80 Free Summer Programs for High School Students

Summer programs are a wonderful way to challenge yourself academically, socially, and emotionally while in high school. These programs often provide rigorous academic work along with a student body of highly talented peers. Furthermore, summer programs help students develop their interests, cultivate their passions, and prepare them for the transition to college.

Though there is a perception that these programs are unaffordable to most people, there are in fact dozens of free academic summer programs for high school students. The subjects range from arts to research to humanities. There is a program for every student regardless of race, income, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, or residency. All programs include room, board, and transportation to and from the location unless otherwise specified. Some programs (particularly those in science research) will even give students stipends of more than $4,000 for the summer.

Arts

Arkansas Governor’s School

• The Arkansas Governor’s School is a six-week summer residential program for gifted and talented students who are upcoming high school seniors and residents of the state of Arkansas.
• Students must be current juniors and residents of Arkansas.
• Transportation NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Hendrix College

CUNY College Now

• College Now gives high school students from New York City the opportunity to take college courses at the City University of New York.
• Students must be in 10th or 11th grade and attend a New York City public school.
• Housing NOT included
• 6 weeks
• City University of New York

Delaware Governor’s School of Excellence

• The Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence is a one-week summer residential program that brings together academically and artistically talented Delaware high school students who have completed their sophomore year.
• Students must be sophomores who are residents of Delaware.
• Transportation NOT included
• 1 week
• University of Delaware

Georgia Governor’s Honors Program

• The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week summer residential instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year.
• Students must be sophomores or juniors who are residents of Georgia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Valdosta State University

Governor’s Schools of West Virginia

• The Governor’s Schools of West Virginia are residential summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia.
• Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors who reside in West Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• West Virginia University

Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts

• GSA auditions promising high school sophomores and juniors in nine different arts disciplines: Architecture, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, New Media, Visual Art and Vocal Music.
• Applicants must be sophomores and juniors who are residents of Kentucky.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• Transylvania University

Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation Art Seminar

• The seminar allows each student to gain a stronger foundation of skills and understanding in the visual arts through experiencing college-level drawing and painting classes in a group setting.
• High school juniors
• Transportation NOT included
• 2 weeks
• Colorado College

Summer Arts Institute

• The Summer Arts Institute is a tuition-free, intensive, arts program for New York City public school students entering grades 8-12, held at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School in Astoria, Queens, from July 9 through August 3, 2012. Students can major in dance, theater, instrumental music (band), vocal music, film, photography or visual arts. The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their chosen discipline.
• Students must be in grades 8-12 and attend New York City public schools.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks

Tennessee Governor’s School

• The Governor’s Schools will offer selected gifted and talented high school students intensive learning experiences in the Humanities, Math and Science, Arts, International Studies, Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage, Prospective Teaching, Emerging Technologies, Engineering, Information Technology Leadership, and Agricultural Sciences, Computational Physics and Scientific Models and Data Analysis.
• All applicants must be 10th and 11th graders from Tennessee high schools.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Tennessee

Virginia Governor’s School

• Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; life science and medicine; or through mentorships in marine science or engineering.
• Applicants must be sophomores and juniors who have been identified as academically or artistically gifted and are residents of Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Virginia

College Prep

Collegiate Mentoring Program

• The Mentoring Program matches rising high school seniors with college students from the best colleges and universities from across the country. Mentors guide their mentees through the college process, helping them develop college lists, polish their essays, and secure financial aid. Mentees are admitted to the most competitive colleges like Yale University, Columbia University, Duke University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Chicago.
• Open to all current high school juniors (rising high school seniors)
• April 1st Deadline
• All summer
• Online

Leda Scholars Program

• The Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute held annually at Princeton University is an intensive, seven week program including leadership study, writing instruction, standardized test preparation, and college advising.
• Eligibility criteria
• 7 weeks
• Princeton University

Transylvania University College Preparation Camp

• Transylvania University College Prep Camp helps prepare students for the challenges of college.
• For this camp, high school students from the Appalachia region must have a grade average of at least a B, and be recommended by two individuals – one of them a teacher or counselor who verifies your grades and confirms that you are interested in and could benefit from the camp’s program.
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 days
• Transylvania University

