If you’re a high school student interested in gaining practical experience in AI, enrolling in an AI summer program will help you build technical skills, strengthen college applications, and prepare you for academic and career opportunities in AI and related fields. Through these programs, you will work on diverse projects, including UX/UI design, programming, machine learning, deep learning, cybersecurity, data mining, robotics, large language models, cryptography, computer forensics, bioinformatics, and more.
Many prestigious universities and tech institutions offer free or fully funded programs that provide opportunities to explore technology, coding, and problem-solving in real-world settings, guided by experts. These selective programs offer high-quality education and resources without financial barriers.
Here’s our list of 12 free AI summer programs for high school students!
1. 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 deadline: February 16
- Summer 2025 deadline: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)
Dates:
- Spring seminar: March 3 onwards
- Summer seminar: June 16 onwards
- 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 provides trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, psychology, political theory, chemistry, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. You can select either quantitative or qualitative research tracks. For those focused on AI, courses include AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science; Applications of Machine Learning; Cybersecurity; and Machine Learning & Social Media.
After choosing a subject track and research type, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university for mentorship throughout the research process. You will complete a 20-page university-level research paper, which may be submitted to respected journals for publication. The program offers expert mentorship, a recommendation letter, and detailed project feedback to support future research efforts or college applications. You can apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Full 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: All high school students can apply for the AI Scholars program. To apply for the AI Fellowship, students must have a basic understanding of Python or 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 covers the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science, providing opportunities to work on real-world projects.
For advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers personalized mentorship from top university experts to help develop specialized projects. The fellowship also includes support from an in-house publication team to assist with publishing in high school research journals. The program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to apply AI to fields like finance, and environmental science. Examples of past student projects are available here.
3. Princeton University’s AI4ALL Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Application Deadline: March 15 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: July 14 – August 3 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising 11th-grade students who live in the United States or Puerto Rico and qualify as low-income can apply.
Princeton AI4ALL is a summer program aimed at empowering high school students from diverse backgrounds to explore artificial intelligence. Its main goal is to increase diversity in AI by reducing barriers that affect underrepresented groups. The program introduces students to various AI topics, cutting-edge research, and the social impact of AI. You will attend daily lectures by Princeton AI faculty, participate in hands-on lab activities, and join social events and mentoring sessions.
Through seminars, lab experiments, and collaborative projects, you will learn about AI algorithms and their theoretical foundations, as well as develop technical and analytical skills. The program includes projects that apply AI to real-world situations, offering opportunities to work on innovative AI applications, collaborate with peers, and receive mentorship from field experts. You’ll also have access to Princeton’s advanced AI research facilities.
4. MIT Lincoln Laboratory High School Internship Program
Location: Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and participants will receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: April 30
Dates: July 9 – August 15
Eligibility: Local high school rising seniors, aged 16 or older by the program start date, with U.S. citizenship
The Summer High School Internship Program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory offers rising seniors from New England high schools a valuable opportunity to explore STEM careers before choosing a college major. During the program, you will work with Laboratory staff mentors on real-world projects while developing essential technical and interpersonal skills in a professional, hands-on setting. You will also have access to the Laboratory’s technical and professional resources.
For those interested in AI, the program includes projects related to electronic warfare, radar, and technologies for future air and missile defense systems. Past AI projects have included AI Systems Engineering and Reliability Technologies, Responsible AI Toolbox, and Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Decision Support. More examples of projects can be found here.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: Multiple lab locations are available across the country
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; new participants receive a $4,000 stipend, and returning participants receive $4,500.
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: The internship runs for eight weeks during the summer, with the option to extend for up to two more weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade, are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens, including graduating seniors, can apply. Students should check the specific lab’s additional requirements or exceptions.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students internships in STEM fields, providing hands-on research experience in Department of Navy (DoN) labs under the guidance of Navy scientists and engineers. For 8 weeks, you’ll contribute to real naval research projects in areas such as earth science, applied mathematics, AI, robotics, chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, astronomy, environmental science, computer science, and more. SEAP offers around 300 internships across more than 38 labs nationwide. Placements are based on academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests.
If you are interested in AI, you can select a lab focused on this area, such as the NAWCAD Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Systems in Lakehurst, New Jersey. There, you will gain practical experience with advanced technologies, including electromagnetics, aviation information systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, test and evaluation, material science, avionics, diagnostics, unmanned aerial systems, modeling and simulation, jet propulsion, systems analysis, and systems engineering.
6. Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Pre-College Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Eligibility: High school juniors at the time of application who are at least 16 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply. Students registered with DACA are also eligible.
AI Scholars (AIS), part of the CS Pathways initiative, is a fully funded, 4-week program for rising high school seniors at Carnegie Mellon University. The program offers an immersive AI experience where you will work with CMU faculty and graduate students on coding workshops and research projects, exploring topics like natural language processing, neural networks, and computer vision. It combines technical training with ethical discussions, preparing you for future academic and career opportunities in AI. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
As an AI Scholar, you will participate in project-based learning, attend lectures on computing and AI, and collaborate on a group project, which you will present at the end of the program. The project will apply your new skills to real-world AI challenges that aim to benefit humanity. Classes, guest lectures, group projects, workshops, and academic tours are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
7. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: The program includes remote workshops and in-person labs at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is fully covered by a scholarship, and a stipend of at least $1000 is provided for completing the program.
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: NYC students who will have completed 10th or 11th grade by June 2025
New York University’s ARISE program offers educational opportunities for students interested in engineering and related fields. The program starts with four weeks of remote evening workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab research starting in early July. You will participate in classroom sessions, hands-on experiments, and workshops covering lab safety, ethics, data collection, and college admissions.
