15 Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you are a high school student interested in exploring your academic interests, consider attending a structured program! These opportunities introduce you to fields like medicine, engineering, and the arts while helping you build practical skills and engage in college-level learning. They also give you the chance to make connections with mentors and peers who share your academic interests and goals.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to universities, research institutions, and cultural centers that offer programs for high school students. These programs often include guided research projects, lectures, and workshops led by experienced faculty and mentors who help you explore subjects in depth. Whether you're a local student or visiting from out of state, attending a program here gives you access to leading faculty and world-class facilities to help you build your profile.
To guide interested students, we’ve narrowed our list to 15 high school programs in New York State.
If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 stipend
Application Deadline: February 6
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and are authorized to work in the U.S.
The HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering is an eight-week internship for high school students interested in biomedical research. During the program, you’ll join a research lab and contribute to projects related to ongoing cancer studies, working closely with a mentor who will guide your work and help you build laboratory skills. Research topics include cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, and drug discovery. The program also includes sessions on professional development and provides insights into careers in biomedical research and translational medicine.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
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 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. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend on completion
Application Deadline: Typically in February. More info here
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Eligibility: NYC public/private/charter school students completing grade 10 or 11 by program start
NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program gives high school students in New York City the opportunity to participate in university-based research. As a participant, you’ll join an NYU research lab and take part in projects related to fields such as chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, bioengineering, or machine learning. You’ll work alongside graduate students and faculty members, gaining experience with research methods and lab practices. Throughout the program, you’ll learn how studies are planned, conducted, and presented in an academic setting. The experience concludes with a colloquium where you share your project results with peers and mentors. Each year, the program typically accepts around 75 to 80 students.
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 available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Applications will open in December
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Summer Program (B2BSP) is a six-week paid program for high school students in New York City interested in biostatistics and data science. In the program, you’ll learn core concepts in statistics and R programming through hands-on projects. A major component involves analyzing cancer research datasets and presenting your results at the end of the program. You’ll also attend sessions on data interpretation and statistical methods, guided by mentors with experience in biostatistics. Alongside the research work, the program includes workshops on SAT preparation and college planning.
6. RockEDU’s LAB Jumpstart Program
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 stipend for phase one and another $3,000 for phase two
Application Deadline: January 2
Dates: Phase One (Spring Session): February 26 – June 11 | Phase Two (Summer Session): June 22 – August 6
Eligibility: Students enrolled as a junior or senior in an NYC high school and at least 16 years old at the start of the program can apply
RockEDU’s LAB Jumpstart is a program for high school students that focuses on developing research and scientific skills through workshops, lectures, and mentorship. You’ll join a research team led by Rockefeller trainees and have the opportunity to attend elective courses, guest lectures, and social activities. The program is split into two phases from March to August. In the spring sessions, held twice a week after school, you’ll learn to develop research questions, explore scientific methods, and interact with mentors. During the summer session, you’ll take part in the Summer Science Research Program (SSRP), spending up to 35 hours per week working on a research project with a team that matches your interests.
7. Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute
Location: Begins in Brooklyn, travels to Kingston, Syracuse, and the Adirondacks, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,280 stipend upon completion
Application Deadline: Not specified; the typical cycle is in the spring. More info here
Dates: Session I: July 7 – 18 | Session II: July 21 – August 1 | Session III: August 4 – 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from systemically marginalized communities in NYC
This two-week, fully funded summer institute focuses on climate science, environmental careers, and environmental justice. During the program, you’ll participate in field trips, workshops, lectures, and outdoor activities across New York State. You will delve into core environmental challenges, examining how fields like ecology, climate research, and sustainability studies tackle them. Additionally, the program offers insights into potential careers in environmental science and policy.
8. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: 4 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school students who reside in NYC
The CS4CS program at NYU Tandon introduces high school students to the core principles of cybersecurity and computer science in a full‑day summer format. You’ll learn topics such as ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, privacy and data protection, and you’ll work alongside peers in labs and problem‑solving sessions. A distinctive element of the program is its inclusion of theater‑based communication workshops, where you’ll strengthen public‑speaking and collaboration skills while developing a cybersecurity mindset. The program is designed to be accessible to students regardless of prior experience, making it especially appealing if you’re exploring STEM and want rigorous yet open‑entry exposure.
