If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, joining a research program in the field is worth considering. These programs give you a chance to understand the subject in depth by working on complex projects and seeing how computer science is applied beyond textbooks.
You’ll learn to use tools like Python, Java, and Scratch to solve problems and test your ideas. Along the way, you’ll develop necessary skills like breaking down problems, analyzing data, and thinking through challenges step by step. These skills not only prepare you for college-level studies but also for internships and future projects.
All the programs listed here either offer financial aid or are free. Many are highly competitive, and being selected carries strong value because of their reputation and the tough selection process.
To help you choose the best option, we’ve put together a list of 15 computer science summer research opportunities for high school students that provide financial aid!
15 Computer Science Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students That Offer Financial Aid
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – CS Track
Program Dates: Vary by cohort. The summer cohort runs from June to August.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23.
Cost: Full financial aid is available
Location: Online
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week virtual research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor. You pick your topic from fields like computer science, engineering, psychology, or economics, and build an original research paper from start to finish.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a 12-week virtual research experience where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor. In the computer science track, you choose your topic within areas like machine learning, artificial intelligence, or computational biology.
The program is structured to guide you through building a research question, reviewing academic papers, designing methods, and writing a full research paper. You meet weekly with your mentor, who is a PhD researcher from universities like MIT, Harvard, or Oxford.
You get feedback on your drafts, learn how to structure academic writing, and use tools like Overleaf to format your paper.
2. Veritas AI
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The summer (II) deadline is June 22
Cost: $2,290 (financial aid available)
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students interested in AI
Veritas AI, started by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who want to learn and work with artificial intelligence.
If you’re just beginning, the AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp where you’ll learn the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science by working on real-world projects. You’ll use Python to build simple models and learn how algorithms like decision trees and neural networks work. This track is designed to prepare you for advanced research.
If you already know the basics and want to do a deeper project, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase lets you work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university. Over 12 to 15 weeks, you pick a topic that combines AI with another subject like healthcare, finance, or climate science.
3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Program Dates: June 16- June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost: $850 (financial aid is available)
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students above the age of 14 and with strong programming skills
Stanford offers a research internship where you work in university labs on AI applications in healthcare and medical imaging. You use real clinical datasets to build machine learning models aimed at solving medical problems. The program includes technical training, research mentorship, and structured guidance from Stanford faculty and graduate students.
You work in a team with other students and researchers, focusing on how AI tools can be used in diagnosis, treatment planning, or medical imaging analysis. Social events and skill-building sessions are also part of the program.
4. Girls Who Code: Summer Immersion Program
Program Dates: Two weeks in Summer ( Dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 26 (students can join the waitlist for the next program)
Cost: Free (financial aid available)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school girls entering grades 9–12
Girls Who Code offers a Summer Immersion Program for high school students to learn computer science fundamentals. You take live virtual classes in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, and get an introduction to UX design. The program is hosted in partnership with tech companies and includes workshops, guest talks, and career panels.
You work on hands-on coding projects that focus on real-world problem solving. The curriculum also includes sessions on teamwork, communication, and leadership. It is tuition-free. Eligible students can also receive need-based scholarships of up to 350 USD to cover participation-related costs.
5. Stanford AI4ALL
Program Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 24
Cost: $4,000 (if accepted). Financial aid is available.
Location: Online
Eligibility: 9th graders above the age of 14, with computer skills
Stanford’s AI4All is a three-week online program for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. You work on hands-on research projects in areas like robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing.
The program includes daily instruction, mentoring from Stanford researchers, and group work on real-world AI problems. You also take part in sessions focused on ethics, bias in AI, and how AI is shaping industries and society.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Program Dates: June 22- August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Cost: Free; meals and boarding provided
Location: Texas Tech University
Eligibility: Must be 17 years old by the start of the program, highly qualified high school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week residential research program where you work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on an independent project. In the computer science and electrical engineering tracks, you can explore areas like machine learning, computer vision, software development, signal processing, embedded systems, or robotics.
You spend 40 hours a week in labs and academic settings, learning how to design experiments, analyze data, write abstracts, and present research findings. Skills you develop may include Python programming, MATLAB, C++, data visualization, and academic writing. Weekly seminars cover topics in research methods, ethics, and scientific communication.
7. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March
Cost: Free (financial aid covers travel and lodging)
Location: Various US cities and virtual
Eligibility: High school seniors planning to study CS in college
Google CSSI is a three‑week, fully funded summer program for graduating high school seniors entering CS‑related degrees. You spend weekdays coding in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Google App Engine, learn algorithms and data structures, and build a team project showcased to Google engineers. You also attend career workshops and get support via a 10:1 instructor ratio.
8. Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Summer Internship Program
Program Dates: June – August (varies)
Application Deadline: Early Spring
Cost: Paid Internship
Location: Danville, VA
Eligibility: High school student planning to attend college in the next session
The IALR Summer Internship Program is an eight-week, in-person research internship in Danville, Virginia. You work 28 hours per week under the guidance of a mentor in one of several specialized tracks, including Coding and Robotics, IT, Data Analysis, Agricultural Technology, Biotechnology, and Advanced Materials.
