If you’re a high school student in Maryland looking for free summer programs to develop your skills, we’ve got you covered. These programs allow you to go beyond the classroom and connect with peers and mentors. Beyond academics, these programs provide a chance to explore career paths and guide your future academic and professional choices. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Here are 14 of the best summer programs for high school students in Maryland across fields like business, STEM, social science, forestry, leadership, and more.
Note: Many of the programs below are either free or fully funded.
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods. After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique opportunity!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science
Location: Virtual
Program 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 few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
2. Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) Program
The Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) Program is an intensive academic initiative aimed at increasing high school students’ interest in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, and Computer Science. You will explore careers, develop time management and study skills, and enhance critical thinking, civic awareness, teamwork, and leadership. You will attend classes in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, and Computer Science, along with field trips and professional development sessions. Most of the program is virtual, but the last week is held on campus, with room and board provided for all students.
Subject Areas: Science, Mathematics, Actuarial Science
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Program Dates: June 30 – July 25
Cost/Stipend: Free, stipend provided
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grader or a graduating senior planning to enroll at Morgan State University. You should also be interested in pursuing a degree in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, or Computer Science, preferably at Morgan State University
Application Deadline: April 30
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll get guidance to develop a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches.
You can choose subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program ends with a symposium where you can present your research, with the potential for publication.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) Program
JHIBS is a selective paid internship focused on inclusivity in neuroscience and neurology, accepting 8 students for the in-person internship each year. In the in-person program, you will receive mentorship from JHU faculty, attend seminars and professional development sessions, and complete a research project on topics like epilepsy, OCD, Alzheimer’s, or brain cell regeneration. At the program’s end, you will present your research through oral or poster presentations. The virtual program offers training in basic lab skills, professional development, and mentorship.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore campus, MD or virtual
Program Dates: In-person: eight weeks, Virtual: five weeks
Cost: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend and transportation costs, virtual interns receive a $500 stipend
Eligibility:
- In-person: high school juniors and seniors from Baltimore City public schools
- Virtual: high school juniors and seniors from across the U.S.
Application Deadline: March 1
5. National Cancer Institute’s Student Intern Program
The WHK Student Intern Program offers internships for those interested in medical and biomedical research, with options for summer or school-year participation. You can choose between research roles in areas like molecular biology, cancer metabolism, chemical biology, and more, or support roles in bioinformatics, data analysis, IT, science communication, education, and outreach. Summer interns work forty hours a week and earn four weighted credits.
Subject Areas: Cancer Research, Medicine, Biomedicine
Location: National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
Program Dates: June 16 – August 15
Cost/Stipend: Students receive a stipend of $2,300 – $2,530
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and:
- Be 17 years or older before June 16
- Be a high school junior at the time of application
- Attend a participating school within 30 miles of the NCI-Frederick Campus
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or submit a third teacher recommendation for a GPA of 2.5-3.0)
- Have valid health insurance
- Have fewer than 10 excused absences during sophomore year (or provide an explanation)
- Have taken a math and a science course
Application Deadline: December 20
6. University of Maryland’s Girls Talk Math Camp
Girls Talk Math offers a two-week summer day camp at the University of Maryland’s main campus focused on empowering girls in mathematics. You will engage in mini-lectures, activities, guest panels, and interviews with female mathematicians. At the end of the camp, you will create and publish a podcast about a female mathematician of your choice. See previous participants’ podcasts here.
Subject Areas: Mathematics
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Program Dates: July 22 – August 2
Cost/Stipend: No information available
Eligibility: Rising 9 – 12 grade students who attend school within commuting distance of the University of Maryland
Application Deadline: TBA
7. Maryland Forest Services’ Natural Resources Career Camp
This program offers a week in the scenic forests of Garrett County, where you’ll learn about careers in natural resources from industry professionals. You’ll participate in hands-on activities in forestry, fishing, ecology, watershed management, and conservation. You’ll also learn about wildlife management, tree identification, and kinds of soils. Campers 16 and older who pass an exam can earn two college credits from Allegany College of Maryland.
Subject Areas: Forestry, Ecology, Wildlife Habitat, Fisheries, Watershed Ecology
Location: Hickory Environmental Education Center, Accident, MD
Program Dates: July 20 – 26
Cost/Stipend: $150 activity fee and $500 tuition, latter is usually covered by the local Forestry Board
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates
Application Deadline: No information available
8. JHU’s Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens
This competitive paid program offers Baltimore City high school students five weeks of hands-on research in quantitative biophysics at Johns Hopkins University. You’ll work with high school and undergraduate students, conducting research under the guidance of graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty. Along with lab work, you’ll attend classes to learn key concepts for your experiments, starting with reagent preparation and advancing to microbiology techniques and DNA protein engineering.
