13 Programs for High School Students in Florida
As a high school student, structured programs can be a great way for you to explore academic interests and develop new skills beyond the classroom. These programs let you experience university-level learning through research projects, lab work, and seminars while connecting with faculty and peers who share your interests. Whether you want to study engineering, computer science, medicine, or the humanities, these programs provide structure and guidance that help you grow both academically and personally.
Why should you attend a program in Florida?
Florida offers a wide range of programs hosted by leading universities and research institutions across the state, such as the University of Florida. You can take part in research projects, coding workshops, engineering design challenges, or field-based science courses that help you apply what you learn in practical ways. These programs are a great option whether you live in Florida and want to explore opportunities close to home or you’re visiting from out of state to experience the state’s strong academic and research community.
With that, here are 13 programs for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Florida State University Young Scholars Program
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Cost/Stipend: Free (comprehensive scholarship exceeding $7,000 value; additional stipend for students with financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 80–100 participants
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 15 (Applications open January 1)
Eligibility: High school juniors (rising seniors); Florida residents; 3.0+ unweighted GPA; 90th percentile or better in math on nationally standardised exam (SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN)
The Young Scholars Program at Florida State University is a six‑week residential STEM summer program for academically strong Florida high school students. Participants take advanced coursework in mathematics, science, and computer programming and complete an independent research project in a STEM field under faculty mentorship. In addition to classes and research, the program includes extracurricular activities and opportunities to engage with peers in academic settings. The residential structure offers sustained exposure to scientific and mathematical study beyond typical high school curricula.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
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 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. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK) – Mayo Clinic
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; limited by mentor availability
Dates: June 2 – December 3
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors from Duval or St. Johns County, FL; minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA; must attend mandatory June orientation
The SPARK Research Mentorship Program at selected students for mentored research roles within biomedical laboratories. Students spend a significant portion of their summer working at least 25 hours per week in research labs alongside professional scientists, gaining exposure to laboratory methods, scientific inquiry, and the research process. Participants engage in lab meetings, one-on-one mentoring, and weekly educational sessions covering topics such as professional conduct and science communication, and they prepare and present research summaries and posters. The program continues into the school year, allowing students to advance their projects and often present at science fairs or symposiums.
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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
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. 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. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) – Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns earn $14/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 16+) enrolled and residing in Palm Beach or Martin County; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The summer research internship places selected students in a six‑week, full‑time research experience at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, where they work alongside scientists on ongoing projects related to brain structure, function, and development. Participants engage in laboratory activities, learn research methods, and prepare a written scientific abstract and final presentation summarizing their work. The program is structured to provide exposure to scientific workflows and technical skills used in research environments, and students attend discussions and mentoring sessions as part of the experience. Interns also interact with other members of the MPFI research community, offering insight into research practices and careers in science.
6. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship in the Biological and Computational Sciences
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship places selected high school students into an eight‑week research experience at the University of Miami’s John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics. Interns work alongside faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff on active projects that span genetics, genomics, and related scientific inquiry, gaining hands‑on experience with laboratory techniques and data analysis. The internship includes structured workdays in research labs, mentoring from scientists, and opportunities to engage with scientific literature and professional workflows. At the end of the program, students present their research findings at a luncheon or symposium, offering insight into how research projects develop from hypothesis to conclusions.
7. Florida International University Partners in Progress 2 (PIP2)
Location: Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders from Miami-Dade County Public Schools partner schools. Minimum test scores required can be checked here.
PIP2 at Florida International University is a dual‑enrollment summer experience for rising 11th and 12th-graders that allows students to take two college courses for credit while still in high school. The program aims to support academic readiness for college by providing structured coursework during the summer session. Students who qualify engage in these courses on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus and can earn up to six college credits. Coursework spans areas common in general education or introductory STEM subjects, and participating in PIP2 offers exposure to the expectations of university‑level study prior to graduating from high school.