University of Pennsylvania Summer Mentorship Program

• Summer Mentorship Program participants spend four weeks in this non-residential, educating, and insightful experience within the major of their choice. While participating in this program, participants have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their desired fields of interest.
• Students must be in 10th or 11th grades and enrolled in a Philadelphia public or charter school.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• Stipend available
• 4 weeks
• University of Pennsylvania

Humanities

Arkansas Governor’s School

• The Arkansas Governor’s School is a six-week summer residential program for gifted and talented students who are upcoming high school seniors and residents of the state of Arkansas.
• Students must be current juniors and residents of Arkansas.
• Transportation NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Hendrix College

Asian American Journalism Association J Camp

• JCamp is the Asian American Journalists Association‘s national multicultural journalism program for high school students that has been held every summer since 2001.
• Enrolled in high school as freshmen, sophomores, or juniors and must be available to travel to the location of JCamp during the camp week. Students must be at least 16 years of age or older on or before the first day of JCamp. Students of all races are welcome.
• 6 days
• Location varies by year

Carleton Liberal Arts Experience

• The CLAE program introduces the strengths of a liberal arts education through an array of courses in science, art, social sciences, and technology.
• Sophomores of African-American descent or who have an interest in African-American studies
• 1 week
• Carleton College

Commonwealth Honors Academy

• The mission of the Commonwealth Honors Academy is to challenge, educate, enlighten, and nurture the next generation of civic, academic and business leaders of the region.
• All students applying for the Commonwealth Honors Academy should have a 3.5 GPA (on a 4-point scale) and 25 Composite ACT (or the equivalent PSAT, SAT or PLAN score). High school juniors throughout Kentucky as well as the Murray State University out-of-state service region are invited to apply.
• 3 weeks
• Murray State University

CUNY College Now

• College Now gives high school students from New York City the opportunity to take college courses at the City University of New York.
• Students must be in 10th or 11th grade and attend a New York City public school.
• Housing NOT included
• 6 weeks
• City University of New York

Delaware Governor’s School of Excellence

• The Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence is a one-week summer residential program that brings together academically and artistically talented Delaware high school students who have completed their sophomore year.
• Students must be sophomores who are residents of Delaware.
• Transportation NOT included
• 1 week
• University of Delaware

Georgia Governor’s Honors Program

• The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week summer residential instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year.
• Students must be sophomores or juniors who are residents of Georgia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Valdosta State University

Governor’s Schools of West Virginia

• The Governor’s Schools of West Virginia are residential summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia.
• Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors who reside in West Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• West Virginia University

Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program

• The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors.
• Applicants must be current juniors who reside in Kentucky.
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 weeks
• Bellarmine University, Centre College, and Murray State University.

Mississippi Governor’s School

• MGS is designed to provide academic, creative and leadership experiences for a select number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in their studies and who show high intellectual, creative, and leadership potential.
• Students must be 10th or 11th grade students at an accredited school and be Mississippi residents.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• Mississippi Women’s University

Pepperdine University Youth Citizenship Seminar

• The Southern California Youth Citizenship Seminar at Pepperdine University is designed to provide a creative opportunity for outstanding high school juniors such as you to interact with today’s leaders, explore current national and world topics, discuss constructive solutions to critical issues, and share memorable interaction with your peers.
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 days
• Pepperdine University

Princeton Summer Journalism Program

• SJP welcomes about 20 high school students from low-income backgrounds every summer to Princeton’s campus for an intensive, 10-day seminar on journalism.
• Low-income high school juniors living in the continental US with at least a 3.5 GPA and an interest in journalism.
• 10 days
• Princeton University

Startalk Academies

TASP

• A Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP) is a six-week humanities and social sciences educational experience for high school juniors that offers challenges and rewards rarely encountered in secondary school or even college.
• High school juniors from around the world
• Six weeks
• $500 stipend available
• Cornell University and University of Michigan

TASS

• A Telluride Association Sophomore Seminar (TASS) is a six-week educational experience for high school sophomore that focuses African-American studies and related fields.
• High school sophomores from around the world
• Six weeks
• $500 stipend available
• Indiana University and University of Michigan