9. Ithaca College Tech Innovation Summer Academy
Location: Ithaca College campus, Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition, housing, and meals) | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended
Dates: Session I: July 6 – 12 | Session II: July 20 – 26
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This one-week, in-person summer program at Ithaca College introduces high school students to topics such as computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, web design, and digital media. During the program, you’ll participate in lab sessions led by Ithaca College faculty, students, and alumni, focusing on practical work and collaborative projects. You’ll use the college’s facilities to explore how technology is applied in different fields and discuss related career paths. The schedule also includes group activities and field trips that connect classroom learning to current developments in technology.
10. University of Buffalo’s CSExplore Camp
Location: University of Buffalo, Getzville, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 30 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: All high school students entering grades 9–12 in the fall
The CSExplore camp is a three-day program designed to help high school students learn introductory concepts in computer science, with no background needed. During the program, you’ll work on activities related to circuit hardware and software development, gaining a broad view of how computing systems function. Previous sessions have included tasks like programming small robots, creating simple video games, and visiting research labs to observe how computing principles are used in practical settings.
11. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Math Summer Workshop
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Not specified. More info here
Dates: TBA. Expected in July. More info here
Eligibility: High school students who will not be graduating in the spring of the year they attend
The RIT Summer Mathematics Workshop is a free program for high school students who want to study mathematics in greater depth. During the program, you’ll explore topics such as probability, functions, and mathematical biology through structured lessons and problem-solving exercises. The activities emphasize reasoning, analysis, and decision-making. You’ll work in a collaborative environment with guidance from faculty members in RIT’s Department of Mathematics.
12. Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s Summer Institute
Location: Four locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is provided at the end of the program, based on participation
Application Deadline: April 14 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer. More info here
Eligibility: Women and gender-expansive high school students who live in New York or Newark
The Summer Institute offered by the Sadie Nash Leadership Project is a program for high school students interested in building leadership and communication skills. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in workshops, discussions, and field trips that examine themes such as identity, privilege, and social power. Sessions explore subjects like art and activism, the anthropology of gender, and the effects of colorism in different communities. You’ll engage with these topics in group settings designed to encourage reflection and dialogue.
13. Kopernik Observatory & Science Center Summer Programs
Location: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, Vestal, NY
Cost: Varies depending on camp
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multiple week-long camps in the summer
Eligibility: Students entering grades 1–12
The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center in Vestal, New York, runs weeklong Link Summer STEM Exploration camps for students in grades 2–12, with specialized sessions for those in grades 8–12. One session focuses on high-altitude ballooning, where you’ll work on designing, assembling, launching, and recovering weather balloons that travel to the upper atmosphere. In this program, you’ll plan and conduct small experiments using tools such as Raspberry Pi computers and GoPro cameras. You’ll also use GPS tracking to follow the balloon’s path and collect data during its flight. Through these activities, you’ll gain experience with engineering design, data analysis, and atmospheric observation.
14. NYU’s Design, Invent & Innovate
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,150 | $638 (housing fee) + $398 (mandatory meal plan)
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students aged at least 15 years old (current 9th–graduating 12th graders); prerequisites are listed here
The Design, Invent & Innovate (DII) summer program at NYU Tandon is a two-week experience that introduces high school students to engineering and design practices. In the program, you’ll apply design thinking methods to investigate and address real-world issues, beginning with fieldwork to define a specific problem. You’ll work with tools such as CAD software and prototyping equipment in NYU’s Makerspace while learning about product development. Case studies from areas including healthcare, transportation, and technology provide context for your work. The program concludes with a final project in which you present your proposed design solution.
15. SOCAPA Filmmaking Programs — Manhattan Campus
Location: School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA), Manhattan, New York, NY
Cost: $2,195 – $4,295 tuition; (housing: $1,990 – $2,985 for residential options; day-only available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until courses fill
Dates: Multiple summer sessions in late June, July, and August (offering 2‑week and 3‑week tracks)
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 – 18 at program start; certain advanced tracks require prior filmmaking or screenwriting experience
At SOCAPA’s Manhattan campus, you can engage in an immersive filmmaking and screenwriting intensive designed for high school students. You’ll progress from foundational workshops in camera work, lighting, sound design, and editing, to directing and producing your own short film or screenplay under the guidance of professionals. The program also offers a tiered structure: beginners can choose “Core Filmmaking,” while those with prior experience may select “Advanced Filmmaking” or “Screenwriting Intensives.” As a participant, you’ll complete a group or individual project that can serve as a portfolio piece for college applications.
Image source - Lumiere Education