15 Sustainability Summer Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in a career in sustainability, joining a summer program focused on the environment is a practical and affordable way to get started. These programs let you explore the field through hands-on projects, fieldwork, and workshops while still in school. You might get to collect and analyze environmental data, assist in planning community initiatives, participate in conservation projects, or work on climate-related research with other students. 

Hosted by leading universities, labs, and environmental organizations, these sustainability summer programs are both accessible and impactful. They allow you to explore environmental careers, practice hands-on skills, and learn about pathways to study and work in sustainability. Participating in these programs can also give you a solid edge in your college applications by showing admission officers that you’ve started to explore your interests early. 

To make it easier to get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 of the best sustainability summer programs for high school students!

15 Sustainability Summer Programs for High School Students

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Full financial aid is available!

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with researchers and PhD mentors to work on independent projects in fields such as economics, computer science, engineering, and social sciences. You spend several weeks developing a research question, reviewing academic literature, and working on methods and analysis under a mentor’s guidance. The program ends with a final paper or presentation that reflects your research findings. It is offered online and designed to give students an introduction to academic research while building writing, analysis, and critical thinking skills. You can find more details about the application here.

2. Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not publicly available

Location: Putney, VT (in partnership with Columbia University, New York, NY)

Cost: $7,290 including meals and lodging. Limited scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available through Columbia Climate School and its partners. For more information on scholarships, click here.

Program Dates: June 30–July 12

Application Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12, including motivated rising 9th graders)

The Columbia Climate School’s In the Green Mountains program is a two-week summer program for high school students focused on climate science, sustainability, and environmental policy. It takes place in Vermont and combines classroom lessons with field activities to study ecosystems and climate solutions. You take part in discussions, hands-on projects, and workshops led by Columbia faculty and guest experts. The program includes applied research, leadership training, and team problem-solving. You work in groups to create and present sustainability proposals while learning about advanced climate research and global perspectives.

3. Immerse Education – Environment & Sustainability Summer School

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective. 75 students per session

Location: Offered in cities worldwide, including San Francisco, Tokyo, Cambridge, and Oxford.

Cost: Tuition-based program. Fees differ by location. Scholarships are available through essay competitions and need-based financial aid.

Program Dates: Two-week sessions offered during the summer. Specific dates vary by location.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; scholarship essay competitions typically close in early spring

Eligibility: Open to high school students ages 15–18

Immerse Education’s Environment & Sustainability Summer School helps you understand global environmental challenges and explore sustainable solutions. You study topics like climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental justice through lectures, small group discussions, and workshops. You complete a personal research project with guidance from a university mentor. You also take part in field trips and career sessions to see how sustainability works in practice. At the end, you earn a Certificate of Achievement that recognizes your academic work.

4. Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) – Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to 50 students per summer.

Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY.

Cost: $3,900 (includes tuition, room, and board). A $500 deposit is required upon acceptance.

Program Dates: July 12 – July 25, 2026.

Application Deadline: Applications open in winter; deposits are due within two weeks of acceptance, with tuition balance by June 15.

Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates.

ESSYI is a two-week pre-college program that provides a full course credit (four semester hours) in environmental studies. You will explore sustainability issues through scientific, political, economic, and ethical perspectives, while also conducting fieldwork in New York’s Adirondack region. The program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, with a final group project and continuous mentorship from faculty and current HWS student staff. Beyond coursework, ESSYI gives you a taste of college life and helps clarify academic and career pathways in environmental studies.

5. Lafayette College Sustainability Leadership Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Cohort size is not published, but admission is based on essays, academics, and demonstrated interest in sustainability.

Location: Lafayette College, Easton, PA.

Cost: $2,100 (covers tuition, room, board, and activities). Limited scholarships available.

Program Dates: July 20-27

Application Deadline: Applications open in the Fall 

Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) worldwide with demonstrated interest in sustainability.