Tennessee Governor’s School

• The Governor’s Schools will offer selected gifted and talented high school students intensive learning experiences in the Humanities, Math and Science, Arts, International Studies, Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage, Prospective Teaching, Emerging Technologies, Engineering, Information Technology Leadership, and Agricultural Sciences, Computational Physics and Scientific Models and Data Analysis.
• All applicants must be 10th and 11th graders from Tennessee high schools.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Tennessee

Virginia Governor’s School

• Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; life science and medicine; or through mentorships in marine science or engineering.
• Applicants must be sophomores and juniors who have been identified as academically or artistically gifted and are residents of Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Virginia

Leadership

Bezos Aspen Scholars Program

• This leadership development program offers pathways for students and educators to put their education into action.
• Must attend an eligible school and be a high school juniors who is a US citizen or permanent resident
• 1 week
• Aspen, Colorado

Mississippi Governor’s School

• MGS is designed to provide academic, creative and leadership experiences for a select number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in their studies and who show high intellectual, creative, and leadership potential.
• Students must be 10th or 11th grade students at an accredited school and be Mississippi residents.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• Mississippi Women’s University

Mathematics & Sciences

Academically Interested Minds

• The AIM program gives multicultural students a real college life experience by preparing them to make a successful transition from high school to college.
• African American, Hispanic and Native American students presently in the 11th grade with a minimum 3.0 GPA in English, math and chemistry courses (two years of high school English; two years of high school algebra or the equivalent preparation; one year of geometry; and one year of high school chemistry with lab).
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 weeks
• Kettering University

Accounting Career Awareness Program

• The program introduces the qualified participants to the accounting, business, economics and finance professions through an educational and interactive curriculum involving accounting, business, economics and finance professionals, University of Washington faculty, business, government & community mentors and ACAP alumni.
• ACAP is open to Western Washington minority high school students that will be juniors or seniors by Fall 2012, or freshman in college fall of 2012.
• Transportation NOT included
• 1 week
• University of Washington

Arkansas Governor’s School

• The Arkansas Governor’s School is a six-week summer residential program for gifted and talented students who are upcoming high school seniors and residents of the state of Arkansas.
• Students must be current juniors and residents of Arkansas.
• Transportation NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Hendrix College

BioQuest Academy

• By enrolling into the BioQuest Academy, you will become part of the BioQuest global health community not only for the two weeks (60 hours) that you are physically at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, but throughout your senior year of high school and beyond! You will advance your understanding of infectious diseases and global health, and become part of the community who cares and works towards finding solutions to these problems.
• The BioQuest Academy has been designed to serve the educational and youth development needs of high school juniors, the vibrancy of the biomedical research sector and the innovation of our nation.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 2 weeks
• Seattle, Washington

Chapman University Economic Summer Institute for High School Students

• The objective of these workshops is to expose students to and get them interested in the foundations of economic analysis using experimental economics.
• Students must be high school juniors and seniors.
• 1 week
• Chapman University

CDC Disease Detectives

• CDC campers will take on the role of disease detectives and learn first–hand how the CDC safeguards the nation′s health.
• The CDC Disease Detective Camp is open to motivated students who will be high- school juniors or seniors during the 2012-2013 school year. Applicants must be 16 years old by the first day of the camp in order to comply with CDC’s laboratory safety requirements.
• Housing, transportation, and meals are NOT included
• 5 days
• CDC Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia

CUNY College Now

• College Now gives high school students from New York City the opportunity to take college courses at the City University of New York.
• Students must be in 10th or 11th grade and attend a New York City public school.
• Housing NOT included
• 6 weeks
• City University of New York

Delaware Governor’s School of Excellence

• The Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence is a one-week summer residential program that brings together academically and artistically talented Delaware high school students who have completed their sophomore year.
• Students must be sophomores who are residents of Delaware.
• Transportation NOT included
• 1 week
• University of Delaware