The program covers interdisciplinary STEM topics, including Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, Bio- and Molecular Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, through research lab experiences. You will receive mentorship from NYU faculty and present your research at a colloquium at the end of the program. ARISE admits 76 to 80 students each year.
For those interested in AI, you can work in the departments of Computer Science & Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering. For example, the ECE Machine Learning Lab offers opportunities to explore projects that combine machine learning, deep learning, and robotics. Current projects include sensor fusion for self-driving vehicles, generative modeling, and visualization of deep learning models. More details about AI research opportunities are available here.
8. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Internships at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, are available in remote, hybrid, and in-person formats.
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, with a $25 application fee that can be waived for applicants with financial need. However, transportation and housing are not provided, and the internship is unpaid.
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility:
- Interns for remote, in-person, or hybrid internships in computer labs must be at least 15 years old by the program start date.
- Interns for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University offers high school students the chance to work with faculty researchers on various projects. You will gain experience with advanced equipment, explore STEM career paths, and improve your scientific writing and communication skills. If you’re interested in AI, you can apply to the Department of Computer Science, where you may work on projects related to software testing, AI and software engineering, machine learning, deep learning, optimization, robot planning, Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models, and wireless networks, among others.
Past AI projects have included topics such as Using Machine Learning to Improve Autonomous Robot Navigation on Vertically Challenging Terrain, Using large language models to author debugging hypotheses, and A JupyterLab Plugin for Data Science Best Practices. More details about previous research in the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, can be found here.
9. Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) Digital Scholars Program
Location: Discovery Partners Institute, Chicago, IL
Cost: The program is free, and public transit passes are provided for students with financial need.
Application Deadline: May 2 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: June 24 – August 2 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade or their first year of college at a 2- or 4-year Illinois institution in the fall can apply.
The Digital Scholars Program supports underrepresented students, particularly Black, Latinx, and first-generation college students, by providing exposure to technology fields. During the program, you will work with university researchers and industry experts on real-world projects, such as artificial intelligence and sustainability. The program offers courses in computer science, data science, electrical and computer engineering, or mobile app development, including Foundations of Computer Science and Coding Mobile App Design. You will also attend weekly workshops on topics like AI, machine learning, entrepreneurship, and data science, as well as hear from top tech incubators in Chicago.
The program will help you develop essential skills, including communication, teamwork, personal branding, and networking, which are valuable in the workforce. It also focuses on building college and career readiness and provides access to Chicago’s tech community through daily speakers and weekly workshops.
10. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Virtual or in-person at MIT in Cambridge, MA
Cost: The program costs $2,350 for participants from families with an income above $150,000. However, it is free for those from families earning less.
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who attend school in the U.S. can apply. Most accepted students are usually in 11th grade.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) offers hands-on STEM courses for high school students in a workshop format, covering various topics. Some AI courses include Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing, where you’ll learn about UAVs, including their electrical, software, and aerodynamic components; Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks), where you’ll explore AI fundamentals like natural language processing and machine cognition by implementing related algorithms; and Quantum Software, where you’ll get to explore quantum computation by developing coding skills and quantum algorithms.
BWSI provides a great opportunity to learn from MIT Lincoln Laboratory faculty, improve programming skills, and collaborate with peers. Current course offerings are available here.
11. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
- Summer Immersion Program: Live two-week courses
- Pathways: Asynchronous courses run for 6 weeks
Cost/Stipend: Both programs are free. For the Summer Immersion Program, a $300 need-based grant is available for eligible students in the United States.
Application Deadline:
- Early deadline: February 26
- General deadline: April 11
Dates:
- Summer Immersion Program: July 7 – July 18 (US students only) | July 28 – August 8 (US and international students)
- Pathways: June 30 – August 8 (US and international students)
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students in grades 9–11 can apply for the virtual Summer Immersion Program, while those in grades 9–12 are eligible for the Pathways Program. International girls and non-binary students aged 14–18 can also apply. Students, including alumni, can apply regardless of their prior coding experience.
Girls Who Code offers free virtual programs for high school students to develop computer science skills for tech careers. You’ll get to learn about different tech roles, engage with industry leaders, and connect with like-minded peers. Additional benefits include networking opportunities, financial grants, and technical support.
The 2-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) introduces Game Design, covering beginner to intermediate CS concepts, user experience design, rapid prototyping, playtesting, and more using p5.js, a JavaScript library. In the Pathways Program, you can choose from three tracks: Data Science + AI (Python), Cybersecurity (Python), and Web Development (HTML, CSS, & JavaScript). You can complete independent coursework to earn beginner, intermediate, and advanced certificates. These programs will teach you to build websites, apps, and games that address issues like climate change, cyberbullying, and illiteracy.
12. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD or Boulder, CO
CostStipend: No cost; unpaid
Application Deadline: January 31; you can find the application guide here.
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers opportunities for high school students interested in scientific research. As an intern, you will work with scientists and engineers on a research project, gaining insight into NIST’s work. NIST includes six laboratories: the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), Engineering Laboratory (EL), NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), and Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). You can review the lab websites, select one that aligns with your interests, and note your preference in your application.
Students interested in AI can apply to the Information Technology Laboratory, where projects may involve data mining, machine learning, computer network modeling, software quality testing, biometrics for security, cryptography, computer forensics, information visualization, digital data retrieval, bioinformatics, and image analysis.
Image source – Princeton University logo
