15 Free Summer Science Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in science research, summer programs are one of the most effective ways to explore your interests. Free summer science research programs allow you to work on projects, learn practical skills, and see how science connects to careers in healthcare, technology, engineering, and more. Many of these experiences also introduce you to mentors who can become valuable connections and even write letters of recommendation for your college applications.
These free summer science research programs can give you insight into what it’s like to do scientific work while helping you explore potential academic and career paths. For students interested in fields like biology, medicine, data science, or engineering, research opportunities are a practical way to gain industry exposure early on. To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 of the best free summer science research programs for high school students that combine mentorship and practical experience.
15 Free Summer Science Research Programs for High School Students
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country
Cost/Stipend: Free | $4000-$4500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program
The SEAP program offers an 8-week summer placement in the U.S. Navy research laboratory, where each year around 300 students are annually hosted across more than 38 locations. Depending on where you are assigned, your work might involve supporting computer simulations, testing electronics, examining materials, or contributing to environmental research. Alongside professional scientists and engineers, you’ll develop both technical and professional skills while being mentored throughout your placement. Participants are awarded stipends of $4,000 for first-time interns and $4,500 if they return for a second summer. The free summer science research program for high school students is selective, with applications judged on the basis of academic performance, recommendations, and your interest in STEM.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8-12 weeks, devoting 10-20 hours/week
Ladder Internships gives you an 8-week remote role with a startup or nonprofit, where you work on research and project-based assignments that have a direct impact on the company’s goals. These organizations can be in fields like healthcare, artificial intelligence, media, or consulting, allowing you to explore areas beyond traditional lab science. You’re paired with both a Company Mentor and a Ladder Coach who provide feedback through structured weekly check-ins, encouraging you to solve problems independently. The experience concludes with a final presentation to the organization’s leadership, highlighting your contributions and growth. Some students also choose the Combination Program, which combines leadership development alongside project work.
3. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 16 students per year
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Residents of Massachusetts who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
At UMass Chan Medical School, you can be a part of a 4-week residential program designed for Massachusetts students interested in health sciences and biomedical research. The program combines academic learning in math, science, English, and IT with seminars that address healthcare disparities and public health issues. You will also shadow medical professionals in hospitals and clinics, gaining exposure to real workplace environments. A key element of the program is completing a Health Disparities Research Project, where you investigate challenges faced by specific cultural groups in Massachusetts. Additionally, there are field trips that help you connect with careers in medicine and biotechnology. There are assessments to track your progress throughout the program. By the end of this free summer science research program, you will receive both a stipend and a Certificate of Achievement.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; vary depending on the yearly cohort
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college during the fall, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation provides 1-on-1 research mentorship to high school students from low-income backgrounds. Over the course of about 12 weeks, you will work with a PhD mentor to design, conduct, and write an independent project in a subject area of your choice, ranging from medicine, engineering, to environmental science. The process replicates the way academic researchers operate, with the goal of producing a full-length research paper by the end of the program. Unlike the standard Lumiere Research Scholar Program, this non-profit version offers full financial aid to qualified applicants, eliminating the program fees as a barrier. By completing the program, you will have both a completed research paper and valuable experience in academic writing and project design.
5. NYU Tandon’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2–August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors residing in New York
NYU’s ARISE program gives New York City high school students a 10-week research environment working in a university environment, along with a $1,000 stipend. The first 4 weeks focus on lab safety training, research methods, and workshops in scientific writing and communication. During the final 6 weeks, you will join one of over 80 NYU labs, contributing to projects in fields such as robotics, biomedical engineering, machine learning, or materials science. You will log about 120 hours of lab work under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. Throughout the program, you also receive training in ethics, data analysis, and public speaking. The program concludes with presentations at both a colloquium and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
6. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Typically June – August; varies depending on the location
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old; site-specific requirements may apply
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship allows you to spend your summer conducting full-time, paid research working in the U.S. Army research facilities or at partner university labs. These apprenticeships allow you to work alongside professional scientists and engineers in areas such as biology, cybersecurity, materials science, or engineering. Your day-to-day work might involve conducting experiments, operating specialized equipment, or analyzing data under your mentor’s guidance. In addition to research training, the free summer science research program for high school students provides professional growth through career workshops, webinars, and networking opportunities with STEM experts across the country.
7. Texas Tech University – Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 17 years of age by the start of the program and are graduating this year or the next year
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a 7-week residential summer research opportunity open to only 12 high school juniors and seniors each year. Scholars are paired with faculty mentors to work on independent projects in areas ranging from biology and chemistry to engineering, business, and the humanities. Your responsibilities could include designing experiments, analyzing data, or conducting scholarly research, depending on the area you choose. You will also participate in seminars, field trips, and group discussions that expand your academic perspective beyond your project. Housing and meals are fully covered as part of this program, and participants receive a stipend of $750 after submitting the final written report.
