If you’re a high school student in Illinois, summer is a good time to step outside of regular schoolwork and focus on something more practical. One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do that is by joining a free summer program.
These programs give you a chance to learn outside the classroom. You might explore science, technology, healthcare, business, law, or other subjects that interest you. You’ll be working in labs, helping with research, joining workshops, or completing real projects.
If you’re based in Illinois, the state is home to many universities, research centers, and local organizations that run free summer programs for high school students every year. Since they’re local, they’re easier to get to. You don’t need to travel far or worry about living costs. Most of these programs are fully funded, and many even offer a stipend, so you might get paid while learning something useful.
To get started, here’s a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Illinois!
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Illinois
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
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 currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research program designed for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Built on the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, known for its one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation gives you the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the free equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In this flagship program, you’ll be paired with a world-class Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop your research paper. You can choose topics in psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program 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 run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students like you who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you’re looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you’ll work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you’ll have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Illinois (placement at local nonprofit) + Washington, D.C. (summit)
Cost: Paid internship (amount varies by location; typically hourly pay)
Dates: 8-week program (includes July 21–26 for the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.)
Application Deadline: January 15
Cost: Free (all travel and accommodation for the summit are covered)
Eligibility: High school junior or senior, Illinois resident, legally authorized to work in the U.S. through September. Must commit to 35 hours/week for 8 weeks at a local nonprofit, attend the full D.C. summit, and not be a past Student Leader or immediate family of a Bank of America employee
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week summer opportunity for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll be placed in a paid internship at a local nonprofit, working 35 hours per week on community-focused projects. The program includes a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll learn how government, business, and nonprofits work together to address local challenges. You’ll gain experience in organizational management, social impact strategy, and civic leadership while building a network with peers from across the country.
4. DePaul + CHA Youth Partnership Summer Intensives
Location: DePaul University – Loop Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free. A stipend of $15.80/hour (up to 120 hours over 6 weeks)
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school–aged youth (15–24) who are Chicago Housing Authority residents; enrolled in high school at the time of application; priority given to minority youth in CHA/public housing.
DePaul + CHA Youth Partnership Summer Intensives is a six-week paid summer program for high school students living in Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) communities. You can choose from three creative technology tracks – filmmaking, game and graphic design, or screenwriting, taught by DePaul University faculty and mentored by graduate students. You’ll use professional software and editing labs to create production-ready projects while learning industry workflows in digital media.
5. Field Museum – Chicago Green Ambassadors Program
Location: Burnham Wildlife Corridor, Chicago, IL
Cost: Paid internship (hourly rate; amount varies)
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Spring (check the program site or apply by early to mid‑April)
Eligibility: Ages 15–22; high school students from Chicago neighborhoods including Chinatown, Bronzeville, Little Village, Pilsen, and surrounding communities.
The Chicago Green Ambassadors Program is a paid summer internship for high school students focused on environmental science and urban conservation. You’ll work along the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, a 100-acre stretch of prairie and woodland ecosystems on Chicago’s lakefront. The program includes habitat restoration, ecological fieldwork, and community engagement projects led by Field Museum scientists and local partners. You’ll gain hands-on experience in conservation techniques, urban ecology, and civic leadership while exploring career paths in environmental science.
6. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: Free; Monetary award provided (exact amount not specified)
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early March (notifications sent in early May)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin; AEOP track restricted to rising 11th–12th graders in the Champaign-Urbana area who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program at UIUC is a six-week, fully funded research experience for rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. You’ll work alongside University of Illinois faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on cutting-edge projects in fields like cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, and bioengineering.
You’ll spend 30–35 hours per week in labs and seminars, learning technical research skills, lab methodologies, and scientific communication. Weekly sessions cover college readiness, poster design, and professional development. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a formal research symposium.
7. Digital Scholars Program – Discovery Partners Institute (DPI)
Location: Discovery Partners Institute, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders from Chicago Public Schools and Chicago-area districts; first-year college students at City Colleges of Chicago and Illinois institutions. Focus on Black, Latine, female, gender-expansive, and first-generation students.
Digital Scholars Program at Discovery Partners Institute is a six-week, no-cost summer program for high school juniors, seniors, and first-year college students from Chicago and nearby districts. You’ll take college-level courses in computing and choose from five tracks: data science, electrical and computer engineering, foundations of computer science and coding, iOS app design, or programming in Swift.
You’ll build technical skills through hands-on projects using tools like Xcode, Java, and Kotlin, and participate in workshops on AI, machine learning, and entrepreneurship. Daily sessions include guest speakers from Chicago’s tech community, and you’ll get support with college and career readiness, personal branding, and professional networking.
8. College First – Chicago Botanic Garden
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Cost: Free: Pays a stipend (exact amount varies each year; includes stipend and transportation support)
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current sophomore or junior in a Chicago Public School
College First at the Chicago Botanic Garden is a seven-week, fully funded summer research program for rising 11th and 12th-grade CPS students. You’ll take a college-level environmental science course, conduct field research, and work alongside conservation scientists in labs and natural areas. The program includes advanced ecological survey techniques, GIS mapping, plant identification, and data analysis, all tied to active conservation projects. You’ll also receive college-readiness support, including SAT prep, essay writing workshops, and career exploration in environmental and biological sciences.
