If you're a high school student interested in chemistry, joining a summer program can give you valuable, hands-on experience. These programs provide opportunities to work with researchers, learn new skills, explore current trends in chemistry research, and help you find your specific interests in the field.
Participating in a chemistry program shows your dedication to the subject and shows admissions officers that you can apply what you’ve learned in class to real-world situations. It also allows you to connect with experienced researchers, which could lead to future job opportunities or recommendation letters. Many universities and research centers offer free or fully-funded summer programs. These programs are often selective, adding credibility to your college applications.
Here is a list of 14 free chemistry summer programs for high school students in 2024-2025, covering areas such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental chemistry, and more.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) — Formulation Chemistry Track
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Biophysics, History, Psychology, International Relations, Network Science, Data Science, Political Theory, Machine Learning, Environmental Health and Engineering, Sociology, Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience, philosophy, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 21, 2025 for the summer cohort (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24 – September 2, 2024 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
- Horizon Labs offers flexible start dates, but applications must be submitted at least four weeks beforehand
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher are eligible to apply, with most accepted students in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks may have additional prerequisites, which are explained in detail here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various fields, including chemistry, data science, biomedical engineering, machine learning, neuroscience, political theory, and psychology. It is one of the few programs where students can participate in both quantitative and qualitative research. For students interested in chemistry, the Formulation Chemistry course offers opportunities like using machine learning to predict chemical reactions or material properties and conducting literature reviews on topics involving both formulation chemistry and materials science.
After selecting your subject track and research type, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university who will mentor you throughout the research process. You will work towards producing a 20-page, university-level research paper, which can be submitted to academic journals. This program provides an opportunity to conduct specialized research with expert guidance. Additionally, you will receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work, which can support future research and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Chemistry track
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science, Data Science, Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biology, Economics, International Relations, Gender Studies, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. For the summer cohort, key deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12, with the final deadline in June
Dates: The summer cohort generally runs from June to August, with program lengths ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers an organized research opportunity for high school students, featuring tailored experiences in a range of subjects, including chemistry. You will be paired with a PhD mentor who will guide you while working on an independent research project.
Throughout the 12-week program, you will work closely with your mentor and a writing coach to choose and refine a research topic. Alongside one-on-one mentoring sessions, you’ll participate in workshops on research skills. You’ll produce an independent research paper at the program's end. Research fields include chemistry, psychology, computer science, physics, engineering, international relations, data science, and economics, among others. Details about the application process are available here.
Subject Areas: Medicine, Data Science, Machine Learning, Programming, and Artificial Intelligence
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Cohorts operate throughout the year. Applications for the summer cohort are typically due on April 14. You can apply here!
Dates: June 9 – August 11, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 who have completed the AI Scholars program or have previous experience with coding
Veritas AI offers various programs for students interested in learning about the development, impact, and practical uses of artificial intelligence. One such program, Deep Dive: AI + Medicine, focuses on the connection between AI and healthcare, covering topics like medical data preparation, convolutional neural networks, and exploratory data analysis. The curriculum is created and taught by Harvard graduate students and alumni. During the program, you will collaborate with PhD students from prestigious institutions like Oxford.
You will examine AI's role in medicine, attend instructional sessions, and work on a group project, gaining practical experience with AI tools such as machine learning programs. More information is available in the program brochure and application form. Additionally, you can explore other program options, such as AI Scholars or the AI Fellowship, which build on foundational knowledge in AI. Past students have worked on interdisciplinary projects that apply AI concepts in fields like medicine and mental health. Examples of these projects can be found here.
Subject Areas: Environmental, Earth, and Life Sciences; Aerospace and Space-related Engineering; Engineering; Information Technology and Cybersecurity; Physical Science; Mathematics and Data Analysis; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Programming and Computer Science; STEM Communications and Education
Location: Available online or on-site at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: The program is free for all accepted participants, but it does not offer any stipend
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
Dates:
- Summer session: June 24 – August 21, 2025
- Academic year session: September 15 – December 31, 2025 (The ASPIRE Student Showcase capstone event will take place in May 2026)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older with a GPA of 2.8 or higher who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must also be permanent residents of one of these Maryland counties
The ASPIRE program, run by Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory, allows high school juniors and seniors to explore STEM careers before selecting a college major. In the program, you’ll work alongside lab staff on projects that build both technical and interpersonal skills. The program provides in-person and virtual internships. Virtual participants will work online but must attend in-person sessions for onboarding, returning equipment, and troubleshooting. When applying, you’ll choose an area of interest, though your mentor and project will be assigned by the program.
