10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
Boston is home to universities and organizations offering various free summer programs designed for high school students. If you are a high school student in the area, participating in such programs can help you explore your interests and make the most of your summer break without spending a ton of money!
Fully funded summer programs intended for high school students typically offer accessible opportunities to explore college-level academics, explore career paths, and build practical skills without a hefty price tag. Many also offer practical experience through workshops, mentored assignments, research projects, activities, and field trips. As a participant, you may also get paid for your contributions. The experience can help you grow your network, strengthen your college applications, and explore what really excites you.
To help you find the right fit, we have compiled a list of 10 free summer programs for high school students in Boston. We have prioritized options that are free, academically rigorous, competitive, and hosted by credible, well-known organizations.
10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Dates: Several cohorts in a year, including summer cohorts
Application deadline: June 23
Eligibility: Gifted high school students from low-income backgrounds; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research initiative offering a free research experience through its Breakthrough Scholar Program, an equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program offered by Lumiere Education. The Breakthrough Scholar Program is an opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of a Ph.D.-level expert. Over 12 weeks, you will meet one-on-one with your mentor to design and execute an independent research project in fields like psychology, computer science, economics, engineering, or another discipline of choice. The program also offers writing support and research methodology workshops to guide you through the paper writing process. By the end, you will have a 15-page research paper and firsthand experience in the development of original academic research.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 2–5%; ~100 students accepted each year
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with exceptional academic ability; you can find detailed information about eligibility here
MIT’s RSI is a six-week introduction to high-level scientific research at one of the most respected institutions in the world. As an RSI participant, you will gain experience in the full research cycle, from reading current journal articles and conducting original research alongside professional scientists to presenting your findings in both written and oral formats. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM seminars, followed by a five-week research internship under the mentorship of experienced researchers. You will also attend evening lectures offered by leading professionals in science and technology, including Nobel laureates. Field trips are also part of the experience.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies each year; around 20–30 students are typically accepted
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside and attend school in Massachusetts within commuting distance of Northeastern University and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Young Scholars Program offers high schoolers opportunities to engage in research in university labs while gaining a deeper understanding of the science and engineering fields. Over six weeks, you will work with Northeastern faculty on real-world projects in areas like cancer therapies, renewable energy, robotics, and data modeling. In addition to research, you will engage in seminars led by engineering faculty and receive one-on-one college and career advising. You will also visit tech-focused companies and government labs to see how STEM professionals apply their work in practice.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Exact information not provided
Location: Labs at Massachusetts General Hospital and partner sites in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Stipend: Provided
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live or study in Massachusetts, have an interest in neurology, and are eligible to work in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a full-time summer internship that places you in a working neuroscience lab, where you will contribute to real research under the guidance of Mass General neurologists and scientists. The program begins with a multi-day bootcamp focused on lab skills, research ethics, and professional development, followed by mentored lab work on current neurology research. You will also attend weekly didactic sessions to learn about neurology from neurologists, neuroscientists, and other professionals in related fields. You will present your research work at a final symposium. While the core experience is hands-on research, the program also provides long-term support after the summer ends, helping you with resume-building, future applications, and career connections in neuroscience.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Exact information not provided
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Stipend: Provided
Dates: 7–11 weeks during the summer; dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and live/attend school in Massachusetts
CURE is a free summer program for high school students in Boston interested in engaging with cancer research alongside professional scientists in a full-time, mentored lab setting. Here, you will develop technical lab skills, gain experience with real scientific discovery, and learn how to conduct biomedical research. In addition to engaging in lab work, you will participate in journal clubs, research seminars, and professional development sessions that focus on writing, presentations, and career exploration. You will also connect with peers and professionals through networking events and collaborative activities. The program concludes with the submission of a final abstract and presentation of your research.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Exact information not provided
Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend Boston public schools or are Boston residents
If you are interested in architecture, design, or hands-on problem solving, SummerFAB offers a structured introduction to the building environment through real-world design challenges. If accepted into this free summer program for high school students in Boston, you will work with faculty and design students to develop projects that address local neighborhood needs. The program guides you through the entire creative process, beginning with design principles and visual expression, followed by model-making and analysis of Boston’s urban environment, and culminating in the construction of a full-scale structure. Along the way, you will build skills in architectural drawing, 3D modeling, fabrication, and teamwork.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Exact information not provided
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; $3,600 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are attending a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance of the Broad Institute, have a B or higher in science and math classes, and an interest in science
If you are interested in scientific research with real-world impact, BSSP is a six-week experience where you will contribute to projects in fields like cancer biology, infectious disease, and computational biology. You’ll be matched with a Broad Institute scientist and take on your own research project, learning both experimental and data-driven techniques along the way. The program also offers structured training in scientific communication, including how to design and present a research poster. You will also have access to a tutor, who will offer guidance regarding the scientific concepts relevant to your project. Outside the lab, you will attend scientific talks, participate in college prep activities, and connect with peers and mentors.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 80–120 students annually
Location: Local college campuses around Boston, MA
Stipend: $225/week
Dates: July 8 – August 22
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live in Boston, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and meet all the course prerequisites (if any)
This is a free summer program for high school students in Boston where you can earn college credit and gain career exposure, all while getting paid. Over seven to eight weeks, you will take a free college-level course in subjects like business, networking, marketing, English, and criminal justice at a local campus. You will also attend weekly enrichment sessions focused on career development and participate in college readiness activities such as financial aid workshops and campus tours. Throughout the program, you will have access to guidance from academic coaches.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Architecture firms in Boston, MA
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application deadline: Not specified; internship applications open in February
Eligibility: Boston public school students in grades 9 to 12
Architecture/Design High School Internships are six-week opportunities to work at local Boston architecture firms. During the internship, you will explore the field of architecture through site tours and projects. Additionally, you will learn about architectural design and urban planning via tours organized once a week on “Summer Fridays”. You will also find opportunities to develop design and 3D modeling skills and network with architects, engineers, designers, and contractors. At the end of the program, you will deliver a presentation to share your internship experience and highlights with peers.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited space; exact numbers not disclosed
Location: The Paul Revere House, Boston, MA
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12
The Paul Revere House offers high schoolers a free one-week internship opportunity at one of the oldest structures in Boston. As an intern, you will get firsthand insights into how museums work and how they share historical data with the public. You will also explore roles in museums and key topics of concern in the field. You will work on individual tasks as well as group projects and come up with content on real museum artifacts. You will spend most of your time during the program in the museum offices and public areas of the museum alongside a staff member.
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 research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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