10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you’re a high school student in Boston eager to work on an advanced skillet this summer without spending a ton of money, a free summer program might be an ideal next move. These programs provide more than a productive way to spend your break; they grant access to college-level coursework, practical research opportunities, mentorship from professionals, and insights into practical careers in the city.
Whether you're interested in science, healthcare, technology, or social impact, these programs help you build practical skills and make meaningful connections that last beyond the summer. For Boston-based students, the city’s rich academic and research landscape provides some great access to some of the country’s top institutions.
That’s why we’ve compiled a curated list of 10 free summer programs for high school students in Boston to help you find your
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost. The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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.
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.
3. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded. Students need to pay for their travel to and from campus.
Dates: Late June – Early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in 11th grade (rising seniors)
MITES Summer is a fully funded, six-week residential program at MIT for high school juniors interested in science and engineering. You’ll take advanced courses in math, physics, life sciences, humanities, and a project-based elective such as architecture, machine learning, or genomics. During orientation, you'll undergo a knowledge assessment which determines your placement in core courses. Your schedule will include midterms, finals, and a final presentation. Outside class, you’ll visit labs, network with STEM professionals, and explore the Greater Boston area alongside fellow scholars. Additionally, you'll get personalized guidance for college admissions and have the opportunity to attend a college fair. At the end of the program, your instructors will provide a written evaluation that can support your college applications.
4. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 100 students selected annually
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: U.S. and international high school juniors (rising seniors); seniors are not eligible
RSI is among the most selective STEM summer programs worldwide, hosted at MIT. It brings together 100 top high school juniors for a six-week residential program that blends college-level coursework with original scientific research. The program starts with a week of intensive STEM classes led by MIT professors and guest lecturers, followed by a five-week mentored research internship. You will also produce a formal written report and present your findings in a professional conference-style setting. All program costs, including tuition, housing, and meals, are fully covered. RSI is open only to rising high school seniors (current juniors), and admission is highly competitive.
5. Minds Matter Boston
Location: Minds Matter Boston, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Dates: Year-round (September–May Saturdays + two summer sessions at partner universities)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on session
Eligibility: Boston-area high school sophomores from low-income families with strong academic records
Minds Matter Boston is a multi-year college access and success program that includes two fully funded summer programs at top U.S. universities. If selected in 10th grade, you’ll join weekly Saturday sessions through your junior and senior years that include ACT prep, writing instruction, and 1:1 mentoring. During the summer, you’ll attend enrichment programs hosted by selective colleges across the country with all costs covered by MMB. The organization emphasizes developing college readiness, self-advocacy, and communication skills, while assisting with financial aid, application processes, and time management. The support extends into college through career mentorship and job readiness programs.
6. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program – Mass General
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded; participants receive a stipend.
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students (typically juniors or seniors)
This six-week, paid internship places Massachusetts high school students in research environments focused on neurology and neuroscience. You’ll work under the guidance of clinicians and scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital, gaining exposure to lab work, data analysis, and academic research. In addition to your day-to-day research, you’ll participate in structured mentoring, attend the INSPIRE speaker series featuring leaders in neurology, and receive support to present or publish your work. The program is designed to equip students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds with research experience, professional development, and academic credentials.
7. Tech Apprentice – Boston Private Industry Council
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Cohort size depends on employer availability.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded; participants receive a stipend.
Dates: 6-7 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools high school students interested in technology or IT careers
Tech Apprentice is a paid summer internship program for Boston Public Schools students interested in technology and IT careers. Over six to seven weeks, you’ll be placed at a local company where you’ll contribute to real-world projects, such as helpdesk support, web development, social media content creation, or quality control. The program is designed to give you hands-on experience in a professional setting, helping you explore career paths in the high-tech sector. Internship placements vary based on company partners and student interests, and all roles are compensated.
8. Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Northeastern University
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded. Students must arrange their own daily commute.
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents currently in 11th grade; must live within commuting distance; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Hosted at Northeastern University, YSP is a six-week commuter research program for rising high school seniors in Massachusetts. You’ll be placed in a university lab and work alongside faculty and graduate students on real-world projects in engineering, science, or health sciences. The program includes seminars led by Northeastern faculty, college and career advising, and field trips to Boston-area research institutions and companies. You can explore topics such as battery chemistry, cancer therapy, or agent-based modeling, depending on your lab assignment. This is a non-residential program, and participants must live within commuting distance of campus. The program is highly selective and fully funded.
9. Youth Summer Program – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded. Participants receive a stipend.
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in March; Check the Boston PIC for updates.
Eligibility: Boston residents enrolled in high school who are at least 16 years old by June 1
This six-week paid internship provides Boston high school students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting. You’ll work 30 hours per week in departments such as radiology, research labs, central transport, or materials management. The program emphasizes healthcare career exposure, professional development, and community health. You’ll also take part in career readiness workshops and explore the hospital’s commitment to patient care and equity. This is a work-based learning experience designed for students interested in healthcare or medical careers.
10. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded; includes a $3,600 stipend and partial travel reimbursement.
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors (rising seniors) enrolled in a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance to Cambridge. Must have a B or better in math and science, be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have employment authorization.
At the Broad Summer Scholars Program, you’ll spend six weeks conducting original scientific research alongside leading researchers at the Broad Institute. You’ll be matched with a scientific mentor and tackle projects in areas like cancer biology, psychiatric disease, computational biology, or infectious disease. In addition to daily lab work, you’ll attend research talks, participate in a college fair, and present your findings at a final poster session. You’ll also receive training on creating scientific posters, reviewing scientific concepts, and building professional presentation skills. The program includes both experimental and computational components, as well as social and team-building activities that complement the experience.
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