Free Summer STEM Programs for High School Students
Updated: 4 days ago
Updated October 2026
TL;DR
Looking for a way to spend your summer exploring STEM without paying for a traditional summer program? This guide lists 10 free or fully funded summer STEM programs for high school students across the U.S., with options in fields such as biomedical research, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, genetics, and scientific research. Several programs also offer stipends, research mentorship, or hands-on lab experience. If you want to take your research interests further with one-on-one guidance from a PhD mentor, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
If you’re a high school student who wants to make better use of your summer, a STEM program can give you time to explore a subject beyond your regular classes. And if cost is a concern, you have plenty of options. Some programs are completely free, while others cover the main program costs and provide additional support such as stipends, room and board, or travel assistance. We’ve gathered 10 options below across different STEM fields and locations. You can also explore 11 Online STEM Programs for High School Students if you want an option you can join from home.
Which STEM field do you want to explore this summer?
The programs on this list cover a wide range of STEM interests. Some are built around individual research projects, while others focus more heavily on coursework, coding, cybersecurity, or biomedical science.
Before you apply, think about the kind of experience you want. If you want to spend your summer in a research lab, programs such as MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI), NYU ARISE, Stanford SIMR, and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program are worth exploring. If you are more interested in coding or cybersecurity, Girls Who Code and NYU CS4CS offer more focused options.
Your eligibility matters just as much. Several programs restrict applications by grade, location, citizenship, or residency, so check those requirements before spending time on an application.
Which summer STEM program could be right for you?
The right program depends on what you want to explore and the kind of experience you want to gain. Use this table to narrow down the options before reading through the full program details.
If you want to | Programs to consider | Best fit if you are interested in |
Conduct independent research | Working closely with researchers or faculty and developing your own research project | |
Explore biomedical science | Biology, medicine, genetics, neuroscience, or drug research | |
Build computer science or cybersecurity skills | Coding, cybersecurity, digital forensics, UX design, or technology | |
Combine STEM coursework with research and mentoring | Exploring STEM broadly while gaining research experience and working with mentors | |
Earn a stipend while gaining STEM experience | Getting hands-on STEM or research experience while receiving financial support |
Free Summer STEM Programs for High Schoolers
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for selected students
Program Dates: June 28–August 8
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who have completed education comparable to 11th grade; international eligibility depends on participating countries
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week STEM program that combines theoretical coursework with individual research. You spend the first week taking STEM courses before beginning a five-week research project with experienced scientists and researchers. You work on an individual project and finish the program by presenting your findings. We’ve detailed how you can build a strong application to get into RSI here.
Why it stands out: You combine advanced STEM coursework with five weeks of individual research under the guidance of experienced researchers.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; students are responsible for travel to and from Pittsburgh
Program Dates: June 26–August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are in 11th grade when applying and at least 16 by the program start date
SAMS is a six-week STEM program that combines classroom instruction, hands-on projects, research, mentoring, and academic workshops. You’ll take math and science courses, work on a STEM-related research project with faculty or graduate student guidance, and participate in writing workshops and college preparation activities. The program begins with a required virtual Jumpstart before the residential portion at Carnegie Mellon. You’ll also present your research at a final symposium. More about this program can be found in our blog here.
Why it stands out: You get a six-week STEM experience combining coursework, research, and mentoring at Carnegie Mellon.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend upon successful completion
Program Dates: June 1–August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a 10-week summer research program for New York City high school students interested in STEM. You’ll spend the first four weeks building research skills through safety training, college writing workshops, and research preparation. During the remaining six weeks, you’ll work in an NYU research lab alongside faculty and researchers on real-world projects. We’ve covered more about this program in this article.
Why it stands out: You spend six weeks working on real research in an NYU lab and receive a $2,000 stipend.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; $50 application fee, with fee waivers available
Program Dates: June 8–July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, live in the U.S., attend a U.S. high school, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SIMR is an eight-week summer research program where you work on a medically focused research project with a Stanford faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, student, or researcher. You can choose from eight research areas, including immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell research, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. Learn more about this program in our deep dive here.
Why it stands out: You conduct hands-on biomedical research with a one-on-one mentor at Stanford.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free; $25 application fee. On-campus room and board, meals, and weekend activities are provided. Scholars receive a $750 stipend after successfully completing their research project report.
Program Dates: June 20–August 5
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date, graduate in the applicable high-school class, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer research program for 12 rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates. You work with Texas Tech faculty on a research project in areas such as biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, and physics. Further insights into the program’s usefulness can be found in our blog here.
Why it stands out: You get a seven-week, one-on-one research experience with Texas Tech faculty and receive a $750 stipend after completing your project.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; a $300 needs-based grant is available to eligible students in the U.S.
