If you’re a high schooler in NYC thinking about exploring a subject, learning a new skill, or planning your college applications, consider doing a summer program! Summer programs can allow you to dive into a subject beyond the standard school curriculum, develop skills that will be useful in the future, get a glimpse of college life, and form connections. These programs could also expose you to potential career paths.

However, pre-college summer programs can sometimes come with a cost that isn’t feasible. In this list, we've included only free programs to ensure accessibility for all students. Free or fully funded programs are competitive and often offered by prestigious organizations. Securing a place in a funded program demonstrates to colleges and employers that you’re dedicated to the subject and motivated to work hard.

In this blog, we’ve covered 13 free summer programs in New York City for high school students across various fields, from STEM to the arts, business, and medicine. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year. 

1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

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 currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

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. 

2. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU

Location: NYU campus, New York City, NY

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: June 3 - August 9 (10 weeks). The first 4 weeks will be remote after-school workshops, and the next 6 weeks will have in-person labs on weekdays.

Eligibility: Students residing in New York City who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June are eligible to apply.

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend of at least $750.

ARISE is structured with an interdisciplinary curriculum covering chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, bio- and molecular engineering, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, and AI. During this program, you attend classroom learning sessions, workshops (on ethics, lab safety, and data collection), and college admissions prep sessions. NYU’s faculty will guide you as you work on a research project in your chosen STEM field. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a colloquium. The program will accept 76-80 students.

3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Multiple locations in the country (including several in NY) + week-long residential Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline: Applications open in October and typically close in January.

Program Dates: 8-week summer internship, including an all-expenses-covered week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Dates vary by location.

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. See all eligibility criteria here.

Stipend: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount. The trip to Washington, DC, is covered by the bank!

Bank of America selects about 300 driven high school students for this competitive program. It aims to encourage students’ community-mindedness, offering training to those who want to impact their communities. Once selected, you will be placed at a local nonprofit organization, where you will learn about running a nonprofit, engage in community service projects, and develop a deeper understanding of social issues. The internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. You will get to network with and learn from professionals during this summit!

4. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) by the New York City Bar

Location: New York City

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.

Program Dates: May-August

Eligibility: NYC public high school students are eligible to apply.

Stipend: $15-21 per hour

If you’re interested in law, consider this program! Conducted by the New York City Bar, the program matches motivated high school students in the city with legal employers. The employers include law firms, corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The internship offers you practical training, panel discussions, and networking events to help you prepare for a career in law. Your duties may include assisting paralegals, filing paperwork, maintaining records, and organizing documents. You will also receive exposure to the legal profession through development programs offered by your employer.

5. NYU Tandon’s Cyber Security for Computer Science Summer Program (CS4CS)

Location: New York University, NY

Application Deadline: Applications are usually close around April 

Program Dates: July 15 - August 9

Eligibility: Students who are NYC residents and currently enrolled in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade 

Stipend: No stipend offered.

If you’re curious about computer science and/or cyber security, this program is an ideal way to get started. You will learn about digital forensics, cryptography, steganography, and privacy from NYU faculty and graduates. The program’s curriculum is curated to include theoretical knowledge and practical skills in coding. Additional coursework includes learning about software tools and techniques to detect and investigate cyber threats, the use of ciphers, coding skills, and more. The program will also cover the behavioral science behind cyber attacks. For a detailed review of the program, check this out! 

6. The Met Internship Program for High School Students

Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, NY

Application Deadline: School-year Internship: October 28 | Summer Internship: March 31

Program Dates: Summer Internship: June 25 - August 12 | School-year Internship: January 14 - June 9

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in and around New York City 

Stipend: $1,100

The Metropolitan Museum of Art invites high school students to apply for internships that cover art, design, architecture, and creative expression. The program invites students to connect with art, museums, and creative professionals as they develop professional skills, network, and gain work experience. As a MET intern, you will regularly interact with museum professionals and experts in marketing, scientific research, social media, law, and educational programming. You also participate in Career Labs - sessions where you learn from professionals about their work and experiences and receive advice.

7. NYU’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)

Location: New York University, NY

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April 

Program Dates: Five weeks in the summer.

Eligibility: Students who are NYC residents and currently enrolled in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and have basic physics and coding knowledge. 

Stipend: No stipend is offered

The ieSoSC Summer Program combines science, technology, and entrepreneurship for high school students keen on shaping the trajectory of smart cities. You will gain experience in circuit deployment, sensor integration, coding, and more. On the entrepreneurial side, you will engage in product management and pitch presentations. The coursework is designed to provide you with holistic knowledge about these subjects. The program will conclude with a Shark Tank event, where you will conduct your final presentation in the form of a pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs. Improv workshops will boost your communication, public speaking skills, and connections with peers. 

