15 Free Science Programs for High School Students
A free science program can be a practical way to test your interest in a STEM field without worrying about tuition costs. Many of these opportunities let you work in actual research labs, run experiments alongside scientists, or build projects that solve real problems. You might learn to code in Python to analyze astrophysics data, design a medical device, or investigate antibiotic resistance using genomic tools. Because the programs are free or offer full financial aid, you can focus on the learning experience rather than summer job earnings. Some even provide stipends for transportation, meals, or housing, removing additional financial barriers.
What are the benefits of a Science program?
Science programs help you develop skills that standard high school courses rarely cover, such as operating lab equipment, writing research proposals, and presenting findings to experts. In a biomedical internship, you might learn to run PCR tests or culture cells. In a physics program, you could write Python scripts to model planetary orbits. An environmental health program might introduce you to exposure science and community-based research methods. These experiences also give you a realistic view of what daily life in a STEM career actually involves.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down the list to the top 15 free science programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
All 15 programs on this list are free or fully funded, and many provide stipends including Duke STAR ($4,000), NIH HS-SIP (monthly stipend), Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program ($3,000), Wistar Institute ($1,500), Anson L. Clark Scholars ($750), and Max Planck Junior Scholars (food and travel covered).
Programs span a wide range of science fields including biomedical research (NIH, Wistar, SIMR, Duke STAR), AI and machine learning (Veritas AI, Lumiere), astrophysics and quantum physics (SPINWIP, SSP), environmental health (Silent Spring Institute), fisheries and aquatic science (Hutton Program), and independent STEM research across disciplines (RSI, Simons, Clark Scholars, ASSIP).
Several programs are particularly accessible to students outside major research hubs, including the Hutton Junior Fisheries Program (nationwide mentor matching within a 45-minute commute), Silent Spring Institute (fully virtual), SPINWIP (virtual, open to U.S. and international students), and Lumiere Research Scholar Program (fully remote).
Programs prioritizing underrepresented students include MITES Summer, Max Planck Junior Scholars, SPINWIP, Hutton Program, and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, all of which specifically encourage applications from students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Deadlines span from November through April, with RSI closing in December, Hutton Program closing January 25, and NIH HS-SIP closing February 18, so students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply to early-deadline programs well before the winter break.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None; $75 application fee (waiver available to eligible students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: < 2.5%
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Early-mid December
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
RSI brings students from around the world to MIT each summer for a no-cost research immersion. The first week involves intensive STEM coursework taught by university professors. For the remaining five weeks, you conduct an independent research project under the mentorship of an experienced scientist or researcher. The program covers the full research cycle: reading current literature, designing a study, collecting data, and presenting conference‑style reports. Many RSI alumni go on to publish their findings or receive co‑authorship on academic papers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; advanced tracks require Python experience or completion of the introductory program
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, 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 have the opportunity 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. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; students pay only transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks from late June to early August
Application Deadline: Fall semester of your junior year
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a six‑week on‑campus program where you take college‑level math and science courses alongside electives such as machine learning, architecture, or genomics. You live in MIT dorms, tour labs and local companies, attend seminars with STEM professionals, and get guidance on college admissions. All program‑related costs are covered by donors, foundations, corporations, and MIT. At the end of the program, each student receives a written evaluation that many choose to submit with their college applications. The program strongly encourages applications from students who are underrepresented in STEM, first‑generation college attendees, or from families without science and engineering degrees.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12; strong academic record; no prior research experience required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the applicationhere, and check out students’ reviews of the program hereand here.
5. Duke STAR Program
Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 24
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 2
Eligibility: High school rising seniors and current seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program at Duke gives you hands‑on experience in research methodology and scientific writing. You work in teams matched with faculty mentors on an original, hypothesis‑driven project, starting with a one‑page summary and ending with a full research paper. The goal is for every participant to qualify for co‑authorship on a peer‑reviewed manuscript. In the first two weeks, you develop a question related to medication use and its effects, then conduct a thorough literature review. Participants age 18 and older also shadow a physician on hospital rounds. Duke STAR provides a stipend that makes the program accessible even for students who would otherwise need to work during the summer break.
6. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Location: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (monthly stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 500–600 interns across all NIH institutes; highly competitive
Dates: May 11 – August 31
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors age 17 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The NIH HS‑SIP places you in research groups across the largest biomedical research agency in the world, working alongside leading scientists on ongoing projects. Research areas include cancer biology, genetics, neuroscience, immunology, and bioinformatics. Interns receive a monthly stipend, making the program accessible to students who need to earn money over the summer. You’ll also attend seminars, career development workshops, and have opportunities to present your work to the broader NIH community. This is a great option among free science programs for high school students interested in biomedical research.
7. Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes a $1,500 stipend upon completion and SEPTA transit passes
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students ages 16 and older currently enrolled in a science course
Over four weeks, you’ll work side‑by‑side with Wistar scientists on active research projects in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, or virology. During the first week, you’ll complete a lab safety certification and learn foundational techniques including pipetting, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, and microscopy. For the remaining three weeks, you join a specific research lab and contribute to ongoing experiments, such as preparing cell lines, running PCR reactions, or analyzing protein expression data. Each participant is paired with a mentor, a postdoctoral fellow or research assistant, who provides daily guidance, explains the purpose behind each protocol, and helps you interpret results. You’ll also attend weekly lab meetings where researchers present their findings and troubleshoot experiments together. At the program's conclusion, you prepare a scientific poster and deliver a short oral presentation to Wistar faculty, postdocs, and fellow interns.
8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; $25 application fee; $750 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 12 students per year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates, age 17 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Once selected, you work one‑on‑one with a faculty mentor on an independent research project of your choosing, ranging from synthetic chemistry to computational neuroscience to environmental engineering. You spend roughly 40 hours per week in the lab or field, collecting data, troubleshooting experiments, and reading primary literature relevant to your topic. Weekly one‑hour meetings with your mentor give you a chance to discuss progress, interpret results, and adjust your research plan as needed. Beyond lab work, you’ll attend a weekly seminar series where guest speakers from industry and academia talk about their career trajectories and answer your questions. The program also organizes group dinners, weekend outings, and a closing banquet at which each scholar delivers a short oral presentation on their findings. Many Clark Scholars have gone on to publish their research in undergraduate journals or present at regional conferences before even starting college.
9. University of Texas at Dallas Research Program for High School Students
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free (housing not provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1 (priority); rolling
Eligibility: Students finishing 10th or 11th grade, age 15 or older
This eight‑week research program places motivated high school students directly into active research labs at UT Dallas. You’ll work under the guidance of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students on ongoing projects in areas such as bioengineering, neuroscience, chemistry, and materials science. The program is free, though participants provide their own housing or commute from home. Deep engagement with the research group is expected, and the program concludes with a research symposium. The selection process looks for students who can work independently with minimal guidance and are genuinely interested in delving into a scientific topic.
10. Max Planck Junior Scholars Program
Location: Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (undisclosed stipend for food and travel)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 attending a Frankfurt high school, nominated by a teacher, from an underrepresented group
This program is open exclusively to students from Frankfurt high schools who have been nominated by a teacher. The Max Planck Junior Scholars Program includes a one‑week Science Bootcamp followed by a two‑week internship in a host laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research or at an affiliated institute. You’ll work alongside a mentorship team of research assistants, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows on a scientific project that may be presented at a lab meeting or as a report. Participants receive a fixed stipend to cover food, travel expenses, and related costs. The program prioritizes students from underrepresented groups, including those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with migration backgrounds, or who are the first in their families to aim for university.
11. Silent Spring Summer Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 (students aged 13+)
This week-long virtual program introduces you to the science of environmental health, how the water, air, food, and everyday products in your surroundings can affect your health. Led by research scientists at a respected non-profit institute, daily lectures cover topics such as environmental justice, exposure science, and translating scientific findings into real-world solutions to reduce disease. You will learn core research methods, including how scientists design studies and measure chemical exposures in drinking water, dust, and even the human body. The program is completely free, and every participant receives a certificate upon completion. All sessions are held online via Zoom, making it accessible regardless of your location.
12. SPINWIP (Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11; students of any gender are welcome; U.S. and international students may apply
SPINWIP is a virtual outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. You learn about cutting‑edge research in quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology. You’ll also learn to code in Python and apply those skills to physics‑based projects, with no prior programming experience required. Daily sessions include lectures by Stanford professors and researchers, small‑group work led by Stanford undergraduates, and workshops on college planning and career development. First‑generation students and those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics are especially encouraged to apply.
13. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; $50 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 50 students; around 3%
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, age 16 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents; the selection process strongly favors Bay Area students
SIMR is an eight‑week in‑person internship where you conduct medically oriented research under Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. You may choose among research areas including immunology, cancer biology, genetics, bioinformatics, cardiovascular biology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. A separate bioengineering track has you work in teams on design projects such as diagnostic tools or medical devices. The program has no tuition, and participants receive a summer stipend. All students present their work at a concluding poster session.
14. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants are responsible for their own transportation, dining, and residential costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less than 5%; about 40 participants per year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 16 or older
Once accepted to the Simons Summer Research Program, you are matched with a faculty mentor based on your stated research interests, which could range from molecular biology to materials science to applied mathematics. During the seven weeks, you spend your days in an active research lab, learning techniques specific to your project. You’ll attend weekly research seminars where faculty and guest speakers present their latest findings, followed by Q&A sessions where you can ask questions about their methods and career paths. Each Simons Fellow is expected to produce a research abstract and a scientific poster, which you present at a closing symposium attended by other program participants, lab members, and family. Many alumni use their summer work as the foundation for science fair entries, including entries in the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The program also organizes social activities and college admissions workshops to help you navigate the next steps after high school.
15. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Nationwide; students are matched with a mentor within a 45-minute commute of their home across all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Eight weeks in June through August; exact start and end dates determined between student and mentor
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors ages 16+; U.S., Canadian, and Mexican residents; students from underrepresented backgrounds in fisheries are strongly encouraged to apply; past participants are not eligible
The Hutton Program is a paid, eight-week summer internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, in which selected students are paired one-on-one with a local fisheries or aquatic science professional for a full-time fieldwork experience. Students work alongside scientists from state and federal agencies, universities, tribal fisheries, and nonprofits on projects that may include fish and mussel surveys, electrofishing, habitat assessment, eDNA sampling, and data collection and analysis. Each student completes bi-weekly timesheets, a mid-summer report, and a final report throughout the internship. The program concludes with an all-expenses-paid Hutton Scholars Summit where students from across the country present their work and connect with fisheries professionals.
Frequently asked questions
What types of free science programs are available for high school students?
Options include residential university research internships (RSI at MIT, MITES Summer, Simons at Stony Brook, SIMR at Stanford), paid government and institutional internships (NIH HS-SIP, Wistar Institute, Hutton Program), independent research programs (Lumiere, Anson L. Clark Scholars, UT Dallas), virtual science programs (SPINWIP, Silent Spring Institute, Veritas AI), and environmental and fieldwork experiences (Hutton Program, Silent Spring Institute).
Which free science programs offer the largest stipends?
Duke STAR provides a $4,000 stipend, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Program provides $3,000, and NIH HS-SIP provides a monthly stipend throughout the summer. Wistar Institute provides $1,500 upon completion and transit passes. Anson L. Clark Scholars provides $750. Max Planck Junior Scholars covers participants' food and travel costs.
Which programs are best for students interested in biomedical research?
NIH HS-SIP places students in research groups across the world's largest biomedical research agency. SIMR at Stanford offers an eight-week internship across tracks, including immunology, cancer biology, genetics, and bioengineering. The Wistar Institute provides students with hands-on lab experience in cancer biology, immunology, and virology. Duke STAR focuses on medication research and scientific writing with a pathway to co-authorship.
Are there free science programs open to students nationwide or internationally?
Yes, several programs are accessible to students across the country or internationally. The Hutton Program matches students with a local mentor within 45 minutes of their home across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. Silent Spring Institute and SPINWIP are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the U.S. and internationally. Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Scholar Program are fully remote and open to students worldwide. RSI at MIT accepts applications from students globally.
Which free science programs are most selective?
RSI at MIT has an acceptance rate below 2.5% and is among the most competitive pre-college science programs in the world. SIMR at Stanford accepts approximately 3% of applicants, and Simons at Stony Brook accepts fewer than 5%. NIH HS-SIP is highly competitive, with 500 to 600 spots available across all institutes. Clark Scholars selects approximately 12 students nationally each year.
When should I apply to free science programs for high school students?
RSI has the earliest deadline, typically closing in mid-December. The Hutton Program closes January 25, and Simons closes February 5. NIH HS-SIP closes February 18, and SIMR closes February 21. Duke STAR opens in November and closes on January 2. Silent Spring Institute has a later deadline of June 5, and SPINWIP closes May 1. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize December and January applications first.