15 Free Competitive Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 28
- 10 min read
If you’re a high schooler looking for a way to spend the summer in a productive manner, consider a summer program! Competitive summer programs, specifically, make for great additions to your resume and college application profile, owing to their rigorous nature. These programs offer a chance to explore college-level academics, gain hands-on experience in a subject, and build valuable connections—all without the financial burden of tuition fees.
When we say competitive, we mean programs with an acceptance rate of 10% or lower, and programs that are fully-funded!
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down 15 top free competitive summer programs for high school students, focusing on highly selective, fully-funded opportunities that promise both academic rigor and personal growth.
For some of these opportunities, the exact acceptance rate has not been disclosed on the website. In such cases, we have calculated the rate based on the cohort size + approximate applicant pool!
Note: For students seeking additional prestigious programs, internships, or region-specific opportunities in STEM and other fields, be sure to check out this set of blogs too!
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is one of the free competitive summer programs designed for high school sophomores and juniors. This program offers immersive humanities and social sciences courses, where you will explore topics like power, privilege, and social structures through seminars, group discussions, and essays, all with guidance from experienced faculty.
TASS offers two tracks: Critical Black Studies (CBS), focusing on African diasporic contributions, and Anti-Oppressive Studies (AOS), centered on power dynamics and social transformation. The program also includes field trips and community activities. All costs, including tuition, books, room and board, and field trips, are fully covered.
Location: Cornell University and the University of Maryland.
Dates: June 22 – July 26.
Deadline: Applications close December 3.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18 at program start). Students from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black and Indigenous youth, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; acceptance rate is below 10%.
The SPARK Research Mentorship Program is a competitive, fully-funded opportunity for high school students interested in biomedical sciences in Duval and St. Johns counties, Florida. As part of this free competitive summer program for high school students, you will work in state-of-the-art labs at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, collaborating with leading researchers to gain hands-on experience in research, critical thinking, and professional conduct.
Participants design science fair projects, with many earning regional and state awards. The program requires a minimum of 25 hours per week in the summer, with ongoing work during the school year. SPARK has a strong track record, with alumni advancing to prestigious institutions and careers in science and medicine.
Location: Mayo Clinic campus, Jacksonville, Florida.
Dates: June 3 – December 2 (includes summer and academic year).
Deadline: Applications close December 31.
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors attending high schools in Duval or St. Johns counties.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; acceptance rate is under 10%.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Paid Internships offer high school and college students the chance to contribute to NASA's mission in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You will work on real-world projects alongside scientists, engineers, and professionals from various disciplines, either on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid format.
Internships are available year-round, allowing flexibility for full-time or part-time participation. You will gain hands-on experience, become career-ready, and expand your professional network within NASA. These internships help strengthen your resume and prepare you for future STEM careers.
Location: NASA centers, facilities, or remote.
Dates: Summer: June – August | Fall: September – December.
Deadline: Summer session closes February 28; Fall session closes May 16.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and citizens of countries with a current agreement with NASA.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; specific acceptance numbers not disclosed.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Virtual.
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run 15 weeks; Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June–September).
Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year based on cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a GPA above 3.67. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade; some tracks require prerequisites.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, varies by track.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious, cost-free summer program at MIT that brings together 100 exceptional high school students from around the world. One of the free competitive summer programs for high school students, RSI begins with STEM coursework taught by MIT professors and transitions into five weeks of independent research projects in science and technology, guided by expert mentors.
You will go through the entire research process, including literature reviews, experimental design, data collection, and presenting your findings both in written and oral formats. RSI offers a valuable opportunity for academic and research development, providing a significant advantage for college applications.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA.
Dates: June – July.
Deadline: Applications close December 11.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors with strong academic potential in math and science.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 100 students selected.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with publication and showcase.
Location: Virtual.
Dates: Offered in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts.
Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with AI or Python.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; experience-based admission.
The Women’s Technology Program (WTP) is a 4-week, hands-on experience in mechanical engineering for high school students. You will engage in collaborative problem-solving and design activities, creating engineering projects while strengthening your skills in math, science, and engineering, with a focus on mechanical engineering principles.
The program provides mentorship from industry professionals and MIT instructors, offering valuable insight into engineering careers. WTP also promotes diversity by empowering women and underrepresented students in STEM, with opportunities for site visits and presentations of completed projects.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA.
Dates: June 28 – July 26.
Deadline: Applications close January 15.
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently in Grade 11.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; acceptance rate under 10%.
The AI Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, four-week residential experience for rising high school seniors interested in artificial intelligence (AI). This merit-based program offers college-level coursework, hands-on research projects, and mentorship from leading AI experts.
