15 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you’re a high school student curious about STEM, summer programs are one of the best ways to gain hands-on experience while exploring different areas of science, technology, engineering, or math. These programs let you work on real-world challenges, develop practical skills, and connect with mentors and peers who share your interests—all while preparing you for future academic and career paths.
New York City is an especially strong place to pursue STEM opportunities. The city is home to globally recognized universities, leading hospitals, innovative tech companies, and major research centers, all of which contribute to a solid environment for learning. You can choose local programs as it comes with many advantages. You can access high-quality opportunities without the challenge of long-distance travel, and they enable you to start building a network in the same city where you might later study, intern, or work. Being part of a local STEM program means you’re engaging directly with the resources and communities around you, making the experience both practical and sustainable.
To help you find options that align with your goals, we’ve put together a list of 15 STEM summer programs for high school students in New York City.
1. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: 32
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors
In this STEM summer program for high school students in NYC, you will work full time for 7 weeks in a Rockefeller lab where you will join a research team under the mentorship of scientists . You will spend about 35 hours every week learning lab methods, developing your own research question with guidance, and attending workshops and team meetings. During your time, you will prepare a poster and present your findings at a symposium. You will receive public transit support, and can get financial aid(if needed). You can choose your research team based on your interests, but the final placement isn’t guaranteed.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships are a virtual highly selective internship with a duration of 8 to 12 weeks, where you work with a growing startup or nonprofit across diverse domains such as AI, health tech, or media. You work on a real project that matters to your host company under the guidance of a Company Mentor and a Ladder Coach . During the course, you must meet your weekly set goals and shape your project goals. At the end of the internship, you present your work to the company leaders. You gain hands-on skills, learn startup practices, and build meaningful connections along the way.
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Upper East Side in Manhattan
Cost/Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: 20
Dates: June 30 - August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High-school junior with at least 14 years of age, living within 25 miles of MSK main campus (NY, NJ, or CT) with a GPA of 3.5+ in science subjects, and is legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The STEM summer program for high school students in NYC allows you to join lab-based research at one of MSK’s labs, working for 8 full weeks with hands-on mentorship. Throughout the course, you will design and carry out an independent project that aligns with your lab’s goals. You will be part of lab meetings and program sessions to get real exposure to translational cancer research and biomedical techniques. You will also attend events such as tours, luncheons, and training sessions across different departments. At the end of the program, you will present your work in a poster session. The program builds both your technical skills and your view of research life in a space that connects lab work and clinical science.
4. Veritas AI Scholars and Fellowship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type
Acceptance Rate/cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple dates throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8 - 12
You can join an eight-week virtual internship led by Harvard graduate students and work on real AI or machine-learning projects with VC-backed startups. You will meet regularly with mentors from top institutions and companies, including Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company. You can gain industry exposure while building a project that matters, which you will present at the end of your internship and receive a letter of completion. As part of this course, you will also build connections with leaders and peers.
5. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free with a stipend of $1000
Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Dates: May 30 - August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors and juniors in NYC schools
In this STEM summer program for high school students in NYC, you will spend ten weeks working in one of 80 NYU research labs. The first 4 weeks include safety training, college writing workshops, and research skills. After 4 weeks, you join a lab and assist faculty and researchers for six weeks, spending about 120 hours of lab experience. You will learn lab techniques, public speaking, and research ethics while attending workshops. You will get assistance for your college applications, build connections, and conclude the program by presenting your findings at an NYU colloquium and the Museum of Natural History poster symposium.
6. NYU GSTEM
Location: New York University, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance Rate/cohort Size: 40
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in the 11th grade with a strong academic record
In this STEM summer program for high school students in NYC, you will start with orientation, and then spend the next 5 weeks working closely with a STEM mentor in an NYU research lab. You learn lab techniques, programming, and scientific writing. Every Friday, you will attend campus workshops, field trips, and career guidance sessions. You will also meet women leaders in STEM and build a peer network in an inclusive environment. At the end of the program, you must write a journal-style report and present your work at a symposium. This program offers a supportive learning experience, plus optional housing. Financial aid helps make the program cost manageable, especially for underprivileged students.
7. Baruch College STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,575
Acceptance Rate/cohort Size: 25
Dates: Mid of July to mid August
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: NYC public high school students (10th or 11th) with a good GPA and score at the NY State High School Regents Exams in English and Maths
You can join a 2-semester program that begins in January with a spring research methods course. You will learn how to craft research questions, design experiments, conduct literature searches, and analyze scientific studies in an active college level class. After finishing the spring research course successfully, you will spend 6 weeks in the summer working along with CUNY faculty on a real research project. You can collect data, run experiments, and explore STEM in a hands-on lab environment. You will also build connections with mentors and gain insights into science and college life.
8. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2500
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: One year (August–June)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: New York City high school students in 10th or 11th grade, passing classes for the last 3 or more semesters; must have completed or is taking a course on any of the following programs: AIS (Adventures in Science), SNP (Science and Nature Program), EAP (Early Adventures Program), LANG Program, SAP (Science Alliance Program), HE³AT (Healthcare, Energy, Education, Environment, Agriculture, and Technology) or has attended one of their partner schools or program.
