15 Free STEM Pre-College Programs for High School Students
STEM pre-college programs can be a really strong step if you want to explore science, technology, engineering, or math before starting university. These programs allow you to move beyond classroom learning and engage in problem-solving, research, and collaboration with peers who also enjoy STEM subjects. Many universities offer free STEM pre-college programs for high school students, making academic opportunities accessible without financial burden. In several cases, the programs are fully funded and even provide stipends, housing, and mentorship. You also gain exposure to professors, labs, and college-level coursework, which helps you understand how STEM subjects are studied at an advanced level.
What are the benefits of a STEM pre-college program?
STEM pre-college programs help you develop skills that go far beyond textbook learning. You might explore concepts such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, environmental science, or biomedical research, depending on the program you choose. These programs also help you understand how real research is structured, including the process of forming hypotheses, testing ideas, and presenting findings. You will also interact with professors, graduate students, or industry professionals who guide you through projects. By the end of these experiences, you often develop stronger analytical thinking, technical knowledge, and confidence in exploring complex STEM topics.
To help you evaluate options efficiently, we’ve shortlisted 15 free STEM pre-college programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition, room, and board covered; approx. $75 application fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less than 2.5%
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students who have completed three years of high school
RSI is a selective STEM pre-college program for high school students that combines advanced coursework with an original research experience. The program begins with lectures led by scientists and professors covering advanced STEM topics. You then work on an independent research project under expert mentorship, gaining exposure to the full research process. Throughout the program, you develop skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and academic communication. The experience concludes with conference-style presentations where you present your findings.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type. Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply 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, 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Carnegie Mellon University – Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded residential program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SAMS offers a rigorous academic environment where you explore advanced mathematics and science topics through collaborative coursework. Over six weeks, you attend classes designed to simulate college-level STEM learning. The curriculum focuses on analytical thinking, computational methods, and problem-solving. You also participate in collaborative projects that allow you to apply theoretical concepts in practical ways. Through mentorship and academic advising, you gain insight into future study pathways in STEM. This program helps you understand the intensity and structure of university-level STEM education.
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).
Program 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. Stony Brook University – Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Simons allows you to work directly with faculty mentors on scientific research projects in fields such as engineering, mathematics, or science. Throughout the program, you learn laboratory methods, research design, and analytical thinking techniques. You collaborate with research groups and gain exposure to university lab environments. The experience concludes with a research poster presentation that demonstrates your findings. You also interact with peers who share similar academic interests, creating a collaborative learning environment.
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; limited stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SIMR provides the opportunity to explore biomedical research while working directly with Stanford faculty and researchers. You join a research group and contribute to projects in areas such as cancer biology, bioengineering, or immunology. Through lab work and seminars, you gain insight into how scientific research is conducted in professional environments. The program encourages collaboration and independent thinking as you analyze experimental data. You also learn about career pathways in medicine and biological sciences. Experiences like SIMR help you understand how research connects academic study with healthcare innovation.
7. The Rockefeller University – Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
SSRP allows you to work in a biomedical research lab alongside scientists and research trainees. During the program, you gradually develop your own research question connected to a larger scientific investigation. You learn laboratory techniques and analytical methods used in real research environments. Mentorship plays an important role, helping you understand how experiments are designed and evaluated. The program concludes with a poster presentation showcasing your findings. Programs like SSRP highlight how free STEM pre-college programs for high school students can provide authentic exposure to academic research.
8. The Jackson Laboratory – Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Bar Harbor, ME & Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: $7,500 stipend; housing and travel support included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 30 – August 7 / May 30 – August 10
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors interested in genetics research
SSP offers a longer research experience focused on genetics and genomics. You work in a laboratory environment under mentorship from professional scientists. The program includes workshops, journal clubs, and skill-building sessions focused on scientific communication. You gain experience analyzing biological data and understanding genetic research methods. At the end of the program, you present your research findings to peers and mentors. Because of its funding support and intensive research focus, SSP is considered one of the most valuable free STEM pre-college programs for high school students interested in biology.
9. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES allows you to experience college-level STEM coursework while living on campus at MIT. You explore subjects such as mathematics, engineering, and science through structured classes and projects. The program includes collaborative assignments that encourage analytical thinking and teamwork. You also participate in workshops that explore the broader applications of STEM fields. Mentorship and peer learning help you build confidence in academic problem-solving. MITES provides a structured introduction to rigorous STEM learning in a university environment.
10. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free + $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: NYC high school students
ARISE combines structured workshops with hands-on lab research across engineering and technology fields. You first learn research fundamentals such as lab safety and academic writing. After the training phase, you work directly in a research lab alongside faculty mentors. You gain practical exposure to scientific experimentation and innovation. The program concludes with presentations that showcase your work.
11. USC Young Researchers’ Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Rising seniors from select school districts
This program allows you to complete a university-level research project with guidance from graduate mentors. You attend workshops focused on STEM careers and college preparation. The program includes a research symposium where participants present their work publicly. A unique element is the field trip to Catalina Island, focused on environmental science learning. The experience combines academic research with outdoor exploration.
12. HK Maker Lab Summer Engineering Design Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 8 – August 13
Application Deadline: December 22; January 7
Eligibility: 10th–11th graders attending NYC schools
HK Maker Lab introduces you to engineering design through hands-on projects focused on real-world challenges. You work in teams to develop prototypes using professional lab resources. The program emphasizes innovation and collaboration as you design solutions related to healthcare or technology. Faculty mentorship helps guide your design process and technical development. The program also offers opportunities for continued involvement through internships. This experience combines creativity with technical skill-building in a structured academic setting.
13. Tech Scholars Programs
Location: New-York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 10; July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: NYC metro high school students
Tech Scholars allows you to explore STEM through creative projects such as web design or podcast production. You gain technical skills like HTML, CSS, and audio editing. Mentors guide you as you integrate storytelling with technology. The program emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. You also explore social and historical themes connected to your projects.
14. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10–11
CS4CS introduces you to cybersecurity concepts through hands-on technical learning. You explore topics such as cryptography, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. The curriculum combines computer science with behavioral science topics like phishing awareness. You use technical tools to analyze and prevent digital threats. The program also includes creative workshops focused on teamwork and communication. Cybersecurity skills are increasingly valuable across STEM careers, making this program a practical learning opportunity.
15. CodeBreakHERS
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available
Dates: June 22 – June 28
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 8–12
CodeBreakHERS introduces cybersecurity concepts through hands-on workshops and collaborative problem-solving. You learn about encryption, blockchain, and digital security principles. The program is designed to be accessible even if you have no prior coding experience. You work in teams to apply concepts to practical scenarios. The curriculum emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility in STEM education. This program provides a beginner-friendly introduction to cybersecurity topics.