For high school students in the Bay Area, summer offers more than just downtime—it’s a valuable window to deepen subject expertise, explore university-level academics, and gain exposure to cutting-edge research environments. The Bay Area’s proximity to top-tier universities (Stanford, UC Berkeley), research institutes (Gladstone Institutes, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), and global tech companies (Apple, Google) make it a hub for specialized summer programs across disciplines.
Participating in summer programs for high school students in the Bay Area can also be a financially strategic choice—many of these opportunities are free, low-cost, or commuter-friendly, eliminating the need for housing or airfare. They may also provide reduced tuition fees for local students.
Whether you’re interested in clinical science, artificial intelligence, or environmental research, this list spotlights 15 high-impact summer programs for high school students in the Bay Area. They also include a few virtual summer programs that allow high school students in the Bay Area to apply.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in the Bay Area
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available) | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous program that offers high school students extensive research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas such as finance, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. It pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper and be eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available) | None
Dates: 10–15 weeks (summer cohort options available)
Application Deadline: July 20 (final summer)
Eligibility: AI Scholars: all high school students | AI Fellowship: for students who have either prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program
Founded by Harvard alumni, Veritas AI is a program that offers two core specialized programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence – AI Scholars and AI Fellowship. The AI Scholars track is a 10-session boot camp where you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. AI Fellowship is a more advanced program that involves 1:1 personalized mentorship with researchers from top academic institutions and supports independent research under expert mentorship, typically ending in a paper or formal presentation. A bonus feature of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can apply here.
3. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition: $3,080 (additional course materials may cost up to $100); financial aid available
Dates: Session One: June 16–27 | Session Two: July 7–18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers two distinct two-week sessions in 2025, designed to provide academically motivated students with an intensive, single-subject learning experience. With over 70 courses across disciplines like bioscience, computer science, engineering, humanities, and mathematics, you can choose one track and explore the subject through daily live classes, independent assignments, and collaborative group work. Each course includes approximately two hours of synchronous instruction per day, supported by optional office hours and structured asynchronous activities. At the end of the session, you will receive personalized written feedback and a certificate. This program is ideal for students who are ready to engage deeply with university-level material in a structured, interactive online environment.
4. UC Berkeley Pre‑College Scholars (Summer Commuter Track)
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $615 per unit, + $550 registration fee + $71 document management fee + $25 program application fee | International students pay an additional $500
Dates: Session A: May 27–July 3 | Session B: June 9–August 15 | Session C: June 23–August 15 | Session D: July 7–August 15 | Session E: July 28–August 15 | Session F: July 7–July 25
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Must be 16 years old by June 22 | Have completed 10th or 11th grade | Minimum 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted) | Reside in California and live with a family member within commuting distance
In this program, you’ll choose from a wide range of subjects in the Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, and more. Whether you’re analyzing economic models, coding in Python, or exploring political theory, each course offers an immersive introduction to university-level learning. Some programs may be in-person lectures, while others include labs or discussion sections. Outside the classroom, you’ll also have access to academic resources and college prep workshops to support your success. This program is a great fit if you want to challenge yourself academically and experience what it’s like to learn at one of the top public universities in the world. You can view the full list of summer session courses here.
5. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (on-campus and virtual options)
Cost: Application Fee: $95; On-Campus Program Fee: $6,380; Virtual Program Fee: $4,380; financial aid available
Dates: Session 1 (in-person): July 14–25; Session 2 (Virtual): July 28–August 8
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (age 16 or older), seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students; additional criteria may apply
CSI offers two summer learning options—in the on-campus summer session, you’ll spend two weeks working closely with Stanford clinicians and researchers on skills like dissection, knot-tying, injections, and suturing. You’ll conduct physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, and participate in real-time trauma simulations. Through “A Day in the Life” discussions with specialists, you’ll gain a firsthand look into various medical careers. The virtual summer session delivers the same two-week curriculum online via live Zoom classes, allowing you to interact with instructors and peers in real time. You’ll engage with case-based discussions, interactive demonstrations, and small-group breakouts—all from the comfort of your home—while still benefiting from Stanford’s clinical teaching approach and mentorship model.
