Summer educational programs for high school students are designed to give you more than just classroom knowledge; they provide pretty structured experiences that build academic and technical skills. Whether you’re exploring academic research, tackling college-level coursework, or learning industry-specific tools, these programs expose you to rigorous environments that mirror professional or academic settings. Many summer educational programs for high school students also allow you to explore potential career paths early, strengthening both your subject expertise and your college applications.
By participating in these opportunities, you gain exposure to scientific methods, critical thinking frameworks, and collaborative problem-solving skills that go beyond a typical high school curriculum. These programs often include mentorship from university faculty or industry experts, access to specialised labs and resources, and the chance to produce tangible outcomes like research posters, coded projects, or published papers. Opting for one of these summer educational programs for high school students is a strategic way to build depth in your chosen field while experiencing a professional or academic environment. Here’s our curated list of the top 30 summer educational programs for high school students.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
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
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student’s background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest
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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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.
3. NYU Tandon’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Stipend: $1,000 upon successful completion
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Cost: Free
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a 10-week STEM research program combining technical skill-building with lab experience. The first four weeks cover lab safety, experimental design, and academic writing, followed by six weeks embedded in one of NYU’s 80+ research labs. You’ll complete ~120 hours of hands-on work, conduct data analysis using professional lab software, and present findings at the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium. The program also emphasises scientific communication and provides structured guidance for college applications alongside access to a growing research alumni network.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Stipend: Stipend of at least $500
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University, CA
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, age 16+ by program start, U.S. citizens or green card holders currently enrolled in U.S. high schools. Priority given to Bay Area applicants.
SIMR is an eight-week biomedical research internship placing you directly in Stanford labs to investigate active research questions. Under the guidance of faculty, postdocs, and graduate mentors, you’ll work in areas like immunology, cancer biology, stem cell science, bioengineering, and neuroscience. The program integrates lab-based experimentation with lectures on experimental design, research ethics, and data interpretation, giving you both theoretical and practical grounding. It concludes with a formal poster session where you present your findings to the Stanford research community.
5. Coding for Game Design Summer High School Program (NYU Steinhardt)
Stipend: None
Dates: Session 1: July 7–July 18; Session 2: July 28–August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled; scholarship deadline was April 30
Cost: $2,745 tuition, $250 additional fees; optional housing extra (~$319/week + meals)
Location: NYU Downtown Brooklyn, New York
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with intermediate coding knowledge (minimum B+ in a prior coding class)
This two-week program introduces you to 2D game development using C# and Unity while grounding you in professional design workflows. Daily sessions cover mechanics, dynamics, rules, and level design, alongside scripting, debugging, and audio integration. You’ll apply game theory to shape player experience, practice iterative testing, and collaborate in a team to build a fully playable game. The program ends with a final showcase where you present your project, mirroring how professional studios pitch and review games.
6. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Stipend: $3,000 (need-based)
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Not yet announced; decisions released April 2 last cycle
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University, CA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors residing in the Bay Area
PIPS is a six-week, 30-hour-per-week internship designed to introduce students to science, medicine, and research careers through mentored pediatric and biomedical projects. You will work alongside Stanford faculty and postdoctoral fellows, gaining experience in experimental design, data collection, and critical thinking. The program is structured for students with little to no prior research exposure, combining lab-based projects with weekly lectures and workshops on scientific inquiry and medical research methods. A $3,000 need-based stipend is available to ensure access for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds.
7. Summer Program for Automation Robotics and Coding (SPARC)
Stipend: None
Dates: Session 1: June 17–June 28 | Session 2: July 8–19 | Session 3: July 29–August 9
Application Deadline: May 1 or until full
Cost: $2,500 (tuition and fees) + $100 materials fee + $100 events fee (housing and meal plans are optional at $308 and $192, respectively)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–1. Must have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), having some experience in any programming language. A minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) is required
SPARC is a two-week program focused on applied robotics engineering, combining mechanical design, coding, and electronics. You will construct two functional robots while learning to integrate microcontrollers, sensors, and circuits into automated systems. The curriculum emphasises mechatronics, iterative design, and debugging workflows, mirroring robotics prototyping practices. Daily lab sessions and design workshops culminate in a final mobile manipulator challenge, giving you exposure to hardware-software integration and professional engineering tools.
8. Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) – Rockefeller University
Stipend: None
Dates: August 4 – 15 (Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM)
Application Deadline: March
Cost: Free (includes meals, MTA fare, equipment, and all supplies)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a NYC public high school and be at least 16 years old by program start
SNP is a two-week immersion in modern neuroscience combining experimental work and faculty mentorship. You will perform dissections, design and execute an original neuroscience experiment, and present your findings while building skills in reading and analysing scientific literature. The curriculum integrates lectures on brain function and behaviour with lab tours and discussions with Rockefeller scientists, giving you exposure to current research techniques. The program emphasises experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication, providing a strong early foundation in neuroscience research methodology.
9. Georgetown University Summer College
Stipend: None
Dates: Summer College 1: June 1–July 3; Summer College 2: July 6–August 8; Summer College 3 (Online): June 1–July 25
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in early May; rolling admissions continue until seats are filled
Cost: $2,207 per credit (typical course = 3 credits)
Location: Washington, D.C. (on-campus) and online
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Georgetown’s Summer College is a five- to eight-week pre-college program where you earn undergraduate credits while completing rigorous coursework. You’ll study subjects such as political science, economics, biology, and international relations through seminar-style classes emphasising critical analysis, academic writing, and research methodology. The program integrates faculty-led discussions with collaborative projects and provides an official transcript upon completion. The online track mirrors the on-campus experience with live sessions and independent assignments, helping you build strong time management and self-directed study skills.
10. University of Kentucky High School Student Research Program
Stipend: None
Dates: Varies by faculty mentor; typically, summer placements are May–August
Application Deadline: No formal centralised deadline; students coordinate with faculty directly throughout the year
Cost: Free
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Eligibility: High school students from across Kentucky interested in conducting research with UK faculty
This program matches you with University of Kentucky faculty to pursue original research in fields such as genetics, engineering, chemistry, and social sciences. Working in university labs, you’ll collect and analyse data while developing technical lab techniques, literature review skills, and scientific communication. Projects may be structured for academic credit or as extracurricular work, offering flexibility for both summer and school-year participation. Students often present their findings at the annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, gaining authentic exposure to research at a major public university.
11. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost/Stipend: None
Location: Stanford University, CA (hybrid format; in-person attendance required)
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ living in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties with prior coursework or experience in biology, chemistry, or programming
GRIPS is an eight-week hybrid internship that immerses Bay Area high school students in computational genetics and genomics research at Stanford. You’ll spend ~20 hours per week conducting mentored lab work, developing genomic data analysis skills, and participating in weekly cohort sessions on research methodology and career exploration. The program emphasises technical fluency in computational biology alongside professional development, with guidance from lab mentors and opportunities to present findings collaboratively. Seminars and panels further introduce you to current trends and pathways in genomics research.
12. Girls Who Code – Summer Immersion Program (SIP)
Stipend: $300 needs-based grant available
Dates: Round 1: July 7 – July 18 | Round 2: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 11
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade high school students
SIP is a free two-week virtual program introducing core computer science concepts through hands-on game design and user experience projects. You’ll learn logic, loops, and conditionals while coding interactive avatars, choose-your-own-adventure narratives, and collection-style games in p5.js. The program integrates live instruction, peer collaboration, and iterative playtesting, culminating in a final game jam where you design a new game from a prompt. Career workshops and events with leading tech companies provide insight into pathways in computer science and game development.
13. Stanford University Summer Session
Stipend: None
Dates: June 21 – August 17
Application Deadline: February 12; Waitlist window: February 13 – March 7
Cost: $8,091 (commuter); $18,443+ (residential with full-time course load)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors; must be 16–19 years old by program dates
Stanford’s Summer Session allows high school students to enrol in over 130 college-level courses during the university’s summer quarter. You can take advanced classes in programming, AI, algorithms, and data science, earning Stanford credits and an official transcript. The program emphasises rigorous academic work, critical problem-solving, and technical fluency while giving you access to campus labs, libraries, and maker spaces. Exposure to professional-grade facilities and undergraduate-level coursework provides a strong academic bridge to future STEM or CS majors.
14. Stanford AI4ALL
Stipend: None
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available)
Location: Online
Eligibility: Current 9th graders or rising 10th graders, aged 14+
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week research-driven program introducing high school students to artificial intelligence. You’ll study domains such as computer vision, robotics, NLP, and medical AI through lectures and mentored projects with Stanford AI Lab researchers. The curriculum integrates technical skill-building with ethics, encouraging critical analysis of AI’s societal impact. With hands-on projects and guided research sessions, the program provides early exposure to both practical applications and research pathways in AI.
15. UC San Diego – Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: $1,500 (financial aid available)
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from San Diego County
REHS is an eight-week program placing you in UCSD labs to work on computational research projects. You’ll gain experience in data analysis, simulation, visualisation, and algorithm testing while developing scientific computing workflows. Weekly lab meetings and group discussions help build collaboration and offer exposure to professional research environments. The program culminates in a formal showcase where you present results using scientific posters and technical communication standards.
