15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student in Texas, then summer programs are a great opportunity for you to explore your interests, build skills, and work with experts. Programs are offered in various fields such as chemistry and computer science to business and the arts. You can also meet like-minded peers. The challenge is that many summer programs are expensive, making them difficult to join.
Luckily, there are free programs that offer the chance to learn, grow, and gain experience at no cost. In Texas, various universities and organisations offer free summer programs in science, medicine, engineering, research, and the arts. Since these are local programs, you can also avoid the cost of long-distance travel. These programs allow you to work with mentors, join real projects, and connect with other motivated students.
Here are 15 free summer programs for high school students in Texas!
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; stipend of $750
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors graduating in the next two years; must be at least 17 years old by the program start date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research program for high school juniors and seniors. You collaborate with faculty on a research project aligned with your interests, such as science, engineering, or the humanities. You will gain experience in research methods, develop data analysis skills, and improve your writing and presentation abilities. By the end of the program, you will have prepared a final paper and given a formal presentation. Each year, only 12 students are selected based on their grades, letters of recommendation, and academic goals.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available.
Program 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, 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.
3. University of Houston’s Mohan Lab Summer Internship
Location: MohanLab, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Every summer, the Mohan lab at the University of Houston provides a 9 to 10 week internship opportunity for high school students interested in biomedical science, medicine, health, or bioengineering. In the first 1 to 2 weeks, you will learn basic lab skills such as pipetting, preparing samples, using a centrifuge, and running gel electrophoresis. After this training, you will spend about 8 weeks working on a research project with guidance from a scientist or graduate student. You will collect and study data, keep detailed lab notes, and interpret results. Past projects have included research on protein biomarkers in bladder cancer.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Welch Summer Scholars Program
Location: Any of the five universities in Texas
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: June 8 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 16; applications open in December
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Texas
The Welch Foundation Summer Scholars Program is a five-week research opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors, conducted in university labs throughout Texas. Participants are paired with a lab aligned with their interests and collaborate with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher. In this program, you'll learn lab techniques, data analysis, and how to design experiments. You'll participate in daily lab activities, collect and analyze data, tour chemistry research labs, and learn about the latest developments in the field.
6. Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) Code@TACC Cybersecurity
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 14 – July 20
Application Deadline: May 24 (priority)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders; Students from underrepresented backgrounds preferred
Code@TACC Cybersecurity is a one-week camp that teaches fundamental online safety and cyber defense skills. Participants will engage in activities related to cryptography, network security, cloud computing, cybercrime, and ethical hacking. With the help of TACC researchers and college counselors, you will solve problems in teams, try coding challenges, and learn about digital ethics. The camp is free and helps you build strong technical skills, cyber awareness, and new connections with other students.
7. UT Computer Science Academy for Women
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 8 – June 14
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11–12
In this one-week program at the Academy for Women, you will start learning computer science in a way that builds your skills and confidence. You will practice coding in C++ and use Arduino to create projects, such as making LED light displays with your team. You will also hear from professors and people working in the tech industry, take part in campus tours, and join activities that give you a sense of college life. With about ten students for every mentor, you will get guidance and support in every session. A travel scholarship is available so more students can join and learn.
8. McCombs Summer High School Programs
Location: UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: MFEA: June 1 – June 6 | Subiendo: June 8 – June 12 | DYNAMC: June 22 – June 27
Application Deadline: Subiendo: January 31 | MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors can apply for MFEA and DYNAMC. Current high school juniors can apply for Subiendo.
At McCombs, students can participate in summer programs such as Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC) and the McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA). These programs offer foundational business knowledge, leadership practice, and practical activities. Participants develop skills in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship through case studies, team projects, and presentations. Additionally, they receive guidance from UT Austin students and alumni, aiding in future planning.
9. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost: No cost; stipend of $6,800 for the 10-week program and $6,120 if participating for 9 weeks.
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Texas-resident high school seniors, 18+ at the start of the program.
