If you’re a high school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), a pre-college program in STEM can be a solid way to dig deeper. These programs allow you to study advanced topics that go beyond what’s typically covered in school, like robotics, machine learning, genetics, climate science, or data analysis, and involve college-level academics.
These programs also include real lab research, fieldwork, engineering projects, and collaborations with scientists and professors at top universities in the country. You’ll get to learn how research works, use professional tools, and take part in activities like developing a working model or presenting your findings to an audience. Most pre-college programs are residential, and can help you get a sense of what it’s like to be on a college campus and what studying STEM at a place like MIT or Carnegie Mellon involves.
To help you get started, here are 15 STEM pre-college programs for high school students!
(Note: Program dates and deadlines listed may not reflect the latest information. Check each program’s official website for current updates.)
15 STEM Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who meet the required test scores. International students can apply as well.
The Research Science Institute is a summer program hosted at MIT and run with the Center for Excellence in Education. It begins with a week of classes in advanced STEM topics and then moves into four weeks of full-time research. You’re matched with a project and mentor, and you work through the entire research process — reading scientific papers, running experiments, analyzing data, and presenting your results in both a written report and a final talk. Along the way, you learn how research works by collaborating with scientists in labs at one of the top research universities in the world.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $40 (application fee). There are no tuition fees. Students receive a stipend of at least $500
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age. Students must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents as well as living and attending school in the U.S.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program is an eight-week internship for high school students who want to gain research experience in a university setting. You will be placed in one of Stanford’s research institutes, such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, or bioinformatics. The program involves working in a lab alongside researchers and learning how scientific research is done in practice. At the end of the program, you will design a research poster and present your findings to your peers and mentors.
3. MITES Summer Program
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents
MIT is one of the world’s top universities for science, technology, and engineering, making it an ideal place to explore advanced STEM subjects in depth. The MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science program is a six-week residential course for high school students who want a broad and challenging academic experience. You’ll take five core courses covering math, life sciences, physics, humanities, and a project-based elective. Learning happens through classes, labs, workshops, exams, and group presentations.
4. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Program dates: June 2 – August 18
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are residents of New York
NYU offers a solid entry into the world of academic research through its Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering program. This ten-week program begins with four weeks of remote learning where you build a foundation in research methods and STEM concepts.
The next six weeks are spent in a university lab, working alongside professional researchers. You can focus on fields like biomolecular engineering, cybersecurity, chemistry, data science, or machine learning. Throughout the program, you develop skills in scientific writing, coding, data analysis, lab safety, and research communication.
5. Summer Science Program
Location: Multiple locations available, including New Mexico State University, Purdue University, Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and more
Cost: $9,800. However, the fee is scaled to what each family can afford, and 100% need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Multiple five-week sessions are available to choose from
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are between the ages of 15 and 19 and have completed the required courses
The Summer Science Program is one of the toughest STEM programs to get into but also one of the most rewarding. You spend five weeks living on a college campus, working closely with professors and researchers. You pick a track like astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, or synthetic chemistry. Then you dive into real projects, like calculating the path of an asteroid or studying how bacteria respond to antibiotics. Along the way, you learn how to read scientific papers, run lab tests, write code for data analysis, and share your findings with others.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $25 application fee. On completion of the program, you will receive a $750 stipend.
Program dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are US citizens or permanent residents and are at least 17 years of age
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week pre-college program that offers high school students the opportunity to engage in practical research. You can choose from a number of research areas, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, and more.
Aside from engaging in lab research, you will also attend seminars, discussions and field trips. At the end of the program, you will present your work during a poster presentation. You can go through the previous scholars’ projects here.This is a highly selective program which only accepts 12 students per cohort.
7. Harvard’s Data Science in Action Program
Location: Harvard University, Boston, MA
Cost: $50 registration fee. No tuition fees. Stipends are available for students from low-income backgrounds.
Program dates: Part 1 from July 21 – August 1, Part 2 from August 4 – 15
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: All high school students who have a basic understanding of algebra. Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Harvard is known for its role in shaping breakthroughs in science and technology. It’s where Facebook was created and where the Harvard Data Science Initiative brings together researchers to work on real-world challenges using data. Building on this work, the Data Science in Action program introduces high school students to the field through hands-on learning.