Della Keats Health Sciences Summer Program

• The goal of the Della Keats Program is to foster, affirm, and encourage high school students’ interest in the medical professions by allowing them to explore health-care careers and to obtain a valuable introduction to college life.
• Juniors and seniors who meet at least one of the following criteria:  Be an ethnic minority; live in rural Alaska (off the road system); be a first-generation American; be the first in his/her family to go to college; speak English as a second language; and/or be economically disadvantaged.
• Small stipend provided
• Travel NOT included
• 6 weeks
• University of Alaska at Anchorage

FBI Future Agents in Training

• This program works to educate and inform students about the mission of the FBI’s divisions: Criminal, Counterterrorism, Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Administrative. Students learn from Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, Language Specialists and professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, capturing criminals, and solving cases.
• Students must be at least 16 years old and be US citizens attending an accredited high school in Northern Virginia or Washington, DC.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 5 days
• FBI Washington Field Office

Georgia Governor’s Honors Program

• The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week summer residential instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year.
• Students must be sophomores or juniors who are residents of Georgia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Valdosta State University

Governor’s School for Space Science and Technology

• Florida Institute of Technology and NASA are partnering to offer the 2013 Governor’s School for Space Science and Technology for gifted Florida high school seniors.
• Applicants must be current juniors who are residents of Florida, have been identified as academically gifted, and are US citizens.
• 2 weeks
• Kennedy Space Center

Governor’s Schools of West Virginia

• The Governor’s Schools of West Virginia are residential summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia.
• Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors who reside in West Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• West Virginia University

International Summer School for Young Physicists

• The ISSYP is an exciting and challenging two-week program for Canadian and international high school students with a keen interest in theoretical physics and who intend to pursue physics studies at the university level.
• High school juniors and seniors
• Transportation NOT included for international students only
• The Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario

Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program

• The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors.
• Applicants must be current juniors who reside in Kentucky.
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 weeks
• Bellarmine University, Centre College, and Murray State University.

Mathematics & Science for Minority Students

• The (MS)² program, founded in 1977, offers 110 African American, Latino, and Native American public school students from targeted cities across the United States the opportunity to immerse themselves in the study of mathematics, science, and English for three consecutive summers at Phillips Academy.
• To be eligible for admission, a candidate must currently be in the 9th grade in a public school, must have completed one full year of algebra by June 2012, and must be a US citizen or legal resident.The program accepts applications from African-American and Latino/a students from public schools in Atlanta, GA.; Baltimore, MD.; Boston, MA.; Chicago, lL.; Cleveland, OH; Fort Worth, TX; Lawrence, MA.; Louisville, KY.; Memphis, TN.; New York, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C. Native-American students may apply from any geographic area of the United States and must meet all other program criteria.
• 5 weeks/summer for 3 summers
• Phillips Academy Andover

Mississippi Governor’s School

• MGS is designed to provide academic, creative and leadership experiences for a select number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in their studies and who show high intellectual, creative, and leadership potential.
• Students must be 10th or 11th grade students at an accredited school and be Mississippi residents.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• Mississippi Women’s University

New Jersey Governor’s School

• The New Jersey Governor’s School is a summer residential program for students who completed their junior year in high school. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, leadership training, and team interaction.
• All applicants must be in their junior year of high school and a resident of New Jersey.
• Transportation NOT included
• 3 weeks
• Drew University and Rutgers University

Pre-Engineering Robotics and Java Programming Summer Program

• Pre-Engineering Robotics and Java Programming Summer Program is a special 6-day summer program designed to give high school students with an interest in science and engineering an opportunity to explore engineering as a career.
• 10th and 11th grade students
• Transportation NOT included
• 6 days
• St. Mary’s University

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

• The SMYSP Summer Residential Program (SRP) is an annual five-week science- and medicine-based enrichment program that takes place from mid-June to late July, and is held on the campus of Stanford University
• Students must be sophomores or juniors from northern or central California and be low-income or a first-generation college student.
• Transportation NOT included
• 5 weeks
• Stanford University

