15 Summer Programs for High School Students in 2026
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 11 min read
As a high school student, summer programs are one of the most effective ways for you to experience college-level academics and campus life early, often through rigorous coursework, research, and residential experiences. These programs expose you to advanced subjects, projects, and problem-solving, helping you build practical skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Along the way, you can explore potential fields of study while learning from instructors, researchers, and professionals with expertise in those areas.
Why should I participate in a high school summer program?
Summer programs allow you to engage deeply with a subject through activities such as research projects, college-level coursework, laboratory work, internships, collaborative projects, and seminars led by faculty or professionals. Depending on the program, you may analyze data, conduct experiments, develop original projects, solve advanced problems, or explore specialized topics alongside other motivated students. These experiences can help you build subject knowledge, strengthen academic skills, and demonstrate sustained interest in a field when applying to colleges.
To help students navigate the many options available, we’ve narrowed down 15 summer programs for high school students in 2026.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free, but a $75 application fee; Stipend provided (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 participants
Application Deadline: December
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Eligibility: 11th grade high school students; minimum age: 16 years; international students welcome
The Research Science Institute is a summer program held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that combines academic coursework with independent research. At the start of the program, you take classes in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to build a foundation for your work. After this initial phase, you are paired with mentors and spend several weeks developing and working on an individual research project. During this time, you learn how to shape a research question, carry out your investigation, and organize your results. The program concludes with written and oral presentations of your work, and may also include visits to science and technology organizations in the Boston area.
Location: Remote, you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohorts
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is designed for high school students interested in conducting independent research. Over the course of the program, you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop a research project in a subject area of your choice. These areas may include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. Throughout the program, you are guided through the research process, from refining your topic to analyzing findings. By the end of the 12 weeks, you will have completed an independent research paper that reflects your work. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: January 2 (recommendation letters due January 5)
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up
SSRP is a seven-week, full-time research program in biology held at Rockefeller University. During the program, you join a small group and work on a lab-based project under the guidance of scientist mentors from the Tri-Institutions. You develop a research question related to your group’s focus area and contribute to ongoing work in the lab. If you have a specific interest in biology, you can indicate this when you apply. Throughout the program, you learn laboratory techniques, analyze data, and gain a clearer understanding of how experiments are designed and interpreted. At the end of the program, you present your work in the form of a scientific poster at a concluding symposium.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohorts
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students. 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 who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free of cost covering housing, meals, and transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Application Deadline: January
Dates: Multi-week, hybrid summer intensive; begins with online workshops and culminates in an intensive 10-day residential experience from late July through the first week of August.
Eligibility: A full-time U.S.-based high school junior with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Eligibility also requires meeting at least one income-based criterion (household income ≤ $65,000, or qualification for free/reduced lunch or an SAT/ACT fee waiver)
Princeton University’s Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long program where you learn the fundamentals of reporting, writing, and editing. Through workshops led by journalists and university staff, you practice skills such as conducting interviews, covering events, and drafting articles. During the program, you contribute to a student-produced publication, the Princeton Summer Journal. In addition to the coursework, you receive ongoing guidance after the program ends, including support during your college application process.
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost: All students receive a minimum stipend of $500; students from underrepresented groups may receive up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week biomedical research program. During the program, you are assigned to a lab where you take part in ongoing research and learn how experiments are planned, conducted, and analyzed. You work alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, which helps you understand how research teams operate in an academic environment. Your specific experience depends on the lab you are placed in, with possible areas including stem cell research, cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, or bioengineering. In addition to lab work, you attend weekly lectures and sessions that introduce you to different areas of medicine and research, including both clinical and academic career paths.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free + a $750 stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students
Application deadline: February 16
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research program for high school students. During the program, you are paired with a faculty member from the university or its Health Sciences Center and work on a research project under their supervision. Most of your time is spent conducting research, with additional participation in weekly seminars, group discussions, and occasional field trips that provide a broader context to your work. The program also includes planned social activities where you can interact with other participants. At the end of the program, you submit a research report, and students who complete it receive a $750 stipend.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80 – 100 students are accepted annually
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June – August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, high school juniors
MIT’s Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) is a six-week residential program that gives you a structured introduction to college-level STEM coursework. During the program, you take classes in subjects such as machine learning and genomics, along with elective options like robotics or architecture that include practical, hands-on components. You are supported throughout by MIT students and staff who provide academic guidance and advice on preparing for college. The program concludes with a final presentation in which you share your project or coursework with other participants and members of the MIT community. MITES also emphasizes collaboration, giving you the opportunity to build connections with peers from similar backgrounds.
