Summer is the perfect time for high school students to dive into their academic interests, explore new fields, and build advanced skills that go beyond the standard school curriculum.
Massachusetts offers a variety of free summer programs tailored to help students sharpen their expertise in areas like STEM, humanities, and the arts.
From immersive research experiences and hands-on internships to college-level courses and mentorship programs, these opportunities allow you to develop technical abilities, work with cutting-edge software, and gain real-world experience—all without the financial and logistical hassles of having to move to another state to gain experience in a subject!
In this blog, we cover 14 great free summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
14 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1.
Program Dates:
- Summer: June 24, 2024 – September 2, 2024
- Fall: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024 (Summer), September 25, 2024 (Fall)
Subject Areas: Data science, biology, chemistry, political theory, psychology
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade with a 3.67+ GPA. 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 college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) | $5,400 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. Selected students will undergo immersive sessions with their mentors, who will help them produce a college-level research paper based on their projects. Support from writing coaches will also be provided.
You can work in subject areas like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, engineering, and more. The program will end with a symposium and give students a potential chance at publication.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: AI, Coding, Computer Science
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students passionate about AI; Basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program
Application Deadline: Upcoming winter cohort deadlines - Oct 20, 2024. You can apply here!
Program Dates: Multiple start dates are available throughout the year.
Cost: AI Scholars - $1790 (financial aid is available); AI Fellowship - $4900; Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship) - $5900
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs geared toward high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science. In the program, students learn various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using Python, and more.
Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for the 10-week AI Scholars program. Through the program, students build real-world projects in groups of 3-5 students to showcase their interests and skills. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship where you work 1-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique machine learning projects over 12-15 weeks. These programs are a great option for you if you like engaging in hands-on learning and are a beginner!
Subject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Research
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising seniors
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Program Dates: June 22 to August 2, 2025
Cost: Free
The RSI is a highly selective summer program that allows students to engage in original scientific research alongside MIT researchers. During the program, participants spend the first week in intensive theoretical coursework followed by hands-on research in labs. They work on cutting-edge projects in fields like physics, engineering, and computational biology. RSI students often gain experience using tools such as Python, MATLAB, and advanced lab equipment, making it a rigorous introduction to real-world research.
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Physics,
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31, 2025
Cost: Free
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers Massachusetts high school students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research across a variety of STEM fields. Participants work closely with faculty mentors on research projects ranging from healthcare analytics to energy systems and bioengineering. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars on topics like engineering careers and college admissions, and participants explore career paths through field trips to corporate and research institutions. The program culminates in a research poster presentation, providing students with real-world research experience while preparing them for future STEM careers.
Subject Areas: Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Life Sciences
Location: Various life sciences companies and research institutions across Massachusetts
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students aged 16 or older, with a focus on underrepresented or low-income students
Application Deadline: April 2024 (estimated)
Program Dates: Spring (lab training) and Summer 2024 (internship)
Cost: Free (students receive paid internships)
The MLSC High School Apprenticeship Challenge is designed to introduce high school students to the life sciences industry through hands-on internships. The program starts with pre-internship lab training, covering core biotechnology techniques, professional skills, and STEM workplace competencies. Afterward, students are placed in six-week paid internships at various life sciences companies or research institutions. Participants will engage in real-world projects and use tools like PCR machines, lab software, and bioinformatics tools, gaining a practical understanding of research and biotechnological applications.
Subject Areas: Healthcare, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Public Health
Location: Worcester, MA (UMass Chan Medical School)
Eligibility: Underrepresented high school sophomores and juniors
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25, 2025
Cost: Free
The UMass Chan Medical School High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) is designed to introduce students from underrepresented backgrounds to careers in healthcare and biomedical research. The four-week program includes academic workshops, hands-on lab experiences, and mentorship from medical professionals. Participants gain skills in areas such as clinical research, public health, and laboratory techniques, while also learning about the healthcare system and exploring medical career pathways. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to develop practical skills and enhance their knowledge in the biomedical sciences and healthcare fields.