Summer Math and Science Honors Academy

• SMASH scholars spend five weeks each summer at a SMASH site on a college campus (currently at UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA and USC) immersed in rigorous STEM classes.  SMASH Scholars live on campus for five weeks each of three summers (after their 9th, 10th and 11th grade years) with other high potential Black, Latino/a, Native American, Southeast Asian or Pacific Islander high school students.
• Students must be in 9th grade, be African American, Chicano/Latino/a, Native American, Filipino, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian (i.e. Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese) or mixed race/multiracial with at least one parent from the above ethnicities; and eside in San Francisco, Marin, Solano, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Alameda, Napa, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, or San Mateo County to apply to Stanford or UC Berkeley sites, and in Los Angeles County to apply to the UCLA or USC sites.
• 5 weeks/summer for 3 summers
• Transportation NOT included
• Various sites

Summer Program for Mathematics and Science

• The Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science is a rigorous residential summer experience for good students who have a strong interest in math and science and want to become excellent students.
• SAMS applicants must be at least 15 years old and have completed their sophomore year of high school to participate in this program.
• Transportation and books NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Carnegie Mellon University

Tennessee Governor’s School

• The Governor’s Schools will offer selected gifted and talented high school students intensive learning experiences in the Humanities, Math and Science, Arts, International Studies, Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage, Prospective Teaching, Emerging Technologies, Engineering, Information Technology Leadership, and Agricultural Sciences, Computational Physics and Scientific Models and Data Analysis.
• All applicants must be 10th and 11th graders from Tennessee high schools.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Tennessee

TOPS Physics Workshop at MIT

• The TOPS Physics Workshop is a two-week program for high school students interested in science who are currently freshmen and sophomores.
• Rising High School Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in science. Students should have taken a high school course in physical science, physics, or chemistry.  This program is not appropriate for students who have already taken AP Physics.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 2 weeks
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

U-DOC

• U-DOC is a high school summer enrichment program that seeks to foster, affirm and encourage students interest in the healthcare professions.
• Sophomores and juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents, residents of Washington state, and come from disadvantaged (economically, geographically, educationally) backgrounds or are underrepresented in medicine.
• 3 weeks
• University of Washington

University of Chicago Young Scholars Program

• The Young Scholars Program offers mathematically talented seventh through twelfth graders an opportunity to explore mathematics that are not generally taught in schools. Students are encouraged to engage in active problem solving and are challenged to broaden their understanding of mathematics.
• Students must be in high school and have scored well on the math portion of the SAT, PSAT, ACT, or any other standardized test.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• University of Chicago

University of Delaware FAME

• FAME works to educate minority high school students in the fields of math and engineering.
• Students must be 10th and 11th grade students enrolled in a college preparatory curriculum receiving grades of “B” or better especially in mathematics, science and English courses.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• University of Delaware

Virginia Governor’s School

• Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; life science and medicine; or through mentorships in marine science or engineering.
• Applicants must be sophomores and juniors who have been identified as academically or artistically gifted and are residents of Virginia.
• Transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Various universities in Virginia

Young Scholars Program

• The Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a residential science and mathematics program for Florida high-school students with significant potential for careers in the sciences, engineering, and health professions.
• YSP is designed for students who have completed the eleventh grade in a Florida public or private high school. A few exceptionally qualified and mature tenth graders have been selected in past years. All applicants must have completed Algebra II, and have earned at least a “B” average (unweighted) in academic courses. A score at the 90th percentile or better in science or mathematics on a nationally standardized exam, such as the SAT or PSAT, is also required. Computer experience is expected.
• Transportation and textbooks NOT included
• 5 weeks
• Florida State University

Scholarships

Joyce Ivy Foundation

• The Joyce Ivy Foundation assists qualified students to attend pre-college programs. The Foundation awards full, partial, and merit scholarships to cover program tuition, room and board, and may optionally approve additional grant money to cover the cost of travel to and from campus, course materials, and incidental living expenses while on campus.
• Students must be a female of exceptional potential, a U.S. citizen or have Permanent Resident status, a resident of and attend high school full time in Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, or Ohio, be classified as a sophomore, junior, or senior as of September 2012, and have aspirations to matriculate at an academically rigorous and highly selective college or university
• Duration varies
• Scholarship applies to any summer program

