If you’re in high school and live in Boston, joining a free summer program can help you learn new skills and figure out what you might want to do in the future without spending a ton of money. Summer programs are great options for students who want to try something more hands-on than what they usually do in school. You might be interested in science, tech, business, healthcare, art, or law; there’s something here for you.
As a participant, you’ll get to work on complex projects, learn from people who do this work every day, and practice skills that are useful for college and jobs. Some programs place you in labs, some in offices, and some in studios.
Choosing a local program is also a smart move if you want to stay close to home and avoid extra costs. You’ll still get high-quality learning, mentorship, and exposure to college-level work, without paying for travel or housing.
To help you choose, here’s a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Boston!
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote – you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded
Application Deadline: 4 annual cohorts run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit that provides research opportunities for high school students from low-income backgrounds. It is connected to the broader Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which offers one-on-one research experiences.
Through the foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program, you can work on an independent research project with support from a PhD mentor. The program is free and follows a structured approach similar to the Individual Research Scholar Program offered by Lumiere Education. If selected, you’ll be paired with a mentor and guided through the research process while focusing on a topic that interests you. You can find the application form here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. You can apply here.
Program dates: Various, according to the cohort
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.
Veritas AI, started by Harvard grads, offers hands-on AI and computer science programs for high school students. If you’re new to the field, you can join the AI Scholars program. Over 10 weeks, you’ll work in a small group, learn Python, dive into topics like neural networks and data science, and build a project by the end.
If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship lets you go deeper. You’ll work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university to build your machine learning project over 12 to 15 weeks. Veritas AI offers financial aid, and some students get full support.
3. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: None
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 23 — July 31
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are residents of Massachusetts and U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents.
The Young Scholars Program at Northeastern University is a free summer research experience for rising high school seniors. You’ll work in university labs alongside faculty and researchers in fields like engineering, health sciences, and computer science. Projects may cover topics such as particle dynamics, machine learning, energy systems, or medical research.
In addition to lab work, you’ll attend faculty-led seminars in areas like biotechnology, robotics, and environmental science. The program also includes site visits to industry and government labs, plus sessions on college and career planning.
4. The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Cost: None; participants will receive a stipend
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: June 18 (8–12 weeks)
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Massachusetts residents and U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents.
The CURE Summer Program is a full-time research experience for Massachusetts high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in cancer and biomedical research. Hosted by Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and its partners, the program places you in research labs where you work alongside scientists and health professionals on real cancer-related projects.
Beyond lab work, the program includes seminars, research discussions, and professional development sessions. You’ll learn how scientific studies are designed and carried out, especially in the life sciences. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work through a research abstract, poster, or oral presentation.
5. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: None; participants will receive an hourly stipend
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July 1 – August 9
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates.
This program gives high school students from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to explore neurology through hands-on research and education. The program begins with a research bootcamp to get you comfortable in the lab setting. Then you’re matched with a faculty mentor and join a research project in neurology. You’ll also take part in weekly discussions with professionals and sessions on academic and career planning. The program ends with a presentation of your research. A stipend is included.
6. Fresh Films Boston Summer Film Program
Location: Charlestown High School, Charlestown, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend is provided for sessions attended by participants
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June (Applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis).
Program Dates: July 10 – August 11
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14 and 18 who reside in Boston can apply.
The Fresh Films Boston Summer Film Program is a five-week paid opportunity for Boston Public High School students to learn the basics of filmmaking. You’ll work on projects like short films, documentaries, and music videos while building skills in planning, shooting, and editing.
You’ll get hands-on experience using professional equipment, including cameras, microphones, lights, and audio tools. You’ll also write scripts, build storyboards, and learn how a film set operates. The program includes sessions on film careers and helps you practice job skills like interviews and workplace communication.
7. Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Both paid and unpaid opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: Typically a 7-week program between July and August.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 19 can apply.
The Museum of Science offers paid internships for high school students looking to gain real-world experience in a museum setting. You work in different departments such as education, visitor services, administration, tech support, and interactive exhibits. The program includes weekly workshops on skills like financial planning, resume writing, and interview prep. You’ll also visit other museums and colleges to explore future career and education options.
8. Judicial Youth Corps (JYC) Program: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Location: Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, MA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend. Interns will receive a stipend of $15 per hour (25 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Program Dates: July 8 — August 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who attend a high school in Boston, Worcester, or Springfield (depending on the location of the application).
The Judicial Youth Corps is a six-week paid summer internship for high school students, sponsored by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. You’ll spend four days a week working in a Suffolk County court, supervised by judges, clerks, attorneys, and probation officers. One day a week is set aside for law-related sessions that cover legal concepts and how the courts work. At the end of the program, you can choose to participate in a mock trial held in federal court.
