15 Free Programs for High School Students in Oregon
Research programs give high school students an opportunity to explore potential career paths beyond traditional classroom learning. By participating in structured academic experiences, you can work alongside researchers, professionals, and like-minded peers while gaining practical skills that are difficult to acquire in a classroom. You can learn how to run experiments, analyze data, write for a technical audience, and present findings. These experiences can also enhance your college applications by demonstrating initiative and commitment to learning. The programs featured in this list are especially accessible because they are either fully funded or offer financial aid that covers participation costs.
Why should you attend a program in Oregon?
Oregon is home to a diverse network of universities, research institutes, and STEM organizations that offer great learning opportunities for high school students. Universities such as Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and Oregon Health & Science University offer programs that introduce high school students to multiple disciplines. Depending on the program, you may work on environmental data in the field, conduct biomedical research, develop a coding project, or explore community-based public health questions. If you already live in Oregon, these programs offer an excellent opportunity to build connections with local universities and research communities. Students from outside the state may find Oregon a great location due to its strong emphasis on environmental research and interdisciplinary STEM education.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 free programs for high school students in Oregon.
If you’re looking for programs in Oregon, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span biomedical research, cancer biology, AI, cybersecurity, nursing, journalism, GIS and geospatial technology, maritime science, and career exploration, so students with a wide range of interests can find a relevant free or funded option in Oregon or online.
Several programs are paid or offer stipends in addition to being free, including Ted R. Lilley CURE Program ($4,000), OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship (stipend provided), Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration (stipend provided), and Maritime Exploration and Training Program ($300), making them closer to professional workforce experiences.
Many programs specifically prioritize underrepresented, low-income, or first-generation students, including the CURE Program (NIH-defined disadvantaged background), Summer SAIL (financial eligibility criteria), UPSONHI Nurse Camp (low-income and first-generation households), and PSI Program (priority for low-income families).
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from two-day introductory experiences, such as Oregon Tech GIS Summer Camp, to semester-long programs with optional summer internships, such as the PSI Program at OHSU, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Several programs, such as NW Cyber Camp, CCC CTE Summer Camps, and Chemeketa CTE Exploration Week, post rolling or first-come deadlines without fixed application windows, so students should monitor program websites from early spring onward and apply as soon as registration opens.
1. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI Program)
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Course runs January through May | Optional summer internship from June to August
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Portland metro area or Oregon | Open to all backgrounds, with a priority focus on students from low-income households or families without graduate-level education
The Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) is a semester-long program offered by OHSU that introduces high school students to biomedical research. You’ll attend lecture series by research scientists from OHSU and other Portland-area institutes. You are paired with a research mentor throughout the program, working through how to read and present published studies before developing your own research proposal from scratch. The whole program runs on volunteer effort, and there is no cost to attend. After completing the course, you can apply for a summer internship at OHSU, where you spend at least 250 hours working in a laboratory or clinical research environment. The program concludes with a poster symposium in August, where you present your research findings alongside other interns.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Rolling – 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 completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience 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 getting 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 have the opportunity 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 leading universities on a unique, individual AI 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.
3. OHSU Experience Camps
Location: Oregon Health & Science University campus, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three single-day sessions in August
Application Deadline: Check the website for updates on future cycles
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Oregon high schools | Open to students interested in healthcare careers
The OHSU Experience Camp offers high school students an immersive introduction to careers in healthcare. You'll spend time on OHSU's Portland campus doing hands-on medical simulations, meeting professionals working in medicine, nursing, and research, and getting to walk through facilities. The entire program is free to attend, with all costs covered through scholarships provided by the Oregon Health Authority.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote ( you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort | Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the flagship research program offered by the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation and is equivalent to the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper in a subject of your choice. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is an excellent option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here.
5. Ted R. Lilley CURE Program
Location: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend for the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 per cohort
Dates: Eight weeks from late June through mid-August
Application Deadline: Applications open in late fall
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in an Oregon high school | Must be 16 years or above at the start of the program| Minimum GPA of 3.0 | At least one lab science course completed | Must meet NIH's definition of a socially or economically disadvantaged background
The CURE Program is a full-time, paid, eight-week summer research internship hosted at OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute for high school students from underserved communities in the Portland area. You are embedded in a cancer research laboratory, working alongside a Knight Cancer Institute faculty member. You’ll also attend weekly seminars throughout the program and conclude the summer with a poster presentation to lab staff, directors, and institute researchers.
