Free summer programs are one of the most accessible ways to explore a career field without spending a ton of money! If you live in Philadelphia, there’s multiple options you can consider across various subjects. Philadelphia is home to many local universities, hospitals, museums, and research centers that offer fully funded programs for high school students. You might spend your summer working in a lab, joining a pre-college course in law or nursing, or getting field experience in environmental science or neuroscience.
For students based in the city, choosing a local program isn’t just convenient, it’s a financially smart decision. All of these Philadelphia-based programs are fully funded, while many offer stipends or travel support. Whether you’re interested in STEM, healthcare, public service, or the arts, these programs help you grow your experience and build a portfolio that fits your future goals.
To help you get started, here are 15 free summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia!
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: 100% need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars Program is a 10-session bootcamp where you learn core concepts in AI and Python programming. You work on group projects that apply machine learning to real-world problems, and explore topics like neural networks, computer vision, and natural language processing.
The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a 12–15 week advanced program where you work one-on-one with a research mentor to design and complete an independent AI project. You focus on areas like healthcare, finance, climate science, or ethics in AI. You also receive support from Veritas’s publication team to submit your work to high school research journals.
3. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Cost: Free. A stipend is paid
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students from the Greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is a seven-week summer research program where you join a Monell lab and explore questions in sensory science. You focus on areas like neurobiology, genomics, behavior, and chemosensory perception. You contribute to ongoing research using molecular assays, behavioral analysis, and computational tools, depending on your lab placement. You also attend weekly workshops on research ethics, science communication, and careers in biomedicine.
4. Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program
Cost: Free
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 30–August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must commute to campus
Hosted by Penn’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, TREES is a selective research mentorship program focused on environmental health and sustainability. You’ll begin with two weeks of lab-skills training in pipetting, data analysis, and microscopy before transitioning into a self-designed research project under faculty guidance. Project domains range from air pollution to soil contaminants and water quality, with some involving field sampling and GIS-based mapping. The program includes environmental seminars, site visits, and culminates in a public research presentation.
5. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) – University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 7–August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-graders who attend a Philadelphia high school
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Pennsylvania connects local students with five of Penn’s graduate schools for an immersive four-week exploration of STEM and pre-professional pathways. You will be placed into academic tracks such as medicine, nursing, law, dentistry, or engineering, where you’ll engage in hands-on projects, skill-building workshops, and career shadowing activities. Core enrichment includes personal statement writing, SAT prep, time management, and financial literacy modules, all geared toward college readiness. The program concludes with a campus-wide college fair and a final showcase of student learning.
6. STEM Scholars Program – The Franklin Institute
Cost: Free
Location: The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 4 – early August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 13
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area students entering 9th grade; priority for students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
STEM Scholars – The Franklin Institute is a four-year college and career prep program for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. You begin the summer after 8th grade and continue through high school with weekly workshops, mentoring, and STEM-focused field trips. You explore coding, robotics, environmental science, and engineering through hands-on labs and real-world challenges. You also work with STEM professionals and visit local research institutions and industry sites. Rising seniors complete off-site internships and present their work at a final showcase.
7. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) High School Summer Internship
Cost: Free
Location: Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June–August (approx. 6–8 weeks; exact dates not published)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students residing in Philadelphia
PHL’s internship program places high school students in airport departments such as Human Resources, Communications, Capital Development, and Pavement & Grounds. You’ll work around 20 hours per week, participating in team-led projects aligned with your academic or career interests. Through guided mentorship, you will gain transferable workplace skills while learning how major urban infrastructure operates behind the scenes. The program offers insights into public service, aviation careers, and city operations at one of the busiest airports in the country.
8. Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) – Fox Chase Cancer Center
Cost: Free
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: Session 1: July 7–July 11; Session 2: July 21–July 25
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from Philadelphia, New Jersey, or Delaware; must be at least 14 years old by July 7
TRIP is a week-long immersive research program where you will explore the biological impact of diet, inflammation, and environmental stress on health and development. The structure includes three tightly designed phases – Project Design, Experimentation, and Communication. You’ll gain foundational lab skills, conduct hands-on experiments using live models, and apply core techniques in data analysis and critical evaluation. The experience wraps up with a presentation of your findings published on the TRIP website.
