15 Free Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student interested in exploring your academic interests, free enrichment programs offer an accessible way to do so without the financial burden. Whether your interest lies in biomedical science, engineering, or public policy, these experiences enable you to participate in projects, collaborate with peers, and gain mentorship. Many of these programs are completely free or offer full financial aid, making them accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas is home to top universities, research labs, and STEM organizations, many of which run free or fully funded programs designed for high school students. Institutions such as Texas Tech University and Rice University offer programs that allow you to engage in research, participate in workshops, and collaborate with faculty and peers on projects. Whether you're a Texas resident or coming from out of state, these programs offer valuable exposure to college-level environments, cutting-edge research, and professional networks.
Below, we’ve put together 15 free programs for high school students in Texas!
If you are looking for internships in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be at least 17); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This seven-week research program immerses you in advanced studies across science, engineering, and the humanities. You'll collaborate closely with a faculty mentor on your independent project, gaining practical experience in research techniques, data gathering, and analysis. Throughout, you'll refine your writing and speaking skills via research reports and a final presentation. Additionally, you'll participate in seminars and lab meetings that provide insight into academic life. With only 12 students admitted, the program offers a highly focused environment with personalized mentorship and academic support.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; typical deadlines are in January, May, September, and November. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; AI Fellowship applicants need prior AI or Python experience
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.
3. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $7,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors who are at least 18 years old
This extremely selective program places about 10 top students in MD Anderson labs working on cancer research. You’ll collaborate with researchers studying genetics, tumor biology, or cell behavior, learn lab techniques, handle real data, and contribute to ongoing research projects. Regular seminars on biomedical science and research ethics round out the experience. It’s a rare and deeply immersive research opportunity for students committed to pursuing medicine, biomedical research, or a science-focused college path.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, with varying start dates based on yearly cohorts
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
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.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple U.S. sites
Cost/Stipend: None; $501.60/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: Varies by location and/or project
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and will be at least 16 years of age at the time of application
AFRL Scholars place you in real research labs working on software, AI, data analysis, robotics, or satellite and aerospace systems. Interns collaborate with engineers and scientists to develop code, analyze sensor data or simulations, and contribute to ongoing research. The program includes seminars, lab tours, and mentorship, giving participants exposure to technical workflows and research disciplines. Interns often present their outcomes in reports or project summaries at the end of the term. Students can select up to three projects and contact mentors to learn more before applying.
6. NASA & UT Austin SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: Free; housing, meals, transportation provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 19 – July 22, including online and on-site components
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old
This hybrid program combines online learning and on‑site work at UT Austin, engaging you in Earth and space science research guided by NASA. You start with online modules on Earth systems, satellite data, and Python coding. During the on-site phase, you collaborate with researchers on projects related to remote sensing, climate analysis, and satellite imagery. You work with actual NASA datasets to study environmental change and assist in mission planning. The program concludes with your presentation at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, where you earn a certificate.
7. Welch Summer Scholar Program
Location: Various Texas universities
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – July 3
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Texas high school sophomores and juniors
Welch immerses you in a university chemistry or related science lab, where you’ll participate in genuine research covering experiment design, chemical analysis, and data collection interpretation. Every day includes hands-on lab work guided by grad students and postdocs, ending with discussions about how scientific research functions in academia and industry. The program is fully funded, making it one of the best free options for high school students in Texas who hope to explore chemistry.
8. Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) Code@TACC Robotics
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – June 28
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th graders
This hands-on robotics boot camp introduces young students to programming, electronics, robotics, and AI through team-based challenges. Participants collaborate with TACC researchers and peers to construct basic robotic systems or automated tasks, all while learning core coding and engineering principles. The camp focuses on teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking within a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment. This program is tailored for students new to coding or hardware who want a low-pressure, exploratory experience in robotics and tech.
9. UT Computer Science Academy for Women
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – June 6
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students
This weeklong camp introduces you to computer science through coding lessons, Arduino projects, and group engineering challenges. You practice beginner-friendly C++ and learn how software interacts with hardware through simple device builds. The program features faculty talks, industry visits, and campus tours. With a low mentor-to-student ratio, you get continuous guidance throughout the week. A travel scholarship is offered to help more students participate in this learning opportunity.
10. McCombs Summer High School Programs
Location: McCombs School of Business, UT Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: MFEA: May 31 – June 5 | Subiendo: June 14 – June 18 | DYNAMC: June 21 – June 26
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors for MFEA and DYNAMC; juniors for Subiendo
The McCombs programs introduce you to accounting, business strategy, entrepreneurship, or organizational behavior through team-based simulations, real-world case studies, and interactive workshops led by business faculty and professionals. You’ll work in groups, present pitches or business plans, and build communication and leadership skills. Having mentorship from UT students and alumni helps you grasp essential business principles and explore potential careers in business, management, or entrepreneurship.
11. University of Houston’s Mohan Lab Summer Internship
Location: Mohan Lab, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
At Mohan Lab, you’ll learn core laboratory skills (such as pipetting, electrophoresis, and data collection), then join an active research team working on biomedical topics, including disease biomarkers. You’ll maintain a lab notebook, assist with experiments, and learn to analyze and interpret real scientific data. The hands‑on lab experience, combined with mentorship from graduate researchers, gives you genuine exposure to what scientific research looks like. For students curious about medicine, biology, or biomedical science, this internship offers a solid foundation while still in high school.
12. MD Anderson DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing who are 18 or older
This lab-based research internship provides you with exposure to both clinical and laboratory research, focusing on topics such as pain, chemotherapy, surgery, and cancer recovery. Students learn about lab safety, research regulations, and data presentation. At the end of the program, you present your findings in a poster symposium. Your research abstract is also published in the program's abstract book, giving you experience with academic documentation.
13. Rice University Digital Health Young Scholars Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students
Dates: June 9 – June 26
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Houston-area high school sophomores and juniors
The Digital Health Young Scholars Program at Rice University is a free, three-week summer STEM initiative that introduces high school students to digital circuitry, computer science, and healthcare engineering research. Organized by the PATHS-UP research center, the program offers an opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and medicine. With guidance from Rice faculty, graduate students, and local educators, participants will design and test biomedical devices like pulse oximeters, accelerometers, and GPS modules. By the time they complete the program, students produce a working prototype or design and gain concrete exposure to digital health technologies.
14. Baylor College of Medicine Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants are hired under the title of “Summer Project Intern” and receive a stipend roughly equivalent to Texas's minimum wage (subject to taxes)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 11 – August 4
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Students 18+ (some projects accept 16–17); prior participation in Saturday Morning Science or affiliation via partner institutions is generally required
SMS places high‑school students in active biomedical research labs for about eight weeks, where they participate in experiments, data collection, lab meetings, and scientific writing under direct supervision. Weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions add a layer of professional development, covering topics like research ethics, STEM career pathways, and college preparation. Students learn proper lab procedures, data-management practices, and how scientific research is organized in an academic medical environment. The structure supports the development of scientific thinking, understanding of research methodology, and early exposure to the medical‑research culture.
15. The Children’s Education Program Music Summer Camps
Location: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – June 12
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students
This free music camp offers high school students several days of immersive vocal training, ensemble rehearsals, and performance workshops at a professional venue. Throughout the camp, you’ll attend vocal technique classes, participate in group rehearsals, and work under experienced instructors to strengthen your artistry and stage presence. The program focuses on collaboration, disciplined practice, and performance skills rather than academic credit, offering a taste of real performing‑arts settings. By the end of the session, participants enhance their musical technique, gain experience performing with a group, and develop a clearer understanding of how music training functions in a professional‑level environment.
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