15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you’re an ambitious high school student looking for something to do this summer, consider participating in a summer program in a subject that interests you. Summer programs for high schoolers allow you to explore careers, build practical skills, and form valuable connections at an early stage. Many are hosted by leading hospitals, universities, and organizations, so you’re learning in environments at the center of innovation and research.
Summer programs in Massachusetts offer high school students an opportunity to learn at universities like Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and UMass Amherst. You’ll benefit from access to faculty mentors, state-of-the-art facilities, and the cultural and intellectual environment of Massachusetts. These programs also help you save on travel and housing costs since they’re local. Below is a list of 15 standout summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts, including some virtual programs that they can apply to.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None except $75 application fee (waivers are available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (U.S. and international) who are 16 years of age by July 1 of the program year
In this program, you’ll spend six weeks combining advanced coursework with mentored research on campus or at nearby labs. In the first week, you will be part of intensive lectures and seminars in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Subsequently, the program matches you with a mentor who guides you in designing your own project, which includes reviewing literature, data collection, and analyzing results. Your summer culminates with both a formal paper and an oral presentation of your work, giving you a complete picture of how real research is conducted. Further, you get to attend evening talks by well-known figures in science and technology.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies with the cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 12 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Through Ladder Internships, you spend eight weeks working remotely with a high-growth startup, where your contributions are tied directly to active company projects. Your role depends on the company you’re paired with and may involve work in fields such as health tech, AI/ML, software development, or marketing. You’re supervised by a startup manager while also receiving support from a Ladder Coach, who provides mentorship and feedback throughout the program. Weekly check-ins and project milestones keep your work structured, and you’ll finish with a final presentation of your contributions. Because many startups are actively expanding, you get to see how young companies adapt to challenges in real time.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Students belonging to families with an income of $150,000 or greater, the fee for the program will be $2,350; for those belonging to families with an income below $150,000, the program is free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Online Courses: February 3 - June 20 | In-person Summer Program: July 7 - August 3
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
At the Beaver Works Summer Institute, you’ll engage in a four-week, project-based program designed for rising seniors interested in engineering and computer science. Before attending, you complete an online course that aligns with your chosen track, ensuring you arrive ready for in-depth work. Once on campus, you join a small cohort tackling specialized topics such as autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, wearable technologies, or quantum software. Much of your time is spent coding, running simulations, and collaborating in labs while also learning tools like Python, Git, and VSCode. Each course ends with a capstone project, where you and your peers present solutions to complex engineering challenges.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 11 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
With the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you design and complete a research project over 12 weeks under the one-on-one guidance of a PhD mentor. You choose your own area of study from a wide list of fields, which might include neuroscience, biotechnology, economics, or computer science. Meetings with your mentor help you plan experiments or data analysis, review existing literature, and structure your writing. Over time, you build a formal research paper that reflects both the depth of your work and the guidance you’ve received. Many students choose to submit their final projects to competitions or journals. You may be eligible for a UCSD credit at the program’s end.
5. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford Campus, Boston Avenue, Medford, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program | Reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy
In this program, you’ll spend six weeks in a biomedical engineering lab, contributing to ongoing research alongside faculty and graduate student mentors. Depending on your project, you may focus on topics such as how tissues and organs function, how biomaterials can be tested, or how computational tools can model biological systems. You’ll practice the scientific method by developing hypotheses, running experiments, and analyzing data in a structured way. Daily lab work gives you exposure to techniques like microscopy, computational modeling, or materials testing. At the end, you formally present your findings to peers, faculty, and family. You may also choose to submit your project to science fairs or competitions.
6. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
At the UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program, you’ll spend four weeks living on campus while exploring careers in health, biomedical research, and biotechnology. The program combines academic classes in math, science, technology, and communication with seminars on health issues and cultural perspectives. You also complete a Health Disparities Research Project that asks you to investigate healthcare challenges faced by specific cultural groups in Massachusetts. Beyond the classroom, you take part in internships and field trips that connect you with physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals. At the end, you receive a Certificate of Achievement and a stipend for completing the program.
7. Broad Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad | Have earned a B or higher in science and math classes | US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorization (i.e., DACA),
In the Broad Summer Scholars Program, you spend six weeks at the Broad Institute working on an original research project guided by a Broad scientist. Projects take place across fields such as cancer biology, infectious disease, computational biology, or psychiatric disorders, giving you direct exposure to active areas of biomedical science. Alongside your lab work, you attend workshops that cover scientific communication, career exploration, and college preparation. To support your research, the program offers tutoring in concepts directly related to your project and workshops that help you prepare posters and presentations. You conclude your experience with a formal poster session where you present your findings to the Broad community.
8. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts | U.S. Citizens, or Permanent Residents
Through Northeastern’s Young Scholars Program, you spend six weeks working in university research labs on projects in engineering, science, or health fields. The program matches you with a faculty mentor and joins a lab team, taking on tasks that may involve experiments, coding, data analysis, or design work. Regular seminars introduce you to topics such as science communication, college preparation, and STEM careers, while site visits to local tech companies and government labs give you an industry perspective. Career counseling and group discussions provide additional insight into academic pathways in STEM. At the end, you share your research at a poster session attended by peers, faculty, and mentors.
9. Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE)
Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend at $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising or graduating seniors who are 16 years old or older
At the Ragon Institute Summer Experience, you begin with a one-week orientation that introduces you to the institute’s mission, lab safety, and expectations before you start your placement. Over the following weeks, you work about 25 hours per week in a lab while also taking part in a twice-weekly Introduction to Immunology course taught by graduate students. Your schedule includes journal clubs, lectures, and discussions designed to broaden your understanding of immunology research. The program also incorporates team-building activities, career planning workshops, and field trips to local science institutions. You also receive guidance on resumes, cover letters, and college applications, preparing you for the next steps in your academic journey.
10. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)
Location: Boston University campus
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 20%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston | At least 16 years old by July 1
The GROW program at Boston University is designed for current high school juniors who want to explore research in STEM fields. For six weeks, you’ll be placed in a BU lab in subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, or engineering, working directly with faculty and graduate students on active projects. A two-day orientation prepares you for the lab environment and expectations before you begin your placement. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your findings to the community, and you receive a stipend awarding your participation. You’ll also attend workshops on science communication and professional development, as well as career talks and visits to local research institutions.
11. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Youth Summer Program
Location: BWH campus, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Boston residents enrolled in high school who are at least 16 years old by June 1
In this program, you spend six weeks working about 30 hours per week in departments such as radiology, research labs, materials management, or patient transport. The program is structured to function like a workplace, so you gain time management skills and experience with the daily operations that support patient care. Alongside department duties, you take part in sessions focused on career development and community health topics, giving you a broader perspective on healthcare systems. The hospital also runs a year-round version of this program where you work part-time during the school year, attend seminars on public health and leadership, and access tutoring, college counseling, and scholarship opportunities.
12. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Varies by placement, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Have completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry
Project Success at Harvard Medical School is a seven-week paid internship that places you in a Harvard-affiliated lab to conduct biomedical research. You work on projects related to disease, treatments, or public health, while learning techniques such as data collection, analysis, and science communication. In addition to lab research, you attend seminars that cover research ethics, public health, and professional development. The program also includes site visits to biotech companies and hospitals to show how lab research connects with clinical practice and industry. Throughout the program, mentors guide you and provide both scientific training and advice on college and career pathways in medicine and science.
13. Massachusetts General Hospital – Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have U.S. work authorization
In this program, you take part in a six- to eight-week, full-time, paid experience focused on neuroscience. The program begins with a short “bootcamp” to teach lab protocols, workplace expectations, and research basics before the program pairs you with a faculty mentor in a neurology lab. You work on research projects related to brain function or neurological disorders, often alongside another student. Weekly seminars led by neurologists introduce you to topics such as cognitive health and neurological disease, while networking lunches and field trips add professional context. The program continues supporting participants after the summer with advising and connections to future opportunities in medicine and research.
14. LEAH Knox Scholars Program
Location: MIT campus (lab training) and various Boston research labs (internship), MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: First summer: July – August; Second summer: Six-week internship starting in June
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Boston, Cambridge, or Everett public school rising juniors and seniors who are 16 years old by the first day of the program
As a participant in the LEAH Knox Scholars Program, you commit to a two-summer pathway into biomedical research, with additional opportunities during the school year. In the first summer, you complete a five-week, paid laboratory skills course at MIT, where you practice techniques, explore career workshops, and gain confidence in a lab setting. The following summer, you are placed in an external university or industry lab in Boston or Cambridge for a six-week research internship. During the school year, you may take part in paid STEM teaching internships, attend monthly events like lab visits and career panels, and receive one-on-one mentorship from STEM professionals.
15. Boston Children's Hospital – SCOOP (Student Career Opportunity Outreach Program)
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks between July – August
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Boston Children’s Hospital’s SCOOP program is a six-week internship where you spend about 24 hours each week in a pediatric care setting. The program matches you with a mentor in patient services, where you observe and support day-to-day responsibilities in units across the hospital. The program is especially valuable if you are interested in nursing or pediatric health professions, as it provides firsthand experience of how care teams function. Once a week, you meet with other interns in group sessions to share reflections and discuss what you have learned. In addition, you work on a small independent project during the internship, which you present at the program’s conclusion.
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