8. Experiences in Research
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; Approx. 10% as the acceptance rate
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 living in Northern California within a radius of 20 miles (preference given to 11th-12th graders); must have a GPA of 3.0+and be 16+; Oakland Unified School District students need the ECCCO common application
At Berkeley Lab, the Experiences in Research program gives you the chance to explore STEM careers through a 6-week paid internship that combines project-based learning with mentorship. You’ll work about 30 hours per week on a project tailored to your interests, which could involve experimental science, coding, data analytics, science communication, or administrative support in a research environment. Placement decisions are made based on the preferences you list during the application process, aligning your strengths in accordance with the lab's requirements. Weekly activities include workshops, career talks, and group meetings that encourage collaboration with peers and lab staff. A $500 weekly stipend supports your participation throughout the program.
9. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current Texas public, private, or charter high school seniors; at least 18 years old by the program start; U.S. citizen or permanent resident
This MD Anderson Cancer Center program runs for 9 to 10 weeks and introduces you to biomedical research through full-time lab work under the mentorship of faculty scientists. Known as the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program, it offers stipends of $6,800 for 10 weeks or $6,120 for nine weeks. During your placement, you’ll engage in experiments, data collection, and analysis as part of an active research project, while also attending seminars led by faculty. To strengthen your communication skills, the program includes poster sessions, abstract writing, and elevator pitch competitions. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings with peers and mentors at a concluding event.
10. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,200–$4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students are selected annually
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in an SFUSD school, SF charter school, or College Track SF; must be from historically underrepresented backgrounds in science
The UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP) is an 8 to 9-week paid summer experience that pairs you with a UCSF scientist to conduct original research in fields such as neuroscience, immunology, or cancer biology. As a rising senior at a San Francisco public high school, you’ll design and perform experiments, analyze data, and present results with guidance from your mentor. The program goes beyond lab training to include writing workshops, college readiness support, and 1-on-1 guidance on topics like financial aid and applications. You’ll also take part in group activities, including seminars, journal clubs, and a college tour. Stipends range from $3,200 for part-time participation to $4,500 for full-time work. At the conclusion of this free summer science research program, you’ll present your research at a formal symposium.
11. Scripps Student Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 16 years old by the internship start date
At the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, you can spend 10 weeks learning how science is applied to healthcare through research in genomics, mobile health technologies, and data science. You’ll be paired with a mentor whose expertise aligns with your interests, whether that involves analyzing genetic associations, evaluating wearable devices, or designing clinical studies. Most of the work takes place in a dry lab, focusing on computational research and data analysis, though limited wet lab opportunities may be available. Alongside hands-on research, you will participate in seminars and workshops on topics like clinical trial design and health data monitoring.
12. Houston Methodist – Summer Internship Program
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 2 – January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and at least 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience at Houston Methodist gives you an opportunity to spend the summer in a hospital-based lab, exploring translational research. You’ll work directly with a faculty mentor on a focused project, learning skills in study design, lab techniques, scientific writing, and data analysis. The program also includes seminars, lectures, and team events that help you connect with researchers and college-level interns. At the end of the program, you will have an opportunity to present your work at a research symposium, developing confidence in sharing scientific findings. Beyond the lab experience, career development sessions help you understand the broader path from high school research experiences to future opportunities in medicine and science.
13. Summer Student Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% acceptance rate, about 20 interns per year
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 years or older by June, have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of the main campus
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers an 8-week Summer Student Program where you’ll conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced mentors. Your project will be conducted in a biomedical or computational lab, with potential research areas such as cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and structural or computational biology. A stipend of $1,200 is provided during the free summer science research program for high school students, supporting your full-time commitment to lab work. You’ll also participate in enrichment sessions, meetings, and discussions with MSK professionals, giving you insights into how laboratory discoveries translate into clinical practice.
14. BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship at UCLA
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors intending to mentor interns in the next year
At UCLA’s BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship, you’ll contribute to clinical research focused on concussions and pediatric brain injuries. A major part of your experience involves working on the CARE4Kids study, where you help with participant recruitment, data collection, neurocognitive testing, and study coordination. You’ll meet weekly with the research team, learning how medical studies are designed and managed in a real clinical environment. The program allows you to collaborate with doctors, researchers, and medical students while gaining practical skills in clinical data handling. At the end of the program, you’ll create and present your own project in the field of sports medicine or neurobiology.
15. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens at least 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program is a paid summer internship where you work on active research projects under the guidance of Air Force scientists and engineers. High school interns can earn a stipend of around $500 per week while contributing to work in fields such as aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, atomic physics, or data science. Depending on your placement, you might assist with software development, experimental design, satellite fault detection, or small spacecraft systems. You’ll receive mentorship from professionals in government research labs, allowing you to gain hands-on experience of how advanced science supports national defense and space exploration.
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