16 Summer STEM Programs for High School Students
A summer program might be valuable to your college applications if you’re an ambitious high school student interested in STEM. In this post, we have curated a list of 16 summer STEM programs for high school students. Each of these programs can showcase your dedication to exploring your field of interest outside the classroom.
The more prestigious programs on this list are great additions to any college application because their selectivity indicates your caliber as a student! One common factor about each program on this list is that they have minimal to no tuition fees or offer significant financial aid, making them accessible to everyone.
Here are 16 summer STEM programs for high school students! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Lumiere was founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Hundreds of ambitious high school students do research in the field of engineering through the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs. Each student is paired with a top Ph.D. and works with their mentor 1-1 to produce a university-level research paper. The programs are entirely virtual and vary in duration based on the student’s end goal with respect to how much of a deep dive they would prefer. There are various STEM subjects, such as mathematics, chemistry or more. Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
A summer program for high school juniors around the world for engineering and other STEM subjects, RSI invites 80 of the brightest students from different countries to participate in a 6-week, fully-funded research program. You will conduct independent research in engineering and other STEM subjects and engage in college-level coursework. You will experience the entire research cycle, from reading the most current literature in your chosen field to drafting and executing a detailed research plan. The culmination of the event is presenting your findings through conference-style oral and written reports. You can find previous reports from students here! RSI is a highly prestigious program, owing to the host university and the program's selectivity. Note: Here’s a guide we wrote on this program.
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge MA
Application Deadline: January 15th (U.S. Citizens), March 15th (International Students)
Program Dates: June 25th to August 5th
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: All high school juniors in good academic standing are welcome to apply.
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the fields of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
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: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program provides research opportunities across various medical disciplines, from neurobiology to cancer biology. The program aims to create interest in medical sciences, shed light on research processes, and increase diversity in medical science. If selected, you will be assigned a particular field of study and spend 2 months being mentored by scholars, researchers, and Ph.D. fellows. An added bonus is a stipend of $500 upon successful completion of the program! Note: Here’s a guide we wrote about SIMR.
Cost: No cost; stipend provided (Note. The application fee of $40 can be waived)
Location: Stanford Campus
Application Deadline (Summer): 25th February
Program Dates (Summer): June 12th to August 3rd
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Must be juniors or seniors at the time of application, must be 16 years or older by the start of the program, must be living in the U.S. and hold either citizenship or permanent resident status. Note: Stanford has stated that the application process will strongly favor Bay Area students; however, all students are welcome to apply.
5. MathCamp
If you're interested in exploring advanced math topics and developing problem-solving skills, MathCamp is your summer camp! A four-week program held in Champlain College, Burlington, VT, MathCamp lets you attend lectures and workshops on various topics and work on math projects individually and with peers. Some topics explored in previous MathCamps include combinatorics, graph theory, and number theory! MathCamp allows you to explore undergraduate and graduate-level topics while building valuable problem-solving skills. We've written a blog on 7 compelling reasons to apply to MathCamp; you can read it here!
Cost: $5,000 (financial Aid is available on a case-by-case basis)
Location (Summer): Champlain College
Application Deadline (Summer): March 9th
Program Dates (Summer): July 2nd to August 6th
Eligibility: Any student between the ages of 13 and 18 is eligible.
This MIT pre-college program lets high schoolers take up 5 rigorous, college-level courses across 6 weeks and develop their academic, research, critical thinking, and personal skills. The program offers sessions, discussions, and a 1:1 guidance program with mentors in STEM. You will learn the importance of STEM as a solution to real-world challenges. At the end of the program, you will receive a comprehensive report highlighting your strengths, areas of improvement, skills, and opportunities. This guide can help you draft a stellar college application and be a better college student. Note: Over 30% of MITES alums have been admitted to MIT!
