15 Summer Programs for High School Students in San Diego
Structured programs can be a great way to spend your summer and learn beyond the high school curriculum. Summer programs can help you learn about new areas in STEM, social sciences, or business, or even new extracurriculars, explore advanced concepts and skills, and assess your interests before college. As a participant, you will get to connect with peers who share your interests as well as mentors who are professionals, academics, or experts.
Why should you attend a program in San Diego?
San Diego is home to a strong network of universities, research centers, and community programs that welcome high school students each summer. You might conduct experiments in university labs, design projects in engineering or computer science, explore topics in health sciences, or join discussions on leadership and social change. Whether you live in San Diego or are planning to spend your summer here, the city offers opportunities to learn from experts, collaborate with peers, and strengthen your academic and professional skills.
To ease your search, below is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in San Diego.
If you are looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
1. Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program (Salk Institute)
Location: San Diego, CA (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Stipend: Paid
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who live and attend school in San Diego County
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on December 1.
The Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program is a research internship that places students directly into active Salk Institute laboratories. Here, you will work closely with scientist mentors on real biological research projects, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific thinking while contributing meaningfully to ongoing research. In addition to lab work, you will attend seminars, career and skill-building workshops, and biotech-related enrichment activities that offer insight into scientific careers and research culture. The program ends with a formal research symposium, where you will present your work to mentors, peers, and families.
2. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including San Diego, CA
Dates: Eight-week summer internship starting soon after the end of the school year
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Application deadline: January 15; application opens on October 14
Bank of America offers high schoolers the opportunity to spend their summer working with local non-profit organizations through the Student Leaders Program. As a Student Leader, you will assist the assigned non-profit, participate in community service initiatives, develop a clearer understanding of social issues, and learn about the various aspects of running a non-profit. In the process, you will sharpen your social, civic, and business leadership skills. The summer schedule includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will learn about the collaborative efforts of businesses, the government, and non-profit sectors toward addressing community needs.
3. Veritas AI’s AI Scholars & AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Dates: Program cohorts run all year, including in the summer; duration ranges from 10 to 15 weeks, depending on the program you choose.
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship program is open to previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various sites across the U.S.; local placements available within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible and set by students and mentors
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors, ages 16 and up
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship that offers high schoolers exposure to fisheries and aquatic science. As a participant, you will be matched with a professional mentor in your area to engage in fisheries science and habitat restoration activities. You will participate in lab and field work, gaining first-hand insights into what it means to be a biologist. Tasks vary by placement, but may typically involve conducting fish population surveys, testing water quality, electrofishing, and processing data.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: Sessions run throughout the year, including in the summer
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
Application deadline: May deadlines for summer cohorts
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers opportunities to investigate questions across subject areas that you can explore as a high school student. The program will pair you with a Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an individualized research project. With the support of your mentor, you can narrow down a research question from a wide variety of subjects, including computer science and AI. You will leave the program with an independent research paper. You can check out the application details and available program formats here.
6. UCSD’s OPTIMUS
Location: Moores Cancer Center at UCSD, San Diego, CA
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Cost/Stipend: Free; students receive a stipend.
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students attending Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools in San Diego
Application deadline: Not specified
OPTIMUS (Outreach Program To Inspire Minority and Underrepresented Students) is a cancer research internship designed to support minority and underrepresented high school students interested in medicine and biomedical research. Hosted by UC San Diego medical and graduate students, the program places you in real cancer research labs at the Moores Cancer Center, where you will gain hands-on research experience over the course of eight weeks. You will also learn core concepts in cancer biology and various medical careers. You will also have opportunities to shadow physicians in clinical settings and develop practical skills, all while being mentored in an advanced academic environment.
7. Student Research Internships at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Location: San Diego, CA
Dates: June 1 – August 7 | June 15 – August 7
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students (ages 16 and up), undergraduates, graduate students, and professional students interested in genomics, translational research, or mobile health (mHealth)
Application deadline: March 30
The Student Research Internships at Scripps Research Translational Institute give high school and college students hands-on experience in cutting-edge translational research, focusing on genomics, proteomics, and mobile health (mHealth). You will work on real research projects under the guidance of physician-scientists, participate in seminars, journal clubs, and faculty discussions, and gain exposure to clinical applications. Over 10 weeks, you will also find opportunities to develop skills in computational analysis, statistics, and health sciences while building a foundation for future careers in personalized medicine and research. You will present your research project at a research meeting and a poster symposium.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs in the U.S., including NIWC Pacific, San Diego, CA
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend: $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens and have completed at least 9th grade
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1
SEAP is a paid research internship program that places high school students in Department of the Navy labs across the country for eight weeks. In San Diego, you will be placed within the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, where you will work with professional scientists and engineers on real naval research. You will contribute to projects in technology, engineering, math, and C4 systems. You will also shadow professionals, engage in professional development seminars and workshops, and present your project work.