First, you take online classes to learn Python, basic statistics, and image recognition. Then, on campus, you join a team and may build a self-driving toy car using machine learning. Along the way, you get to work with neural networks, improve your coding, and see how data is used to solve practical problems.
8. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California (options available in five of the university’s campuses — Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Cruz)
Cost: $5,300. This includes a $44 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: July 6 – August 2
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12. Although the typical COSMOS student has a minimum GPA of 3.5
COSMOS is a four-week residential STEM program for high school students hosted at University of California campuses like UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego. You apply to a cluster that includes two science or math courses and one science communication course.
Topics include quantum mechanics, biology, climate science, machine learning, video game design, and data science. You will work on lab experiments, field activities, and research projects while learning skills like data analysis, coding, scientific writing, and lab techniques.
9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; If you choose the residential track, you will need to pay $2,360.25 as residential fees.
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years of age
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program is an eight-week STEM program where high school students work directly with university research teams. As a Simons Fellow, you join a lab, focus on a specific project, and work under the guidance of faculty and graduate students.
You learn how to write a research abstract, create a research poster, and present your findings at a closing symposium. Research areas include bioengineering, geosciences, computer science, medicine, physics, and civil engineering. You build skills in data analysis, lab procedures, scientific communication, and project design.
10. UPenn’s Summer Academies
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949. Philadelphia residents who attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school are eligible for a scholarship
Program dates: July 5 – July 26
Application deadline: January 31, after which applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11. International students can apply as well!
The University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies are three-week programs where high school students study specific subjects like biomedicine, chemistry, experimental physics, microbiology, and neuroscience. You learn through a mix of lectures, lab experiments, group work, field visits, and research projects. Depending on the course, you may work with lab equipment, run simulations, explore medical case studies, or use tools like data visualization software. The program helps you build practical skills in your chosen field and ends with a certificate of completion.
11. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 22 – July 4, Session 2 from July 6 – 18, Session 3 from July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are between the ages of 16 and 18
The Yale Young Global Scholars program is a two-week academic program where you explore ideas through lectures, seminars, group discussions, and a final project. If you’re interested in STEM, you can join the Innovations in Science and Technology track, which looks at how fields like biochemistry, engineering, astrophysics, immunology, and psychology apply to real-world problems. You’ll build skills in data analysis, research writing, public speaking, and teamwork while learning how different areas of science connect.
12. Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free. Travel and lunch stipends are provided after the completion of the program.
Program dates: July 7 – August 8
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who attend a NYC public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
This free summer program, part of Columbia’s SHAPE, offers courses in engineering fields like robotics and biomedical engineering. In the first part, you take a focused course like computer programming, biomedical engineering, or robotics. In the second part, you work in a small team to design a digital tool that tackles a global health challenge. Along the way, you pick up skills in coding, prototyping, engineering design, and teamwork.
13. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Virtual sessions from June 16-17. This is followed by the residential program from June 21 to August 2
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and are at least 16 years old
Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science is a free STEM program for high school students. It begins with two days of online skill-building and continues with six weeks on campus. You take classes in subjects like calculus, biology, and physics and work on a research project with help from university faculty. You also learn how to prepare for college and explore different STEM careers. At the end, you present your project at a research symposium.
14. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: John Hopkins University
Stipend: Students will get $15/hour and transportation funds
Program dates: Generally begins towards the end of June and goes on for 8 weeks
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM who live in Baltimore City. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science is a summer research program for high school students interested in neuroscience. If selected, you will join a small group of interns working on a research project with support from faculty and mentors. You also take part in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists and attend weekly sessions on brain science, research methods, and professional development. The program ends with you presenting your work through a talk or research poster. You can go through the past projects here.
15. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 23 – July 31
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the University
The Young Scholars Program gives high school students the chance to work in Northeastern University’s research labs across engineering, science, and health sciences. You will learn about topics like superconductivity, lasers, biotechnology, robotics, and chemical analysis. Most of your time is spent doing hands-on lab work. Past students have worked on projects such as testing cancer treatments, improving battery chemistry for energy storage, and using simulations to study the behavior of particles in motion.
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!
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