6. Google Summer of Code (GSoC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: January 27 – November 19 (Coding Phase: June 2 – September 1, with possible extensions to November 10)
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: Contributors aged 18 or older with beginner or student-level experience in open source | Not be a resident of an United States embargoed country
GSoC is a global, virtual program that connects early-career developers with open-source organizations to work on 12+ week coding projects. After selecting a project from one of ~200 mentoring organizations, you’ll draft a detailed proposal and collaborate with mentors to build real-world software that solves current open-source challenges. The program includes a community bonding period, weekly milestones, and structured feedback from senior developers. You’ll gain hands-on experience with new technologies, improve your Git and version control skills, and leave with a publicly viewable portfolio of code. Flexible timelines, expert mentorship, and real-world projects make GSoC one of the most impactful stepping stones for aspiring software engineers.
7. JPL Year-Round Internship Program
Location: On-site at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided, unspecified amount
Dates: Year-round internship program during fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents | Enrolled in a U.S. college or university | Minimum GPA of 3.0
The JPL Year-Round Internship Program allows you to work alongside leading NASA scientists and engineers on real-world missions in robotics, earth and planetary sciences, and deep space exploration. With part-time and full-time options available year-round, you’ll contribute meaningfully to active research or engineering projects and may qualify for housing and travel support if you live more than 50 miles away. You will also attend career workshops, lab tours, and mentoring sessions tailored to support both technical and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills or explore long-term opportunities with NASA, this internship offers an unmatched entry point into cutting-edge space science and engineering.
8. Stanford Genomics Research Internship Program (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: None | Need-based scholarships and stipends available
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older | Residing in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Minimum 3.0 GPA | Prior coursework in biology, chemistry, or programming is helpful but not required
GRIPS is an intensive 8-week summer research experience where you work in Stanford labs focused on genomics and biomedical data. You’ll be matched with a lab based on your interests and engage in hands-on projects under the mentorship of faculty and graduate students. The program blends lab research with weekly seminars, journal discussions, and collaborative group activities. You’ll explore bioinformatics tools, gain insight into careers in science and medicine, and present your research findings at the end of the program. No prior coding or research experience is necessary, but curiosity and commitment are essential. This program is ideal if you’re excited about genetics, computational biology, and scientific discovery.
9. SAGE Camp at SLAC (Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement)
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford campuses in Menlo Park & Palo Alto, CA
Cost: None
Dates: June 22 – 28
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: High school students in 9th–11th grade | Under age 18 during the program, attending a public high school in Northern California
SAGE Camp is a one-week residential program that gives you access to world-class scientists, engineers, and facilities at SLAC and Stanford. You’ll job-shadow professionals in real lab environments, participate in collaborative STEM projects, and explore cutting-edge research in physics, engineering, and computing. The camp also includes professional development sessions, campus tours, social science discussions, and evening events that help you connect science with your interests—like art, sports, or music. If you’re curious about how science and creativity intersect and want to experience life in a national research lab, this program offers a supportive, inspiring space to grow your passion for STEM.
10. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: UCSF Mission Bay and surrounding campuses, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: None | $3,200 (20 hr/week); $4,500 (35 hr/week)
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in SFUSD or SF charter schools
HIP offers an 8-week paid summer internship where you conduct original biomedical research under the mentorship of UCSF scientists and graduate students. You work in a university lab setting, developing a unique research project—ranging from immunology and cancer biology to neuroscience and stem cell research. Throughout the program, you participate in science communication workshops, weekly cohort meetings, professional development sessions, and college counseling that includes writing workshops, transcript review, and a day-long college tour. The program culminates in the presentation of both a scientific poster and an oral talk. HIP seeks students from underrepresented backgrounds and those who may not otherwise access such opportunities, emphasizing interest, persistence, and readiness to engage.
