12 Free Mentorship Programs for High School Students
Mentorship programs provide high school students with valuable guidance, industry insights, and academic support as they explore their interests and plan for the future. Whether you're looking for career advice, research experience, or skill development, these programs connect students with professionals, experts, and educators who can help shape their academic and career paths.
Unlike traditional summer programs, mentorship opportunities offer personalized support, networking opportunities, and real-world exposure — all at no cost.
To help you find the best opportunities, we've compiled a list of 12 free mentorship programs for high school students that offer meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
1. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University is a full-time, in-person research internship in science and engineering. You will work on an active research project under the supervision of Princeton faculty and research staff. The program lasts 5-6 weeks, with the schedule set by the research team. This is not a residential program — you must arrange your own housing and transportation. At the end of the program, you must submit a two-page research summary.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: No cost
Dates: 5 - 6 weeks during summer (schedule varies by project)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Must be 16+ years old by June 15; U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in a U.S. high school; must live locally (proof required)
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 in the fall of 2023.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
2. University of Pennsylvania Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Pennsylvania is a four-week, in-person summer program for high school students in Philadelphia. You will be paired with one of Penn’s five graduate and professional schools, including medicine, nursing, engineering, law, or dentistry, to explore career paths in these fields.
The program includes hands-on learning experiences, career exposure, and academic skill development in areas such as financial literacy, SAT prep, study skills, and personal statement writing. The program concludes with a college fair on Penn’s campus.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th and 11th graders who live in Philadelphia and attend a local high school.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Dates: Various according to the cohort. Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
4. Stanford University Mentorship Programs
Stanford University offers multiple free mentorship programs designed to connect you with Stanford faculty, graduate students, and professionals for guided mentorship in science, medicine, and engineering. The Future Advancers of Science and Technology (FAST) program pairs Stanford PhD students with high school students to develop and present independent research projects. In the Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS), you will gain experience in computational genetics and genomics research under a lab mentor. The Health Career Collaborative (HCC) connects you with medical students and faculty to explore careers in healthcare and medicine. Through the Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) program, you will shadow Stanford chemistry graduate students to experience scientific research in a lab setting. The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week intensive mentorship program for underrepresented students in Northern and Central California, providing exposure to the health sciences. These programs are highly selective and offer valuable mentorship and skill-building experiences at no cost.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by program (typically summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students (specific grade levels and school/location requirements vary by program)
5. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) provides a year-long mentorship opportunity for students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School. You will work in teams of two or three, conducting independent astrophysics research under the guidance of a CfA mentor. The program runs from September to May, with weekly meetings and monthly advisory sessions. Mentorship is available both in-person and virtually. The experience concludes with a symposium at Harvard University, where you will present your research through talks and posters. Students receive a stipend for their participation.
Location: Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective (10-16 students per year)
Cost: No cost; students receive a stipend
Dates: September to May, exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024-2025 SRMP cohort are closed and are expected to reopen in May 2025 for the 2025-2026 cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
6. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Hosted at MIT, the Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious, cost-free summer program that includes the full research cycle — from literature review to experimental execution and final presentations. RSI begins with an intensive one-week STEM curriculum followed by a five-week research internship where you’ll work on an independent project under the mentorship of accomplished scientists and engineers. The final stage of the program involves delivering conference-style oral and written reports on your findings.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 100 students selected globally
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Dates: June 22 - August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors (Grade 11) with exceptional STEM proficiency; U.S. and international students must apply separately.
7. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an intensive seven-week summer research initiative designed for highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. As a participant, you'll engage in hands-on research across various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, and more, under the mentorship of experienced Texas Tech University faculty. The program also includes weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips, providing a comprehensive research experience. The program covers on-campus meals, housing, and weekend activities.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 12 students selected annually
Cost: Free; participants receive a $750 stipend upon completion
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old by the program start date; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
8. Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
The DSI Summer Lab is an immersive 8-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago. In this program, you'll be paired with data science mentors across various domains, including computer science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research.
Throughout the program, you'll engage in hands-on research. The experience culminates in a symposium where you'll present your research findings, mirroring professional conferences. Additionally, the program offers professional development opportunities and social events.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: No cost; participants receive a stipend of $5,600
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility:
Open to high school students residing and attending school in the Chicago area.
Applicants should have some familiarity with at least one programming language.
9. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Based at NYU Tandon, ARISE is a rigorous 10-week summer research program that immerses you in STEM research across more than 80 cutting-edge university labs. The first four weeks focus on safety training, research methodologies, and college writing workshops, while the last six weeks involve mentored research projects with NYU faculty and researchers. You’ll gain 120+ hours of lab experience, develop public speaking skills, and contribute to real-world scientific research. The program culminates in a research presentation at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Beyond research, ARISE offers college application support, networking opportunities, and access to an alumni network.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; students receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility:
Open to rising juniors and seniors (students entering Grade 11 or 12).
Must be a full-time NYC resident attending a NYC high school.
10. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) offers a six-week summer research opportunity where you can collaborate closely with faculty researchers and graduate students. This experience provides practical skills in fields such as biotechnology, robotics, energy sustainability, and biomedical research.
Beyond lab work, YSP offers career exploration opportunities, including industry field trips, engineering seminars, and one-on-one college counseling. You’ll also experience college life firsthand, with access to Northeastern’s facilities, Snell Library, and student centers.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students must be permanent Massachusetts residents and must live within commuting distance of Northeastern University. Additionally, only students entering 12th grade in the fall following the program (current juniors) are eligible to apply. Students must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents
11. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is an intensive neuroscience research program. The 8-week in-person internship is exclusively available to students from Baltimore City public schools. It offers mentored research, clinical shadowing with neurologists, and scientific seminars at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
A 5-week virtual program is available for high school students across the U.S., providing research exposure, professional development, and mentorship. Successful virtual participants receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (in-person) & virtual option available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 8 students selected for the in-person program
Cost: Free; in-person interns receive hourly pay and transportation support
Dates:
In-person: June – August (8 weeks)
Virtual: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility:
In-Person Program: Open to juniors and seniors from Baltimore City public schools only.
Virtual Program: Open to high school juniors and seniors from across the United States.
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