15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high school student looking to make the most of your summer, structured summer programs can be an effective way of exploring your interests. These programs offer practical learning, exposure to college campuses and professional environments, and opportunities to build practical skills not usually gained in a traditional classroom environment. Many summer programs are hosted by top universities, research institutes, healthcare systems, and workforce organizations, making them credible options.
Why participate in a summer program in Florida?
If you’re curious about fields like STEM, healthcare, business, journalism, or research, summer programs in Florida give you the chance to learn from faculty, industry professionals, and mentors. You’ll also gain insight into college life, career pathways, and the kinds of work different fields involve. Whether you’re looking for research experience, career exploration, or skill-building opportunities, this blog highlights some of the strongest options available across Florida. With that, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Florida that are worth checking out.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
1. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Extremely competitive
Dates: June 2 – December 3
Application Deadline: November 1 – December 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in schools in Duval County or St. Johns County, Florida; Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA required
SPARK is a mentored biomedical research program where you’ll spend time working in Mayo Clinic laboratories alongside professional researchers. You’ll engage in areas such as molecular biology, immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, drug development, and AI-driven biomedical research, depending on mentor availability. The program emphasizes core research skills, including experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, and professional lab conduct. You’ll produce a competitive research project that is formally presented through oral presentations and a final research poster. Weekly Lunch-and-Learn sessions include research facility tours, guest lectures, and college-and-career discussions.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program designed for ambitious high school students. As a participant, you will spend around eight weeks working with start-ups across a variety of industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The start-ups involved in the program are typically high-growth companies, with many raising over one million dollars. During the program, you will collaborate closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects. You will also have the opportunity to present your work to the company by the end of the program.
3. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; Supplemental travel and book stipends are available based on financial need
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Florida high school students who have completed 11th grade (exceptional 10th graders considered) with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA and 90th percentile or higher in math on a standardized test; Completion of Pre-Calculus is required
The Young Scholars Program is a six-week residential STEM program that introduces you to advanced science and mathematics coursework at Florida State University. You’ll take college-level classes taught by faculty while developing analytical and problem-solving skills across disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, and the natural sciences. A core component of the program is the Independent Research Project, where you’ll design and conduct original research under guidance and gain hands-on laboratory or computational experience. The program emphasizes academic rigor, intellectual independence, and collaboration with peers who share strong STEM interests. Outside the classroom, you’ll participate in structured residential life and extracurricular activities that support peer learning and community building.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a comprehensive research opportunity designed for high school students. The program provides extensive one-on-one research experiences across a wide range of subject areas. As a participant, you will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor to work closely on an independent research project. Upon completing the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper. Topics available include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Summer Scholars Program
Location: New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions through June 1; Priority deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders
The Summer Scholars Program is a one-week residential academic experience that allows you to explore a focused subject through faculty-led seminars. You’ll get to choose from tracks such as Creative Writing, Marine Biology, Cryptography, Archaeology, Civics, Great Books, or Psychology of Leadership, each with a discipline-specific curriculum. Instruction emphasizes discussion-based learning, applied analysis, and close collaboration with faculty and peers. Depending on the track, you may work with original texts, real-world case studies, scientific problems, or applied research challenges. The program culminates in presentations, workshops, or published work, depending on the field. High-performing participants may also become eligible for merit-based scholarships to New College of Florida.
6. Summer Research Internship Program (Cardiovascular Health)
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: High school juniors or graduated seniors (16+) committed to attending FIU, or accepted FIU transfer students; Must have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
This eight-week summer internship places you in an FIU laboratory to conduct cardiovascular health-related research under faculty mentorship. The program combines structured curriculum sessions, such as journal clubs, case studies, and research workshops, with a minimum of 15 hours per week of hands-on lab work. You’ll develop skills in experimental design, research methodology, data interpretation, and responsible conduct in research. You’ll participate in interdisciplinary research environments that integrate basic science with applied cardiovascular studies. The program culminates in a formal research abstract and PowerPoint presentation delivered at an end-of-summer symposium. Top presenters are invited to showcase their work at a university-affiliated research symposium later in the year.
7. Pathways into Healthcare Careers Program (PiHC)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; Approximately 60 students
Dates: July 23 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the Duval County (Jacksonville, FL) region; U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an interest in healthcare careers
The Pathways into Healthcare Careers Program is a three-day program focused on allied health and non-physician healthcare professions. You’ll participate in hands-on simulation activities, interdisciplinary case scenarios, and guided tours within Mayo Clinic’s training and clinical environments. The curriculum emphasizes understanding healthcare career ladders, educational pathways, and real-world clinical roles across more than 20 professions. You’ll engage directly with Mayo Clinic faculty, students, and healthcare professionals through panels, workshops, and networking sessions. Professional development and career-planning activities are built into the schedule to help contextualize healthcare education beyond medicine.
8. Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop
Location: Florida Atlantic University – SeaTech Campus, Dania Beach, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Approximately 30-40 students
Dates: June
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in early spring; Deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-17
This Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop will introduce you to applied engineering research at FAU’s SeaTech Ocean Engineering Research Facility. You’ll explore core concepts in fluid mechanics and naval architecture while seeing how ocean engineering research translates to real-world applications. The program includes hands-on programming activities where you assemble and code robotic carts and drones to complete simple autonomous tasks. You’ll also get ot design and build miniature boats, applying engineering principles in a collaborative, team-based setting. Instruction emphasizes problem-solving, basic programming logic, and engineering design thinking. The workshop concludes with a competitive team race that integrates mechanical design and applied physics concepts.
