14 Free Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you are a high school student looking to use your time outside of school more intentionally, free programs can be a practical option. These opportunities allow you to explore academic subjects, research areas, or professional fields without financial barriers, while also helping you understand what different paths might look like after high school. Many programs also introduce you to peers and mentors who share similar interests, which can help you build academic confidence and long-term connections.
Why should you attend a program in Boston?
Boston is home to universities, research institutions, hospitals, museums, and public organizations that regularly open their programs to high school students. Your work may include reading research literature, collecting and analyzing data, assisting in laboratories, completing problem sets, or contributing to ongoing projects at universities, hospitals, or public institutions. These opportunities are accessible to students who live in Boston as well as those commuting from nearby areas, making the city a strong option for students seeking high-quality programs without tuition costs.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down 14 free programs for high school students in Boston.
If you are looking for summer programs in Boston, check out our blog here.
1. Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per cohort
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide; more details here
At the Research Science Institute, you spend six weeks participating in a structured blend of advanced STEM coursework and independent research alongside students from around the world. The program opens with an intensive week of seminars that introduce scientific theory, research design, and current topics across disciplines. You then transition into a five-week individual research project under the supervision of a scientist or faculty mentor. Throughout this free program for high school students in Boston, you analyze scholarly literature, carry out experiments or theoretical work, and refine your research methodology. The experience concludes with a formal symposium where you present your findings through written papers and oral presentations.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort; several cohorts (in summer, winter, fall, and spring) are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; certain programs may require prior experience with AI/Python or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
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. LEAH Knox Scholars Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, in the first year and various research labs across Boston and Cambridge in the second year
Stipend: $2,250 stipend during the summer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long; training sessions take place from July to August in the first year, and the six-week internship in the second year, starting in the last week of June
Application deadline: January – March
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders who attend a public high school in Boston, Cambridge, or Everett and are at least 16 years old by July 15
The LEAH Knox Scholars Program is a multi-year initiative for high school students from the greater Boston area who are interested in biomedical research and STEM careers. You begin the program after your sophomore year with a five-week, paid summer experience at MIT focused on foundational laboratory techniques and research skills. This first summer also includes workshops on professional development and scientific career pathways. In the second summer, you receive guidance and support in applying to external universities or industry research labs, with the possibility of securing another hands-on placement. During the academic year, you participate in a paid STEM teaching internship and receive one-on-one mentorship from STEM professionals. Monthly activities include lab visits, career panels, and college readiness sessions.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year; spring, summer, winter, and fall sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and financial hardship
The Breakthrough Scholar Program is a free research initiative that connects high school students from low-income backgrounds with PhD-level mentors for one-on-one academic research. Over a period of approximately 12 weeks, you work closely with your mentor to design, conduct, and complete an independent research project. You select a research field based on your interests, with options spanning social sciences, psychology, economics, physics, computer science, chemistry, engineering, and international relations. Throughout the process, you receive guidance on research design, data analysis, and academic writing. The program concludes with a completed research paper that reflects the full academic research cycle.
5. Broad Scholars Summer Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorization (i.e., DACA), attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad, and have earned a B or higher in science and math classes
The Broad Scholars Summer Program places rising high school seniors in research labs at the Broad Institute for a six-week summer experience. You are matched with a Broad scientist and work on an original research project in areas such as cancer biology, infectious disease, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, or computational biology. The program combines hands-on lab work with structured learning opportunities, including lectures and scientific talks. You also attend workshops focused on scientific communication, poster preparation, and data interpretation. Tutoring support is provided to help you better understand the scientific concepts related to your research. Additional activities include career exploration sessions and a college fair.
6. √Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18, who are U.S. citizens or attend high school in the U.S.
√Mathroots is a free, two-week summer mathematics program hosted by MIT PRIMES for students interested in advanced problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. You take part in lectures, collaborative workshops, and group problem-solving sessions that emphasize creative thinking and logical structure. This free program for high school students in Boston introduces mathematical ideas that are typically not covered in standard high school courses. Guest lectures by mathematicians offer insight into mathematical research and approaches to problem-solving in competitions. While students are expected to be comfortable with precalculus-level material, the program prioritizes conceptual understanding over advanced coursework.