The Lafayette College Sustainability Leadership Program is a one-week residential experience for high school students focused on environmental problem-solving and leadership. You’ll work on Lafayette’s farm, explore sustainability innovation with the Dyer Center, and design solutions using the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll also train in civic leadership with the Landis Center, visit local sustainability sites in Easton, and learn from faculty who teach biodiversity, climate policy, and environmental justice. At the end, you’ll present your own sustainability project and receive feedback.

6. NSLC on Environmental Science & Sustainability

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is medium selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is not available.

Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Cost: $4,095 residential. Scholarships are available through NSLC. Click here to learn more

Program Dates: Jul 14–Jul 22; Jul 26–Aug 3

Application Deadline: Scholarship applications due March 12; enrollment closes on a rolling basis until sessions are full

Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12)

The NSLC on Environmental Science & Sustainability is a pre-college summer program for high school students interested in ecology, climate, and sustainability. You attend workshops on resource management, conservation, and environmental policy, take part in simulations, visit local sustainability sites, and hear from guest speakers in academia, industry, and government. The program focuses on practical applications and gives insight into careers in environmental science.

7. USC Pre-College Online Program – Environmental Studies: Sustainability and Your World

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective. Exact cohort size is not published.

Location: Online, offered by the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA.

Cost: $1,990 tuition + $35 application fee

Program Dates: Multiple start dates available — August 18, September 1, September 15, September 29, October 13, October 27, November 10, November 24, December 8, December 22 

Application Deadline: Five days before each session start date.

Eligibility: Open to students ages 14+ enrolled in high school or equivalent. Recent graduates may apply for exceptions.

USC’s Pre-College Online Program in Environmental Studies: Sustainability and Your World is a flexible two-to-four-week course for high school students. You’ll explore global challenges like climate change, habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and renewable energy. The program includes 20–25 hours of coursework with recorded lectures, case studies, and assignments led by USC faculty and environmental experts. You’ll study topics such as conservation biology, aquaculture, and how human activity affects ecosystems. After completing the program, you’ll earn a certificate from USC that can support college applications and help you understand sustainability careers and solutions.

8. University of Chicago – Young Innovators Climate & Energy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Exact cohort size is not published, but spaces are limited and competitive.

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Cost: $2,500. Significant financial aid is available; students from households earning ≤$120,000 attend tuition-free, and those ≤$65,000 also receive covered travel.

Program Dates: July 13 – July 18

Application Deadline: Applications close once courses reach capacity. Aid applications must be submitted with the program application.

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors can apply

The University of Chicago Young Innovators Climate & Energy Program is a one-week residential experience for high school students focused on climate science, energy policy, and sustainability. You’ll attend seminars led by UChicago faculty and researchers from EPIC and the Climate Impact Lab. You’ll take part in policy simulations, group projects, and site visits like Invenergy’s Chicago headquarters to meet energy professionals. The program blends science and policy, helping you explore solutions to global energy challenges. You’ll live on campus, engage with peers, and present your ideas in a final showcase.

9. UC Santa Barbara – Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Exact cohort size is not published, but spaces are limited due to faculty mentor matching.

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.

Cost: Approx $9,000–$10,000 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and fees). Financial aid is available through UCSB Summer Sessions.

Program Dates: June 16 – August 1

Application Deadline: March 17

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school

RMP is a six-week immersive research program where you’ll collaborate with UC Santa Barbara faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on cutting-edge projects. Research areas span ecology, marine biology, environmental policy, and earth sciences, making it a strong option for sustainability-focused students. You’ll dedicate 35–50 hours per week to hands-on work, producing a formal research paper and presenting your findings at a symposium. Alongside this, you’ll take two academic courses: one introducing research methods and another on presentation techniques, earning 8 units of UC credit.

10. Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) – University of Pennsylvania

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Exact cohort size is not published, but only a small number of students are admitted each summer.

Location: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Cost: Free. Funded by the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET) with NIH support.

Program Dates: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders (students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11). GPA of 3.0 or higher required.

