15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
Free summer programs give high school students a practical way to explore academic and career interests outside the classroom. They let you work on projects, practice research methods, and shadow professionals, helping you build skills that can strengthen your college applications. These experiences also help you develop confidence by placing you in settings where you can apply your knowledge.
Florida offers solid summer opportunities for high schoolers because of its wide network of universities, hospitals, and research centers. From studying genetics at the University of Miami to shadowing healthcare professionals at Baptist Health or joining STEM programs at Florida State, you can connect with professionals and deepen your subject knowledge. Here’s a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Florida you can apply to, along with some virtual options.
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
1. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $4,480
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in Palm Beach or Martin Counties | GPA 3.0+ | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship at the University of Florida Health is a prestigious, competitive biomedical research internship designed for motivated high school juniors and seniors from Palm Beach and Martin counties. It begins with a week-long introduction to biomedical research methods before you move into a full lab placement. You will develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and research planning while learning directly from active scientists. Weekly seminars expose you to different fields in medicine and biotechnology, helping you see possible career paths. You will prepare a scientific abstract and present your findings at the end of the program.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote (online)
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 - 25%
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) who commit to 10–15 hours/week for 8-16 weeks
Through Ladder, you will work with startups or organisations on real-world projects under the guidance of mentors in fields like technology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Your role might involve research, data analysis, or strategy, depending on the host organisation. With full financial aid, you can access this program at no cost and gain direct industry exposure. The program runs 8–16 weeks and requires 10-15 hours per week of commitment, making it manageable during the school year or summer. All internships are remote, so you can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.
3. Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 3 – December 2
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from Duval or St. Johns counties | Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
This prestigious summer research opportunity for rising junior and senior high school students from Duval and St. Johns counties in Florida places you in Mayo research labs for at least 25 hours per week during the summer, with continued participation through the school year. You will explore topics like molecular biology, regenerative sciences, cancer biology, and neuroscience. Your work contributes to active research projects under the guidance of professional scientists. The extended timeline gives you long-term experience beyond a typical summer program. By the end, you will have a strong research foundation and valuable exposure to medical science.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote (online)
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: January, May, September, and November (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: High school seniors who are typically from low-income families
This non-profit program is designed for gifted students from low-income backgrounds who want access to high-level research opportunities. The program pairs you one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design, conduct, and complete an independent research project in a subject of your choice, from psychology and physics to international relations and data science. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll attend mentoring sessions, workshops, and writing support sessions to help you develop a publishable paper. Because it is fully funded, you gain the same elite research access as Lumiere Education scholars at no cost, making it one of the strongest global research opportunities available to motivated high school students.
5. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at Miami’s School of Medicine
Location: Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Stipend: Approximately $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from Miami and Broward-area schools who are academically performing well | Legally authorized to work in the U.S. More details about eligibility and the program here
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at Miami’s Miller School of Medicine is a prestigious, paid eight-week research program for outstanding high school juniors from Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It places you in the Human Genomics Institute, where you will analyse genetic data and assist with ongoing research. You will gain experience with lab technologies like PCR and gel electrophoresis. The program provides both mentorship and a stipend, making it accessible and academically rigorous. Daily interaction with researchers and postdoctoral fellows helps you understand how genetic information contributes to diagnosing and treating diseases. The program concludes with a final presentation of your work.
6. Cleveland Clinic Summer Scholars Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 15%
Dates: June 16 – July 4; July 2 – 25
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school seniors who have a 3.6 GPA
The Cleveland Clinic Summer Scholars Program is an immersive summer internship designed for high school seniors and undergraduate students interested in careers in medicine and healthcare. It gives you firsthand exposure to hospital and outpatient care. You will shadow healthcare professionals across specialties like radiology, surgery, and emergency medicine. Daily schedules vary by rotation but involve full-time observation and interaction with staff. You will gain direct insight into the realities of working in a clinical environment. This experience helps you confirm whether a medical career is the right path for you.
7. FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 13 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically early May
Eligibility: South Florida high school juniors committed to FIU | Minimum 3.0 GPA | At least 16 years old at the program’s start date
FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health is an enriching eight-week program focused on cardiovascular research, where you will learn to collect and interpret data on cardiovascular health. You will practice taking blood pressure and monitoring heart rate while also gaining experience reading medical literature. Weekly journal clubs and case studies help you connect research methods to real-world clinical settings. By the end, you will present your research abstract at a final awards event. This is a focused opportunity to build research skills in a high-demand area of medicine.
