your project. Notable for offering opportunities in a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, this program engages you in rigorous research as you plan your project, collect and analyse data, and present your findings in a technical research paper that you can showcase at a formal academic symposium. You will also have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary courses, earning college credit in the process.
13. Anita Borg Leadership and Engagement Advanced Research Experience
Location: UCSD, San Diego, CA
Cost: $975
Acceptance rate/cohort size: highly selective
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Southern California high school students in grades 10-12; 16+ by June 15; A minimum GPA of 3.0
This is an intensive research experience that enables you to engage with UCSD professors and research mentors, gaining experience in some of the nation’s most advanced scientific fields. Each week will be dedicated to a distinct discipline, ensuring you gain a multifaceted understanding of your field of interests, with a broad, immersive experience. In the first week, you will collaborate with faculty in the Department of Computer Science to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning through guided research projects. In week two, you will analyse data sets and develop your data exploration and analytics skills to enhance your technical understanding of data science. You will then work on medical engineering research at the UCSD School of Medicine, where you will participate in lab activities under the guidance of leading engineers. In the final week, you will polish your Python programming skills and gain practical coding experience. The program also includes discussions, readings, and workshops to ensure you can improve your theoretical and practical knowledge.
14. Stanford Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee; $850 participation fee; fee waivers and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in the fall must be at least 14 years old, U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or valid visa holder. Strong preference for students with math, program, or healthcare-related experience
This program will introduce you to the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine over 2 weeks. You will attend technical lectures to learn about the fundamentals of AI in healthcare, and conduct research for group projects while benefitting from mentorship and guidance from Stanford researchers and student leads. You will also participate in career talks with guest speakers from academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations, as well as engage in social activities that provide a platform for building connections with your peers. At the end of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
15. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,000; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders, over 14 years old by the program start date; preference for students with math or computer skills; international applicants accepted
This is a two-week online program focused on increasing inclusion in the field of artificial intelligence by offering virtual computer science summer research programs for high school students in California and internationally. The program offers a comprehensive experience that blends lectures, career development workshops, and research projects. You will explore cutting-edge topics such as robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, and medical AI, and their applications in solving contemporary problems. This provides technical training while emphasising mentorship from AI practitioners to give you a deeper understanding of how AI can be beneficial to society. You will also benefit from a supportive peer community, daily engagement with experts, and opportunities to showcase your work at the end of the program.
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