6. Summer SAIL
Location: University of Oregon campus, Eugene
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Residential Program: one week in mid-July | Day Program: the following week, Monday through Friday
Application Deadline: Check the page for current application dates
Eligibility: Oregon residents currently enrolled in high school | Day Program is open to rising 9th through 12th graders | Residential Program is for rising juniors and seniors only | Students must meet low-income financial eligibility criteria (SNAP, WIC, TANF, Pell Grant eligibility, or similar)
Summer SAIL is a free, week-long academic program at the University of Oregon, and it runs in two program formats depending on your grade. Rising freshmen through rising seniors are eligible for the Day Program, where they choose an academic track in areas such as computer science, environmental studies, psychology, business, English and design, or world cultures. Rising juniors and seniors can also apply for the Residential Program, which puts you on campus for the full week with an overnight stay. You get the same academic experience and a more complete picture of what college life actually looks like on a daily basis.
7. OSU High School Journalism Institute
Location: Oregon State University campus, Corvallis
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight days in mid-July
Application Deadline: Check the program website for application dates
Eligibility: High school students from Oregon or southwest Washington
The High School Journalism Institute is an eight-day summer program hosted at OSU in Corvallis. During the program, you work with students from across Oregon to produce a 36-page newspaper, write articles for OregonLive.com, and create multimedia content. You are mentored throughout the program by working journalists from The Oregonian or OregonLive and other Oregon outlets, and have access to the Orange Media Network's professional facilities on campus. There is no cost to attend, and participants earn one college credit upon completion.
8. NW Cyber Camp
Location: Multiple Oregon locations
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by location, running from June through August
Application Deadline: Check the website for the latest information
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9th - 12th | Current 8th graders entering 9th grade are also welcome
NW Cyber Camp is a week-long program held at college campuses across Oregon and introduces high school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Through hands-on challenges, simulated workplace scenarios, guest speakers from the industry, and expert instructors, you will learn how cyberattacks occur, practice digital forensics, and explore how encryption keeps information secure. Rather than focusing solely on programming, the program emphasizes problem-solving and practical cybersecurity skills.
9. OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship Program
Location: OHSU campus, Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided for participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight weeks from mid-June to early August
Application Deadline: Check the website in the fall for application dates
Eligibility: Oregon or southwest Washington residents who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date | Open to high school students through early college undergraduates
The OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship Program is an eight-week paid internship that places high school students within the Institute on Development and Disability at OHSU. You are matched one-on-one with a supervisor and take on a placement in one of several areas. Past options have included public health education, assistive technology, policy and advocacy, physical therapy, psychology, and social work, depending on what is available that year. In addition to project work, the program includes facility tours, laboratory and clinic visits, professional development sessions, and a final presentation where you share your summer experience with your cohort, supervisors, and IDD faculty. Participants receive a stipend for the duration of the internship.
10. UPSONHI Summer Nurse Camp
Location: University of Portland, Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four days in mid-July
Application Deadline: Check the website for the next application cycle
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old by the first day of camp | Graduating seniors are not eligible
The UPSONHI Summer Nurse Camp is a free, four-day camp where you get hands-on experience in the nursing profession. You practice essential clinical skills, including taking blood pressure readings and vitals, practicing infection control procedures, and spending time in the UPSONHI Learning Resource Center. You also interact with current nursing students, faculty, staff, and alumni, offering valuable insights into nursing education and career pathways. Designed to expand access to nursing careers, it specifically aims to bring more students from low-income and first-generation college households into the nursing field.
11. CCC CTE Summer Camps
Location: Oregon City Campus, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four days in mid-August
Application Deadline: Sign-ups typically open in mid-March and close in early June
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9th - 12th in the fall who live in or attend school in Clackamas County
CCC CTE Summer Camps is a four-day career exploration program that offers six distinct learning tracks: Organic Farming and Gardening, Makerspace (3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining), Medical Assisting, Introduction to Emergency Management, Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Introduction to Land Navigation. Depending on the track you choose, you earn one or two transferable college credits.
12. Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration (ASE)
Location: Portland and Corvallis areas
Cost: Free; interns receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 positions
Dates: Internships run 8 to 10 weeks between mid-June and late August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January and close in early March
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders who live near Oregon internship locations, primarily the Portland metro and Albany/Corvallis/Eugene areas, or who can stay with family nearby
The ASE program is an 8- to 10-week STEAM internship that places you into a STEAM internship at universities, hospitals, research institutions, and private companies. You’ll work alongside a mentor on their actual research or technical work. Past interns have been credited with co-authoring published research, helped design and test commercial products, and clocked significant hours both in the laboratory and out in the field. Three program events run alongside the internship: an Orientation in early June, a Midsummer Conference in mid-July that includes career lectures from scientists and engineers, hands-on workshops in areas such as DNA electrophoresis, air pollution measurement, and computer modeling, plus a session on making professional scientific presentations. The program concludes with a Symposium in mid-August, where you deliver a 15-minute oral presentation on your summer project to an audience of professional scientists and engineers.
