12 Free Competitive Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer programs are a great way to explore subjects you like and build new skills beyond what the school curriculum can offer! If you want a rigorous learning experience and are ready to take on a challenge, competitive summer programs for high school students are worth considering. These intensive hands-on learning experiences are offered by well-known and respected institutions and are often guided by experienced university faculty and/or industry professionals.
These programs are also a great way to meet like-minded peers, connect with experts, and start building a strong foundation for college and beyond. Your participation in such competitive programs also looks good on your resume, as it demonstrates your initiative and ability to achieve. The best part? Many highly selective programs are either completely free or fully funded, providing access to resources, mentorship, and hands-on experience at no cost!
To help you get started, we have put together a list of 12 free competitive summer programs for high school students. Whether you are interested in medicine, computer science, journalism, or the humanities, there’s something here for you!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine’s Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; around 50 students are accepted. Some sources indicate a ~3% acceptance rate, but this information is not officially available
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 22; applications open on December 15
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in high school who are 16 or older by the start of the program and U.S. citizens/permanent residents living in and attending high school in the U.S.; students from the Bay Area will be given preference
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived; all students are given a minimum stipend of $500
SIMR is an immersive eight-week summer research program where high school juniors and seniors conduct hands-on biomedical research in Stanford’s cutting-edge labs. Here, you will get to explore what it’s like to be a real researcher in a professional research setting. You will work one-on-one with mentors like Stanford faculty, postdocs, or graduate students in one of eight research areas, including immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and bioengineering. Most of your time will be spent in the lab, but you will also attend lectures, prepare a research poster, and participate in professional development sessions. The experience concludes with a campus-wide poster session, where you will present your work to the broader Stanford community.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort; Summer Cohort II starts on July 14
Application deadline: June 23 for the Summer Cohort II
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing
Stipend: The program costs start at $2,990; need-based financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual research program for high school students interested in conducting independent research under the guidance of a mentor. Here, you’ll be matched one-on-one with a Ph.D. researcher from a university or research institution and work over several weeks to design and complete a research project in your area of interest. The program emphasizes the development of research skills, academic writing, and critical thinking. You will choose a research topic from a variety of existing themes, from neuroscience to the humanities, or come up with one on your own. At the end of the program, you will have a full-length research paper.
3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 3-5% according to some sources; official data not available
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: December 3; applications open on October 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are 15 – 18 years old
Stipend: TASS offers financial aid to help replace earnings from potential summer jobs
TASS is a fully funded competitive summer program for high school students interested in exploring topics like race, power, identity, and justice through college-level humanities and social science courses. There are two tracks to choose from: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) and Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS). Each track offers opportunities to strengthen your critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills, all without the pressure of grades. During the program, you will attend daily three-hour classes led by university professors, participate in deep discussions, write essays, and engage with art, literature, and guest lectures. Outside the classroom, you will play an active role in building a democratic residential community, planning activities, resolving conflicts, and making group decisions.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10%; 70 accepted out of 700 applicants in the past
Dates: Vary by cohort; summer cohorts typically begin in June/July
Application deadline: The Summer Cohort II deadline is June 23
Eligibility: High schoolers, undergrads, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program designed for students looking for some real-world experience working with high-growth startups. Opportunities are available in various industries, including healthcare, finance, technology, AI/ML, journalism, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a startup manager as well as a dedicated Ladder Coach, who will offer mentorship and guidance throughout your internship. As an intern, you’ll work on meaningful deliverables that address the needs of the assigned company. You will get one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other professional skills. At the end of the internship, you will present your work to the company.
Location: Remote as well as NASA centers nationwide
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; exact details not specified
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: February 27 (for summer internships)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the time of application, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and are U.S. citizens
Stipend: Most internships offer a stipend
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students opportunities to contribute firsthand to NASA missions. As a NASA intern, you’ll get hands-on experience in a variety of fields, including space science, engineering, computer science, and business/administration, while working alongside NASA professionals on real-world projects. You’ll be paired with mentors to work on projects related to space exploration, robotics, data analysis, or environmental research, depending on your specific program and placement. These internships are designed to help you develop technical skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, get insights into NASA's mission areas, and gain real-world experience and exposure to cutting-edge research. The experience can also offer opportunities to network with peers and NASA staff.
6. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, Huttonsville, WV
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; only two students are selected from each state
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application deadline: February 28; applications open on January 27
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who can showcase superior academic proficiency and notable achievements in STEAM, as well as skills and achievements outside academia; delegates from Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Montana will be chosen through the state science fair
Cost/Stipend: None
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a competitive residential summer program that brings together high-achieving high school graduates from across the U.S. and select international locations for STEAM-based learning and outdoor exploration. During this free multi-week experience, you will attend lectures offered by renowned scientists, engage in hands-on directed studies in specialized STEM topics, and attend informal seminars across academic and creative disciplines. You’ll also engage in outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, caving, kayaking, and rock climbing, as well as arts programming and visits to Washington, D.C. The camp is structured to offer mentorship, collaboration, and personal growth opportunities in a tech-free environment. Throughout the program, you will get some exposure to cutting-edge scientific research and leadership training while building a network of peers and professionals in the science and engineering fields.
7. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~3%; 80–100 students are accepted each year
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with strong academic ability; you can check the detailed academic criteria here.
Cost/Stipend: None
RSI is a competitive summer program for high school students that combines classroom instruction in advanced STEM topics with hands-on research experience under the guidance of professional scientists and researchers. The program begins with a week of academic seminars covering current research in subjects like biology, engineering, and mathematics, followed by a five-week mentored research internship. During the internship, you will work in MIT labs or nearby research facilities, learning how to develop research questions, analyze scientific literature, execute research plans, and present your findings. You will also participate in a lecture series featuring prominent figures in science and technology and have access to MIT's computing and library resources. Field trips and community activities around the Boston area are also part of the experience.
8. University of Illinois Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, IL
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 5%; 30 students selected each year
Application deadline: End of March/early April
Program dates: Orientation: June 17 – 18 + research experience: June 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Iowa
Cost/Stipend: No cost; you may get a fellowship payment
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a selective six-week opportunity to engage in research in science, math, tech, engineering, and medicine. If selected, you will be assigned to one of three research groups: Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), SpHERES (Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science), or Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS). Each track covers a science/engineering field and involves hands-on work. During the program, you will develop scientific communication skills by working on a research project and presenting it at the end of the session. As a participant, you will also engage in weekly seminars that cover professional and academic skills, as well as the college admission process.
9. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program @ Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University Campus, Lubbock, TX
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; only 12 students are accepted each year
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; a stipend of $750 offered
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, conducted by Texas Tech University, is a competitive summer program for high school students looking for intensive, hands-on research experiences under the mentorship of experienced faculty. Here, you will be matched with a mentor and work on a research project, which could focus on a STEM, social science, or humanities subject area. Research opportunities are typically available in biology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering, physics, and even the humanities. In addition to full-time research work, you will take part in weekly seminars, academic discussions, and educational field trips. You will also have the opportunity to explore advanced research methodologies, develop critical thinking skills, and practice academic writing. This program is also a chance to contribute to ongoing university-level research in a collaborative academic environment.
10. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 6.8% – 10% according to some sources; exact details not specified, and can vary for each cohort
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1; replying early, by February 1 (early decision deadline), is recommended
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-graders who are at least 16 years old and have demonstrated financial need (check the website for specific examples)
Stipend: None
The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a six-week, pre-college residential program designed for high school students from underrepresented communities who are interested in pursuing STEM fields. SAMS begins with a required virtual “Jumpstart” session focused on foundational skill-building, followed by an in-person academic experience. The curriculum includes seminars in quantitative and computational reasoning, math and science coursework, and a faculty- or graduate student-advised research project. SAMS concludes with a final symposium featuring student presentations and a closing awards ceremony. Following the summer session, you can join virtual enrichment opportunities throughout the academic year, including college preparation sessions, financial literacy workshops, and continued engagement with Carnegie Mellon community members.
11. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 5% of applicants are accepted each year
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are 16 or older at the time of application and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend; a stipend is awarded
The Simons Summer Research Program is a competitive summer program for high school students that provides an opportunity to conduct hands-on research in science, mathematics, or engineering. You will be matched with faculty mentors and join active research groups, where you will take on individual responsibilities within ongoing projects. During the program, you will gain experience in laboratory methods and tools while contributing to faculty-led investigations. You will also produce a research abstract and present your findings in a formal poster symposium at the end of the program. In addition to conducting research, you will get to attend weekly lectures by faculty, as well as workshops and academic enrichment activities.
12. Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) JCamp Program
Location: Varies each year; recent sites include Seattle, WA, and Austin, TX
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; only 30 students are accepted
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors with a strong interest in journalism
Stipend: None
JCamp is a six-day journalism training program for high school students designed to foster diversity in the media industry. Here, you will receive instruction from experienced journalists and media professionals through workshops, lectures, and field reporting assignments. You’ll work in a team to produce multiplatform news content for JCamp Live, the program’s digital publication, while gaining experience in multimedia storytelling, live reporting, and broadcast production. The curriculum emphasizes cross-cultural communication, leadership, ethical journalism, and the importance of diversity in newsrooms and coverage. In addition to newsroom training, you will get access to industry events and mentorship from veteran journalists.