14 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in NYC

For high school students interested in science, summer is an ideal time to explore the subject beyond the classroom. Summer science programs for high school students give you the chance to learn practical skills, meet mentors, and see how scientific research happens in labs. 

If you live in or near New York City, you have access to many great summer programs designed for high schoolers. Many of these opportunities are offered by top universities, hospitals, and museums, making them solid additions to your CV. These programs are useful if you’re interested in future careers in biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, and other science subjects, too. By participating, you’ll gain insight into how professionals in these fields operate. 

To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 14 summer science programs for high school students in NYC. Some programs are free or even provide stipends, while others offer financial aid to make them more affordable.

14 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in NYC

1. Columbia Engineering SHAPE

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (commuter); $10,705 (residential); Limited need-based scholarships (up to 100%) available
Dates: July 7 – July 25; July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: November 18 – March 3
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors

At SHAPE, you will take college-level engineering and science courses while completing hands-on projects. You’ll work in Columbia’s labs, learn directly from faculty, and focus on subjects such as robotics, computer science, and electrical engineering. You will also attend workshops on college preparation and STEM careers. By the end of the session, you will present your project to instructors and peers, practicing both technical and communication skills.

2. Ladder Internships

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; need‑based aid available
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High‑school students with good academic standing

With Ladder Internships, you will be matched with a startup in a field of your interest. You will work on real projects alongside a startup manager and receive mentorship from a Ladder Coach. Over the program, you will gain experience working on real-world projects, practice collaboration, and present your work to your team at the end. This program helps you see how science and business intersect in professional settings.

3. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovation in Science & Engineering (ARISE)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 60 students
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are New York City residents 

At ARISE, you will begin with an intensive STEM skills course before joining a faculty research lab for seven weeks. You’ll take part in projects in areas such as robotics, computer science, or bioengineering, depending on your placement. You will also attend career development workshops to build skills in resumes and presentations. By August, you will present your research at a symposium, sharing your work with peers and mentors.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1‑on‑1 with Ph.D. mentors
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts: Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), and Spring (March–June)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record

In this program, you will conduct an independent science research project under the mentorship of a PhD-level scholar. You will learn how to review academic literature, build a research question, and design your own project in a STEM field such as biology, neuroscience, or computer science. Each week, you will meet with your mentor to refine your work. By the end, you will have completed a formal paper that reflects your findings and can even be submitted to academic journals for publication.

5. NYU Tandon School of Engineering — CS4CS (Computer Science for Cyber Security)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~120 students per summer
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students from NYC and Nassau County

In CS4CS, you will spend four weeks learning about cybersecurity and computer science. You’ll study cryptography, digital forensics, and ethical hacking through lectures and labs. You will also work in teams to solve problems and practice presenting your results. By the end of the program, you will showcase your new skills in a final presentation to your peers and instructors.

6. Rockefeller University — Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (16+)

In SSRP, you will join a Rockefeller lab as a full-time research assistant for the summer. You’ll start with orientation and safety training, then spend six weeks working with graduate students and postdocs on ongoing projects. You may study topics in molecular biology, genetics, or neuroscience, depending on your placement. Each week, you will attend seminars and workshops that expose you to research careers. At the end, you will present your work at a poster session.

7. Columbia University Zuckerman Institute — BRAINYAC

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Fall via partner program (exact dates vary each year)
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th-grade students from NYC partner schools/programs

Through BRAINYAC, you will be paired with a Columbia neuroscience lab for a summer apprenticeship. You will first complete Saturday workshops during the school year to prepare for lab work. In the summer, you’ll work alongside scientists and graduate mentors, learning how to design experiments, collect data, and analyze results. You will present your research at a closing symposium, sharing your findings with the Columbia community.

8. American Museum of Natural History – Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Manhattan, NY; summer institute held at the museum and remote sessions
Stipend: $2,500 stipend
Dates: Year‑long program with summer institute followed by academic‑year research
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders who live and attend school in New York City; completion of algebra and at least one science class is required

At SRMP, you will be matched with a scientist at AMNH to conduct a real research project in fields such as astrophysics, conservation, or genetics. You will begin with a four-week summer institute to learn coding and research skills. Then you’ll continue working on your project throughout the school year. The program concludes with a symposium where you will present your research to museum staff, mentors, and peers.

9. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — Summer Student Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; June – August (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students in NYC

In this program, you can conduct biomedical research under the guidance of Mount Sinai faculty. You’ll be placed in a lab where you will learn techniques such as PCR, tissue culture, and data analysis. Weekly seminars will expose you to different areas of medical research and health careers. At the end of the program, you will present your project at a research symposium, practicing skills in both science and communication.

10. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Summer Student Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors in NYC, GPA 3.5+

In this program, you’ll work alongside researchers studying the biology of cancer. You’ll gain exposure to oncology, molecular biology, and lab techniques used in cancer research. The program also includes weekly lectures on cancer science and treatment. By the end, you’ll present your findings in a poster session to faculty, researchers, and peers, mirroring professional scientific conferences.

11. Queensborough Community College Now STEM Research Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30 students per cohort
Location: Queensborough Community College, Bayside, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two‑semester program with a spring course and a six‑week summer research experience
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall for a spring start
Eligibility: NYC public high school juniors meeting CUNY benchmarks

This program offers exposure to biotechnology, computer science, information security, and other STEM fields. You’ll begin with a college‑credit course that develops skills like designing experiments and analysing scientific literature. After passing the course, you can apply for a six‑week summer research placement under the guidance of faculty. The program targets students from high schools that lack research opportunities, providing you with the chance to gain lab and data analysis experience, regardless of your school’s resources.

12. Cooper Union Summer STEM Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: $2,000 – $3,000 (varies based on chosen course); financial aid available
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders

At Cooper Union’s Summer STEM program, you will choose a track such as biomedical engineering, environmental science, or robotics. You’ll spend several weeks combining lectures with hands-on labs and group projects. Faculty and graduate mentors will guide you as you design solutions to technical and scientific problems. At the end of the program, you will present your work to instructors and peers.

13. City College STEM Research Academy (CUNY)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students in spring; 10 students advance to summer internship
Location: City College of New York, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: $1,575 stipend for summer participants
Dates: Spring: February 11 – May 22; Summer: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th or 11th graders with qualifying Regents exam scores and GPA requirements; students taking more than two AP classes in spring are not prioritized

The City College STEM Research Academy offers a two-phase program designed to introduce students from underrepresented schools to genuine, inquiry-based scientific research. In the spring, participants will complete a 45-hour after-school science course on campus, which can be applied as high school elective credit. Exceptional performance in this course may lead to a five-week summer internship opportunity. During this internship, students will collaborate with a CUNY or CCNY faculty mentor to conduct independent research projects. You’ll learn to formulate research questions, design experiments, search library databases, and read peer‑reviewed literature. 

14. NYU GSTEM (Girls in STEM)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York, NY
Cost: $5,500; optional housing with meals: $3,840; financial aid available for tuition, not housing
Dates: Spring: February 3 – May 5; Summer: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 2
Eligibility: High school juniors

In this program, you will participate in a faculty-led research project in areas like mathematics, computer science, or data science. Over six weeks, you’ll work hands-on in laboratories, develop research skills, and collaborate closely with graduate mentors. The program includes professional development workshops to enhance your presentation and scientific writing abilities. It concludes with a symposium where you will present your research findings.

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