15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Buffalo, NY

If you are a high school student looking for ways to add to your academic skills and prepare for college, a summer program is worth exploring.  

Summer programs designed for high school students offer you opportunities to engage in college-level or advanced academics (often on campus), research, skill-building activities, and networking with peers and professors. The experience can help you assess your interests before committing to a college degree.

Buffalo is home to several reputable universities, labs, and non-profit organizations that offer summer programs for high school students. With options spanning diverse areas, from STEM to medicine to business and the arts, you can find an opportunity that aligns with your interests. If you are an in-city student, you could avoid the costs of long-distance travel by attending these local programs. 

To help you with your search, we have come up with a list of the 15 summer programs for high school students in Buffalo, NY. 

15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Buffalo, NY

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; 1-on-1 program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by format; financial assistance available

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer sessions that run between June and August

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines for each cohort; summer session applications are due in May/June

Eligibility: High school students with strong academic backgrounds; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4.0

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an opportunity for high school students to design and complete intensive college-level research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor in a preferred discipline. Under 1-on-1 mentorship, you will develop a fully personalized project and final research paper, with potential for publication. Opportunities are available across disciplines, from STEM and medicine to the humanities and social sciences. You will get to choose a topic in your preferred field and access scientific writing assistance throughout the program. You can find more details about the application and available program formats here.

2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Location: Opportunities available throughout the U.S., including Buffalo, NY. Students are assigned a mentor within 45 minutes of their home.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend plus an all-expense-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit

Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates vary

Application Deadline: January 19

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, or Canada

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers paid internships to high school students interested in learning about fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton Scholar, you will get access to mentorship from fisheries professionals and engage in projects focusing on habitat restoration, protection, and management. The program offers insights into the life of a fisheries biologist and other career paths in the animal and aquatic sciences. Additionally, you will work on tasks like examining aquatic specimens, taking fish population surveys, electrofishing, and data processing. Also part of the program is an all-expense-paid four-night trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit, offering sessions on college prep and exploring fisheries as a field. You will also present your project at the end of the internship.

3. Veritas AI Programs

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; small cohorts

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by format; financial assistance available

Dates: Multiple eight-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer

Application deadline: Summer sessions have a May/June deadline

Eligibility: High school students; some programs require coding knowledge in Python, prior experience with AI/ML, and/or previous participation in a Veritas AI program

Veritas AI offers various programs in the field of artificial intelligence developed by Harvard graduate students and alumni. The programs cater to students with varying levels of AI experience. If you are just starting out in the field, AI Scholars is a beginner-friendly AI bootcamp. If you are prepared for an advanced AI program, the AI Fellowship can help you pursue a personalized research project. As an AI Fellowship participant, you will work with Ph.D. mentors from top universities to create a project that can focus on AI’s applications in various disciplines. High school students in Buffalo, NY, interested in AI can consider this opportunity to add advanced research to their resume, prepare for science fairs or publication, and plan an educational and career trajectory in artificial intelligence. You can find examples of past student projects here.

4. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Internships  

Location: SUNY Oneonta campus, Buffalo

Cost/Stipend: None; $3,000 upon successful completion

Dates: 9-week program with flexibility regarding when the internship begins and ends between late May and August

Application Deadline: March 26

Eligibility: All New York State resident high school students | At least 16 years old by June 20

The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station offers summer internships where high school and college students can gain experience in ecology and environmental research. Over nine weeks, interns work alongside faculty and staff at the Biological Field Station or pursue independent projects. They attempt fieldwork, lab analysis, data collection, and technical reporting, while also attending seminars with faculty and staff. Participants learn lab techniques such as fish and plant surveys, water chemistry testing, microscopic identification of zooplankton, and dissection procedures. The program emphasizes skill-building, teamwork, and independent research, concluding with a poster presentation of findings. With stipends provided, the internship offers both practical training and professional development for students interested in science and the environment.