Additionally, you can choose up to three project types, such as public relations, research and development, social impact, and more. For the summer session, you’ll complete a minimum of 190 hours over 6-9 weeks between onboarding and the start of school in the fall. For the academic year session, seniors complete at least 130 hours, with 60 hours before the year’s end, and juniors complete at least 80 hours, with 30 before year-end.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Robotics, Space Microbiology, Engineering, Outreach and Communications, Technology, Aeronautics, Space Science, Ecology, Astronomy, and more
Location: Interns may work remotely or on-site at one of NASA's 10 field centers across the country, based on the project
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; interns may qualify for a stipend based on their academic level and the session duration
Application Deadline:
- Summer 2025: February 28, 2025
- Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
Dates: Internships are offered in three sessions, with specific dates differing depending on the opportunity:
- Fall: 16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December
- Spring: 16-week program, from mid-January to early May
- Summer: 10-week program, from late May or early June to August
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are U.S. citizens aged 16 or older with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students, providing training, mentorship, and career development in fields such as science, engineering, finance, IT, and business. Chemistry and chemical engineering students may work on projects like the PolCube CubeSat polarimeter, learning to use polarimetry for atmospheric aerosol analysis.
You will have the chance to design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop new technologies, collaborating closely with a researcher or a small team on current NASA projects. Tasks may include tracking celestial movements with telescopes and other equipment, data recording and analysis, and supporting mission preparations. You can also attend lectures from astronauts and experts, building skills valuable for undergraduate studies and future careers. To find internships for high school students, you can use the ‘Filter’ option to browse available opportunities.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Research, Career Preparation
Location: The program provides both in-person and virtual research projects for students. Lab locations can be found here
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and interns receive a stipend of $4,000
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June – July 2025
Eligibility:
- High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course
- Your family income must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, adjusted for family size
- Project SEED offers multiple ways to document financial eligibility, which can be viewed here
Project SEED is a paid summer fellowship for high school students, providing practical laboratory experience in chemistry research. If accepted, you will work 8 hours each day for 8 to 10 weeks at a research lab located at a university, government lab, or another facility. You will have the chance to work on a project either independently or with other students, and you will write a report or create a poster at the end of the summer. The program aims to support students from underrepresented communities and provides internships and summer camps to help with college applications.
The program is designed to prepare you for college and a career in chemistry, and it may also allow you to present your research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting. Project SEED also provides virtual summer camps for professional development, college preparation, lab skills, and chemistry career options.
Subject Areas: Biomedical Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Engineering, Medicine, Ecology, Mathematics, Atmospheric and Marine Sciences, Computer Science, Geosciences, Neurobiology, and Pharmacological Sciences
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program has no tuition fees, but participants who select on-campus housing must pay $2,781.50 for accommodation and meals. A stipend may be offered at the end of the program, although the specific amount is not mentioned on the website
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and either U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program allows high school juniors to engage in a STEM-focused research project. You can select from different STEM fields, including chemistry, and rank your top three choices for mentors or research areas. If accepted, you will be matched with a mentor and research group. The program includes weekly faculty research presentations, workshops, lab tours, and special events.
As part of the program, you will write a research abstract and create a poster to present at the final poster symposium. There is also the possibility of receiving a stipend after completion. The program is very competitive, with an approximately 5% acceptance rate. If you’re interested in chemistry, you can opt to conduct research in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, cancer, chronic pain, computer-aided drug design, infectious diseases, and developing circular solutions for water, food, and environmental challenges.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Engineering, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Data Sciences, Astronomy, Geography, and more
Location: Internships are offered in fully remote and hybrid formats, as well as in-person opportunities at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Participation in the program is free, but there is a $25 application fee that may be waived based on financial need. Please note that transportation and housing costs are not covered, and the internship is unpaid
Application Deadline: February 2, 2025
Dates: June 18 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility:
- Interns for remote internships must be at least 15 years old by the program start date
- For in-person or hybrid internships in computer labs, interns need to be at least 15 years old
- For in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships, interns must be at least 16 years old by the program start date
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program gives high school students the chance to collaborate closely with faculty researchers at George Mason University on their projects. During the 8-week internship, you will explore STEM career paths through discussions and meetings with industry professionals, gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies and equipment, improve your scientific writing and communication skills, and develop creative problem-solving skills.
Past chemistry-related projects have included research on antibiotic development, measuring Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), evaluating heterogeneity in purified recombinant proteins, and creating atomically layered heterostructures for use as electrochemical dopamine sensors. You can find examples of past research projects from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry here.
Subject Areas: Chemical Protein Modification, Nanoscale Materials, Organic and Coordination Chemistry, Materials Science, and Chemistry Research
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Students enrolled in a public or charter high school within the School District of Philadelphia may qualify to participate in the Penn Summer Academy at no cost through a Penn Summer Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer 2025 program will open on December 1, 2024
Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students
The University of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Research Academy provides high school students with a foundation in advanced research, offering opportunities to learn directly from research professors and students. The topics covered in the Academy align with the department's research objectives. The program includes hands-on laboratory experience, which constitutes about 50% of class time. You will learn analytical techniques such as spectroscopy and gas chromatography, optimize synthetic methods through experimentation, and tackle open-ended lab challenges.
