If you are a high school student in D.C. looking to build new skills this summer, free local programs in the city can be a strong (and accessible) place to start. These programs are fully funded and hosted by well-known universities and organizations based in D.C., making them affordable ways to explore advanced subjects.
Some even offer research opportunities or hands-on training that reflect real-world work in fields like government, STEM, business, and education. Summer programs are also a chance to meet motivated peers, gain early exposure to college-level material, and build experience that can help shape your academic or career goals.
Here, we’ve listed 15 free summer programs in D.C. for high school students!
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in D.C.
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: The AI Scholars program costs $2,490, and the AI Fellowship costs $5,900. If you choose to do both, the total cost is $7,900. Full need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 42.5% | AI Scholars: 5:1 student/mentor ratio, AI Fellowship: 1:1 student/mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts are offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; you can apply here
Eligibility: All high school students can apply to AI Scholars. The AI Fellowship is for students who either have prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI offers programs for students interested in exploring artificial intelligence. Founded by Harvard researchers, the programs are taught by instructors from institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. The AI Scholars program is a beginner-friendly, 10-session course that covers AI, machine learning, and data science through hands-on projects using real-world examples.
If you’ve got some programming experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a more advanced option that you can consider. You’ll work one-on-one with a university mentor to create a research project and get help preparing it for publication. You can see past student projects here.
3. Howard University School of Business – High School Summer Enrichment Programs
Location: Howard University School of Business, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 1 (early deadline) | April 1 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with strong grades and recommendations from teachers or guidance counselors
High School Summer Enrichment Programs at Howard University School of Business are for rising high school juniors and seniors. The program runs for one week on campus. You’ll choose one track from Accounting, Actuarial Science, Information Systems, or Entrepreneurship. Classes are taught by business faculty. You’ll visit companies and work on hands-on group projects. In teams, you’ll develop a product or business that solves a problem in your chosen field. You’ll also build practical skills, practice critical thinking, and take part in leadership, teamwork, and cultural activities.
4. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Around 10–12%
Dates: The summer internship period runs from May to August; you can find all available internships at www.usajobs.gov
Application Deadline: Applications close in December for the summer internship period, but exact dates vary by opportunity
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited school, are U.S. citizens, and are eligible throughout the internship
The Treasury Department offers unpaid internships in Washington, D.C. for students to gain hands-on experience in federal work. As an intern, you might collect and analyze policy data, research, and summarize academic sources or news tied to key missions, and support daily operations in one of several offices at Treasury headquarters. Depending on your assignment, tasks include organizing events, attending government meetings or hearings, drafting reports and briefing materials, and working on areas like budgeting, strategic planning, IT updates, or HR.
5. Georgetown University Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students receive a stipend after completing the program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective | In the past, 42 students have participated in the program
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 14 – February 28
Eligibility: High-achieving rising high school seniors with strong GPAs who attend a Cristo Rey Network or KIPP Foundation school, or another invited school, network, or community organization, can apply if they’re nominated by their principal, KIPP Through College regional advisor, or guidance counselor
Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP) at Georgetown University is a three-week, on-campus college prep program for rising high school seniors planning to apply to competitive colleges. You’ll take part in daily classes, workshops, group discussions, and field trips. Through Georgetown Experience Seminars, you’ll explore subjects like international relations, business, government, cybersecurity, STEM, health studies, and liberal arts, all taught by university faculty. The program also includes SAT prep with a practice test, college application support, and guidance on financial aid and scholarships.
6. Department of Education Student Internships – Student Volunteer Trainee Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: 8–10 weeks from May/June to July/August
Application Deadline: January 1 – March 31 (Summer Session)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, enrolled at an accredited school at least half-time in a related field, and have permission from their school to intern
U.S. Department of Education Student Volunteer Trainee Program offers year-round internships for students interested in federal education, policy, and administration. The program gives you hands-on experience in areas like Human Resources, Education Policy, Project Management, Data Analytics, IT, Communications, and Grants Management. You’ll build skills while working in departments that match your interests. Interns also join events like resume workshops, D.C. tours, brown bag lunches with senior officials, and social activities. During spring and fall, you can work 20–40 hours a week, and full-time in summer. Schedules are flexible based on your availability. Current openings are listed here.
7. D.C. Health and Academic Prep Program (D.C. HAPP)
Location: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Participants earn a stipend
Cohort Size: 16 students
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors with at least a 2.0 GPA who attend public schools in the DMV area and plan to pursue a career in medicine or healthcare
D.C. Health and Academic Prep Program (D.C. HAPP) at George Washington University is a four-week summer program for underrepresented high school students interested in healthcare. Run by GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the program is led by medical students and professionals. You’ll learn hands-on clinical skills, explore careers in medicine, work on public health projects, and get support with college prep. You’ll also be mentored by doctors and medical students and connect with GW faculty and staff. After the summer, you’ll have the chance to shadow healthcare professionals at GW Hospital.
8. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: Remote or in person at any of NASA’s ten field centers across the U.S., including NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns may qualify for a stipend based on their academic level and internship duration
Acceptance Rate: Around 5%
Dates: Internships are available in spring, summer, and fall. Summer internships usually last 10 weeks, from late May or early June through August.
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer Session)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, enrolled full-time as a student, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA OSTEM Internships for High School Students offer hands-on experience and mentorship in fields like science, engineering, business, finance, and IT. You’ll explore topics such as astronomy, robotics, ecology, space science, aeronautics, microbiology, and science communication. If you’re interested in D.C.-based positions, the Aeronautics STEM Engagement Tool and Challenge Development option lets you support STEM activities for K–16 students, help analyze current programs, and assist your mentor with tool design and communication efforts.