Cost: No Cost
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline (Summer): February 1st
Program Dates (Summer): Late June through early August
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: High school students in their junior year who have U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status. Note. MITES strongly encourages first-generation students, ethnically and racially underrepresented groups, and high-achieving students from low economic backgrounds to apply.
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins aims to provide a supportive atmosphere with workshops, problem-solving in groups, mentorship sessions with faculty, and projects. Typical areas of research include Aerospace Engineering & Planetary Science, Applied Physics, Biology & Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology & Cybersecurity, and Mathematics & Data Analysis. Each student has to choose one area of interest and can either participate in person, hybrid, or complete their program virtually. The program is entirely beginner-friendly and has an acceptance rate between 15%-20%. Note: If you are not eligible for the ASPIRE Program, Johns Hopkins offers other summer programs for high school students!
Cost: Free of cost
Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline (Summer): February 15
Program Dates (Summer): June 27th to August 18th
Selectivity: Selective
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area with a minimum GPA of 2.8, at least 15 years by June 15th. Only U.S. Citizens are eligible.
If you've been looking for highly competitive summer programs, the Anson L. Clark's Scholars Program in Texas is worth considering. Once selected for this 6-week program, you will join a cohort of 12 to conduct research in engineering and receive mentorship from scholars. Along with the 1:1 research opportunities, you will attend discussions, seminars, and field visits. This program recreates an intensive college application experience, taking into account the applicant’s test scores, grades, and activity list. Selected students usually have SAT scores in the 99th percentile, and the acceptance rate for the program is less than 3%. We’ve covered reasons to apply for this program here.
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Application Deadline (Summer): February 13
Program Dates (Summer): June 18th - August 3rd
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Must be 17 years by the start of the program, should graduate by this or the next year.
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) offers a Summer Student Program for students to conduct independent research while participating in extracurricular activities and training. You will be guided by a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or research technician during the 8-week program. Once the program concludes, you will present your project at a poster symposium.
Cost: No cost (Note. You will have to cover transportation and accommodation costs)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Application Deadline (Summer): February 10th
Program Dates (Summer): June 28th to August 23rd.
Eligibility: Students must complete 9th grade by June, must be 14 or older by June 28, and must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA in STEM subjects
Roswell Park allows high school juniors to gain scientific research experience to prepare them for future careers in healthcare. The program involves lab experience, an opportunity to use the latest technology, and mentorship and collaboration. In this program, you will work on your own research project in your area of interest, which can be biostatistics, cancer biophysics, cancer cellular/molecular biology, cancer genetics, cancer, and more. This experience is an excellent opportunity to network with researchers. An added bonus is the field trips organized by Roswell!
Cost: $65
Location: Roswell Park, Buffalo, NY
Application Deadline (Summer): February 25th
Program Dates (Summer): June 26th to August 11th
Eligibility: Must be in their junior year when applying, must be a local resident of Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua), must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, must be 15 or older by June 26th
Offered by Carnegie Mellon University, the Summer Academy for Math and Sciences (SAMS) allows students to develop a deeper understanding of STEM through classroom instruction, projects, and engagement with professors. SAMS consists of 2 parts - the first part is a virtual jumpstart consisting of skill-building sessions required for the latter part of the program. The 2nd part is a 5-week, in-person pre-college program. The program culminates with a final symposium comprising students' project presentations and a closing awards ceremony. Note: Every student in SAMS also gains an opportunity to interact with admission, financial aid, student affairs, academic support staff, and current STEM majors at Carnegie Mellon!
Cost: No cost
Location: Carnegie Mellon Campus, Pittsburg, PA
Application Deadline (Summer): March 15th
Program Dates (Summer): July 1st to August 5th
Selection Rate: Selective
Eligibility: Be 16 years or older by the start of the program, a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, and a junior in high school when submitting the application.
