15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia
Summer programs offer a practical way to build academic skills, explore potential majors, and have experiences you can discuss in your college essays. Free or fully funded programs are particularly valuable because they provide access to projects, mentorship, and career exploration without any financial barriers. You will develop skills such as conducting research, writing scientific reports, and preparing presentations that support future coursework and strengthen your college applications. These programs can also help build confidence by exposing you to new environments, peers, and professional networks.
What free summer programs are available for high school students in Philadelphia?
Many institutions in Philadelphia offer free summer programs across various fields, including research, healthcare, engineering, entrepreneurship, and more. These initiatives allow you to work in laboratories, participate in structured college-preparation programs, earn technical credentials, and explore career paths. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia.
1. CHOP Research Internship for Scholars & Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free | stipend or subsidies for travel and meals available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 - August 6
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school students and rising juniors who are 16+ years old
CHOP-RISES is a two-summer STEM-M internship designed to support local high school students who face barriers to accessing research opportunities. You will spend each summer working in a Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia research environment, building scientific skills and becoming familiar with laboratory practices under the guidance of research staff and faculty. After completing RISES I, you can continue into RISES II to deepen your experience. If you are interested in pursuing a STEM career, this is a solid option among free summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program | 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students able to work for 8 to 12 weeks, committing 10 to 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program that pairs you with high-growth startups on real-world projects. The program is run by Harvard-affiliated founders for ambitious high school students and offers structured mentorship and project-based work. You will collaborate closely with your startup manager and a ladder coach on tasks aligned with your chosen field while developing portfolio-ready deliverables throughout the program. This program is a strong fit if you want real-world experience in a remote setting with a flexible schedule. Apply now!
3. Wistar Institute High School Fellowship (High School Program in Biomedical Research)
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,500 stipend upon completion and SEPTA passes for travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive | about 15 students
Dates: 4-week program | July 6 - 30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years who have completed at least one high school science course
This four-week biomedical research fellowship places high school students in Wistar’s training laboratory, where they will learn foundational techniques used in modern cancer, immunology, and vaccine research. You will work in a state-of-the-art lab, practicing core skills such as pipetting, conducting experiments, and handling research data under the supervision of Wistar educators and scientists. The institute prioritizes students from the School District of Philadelphia and those with limited prior access to laboratory opportunities to apply, making this a meaningful access-focused opportunity. If you are curious about biomedical research and are looking for a concentrated, lab-intensive summer experience, Wistar’s fellowship is a strong option among free summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academics and demonstrated financial need
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation offers the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program that gives high school students 1-on-1 research mentorship with a PhD-level researcher at no cost. Over approximately 12 weeks, you will work through nine content or mentorship sessions and two writing-focused sessions to design and complete an independent research project. You can choose a wide range of topics across fields such as economics, psychology, computer science, engineering, and more, and you will conclude the program with a research paper or project that you can highlight in your resume. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created specifically to provide Lumiere’s research opportunities to talented, low-income students at no cost, and the Breakthrough Scholar track is its flagship offering for high school students.
5. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not disclosed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive | about 18 to 24 students
Dates: June 15 - July 31
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students from the Greater Philadelphia area (including Camden)
The MSAP is a seven-week paid apprenticeship focused on sensory science, where you will work on research related to taste, smell, and chemosensory biology. The program’s mission is to encourage students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in biomedical science. You will spend your weeks in the laboratory, learning experimental design, maintaining laboratory notebooks, and helping to generate and analyze data alongside researchers. Due to its limited number of spots, MSAP is a competitive opportunity for students interested in biomedical research while earning a stipend.
6. FirstHand High School Sprints – University City Science Center
Location: University City Science Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free | stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 to 10 weeks’ sprints throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the topic and sprint
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school students
FirstHand High School Sprints are free, stipend-supported short programs that connect you with industry-informed projects in areas such as cybersecurity, biotechnology, and health sciences. You will attend sessions in the FirstHand laboratory space at the Science Center, working with mentors on hands-on tasks similar to what professionals do. Each sprint runs for a limited number of hours over several weeks, making it easier to handle school or other summer commitments. The sprints are designed to help you build credentials, explore STEM careers, and access future internships. If you want a flexible, project-based experience instead of a full-time program, FirstHand Sprints can be a good fit to start building your STEM resume.
7. CHOP Neurology High School Scholars Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 as a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 5-week program (typically in July)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, 16+ years old
The Neurology High School Scholars Program is a five-week paid internship where participants will work closely with a neurologist or neuroscientist at CHOP. You will contribute to a basic science or clinical research project, attend weekly educational sessions, and have opportunities to shadow in a clinical environment. The program begins with an essay contest, and only a small number of students are selected each year, making it highly competitive. If you are serious about neurology, neuroscience, or medicine, this is a good option for high school students in Philadelphia.
