Looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer? High school programs help you develop practical skills and gain experience in fields like STEM, business, and the arts.
Whether you're passionate about coding, environmental science, leadership, creative arts, or entrepreneurship, these programs provide opportunities to dive deep into your interests while learning directly from experts and industry leaders. From workshops and real-world projects to mentorship and networking opportunities, these experiences are designed to help you explore your potential and develop valuable skills for the future.
12 Summer Programs for High School Students in Indianapolis, Indiana
Subjects Offered: Data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology and more
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Winter II Cohort – December 1, 2024; Summer Cohort – Between February to May
Program Dates: Winter II cohort - December 16 ; Spring cohort - March 3, 2025; Summer cohort - June 16, 2025
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.
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 on college applications. Apply here!
Subjects Offered: STEM, Medicine
Application deadline: February 15, 2023
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Program dates: June 5, 2023 – July 28, 2023, with compulsory 40 hours of work per week
Location: IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Stipend: Amount not specified, but all participants will receive a stipend (previous students have received $2,400)
The IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Summer Research Program (SRP) gives you the opportunity to engage in biomedical research. Paired with a mentor, you will work on projects involving lab techniques, data analysis, or clinical research. You will learn how clinical trials are conducted, develop skills in data collection and analysis, and gain practical experience in biomedical science.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
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.
Subject Area: STEM, Chemistry
Application deadline: March 1, 2023
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors who come from families whose annual income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Students must also have completed at least two semesters of chemistry
Program dates: 8-10 weeks from June to August, Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day
Location: Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Cost: No cost; students receive a stipend of $3,200
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit science organization that hosts Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged) to offer students from low-income families a research opportunity in chemistry. During the program, you will work on an independent or group research project and get practical lab experience under the guidance of professional mentors. The program could also be accompanied by additional activities like field trips and poster competitions. If you decide to pursue a chemistry/ STEM-related major after completing the project, you will be eligible to apply for the Project SEED Scholarships.
Subject Area: Molecular biology, cytogenetics, and cancer therapy
Application deadline: November 8, 2024
Eligibility: High school students
Program dates: February 23-24, 2025
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Cost: No cost
Molecular Medicine In Action (MMIA) is a free annual program that offers high school students hands-on experience in cutting-edge medical research. Over two days, you’ll explore molecular biology, cytogenetics, and cancer therapy, learning about gene expression, imaging technology, and cancer cell growth.
MMIA is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science. The program encourages students from all backgrounds and provides an opportunity to work in a top-tier research environment. It aims to spark your interest in science and help you consider a future in research and innovation.
Subject Area: STEM
Application deadline: January 15, 2025
Eligibility: Grades 10-12
Program dates: June 2-July 25, 2025
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Cost: No cost; students receive a stipend of $4000
The Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists, and Clinicians Preparatory Program (MPESC-Prep) is an eight-week summer program. It is designed to help you develop the skills needed for a future career as a physician-scientist, physician-engineer, biomedical researcher, or clinical care provider. You will gain hands-on experience in STEM fields, working directly in research labs and clinical settings. You’ll receive mentorship from experienced professionals, connect with peers and advanced trainees, and have the chance to explore cutting-edge medical research. Click here to apply.
Subject Area: STEM, Cancer Research
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Eligibility: High school seniors
Program Dates: May 19 - July 25, 2025
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Cost: No cost; students receive will receive a stipend
The EPCR summer program provides graduating high school seniors and undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine, with the opportunity to participate in cancer research. You will gain hands-on experience in designing experiments, troubleshooting, interpreting data, and developing research strategies under the mentorship of experienced researchers. The program covers various research areas, including basic, translational, and clinical cancer research, and offers valuable networking with fellow students, research fellows, and faculty members.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors from Marion County public schools with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Program Dates: June 2 - July 25, 2025
Location: Indiana University, Indianapolis
Cost/Stipend: Participants will receive a stipend (amount unspecified)
The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program offers you an eight-week summer research opportunity. As a high school junior from Marion County public schools, you’ll work directly with university researchers on a specific project, gaining hands-on experience in medicine and cancer research. During the program, you’ll explore various aspects of medical research, develop critical thinking skills, and contribute to important work in the fight against cancer. The program also gives you a chance to explore potential careers in healthcare and research. You’ll receive a stipend and learn from experts in the field, making it a valuable opportunity to grow and make an impact.
Subject Area: STEM, AI, Filmmaking
Application deadline: NA
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Program dates: June 8-July 12; July 15-July 19
Location: Informatics and Communications Technology Complex, Indianapolis
Cost: $399; students also receive a scholarship amount of $1000
These week-long summer camps offer high school students a chance to sharpen their computer skills while diving into exciting, tech-driven career paths. Led by expert faculty from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indianapolis, these sessions cover a variety of in-demand topics such as artificial intelligence, bot development, digital biology, filmmaking, and web development. These day camps take place on the IU Indianapolis campus, running Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open to students entering grades 9–12, these camps provide an engaging and immersive learning experience.
Subject Area: STEM
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
Eligibility: Priority is given to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. However, under certain conditions, 9th-grade students may also be considered for acceptance.
Program dates: June to late July (8 weeks)
Location: Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI), Indianapolis
Cost: No cost; students may receive a stipend
The SEED/STEM program offers a summer opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including fields like medicine, dentistry, computer science, IT, life sciences, chemistry, and biomedical engineering.
You will work directly with research faculty in their labs for eight weeks, from early June to late July. During this time, you will gain hands-on research experience at institutions such as the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI), the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute (IBRI), and Eli Lilly.
Subject Area: STEM, Humanities and more
Application deadline: Not available, however, the application opens on December 1, 2024
Eligibility: High School Students
Program dates: They offer a 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week summer module that can be completed online or at their West Lafayette campus; typically between May-August. See full dates here.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 63 miles from Indianapolis
Cost: Different costs for Indiana residents, domestic nonresident, and international students. Click here to see the full breakup.
Purdue University offers a Summer College program for high school students aged 16 and older, allowing you to earn college credits and explore different academic majors. You can choose from over 650 courses across various disciplines, either online or on campus, and complete coursework alongside current undergraduates. This program provides early exposure to college-level academics and prepares you for future success. While the program is not based in Indianapolis, high school students from Indianapolis are eligible to apply.
Subject Areas: Law
Application Deadline: August 19, 2024
Eligibility: Strong attention to detail and excellent writing skills are required
Program Dates: Begins August 19, 2024
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid (specific amount not disclosed)
The Hannah IndianaNet Legislative Internship offers you the chance to gain hands-on experience with the legislative process. You’ll attend Indiana Statehouse committee meetings, take detailed notes, and share important updates. Working with full-time staff and editors, you’ll improve your writing and communication skills.
This program, developed with input from law firms and government experts, helps connect interns to career opportunities with organizations like Bose Public Affairs Group and Ice Miller. Outstanding interns may even be considered for positions with Hannah News after graduation.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.