You will also attend research lectures on subjects like nanoscale materials, chemical protein modification related to disease studies, and the chemistry of rare earth metals. The curriculum includes principles of chemical bonding in organic and coordination chemistry and the basics of materials science. You will participate in tours of the Singh Center for Nanomaterials, the Science History Institute, and university research labs. Additionally, you will develop independent research skills, learn to read research articles, and complete a capstone project to begin your research journey.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Engineering. You can check the details here before choosing a NIST laboratory
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD or Boulder, CO
CostStipend: There is no cost for accepted participants, but the internship is unpaid
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025. You can find the application guide here
Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers the Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) for students interested in scientific research. It is one of the oldest physical science laboratories and part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As an intern, you will collaborate with scientists and engineers on a research project, gaining insight into NIST's work. NIST consists of 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 check the websites of these labs, choose one that fits your interests, and note your preference in your application.
If you're interested in chemistry research, you may apply to the Material Measurement Laboratory. Research topics may include assessing pollutants like ocean plastics, evaluating alternative fuels and refrigerants that have lower greenhouse gas emissions, developing new vaccines and biological drugs, and contributing to the creation of new materials for lightweight, fuel-efficient transportation.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Chemical Research
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: No cost or tuition
Application Deadline: The applications for the 2025 IFSS Program will open in January 2025
Dates: June 17 – 27, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Local rising juniors and seniors in high school who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Stanford University's Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) Program allows high school students to explore advanced chemical research. This two-week program focuses on shadowing professionals and gaining insight into different research activities. You will get to observe and interact with several graduate students from the chemistry department and shadow various researchers to learn about a range of scientific topics and techniques. Unlike programs that center on individual research projects, IFSS will allow you to shadow multiple researchers, offering a broader understanding of the field.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Humanities
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, except for a $65 application fee. Students will receive a stipend, although the exact amount is not specified
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the program's academic requirements
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective program that provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct research at MIT. Organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, the program includes hands-on research projects supervised by MIT professors and scientists, along with college-level classes taught by faculty members. The program begins with a week of seminars on current research topics in chemistry, other STEM fields, and the humanities. At the end of this week, research assignments are given, followed by five weeks focused on completing these projects. In the final week, you’ll get to present your findings.
An example of a chemistry project from previous participants is "Synthetizing and Measuring Superconducting Sodium Cobalt Oxide (NaxCoO2) Crystals (2006).” More past projects can be viewed here. During the program, you will develop essential research skills, including data collection, analysis, presentation, and reviewing recent literature in chemistry. The program also features lectures and field trips. RSI is highly competitive, admitting about 70–100 students each year from roughly 3,000 applicants, with an acceptance rate of around 3%.
Subject Areas: Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Biology, Anthropology, and Aerospace Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Tuition is covered by a full scholarship; stipend of $750 provided
Application Deadline: March 6, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: NYC students who will have finished 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program
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 after-school workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab research beginning in the first week of July. During the program, you will conduct hands-on laboratory experiments, attend classroom sessions, and participate in workshops that cover ethics, lab safety, data collection, and college admissions preparation. The program offers mentorship from NYU's research faculty. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings at a colloquium. Each year, ARISE accepts 76 to 80 students. For more details about research opportunities in chemical engineering, click here.
Subject Areas: Chemistry, Meteorology, Oceanography, Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Probability, Biology, Engineering, Physical Science, Earth Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Government, Astronomy, Physics, and more
Location: Opportunities are available at several lab locations across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; new participants receive a stipend of $4,000, while returning participants are provided with $4,500
Application Deadline: November 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: The internship lasts for eight weeks during the summer, with the possibility of extending for up to two more weeks
Eligibility: High school students who have finished at least 9th grade, are at least 16 years old, and are solely U.S. citizens. Graduating seniors can also participate. Students should check if their chosen lab has any specific requirements or exceptions
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides internship opportunities for high school students interested in STEM. You will receive guidance from experienced Navy scientists and engineers and learn about naval research and technology. During the program, you will spend eight weeks working on real naval research projects in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories, gaining solid research experience.
SEAP is a competitive program that offers about 300 placements in over 38 labs nationwide, and its association with the U.S. government makes it a prestigious research opportunity. Selections will be made based on your academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests. Lab placements will depend on your area of interest. Students interested in chemistry can explore opportunities at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) in Jacksonville, working in the Materials Engineering Laboratory on repair, maintenance, and overhaul (MRO) technologies for Navy aircraft.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.