15 Programs for High School Students in San Diego
As a high school student, structured programs are a solid option if you want more than just classes and clubs, because they give you exposure to real skills, industry-style work, and people who already work in the field. These programs enable you to explore areas such as medicine, computer science, public policy, marine science, and engineering, without committing to a single path. Many of these opportunities come from prestigious universities and research institutes, so you will learn in environments that already value academic depth and project-based work.
Why should you attend a program in San Diego?
San Diego offers a strong academic and research environment shaped by institutions such as UC San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which offer programs for high school students. In these programs, you may conduct laboratory experiments, analyze datasets, participate in policy simulations, design coding projects, or contribute to faculty-led research initiatives across science and technology fields. These opportunities are accessible to both local students and those coming from outside the city.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Scripps Student Research Internship
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend information was provided (funding yet to be determined for next year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 40 students per year
Dates: June 1 – August 7 OR June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old before the internship starts
This internship places you in active research groups working on translational medicine, genetics, and mobile health technologies. The program pairs you with a faculty mentor to work on an independent project proposal, rather than only assisting on someone else’s work. In addition to lab or data work, you will attend weekly seminars on research topics and career pathways in medicine and science. Mentors also provide guidance on education planning, which can be helpful if you are thinking about pre-med or biomedical research tracks. You will present your findings at both an internal research meeting and a student poster symposium.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; AI Scholars: student-to-mentor ratio of 5:1; AI Fellowship: 1:1 mentoring
Dates: Multiple cohorts each year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars: High school students worldwide | AI Fellowship applicants need prior AI or Python experience or completion of AI Scholars
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 Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10–12 students
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school juniors in San Diego attending specific partner schools (typically Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, or Morse) who are at least 16 years old when the program starts
The Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK) at UC San Diego is a state-funded internship designed to introduce high school students to stem cell research. It offers full-time lab placements at major research institutes like UCSD, Salk, and Scripps Research, where you will work under a principal investigator and design your own project in stem cell or regenerative medicine. The program also includes professional development workshops, which cover topics like research ethics and career planning. You will practice laboratory techniques commonly used in biomedical research settings. There are also clinical shadowing components that allow you to observe how research connects to patient care.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, 1-on-1 mentoring
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for each cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
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. 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.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of Navy labs; NHRC Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, is one of them
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipends of: $4,000 for first-time participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Dates: 8 weeks in summer, with a possible 2-week extension)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: 10th-12th grade high school students who are U.S. citizens | Must be 16+ by start date | Some labs may have additional criteria
For high school students interested in STEM, SEAP offers an eight-week summer internship that provides direct work experience with Department of the Navy researchers. Only about 300 students are selected annually for this selective program, where they tackle real-world projects in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, and marine engineering. It matches you with specific Navy labs based on your personal statements, academic history, and teacher recommendations. It is an excellent opportunity to see how government research operates firsthand. By contributing to computer modeling or materials science, you gain professional experience while exploring potential naval career paths.
6. UCSD: OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; ~10–15 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade high school students at select San Diego high schools (Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss)
The UCSD OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an immersive eight-week summer fellowship centered on cancer research, medical careers, and addressing health disparities. You explore core topics in cancer biology while gaining hands-on experience through clinical shadowing, laboratory research, and community outreach. During the program, you engage in practical activities such as learning to suture with surgical residents, working in professional research labs, and teaching basic cancer prevention to elementary students. A unique feature of OPTIMUS is its peer-mentorship model, in which medical and graduate students guide you, fostering a supportive environment for underrepresented learners. By the end, you develop critical laboratory skills, gain clinical exposure, and build confidence in science communication.
7. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofits in San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 students annually
Dates: Early June – mid/late August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S, are in good academic standing, permanently reside in an eligible location, have not previously been selected for the program, and are not Bank of America employees or immediate family members of employees
This program places you at a local nonprofit where you work full-time while learning how community organizations partner with businesses and government. You will contribute to real projects while building leadership and teamwork skills in a professional environment. A major part of the experience is the national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet student leaders from across the country. During the summit, you will participate in workshops and discussions on civic engagement and public policy. You also learn how economic challenges affect different communities and how organizations respond.
8. San Diego City College Concurrent Enrollment
Location: San Diego City College, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost for high school students enrolled in fewer than 12 units
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; typically 20–40 students
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts available
Application Deadline: Open registration, beginning May 1 (Summer); December 1 (Spring); May 26 (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 10th grade, with a minimum 2.0 GPA; certain courses may have specific prerequisites
The San Diego City College (SDCC) Concurrent Enrollment program is a strategic "early college" initiative that allows high school students to enroll in college courses and earn units before graduation. You can choose from technical, arts, and social science subjects, with options including behavioral health, mechanical technology, film production, and music. Some courses offer hands-on training with tools such as CNC machines and CAD software. This program is less selective but highly practical for building early college transcripts and is well-suited if you want to explore career-focused skills locally.
