15 Free Academic Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 12 min read
Academic programs are a great way for high school students to expand their knowledge beyond traditional classroom subjects and experience college-level academics.
Why should I participate in a free academic program in high school?
These programs typically offer structured educational programming, including coursework, specialized assignments, and research projects to provide a comprehensive academic experience. They also often include guidance on college admissions and career planning to prepare you for future success. Because many of these programs are selective, they can help colleges understand your level of preparation. The work you complete, such as projects, research, or coursework, can be referenced in your college essays and interviews. For competitive colleges, these programs can provide an additional boost to your academic profile.
In this blog, we’ve identified 15 of the best free academic programs for high school students. All programs on this list are fully-funded or even provide a stipend to participating students. We’ve included selective options hosted by top universities and research institutions, featuring opportunities ranging from multi-year academic development and college preparation programs to paid internships and training programs at prestigious labs or medical institutions.
15 Free Academic Programs for High School Students
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free ($75 application fee; fee waivers offered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; <2.5% acceptance rate
Dates: June 22 - August 2 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (juniors at the time of application) with exceptional achievement in STEM
RSI is one of the most competitive summer programs for high school students, providing a fully-funded research opportunity at MIT. The program begins with a week of lectures and seminars taught by MIT professors and researchers, focused on biology, physics, engineering, and math. In the following five weeks, you’ll develop and execute an advanced STEM research project under the mentorship of an MIT faculty member in your academic area of interest. Beyond research itself, you’ll also learn skills like conducting literature reviews, experimental design, writing scientific papers, and delivering conference-style presentations through academic workshops. You’ll supplement your work with an ongoing evening lecture series from Nobel laureate researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in STEM. Five students are awarded prizes for their research accomplishments, which can add a strong award to your college application resume.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
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 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. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: One year program beginning January 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors. Students in the Greater Boston area can apply to the in person option PRIMES
The MIT PRIMES-USA program offers a year of intensive independent or small-group mathematics research and education guided by MIT professors and graduate students. You’ll be matched with a professor based on your skills and expressed interests, working on an unsolved problem in theoretical or applied mathematics, with projects in computational biology, or theoretical computer science. You’ll begin the program with a several-month-long Advanced Reading Period, where you’ll study background material on your research focus area, hold weekly meetings with your mentor, and submit a reading report. If you complete strong work, you’ll move into the research period, working on a self-directed mathematics research project. At the beginning of the summer, you’ll submit an interim research report on your progress, then continue working on your project over the summer. You’ll end the program by finalizing your project with mentor support, which you’ll present at a PRIMES conference in October. Your work will be posted on the PRIMES website and eligible for journal submissions and research competitions.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer session runs July 6 to July 31. Academic year session runs November 9 to May 17 on Saturdays only
Application Deadline: April 15 for summer. November 1 for the academic year
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 to 12 who are New York State residents. Eligible students include those who are economically disadvantaged and or Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian. Minimum 80 percent GPA with strong STEM performance. Students can enter in any grade from 7 to 12. See additional information here
If you’re looking for a long-term free academic program, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons’ S-PREP program is a good option. The program supports talented NYC-area students through STEM coursework and college preparation. You’ll take advanced coursework in science, medicine, and math, with subjects including biochemistry, anatomy, and statistics at Columbia, preparing you for advanced high school coursework, research, and college STEM programs. To support your college application process, you’ll receive SAT tutoring, career planning sessions, program-led college tours, and personalized college counseling as you begin the application process. If you’re interested in pursuing STEM research, you’ll have special guidance on applying to the paid Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) internship and the YES in THE HEIGHTS program.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 3 to 10 percent acceptance rate. About 70 students admitted each year
Dates: Late June to early August
Application Deadline: February 1 for student applications. February 15 for recommender submissions