Questbridge Summer Scholars

• QuestBridge has partnered with Brandeis, Emory, Harvard, Notre Dame, Penn, Stanford, and Yale to offer students a unique opportunity to take college-level courses at a top-tier university while residing in a dormitory with peers from across the country.
• High school juniors who are US citizens, permanent residents, or who attend high school in the US and also face economic challenges.
• 4-6 weeks depending on the program
• Brandeis University, Emory University, Harvard University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Yale University

Science Research Commuter

Berkeley Lab Internships for Pre-Collegiate Scholars

• BLIPS is an eight-week internship which provides high school juniors with the opportunity to work with world class scientists or engineers on projects related to the Laboratory’s research programs. Assignments cover a wide range of laboratory tasks and assistance in basic research.
• Students must be high school juniors from Alameda or Contra Costa County who are 16 years old and US citizens or permanent residents.
• $2,000 stipend provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Berkeley, California

Bioscience Summer Research Program for High School Students

• The Bioscience Program at the University of Utah seeks to increase the participation of students in biological research and to encourage them to prepare for careers in research, medicine, and education. To this end the Program sponsors an eight-week Bioscience High School Summer Research Program through which students receive training and research experience in a university setting.
• Students must be in 11th grade and have completed 3 years of science and math.
• Transportation and housing NOT included
• $500 stipend
• 8 weeks
• University of Utah

City of Hope Summer Program

• City of Hope’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy gives curious and hardworking students the opportunity to learn about science by actually doing it.
• Applicants must be at least 16 years-old before their internship begins, applicants must be high school or undergraduate students, and applicants must be US citizens, or permanent residents.
• $4,000 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 10 weeks
• Duarte, California

Cooper Union Summer Research Internship Program

• The School of Engineering’s Research Internship Program provides a great opportunity for high school students to tackle research problems in a college setting.
• High school sophomores and juniors who currently attend schools in the (5 boroughs) New York City area (public or private) may apply to the program.
• Housing NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Cooper Union

Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center CURE Program

• The CURE program is designed to introduce students to the exciting world of cancer research. Students will be placed with a mentor who conducts cancer-related research at one of our seven partner institutions.
• Students must be at least 16 years of age and residents of Massachusetts. In addition, they must be socioeconomically disadvantage, an underrepresented racial minority, or a first-generation college student.
• $10/hr salary
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Boston, Massachusetts

Department of Pediatrics Summer Student Internship Program

• The Dept. of Pediatrics Summer Student Internship Program is an intensive 10-week program designed for students to gain valuable experience in the field of pediatric research. These internships are laboratory research-based positions.
• All high school students are eligible to apply.
• Minimum wage salary available
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 10 weeks
• Oregon Health and Science University

Discover Genomics Science Education Program

• The Internship Program provides opportunities to inspire young scientists and other science professionals to work in all areas of the Institute. Interns are assigned to a mentor who is a member of the Institute’s faculty or senior staff.
• High school students must be at least 16 years old by one month prior to the start of their internship and have preferably completed their junior year.
• $9.90/hr salary
• 8 weeks
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• Rockville, Maryland and San Diego, California

Drexel University High School Summer Research Internship Program

• Drexel University College of Medicine provides paid Summer Research Internships (HSSRI) to students from area high schools with an interest in biomedical research.
• Drexel Medicine is seeking highly motivated current high school juniors who are at least 16 years of age, enrolled in an academic curriculum, and demonstrate interest in science-related fields of study.
• $1,500 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Drexel University

Forsyth Scientific Scholars Program

• The Scientific Scholars Program includes an eight-week paid internship for Boston Public High School Students. The program  pairs students with Forsyth researchers as mentors. Over the summer, the interns learn basic laboratory techniques and participate in ongoing research projects.
• Candidates must be high school students in Boston public schools.
• Stipend provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Boston, Massachusetts

Helios Scholars Program at TGen

• The Helios Scholars Program at TGen is a paid, eight-week summer internship in biomedical research open to Arizona high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students.
• Students must be at least 16 years of age and be eligible to work in the US.
• $10/hr salary provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Phoenix, Arizona

