15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Providence, Rhode Island
- Stephen Turban
- 12 hours ago
- 12 min read
As a high school student, summer programs help you experience learning in a more applied, college-like setting. You can build practical skills, explore academic interests in depth, and get exposure to how subjects are studied outside the classroom, all while strengthening your profile. These experiences often include projects, collaborative learning, and mentorship, helping you gain clarity about your academic and career interests before college.
Why should you attend a program in Providence, Rhode Island?
Providence offers access to summer programs hosted by universities, hospitals, research institutions, and community organizations across the city. As a student, you can engage in programs spanning science, healthcare, engineering, public service, and the arts, often through structured coursework, supervised projects, or research placements. For both local and out-of-state students, these programs provide opportunities to build academic skills and strengthen your profile.
To help you choose, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 15 summer programs for high school students in Providence, Rhode Island.
If you are looking for online STEM summer programs, check out our blog here.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Providence, Rhode Island
Location: In-person labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities, with virtual research options also available
Cost/Stipend: No cost / paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8–10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school student
The Project SEED Summer Program is a research-based experience that places high school students in chemistry laboratories, where they work on independent or team-based projects under the guidance of professional scientists. Over the course of the program, you’ll conduct experiments, learn standard laboratory techniques, and contribute to active research in areas such as organic chemistry, materials science, environmental chemistry, or analytical chemistry. The program emphasizes hands-on lab work and exposure to real research environments rather than classroom-based instruction. As part of the experience, you will complete a written research report or poster presentation that summarizes your findings and demonstrates your scientific reasoning and communication skills. In addition to lab work, Project SEED includes virtual enrichment sessions focused on college preparation, professional development, and STEM career exploration. Some participants may also have opportunities to present their work at scientific meetings or access ACS-related scholarship pathways.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school; students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4); no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Location: Multiple locations and a 1-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: No cost (stipend will be provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 300 students
Dates: 8 weeks + the Leadership Summit week (Washington, DC, July 21 – 26) (tentative, based on the previous year's program)
Application Deadline: January 15 (tentative, based on the previous year's program)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who permanently reside in one of the eligible locations and have a solid academic record
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid internship designed for high school juniors and seniors to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit and community-based work. During the program, you will be placed with a local nonprofit organization where you contribute to real projects related to budgeting, financial tracking, operations, and resource planning. The experience emphasizes practical exposure to how organizations manage funds, measure impact, and support their communities through structured, day-to-day work. Alongside the internship, you will also have leadership training, mentorship, and workshops focused on professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. The program concludes with a fully funded National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll engage in discussions on leadership, civic engagement, and the role of nonprofits, government, and businesses in addressing community needs.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. You can apply to the program here.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~70 students
Dates: Academic year sessions + a mandatory six-week summer residential program; three-week summer internship in August open to select participants
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at targeted high schools (Central Falls HS, Central HS, East Providence HS, Hope HS, Mount Pleasant HS, and Shea HS); applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents, low-income or first-generation college-bound, and under 19 years old
The Rhode Island College Upward Bound Program is a federally funded, year-round academic support initiative for low-income, first-generation high school students. You will receive tutoring, Saturday classes, academic advising, and counseling designed to strengthen skills in core subjects such as math, science, writing, literature, and foreign languages. A key component of the program is a six-week summer residential experience on the Rhode Island College campus, where students attend structured classes, workshops, and college preparation sessions. The program also guides college applications and financial aid, along with ongoing mentoring and personal development support. In some cases, students may transition into a short summer internship following the residential portion. Completion of the program includes evaluations that can be shared with colleges and scholarship organizations.
Location: Multiple partners in Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: None / $17.00/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – August 14 (40-hour work-readiness bootcamp: June 22 – 26 + 6-week internship: July 6 – August 14)
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Rhode Island public, charter, or home-schooled juniors who are residents of Rhode Island, at least 16 by March 30
PrepareRI’s High School Internship Program places Rhode Island public high school juniors in paid summer internships with more than 200 employer partners across a wide range of industries. The program runs for seven weeks and combines real-world work experience with a required 40-hour pre-internship boot camp focused on workplace readiness, professionalism, and essential job skills. As a participant, you’ll complete at least 150 hours in a professional setting while earning a competitive wage and gaining exposure to day-to-day workplace expectations. The program is designed to support students of all abilities, learning styles, and career interests, with structured coaching available for applications, resumes, and interviews. You will receive ongoing support throughout the summer to help you navigate responsibilities, reflect on your experience, and build confidence in a work environment.
Location: All 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend USD
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective; 20 – 45 students
Dates: 8 weeks during summer; exact dates are flexible and set by the mentor and student
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Must be a rising high school senior or rising college freshman, and be at least 16 years old by the start of the internship
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship designed for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be matched with a local professional mentor and earn a stipend while contributing to ongoing scientific and conservation projects. Depending on your placement, you may take part in fish population surveys, water quality testing, habitat assessments, laboratory research, data analysis, or community education efforts. The program combines fieldwork, laboratory work, and office-based activities, providing exposure to various aspects of ecological research. The field experiences may range from single-day outings to multi-day trips, reflecting the varied nature of fisheries work. Weekly reflections and a final report help students connect their hands-on work to broader environmental and scientific concepts.
