Key Takeaways
- These 15 programs cover a broad range of disciplines across Indiana’s universities, from proof-based mathematics at the Ross Mathematics Program to biomedical research at Indiana University and urban forestry through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s Youth Tree Team.
- Program formats vary considerably, from short two-day experiences like Molecular Medicine in Action to longer eight-week research placements like the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program, so you can choose based on how much time you want to commit.
- Several programs are free to attend, and some, like the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program and the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program, also provide a stipend, while others charge a program fee ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $10,000, often with financial aid available.
- Many placements pair you directly with a faculty mentor or research scientist on an active project, and several conclude with a poster presentation or research symposium where you share your findings.
- If you want a longer, mentored research experience that results in an independent paper rather than a structured program, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Indiana
If you’re considering your options outside the classroom, summer programs for high school students offer a structured way to explore academic interests before college. A program is a time-bound educational experience that combines coursework, mentorship, and hands-on learning over several days or weeks. Unlike internships, programs are designed primarily around learning rather than contributing to a workplace. Many include formal applications, defined curricula, and opportunities to work with university faculty, researchers, and professionals.
Summer programs for high school students vary by discipline, but most emphasize practical skills and subject-specific concepts. You can find programs that introduce you to laboratory techniques such as microscopy, cytogenetics, and gene expression analysis; computational tools like Python, photogrammetry software, and robotics platforms; and analytical methods used in fields such as mathematics, engineering, medicine, and environmental science. Other summer programs for high school students focus on proof-based mathematics, healthcare simulations, data analysis, research methodology, scientific communication, and technical writing. Depending on the program, you may work with makerspace equipment, participate in clinical shadowing, conduct fieldwork, or present your findings through posters and presentations.
Why should you choose a summer program in Indiana?
Indiana is home to several institutions that regularly host pre-college programs, including Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Butler University, and Indiana State University. Together, these institutions provide access to research laboratories, engineering facilities, simulation centers, and interdisciplinary learning environments. The state also has strong connections to healthcare, biosciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Organizations such as the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute and major medical centers in Indianapolis contribute to a growing ecosystem for STEM education and research. As a result, summer programs for high school students in Indiana span a wide range of disciplines from molecular medicine and cybersecurity to entrepreneurship and urban forestry.
Below is a curated list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Indiana. For additional opportunities, you can also check out our guide on 15 UCLA summer programs for high school students here.
1. Indiana State University Sycamore Summer Scholars
Location: Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
Cost: $500–$600 (includes housing, meals, seminar materials, and program activities)
Program Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students graduating in 2027 or 2028 with a minimum GPA of 2.4 | Students with a 3.0 GPA or higher may enroll in both GH 199 and UC 110 seminars, while students with GPAs between 2.4 and 2.99 may enroll in UC 110 seminars
You’ll spend five days living on campus while completing a college-level seminar in a subject aligned with your interests. Seminar options span medical genetics, forensic anatomy, environmental economics, supply chain analytics, disaster resilience, law, ethics, music, gaming, social work, and political science. Depending on your chosen course, you’ll analyze case studies, interpret scientific concepts, explore policy frameworks, or apply analytical methods to real-world problems while earning university credit and experiencing residential college life.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!
3. University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Free | Tuition, housing, and meals are fully covered for admitted students
Program Dates: July 18–29
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) who are at least 16 years old by August 1, demonstrate strong academic achievement and leadership, and plan to attend college immediately after high school
If you’re interested in leadership through an academic lens, this program lets you study specialized seminar topics such as AI and emerging technologies, financial literacy, public policy, business, global conflict, and social inequality. You’ll work closely with Notre Dame faculty through discussion-based seminars that emphasize analytical reasoning, evidence-based argumentation, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. The program also develops your research, writing, and presentation skills while exposing you to college-level academic expectations in a residential setting. Students who successfully complete the seminar may earn one transferable college credit.
4. University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
Cost: $5,200 (including tuition, housing, meals, activities, and class field trips) | Need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Session I: June 6–20 | Session II: June 27–July 11
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who will be rising juniors or seniors | Must be at least 16 years old by August 1 and demonstrate strong academics, maturity, and extracurricular involvement
You spend two weeks completing a college-level course in a focused subject area such as cryptography, neuroscience, chemistry, cancer biology, data visualization, engineering design, journalism, law, or research computing. Depending on your course, you may work with quantitative models, laboratory methods, prototyping tools, coding workflows, case analysis, or presentation-based assignments under Notre Dame faculty guidance. The small-class structure requires you to collaborate outside scheduled sessions, complete rigorous coursework, and communicate your ideas through projects, discussions, or presentations. Students who complete an eligible track may earn one transferable college credit while gaining direct exposure to residential college academics.