13. Oregon Tech GIS Summer Camp
Location: Oregon Institute of Technology campus, Klamath Falls, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two days in June
Application Deadline: Check the website for the latest information
Eligibility: High school students interested in geospatial technology, surveying, or mapping careers
The Oregon Tech GIS Summer Camp is a practical, two-day program that introduces high school students to land surveying, geographic information systems, drone technology, and spatial data analysis. Held on campus in Klamath Falls, you get hands-on experience with high-performance geographic equipment and software that professionals in the field actually use, including tools such as ArcGIS to collect and interpret GPS data and explore the terrain around the campus. It is an excellent opportunity for students curious about careers in environmental science, transportation planning, infrastructure, or mapping.
14. Maritime Exploration and Training Program
Location: Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Five days in late July
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old, or recent high school graduates, from Lincoln County and surrounding areas
The Maritime Exploration and Training Program is a five-day workshop hosted at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, through a partnership between Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon State University, and Northwest Oregon Works. Over the week, you’ll develop hands-on seamanship skills and get practice on small and mid-sized vessels at sea, while also learning directly with maritime employers who are part of the program. Students who complete all five days also receive a stipend of $300, making this one of the few programs on this list that pays you for your active participation. The maritime field covers a wide range of career paths, including commercial fishing, marine research, coast guard operations, and marine transportation.
15. Chemeketa Community College CTE Exploration Week
Location: Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students
Dates: Four days in late June
Application Deadline: Rolling basis or May 20
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 16 years who live in Marion, Polk, or Yamhill County
CTE Exploration Week is a free, four-day hands-on program for high school students who want to experience different career pathways through hands-on activities. Available tracks include Allied Health, Computer Information Systems, Electronics and Robotics, Entrepreneurship, Horticulture, Mixed Media, and Observational Drawing. Enrollment is limited to 100 students total and fills on a first-come basis, so early registration is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
1. What free programs are available for high school students in Oregon?
Options include biomedical and cancer research programs, such as OHSU PSI Program and CURE Program, paid STEAM internships, such as Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration, cybersecurity programs, such as NW Cyber Camp, nursing and healthcare programs, such as OHSU Experience Camps and UPSONHI Nurse Camp, journalism programs, such as OSU High School Journalism Institute, geospatial and maritime science programs, such as Oregon Tech GIS Camp and Maritime Exploration and Training Program, and virtual research programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation.
2. Are there free programs in Oregon that also provide stipends or pay?
Yes, several programs are free and provide financial compensation. The CURE Program at OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute offers a $4,000 stipend, the OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship provides a stipend for the full eight weeks, Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration pays interns throughout the placement, and the Maritime Exploration and Training Program provides a $300 stipend to students who complete all five days.
3. Which free Oregon programs are best for students interested in biomedical research?
Students interested in biomedical research might consider the OHSU PSI Program for a semester-long introduction to research with an optional summer lab internship, the CURE Program for a full-time paid placement in a cancer research lab, and the OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship for placements across public health, psychology, physical therapy, and related fields.
4. Are there free programs in Oregon that offer college credit?
Yes, the OSU High School Journalism Institute awards one college credit upon completion, and CCC CTE Summer Camps offer one or two transferable college credits depending on the track. Chemeketa CTE Exploration Week and Summer SAIL also connect students to community college and university environments that can support future credit-bearing enrollment.
5. Which free Oregon programs are open to students outside Oregon?
Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world. Most in-person Oregon programs prioritize Oregon residents or students within specific counties or metro areas, though some, such as the OSU High School Journalism Institute, are open to students from Oregon and southwest Washington.
6. When should I apply to free programs for high school students in Oregon?
The earliest deadline is the OHSU PSI Program, which closes December 1 for its spring semester. The CURE Program opens applications in late fall as well. Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration typically closes in early March, and the Maritime Exploration and Training Program closes June 5. Programs, such as NW Cyber Camp, CCC CTE Summer Camps, and Chemeketa CTE Exploration Week, use rolling or first-come registration, so students should monitor program websites from early spring and apply as soon as registration opens.