8. Observer Program at Baptist Health Academics
Location: Baptist Health, South Florida, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Flexible; up to 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by the program’s start | A licensed clinician or Baptist Health employee must sponsor the applicant
The Observer Program at Baptist Health Academics is designed to provide high school students and others the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, in a hospital environment. You will observe medical rounds, procedures, and patient care activities coordinated by your assigned clinician. The observation experience is tailored to your interests and availability, lasting up to four weeks. It’s an accessible way to explore healthcare careers without long-term commitments. The program provides clarity on what working in a hospital environment looks like, builds professional awareness, and develops soft skills like communication and teamwork in a healthcare setting.
9. FIU’s Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 9 – July 10
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County, Florida
The FIU Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) High School Summer Internship is a five-week biomedical research program aimed at motivated high school juniors and seniors, primarily from St. Lucie County. Over five weeks, you will conduct biomedical research in labs focused on neuroscience, drug discovery, and aging. You will learn how to design experiments, analyse data, and present your results in a scientific poster. Researchers and faculty provide ongoing mentorship to guide your work. Completion of the program gives you over 100 volunteer hours, plus a certificate and recommendation letter. This makes it both academically and practically valuable for your college profile.
10. FIU Junior Doctors of Tomorrow Summer Program
Location: FIU Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Minimum GPA 3.0
The FIU Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT) Summer Program is a free, week-long summer enrichment program designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers in medicine. It introduces you to medical practice in a structured format, where you will participate in clinical workshops and interactive sessions covering essential healthcare skills. The small cohort size allows for more personalized learning and close engagement with instructors. You will leave with a clearer understanding of what a career in medicine demands. The program is short but concentrated, making it a good starting point if you’re exploring healthcare fields.
11. Mayo Clinic Pathways into Healthcare Careers (PiHC)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 15%
Dates: July 10 – 12
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Duval County
The Mayo Clinic Pathways into Healthcare Careers (PiHC) Program is an interactive, three-day program primarily for rising juniors and seniors in high school from Duval County (Jacksonville, Florida). It introduces you to more than 20 healthcare roles beyond becoming a doctor. You will participate in simulations, attend panels, and take tours of Mayo facilities. Sessions also explain different educational routes into healthcare, from certificates to fellowships. You will gain a realistic view of diverse healthcare careers and the paths to reach them. This makes it a great option if you want to explore roles in medicine outside of the physician track.
12. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Internship
Location: Jupiter, FL
Stipend: Stipend of $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Legally authorized to work in the United States | 16 years of age or older at the internship’s start | Reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties and entering their junior or senior year at a high school in these counties during the current school year
This highly selective, six-week research internship offers an immersive laboratory experience where interns work alongside MPFI neuroscientists on cutting-edge neuroscience research projects. It offers tracks in neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering, where you will work with researchers on active projects and receive training in advanced imaging and lab methods. You will also write a scientific abstract and present your work at the end. The paid stipend makes this program both financially accessible and academically valuable. It’s a strong option if you’re interested in combining lab research with practical skills.
13. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
Stipend: No information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: May 17 (course) and May 24 (documents) in past cycles
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders (ages 15–18) | Enrolled in Miami-Dade County public schools
This five-week program allows you to work 30 hours per week in a hospital environment while being guided by mentors and supervisors. You’ll observe clinical procedures, assist with patient care, and contribute to health-related projects. The program also focuses on building professional skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. You’ll gain meaningful hospital exposure while still in high school, making it easier to decide if healthcare is the right path for you. By the end, you’ll leave with practical skills and a clearer sense of medical careers.
14. Miami-Dade County Summer Youth Internship Program: Baptist Health
Location: Baptist Health, South Florida (various locations)
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Rising 10-12 graders between ages 15-18 enrolled in Miami-Dade Public High School | At least 15 years old by July 1 | Eligible to work in the U.S.
The Miami-Dade County Summer Youth Internship Program, in partnership with Baptist Health, offers high school students an immersive, hands-on experience in healthcare and related fields. It places you in hospital or clinical settings with Baptist Health, where, over the course of five weeks, you’ll gain exposure to both patient care and behind-the-scenes operations. You’ll also see how healthcare teams collaborate across departments to deliver services. The stipend makes it a paid, accessible way to build experience in healthcare. It is a structured program designed to help you develop professional habits while exploring different medical roles.
15. UF Gator Pharmacy Exploration Camp
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $20 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – 14
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Florida high school students entering 12th grade
The UF Gator Pharmacy Exploration Camp is a free, one-week immersive summer program hosted by the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, designed for rising high school seniors in Florida. It introduces you to careers in pharmacy and public health, where you will participate in workshops, skills labs, and group projects guided by UF pharmacy students and faculty. The camp also includes wellness sessions and team-building activities. You will finish the program with a stronger sense of whether pharmacy is the right career path for you. The camp inspires students for pharmacy careers by providing a comprehensive overview of the professional aspects of pharmacy.
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