11. BattleBots® Robotics Academy – iD Tech Global Academy
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: $11,999
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 4 | Session 2: July 6 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1 | Session 4: August 3 – August 15
Application Deadline: No specific deadline; sign up early to secure a seat since spots can fill quickly
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–17
BattleBots® Robotics Academy is a 13-day, 12-night overnight program where you build, code, and battle your own combat robot using the VEX V5 system and C++. You’ll explore CAD design, 3D printing, mechanical engineering, and robotics strategy, all guided by expert instructors in small groups. The experience culminates in a live arena-style BattleBots showdown, giving you hands-on exposure to real-world STEM tools and creative problem-solving. You also develop core skills in systems thinking and iterative design while working through daily build challenges. Outside the lab, you take part in campus activities, connect with peers from across the country, and get a taste of college life at Stanford.
12. AI and Machine Learning Academy with NVIDIA – iD Tech Global Academy
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: $11,999
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 4 | Session 2: July 6 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1 | Session 4: August 3 – August 15
Application Deadline: No specific deadline; sign up early to secure a seat since spots can fill quickly
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–17
This 13-day, 12-night overnight academy teaches you how to build intelligent systems using the NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Python. You’ll explore topics like computer vision, neural networks, and supervised learning while working on hands-on projects such as real-time image classification and object detection. Alongside technical instruction, you’ll dive into algorithmic bias, ethical AI design, and practical deployment strategies. You also get to keep your Jetson Nano kit, allowing you to continue learning and building after the program ends. With a mix of guided labs, peer collaboration, and expert mentorship, this academy equips you with the foundational tools for a future in AI and data science.
13. QCaMP – Quantum Computing, Mathematics, & Physics Student Summer Camp
Location: Drop-off program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided, amount unspecified
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by the first day of camp and residing in the Bay Area, California
QCaMP is a four-week, hands-on summer camp where you dive into quantum information science—exploring computing fundamentals, quantum physics, and real-world problem solving with quantum circuits. You’ll gain experience building and running circuits on real quantum hardware and complete hands-on modules designed for learners without an advanced math or physics background. Mentored by researchers from Berkeley Lab, Sandia National Laboratories, and collaborating institutions, you’ll participate in career panels, group discussions, and lab-based learning. The program concludes with a final presentation and exposure to pathways in quantum science careers. You will have the ability to think about solving computing problems in new ways and know about sample career paths, resources, and workforce opportunities after the program’s completion.
14. Young Investigators High School Internship Program
Location: Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, CA
Cost/Stipend: None | Eligible scholars can receive an honorarium (money)
Dates: Third Tuesday of June – First Thursday of August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year of high school, reside and attend school in the Bay Area
This is an 8-week, research-focused internship where you work on substantive Earth and environmental science projects such as groundwater study, soil chemistry, GIS data analysis, or planetary science. Supervised directly by graduate students or postdocs, you’ll log 15–30 hours/week, participate in weekly working group lunches and field trips, and contribute to ongoing research. You’ll also develop communication skills by writing blog posts and participating in orientation and final presentations. The program accepts 6–30 local interns annually from a competitive pool of 175–300 applicants. It is ideal if you’re ready for a mature and immersive introduction to scientific research in sustainability and earth sciences.
15. UCSF AI4ALL High School Summer Program
Location: UCSF Mission Bay, San Francisco, CA (virtual in 2024; on-campus plans TBD)
Cost: None
Dates: July 8 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
UCSF AI4ALL is a three-week summer experience introducing you to artificial intelligence through hands-on biomedical projects. Under UCSF faculty and graduate mentorship, you’ll learn AI fundamentals—from data ethics to neural networks—and apply them in research-style group projects. The format combines expert-led lectures, collaborative labs, and career panels, culminating in a group presentation at the end. You’ll explore how AI can be used to address real problems in biomedicine and health equity through hands-on experiences with datasets and tools used by researchers. The program also emphasizes the importance of ethical responsibility in AI, helping you understand how algorithmic decisions can impact different communities. The program aims to build diversity in AI by encouraging applications from students of all backgrounds.
Image source – UCSF