10 Free Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high schooler interested in chemistry, a summer program can be a great opportunity to learn more about the field. Free chemistry programs during the summer provide you with an excellent opportunity to deepen your academic interests over the break without financial barriers. These initiatives, often hosted by leading universities and research organizations and conducted by experts, allow you to develop skills in laboratory techniques, problem-solving abilities, and gain exposure to the applications of chemistry. Beyond academics, they also provide valuable industry insights and networking opportunities with faculty, researchers, and peers, giving you a strong base for future decisions.
To help make your search easier, we’ve rounded up the top 10 free chemistry summer programs designed specifically for high schoolers.
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 11
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors
At MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI), you participate in a six-week intensive program focused on advanced STEM research. The first week features rigorous lectures delivered by distinguished professors, followed by a five-week placement in a lab where you work with a mentor on guided research. You engage with current scientific literature, design and execute your own project, and prepare both written and oral reports in a professional format. Throughout the summer, you also join evening seminars with prominent scientists, gaining insight into groundbreaking research while refining your presentation skills. RSI is fully funded and extremely competitive, admitting only 100 students from around the globe.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) - Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines varies as per cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throught the year
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research opportunities for high school students in fields like chemistry, machine learning, data science, political theory, and more. In the chemistry track, you can explore topics such as chemical engineering or the role of chemistry in environmental science. It is among the few programs that allow students to choose between quantitative and qualitative research approaches. After selecting a track, you are paired with a professor or PhD scholar who mentors you through the process. By the end, you will produce a 20-page research paper that can be submitted to academic journals for publication. The program also provides detailed project feedback and a recommendation letter to support future academic and research pursuits.
3. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid; some opportunities are unpaid
Application Deadline: February 28 (summer)
Dates: Late May/Early June – August (summer)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time high school students; at least 16 at the time of application; a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale required
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school and college students across fields such as science, engineering, IT, business, and finance. These internships cover diverse topics, including aeronautics, astronomy, chemistry, communications, and space science. You may work on projects like the PolCube CubeSat polarimeter for studying atmospheric aerosols or contribute to nuclear materials and space propulsion research. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience by designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing new technologies while collaborating with NASA researchers and small teams. Additional opportunities include supporting mission operations, attending expert-led lectures, and building essential academic and career skills for future STEM pathways.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: The program is fully funded
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students; No previous experience necessary
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. You work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and carry out an independent project. Over 12 weeks, you will research, analyze, and produce your own academic paper. For students leaning toward chemistry, projects might examine areas such as renewable energy storage or nanomaterials, depending on your personal interests. This program offers valuable mentorship and hands-on experience for students eager to explore academic research.
5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; waivers are available | None
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ for computer-based research; ages 16+ for wet-lab research; open to undergraduates as well
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University allows high school students to engage in advanced research under the guidance of faculty mentors. As an intern, you will work directly with cutting-edge technologies while exploring disciplines such as bioengineering, chemistry, neuroscience, climate science, and cybersecurity. The program focuses on building essential skills in communication, problem-solving, and scientific writing, while also fostering valuable networking with STEM professionals. You may share your research through conference presentations or even contribute to publications in scientific journals, gaining academic recognition. Previous projects have ranged from robotics and renewable energy to studies on infectious disease and exoplanet exploration.
6. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; a stipend is provided
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school at the time of applying; at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
In the Simons Summer Research Program, you will actively engage in scientific exploration under the guidance of a Stony Brook faculty mentor. As part of a lab team, you will contribute to an assigned project while gaining hands-on experience with lab methods and real-time problem-solving. To view potential mentors and research topics, click here. Your experience will be further enhanced through weekly lectures by leading scientists and collaborative group activities. At the conclusion of the eight weeks, you will prepare a research abstract and showcase your work in a poster presentation at the final symposium. All student participants receive a stipend.
7. The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/ Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: 17 years of age by the program start date
During the seven-week Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University, you will take part in advanced research guided by faculty across a wide range of disciplines. Working alongside peers from around the globe, you will engage in projects spanning science, technology, the humanities, and the arts. Weekly field trips and seminars will expand your academic outlook while strengthening your research knowledge. The program offers mentorship and resources to enable you to make a contribution to an active project under the supervision of experienced university faculty. Click here to explore the available research areas.
8. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
NYU’s ARISE Program provides a distinctive 10-week summer experience that blends hands-on lab work with structured research training. The opening four weeks emphasize core skills such as safety, research techniques, and college-level writing. During the final six weeks, you will work in an NYU research lab, completing about 120 hours of practical experience in fields including computer science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Along the way, you will strengthen abilities in public speaking, critical thinking, and professional networking. The program concludes with a formal research presentation at NYU and a poster symposium hosted at the American Museum of Natural History.
9. Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), CA
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: March 16
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, from low-income backgrounds in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer program that immerses you in microbiology and biotechnology research at the Joint BioEnergy Institute. Working alongside UC undergraduates and scientists, you’ll gain experience with lab methods such as PCR, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis to investigate biofuels, molecular biology, and biochemistry. You’ll also develop problem-solving, science communication, and data analysis abilities while exploring different STEM career paths. The program concludes with a research project, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge in a professional laboratory setting.
10. ASPIRE by the Johns Hopkins University
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: The program is free for all accepted participants, but it is an unpaid opportunity.
Application Deadline: February 15
Dates: Summer session: June 24–August 21 | Academic year session: September 15 - May
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, aged 15 or older, with a minimum GPA of 2.8, are eligible to apply. The applicants must also be permanent residents of the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region.
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore STEM fields before choosing a college major. You are matched with lab mentors and work on projects that build both technical expertise and soft skills. While you can indicate a general area of interest, mentors assign specific projects to you. There are several disciplines offered, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, IT, and planetary science. With a selective 15–20% acceptance rate, ASPIRE offers a highly competitive pathway to gain hands-on experience and insight into STEM careers.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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