15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in New York State
While you are in high school, summer programs can be a great way to explore your academic interests. These programs can help you build skills, gain experience, and connect with mentors who can guide your future learning. You take part in activities such as lab work, field research, or leadership projects, depending on your chosen program and area of interest.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to renowned research labs, museums, universities, and environmental field sites that run a wide range of summer programs for high school students at no cost. Programs in the state offer you access to expert mentorship, advanced research work, and activities to prepare for your future career and academics. Whether you live in New York or are traveling from another state, these experiences can give you a closer look at the opportunities in your field and develop your profile.
To make your search easier, here we have listed 15 free summer programs for high school students in New York State.
If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.
1. ARISE @ NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend offered
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC high schools
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: February 21
ARISE is a competitive, fully funded summer research program for high school students seeking early exposure to real-world STEM research. Hosted at NYU, the program blends structured skill-building with hands-on lab work. The first four weeks of the program focus on safety training, research fundamentals, and college-level writing, helping you prepare for lab work. In the latter half of the program, you will spend six weeks working alongside faculty and graduate mentors in active NYU research labs, contributing to research projects in STEM. The experience culminates in formal research presentations, including a poster showcase at the American Museum of Natural History.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; 100% financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round, including summer sessions
Eligibility: High school students; certain programs require prior experience in coding/AI.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) @ The Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; must be 16+; full-time commitment required
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students/year
Application deadline: January 2
SSRP is a full-time, mentored summer research experience that allows you to mirror the work of a real research team over the course of seven weeks. You will join a small research team guided by scientific trainees from The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine. The program is structured to reflect the daily routine of a real research lab, guiding you through the formulation of a scientific question and early investigation through data analysis and final presentation. You will also have access to elective courses, networking and social events, workshops, and guest lectures. You will conclude the experience by presenting your findings through a research poster.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: The program is fully funded.
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a nonprofit research initiative for academically gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which offers one-on-one research opportunities, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at no cost through the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program. Here, you will work with a Ph.D. mentor on a one-on-one basis to design and complete an independent research paper. You can choose from various research areas, including social sciences, psychology, data science, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including NY + summit in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Dates: Eight-week summer internship starting soon after the end of the school year
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students/year across the U.S.; NY-specific stats not available
Application deadline: January 15; application opens on October 14
Bank of America offers high schoolers across the country opportunities to work with non-profit organizations in their area through the eight-week Student Leaders Program. As a participant, you will join a non-profit and engage in community service initiatives, exploring various aspects of running a non-profit and developing a clearer understanding of social issues in the process. The program also runs a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will learn connect with peers and learn about the collaborative work of the government, business, and non-profit sectors in addressing community needs.
6. The Met High School Internship Program: Summer Internships
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,100 stipend upon completion
Dates: Summer
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (or those who are working on obtaining HSE) who are residing and attending school or homeschool in NY, NJ, or CT
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: TBA
The Met High School Internship Program offers paid work experience to high schoolers who want to explore how large cultural institutions actually function, from behind the scenes to public-facing roles. You will work closely with museum professionals across departments such as curatorial, education, social media, design, and imaging, gaining exposure to a wide range of creative and professional pathways. You will also attend events at The Met and connect with other teens. Alongside real workplace experience, you will build professional skills and a clearer sense of how your interests might intersect with museum careers.
7. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: Sites in New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx) and Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $450 available
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Eligibility: High schoolers who are young women and gender-expansive youth and NYC/Newark residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: March 13
Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a community-centered leadership program for young women and gender-expansive high schoolers who want to better understand themselves, their communities, and their ability to create change. Through workshops on identity, social justice, and leadership, you will build critical thinking skills while forming connections with peers. The program also introduces you to women and gender-expansive leaders across fields like politics, business, and the arts. Field trips to colleges or workplaces are also part of the experience.
8. City Limits Clarify Youth Program
Location: City Limits, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; $2,000 stipend for summer interns
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates TBA
Eligibility: NYC juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: TBA
Clarify Youth Program is a youth-focused initiative designed to support young people through reflective learning opportunities, dialogue, and community engagement. The program combines workshops with hands-on reporting assignments, allowing you to gain experience in research, interviewing, fact-checking, and article drafting. You will work with professional journalists who provide editorial guidance and feedback throughout the reporting process. You will also find opportunities to connect with public officials, government agencies, and community organizations.
