If you’re a high schooler looking to explore how science, engineering, and policy intersect, consider a summer program in sustainability! Summer programs often go beyond classroom learning—they include hands-on fieldwork, lab-based research, and mentorship from faculty and professionals working in environmental science, renewable energy, urban planning, and public policy.
In a typical program, you might find yourself testing water quality in a nearby river, modeling greenhouse gas emissions, designing energy-efficient systems, or evaluating how local communities are impacted by climate change. This kind of real-world engagement helps build both technical and analytical skills while encouraging collaboration and systems thinking—qualities that are essential for anyone considering a career in sustainability, environmental science, or related fields.
Whether you’re interested in pursuing environmental engineering, ecological research, or policymaking, these summer programs offer an early chance to get involved in projects that matter. To help you get started, we’ve curated 15 sustainability summer programs that are well-regarded for their academic rigor, real-world relevance, and mentorship opportunities.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Environmental Studies Track
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Summer: June–August | Fall: September–December | Winter: December–February | Spring: March–June
Application Deadline: Varies (e.g., Summer II: June 23)
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students interested in independent research
The Environmental Studies track lets you explore research topics like climate policy, conservation, or sustainability with guidance from a PhD mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn how to frame a research question, review academic literature, and write a paper that could be submitted to a journal. Projects range from modeling emissions policies to analyzing the social impacts of environmental regulations.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase (Sustainability Projects)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter cohorts (15 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Rolling (e.g., Summer cohort opens in May)
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of AI Scholars
This 15-week mentorship allows students to conduct independent research projects that apply AI to complex, practical problems in fields like climate science, energy, and ecology. You’ll design and build a machine learning project—such as detecting forest loss from satellite data or modeling urban heat islands, under the guidance of an AI mentor. You receive 1-on-1 support throughout, with opportunities to publish and showcase your work at the end of the program.
3. University of Pennsylvania – Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February (exact date varies)
Cost: Free (students must arrange daily transportation)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Local high school students in grades 9–11 with minimum 3.0 GPA
This six-week mentorship program combines lab instruction, fieldwork, and independent research in environmental science and public health. You’ll work with a mentor to design a research project, conduct experiments, and present your findings at the end of the program. Seminars and workshops cover toxicology, water quality, environmental monitoring, alongside field trips for hands-on data collection.
4. University of Chicago – Young Innovators Climate & Energy Program
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: March
Cost: $2,500 (financial aid available)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Current U.S. 11th graders (must be at least 15 years old)
Through lectures, case studies, and policy workshops, students explore the science and economics behind energy and climate challenges. You’ll work in small teams to design your own policy proposal or technical solution addressing a real-world climate issue. The curriculum introduces energy data, climate models, and regulatory frameworks like carbon taxes and clean energy credits.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Stipend: $3,000 + travel expenses for summit
Program Dates: June – July (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 19
Cost: Free
Location: Local placements across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+) in eligible regions
This eight-week internship places students with working scientists to study aquatic ecosystems and fisheries science. You’ll help collect field data, assess water quality, and learn field methods like electrofishing and habitat surveys. Interns also attend the Hutton Scholars Summit and receive mentorship on careers in aquatic biology and environmental management.
6. Student Conservation Association (SCA) Internships
Stipend: Travel allowance + weekly living stipend; some positions include housing
Program Dates: Varies by role (typically 3–5 weeks in summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free
Location: Various sites across the U.S.
Eligibility: Internships: 18+ | Youth programs also available for students under 18
SCA offers short-term internships where students work on real conservation projects in national parks, forests, and urban green spaces. Depending on your placement, you might restore habitats, track species, lead community education, or assist with sustainability audits. Each role supports hands-on fieldwork while building skills in environmental stewardship and teamwork.
7. RISE Environmentor Research Mentorship Program
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Program Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: May
Cost: Free
Location: Rockaway Beach, Far Rockaway, NY
Eligibility: Grades 9–11; students must live in or near the Rockaways
RISE pairs students with environmental scientists to study the coastal ecosystems of the Rockaway peninsula in New York. You’ll conduct a mentored research project on topics like beach erosion, marine pollution, or urban runoff, and present your findings in a final showcase. The program also includes water safety training, outdoor exploration, and CPR certification.
