If you want to build real research skills at one of the world’s top universities, Harvard’s summer programs are a great place to start. Whether you’re interested in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, computational biology, environmental policy, or entrepreneurship, these programs give you hands-on experience with cutting-edge research.
You’ll learn skills like DNA sequencing, machine learning, climate modeling, business strategy, and medical data analysis, all essential for careers in fields like biotechnology, artificial intelligence, public health, and sustainable energy. Working alongside Harvard faculty and researchers, you’ll gain the expertise needed to tackle real-world challenges and prepare for college-level academics.
To help you get started, here are 15 Harvard research programs for high school students!
(Note: Some programs may not focus on traditional research but offer opportunities to engage with real-world data and concepts)
15 Harvard Research Programs for High School Students
1. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
This year-long program lets high school students dive into real astrophysics research with scientists from Harvard and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Each year, 10–16 students join small teams, working on projects that involve data analysis, observational astronomy, and computational modeling.
You’ll attend monthly workshops and lectures to build your research skills and learn more about astrophysics. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a research symposium, sharing your work through posters and presentations.
Location: Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Application Deadline: Applications are expected to open in May for the next cohort.
Program Dates: September — May
Eligibility: Must be a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student, but they are looking to broaden the scope of their program.
2. Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center’s CURE Summer Only Program
The Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center’s Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) Summer Program gives high school and college students hands-on experience in cancer research. Over 8–12 weeks, you’ll work at top cancer research institutions, learning about cancer prevention, treatment, and potential cures.
You’ll gain experience with lab techniques, data analysis, and clinical research, working alongside scientists and medical professionals. You will also explore fields like molecular biology, genetics, and oncology while contributing to cancer research projects.
Location: Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost, weekly stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: 8 — 12 weeks starting June 18
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or college freshmen, sophomores, juniors; must be at least 16, reside in or attend school in Massachusetts, and travel to Boston’s Longwood Medical Area five days a week in summer.
3. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) gives high school students the chance to work on real research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Over six weeks, you’ll team up with Broad scientists to explore fields like cancer biology, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, computational biology, and infectious disease.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with gene editing, bioinformatics, drug discovery, microscopy, and data analysis, developing skills used in biomedical research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences. Beyond research, you’ll also attend scientific talks, explore career paths in science, and present your work at a poster session.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost. Stipend of $3600 provided.
Application Deadline: January 22
Program Dates: June 30 — August 8
Eligibility: Must be a rising senior in high school attending a Massachusetts school within commuting distance to the Broad, have earned a B or better in science and math classes, show enthusiasm for science, and be available for the entire 6-week duration, with no prior research experience required.
4. Harvard Medical School MEDScience Program
The MedScience Summer Programs at Harvard Medical School give high school students hands-on experience in medicine, research, and patient care. Throughout the program, you’ll work with Harvard Medical School staff and healthcare professionals, learning how medical concepts apply to real-life situations.
You’ll use high-tech medical simulation equipment to practice patient care, then move to the lab to analyze patient samples, conduct experiments, and explore clinical diagnostics. The program also includes MEDchats, where you’ll meet doctors, nurses, and researchers.
Location: Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $2800 for all programs other than MEDscienceTECH Moonshot Visionaries which is $5800. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: March 25
Program Dates: HMS MEDscience Summer Programs are one-week, day-long programs. HMS MEDscienceTECH Moonshot Visionaries Summer Program is a 2-week day-long program.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, in grades 9–12 at the time of application. There are grade and age exceptions with the MEDscienceLAB, MEDscienceLAB Forensics, and MEDscienceTECH Moonshot Visionaries programs. For more details, click here.
5. Harvard Summer Business Academy — Entrepreneurship
Some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO) have started their journeys at Harvard. If you’re a high school student with a passion for business, the Entrepreneurship Academy at Harvard is a chance to develop the skills needed to launch and grow a startup.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of financial literacy, business strategy, and market analysis while working on your business idea. Throughout the program, you’ll explore business planning, product-market fit, and SWOT analysis, gaining hands-on experience in market research and customer validation. You’ll also practice crafting elevator pitches, analyzing business case studies, and presenting to mock investors. On the final day, you’ll pitch your business idea to judges.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 9 —13 | June 23 — 27 | July 14 — 18 | July 28 — August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
6. Harvard Summer Coding Academy — Python
The Introduction to Python Academy at Harvard teaches high school students the fundamentals of programming using Python. The program covers key concepts like data types, variables, loops, conditionals, functions, lists, and dictionaries.
You will also gain experience using for and while loops, and learn to create custom functions. The program focuses on practical skills, including designing, coding, testing, and debugging Python programs. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in Python programming, enabling you to write basic scripts and functions.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 7 — 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
7. Harvard T.H Chan’s Youth Summit on Climate, Equity, & Health
Harvard T.H. Chan’s Youth Summit on Climate, Equity, & Health is a week-long program held in Boston for high school students interested in climate and health issues. You’ll participate in workshops and field-based activities designed to teach you how to be a climate leader in your community. The summit includes opportunities to meet with scientists, health and policy experts, and energy innovators. While it does not focus on traditional research projects, you’ll engage with ongoing research in climate science, public health, and policy.
Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Cost: $4890
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 12 — 19
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently in grades 9–12.
