12 Summer Programs with Stipends for High School Students
For high school students seeking to explore new fields, gain hands-on experience, and establish valuable connections, summer programs with stipends provide an excellent opportunity—without financial constraints. These programs allow you to engage in real-world projects, collaborate with experts, and develop practical skills in diverse fields such as science, engineering, business, policy, and more. What sets these programs apart is the availability of stipends, ensuring that financial limitations do not hinder access to high-caliber experiences.
Below is a list of summer programs for high school students that offer a stipend, enabling them to make the most of their summer without financial burden.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week immersive research summer program with stipend for high school students with an interest in biological sciences and medicine. Students collaborate with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers on medically oriented projects. During the program, you will engage in laboratory research, data analysis, and scientific discussions, exploring topics such as immunology, cancer biology, cardiovascular medicine, bioengineering, bioinformatics, neuroscience, stem cell biology, genetics, and infectious diseases. The program concludes with a final research presentation to peers and mentors.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Cohort Size: 50 students.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend of at least $500.
Dates: June 9 – July 31.
Application Deadline: February 22.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 9 are eligible to apply.
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past 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.
Application deadline: May. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
3. New York University - ARISE Program
The ARISE Program is a 10-week summer research experience for high school students, offering hands-on training in over 80 research labs at NYU. The program has two phases: the first four weeks focus on safety training, research skills, and college writing workshops, while the next six weeks are dedicated to independent research under faculty mentorship. You will gain approximately 120 hours of lab experience, enhance your public speaking skills, and present your research at the NYU Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium. Beyond research, ARISE offers college application support, networking opportunities, and access to an alumni network.
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend of $1000 upon successfully completing the program.
Dates: June 2 – August 18 (preceded by 4 weeks of remote workshops).
Application Deadline: February 21.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year who are full time NYC residents attending NYC schools are eligible to apply.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: May.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August).
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement are eligible to apply. Accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4. No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week summer internship that allows high school students to work in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country. You will engage in real-world naval research projects, gaining hands-on experience in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and oceanography. The program emphasizes mentorship, enabling you to collaborate with experienced scientists and engineers. Selection is based on academic performance, personal statements, recommendations, and research interests.
Location: Various DoN Research Labs across the country.
Cohort Size: ~300 students selected annually.
Stipend: New interns receive a stipend of $4,000, while returning interns receive $4,500, paid bi-weekly.
Dates: Varies depending on the laboratory. The program typically runs for eight weeks in the summer, with an option to extend for two additional weeks.
Application Deadline: November 1.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date are eligible to apply.
6. The Jackson Laboratory - Summer Student Program
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) is a fully funded, 10-week genetics and genomics research internship for high school students. Hosted at campuses in Maine and Connecticut, this program provides you with the opportunity to conduct original research, develop independent projects, and collaborate with leading scientists. You will engage in laboratory work, attend seminars, participate in professional development sessions, and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME and in Farmington, CT.
Cohort Size: ~40 students.
Stipend: $6,500. Free room, board, and travel coverage also provided.
Dates: May 31 – August 8.
Application Deadline: January 27.
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students interested in genetics/genomics research are eligible to apply.
7. Stony Brook University - Simons Summer Research Program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week summer research experience where you join research groups, conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop research projects. The program culminates in a research abstract and a poster presentation at a closing symposium, where you will receive a stipend award. In addition to research, you will attend weekly faculty lectures, workshops, university tours, and special events.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend at the end of the program.
Dates: June 30 – August 8.
Application Deadline: February 7.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start date are eligible to apply.
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - THINK Scholars Program
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a research and innovation summer program for high school students passionate about STEM. It supports students with a strong research proposal by providing funding and mentorship to help bring their projects to life. Prior project completion is not required—you just need to submit a research proposal, and selected finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding along with weekly mentorship from MIT students. Finalists also take part in a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to MIT, where they tour research labs, meet faculty, and present their projects.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cohort size: 6 students.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend of up to $1,000.
Dates: February - June.
Application Deadline: January 1.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Research Science Institute
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly competitive six-week summer research program hosted at MIT. This fully funded program combines on-campus research, mentorship from MIT faculty, and a rigorous academic curriculum in mathematics, science, and engineering. You will engage in intensive coursework, conduct original research, and work closely with MIT graduate students and faculty advisors. Many RSI students go on to compete in prestigious science competitions, such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cohort Size: 100 students.
Stipend: Students receive a stipend.
Dates: June 22 - August 2.
Application Deadline: December 11.
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply.
10. Texas Tech University - The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a selective seven-week summer research experience at Texas Tech University for 12 outstanding high school students. You will work one-on-one with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects across various academic disciplines.The program is fully funded, covering housing, meals, research expenses, and weekend activities. Throughout the summer, you will attend weekly seminars, guest lectures, and social activities, fostering both academic and personal development.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Cohort Size: 12 students.
Stipend: $750.
Dates: June 22 – August 7.
Application Deadline: February.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old by the program start date and graduating in the current or following school year are eligible to apply.
11. University of Chicago - Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
The Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an eight-week, paid research internship focused on applied, interdisciplinary data science projects. You will work closely with experienced mentors in fields such as computer science, social science, climate policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research. The program offers hands-on experience in research methodologies, teamwork, and technical skill development.
Location: Ryerson Laboratory, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Stipend: $4800.
Dates: June 16 – August 8.
Application Deadline: January 12.
Eligibility: Chicago area high school students are eligible to apply.
12. The Wistar Institute - High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
The Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research is a four-week, fully funded summer program designed to provide high school students with hands-on experience in biomedical research. Hosted at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, the fellowship introduces you to advanced laboratory techniques, scientific literature review, and career pathways in biomedical research. You will collaborate with expert researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories, learning how to develop research plans, analyze data, and present findings. The program concludes with a poster presentation showcasing your research outcomes.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
Cohort Size: 15 students.
Stipend: $1,500.
Dates: July 7 – July 31.
Application Deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the program start date and have completed at least one high school science course are eligible to apply. Preference is given to students from the School District of Philadelphia.
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