14 Free Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
If you're a high school student looking for an academic experience beyond the classroom, a summer program can be a good fit. These programs offer opportunities to work on research projects, attend college-level classes, explore career paths, and build practical skills in STEM, public policy, business, medicine, and the humanities. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with professors, researchers, and professionals, along with motivated peers. A free program is especially valuable because you get these opportunities without the high cost often associated with summer programs.
Why should you attend a program in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to major universities, hospitals, museums, and research organizations that host free programs for high school students across different academic fields. Depending on the program, you could conduct lab research, study artificial intelligence, work on engineering projects, analyze public policy, participate in leadership workshops, or explore creative fields through seminars and studio-based work. These opportunities can be a strong fit for students living in Pennsylvania who want access to local universities and institutions during the summer. At the same time, out-of-state students may find Pennsylvania appealing because of the number of fully funded and nationally recognized programs available across the state.
To help you get started, we’ve selected 14 free programs for high school students in Pennsylvania.
If you’re looking for programs in Pennsylvania, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 programs span materials science, AI, cancer research, public health, computer science, biomedical research, architecture, outdoor leadership, journalism, and engineering, so students with a wide range of academic interests can find a relevant free option in Pennsylvania or online.
Several programs provide stipends in addition to being free, including Pitt Public Health Science Academy ($1,000 award), Magee-Womens Hospital Internship (up to $1,800 for qualifying students), Venture Outdoors Leadership Academy ($15 per hour), and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy (stipend may be available).
Many programs specifically prioritize Pennsylvania residents or Philadelphia and Pittsburgh area students, including Penn PSSI (within commuting distance of Penn), UPenn Provost's SMP (Philadelphia students), Pitt Public Health Science Academy (select Pittsburgh public schools), and Magee-Womens Hospital Internship (southwest Pennsylvania residents).
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from two-week enrichment workshops, such as Penn State Harrisburg STEM Enrichment, to year-long hybrid programs with residential components, such as Princeton Summer Journalism Program, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for competitive programs fall early, including Penn PSSI (February 1), CMU AI Scholars and CS Scholars and CMU SAMS (all February 1), and Magee-Womens Hospital (February 7), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 14 students per cohort
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors/seniors with chemistry and/or physics courses, and must be within daily commuting distance of Penn’s campus
The Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI) at the University of Pennsylvania is a four-week, fully funded program for high school students interested in materials science and scientific research. The program combines lectures, laboratory sessions, and workshops focused on how scientists study and evaluate different materials. During the program, you will work with techniques such as microscopy, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing, and learn to write lab reports and communicate scientific findings. Faculty members and researchers lead sessions throughout the summer, and some activities may include research projects and field trips.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November) | 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 looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you 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, you have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is access to the in-house publication team, which can help you 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. Penn State Harrisburg’s STEM Summer Enrichment Program
Location: Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 - 26
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students currently in the 9th and 10th grades
The STEM Summer Enrichment Program at Penn State Harrisburg is a two-week, fully funded program for high school students interested in STEM. During the program, you will participate in practical activities across STEM subjects. You will engage in experiments, demonstrations, and collaborative projects in different areas of STEM. You’ll go on field trips and learn to connect classroom concepts to real-world applications. Throughout the program, you’ll learn to present scientific ideas and projects.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
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: 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 equivalent of 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. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
5. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College CS Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Selective
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grade must be 16 years of age
CS Scholars at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, four-week residential program for high school students interested in computer science. During the program, you take college-level classes in programming and mathematics. You will work on projects and apply coding skills to real problems. You’ll attend faculty lectures and industry sessions for an introduction to different areas of computer science and current research. The program includes workshops on college preparation and application guidance. You’ll collaborate with other students on group projects and present your work at the end of the program.
6. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College – AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 20 - July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA students) who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
The AI Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University is a four-week, fully funded summer program for rising high school seniors interested in artificial intelligence. Held on CMU’s campus in Pittsburgh, the program introduces you to AI through college-level coursework, hands-on projects, and mentorship from faculty members and researchers. During the program, you’ll work in teams to apply AI tools and concepts to real-world challenges in areas such as healthcare, sustainability, and social impact. You also collaborate with other students through project-based work. The program concludes with a final presentation where teams share their projects and findings.
7. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy
Location: UPMC Hillman Cancer Center sites
Cost: Free; stipend may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15 – July 31 (tentative)
Application deadline: Early December to mid-February
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 15 years of age or older at the start of the program on June 15 to qualify for admission to computational sites: CompBio, COSBBI, and Surgery sites. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age or older to qualify for placement in the CB, TDX, Pathobiology, ICI, VISION, or WCRC sites
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy is an eight-week summer research program for high school students interested in how biology connects with cancer research, medicine, and biomedical science. During the program, you work in a research lab alongside faculty members, researchers, and mentors across multiple research sites at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC campuses. Most of your time is spent conducting hands-on cancer research and contributing to projects focused on complex biomedical questions. Outside the lab, you attend instructional sessions, participate in journal clubs, tour clinical and research facilities, and hear from scientists and healthcare professionals working in the field. The program also includes professional development and college preparation activities designed for students pursuing STEM careers. At the end of the summer, you present your findings through a research poster and a formal oral presentation.
8. Pitt Public Health Science Academy
Location: University of Pittsburgh campus
Cost: Free; students will receive a $1,000 award at the end of the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 - July 17
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students at select public high schools in Pittsburgh
The Public Health Science Academy at the University of Pittsburgh is a four-week summer program for high school students interested in how science connects with public health, healthcare systems, and community research. You’ll be introduced to core public health concepts through interactive lectures, discussions, and group activities. You will explore topics tied to current public health challenges while learning about careers in epidemiology, healthcare, research, and related fields. You will engage in inquiry-based research projects that help you build skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific communication. You’ll go on field trips to local public health sites and connect with faculty mentors, public health students, and professionals. The experience concludes with a symposium where students present research posters based on their projects.
9. University of Pittsburgh’s Experiencing Architecture Program
Location: University of Pittsburgh campus
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6–26
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Local high school students
The Experiencing Architecture Program at the University of Pittsburgh is a free summer studio program for high school students interested in architecture, design, art, and urban studies. During the program, you will learn foundational architecture skills such as sketching, drawing, and model making while working on your own design projects in Pitt’s studios and maker spaces. You also explore architecture and urban design through walking tours, office visits, and construction site tours around Pittsburgh. Practicing architects, university faculty, and community professionals lead sessions throughout the program. By the end of the summer, you will have developed pieces for a design portfolio that can support future studies in architecture and related fields.
10. Venture Outdoors Leadership Academy
Location: Citywide
Cost: None; stipend $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July–August
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Pittsburgh high school students
The Venture Outdoors Leadership Academy is a paid summer program for high school students interested in outdoor leadership, environmental work, and career exploration in the outdoor industry. During the summer, you will learn skills related to outdoor leadership, survival, first aid, equipment repair, and conflict resolution while also exploring areas like nonprofit management, media literacy, marketing, and fundraising. The program includes weekly outdoor adventures, guest speakers, and sessions with professionals and executives working in outdoor and community-focused organizations. You will also receive support with resume building, job readiness, and industry certifications.
11. Summer Academy for Math and Science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old by the program start date; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; in 11th grade in high school at the time of application submission
The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded pre-college program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in STEM. The program begins with a short virtual session before moving into a six-week residential experience on campus. You’ll attend rigorous STEM classes, work on hands-on projects, and learn from faculty members and mentors. You will present your work at a final research symposium. The program also includes workshops on STEM pathways. After the summer ends, you can continue attending virtual sessions focused on further STEM exploration.
