15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Raleigh, NC
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student looking to explore your academic interests, a structured summer program can introduce you to new concepts and professional opportunities in your field of interest. Summer programs allow you to explore college-level coursework, gain industry experience, and develop practical skills that you can’t pick up in a classroom. You will also have the opportunity to work with peers and professionals, helping you build your network and prepare for college and future careers.
Why should you attend a program in Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is home to universities, research institutes, and organizations that offer a variety of summer programs in fields such as STEM, design, writing, and public service. You can conduct research in university labs, explore engineering and design projects, volunteer in hospitals, or participate in leadership programs that develop career readiness. Whether you are a local or travelling to Raleigh for the summer, you can find a program in Raleigh that aligns with your goals and helps you develop your profile.
Below is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Raleigh, NC.
If you are looking for online STEM summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $1,000 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective with a very small cohort of ~12 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: Typically, spring
Eligibility: High school students
Hosted by NC State’s College of Natural Resources, this program offers a hands-on research experience focused on forestry, environmental sciences, and sustainable biomaterials. You will work alongside faculty and graduate mentors to conduct field research and laboratory analysis, gaining exposure to the scientific process from hypothesis to conclusion. You will learn about different forestry topics such as drones in forestry, forestry economics, and forestry hydrology. Beyond the fieldwork and lectures, you will also receive mentorship to navigate career paths in science and attend seminars that prepare you for university-level research.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Sessions run throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) offices, including in Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer opportunities available
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: NC high school students, ages 16 and up, with a 2.3 GPA or higher
NCDOT offers part-time internships to high school students interested in boosting career readiness. As a participant, you will work in a paid, part-time capacity at the NCDOT headquarters or local divisions in Raleigh, gaining hands-on experience in engineering, planning, or administrative functions. This program is designed to introduce you to public service careers. You may also get to work directly with hiring managers to tailor your experience to your career interests.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Program cohorts run all year, including in the summer; duration ranges from 10 to 15 weeks, depending on the program you choose.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship program is open to previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI 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: Multiple Army-operated laboratories in the U.S., including sites in NC
Cost: No cost; stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by position
Application deadline: Varies by role; opportunities are available year-round
Eligibility: High school students
Offered by the U.S. Army Research Office, this program places you in a university research laboratory at institutions to serve as an apprentice. You will contribute to science and engineering research under the mentorship of university faculty, working on projects that have real-world applications for defense and technology. You may help with tasks like designing experiments, collecting data, and lab-based observation. During the program, you will also have access to workshops and webinars that can help you develop professional skills and become better equipped for future STEM academics.
Location: Various nonprofits in Raleigh, NC + a summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded with stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across the U.S.; Tampa-specific cohort details not available
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates vary by role and nonprofit
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
As one of the most recognized leadership programs nationally, Bank of America Student Leaders places students in eight-week paid internships at local nonprofits, such as the Boys & Girls Club or Habitat for Humanity. Here, you will learn about the intersection of business, government, and the nonprofit sector while developing hands-on community service leadership skills. You will also gain insights into the daily operations of non-profits. The program also includes a fully funded week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you will network with other student leaders from across the country.
Location: City departments/offices, Raleigh, NC + virtual/hybrid roles available
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; paid opportunity
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; ~175 students in the past
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, living within Raleigh City limits
Organized by the City of Raleigh, this program is designed to provide teenagers with meaningful employment and career readiness training. You will be interviewed and placed in a job within a city department, ranging from administrative roles to parks and recreation support. Beyond the paycheck, you will receive mentorship and training in financial literacy and professional etiquette, making it a practical first step into the workforce. You will also engage in workshops, Lunch and Learn sessions led by community professionals, and sessions focused on mental health and career exploration.
Location: Local placements available within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible and set by students and mentors
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors, ages 16 and up
If you have an interest in aquatic science, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program matches you with a local mentor for an eight-week internship focused on fisheries science. The program is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society and offers you access to a strong mentorship network. You will participate in fieldwork in fisheries science and habitat restoration, gaining a hands-on understanding of fisheries management. You will participate in lab work and field research, gaining first-hand insights into what it means to be a biologist. Tasks can vary by site, but may typically involve conducting fish population surveys, testing water quality, electrofishing, and processing field data.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
Sponsored by the USDA, AgDiscovery is a free two-week outreach program that helps you explore careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, and agribusiness. As a participant, you will live on the NC State University campus and participate in hands-on labs, field trips, and workshops. You will learn about field and laboratory research techniques from professors and professionals like plant pathologists, entomologists, botanists, and veterinarians. You will learn directly from university professors and USDA professionals, gaining exposure to the science behind agriculture and food security.
10. NC Project SEED
Location: NC State University/other local labs in Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have completed one high school chemistry course and whose family income does not exceed 300% of federal poverty guidelines
Supported by the American Chemical Society (ACS), Project SEED places high school students in academic or industrial laboratories for 8–10 weeks of research. You will work on a designated chemistry-related project under the supervision of a scientist mentor at institutions like NC State. The program also offers access to field trips, college campus tours, career panels, and support for participation in poster/science fair competitions. This program is rigorous with a strong research focus, requiring you to understand and apply advanced, college-level concepts and offering exposure to professional research environments.
Location: Raleigh Campus or Cary Hospital, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May/June – August 31 (minimum commitment of three months)
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on March 10
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up
For students interested in healthcare, the WakeMed Summer Teen Volunteer Program offers a structured clinical volunteering experience at the Raleigh Campus or Cary Hospital. You will be assigned to specific departments, assisting staff and interacting with patients and visitors, getting a realistic glimpse into the medical profession. It is also one of the few opportunities on this list that allows you to contribute to the Raleigh community. Upon completing 30 hours of volunteer service, you can ask for an extension if you want to continue working with the assigned hospital.
Location: Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $225
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to 12 students
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: No deadline; first-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
This five-day workshop offers high schoolers the chance to work with Meredith College faculty, who are published writers, and build creative writing skills. You will engage in activities to explore various genres, including fiction, personal essay, and poetry. You will work with peers and also receive one-on-one feedback from instructors to refine your work. You will present your work at a participant open mic and reception on the last day of the program.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $450, with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, up to 35 students per week
Dates: Five week-long sessions from June 8 to July 18
Application deadline: April; date TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Hosted by NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, STEP allows you to experience the intersection of fashion, engineering, chemistry, and business through a project-based curriculum. You will live on campus for a week and complete a project in an area of your choice, such as apparel design, polymer chemistry, or textile engineering. You will get to explore the on-campus labs and studios and visit textile manufacturers and brands during the program. The curriculum includes workshops on the admission process and college life.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + graduating high school seniors
This residential program invites high school students to explore the field of nuclear engineering through lectures, labs, and industrial field trips. You will engage in small group projects on topics such as nuclear waste management, radiation detection, and nuclear security. The curriculum is designed to challenge you with college-level material and provide clarity on careers in the nuclear energy sector. You will also work on a nuclear engineering project, which you will present at the end of the program.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80 students
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: No deadline; registrations after April 10 incur a $50 fee
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students
This week-long summer camp introduces high schoolers to the design process through four studio projects. The curriculum spans all the disciplines offered at NC State’s College of Design, including Graphic and Experience Design, Industrial Design, Architecture, Media Arts, Design, and Technology. You will spend the week exploring various creative design approaches while participating in critical thinking exercises and presentations focused on academic and career paths in design. You will also participate in design critiques and field trips during the program.
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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