16. Carnegie Mellon University – AI Scholars
Stipend: Fully funded (requires documentation of financial need)
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (must be 16+ by June 21)
AI Scholars is a four-week residential program focused on machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and NLP. You’ll learn from the CMU faculty, working on a team project that applies AI to a real-world societal challenge. The program emphasises technical rigour, collaborative problem-solving, and research presentation skills through a final symposium. Industry panels and mentorship sessions add professional context while preparing you for advanced AI study.
17. Columbia University – Introduction to AI: Search Algorithms (Pre-College Program)
Stipend: None
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: $7,580 (commuter); additional fees for residential housing and meals
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising 10th–12th grade) with strong coding proficiency
This three-week intensive covers foundational AI algorithms through coding in Python and Java. You’ll implement classical search strategies, recursion, and optimisation in projects like N-Queens and Knapsack. The course emphasises algorithmic thinking, code efficiency, and structured problem-solving in a fast-paced, project-heavy environment. Faculty-led sessions simulate the rigour of a college-level computer science curriculum.
18. Columbia University – Introduction to Programming with Rust
Stipend: None
Dates: August 11 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: $2,535
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising 10th–12th grade); no prior Rust experience required
This one-week course teaches Rust programming with a focus on systems-level coding and memory safety. You’ll learn syntax, ownership, pattern matching, and error handling through individual and team projects. Emphasis is placed on secure, high-performance code with applications in systems architecture and game development. Practical assignments build technical fluency in a modern, industry-relevant language while reinforcing low-level problem-solving skills.
19. Harvard Pre-College Program – Quantum Information and Quantum Computation
Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – July 18 (Session II)
Application Deadline: Early: January 8; Regular: February 12; Late: April 9
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be 16 by June 21 and under 19 by July 31)
This two-week Harvard course explores the intersection of quantum mechanics and computer science. You’ll study quantum gates, superposition, and entanglement, applying linear algebra and physics to computational models. Instruction emphasises how quantum systems outperform classical algorithms in cryptography and data processing. Taught by a Harvard physics PhD candidate, the course provides a rigorous introduction to quantum computing theory and methods.
20. Java Programming Summer Program by NextGen Bootcamp
Stipend: None
Dates: Multiple sessions, mid-June to early August (exact dates vary by cohort)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats fill
Cost: $1,699 (after early bird discount)
Location: Live Online
Eligibility: Open to high school students (no prior coding experience required)
This 50-hour bootcamp introduces Java fundamentals with a strong AP Computer Science alignment. You’ll learn algorithms, object-oriented principles, recursion, control flow, and file I/O through structured lessons and projects. The program culminates in a portfolio-ready final project that reinforces technical fluency and applied problem-solving. You will also receive 1-on-1 mentoring and recordings to support continued practice.
21. GSTEM – NYU (Girls’ Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
Stipend: None
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Cost: $5,500 (tuition); housing with meal plan optional at $3,84
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors with strong academic performance and interest in STEM
GSTEM is a six-week research mentorship program pairing you with an NYU STEM faculty mentor to complete an independent research project. You’ll gain lab experience while developing scientific writing, coding, and presentation skills essential for academic research. Weekly guest lectures and field trips to NYC STEM institutions complement the lab work, adding industry and professional exposure. The program culminates in a research symposium, giving you early experience in communicating scientific findings to a broader audience.
22. Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP)
Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: March (based on previous cycles)
Cost: $2,000
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum age 15 by start date
HUSSRP is a month-long program where you collaborate with Hofstra faculty on active research in science or mathematics labs. You’ll learn experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis while contributing to ongoing research studies. The program emphasises scientific writing and communication, culminating in a fall poster session where you present your summer work. Many participants advance their projects to competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, making it a strong foundation for competitive academic research.
23. Baruch College Now – STEM Research Academy
Stipend: $1,575 (paid after summer research experience)
Dates: Spring course: End of January – mid-May; Summer research: Mid-July – mid-August (5–6 weeks, Mon–Thu)
Application Deadline: December 1
Cost: Free
Location: Baruch College, Manhattan, NY
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th and 11th graders with a minimum GPA and Regents scores; priority for underrepresented groups in STEM
This two-semester program combines a spring research methods course with a faculty-mentored summer internship in biology or environmental science. During the spring, you’ll earn college credit while learning to design experiments, interpret scientific literature, and frame research questions. The summer component offers 5–6 weeks of lab-based research with CUNY faculty, integrating experimental work with professional mentoring. You will also present your research at the CUNY STEM Exhibition and NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium Symposium, gaining early experience in scientific communication.
24. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT
Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Cost: Free (including tuition, housing, meals, and materials)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors (11th grade only); seniors are not eligible
RSI is a six-week, fully funded research program combining intensive STEM coursework with individual research projects under MIT faculty. The first week focuses on advanced theoretical instruction across multiple scientific disciplines, taught by leading professors. The remaining five weeks are dedicated to mentored research, where you design experiments, analyse data, and prepare professional-level presentations. The program concludes with a conference-style symposium, making RSI one of the most rigorous and prestigious high school research opportunities in the country.
25. Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center – BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Stipend: $2,500 + daily meal voucher + Metro card
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 12
Cost: Free
Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Eligibility: Bronx high school students entering 11th or 12th grade; must be at least 16 by program start
BEYOND ALBERT is an eight-week biomedical research program training Bronx high school students in lab techniques and experimental design. You’ll work in cancer research labs under faculty mentors, gaining experience in data analysis and scientific presentation. Weekly seminars and career workshops provide context on pathways into STEM and medical research. You can continue into a year-round after-school research track, offering a sustained route into health sciences and biomedical careers.
26. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Cost: Free
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; must be 16+ by program start
SSRP is a seven-week full-time research program modelled after professional lab environments. You’ll join a mentored team, design a research question, conduct experiments, and analyse data under Rockefeller faculty guidance. The program includes electives, scientific workshops, and networking with scientists from Rockefeller, MSK, and Weill Cornell. A final research symposium provides early professional experience in presenting and defending scientific work in a collaborative setting.
27. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Summer Student Program (SSP)
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Cost: Free to attend; students receive a stipend; housing not provided
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus; minimum 3.5 GPA in science; U.S. work authorisation; age 14+ by program start
SSP is an eight-week mentored research internship in biomedical and computational sciences at MSK. You’ll work on a self-directed project in cancer biology, genomics, immunology, or drug discovery under a faculty mentor. The program integrates lab work with seminars and clinical exposure, highlighting translational research methods. You will present your findings in a professional poster session, gaining technical lab experience and scientific communication skills in a leading cancer research institution.
28. City College of New York – College Now STEM Research Academy
Stipend: $1,575 (for students completing the summer research internship)
Dates: Spring: February 11 – May 22; Summer: June 30 – August 7 (subject to change)
Application Deadline: January 16
Cost: Free; stipend of $1,575 available for summer participants
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Eligibility: NYC public school students in 10th or 11th grade, meeting Regents and GPA requirements
The CCNY STEM Research Academy starts with a spring research science course focusing on experimental design, literature review, and lab methods. Students who excel are invited to the five-week summer internship, working under faculty mentors in CCNY or CUNY research labs. Weekly seminars and technical workshops reinforce both lab skills and professional development. The program concludes with formal poster presentations at CCNY and the AMNH Science Research Mentoring Symposium, giving you experience in academic research dissemination.
29. High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Stipend: Limited subsistence stipends available based on qualifications
Dates: June 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: Fall
Cost: Free
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Buffalo, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua counties; minimum age 15; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SURE-CAN is a six-week immersive cancer research program combining lab work and interdisciplinary study. You’ll gain experience in cancer biology, genomics, imaging, and emerging technologies such as AI in biomedical research. The program balances experimental research with ethics and professional seminars, reinforcing scientific and analytical thinking. A final poster symposium allows you to present findings to Roswell Park researchers, highlighting how integrated approaches drive innovation in cancer treatment.
30. Science Internship Program (SIP) – UC Santa Cruz
Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – August 8 (1 week online + 7 weeks in-person); Presentation Day: August 9
Application Deadline: Opened February 1; deadline not publicly specified (usually mid-March)
Cost: Varies; program fees are determined annually (financial aid available)
Location: UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA (hybrid: 1 week online, 7 weeks in-person)
Eligibility: High school students interested in research in science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or arts
SIP is an eight-week research mentorship program placing high school students into open-ended projects with UC Santa Cruz researchers. The program begins with a week of online preparation followed by seven weeks of in-person lab work, covering fields from astrophysics and marine biology to computational sciences and digital arts. You’ll develop technical research skills, data analysis proficiency, and academic communication through mentored project work. The program concludes with a hybrid Presentation Day where students showcase their findings to peers, faculty, and industry guests, providing early exposure to professional research dissemination.
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 – UC Santa Cruz