14 Computer Science Research Summer Programs for High School Students
For high school students interested in computer science, research programs can be a great way to gain early exposure. These programs allow you to explore practical coding and problem-solving skills, interact with industry-standard tools, and build connections with mentors and peers. Many such programs are offered by leading universities and organizations, offering you access to world-class faculty and research laboratories with advanced equipment.
Participating in a summer program in the field can help you figure out if you want to study computer science in college. If you’re considering a future in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, or related fields, these summer research opportunities can give you a competitive edge in your college applications. Below, we’ve narrowed down the top 14 summer computer science research programs for high school students.
1. Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 21 – July 14
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders aged 16+ by June 21; must demonstrate financial need
AI Scholars is a fully funded, four-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon that introduces you to AI through classes, team research projects, and industry exposure. You’ll dive into core topics such as neural networks, algorithms, and AI applications for social impact while collaborating with peers on projects. You will have the help of faculty mentors who will guide you throughout the program, which also features college prep workshops and visits to leading tech companies.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships provides a research-oriented opportunity for high school students with an interest in computer science and related disciplines. You will be paired with startups in fields such as AI, software engineering, or health technology, where you work on real-world projects that may include coding, machine learning, data analysis, or technical writing. The 8–12 week virtual program includes weekly mentorship from a dedicated Ladder Coach, alongside collaboration with the host company on problem-solving or independent research. The program concludes with a professional presentation to industry experts, giving you the chance to strengthen both technical expertise and communication skills in a practical, research-focused environment.
3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person at Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee (waivable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 18–August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are at least 15 years old; those assigned to in-person lab work must be 16+
ASSIP is an eight-week summer internship that allows you to engage in real-world research with faculty mentors across a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, software engineering, data science, and natural language processing, among others. You will work full-time alongside researchers from George Mason University, conducting project-based investigations using cutting-edge tools and methodologies. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, scientific communication, and developing practical research skills. You will present your findings in a final symposium and may publish or present your work externally.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
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)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective research opportunity designed specifically for high school students. It provides in-depth, one-on-one mentorship across a wide range of academic fields, allowing you to dive deeply into a subject of your choice. Each student is matched with a PhD mentor to collaborate on an independent research project, receiving personalized guidance throughout the process. By the end of the 12-week program, you’ll produce a full-length research paper that reflects college-level rigor. Areas of study include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations, among others. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP)
Location: Berkeley Lab, CA
Stipend: $500 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 17 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from the Bay Area, particularly Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties
The Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program is a fully funded, six-week computer science research summer program that introduces you to AI and machine learning research. You will collaborate with UC Berkeley researchers and AI experts on projects in areas such as computer vision, reinforcement learning, and robotics. The program combines coding workshops and hands-on labs with team-based research focused on challenges in natural language processing, robotics control, and autonomous systems. Designed with a focus on equity and access, BLDAP especially encourages participation from underrepresented students while helping you build both technical expertise and professional skills in a supportive research environment.
6. Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: San Diego residents in grades 10–12; must be 16+ by program start; minimum unweighted GPA 3.0
UCSD’s REHS program offers you an eight-week immersion at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, where you can gain exposure to computing and data-driven research. You will collaborate with researchers on projects spanning AI, data science, and high-performance computing, working with tools such as Python, TensorFlow, and advanced HPC systems. Students in the research track design and execute their own projects in fields such as bioinformatics, climate science, or computational modeling. Those in the non-research track participate in structured workshops, seminars, and expert-led lectures covering emerging areas such as robotics and natural language processing.
7. UC San Diego Mentor Assistance Program (MAP)
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, CA
Cost: $1,000 research project fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: October 1– May 31
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students residing in Southern California (typically grades 10–12), aged 16 or older, with a minimum GPA of 2.75+
UCSD’s Mentor Assistance Program provides high school students with an extended, research-focused experience in STEM, including computer science and data science. Across eight months, you’ll work closely with UCSD faculty to design and complete an independent research project, often using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or data visualization software. The program combines bi-weekly mentor check-ins with guided readings and occasional lab visits to help shape your project. You would also be encouraged to submit your work to science fairs, and those who excel may have the opportunity to continue their research into the summer.
8. ASPIRE – Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
Location: Hybrid
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive with approximately 10–20% acceptance rate
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (age 15+) with a GPA of 2.8+ living in the Washington–Baltimore metro area
ASPIRE immerses you in a research-driven setting where you’ll take part in applied projects across areas such as aerospace systems, data science, and cybersecurity. You will be paired with a mentor at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and work on problems using professional tools and techniques. The program is available in both in-person and virtual formats, and balances flexibility with an emphasis on collaboration and technical development. You will build skills in documentation, problem-solving, and teamwork while experiencing the dynamics of a professional research environment.
9. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 2– August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders who reside and attend school full-time in New York City
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer research opportunity for high school students interested in computer science, engineering, and other STEM disciplines. The initial four weeks focus on foundational learning such as scientific ethics, expository writing, and lab safety. For the following six weeks, you’ll conduct research alongside faculty and graduate student mentors in diverse labs, spanning disciplines such as computer science, AI, machine learning, and robotics, among others. The program helps develop your research, public speaking, and presentation skills, and concludes with a formal colloquium and poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
10. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program | Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; acceptance rate of less than 3%
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: Graduating U.S. high school juniors and seniors at least 17 can participate
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a prestigious, seven-week summer research experience for a select group of high school juniors and seniors at Texas Tech University. You will dive into faculty-led research across a broad spectrum of fields, including computer science, working closely on projects while attending weekly seminars, field trips, and social activities. Everything is fully covered, from room and board to meals, and you can earn a $750 stipend after completing your research. You will also receive strong mentorship, develop a research report, and present your findings.
11. DSI Summer Lab @ the University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students are eligible to apply
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an eight-week, paid research experience that connects you with mentors working in fields such as computer science, materials science, and biomedical studies. You will gain exposure to research methods, collaborative problem-solving, and professional practices while working on active projects. The program wraps up with an end-of-summer symposium, where you will share your work through video presentations. Along with the research, you will also take part in professional development sessions designed to prepare you for careers in data science. Another highlight of the program is a weekly speaker series featuring faculty and researchers.
12. SPARC – Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – July 18 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (rising 10th–12th graders); U.S. and international students
SPARC is a two-week robotics and programming experience that teaches foundational concepts in mechatronics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and coding using microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. You will also strengthen logical thinking through programming constructs such as variables, loops, and conditionals. The experience culminates in team-based robotic challenges and competitions where you’ll apply your newly acquired skills in real-world scenarios.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 program fee + $40 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16–June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12, aged 14 or older
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to the world of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will attend lectures, collaborate on group projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford researchers and student leads. Along the way, you’ll join career “lunch and learn” sessions, engage with guest speakers from academia, industry, and government, and have the opportunity to extend your project into independent research. Once you complete the internship, you’ll also be given a certificate.
14. The Coding School Summer Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,995; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Data Science Track: July 7 – August 8 | Quantum Computing & Artificial Intelligence Tracks: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Incoming 10th–12th graders
The Coding School’s National High School Research Program is a five-week virtual initiative designed to introduce you to real-world research in AI, Data Science, or Quantum Computing. The first two weeks are dedicated to intensive technical training, followed by three weeks of project development under expert mentorship. You’ll work with graduate students, academic researchers, or industry mentors, turning foundational concepts into a research-backed project you can showcase and use in college applications. The program culminates in a virtual research symposium where you will present your work.
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