If you are a high school student interested in physics, then a summer program in the field is worth considering. Not only will it be a productive way to spend your school break, but also a way to cover key concepts like quantum mechanics, optics, particle physics, and more, in detail, beyond the school curriculum.
These programs may also have a hands-on research component, project work, coursework, or other activities that can help you learn more about the field and the career opportunities it offers. Summer programs in physics can also help you develop skills like teamwork, communication, and data collection and analysis, that’ll come in handy while applying to future research projects and internships in the field.
If this sounds like something you would like to explore, here we have listed 15 physics summer research programs for high school students!
15 Physics Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Physics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Individual Research Program – $2,990; Premium Research & Publication Program – $5,900; Lumiere Research Fellowship – $8,900 (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohorts. Check here for more information.
Program Dates: Summer Cohort I – June 2 (tentatively); Summer Cohort II – July 14 (tentatively); Duration of the program ranges from 12 weeks to 12 months, depending on the type of program chosen.
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual research opportunity where you can work one-on-one with a researcher from a top university on a project in a field like astrophysics, engineering, or another area you choose. You’ll design and complete your research project over 12 weeks to 12 months, depending on which track you join.
Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to build a research question, collect and analyze data, and write a formal academic paper. You’ll get weekly support from your mentor, and a writing coach will help you structure and edit your research paper.
If you’re accepted into the Premium Research & Publication Program or the Lumiere Research Fellowship, you’ll also work with a publication expert to improve your paper for submission to college-level journals. For information on the application and selection process, click here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program – Fluid Dynamics and Physics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (Financial aid available)
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic standing (GPA > 3.67/4.0) are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon is a trimester-long online research program where you can study subjects like physics, data science, psychology, chemistry, or political theory. You’ll choose your research topic and decide whether to use quantitative or qualitative methods, then work one-on-one with a professor or PhD researcher from a top university.
If you are interested in physics, the Fluid Dynamics and Physics course may be a good option for you. During the program, you’ll write a 20-page research paper and build skills in academic writing, data analysis, and critical thinking. You’ll also get support to submit your work to journals for possible publication.
You’ll finish with detailed feedback, a letter of recommendation, and a research project you can use for future applications or college resumes. Apply here!
3. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Remote or at NASA U.S. field centers, depending on the project.
Cost/Stipend: Free. You may receive a stipend based on academic level and internship duration.
Application Deadline: February 27 (tentatively)
Dates: 10-week program, from late May or early June to August
Eligibility: Be a U.S. citizen; a full-time high school student who is at least 16 years of age at the time of application; GPA of ≥ 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program lets you work with real NASA scientists, engineers, and researchers in fields like robotics, space science, engineering, and aeronautics. If you’re a high school student, you can apply for either on-site or virtual internships.
You’ll build practical skills by analyzing mission data, designing experiments, and working on real NASA projects. You’ll also get mentorship from experts who can guide you through your work and help you understand what it’s like to work in STEM careers. Click here and use the filter option to discover various internship opportunities for high school students.
4. NYU’s Applied Research in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University Campus
Cost: Full scholarship/ Students receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: New York City high school students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade with strong academic records
NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer research experience for high school students interested in STEM. You’ll start with four weeks of remote workshops, then spend six weeks doing in-person research in an NYU lab with faculty and graduate student mentors.
You can choose from a variety of STEM fields, including aerospace engineering, and gain experience in real lab work. Alongside your research, you’ll also get public speaking training through NYU’s collaboration with the Irondale Ensemble Project. By the end of the program, you’ll present your research at a final event in front of faculty, other students, and your family.
5. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free; Interns receive a stipend, but the exact amount is not mentioned.
Application Deadline: November 22 – March 1
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 40 hours per week)
Eligibility: U.S. work authorization, age 16+, graduating senior. Prior experience in plasma physics projects is recommended. Coursework in physics, chemistry, engineering, and advanced math is required.
