15 Science Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
If you’re a high school student interested in science, attending science programs can be a worthwhile way to explore the field in great detail. Science programs for high school students in New York City (NYC) combine hands-on experiments with guidance from researchers, educators, and industry professionals. You will build problem-solving skills, explore scientific methods, and gain confidence working with real data, tools, and technologies. As a participant, you get an opportunity to think like a scientist by asking questions, conducting investigations, and presenting your findings.
If you want to check out more STEM-related internships, check out here! Or if you’re more interested in seeing what sort of research opportunities are available to high schoolers, check out a list here!
Why should I do a science program in NYC?
New York City is home to world-class universities, renowned hospitals, museums, environmental labs, and tech companies. It offers an exceptionally rich environment for young scientists. NYC gives students access to cutting-edge research and diverse scientific fields ranging from biomedical science and engineering to astronomy, data science, and environmental studies. With so many institutions investing in youth STEM education, students can learn directly from experts, explore state-of-the-art facilities, and connect with vibrant communities of peers from across the city.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 science programs for high school students in New York City.
Quick Look
15 programs total spanning biomedical research, environmental fieldwork, robotics, stem cell science, and engineering, hosted at institutions including Columbia, NYU, Rockefeller University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering
Several CUNY-affiliated programs stand out for their two-semester structure, including CUNY's STEM Research Academy, Baruch College's STEM Research Academy, and City Tech's STEM Research Academy, all pairing a spring course with a summer research placement
Costs vary enormously, from fully free options like Rockefeller SSRP and Stony Brook's Simons Program to premium programs like NYU SPARC (over $4,300 with housing and meals) and Columbia SHAPE (up to $10,705 for the residential track)
Most programs are restricted to NYC residents or students attending NYC public schools, including NYU ARISE, RISE's Environmentor Internship, and Genspace's Biorocket program, while Ladder Internships and Lumiere are the only fully remote, nationally accessible options
The earliest deadlines are Baruch College's STEM Research Academy (December 4) and Genspace's Biorocket program (early January), so students targeting the most structured CUNY and lab-based programs should start preparing materials in the fall
1. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Current juniors must be in 11th grade at the time of application and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons program offers high-school juniors an immersive research internship at Stony Brook University. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and integrated into a real research team working on projects in science, math, or engineering. During your fellowship, you’ll learn lab techniques or analytical methods, attend weekly faculty research talks, participate in workshops and lab tours, and build substantial research experience. Your work concludes in a written abstract and a poster presentation at the program symposium.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10% acceptance rate based on previous cohorts
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a competitive program that places motivated high school students in internships with fast-growing start-ups. These companies span a wide range of sectors such as tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Most participating start-ups operate in fast-paced, high-growth environments and have secured significant funding. As an intern, you’ll work closely with both your manager and a dedicated ladder coach on meaningful, real-world projects, and you’ll present your final work to the company at the end of the program.
3. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 - August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC residents attending NYC high schools
ARISE at NYU is a 10-week STEM research program for high school students interested in hands-on scientific work. This NYC-based internship spans interdisciplinary areas such as bioengineering, molecular and chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, AI, and machine learning. You’ll gain experience in active research labs and expand your knowledge of advanced STEM fields. A key strength of ARISE is its structured approach, which helps you build a strong foundation in scientific inquiry and build confidence to tackle real research problems.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school and demonstrates a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research experience designed specifically for high school students. It offers personalized, one-on-one mentorship across a wide variety of academic disciplines. Each student is paired with a Ph.D. researcher who guides them through the development of an independent research project. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll design your study, analyze your findings, and produce a full research paper. You can choose from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, engineering, chemistry, computer science, data science, international relations, and more.
5. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) | Environmentor Internship
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts
Dates: June through mid-August
Application Deadline: Applications will open in late February
Eligibility: High school students in 9th - 11th grade who live in or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula (New York City)
Environmentor is a six-week summer mentorship program where high school students conduct environmental research in Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. The experience begins in June with orientations and skills workshops, followed by four days a week of guided field research throughout July and August. Alongside data collection and ecological study, you’ll also learn practical outdoor skills such as water safety, CPR, kayaking, biking, and even surfing. Weekend volunteer opportunities with RISE allow you to earn service hours while supporting community initiatives. The program combines scientific research, outdoor learning, and civic engagement in an immersive way.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,200 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old | minimum GPA of 3.5, and are authorized to work in the U.S. | applicants must live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s main campus on the Upper East Side in Manhattan
The Memorial Sloan Kettering HOPP Summer Student Program is an eight-week biomedical research internship for high school students interested in cancer science. You will work on an independent research project in an MSK laboratory while receiving mentorship that builds your technical and analytical skills. You will participate in lab meetings, scheduled workshops, and community activities that provide a realistic view of scientific work at a leading research institution. Projects may focus on cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, drug development, or similar fields. The program also includes career-oriented sessions on translational medicine, highlighting how lab discoveries lead to new patient treatments.
7. Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $5,880; Residential: $10,705
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - 24; Session 2: July 27 - August 14
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or above
SHAPE is Columbia University’s summer program focused on project-based STEM learning. You can enroll in one or both three-week sessions and take a college-level engineering course in areas such as robotics, biomedical engineering, computer programming, or sustainable design. Courses are taught by Columbia faculty with support from undergraduate mentors. You’ll get access to labs, the makerspace, electives, workshops, and industry field trips. The program is selective, and tuition is high, but a limited number of full need-based scholarships are available for students who apply early.
8. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: The City University of New York (multiple campuses, like Baruch College, Brooklyn College, etc)
Cost/Stipend: Varies, depending on the chosen campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two-semester model with spring pre-college research course followed by a 5 - 6-week summer research internship
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the campus
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 11
The STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program for NYC Public School high school students who want to deeply explore STEM research. In the spring, you’ll take a pre-college course at CUNY to build foundational research skills, and in the summer, you’ll spend six weeks conducting hands-on research in a CUNY laboratory. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your scientific literacy, mathematical reasoning, and collaboration skills while receiving consistent mentorship. The experience concludes with a research exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History. In addition to earning a stipend, you’ll join a strong community of STEM mentors and alumni, opening avenues for future research pathways.
9. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2000 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort admitted annually
Dates: July - August
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students| at least 15 years old by July 1 | attending school within 45 minutes of Genspace, with a teacher or mentor reference
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a six-month experience for NYC high school students that immerses them in authentic scientific research. You’ll learn genetic engineering techniques and core biology lab skills while collaborating with mentors and fellow students to design and complete your own research project. The program also includes lab tours, field trips, and training in science communication so you can present your findings confidently. You’ll gain hands-on laboratory experience, build career-ready skills, improve your ability to explain scientific ideas, and earn a stipend for your participation.
10. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 22 - August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old at the start of the program
The SSRP at Rockefeller University is a free, seven-week summer program where you work full-time on a hands-on laboratory research project. You’ll join a small team supervised by scientists from Rockefeller, Weill Cornell, or Memorial Sloan Kettering. After learning foundational lab techniques, you’ll select a research question and investigate it with your group. Participants also attend lectures, electives, and community-building activities. The experience concludes with a poster presentation. Admission to this program is highly competitive.
11. NYU GSTEM
Location: New York University, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York City
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 as tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade high school students (rising seniors) in the U.S.
NYU’s GSTEM program gives you the opportunity to conduct real STEM research alongside NYU faculty and graduate students. During this six-week program, you’ll work on a mentored project in areas such as computer science, engineering, neuroscience, or data science. You’ll also attend professional development workshops, visit research labs and tech companies, and connect with women professionals in STEM. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings, helping you build technical skills and confidence in communicating scientific work.