8. Harvard Summer Coding Academy — Web Development
Harvard’s Coding: Introduction to Web Development Academy teaches high school students the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll learn how to build web pages from scratch, style them with CSS, and add interactive elements using JavaScript.
Throughout the course, you’ll create a functional website, apply design principles, and develop problem-solving skills for web development. By the end, you’ll complete a final project, building a website based on your interests or an entrepreneurial idea.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 14–18
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
9. Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program gives high school students a chance to take college-level courses in a campus setting. Over two weeks, you’ll explore subjects that match your interests without worrying about grades.
With small class sizes (around 15 students), you’ll interact directly with Ivy League faculty. Some courses may include research-based learning, depending on the subject. Outside of class, you’ll participate in campus activities, experiencing college life firsthand. The program runs in three sessions, allowing flexibility in scheduling.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Application Deadlines: April 9
Program Dates: Session 1: June 22–July 3 | Session 2: July 6–18 | Session 3: July 20–August 1
Eligibility: This program is open to rising juniors and seniors.
10. Harvard Summer Pre-Med Academy — Anatomy & Physiology
Harvard Pre-Med: Human Anatomy and Physiology Academy introduces high school students to the human body’s major systems, including cardiology, pulmonology, dermatology, and nephrology. You’ll learn how to interpret medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, as well as analyze blood work to detect medical conditions.
While not a traditional research program, the course covers techniques used in medical research, particularly in diagnostic imaging and pathology. You’ll also participate in case study simulations, acting as emergency room doctors or triage nurses to diagnose and analyze patient conditions based on real medical data.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 2 — 6 | June 16 — 20 | July 7 — 11 | July 21 — 25 | August 4 — 8
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
11. Harvard Summer Crimson Internship Program
The Summer Crimson program at Harvard University provides high school students from the Greater Boston area with hands-on experience in journalism through an internship with The Harvard Crimson, the university’s student-run newspaper. You’ll engage in enterprise journalism, work on innovative projects, and contribute to the newspaper’s editorial and business operations during the summer months when regular Crimson editors are away.
The program is led by full-time reporting and business staff, with a limited number of in-person internships available for local students. While the primary focus is on news writing, editing, and media business operations, certain roles may offer opportunities to engage in research-driven journalism projects. This internship allows students to develop reporting skills, gain newsroom experience, and contribute to The Crimson’s journalistic mission.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost, information about stipend not provided.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: Runs from September to May. Specific dates vary with the internship role.
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen who attend high school in the Greater Boston area can apply.
12. Harvard Secondary School Program (SSP)
Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP) allows high school students to take college-level courses for credit. You can choose between a 4-week residential program or a 7-week option, which offers residential, online, or commuting formats. The program lets you enroll in one or two courses, providing flexibility to explore subjects of interest while experiencing a structured college-style schedule.
Courses are taught by Harvard faculty and visiting professors, many of whom also teach Harvard College students during the academic year. While SSP is not specifically research-focused, certain courses may incorporate research components or academic inquiry. Upon completion, you can earn college credit and request an official transcript listing your coursework, grades, and credits earned.
Location: Residential (Harvard University, MA), Online, or Commuting options.
Cost: $4,600–$7,050. More information here.
Application Deadline: February 12 (4-week programs) | April 9 (7-week programs)
Program Dates: July 14 — August 7 (4-week program) | June 23 — August 8 (7-week program)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, will not turn 19 before July 31, 2025, and are expected to graduate from high school and enter college in 2025, 2026, or 2027.
13. Harvard Summer Pre-Med Academy — Biology & Chemistry
Harvard’s On-Campus Summer Pre-Med: Biology and Chemistry Academy introduces high school students to key medical and scientific topics, including genetics, immunology, CRISPR, and organic chemistry. The program covers disease mechanisms and provides a foundational understanding of conditions such as Down Syndrome and Sickle Cell Anemia.
The academy explores scientific concepts related to medical research, particularly in genetics and CRISPR. Students will also study organic chemistry, learning about hydrocarbon structures and naming conventions. The program culminates in a final presentation on a disease or genetic disorder.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 9 — 13 | June 23 — 27 | July 14 — 18 | July 28 — August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
14. Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops
Harvard Debate Council offers summer workshops for high school students, covering Public Speaking, Public Forum Debate, Congressional Debate, Policy Debate, World Schools, and Lincoln-Douglas Debate. You will learn from experienced instructors who have competed at high levels.
The curriculum focuses on argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. In courses like Congressional Debate, you will research legislation, national issues, and current events to build strong, evidence-based arguments. The program helps you refine debating techniques and persuasive communication while engaging with important topics.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Varies based on the specific workshop. Most residential sessions are $4,049.
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are full
Program Dates: Session 1: June 29 — July 11 | Session 2: July 13 — July 25
Eligibility: High school students are eligible but specific criteria vary based on the workshop selected.
15. Harvard Summer Introductory Economics Academy
Harvard’s Finance: Introductory Economics Academy introduces high school students to microeconomics and macroeconomics, covering market dynamics, supply and demand, government policies, and economic decision-making. You will analyze real-world data, interpret economic trends, and explore how economic theories shape daily life through case studies and interactive projects.
The program includes topics like market equilibrium, fiscal and monetary policies, international trade, and personal finance strategies such as budgeting and investment.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Generous need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 16 — 20 | July 14–18 | July 28 — August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
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: Harvard University
