New York City is home to some of the most rigorous STEM opportunities for high school students, and if you’re a NYC resident looking to work on an advanced academic experience, a pre-college program might be the right fit. From hands-on lab work to faculty-led seminars, STEM pre-college programs for high school students in NYC will give you the chance to explore subjects like biology, data science, and engineering at an advanced level, all while building a strong foundation in research and critical thinking.
Unlike general summer camps or enrichment workshops, pre-college programs are run directly by universities and designed to reflect the structure and expectations of real college courses. STEM pre-college programs for high school students in NYC typically take place during the summer, are paid programs, and often grant you access to campus resources like labs, libraries, and guest lectures. Whether you’re interested in tackling college-level material or just want to see what studying STEM at a university feels like, these programs offer a valuable head start.
Here are 15 STEM pre-college programs for high school students in NYC that you can explore!
15 STEM Pre-College Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Need-based financial aid is available; Apply here
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Multiple deadlines based on cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers programs to high school students interested in artificial intelligence. If you’re new to AI, machine learning, and data science, you may find the AI Scholars program particularly beneficial. It is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to core concepts in AI and data science and provides opportunities to work on real-world projects. However, if you’re a more advanced student, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a valuable experience during which you will work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on individualized projects. Moreover, you will have access to the in-house publication team to assist with journal submissions. To participate, you must have either completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid offered
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4; Previous knowledge not required
Lumiere Research Scholars is an initiative that provides extensive one-on-one research opportunities to high school students across a variety of disciplines. As a participant, you will be paired with Ph.D. mentors to collaborate on an independent research project. The topics available to you are in fields including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Upon finishing the program, you’ll also be able to obtain UCSD credit. You can apply here.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers nationwide or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Most internships are paid; Some may be unpaid
Application Deadlines: Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22
Program Dates: Spring (January – May); Summer (May – August); Fall (August – December)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school and above), minimum age 16, 3.0 GPA or higher
OSTEM internships place you inside NASA’s mission-driven research, giving you the chance to contribute to active projects in aerospace, software engineering, machine learning, and other advanced STEM domains. Whether working on satellite systems, cybersecurity tools, or simulation models, you’ll learn directly from NASA scientists and engineers. Internships are matched to your background and interest areas, and many include access to technical training, collaborative problem-solving, and project deliverables. You’ll also build a portfolio of tangible work with real-world applications in government and space technology.
4. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend may be provided to those with financial hardship
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; 16+ by program start
SSRP offers a deep dive into experimental biology and biomedical research. Over seven weeks, you’ll join a research team alongside other students and trained mentors to design, execute, and analyze a lab-based project. From the second week onward, your work is shaped around a specific research question—whether in molecular biology, neuroscience, or cell imaging. You’ll learn how to collect and interpret data, read academic literature, and present findings at a final symposium. The program mirrors the collaborative environment of a research lab and emphasizes critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.
5. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
ARISE is a 10-week mentored research experience focused on exposing you to academic research in STEM fields. You’ll begin with a two-week bootcamp covering lab safety, data analysis, and scientific reading, before joining an NYU research group full-time. Projects span engineering, environmental science, computer science, and neuroscience, and may involve coding, microscopy, spectroscopy, or wet lab techniques. You’ll contribute to real research questions under the guidance of graduate students and faculty, ending with a presentation of your findings to peers and scientists at NYU.
6. NYU Cloud Computing Pathway
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $6,550
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: June 16 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
In this intensive five-week course, you’ll dive into cloud computing through hands-on work with Amazon Web Services (AWS). You’ll gain experience with tools like EC2 (compute), S3 (storage), and RDS (databases), while learning how to design scalable cloud architectures. The curriculum covers key concepts like virtualization, cost optimization, load balancing, and cloud security protocols. Through guided projects, you’ll build and deploy cloud-native applications and learn how real-world systems are managed in enterprise environments. This program is ideal if you’re interested in IT infrastructure, DevOps, or software engineering.
7. NYU Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $4,500
Application Deadline: May 15; Rolling basis
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 2; Session 2: July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
A key element of the CE4G program is the hands-on prototyping of socially impactful engineering. You’ll use platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi to build smart devices aimed at solving real-world problems in sustainability, healthcare, or urban infrastructure. You’ll also practice design thinking, basic circuit design, sensor integration, and embedded programming. The program emphasizes end-to-end project development—from ideation to testing—and culminates in presenting a functional prototype. If you’re interested in engineering with a purpose, this is a strong introduction to applied hardware and systems thinking.