12. University of Pennsylvania: Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Philadelphia students entering 10th or 11th grade who have at least a 3.0 GPA
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Pennsylvania is a four-week, on-campus program for Philadelphia high school students interested in exploring college and future career paths. You’ll be placed in one of Penn’s graduate schools and participate in activities related to fields such as STEM, healthcare, or law. You’ll be introduced to different academic and professional environments. You will attend workshops focused on college readiness, including sessions on study skills, time management, financial literacy, SAT preparation, and personal statement writing.
13. Magee-Womens Hospital (MWRI) High School Summer Internship
Location: Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be eligible for a $1,800 stipend if their household qualifies for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Pennsylvania.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 7 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old and have a permanent/primary residence in the local southwest Pennsylvania region
The High School Summer Internship Program at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) is a six-week research program for high school students interested in how biology connects with reproductive health, biomedical science, genetics, and clinical research. During the program, you work on an individual research project under the guidance of investigators and research staff at MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital. Expect to spend roughly 240 hours participating in laboratory or clinical research while learning how biomedical studies are designed and conducted. The program also includes Lunch & Learn sessions where researchers discuss their careers and experiences in science and medicine. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your research findings through a formal presentation to faculty, staff, and fellow interns.
14. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Hybrid format, beginning with virtual classes and culminating in a residential experience on the Princeton University campus
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 40 students
Dates: 10-days between late June and early August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long college-preparation and journalism program for high school students from low-income backgrounds who are interested in writing, media, politics, and current events. The program begins with virtual workshops and assignments during the summer, then leads into a ten-day residential experience on Princeton University’s campus. Throughout the program, you’ll attend lectures and workshops led by journalists, educators, and media professionals from across the country. You will complete reporting and writing assignments, cover local events, produce digital content, and collaborate with other students to publish The Princeton Summer Journal. Beyond journalism training, the program includes college admissions guidance and one-on-one mentorship with a personal college counselor throughout senior year.
Frequently asked questions
1. What free programs are available for high school students in Pennsylvania?
Options include research and lab programs, such as Penn PSSI, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy, and Magee-Womens Hospital Internship, AI and computer science programs, such as CMU AI Scholars, CMU CS Scholars, and Veritas AI, public health and medicine programs, such as Pitt Public Health Science Academy, engineering and STEM programs, such as CMU SAMS and Penn State Harrisburg STEM Enrichment, design programs, such as Pitt Experiencing Architecture, journalism programs, such as Princeton Summer Journalism Program, and outdoor leadership programs, such as Venture Outdoors Leadership Academy.
2. Which free Pennsylvania programs also provide stipends or awards?
Pitt Public Health Science Academy provides a $1,000 award upon completion, Magee-Womens Hospital Internship offers up to $1,800 for qualifying students, Venture Outdoors Leadership Academy pays $15 per hour, and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy may provide a stipend depending on the research site. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is also fully funded at no cost.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in biomedical or cancer research?
Students interested in biomedical research might consider UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy for eight weeks of hands-on cancer research across multiple lab sites, Magee-Womens Hospital Internship for six weeks of reproductive health and biomedical research with individual mentorship, and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation for fully funded one-on-one research with a PhD mentor in a field of the student's choice.
4. Which free programs are open to students outside Pennsylvania?
Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world. Princeton Summer Journalism Program begins virtually before its residential component, and CMU AI Scholars and CMU SAMS accept applications from students across the U.S.
5. When should I apply to free programs for high school students in Pennsylvania?
Penn PSSI, CMU AI Scholars, CMU CS Scholars, and CMU SAMS all close February 1. Magee-Womens Hospital Internship closes around February 7, and Penn State Harrisburg STEM Enrichment closes February 27. Programs, such as Pitt Public Health Science Academy (March 3), Pitt Experiencing Architecture (April 3), and UPenn Provost's SMP (March 22), fall later in the spring. Students should begin researching options in the fall to avoid missing the earliest deadlines.