15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you’re a high school student in Boston who wants to develop practical skills over the summer, there are many free programs you can consider. Summer programs for high schoolers offer a chance to explore new subjects, conduct research, and build professional skills. These programs are typically offered across a range of fields, giving you several academic and extracurricular options to choose from.
Hosted by leading universities, cultural institutions, and community organizations in Boston, these programs provide learning experiences in STEM, the arts, public service, and beyond. If you prefer flexibility or cannot attend in person, virtual options are also worth exploring, as they offer comparable levels of insight and skill-building.
We’ve carefully researched and narrowed down our list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Boston, ensuring a mix of on-site and online opportunities.
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (U.S. and international)
RSI is a six-week program at MIT that combines academic coursework with hands-on research experience. You’ll start with a week of intensive seminars in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, then spend the next five weeks conducting an individual research project under the guidance of a scientist or engineer. This work involves reviewing recent literature, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing both a written report and an oral presentation. Throughout the summer, you’ll attend evening lectures featuring leaders in science and technology, including Nobel laureates. Outside the lab, there are also cultural activities and local excursions to help you experience Boston and the surrounding area.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI provides you with a strong pathway to explore artificial intelligence, whether you're new to the field or already building projects on your own. Founded by Harvard graduate students, the AI Scholars program introduces you to core topics like data science, machine learning, and real-world AI applications through a 10-session course that includes mentorship and project-based learning. For students already familiar with the basics, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program allows you to work one-on-one with a university-level mentor to complete an original project, with optional support for publication in a research journal. You’ll gain access to their in-house publication resources and join a growing network of peers working at the intersection of high school education and cutting-edge technology. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Massachusetts General Hospital – Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (or another lab location within Boston)
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: November 1 – January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorization in the U.S.
If you are interested in neuroscience and want to experience research in a professional medical setting, this full-time summer internship at Mass Gen could be a strong opportunity. Over 6–8 weeks, you’ll follow a weekday schedule, spending your first days in a “bootcamp” that covers essential lab skills, research protocols, and professional conduct. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor in an MGH Neurology lab, contributing to ongoing projects and engaging in weekly seminars led by neurologists and scientists. The program also includes occasional field trips, networking events, and concludes with a presentation of your research to peers, mentors, and guests. After completing the program, you can continue to receive career guidance, networking support, and help with applications as part of the alumni network.
4. Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: Varies depending on cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sessions
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school seniors from across the globe who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement despite financial hardships are encouraged to apply. There are no specific requirements for GPA, income, or test scores.
Through the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program, you can work one-on-one with a PhD mentor over 12 weeks to develop an independent research project in a field of your choice. You’ll have nine personalized mentoring sessions, two meetings with a writing coach, and access to workshops that teach research methodology and academic writing. The program ends with a 15-page paper, which you present at the Lumiere Research Symposium. You can choose topics from a broad range of disciplines, including STEM fields, social sciences, and the humanities, allowing you to explore interdisciplinary connections. The mentorship model is designed to help you navigate the research process from idea development to final presentation.
5. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 16 students per year
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
The High School Health Careers Program at UMass Chan Medical School is a four-week residential experience designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds. You’ll take part in classes in science, math, English, and technology, as well as seminars on health issues and cultural perspectives. Field trips and internships provide direct exposure to physicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals. A key component is a Health Disparities Research Project, where you investigate healthcare issues affecting a specific cultural group in the state. Academic skills are monitored through pre- and post-program assessments, and instructors give feedback on your engagement and progress. Participants who complete the program receive a Certificate of Achievement and a stipend.
6. LEAH Knox Scholars Program
Location: MIT campus (lab training) and various Boston research labs (internship), MA
Dates: July – August
Application deadline: Applications are typically open from January to March, annually
Eligibility: Boston, Cambridge, or Everett public school students in grades 10–12 who are 16 years old by the first day of the program
The LEAH Knox Scholars Program supports Boston-area high school students who want to pursue scientific research, with a focus on biomedical science. Across two summers, you’ll first complete an intensive lab experience at MIT, then receive guidance for placement in an external university or industry lab. During the school year, you can participate in paid STEM teaching internships, receive one-on-one mentorship from STEM professionals, and attend monthly events like lab visits and career panels. The program also includes college visits and comprehensive support for applications. All activities are funded by a stipend, making them accessible while providing both hands-on research and professional development opportunities.
7. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including Cambridge and Boston, MA
Dates: Varies by location; typically June – August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old to qualify
Through the AEOP High School Apprenticeship, you can work with professional scientists and engineers in U.S. Army research labs or partner university laboratories. These positions are paid and full-time for a short-term summer period, with placements in STEM areas such as biology, materials science, cybersecurity, and engineering. You’ll be matched with a mentor who guides you through hands-on research projects, while also helping you understand career paths in your field. The experience also provides exposure to lab culture, professional networking, STEM career planning, and a stipend. Interns are part of a national AEOP network, connecting you with peers and professionals nationwide.
8. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents; more information available here
YSP at Northeastern University allows participants to spend six weeks engaged in research across the university’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You’ll work in a faculty-led lab on projects that might involve topics like cancer therapy research, environmental engineering, robotics, or data modeling. In addition to research, you’ll participate in seminars covering various engineering fields, go on field trips to industry and government sites to explore career options, and receive guidance on college and career planning. The program also grants access to campus resources such as the library and student center, offering a taste of university life.
9. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: April 28
Eligibility: Current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston who are at least sixteen years old by July 1
The GROW program at Boston University is a six-week summer research experience for rising high school seniors in the Greater Boston area. After a two-day orientation, you’ll be placed in a BU research lab, working alongside faculty and graduate students in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or computer science. The program includes regular check-ins with a program manager, guest talks from STEM professionals, and skill-building sessions in science communication. A final symposium provides an opportunity to showcase your work to peers and faculty. Over the summer, you’ll acquire hands-on lab experience and enhance your presentation abilities. Participants are awarded a stipend after fulfilling all program requirements.
10. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program and reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy
In the TUBERS program at Tufts University, you’ll spend about six weeks working in a biomedical engineering lab, contributing to research projects that investigate how engineering can be applied to study or improve cells, tissues, and organs. You’ll learn laboratory methods, apply the scientific process from hypothesis to conclusion, and work closely with graduate students and faculty mentors. The program encourages you to present your findings at the end of the summer, and with approval, you may submit your work to science competitions. Depending on your placement, you might gain experience with techniques such as microscopy, biomaterials testing, or computational modeling.
11. √Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or attending high school in the U.S. (before the last year of high school) who are between the ages of 14-18
√mathroots is a two-week residential program at MIT for high school students who have demonstrated strong mathematical ability and want to explore creative problem-solving. Through interactive classes, group problem-solving sessions, and lectures from experienced mathematicians, you’ll work on topics that go beyond the standard high school curriculum. The emphasis is on developing proof-based reasoning skills and delving into elegant mathematical ideas that promote deep analytical thinking. You will work with peers within a supportive academic community, exchanging ideas and strategies for tackling challenging problems. The program blends aspects of competition mathematics with exploratory theoretical work.
12. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
If you are selected for MITES Summer, you’ll live on MIT’s campus for six weeks while taking five advanced courses in math, science, and the humanities. The program is designed for rising high school seniors and offers a schedule that blends classroom learning, lab tours, and interactions with MIT faculty, students, and alumni. You’ll also join college preparation workshops covering admissions, financial aid, and academic skills, and have the chance to explore Boston through group outings. In addition to challenging coursework, you’ll engage in seminars that connect STEM concepts to real-world applications, from architecture to genomics.
13. Kode With Klossy
Location: Virtual
Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy offers two-week summer coding camps at no cost, specifically for students from underrepresented genders in technology. During the program, you’ll choose one of four learning tracks: web development, mobile app creation, data science, or machine learning. Each curriculum includes core technical skills like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, or Swift, along with broader subjects such as accessibility, algorithm bias, and user experience design. You will complete a final project, which might be a working website, mobile app, chatbot, or data visualization, depending on your chosen track. Camps are collaborative, guided by instructors and supported by peers, and you will finish with a completed project and foundational coding skills to expand upon.
14. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Dates: Virtual Summer Immersion Program: Round One: July 7 – 18 | Round Two: July 28 – August 8 | Pathways: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: 9th–11th-grade girls and non-binary students can apply for the Virtual Summer Immersion Program; 9th–12th-grade girls and non-binary students can apply for Pathways
Girls Who Code offers two free summer programs for high school students seeking to develop their coding skills. In the two-week Summer Immersion Program, you’ll join live online classes to work on projects in game design while learning concepts like programming logic, user interface design, and iterative testing. The Pathways program spans six weeks, allowing you to progress at your own pace through topics such as web development, data science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Both tracks provide opportunities to connect with peers, hear from professionals in the tech industry, and gain experience using programming languages like Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The virtual format means you can participate from Boston while building both technical and professional skills.
15. American Psychological Association (APA) – Remote Internship Program
Location: Remote
Dates: Available year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S.
The American Psychological Association’s remote internship program gives you the chance to contribute to projects in areas such as research, communications, public policy, or education. As an intern, you’ll be assigned to a department where your work might involve tasks like analyzing data, preparing educational materials, or assisting with ongoing studies. Since the program is remote, you can participate from any location while gaining a better understanding of how psychological principles are used in professional environments. A supervisor will oversee your daily tasks, and optional activities like workshops or discussion groups offer additional insight into psychology careers. The internships may be paid or offered for academic credit, depending on the position and your school’s policies.