You will start with a four-week summer institute at AMNH, including fieldwork (like an overnight at Black Rock Forest in some years). Then, for the school year (August–June), you will connect twice a week after school with a Scientist mentor and a small team. You will conduct novel research in areas such as genetics, astrophysics, or coding. You will practice lab work, data analysis, presentation, writing, and also join monthly workshops and advisory sessions. In early June, you will present your project findings at the SRMP Colloquium.
9. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $200
Acceptance Rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: October 19 - May 3
Application Deadline: Rolling until all spots are filled
Eligibility: New York middle and high school students ( grade 8-12) with a B average in Maths, Science, and English who meet the state-determined income criteria
You will attend morning classes on campus with NYU faculty and students, where you take courses in maths such as algebra using calculus BC, and an English seminar that enhances your writing and critical thinking skills. In the afternoon, you will join hands-on electives that connect STEM to the real world. As an 11th or 12th grader, you may also conduct research at NYU labs. You can also present your findings at the state conference in Albany. You will gain guidance on college applications, test preparation, and career options from professionals and leave with strong skills, real projects, and a clearer path to STEM.
10. Columbia S-PREP
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 28 - August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: New York State resident students in grades 7 to 13 with an 80% grade average, particularly in Maths and Science
In this STEM summer program for high school students in NYC, you will join a free and enriching program that prepares you for careers in medicine and related fields. In summer, weekday classes are all about chemistry, anatomy, algebra, and test preparation. During the academic year, you will learn on Saturdays through maths, science, PSAT/SAT prep, and counseling. Additionally, you will also go on field trips, take college tours, and join college and career workshops. You may also apply for summer research programs such as BRAINYAC or YES in THE HEIGHTS, where you can work in labs, get mentorship , and even present your findings.
11. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers across the country, including California, Florida, Maryland, and Texas
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on your program
Acceptance Rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Summer Session: Late May to August
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level), age of 16 years at the time of application, with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
You will join one of NASA’s paid internship sessions where you will work in a lab, or a control center, or a tech office. You will work along with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals and learn skills that include design experiments, data analysis, write reports, or support IT or business functions. You will also visit mission sites, attend team briefings, or present findings. You must find a mentor who guides your work and will help you build both technical know-how and career insights.
12. NYU Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,300 Tuition + Additional Fees applicable (Housing & Meal Plan)
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Not Specified
Dates: Session 1 (June 16 – June 27), Session 2 (July 7 – July 18), Session 3 (July 28 – August 8)
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ years (current 9th grade - graduating 12th graders); US residents and international students accepted
Through this STEM summer program for high school students in NYC, you will spend two intense weeks building robots and writing code. You will work with microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, circuits, and basic programming components that include loops, variables, conditionals, binary. You can explore electrical and mechanical engineering along with coding. You can be a part of team challenges and competitions and learn by doing, with a robotics kit in hand. You can attend full-day sessions led by NYU Tandon experts and improve technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving using real experiments. After the course, you will finish with a clear understanding of automation, robotics, and coding, and leave with tangible projects, confidence, and a clear sense of your STEM path.
13. NYU Computer for Engineering Good (CE4G)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 Tuition + Additional Fee applicable (Housing & Meal Plan)
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1 (June 16 - July 2); Session 2 (June 14 - August 1)
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students with age 15+ years (current 9th grade - graduating 12th graders); open to US residents and international students
Through this internship, you will tackle real-world social issues using engineering tech, and learn to design and build embedded systems with tools such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi. You will apply engineering to areas such as sustainability and public health, and work from design, concept to implementation. You can solve problems related to developing-world challenges, considering cost, power, and practicality. Throughout the course, get guidance from Professor Matthew Campisi, an expert in embedded systems and low-cost medical devices. You will learn to balance hands-on building with critical thinking and leave with concrete projects, thoughtful insights, and a clear sense of how engineering can help communities.
14. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance Rate/ Cohort size: 12
Dates: June 30 - August 15
Application Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students aged 16 years and above who reside within 45 minutes of Genspace (historically excluded groups in the sciences are encouraged to apply)
As part of this internship program, you will spend 6 months working inside a real biology lab. In spring, meet science mentors, go on lab tours, and learn genetic engineering and lab techniques. In summer, join a focused, hands-on research project with fellow teens. Throughout the course, you will design experiments, use DNA tools, and practice communicating science, even through improv. Additionally, you will also tour biotech labs and get career advice. You will get an opportunity to work in teams and with mentors. At the end of the program, present your findings and join a city-wide teen research network.
15. NYU Machine Learning
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,050 + Additional Costs (Housing & Meal Plan)
Acceptance Rate/ cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Session 1 (June 16 – June 27), Session 2 (July 7 – July 18), Session 3 (July 28 – August 8)
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students with age 15+ (current 9th graders - graduating 12th graders); open to US residents and international students
You can join a two-week summer program exploring machine learning and AI, where you will learn foundational ideas such as neural networks, model validation, and data analysis. You can work on coding projects inspired by real applications such as image recognition, voice control, traffic systems, and medical diagnostics. Throughout the course, you will code, test models, work in small groups, and present your projects. This program is all about thinking like a data scientist, where you understand logic and maths.
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