If you’re a high school student who wants to test-drive a STEM major before finalizing a field, then free university STEM summer programs for high school students are one of the best ways to do that.
These programs focus on core STEM skills like coding, lab techniques, data analysis, mathematical modeling, and engineering design. Some include independent research, while others focus on structured problem sets or lab modules. You will not only attend lectures but do actual work that mirrors what undergraduate students and researchers spend their time on.
Free university STEM summer programs for high school students give you a taste of the pace and expectations of college-level work, building a strong foundation for future studies. You’ll also get to work with faculty or grad students, use university resources, and figure out what parts of STEM you enjoy (or don’t). Whether you want to go deep into biology or test your interest in CS or physics, this list of free university STEM summer programs for high school students is a solid place to start.
Here are 15 free university STEM summer programs for high school students.
1. MITES Summer Program – MIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Late June – Early August
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors | Permanent residents
MIT’s MITES Summer Program’s curriculum involves math, physics, and life sciences, along with hands-on, project-based electives such as Engineering Design, Architecture, Machine Learning, and Electronics. You will take advanced courses in calculus, physics, and biology while working on daily problem sets and collaborative projects. The program includes lab tours, admissions workshops, and mentoring from MIT faculty and students. It prioritizes students from underrepresented and underserved communities and is designed to simulate the pace and expectations of STEM undergrad life. You’ll learn to approach problems analytically and collaborate in a fast-paced, academic environment. The program is apt for students exploring engineering, science, or college-level math workloads.
2. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon Campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free (students cover travel)
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 21 – August 2 (Virtual Jumpstart: June 16–17)
Eligibility: 11th grade at the time of application submission | At least 16 years old by the program start date | U.S. citizen or permanent resident
SAMS blends core STEM instruction with small-group research in areas like engineering and computational thinking. The program begins with a virtual prep session, followed by six weeks of in-person classes and labs. You will be part of classroom sessions, hands-on projects, mentoring, and workshops, and explore advanced math, science, and engineering topics, gaining clarity into college admissions and STEM careers. You will present your work in a final symposium. The program offers ongoing virtual opportunities to support continued growth and is beneficial for students who want to combine lab-style collaboration with structured academic coursework. You will develop skills in problem-solving, presentation, and research readiness.
3. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 8 (Virtual in June; In-person July – August)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are NYC residents and attend NYC high schools
This 10-week program involves engaging in hands-on activities under expert mentorship which helps you develop foundational STEM research skills. You will spend four weeks in virtual training in research preparation, lab safety training, college writing, and research skills, followed by six weeks of working in one of over 80 NYU research labs under the guidance of faculty and researchers. Projects span computer science, AI, robotics, bioengineering, and molecular science. You will present your work at the end of the program and receive a stipend of $1,000. The program blends virtual skill-building with hands-on research and is tailor made for NYC students interested in lab experience and faculty mentorship.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Application Deadlines: Varying deadlines based on cohort. June 23 is summer cohort 2 deadline
Dates: Summer cohort – July 14 onwards | Fall cohort – September 24 onwards
Eligibility: Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 | Typically from households earning less than $50,000
Part of the flagship Lumiere Research Scholar Program, the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation offers students to work 1-on-1 with PhD mentors on a research paper in fields like neuroscience, engineering, or data science. The project is Ideal for students ready to get into academic research and gain experience with technical tools where you will learn to use Python, R, or Stata to analyze data. The program offers flexibility in topic and pace while developing long-term research thinking. The 1:1 mentorship and research experience make your college applications stand out and open avenues for future academic opportunities and STEM careers. You can also gain a UCSD credit upon completion. You can apply here.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school juniors and seniors (16+)
SIMR offers one-on-one mentorship with faculty and Stanford researchers in labs to work in fields like immunology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, genetics, and neuroscience. Designed for students with an interest in biomedical science, SIMR combines theory and application in a university setting. You will conduct hands-on experiments and work on a real-world project addressing a medical need under the guidance of mentors. Optional tracks include a design sprint focused on medical innovation. You will give a formal poster presentation of your research at the end, gaining practical skills in experimental design and critical thinking, and receive a stipend anywhere between $500–$1500.
6. Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 15
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders only based out of New York City and Nassau County
This three-week program introduces high school students to cybersecurity and computer science. It involves modules on ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, steganography, privacy, data usage, and other cybersecurity-related fields. You will have hands-on cyber security training, practice coding, and programming, and analyze real-world security. The program also includes an improv-based communication and public speaking workshop taught by theater artists. You do not need to have any background in coding or technology-related fields prior to this program. The experience helps you build early confidence in cyber tools and terminology and is ideal for beginners curious about real-world applications of CS.
7. Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Northeastern University
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 20
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Eligibility: Permanent Massachusetts residents living within commuting distance of an hour | Entering 12th grade | At least 3.5 unweighted GPA
YSP offers Massachusetts-based high school students an opportunity to engage in hands-on research. You will work daily in science and engineering labs on topics like biotechnology, cancer research, and energy systems. Past lab projects have involved agent-based modeling simulation to explore questions about active particles in flow, exploring and optimizing battery chemistries that can be combined to meet the energy demands of remote islands and more. The program also includes career seminars where you will gain an insight into the diverse engineering fields, and field visits to Biogen, MIT Chemical Engineering Labs, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, etc. You will present your final research at a student symposium.
8. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Various NIH campuses (including Bethesda, MD)
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks, starting in June
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents | 18+ years old by June 1 | Currently enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school OR an accredited community college, college, or university as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student at the time of application OR accepted into an accredited graduate program for the fall semester with the expectation of attending at least half-time
NIH’s Summer Internship Program offers high school students an avenue to explore careers in research and healthcare. It offers basic, translational, and clinical research opportunities in NIH research labs to assist with studies in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, public health, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, biology, engineering, bioinformatics, and more. You will receive mentorship from NIH researchers, are part of professional development programs, and educational and career advising, and will present your work at a poster symposium. Stipends are provided based on lab location and grade level. This is one of the few federal research opportunities open to high schoolers and is ideal for future pre-med or public health majors.
9. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Davis, WV (Monongahela National Forest)
Cost: Free (includes travel, meals, and lodging)
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Eligibility: High school graduates between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2026
The National Youth Science Camp is a prestigious, fully-funded residential program for two outstanding high school graduates from each U.S. state and select international countries. It combines science seminars, hands-on labs, and outdoor fieldwork in the Appalachian Mountains, specifically the Monongahela National Forest. You will attend lectures taken by leading STEM professionals and be part of hands-on directed studies. You will also take part in interdisciplinary STEM activities, scientific seminars, outdoor adventures like rock climbing and caving, and cultural and scientific trips to Washington D.C. The setting encourages academic depth and leadership development and is a strong fit for students who like science and adventure.
10. RSI – Research Science Institute (MIT)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January for US citizens and March for international students
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors (U.S. and international) with strong academic ability
Hosted at MIT, RSI combines advanced STEM coursework with immersive research. You will be one of 100 top students from around the globe selected to participate in this prestigious program. The first week involves intensive classes taught by MIT professors, followed by a five-week research internship under the guidance of scientists and researchers where you will work on real-world research projects in fields like physics, bioengineering, machine learning, biology, chemistry, engineering, math, physics, and humanities. This exposure will help you develop subject expertise, analytical skills, and scientific communication. The program culminates in a written research paper and oral presentation.
11. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Location: Texas University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors with demonstrated academic excellence | 17 years old by the program start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program allows you to do hands-on research under the guidance of experienced faculty. Over seven weeks, you will conduct research in STEM disciplines such as cancer biology, physics, chemistry, cellular microbiology, mechanical engineering, molecular biology, or computer science. The program includes seminars, research presentations, discussion groups, community engagement, and field trips. The program has a small cohort where students receive close mentorship and extensive lab access, and is ideal for highly driven applicants interested in publishing or academic research. You will develop critical thinking abilities along with receiving a tax-free stipend of $750.
12. SSRP – Simons Summer Research Program (Stony Brook University)
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | 16 years old at the start of the program
SSRP is a three-week, fully-funded program for students interested in physical and life sciences. Students join active research labs at Stony Brook, working full-time under the supervision of faculty mentors on an independent research project. Research areas include biomedical informatics, biochemistry, orthopedics, medicine, civil engineering, computer science, pharmacological sciences, cell biology, atmospheric sciences, astronomy, mechanical engineering, neurobiology, math, geosciences, and more. You’ll also attend weekly seminars, and workshops and gain hands-on lab experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and following research protocols, along with learning to write research abstracts and interpret peer-reviewed papers. The program culminates in a final presentation.
13. USC Bridge Institute BUGS Jr. Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 18
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Eligibility: Current high school students or incoming freshman | U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, or already in the U.S. with a valid immigration status
The BUGS Jr. program allows you to do research on subjects related to the human body—biomedical materials, computational or animal models of disease, and other human health-related topics. You will be paired with USC faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows depending on your research area to conduct guided, hands-on research at advanced USC research labs. Along with research activities, you will also participate in journal clubs, technical panels, campus tours, multidisciplinary social mixers, research seminars, and career symposia. At the end of the program, you will present your research results in a summer symposium and receive a stipend of $800.
14. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
Location: Online | NASA field centres (e.g., Johnson Space Center, TX)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: October 16
Dates: October – April (Online) | June – July (In-person Summer)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens residing in Texas
NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars program offers high school juniors a year-long opportunity related to NASA’s mission and technologies. This hybrid program includes an online course followed by a summer experience at a NASA center. You will first learn about space exploration, earth science, aeronautics, and engineering through interactive modules, design challenges, and tech-driven assignments in the five-month online segment. Students who excel in the online segment, get selected for ‘Moonshot,’ a five-day summer experience where they work on engineering challenges, mission simulations, and team-based aerospace projects guided by NASA professionals. The program is ideal for those interested in engineering, astronomy, or government research.
15. UC Irvine – Summer Youth Science Fellowship Program (YSFP)
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in Orange County High Schools | Must have completed one biology and chemistry/lab class
Hosted by UCI’s Cancer Research Institute, this six-week program places high schoolers in cancer research labs for a hands-on research experience. Students work 30 hours a week on lab projects, learn molecular biology and lab protocols under the mentorship of UCI faculty and graduate students, and present their work at a final research symposium. The program is unique for its specialized focus on cancer research and providing a genuine, in-depth research experience at the university level, which significantly boosts college applications. You can expect a full-time lab schedule, real technical training, and a preview of what working in biomedical research feels like.
Bonus option – Veritas AI – AI Research Program
Location: Remote
Application Deadlines: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students globally; AI Fellowship applicants must have prior Python/AI experience or have completed AI Scholars
Hosted by Harvard alumni, Veritas AI offers high school students the chance to explore artificial intelligence through structured mentorship and independent research. Students start with a foundational AI Scholars module, a 10-session boot camp covering key concepts like supervised learning, neural networks, and data ethics. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. In the AI Fellowship, you will work 1-on-1 with mentors on original projects — often using Python, TensorFlow, and real-world datasets. Research output can be submitted to high school journals or competitions. 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 – University of California, Irvine