8. City Limits CLARIFY Program

Location: CUNY Brooklyn or CUNY York college campus, NY / Virtual

Application Deadline: TBA. Keep checking the apply page to find out the dates.

Program Dates: Spring (around 6 weeks) and Summer (around 10 days in July)

Eligibility: NYC juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors are eligible

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend; information on the exact amount is not available  

This program is perfect for students keen to explore media and journalism. City Limits, NYC’s oldest non-profit investigative news agency, launched the City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) to train students in public service journalism. During this program, you will be trained in interviewing, investigating, ethics, photojournalism, reporting, and news writing. You will collaborate with your instructors to publish your work in City Limits. You will work with City Limits reporters and focus on local, relevant news stories. In the past, interns worked on a reporting project about Mayor Eric Adams’ work and progress in the area of housing. Read previous articles by CLARIFY alums here! 

9. Artslife by the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD)

Location: Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York, NY

Application deadline: April 7

Program Dates: July 9 – August 16 (Artslife)

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors in NYC can apply

Stipend: $16 an hour and an unlimited MetroCard for the duration of the internship (Artslife)

MAD offers Artslife, a paid art internship for high schoolers in New York City. The 6-week program offers a combination of art and design through leadership training, museum studies, and community engagement. You will explore all kinds of careers in museum departments—Curatorial, Education, Development, Communications and Marketing, Visitor Services, Security, and Registrar. The first week of Artslife will focus on team bonding and an introduction to the museum. The next five weeks focus on collaborative projects like creating artwork and visiting cultural institutions with mentors, which include museum staff, local designers, and arts professionals. 

10. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY

Eligibility: Students 15 years or older by July 1 who attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace can apply.

Application deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in February.

Program dates: Spring semester (February to May) | Summer semester (July to August). For exact dates, take a look at the region-wise program information.

Stipend: $1,000

Genspace, a community biotech lab in New York City, offers this program for students interested in biotechnology and genetic engineering. During this program, you will conduct research across diverse topics such as DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics. You will be guided by mentors and deepen your understanding of life sciences. You will have access to advanced laboratory facilities and technologies. A few research subjects that student interns covered in the past include the behaviors of biofilm, algal growth in relation to water purification, and Zebrafish liver cells as biosensors. 

11. Student Historian Internship at the New York Historical Society

Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY

Application deadline: TBA

Program dates: October - June

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live in and attend school in the New York City metro area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey). 

Stipend: Interns who attend a Title 1 School or are eligible for free or reduced lunch will be offered a stipend to participate. All other accepted students will have the option to receive community service hours or school credit.

The Student Historian internship program allows high school students to utilize New York Historical's resources to conduct research and showcase their scholarly work through innovative digital projects. During the program, you will participate in sessions with experts, gaining insight into museums, libraries, digital humanities, and history. You will work with your peers to enhance your historical analysis, communication, and digital media abilities, fostering a collaborative mindset.

12. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program

Location: Attorney Offices in Manhattan 

Application Deadline: Applications usually open in January and close around March 

Program Dates: July 8th - August 9th (five weeks)

Eligibility: Students must be attending high school and enrolled in grades 10th-12th. Only students who live in or attend school in Manhattan will be considered. 

Stipend: Minimum wage per hour

If you are interested in learning about law and the criminal justice system through practical experience, this is a great opportunity to consider! This internship will allow you to work with some of the nation’s top prosecutors and get an inside view of the field. As a part of the program, you will engage in discussions and workshops, participate in a mock trial, hone your professional skills, and more. This is a paid opportunity.

13. Hk Maker Lab Summer Engineering Design Program

Location: Columbia University, NY 

Application Deadline: Applications will most likely open in November   

Program Dates:  4 weeks (July 8 - August 13) with a mandatory orientation during the last week of June

Eligibility:  Students who are in grades 10-11, attend a NYCDOE public or charter high school, and are interested in pursuing STEAM fields can apply.

Stipend: There is no information available on this at the moment.  

The HK Maker Program, conducted in collaboration with Columbia University, is a great opportunity for students interested in biomedical sciences, innovation, and design. You will learn the principles of engineering, get practice in innovation and design tools, and work on collaborative projects involving digital media. This interdisciplinary learning experience will equip you with skills integral to college and career preparation. The program's first three weeks will be led by Columbia University faculty in your area of choice (biomedical engineering or innovation and design). This program also gives you the opportunity to obtain paid internships in research labs or healthcare institutions upon completion. 

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in doing university-level research, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 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.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.

Image Source: NYU