15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Chicago
Summer programs offer opportunities for high school students to build practical skills, gain field exposure, and connect with mentors. Free or fully funded programs, such as the ones in this list, remove financial barriers. These experiences help you learn how your interests apply in specific disciplines like data science, medicine, or research. Participating in these programs gives you insight that can shape your educational trajectory, and working with professionals and peers can help you establish valuable connections.
To help you get started, we’ve selected 15 free summer programs for high school students in Chicago.
1. UChicago Medicine’s SHE in Oncology
Location: UChicago
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Eligibility: Full-time high school students at the time of application; Residing in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties, Illinois, or Lake County, Indiana
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a two-week virtual program for high school students exploring biomedical careers. You’ll participate in collaborative research projects, including a genetics-based investigation and a patient case study related to cancer. Each day includes lectures from faculty, panel discussions with experts, and workshops focused on career skills. A home lab kit supports learning in cancer biology. You will engage with mentors and peers from multiple institutions nationwide. The program’s structure offers both academic exploration and professional development for students considering careers in oncology and biomedical science.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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.
Harvard graduate students develop Veritas AI programs to expand early exposure to AI research. At Veritas AI, high school students can participate in structured programs focused on artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp where you get hands-on experience with machine learning and data science fundamentals. For more experienced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers personalized mentorship with faculty from top institutions. You’ll complete real-world projects while learning key AI concepts. This option includes the chance to pursue an original project and guidance through the publication process.
3. ResearcHStart
Location: UChicago
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 20
Dates: June – August
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors when applying; At least 16 by the start of the program
ResearcHStart is a summer program for high school students interested in cancer research in the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas. You’ll work full-time in research labs, gaining experience in cancer immunology, bioengineering, and therapeutic development. The program includes workshops on career development and research skills and a faculty-led lecture series. Both faculty and peers will mentor you throughout the experience. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings. Through lab work and structured sessions, you’ll explore cancer's biological and social aspects and its effects on local communities.
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. Girls Who Code SIP Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 16
Dates: July 7 – July 18 (U.S. only); July 28 – August 8 (U.S. and International students)
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th graders
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is designed for high school students looking to learn coding through an interactive virtual format. Over two weeks, you’ll work on game design projects and explore concepts in UX, web development, and cybersecurity. Each day includes live instruction and breakout sessions with professionals from sponsoring tech firms. You’ll also participate in workshops to build your college and career readiness. Peer networking and community-building are part of the program’s core structure. Students in the U.S. who demonstrate financial need may qualify for a $300 grant.
6. Girls Who Code Pathways Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 16
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Current 9th- 12th graders, including graduating seniors
Pathways is a six-week tech program where high school students explore artificial intelligence, web development, and cybersecurity topics. You’ll complete projects independently and build coding skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. The structure allows you to work at your own pace while still engaging in live events with professionals from tech companies. You’ll also join a community of peers through networking opportunities and virtual meetups. The program emphasizes skill development and exposure to various technology careers. It’s designed to help you apply your learning to problems and build professional relationships.
7. UChicago 1 Week Enrichment Program
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500 (need-based financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: March 5
Dates: Varies depending on the program you apply for
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 years old; Grades 9-11
UChicago’s 1-Week Enrichment Programs are short-term academic experiences tailored for high school students curious about college-level learning. You’ll spend the week exploring themes like leadership or civil discourse in a university setting known for its rigorous liberal arts approach. These non-credit programs emphasize skill-building for high school and future college coursework. Sessions feature interaction with faculty and structured exposure to UChicago’s culture of discussion-based learning. These programs are intended to be both academically engaging and financially accessible.
8. UChicago 4 Week Practicum
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $14,490 (need-based financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: January 22
Dates: June 14 - July 12
Eligibility: Current high school students in 10th or 11th grade; At least 15 years old
The University of Chicago offers two summer research programs for high school students interested in biology and paleontology. In Research in the Biological Sciences, you'll work in university labs and learn techniques used in current biological research, including areas like genetics and disease study. Stones and Bones places you in a four-week paleontology practicum in Chicago and Wyoming. You’ll participate in fossil excavation, lab analysis, and conservation efforts with Field Museum scientists. Both programs are designed to offer exposure to research practices in academic and field environments. You’ll gain familiarity with professional tools and research methodology used by working scientists.
