For high school students in New York City, summer science programs offer a hands-on way to explore advanced topics in science, develop leadership skills in STEM, and connect with other young researchers in the city. NYC is home to multiple universities, research labs, and nonprofit organizations, and a great place to dive into areas like biology, environmental science, physics, and engineering.
Whether you’re conducting experiments, leading group projects, or attending seminars hosted by professionals, these programs help you hone critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific curiosity.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve curated 15 summer science programs for high school students in New York City!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in a variety of fields, including data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. It is one of the few programs that allows students to choose between quantitative and qualitative research approaches. After selecting a subject track, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will mentor you through the research process. Participants work toward producing a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted to respected journals for potential publication. The program also provides each student with a recommendation letter and detailed feedback to help guide future research projects.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: 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: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is ideal for those beginning their journey in AI, machine learning, and data science. This 10-session boot camp introduces students to core concepts in AI and data science while giving them the opportunity to work on practical, real-world projects. For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a chance to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on a personalized research project. Fellows also benefit from support by an in-house publication team to help publish their work in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives high school students a chance to conduct hands-on research in science, math, or engineering. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll join a research group, work alongside faculty mentors, and take on responsibility for your own project. During the summer, you’ll gain skills in lab techniques, participate in faculty talks, and immerse yourself in life at a leading research university. The program includes weekly workshops, campus tours, and special events that enrich your research experience. At its conclusion, you’ll showcase your work by presenting a written abstract and a research poster. Click here to find out more about the available areas of research.
4. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $1,000 stipend
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade with strong academic performance
NYU’s ARISE program offers high school students a free, 10-week summer research experience combining skill-building and hands-on lab work. The program begins with four weeks of safety training, research skills workshops, and college writing instruction. During the final six weeks, you’ll join one of over 80 NYU research labs, contributing to real-world projects alongside faculty and researchers. You’ll accumulate approximately 120 hours of lab experience, enhance your public speaking and soft skills, and expand your professional network. At summer’s end, you’ll present your work to the NYU community and showcase your research at the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers high school students an eight-week paid internship focused on fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a professional mentor based in your local community. Internship experiences differ depending on the site and may include fieldwork, laboratory research, data analysis, or educational outreach activities. These can involve tasks like electrofishing, water quality testing, or aquatic habitat restoration. Scholars are required to submit biweekly timesheets and both a mid-program and final report.
6. Stanford’s AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Application Deadline: January 24
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-graders in the summertime, over 14 years by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL offers a two-week online program that immerses high school students in artificial intelligence. Participants engage in live lectures, team research projects, and mentorship on topics like NLP, Medical AI, and Robotics. The program emphasizes AI’s potential to enhance lives while building technical skills and preparing students for future careers. Students collaborate with mentors from the Stanford AI Lab and have the opportunity to develop a peer community. The program integrates learning, mentorship, and personal growth into a single, cohesive experience.
7. Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 participation fee + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
The AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week online program aimed at high school students interested in how healthcare and machine learning intersect. Suitable for all skill levels, it provides a curated curriculum that covers the basics of AI in healthcare. Each day includes online lessons, group discussions, breakout activities with peers, and social events to build community. Students also attend Virtual Career Lunch and Learns, where they hear from professionals from academia, industry, government, and nonprofits. Key topics include evaluation metrics, challenges, and the application of generative AI in healthcare.
8. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 9
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors entering grade 11 or 12; have taken at least one high school biology course; Minimum (unweighted) GPA of 3.0
NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a 12-week summer program that operates asynchronously, focusing on space biology and bioinformatics. Participants explore genomics research and learn computational methods for analyzing NASA data. Optional weekly office hours offer up to six hours of live instruction and Q&A sessions. Students who finish all required assignments receive a digital certificate. After completing the core program, students can apply to join the Capstone Project, where teams work with real datasets, present their results at a summer symposium, and may qualify for a national competition.
9. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) | Environmentor Internship
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Application Deadline: Applications will open in Late February
Dates: June – mid-August
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who live in New York and attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula; students who attended Shore Corps in the fall and spring will be prioritized
Environmentor is a six-week summer research mentorship offering high school students the chance to engage in environmental research focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. The program kicks off in June with orientations and workshops, then continues with four days of hands-on research each week during July and August, guided by science mentors. Participants develop individual research projects while also learning water safety, CPR, kayaking, biking, and surfing. Students also contribute to weekend RISE community service events and earn service hours. This program combines authentic research, outdoor education, and community engagement.
10. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) – Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Participants attend technical lectures on AI fundamentals and their medical applications, alongside daily mentoring sessions, collaborative research projects, and talks from guest speakers representing academia, industry, and government. Career “Lunch and Learn” sessions offer insights into different areas where technology and medicine intersect. Students interested in further engagement can explore optional research opportunities following the main program. Participants who finish the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
11. Wave Hill Forest Project
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Approximately $2,275
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: New York high school students who are at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.
The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer internship that provides high school students with hands-on experience in ecology within an urban setting. Interns work in small crews restoring and maintaining the woodlands by building trails, removing invasive species, and stabilizing eroded areas. The program features team-building activities, and alongside fieldwork, interns participate in ‘Restoration of New York City’s Natural Areas,’ an accredited college-level course in ecology and environmental management. Additionally, field trips to partner organizations offer chances to collaborate with peers and delve into related research topics.
12. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and are authorized to work in the U.S.; applicants must live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s main campus on the Upper East Side in Manhattan
The Memorial Sloan Kettering HOPP Summer Student Program is an 8-week internship designed for high school students interested in biomedical sciences. Participants work in MSK research labs on their own projects, aligned with ongoing cancer research. Each student is paired with a mentor who guides them in developing technical and research skills and introduces them to the collaborative lab environment. Students participate in lab meetings, program sessions, and community events to gain a comprehensive understanding of scientific research at MSK. Areas of research include cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, drug development, and other related fields. The program also offers professional development activities to explore careers in translational medicine.
13. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week summer program designed for high school students interested in neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Over 10 days, you’ll engage with clinical and research topics through interactive lectures led by Stanford faculty. The program introduces areas such as social neuroscience, behavioral science, and psychiatric epidemiology. Working in small teams, students develop and present solutions to challenges in mental health or neuroscience as part of a capstone project. CNI-X also features sessions on self-care and preparing for the transition to adulthood.
14. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: Stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The B2BSP is a 6-week paid summer program that introduces New York City high school students to the field of biostatistics and data science. Students gain foundational knowledge in statistics and R programming through practical projects. “Statistical thinking” sessions enhance your data interpretation skills, with guidance from professional biostatisticians serving as mentors. You’ll undertake a cancer data analysis project and present your findings formally. The program also offers SAT prep and college development workshops.
15. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks from July – August
Eligibility: Current rising juniors or seniors in high school
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online research program for high school juniors and seniors. The program, held entirely online, covers a range of neuroscience topics via lectures and educational materials. Participants learn core lab skills, engage in research-oriented activities, and receive mentorship and career guidance. The internship gathers students nationwide and provides a thorough introduction to neurological sciences. After completing the program, you’ll earn a certificate of participation.
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 – Stony Brook University