Subject Areas: Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with an interest in biomedical engineering and research
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 1st – August 16th, 2024
Cost: Free
Over six weeks, TUBERS participants engage in hands-on experiments, learning research techniques such as tissue engineering, cell culturing, and the application of biomedical devices. Students work closely with faculty and graduate mentors, conducting experiments, testing hypotheses, and gaining real-world experience in a professional research environment. The program encourages students to present their research findings and participate in science competitions, further building their critical thinking and scientific communication skills.
Subject Areas: Financial Services, Technology, Research, Professional Development
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Eligibility: Income-eligible high school students from Greater Boston who have completed their sophomore year
Application Deadline: Not listed
Program Dates: Not listed
Cost: Free (participants receive a paid internship)
The TIP Internship Program, a partnership between the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), provides high school students with paid summer internships. It focuses on offering students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds a first-hand experience in a professional work environment. Students who excel in the summer internship may be selected for an extended program lasting up to three years, allowing them to continue their professional development during the school year.
Subject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics – including specific fields like engineering, biomedical research, and technology
Location: U.S. Army Research Laboratories and affiliated university research labs across the United States, sites in Cambridge and Lowell
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, with a focus on those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds
Application Deadline: Variable
Program Dates: Variable
Cost: Free (participants receive a stipend)
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship offers students a chance to conduct cutting-edge research in real-world laboratory settings, mentored by professional scientists and engineers. Apprentices work on Army-sponsored research projects, gaining experience with high-tech equipment and advanced scientific methods. The program also provides invaluable mentorship, career guidance, and opportunities to connect with a network of STEM professionals. It can be a great way to build STEM skills, enhance college applications, and explore potential career paths in fields like biomedical research, environmental engineering, and defense technology.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Signal Processing
Location: UMass Amherst, MA (commuter program)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from Western Massachusetts
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 8, 2024 – July 26, 2024
Cost: Free
The UMass Turing Summer Program focuses on using computing for societal good. Through daily classroom and lab sessions, students explore signal processing, machine learning, and health-sensing technologies. The program provides hands-on experience with Python programming and app development, aimed at addressing real-world challenges in healthcare and energy.
Subject Areas: STEM Education, Museum Operations, Professional Development
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19 who are currently enrolled in a high school or equivalent program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July–August (7-week program)
Cost: Free (participants are paid for 21 hours of work per week)
The Museum of Science Summer Youth Internship Program offers students hands-on experience working in various roles, both in educational spaces and behind the scenes at the museum. Interns participate in workshops focused on professional development, including financial literacy, resume writing, and field trips to local cultural institutions. This internship allows students to gain work experience while developing skills essential for future careers in STEM and other fields. Benefits include access to museum exhibits, discounts, and weekly pay.
Subject Areas: Visual Arts, Art, and Design College Preparation
Location: Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), Boston, MA
Eligibility: Boston-area high school students in grades 9-12, with household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.
Application Deadline: Not listed
Program Dates: Summer
Cost: Free
Artward Bound is a four-year college access program designed to prepare Boston high school students for a college education focused on art and design. Through a combination of art classes, career workshops, academic tutoring, and field trips to museums and artist studios, students gain the skills needed for success in post-secondary education. The summer portion includes six weeks of intensive artmaking and academic preparation on the MassArt campus.
Subject Areas: Electrical Engineering, Radar Technology, Physics
Location: MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA, and MIT Campus in Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Application Deadline: March 7, 2024
Program Dates: July 14, 2024 – July 27, 2024
Cost: Free
LLRISE is a competitive two-week summer workshop where high school students build their small radar systems, applying hands-on skills to solve engineering problems. The program includes technical lectures, radar-building workshops, and experimentation with Doppler radar systems. Participants stay in MIT dorms, offering an immersive college experience while gaining exposure to real-world science and engineering practices.
Our Thoughts
For students seeking high-quality summer programs in Massachusetts, there is a broad range of opportunities designed to develop technical skills and expose participants to real-world applications. Whether you're interested in hands-on engineering, visual arts, or scientific research, these programs emphasize practical learning and mentorship from professionals in the field. Many of them specifically aim to provide free access and additional resources to ensure inclusivity. Overall, these programs offer a valuable way for high school students to gain experience and enhance their college applications while building a strong foundation in their chosen field.
Lydia is currently a senior at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She aims to become a life sciences consultant after graduation.