12 Free Data Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer programs are a great way for high school students interested in data science to develop essential skills, explore real-world applications, and make valuable connections. Many of these programs are hosted by prestigious universities and organizations, and they are free or fully funded. The stipends these programs provide enable you to focus on learning and projects without worrying about financial concerns.
In this blog, we have narrowed down the 12 best free data science summer programs for high school students!
1. MITES Summer
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: Late June through early August
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a six-week data science summer program for high school students. You will take five advanced courses and electives that cover real-world STEM topics not typically covered in high school classes. You’ll learn data science concepts through coursework that strengthens your mathematical reasoning and computational thinking, both critical for the field. Lab tours, seminars with STEM professionals, and visits to local companies allow you to see how data science is applied in research and industry. Alongside academic work, you’ll attend workshops on college applications and admissions counseling, helping you prepare for the next steps in your education.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
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 managed by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high school students eager to explore the world of artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is perfect for those just beginning their journey into AI, machine learning, and data science. Over the course of 10 sessions, participants learn core concepts of AI and data science while working on real-world projects.
3. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College: CS Scholars Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Program dates: June 21 - July 19
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores who will be 16 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients.
In the CS Scholars Program, you will spend four weeks on campus exploring core computer science concepts. The curriculum focuses on programming in Python, algorithmic thinking, and fundamental data structures such as lists and dictionaries. Through college-level courses, you will learn techniques such as top-down design, testing, and debugging. You’ll work on a group project that challenges you to apply your coding skills to real-world issues, presenting your final work to your peers and instructors. Further, you get to participate in college readiness seminars covering admissions, financial aid, and social-emotional well-being. The program allows you to connect with CMU faculty, researchers, and industry leaders.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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 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. 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. Texas Tech University's Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Program dates: June 22 - August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 17 years of age by the start of the program and are graduating this year or the next year are eligible to apply.
If you're a highly motivated high school student looking for a prestigious research experience, the Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University offers a seven-week opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty. You can work on a research project across various data-driven topics depending on your area of interest. In addition to your research, you’ll take part in weekly seminars, discussions, and academic field trips to learn about advanced concepts and careers in research. This highly competitive summer program for high school students expects you to collaborate with your mentor, develop independent research skills, and present your findings.
6. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Program dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Current high school seniors starting college in the fall and residing in Chicago.
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago offers an eight-week, paid research opportunity where you will work alongside mentors on interdisciplinary, data-focused projects. You will be paired with a research team in areas such as computer science, where you will apply techniques like data analysis, modeling, and visualization to address real-world questions. You will contribute to research tasks, strengthen your understanding of data science methodologies, and develop skills in teamwork and communication. This program focuses on ethical research practices.
7. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Program dates: June 16 - July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
The Meta Summer Academy gives you a close-up view of how a major tech company approaches coding, data, and innovation. In this internship program, you will develop technical skills such as programming and data analysis while acquiring broader career skills through workshops and mentorship sessions. Expect to work on projects that demonstrate how data science supports areas such as product development, user experience, and platform operations. The experience emphasizes collaboration, helping you strengthen your communication and teamwork abilities in a professional environment.
8. Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) Digital Scholars Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Program dates: June 23 - August 1
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
At the Discovery Partners Institute Digital Scholars Program, you can explore fields like data science, computer engineering, coding, or mobile app development through a college-level course. Options range from analyzing real-world data sets in Data Science Discovery to building apps with Swift or studying how hardware and software interact in Exploring Electrical and Computer Engineering. Alongside your technical work, you will participate in workshops on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and machine learning. This summer program also enhances your college and career readiness, helping you develop skills in communication, teamwork, and professional networking.
9. NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program
Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Program dates: 8-12 weeks starting June (flexible dates)
Application deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old by June 1, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be accepted into an accredited program for the upcoming fall, have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale, and have completed coursework in computer science, data science, informatics, mathematics, or related fields.
The NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program offers high school students an opportunity to gain experience in computational health and biology research. You’ll work with a research mentor on computational projects within the biological sciences. You’ll engage in meaningful research while developing key skills in scientific communication through seminars and professional development workshops. By the end of the program, you’ll present your work at both the NLM Summer Poster Day and the NIH-wide Summer Poster Day. With flexible start dates, this full-time program provides a paid stipend.
10. MIT Beaverworks Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: Online Courses: February 3 - June 20 | In-person Summer Program: July 7 - August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a prestigious four-week program for high-achieving high school students entering their senior year. BWSI offers project-based courses in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and autonomous vehicles. You will work in teams to solve problems, gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies and developing skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and technical communication. These courses incorporate topics such as embedded security, hacking, and autonomous cognitive assistance. At the conclusion of the program, you will showcase your work in a final project.
11. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, hybrid, and in-person at George Mason University
Program dates: June 18 - August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships.
ASSIP is an 8-week research experience for high school students, providing the opportunity to work alongside faculty researchers at George Mason University and its partner institutions. As an intern, you will engage in cutting-edge research across a broad range of STEM disciplines, including data science. In addition to gaining exposure to advanced technologies, you will enhance your scientific writing, presentation, and problem-solving skills. You will also have the chance to explore various STEM career paths through role model discussions and networking opportunities. You can even publish your work in scientific journals and present it at conferences.
12. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program
Location: IST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Program dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application deadline: November 1 - February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens.
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) allows students to explore research across various scientific fields. You collaborate with experts in NIST’s six specialized laboratories, each focused on solving complex challenges in areas like information technology and engineering. You will contribute to projects such as developing cybersecurity measures, enhancing wireless communication systems, and advancing machine learning techniques. From exploring the latest developments in cryptography and digital data preservation to strengthening public safety communications, you will gain practical experience with cutting-edge tools and technology.