9. City College of New York STEM Institute
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend may be available
Dates: July 7 – August 7; spring and fall programs are also available.
Application deadline: May 25
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
CCNY’s STEM Institute runs a series of free programs designed to offer students a structured introduction to advanced STEAM coursework. You will take courses in science, mathematics, entrepreneurship and finance, and the arts, and learn through real-world problem-solving. Additionally, you will work on research projects during the program. At the end of the summer, you will present your research work at a poster symposium. College and career skills development and test prep are also key parts of the experience.
10. Simons Summer Research Program @ Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition; students need to cover transportation, meals, and housing costs, if applicable; stipend available
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students who are at least 16 by program start and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Application deadline: February 5
Stony Brook’s Simons Summer Research Program is a long-running, faculty-mentored research experience that places high school juniors directly into active research labs at Stony Brook University. You will be matched with faculty mentors, join an existing research group, and take responsibility for a focused project, gaining firsthand exposure to how research is conducted at a major university. Alongside lab work, you will attend weekly faculty talks, workshops, and campus events that deepen your understanding of scientific inquiry and academic life. The program culminates in a formal poster symposium where you will present your work and receive a stipend.
11. Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University campus and other sites in New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students in grades 10 and 11 who are from low-resource backgrounds
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: December 5
Hk Maker Lab is a free engineering design program for NYC public and charter school students who are interested in exploring a future in STEAM. The program blends structured learning with real-world problem solving, starting with three weeks of Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program and culminating in a two-week Hackathon for Health Equity. You will gain exposure to advanced engineering coursework and learn to create digital media products, such as apps or websites, that address a health disparity. You will also be eligible for long-term engagement through alumni support and a pathway to NY Bioforce, which can lead to a paid research or healthcare internship the following year.
12. Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University campus, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; all housing, meals, transportation, and tuition covered
Dates: July 5 – 25
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, rising seniors, and recent high school graduates, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~80 students/year
Application deadline: March 13
The Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program is a free three-week residential summer program designed to introduce you to college-level STEM study and research. You will engage in introductory coursework and laboratory research in chemistry, physics, biology, neural science, and psychology, exploring key concepts across all five disciplines while learning directly from NYU faculty and researchers. The program combines lectures, lab sessions, and workshops that expose you to the foundations of scientific inquiry and research methods. You will also participate in guest speaker-led sessions and academic programming that align with the expectations of undergraduate STEM study. Additionally, you will participate in social and cultural activities across NYC.
13. CS4CS (Cyber Security for Computer Science) @ NYU Tandon
Location: Brooklyn, NY (NYU Tandon School of Engineering)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Eligibility: Students currently in 10th or 11th grade who are NYC residents or select NJ and Nassau County residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: May 15
CS4CS is a fully funded, four-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to the core ideas shaping today’s cybersecurity landscape. Hosted at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the program blends technical learning with critical thinking and communication, covering topics like ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, privacy, and data protection. You will work on security problems and build basic coding skills through exercises. You will also participate in theater-based workshops to boost confidence and clarity in presenting complex ideas.
14. ieSoSC (Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities) @ NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – August 7 | July 13 – August 7
Eligibility: NYC residents only; students age 15+ (current 9th graders through graduating 11th graders)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: May 15
NYU’s ieSoSC is a fully funded summer program that allows high schoolers to explore technology, entrepreneurship, and urban innovation within the context of how cities actually work and how they could work better. The program blends hands-on projects with real-world problem-solving in areas like smart infrastructure, sustainability, and urban systems. You will gain experience in coding, working with microcontrollers, circuit deployment, and sensor integration. Alongside technical skill-building, you will learn how ideas move from concept to product, building confidence in presentation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking through workshops, team-based prototyping, and showcase events.
15. Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Various sites in New York City (all five boroughs)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid (amount varies by age and placement)
Dates: Summer (dates vary by site)
Eligibility: NYC residents, ages 14 – 24, who are authorized to work in the U.S.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Varies annually (typically spring); selection can be via lottery or school/provider applications
SYEP is New York City’s flagship summer employment initiative, offering young people meaningful, paid opportunities to explore careers, build real-world skills, and gain early work experience across industries. Through a mix of project-based learning, community roles, and employer-hosted jobs, you will develop workplace readiness while earning a stipend and learning how your interests translate into future careers. You may also be able to earn high school credit or Work-Based Learning hours toward a CDOS pathway. The program offers multiple service options, including school-based programs and targeted pathways for youth facing barriers.
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