California’s free summer programs for high school students provide an opportunity to explore specialized fields without worrying about the heavy costs associated with paid programs! These fully funded opportunities connect students with industry mentors, fostering collaboration and skill development in areas like technology, environmental science, and the arts. You will engage in state-of-the-art projects, build networks with peers and professionals, and gain insights that can help you build a better skillset for future research projects and internships!
Here are 10 free programs for high school students based in California!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Research (SIMR) program provides 50 high school students with an 8-week experience in medical research alongside Stanford faculty and researchers. During the program, you’ll work in areas such as bioengineering, genetics, neurobiology, and cancer biology, while receiving training in lab safety and research methods. The program concludes with a poster presentation, allowing you to present your findings and discuss your learning experience.
Subject areas: Biological sciences
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate in the program, although a $40 application fee applies, which may be waived for students with financial need. While housing and meals are not included, all participants receive a stipend of at least $500. Additional need-based stipends, ranging from $2,500, are available through special grants.
Application deadline: February 22
Program dates: June 9 — July 31 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply.
2. UC Irvine’s Math ExpLR Summer Research Program
In this 6 week program in mathematical biology, you will work on a computational biology research project under the supervision of a principal investigator. The program introduces you to mathematical research, including Matlab programming, model development, presenting results, and writing research papers. Past projects have addressed topics such as Turing pattern formation, the biophysics of primary cilia in skin and neurological diseases, and mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication. Learn more about past research projects here.
Subject Areas: Mathematics
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: Fully funded. Students are responsible for their own transportation, housing, and meals.
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: June 17 — July 25
Eligibility: Current high school students who are not graduating in the spring can apply.
3. University of Southern California’s Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA) at the University of Southern California is a four-week summer program for students interested in media, communication, and civic engagement. The program focuses on the role of media and journalism in society while helping you build skills in writing, critical analysis, public speaking, multimedia production, interviewing, and ethnographic research.
You will also learn about USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs and explore potential careers in media and journalism. Through discussions with experts, you will examine topics such as race, gender, and ethnicity in communication.
Note: Although this is an annual program, it is currently on pause for the 2025 edition. You may check for updates in early March here.
Subject Areas: Public policy, sociology, civics
Location: University of Southern California Campus, CA.
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 17 — July 19
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend a high school in Los Angeles County to be eligible to apply.
4. Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA – Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program is open to high school juniors and seniors interested in studying neuroscience, with a focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). The program includes a 6-week in-person summer session and a virtual option, both aimed at introducing you to neuroscience research and public health.
In the in-person session, you will participate in activities such as brain-cutting, clinical trial preparation, data entry, literature reviews, and presentations. You’ll also engage in community outreach and collaborate with mentors on research projects. Both formats provide guidance for starting Alzheimer’s Awareness Clubs at your school.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, oncology, neuropsychology
Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA (in-person); and virtually
Cost: Free (No housing or transportation is provided for the in-person program).
Application deadlines: March 3
Program dates: June 16 — July 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16–18 years old), particularly from underrepresented communities or those interested in working with underrepresented populations. Applicants must be motivated and interested in neuroscience.
5. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week summer program for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. Held on Stanford’s campus, the program includes hospital internships, academic lectures, and group-based research projects focused on health disparities and public health challenges.
This tuition-free program introduces you to topics such as anatomy, research methods, and public health, while also offering workshops on college preparation. Through seminars, internships, and collaborative projects, you’ll explore areas of medicine and public health in an academic setting.
Subject Areas: Medicine, public health
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free. Stipend of $1,250 provided. Students are responsible for their housing and transportation.
Application Deadline: March 17
Program Dates: June 23 — July 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California.
6. Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)
PAYS is a four-week residential program that introduces you to a liberal arts curriculum and provides academic support throughout the year for three years. During the summer session, you’ll take part in Critical Inquiry seminars taught by Pomona College professors, which involve discussions and the completion of at least three analytical papers.
