Free Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Updated: Oct 9
Updated October 2026
TL;DR
Looking for a computer science summer program that fits your interests, budget, and goals? This guide covers 12 programs for high school students, from MIT and Carnegie Mellon opportunities to virtual research and AI programs. You’ll find options for computer science research, cybersecurity, AI, programming, engineering, and more, with details on cost, dates, deadlines, and eligibility. If you want to explore independent computer science research with 1-on-1 PhD mentorship, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, summer is a great time to explore the field beyond your regular classes. These 12 free summer programs for high school students cover computer science research, programming, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and engineering. All the programs on this list are free to attend, and some also offer stipends to help support you during the program. If you’re specifically looking for online options, you can also explore 10 Online Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students.
What are the best computer science summer programs for high school students?
Computer science summer programs can help you explore areas such as programming, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computational research, and engineering. The right program for you will depend on your interests, grade level, location, budget, and whether you prefer research, coursework, or hands-on projects.
The programs below include university-led opportunities at institutions such as MIT and Carnegie Mellon, along with virtual programs and specialized options in areas such as AI and cybersecurity.
Which computer science summer program is right for you?
Use this table to narrow down the list based on the type of experience you want. Each program name links to its official program page.
If you want to | Programs to consider | Best fit if you are interested in |
Conduct independent computer science research | Independent research, academic mentorship, computational biology, mathematics, and computer science | |
Study AI and machine learning | Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and applied computing | |
Explore cybersecurity | Cybersecurity, cryptography, digital forensics, network defense, and secure systems | |
Learn computer science through a residential university program | College-level coursework, programming, engineering, AI, and hands-on projects | |
Find a program with financial support | Fully funded or supported opportunities, stipends, and financial aid |
Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Cost: 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 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 equivalent to Lumiere Education's Individual Research Scholar Program. 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!
Why it stands out: You get 1-on-1 PhD mentorship and complete an independent research paper at no cost if you are selected as a Breakthrough Scholar.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded; tuition, housing, meal plans, and select program-related trips and events are covered. Limited travel assistance is available for families facing transportation barriers.
Program Dates: Four weeks, June 26–July 24
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 16 years old and are in 10th grade when applying
CS Scholars is a four-week residential program for rising high school juniors interested in computer science. You take college-level programming and math courses, learn Python and problem-solving techniques, and work on hands-on group research projects. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You get a fully funded, four-week residential computer science experience at Carnegie Mellon.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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 offers online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The AI Scholars program introduces you to Python and core AI concepts through group classes and a project. For students with prior experience, the AI Fellowship lets you work 1-on-1 with an AI researcher or practitioner on an independent project over 12–15 weeks. The Fellowship also includes publication and showcase support, while past projects have covered areas such as AI and medicine, finance, and other fields.
Why it stands out: You can start with AI fundamentals and move into a 1-on-1 independent research project with an AI mentor.
4. MIT PRIMES
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA; students outside Greater Boston can apply through the remote PRIMES-USA section
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-long, January–December
Application Deadline: November 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the U.S.
MIT PRIMES is a year-long research program. You will work on research problems in mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics, or computational biology with academic mentors, usually MIT graduate students or postdoctoral researchers. The program has four phases: advanced reading, active research, independent study, and final write-up. To learn more about MIT PRIMES, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You work on original research with MIT mentors over a full year at no cost.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for families with income of $120,000 or less; reduced fees and financial aid are available for other admitted students
Program Dates: Four weeks, June 27–July 25
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a permanent family address in the U.S. or U.S. territories who have little or no prior engineering experience
MIT’s Women’s Technology Program is a four-week residential program that introduces rising high school seniors to mechanical engineering through hands-on classes, labs, and team projects. You learn how engineers approach problems through topics such as materials, fluid mechanics, system design, and manufacturing. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You get four weeks of hands-on mechanical engineering at MIT while working closely with other high school students.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; $25 application fee. Room, board, on-campus meals, and weekend activities are covered. Scholars receive a $750 stipend after successfully completing their research project report.
Program Dates: Seven weeks, June 21–August 6
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must graduate in the applicable high-school class.
The Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer research program that accepts 12 rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates. You work with Texas Tech faculty on a hands-on research project in areas such as biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, and physics. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You get one-on-one, hands-on research experience with Texas Tech faculty and a $750 stipend.
Location: Virtual and in-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for qualifying families; $2,400 for families with income and asset liability of $200,000 or greater. Housing is not provided for in-person students.
Program Dates: Four weeks, July 6–August 2
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live in the U.S. and attend high school physically in the U.S.
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a four-week STEM program for rising high school seniors, with courses covering areas such as computer science, cybersecurity, AI, robotics, and engineering. Students first complete online prerequisite coursework before applying to the summer program. Current computer science-related options include:
1. Serious Game Development with AI - Use machine learning and game-like modeling to implement socially relevant policy interventions.
2. Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking - Learn about programming in Python and C, assembly language, and cryptography. Students will also design a secure system for an internet-based home door lock.
3. Cyber Security in Software Intensive Systems - Learn about the different elements involved in cybersecurity, including intelligence, network defense, digital forensics, malware analysis, and offensive security.
To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; full scholarship provided
Program Dates: Four weeks, July 13–August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students currently in 10th or 11th grade who live in NYC or eligible areas of New Jersey and Nassau County
CS4CS is a four-week summer program where you can learn computer science and cybersecurity through hands-on projects and real-world challenges. You’ll study security-focused scripting, cryptography, and digital forensics, take part in Capture the Flag competitions, work on research projects, and learn from cybersecurity professionals and mentors. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You get hands-on cybersecurity training, research experience, and mentorship at NYU Tandon at no cost.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free; housing and meals included. Travel scholarships of up to $500 are available for students with financial need.
Program Dates: June 7–13 for Academy for All; June 14–19 for the Machine Learning Edition
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11–12
The Academy for All with UT Computer Science is a week-long residential program where you can learn programming, work on a hands-on project, and explore careers in computer science. The Standard Edition uses C++ and an Arduino microcontroller to build an LED light display, while the Machine Learning Edition uses Python to teach you how to understand and implement machine learning concepts.
Why it stands out: You get a free, week-long residential computer science experience with UT faculty, housing, and meals included.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free; lunch and necessary materials are provided. Students receive a $1,200 stipend.
Program Dates: Four weeks, July 6–July 30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Washington State residents currently in 10th or 11th grade who attend a Washington State high school
Changemakers in Computing (CIC) is a four-week summer program where you can learn about computing, technology, society, and justice at the University of Washington. You’ll build introductory coding skills through project-based learning while exploring topics such as social responsibility and tech ethics. The program also includes career exploration, college guidance, project work, and mentorship from current UW undergraduate students.
Why it stands out: You get a free, four-week computing program with a $1,200 stipend and mentorship from UW students.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded; tuition, housing, meal plans, and select program-related field trips and events are covered.
Program Dates: Four weeks, June 20–July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 16 years old and in 11th grade when applying
AI Scholars is a four-week residential summer program where you can explore artificial intelligence through college-level coursework, research projects, and hands-on group work. You’ll learn core computing and AI concepts, attend faculty lectures, connect with industry professionals, and take part in college-prep seminars. The program ends with a symposium where you present your work.
Why it stands out: You get a fully funded, four-week AI program at Carnegie Mellon with housing, meals, faculty mentorship, and hands-on research projects.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Six-week summer program with self-paced learning; dates vary by cohort.
Application Deadline: Varies by year. Check the official program page for the next application cycle.
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students ages 14–18, including students with no prior coding experience.
Girls Who Code Pathways is a free virtual summer program where you can develop computer science skills while working on technology projects at your own pace. You can explore areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, game design, and web development. The program also offers opportunities to connect with other students, learn from mentors, and explore technology careers.
Why it stands out: You can explore several areas of computer science through flexible, self-paced learning while building projects and connecting with a global community.
How should you choose a computer science summer program?
Start by deciding what you want to gain from the experience. If you’re interested in independent research, consider programs such as MIT PRIMES, The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, or the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation. If you prefer structured coursework and a residential experience, Carnegie Mellon’s CS Scholars Pre-College Program and Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Pre-College Program offer college-level learning and hands-on projects.
You should also consider where the program is held and what you can afford. Options range from fully remote programs to residential experiences that require you to travel to a university. Some are free or fully funded, while others offer financial aid, scholarships, or stipends.
What if you want to do independent computer science research?
A summer program is not the only way to explore computer science research. If you want to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on an independent research project, you can explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
You can also read 13 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students for more options, or explore 15 Free Online Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students if you need a remote option.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need prior coding experience to apply to a computer science summer program?
It depends on the program. Some programs are designed to introduce you to computer science, while others expect previous experience with programming, AI, or related subjects. Check the eligibility requirements and any prerequisite coursework before applying.
2. How can I prepare for a computer science summer program application?
Start by reviewing the program’s eligibility requirements and application materials. If the program asks about your interests or experience, explain what areas of computer science you want to explore and describe relevant coursework, projects, research, or extracurricular activities you have completed.
3. Can a computer science summer program help with college applications?
Yes. A computer science summer program can strengthen your college application by showing admissions officers that you’ve explored your intended field beyond the classroom. More importantly, the right program can help you develop concrete evidence of your interests, such as a coding project, independent research, or a solution to a real-world problem.
4. What should I look for in a computer science summer program?
Look beyond the program title and compare the learning format, mentorship, project work, time commitment, eligibility requirements, and financial support. You should also consider whether the program gives you the kind of experience you want, such as coding practice, independent research, teamwork, or exposure to a specific area of computer science. If you want to explore independent research with 1-on-1 PhD mentorship, you can also learn more about the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.