15 Best Science Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in science, consider doing a summer program in the subject. Science summer programs are a solid option for high school students because they give you practical skills, industry insights, and valuable professional connections. These programs often let you work on scientific projects, enhancing your academic skills and deepening your understanding of STEM subjects beyond classroom theory.
In addition to skill-building, science summer programs expose you to cutting-edge technologies, helping you understand the future of the field. Many programs also develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through group projects and workshops. These soft skills will be useful in college and beyond, regardless of which field you eventually pursue. To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best science summer programs for high school students.
15 Best Science Summer Programs for High School Students
1. JAX Summer Student Program
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: None / $7,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 fellowships in Bar Harbor, 11 in Farmington
Dates: May 30 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The JAX Summer Student Program (SSP) is a 10-week research experience where you’ll work side by side with professional scientists in genetics and genomics. The program pairs you with a mentor, and you contribute to an ongoing lab project, gradually taking on more responsibility as the program progresses. In addition to hands-on lab work, you’ll join journal clubs, training sessions, and professional development workshops covering areas like science communication, peer review, and data visualization. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research findings to faculty, peers, and family members. Living on-site with other participants, you’ll be part of a collaborative community that supports both your scientific and personal growth.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program; financial aid is available / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II have deadlines on May 12 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a competitive program designed for ambitious high school students seeking hands-on experience with high-growth start-ups. You’ll work directly with start-up teams across a wide range of industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These start-ups are rapidly growing, with most raising over a million dollars. You’ll collaborate closely with your managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach on real-world projects, gaining practical skills and professional insights. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to the company, showcasing your contributions and experience. Explore all available opportunities through the application form.
3. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US residents
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is an intensive, six-week research program for the world's most talented high school juniors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Hosted at MIT, the program begins with a week of intensive STEM classes and lectures from distinguished faculty and Nobel laureates, followed by a five-week research internship where you’ll conduct an individual project. The RSI program is one of the best science summer programs for you if you are looking for a rigorous, hands-on research experience that can significantly impact your future academic and career paths.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote - you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II have deadlines on May 11 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: 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)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research experience designed specifically for high school students. It provides one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. researchers, allowing you to pursue independent projects across a wide variety of fields. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your mentors to develop and complete a fully independent research paper. Research topics span disciplines such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and deepen your understanding of a subject you’re passionate about. You may earn UCSD credit upon completion of the program. Learn more about the application process here.
5. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None, except for residents, dorm fee $2,360.25 + additional meal costs (~$500+) / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective at about 5%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: US High school students who are at least 16 years old
This program matches you with a research group, where you’ll take responsibility for your own project, gaining practical lab experience and exposure to life at a major research university. Weekly research talks, faculty-led workshops, and tours give you a broader perspective on different fields and career paths. By the end of the program, you’ll produce both a written abstract and a research poster, which you’ll present at the final symposium. Supported by the Simons Foundation, this program has been running since 1984 and continues to be one of the most established summer research experiences for high school students.
6. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $5,700 tuition + $485 service fees + $60 application fee; room & board additional ($3,276–$3,600 depending on meals per week); Limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (residential), June 30 – August 8 (commuter)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens
The RISE program at Boston University is a six-week research opportunity where you’ll immerse yourself in advanced STEM fields under the guidance of BU faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. You can choose between two tracks: the Internship, where you’ll work full-time in a lab on a mentor-designed research project, or the Practicum, where you’ll study either Computational Neurobiology or Data Science through structured lectures and group research. Both tracks give you access to professional development workshops, networking events, and industry site visits. The program concludes with a poster symposium, where you’ll present your findings to faculty, peers, and family.
7. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Remote workshops: June 2 – 27; In-person lab work: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: New York City high school students in the 10th or 11th grade
The program is structured with four weeks of remote workshops to build foundational skills, followed by a six-week, full-time research placement in an NYU STEM lab. Under the guidance of faculty and graduate researchers, you’ll work on substantive projects in fields like biomedical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. Research placements span over 80 labs in fields such as biomedical engineering, environmental science, and machine learning. This is one of the best science summer programs for those who want to experience authentic research in an academic setting and make meaningful contributions to a lab's work.
8. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: The program runs for six weeks, from late June to early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES Summer program enrolls students in five courses: mathematics, life sciences, physics, humanities, and a project-based elective chosen through a placement test during orientation. These electives cover practical STEM areas such as architecture, genomics, and machine learning. You engage in group discussions, receive personalized mentoring from STEM professionals, tour MIT research labs, and visit companies where alumni work. The program also offers STEM seminars and guidance for college admissions. At the program's end, students receive a detailed report from instructors highlighting their strengths, areas for growth, and overall contributions.
9. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Virtual Jumpstart: June 16 and 17 | In-person (Residential): June 21 – August 2 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old
The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a fully funded, six-week residential pre-college program at Carnegie Mellon University designed to empower high school juniors from underrepresented communities in STEM fields. It focuses on quantitative and computational skills, laboratory/project work, and college-prep workshops. In small project courses, you’ll do hands-on lab work (examples include polymer chemistry and gene-expression projects), attend weekly writing workshops geared to college applications, and take a credit-bearing “From Student to Scholar” transition course. You’ll also participate in mentoring groups, tutoring/coaching, and a closing symposium where you present your STEM project.
10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: None except a $40 application fee (Waived for students with financial need) / $500 stipend, $2,500 for eligible students in extra need-based aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old by the program start date
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a prestigious 8-week summer internship for those interested in biomedical research. You’ll be placed in a top-tier lab at Stanford's Institute of Medicine, where they work one-on-one with a mentor. The program offers opportunities in eight different research areas, including immunology, neurobiology, and bioengineering. You’ll gain invaluable hands-on lab experience, attend lectures, and learn about the entire scientific process, from conducting research to presenting your findings at a final poster session. You can also apply for the bioengineering boot camp if you’re interested in hands-on work without joining a research lab.
11. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad
Cost/Stipend: $9,800; Free for families earning under $75,000; sliding scale up to ~$140,000 / Select students may receive a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 500–600 participants per year
Dates: Mid–late June – early August (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Domestic students: February 21; International students: January 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and a few sophomores at least 15 years old but not 19
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a highly prestigious and collaborative six-week residential program that immerses high school students in real-world scientific research. The program offers several different research tracks, including astrophysics (studying the orbits of near-earth asteroids), biochemistry (researching fungal enzyme inhibition), and bacterial genomics. The curriculum is intentionally fast-paced and demanding, without the pressure of grades or tests, fostering a cooperative spirit and a deep understanding of scientific inquiry. You are also supported by a high faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring a high level of personal attention throughout the program.
12. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Need-based stipend provided for students requiring assistance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students per year
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old at the start of the program
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at The Rockefeller University offers a unique, team-based mentored research experience for high school students. The program mirrors the structure of a professional lab: in the first weeks, you’ll train in lab techniques and identify a research question, then spend the next several weeks carrying out your investigation. Toward the end, you’ll analyze your results and present them in a formal poster symposium. Beyond research, the program offers workshops, electives, guest lectures, and networking events that give you a broad exposure to scientific careers.
13. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students per year; about 2% acceptance rate
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school junior living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side in Manhattan | Have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects | Must be 14 or older by June
The Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Summer Student Program is a highly selective 8-week internship for high school students interested in biomedical sciences and translational cancer research. The program pairs you with a mentor in an MSK research lab where you work on an independent, self-directed project. In addition to lab work, you get professional and personal development through various workshops, lectures, and networking opportunities, which provide a broader insight into the life of a scientist. You will also attend lab meetings, collaborate with research staff, and have the opportunity to present your work internally, subject to research protocols and permissions.
14. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
Stipend: Monthly stipend based on education level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks, starting in June
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility:. U.S. citizens or permanent residents | 18+ years old by June 1 | Currently enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school
The NIH Summer Internship Program at NIEHS allows you to spend a summer in cutting-edge biomedical and environmental health sciences research. You are paired with NIEHS scientists to work on independent research projects across areas such as cancer biology, epidemiology, molecular toxicology, neuroscience, reproductive biology, and bioinformatics. You’ll learn the latest laboratory techniques while being mentored by world-class researchers, and the experience culminates with a poster session where you present your findings to the scientific community. Alongside research, the program includes seminars, workshops, and networking events designed to give you a broad perspective on careers in science.
15. Neuroscience: Introduction to the Brain – Syracuse University Summer College
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost/Stipend: Residential $4,295; Commuter $3,318; discounts and scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Program Dates: July 20 – August 1 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Usually early spring or late winter
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or high school graduates of the application year
The Neuroscience: Introduction to the Brain course at Syracuse University is a two-week intensive program that combines classroom lectures with hands-on laboratory work. You’ll explore brain anatomy, neuron biology, cognitive neuroscience, and the link between neurological disorders and normal brain function. The curriculum also integrates group problem-solving, case studies, and discussions of cutting-edge research papers. You’ll also earn a Certificate of Completion and can request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript, giving you both academic experience and a preview of college-level neuroscience study.
Image Source - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Science Institute Logo