Conducted by the National Institute of Health, the HiSTEP program offers internships in biomedical engineering and healthcare. The program aims to expand the pipeline of students interested in biomedical and healthcare careers by expanding opportunities for high school students. Spanning over 5 weeks in Bethesda, MD, the program explores the importance of biomedical research and other STEM-M careers. Sessions include basic science skills used in laboratory settings through science experiments, career readiness and leadership development, and college advising.
Cost: No cost + stipend ($2150) and public transport benefits provided
Location: National Institute of Health Campus (Bethesda, MD)
Application Deadline (Summer): 1st February
Program Dates : July 5th - August 3rd.
Selection Rates: Selective
Eligibility:
Must be a high school sophomore or junior/ rising sophomore (turn 17 by June 15th)
Must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Attend a school where 30% or more of the student body participated in the Federal Free/ Reduced Lunch Program.
Have their primary residence in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC (within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD).
Rockefeller University is the oldest biomedical research institute in the United States, and its SSRP program allows students to design and conduct their own research projects as a part of a themed research track. You can expect to spend at least 35 hours/week at the RockEDU Laboratory. The program has two components: core sessions and research tracks. Groups of 8-12 SSRP scholars are assigned to a research track and mentored in a specific scientific discipline. Past research topics included Silkwork Biomaterials, Nanonbody Binding patterns, and RNA Virus Discover and Bioinformatics (you can find a complete list of topics here).
Cost: No cost
Location: Rockefeller University Campus, NY
Application Deadline (Summer): January 6th
Program Dates (Summer): June 26th - August 10th
Selection Rates: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Current junior or senior in high school, must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program.
The Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to undertake research in a variety of disciplines. In the program, you will be matched with a Stony Brook faculty mentor, join a research group or team, and assume responsibility for a project. Apart from learning valuable lab techniques, Simons Fellows attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in special workshops, tours, and events. As part of the program, you are expected to conduct your own research using cutting-edge equipment provided by the university. To complete this apprenticeship, you are required to produce a written research abstract and a research poster. Note: We’ve written about the Simons Summer Research Program in more detail here.
Cost: No cost (Note. While there is no tuition cost, you will have to cover the expenses for your housing and dining. The estimated cost for Summer is $3046.75.)
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Application Deadline (Summer): February 10th
Program Dates (Summer): June 26th - August 11th
Selection Rates: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Must be in their junior year at the time of applying, a U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident, and at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
ARISE at NYU is a free seven-week summer program for 10th and 11th graders residing in New York City. You will work under the guidance of NYU’s research faculty, gaining research experience in various STEM disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, robotics, or bio-molecular engineering. The first two weeks involve workshops on topics such as scientific ethics, contemporary issues in scientific inquiry, data collection and analysis, research practices, lab safety, and more. The latter 5 weeks are spent in the lab alongside your mentor. ARISE participants train in college-level research and professional development. You can view the subject areas offered here!
Cost: No cost
Location: New York University Campus, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice)
Application Deadline (Summer): March 5th
Program Dates (Summer): June 28th - August 11th
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors based in New York City.
Girls Who Code aims to help girls around the world close the gender gap in computer sciences and tech jobs. As part of their mission, SIP introduces young girls to computer science while giving them meaningful connections in the industry. In SIP, you will attend live virtual classes sponsored by leading companies such as MetLife, Bank of America, and Game Design. You will learn about intermediate CS concepts, the iterative design process, and UX design basics and gain an introduction to Game Design! If you are interested in SIP, you can take a look at our more detailed post that talks about the benefits of this program!
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Early Acceptance - February 17th; General Acceptance - March 29th
Program Dates (Summer):
Round 1 - June 16th - June 30th (U.S. Students Only)
Round 2 - July 19th - July 21st (U.S. and International Students)
Round 3 - July 31st - August 11th (U.S. and International Students)
Eligibility: Identify as a girl or non-binary. In this year, you were a freshman, sophomore, or junior (U.S. Citizen)/Should be between the ages of 14-18 on June 16th (International Students).
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: Johns Hopkins University