If you’re interested in physics, coding, and real-world problem-solving, the PPPL High School Summer Internship Program is worth considering. Run by the U.S. Department of Energy and Princeton University, this program focuses on research in plasma physics and fusion energy.
As an intern, you’ll work with scientists and engineers on research or engineering projects. You’ll learn how to use coding tools for data analysis, run physics simulations, and understand complex systems like magnetic confinement and energy transfer in plasma. You’ll also get hands-on lab experience and exposure to current work in fusion research.
6. Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) Summer Institute
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies based on individual department needs
Program Dates: Up to 12 weeks during May – September, depending on department needs and school schedules
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate level college students aged 18 and above; should be authorized to work in the U.S., and must pass a basic background test
SLAC offers internships for high school and college students in different roles, from entry-level to technical and specialized positions. You will get hands-on experience working on projects in fields like High Energy Density Science, Laser Physics, X-ray Physics, and Accelerator Physics.
Through this program, you will develop skills in scientific research, data analysis, and engineering applications. You’ll also receive mentorship to guide your learning and professional growth. Click here to check for summer internship openings.
7. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; travel and living expenses also covered
Application Deadline: December 11 (tentative)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are about to enter their senior year
MIT is one of the top places in the world for physics and engineering research. At the Research Science Institute (RSI), a fully funded summer program hosted by MIT, high school juniors get a chance to dive into this world. Each year, about 100 students are selected from thousands of applicants to take part.
The program starts with a week of seminars covering physics, math, chemistry, biology, and engineering. During this time, you’ll attend lectures by MIT professors and experts, including Nobel Prize winners, and gain access to advanced computing and lab resources.
After that, the focus shifts to a five-week research internship. Here, you will work on your project under the guidance of experienced scientists. By the end, you’ll write up your findings and present them, sharpening your skills in research, writing, and presenting. Click here to apply!
8. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST laboratory at Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free; does not include housing and transportation
Application Deadline: February 6 (tentative)
Program Dates: 8 weeks from June 23 (tentative)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application; Required minimum GPA of 3.0
SHIP is a volunteer internship program run by NIST, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It’s for high school students who want to get real experience working on advanced STEM research. As a SHIP intern, you’ll team up with scientists and engineers on projects that are happening right now.
NIST has six different labs to choose from. When you apply, you pick your top three. If physics interests you, the Physical Measurement Laboratory is a good option. It covers things like atomic, molecular, optical, radiation, and chemical physics. It also includes astrophysics, bioelectronics, and nanotechnology. Click here to learn more about the different laboratories and the research activities they encourage.
9. University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program
Location: The Grainger College of Engineering campus, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: Completely free other than transportation to and from campus; Housing (for select applicants), meals, and a monetary award are provided.
Application Deadline: Applications generally close by March
Program Dates: June 17 – August 1. For more information on the schedule
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th Graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program at the University of Illinois is a six-week research experience for high school students from Illinois and nearby Midwest states. You’ll spend about 30 to 35 hours a week working on real research projects with faculty and graduate students.
If you get selected, you’ll be matched with a research group based on your statement and recent classes. If you’re interested in physics, you might join a group like Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS), which works on topics like quantum physics, materials science, and electrical engineering.
By the end of the program, you’ll present your research poster at a symposium.
10. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA)
Location: The first two weeks of the program are fully virtual, followed by a four-week, in-person residential experience at Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium in New Haven, CT. During the residential portion, students stay in a dormitory located less than a mile from the observatory.
Cost: $8,000 (includes academic tuition, room and board, field trips, project costs, instructional materials, and computer fees; does not include travel expenses, health insurance, or any incidental expenses)
Application Deadline: March 8
Program Dates: June 23 – July 4 (2-week online self‐directed study program); July 6 – August 3 (residential program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors at least 15.5 years old by the start of the program can apply.
YSPA is a six-week research program. It starts with two weeks of online study. Then, you spend four weeks at Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium. You will work with three other students on astrophysics research. You use Yale’s 0.4m Ritchey-Chretien telescope and remote observatories around the world.
