If you’re a high school student curious about engaging in advanced academics, a university summer program is a great way to explore your interests and build useful skills before college. The best paid university summer programs for high school students offer a structured opportunity to explore your interests, learn from experts, experiment with various subjects, and work on real-world projects. They also help you better understand what studying or working in that field might look like, without having to spend on expensive pre-college programs!
Attending paid university summer programs for high school students lets you experience college academics and campus life while connecting with mentors and like-minded peers. You might take part in lectures led by professors, collaborate on group projects, and in some cases, even earn college credits.
To help you get started, here are the 15 best paid university summer programs for high school students in fields like biomedical research, engineering, computer science, medicine, data science, physics, and more.
15 Best Paid University Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Honors College, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $25 application fee. $750 after submitting their research report
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: <3% | 12 students
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Graduating this year or next | At least 17 by the program start date
In this program, you’ll attend weekly seminars, get hands-on experience working on a research project with a faculty mentor, and be part of social activities. You’ll explore independent research while learning in areas like Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Cancer Bioimaging, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, History, and more. The program offers a chance to delve into research and gain a sense of college-level academics. You can review past research projects here. Most of your time will be spent doing research at Texas Tech’s main campus or the Health Sciences Center, with support from your mentor. The program also includes group discussions and field trips.
2. Duke University’s Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program
Location: Duke University’s Clinical Research Institute, Durham, N.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | $2,600
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: <3.5% | 20-25 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you’ll get matched with a Duke faculty mentor to develop and carry out an original, hypothesis-driven project. In the first two weeks, you’ll choose a research question based on a specific medication, dive into background reading, and write a detailed summary of your topic. During the in-person portion, you’ll build your full research paper, covering your question, methods, goals, results, and discussion. You’ll get help from a statistician for lectures and data analysis, a medical writer for your paper, and Duke faculty who lead sessions on topics like neonatology, pharmacoepidemiology, and antimicrobial therapy. The program culminates in a presentation.
3. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Provided but unspecified
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Around 5% | 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old
In this program, you can choose up to three fields or mentors in areas such as biomedical informatics, medicine, computer science, pharmacology, astronomy, mechanical engineering, neurobiology, mathematics, geosciences, and more. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor, you’ll join a research group, and work on a project while learning research methods, experimental design, and lab techniques. Projects may involve conducting lab work and bioinformatics, creating statistical models to predict health outcomes, or developing algorithms for high-performance computing or machine learning. The program also includes lab tours, workshops, faculty lectures, and other events. You’ll wrap up by writing a research abstract and presenting your work at a poster session.
4. Oregon Health & Science University’s Ted R. Lilley CURE Program
Location: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Free | $11 an hour for 40 hours a week and a bus pass
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive | Exact figures not available, but can be assumed to be between 10-15 based on eligibility criteria
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 20
Eligibility: Oregon high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from disadvantaged backgrounds | Taken at least one lab science class (ideally biology) | GPA of 3.0 or higher | At least 16 years old by the start of the program. Students who attend public schools in the Portland Metro area and have two years of high school remaining are preferred
The Ted R. Lilley Cancer Continuing Umbrella of Research Education (CURE) Program matches high-achieving high school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds with researchers working on cancer-related projects. It’s designed to promote health equity by helping students from underserved communities explore careers in biomedical research and health fields. Over eight weeks, you’ll work up to 40 hours a week in a lab at the Knight Cancer Institute, guided by a faculty mentor. Along with lab work, you’ll attend weekly seminars and follow a structured curriculum set by your mentor. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a poster session attended by lab directors and members.
5. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | $5,600
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Extremely selective | 20-50
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school seniors from the Chicago area starting college in the fall
In this prestigious program, you will team up with mentors in fields like public policy, computer science, social science, materials science, climate and energy, and biomedical research. You’ll get hands-on experience with research methods, applied data science, and collaboration, with training based on your lab’s specific focus. You’ll also attend sessions by researchers who will share their career paths and how they use data to solve real-world problems. The program includes professional development and training to help you prepare for a career in data science and technology. Past projects have included exploring the scalability of federated learning algorithms, robot coaches for kids’ social-emotional learning, and deep learning for cattle health.
6. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple sites across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,000
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive | 36 in last year’s program
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from underrepresented backgrounds in science who have taken at least one year of math and biology | At least 16 by June 1 | Minimum GPA of 3.0
This program allows you to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research at local labs and clinics. You’ll be paired with a mentor who guides you through a project in either a lab or clinical setting. The program is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and offers seminars, workshops, mentoring, training sessions, and networking opportunities for students interested in STEM and the health sciences. You can request a specific type of research—Lab, Clinical, or Community/Health—but your final project will depend on your mentor. Over nine weeks, you’ll be part of journal club discussions, attend weekly seminars led by UCSF doctors and researchers.
7. University of New Hampshire’s HighTech Bound
Location: University of New Hampshire Campus, Durham, NH
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unspecified competitive hourly wage
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective | 10 students
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. residents
In this internship, you’ll work in a high-tech computer lab alongside mentors and teammates on projects involving AI integration. Using software and hardware from companies like Dell, Cisco, and Apple, you’ll contribute to a tech project while learning how to research solutions and collaborate with others. The program will help you develop technical skills using tools commonly found in smart cars, internet-connected devices, and other modern technologies. You can earn 0.5 high school credits through the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS). Past projects have included rebuilding IOL Test Software with Java, validating CnC tools, working with Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) using PYNQ, and more.
8. Duke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unspecified, but provided
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective | Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors | At least 16 years old | Priority is given to students from Durham Public Schools but all eligible high school students in North Carolina can apply
Run by the Biomedical Engineering Department, this program introduces students from diverse backgrounds to scientific research and encourages them to pursue careers in STEM. You’ll be on campus full-time, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., throughout the program. You’ll conduct research in Duke BME labs on projects in areas like biomedical imaging, biomechanics, neural and immune engineering, synthetic biology, drug and gene delivery, biosensors, biomaterials, health data science, bioelectric engineering, tissue engineering, and computational biology. Alongside lab work, you’ll attend weekly social events and seminars focused on building professional skills, getting advice on the college application process, and exploring careers in engineering.
9. University of Washington’s Changemakers in Computing
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,200
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective | 20-25 students
Dates: July 7 – 31
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who attend high school in Washington State | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This program, designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds and low-income families, allows you to learn about technology, society, and justice. You’ll join a small group led by a current UW student mentor and work on hands-on, culturally relevant projects that build your coding and problem-solving skills. You’ll explore different areas of computing and learn how tech can help create positive change. The program also includes mentorship, career exploration, and opportunities to meet professionals and changemakers from diverse backgrounds. You’ll also get support with college prep, financial aid, and figuring out your future path.
10. OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Online | In-person sessions at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unspecified, but provided
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective | 8 students
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Oregon high school or early college students who are at least 16 before the internship starts
This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to explore healthcare careers with a focus on disability. You’ll learn about disability justice, career paths, and advocacy while developing practical skills. The program includes in-person tours of OHSU labs, clinics, and facilities, along with professional development sessions. You’ll work about 24 hours a week on a project at one of the Institute on Development and Disability (IDD) centers. Depending on your placement, you might gain experience in clinical care, outreach, research, or community-based work. Past projects have included topics like public health, assistive tech, psychology, sexual health education, social work, physical therapy, advocacy, and DEI work. You can review past placements here.
11. Cybersecurity Internship at Arizona State University
Location: Hybrid; mandatory in-person sessions every Tuesday at the CTF Lab at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,800 for full participation; partial completion results in a reduced or no stipend
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective | No details available
Dates: May 27 – July 22
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who live in the Phoenix area
In this program, you’ll be paired with a PhD student mentor who will guide you through the internship in the areas of hacking and computer science. Your mentor will suggest project ideas based on their research, or you can collaborate on a separate one together. If you already have an idea, you’ll work with your mentor to develop it further. You’ll spend about 15–20 hours a week on your project during the internship. Past projects have examined how hosting services handle phishing reports, utilized Python to develop bots that test financial system security, and analyzed how social media ad scams target different demographic groups.
12. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,200 for 25 hours/week, $4,500 for 35 hours/week
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective | 25 interns
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in an SFUSD or San Francisco charter school
This program allows you to explore biomedical research at UC San Francisco over eight weeks. You’ll be paired with a UCSF scientist who’ll guide you through a research project that aligns with your interests. Program coordinators match you with a lab based on your preferences, location, schedule, and other factors. Past projects have covered topics like neuroscience, cancer, immunology, stem cells, developmental biology, molecular biology, and infectious diseases. You’ll also connect with UCSF researchers, strengthen your science communication skills, and grow your network along with receiving college prep support—help with financial aid and transcripts, feedback on resumes and personal statements.
13. University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Provided, but amount unspecified
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: 11% | 5 interns
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 16 years old by May 1 You can check out the eligible high schools here
This internship allows you to explore science-related careers and provides hands-on experience in medical research. It is a collaboration between the College of Medicine Rockford’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pierce Biotechnology), and local school districts. You’ll be part of a research team on the Rockford campus, working with scientists on projects focused on cancer treatment, drug discovery, and vaccine development. You’ll build lab skills throughout the program, and your mentor may continue to guide you beyond the summer, which can be valuable for college and job references. During the two-month program, you’ll also get training in resume writing, interviews, leadership, public speaking, and teamwork.
14. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,000
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: 11% | 30 students
Dates: Eight-week program second week of June first week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who live in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana | At least 16 years old at the time of applying
The ResearcHStart program at UChicago Medicine allows you to do cancer research with guidance from experienced mentors. You’ll learn lab techniques, build a solid foundation in scientific methods, and explore diagnostics and treatments. You’ll strengthen your research, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while exploring areas like biophysics, immunology, biochemistry, cancer research, and pharmacology. Working full-time in a lab, you’ll get experience in topics like cancer immunology, bioengineering, cancer disparities, and experimental therapeutics. The program concludes with a research symposium, where you’ll present your work to peers and university staff.
15. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $40 application fee (Waived for students with financial need) | $500 stipend, $2,500 for eligible students in extra need-based aid
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: 3% | approximately 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old by the program start date
In this program, you will receive one-on-one mentorship in a SIMR lab based on your interest area and gain hands-on experience conducting real scientific research. You can choose from eight research areas: bioinformatics, immunology, cardiovascular biology, bioengineering, cancer biology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, neurobiology, and genetics. The first two weeks consist of morning lectures and afternoon lab work, followed by weekly group discussions. In the last two weeks, you’ll create a research poster to present your work. You can also apply for the bioengineering boot camp if you’re interested in hands-on work without joining a research lab.
Bonus:
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: 10-25% | 500 spots as per last year
Dates: The program runs in four cohorts: spring (March–June), summer (June–August), fall (September–December), and winter (December–February).
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; the upcoming summer cohort deadline is June 23.
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale are encouraged to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week opportunity for high school students to explore a topic based on their interests by working on an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor. Possible subjects include Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Physics, Math, Astrophysics, History, Computer Science, Psychology, Data Science, Engineering, and more. The program includes research method workshops and support for writing a full-length research paper. You can earn a UCSD credit upon completion of the program. Along with one-on-one mentoring, you’ll get help from a writing coach to shape and improve your research topic. Application details are available here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: AI Scholars: generally accessible, AI Fellowship: moderately selective | AI Scholars: 5:1 student/mentor ratio, AI Fellowship: 1:1 student/mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts are offered throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Summer cohort : June 22
Eligibility: AI Scholars: all high school students | AI Fellowship: for students who have either prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students interested in learning about artificial intelligence. Founded and operated by Harvard researchers, the programs are led by instructors from top universities like Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and Princeton. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session introductory course that covers the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science through hands-on projects that tackle real-world problems. If you already have some programming experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a more advanced option where you’ll work one-on-one with a university mentor, someone experienced in AI or machine learning, to develop a research project. You can apply here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Stanford University