14 Summer Research Programs for International High School Students
Dreaming of doing real research before college. Summer research programs let you turn that dream into reality. These programs, run by leading universities and research institutions, allow high school students to work on real projects, step into cutting-edge labs, and learn directly from scientists and engineers. The best part? Many of these programs are free or offer scholarships that cover most or all of the costs, so you can gain world-class experience without the burden of hefty tuition fees.
If you want to check out other summer programs, here’s a list of free leadership programs & here’s a list of some STEM-specific internships!
Why should you do a research program in the summer?
Whether you’re passionate about lab science, curious about engineering, or excited by the latest tech, these summer research programs for international high school students introduce you to the world of STEM and beyond. To help you get started, we’ve narrowed the choices to 15 standout U.S. based programs that welcome applicants from across the world.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge MA
Cost & Stipend: Free (fully funded)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective – 80 out of 3000, of which 1/3rd are international+ students; ~2.6% admission rate
Program Dates: June 22 - August 2
Deadlines: December 11
Eligibility: Graduating high school juniors, with outstanding academics and a demonstrated interest in STEM
RSI is a cost-free, highly selective six-week program at MIT, combining advanced lectures and real-world research in science and engineering. Each student teams up with other students on original projects, under the guidance of experienced mentors, giving you the chance to dive deep into cutting-edge topics.
The schedule includes advanced classes, lab work, and group projects, all leading up to a final research report and presentation. As part of this summer research program for international high school students, you’ll connect with MIT faculty and build lasting friendships with fellow students. About one-third of RSI participants are from outside the U.S., making it a truly international experience.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts: Spring, Summer, Fall (starts September 15), and Winter
Deadlines: Vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (August 24), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to work 10-20 hours/week for 8-15 weeks
Ladder Internships is a startup-focused program that matches you with a tech company or research startup team. Over 8 weeks, you’ll work remotely on real projects in areas such as software, robotics, biotech and data science, while being guided by experienced mentors.
The program is highly selective, with only a few dozen students being placed in each cohort. Depending on your placement, you might work on coding projects, data analysis or business strategy, all while gaining hands-on experience and receiving guidance from industry professionals.
3. Lumiere Research Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: $2,990 onwards; financial aid is available for eligible students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Summer (June to August); Fall; Winter; Spring cohorts
Deadlines: Summer I - May 11; Summer II - June 23; Fall -August 24; Winter - November 16 / December 28
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA >3.3/4.0
Lumiere’s program connects high school students with a PhD mentor to design and complete an independent research project in fields such as computer science, biology,physics and more. Over 3 months, you’ll build skills in literature review, data analysis, and technical writing, all leading to a publishable-quality paper on your project.
The program is built around 1-on-1 mentorship and professional development, giving you personalized guidance at every stage. As Lumiere is an online research academy, you’ll submit project proposals, attend seminars, and meet regularly with your mentor. Many students use Lumiere to get advanced research experience before college, making it one of the most accessible options available for high school students.
4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost & Stipend: $3,080; $100 materials cost; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Program Dates: June 16 - 27
Deadlines: March 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer two-week online courses in advanced subjects across disciplines – think artificial intelligence, neuroscience, business, humanities, and the arts. With class sizes of around 16 students and participants drawn from over 50 countries, you’ll join a global learning community. You will take part in live Zoom classes each weekday, working on problem sets and projects that go beyond the usual high school curriculum.
As part of this summer research program for international high school students, you’ll collaborate with other students on assignments, interact with instructors, and get a feel of what college courses are like. The program’s focus is on learning in a Stanford-style learning environment; so the program is graded, but does not award credit.
