Are you a high schooler interested in math? Consider applying to summer math programs! Early exposure to advanced math through such programs not only fosters academic growth but also demonstrates initiative to college admissions committees. Additionally, gaining admission to free summer math programs is an achievement that can provide you with advanced skills in the field. These programs are usually competitive and offered by highly prestigious organizations. Participating in prestigious, fully funded programs showcases academic excellence and your ability to excel in competitive environments, increasing your chances of admission to top institutions. 

Here are 10 free summer math programs high school students can apply to! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation — Math Track

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 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 Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.

The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as applied math, computer science, AI, and more. You can find more details about the application here!

2. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Application Deadline: TBA

Duration: 6 weeks during the summer!

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)

Eligibility: High school juniors only (U.S. and International)

Program Dates: TBA

Cost: Fully funded, stipend provided, $40 application fee with a need-based refund.

RSI at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a premier, fully funded summer STEM program that combines theoretical coursework with research. Approximately twelve students annually undertake mathematics research projects. Paired with an MIT faculty advisor and a graduate student mentor, you will create a project aligned with your interests. The RSI faculty advisors overseeing mathematical projects are Prof. David Jerison and Prof. Ankur Moitra. The program's collaborative approach ensures that RSI students receive personalized attention and mentoring from experienced individuals in the field. Note: We’ve detailed how to build a strong application to get into RSI here!

3. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Math Summer Workshop

Application Deadline: Unspecified!

Duration: 5 days

Location: On-campus, RIT, NY

Eligibility: Open to high school students

Program Dates: July 1— July 5 

Cost: Free.

The RIT summer workshop for talented high school students offers an opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge under the guidance of a team of RIT math professors. Topics covered include probability, functions, math biology, the Sisyphus function, the insane grocery shopper’s problem, and escaping the executioner! This workshop encourages you to push the boundaries of your mathematical imagination when conventional solutions and computation methods fall short.

4. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Application Deadline: TBA.

Duration: 6 weeks

Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)

Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors from high school and underrepresented communities.

Program Dates: End of June to August.

Cost: Fully funded

SAMS offers an opportunity for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds to explore higher-level math and science while earning college credit. The six-week program is led by Carnegie Mellon University faculty. You will engage in a rigorous curriculum comprising classroom instruction, research projects, and professional and academic development courses. The program culminates in a day-long Symposium where you will present your research project. More about this program can be found in our blog here. Scholars selected for SAMS cannot engage in conflicting programs, whether virtual or in-person.

5. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Application Deadline: TBA

Duration: 7 weeks

Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Eligibility: At least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in this or next year (U.S. and International)

Program Dates: June to August.

Cost: No cost, the program provides a $750 stipend.

The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University presents a chance for high school juniors and seniors to participate in a 7-week summer research program. This opportunity is open to 12 highly qualified students. You will work with faculty members to gain research experience in advanced math. Upon completing your research project report, you will receive a $750 stipend. Learn more about this program in our blog here!

6. Mathroots at MIT

Application Deadline: TBA

Duration: 2 weeks

Location: Residential, MIT, MA. 

Eligibility: US citizens or students attending high school in the US (before the last year of high school) who are between the ages of 14–18

Program Dates: June to July

Cost: Free

Mathroots, a 14-day summer program hosted by MIT-PRIMES, caters to high school students from underrepresented backgrounds or underserved communities interested in mathematics. You will explore topics in the field while refining your problem-solving abilities. Led by a team of instructors proficient in research and competition math, the program offers classes, group sessions, and lectures. Throughout Mathroots, you will learn about new mathematical concepts and deepen your comprehension of the subject matter.

7. PRIMES USA

Application Deadline: Admission typically opens in October

Duration: Year-round!

Location: Virtual

Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores (including home-schooled) residing in the United States are eligible if they live no closer than 50 miles from Boston (Students residing within driving distance from Boston should apply to the MIT section of PRIMES).

Program Dates: Year-round, from January 1 to December 31 of the calendar year.

Cost: None

PRIMES-USA offers a year-long, tuition-free research program focused on mathematics for high school students nationwide. You will receive mentorship from graduate students and faculty members from various universities, including MIT. In Phase 1, you will complete advanced readings in your area of interest. Phase 2 involves research under mentor guidance. Phase 3 focuses on independent study. The final phase, Phase 4, entails project finalization with mentor support and the presentation of your findings at the Fall-Term PRIMES conference in mid-October. You will compose a final paper summarizing your research, which may be submitted to professional research journals and competitions.

8. MITES Summer

Application Deadline: TBA. Check here.

Duration: 6 weeks

Location: Residential, MIT

Eligibility: High school juniors from minority backgrounds and other underrepresented segments of the population. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Program Dates: Late June through early August

Cost: None. Students will have to arrange their own transportation to the MIT campus.

MITES is a competitive, six-week residential program designed to foster diversity in STEM fields. This program offers 80 talented high school juniors an academically enriching experience in STEM. You will engage in five rigorous courses encompassing mathematics, science (with select modules ranging from Machine Learning to Architecture to Genomics), and the humanities. Additionally, you will participate in lab tours, social events, and receive college admissions counseling throughout the program. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

9. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp at The University of Minnesota

Application Deadline: May 31

Duration: 4 days

Location: University of Minnesota. Limited remote slots may be available

Eligibility: Should currently be enrolled in high school and have completed a year-long course in single variable calculus by the end of the school year. High school seniors who will have graduated by July are also eligible!

Program Dates: June 24 – June 28

Cost: None. Students will have to arrange their own transportation to the campus. 

The Math Modeling Camp allows high school students to apply mathematical models to analyze scenarios such as the impact of traffic on bridges or the effects of climate change on natural resources. You will test your problem-solving skills, collaborative abilities, and attention to detail. This non-residential program prioritizes applicants from Minnesota, particularly those residing in the Twin Cities area. To apply, completion of single-variable calculus is required, along with a letter of recommendation from a math teacher.

10. Mathematics Courses by Harvard University

Application Deadline: Rolling

Duration: Self-paced 

Location: Online

Eligibility: Open to high school students

Program Dates: Self-paced

Cost: Free of cost. 

Harvard University, in partnership with edX, provides a range of free, self-paced online mathematics courses that high school students can take remotely during the summer. Among these offerings are “Calculus Applied!”, which applies single-variable calculus tools to create and analyze mathematical models used in social, life, and physical sciences. Additionally, “Data Science: Inference and Modeling” teaches inference and modeling, two fundamental statistical tools in data analysis. “Data Science Probability” covers probability theory, crucial for data scientists, utilizing a case study on the financial crisis of 2007–2008.

Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.

Image Source: MIT PRIMES logo