High School Summer Internship Program in Research

• The High School Summer Internship Program provides current high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to participate in basic or clinical research projects with the goal of promoting interest in biomedical research as a potential career.
• Students must be high school juniors or seniors.
• Minimum wage salary provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 4 weeks
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Indiana University Summer Research Program

• The IU Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program (SRP) aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful firsthand exposure to these fields.
• SRP participants are full-time high school or undergraduate students from populations underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral sciences. All students from metropolitan Indianapolis, surrounding county high schools, or from colleges and universities who will meet the following criteria by program start date are encouraged to apply.
• Stipend provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 10 weeks
• Indiana University Simon Cancer Center

Monnell Center Science Apprentice Program

• SAP is an intensive paid internship that offers high school and undergraduate students an extraordinary opportunity to learn about science and directly participate in basic research.
• Students must be enrolled in high school and be eligible to work in the United States.
• Stipend provided
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 7 weeks
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

• Summer programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research.
• US citizens and permanent residents who are at least 16 years of age
• 8 weeks
• $1,300/mo stipend
• Housing and travel NOT included
• Bethesda, Maryland; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Phoenix Arizona; Hamilton, Montana; Framingham, Massachusetts; and Detroit, Michigan

National Space Club Scholars Program

• The purpose of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to experience how research and development organizations operate on a day-to-day basis in direct support of NASA’s mission to inspire the next generation of explorers.
• Students must be at least 16 years of age, must be US citizens, and must live community distance from a NASA location.
• $1,800 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Greenbelt, Maryland and Wallops Island, Washington

NIH Step Up

• The High School STEP-UP provides hands-on summer research experience for high school students interested in exploring research careers in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences. The program provides exposure to the core NIDDK mission areas of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.
• Applicants must be US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or legal permanent residents who are in at least their junior or senior year of high school and at least 16 years of age. They must have medical coverage and have at least a 3.0 GPA. In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: come from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in biomedical sciences on a national basis; come from a disadvantaged background as defined by annual family income and/or be the first generation in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university; or be diagnosed with a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
• $2,500 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8-12 weeks
• University of Hawaii at Manoa, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, University of California San Francisco, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Research Experience for High School Students

• The Research Experience for High School Students (formerly Research Internship Program) is an intense 6-week scientific research internship at Vanderbilt University, centering on full immersion in a Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center research lab. Students engage in an independent research project under the mentorship of a research faculty member at Vanderbilt.
• Students must be at least 16 years of age.
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 6 weeks
• Vanderbilt University

Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program

• The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer.
• Students must have completed at least grade 9, be US citizens, and be at least 16 years of age.
• $3,500 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• See participating labs

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

• The program is an eight-week program in which US high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project.
• The program is for high school students who are juniors and seniors in the school year prior to the summer of the program.
• Minimum $500 stipend, more based on need
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Stanford University

Summer Program in Biomedical Research for High School Students

• Wistar’s Summer Fellowship Program gives students the opportunity to become directly involved in experimental biological research projects at the bench level. During the course of the summer, students work on active research projects in areas such as cancer genetics, control of tumor progression, or vaccine development.
• Students must be at least sixteen years of age and enrolled in a science course. The program is limited to students within the Philadelphia School District.
• $2,050 stipend
• Housing and transportation NOT included
• 8 weeks
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Teen Explainer Program at New York Botanical Garden

• Explainers facilitate experiences with nature and plant science for children and families. Using seasonal lessons and explorations of the garden, Explainers prepare children to use their senses as tools for exploring the garden.
• Applicants must be high school students ages 14-17.
• Housing NOT included
• 10 weeks
• New York Botanical Garden

Young Scientists Training Program

• The Young Scientists Training Program (YSTP) is a nine-week summer program for up to 10 outstanding minority high school students to gain experience in research, medicine, and the biological sciences.
• Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status. The program seeks high achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds, African American/Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in the health related sciences and medicine.
• $1,500 stipend
• Housing NOT included
• 9 weeks
• University of Chicago

