Free Summer Math Programs for High School Students
Updated: Oct 14
Updated October 2026
TL;DR
These 10 programs cost nothing in tuition, and they range from a four-day workshop to a year-long research project. The PRIMES-USA deadline is the closest, on November 2, 2026, while most of the others close in February or later, and several 2027 dates are still TBA. For more research-heavy options, see our guide to math research programs for high school students. And if you want one-on-one mentorship from home, start with the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
Finding a good summer math program can be difficult when many opportunities come with tuition fees running into thousands of dollars. You might find university courses, math camps, and research programs, but the costs can make some of them hard to access. If you want to deepen your mathematical skills without paying high tuition, these 10 free summer math programs for high school students offer opportunities worth exploring. This list compares their formats, eligibility requirements, funding, and application timelines so you can find options that fit your goals. If you want a wider net that includes programs with tuition, check out our list of the best math programs for high school students.
Which free math program fits what you want?
If you want | Programs to look at |
An online or remote option | |
A research experience with a mentor | |
College-level STEM coursework | |
A short workshop or camp |
Which free math program fits your grade?
Sophomore: PRIMES-USA takes sophomores and juniors, and √mathroots at MIT accepts students ages 14 to 18.
Junior: MITES Summer is built for juniors, and RSI, SAMS, and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program all take rising seniors.
Senior or recent graduate: The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program takes recent graduates, and the IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp accepts graduating seniors.
Any grade: The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation and Harvard's online math courses are open to high schoolers broadly.
10 Free Summer Math Programs for High School Students
Location: Remote !
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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!
Why it stands out: It provides fully funded, one-on-one research mentorship to academically strong students who might otherwise lack access to these opportunities.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded, including program expenses and room and board
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 80 students selected from around 3,000 applicants; acceptance rate is roughly 2.7%.
Program Dates: TBA; six weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: TBA; check the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) website for the next application cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the United States and eligible international applicants. International eligibility may depend on participating countries.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week summer program that combines advanced STEM coursework with independent research. You will study scientific concepts, work with experienced researchers, and develop a research project with guidance from a mentor. Research opportunities span multiple STEM fields, including mathematics, science, and engineering. The program concludes with presentations of students’ research findings.
Why it stands out: RSI combines advanced coursework with mentored research in a fully funded program hosted at MIT.
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY; on campus
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA; the previous workshop ran June 29–July 2
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Talented high school students interested in advanced mathematics and math competitions.
The RIT Math Summer Workshop gives you the chance to explore challenging mathematics with RIT math professors. Topics typically include probability, polynomials, mathematical biology, and unusual problems such as the Sisyphus Function, the Insane Grocery Shopper’s Problem, and Escaping the Executioner. The sessions encourage you to think creatively, explore unfamiliar mathematical ideas, and tackle problems that go beyond standard classroom exercises.
Why it stands out: You can explore unusual and challenging math problems with university professors in a free, focused summer workshop.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; in person, with a required virtual Jumpstart before arrival
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 26–August 7; six weeks, plus virtual Jumpstart sessions on June 21 and 22
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year of high school who are at least 16 by the program start date; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) helps high school students explore STEM through college-level coursework, academic development, and research. You will build quantitative and computational skills, work on academic projects, and learn from Carnegie Mellon faculty and other members of the university community. The program ends with a research symposium where you present your work.
Why it stands out: SAMS combines six weeks of STEM learning and research at Carnegie Mellon with full program funding for eligible students.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; residential, on campus
Cost: Free. Room and board are provided, and scholars receive a $750 stipend after completing a successful research project report
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 scholars; acceptance rate not specified
Program Dates: June 20–August 5; seven weeks
Application Deadline: February 15 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applications open January 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates who are at least 17 by the program start date. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program gives selected high school students seven weeks of hands-on research with Texas Tech faculty. You will work on a research project in an academic area that matches your interests, attend weekly seminars, and take part in group activities and weekend programming. Research fields can include STEM subjects as well as areas in the humanities and fine arts. Learn more about this program in our blog here!
Why it stands out: Only 12 scholars are selected each year for a seven-week faculty-mentored research experience with room, board, and a completion stipend included.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA; residential, on campus
Cost: Free, including tuition, housing, and meals
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students; acceptance rate not specified.
Program Dates: TBA; the previous session ran July 1–15
Application Deadline: TBA; the 2027 application opens in early January. The previous deadline was March 3
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 who are U.S. citizens or attend high school in the United States, and who will continue high school in the following academic year. Applicants should demonstrate strong mathematical ability and be comfortable with algebra, geometry, trigonometry, exponents, and logarithms
√mathroots is a 14-day residential mathematics program hosted by MIT PRIMES for high school students interested in creative problem-solving. You will explore mathematical ideas beyond the standard school curriculum through classes, group activities, and lectures led by instructors experienced in research and competition mathematics. The program also introduces techniques for mathematical proofs and gives you the chance to work with peers who share your interest in math.
Why it stands out: You can explore advanced mathematical ideas and problem-solving techniques while living and learning on MIT’s campus, with program and housing costs covered.