Each year, the main project changes. You will also do smaller projects, like measuring star-formation rates or studying the Milky Way’s rotation. You will attend lectures and learn coding and data analysis. At the end, you present your work at a mini-conference where Yale faculty and other students give feedback. Apply here!
11. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is free, but if you choose to live on campus, the residential and dining fee might come up to $2,360. Click here for more information.
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Must be U.S. Citizens who are at least 16 years of age and in their junior year of high school at the time of applying.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a competitive STEM program for high school students, with an acceptance rate of about 5%. When you apply, you can choose your top three mentors and research areas.
If you get selected, you join a research group led by a faculty mentor. You spend the summer learning lab techniques and working on your project. In physics, you can work on topics like using optical tweezers to trap tiny objects, studying geometric optics, or developing new methods for nano-imaging quantum particles. There are other physics projects available as well.
Besides lab work, you attend weekly seminars, skill workshops, and campus events. The program ends with a written research abstract and a poster presentation at a symposium. Some students may also receive a stipend.
12. ASPIRE – Johns Hopkins University
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD; Virtual internships are also available
Cost/Stipend: Free
Application Deadline: February 15 (tentative)
Program Dates: June 24 – August 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 2.8 can apply. Should also have permanent residency in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area.
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins offers high school students a full-time summer research experience in STEM. When you apply, you can choose two of eight placement areas, including physical science and aerospace engineering.
If you’re selected, you will be paired with a mentor who helps you work on a project in one of your chosen areas. The program runs 40 hours per week and offers both in-person and virtual formats. Remote students join online, except during onboarding and equipment handling. At the end of the program, you submit a digital project poster. The acceptance rate is around 10%.
13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9 through 11 are eligible to apply, including international applicants. Students of all genders are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to rising seniors and those from under-resourced or historically underrepresented backgrounds.
SPINWIP is a free, three-week online summer program for high school girls interested in physics and coding. The program is hosted by Stanford and includes lectures, problem sets, and group projects. If selected, you will attend daily lectures on topics like quantum mechanics, optics, lasers, quantum computing, and cosmology.
Stanford undergraduates will help guide problem-solving and group discussions. You will also learn basic programming in Python and use tools like NumPy and Matplotlib for simple physics projects. The program also includes sessions on college planning and careers in physics and astronomy. Check out the program syllabus here.
14. COSMOS Program – UC Davis
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz.
Cost: $5,256 (includes housing, meals, orientation, field trips & activities, and on-site support); Application fee is an additional $44 (nonrefundable); Financial aid is available for both application and program costs. Learn more.
Application Deadline: February 7 (tentative)
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1 or 2 (depending on the campus)
Eligibility: Students from grades 8–12 with a GPA of 3.5 or above
COSMOS is a four-week residential summer program for high school students hosted at several University of California campuses, including UC Davis. If you are interested in physics, you can choose a cluster that focuses on topics like classical mechanics, thermodynamics, or modern physics.
You will attend lectures, complete lab activities, and work on group research projects. Each cluster is led by UC faculty and graduate students, and the topics covered may vary depending on the teaching and research interests of the instructors at that campus. Admission is selective, with about 160 to 200 students accepted per campus.
15. UPenn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949 (includes program fees, residential costs, and the enrollment deposit); More information here. Students attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school may be eligible to attend the Summer Academy free of charge with a scholarship. Apply here!
Application Deadline: May 16 (tentative)
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 9–11
The Penn Summer Science Academy: Experimental Physics is a three-week residential program for high school students hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. The program focuses on topics like quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, astrophysics, and nuclear physics.
Alongside the physics curriculum, the program includes sessions on the philosophy of science, ethics, and experimental design. You will also hear from Penn faculty about their research. As a participant, you will stay in UPenn dorms and use campus labs and academic spaces, which gives you a full-time experience of college life and academic work.
Image source – University of Pennsylvania