5. TechGirls
Location: Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Cost & Stipend: Free; Paid ($16.50+ per hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (124 students: 111 international girls + 13 U.S. peers)
Program Dates: July 12 - August 3
Deadlines: December 6
Eligibility: High school students from 37 select countries, aged 15-17, with a demonstrated interest in STEM
TechGirls is a state-sponsored exchange program that brings female high school students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to the U.S. for a 3-week experience. Hosted by Virginia Tech, the program focuses on computer science and engineering through hands-on engineering workshops, group tech projects and even field trips to places such as major tech companies. A unique feature of TechGirls is its global community – students come from 37 countries, work together, build friendships and continue with a 7-month mentorship program on returning home.
Best of all, TechGirls is totally free – travel and living costs are covered by the sponsors. As many countries send their top students, admission to the program is highly competitive. This is one of the rare U.S. programs that explicitly welcomes international participants, creating a truly international cohort experience.
6. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple sites (e.g. New Mexico, Colorado)
Cost & Stipend: up to $9,800; free if family income ≤$75k (+ limited amount of $3,000 “lost wages” stipends available for students who typically need to work during the summer); discount if family income ≤$140k; travel aid (airfare) provided to international students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective (36 participants per campus)
Program Dates: June–August (varies by campus)
Deadlines: January 24 (international); February 21 (domestic)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (who have completed or are in the process of completing relevant coursework by June for credit and a grade), aged 15-18; international students must demonstrate English proficiency with test scores
Summer Science Program (SSP) is a state-sponsored residential research program in the U.S. that brings female high school students from 37 countries for a STEM experience. Hosted by Virginia University, the program focuses on five main tracks: Synthetic Chemistry, Astrophysics, Cell Biology, Bacterial Genomics, and Biochemistry. Over 5 weeks, you will live on campus,attend daily lectures, work in labs and even go on field trips with other students. For example, the astrophysics track has teams solving real astronomical problems with data, while the biochemistry track works on lab projects. Along the way, you’ll explore various educational and career paths in STEM. After returning home, you’ll continue with a seven-month mentorship project, applying what you’ve learned in your own community.
7. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
Location: Yale University
Cost & Stipend: $7,000 (need-based aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 1,800 students from 150+ countries and all 50 U.S. states
Program Dates: June 21 - July 3 (Session I); July 5 - 17 (Session II), July 19 - 31 (Session III)
Deadlines: Applications open end of September
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (or international equivalent), aged 16-18
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a two-week on-campus program at Yale University that brings together high school students from over 150 countries. It offers three academic tracks – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Political Science, and Sustainability Studies. You’ll attend lectures and seminars taught by Yale faculty and work on small-group projects. For example, in a science track you might tackle a research question or engineering challenge.
In small groups, you’ll collaborate on projects such as tackling a research question and debating global issues. Each day combines academics, hands-on teamwork and cultural exchanges with students that have come from around the world. You’ll leave with exposure to advanced subjects, a taste of campus life at Yale and connections with students worldwide .
8. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Free (sponsored by industry leaders)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: July 7— 18 (Round 1); July 28—August 8 (Round 2); two-week sessions during the summer (or a flexible 6-week self-paced option)
Deadlines: February 7
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students
The Girls Who Code (GWC) Summer Immersion Program is a free virtual program that is focused on computer science and coding. Over two weeks, you’ll join live classes taught by GWC instructors on topics such as web development or game design, while working on a team capstone project. GWC explicitly accepts applicants from all countries.
Along the way, you’ll build not only technical skills, but also confidence, teamwork experience and a foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Upon completion of the program, you’ll leave with a certificate, real project work to showcase and mentorship connections, all at no cost.
9. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: West Virginia
Cost & Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (100 (2 per U.S. state plus select international delegates))
Program Dates: July 10 - August 2
Deadlines: March 7
Eligibility: Recent high school graduates and rising seniors nominated by each state + delegates from partner countries, aged 16-18, with demonstrated academic superiority in STEAM fields, and demonstrated proficiency in English
NYSCamp is a fully funded summer program that blends outdoor expeditions with advanced STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). You’ll attend lectures by Nobel laureates and researchers, and work on individual or team science projects. The program is by nomination: each U.S. state selects two participants, and a select group of international delegates join through partnerships – making it a diverse and global experience.
