10 Free Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students
Free summer programs are an excellent way for high school students to explore engineering without the burden of tuition. These programs offer a unique opportunity to experience college-level academics, develop practical skills, and gain exposure to the engineering industry. In addition to learning from experts, you will often have the chance to network with professionals and peers. Free programs tend to be more prestigious than their paid counterparts, which means these programs would also boost your college application profile.
We've carefully curated a list of the top 10 free engineering summer programs for high schoolers, considering factors such as program funding, competitive acceptance rates, and the institutions hosting them. Whether you're looking for a program with industry exposure or one focused on hands-on projects, these opportunities provide a cost-effective way to explore a career in engineering. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Hosted at MIT, RSI is a prestigious summer program that brings together 100 exceptional high school students from around the world. The program includes intensive STEM coursework and independent research. The first week focuses on a series of STEM courses taught by MIT professors. The following five weeks are dedicated to conducting individual research projects in science and technology under the guidance of mentors. At RSI, students engage in every stage of the research process—from conducting literature reviews and designing experiments to collecting data and presenting their findings. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students (approx.)
Dates: Summer (exact dates TBD)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) who can demonstrate exceptional academic and research capabilities.
The Princeton AI4ALL Summer Program is a three-week residential program held at Princeton University and open to rising 11th graders. The program focuses on educating the next generation of AI leaders. You will be introduced to the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, including its ethical implications and societal impact. You will engage with AI research through lectures by Princeton professors and work on projects under the guidance of graduate student mentors. A key aspect of the program is the two-day field trip to Washington, D.C., where you will meet policymakers and explore career paths at the intersection of AI and public policy.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program Dates: 3 weeks in the summer (exact dates TBD)
Application Deadline: To be announced
Cost: Fully funded for eligible students (includes housing, meals, and transportation)
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders (current 10th graders at the time of application) who live and attend high school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and meet at least one of the following low-income criteria: combined household income does not exceed $60,000, eligible for free/reduced-price lunch, or eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver
WTP offers a 4-week experience to introduce high school students to mechanical engineering. You will engage in collaborative problem-solving and design activities, creating engineering projects from the ground up. The curriculum is designed to strengthen math, science, and engineering skills, focusing on developing a solid understanding of mechanical engineering concepts. You will receive mentorship from industry professionals and MIT instructors, providing insight into potential engineering careers.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (specific size not listed)
Dates: June 28 – July 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students currently in grade 11 with a permanent family address in the U.S. who excel in math and science but have little to no prior engineering experience.
The AI Scholars Program is a four-week residential experience that introduces rising high school seniors to artificial intelligence (AI). Part of the CS Pathways initiative, this program brings together students from across the country to engage with AI through college-level coursework, research projects, and mentorship from experts. Throughout the program, you will participate in weekly college prep seminars focusing on college admissions, financial aid, and emotional well-being. Through the program, you will build meaningful connections with peers and mentors while experiencing life at Carnegie.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Fully funded (includes tuition, housing, meal plans, program-related field trips, and special events)
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising high school seniors and at least 16 years old by June 21
Columbia University's Pre-College Program offers an in-depth study of the universe, tracing astronomy’s origins to modern theories in cosmology and astrophysics. You will explore core topics like Newton’s laws of motion, Kepler’s laws, orbital mechanics, and space exploration. The course examines light, matter, and nuclear physics, applying these concepts to understand the sun, solar system, galaxies, element formation, and the universe’s expansion. It concludes with discussions on dark energy and the universe's possible future. Through activities and problem-solving, you will develop a strong, quantitative understanding of astronomical concepts.
Location: Columbia University, New York
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (specific size not listed)
Dates: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Eligibility: High school students; one year each of high school chemistry and physics is recommended. Students should be comfortable with math skills and problem-solving; calculus knowledge is helpful.
Columbia University offers an exploration of materials science and engineering, tracing the evolution of materials from the Stone Age to the modern Age of Plastics. You will study the properties of materials like glass, wood, steel, rubber, and nylon. The course covers the challenges engineers face in selecting materials and the potential failures that can arise, from catastrophic incidents like bridge collapse to everyday problems like light bulbs burning out or clothes getting stained. Special attention is given to nanoscale materials and devices, as these can potentially revolutionize industries. You will learn from instructors, research scientists, and professionals from Columbia’s Department of Chemistry and the industry.
Location: Columbia University, New York
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (specific size not listed)
Dates: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Algebra 1 and one year of high school chemistry.
The Arizona State University (ASU) Cybersecurity Research Internship offers high school students in the Phoenix area an opportunity to gain experience in cybersecurity research. This 8-week internship allows you to work on projects and participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) hacking competitions. You will collaborate with graduate students and professors, enhancing your technical skills and participating in real-world research. At the end of the program, you will present your findings. Ideal candidates should have experience in programming (Python or similar), strong communication skills, and a strong work ethic. This internship offers a $1,800 stipend upon successful completion.
Location: Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (specific size not listed)
Dates: May 27 – July (specific dates TBD, 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 27 (opens January 13)
Eligibility: High school students in the Phoenix area with an interest in cybersecurity and programming
NASEP at the University of Arizona is a free, year-long initiative designed to support Native American high school students in their pursuit of careers in STEM. The summer portion of the program offers participants the opportunity to engage in STEM workshops and activities. You will explore various STEM fields through excursions to locations like Biosphere 2 and activities such as building computers from scratch. You will networking with indigenous professionals from major companies such as IBM and Raytheon. The program includes collaboration with faculty from multiple university departments, including Engineering, Optics, and Agriculture.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (specific size not listed)
Dates: June 8-14
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be an enrolled member or descendant of an AI/AN or Native Hawaiian tribe; must have completed Physics, Chemistry, and Pre-Calculus with a “C” or better
This internship offers high school students the chance to work on software engineering projects, gaining experience in software development. You will participate in projects across front-end web development, infrastructure, content management, and mobile development for both Android and iOS. Research opportunities are also available, focusing on customer usage analysis, competitor product comparison, and market outreach analysis. Throughout the program, you will be mentored by engineers, gaining insight into the software engineering field. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Bellevue, WA (in-person)
Dates: 8-week internship (exact start and end dates discussed during the interview process)
Application Deadline: April 22
Eligibility: High school students in the USA with a GPA of at least 3.8/4.0. Applicants must have experience in at least one mainstream programming language (e.g., JavaScript/PHP, Java, .NET, C/C++)
The MITES Summer Program, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offers high school juniors the opportunity to engage in a rigorous academic experience focused on STEM. This prestigious program offers five advanced courses in math, science, and engineering, including electives like Machine Learning and Architecture. You will gain experience through lab tours and workshops and insights into MIT's academic environment. The program includes college admissions counseling, helping you prepare for applications to competitive schools. MITES is an excellent way for aspiring engineers to build technical skills and personal growth. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Program Dates: Late June to early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: TBD (typically in winter or early spring)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors
Cost: Free of charge (students only pay for transportation to and from MIT)
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.