If you want to develop skills in programming, data analysis, or automation, AI and machine learning programs can help. These fields are used in robotics, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, finance, healthcare, and more. You will learn to analyze data, train models, and build systems that recognize patterns, make predictions, and improve over time.
You will work on projects in UX/UI design, deep learning, cybersecurity, robotics, large language models, bioinformatics, image and speech recognition, and self-driving cars. These programs will also help you build technical skills, work with industry tools, and explore careers in research, software development, and engineering.
Here are 10 paid artificial intelligence and machine learning summer programs for high school students to explore!
10 Paid AI + ML Summer Programs for High School Students
1. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: Remote workshops and in-person labs at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 (first-year) or $1,500 (returning)
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: NYC students who will have completed 10th or 11th grade by the program start date.
New York University’s ARISE program gives you hands-on experience in AI and machine learning. It starts with four weeks of remote evening workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab research in July. You will learn data collection, lab safety, and research ethics while working on AI-focused projects.
If you’re interested in AI or machine learning, you can conduct research in the Electrical & Computer Engineering or Computer Science & Engineering departments. The ECE Machine Learning Lab works on projects like deep learning, robotics, and self-driving technology. Current research includes sensor fusion for autonomous vehicles, generative modeling, and deep learning model visualization. More details on AI/ML research opportunities can be found here.
2. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Interns may work remotely or on-site at one of NASA’s 10 field centers across the U.S., depending on the project.
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and interns may be eligible for a stipend based on their academic level and the session length.
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28; Fall: May 16
Program Dates: Internships run in three sessions: Fall (16 weeks, late August–mid-December), Spring (16 weeks, mid-January–early May), and Summer (10 weeks, late May–August).
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, and U.S. citizenship
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers AI and machine learning-focused internships for high school and college students. You will work with NASA researchers, gaining hands-on experience in AI applications for space and aeronautics.
As an intern, you can contribute to AI and ML projects such as AI-driven air traffic management, cosmic ray detection using ML for the James Webb Space Telescope, and AI strategies for emerging aviation technologies. Your tasks may include training machine learning models, analyzing space data, assisting with mission technology, and collaborating with scientists. This program helps you develop AI skills for research and career growth.
3. MIT Lincoln Laboratory High School Internship Program
Location: Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: The stipend amount varies. Applicants should check the program’s official page for current details.
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Dates: July 9 – August 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the New England area who are at least 16 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens
The Summer High School Internship Program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory allows rising seniors from New England high schools to explore STEM careers before selecting a college major. Throughout the program, you will work with Laboratory mentors on projects that address real-world challenges, while developing technical and interpersonal skills in a hands-on, professional environment. You will also have access to the Laboratory’s technical and professional resources.
For those interested in AI and machine learning, the program offers projects related to electronic warfare, radar, and future air and missile defense systems technologies. Previous AI/ML projects have included Responsible AI Toolbox, AI Systems Engineering and Reliability Technologies, and Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Decision Support. More examples of past projects are available here.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: Multiple lab locations across the country
Cost/Stipend: Stipend amounts vary based on location and experience.
Application Deadline: November 1
Program Dates: Eight weeks during the summer, with an option to extend for up to two additional weeks
Eligibility: U.S. high school students 16+ who finished 9th grade, including seniors. Check for specific lab requirements or exceptions here.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students hands-on AI and machine learning research experience in Department of Navy (DoN) labs. During this eight-week internship, you will work on real naval research projects under the mentorship of Navy scientists and engineers.
If you’re interested in AI or ML, you can apply to labs specializing in these areas, such as the NAWCAD Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Systems in Lakehurst, New Jersey. There, you will gain experience in AI-driven diagnostics, machine learning for avionics, modeling and simulation, unmanned aerial systems, and AI applications in cybersecurity and aviation.
5. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago Hyde Park campus, IL
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; students receive a $5,600 stipend for the 8-week program. Housing is not provided for high school participants.
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: June 16 – August 12
Eligibility: High school seniors beginning college in the fall who live in the Chicago area
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is a paid summer research program where you can work on AI and machine learning projects with expert mentors. As a research assistant, you’ll gain hands-on experience in applied AI, research methods, and collaboration while receiving specialized training based on your lab’s focus.
Throughout the program, you’ll contribute to real-world AI research and present your findings at an end-of-summer symposium. Past AI projects have explored deep learning for livestock monitoring, federated learning algorithms, and AI-driven robot coaches for child development. The program also includes professional development to support careers in AI and data science.
6. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program is tuition-free, but participants who choose on-campus housing must pay $2,360.25 for accommodation and meals, with an additional $500 budget for extra meal costs. A stipend is provided, but the amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers high school juniors the chance to conduct hands-on AI and machine learning research. You’ll work with a faculty mentor in a research group, attend faculty talks and workshops, and present your findings at a final symposium.
For AI/ML research, you can join the Applied Mathematics & Statistics Department to work on machine learning algorithms, high-performance computing, and AI simulations for medical research. In the Computer Science Department, projects focus on fairness in AI decision systems, AI for public health analysis, and medical image diagnostics. More information on mentors and research fields is available here!
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Several locations across the United States depending on the program
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and interns receive weekly stipends determined by their education level and the GS pay scale.
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: The dates vary for different programs
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, 16+ years old, 3.0+ GPA, enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program before the internship, with a valid government ID
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid internship where you’ll work with AFRL scientists on advanced research, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship, and lab access. You’ll develop technical skills, collaborate on real-world projects, and explore cutting-edge innovations. A complete list of mentors is available here.
If you’re into AI and machine learning, you can design, test, and optimize AI algorithms for spacecraft control using deep reinforcement learning. You’ll work on navigation strategies, compare AI models, and refine machine-learning techniques for real-world aerospace applications. This experience will strengthen your coding, problem-solving, and AI research skills.
8. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Honors College, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, except for a $25 application fee. Students will receive a $750 stipend upon completing the research project report.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, graduating in 2025 or 2026
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week research program for twelve talented high school juniors and seniors to gain hands-on experience under the mentorship of faculty. The program offers a chance for independent research exploration, along with social activities and weekly seminars.
If you’re interested in AI and machine learning, you can apply to the computer science department, where you can explore AI applications in areas such as virtual and augmented reality, statistical data analysis, data-intensive computing, big data visualization, visual analytics, computer architecture, and systems software. You can also pursue research in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering, focusing on machine learning, AI, and robotics. You can view past research projects here.
9. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)-AI/ML Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here. Full financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.67 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. Most participants are in 10th or 11th grade. Certain tracks have specific prerequisites, which can be reviewed here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, neuroscience, psychology, political theory, chemistry, and biomedical engineering. You can choose between quantitative or qualitative research tracks.
For those interested in AI and machine learning, courses include Applications of Machine Learning; Cybersecurity; AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science; and Machine Learning & Social Media. After selecting a subject track and research type, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university to guide you throughout the research process. You will complete a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted to reputable journals for publication.
The program provides expert mentorship, a recommendation letter, and detailed project feedback to support future research or college applications. You can apply here!
10. Veritas AI’s Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Complete need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Dates: Several cohorts are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: The AI Scholars program is open to all high school students. To apply for the AI Fellowship, students need a basic understanding of Python or must have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science, with hands-on opportunities to work on real-world projects.
For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers personalized mentorship from university experts to help develop specialized projects. The fellowship also provides support from a publication team to assist with submitting work to high school research journals. The program encourages students to explore AI’s applications in fields like finance and environmental science. You can review past student projects here.
Image source – NYU logo
