If you’re a high school student considering a science major, a university summer program is a great way to explore your interests, build skills, and get a better sense of what’s involved in the field in a structured manner.
These programs let you explore areas like physical and biological sciences, social sciences, math, computer science, engineering, and medicine, gain practical experience using advanced tools, and work on projects in a college setting. The coursework often mirrors university courses, giving you a feel of their academic environment, and they foster critical thinking and problem-solving.
University summer science programs for high school students will also help you experience campus life and explore various fields while connecting with peers and mentors in STEM. You might attend professor-led lectures, work on group projects, and even earn college credit—all of which can boost your college applications and help you prepare for future careers in science.
Here are 15 university summer science programs for high school students to help you get started.
1. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 3
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old at the start of the program
This program gives high school students a chance to do team-based research in areas like immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, computational biology, and more. You’ll work in RockEDU labs with research teams led by trainees from Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC. You’ll be matched to a team based on your interests and the mentors’ expertise. The program includes hands-on lab work, networking opportunities, electives, guest talks, workshops, and social events. You’ll learn lab techniques, select and explore a research question, analyze data, and share your work at a final symposium.
2. 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 at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This highly selective program allows high school juniors to do independent STEM research in three areas under the guidance of mentors. Fields include biomedical informatics, biochemistry, orthopedics, medicine, civil engineering, computer science, pharmacological sciences, cell biology, atmospheric sciences, astronomy, mechanical engineering, neurobiology, math, geosciences, and more. You’ll learn lab techniques, designing experiments, and research methods. You might work on projects that involve building algorithms for high-performance computing and machine learning, doing bioinformatic analysis and lab work, or creating statistical models to predict health outcomes.
3. Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,900. Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: February 15
Dates: July 13 – 19
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors with at least a 3.0 GPA and strong grades in math and science. Additional eligibility for the CURIE and CATALYST academies can be found here.
This program offers one-week residential academies, CURIE and CATALYST, for high school students interested in engineering and experiencing college life. It involves faculty-led sessions covering different engineering fields, with hands-on activities related to faculty research, and career exploration, along with a college admissions session. You’ll work on a research project in small groups, guided by Cornell Engineering faculty and a team of post-docs, graduate students, or undergraduates. Past projects have focused on AI, biomedical devices, robotics, and data management. Activities like climbing, park outings, and bowling give you a chance to socialize with peers and staff.
4. NYU GSTEM
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,500. Additional $3,840 for housing with meals. Need-based scholarship is available.
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors in the 11th grade |Strong academic record | Interest in STEM
In this highly competitive six-week summer program, you’ll be matched with a STEM professor or researcher and work on an individual project in your chosen field. It starts with a week of orientation that includes social events, guest lectures, and workshops on writing and public speaking. For the next five weeks, you’ll dive into research with your mentor, working on projects like brain labeling methods, motion detection in images, or how ethidium bromide affects proteins. You’ll go on weekly field trips to places like the Museum of Math, Google, the Met, and the Federal Reserve to see how STEM applies in different fields. You’ll also connect with leading women in STEM who will share their work and career journeys. You will gain experience with scientific writing, lab techniques, programming, and presenting your work.
5. University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $12,474 (residential option) | $5,175 (commuter option). Need-based scholarships available, California residents given priority.
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 with a minimum GPA of 3.8 | Exceptional 9th graders may be considered.
This program is a competitive summer opportunity for high school students to get hands-on research experience. You’ll be paired with a mentor, a grad student, or a faculty member and choose a research project from fields such as astronomy, computer science, biology, history, engineering, psychology, film studies, and sociology. You’ll use library resources, conduct fieldwork, gather data, learn research techniques, explore career paths, and set academic goals. At the end of the program, you’ll write a research paper, present your work at a symposium, and earn 8 college credits from two courses: Introduction to Research and Presentation Techniques.
6. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: Remote | In-person at NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, NY.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Eligibility: NYC residents who are rising high school juniors or seniors
In this 10-week summer program, you’ll attend virtual workshops on college writing, safety training, and research skills in the first four weeks. In the next six weeks, you’ll work in one of over 80 NYU research labs with faculty and researchers in areas such as computer science, AI, robotics, bioengineering, molecular engineering, chemical engineering, and machine learning.
You’ll complete around 120 hours of lab work, contribute to ongoing research, and improve your public speaking and communication skills. You will also get to network with scholars and industry professionals, and receive mentorship, college application support, and avenues for jobs, internships, and research opportunities.
7. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) at Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $10,705 (Residential) | $5,875 (Commuter); need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: July 7 – 25 | July 28 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students | If you’re 16 or older, you are eligible for the residential option.
This pre-college STEM program consists of two three-week sessions, in which you’ll take one college-level, project-based engineering course taught by Columbia faculty. Options include Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Product Design, Sustainable Engineering, Solar Energy, AI and Machine Learning, Operations Research, Chemical Engineering, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. You’ll also pick an elective seminar focused on skill-building and teamwork, led by undergrads and staff. Some courses use Columbia’s Makerspace—equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC tools—for hands-on prototyping. The program also includes workshops on public speaking and online presentation skills.
8. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California campuses: Los Angeles, Davis, San Diego, Irvine, or Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $5,256, plus a non-refundable $44 application fee. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: UCI, UCSD: July 6 – August 1 | UCD, UCLA, UCSC: July 6 – August 2
Eligibility: California high school students entering grades 9–12 | Desirable GPA of 3.5 or higher
In this four-week residential summer program, you’ll take part in hands-on, lab-based projects with faculty, researchers, and scientists. The program is divided into clusters at various UC campuses, each focused on advanced STEM topics from fields including materials science, robotics, physics, astronomy, computer science, biomedical sciences, ecology, engineering, marine science, and game theory. You might explore topics like quantum mechanics and nanotech, sustainable aviation, climate change, music and tech, video game design, practical uses of chemical principles, and more. You’ll dive into subjects that go beyond high school coursework, work in state-of-the-art labs, and build skills for future STEM studies and careers.
9. UCSD’s Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Free (without research project), $1,500 (with research project). Financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from San Diego County | At least 16 years old | Minimum GPA of 3.0
This program allows you to work on a research project for eight weeks, helping you gain hands-on experience in experiments, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. You’ll gain research experience, build skills for future careers, and receive mentorship from computational research scientists. You’ll also join lab meetings, take part in group discussions, and become part of the research team, working in areas like computer science, neuroscience, software development, computational chemistry, and cancer diagnostics. You will create a scientific poster about your work and career goals to present at an event in mid-August. The program also includes readings, software training, and discussions with your mentor and their team.
10. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Eligibility: High school juniors living in Northern California
This five-week, full-time summer program is designed especially for low-income, first-generation college-bound high school juniors from Northern California who are interested in science and medicine. You’ll attend faculty lectures, workshops, and networking events at Stanford Medicine, and participate in a public health disparities research project where you’ll work in groups to write a paper, create a presentation, and design a poster. You’ll be supported by faculty, healthcare professionals, and college students as mentors, helping you prepare for college and explore medical careers. You’ll also complete hospital internships at Stanford Hospital, shadow professionals, and discuss various medical careers. The program includes weekly guest lectures, campus tours, and demonstrations.
11. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple sites across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from underrepresented science backgrounds | At least 16 years old by June 1 | Have completed a year of math and biology | Minimum 3.0 GPA.
This program gives high school and college students from diverse backgrounds hands-on experience in biomedical research at local clinics and labs. You’ll be paired with a mentor who will guide you through a research project in either a lab or clinical setting. The program, linked to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, includes workshops, one-on-one mentoring, training, weekly seminars with UCSF MDs and PhDs, journal club discussions, social events, and networking opportunities, all designed for students interested in health sciences and STEM. You can request the type of research you’d like to do, but your project will be matched based on your mentor. Research categories include Lab Research, Clinical Research, and Community/Health Research.
12. Belin-Blank Center’s Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
Location: Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $7,500, plus a non-refundable $95 application fee. Financial aid can cover up to 95% of the program’s cost. Merit and need-based scholarships are also available.
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: June 18 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11
This highly selective program allows high school students to team up with faculty at a research-focused university to work on hands-on research projects. You’ll attend classes, develop research skills, and collaborate on a project, presenting a poster at the end. Research areas include biology, engineering, sustainability sciences, genetics, anthropology, psychology, business analytics, biomedical engineering, anatomy, and more. As a participant, you’ll be enrolled at the University of Iowa and earn 3 semester hours of credit upon completing the program. Seminars are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with readings and assignments to support your learning.
13. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: Remote, in-person, or hybrid at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $1,300 – $4,800 based on the program and format.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Dates: Programs run year-round, with options in summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 | 15 years or older | GPA of 3.0 or higher
This program offers high school students hands-on experience in real research projects in tracks like Life Sciences, Engineering in Medicine, Business Research, Marine Science, Bioengineering, and Medicine. You’ll work on projects, gain lab skills, and analyze data to build your research experience. Some programs may also be eligible for high school credit, depending on your school.
For instance, in the Bioengineering track, you’ll get hands-on experience with Biomedical Imaging and 3D Printing, training in mammalian cell and tissue culture, and learn how these techniques are used in research. You’ll also test knee dissection and biomechanical models. The program ends with you presenting your research to industry professionals and scientists, helping you gain valuable feedback.
14. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free. Need-based scholarships are available for students who need extra support.
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Eligibility: Local high school students aged 16 or older | Residing in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, or San Mateo counties | Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher | Have some background in biology, computer programming, or chemistry through coursework or extracurriculars
This Program gives Bay Area high school students the chance to spend eight weeks gaining hands-on experience in computational genetics and genomics. It requires a 20-hour weekly commitment where you’ll be placed in a research lab and work on a genomics project under guidance from a mentor. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend weekly cohort sessions, take part in career panels and seminars, and have regular check-ins with your mentor. The internship runs Monday to Friday, for about four hours each day, usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the program. You’ll also build professional skills and connect with a community of students and researchers.
15. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending an SFUSD or San Francisco charter school
This 8-week paid summer internship allows you to explore biomedical research at UC San Francisco, where you’ll be matched with a UCSF scientist who’ll mentor you through an interest-based research project. Program coordinators assign lab placements by considering your preferences, lab location, schedule, and other details. Past projects have focused on topics like immunology, cancer, neuroscience, stem cells, molecular biology, infectious diseases, and developmental biology. You’ll also improve your science communication, build connections with UCSF researchers, and expand your network. On top of that, you’ll get college counseling support— feedback on resumes and personal statements, information on colleges and financial aid, transcript reviews, and campus tours.
Bonus programs –
While the programs below aren’t hosted by universities, they are founded by Harvard and Oxford alumni, and offer college credit!
1. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program 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! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
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 – The Rockefeller University
