If you are a high school student looking to develop an advanced skillset or gain in-depth experience in a specific field, participating in a summer program can be a great option. Many local and regional programs in Salt Lake City are designed to provide focused opportunities for students to enhance their knowledge, engage with professionals, and apply their learning in a practical setting.
Summer programs cater to a variety of interests, ranging from technical skills and creative fields to scientific and analytical disciplines. These programs are structured to help students delve deeper into their areas of interest, giving them the chance to work on hands-on projects, access specialized tools and resources, and learn directly from experienced professionals.
If you’re interested in exploring your options, check out our curated list of 10 summer programs in Salt Lake City for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
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.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. University of Utah High School Summer Research Internship
Location: University of Utah, John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: High school students with math readiness and basic technical skills
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Subject Areas: Engineering, Research, STEM
The High School Summer Research Internship at the University of Utah is an 8-week academic research program with a focus on engineering. You will get to work on independent research projects under the guidance of university faculty, gaining hands-on experience in key aspects of the research process, including hypothesis development, experimental design, and data analysis.
Alongside research activities, students attend workshops on topics like research ethics and communication, helping them build both technical and professional skills. After the program, students present their work at the Utah Science & Engineering Fair. This competitive program requires letters of recommendation as part of the application process, so students are encouraged to plan.
3. University of Utah’s Summer Health Care Experience (SHE)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who identify as female
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: July 8 – 19 (Tentative, based on previous years)
Cost/Stipend: Up to $500 financial compensation
Subject Area: STEM, Medicine, Cancer Research
The SHE program offers a two-week virtual experience designed for high school students entering their sophomore or junior year who identify as female. In the first week, you will engage in cancer research techniques through live online laboratory instruction. Using experiment kits delivered to your home, you will get to conduct guided experiments under the supervision of experienced instructors.
The second week focuses on career exploration in cancer research and medicine. You will participate in virtual workshops and panel discussions with industry professionals, gaining insights into oncology and related fields. These sessions also provide mentorship opportunities and professional development resources to help participants prepare for future academic and career pursuits.
4. University of Utah’s Pathmaker Scholars Cancer Research Program
Location: University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: High school juniors (who will complete their junior year before the program begins) and undergraduates from groups underrepresented in biomedical research, as defined by NIH criteria
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Subject Area: STEM, Biomedical Research, Cancer Research
The PathMaker Scholars Summer Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is a fully funded, 10-week residential research program designed to increase the participation of underrepresented students in biomedical cancer research. Scholars work in university laboratories under the guidance of faculty mentors, gaining practical experience in cutting-edge cancer research.
During the program, you’ll receive a one-week intensive laboratory techniques course, followed by nine weeks of independent research where you’ll contribute to projects spanning various areas of biomedical science. You’ll also complete HIPAA and IRB training, attend weekly meetings and career development events, and engage in co-curricular activities that enhance scientific communication and professional skills. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at a national conference and the Summer Research Symposium organized by the University of Utah’s Office of Undergraduate Research.
5. University of Utah’s NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Program
Location: University of Utah, NeuroRobotics Lab, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: High school students with AP/IB STEM coursework and experience in software design (e.g., programming), mechanical design (e.g., 3D printing, CAD), or hardware design (e.g., microcontrollers, soldering)
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: June 1 – August 1
Cost: $4,000
Subject Areas: STEM, Robotics, Engineering
The NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Program provides 1-2 high school students each year with hands-on training in neurorobotics. Here, you get to engage in projects such as building exoskeletons, creating virtual and augmented reality systems, designing clinical diagnostic tools, and conducting human-subject experiments.
The program is customized to suit each participant’s background and interests, with a focus on pre-engineering and pre-life-science students. While open to all high school students, preference is given to those preparing for undergraduate studies at the University of Utah or students from diverse backgrounds.
6. Concurrent Enrollment Summer Academy
Location: Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: Students from public high schools in the Salt Lake Valley are eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed their sophomore year or be entering their senior year by the end of the summer semester. A minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a strong attendance record are also required.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (early application encouraged)
Program Dates: June 10 – August 3 (Tentative, based on previous years)
Cost/Stipend: $5 per credit hour (approximately $15 per class), plus any textbook and material fees, typically under $100.
Subject Areas: English, Math, Fine Arts
The Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Summer Academy allows high school students to take college-level courses at SLCC during the summer, earning both high school and college credits. This program is designed to introduce students to college academics in a supportive environment, with priority given to first-generation college students.
In addition to coursework, you’ll have opportunities to connect with other CE Summer Academy students, participate in campus activities, and become familiar with SLCC’s culture and student resources. Upon completion, your earned credits will be recorded on your SLCC transcript, giving you a head start on your college education.
You will also receive a free UTA (Utah Transit Authority) pass to make commuting to the Taylorsville-Redwood Campus more accessible.
7. YouthCity Teen Summer Internship Program
Location: Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students are paid $15.11 per hour
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: June 10 – August 2 (Tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: 16-18 years of age; must be attending a secondary school within the Salt Lake School District
Subject Areas: Governance, Political Science
YouthCity provides paid, hands-on internships for high school students. In collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and Salt Lake City Corporation, YouthCity allows you to work alongside city staff, gaining practical skills and preparing for future careers. The program offers numerous benefits, including paid work experience tailored to your interests and opportunities to build professional connections. Additionally, it provides a chance for career exploration while helping students develop critical workforce skills.
8. Leadership Development Camp
Location: Pinecliff Camp, Utah (Just a 2-hour drive from Salt Lake City)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Cost/Stipend: $300 (Discounted rates available)
Subject Areas: Leadership, Teamwork, Personal Development
The Leadership Development Camp is a five-day immersive experience designed to help high school students cultivate leadership skills, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self. Unlike traditional summer camps focused on crafts and outdoor recreation, this program centers on team-building exercises, interactive discussions, and hands-on leadership training.
Throughout the week, you’ll take part in think labs, group challenges, small-group discussions, and problem-solving activities designed to strengthen your ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively. Engaging seminars and talks from professional guest speakers will provide insights into different leadership styles, conflict resolution, and personal growth.
9. Hi-Gear Camp @ Uni of Utah
Location: John and Maria Price College of Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Camp 1: June 17 – 20 | Camp 2: July 8 – 11
Cost/Stipend: $120 ($30 per day), which includes a camp T-shirt and lunch each day.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Computer Science
The Hi-Gear Camp at the University of Utah offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to engineering and computer science. Over four days, you’ll explore a variety of engineering fields, including biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, entertainment arts, materials science, and mechanical engineering, while strengthening your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Through interactive projects, lab tours, and team-based challenges, you’ll get a firsthand look at how engineers and computer scientists tackle real-world problems. You’ll also hear from guest speakers, industry professionals, and University of Utah faculty, who will share insights into their fields and career paths.
10. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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).
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
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.
