15 Free STEM Summer Programs for High School Students
As a high schooler curious about a future in STEM, summer can be a great time to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Structured programs can offer extensive STEM exposure during the summer months, helping you build new skills without disrupting your schoolwork. STEM summer programs are often hosted by universities, research labs, and government organizations, offering access to structured coursework, lab work, hands-on projects, and mentorship. The programs may also offer exposure to research, allowing you to collaborate with faculty or industry professionals in real research environments. Many prestigious, selective programs run by the government, reputable universities, and non-profits are offered at no cost to students! These fully funded STEM programs are designed to help you dive into your interests without any financial constraints.
What are the benefits of attending a STEM program?
STEM programs help you build technical and analytical skills through hands-on projects and structured learning opportunities that are difficult to find in regular high school classrooms. You may develop engineering prototypes, run scientific experiments, or develop algorithms for data analysis and machine learning. Many programs also introduce you to research methodologies, lab techniques, and computational tools used in real-world settings. In addition to technical skills, you may develop problem-solving, teamwork, and scientific communication while working on group projects and presenting your findings. These experiences provide a clear understanding of how STEM concepts are applied in academic research and industry environments, while preparing you for advanced academics in college and beyond.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 free STEM summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free apart from a non-refundable $75 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5% acceptance rate; 80 – 100 students/year
Dates: Six weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Early to mid-December
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years of age by July 1 of the program year; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students from participating countries are eligible to apply.
RSI is a six-week residential program at MIT that combines one week of advanced STEM seminars led by professors with five weeks of individual research internships mentored by scientists and researchers at MIT, Harvard, and partner Boston institutions. In the first week, you will attend college-level sessions covering topics in STEM and other fields. Over the next four weeks, you will work on your original, individual research projects under the direct mentorship of scientists and researchers. Research areas include math, biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, or engineering. In the final week, you will prepare and deliver a conference-style oral presentation and submit a written research paper. Field trips to nearby science and tech facilities may also be a part of the experience.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campus in Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: 4% (Boulder, CO) | 10.6% (Gaithersburg, MD) (based on the last cohort)
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are current high school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher; applicants must live within 50 miles of either the Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO NIST campus.
SHIP places high school students in research labs to work with scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a non-regulatory federal agency focused on measurement science. You will work on a research project under the mentorship of a NIST scientist, applying techniques relevant to your assigned laboratory’s work. Placements span physics, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, materials science, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. You will learn how to work with real data, use specialized instruments, and explore professional research environments. At the end, you will present your summer work as a poster.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort; multiple 12-week sessions throughout the year, including Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter.Application deadline: Spring: January | Summer: May | Fall: September | Winter: November. You can check details and apply here.
Eligibility: Students in high school and those planning to enroll as freshmen in college in the fall; applicants 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 will develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from research areas such as chemistry, economics, physics, psychology, data science, computer science, engineering, international relations, and more.
5. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) @ Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~60 – 80 students each year
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 by the program’s start date are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; students from communities underrepresented in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.
SAMS is a six-week, fully funded residential program at Carnegie Mellon University that is designed to help you engage in advanced science and math coursework. You will take college-level core seminars in mathematics, science, and computational thinking, complete a STEM research project mentored by CMU faculty or graduate students, and attend weekly writing workshops focused on college application preparation. A credit-bearing "From Student to Scholar" course to prepare for college life. At the end of SAMS, you will present your project to peers and faculty.
6. MITES Summer
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 61 students selected in the past cohort out of a combined 4,100 applications for both MITES Semester and MITES Summer
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; priority given to underserved, underrepresented, and first-generation college-bound students.
MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) is a free, six-week residential program for high school juniors held on MIT's campus. You will take five rigorous courses spanning math, life science, physics, and the humanities, plus a hands-on elective covering topics such as machine learning, genomics, electronics, and architecture. College admissions counseling, lab tours, and mentorship from MIT undergraduates are built into the schedule. During the six weeks, you will attend classes, engage in group activities and social events around the Greater Boston area, and attend a college fair. Midterms, finals, project work, and final presentations will help you familiarize yourself with the rigors of college classes. At the end, you will receive a written evaluation from your instructor.
7. Simons Summer Research Program @ Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend + stipend available; dining and housing costs apply to residential participants.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Below 5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; school nominations are required to participate.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a six-week research fellowship at Stony Brook University where high school juniors are matched with faculty mentors to join active research groups in science, math, or engineering. You will take on responsibility for a research project, attend weekly faculty research talks, and participate in workshops and lab tours during the program. In the process, you will learn how to work with lab tools and real data. You will also present a written abstract and a research poster at a closing symposium and receive a stipend at the event.
8. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend availability and amount vary by lab
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1 or 2 students/project
Dates: Five to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16, are enrolled in a high school, are U.S. citizens, and are able to provide proof of local housing and transportation in New Jersey
Princeton’s LLP is a free in-person summer STEM research program, where you will work with university faculty and research staff on projects in the natural sciences and engineering. The project theme and tasks vary by placement, but typically include laboratory activities, data collection, documentation, analysis, and scientific writing. You will follow the schedule set by the assigned mentor/department, complete safety training, and adhere to university policies. At the end of the program, you will produce and submit a two-page research summary detailing your summer research work.
9. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program @ Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week residential program at Texas Tech that brings together 12 highly qualified high schoolers for hands-on research. You will conduct individual research in one-on-one partnerships with faculty mentors. Projects typically span various fields, including biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, and history. In addition to the research work, the program runs weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits. At the end of seven weeks, you will submit a research report.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: 38+ Department of the Navy laboratories across the United States
Stipend: New participants: $4,000 | Returning participants: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students/year
Dates: 8 to 10 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up; labs may have additional requirements.
SEAP places students in real federal research environments to explore naval research work. You will join a naval research lab close to you and contribute to active STEM research under the mentorship of the Department of the Navy scientists and engineers. Over 8 to 10 weeks, you will learn about research workflows, lab tools, and careers in naval research and tech. The program also offers professional development opportunities, including the chance to shadow and interact with researchers and other professionals, and attend seminars, meetings, and presentations.
11. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 32 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up; international students may apply, but no visa assistance is provided.
SSRP is a free seven-week, full-time research program at Rockefeller University. You will join a research team of 8–10 peers guided by scientific trainees from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as Weill Cornell Medicine. You will work in a RockEDU teaching laboratory and follow a real lab workflow, culminating in research poster presentations. Week 1 focuses on techniques and lab norms; Week 2 focuses on formulating a research question; Weeks 3 and 5 are dedicated to active experimentation; and Weeks 6 and 7 focus on data analysis and poster preparation for the final symposium. Elective courses, guest lectures, and professional development workshops supplement lab hours.
12. Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Summer Student Program
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost/Stipend: Free; $7,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~24 – 28 positions/year
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors, ages 18 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
JAX's Summer Student Program is a 10-week paid research fellowship that places students directly in active genetics and genomics labs at The Jackson Laboratory's Bar Harbor, Maine, campus. You will work with research mentors to design and complete a project, gaining increasing autonomy over the work as the summer progresses. The schedule includes weekly Journal Club meetings and informal opportunities for interaction with JAX scientists and professionals to help you gain insights into research and scientific career paths. At the end, you will present your work at a final symposium.
13. √mathroots at MIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded (tuition, housing, and meals covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11, ages 14 – 18, who are comfortable with high school geometry, trigonometry, exponents, algebra, and logarithms; applicants must be U.S. citizens or attend high school in the U.S.
√mathroots is a free two-week residential mathematical talent accelerator at MIT for high school students. Hosted by MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science), the program is designed to build both technical mathematical fluency and the mindset for rigorous proof-based reasoning. You will explore advanced mathematics through problem-solving, proof construction, and collaborative exploration of topics not typically covered in high school curricula, including combinatorics, number theory, and discrete mathematics. You will learn from instructors with experience in research and competition math.
14. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) @ NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: February 27
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
This free 10-week summer STEM program offers high school students lab training and the opportunity to conduct research in NYU labs. The program begins with four weeks of remote training sessions focused on college writing, lab safety, and research skills. Over the next six weeks, you will join an NYU research lab and contribute to research in STEM fields. You will spend the summer gaining over 150 hours of lab experience, engaging in workshops and seminars, and working on your research presentation, which you will deliver at the NYU campus as well as the American Museum of Natural History. The program also offers support with college applications.
15. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s Coding for Cancer
Location: VirtualCost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 award given to participants upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: March 29 (application); April 5 (teacher recommendation)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12 in the fall; Washington State residents are preferred.
This free STEM summer program is designed to help you explore the R programming language and see how it can be used to conduct cancer biology research. The program’s first half covers coding basics and cancer biology through small-group and individual exercises, while the second half is dedicated to working on individual research projects. You will practice coding, learn about computational research, and work with real tools researchers use under the guidance of Fred Hutch postdoctoral fellows. At the end, you will receive $1,000 and a digital Credly badge you can add to your profile.