Depending on your role, you might design experiments, analyze mission data, build new technology, or support mission prep alongside NASA teams. You’ll also get access to virtual sessions with astronauts and space professionals. Use the ‘Filter’ tool on NASA’s internship site to find high school roles.
9. Library of Congress High School Summer Internship
Location: Hybrid; virtual and in person at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Cohort Size: 12 students
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students who are 16 or older at the time of the internship and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders
Library of Congress High School Summer Internship is a 4-week program for students interested in shaping future Library projects. You’ll take on an advisory role, helping design exhibits and programs for youth and families. In-person interns also attend one session per week at the Library. You’ll learn about Library resources, careers, and collections while helping the Center for Learning, Literacy, and Engagement develop content for a new experiential learning space. You’ll give feedback on exhibits, suggest collection items for family use, and help shape teen-focused programming.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Several lab locations across the country, including Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | New participants earn a $4,000 stipend, and returning participants get $4,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: < 10% | 265 high school students participated last year
Dates: 8-week summer internship, with optional 2-week extension
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have completed at least 9th grade, including graduating seniors, can apply; some labs may have additional requirements
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – D.C. Placements let you spend 8 weeks working with Navy scientists and engineers on real research projects. In Washington, D.C., you can apply to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to work on ocean processes, marine geology, coastal dynamics, and mapping. Another option is Team Submarine (TSUB) at NAVSEA, where you’ll support submarine and undersea system work, including engineering development, system analysis, and troubleshooting.
SEAP has about 300 spots at 38+ Navy labs across the U.S. You can apply to three labs. Fields include computer science, math, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, oceanography, and more. Selection is based on your grades, personal statement, recommendations, and research interests.
11. Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP)
Location: Opportunities are available across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend is paid, but varies depending on the opportunity
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: This summer, over 13,000 people are expected to participate in the program
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 27 – March 6
Eligibility: District of Columbia youth aged 14–24
Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) is a paid summer work program for D.C. youth, run by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). You’ll get short-term job experience in private companies or government offices, earn money, build workplace skills, and explore different careers. Local employers across the D.C. area host interns in structured roles with support from professionals. This summer, you’ll also take part in a citywide service project, writing letters to military members, their families, and seniors. The program begins at Trinity University in the Payden Academic Center.
12. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C.. You can check out the available sites here.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free and includes all costs associated with the Leadership Summit. Interns are paid; rates vary by internship.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 5–8%. Each local group consists of 2–5 students, comprising over 300 juniors and seniors from around 100 communities.
Dates: The internship usually lasts about eight weeks over the summer and includes a week in Washington, D.C., for the Leadership Summit from July 21 to 26.
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing, legally authorized to work in the U.S., live in one of the eligible locations, and have not previously participated in the program
Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll work around 35 hours a week at a local nonprofit, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity. You’ll take on real projects, build leadership and teamwork skills, and see how nonprofits address community needs. If selected, you’ll be matched with a nonprofit partner in your area. The program also includes a week in Washington, D.C., for the Student Leaders Summit, where you’ll learn how nonprofits, government, and businesses work together to create change.
13. Spark!Lab Teen Innovators Program
Location: National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $2,300
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 1 – August 16
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15–17 from the DMV area
Spark! Lab Teen Innovators Program is a 7-week, part-time internship at the Lemelson Center’s invention space in the National Museum of American History. You’ll work 16 hours a week helping visitors with hands-on activities and learning how to teach in a museum setting. You’ll also join a team to design your invention, with a focus on either historical research and display design or music history and beat production. By the end, you’ll present a working prototype aimed at making Spark!Lab more engaging for teens. Along the way, you’ll attend guest talks, take exhibit tours, use tools like Microsoft Suite, and explore careers in museums and innovation.
14. Project SEED by the American Chemical Society
Location: In-person and virtual research projects are available. Some labs are located in the University of the District of Columbia and the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and you can find a complete list of lab locations here.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns receive a $4,000 fellowship award or stipend
Cohort Size: Over 350 students participate each year
Dates: 8–10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who’ve completed at least one chemistry class can apply. The participant’s family income must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, depending on family size. Project SEED offers different ways to confirm financial eligibility, which you can check out here.
Project SEED is a paid summer program where you’ll spend 8 to 10 weeks doing full-time chemistry research at a university or government lab. You’ll work 8 hours a day on a real project with a scientist mentor and share your results through a report or poster. If it’s your first time, you’ll join the Summer I track. If you return, Summer II lets you continue your work or start a new project. You’ll explore chemistry careers, prepare for college, and might present your work at the American Chemical Society National Meeting. If you plan to major in chemistry or another STEM field, you can apply for scholarships of up to $5,000 per year.
15. Smithsonian’s Young Ambassadors Program at the National Museum of the American Latino
Location: Multiple locations, including Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend is paid (amount not specified)
Cohort Size: 20 high school seniors
Dates: July 8 – August 2; Washington Week takes place from June 22 to June 28
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are fluent in English, authorized to work in the U.S., and have a weighted cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)
Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a national college prep and leadership program for graduating high school seniors, run by the Smithsonian. It’s for students interested in the arts, sciences, or humanities, especially as they connect to Latino communities and culture. If selected, you’ll spend one week in Washington, D.C. during Washington Week, exploring careers, visiting Smithsonian Latino collections, and meeting museum professionals. After that, you’ll join a four-week hands-on practicum at a museum or cultural site in one of 19 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
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 – Georgetown University