If you’re a high school student in San Diego looking to explore advanced subjects, develop specialized skills, and gain hands-on experience, summer programs are a good option to consider. The programs in this list range from research mentorships to engineering immersions and community service opportunities. The knowledge and skills you will gain from these programs can be valuable when applying for future academic or professional opportunities. 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’s a lineup of 13 summer programs for San Diego high school students.
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more
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.
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!
2. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject Areas: Engineering, Physical Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Social Science, Geometry, and more
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) labs nationwide, including Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 aged 16+ who are solely U.S. citizens. Specific labs may have additional eligibility requirements
Application Deadline: November 1
Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Cost: Free (stipend of $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants)
SEAP places students in Navy labs to work on current research in science and engineering under the mentorship of Navy researchers. You will engage in meaningful projects that deepen your understanding of STEM using advanced research tools and software. Through hands-on learning, you will gain practical experience in a government research environment, preparing you for future careers in defense and technology fields. The program aims to encourage students to pursue Department of Navy science and engineering careers.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges
4. JCVI Internship Program
Subject Areas: Genomics, Environmental Science, Synthetic Biology, Technology
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA and Rockville, MD
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who reside in the U.S. and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: Rolling once applications are open
Program Dates: TBA (10-15 weeks in summer)
Compensation: Free (paid $17/hour)
The J. Craig Venter Institute’s internship program allows interns to work in genomics and environmental research with mentorship from JCVI scientists. You will contribute to lab experiments in fields that interest you using modern technology and tools. You’ll enhance your scientific communication skills through seminars and a concluding poster presentation, giving you insight into professional research. The program also offers career development workshops and journal clubs.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders
Subject Areas: Community Service, Leadership, Nonprofit Operations, Civic Engagement
Location: Nationwide, including San Diego, CA; local nonprofit placements, and a Washington, D.C. summit
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing and permanently reside in one of the eligible locations
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: Eight-week summer internship; exact dates depend on the location
Cost: Free (stipends provided)
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers high school students internships at local nonprofits and a leadership summit in Washington, D.C. You will learn about the challenges nonprofits face, participate in community impact projects, and gain insight into how the public, private, and nonprofit sectors collaborate to address social issues. The program fosters leadership and civic engagement, preparing you for future roles in social impact and advocacy. The program selects only 300 students each year, and the trip to the leadership summit in Washington, D.C., is fully funded by the Bank of America.
6. UC San Diego Research Scholars Program
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, Business, Life Sciences, Marine Science, Design Thinking
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (hybrid/online options available)
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Varies by program, with some on a rolling basis; check program availability
Program Dates: Seasonal programs throughout the year (summer, fall, winter)
Cost: $1,500 – $3,000 depending on the program and format
The UC San Diego Research Scholars Program offers high school students a research experience in fields like bioengineering, marine science, and business research. You will engage in projects that develop technical skills through lab activities and data analysis, building scientific skills that will help you conduct future research. In the bioengineering program, for example, you will grow mammalian cells and tissues in a solution. Program sessions vary, with options for hybrid or online participation.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Subject Areas: STEM—Physics, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Robotics, Game Theory, and more
Location: University of California campuses (Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz), CA
Eligibility: California high school students (grades 8-11) with a GPA of 3.5 or above
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1
Cost: $5,256 + $44 nonrefundable application fee, financial aid available
The COSMOS program offers a four-week residential experience across UC campuses, including UCSD and UCLA, where high school students study advanced STEM topics in fields like biomedical sciences, robotics, and environmental science. Each campus focuses on distinct clusters, aligning with its faculty’s expertise, enabling you to explore specialized projects and research. UCSD has previously offered courses in engineering design, tissue engineering, video game programming, and photonics.
8. Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative medicine Knowledge (SPARK)
Subject Areas: Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine, Cell Biology
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: California high school students who are 16 years or older, preference is given to students from San Diego or Imperial County
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: 6 weeks mid-June onwards
Cost: Free (includes a stipend)
This SPARK internship allows California high school students to engage in stem cell research at leading institutions, including the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. SPARK provides exposure to lab work focused on regenerative medicine and cell biology. This program, offered by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, prioritizes students from diverse backgrounds and includes a stipend.
9. UCSD Academic Connections
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Structural Engineering, Writing, History, Digital Media, Animation, and more
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: July 6 – 26
Cost: $5,950 (+$200 for an SAT Prep Course)
Academic Connections offers a pre-college program for high school students to take courses taught by UCSD scholars, spanning topics like digital media literacy, the influence of art in technology, and structural engineering. In the ‘Analyzing Adaptations: Books and Beyond’ course, you’ll study the difference between books and their film adaptations. The course on emotions will help you understand how emotions are used in media and political messaging. In ‘Introduction to Structural Engineering,’ you’ll have the chance to construct your own mini-buildings that have to survive a simulated earthquake.
10. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Subject Areas: Computational Science, Engineering, Supercomputing, Computer Science
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students in grades 10-12
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $1,500 (financial assistance available)
This eight-week REHS program connects students with mentors in computational science, where they work on structured research projects at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. As an intern, you’ll develop skills in hypothesis formulation, data analysis, and computational modeling, engaging in regular lab meetings and project discussions. The program concludes with a poster presentation, where you’ll showcase your findings and research experience.
11. UCSD Sally Ride Science Academy
Subject Areas: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3-12 (different workshops for each age group)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 7 – 25
Cost: Not mentioned
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers STEAM workshops for students of different age groups, allowing students to explore roles like space explorer, marine biologist, and computer programmer. With a strong focus on interactive projects, the program introduces you to real scientific and artistic challenges. The academy also highlights diverse role models in STEAM fields, aiming to make these careers more accessible to young students.
12. Scripps Student Research Internship Program
Subject Areas: Translational Science, Genomics, Computational Biology, Mobile Health (mHealth), Computer Science, Statistics, Health Sciences
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 16 years old by the internship start date
Application Deadline: March 30
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9 | June 17 – August 23
Cost: Unpaid internship
The Scripps Student Research Internship Program places students in a research environment focused on genomics, proteomics, and mobile health technologies. You will gain hands-on experience with data analysis, computational methods, and emerging tools in biomedical research. You will collaborate with researchers on translational science projects, enhancing both your technical skills and understanding of personalized health care. The internship teaches you how to present scientific information, a useful skill if you’re considering research for college or for your career.
13. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Cancer Research, Immunobiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, Plant Biology, Bioinformatics, and more
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students, age 16+ with coursework in biology and chemistry and a minimum GPA of 2.75
Application Deadline: March 5
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program offers San Diego high schoolers the chance to contribute to research in various subfields of biology. Over eight weeks, you will work alongside researchers at the Salk Institute on projects in fields like computational biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. You will learn essential wet lab techniques and explore real-world applications of biotechnology. Through workshops, mentorship, and a final presentation, you will build skills for future careers in scientific research and biology.
Image Source – University of California San Diego Logo