There are no tuition or living costs as the program is funded by the U.S. State Department and West Virginia sponsors. NYSCamp focuses on leadership, collaboration and exploration in science, making it a wholesome experience.
10. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks; the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Deadlines: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The Summer II cohort application deadline is June 22
Eligibility: High school students with GPA >3.67/4.0, typically 10th/11th graders
Horizon is a trimester-long program that gives high school students an opportunity to dive into research across an area of subjects ranging from data science and machine learning, to political theory and humanities. You select a track aligned with your interests and collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD mentor during the trimester-long program. By the end of the program, you will complete a research paper and receive detailed, individualized feedback. In many cases, the paper may be submitted to well-known journals for publications. You will also earn a recommendation letter to support future college and scholarship applications.
11. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Cost & Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend; full or partial needs-based travel scholarship available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (~15-20 participants)
Program Dates: June 1–July 12
Deadlines: January 15
Eligibility: High school students, aged 15+, with demonstrated academic proficiency in math and science, and who have demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in STEM
Aspirnaut is a paid residential program for high school students interested in the world of biomedical research. Hosted by Vanderbilt’s Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the program places a small group of students in active lab teams, studying topics such as genetics and disease models. Over six weeks, you’ll work full-time in a lab alongside university students and postdocs, conducting your own mini-research projects. Along the way, you’ll attend seminars by faculty and gain experience of being a part of a research team. This program stands out by giving high school students a true feel of a lab-based research internship at a major research university.
12. Harvard Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard University
Cost & Stipend: $5,800 + $75 application fee; limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 20–July 2 (Session I); July 5–17 (Session II); July 20–31 (Session III) Deadlines: January 7 (Early application and priority financial aid); February 11 (Regular application and financial aid); April 1 (Late application)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, aged 16-18
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week residential experience for students interested in humanities, science, or math. You’ll live on campus, take intensive seminars in subjects such as astrophysics, biomedical engineering, and cognitive neuroscience, and work on final group projects. You’ll attend classes during the day and workshops in the afternoon. The main takeaway of the program is that you work on advanced projects guided by Harvard instructors, giving you a taste of what studying and researching at Harvard is like.
13. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University or Online (synchronous)
Cost & Stipend: $3,580 (online); $8,575 (residential); Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (64 participants online; 40 participants residential)
Program Dates: June 16 - July 4 (Session 1 Online); June 22 - July 18 (Session 1 Residential); July 7 - 25 (Session 2 Online)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from anywhere in the world
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a three-week math research program that takes you far beyond the typical high school curriculum. You’ll dive into advanced topics such as topology, cryptography and other higher-level maths concepts, guided by Stanford faculty. Mornings are filled with lectures or problem-solving sessions, and afternoons are devoted to group research projects, where you’ll work with other students and Stanford faculty. With a small class size of around 16 students, you’ll receive personal mentoring and join a community of math enthusiasts. Open to students worldwide, SUMaC will give you a taste of college or even graduate-level math work.
14. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan
Cost & Stipend: $1,300; $100 application fee; $1,100 residential fee (optional); extra costs for meals + transportation; limited need-based financial aid and one scholarship available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective
Program Dates: June 21 – July 3 (Session 1); July 5 – 17 (Session 2); July 19 – 31 (Session 3)
Deadlines: March 27 (first-come first-serve basis); Rolling admissions until courses are filled
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors worldwide
Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) is a summer program at the University of Michigan that offers courses in math, physics, chemistry, and more, all taught by the university faculty. While much of the program is classroom-based, it does focus on hands-on research projects and lab work. Depending on your interests, you might work on a cutting-edge robotics engineering project or take part in an exciting ecology field study. Students present their projects at the end of each session, showcasing what they have learnt.
MMSS is relatively affordable compared to other pre-college programs, making it a good opportunity to explore advanced science topics and experience life in a university setting.
Image source - Summer Science Program (SSP) logo