16 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Arizona
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student in Arizona, summer is a good time to pick up on a subject or field outside of the classroom. Arizona is home to many universities and organizations offering free summer programs where you can experience college-level academics, pick up practical skills, meet new people, and get a sense of what different careers actually look like.
And if you’re an Arizona resident, these programs are local, don’t require extensive travel plans, and provide you with significant exposure! Also, owing to their fully-funded nature, they are more prestigious than pricey pre-college programs or camps!
Most students don’t realise how useful these can be when it comes to college applications or job resumes later. A selective, well-run program hosted by a respected organization adds solid weight to your profile.
To make it easier for you, we’ve shortlisted 16o f the best free summer programs for high school students in Arizona! Every program here is fully funded, competitive, and offers a mix of learning, networking, and hands-on experience you can use.
16 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Arizona
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: 4 annual cohorts run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently 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 Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit that offers research opportunities to high school students from low-income backgrounds. It is linked to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which focuses on one-on-one research. The foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program lets you work on an independent project with a PhD mentor. You do not pay anything.
The program uses the same structure as Lumiere’s Individual Research Scholar Program. You are matched with a mentor and pick a topic to explore, and over several weeks, you follow a structured process to complete your research. Past students have worked in fields like economics, AI, neuroscience, public policy, and climate science. You will also receive feedback on your work and submit it to journals or competitions. You can find the application form here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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, 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.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: May 30 — July 3
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old and enrolled full-time in high school.
The Barrow Neurological Institute offers a Summer High School Internship Program where you can get hands-on experience in a research lab. You’ll work with lab equipment and learn basic biological concepts, and also see how scientists study neurological conditions using research methods. You’ll read scientific papers, learn how to explain complex ideas, and apply them to real questions. You may also work on a small research project and present your findings.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free. The program covers food and lodging, materials, and classes. However, participants will be expected to travel to and from the program at their own expense.
Application Deadline: April 6
Program Dates: Camp 1 - June 15 - 21; Camp 2 - June 22 - 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors in high school expected to graduate the following year are eligible to apply!
Held at Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus, this one-week camp introduces you to different healthcare careers. You’ll learn about roles like physical therapist, optometrist, dentist, physician, occupational therapist, and others in the medical field. You’ll get instruction in basic medical procedures such as suturing, giving injections, using IVs, and learning about intubation. You’ll also speak with healthcare professionals and visit medical facilities across Arizona’s health corridor.
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Free + financial aid/resources offered to cover associated program costs like charges for the University of Arizona’s CatCard, parking permit, transportation, and meals.
Application deadline: December 13; application window opens on November 1.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship and have at least one year of Arizona residency.
The KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) Research Internship is a seven-week summer program for high school students. It introduces you to bioscience, biostatistics, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, data science, and environmental health. The first week focuses on lab skills and data analysis.
After that, you’ll be matched with a University of Arizona researcher and join an ongoing project that may combine different scientific fields. You’ll get support from faculty, college students, and lab staff. You’ll also build skills in science communication, ethics, and research literacy. At the end, you’ll present your work to other students and faculty. The program is selective, with recent acceptance rates between 13 and 16%.
Location: Hybrid with mandatory in-person components on Tuesdays. The in-person commitments are held in the CTF lab at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
Cost: No cost; $1,800 stipend provided upon successful completion of the internship; interns are responsible for transportation costs.
Application Deadline: January 27
Program Dates: 8 weeks across June and July. Specific dates vary year by year and will be specified on the application.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the Phoenix area at the time of the application are eligible.
The Cybersecurity Internship at Arizona State University is an eight-week research program. You’ll be paired with a PhD student whose research matches your interests. You can choose from existing project ideas or create one with your mentor’s help. Past projects have included testing code review tools, building Python bots with security features, and studying social media ad scams across consumer groups. Each week, you’ll join lab meetings to share progress, discuss problems, and get feedback. The program ends with a presentation of your research findings.
Location: TGen Headquarters, 445 N. Fifth St., Phoenix, AZ
Cost: None, each graduate can receive a $1,000 scholarship if they attend the entire program.
Application Deadline: February 5
Program Dates: June 16 — 27
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, rising juniors or seniors at an Arizona high school, and not have graduated by program start.
The TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy in Phoenix is a two-week program where you explore bioscience and precision medicine. You’ll learn about cancer, neurological conditions, diabetes, and infectious diseases, and see how research is used in real-world settings. You’ll shadow researchers in the lab and learn how clinical trials work. You’ll discuss ethical issues in science and build skills in science communication, networking, and research thinking.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ, or virtual
Cost: Fully funded, with a stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: In-Person Program: June 4–27 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays); Virtual Program: July 8–12 (Monday—Friday)
Eligibility: Open to Arizona high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
The Mayo Clinic’s CARES Program is for high school students in Arizona who want to explore healthcare careers. You’ll join hospital-based activities at Mayo Clinic sites in Phoenix and Scottsdale and meet doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and other professionals who will explain their roles and career paths. You’ll get a mentor who guides you during the program and may stay in touch afterward. You’ll attend workshops on applying to college, writing strong resumes, and preparing for interviews.