8. Conservation Corps North Carolina – Youth Conservation Crews
Stipend: $15/hour
Program Dates: 3–6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free
Location: Sites across North Carolina
Eligibility: North Carolina high school students ages 15–18
This field-based program trains students to manage and restore natural areas across North Carolina. You’ll work in small crews on trail building, invasive species removal, erosion control, and habitat restoration projects. Some crews are day-based, while others camp overnight at forest sites like Uwharrie National Forest. Youth crews run during the summer months-June, July, and August and will last between 3-6 weeks, depending on the crew. All crews will consist of 4-6 Members and 2 Crew Leaders.
9. Alley Pond Environmental Center – Field Biology Internship (FBI)
Stipend: None (one-time $150 participation fee; financial aid available)
Program Dates: July 3 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $150
Location: Alley Pond Park, Douglaston, NY
Eligibility: High school students (14+), currently enrolled
This five-week internship immerses students in urban field biology using one of NYC’s most biodiverse park systems. You’ll conduct biodiversity surveys, monitor aquatic life, and analyze soil and water quality while learning standard ecological sampling techniques. As an intern, you also contribute to habitat restoration efforts, including native plantings and invasive species removal.
10. Wildlife Conservation Society – Bronx Zoo Project TRUE
Stipend: $750 + MetroCard (or $16/hour via SYEP) in summer; $350 in fall
Program Dates: Summer: Late June – August | Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: February 24 (rolling reviews)
Cost: Free
Location: Bronx, NY
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors; Bronx residents preferred
Project TRUE trains students in urban ecology research with hands-on fieldwork in New York City parks. You’ll track wildlife, conduct vegetation surveys, and study water quality using scientific field protocols developed in collaboration with Fordham University. The summer phase focuses on data collection and analysis; the fall phase transitions to research presentations and career exploration.
11. UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July – August (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: June 1
Cost: $2,759 (scholarships available)
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (commuter only)
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; must be at least 15 years old
This two-week commuter program explores the link between environmental exposures, poverty, and public health through hands-on projects. You’ll test coastal water for antimicrobial resistance or analyze soil from urban gardens while learning environmental sampling and data interpretation techniques. Emphasis is placed on real-world community impact and environmental justice.
12. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – Summer Institute in Environmental Health and Engineering
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Late May – Mid June (courses range from 1 day to 2 weeks)
Application Deadline: May 24
Cost: $1,374/credit or $687/credit (non-credit option)
Location: East Baltimore, MD (housing available)
Eligibility: High school students and non-degree learners
This academic institute offers short, university-level courses on environmental science, public health, and occupational safety. You’ll take intensive classes like “Environmental Health” or “Drinking Water and Water Policy,” learning how environmental exposures affect human health at both individual and population levels. You can opt for credit or non-credit formats and receive formal transcripts or certificates.
13. Stanford Pre-College Summer Institute – Chemical & Environmental Engineering
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Session 1: June 17 – June 28, Session 2: July 8 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 29
Cost: $3,050 (financial aid available)
Location: Online
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
This online course blends theoretical engineering with sustainability-focused case studies. You will be introduced to the fundamental engineering principles used to analyze chemical processes that occur in nature and by human design, with a focus on energy and environmental topics. You can expect to learn how to diagram engineering processes, identify and convert process variables, and set up material and energy balances to find steady-state solutions. You’ll learn to model energy and chemical processes, apply mass balances, and design systems for challenges like wastewater purification and CO₂ reduction. The two-week course includes live classes, collaborative problem solving, and a final group project.
14. Purdue University Northwest – Environmental Science Summer Camp
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 24 – June 28
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: $30
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Environmental Science Camp offers you a week of hands-on discovery that includes classroom activities, laboratory investigations and investigations in the field. This hands-on camp combines classroom learning, lab experiments, and outdoor fieldwork across key environmental topics. You’ll study air and water pollution, identify native tree species, and practice lab skills like pipetting and pollutant testing. Field visits and experiments are tied to real-world waste treatment and environmental management systems.
Diablo Valley College – Environmental Engineering Summer Academy
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 29 – August 2
Application Deadline: Currently open (rolling)
Cost: $350
Location: CSU East Bay Concord Campus, CA
Eligibility: Non-graduating high school students
Hosted in partnership with Bay Area LEEDS, this program introduces students to water quality, wetland ecosystems, and climate change research. Students explore topics and careers in environmental science and engineering. Learn about climate change, wetland ecology, and water quality in the Delta region. You’ll work on environmental science projects, visit public agencies, and create a public service announcement based on your field findings. Lab work and site visits focus on the Delta region’s ecology and sustainability challenges.
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 – Diablo Valley College