5. Next-Gen Internship at The Jacobs Institute

Location: The Jacobs Institute, Buffalo

Cost/Stipend: None 

Application Deadline: April 1

Program Dates: July 7 – 18 (2-week program); July 7 – August 22 (7-week program)

Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior

The Next-Gen summer high school internship is for rising juniors and seniors who are interested in STEM and medicine. The internship introduces students to careers in healthcare and biomedical research. In the two-week program, students will choose and eventually present a research project, attend health science lectures from Dr. Ken Snyder, a physician-scientist, attend career presentations from professionals in the field, observe medical procedures, and more. From the original 20-person cohort, 8 students will be selected for an extended five-week track focused on lab skills development and placement in a biomedical lab setting.

6. High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) Program 

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective

Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY

Cost: Free, with limited subsistence allowances for qualifying students

Dates: June 26 – August 8 

Application deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Current Juniors attending school and residing in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua Counties who are at least 15 years of age by the start of the program

Roswell Park’s SURE-CAN, a fully-funded research internship, is among the select few rigorous programs in Buffalo, New York, for high school students interested in medicine and research. As an intern, you will engage in educational lectures led by researchers and doctors on cancer biology and technology, complete coursework on research methodology, and explore the link between medical cancer research and fields like chemistry and engineering. You will engage in mentored research in a dry or wet lab and present your work at a research poster symposium. You will also attend seminars and professional development that help you learn about methods of scientific communication and careers in cancer sciences.

7. Upward Bound @ SUNY Buffalo State University

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified

Location: SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY

Cost: Fully funded

Dates: Early July – late August

Application deadline: N/A

Eligibility: Low-income students and/or potential first-generation college students in need of academic support to prepare for college; applicants must attend one of the following Buffalo Public Schools: East High School, Lafayette High School, or McKinley High School

Hosted at SUNY Buffalo State University, the Upward Bound Summer Program is an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge, prepare for college, and build personal and academic skills. Activities include field trips, on-campus events, and community service projects, while academic development opportunities include courses in STEM, foreign language, and humanities and internship programming. A key feature of the Upward Bound is the continued support it can offer you through the Upward Bound Academic Year Program and Bridge Programs, which help you be better prepared for college. The Academic Year option provides academic and personal counseling, career planning support, preparation for financial aid and college applications, test prep, and stipends for additional academic development and college tours. The Bridge Program, offered to a select number of students who have completed the Summer or Academic Year Program, can provide you with a paid internship and two fully-funded freshmen-level courses at SUNY Buffalo State. 

8. National Grid Leadership Camp @ University at Buffalo

Cohort size: Approximately 30 students

Location: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

Cost: Free

Dates: July 7 – 11

Application deadline: May 30; waitlist available following the deadline

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM

The National Grid Leadership Camp is a summer program for talented high school students from Buffalo, NY, interested in STEM. Focusing on skill development in leadership, math, engineering, and science, the program offers practical learning opportunities as well as college and career readiness activities. Funded by the National Grid energy company, the program offers a field trip to the local company office, where you will tour the facilities and engage in a business lunch with company professionals to learn more about careers in STEM and energy. You will also participate in lab and engineering design activities. During the program, you will stay in university dorms, tour the campus, and connect with UB professors to become better prepared for college.

9. Chem-E Camp @ UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective

Location: University of Buffalo (UB), Buffalo, NY

Cost: $400; scholarships available for students from families earning less than $60,000/year

Dates: August 11 – 15

Application deadline: May 30; waitlist may be available open following the deadline

Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who have completed Regents Chemistry or will take the course in the fall

The Chem-E Camp is a summer program for high school students in Buffalo, NY, interested in pursuing chemical engineering. This week-long program offers the opportunity to build industry connections and explore potential careers in the field. You will visit prestigious chemical engineering companies, including Dupont, Thermofisher Scientific, SAMCO, and Linde, touring their facilities, speaking with employees, and participating in activities. You will also learn about the academic work required before interning or working at these companies. Opportunities to visit and work in UB’s chemical and biological engineering department labs, connect with faculty and current students, and learn about the engineering college application process are key components of the program.