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES Summer Program provides 6 weeks of fully-funded study at MIT for rising high school seniors. You’ll take undergraduate-level courses in math, life sciences, physics, and humanities, and choose an additional elective from choices including Architecture, Genomics, and Machine Learning. Outside of class, you’ll tour campus and MIT labs, work on academic projects and participate in recitations, and take field trips around the Boston area. To prepare for your future, you’ll hear from MIT’s admissions team about college life at MIT, receive application guidance, and network and attend workshops with STEM industry professionals. You’ll end the program with a formal written evaluation from an MIT faculty member, which you’ll be encouraged to submit with your college application. An analogous program is also offered for juniors during the school year, with a shared application to MITES; students may apply.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: To be announced. Stipend and or course credit opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 40 students per year, including undergraduate and graduate students
Dates: June 1 to August 7. June 15 to August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students who are at least 16 years old
The Scripps Student Research Internship brings a select number of high school interns to Scripps Research Translational Institute to complete 10 weeks of research alongside a cohort of undergraduates and graduate students. You’ll partner with an Institute scientist mentor to design a research proposal and conduct a project in the fields of translational medicine, mobile health, genetics, and/or mobile technologies. To strengthen your preparation for advanced research, you’ll attend educational seminars, complete assignments, and discuss readings in translational research with Scripps faculty. Your mentor will supplement research advising with professional and academic support, offering guidance on planning your future college major, preparing for college applications, and exploring careers in STEM research. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research to undergraduate and graduate students, professional researchers, and mentors at both the Translational Institute Research Meeting and the Student Research Internship Poster Symposium.
Location: The home base is the University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, California; research placements are also offered at other San Francisco research institutions. Check the FAQ page for details
Stipend: $3,000 for high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 7 weeks in summer, June 15 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current 11-12th graders aged 16+ with backgrounds underrepresented in STEM (underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, students with disabilities, first-generation college students, and students from low-income families). Must have taken at least one year of high school math and biology
The Summer Student Research Program at UCSF – a health and life science-focused institution and the only UC campus offering exclusively graduate-level programs — is a 7-week research experience for high school upperclassmen and undergraduate students. You’ll complete a research project under faculty mentorship at a UCSF or other local clinical or biomedical lab, beginning with a formal research proposal, then completing assignments including a project proposal, personal statement, and formal research abstract. Outside of the lab, you’ll discuss scientific papers at Journal Club meetings, attend seminars from UCSF doctors and researchers, and network with professionals in the healthcare industry during weekly meetings and presentations. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work at the Research Symposium, either with a research poster or conference-style talk.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Free; potential stipend between $500 - $2,500 | $50 application fee; waivers offered | See site for additional information
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident with a green card and attend school in the US | Bay Area students are prioritized
The SIMR program at Stanford offers a paid full-time medical research internship for advanced high school students. You’ll work in one of Stanford’s eight Institutes of Medicine over 8 weeks, choosing from Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics and Genomics, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, or Neurobiology. You’ll design an independent research project, which you’ll complete under the mentorship of an Institute faculty member in Stanford’s research facilities. You may also consider the SIMR Bioengineering Team Internship, which provides a collaborative research and design program focused on medical technology. Other program features include networking opportunities with Stanford professors, training on scientific presentations and writing, and discussions on potential college majors and career paths in your preferred field. You’ll present your research at the end of the program.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; students who participate in internships will receive a $600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: School Year: Monthly sessions in fall and spring semesters; Summer: July 6 – 31; the full program runs for six years
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12, primarily those attending NYC public schools (must apply in the summer before 8th or 9th grade) | Students attending home school, parochial schools, or independent schools under unique circumstances or with scholarships are eligible
The College and Career Lab at NYU provides academic and college preparation for NYC public school students through a six-year, free program. The program begins in middle school with an “Exploratory Stage” where you’ll be coached in leadership skills and explore your interests. In the high school portion, you’ll work with faculty from 8 of NYU’s schools, including the School of Law, Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts, and Tandon School of Engineering, to build cross-disciplinary skills in advanced academic fields. You’ll take a series of Practice Labs and college-level courses in areas such as anthropology, neuroscience and pre-medical studies, media studies, and policy, combining lectures with group discussions, projects, and hands-on activities. During the school year, you’ll attend networking sessions with industry professionals from attorneys to game designers, learn skills in internship and job applications, and attend college essay writing workshops. Strong students have the opportunity to apply for paid summer internships in various industry fields.
Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective. 8 students
Dates: June 30 to July 24. Exact dates to be announced
Application Deadline: Mid May. Exact date to be announced. Check the website in March
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade students from low income backgrounds and or first generation college students. Students must commute to Boston, have basic algebra knowledge, and plan to study STEM in college
The StatStart program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health hosts a free academic program for high school upperclassmen interested in quantitative public health. You’ll study topics across data science, computing, and public health, receiving guidance from a Harvard professor and academic mentorship from Harvard Chan School graduate students. You’ll complete labs and training to develop skills in R programming, quantitative health data analysis, and biostatistics. You’ll work with your cohort on a research project analyzing a public health issue through biostatistics research methods, which you’ll present at the end of the program. You’ll also receive guidance on pursuing public health degrees, identifying future careers in the field, and preparing for college applications.
Location: Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: Competitive stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective
Dates: June 23 - August 1 (June 9 - August 1 for undergraduates)
Application Deadline: Around January 26, exact date TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and undergraduate students; must be at least 16 before the program start date | Must either live in the area with reliable transportation to campus or have a place to stay in the area for the program duration
The Pulmonary and Critical Care Research Program at Northwestern provides a two-month paid research experience for high school students, offering advanced research opportunities. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center to complete a lung disease-focused research project, working towards innovations in clinical treatment. You’ll receive support in preparing for college through additional programming, including college application counseling and career guidance. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to your peers, mentors, and Northwestern researchers and professors at a poster session.
Location: MIT campus in Cambridge, MA and MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Approximately 20 students admitted
Dates: July 12 to July 25
Application Deadline: March 11 for applications. March 18 for recommendations
Eligibility: U.S. citizens completing junior year of high school with strong interest in STEM
MIT’s LLRISE program is a free academic program for rising high school seniors interested in radar-focused engineering and research. You’ll work under MIT engineers and researchers to design and build radar technology, including small-scale Doppler and range radar systems. You’ll learn to complete hands-on work merging applied physics, electrical engineering, and laboratory research. You’ll live at MIT’s Cambridge campus and work at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, gaining exposure to both on-campus college life and professional facilities at a federally funded research and development center.
Location: San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 students/year
Dates: June 24 – July 19
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates, community college students, and SDSU freshmen and sophomores who live in the San Diego area and can commute to campus
San Diego State University hosts a free astronomy academic program for San Diego area high schoolers and college students through funding from the National Science Foundation. You’ll work under the instruction of SDSU professors from the Department of Astronomy to pursue coursework in Python programming, introductory astronomy, and statistics and data analysis. The STARS program also exposes students to SDSU’s large-scale astronomy research instruments by teaching them to use high-power reflectors and telescopes to view stars and galaxies during an evening field trip to the Mount Laguna Observatory. You’ll complete advanced astronomy research assignments such as studying galaxies using Marvin Software, then design a small group project analyzing galaxy data under a professor’s mentorship, which you’ll present at the end of the program.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free for students with family income under $120,000/year; check the FAQ page for detailed information
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective. About 6 percent acceptance rate
Dates: June 27 to July 25
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. Women-focused program
At MIT’s Women’s Technology Program (WTP), you’ll join a small group of young women similarly passionate about engineering for a four-week free residential program at MIT. You'll explore mechanical engineering through classes, lab work, and projects designed with the support of MIT graduate and undergraduate student researchers. You'll also explore college and career paths in engineering, focused on leadership, motivation, and overcoming barriers to prepare for advanced work in the field.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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