9. Rady Children’s Health Medical Academy
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Dates: Weekend Medical Academy: May 22 – 24 | Summer Medical Academy: June 15 – 26 or July 6 – 17
Cost: $575 (Weekend) | $3,000 (Summer)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; summer programs are open to students, ages 15 – 19
Application deadline: Weekend programs: First-come, first-served enrollment starting from April 4; Summer Programs: February 10
The Rady Children’s Health Medical Academy is a series of programs that allows high schoolers to gain exposure to healthcare careers over one weekend or two weeks in the summer. As a participant, you will learn from medical professionals through interactive clinics, workshops, and skill-building sessions, exploring areas such as nursing, physician assistant roles, mental health, and broader medical topics. You will also participate in simulations, brain dissection, and public health projects. Additionally, you will gain insight into career pathways and access opportunities to connect with peers and professionals in the field.
10. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: UC San Diego (UCSD)/San Diego Supercomputer Center, San Diego, CA
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Cost: No cost for project-free track | $1,500 registration fee for research projects (fee waivers available; students eligible for free/reduced lunch are exempt)
Eligibility: High school students; applicants should preferably live in the San Diego region or should be able to arrange their own housing during the program.
Application deadline: March 15
The UCSD REHS, an eight-week volunteer research internship hosted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center, introduces students to computational science through research. During the program, you will be matched with UC San Diego mentors and get to work in small teams on active research projects, where you learn to formulate hypotheses, conduct computational experiments, analyze data, and participate in regular lab meetings. Alongside technical skills and exposure to fields like computer science and engineering, you will find opportunities to develop professional habits such as collaboration and scientific communication. The program ends with the submission and presentation of a research poster reflecting your project, learning outcomes, and future academic interests.
11. COSMOS @ UC San Diego
Location: University of California campuses, including UC San Diego, CA
Dates: July 5 – 31
Cost: $5,518 + application fee $46; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in math and science
Application deadline: February 6
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a highly regarded residential program that immerses motivated high school students in advanced STEM learning on a university campus. You will choose from specialized subject “clusters” that combine lectures, labs, and activities, helping you dive into areas such as engineering design, machine learning, climate science, robotics, biotechnology, and emerging technologies. Working closely with university faculty and researchers, you will gain early exposure to college-level coursework, collaborative research environments, and real-world scientific problem-solving. You will also work on a research project and explore career and academic pathways in STEM.
12. Future Leaders Summer Program
Location: UC San Diego campus, San Diego, CA
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Cost: $7,965 total (includes application fee: $75 + tuition: $4,895 + room and board: $2,995); scholarships available
Eligibility: Domestic and international students entering grades 10 – 12 by fall; English proficiency required
Deadline: Rolling application rounds from January 21 to April 8
The Future Leaders Summer Program at UC San Diego is a three-week experience designed for high school students interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and leadership. You will join an international cohort to tackle real-world challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence, digital influence, and energy innovation, using roleplay, negotiation, and data-driven research. Through debates, team-based problem-solving, and a final action research project, you build skills in cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution while gaining exposure to UC San Diego faculty, global experts, and campus life. Visits to labs and research institutions, San Diego beaches, and cultural and historical sites are also part of the program.
13. UCSD Research Scholars: Sports Medicine
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla/San Diego, CA
Dates: July 6 – 24
Cost: $3,500
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Application deadline: May 29
UCSD’s Sports Medicine Research Academy is a summer program for high schoolers interested in exploring the intersection of medicine and athletics. Under the guidance of clinicians and professional physical therapists, you will learn about the pathology, anatomy, and epidemiology of sports and musculoskeletal injuries through lectures and discussions. Additionally, you will explore broader topics in health science, including exercise science, nutrition, mental health, and research in the field. You will work on building diagnostic skills for examining muscle and ligament injuries, practice wound care and therapeutic taping, and analyze medical case studies. This can also be an opportunity to learn about careers in sports medicine and take up an independent research project.
14. UCSD Extended Studies Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Dates: July 6 – 24
Cost: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students entering grades K-12
Application deadline: Enrollment opens in January
The Sally Ride Science Academy runs STEAM workshops in the summer to introduce students to new fields through practical, role-based learning. As a participant, you will explore fields such as engineering, computer science, marine biology, and space science through age-appropriate projects led by experienced STEAM educators. You can also choose from courses like digital media, AI, epidemiology, sustainability, or enroll in multiple courses to dive into several disciplines. A key part of the program is its integration of real-world stories and examples from women working in STEM fields, helping you connect technical concepts to real careers.
15. UC San Diego Research Scholars: Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE)
Location: Online (live via Zoom)
Dates: July 6 – 23
Cost: $3,115
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12 with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Application deadline: June 26
A part of UCSD’s pre-college Research Scholars program, BRIDGE is a UC San Diego pre-college course designed for high school students interested in business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through structured coursework, you will explore core concepts such as innovation strategy, business design, venture financing, and organizational growth, while building the skills needed to develop a comprehensive business proposal. You will also explore real venture case studies and simulations. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, economic literacy, and practical application to prepare you for future studies or careers in business, management, or entrepreneurial leadership.
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