10. Buffalo Healthcare Exploration (BHE)

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~50 students accepted previously; cohort size can vary

Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY

Cost: $400; the program is free for students qualifying for the National School Lunch Program

Dates: July 28 – August 13 

Application deadline: March 1; applications open in early October

Eligibility: Current high school students

Hosted by the Applied Technology Laboratory for Advanced Surgery (ATLAS) at Roswell Park, the BHE program offers students a glimpse into cutting-edge clinical research and surgical methods for cancer treatment at an affordable cost. You will engage in medical research in areas ranging from robotic surgery to novel healthcare technologies under the mentorship of ATLAS researchers and learn about the laboratory’s work. With a focus on biomedical engineering, robotics, biology, and/or medicine, this program can provide you with an introduction to the health care industry and experience in applying your skills to real-life work. You will also find opportunities to build resume drafting skills, engage in volunteering, and prepare for health care careers, including undergoing training in CPR and core nursing skills. You will receive college application preparation guidance, as well as opportunities to meet with medical students and participate in community field trips.

11. University at Buffalo School of Nursing Summer Program for High School Students

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; 30 students

Location: University of Buffalo South Campus, Buffalo, NY

Cost: Free

Dates: Mid-July

Application deadline: May 1 

Eligibility: Buffalo Public School students in grades 9–12 with at least a B average

The University at Buffalo School of Nursing (SON) Summer Program is a one-day event offering students an introduction to the field of nursing. You will interact with nurses to explore key career skills and pathways into the field, as well as learn about their professional journeys. You will complete a simulated treatment protocol on interactive nursing mannequins to get practical experience in nursing. You will also have access to guidance on applying to nursing schools. To know what to expect, you can check out former participants’ experiences here.

12. Summer At Nichols: Robotics Camp

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited spaces; small classes

Location: The Nichols School, Buffalo, NY

Cost: $572

Dates: July 7 – 18

Application deadline: Rolling admissions and registration; courses posted in the spring with registration typically closing in late May

Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11

Hosted by the Nichols School, the summer Robotics Camp: First Tech Challenge (FTC) is meant for students new to CAD or programming and robotics competitions like FTC. At camp, you will gain experience in CAD software and Java programming, developing computer science skills in the process. You will also get insights into developing gameplay strategies.  The program can also teach you how to use iterative design to create a robot that can execute a given gameplay strategy. The experience can help you build a foundation for entering competitions like the FTC.

13. National Summer Transportation Institute @ UB 

Cohort size: ~30 students

Location: University at Buffalo North Campus, Buffalo, NY

Cost: Free

Dates: August 5 – 9

Application deadline: May 30; waitlist available following the deadline

Eligibility: High school students

The National Summer Transportation Institute is an opportunity to explore careers and academic pathways in transportation. You will engage in discussions with professionals and university students and design competitions to learn about the field of transportation. Your projects will focus on themes like railroad networking, air transportation, and bridge design. You will also participate in trips to the regional traffic operation center and transit authority, Buffalo International Airport and Air Control Tower, and the UB Motion Simulation Lab. Guidance on college preparation and the admissions process is also a key part of the program.

14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS): Virtual Track

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: Five weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America

JHIBS offers a research-focused summer program to students interested in neuroscience and research. Here, you will attend online sessions led by researchers and scientists, learn about the scientific method and biomedical research, and participate in experiments. You will learn and apply laboratory techniques, participate in scientific presentations, and connect with professionals and peers. The program also offers access to professional development workshops and college prep classes to help you explore educational and career paths in the medical field.

15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship

Cohort size: ~25

Location: Virtual

Cost: $850 + a $40 application fee; no stipend; fee waivers available

Dates: June 16 – 27

Application deadline: February 28

Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred

This virtual program is designed for high school students interested in exploring AI applications in healthcare innovation. As a participant, you will explore how AI is used to tackle challenges in medicine and healthcare and work on addressing a medical problem with the help of AI tools. You will work with a team on research projects and engage in social activities, remote group work sessions, and career-focused sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to mentorship offered by researchers and Stanford Student Leads. You may also be able to request an extended research opportunity once the summer program ends. 

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 mentor to develop an independent research paper. 

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