Location: Various businesses based in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by placement
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: Varies based on specific internship (typically 6 weeks over the summer)
Eligibility: High school sophomore or junior; resident of Chicago, minimum 3.0 average GPA; household income below $80,000
The Chicago Summer Business Institute is a summer internship program for high school students interested in business and finance. During the program, you complete day-to-day tasks such as administrative work, basic accounting, and support for professional services, and may also take on projects related to business operations or data analysis. Placement opportunities can include areas like investment banking, city government, and public policy. The application process is selective and typically requires materials such as letters of recommendation, a high school transcript, a resume, and a written essay.
Location: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application deadline: April 19
Dates: June 15 – July 2
Eligibility: High school students residing and attending high school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a three-week summer program run by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for high school students from nearby communities. During the program, you take coursework that introduces you to media, journalism, and civic engagement at the college level. You develop skills in writing, public speaking, critical analysis, and multimedia production. The program also introduces research methods like interviewing and observation to help you examine how media shapes communities and public life. In addition, you attend sessions on academic pathways and careers in communication-related fields, with opportunities to hear from faculty and professionals. The program provides daily meals, may offer transportation support, and includes workshops focused on college admissions and essay writing.
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory campus, Laurel, MD and Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 15
Dates: June 23 – August 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are U.S. citizens, minimum age: 15 years; minimum 2.8 GPA. More information available here
The ASPIRE Program is a summer experience at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where you explore STEM fields through project-based work. During the program, you are paired with mentors and contribute to tasks that reflect the type of work carried out in a research and development setting. The focus is on applying your existing knowledge, working through technical challenges, and understanding how teams approach problem-solving. You typically spend 30–40 hours per week on-site, taking part in projects and observing how professionals work. Throughout the program, you have opportunities to interact with staff, ask questions about their roles, and learn more about different pathways within STEM careers.
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5,600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 12
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students (freshmen through seniors) who live/attend school in the Chicago area
The DSI Summer Lab is an eight-week, paid research program for high school students in the Chicago area. During the program, you are matched with a mentor working in a data science–related field, such as public policy, climate science, materials science, or biomedical research. You work on a project that applies data science methods to real-world questions. Throughout the program, you build skills in programming and data analysis while learning to approach research, including formulating questions, collaborating with others, and presenting results. In addition to project work, you participate in guest speaker sessions, professional development workshops, and group events with other students. At the end of the program, you prepare a final presentation and share your work at a closing symposium.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 3,500 applications received; cohort size not specified
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students; minimum age: 16 years; U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending a local NJ high school
The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, in-person research opportunity for local high school students at Princeton University. During the program, you participate in ongoing projects under the guidance of faculty and research staff, which gives you insight into how work is conducted in a university lab. Your specific project depends on mentor availability each year, so you may be placed in different areas of science or engineering. As part of your role, you complete assigned tasks and learn how research projects are organized and carried out. At the end of the program, you submit a short report that outlines your work.
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; stipends of $14/hour available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: February 8; applications open on December 16
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who are entering their junior and senior year, are authorized to work in the U.S., and are residents of Palm Beach or Martin Counties (in Florida)
The MPFI Summer Research Internship is a six-week, full-time program at the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute that focuses on neuroscience and related areas of biological research. If you choose the neuroscience track, you work with researchers on projects related to brain structure and function, which may involve techniques such as microscopy, histology, genetic methods, and basic microbiology preparation. There are also tracks that focus on areas such as programming or engineering, where you contribute to tools and systems used in neuroscience research, including data analysis and instrumentation. Regardless of the track, you complete a written abstract and present your work at the end of the program.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $8,950, including housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive, serves 40 students
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 21 – July 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 -11 under the age of 18 at the time of application submission are eligible to apply for the residential program
Stanford University’s Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a three-week program for students interested in exploring advanced mathematics. You study topics that go beyond the typical high school curriculum, such as abstract algebra and number theory, through lectures, problem-solving sessions, and guided discussions. Throughout the program, you work with graduate students and faculty who help you approach complex mathematical problems and develop proof-writing skills. The coursework often leads to a final project that involves presenting a structured mathematical argument. You may also attend guest talks that introduce different areas of mathematics and possible academic paths in the field.
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.