Program Dates: Two weeks; current dates not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders; students around the world can apply
Girls Who Code’s Summer Immersion Program is a two-week virtual program where you learn computer science through live classes and hands-on projects. The current program focuses on game design, beginner-to-intermediate computer science, and UX design, with classes held Monday through Friday. Girls Who Code also offers Pathways, a separate self-paced program covering web development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence. We’ve covered all you need to know about this program in our blog here.
Why it stands out: You learn computer science through a live, two-week virtual program with industry-sponsored classes.
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: No cost; paid internship. Current stipend amount not specified.
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks; current dates not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents. High school applicants must be juniors or seniors and at least 17 years old; college students may also be eligible. Permanent residents must be enrolled in a U.S. school.
NIDA’s RTURP is a paid summer research internship for students interested in the scientific basis of drug addiction and substance use disorders. You work in NIDA’s Intramural Research Program at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus and receive training related to research in this field. The program has a limited number of positions each summer and NIDA describes selection as very competitive.
Why it stands out: You gain paid research experience at NIDA while working in a program focused on addiction science.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free; a stipend and MBTA pass have been provided historically but are not guaranteed each year
Program Dates: Six weeks; June 22–July 30
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live and attend school in Massachusetts, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and live within commuting distance of Northeastern. The program expects applicants to have at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA.
YSP is a six-week summer research program for Massachusetts high school juniors who are entering their senior year. You work in a Northeastern research lab with faculty and mentors on a project in science, engineering, or health sciences. Research projects change each year based on the faculty participating in the program. Check out our blog here for more details on this program.
Why it stands out: You spend six weeks working on real research in a Northeastern University lab before college.
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 that introduces you to cybersecurity through hands-on training and real-world challenges. You learn security-focused scripting, cryptography, and digital forensics while taking part in Capture the Flag competitions and research projects. The program also includes professional networking, mentorship, and theater-based communication workshops. Learn more about this program in our review here.
Why it stands out: You get hands-on cybersecurity training and research experience at NYU Tandon at no cost.
Cost: No cost; $4,800 stipend provided
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Application Deadline: December 4
Program Dates: 8 weeks, June 1–July 24
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and attend high school in the Memphis-Shelby County area or nearby counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas.
St. Jude’s High School Research Immersion Program gives rising seniors a chance to work on a mentored research project in a St. Jude laboratory, clinical, or data science research program. You work in pairs with a research mentor, learn about the research process, and present your findings in a community exhibition at the end of the program. The program runs full-time, five days a week, for eight weeks.
Why it stands out: You get eight weeks of mentored research at St. Jude and receive a $4,800 stipend.
How should you choose a summer STEM program?
Start by looking at what you actually want to do during the summer. If you want to conduct research, focus on programs that place you in a lab or pair you with a research mentor. If you want to explore computer science, a virtual program such as Girls Who Code may be more practical. If biomedical science interests you, SIMR, NIDA RTURP, and St. Jude offer more specialized environments.
Location can narrow your choices quickly. ARISE and CS4CS have specific New York City requirements, while Northeastern YSP is limited to Massachusetts students and St. Jude has a defined regional eligibility area.
You should also look at what you will leave with. A research project, final presentation, lab experience, or technical project can give you something concrete to build on during the next school year.
What if you want to do independent research this summer?
You do not have to wait for a traditional summer program to explore a research question.
If you already have a subject you want to investigate, you can work with a mentor to develop your question, conduct your research, analyze your findings, and turn the work into a completed paper. The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on independent research projects across a range of subjects.
For more options, you can also explore 12 Online Research Summer Programs for High School Students, which includes research opportunities you can pursue remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best free summer STEM program for high school students?
There is no single best program for everyone. RSI and Clark Scholars are strong choices if you want intensive research, while SIMR is more focused on biomedical science, ARISE combines preparation with lab research, and Girls Who Code and CS4CS are more focused on computer science and cybersecurity. Your grade, location, citizenship, and research interests should determine which programs you prioritize.
2. Do free STEM summer programs usually provide a stipend?
Some do, but it varies. ARISE provides a $2,000 stipend upon successful completion, Clark Scholars provides $750 after the research report is completed, and St. Jude provides a $4,800 stipend. NIDA RTURP is a paid internship, while other programs may cover participation costs without offering a stipend. Check each program's current funding terms before applying.
3. Can you apply to more than one summer STEM program?
Yes, you can apply to multiple programs, and doing so can make sense because many of the options on this list are highly competitive. However, pay close attention to program dates and participation requirements. Some programs require you to commit to the full summer experience, so you should not apply to overlapping programs assuming you can attend both.
4. What can you do if you do not get into a free summer STEM program?
You can still spend your summer building meaningful STEM experience. You could work on an independent project, take an online course, participate in a research activity, or find a mentor who can help you explore a question in greater depth. If you want one-on-one research mentorship, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, where you can develop an independent research project with a PhD mentor.