15 Physics Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
Physics programs are a solid option for you if you enjoy building things, solving problems, and understanding how the world actually works beyond textbooks. Through structured research, lab work, and applied projects, physics programs can help you gain technical skills, early industry exposure, and meaningful academic connections. Many of these opportunities are backed by universities and nationally recognized organizations, meaning participating in these programs can add credibility to your profile.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City is home to research universities, medical centers, and engineering schools that offer physics-focused learning opportunities. As a participant, you will often have direct access to top-tier faculty, research labs, and interdisciplinary projects that blend physics with data science, medicine, and engineering. These programs are useful if you live in the city, but they are also worth considering if you are an out-of-city student looking to experience NYC’s academic ecosystem.
To help you with your search, we have put together a list of 15 physics programs for high school students in New York City (NYC).
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: Various City University of New York campuses across NYC
Stipend: Varies by campus; typically, ~$1,500 offered for summer research participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by campus
Application deadline: Varies by campus
Dates: Spring courses + summer research; dates vary by campus
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
The CUNY STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program designed for NYC students interested in exploring and engaging in scientific research. In the spring, you will enroll in a pre-college course focused on building research and analytical skills. This is followed by a six-week summer research experience in a laboratory, where you will conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and document your findings. You can highlight your preference for physics-focused research placements. At the end of the summer, you will present your project at the American Museum of Natural History.
2. Applied Research in Science and Engineering (ARISE) @ NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending schools in NYC
ARISE is a free, paid research program in NYC that places you directly into university research labs. You will begin with four weeks of foundational training focused on lab safety, research methods, and college-level writing. After that, you will spend six weeks working in NYU labs across physics, engineering, and applied sciences. You will assist faculty and graduate researchers on real-world projects instead of simulations. The program ends with a formal research poster presentation at the American Museum of Natural History. You will also find opportunities to build communication skills through workshops and presentations, which can be useful for both college and future research work.
3. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have prior AI or Python experience or have completed the AI Scholars program
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.
4. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory at The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
SSRP is a team-based research program that allows you to engage in structured lab research experience at Rockefeller University. You will be mentored by scientific trainees from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell over seven weeks, learning lab techniques, framing research questions, analyzing data, and designing a final poster. You will also attend guest lectures and research workshops. The program offers opportunities to gain exposure to research environments and build collaboration and scientific communication skills, along with technical research abilities.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Physics Track
Location: Remote (worldwide participation)
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (preferably with an unweighted GPA around 3.3/4); no prior research experience required
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 physics, data science, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
6. City College of New York STEM Institute
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 7; free spring and fall programs also available
Application deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 12
CCNY STEM Institute is a free program that offers middle and high school students a structured introduction to STEM, arts, and business concepts. Among the various courses, you will also engage in physics coursework and learn through real-world problem-solving. Afternoons will be dedicated to research-style projects and engagement activities. Instruction is led by experienced STEM educators. The program also focuses on college and career skills development and test prep. At the end of the program, you will present your research work at a poster symposium.
7. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (~1.5 hours away from NYC)
Cost: No tuition; residential option costs $2,450. Stipends are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5% applicants selected
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Current 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, ages 16 and up
This is a full-time summer research program where you get to join a professional research group and contribute to ongoing science research. Research areas span various STEM fields, including astronomy and physics. You will conduct hands-on research under direct faculty mentorship and also attend workshops, lab tours, and research training sessions. You will also get to experience life on a college campus during the program. The program ends with a formal poster and research abstract presentation.
8. Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University campus, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80 students
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Science Explorations is a three-week residential academic program offering you access to college-level coursework and lab exposure at the NYU campus. You will attend lectures led by NYU faculty and participate in structured laboratory activities. The program focuses on introducing you to five science disciplines, one of which is physics. The program combines academic coursework with cultural and social activities. You will also gain early exposure to how college science courses function.
9. Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Summer: July 6 – 31; Academic year: TBA
Application deadline: Summer: April 15; Academic year: November 1
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged New York State students in grades 7 – 12
S-PREP is a long-term academic enrichment program with a strong emphasis on physics, chemistry, and medicine. Over the summer and/or the academic year, you will take structured courses in calculus, physics, biology, and cognitive science, and learn about paths in math and science. The program also includes PSAT/SAT preparation and career workshops. It is designed to strengthen academic foundations early rather than offer short-term research. Field trips and college tours are also part of the program.
10. NYU’s SPARC: Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 + additional housing and meal costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two weeks in the summer (exact dates to be announced)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 who have taken AP Math, Algebra 2, and Trigonometry; applicants who have enrolled in Pre-Calc and AP Stats/Calculus are preferred.
SPARC introduces you to the physics of robotics, sensors, automation, and embedded systems. You will work with interface sensors, microcontrollers, and automation hardware, and attend instructional sessions on electricity, circuitry, and electrical systems. The program includes hands-on robot challenges, projects, and engineering competitions designed to help you practice what you learn and gain experience in automation and programming. The experience can offer you insights into how programming and physical systems are integrated into robotics.
11. NYU GSTEM Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $5,750 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (housing and meal expenses); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 11th graders
GSTEM is a six-week research experience focused on real-world STEM problem solving. Here, you will work alongside a professor or researcher on an applied research project. You can choose from research tracks in physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science. Throughout the program, you will build skills in experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, and coding using tools like Python and MATLAB. The program also offers mentorship and exposure to women leaders in STEM while helping you gain college-level research experience.
12. Stony Brook Physics Summer Camp
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (less than 1.5 hours away from NYC)
Cost: $650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10, 11, and 12
Stony Brook University’s one-week physics camp offers high schoolers an introduction to core physics concepts. As a participant, you will explore Newtonian mechanics, electricity, light, and introductory quantum physics. The program includes both classroom learning and outdoor physics activities. You will also design and test simple engineering projects throughout the week. Campus tours and facility visits are part of the experience and designed to help you gain exposure to university lab environments. The program ends with a family showcase where you will present what you built and learned over the course of a week.
13. Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $700/year (fee waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall: September 20 – December 13 | Spring: January 24 – April 25
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12 living within 75 miles of the Columbia University campus
SHP is one of the longest-running advanced science programs for high school students in New York. Here, you will attend classes on Saturdays throughout the academic year, engaging in STEM coursework and preparing for future academics. Physics-related courses include quantum physics, astrophysics, relativity, fusion energy, and materials science. You will learn through lectures, demonstrations, and labs, with instruction being led by active Columbia University researchers.
14. Columbia University’s Summer Pre-College Program: Physical Science Courses
Location: Virtual or Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies by program and format + $80 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer and academic year options available; dates vary by course
Application deadline: Varies by program; applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University offers various pre-college courses, including options in the physical sciences. Based on the course you choose, you will explore topics in astrophysics, elementary particles, quantum mechanics, and relativity. You will also explore gravitation and its role in physical systems. You will work on projects and experiments that help you apply theoretical ideas, including the interference of waves and planetary motion, and how conservation laws explain natural phenomena. You will learn through lectures, discussions, and simulations.
15. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for NYC students
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including astronomy and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote internship format to engage in physics research while also refining your scientific writing and communication skills over remote sessions. During the program, you will learn about STEM career paths while participating in discussions led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
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