15 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Lydia Park
- Jun 23
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student in New York City with an interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, it’s worth considering a STEM summer program this year. These programs provide you hands-on exposure to real-world projects, lab research, and industry-relevant technologies.
In a city that hosts some of the country’s most prominent research institutions and tech hubs, you’ll have the chance to learn directly from people working in science, medicine, or tech fields and see how these careers work in real life. Being part of one of these programs also shows colleges that you’re serious about your subject. It gives you something solid to write about in your college essays or talk about in interviews.
To help you choose, we’ve narrowed down our list of top 15 STEM summer programs for high school students in New York City!
15 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
Location: Remote
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a project in your chosen subject. You’ll meet regularly to plan your research, receive feedback, and develop a college-level research paper by the end of the program.
You can choose from fields like computer science, psychology, economics, engineering, data science, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is selective, with an acceptance rate below 15 percent. You’ll also get access to writing coaches, optional publishing support, and structured guidance throughout the process.
Cost: Free (participants also receive a stipend)
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Dates: June 30–August 8
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (11th grade); U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must be at least 16 years old by the program start date
At the Simons Summer Research Program, you’ll spend the summer working on a real research project in science, math, or engineering at Stony Brook University. You’ll be placed in a research group that matches your interests and work closely with faculty mentors.
During the program, you’ll learn lab techniques, take part in weekly lectures and workshops, and attend events that give you a look into STEM careers and college life. You’ll write a formal research abstract and present your project at a poster symposium on campus.
The program is fully funded by the Simons Foundation, and you’ll receive a stipend at the end.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. 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 passionate about AI with a coding background
Veritas AI offers AI-focused programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. It was founded by Harvard graduate students. If you are just starting out, the AI Scholars Program is a 10-session course where you learn the basics of AI and data science by working on hands-on projects.
If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship lets you work 1-on-1 with a researcher from a top university. You’ll build your own AI project and get help from Veritas AI’s publication team if you want to submit your work to a journal. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Cost: Free
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: June 2–August 8 (remote workshops: June 2–27; in-person lab work: June 30–August 7)
Application Deadline: February 21 (recommendations due February 27)
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade; strong academic performance; priority for students from historically excluded backgrounds in STEM
The ARISE program at NYU Tandon lets you work in a university lab on a STEM research project. You’ll be paired with a graduate student mentor and faculty advisor. It starts in June with evening virtual workshops on research methods and communication.
After that, you’ll spend six weeks doing full-time, in-person lab work. You’ll join one of 30 labs in fields like biomedical engineering, machine learning, or environmental science. You’ll also work on public speaking with the Irondale Ensemble Project and present your research at a final colloquium.
Cost: Free (students may receive a stipend upon successful completion)
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Dates: June 30–August 7
Application Deadline: January 16 (applications open November 20)
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th or 11th grade; must meet GPA and Regents exam score requirements
The STEM Research Academy at CCNY starts with a spring science course. If you complete it and are selected, you’ll move on to a summer research internship. In the summer, you’ll work with a faculty mentor from CCNY or another CUNY campus on a STEM project that fits your interests.
You’ll do hands-on lab work a few days each week and present your research on campus and at the American Museum of Natural History. You’ll also attend seminars and workshops to build your research and communication skills. If you finish all parts of the program, including the final poster presentation, you may receive a stipend of $1,575.
Cost: $5,875 (commuter); $10,705 (residential); full need-based scholarships available
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Dates: Session 1: July 7–July 25; Session 2: July 28–August 15
Application Deadline: March 3 (priority scholarship deadline: December 18)
Eligibility: Open to current high school students; residential option available only to students age 16 and older
SHAPE is a summer program at Columbia focused on project-based STEM learning. You can join one or both three-week sessions and take a college-level engineering course in fields like robotics, biomedical engineering, computer programming, or sustainable design.
Courses are taught by Columbia faculty and supported by undergraduates. You’ll get access to labs and the MakerSpace, join electives and workshops, and visit companies on field trips. The program is selective and has a high tuition cost, but a limited number of full need-based scholarships are available if you apply by the early deadline.
7. NYU GSTEM
Cost: $5,500 (tuition); $3,840 (optional housing with meal plan); need-based scholarships available
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Dates: June 30–August 8
Application Deadline: March 2 (application opens February 1)
Eligibility: High school students currently in 11th grade with a strong academic background and interest in STEM
NYU’s GSTEM program gives you a six-week research experience in science, technology, engineering, or math. You’ll be paired with a mentor - usually a university researcher and work on an individual project in fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, or math.
Alongside lab work, you’ll attend weekly workshops on scientific writing and public speaking. You’ll also go on field trips to STEM organizations around New York City. The program ends with a research symposium where you present your project.
It’s a paid program, but full and partial scholarships are available. If you’re interested in data science, you can apply for the Winston Data Scholarship.
Cost: Free
Location: Columbia University and HYPOTHEkids, New York, NY
Dates: July 7–August 8
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: December 18; Final deadline: January 8
Eligibility: 10th or 11th grade students (graduating in next two years) from NYC public or charter schools; must demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage
Hk Maker Lab is a free, five-week engineering program for high school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. It starts with a three-week course through Columbia’s SHAPE program, where you study topics like biomedical engineering or design.