TREES is an eight-week mentored research program where you’ll design and conduct your own environmental science project under the guidance of Penn faculty, postdocs, or graduate mentors. The program begins with two weeks of intensive training in laboratory methods and field techniques, followed by six weeks of independent research. You’ll investigate a self-designed project, analyze data, and prepare both a written report and a formal presentation for guests. Alongside research, you’ll attend seminars, field trips, and mentorship sessions, giving you exposure to careers in environmental health and sustainability.

11. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) – Solving Global Challenges

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. YYGS admits students from over 150 countries, but exact cohort sizes for each track are not published.

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT.

Cost: $7,000 for two weeks (covers tuition, housing, and meals). Need-based financial aid is available and can cover up to the full cost of tuition.

Program Dates: Two-week sessions offered during summer; exact dates vary by session.

Application Deadline: Early Action deadline is typically in November; Regular Decision deadline is in January.

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 16–18)

YYGS’s Solving Global Challenges track immerses you in pressing global issues through the lens of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Seminars and lectures cover climate change, environmental justice, sustainable cities, global health, and poverty reduction, taught by Yale faculty and guest experts. You will also participate in small discussion groups, collaborative projects, and solution-building exercises with peers from around the world. With its cross-disciplinary approach and strong emphasis on innovation, the SGC session helps you develop the skills needed to tackle real-world sustainability problems while experiencing Yale’s academic environment.

12. LINC Summer High School Program – Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Cohort sizes are small, with students admitted by county grouping (North: Marin, Solano, Contra Costa; South: San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo).

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (projects across Golden Gate National Parks).

Cost: Free. Participants receive an educational award of up to $2,400 upon successful completion.

Program Dates: June 17 – August 1

Application Deadline: March 18

Eligibility: Bay Area public high school students (all grades considered; priority to graduating seniors, low-income, BIPOC, immigrant, and first-generation youth).

LINC is a six-week sustainability and leadership program that engages Bay Area high school students in hands-on conservation and community work. Projects include habitat restoration, trail building, cleanups, and wildlife monitoring, complemented by leadership training, resume workshops, and civic engagement activities. You’ll also take part in overnight camping trips, kayaking, and field excursions while building connections with park staff and peers. The program emphasizes teamwork, environmental stewardship, and professional development, and provides both real-world skills and a financial award, making it one of the most accessible sustainability programs available.

13. Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) Internship – Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, limited to students within partner school districts

Location: Seattle, WA (ecological restoration sites in the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area).

Cost: Free. Students receive a stipend for their summer work and earn high school graduation credit.

Program Dates: Summer program; exact dates vary by district

Application Deadline: Set by partner school districts; applicants must apply through school channels.

Eligibility: High school students in participating districts with an interest in environmental science, sustainability, and civic engagement.

The YESS Internship places students directly into field-based ecological restoration projects, with a focus on salmon stream habitats. You’ll learn practical restoration skills, explore environmental justice, and design a formal Restoration Project Proposal to present at the program’s close. Alongside hands-on conservation work, you’ll gain exposure to careers in green industries and engage in discussions about equity and social justice in environmental contexts. The program combines academic credit, paid work, and field mentorship to prepare students for future leadership in sustainability.

14. Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL) – Brown University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by location.

Location: Rhode Island; Florida Keys, FL; Alaska (site-specific).

Cost: Approx. $5,300–$6,300 depending on location (includes tuition, housing, meals, and activities). Need-based financial aid is available.

Program Dates (2025): Vary by site; sessions typically run 1–2 weeks between late June and early August.

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions begin in January and continue until seats are filled (early application is recommended).

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide.

At the Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL), you will explore pressing environmental issues through the lens of leadership and community. Depending on the site, you may investigate topics like climate change and coastal ecosystems (Rhode Island), coral reefs and marine ecology (Florida Keys), or conservation and biodiversity in a wilderness setting (Alaska). The program integrates seminars, field excursions, and leadership workshops to empower you to become environmentally conscious leaders in your schools and communities. 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. 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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