The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program is a 10-week research program for students interested in biomedical sciences. At the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, you join research projects in areas like cancer biology and genetics. You will develop laboratory skills like conducting experiments, gathering data, and analyzing results while collaborating with researchers and faculty. Additionally, you will participate in seminars focused on biomedical research and the scientific method. Since only 10 students are chosen annually, this presents a valuable opportunity to enhance your skills and gain experience in a genuine research environment.
10. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 18 years old and in good academic standing
The DACCPM Summer Research Program is an 8 to 10-week training program for students interested in medical research. This program allows you to develop skills in laboratory and clinical research, including reviewing medical literature via the Research Medical Library, managing data, and performing data analysis. Research topics may include opioids, pain from chemotherapy, immune function during surgery, and factors that affect cancer coming back. You will also learn about research policies, lab safety, and how to collect and present scientific data. You will work with a faculty mentor on a project and present your results at a poster symposium at the end of the program. Your research abstract will also be published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
11. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Several locations across the United States
Cost: None. A stipend of $501.60/week is offered to participants
Program Dates: Typically run 10–12 weeks in the summer, with a minimum requirement of 8 weeks. Can be extended to 14 weeks based on mentor preferences and the availability of funds
Application Deadline: Varies based on the chosen site
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For the detailed list of eligibility, click here.
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid summer internship for high school students where you build skills in aerospace engineering and STEM research. Depending on the Air Force Research Laboratory location, you might work on projects involving satellite navigation, machine learning, atomic physics, or rocket propulsion. You can choose up to three projects aligned with your interests and practice contacting mentors to learn more about their research. You’ll learn how to clean data, run experiments, and explain technical results clearly.
12. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Hybrid; the on-site portion of the internship is conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: None; Housing, meals, and local transportation provided
Program Dates: The program takes place from May to August, with the on-site session held from July 6 to 19. The distance learning part runs from May 19 to July 1.
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are US citizens
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) program is a summer internship from the University of Texas at Austin and NASA for high school students interested in Earth and space science. You begin with online modules covering Earth and space science topics, as well as Python programming practice. In July, you visit the University of Texas at Austin to collaborate with NASA researchers on satellite data analysis. This experience helps you develop skills in data analysis, remote sensing, mission design, and research on ice sheets and Earth’s gravity. Ultimately, you receive a NASA certificate and present your team project at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium.
13. Rice University’s Digital Health Young Scholars Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 9 – June 26
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from the Houston area
The PATHS-UP Digital Health Young Scholars Program at Rice University offers a three-week summer experience in digital circuitry, computer science, physics, and engineering research. Participants learn the basics of healthcare technology, programming, and biomedical device design by working directly with instruments such as pulse oximeters, GPS devices, and accelerometers. You will also have the opportunity to prototype a basic smartwatch with Tiny Circuits and learn how programming and electrical engineering can advance healthcare innovation. The program is limited to 12 students, and a teacher recommendation is required to apply.
14. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 11 — August 4
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students who are 18 or older by the start date can apply, and some projects also accept students who are 16 or 17. You must have taken part in Saturday Morning Science or be connected to Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, or another minority serving institution.
The SMS Summer Research Program at Baylor College of Medicine is an eight-week full-time program for high school students interested in science or medicine. You will spend about 40 hours each week in a research lab working on a project with guidance from a faculty member, postdoctoral researcher, or graduate student. In the lab, you will attend research meetings, share your progress, and receive feedback. You will also practice skills in writing scientific reports and presenting your research. Each week, you will participate in Lunch and Learn sessions on topics such as research ethics, STEM careers, and preparing for college.
15. The Children’s Education Program Music Summer Camps
Location: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Children’s Education Program at Bass Performance Hall offers free summer music camps for high school students with support from donors. In the choral camp, you will practice vocal techniques, harmony, and ensemble singing. You will take part in rehearsals, perform in groups, and learn from experienced instructors. The camps are held in person and give you a chance to work with other young singers.