9. The Scintillon Research Institute: Summer Research Internship Program (SURE)
Location: Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000; $2,500 (for applications after May 1); need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, small cohorts
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students from San Diego County school districts who are at least 16 years old
If you are a San Diego high school student interested in biomedical research, the SURE Program offers a firsthand look at what scientists do every day. Prioritizing students from underrepresented backgrounds, this full-time summer experience places you directly in a lab with a dedicated mentor. You will tackle a specific research project and learn the critical thinking skills needed for a future in science. The program expects you to be on-site Monday through Friday, but former students often view it as a bridge that prepared them for top universities and their future careers.
10. UC COSMOS @ UC San Diego
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $5,518 + $46 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20–25 students per cohort
Dates: July 5–31
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: California high school students in classes 8 – 12; each cluster area specifies additional prerequisites
COSMOS allows you to choose a focused “cluster” and spend a month working on that subject. At UC San Diego, clusters include topics like regenerative medicine, climate change, and music technology. You will study with professors and researchers while completing hands-on labs and group projects. Each cluster also includes an independent or small-group research component. The program culminates in you presenting your work to your peers and your families. This program is perfect if you want both structured teaching and research-style projects.
11. UC San Diego Marine Science - Investigating Human and Climate Impacts on Oceans and Biodiversity
Location: Hybrid (Week 1 online; Weeks 2–4 in person at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA)
Cost: $4,900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; ~25 students
Dates: June 22 – July 24
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old by the program’s start and have completed a Tier 1 course, a community college course in biology/environmental sciences/marine science, or an AP Level Biology/Environmental Science Course
This UC San Diego course immerses high school students in real-world marine research at the famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The program focuses on how climate change affects marine life, covering topics such as thermal biology, coastal ecology, and biodiversity. You will perform activities such as collecting field samples in intertidal zones, using thermal cameras to study heat stress in marine animals, and analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor ecosystem health. The program offers access to professional-grade sequencing tools and labs typically reserved for graduate researchers. By the end, you will have developed skills in data analysis, research design, and scientific writing, preparing you for serious college-level science.
12. UCSD School of Global Policy and Strategy Future Leaders Summer Program
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $7,965; a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; ~20–25 students
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: Round 1: January 21; Round 2: Wednesday, Feb. 11; Round 3: Wednesday, March 11; Round 4: Wednesday, April 8
Eligibility: Domestic and international 10th – 12th-grade students
The UCSD School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) Future Leaders Summer Program is a three-week residential experience that transforms high school students into global problem solvers. It focuses on diplomacy, policy, and global challenges in the Indo-Pacific, where you will participate in simulations on climate change, AI governance, and energy policy. The program also features guest lectures from UCSD researchers connecting science and policy perspectives. It also involves field trips to research institutes to show how technical research influences public decision-making. You also attend a college application workshop and campus tour.
13. UCSD Sports Medicine Summer Research Academy
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; ~20–25 students
Dates: July 6–24
Application Deadline: May 29
Eligibility: 11th and 12th-grade students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
The UCSD Sports Medicine Summer Research Academy is a three-week program designed for high school students interested in the intersection of medicine, athletics, and scientific research. It explores how medicine and athletic performance connect in real clinical settings, where you will learn about injury diagnosis, anatomy, and rehabilitation strategies. Sessions include case studies, lectures, and skill-based practice like taping and wound care, and you will also explore nutrition and mental health in sports contexts. An independent research component of the program allows you to investigate a topic of interest within sports medicine.
14. miRcore Scripps Computational Biology Research Camp
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA or Online
Cost/Stipend: $75 application fee; In-person: $950; Virtual: $610; limited partial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 5–6 students per Teaching Assistant
Dates: July 27–31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Academically motivated current high school and incoming 9th-grade students interested in computers, math, science, and medicine; some advanced modules require students to be 16+ years old
The miRcore Scripps Computational Biology Research Camp in San Diego is an intensive program that teaches high school students to explore the intersection of genetics and technology, with a focus on how gene expression and personalized medicine can identify biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases. During the camp, you will perform hands-on activities, including extracting DNA, using R to analyze patient RNA data, and conducting statistical tests to identify meaningful biological patterns. By the end, you’ll have developed professional tools like PubMed and Gene Ontology, developed critical data analysis skills, and qualified for a year-round volunteer program to lead your own science club.
15. UC San Diego Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Workshops
Location: Sally Ride Science Academy/UCSD Division of Extended Studies, San Diego, CA; online options also available
Cost: Varies based on the length of the session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; ~15–25 students per workshop
Dates: July 6–24
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The UC San Diego Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Workshops offer high school students a series of intensive, week-long immersions into cutting-edge STEAM fields like artificial intelligence, space-based construction, and epidemiology. You participate in hands-on activities, including coding custom games in Python, designing 3D-printed products in makerspaces, and planning simulated astrobiology missions to Mars. The program focuses on diverse role models, weaving the real-life stories of pioneering female researchers into the curriculum to make advanced careers feel accessible. You earn 1.5 pre-college credits per session, to be awarded at the end.
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