You will participate in weekly college prep seminars focusing on college admissions, financial aid, and emotional well-being. The program also emphasizes inclusivity and discussions on equity in STEM. Throughout the experience, you will build meaningful connections with peers and mentors while getting a feel for life at a top-tier university.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Dates: June 21 – July 19.
Deadline: Applications close March 1.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; acceptance rate under 8%.
The FGCU STEM Academy is a free, two-week overnight camp designed to strengthen students' prospects in STEM fields by exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program includes hands-on STEM lessons, professional communication workshops, and field trips, all led by faculty.
You will engage in activities that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, hosted on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. This program is tailored for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from Lee and Collier counties with a strong academic foundation in mathematics.
Location: Florida Gulf Coast University (overnight camp).
Dates: June 15 – June 27.
Deadline: Applications close April 14.
Eligibility: Open to current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited slots; competitive admissions.
The MITES Summer Program, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offers high school juniors a six-week academic experience focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Participants take five advanced courses in subjects like math, science, and engineering, with electives such as Machine Learning and Architecture.
You will gain hands-on experience through lab tours and workshops, while also receiving insights into MIT's academic environment. The program includes college admissions counseling to help you prepare for applications to competitive schools. MITES offers aspiring engineers the chance to develop both technical skills and personal growth while exploring the campus and culture of one of the world's top engineering institutions.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA.
Dates: Late June to early August (6 weeks).
Deadline: TBD (typically opens in winter or early spring).
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in Grade 11.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; acceptance rate around 3%.
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a 39-day immersive research experience for motivated high school juniors interested in experimental science. You will work in teams to conduct real-world research under expert mentorship, with four research tracks available: Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, and Synthetic Chemistry. SSP is hosted at prestigious universities across the U.S.
Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and presentation while collaborating closely with peers and faculty. This opportunity allows you to contribute to meaningful scientific discoveries in a supportive and focused learning community.
Location: Various U.S. universities, including Purdue, Indiana University, and University of Colorado Boulder.
Dates: 39 days during the summer.
Deadline: Not specified (check program website).
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 24-36 students per program; highly competitive admissions.
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a free competitive summer program designed for rising juniors and seniors passionate about advanced mathematics. You will engage in intensive study through lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem-solving, exploring both current mathematical research and the historical development of mathematical fields. This program provides an opportunity to deepen your mathematical knowledge and connect with like-minded peers, all while being part of a select group of students.
SUMaC offers both online and residential sessions, making it accessible to students worldwide. The program encourages critical thinking, a deeper appreciation of mathematics, and exploration of new mathematical concepts, while fostering collaboration with like-minded peers.
Location: Stanford University (Residential) and Online.
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 16 to July 25
Deadline: Applications close February 3.
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th and 11th graders.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 4.8%
Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a selective summer program designed to teach student leaders how to apply economic analysis to decision-making. You will explore economic concepts, reasoning, and leadership theory, equipping you with tools to address public policy challenges.
The program prepares students with essential leadership skills for tackling complex societal issues and is recognized for strengthening college applications.
Location: Offered virtually and at select locations (see official site for details).
Dates: Multiple start dates
Deadline: Early deadline: February 5.
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in leadership and economics.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive selection; roughly two applicants per spot.
The Science Internship Program (SIP) is a free competitive summer program for high school students, offering the chance to engage in real research projects across fields like science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art at UC Santa Cruz. You will work alongside UCSC faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers, gaining hands-on experience in authentic research. This selective program provides an invaluable opportunity to deepen your understanding of research while contributing to meaningful scientific discoveries.
The 8-week program includes one week of online research followed by 7 weeks of in-person work, providing a thorough experience in scientific inquiry. This mentorship-driven program allows students to contribute to ongoing projects and deepen their research skills.
Location: UC Santa Cruz campus (in-person) with an online component.
Dates: Week 1: Online research (June 16–20) | Weeks 2–8: In-person research (June 23–August 8) | Presentation Day: August 9 (hybrid format)
Deadline: Applications close February 1.
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in STEAM fields.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited positions; exact cohort size not specified.
The ASU Cybersecurity Research Internship offers high school students in the Phoenix area the chance to gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity. Hosted by the Arizona State University Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations, this 8-week in-person internship allows students to work on innovative projects, participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) hacking competitions, and collaborate with graduate students and professors.
Interns will develop technical skills and contribute to real-world research, culminating in the presentation of their findings. Ideal candidates should have programming experience (Python or similar), strong communication skills, and a self-motivated work ethic.
Location: Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
Dates: May 27 – July (8 weeks).
Deadline: Applications open January 13, close January 27.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in the Phoenix area with an interest in cybersecurity and programming.
Stipend: $1,800 (paid upon successful completion).
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive admissions; specific cohort size not listed.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.
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