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8 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia

Writer's picture: Stephen TurbanStephen Turban

Looking for free opportunities to make the most of your summer in Philadelphia? Whether you're interested in exploring the arts, diving into science, or building leadership skills, the city offers a variety of programs designed to help high school students grow academically and personally. 


In this blog, we'll highlight 8 free summer programs available to high school students in Philadelphia, each providing unique experiences that can inspire your future career, enhance your college applications, and help you connect with like-minded peers. 



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. 


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

  • Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

  • No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!





Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 

Application deadline: TBA

Dates: June 18 – August 16

Cost: No cost; this is a paid internship, but housing and transportation are not provided 

Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, who are eligible to work in the U.S.


MSAP is a rigorous 8-week internship aimed at involving high school students in biomedical research. This program is specifically designed to spark an interest in advanced research and science careers among groups that are often underrepresented in the scientific community.


Participants in the MSAP program work full-time (35 hours per week) alongside Monell scientists on individual research projects. These projects can range from cloning olfactory receptors to identifying the nural basis of sugar preference. In addition to hands-on research, the program features educational lectures on scientific topics. The program culminates in a Capstone Symposium, where students present their research findings. With a 10% acceptance rate, MSAP is a highly selective program.




Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: No cost; Students receive a $1,000 stipend and SEPTA passes for travel

Application deadline: Applications will open in January

Program Dates: July – August, exact dates TBA

Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, have completed at least one high school science course, and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19


The Wistar Institute offers high school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in areas such as cancer biology, vaccine development, and infectious diseases. This biomedical research internship admits 15 students annually. 


Over the course of four weeks, you will receive training in advanced biomedical lab techniques and actively contribute to ongoing projects at the institute's cutting-edge facilities. The program also includes instruction on how to critically read scientific literature and explore various careers in biomedical research. At the end of the program, you will showcase your research findings to both peers and mentors.




Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Application Deadline: TBA

Program Dates: TBA, typically July to August 

Eligibility: Students must:

  • Have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the summer

  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0.

  • Live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area


The TREES program is a summer research and mentorship initiative that offers high school students the chance to engage in hands-on environmental research. Each summer, students are paired with mentors to work on research projects that the students personally choose and design. The program begins with two weeks of training in fundamental laboratory techniques, which are essential for the research projects you'll undertake. 


The rest of the program is devoted to independent research. Through your project, you'll adopt a scientific approach to tackle an environmental issue. You’ll do library research, master scientific methodologies, and perform hands-on lab work, with fieldwork incorporated where possible. Some students collaborate on team projects. The program culminates in a research report and a public presentation of your work to an audience of peers and guests.




Location: A non-profit organization in Philadelphia that Bank of America partners with 

Cost: No cost. Students will be paid, but information on the exact amount is not available

Application Deadline: Applications will open in the fall

Program Dates: 8 week summer internship, including the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility: Students must be:

  • Current high school juniors and seniors 

  • Legally authorized to work in the U.S. 

  • A student in good standing at their school

See all eligibility criteria here


The Bank of America Student Leader Program is a distinguished program offering paid internships to students who work with nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity. The program is designed to foster community engagement by empowering students to make a difference in their communities. Through this program, students gain practical experience in leadership and community service by working directly with a local nonprofit organization. Participants also acquire valuable skills in nonprofit management, engage in meaningful service projects, and develop a deeper understanding of social issues, all of which contribute to their future academic and career goals.


This 8-week paid internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where travel, lodging, and meals are covered by the bank. This is a highly selective program, with a 5-8% acceptance rate. For a more detailed look at this program, see our guide here. 




Location: Students in Philadelphia can select one of two options—Naval Surface Warfare Center and Naval Information Warfare Center

Cost: Students receive a stipend: $4,000 (new participant) or $4,500 (returning participant). Housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered

Application Deadline: November 1

Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab 

Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, and are solely U.S. citizens. Eligibility requirements can vary by lab 


SEAP is a highly esteemed and competitive program that allows high school students to work in Navy laboratories across the United States, engaging in real Naval research. This opportunity is ideal for those interested in deepening their understanding of STEM fields, particularly engineering. Throughout the program, students are guided by experienced scientists and engineers at Navy labs. By working directly on hands-on projects, participants gain practical experience and enhance their knowledge in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.


Lab placements are determined based on the student's area of interest, with around 300 positions available across more than 38 labs nationwide. Check out our full guide to the Navy’s SEAP internship here.




Location: Varies according to internship 

Cost: No cost; Stipend of $17.53/hour for Summer, with transportation and meals

Application Deadline: March 30

Program Dates: June 19 – August 16

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Philadelphia


The Bloomberg Arts Internships are coordinated by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. These internships offer high school seniors a unique opportunity to engage with the world of art and culture, allowing them to gain valuable work experience.


You will be matched with one of various arts and cultural organizations across the Greater Philadelphia area, where you will work on projects that enhance your skills in preparation for future academic and professional endeavors. The program emphasizes work readiness and includes college preparation activities. Potential internship sites include music venues, art and history museums, and historical sites. If you successfully complete the summer program, you have the option of applying to continue your internship throughout the school year. 


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.












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