Location: Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Application deadline: Open enrollment; you can apply via this form and submit it to the library branch where you’d like to volunteer
Program dates: Vary based on availability of opportunities
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–17 years old
The Pima County Public Library Youth Teen Volunteer Program lets you gain experience during the summer or after school in Tucson. You’ll work with library staff and other teens on daily tasks and events at your local branch. Your duties may include organizing books, helping with children’s programs, setting up for events, and keeping the shelves in order. This is not a formal internship, but it gives you practical experience in a public service setting.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates: June 1–6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors can apply.
The Business Careers Awareness Program is for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who want to explore business and accounting. It is run by the Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy at the Eller College of Management, University of Arizona. You’ll learn core ideas in business and accounting, meet faculty and college students, and explore career options in the field. You can choose between a one-day event or a week-long residential program.
Location: Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Cost: Free. Students must arrange transport to and from the event location at Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus in Arizona.
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: July 10, 11, and 14–19
Eligibility: Open to all Arizona high school students.
Midwestern University’s Glendale campus hosts an eight-day Health Careers Institute for Arizona high school students. The program is for those interested in fields like osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, and dental medicine. You’ll take part in hands-on activities and group discussions led by faculty and students. You’ll learn what each healthcare role involves and how they work together. Some sessions focus on basic research skills and show how research connects to clinical practice and biomedical science.
Location: Various locations in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants get paid for 120 or 300 hours of work.
Application deadline: Not specified
Program dates: Variable based on employment role.
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in high school or college and are 14–21 years old.
Goodwill Youth Programs in Tucson offer paid work experience through partnerships with local employers. Supported by Arizona@Work One-Stop and Pima County, the Youth Employment Program runs during the summer or after school. You’ll get job training and hands-on experience at a real workplace.
Past placements have included Saavi, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Reid Park Zoo. The program helps you build skills for future jobs in different industries, including customer service, animal care, retail, and community services.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
Program Dates: June 8–14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled members/descendants of the AI/AN or Native Hawaiian Tribe and have completed chemistry, physics, and Pre-Calculus with at least a C grade.
NASEP at the University of Arizona is a summer program for students interested in STEM. It follows the “American Indian Well-Being Model in Higher Education” by Dr. Shawn Secatero. The program combines cultural, academic, and professional development. You’ll build technical and leadership skills through hands-on projects like building a computer. You’ll also visit Biosphere II to learn about ecology and environmental science. The program includes sessions with Indigenous professionals from companies like IBM and Raytheon.
Location: Most scholars will work in TGen headquarters in Phoenix; some will intern at Translational Drug Development (TD2) on the Mayo Clinic campus in Scottsdale or in the Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. High school students will be paid $13.85 per hour.
Application deadline: February 3
Program dates: June 5 — July 28
Eligibility: To apply, students must be at least 16 years of age by June 5; be eligible to work in the United States; and be a graduate of an Arizona high school by June 5.
This research internship is offered by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in partnership with the Helios Education Foundation. It is for students interested in biomedical research. TGen is a nonprofit research institute based in Arizona. You’ll get hands-on lab experience and work with scientists on projects in genomics, cancer biology, neurogenomics, and infectious diseases.
You’ll build skills in research, data analysis, and lab techniques. If you’re a high school sophomore or junior, you can also look into the TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy, which offers a similar experience focused on bioscience.
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Cost: Free
Application deadline: April 19
Program dates: June 16 - June 20
Eligibility: Arizona high school students entering their junior and senior year
The Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Institute at Arizona State University is a one-week residential program that helps you build leadership skills and get involved in your community. You’ll stay on campus and take part in workshops, group activities, and discussions, and learn about the life and work of César E. Chávez and explore social justice issues. The program focuses on leadership, cultural identity, equity, and inclusion. You’ll work with other students on community projects and build skills that support civic engagement and positive change.
Location: Central Arizona College, Coolidge, Arizona
Cost: Free
Application deadline: The date varies; the first round of applications is usually reviewed in January of each year.
Program dates: It’s a six-week summer program; dates are not disclosed yet.
Eligibility: Must have finished 8th grade but not started 12th. You must attend Coolidge, Casa Grande Union, or Vista Grande High School. U.S. citizen or permanent resident. First-generation college student and/or meet federal income guidelines.
Upward Bound at Central Arizona College is a federally funded program that helps you get ready for college. You’ll receive academic support through tutoring, workshops, and courses focused on college preparation. You’ll also visit colleges, learn about financial aid, and get help with applications. The program includes leadership training, cultural activities, and community service projects to support your personal growth alongside academics.
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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