7. PRIMES USA
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; approximately 47 students per cohort
Program Dates: January–December; a year-long program divided into four phases
Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, for the 2027 program cycle. Recommendation letters are due November 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, including homeschooled students of the same age, who reside in the United States outside the Greater Boston area
MIT PRIMES-USA is a free, year-long research program for high school students with strong mathematical ability. You will begin with advanced reading and a written report, then progress to mentored research on an unsolved problem in mathematics or bioinformatics if selected to continue. The summer phase allows for independent work, followed by research writing and a presentation at the fall PRIMES conference. You will complete a final research paper, which may be submitted to competitions or research journals.
Why it stands out: You can work on an unsolved mathematical or bioinformatics problem with a research mentor through a year-long program that does not require relocating.
8. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA; residential, on campus
Cost: Free, including tuition, housing, and meals. Students must arrange and pay for their own transportation to and from MIT.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA; the previous summer session ran June 20–July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be rising seniors, including homeschooled students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a valid green card.
MITES Summer is a six-week residential STEM program for high school students interested in science and engineering. You will take five courses covering mathematics, science, and the humanities, with electives that may explore subjects such as machine learning, architecture, genomics, and engineering. You will complete hands-on projects and present your work at a final symposium. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Why it stands out: You can experience college-level STEM courses and project work at MIT without paying program tuition, housing, or meal costs.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN; in person and non-residential
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA; the previous camp ran June 22–26
Application Deadline: TBA; the previous deadline was May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus by the end of the school year. Graduating seniors are eligible
The IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp introduces you to mathematical modeling through real-world problems. Working with other students, you will build and test models to study questions such as how traffic affects bridges, how diseases spread, and how climate change affects natural resources. You will practise applying calculus and mathematical reasoning to open-ended challenges, then discuss how your models can help explain or predict real-world outcomes.
Why it stands out: You apply calculus to practical problems in a collaborative, project-based camp rather than focusing only on textbook exercises.
Location: Online
Cost: Free to audit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; no application-based selection.
Program Dates: Available year-round; self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling; enroll at any time while courses are available
Eligibility: Open to learners worldwide, including high school students. Check individual course pages for any recommended prerequisites
Harvard offers free, self-paced online courses in mathematics and related fields through edX. Calculus Applied! teaches you how to use single-variable calculus to build and analyze mathematical models in the social, life, and physical sciences. Data Science: Inference and Modeling covers statistical inference, confidence intervals, and predictive modeling using R. Data Science: Probability introduces random variables, Monte Carlo simulations, expected values, and the Central Limit Theorem. You can take these courses online at your own pace, with the option to pay for a verified certificate.
Why it stands out: You can study calculus and statistical concepts through Harvard-affiliated online courses without paying tuition if you choose the free audit option.
When to apply to each program
Timing | Programs and deadlines |
Closing first | PRIMES-USA: November 2, 2026, with recommendation letters due November 6 |
January and February deadlines | SAMS: February 1. MITES Summer: February 1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program: February 15, with applications opening January 2 |
Rolling or open all year | Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation: cohorts in January, May, September, and November. Mathematics Courses by Harvard University: enroll any time |
TBA, so check back | RSI: TBA. RIT Math Summer Workshop: TBA. √mathroots at MIT: opens early January 2027. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp: TBA (previous deadline May 31) |
More math and research guides
If you want to keep exploring, these guides cover other ways to build math and research experience:
Math and science programs for high school students: 30 rigorous options across residential, commuter, and virtual formats.
Online math programs for high school students: remote courses and platforms to sharpen your skills.
Math programs in Massachusetts: if you're near Boston.
Computer science research opportunities: for students who love the math behind code.
Free summer STEM programs for high schoolers: more no-tuition options beyond math.
Virtual and free research opportunities: remote research you can start from home.
Summer programs with scholarships: fully funded programs across subjects.
What math-loving students often ask about these free programs
1. Do I need calculus before applying?
Not always. A few of these programs expect strong algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and logarithms, with precalculus recommended and calculus optional, while the modeling-style camp wants a full year of single-variable calculus. The research tracks care more about strong mathematical ability and how you handle advanced reading and open problems than any single course.
2. Will I be doing research, taking classes, or solving competition problems?
It depends on the program. Several are research-focused, with mentors and an independent paper or a project on an unsolved problem, while others center on college-level coursework, a short competition-style workshop, or self-paced online courses. Check each description to match the format to what you want to try.
3. Do I need to travel to take part?
For about half of them, yes, since they run on campus and usually cover housing and meals while leaving travel to you. A couple of the research options and the online courses can be done from anywhere. If you'd rather work with a mentor from home, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is fully virtual, pairs you one-on-one with a PhD mentor to write an independent research paper, and offers financial aid.
4. How competitive are these programs?
Several are very selective. One research institute admits roughly 2.7% of applicants, another takes only 12 scholars, and a third has about 20 spots, while a few don't publish acceptance rates. The online courses use open enrollment, so there's no application at all, which makes them a good backup alongside a competitive application.