8. Miami‑Dade College Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Miami‑Dade County, FL (internships placed throughout the county)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Summer (typically early July – early August)
Application Deadline: Varies (applications open in spring)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 enrolled in Miami‑Dade County Public Schools, ages 15–18, with at least a 2.5 weighted GPA
The Miami‑Dade College Summer Youth Internship Program is a district‑wide initiative that connects high school students with paid summer internships across a broad range of work settings, from local businesses to community organizations. Participating students work five days a week over several weeks, gaining real‑world experience and earning both a paycheck and high school credit. The program also offers the potential for dual enrollment college credit through MDC for those who meet the requirements, allowing students to begin earning post‑secondary credits while still in high school. Interns are supported through pre‑internship training and employer coordination, providing exposure to workplace expectations and professional skills development.
9. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend/Cost: $4,480
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort (typically ~15 interns)
Dates: June 5 – July 31 (eight weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Palm Beach or Martin County high schools who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 16 years old, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship places selected students in a full‑time, eight‑week research position at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. Interns work under the supervision of UF Scripps scientists on active laboratory projects, gaining experience with experimental design, data analysis, and basic research methodologies. The program includes weekly scientific seminars that introduce students to a range of research topics and professional scientific practices. Interns are also expected to prepare a written abstract and present their results through both poster and oral presentations at the conclusion of the internship.
10. Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Various partner companies across the U.S.
Stipend/Cost: Paid internship; stipend varies by placement and partner company
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~150 fellows selected each year
Dates: Summer (typically May through June/July; at least 8 continuous weeks)
Application Deadline: Early January (varies by cycle)
Eligibility: High school seniors who are students of color, at least 18 years old before the internship starts, planning to attend a four‑year U.S. college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0; must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship places selected high school seniors in paid internships with media, entertainment, and technology companies across the United States. Fellows commit to a full‑time internship of at least 8 consecutive weeks, working in departments that may include digital media, production, engineering, data analytics, and business operations. The program is part of a larger multi‑year fellowship that connects students with professional development opportunities, mentoring, and an annual conference focused on careers in media and tech. Through placements with partner organizations, students gain exposure to workplace environments and professional practices in their fields of interest.
11. University of South Florida High School CyberCon
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: ~$650 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 participants
Dates: July 13–17
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; interest in cybersecurity, information security, computer networking; no prior experience required
USF High School CyberCon is a week‑long summer technology camp focused on cybersecurity topics and digital systems. Over five days, students attend sessions on key areas such as networking fundamentals, vulnerabilities, ethical hacking, and open‑source intelligence, with hands‑on activities and challenges that mirror real cybersecurity tasks. Participants choose breakout sessions based on their interests and skill levels, engage with instructors and local cybersecurity professionals, and conclude the camp with a capture‑the‑flag competition that puts what they’ve learned into practice. The program is structured to combine interactive learning with exposure to current issues and career pathways in technology and security.
12. University of Florida Student Science Training Program (SSTP)
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 program fee; $50 application fee; $500 non-refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Rising seniors; minimum age 16 by program start
The Student Science Training Program (SSTP) at the University of Florida is a seven‑week residential summer research experience where selected high school students participate in faculty‑mentored research and academic activities. Participants work with UF researchers on ongoing projects in science, math, engineering, and related fields, attend daily lecture series on current research topics, and take part in an honors seminar that includes discussions and assignments. Students also develop communication and professional skills through presentations and interactions with peers and mentors across the program’s components. SSTP is structured to provide a substantial research experience and exposure to university‑level scientific inquiry.
13. University of Miami Summer Scholars Program
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $9,532; Commuter: $8,144
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admission; approximately 600 students across all pre-college programs annually
Dates: June 27 – July 17 (Move-in June 27; Orientation June 28)
Application Deadline: December 31 (Early Action); March 1 (International/Scholarship); April 1 (Regular)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
You will spend three weeks on campus as a Summer Scholar, taking credit-bearing courses taught by university faculty while earning real college credits. You will choose a specialisation that fits your interests, from business, law, and architecture to engineering, healthcare, media, or marine biology. You will either live in university residential colleges with trained staff support or commute from Miami-Dade or Broward County. What will matter most is that you will learn to think independently at a college level while building real connections with faculty and peers.
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