14 Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City
Structured summer programs can be a strong option if you are a high school student who wants to explore subjects beyond what is typically covered during the school year. These programs often provide guided instruction, mentorship, and opportunities to build skills through focused projects in areas such as research, engineering, technology, and leadership. You also gain insight into how academic and professional fields operate, how teams collaborate, and how ideas develop from early concepts into completed work.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City is home to universities, research centers, museums, and nonprofit organizations that create academically rigorous opportunities for high school students across disciplines. You might conduct scientific research, analyze data, build and program technical systems, design engineering solutions, or develop independent projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Whether you live in the city or are traveling from another area, you can access a wide range of structured academic experiences in one of the country’s largest educational and professional hubs.
Below, we’ve compiled 14 summer programs for high school students in New York City.
If you’re looking for internships in New York City, check out our blog here.
1. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: February 25 – May 21, with an orientation on February 20 (Spring Session) | July 6 – August 14 (Summer Session)
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students who are at least 16 years old
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a six-month hands-on science research experience designed for you if you’re interested in biotechnology and lab-based research. You’ll receive training in genetic engineering methods, core biology lab techniques, and science communication skills through workshops, lab practice, and improv-based communication sessions. The program offers extensive mentorship from scientists, behind-the-scenes lab tours, visits to biotech companies, and opportunities to design and complete a collaborative summer research project.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program 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 led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students 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 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. One benefit of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,000 Stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
ARISE is a highly immersive 10-week STEM research program that offers NYC high school students an in-depth introduction to academic research across more than 80 NYU labs. The program begins with four weeks of foundational training, including safety certification, research skills workshops, and college-level writing development. You then spend six weeks working directly with faculty, graduate researchers, and lab teams on authentic research projects spanning engineering, biology, data science, urban systems, materials science, neuroscience, and more. Participants gain practical experience through approximately 120 hours of lab work and develop skills in communication, teamwork, and public speaking.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Summer (May)
Eligibility: Current high school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. CS4CS (Cyber Security for Computer Science)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Fully Funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders residing in eligible areas of NYC
CS4CS is a free four-week cybersecurity and computer science program designed to introduce you to the fast-growing world of cyber defense and digital security. You’ll explore core cybersecurity concepts through hands-on activities covering ethical (“white-hat”) hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, data privacy, and real-world security challenges. The curriculum integrates technical training and communication development through theater-based workshops that strengthen public speaking and collaborative problem-solving. You’ll gain foundational coding experience while analyzing real security scenarios, helping them understand both the technical and human aspects of cybersecurity.
6. Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade from NYC public or charter schools who demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage
The Hk Maker Lab at Columbia University is a five-week summer program designed to empower high school students to explore engineering, design, and technology. Participants engage in hands-on projects, working with Columbia University mentors and faculty to build prototypes, design solutions, and apply critical thinking to real-world challenges. Students are introduced to the tools and skills needed to bring their ideas to life, covering product development, teamwork, and the iterative design process. This immersive experience not only enhances technical knowledge but also fosters creativity and innovation, preparing students for future studies and careers in STEM fields.
7. ieSoSC – Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: ieSoSC I: July 6 – August 7; ieSoSC II: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 9th - graduating 11th graders living in NYC, aged 15 and above
The ieSoSC program at NYU Tandon offers high school students the opportunity to learn about the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing urban challenges. Participants develop skills in areas such as coding, microcontroller programming, and sensor integration, and work on projects focused on smart city solutions. The program includes both technical and entrepreneurial components, helping students understand how to design, build, and communicate their ideas. The experience concludes with a final presentation of the projects.
8. Brain Research Apprenticeship in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Not specified. Applications open in October
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students currently enrolled in Zuckerman Institute partner programs and residents of New York City
The BRAINYAC program connects high school students with neuroscience researchers at the Zuckerman Institute for a hands‑on summer lab apprenticeship in brain science. Students train in research skills and techniques, then work alongside a Columbia neuroscientist mentor on an active research project. Over the summer, participants deepen their understanding of laboratory research, data analysis, and scientific inquiry while contributing to real-world neuroscience investigations. The experience concludes with students presenting their research and gaining exposure to professional scientific environments.
9. Design, Invent & Innovate (DII)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th graders, including graduating seniors
Design, Invent & Innovate (DII) is a two-week engineering and innovation program at NYU Tandon that teaches students the core principles behind successful technological innovation. Through hands-on learning in NYU’s state-of-the-art Makerspace, participants explore rapid prototyping, CAD modeling, and design methodologies used by scientists and engineers to develop impactful solutions. The curriculum challenges students to conduct fieldwork to identify real-world problems and then design, prototype, and refine practical solutions. Along the way, students examine why certain innovations thrive or fail, gaining insight into both creative and technical aspects of engineering design.
10. NYU GSTEM
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,500; $3,840 (optional housing + meal plan)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade high school students
GSTEM is a six-week immersive summer research program at NYU designed for high-achieving 11th-grade students interested in STEM fields. Each participant will be paired with an NYU STEM professor or researcher to work on an individualized research project in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. You’ll gain hands-on experience in active research labs while strengthening scientific writing, programming, and public speaking through structured workshops. Weekly field trips expose students to STEM professionals, particularly women in industry and academia, reinforcing the program’s commitment to supporting those historically excluded in STEM.
11. SPARC: Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 + $638 housing fee + $398 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15+ with a background in AP Math, Algebra 2, and Trigonometry
SPARC is a two-week immersive engineering and robotics program hosted by NYU Tandon that introduces high school students to the foundations of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. You’ll build and program your own robotic systems using microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators while learning core engineering concepts in circuitry, automation, and mechanical design. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experimentation, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, culminating in robot challenges and competitions. You develop essential coding skills, including loops, conditionals, and binary logic, and gain exposure to electrical and mechanical engineering through structured lessons and guided projects.
12. Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $4,500 + $957 housing fee + $597 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Session 1 - June 15 – July 2 | Session 2 - July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: Session 1 - April 17 | Session 2 - May 1
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15+ with a background in AP Math, Algebra 2, and Trigonometry
Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G) is a three-week program at NYU Tandon that teaches you how computer and electrical engineering can be used to address global and community-level challenges. You’ll explore the full design pipeline from identifying real-world problems to prototyping impactful technological solutions while learning embedded systems development with tools such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Lessons cover engineering design principles, sustainability, public health applications, and the creation of internet-connected devices. Through hands-on projects and critical problem-solving exercises, you gain practical experience building embedded systems and understanding how computing technologies can advance social good.
13. Cloud Path (C-Path)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $6,550 + $1,595 housing fee + $995 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 16 – July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15+
Cloud Path (C-Path) is a five-week intensive program at NYU Tandon that introduces you to the foundations of cloud computing and modern IT infrastructure. Through a hands-on, structured curriculum, you’ll gain experience working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), including services such as EC2, ELB, ASG, RDS, ElastiCache, and S3. The program emphasizes the practical deployment, configuration, and management of cloud-based applications while reinforcing core concepts in networking, security, virtualization, and scalable system design.
14. NYU Tandon – Machine Learning Summer Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050 + $638 housing fee + $398 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15+ with precalculus and some programming experience
The Machine Learning Summer Program at NYU Tandon offers a rigorous two-week introduction to the computational and mathematical foundations underlying machine learning and artificial intelligence. You’ll explore core ML principles such as model building, neural network fundamentals, and validation techniques, while learning how these systems power real-world technologies, including image recognition, autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, and smart home interfaces. Through hands-on programming, data analysis exercises, and problem-solving challenges, you’ll also gain practical experience implementing ML models and interpreting their behavior.