9. Journalism Jumpstart: Caplin Summer Institute
Location: Florida International University – Biscayne Bay Campus, North Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Middle and high school students from Miami-Dade and Broward counties with an interest in writing, journalism, or media
Journalism Jumpstart is a two-week summer program that introduces you to reporting, multimedia storytelling, and newsroom-style production. You’ll work with FIU faculty, journalism instructors, and media professionals to research topics, conduct interviews, and produce written and multimedia pieces. The curriculum covers news feature writing, short multimedia packages, basic data journalism, and visual storytelling. Your work is published on the Jumpstart Journal, giving you real bylines and portfolio-ready samples. You’ll also collaborate with peers and college students in live newsroom environments, including exposure to broadcast-style production through Caplin News. The program emphasizes practical writing skills, editorial feedback, and understanding how journalism functions in real-world media settings.
10. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $4,480
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. rising juniors and seniors (16+) from Palm Beach or Martin County high schools with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship is a full-time, eight-week biomedical research internship hosted at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. You’ll work directly in a research laboratory under the supervision of UF Scripps scientists, contributing to ongoing studies in areas such as cancer biology, drug discovery, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. The program emphasizes experimental design, data analysis, lab techniques, and scientific research planning through daily bench work. In addition to lab research, you’ll attend scientific seminars that introduce a broad range of biomedical research topics. You will also be required to submit a written scientific abstract and deliver both oral and poster presentations at the end of the program.
11. USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp
Location: University of South Florida – Tampa Campus, Tampa, FL
Cost: $1,350
Cohort Size: 22 students per session
Dates: July 13 – 17; July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until sessions are full; Opens on February 1
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in biomedical or electrical engineering
This Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp introduces you to core concepts at the intersection of engineering and medicine through lab work. You’ll work in USF’s Design for X (DFX) Lab to plan, build, and test bioelectrical interfaces using instrumentation similar to what is used in clinical and research settings. The curriculum covers basic biomedical engineering principles, bioelectrical signal measurement, and medical instrumentation. Faculty-guided activities emphasize cooperative problem-solving and applied design rather than lectures alone. You’ll also gain early exposure to how engineering tools are used by healthcare professionals such as cardiologists and neurosurgeons. The program is best suited for students exploring biomedical engineering as a potential college major.
12. Bulls Finance Camp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $750
Cohort Size: 60 students
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling until capacity is reached; Opens on February 1
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in finance, business, or investing
Bulls Finance Camp is a one-week introduction to finance and financial decision-making hosted by USF’s Muma College of Business. You’ll explore core topics such as personal finance, financial planning, investing, corporate finance, and introductory fintech concepts through applied activities. Instruction is led by USF faculty and professionals affiliated with the USF Federal Credit Union, providing exposure to real-world financial practices. The program emphasizes financial literacy, budgeting, and understanding how financial systems function at both personal and organizational levels. Career exploration sessions introduce pathways in finance and business-related fields.
13. Cleveland Clinic Florida: Summer Scholar Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL
Cost/Stipend: $100 processing fee; No stipend
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3; Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (local students preferred) with a minimum 3.6 GPA and a strong interest in medicine; Must attend mandatory orientation on June 15
The Cleveland Clinic Florida Summer Scholar Program is a three-week, full-time clinical exposure program designed for rising high school seniors interested in careers in medicine. During the program, you’ll rotate through multiple hospital and outpatient specialties, including internal medicine, radiology, emergency medicine, and surgery, gaining first-hand exposure to clinical environments. You’ll interact directly with staff physicians and observe how multidisciplinary healthcare teams function in real-world settings. The program includes structured lectures, clinical rotations, and guided discussions that introduce you to the responsibilities and daily workflows of medical professionals. Your experience culminates in a formal case presentation delivered during a graduation ceremony. This program is best suited for students seeking early, immersive exposure to clinical medicine rather than laboratory-based research.
14. Entrepreneurship Summer Camp
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $100 program fee
Cohort Size: 35 campers
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: Applications open mid-February (exact deadline not specified)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; No prior business experience required
The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Summer Camp is a one-week, in-person program that introduces you to the fundamentals of building and scaling startups. You’ll work in small teams to develop business ideas, design viable business models, and understand how to assemble balanced founding teams. Guided by FSU faculty and staff, the program emphasizes real-world entrepreneurship through collaborative projects rather than lectures alone. Throughout the week, you’ll interact with guest entrepreneurs and local business owners who share practical insights into launching and growing ventures. The experience culminates in a group pitch presentation delivered to family and friends, simulating an early-stage startup pitch environment.
15. Research Explorations (REx)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,500 program fee; Limited need-based scholarships available for Florida students
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session 1 (Biomedical Science): June 21 – July 3; Session 2 (Biomedical Science): July 19 – 31; Environmental Science & Toxicology Track: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Applications open January 5
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11-12
Research Explorations (REx) is a residential, two-week summer program that introduces you to advanced scientific research through laboratory work and faculty-led instruction. During the program, you’ll work closely with UF graduate students and researchers to learn experimental design, data analysis, and core laboratory techniques used in biomedical and environmental science. The biomedical track covers areas such as DNA science, protein analysis, CRISPR, and gel electrophoresis, while the environmental science track focuses on toxicology, aquatic health, and ecosystem impacts. Beyond lab work, the program includes discussions on academic pathways, research careers, and professional development in science and medicine. You’ll live on campus in UF residence halls and participate in structured evening activities, creating a full pre-college research immersion experience.
Image Source - Mayo Clinic Logo