In the Coding and Robotics track, you may use Python, C++, and Arduino to develop prototypes or automate systems. The IT and Data Analysis tracks focus on using Excel, Power BI, and scripting to clean, analyze, and visualize large datasets.
In Biotechnology, you may work in lab settings doing DNA extraction, sample testing, and operating basic lab equipment. The Agricultural Technology track includes work on sensor-based systems, crop data modeling, and machine-assisted field trials.
9. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Program Dates: June 18–August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Cost: Free (except for a $25 application fee, which can be waived)
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person (Fairfax, VA)
Eligibility: Remote: Must be at least 15 years old; In-person/hybrid (computer labs): 15+; In-person/hybrid (wet labs): 16+
ASSIP gives high school students a chance to work closely with George Mason University faculty on research projects over eight weeks. You’ll focus on one project in areas like cybersecurity, digital innovation, or natural language processing.
You’ll use professional tools, improve your technical writing, and attend talks and career panels. Past students have worked on projects such as dark pattern detection, UI design, and bias in machine learning.
10. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Program Dates: May-August
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Eligibility: At least 16 years available for full-time enrollment
Sandia offers fully mentored R&D internships for students aged 16+ in New Mexico and California. You work on real projects under Sandia scientists and engineers—options include AI, high-performance systems, cybersecurity, aerospace, robotics, and sensor tech.
You join seminars, site tours, and social events alongside your technical work. Expect hands-on coding, system analysis, or hardware testing, depending on your track. The environment is structured and secure—interns report needing escorts early on.
11. Introduction to Computer Science at Brown Pre-College Program
Program Dates: July 7- 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Cost: $4545 (Online) & $6,134- $$8006 (On-campus)
Location: Online and On-campus
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12 with a coding background
Brown University’s Pre-College Program includes over 230 courses, one of which is Introduction to Computer Science with Rust. This course teaches the fundamentals of programming and computational theory using the Rust programming language.
You will learn how to write and debug Rust code through hands-on projects that focus on logic, algorithms, and problem-solving.
The course covers how Rust manages memory safely without a garbage collector, how to use pattern matching and enums, and how to write code using functions and modules. You also explore foundational computer science concepts such as recursion, data types, and error handling.
12. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Program Dates: June- August (Depending on college and sessions)
Application Deadline: May 16
Cost: $3,149 to $7,501 (Depends on the course)
Location: Varies
Eligibility: Assessment-based
Johns Hopkins CTY offers in-person summer courses for advanced students in computer science and tech. You can take Data Structures and Algorithms or Foundations of Programming, using Java or Python to build efficient algorithms and foundational coding skills.
The Robotics course provides hands-on experience using platforms like VEX or LEGO to solve design challenges. CTY also offers a Cryptology class focused on basic encryption methods. These courses are run at partner campuses (Loyola Marymount, Ursinus, Roger Williams).
13. University of New Hampshire Tech Camp
Program Dates: July 7 – 25 (Multiple Weekly Batches)
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: $700 per week (Additional $650 for residence). Financial aid is available.
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham Campus
Eligibility: High school students interested in technology
The University of New Hampshire’s Tech Camp is a summer STEM program for middle and high school students. It offers hands-on tracks in computer coding, electrical engineering, game development, and robotics.
In the computer science tracks, you learn JavaScript through p5.js to create interactive visuals and use Phaser to build browser-based games. You also get introduced to coding logic, event handling, sprites, and debugging. Engineering and electronics modules include circuit building, breadboarding, and sensor programming using Arduino kits.
You work in lab environments with college faculty and industry professionals, building problem-solving, programming, and hardware skills. Some tracks are funded by the National Science Foundation or NASA and are free.
14. MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science)
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 15
Cost: Free (Room and boarding included)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: High-achieving high school juniors
MITES offers free, multi-week STEM programs for U.S. juniors and seniors. The Summer track is an intense six-week on-campus experience where you study core subjects (math, physics, life sciences, humanities) and a hands-on elective like robotics or machine learning.
The Semester track combines online STEM courses with college prep and culminates in an in-person conference. The Saturdays track offers ongoing support for local students. You gain skills in calculus, physics, biology, electronics, embedded systems, coding, data analysis, and scientific communication.
15. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars Program
Program Dates: June 21.- July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Free
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Eligibility: Students above the age of 16 with an interest in computer science
Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) offers a four-week residential track called Computer Science Scholars (CSS) for high school juniors. You learn core programming skills in Python with a focus on logic, algorithms, and data structures.
The program includes daily lectures, coding labs, and group-based technical projects that apply computer science to real-world issues in education, public health, or social justice. You also take part in academic writing, problem-solving workshops, and college prep sessions. The curriculum is designed and taught by CMU faculty and graduate students.
Image source – Carnegie Mellon