9. Chicago EYES on Cancer – University of Chicago Medicine
Location: University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free: $5,000 stipend per year (for two summers)
Dates: Mid June – Early August (8 weeks per summer)
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; must commit to two consecutive summers. Priority for students from groups historically underrepresented in science or from under-resourced schools.
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a competitive two-year research program for high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds in the Chicago area. You’ll spend eight weeks each summer working in a biomedical research lab at the University of Chicago, guided by faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. The first summer focuses on lab techniques and team-based cancer research; the second emphasizes independent projects and deeper mentorship. You’ll learn advanced laboratory methods, contribute to cancer-focused research, and build skills in scientific communication through poster sessions and presentations.
10. SHE in Oncology – University of Chicago Medicine
Location: Virtual (hosted by UChicago Medicine and partner institutions)
Cost: Free; Stipend: $500
Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students nationwide with an interest in biomedical sciences; strong encouragement for underrepresented groups in STEM and healthcare.
SHE in Oncology is a two-week virtual summer program for high school students interested in cancer biology and biomedical careers. You’ll work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study while participating in daily faculty lectures, skill-building workshops, and group problem-solving sessions. The curriculum includes lab simulations, panel discussions with researchers and clinicians, and exposure to career pathways in oncology. You’ll build scientific knowledge and professional networks through hands-on activities and mentorship.
11. ResearcHStart – University of Chicago & Partner Institutions
Location: Chicago and Urbana-Champaign, IL (labs at University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, Rush University)
Cost: Free; Stipend: $3,000
Dates: Second week of June – First week of August
Application Deadline: Typically late January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; Illinois residents or Lake County, IN; at least 16 years old by program start; strong interest in scientific research or medicine.
ResearcHStart is an eight-week full-time cancer research internship for high school students in Illinois. You’ll be placed in a biomedical lab at one of several partner institutions, including the University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, or Northwestern University, and work under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. You’ll gain hands-on experience in cancer immunology, bioengineering, pharmacogenomics, and experimental therapeutics while learning advanced lab techniques and research communication.
12. Emerging Rural Leaders 11th – University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Full program fee is waived for students with household income ≤ $120,000. For students with household income ≤ $65,000, the program fee is waived, and domestic round-trip travel expenses are covered.
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students (at least 15 years old) attending a rural or small-town high school in the United States.
Emerging Rural Leaders at the University of Chicago is a one-week, fully funded residential enrichment program for high-achieving 11th-grade students from rural and small-town high schools across the United States. You’ll live on campus and take interdisciplinary classes with UChicago faculty, tour research facilities, and participate in college application workshops. The program includes guided sessions on navigating admissions, building strong applications, and identifying scholarships tailored for rural and small-town students. You’ll also explore Chicago’s cultural and professional landscape through excursions and guest speakers.
13. Young Innovators Climate & Energy – University of Chicago Summer Session
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Fee waived for household income ≤ $120,000; fee + travel waived for household income ≤ $65,000
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students, at least 15 years old, enrolled in a U.S. high school.
The Young Innovators Climate and Energy Program at the University of Chicago is a one-week, fully funded residential program for current high school juniors. You’ll explore the intersection of climate policy, energy economics, and sustainable technology through daily lectures, collaborative projects, and policy simulations led by faculty from the Energy Policy Institute and Climate Impact Lab. You’ll study topics like renewable energy systems, environmental modeling, and energy market dynamics while developing data-driven problem-solving and interdisciplinary analysis skills.
14. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows
Location: Chicago Architecture Center and Harold Washington College, Downtown Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; $800 stipend upon completion
Dates: July through August (15-month program)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending high school in Chicago or the surrounding areas. CPS students may earn dual enrollment credit.
The Teen Fellows program is a five-week summer opportunity where you work on real design and architecture projects in teams. You start by learning design basics, then visit sites across Chicago and explore how architecture and city planning work. Each group builds a final project that solves a local problem, with help from practicing architects in the city. At the end, you present your project to a public audience. All expenses are covered, and you also get a stipend.
15. Medical and Science Training Institute at Rush University
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; A stipend of $200–$400; amount varies by year
Dates: Varies by the cohort. Summer: June 16 – August 1 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors from Chicago-area schools. Priority is given to students from low-income backgrounds and groups underrepresented in medicine.
MSTI is a summer program at Rush University Medical Center where you get hands-on experience in medical science. You shadow doctors, work on lab research, and practice clinical skills. You also visit different labs and clinics, attend workshops, and take part in seminars on health careers. Each student is matched with a mentor—either a faculty member, doctor, or researcher and gets help with college planning. You finish the program by presenting your research at a final symposium.
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 – Rush University