15 Free STEM Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, joining a structured program can be a good way to develop skills and explore advanced topics. These programs often include projects, lab experience, coding challenges, or engineering design work, providing practical exposure to how STEM fields operate. Free programs are especially valuable because they remove financial barriers, allowing you to focus on learning and growth without worrying about cost.
Why should you attend a program in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is home to institutions like MIT, Harvard, and other leading research centers that offer a wide range of STEM programs that welcome motivated students. In these programs, you might design experiments, analyze data, collaborate with peers, or work on projects guided by mentors who help you apply scientific and technical concepts. Whether you’re from Massachusetts or traveling in to join, these experiences help you strengthen your profile and learn about future opportunities in your field of interest.
We have compiled a list of 15 free STEM programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you are looking for internships in Massachusetts, check out our blog here.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5%; 100 students/year
Application Deadline: mid-December
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
The Research Science Institute (RSI) brings together 100 high-achieving high school students each summer at MIT for an in-depth STEM program. You begin with a week of lectures and seminars covering biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering, led by faculty and researchers. The program's core component is a five-week research internship, during which you conduct an independent project under the guidance of a mentor. During this time, you learn the full research process, including reviewing scientific literature, designing experiments, conducting investigations, and presenting your results in written and oral formats. Evening lectures from scientists, entrepreneurs, and other professionals supplement your research, and outings around Boston provide additional educational and cultural experiences.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly elective, small cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year; you can apply here
Dates: Offered in multiple cohorts throughout spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students; Fellowship applicants should have completed AI Scholars or show prior experience with Python or AI concepts
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers accessible programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll join a 10-session boot camp where you’ll learn the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science, applying them to real-world examples and projects. For students ready for more advanced work, the AI Fellowship provides one-on-one mentorship with experts from top universities to design and carry out an independent project. As a fellow, you’ll also be guided by an in-house publication team, allowing you to publish your work in high school research journals. Both programs emphasize project-based learning and close mentorship, helping you develop both technical and research skills. Since programs are virtual, Massachusetts students can access them without relocation.
3. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)
Location: MIT campus (Cambridge, MA) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory (Lexington, MA)
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20 students admitted
Application Deadline: March 11
Dates: July 12 – 25
Eligibility: U.S. citizens completing junior year of high school; strong interest in STEM
The Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) is a free, two-week summer workshop for rising high school seniors interested in radar technology. During the program, you design and construct small radar systems, including Doppler and range radar, while applying problem-solving skills in engineering contexts. The workshop is hands-on, with guidance from MIT Lincoln Laboratory scientists and engineers. You live in MIT dormitories, experiencing a residential college environment, and travel to the Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington for lab-based activities. By the end of the program, you will have built working radar systems and gained practical experience in electrical engineering and applied physics.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, small cohorts
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Program Dates: 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.
5. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Various locations in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 31 (tentative)
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school senior or recent high school graduate; MA residents; U.S. work authorization and health clearance required
The Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a selective opportunity for high school students interested in neuroscience. You start with a boot camp to develop essential skills through clinical, research, and laboratory training. Throughout the program, you work on an ongoing research project under the guidance of a mentor. You also attend sessions led by neurologists and neuroscientists to learn about the field and its professional practices. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings to your peers, family, and members of the MGH Neurology department.
6. Women’s Technology Program (WTP)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost to attend for students with family income less than $120,000. More info here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 20 students in a class
Application Deadline: December 15
Dates: June 27 – July 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (women-focused program); students with little to no prior engineering experience are prioritized
MIT’s Women’s Technology Program (WTP) is a four-week residential program designed for rising high school seniors interested in engineering. You focus on mechanical engineering through hands-on classes, lab work, and team design projects, guided by MIT undergraduate and graduate students. The program is intended for students with strong backgrounds in math and science who may have limited prior engineering experience. In addition to technical instruction, WTP emphasizes collaboration and encourages participation from students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds in STEM. You live in MIT dorms, follow a structured schedule, and gain practical experience in problem-solving and design. The program admits a small cohort each year, providing an intensive introduction to engineering.
7. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; Stipend provided, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 6
Dates: 7 – 11 weeks in the summer, typically June – August
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (age 16+); must reside in or attend school in MA and commute to Boston
The CURE Program gives Massachusetts high school students the chance to participate in cancer research in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area. You join a research team for 7–11 weeks, working full-time alongside scientists and graduate-level mentors. The program includes lab work, journal clubs, research seminars, and workshops focused on developing technical and scientific communication skills. You also take part in networking opportunities and present your research at a closing symposium, gaining experience in scientific writing and conference-style presentations. Through structured mentorship and participation in active cancer research, the CURE Program provides an intensive introduction to biomedical research for high school students.
8. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents age 16+; living in Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy
The Tufts Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) program provides high school students with a six-week opportunity to participate in biomedical engineering research. You join a Tufts research lab, exploring topics related to cells, tissues, and organs while learning essential research methods and experimental design. With guidance from faculty and graduate mentors, you develop hypotheses, carry out experiments, and share your results with peers and mentors. The program also encourages you to submit your work to state and national science competitions, such as the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair. TUBERS is a free commuter program, so you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to the Tufts campus.
9. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents entering 12th grade; must live within commuting distance; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University gives rising high school seniors from Massachusetts the opportunity to participate in STEM research. You work in university labs within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences, contributing to faculty-led projects in areas such as cancer therapies, energy storage, robotics, biotechnology, and materials science. The program also includes a seminar series covering different engineering fields, including chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering. In addition, you participate in college and career counseling sessions to learn about academic pathways and potential career options. Field trips to companies like Biogen and Akamai, as well as sites such as the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, provide practical examples of how engineering concepts are applied in professional settings.
10. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of 20–30 students
Application Deadline: January 21
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending high school in Massachusetts within commuting distance to the Broad; B or better in math and science required; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students with work authorization
The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) is a free summer opportunity for high school students in Massachusetts, designed for rising seniors interested in scientific research. You are paired with a Broad Institute scientist and work on projects in areas such as cancer biology, computational biology, chemical biology, or infectious disease. In addition to lab work, the program guides creating scientific posters, presenting research in a conference-style format, and attending seminars led by institute researchers. You also participate in social activities, a college fair, and a final symposium where you present your project to the Broad community. A stipend is provided to help cover participation and transportation costs.
11. Massenberg Summer STEM Institute
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on nominations
Application Deadline: April 11 (Nomination deadline)
Dates: July 27 – August 9 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders from disadvantaged communities in MA and NJ
The Massenberg Summer STEM Institute is a residential program for Massachusetts high school students interested in STEM careers. During the program, you work on a team project alongside other participants, applying STEM concepts in a collaborative setting. The program also guides students to complete high school and offers sessions on college and career planning. Field visits to technology companies help you see how the concepts you learn are applied in real-world settings. The program concludes with a presentation where you share the results and insights from your team project.
12. UMass Turing Summer Program
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort; selective for Western MA students
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders in Western Massachusetts; background in math required; programming experience recommended but not mandatory
The UMass Turing Summer Program is a three-week commuter program for high school students in Western Massachusetts interested in computer science. You explore how computing can be applied to areas such as healthcare, sustainability, energy, and data security. Each day includes two classroom sessions and one lab session, where you learn Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, and health-sensing technologies. The program emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning, giving you the opportunity to apply computational methods to practical problems. By the end of the three weeks, you can gain experience working on real-world challenges while collaborating with peers in a university environment.
13. Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a competitive program that offers five courses in math, science, and the humanities. Daily activities include classes, recitations, and workshops, with evenings and weekends free for exploring Boston. Elective courses have included topics such as architecture, engineering design, and machine learning. It features lab visits, social events, and college admissions sessions. All expenses are covered except for travel to and from MIT.
14. MLSC’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Massachusetts, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $17 per hour for six weeks of full-time work
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: Throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge offers paid internships for underrepresented and low-income high school students in Massachusetts. Each year, the program supports more than 150 internships by helping research institutions and small life sciences companies cover intern wages. Before starting your internship, you receive training in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, and professional skills. The program is designed for students seeking experience in the biomedical and biotechnology fields.
15. Carnegie Mellon AI4ALL
Location: Online (with on-site opportunities available)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 3 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a background in STEM
The Carnegie Mellon AI4ALL program is a fully funded summer program for rising juniors and seniors interested in artificial intelligence. You work with CMU faculty and researchers to explore machine learning, robotics, and AI ethics. The program provides hands-on experience with AI algorithms, coding platforms, and robotic systems, while also examining the ethical and societal impacts of AI. You participate in a collaborative learning environment designed to prepare you for future studies and careers in AI-related fields.
Image source - CMU Logo