11 Free Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students
Free chemistry summer programs are an excellent opportunity for high school students to gain exposure to college-level academics, engage in scientific experiments, and build critical thinking skills. These programs introduce you to advanced chemistry, from molecular interactions to environmental applications. Beyond academics, they offer networking opportunities, mentorship from professionals, and collaboration with peers who share similar interests.
These fully funded programs are selective, making them a valuable addition to your college application profile. We've made a list of 11 free chemistry summer programs, prioritizing those hosted by prestigious organizations. Each program listed here offers rigorous academic engagement and meaningful exposure to the field.
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation—Chemistry 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 currently 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 Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
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. You can apply here! This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free, except for a $65 application fee. Participants receive a stipend.
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet academic requirements
Acceptance Rate: 3%
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a fully funded summer program hosted at MIT, offering high school juniors the chance to conduct advanced research. RSI combines research, college-level coursework, and expert mentorship. The program begins with a week of seminars in fields such as chemistry, biology, and engineering. You will then spend five weeks conducting research under the guidance of MIT professors and scientists, concluding with a presentation of your findings. Past chemistry projects include synthesizing superconducting crystals and evaluating their properties. In addition to research, you will attend lectures, go on field trips, and participate in discussions. With an acceptance rate of just 3%, RSI is one of the most competitive research programs globally. For tips on how to get into this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; $2,781.50 for on-campus housing and meals. Potential stipend upon completion.
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Acceptance Rate: The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 5%.
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school juniors the opportunity to engage in STEM research under the mentorship of faculty. You can explore a variety of fields, including chemistry, biomedical informatics, physics, neurobiology, and more. Once accepted, you will be matched with a mentor and research group. The program culminates in the creation of a research abstract and a poster presentation at the final symposium. You will attend faculty research presentations, participate in workshops, and take lab tours. Chemistry students may explore research topics like medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, cancer studies, computer-aided drug design, and environmental challenges. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Remote or onsite at NASA’s 10 field centers nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends may be available based on academic level and session duration
Program Dates:
Fall session: Late August/Early September–Mid-December (16 weeks)
Spring session: Mid-January–Early May (16 weeks)
Summer session: Late May/Early June–August (10 weeks)
Application Deadlines: Summer: February 28; Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 or older, full-time high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Acceptance Rate: Current acceptance rate is 5%-10%
The NASA OSTEM Internship program allows high school and college students to work on NASA projects in chemistry, robotics, space microbiology, aeronautics, and more. These internships include mentorship and career development. As a high school student, you may participate in projects like designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing technologies for space exploration. If you are interested in chemistry, you can work with polarimetry for atmospheric aerosol analysis or assist with CubeSat missions. You will also gain access to expert lectures and networking opportunities with astronauts and industry leaders. For tips on how to get a NASA internship, check out our blog here.
Location: In-person labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities, with virtual research options also available.
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns receive a $4,000 stipend.
Program Dates: June–July (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Mid-May
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and whose family income is at or below 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Acceptance Rate: 5%-10%
The Project SEED Summer Program offers laboratory research experience in chemistry. The program fosters interest in chemistry careers while preparing you for college and professional success. You will undertake independent or team-based research projects, culminating in a final report or poster presentation. Beyond research, you can enhance your skills through virtual camps offering college preparation, professional development, and career exploration in chemistry. Exceptional students may also get a chance to present their work at the prestigious American Chemical Society National Meeting. The program aims to support students from underrepresented communities.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free for qualifying public/charter high school students in the School District of Philadelphia (via Penn Summer Scholarship).
Dates: July 5 – 26
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students. Students should have completed at least one year of high school chemistry before the program begins.
Acceptance Rate: 15%-20%.
The Chemistry Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania offers high school students an introduction to advanced chemistry research. With approximately 50% of class time dedicated to laboratory work, you will gain experience in spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and experimental method optimization. You will also attend lectures on topics like nanoscale materials, chemical protein modification for disease studies, and the chemistry of rare earth metals. The program emphasizes critical reading of academic articles and completing a capstone project. Additional highlights include guided tours of the Singh Center for Nanomaterials, the Science History Institute, and on-campus research facilities.
Location: Fully remote, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $25 application fee (waivers available). Unpaid.
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Application will open on December 2 and close on February 2.
Eligibility:
Remote internships: Minimum age of 15 by program start date.
In-person/hybrid computer labs: Minimum age 15.
In-person/hybrid wet labs: Minimum age 16.
Acceptance Rate: Not enough information is available to ascertain.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) helps high school students work alongside faculty researchers on STEM projects. This program fosters hands-on learning in fields such as chemistry, biology, engineering, environmental science, and more. As an intern, you will engage in laboratory or computational research, gaining exposure to advanced technologies, scientific writing, and problem-solving strategies. You will also attend discussions with industry professionals to explore STEM career paths. Past chemistry-related projects have included antibiotic development, measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and creating advanced materials for electrochemical sensors. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free for participants; unpaid internship
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31 (detailed guide available online)
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens
Acceptance Rate: Not enough information is available to ascertain.
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) provides opportunities for high school students to conduct scientific research at one of the oldest physical science laboratories in the United States. Managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the program allows you to work alongside scientists and engineers on real-world projects. You can select your preferred research area from one of NIST's six specialized laboratories, including the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), Engineering Laboratory (EL), and Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL). If you are interested in chemistry, you can join the MML to explore topics such as evaluating alternative fuels, studying ocean plastics, or developing innovative materials for transportation.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; no tuition required
Dates: June 17 – 27 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and reside locally
Acceptance Rate: Not enough information is available to ascertain.
The Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) Program offers high school students the opportunity to gain exposure to advanced chemical research. This experience allows you to shadow graduate students and researchers in the chemistry department, providing a unique perspective on research. Rather than focusing on individual research assignments, the program emphasizes exploration by allowing you to observe multiple ongoing research activities. You will participate in discussions with researchers, gaining an understanding of the diverse career paths in chemistry. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; full tuition scholarship with a $750 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: NYC high school students who will have completed 10th or 11th grade by the program start
Acceptance Rate: Not enough information is available to ascertain. Only 70-80 students shortlisted.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program allows high school students to conduct research in engineering and related fields. ARISE combines educational workshops with research experience under the mentorship of NYU faculty. The program begins with four weeks of remote, after-school workshops focusing on topics like lab safety, data collection, ethics, and college admissions preparation. This is followed by six weeks of in-person laboratory research at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. You will conduct experiments, attend classroom sessions, and present your findings at a final colloquium. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Online or onsite at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend provided
Program Dates:
Summer session: June 24 – August 21
Academic year session: September 15 – December 31 (capstone in May)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 15 or older with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must reside in specific Maryland counties.
Acceptance Rate: The current acceptance rate is approximately 15%-20%.
The ASPIRE program allows high school juniors and seniors to explore STEM careers through projects and mentorship. You will work on real-world challenges alongside lab staff. This selective program includes in-person and virtual internship options, with virtual participants required to attend onsite sessions for onboarding, equipment management, and troubleshooting. You can select up to three areas of interest from various topics, such as research and development, public relations, and social impact. In the summer session, you will complete at least 190 hours over 6–9 weeks, while those in the academic year session log a minimum of 130 hours for seniors and 80 hours for juniors. A capstone event in May provides an opportunity to showcase your work.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.