The program includes weekly exercises focused on data collection and Excel modeling, guided by college teaching assistants. Alongside academic activities, you’ll live on campus, work with mentors, and build connections with peers, encouraging collaboration and skill development in quantitative analysis, writing, and critical thinking.
Location: Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 — July 18
Eligibility: Applicants must be:
- Currently a 9th-grade student
- A resident of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura Counties.
7. Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) High School Summer Program
This free program invites students entering grades 10–12 to learn about artificial intelligence through the research and expertise of UC Berkeley scientists. You will explore topics such as computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and AI ethics.
The program takes place on campus at the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, where you’ll attend lectures, participate in activities led by BAIR researchers, and visit select research labs. The experience also includes lunch at UC Berkeley dining halls and a campus tour, offering insight into academic and campus life while engaging with current AI research.
Subject Areas: AI, machine learning, programming, robotics.
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Fully funded
Deadline: April 30
Dates: July 8 — July 12
Eligibility: Bay Area high school youth entering grades 10–12 can apply.
8. Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program, established in 1969 by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society, offers high school students the chance to explore careers in healthcare over a 6 to 8-week period. You will attend daily sessions, participate in interactive lessons, and hear presentations from professionals in medical fields such as pediatrics, nursing, dietetics, pharmacy, radiology, ophthalmology, and therapy. At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to present and discuss your findings. There may also be in-person shadowing and meetings with medical professionals, so it’s important to review the details and plan if you choose to apply.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Location: Los Angeles Pediatric Society, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Fully funded. Participants receive a $500 scholarship and a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Deadline: February 14
Dates: 2 and 4-week sessions available between June and August; dates vary for different sessions. 2-week virtual sessions are also available.
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th grade students can apply.
9. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a 2-week virtual internship for high school students interested in the applications of AI in healthcare. During the program, you will attend lectures, participate in mentoring sessions, engage in collaborative research projects, and take part in virtual career events featuring guest speakers.
The program is open to freshmen and other high school students, with approximately 50 participants selected each year. It provides an opportunity to explore the intersection of AI and healthcare, offering insight into ongoing research and its potential impact on medicine and society.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost. This is an unpaid internship. Students will receive a certificate upon completion and the potential to extend their internship.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 — 27
Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or have valid visa status), be entering grades 9–12 in Fall 2025, be over 14 years old by the program start, have a strong preference for math, computer programming, or healthcare project experience, and commit to participating for the entire 2-week program.
10. Meta Summer Academy
The Meta Summer Academy offers a six-week internship for high school students, offering the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various departments at Meta. As an extern, you’ll be expected to participate for 30 hours per week and will receive mentorship from Meta employees. The program also provides exposure to the tech industry, with transportation covered for participants from anywhere in California. The selection process is competitive, and about 150 students are chosen each year for the program.
Location: Meta headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cost: No cost. Students will receive a stipend.
Application deadline: February 14
Program dates: June 16 — July 25
Eligibility: Students who
- are high school sophomores;
- have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; and
- are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City; can apply.
Bonus –
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas like data science, machine learning, psychology, and political theory. You can choose between quantitative or qualitative research, and you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar to guide you through the process.
The program involves writing a 20-page research paper, which you may submit for publication in academic journals. Additionally, you will receive a letter of recommendation and feedback to support your academic development and future research efforts.
Subject Areas: STEM, Social sciences, humanities
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid available
Application Deadlines: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The Spring Cohort deadline is February 16.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students a 12-week research opportunity with 1-on-1 mentorship from Ph.D. mentors. You can choose from subjects like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations.
Throughout the program, you will work on an independent research project, developing your research skills and gaining experience in your field. By the end, you will have a completed research paper that showcases your ability to conduct scholarly research and deepen your understanding of your chosen subject.
Subject Areas: STEM, Social sciences, humanities
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June — August), Fall (September — December), Winter (December — February), and Spring (March — June).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4), and no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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