5. Molecular Medicine in Action (MMIA)
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free
Program Dates: March 7–8
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close before the early spring program
Eligibility: Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who can attend both days of the program
You’ll spend two days working in active medical research laboratories while learning the molecular mechanisms behind diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and genetic disorders. The program introduces laboratory techniques, including gene expression analysis, cytogenetics, molecular biology methods, microscopy, cellular imaging, and cancer cell growth studies through hands-on experiments alongside IU researchers. You’ll also examine case studies in genetics, infectious diseases, bioethics, and translational medicine while interacting with physicians and biomedical scientists. The experience provides a practical introduction to research workflows and biomedical careers within an academic medical center.
6. Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program
Location: Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana (with placements at IU School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis, and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute)
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipends up to $4,000 (need-based)
Program Dates: June 8–July 30
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed at least one high school chemistry course, demonstrate an interest in STEM research, and can commute to the IU Indianapolis campus | Stipends are awarded based on financial eligibility
You’ll spend eight weeks working alongside faculty mentors on ongoing research projects in areas such as medicine, biomedical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, dentistry, and computer science. Depending on your placement, you’ll apply laboratory techniques, analyze experimental data, contribute to research discussions, and learn how scientific investigations are designed and executed. Throughout the program, you also develop scientific communication skills by preparing and presenting a research poster summarizing your project’s methods, results, and conclusions.
7. Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Future Scientist Program
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Program Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the academic year preceding the summer program | Check the program website for current dates
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in Marion County public schools with a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrated interest in scientific research, and (if under 16) the ability to obtain a work permit
You’ll spend eight weeks working under the guidance of an IU researcher on a biomedical project related to cancer research. Depending on your laboratory placement, you may apply experimental techniques, collect and interpret research data, maintain laboratory records, and learn how hypotheses are tested in translational research. The program also develops scientific reasoning, laboratory professionalism, and research communication while exposing you to academic and clinical research environments.
8. Indiana University Luddy Precollege Summer STEM Camp
Location: Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana
Cost: $950 (includes housing, meals, and program activities)
Program Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12. No prior programming experience is required
You’ll explore how computing is applied to solve real-world problems through hands-on projects spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, data collection, and engineering. Throughout the week, you’ll work with Python to program computational systems while also experimenting with technologies such as 3D modeling, photogrammetry, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, intelligent sound processing, and virtual world design. The curriculum also introduces concepts in human-centered design, strategic intelligence, and the societal impact of emerging technologies through interactive sessions with Luddy faculty and researchers. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed practical programming and computational thinking skills while gaining exposure to multiple specializations within computer science and informatics.
9. CIAHEC Medical Summer Youth Programs
Location: University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Camp: $75 | Health Careers Enrichment Camp: $75 | Young Achievers Academy: Free
Program Dates: Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Camp: June 1–5 | Health Careers Enrichment Camp: June 22–26 | Young Achievers Academy: June 15–July 2
Application Deadline: Registration remains open until programs reach capacity
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 interested in healthcare careers (program eligibility varies slightly by camp)
CIAHEC offers three healthcare-focused summer programs that let you explore different pathways within medicine and allied health professions through hands-on learning and career exploration. Depending on the program you choose, you’ll participate in laboratory simulations, rehabilitation exercises, panel discussions with healthcare professionals, and activities covering fields such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiology, and other clinical careers. The Young Achievers Academy also incorporates college readiness and professional development, helping you understand degree pathways and admissions while exploring multiple healthcare disciplines. Together, these programs provide a practical introduction to healthcare careers while helping you build foundational scientific knowledge, clinical awareness, and career-planning skills.
10. Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Summer Program
Location: Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Session 1: June 1–12 | Session 2: June 15–26 | Session 3: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Students ages 14–19 who are interested in exploring healthcare careers
You’ll spend two weeks exploring healthcare professions through a combination of hospital volunteering, clinical shadowing, and career-focused workshops. The first week introduces you to healthcare systems through professional development sessions, hospital tours, discussions with clinicians, and activities that explain educational pathways across medical careers. During the second week, you’ll shadow healthcare professionals and volunteer in clinical and patient-care settings to observe how hospitals operate in real-world environments. You’ll also strengthen your understanding of healthcare career planning, goal setting, networking, and the day-to-day responsibilities of professionals working across different areas of medicine.
11. Butler University Pre-College Programs
Location: Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Residential: $1,000 | Commuter: $450 | Need-based tuition assistance is available
Program Dates: Exploratory Track: June 7–12 | Business Track: June 21–26 | Healthcare Track: July 12–17
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students interested in exploring college majors and career pathways
Butler’s Pre-College Programs let you choose from Exploratory, Business, or Healthcare tracks while experiencing college life on campus. Depending on your track, you might prototype business ideas and pitch them in a “Bark Tank” showcase, explore entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and risk management, or work with clinical simulations, Anatomage tables, nonsterile compounding activities, and healthcare labs. The Exploratory track exposes you to disciplines ranging from pharmacy and communication to education and the sciences while incorporating leadership development and career exploration. All tracks combine hands-on academic instruction, leadership workshops, residential campus life, and one college credit upon successful completion.
12. Summer Science Program (SSP International)
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (additional host campuses are available across the U.S.)
Cost: Program fee of $11,800 (all-inclusive). Need-based financial aid is available, including full fee waivers, travel assistance, and limited $3,000 lost-wages stipends for eligible students.
