14 Best Tech Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in technology, summer programs can help you explore the field in greater depth. These programs introduce you to topics such as programming, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science while expanding your technical knowledge. You may also study alongside instructors, researchers, or mentors as you learn how technology is developed and studied.
What are the benefits of a tech program?
Many universities, research centers, and technology organizations offer summer programs designed for high school students interested in computing. These programs often focus on areas such as computer science, machine learning, cybersecurity, software development, game design, and engineering. Through structured coursework and projects, you can develop skills in programming, data analysis, computational thinking, and technical communication while strengthening your understanding of technology.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 of the best tech summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Six weeks in the summer | late June - early August
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that offers an intensive introduction to STEM and college-level academics. You’ll take five courses across maths, science, and the humanities while participating in workshops, campus activities, and community events. The program also includes laboratory tours, college admissions guidance, and opportunities to interact with STEM professionals, offering a realistic view of academic and campus life at MIT.
2. Veritas AI
Location: VirtualCost/Stipend: Varies by program.Acceptance rate/cohort size: SelectiveDates: Multiple 12 - 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winterApplication Deadline: Rolling basis | spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November). You can apply here.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 looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity 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. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable application fee of $75
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students
Dates: Six weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Early to mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective summer research program for high school students hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and organized by the Center for Excellence in Education. The program combines classroom learning in scientific theory with hands-on research conducted under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers. You’ll complete an independent research project and present your findings through both written and oral presentations. The program also includes visits to science and technology facilities to broaden your exposure to professional research environments.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Tech Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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: High school students | accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
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. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee plus $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students
Dates: June 21 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | applicants must be 17+ years old by the start of the program
This seven-week research program at Texas Tech University enables a small cohort of high school juniors and seniors to work closely with faculty mentors on projects in computer science, engineering, and data science. Alongside hands-on research, you’ll attend weekly seminars and participate in field trips that broaden your understanding of academic research and STEM careers. Students who complete their research projects receive a stipend, making this an ideal opportunity to gain both professional experience and learning in a university research environment.
6. Microsoft High School Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft offices, Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 4-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Applications open in February and close when full
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA | Redmond office applicants should be members or participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations listed on the program website | Atlanta applicants should be enrolled in schools within the Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, Douglas, Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb, and Gwinnett County School Districts
The Microsoft Discovery Program, offered by Microsoft, is a paid internship designed to introduce high school seniors to careers in technology. Over four weeks, you’ll learn core concepts in computer science and product design while collaborating in teams to address real-world challenges. The program includes mentorship from Microsoft professionals, helping you understand workplace expectations and potential career pathways in software development and the technology industry.
7. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: UT Austin campus, Austin, TX, and virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 215 students accepted from approx. 2,000 applicants
Dates: Virtual project work: June - July 21 | on-site internship: July 5 - 18 | virtual science symposium: July 20 - 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old
SEES is a selective STEM research program hosted by the Center for Space Research at the University of Texas in partnership with NASA. In this program, you’ll collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers on projects related to planetary science, astronomy, remote sensing, and space exploration technologies. You’ll analyze satellite data, contribute to mission design concepts, and learn how large-scale research teams operate. The experience concludes with a virtual symposium where you present your research findings.
8. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, and a virtual prerequisite course
Cost/Stipend: Free online course | summer program is free for students with a family income of less than $150,000; otherwise, the program costs $2,350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July (approximately 4 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 - 11
The Beaver Works Summer Institute is an intensive STEM program designed for high school students interested in engineering, technology, and artificial intelligence. You’ll participate in project-based courses such as Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix, Medlytics (Data Science for Health), and Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking. Before the program begins, you’ll complete a required online preparatory course that builds core technical skills. During the summer session, you’ll apply both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, using advanced tools and technologies to tackle real-world engineering challenges.
9. Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 20 - July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old
The Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars Program is a four-week residential summer experience focused on artificial intelligence. You’ll attend lectures from CMU faculty, explore ongoing AI research, and learn from industry professionals about real-world AI applications. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with peers on a group project and present the final work at the end of the session. The curriculum balances conceptual learning with hands-on problem solving, while the residential format allows you to experience campus life.
10. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Application fee: $45 plus program participation fee: $2,400 | financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session A: June 15 - 26 | Session B: July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 years or above and U.S. citizens | applicants who have prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred
This virtual program introduces high school students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare innovation. You’ll explore how AI tools are applied to address medical challenges while working on collaborative research projects focused on real healthcare problems. The program includes mentorship from Stanford student leaders and researchers, as well as group activities, guest speaker sessions, and career exploration events. After completing the program, you may have the opportunity to continue with extended research projects during the academic year.
11. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, WA
Stipend/Cost: Paid summer internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Four weeks in summer (typically July)
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications open in February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live within 50 miles of Redmond
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four‑week summer internship that gives high school seniors hands-on experience in the tech industry. Interns work with Microsoft teams on projects that introduce core computer science concepts and professional workflows. The program includes mentorship from Microsoft professionals and workshops on software development, product design, and technical problem-solving. It offers students an opportunity to gain exposure to the tech field before entering college, while also preparing them for future career paths in technology.
12. AEOP STEM Foundations Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $200 as a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Four-week summer session
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the year
Eligibility: High school students
The AEOP STEM Foundations Summer Internship is a four-week, virtual STEM preparation program designed to prepare high school students with the professional and technical skills needed for STEM career pathways. Through structured online sessions, training modules, and collaborative activities, you will explore topics such as the research mindset, problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM career planning. The program includes synchronous class meetings alongside project work and concludes with a wrap-up week reflecting on learning outcomes. Students who complete all program requirements receive a small educational stipend.
13. Sandia National Laboratories High School Internships
Location: Albuquerque, NM, Livermore, CA, or other Sandia sites
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies depending on the internship offering | includes summer, semester, and year-round terms
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: High school students, aged 16 years and above, who are U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.0.
Sandia National Laboratories offers both summer and year-round internships for high school students interested in technical or business fields. In the technical track, you may work on projects related to cybersecurity, computer science, or engineering that support national security initiatives. Interns collaborate with researchers and engineers on real assignments while receiving professional mentorship. In some cases, students may also gain exposure to secure research environments while strengthening coding, engineering, and problem-solving skills.
14. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend awarded upon completion (amount varies depending on the year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 5%
Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 years or above and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University provides high school students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on research across science, mathematics, and engineering. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and work on a research team, contributing to projects that may lead to professional publications. Alongside laboratory work, you’ll attend weekly lectures, workshops, tours, and networking events that introduce you to careers in research. The program concludes with a poster symposium where you present your work to the university community.
Image source - MITES logo