8. WorkReady / Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL)
Location: Citywide (various employers and providers across Philadelphia)
Cost/Stipend: $1,300 to $1,500 as a stipend, depending on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 6 to 8 weeks | dates vary depending on the provider
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary depending on the provider and year
Eligibility: Philadelphia youth aged 12 to 24 years | specific placements may have additional criteria
Career Connected Learning PHL (C2L-PHL) coordinates paid summer and year-round work experiences for Philadelphia youth through initiatives such as WorkReady Summer and Summer BOOST. If you apply and are selected, you will complete a paid placement that may include internships, service-learning projects, or job-shadowing opportunities with local employers. Many placements include professional development, financial literacy, and career exploration components. WorkReady and C2L-PHL are particularly valuable if you want to earn income while gaining real work experience and building a professional network in your community. This is a great option for high school students seeking flexible, paid summer opportunities rather than a single academic program.
9. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (SHEO) – University of Pennsylvania
Location: Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Free | $500 as a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 10 - 24 | closing event date to be announced
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (SHEO) program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center introduces high school students to careers in cancer care and biomedical research. You will attend lectures led by physicians and researchers, participate in guided discussions on oncology topics, and explore how cancer treatments are developed and delivered in clinical settings. The program also includes mentoring sessions where healthcare professionals share insights into medical training and career pathways. If you are interested in medicine or biomedical science, SHEO is a good option for high school students in Philadelphia.
10. Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI)
Location: Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 14 students
Dates: July 6 - 30
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the greater Philadelphia region, who have taken chemistry and/or physics courses, within daily commuting distance
The PSSI is a free, four-week science program focused on materials science, where you will explore how the structure of matter influences real-world applications. You will attend morning lectures by Penn faculty and graduate students, followed by afternoon laboratory sessions and facility tours, learning techniques such as microscopy and mechanical testing. The program accepts a small cohort, so you will receive significant support. PSSI is designed for students from the greater Philadelphia area with a strong interest and background in science. This is a well-suited option if you are looking for a rigorous academic experience at a major research university without tuition costs.
11. Nursing STEP-UP Program – Thomas Jefferson University
Location: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Free | light breakfast and lunch provided during in-person days
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 - July 25
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Nursing STEP-UP is a free four-week summer program that introduces participants to the field of nursing through academic instruction, skills practice, and college preparation. You will spend mornings in a structured SAT preparation and college readiness program, including workshops on personal statements and resumes. In the afternoons, you will rotate through classroom lessons, simulation labs, mentoring sessions, and field trips within Jefferson’s College of Nursing. The program is designed specifically for students considering nursing and related health careers, with a focus on underrepresented and first-generation college students. If you want to test your interest in nursing while also strengthening your college readiness, this is a solid option among free summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia.
12. Fox Chase Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) – Explore
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - 10 | Session 2: July 20 - 24
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: High school students from the Philadelphia area, New Jersey, and Delaware | 16+ years old
The TRIP Explore is a free, one-week program that lets participants experience the entire scientific process through hands-on experiments. You will design and conduct your own project, learning how to plan experiments, collect data, and interpret your results. The days are structured like a full-time research experience, typically running from morning through late afternoon. Small group sizes and a low instructor-to-student ratio mean you can ask questions and get regular feedback. This program is a good fit if you want a shorter but intensive introduction to laboratory research that fits into a busy summer.
13. Temple University Upward Bound
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: The 6-week summer program (July - August) is included when you sign up for the year-long program
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school freshmen or sophomores living and studying in Philadelphia who meet federal TRIO criteria
The Upward Bound program at Temple University is a federally funded college access initiative that offers a free, year-round program, including a six-week summer experience. During the summer, you will attend daily academic classes and participate in workshops focused on college readiness and personal development. The program continues during the academic year through after-school tutoring, Saturday sessions, and college advising. Upward Bound is designed for students who are low-income, first-generation, or at academic risk, and it supports you from early high school through graduation. If you want structured, long-term help preparing for college at no cost, this is one of the most comprehensive options in Philadelphia.
14. Franklin Institute STEM Scholars Program
Location: The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 20 students per year (4-year cohort model)
Dates: Summer workshops each July - August, plus school-year programming
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area students starting 9th grade | GPA of 3.0+
The STEM Scholars Program is a free, four-year college-and-career preparation initiative that begins when you enter 9th grade. Each summer, you will spend several weeks at the Franklin Institute participating in daily STEM workshops, laboratory activities, and field experiences. During the academic year, you will attend monthly sessions focused on academic enrichment, leadership development, and college planning. The program accepts about 20 new freshmen each year and is designed specifically for students from communities historically underrepresented in STEM. STEM Scholars is a good fit if you are looking for a long-term, relationship-based program rather than a one-off summer experience.
15. Teenagers Exploring and Engaging in Science (TREEs) – University of Pennsylvania
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Dates vary depending on the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the year
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area high school students who have completed grade 9, 10, or 11 by the summer, with a GPA of 3.0+
The Teenagers Exploring and Engaging in Science (TREEs) program at the University of Pennsylvania introduces Philadelphia high school students to environmental research and sustainability work. You will participate in fieldwork, data collection, and environmental monitoring activities that help you understand how scientific research informs urban environmental policy. You may attend workshops and discussions on topics such as climate science, ecosystems, and environmental health. The program also includes mentorship and collaborative projects with other students interested in environmental careers. If you want to explore environmental science through real field-based learning, this is a good option for high school students in Philadelphia.
Image source - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia logo