Location: WaterFire Arts Center, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Full-time and part-time internships are available; the schedule is flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling basis throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with proficiency in Google Docs/Sheets, Microsoft Office Suite, and social media platforms. Check details here
The WaterFire Providence Internship Program offers hands-on exposure to the nonprofit arts and culture sector through direct involvement in a large-scale public event. As an intern, you will work alongside staff and community members to support the planning and execution of WaterFire events that combine art, music, water, and fire. The program provides experience across multiple functional areas, including nonprofit administration, event planning, fundraising, and community engagement. You will gain an inside view of how a cultural nonprofit operates, from coordinating logistics to supporting public-facing programming. Throughout the internship, you will contribute to an established Rhode Island arts initiative while developing practical skills related to teamwork, organization, and public arts management.
Location: Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI
Stipend: Paid; exact amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 80 students (based on the previous year)
Dates: 7 to 8 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 19 with valid CNA licenses are eligible
The Seacole Scholars Program is a paid summer employment opportunity for high school students who already hold a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license. Run by Rhode Island Hospital’s nursing department as part of the Brown University Health Summer Employment Program, it places students directly in hospital nursing units for hands-on work experience. Over seven weeks, participants work four days each week alongside nursing staff, gaining exposure to day-to-day patient care responsibilities in a clinical setting. One day each week is dedicated to Workforce and Youth Development training, which includes structured sessions focused on professional skills and workplace expectations. The program runs from June through August with a full-time, 40-hour weekly schedule and may offer opportunities for continued employment beyond the summer.
Location: Various locations, including Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA), Central High School, Classical High School, and Alvarez Community Center, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; New Urban Arts program offers $400 stipends, and PASA’s Hub Financial Literacy Camp offers financial literacy credit + stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Some programs accept students by invitation only, while others offer open enrollment/rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12; some programs target specific groups. Check details here
Providence Public Schools Summer Programs offer a range of academic and enrichment opportunities designed to support high school students across different needs and interests. Enrichment offerings such as DownCity Design focus on community-centered design projects, while New Urban Arts emphasizes art inquiry, youth leadership, and creative practice with added supports like stipends and transportation. Additional programs include the PASA Hub Financial Literacy Camp, developed in partnership with Fidelity Investments, and Princes 2 Kings (P2K), which centers mentorship, leadership development, and civic engagement for young men of color.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~150–200 students
Dates: Program runs in July
Application Deadline: Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until full
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12, aged 14 years or older. Priority will be given to students from Providence and Central Falls public schools
Brown Summer High School is a morning enrichment program that offers project-based courses in English, mathematics, science, and social studies for high school students. You will engage in hands-on learning through activities such as collaborative discussions, zine-making, applied science investigations, and analytical projects that connect academic concepts to real-world issues. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on themes such as equity and justice, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches across subject areas. The courses are taught by Brown University Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) candidates under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers, creating a structured and supportive classroom environment. In addition to morning classes, you can choose optional afternoon sessions in areas such as design fabrication, math-art projects, and athletics.
12. GenCyber Camp
Location: Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior
GenCyber Camp is a free, beginner-level cybersecurity program held on the Rhode Island College campus, with components supported by an online curriculum. The program introduces high school students to foundational cybersecurity concepts, including online safety, ethics, and cyberbullying, as well as basic programming, Arduino-based activities, and number systems such as binary and hexadecimal. The instruction is delivered through a mix of individual work, small-group collaboration, and full-class learning. You will receive hands-on exposure to hardware and computational thinking while engaging in structured lessons and activities designed for beginners. Students who complete the program earn a GenCyber certificate and continue to have access to follow-up learning opportunities in the fall.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (800 students)
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are US citizens and permanent residents (green card) attending US-based high schools; Minimum (unweighted) GPA of 3.0
NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program is a fully virtual research experience focused on space biology and bioinformatics. You learn foundational molecular biology concepts and how omics data, such as genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets, are generated and analyzed. The program emphasizes hands-on computational work, where you use coding and data analysis techniques to study how biological systems respond to microgravity. You will work directly with real datasets from the NASA GeneLab Data System, gaining exposure to authentic scientific data used in space biology research. The curriculum includes interactive lectures, guided virtual lab sessions, and discussions with NASA scientists and guest experts. The program concludes with a research challenge, where select teams may present their findings at a professional conference.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $25 (scholarship available) / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; exact details not available
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all spots are filled, with a best consideration deadline of April 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
The WIE RISE! Summer Research Program is a free, fully virtual, week-long experience designed to introduce high school students to engineering research. Over the course of the program, you will explore a different engineering discipline each day through guided virtual tours of the University of Maryland research labs. The curriculum introduces core research skills, including reading scientific papers, analyzing data, and communicating research findings clearly. You will also complete hands-on, at-home activities such as building simple circuits or working with basic data models using common household materials. Throughout the week, live Q&A sessions with current engineering undergraduates provide insight into day-to-day research work and student experiences. The program concludes with a virtual presentation where you’ll share a short research project with peers and mentors.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Application fee: $45, Program fee: $2,400 (Full financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: June 15 – 26; July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: All high school students aged 14 years or above entering 9th to 12th grade; U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference for applicants with strong math or computer programming skills, or applicants with experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week, fully virtual program that introduces high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in medical research. During the program, you will attend introductory and technical lectures covering machine learning fundamentals, biomedical data analysis, and real-world applications of AI in healthcare settings. You’ll work in groups on guided research projects, where you practice skills such as coding, data handling, and interpreting AI models using medical datasets. The program includes daily working sessions, mentoring from Stanford faculty, graduate students, and research staff, as well as structured opportunities to ask questions and receive feedback. Additional components include “Meet the Expert” sessions with speakers from academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government, as well as collaborative and social activities. Students who complete the full program receive a Certificate of Completion.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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