15 Free AI Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in artificial intelligence, a summer program is a great way to explore this field while building skills that go beyond the classroom. Summer programs can be a practical way for you to explore AI while building hands-on skills, connecting with mentors, and learning how the technology is shaping industries—from healthcare to finance.
Many programs today are free of charge or fully funded, making them accessible options to explore. Some of them are hosted by well-known universities, tech companies, and research institutions, making them valuable opportunities for learning as well as networking. Whether you are trying to boost your technical knowledge or explore career paths in AI, data science, robotics, or related fields, you can find a program that aligns with your interests.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 free AI summer programs for high school students.
1. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or registered with DACA
At Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars program, you will spend four weeks on campus learning about artificial intelligence through both coursework and team-based projects. This fully funded program is designed to give high school students exposure to core AI concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and data-driven decision-making. You will attend lectures from CMU faculty and researchers, collaborate with peers to design an AI project that addresses a real-world issue, and present your findings at the end of the session. The free AI summer program for high school students also includes discussions on ethics, equity in STEM, and the broader social implications of AI. Additionally, you will interact with professionals from the tech industry to see how AI is applied outside the classroom.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling basis; summer sessions have May deadlines
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 runs online programs that allow you to explore artificial intelligence through a structured, application-based, research-focused curriculum. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session introduction covering the key concepts of machine learning and data science through instruction and small group projects. If you already have some familiarity with AI concepts, the AI Fellowship gives you the chance to work one-on-one with a mentor from a leading university to design an independent research project. These projects often focus on real-world themes such as climate change, healthcare, or finance. As a participant, you may also find support to publish your work in academic journals. Since the programs are fully virtual, you can join from anywhere to gain experience in developing AI solutions.
3. Princeton University’s AI4ALL
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 9 – 30
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: 10th-graders (rising 11th-graders) who live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and qualify as low-income
The AI4ALL program at Princeton is a three-week experience that combines technical training, mentorship, and research into how AI shapes society. As a participant, you will attend lectures led by Princeton professors, learn from graduate student mentors, and work in small groups on projects that connect AI with real-world challenges in areas like healthcare, criminal justice, and privacy. A key feature of this program is a short trip to Washington, D.C., where you will meet policymakers and organizations working on the social and policy-related aspects of emerging technologies. You will also take part in professional development sessions that prepare you for future academic pathways in STEM. The free AI summer program for high school students ends with a showcase where you and your team present your research findings to peers and faculty.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students (a majority of those accepted are 10th/11th graders) with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA); a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites
Horizon Academic is a trimester-long program where you will work with a Ph.D. mentor to develop a 20-page academic research paper in a track of your choice, including AI, data science, or machine learning. The program will offer you the choice to explore quantitative methods, such as analyzing datasets, or qualitative approaches like literature reviews and theoretical exploration. Each draft you submit will undergo reviews, following which you will get feedback to refine your ideas and strengthen your argument. By the end of the session, you will have produced a paper that demonstrates your ability to conduct advanced research and engage with scholarly sources. You can use this paper and the program’s recommendation letter to boost your college applications.
5. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Online courses: February 3 – June 20 | In-person/online summer program: July 7 – August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT is a four-week residential program that offers intensive, project-based learning in STEM fields, with several courses focused on artificial intelligence. Before engaging in the summer program, you will complete an online prerequisite course during the spring that prepares you for advanced topics. During the summer, you will work in teams on projects such as designing AI-driven games, analyzing satellite data for disaster response, or building autonomous systems. This free AI summer program for high school students offers technical instruction and mentorship from MIT faculty, graduate students, and guest experts in areas like emergency response and AI ethics. Collaboration is central to the experience, with your teamwork culminating in a final project showcase at the program’s conclusion.
6. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school (11th grade) who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers an opportunity to join a research team and work on original projects in STEM fields, including AI and data science. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, you will gain hands-on exposure to research methods, from coding and data visualization to experimental design and analysis. The program also includes weekly lectures, professional development workshops, and opportunities to interact with graduate researchers across disciplines. Additionally, you will prepare a research abstract and create a poster to present at the final symposium, refining your ability to communicate complex findings. You will also receive a stipend for your participation.
7. NYU ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
The ARISE program at New York University is a 10-week summer research experience, which can help you develop core skills before moving into active lab work. The first four weeks are dedicated to workshops in lab safety, college-level writing, and basic research practices, preparing you for the six weeks you will spend in an NYU lab. Depending on your interests, you might work in fields such as machine learning, automation in engineering, and data science, and collaborate directly with faculty and graduate students. During the summer, you will complete around 120 hours of lab work and present your findings both at an NYU colloquium and at a poster symposium hosted by the American Museum of Natural History. Alongside the research, you will have access to college application guidance, networking opportunities, and mentoring.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; remote and hybrid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives you the chance to spend eight weeks contributing to real research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors. You can choose a mentor with research interests in artificial intelligence, computational modeling, or data science. In addition to research training, you will participate in workshops on scientific writing, ethics, and communication, helping you strengthen both technical and professional skills. This free AI summer program for high school students also offers opportunities to publish ASSIP work and present it at conferences.
9. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 7 (tentative)
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a selective seven-week residential research opportunity for high school juniors and seniors. If accepted, you will be paired with a faculty mentor and spend the summer conducting hands-on research in your chosen field, which may include AI, computer science, engineering, or other related disciplines. The program includes weekly seminars, field trips, and discussions that broaden your understanding of research and its applications. You will live on campus, gaining an early introduction to university life while collaborating with peers from around the country. At the end of the program, you present a formal research report summarizing your findings.
10. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Stipend: $4,800 (based on past year’s rates)
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Current high school seniors starting college in the fall and residing in Chicago.
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an eight-week paid program where you get to join a research team to apply data science methods to real projects. Depending on your placement, you may work in fields like climate science, computer science, or social policy, using tools for coding, analysis, and visualization. You will be paired with a mentor and contribute directly to the team’s ongoing work, while also learning to present results in written, visual, and video formats. The program includes workshops on technical skills, professional development sessions, and talks from experts across academia and industry. At the end of the summer, you will present your research at a symposium designed to mirror professional academic conferences.
11. Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) Digital Scholars Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: May 2
Eligibility: 11th- and 12th-graders
At the Digital Scholars Program at Chicago’s Discovery Partners Institute, you will take part in college-level courses that explore computing, data science, and related fields. One of the tracks, called Data Science Discovery, emphasizes working with real datasets using Python to build skills in analysis and visualization. Other options focus on topics like mobile app development with Swift or exploring how hardware and software function together in computer engineering. Alongside coursework, this free summer program for high school students includes workshops on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and career readiness, helping you connect technical skills to professional pathways. Networking sessions with Chicago-based startups can offer you insights into how technology is applied in business.
12. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person in multiple locations across the country
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions from June to August
Application deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Girls, gender nonconforming, and trans students between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy’s free two-week summer camps are designed for students of underrepresented genders in technology, offering tracks in machine learning and data science. Within the AI-focused track, you will explore topics like algorithms, training datasets, and natural language processing while coding in Python. Other tracks cover web and mobile app development, giving you a broad look at how programming can be applied across fields. Throughout camp, you will work on a project that reflects your interests, such as building a chatbot, designing an app, or visualizing data. The program combines technical skill-building with collaborative problem-solving, and sessions often include guest speakers from the tech industry. By the end of camp, you will have a completed project and practical coding experience to build on.
13. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer Immersion Program: July 7 – 18 (for U.S. students); July 28 – August 8 | Pathways: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: Early acceptance: February 28 | General application: April 16
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12 (only 9th – 11th graders accepted for Summer Immersion) who are between the ages of 14 and 18 and identify as girls or non-binary individuals
Girls Who Code offers two free programs to high school students interested in computer science. The Summer Immersion Program is a two-week, instructor-led experience covering game design and foundational coding concepts. It offers insights into beginner to intermediate level computer science, the game design process, and the basics of UX design. You can also opt for the Pathways Program—a six-week, self-paced Girls Who Code program covering topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, web development, and data science. Both programs offer access to industry-led events, opportunities to work on projects, and exposure to coding languages like CSS, Python, HTML, and JavaScript.
14. AI4ALL @ University of Washington
Location: Typically, virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small-group learning environment
Dates: 20-week program; dates vary by year
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + college freshmen
The University of Washington’s Taskar Center for Accessible
Technology’s AI4ALL program introduces you to data science and machine learning through a 20-week workshop. You will explore how machine learning tools are applied in real-world decision-making, while also considering questions of fairness and bias, particularly from a disability studies perspective. The program combines lectures, small-group discussions, and projects to provide you with both technical skills and a deeper understanding of how technology affects various communities. The program also focuses on geographic information science, allowing you to examine equity in urban spaces and explore how data can be used to analyze social issues.
15.EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Starts June 15
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated ability in computer science
The EDIT ML Summer Internship is a research-based program where you work directly with scientists on machine learning projects connected to healthcare. Hosted by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the program involves applying coding skills in Python and R to tasks such as analyzing electronic health records, developing diagnostic models, and working with gigapixel medical images. You will also gain experience using high-performance computing tools to handle complex datasets and scale algorithms effectively. The internship includes seminars that cover pathology, algorithm design, and the ethical challenges of AI in clinical contexts. Since it is focused on active research, you will gain experience in documenting your work, presenting findings, and understanding how AI contributes to medical discovery.
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