13 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you are a high school student looking to use your summer productively, structured programs can help you build academic skills and explore potential career interests. Many free summer programs offer research opportunities, clinical exposure, or focused coursework that deepen your understanding of subjects such as science, medicine, engineering, and technology. You can also connect with mentors, faculty members, and peers who share your interests, which can strengthen both your learning experience and your college preparation.
Why should you attend a program in Florida?
Florida is home to major hospitals, research institutes, and universities that host selective summer opportunities for high school students. Depending on the program, you might contribute to biomedical research, observe clinical departments, study neuroscience or cardiovascular science, or explore artificial intelligence and computational fields. Whether you live in Florida or are applying from another state, these programs provide structured academic experiences within established research and healthcare institutions.
In this guide, you’ll find 13 free summer programs for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge
Location: Mayo Clinic campus, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – December 3
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Duval County or St. Johns County (FL) schools with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
The Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK) is a highly selective research mentorship program for those interested in biomedical and scientific research. Hosted at the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, SPARK places you in world-class research laboratories where you work closely with faculty mentors on original research projects. You will acquire practical skills in research methods, scientific reasoning, and professional behavior through the use of advanced facilities and technologies. Over the course of the program, you’ll develop competitive research projects that are entered into regional, state, and potentially international science fairs.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program 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. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship
Location: Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; stipend of $4,480 for the summer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering junior or senior year at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school; must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be at least 14 years old
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship is a full-time, paid biomedical research program hosted at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute in Jupiter, Florida. You’ll work directly in research laboratories under the supervision of UF Scripps scientists, gaining hands-on experience in biological and chemical research. You’ll engage deeply with the scientific process, including research planning, experimental design, data analysis, and day-to-day bench work. The program also includes weekly scientific seminars that expose you to diverse research areas, including cancer biology, drug discovery, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. You’ll culminate your experience by submitting a scientific abstract and delivering an oral and poster presentation.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote
Cost: Fully funded!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in mathematics or quantitative STEM fields
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost. 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.
5. FIU Center for Translational Science (CTS) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University Center for Translational Science, Port St. Lucie, FL
Stipend: Volunteer Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 9
Application Deadline: Typically March/April
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school juniors and seniors who live in and attend school in St. Lucie County, FL
The FIU Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship Program is a selective, five-week biomedical research experience for those interested in science and medicine. You’ll work in state-of-the-art laboratories under the guidance of expert scientists, gaining exposure to translational research areas such as neuroscience, drug discovery, immunology, metabolism, and cardiovascular science. The program emphasizes the scientific method, hypothesis-driven research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You’ll collaborate with research teams, conduct experiments, and analyze results while learning about potential career pathways in science and healthcare.
6. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship in the Biological and Computational Sciences
Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Stipend: Paid internship (exact stipend amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Outstanding high school juniors in good standing from Miami-Dade and Broward County high schools
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is a competitive, paid research program for those interested in biological and computational sciences. The program offers an intensive eight-week research experience. You’ll work closely with faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and HIHG staff while being paired with a dedicated mentor throughout the program. You’ll engage in hands-on laboratory and computational research while gaining exposure to advanced scientific methods and professional research environments. The internship concludes with a final presentation, allowing you to showcase your research and reflect on your experience.
7. Pathways into Healthcare Careers (PiHC) Program
Location: Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort size of 60 students
Dates: July 23 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors and undergraduate students from Duval County, Jacksonville, FL
The Pathways into Healthcare Careers (PiHC) Program is a competitive, three-day immersive experience designed to introduce you to a wide range of allied health professions. The program exposes you to more than 20 healthcare roles through interactive simulations, panels, tours, and hands-on activities. You’ll engage directly with Mayo Clinic faculty, current health sciences students, and practicing allied health professionals while learning about educational pathways and career ladders in healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes personal and professional development, networking, and informed career exploration. You’ll gain insight into Mayo Clinic's certificate programs, clinical rotations, fellowships, and employment opportunities.
8. Summer Youth Internship Program – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
Stipend: Students typically receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: Registration opens in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School between the ages of 15 and 18
The Summer Youth Internship Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is a structured, work-based learning experience developed in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The program places you in supervised, career-relevant environments within the hospital system. You’ll commit to a minimum of 30 hours per week over five weeks while working closely with workplace mentors and instructional supervisors. You’ll gain exposure to professional expectations, teamwork, and real-world healthcare operations while completing required academic components set by M-DCPS. You are covered by the school accident policy and may earn academic credit based on performance and completed assignments.
9. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Palm Beach/Martin County high school students entering their junior or senior year
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Summer Research Internship is a highly selective, full-time research program offering you the laboratory experience in cutting-edge neuroscience. You’ll work alongside MPFI scientists on original research projects focused on brain structure, function, and development, using advanced imaging and experimental technologies. The program also offers specialized tracks in scientific programming, mechanical engineering, and public engagement coding, allowing you to align your work with technical interests beyond wet-lab science.
10. Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT) Summer Program
Location: FIU Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT) Summer Program is a selective, week-long medical enrichment program designed to introduce you to careers in healthcare. The program combines hands-on clinical workshops, interactive learning sessions, and mentorship from experienced medical professionals. You’ll gain early exposure to medical skills, professional pathways, and the realities of working in healthcare settings. JDOT emphasizes academic preparation, professionalism, and informed career exploration in medicine. You’ll engage closely with peers and mentors in a collaborative learning environment.
11. Summer Research Internship (SRI) – Cardiovascular Health Research
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; you may be eligible for community service hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically rolling until March
Eligibility: High school juniors or graduated seniors committed to attending FIU, or accepted FIU transfer students; must be at least 16 years old with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0
The Summer Research Internship (SRI) at Florida International University is an intensive eight-week program focused on cardiovascular health research. The program combines structured curriculum sessions with hands-on laboratory research under the guidance of FIU faculty mentors. You’ll participate in case studies, journal clubs, workshops, and professional development activities while committing at least 15 hours per week to mentored research. You’ll also gain training in experimental design, research methodologies, teamwork, leadership, and scientific communication. The program culminates in the submission of a research abstract and a formal presentation, with top presenters receiving awards and invitations to present at the MARC U*STAR symposium.
12. Cleveland Clinic Florida Summer Scholar Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free (small administrative fee applies); $100 onboarding/processing fee upon acceptance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Local rising high school seniors and college undergraduate students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher
The Cleveland Clinic Florida Summer Scholar Program is a selective clinical exposure program designed to introduce you to careers in medicine through hands-on observation and structured learning. The program offers a hybrid experience that combines in-person hospital rotations with virtual learning. You’ll rotate through multiple clinical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, and emergency medicine, while interacting directly with physicians and healthcare staff. You’ll gain insight into daily medical practice, professional responsibilities, and the realities of working in a hospital and outpatient clinic environment.
13. Baptist Health Observer Program
Location: Baptist Health hospitals and clinics, South Florida, FL
Cost: Tuition-free (small administrative fee applies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-Round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students or professionals aged 16 or older
The Baptist Health Observer Program is a hands-off clinical shadowing opportunity designed for those exploring careers in healthcare. You’ll observe Baptist Health physicians and clinical staff providing patient care, gaining firsthand exposure to daily clinical operations across a wide range of specialties. The program is purely observational and does not provide academic credit, formal training, evaluations, or compensation. Observership length is flexible and determined by the sponsoring clinician, allowing you to tailor the experience to their interests and availability. This program is best suited for individuals seeking short-term clinical exposure rather than research or intensive internship experiences.