Science Research Residential

Clark Scholars Program

• The Program at Texas Tech University helps the Scholars to have a hands-on practical research experience with outstanding and experienced faculty.
• High school juniors and seniors
• $750 stipend
• Transportation NOT included
• 7 weeks
• Texas Tech University

George Washington Carver Internship Program

• The George Washington Carver (GWC) Internship Program is conducted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and consists of programs funded through different sources and tied to several colleges at Iowa State University (ISU).
• Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have 3.0 or above student at school, and must be 16 years or older
• Travel NOT included
• $1,500 stipend
• 6 weeks
• Iowa State University

Jackson Lab Summer Student Program

• The Summer Student Program is designed to help students understand the nature of research science. The emphasis of this program is on methods of discovery and communication of knowledge, not the mastery of established facts.
• Students must have completed Grade 11 or Grade 12, be at least 16 years old, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• $3,600-$4,400 stipend
• Transportation NOT included
• 9 weeks
• Bar Harbor, Maine

MITES

• MITES is a six-week residential summer program during which students have the opportunity to experience a demanding academic atmosphere and to begin building the self-confidence necessary for success at America’s top universities. This program also stresses the value and reward of pursuing advanced technical degrees and careers while developing the skills necessary to achieve success in science and engineering.
• High school juniors who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States
• Six weeks
• Travel NOT included
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Research Science Institute

• The RSI academic program is an intensive, six-week introduction to scientific research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• High school juniors from around the world
• Six weeks
• Travel NOT included
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Summer Research Fellowships

• The High School Research Fellowship program is a hands-on, mentored laboratory experience for Maine high school students interested in biology, medicine, or research.
• Students must be residents of Maine and at least 16 years of age. Students must have taken at least one semester of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition, students must be US citizens or permanent residents.
• 8 weeks
• Salisbury Cove, Maine

Travel Abroad

American Youth Leadership Program with Cambodia

• The American Youth Leadership Program (AYLP) with Cambodia is a cross-cultural exchange program that is open to American high school students and teachers (who will serve as program leaders and chaperones).
• Must be between 15 and 17, have at least one semester of high school remaining, and be US citizens.
• 4 weeks
• Cambodia

Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel

• The Bronfman Youth Fellowship offers a 5-week summer program in Israel that educates and inspires exceptional young Jews from diverse backgrounds to become active participants in Jewish culture throughout their lives, and to contribute their talents and vision to the Jewish community and to the world at large.
• High School Juniors from the United States and Canada who will be at least sixteen by July of 2012 are eligible for the Fellowship.
• 5 weeks
• Israel

CIEE South Korea

• Inside the classroom, CIEE will expose you to Korean culture and language, Korean history, as well as its place on the international stage. Outside of the classroom, the program offers you scheduled excursions, including a day visit to the Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea, visits to ancient palaces, a home visit with a Korean family, a trip to the National Museum of Korea, and more!
• Students must not have visited South Korea in recent years or had much exposure to Korean culture, customs, and/or daily life; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (U.S. permanent residents must arrange for a visa, if necessary on their own at least 2 months before departure); currently be enrolled as a high school student in the U.S.; be entering 10th, 11th, 12th grade or have just graduated from high school; have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale displayed on an official school record, report card, or transcript.
• 2 weeks
• South Korea

National Security Language Initiative for Youth

• The State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) provides merit-based scholarships to US high school students and recent graduates interested in learning less-commonly studied foreign languages overseas.
• US citizens enrolled in or just graduated from high school who are 15-18 years old and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
• 6-8 weeks
• Around the world

Wilderness

National Conservation Crews

• National Conservation Crews help protect America’s national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges.
• Students must be 15-19 years old
• Transportation NOT included
• 15-35 days
• Various locations across the US and Canada

North Cascades Wild

• North Cascades Wild features 8- and 12-day summer wilderness expeditions in North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in northwestern Washington State. High school students canoe camp, backpack and complete conservation service projects while developing leadership skills and learning about the local natural and cultural history of the North Cascades region.
• Applicants must be in high school and reside in Oregon or Washington.
• 8-12 days
• North Cascades National Park

Know of any other free summer programs? Email Hope at hbrinn@thecollegiateblog.com or use the comment box below.

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