12. New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute High School Internship
Location: NYSCF Research Institute, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend to be paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10-week program (generally early June - mid-August)
Application Deadline: Generally January 5 (you must be nominated by partner organizations); check partner school status early in the academic year
Eligibility: Open only to high school students affiliated with NYSCF partner organizations; must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program
The NYSCF High School Internship is a paid summer program that places students in full-time stem cell research internships at the NYSCF Research Institute. You’ll work closely with a mentor from a partner organization and participate in active biomedical research projects. During the internship, you will learn fundamental laboratory techniques such as tissue culture, data analysis, and effective scientific communication. With limited spots and a competitive selection process, the program provides valuable insight into careers in science and biotechnology.
13. Baruch College STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College, New York City (CUNY campus), NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,575 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: January 26 - May 26
Application Deadline: December 4
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | overall 80+ average
The Baruch College STEM Research Academy is a competitive, two-semester program for NYC public high school students looking for serious STEM research. It gives you early exposure to college-level scientific work while you’re still in high school. Over six weeks, you’ll collaborate with faculty mentors on projects in biology, chemistry, or environmental science, learning how to form hypotheses, design experiments, interpret data, and present your findings. The experience leads to a six-week summer internship where students work directly with CUNY faculty on authentic research projects.
14. NYU Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,300 plus $638 housing fee plus $398 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: To be announced (generally between the months of June and August)
Application Deadline: To be announced (generally mid-may)
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th-grade students who are 15+ years old and have a strong background in math
SPARC (Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding) is a full-day, two-week engineering program offered by NYU Tandon. It focuses on robotics, automation, and programming through team-based projects. Over the course of the program, you and your peers will design and build robotic systems while learning to code in Python and Arduino, under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and industry mentors. You’ll also participate in workshops, lab sessions, and visits to local tech companies to see how robotics is used in real-world applications. The program concludes with project presentations, which are presented to mentors and fellow participants.
15. STEM Research Academy at New York City College of Technology
Location: New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: 1,575 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February 14 - May 16 (spring course); those who complete the spring course will be eligible to apply for the summer STEM internship
Application Deadline: December 12
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | completed spring course
The STEM Research Academy at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) is a free, two-semester research program for NYC public high school sophomores and juniors, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented schools in STEM. You’ll explore scientific research in a college environment by working alongside faculty on projects in biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science. The program strengthens core research skills such as developing questions, designing experiments, conducting literature reviews, and analyzing data through lab work and field-based activities. You’ll also participate in workshops, collaborate with peers, and engage in research experiences aligned with the expectations of college-level STEM.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
Several CUNY-affiliated programs, like the STEM Research Academy, Baruch College, and City Tech, sound similar. How do I choose between them?
All three follow a similar two-semester model, pairing a spring pre-college course with a summer research placement, so the main differences come down to campus location and specific eligibility. CUNY's STEM Research Academy is offered across multiple campuses, giving you flexibility in location. Baruch College and City Tech both require NYC public high school sophomore or junior status with a strong academic average, and the right choice often comes down to which campus is most convenient for you to reach.
I'm interested in biomedical research specifically. Which programs on this list are the strongest fit?
Memorial Sloan Kettering's HOPP program, Rockefeller University's SSRP, and the New York Stem Cell Foundation's High School Internship are all strong, lab-intensive options centered on biomedical and cancer research specifically. MSK HOPP and Rockefeller SSRP both place you directly in an active research lab with a faculty or postdoc mentor, while NYSCF focuses more narrowly on stem cell science and requires nomination through a partner organization, so it's worth checking your school's partnership status early.
I don't live in NYC or attend a NYC public school. Are any of these programs still accessible to me?
Ladder Internships and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program are both fully remote and open to students regardless of location. Beyond those two, most of the university-based research programs, including Stony Brook's Simons Program, Columbia's SHAPE, and NYU's GSTEM and SPARC programs, are open to students nationally rather than requiring NYC residency, though you would need to arrange your own travel and housing for in-person sessions. Programs like NYU ARISE, RISE's Environmentor Internship, and Genspace's Biorocket program are the most restrictive, requiring NYC residency or school enrollment specifically.