In the last two weeks, you’ll work in teams to build an app or website that solves a real-world public health problem. The program blends technical work with creative problem-solving and includes support from mentors. If you finish the program, you may qualify for NY Bioforce, which offers a paid STEM internship the next summer.
Cost: Free; interns are paid hourly
Location: NYSCF Research Institute, New York, NY
Dates: Ten-week program (typically early June–mid August)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in December and close in early spring
Eligibility: Open only to high school students affiliated with NYSCF partner organizations; must be at least 18 years old by the program start
The NYSCF High School Internship is a paid summer program where you’ll work full-time in a stem cell research lab at the NYSCF Research Institute. You’ll be matched with a mentor through a partner organization and join real biomedical research projects.
You’ll learn lab skills like tissue culture, data analysis, and scientific communication. This program gives you direct exposure to careers in science and biotech. It’s selective and has limited spots, but offers rare access to a professional research environment.
Cost: Free; optional stipends and travel support available for students with financial need
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Dates: June 23–August 7
Application Deadline: January 3 (letters of recommendation due January 6)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; must be at least 16 years old by the program start date
The SSRP at Rockefeller University is a free, seven-week summer program where you work full-time on a lab-based research project. You’ll join a small team led by scientists from Rockefeller, Weill Cornell, or Memorial Sloan Kettering.
You’ll begin by learning lab techniques, then choose a research question and work on it with your team. The program ends with a poster presentation. Along the way, you’ll attend lectures, electives, and group activities. This program is selective.
Cost: Free; participants receive a $1,200 stipend; no housing or transportation provided
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Dates: June 30–August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus; must be 14+ years old by June; U.S. work authorization required; 3.5 GPA in science subjects
The Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering offers a highly competitive, research-intensive experience for students interested in biomedical science. You’ll be guided by MSK researchers and contribute to cancer research through a self-directed project.
You’ll also take part in workshops, seminars, and sessions on translational medicine. Only 20 students are selected from over 1,000 applicants, so the program is very competitive. Full attendance is required, and you are not allowed to contact MSK faculty during the application process.
Cost: Free; students receive a $2,500 stipend upon successful completion
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Dates: August–June (includes a full-time August Summer Institute and weekly sessions during the school year)
Application Deadline: Applications open in January; decisions released by the end of May
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade students attending a partner school or program, or previously enrolled in specific AMNH youth programs; must be passing all classes
SRMP at the American Museum of Natural History is a year-long research program where you work on a project with a museum scientist. It starts with a four-week Summer Institute in August, where you’ll do workshops, fieldwork, and learn skills like coding, lab work, and data science.
During the school year, you’ll meet twice a week for research and attend monthly advisory sessions. Projects cover topics like astronomy, biology, environmental science, and machine learning. You’ll present your work at a final symposium.
Cost: Free; students receive a $1,575 stipend (distributed in the fall following summer completion)
Location: Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, NY
Dates: Spring course: late January–mid-May (hybrid); Summer research: mid-July–mid-August (Monday–Thursday, full-day)
Application Deadline: December (application opens mid-October)
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th or 11th grade; minimum overall GPA of 80; preference for students from underrepresented backgrounds or partner schools
Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy starts with a spring course where you learn how to design experiments, write scientifically, and review research papers. If you finish the course and are selected, you move on to a six-week summer internship.
In the summer, you’ll work with a Baruch or CUNY faculty mentor on a research project in fields like biology, psychology, or environmental science. You’ll present your findings at the CUNY STEM Research Exhibition. The program is fully funded and includes mentorship, a stipend, and college credit.
Cost: $1,900 (includes tuition, room, meals, and supplies); $75 non-refundable deposit required; need-based scholarships available for tuition and travel
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Dates: July 13–19
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade students attending high school in the U.S. or its territories with a GPA of 3.0+ and strong performance in STEM coursework; CURIE is geared toward students addressing gender barriers in STEM, while CATALYST is for students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds
CURIE and CATALYST are one-week summer programs at Cornell that introduce you to engineering through hands-on sessions and group research projects. Each day includes lab work with Cornell faculty and ends with a final group presentation.
You’ll also join college admissions workshops and evening activities with other students. The program focuses on supporting students who have faced barriers in accessing STEM and gives you a look at different engineering fields and college life.
Cost: Free; includes a $2,000 stipend
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: Spring Session: February 21 –May 22; Summer Session: June 30–August 15
Application Deadline: Typically opens in late fall
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students, age 16+ by orientation; must live or attend school within 45 minutes of Genspace (flexibility considered)
Biorocket is a six-month research internship where you’ll work with scientist mentors on a molecular biology or genetic engineering project. You’ll learn lab techniques, design your own summer project, and present your work to the public.
The program includes improv-based science communication training and field trips to research labs and biotech companies. You don’t need to submit a GPA or transcript. Students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM are encouraged to apply.
Lydia is currently a senior at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She aims to become a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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