9. Architecture/Design High School Internship by Boston Society for Architecture (BSA)
Location: Local architecture firms in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid (amount not specified)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March/April.
Program Dates: July 8 — August 16 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students attending Boston Public Schools.
The BSA Summer Internship Program offers public high school students the chance to explore architecture by working at local architecture firms. You’ll assist with tasks related to design, planning, and project development while learning how real firms operate. Firms vary in size and focus, so your experience can match your interests.
You can return in future summers to work with different firms. Alongside the internship, you’ll join the Summer Fridays series, which features hands-on design sessions led by groups like the Sasaki Foundation and The Designery/YouthBuild Boston.
10. Summer Teen Internship Program at the New England Aquarium
Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid (amount not specified)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in late March.
Program Dates: June-August (7 weeks: 1 week of training + 6 weeks of work).
Eligibility: High school students at least 14 years old and residing in Boston and Cambridge.
The New England Aquarium’s Summer Teen Internship Program gives high school students hands-on experience in marine and climate science. The six-week paid program starts with training and includes weekly sessions on career skills and ocean advocacy. You’ll be placed in one of two roles. As a Visitor Services Assistant, you’ll welcome guests and support customer service. As a Conservation Learning Aquarium Guide, you’ll lead activities, explain exhibits, and talk with visitors about marine animals and conservation.
11. Camp Zon by Zon Lab (Boston Children’s Hospital)
Location: Virtual + some in-person components at Zon Lab, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid (amount not specified)
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: July 15 — July 26 (2 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students or rising college freshmen at least 16 years of age and residing in Massachusetts.
Camp Zon gives high school interns the chance to design a research project using zebrafish to study anemia. You’ll work in a team to build a hypothesis, plan experiments, and analyze data. Researchers at the Zon Lab will carry out the lab work, and your team will present your results at the end of the program. The internship also includes lectures on biology and how research connects to clinical care. You’ll learn how to read scientific papers and use basic coding tools. The program includes tours, career panels, and mentoring sessions to help you explore science and research paths.
12. Boston Public Library’s Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: No cost. This is an unpaid internship.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: Fall, spring, and summer opportunities.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
The Boston Public Library’s Teen Volunteer Program lets high school students explore how the library works while building practical skills. You may help with shelving, organizing book lists, setting up displays, finding missing items, or removing outdated materials. You can also lead gaming events and write reviews for books, movies, or games to post on the library’s blog. The program includes workshops on resume writing, interview prep, workplace rights, and how to use library tools like Bibliocommons. Near the end, you’ll give a short presentation on a topic of your choice.
13. High School Apprenticeship Challenge – BioBuilder & Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Location: Greater Boston area (includes BioBuilder Learning Lab in Kendall Square and local biotech labs)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: Spring training (March–May) and full-time summer internship (June–August)
Eligibility: High school students (16+) in Massachusetts with a demonstrated interest in science
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge begins with a spring training course at BioBuilder’s Learning Lab, where you’ll learn lab techniques and core biotech concepts through hands-on sessions. After training, you’ll be matched with a paid summer internship at a biotech company or research lab in the Greater Boston area. During the internship, you’ll get real lab experience and work directly with scientists and researchers. The program ends with a symposium where you present your project and reflect on what you’ve learned.
14. Teen Jobs by Artists for Humanity
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid (amount not mentioned) after the first 36 hours of unpaid training
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July – August (7 weeks). Opportunities are available in the Fall as well
Eligibility: High school students or teens at least 14 years of age, attending a Boston Public School, and/or residing in Boston
Artists for Humanity hires teens to work on real client projects alongside professional artists and designers. You’ll be placed in a creative studio based on your interests—options include painting, 3D design, graphic design, creative tech (like animation or coding), video, or photography. The program starts with an unpaid training period focused on demos and core design skills. After that, you’ll transition to paid work in your studio.
15. Tech Apprentice Program – Boston Private Industry Council
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Paid internship. Amount unspecified
Application Deadline: Typically April
Program Dates: July — August (6–7 weeks)
Eligibility: Boston public high school students entering grades 11 or 12 who have completed at least one tech course
The Tech Apprentice Program places Boston high school students in paid summer internships at local tech companies. You’ll work on tasks like helpdesk support, data entry, or software testing, gaining hands-on experience in IT and workplace operations. In addition to your internship, you’ll attend career workshops and skill-building sessions. The program also introduces you to the broader tech industry in Boston, helping you explore future opportunities and build a strong foundation for a career in technology.
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 – Northeastern University