Program Dates: Five weeks, beginning mid-to-late June
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) who are at least 15 years old but under 19 during the program | Must have completed the required coursework for their chosen research track by June
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a five-week residential research experience where you’ll work in small collaborative teams on a single research project under the guidance of scientists, faculty, and graduate student mentors. Depending on your selected track, you can investigate astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, or cell biology using professional laboratory equipment and research methods. Throughout the program, you’ll design experiments, analyze scientific data, interpret results, and present your findings while gaining experience with the collaborative nature of scientific research. Beyond the laboratory, you’ll attend guest lectures by leading researchers, participate in discussions about STEM careers, and engage in field trips and community activities with your cohort.
13. Indiana University Indianapolis STEM Summer Camp
Location: Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: $375 | Scholarships available
Program Dates: June 8–11
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12.
This four-day STEM camp introduces you to multiple scientific disciplines through hands-on laboratory activities across biology, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology. You’ll work in university teaching laboratories while learning core experimental methods, scientific observation, and data interpretation. Rather than focusing on a single subject area, the program helps you compare different STEM fields, use laboratory equipment, and understand how scientific concepts are applied across disciplines before choosing a college major.
14. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Youth Tree Team
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost | Stipend: Free to participate; paid summer employment | Stipend of $13/hour is paid
Program Dates: June 8–July 23
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
You’ll spend the summer maintaining Indianapolis’ urban tree canopy through hands-on fieldwork, including watering, mulching, staking, weeding, and monitoring newly planted trees. Along the way, you’ll build practical knowledge of urban forestry, tree identification, environmental stewardship, and sustainable landscape management while documenting field activities and working as part of a crew. The program also includes weekly professional development sessions on financial literacy, workplace communication, leadership, and career readiness, as well as outdoor enrichment activities such as hiking. By the end of the seven-week program, you’ll have developed both environmental field experience and transferable workplace skills through a structured, paid summer position.
15. Project Stepping Stone (PSS) College Prep Week
Location: Multiple college and university campuses across Indiana
Cost: Free to participate (includes workshops, meals, transportation, overnight housing, and program materials)
Program Dates: June 14–19
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current Indiana high school sophomores and juniors who identify as Hispanic/Latino (students do not need to be fully Hispanic/Latino), have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are interested in attending college
You’ll spend a week touring several Indiana college campuses while participating in structured workshops focused on college readiness, leadership, and career exploration. The curriculum covers topics such as financial literacy, resume writing, StrengthsFinder assessments, college major selection, entrepreneurship, and strategies for transitioning from high school to college. You’ll also take part in corporate visits, career development sessions, and networking activities while experiencing residential college life by staying in campus dormitories. Throughout the program, you’ll build practical college-planning skills, expand your professional network, and gain a clearer understanding of higher-education pathways in Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of summer programs are available to high school students in Indiana?
You’ll find a mix of formats, including research-focused programs like the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program and the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program, academic seminar programs like Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars and Summer Scholars, and career exploration programs like CIAHEC’s Medical Summer Youth Programs and the Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Program. There are also non-STEM options, like Project Stepping Stone’s College Prep Week and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s Youth Tree Team, if you’re interested in fields outside traditional research.
Do you need prior coursework or experience to apply?
It depends on the program. Some, like the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program, require you to have completed at least one high school chemistry course before applying, while others, like the Luddy Precollege Summer STEM Camp, explicitly require no prior programming experience. Programs like the Ross Mathematics Program expect a strong existing interest in advanced mathematics, since the coursework moves quickly into proof-based material.
Are there free options available?
Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a fee. Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars, Molecular Medicine in Action, the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program, the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program, and the Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Program are all free to participate in. Some, like the Indiana CTSI program, also provide a need-based stipend on top of being free.
Which programs offer stipends or paid positions?
A few of these programs compensate participants. The Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program offers stipends up to $4,000 based on financial need, the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program provides a stipend, and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s Youth Tree Team pays $13 an hour as a structured summer job. The Summer Science Program also offers a limited $3,000 lost-wages stipend for eligible students, alongside full fee waivers.
Which programs are restricted to Indiana residents or specific counties?
Several of these programs have residency requirements. Molecular Medicine in Action and the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program are limited to Indiana high school students, and the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Future Scientist Program is limited to Marion County public school students specifically. Others, like the Ross Mathematics Program and Notre Dame’s Summer Scholars, are open more broadly to students from outside the state.
Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured summer program?
Yes. If you’re looking for a competitive, mentored research program beyond a structured summer course, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs lets you engage in advanced research and develop a 20-page research paper on a subject of your choosing, with guidance from a professor or PhD scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.
When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars have one of the earliest deadlines at January 21, while several others cluster in February and March, including the Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program (March 1), the Ross Mathematics Program (March 8), and the Summer Science Program (February 19). Later deadlines include Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s Youth Tree Team (April 1) and Butler University’s Pre-College Programs (May 15). Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.
Image source: University of Notre Dame