8. American Museum of Natural History: Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Program Dates: August – June
Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade
The SRMP is a year-long research experience where you’ll collaborate with AMNH scientists on active research projects across fields like evolutionary biology, astrophysics, and climate science. Throughout the program, you’ll receive training in scientific programming (typically in Python or R), data visualization, and lab-based methods relevant to your mentor’s project. You’ll also attend seminars, workshops, and peer review sessions that teach you how to analyze data, read scientific literature, and communicate your research. The program culminates in a final presentation of your findings, and you’ll earn a $2,500 stipend upon completing all requirements.
9. Boyce Thompson Institute: High School Research Program
Location: Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY
Stipend: $4,200
Application Deadline: Typically, the first week of March
Program Dates: Typically between June – August
Eligibility: High school students from Ithaca, NY, who are at least 16 years old before the program begins
At BTI, you’ll spend six weeks conducting research in molecular biology, genetics, and plant science alongside Cornell-affiliated researchers. You’ll learn lab techniques like DNA extraction, PCR, and data analysis using bioinformatics tools. Weekly seminars and lab meetings will guide you through experimental design and scientific reasoning. You’ll also develop your ability to present findings through a final research symposium. This is a lab-intensive program ideal if you’re interested in genomics, environmental science, or biotech. Note: This program is not running in 2025. Feel free to reach out to them to find out when it will be restarting.
10. Biorocket Research Internship at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Application Deadline: January 10 (tentative, based on previous cycles)
Program Dates: Spring: February 27 – May 22; Summer: June 30 – August 15
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students aged 16 or older
Biorocket is a part-time research internship where you’ll learn genetic engineering techniques in a real lab setting. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with CRISPR, gel electrophoresis, DNA barcoding, and other wet-lab methods. You’ll collaborate on a group research project from concept to presentation, developing skills in hypothesis formation, experimental design, and data analysis. The program also includes improv-based science communication training to help you explain complex ideas more effectively.
11. Columbia University: State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 15 (Summer); September 15 (Academic Year)
Program Dates: July 28 – August 8 (Summer); November 9 – May 17 (Academic Year)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 with at least an 80% average, especially in math and science
S-PREP is a free academic enrichment program designed for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in STEM or health-related careers. You’ll take weekend or summer courses in subjects like anatomy, statistics, and PSAT prep, while participating in academic advising, career development workshops, and college tours. The program emphasizes long-term academic growth, helping you build strong foundations in math and science and exposing you to college pathways in STEM and medical fields.
12. Cornell University: CURIE Academy
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,900 (includes meals, housing, and materials) + $75 deposit; Need-based scholarships available
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: July 13 – July 19
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores or juniors with a GPA of 3.0+ and strong math/science performance
The CURIE Academy is a week-long residential program for high schoolers interested in engineering. You’ll attend hands-on sessions in multiple engineering disciplines, including aerospace, and take part in group activities like rocket building and lab-based experiments. The curriculum also includes college prep and admissions guidance, led by Cornell faculty and current engineering students. This small, selective program gives you a first look at research-focused engineering pathways and what it’s like to study STEM in college.
13. Stony Brook University: Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free tuition; Participants cover housing/transportation; Stipend provided after completion
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Age 16+
At Simons, you’ll spend six weeks conducting full-time research alongside faculty in disciplines like biochemistry, physics, math, engineering, or computer science. You’ll join a research group, attend lab meetings, and gain skills in lab safety, data analysis, and scientific writing. The program culminates in a final abstract and a poster presentation, giving you experience with professional scientific communication. Simons is ideal if you’re looking for serious lab-based research before college.
14. Columbia University: BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid (exact amount varies)
Application Deadline: October 29
Program Dates: 5 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: 10th-11th grade NYC students nominated by partner schools/programs; Preference for students from Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx
BRAINYAC places high school students in neuroscience labs at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute, where you’ll apprentice under neuroscientists and assist with real research. Projects might explore how the brain processes sensory input or how neurons behave under different conditions. You’ll learn wet lab techniques, improve your ability to interpret scientific data, and deepen your understanding of neuroscience. The program supports students from underrepresented communities with both mentorship and hands-on research training.
15. NYU GSTEM (Girls in STEM) Program
Location: NYU, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $5,500 (commuter); Need-based scholarships available
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 2
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors in the U.S. with strong academic performance and interest in STEM
NYU’s GSTEM is a six-week summer research program where you’ll work one-on-one with a STEM researcher on an independent project in fields like biology, computer science, or physics. Hosted in NYU labs, the program is geared toward students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM and admits just 40 students each summer. You’ll build practical skills in lab techniques, coding, data analysis, and scientific communication. Alongside your research, you’ll take part in weekly seminars, career panels, and field trips that connect you with professionals—especially women—in academic, tech, and industry roles.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – NYU