9. Chicago State University - Chemistry Camp
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Registrations are open till the programs are full
Dates: June 17 - July 10
Eligibility: 11th & 12th graders with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
At Chicago State University’s Chemistry Camp, you can spend four weeks working in a laboratory while learning the basics of chemical research. The camp provides training in modern chemical tools and techniques used in professional labs. Research projects include sustainable topics such as biodegradable polymer creation, additive printing recycling, and natural product extraction. You’ll also learn how research teams plan, execute, and analyze experimental work. Designed for high school students, this camp encourages exploration of chemistry careers while building lab experience.
10. Quantum Sensing Camp - Chicago State University
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Registrations are open till the programs are full
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Eligibility: 10th - 12th graders
Chicago State University’s two-week Quantum Sensing Camp introduces you to foundational skills in quantum information science. You’ll explore how quantum sensors enhance imaging, detect magnetic fields, and measure physical properties. The program includes lab sessions on Biophysics, Bioengineering, and general STEM practices. You’ll gain exposure to quantum sensing applications in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and molecular biology. The camp also provides an overview of career pathways in the growing quantum technology sector.
11. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school juniors and seniors a structured five-week remote experience in neuroscience. You’ll attend educational presentations on brain science and related topics. The program also includes professional development sessions designed to help you explore potential STEM careers. You’ll gain exposure to basic lab techniques through virtual instruction and learn how research is conducted in neurological science. Those who complete the full internship receive a certificate of completion.
12. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid; some opportunities are unpaid
Application Deadline: February 28 (summer)
Dates: Late May/Early June – August (summer)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time high school students; at least 16 at the time of application; a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale required
NASA’s OSTEM internships provide high school and college students opportunities to engage in STEM work. You’ll be paired with mentors from engineers to research scientists as you support projects in space exploration, aeronautics, and technology. Internships are offered part-time or full-time at NASA centers or facilities. You’ll gain professional experience while contributing to national science and research efforts. These internships run in three sessions each year. You will build practical skills and explore long-term career pathways in the STEM workforce.
13. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: November 22 – January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, at least 16 by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. You’ll be paired with a local fisheries professional to gain experience in marine or freshwater settings. Intern activities range from fish population surveys and electrofishing to water quality testing and specimen analysis under a microscope. The program also includes biweekly time sheets and mid-summer and final reports to guide your progress. You’ll earn a stipend and explore practical aspects of fisheries biology—from lab work to field surveys.
14. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: March 31.
Dates: June 2 - June 13 | July 7 - July 18 | July 21 - August 1 | August 4 - August 15.
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive students aged 13-18 can apply.
Kode With Klossy’s summer camps are designed to introduce high school students of underrepresented genders to coding over a two-week program. You’ll pick one of four tracks: web development, mobile app creation, machine learning, or data science. If you choose web development, you’ll build interactive websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The machine learning curriculum walks you through natural language processing and Python to create a chatbot. For data science, you’ll visualize data using SQL and Python, and the mobile app track teaches Swift and SwiftUI for iOS apps. Each camp concludes with a completed project and requires no prior coding knowledge.
15. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $4,000. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: December 9 - January 24.
Dates: June 18 - July 2.
Eligibility: 9th-graders or rising 10th-graders in the summer who are over 14 years by the program's start are eligible to apply.
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program introducing high school students to artificial intelligence. You’ll participate in lectures and research projects covering robotics, medical AI, computer vision, and natural language processing. The program is hosted in partnership with the Stanford AI Lab and includes mentorship from experienced AI professionals. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in peer collaboration and receive guidance on academic and career pathways in AI. You’ll also participate in career workshops and explore how AI can address problems.
Image Source - University of Chicago