Subject Areas: Biophysics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Biomedicine
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Program Dates: Mid-July through mid-August (5 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; the pay rate is $15/hour
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates who live in Baltimore City, attend a Baltimore City Public School, and have taken Chemistry
Application Deadline: April 15
9. WIE Rise Summer Research Program at the University of Maryland
This virtual program, led by Maryland Engineering students through the RISE Program and the Women in Engineering Program, is open to all gender identities but focuses on women high school students. The week-long course introduces you to various engineering fields and research. Each day, you’ll explore a different engineering discipline, learn about University of Maryland research labs, and get guidance on reading and writing scientific papers. You’ll also have the chance to participate in experiments at home.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Research
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: July 29 – August 2
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students
Application Deadline: May 12
10. NIH High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
The National Institutes of Health’s HiSTEP program offers internships in biomedical engineering and healthcare, aiming to increase interest in these careers. Over 5 weeks in Bethesda, you’ll explore research and healthcare careers through lectures, research group visits, networking, small group discussions, and group projects. You’ll also receive guidance on college applications, build career and leadership skills, and participate in a resilience and well-being program focused on biomedical research and STEM-M careers.
Subject Areas: Biomedicine, Healthcare
Location: National Institutes of Health main campus, Bethesda, MD
Program Dates: July 2 – August 1
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,300 – $2,530 stipend provided
Eligibility: Students must:
- Be high school juniors
- Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 can apply if grades are improving)
- Live in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland
- Attend a school where 30% or more of the students participate in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program
Application Deadline: Applications will open in mid-November and close in late January
11. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a free, six-week program for sophomores and juniors passionate about the liberal arts. It emphasizes critical thinking and community-building, with all expenses covered to remove financial barriers. You’ll engage in rigorous academics, attending three-hour daily classes with faculty-led discussions, group work, and lectures, along with essay assignments to sharpen your writing. You will engage in college-level academics, critically examining books, films, and art.
Subject Areas: Humanities, Social Sciences, Critical Black Studies, Anti-Oppressive Studies
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD and Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Cost/Stipend: Free
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors aged 15 to 18, domestic and international. Black, Indigenous, other students of color, and those who have faced economic hardship are strongly encouraged to apply
Application Deadline: Applications open October 15 and are due December 3
12. ASPIRE by the Johns Hopkins University
The ASPIRE program pairs high school students with lab staff to work on collaborative projects across a range of STEM subjects, developing technical and interpersonal skills. It offers both in-person and fully virtual internships, though in-person attendance is required for onboarding, equipment returns, and troubleshooting. While applying, you’ll choose an area of interest but cannot select a specific mentor or project. Students aiming for a medical career may choose the biology internship, though placements are highly competitive and focus more on biological and biomedical research than on medicine. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings through a digital poster.
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology & Cybersecurity, Mathematics & Data Analysis, Physics, Planetary Science
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Program Dates: June 25 – August 22
Cost/Stipend: Free
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors permanently resident in the Washington-Baltimore area who will be at least 15 years old by June 1, are U.S. citizens, and have a minimum 2.8 GPA
Application Deadline: February 15
13. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program at the University of Maryland
The ESTEEM Research Mentoring Program (Engineering Science and Technology to Energize and Expand Young Minds) and Summer Engineering Research (SER)-Quest is a 4-week intensive research program designed to encourage students form underrepresented groups to pursue STEM. You will conduct an engineering research project, learn engineering concepts, develop a research proposal, perform a literature search and review, receive college preparation and career readiness training, and meet undergraduate and graduate engineering students. This program is full-time, running five days a week for four weeks.
Subject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2
Cost/Stipend: Free
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a rising senior
- Be able to commute to the University of Maryland campus
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 with no C’s in math or science
- Have completed Chemistry with a B or better
Application Deadline: April 26
14. University of Maryland MathQuantum Summer Research Program
The MathQuantum Summer Research Program connects mathematics with quantum information sciences. Fellows join UMD’s MathQuantum Research Training Group, which focuses on research at this intersection. As a high school participant, you will work on a mini math-based QIS research project, attend workshops, receive mentorship from scientists, learn to write proposals, and network with students and professionals in the math-QIS field. You will get the chance to attend the Qubit by Qubit High School Summer Camp free of cost if it is offered that year.
Subject Areas: Math, Quantum Information Science
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: July 25 – August 6
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: February 14
Image Source – Johns Hopkins University Logo
