15 Prestigious High-School STEM Summer Programs with Spring Application Deadlines
How you choose to spend your high school summers can meaningfully distinguish you in the college admissions process. Summer months offer valuable time to explore academic interests in greater depth and to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and initiative beyond the classroom. For students considering STEM fields in college, participation in a STEM summer program can be an especially impactful use of this time.
Not all STEM summer programs are regarded equally, however. Admissions officers tend to place greater value on programs that are free and highly selective, as they reflect merit-based acceptance rather than participation that was paid for.
Below are 15 prestigious STEM summer programs - both free and paid - with spring application deadlines to consider for this summer!
1. Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Application Deadline: February 1
Location: MIT
Program Dates: Late June through early August
Who: 11th grade
Cost: Free
MITES Summer is an immersive, six-week program designed to prepare rising seniors for success in college and future STEM careers. Participants dive into challenging courses across math, science, and the humanities while experiencing life on MIT’s campus firsthand. Beyond the classroom, students tour labs, connect with MITES alumni, and gain valuable insights from admissions counselors. At the conclusion of the program, each student receives a written evaluation from their instructor, which can be submitted as supplemental material with their college application.
MITES Summer especially encourages students who are underrepresented or underserved in science and engineering to apply.
2. Simons Summer Research Program
Application Deadline: February 5
Location: Stony Brook University
Program Dates: June 29 - August 7
Who: 11th grade
Cost: Free
The Simons Summer Research Program matches students with Stony Brook mentors to work on hands-on research projects in science, math, engineering, and related fields. Over the course of the summer, students will learn valuable laboratory skills, participate in interactive workshops, and showcase their work in a final research poster and presentation. Students will also receive a stipend at the end of the program.
To be eligible to apply, students must be nominated by their school. Each school can nominate up to two students, so it’s important to reach out to your school’s coordinator (usually a science teacher or guidance counselor) as early as possible. The deadline for school nominations is January 30th.
3. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Application Deadline: February 21
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Program Dates: June 2-27 (remote workshops during evening hours), June 30-August 8
Who: NYC students 10th/11th grade
Cost: Free
ARISE is open to New York City high school students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade, and students who are historically underrepresented in STEM careers are strongly encouraged to apply. The program runs for 10 weeks with four weeks of remote workshops during evening hours and six weeks of in-person lab work under the mentorship of graduate researchers and faculty. In addition to real-world research, students will have the opportunity to hone their presentation skills and present their research findings at the program’s concluding colloquium.
4.Science Internship Program (SIP)
Application Deadline: February 28
Location: UC Santa Cruz
Program Dates: June 15-19 (Online Research), June 22-August 7 (In-person Research)
Who: 9th-11th grade
Cost: Free
The SIP is an immersive research internship at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) that places high school students into real, ongoing research projects across a broad range of academic areas, including science, engineering, arts, and humanities. It is a 8-week long program, beginning with 1 week of remote research, followed by in-person work. Over the summer, participants build practical research skills specific to their placement, such as laboratory techniques, coding, professional literature analysis, and presentation skills. Many students are rising seniors, but students ages 14-17 by the program start date are welcome to apply.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Application Deadline: February 21
Location: Stanford University
Program Dates: June 8-July 30
Who: 11th/12th grade (Preference to Bay Area students)
Cost: Free
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an 8-week, hands-on summer research internship for high school students interested in biomedical science and medicine. Students work in real Stanford research labs under direct mentorship, gaining experience in scientific investigation and lab techniques. At the end of the program, students will present their findings at a poster session. The program strongly favors local students from the Bay Area, especially because the program does not provide housing.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program (MSKCC)
Application Deadline: February 6
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York)
Program Dates: June 29-Aug 21
Who: 11th grade students residing within 25 miles of Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Cost: Free and $1,200 stipend
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Summer Student Program is a research experience designed for high school juniors interested in careers in the biomedical sciences. The program takes place on MSK’s main campus in Manhattan and pairs students with experienced researchers in active laboratories.
Over the course of the 8-week summer program, students engage in hands-on laboratory research, develop technical lab skills, attend lab meetings and professional development sessions, and gain firsthand exposure to the day-to-day work of cancer researchers. At the end of the program, students will present their findings through a poster session. To be eligible, students must be high school juniors and reside within 25 miles of the main campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
7. Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Application Deadline: March 1
Location: American Museum of Natural History
Program Dates: August–June (one year, starting with 4-week Summer Institute)
Who: 10th or 11th grade students residing and going to school in NYC
Cost: Free and $2,500 stipend
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History is a year-long, in-person research experience for New York City high school students. Students work directly with Museum scientists on authentic scientific research spanning disciplines such as astrophysics, anthropology, conservation biology, genetics, and more.
SRMP begins with an initial four-week Summer Institute during which participants build foundational research skills, deepen their understanding of scientific methods, and prepare to work independently with a mentor. Following the summer session, students continue their research throughout the academic year, meeting with their mentor teams twice weekly after school to advance their projects. Over the course of the program, students gain hands-on experience in laboratory or field methods, analyze real data, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing scientific studies.
8. Veritas AI
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Location: Remote
Program Dates: 10-15 weeks
Who: 9th-12th grade
Cost: $2,490 for the 10-week AI Scholars program; $5,900 for the 15-week AI Fellowship; $7,900 for both | Full financial aid available for students with financial need
Veritas AI offers a range of programs for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning. All programs are fully remote and combine live instruction, hands-on projects, and individualized mentorship from experienced practitioners, including graduate-level researchers from top universities.