7. TIP Intern Program – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer placements, with potential for year-round extension
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 who have completed their sophomore year in a Boston Public School
This free program for high school students in Boston is a paid internship for eligible Boston Public School students who have completed their sophomore year. You begin with a summer work experience that combines job responsibilities with training and professional development workshops. The program introduces you to the role of the Federal Reserve and how public financial institutions function within the U.S. economy. Mentorship and job coaching are central components that help you develop workplace skills alongside your assignments. Based on performance and availability, some interns are invited to continue in year-round roles for up to three years.
8. Museum of Science – Summer Youth Internships
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by placement
Application deadline: Varies by placement
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 19
The Museum of Science in Boston offers paid summer internships for students ages 14 to 19 who are interested in gaining workplace experience in a museum setting. You are placed in a specific department, with roles spanning education support, visitor engagement, technical services, and administrative operations. Your weekly schedule includes hands-on job responsibilities and professional development workshops focused on workplace communication, resume writing, and financial literacy. Interns also participate in field trips to local museums and colleges to explore related career pathways. Interns receive additional benefits, including free museum access and discounts during the internship period.
9. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort size
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
The Young Scholars Program at Northeastern University is a six-week summer research experience for high school students interested in science and engineering. You’ll be placed in a university research lab within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, or Health Sciences, where you’ll work on an active research project under faculty mentorship. Past research topics have included battery chemistry, biomedical sensors, agent-based modeling, and cancer drug resistance. In addition to lab work, you attend seminars that introduce engineering disciplines and current research areas. Career exploration sessions and college advising help you better understand academic pathways in STEM. The program also includes field trips to corporate, government, and research sites in the Boston area.
10. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None for students belonging to families earning under $150,000; $2,350 for others
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
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
MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week program centered on project-based learning in advanced engineering and computer science topics. Before the on-campus portion begins, you complete a required online prerequisite course covering Python, foundational AI concepts, and technical tools relevant to your chosen track. Once the summer session starts, you work in teams on applied projects such as autonomous systems, robotics, cybersecurity, satellite data analysis, or AI-driven applications. Faculty, graduate students, and industry professionals provide technical guidance and mentorship throughout the program. Each course track follows a schedule of lectures, case studies, and hands-on development. The free program for high school students in Boston concludes with a final project presentation or competition-style showcase.
11. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program and reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy.
The TUBERS program places high school students in biomedical engineering laboratories at Tufts University for an in-depth summer research experience. Over approximately six weeks, you work closely with a research team to investigate questions related to cells, tissues, or biological systems. Your work involves learning experimental protocols, collecting and analyzing data, and applying the scientific method throughout the project. Mentorship from faculty, graduate students, and lab staff provides insight into academic research environments. Your daily schedules are coordinated with your lab supervisor to align with project requirements. Students are encouraged to utilize their research for science fairs or competitions, pending mentor approval. The program ends with a formal presentation of your findings to families, peers, and faculty.
12. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including Cambridge and Boston
Cost: Free; stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: Varies by location; typically June–August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old to qualify
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship places students in university or U.S. Army–affiliated research labs for a paid summer research experience. You’ll work under the supervision of a professional scientist or engineer on an active project in fields such as materials science, cybersecurity, regenerative medicine, or environmental engineering. The program is typically commuter-based and focuses on hands-on lab work and data analysis. Throughout the summer, you receive mentorship and guidance on research practices and scientific communication. Apprentices are required to submit a formal research abstract upon completion of the program. Additional virtual programming includes college preparation and STEM career workshops.
13. Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE)
Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission, small cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising or graduating seniors who are 16 years old or older
The Ragon Institute Summer Experience is a structured internship focused on immunology research for high school students from the Greater Boston area. Students begin with a one-week orientation that covers lab safety, research expectations, and the institute’s scientific mission. After orientation, you work approximately 25 hours per week in a research lab under faculty mentorship. Your schedule also includes a twice-weekly Introduction to Immunology course taught by graduate students. Journal clubs, lectures, and group discussions expand your knowledge of biomedical research. Workshops focus on college readiness, resume building, and career development. The program ends with a formal presentation of your work to the institute community.
14. Summer Learning Institute (SLI)
Location: Boston area
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 22
Application deadline: May 13
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 enrolled in Boston Public Schools
The Summer Learning Institute connects academic learning with workforce experience through a combination of community-based employment and college coursework. Through partnerships with local organizations, you gain paid work experience while developing professional skills in real workplace settings. At the same time, you can enroll in dual-credit courses through Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology and Roxbury Community College. This allows you to earn college credits while still in high school. Workshops and projects focus on leadership development, civic engagement, and life skills.
Image source - MIT