9. High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research – The Wistar Institute
Cost: Free. A stipend of $1,500 is provided
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 7–July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by July 7 and have completed at least one science course; priority for School District of Philadelphia students
High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research – The Wistar Institute is a four-week summer program for high school students interested in biomedical science. You’ll train in Wistar’s state-of-the-art lab, learning core techniques and working alongside researchers in cancer biology and immunology. You’ll read scientific literature, explore research careers, and present your findings at the end of the program. The program runs weekdays in July, includes SEPTA passes for travel, and offers a $1,500 stipend.
10. Nursing STEP-UP – Thomas Jefferson University
Cost: Free
Location: Hybrid (virtual and in-person at Jefferson College of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA)
Dates: June 30–July 25
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Nursing STEP-UP introduces students to nursing through a structured four-week curriculum combining academic prep and clinical exposure. The first week features fully virtual SAT prep sessions, followed by in-person experiences in simulation labs, classroom learning, and field visits. You will also receive training in resume writing, time management, and college application planning, with mentorship from Jefferson faculty and peers. The program runs full days Monday through Friday, and includes meals during in-person sessions.
11. Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI) – University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Location: LRSM, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 7–July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the Greater Philadelphia area; must have completed chemistry and/or physics; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI) is a free, four-week materials science program hosted by Penn’s NSF-funded MRSEC center. You’ll join 14 selected students for hands-on lab modules, faculty-led lectures, and workshops focused on advanced instrumentation like scanning electron microscopes, thermal analyzers, and motion capture systems. You’ll tour facilities like the GRASP Lab and Singh Center for Nanotechnology, work on group research projects, and write lab reports that simulate college-level coursework.
12. Neurology High School Scholars Program – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Cost: Free. A stipend of $1,000 is provided
Location: CHOP Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 14–August 15; final poster presentation on August 21
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; must be 16+ by July 14; open to students with daily commute access to CHOP.
Neurology High School Scholars Program – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a five-week, paid summer internship for high school students interested in neuroscience, psychology, or medicine. You’ll be placed in a neuroscience lab or clinical department at CHOP, where you’ll work alongside neurologists and neuroscientists on an independent research project. You might conduct lab experiments, analyze clinical data, or shadow physicians, depending on your placement. Each week includes seminars on neurology and medical research, and you’ll develop a research poster to present at a final conference.
13. Forensic Sciences Mentoring Institute (FMI) – CFSRE
Cost: Free (scholarship-based)
Location: CFSRE Lab, Horsham, PA (commutable from Philadelphia)
Dates: June 23–August 8 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students (preference for juniors/seniors); must be 16+ by June 23; must have passed Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry
Forensic Sciences Mentoring Institute (FMI) – CFSRE is a free, seven-week summer program where high school students investigate a mock crime using real forensic science techniques. You’ll rotate through forensic biology, chemistry, and toxicology labs, analyzing evidence with professional tools like GC-MS and DNA kits. The experience ends in a courtroom simulation where you present your findings as an expert witness. Beyond lab work, the program includes field trips to NMS Labs, college prep support, and community-building activities like talent shows and outdoor events.
14. Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) – Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Cost: Free. A stipend of $17.53/hour for up to 35 hours/week
Location: Arts and culture organizations across Philadelphia
Dates: June 20–August 15 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Philadelphia
Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) is a full-time summer program for rising high school seniors that places you with arts and cultural organizations across cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Detroit. You might work at a museum, music venue, theater, or community arts project, gaining real-world experience while building your professional skills. Each week, you’ll join structured workshops focused on public speaking, college planning, and self-advocacy. After the summer, you may have the chance to continue in a part-time role during the school year.
15. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division
Cost: Free. A stipend of $4,000 for first-time participants, and $4,500 for returning participants
Location: U.S. Navy Lab – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD)
Dates: June–August (8 weeks; exact dates vary by lab)
Application Deadline: November 1 (applications open August 1)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 10–12 (must be 16+ by start date); strong academic performance in STEM subjects required
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a prestigious, eight-week summer internship that places you in one of the U.S. Navy research labs to work on real defense-related projects. If selected for the Philadelphia Division, you might assist with mechanical, electrical, or software engineering research, gaining exposure to naval propulsion systems, shipboard technologies, and modeling tools. You’ll be paired with a professional scientist or engineer who mentors you throughout the experience. You’ll also contribute to ongoing Department of the Navy R&D efforts, complete weekly deliverables, and build skills in technical writing and lab safety.
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 – The Wistar Institute