The AI Scholars Program is a 10-week introductory course that introduces students to Python programming, data science workflows, and foundational AI and machine learning concepts. Throughout the program, students collaborate in small groups to complete a real-world AI project, gaining both technical skills and experience working in a team setting.
The AI Fellowship is a more advanced program lasting approximately 12–15 weeks and pairs each student with a dedicated mentor. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or to have completed the AI Scholars Program prior to enrollment. Fellowship participants work independently to design and develop an original AI project, explore research-driven questions, and refine their technical work, culminating in a final presentation of their findings.
Students may apply for up to 100% tuition support based on demonstrated financial need, making it accessible to all students.
9. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts (Feb–May)
Location: Remote
Program Dates: 12 weeks
Who: 9th–12th grade
Cost: $2,990 (12-week program), $5,900 (16-20 week program), $8,900 (6-12 month program) | | Financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote research experience that pairs high school students with PhD mentors from top universities. Students work one-on-one or in very small groups to design and complete an original research project in fields such as computer science, engineering, biology, economics, or social sciences.
Over the course of 12 weeks, participants learn how to conduct literature reviews, refine research questions, analyze data, and write a formal research paper. Many students aim to submit their work to high school research journals or conferences by the end of the program. While Lumiere is a paid program, some financial aid is available.
10. The Wistar Institute – High School Program in Biomedical Research
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Location: The Wistar Institute (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Dates: July
Who: 11th grade (Philadelphia-area students prioritized)
Cost: Free with $1,500 stipend
The Wistar Institute High School Program is a 4-week summer research fellowship at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia designed to give high school students a real taste of biomedical science. Participants spend weekdays in Wistar’s state-of-the-science training lab, learning core laboratory techniques, reading scientific literature, and contributing to authentic research projects. The program also includes career exploration and culminates in students presenting their work.
11. RISE Environmentor Internship
Application Deadline: Applications open in March
Location: Rockaway peninsula (NYC)
Program Dates: June through mid-August
Who: 9th to 11th grade students who live in New York City and attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
Cost: Free with up to $1,200 stipend
The RISE Environmentor Internship is a hands-on summer research program that immerses high school students in environmental science focused on the Rockaway Peninsula and Jamaica Bay. During the program, students work closely with professional scientists and environmental researchers to design and carry out research projects related to coastal resilience, ecology, and climate change. The internship emphasizes real-world fieldwork, allowing local students to study environmental issues that directly impact their own community. Students gain exposure to field methods and environmental stewardship while building strong mentorship relationships.
12. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Location: Boston University
Program Dates: Six weeks (June–August)
Who: 9th–12th grade
Cost: Sliding-scale tuition based on family income | Full financial aid available for students with financial need
The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) is an intensive, six-week residential summer mathematics program held at Boston University designed for high school students who are passionate about exploring mathematics deeply. Rather than traditional coursework, PROMYS centers on immersive mathematical discovery with students engaging in challenging problem sets, daily lectures, and collaborative exploration. The program encourages students to develop analytical thinking, formulate and test conjectures, and justify proofs, all while living on a college campus and interacting with a vibrant mathematical community. Financial aid and scholarships are available to help make the program accessible.
13. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Application Deadline: February 6
Location: Stanford University (in-person) or Online
Program Dates: Online (3 weeks) or Residential (4 weeks)
Who: 10th graders, 11th graders
Cost: $3,750 (online) or $8,950 (residential) | Financial aid available
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a summer program for students with a strong interest in advanced mathematics beyond the high school level. Students explore topics such as abstract algebra and number theory through intensive lectures, problem-solving sessions, and collaborative work. SUMaC offers both online and residential options, and need-based financial aid is available to ensure access for students from a wide range of backgrounds.
14. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Application Deadline: February
Location: Various university campuses
Program Dates: Five weeks (June–July)
Who: 11th grade
Cost: Sliding-scale tuition based on family income | Full financial aid available for students with financial need
Participants of Summer Science Program (SSP) live on the campus of a partner university and choose a research area such as astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, cell biology, or synthetic chemistry. They work closely with peers and mentors to conduct real experiments, analyze data, and explore college-level science firsthand. SSP is designed to foster deep scientific inquiry and personal growth, with students spending significant time on research while also participating in social and communal experiences that expand their academic and professional horizons. Generous financial aid is available for students with financial need.
15. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Application Deadline: March 1
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Dates: June 20–August 1
Who: 11th graders
Cost: Free
The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University is a six‑week residential pre‑college STEM program designed to deepen high school students’ understanding of math and science through rigorous coursework and hands-on projects. Students participate in seminars, conduct research projects advised by faculty or graduate students, join weekly writing workshops, and present their work at a research symposium. SAMS encourages students underrepresented in STEM-related fields to apply.
Many of the most respected STEM summer programs - especially the free ones - are extremely selective, often admitting only a small fraction of applicants nationwide. If you don’t receive an offer, a strong alternative is to be proactive locally: reach out to professors or researchers at nearby universities or research institutions to request a brief informational chat about their work. Express genuine interest in their research, ask thoughtful questions, and let them know you’d be excited to help if a high school-appropriate research or lab position becomes available. Securing a self-initiated research experience through cold emailing can be just as meaningful, and sometimes even more impressive to admissions officers, than participating in a formal summer program.
