13 Free Online Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student applying to your dream school after the summer, here’s something you should know - beyond strong academics, admissions officers often look for students who have demonstrated initiative and hands-on experience in their field of interest.
Free online summer programs for high school students offer a valuable way to build foundational skills, explore potential career paths, and gain research or project-based experience—all without financial or logistical barriers. Participating in one of these programs can help you stand out in college applications by showcasing your commitment to learning outside the classroom.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 13 free online summer programs for high school students that provide rigorous coursework, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include current high school students and incoming college freshmen with a minimum 3.3 GPA, no prior experience required.
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.
Location: Online, with an in-person conference at MIT
Duration: 6 months
Cost: Free
Program dates: Six months, starting in mid-June
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES Semester, formerly MOSTEC, is a free six-month national STEM program for high school students, conducted in two phases. In the first phase, you will engage in online courses, hands-on projects, workshops, and webinars covering topics like astrophysics, computational biology, and robotics. The second phase focuses on college preparation, offering virtual mock interviews, essay reviews, and counseling sessions. You will also attend a college fair to explore top institutions and their admissions processes. The program concludes with an in-person conference at MIT, where you can network with STEM professionals and peers.
3. 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: Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world.
Location: Online
Duration: 1 year
Cost: Free
Program dates: All year, beginning on January 1
Application deadline: November 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores from across the United States (outside of Greater Boston)
MIT PRIMES-USA is a year-long, fully funded mathematics research program for high school students across the U.S. Participants work on virtual group and individual projects under the guidance of mentors from MIT, Stanford, Penn State, and other leading institutions. Throughout the program, you will conduct advanced mathematical research, culminating in a final paper published on the PRIMES website. Exceptional projects may also be submitted to national science competitions or professional research journals. With only 47 students selected in the past, PRIMES-USA is highly competitive.
Location: Online
Duration: 2 weeks
Cost: Free. Grant of up to $300 available!
Program Dates: Round 1: July 7–18; Round 2 (for international students): July 28–August 8.
Application Deadline: Early: February 26; General: April 11.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in 9th–11th grade who identify as girls or non-binary and international students aged 14–18. Participants must commit to the full duration of the program.
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (GWC SIP) is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to computer science and career pathways in tech. The curriculum focuses on game design, covering intermediate programming concepts, user experience design, rapid prototyping, and playtesting. Participants will engage in virtual courses, hands-on projects, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. The program is open to all genders, with a focus on increasing representation in tech. Eligible U.S.-based students may also receive a $300 grant to support their participation.
Location: Online
Duration: 5 days
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 15 – July 19
Application deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: High school students living in Colorado available for the entire duration of the camp
CU Denver GenCyber Summer Camp is a five-day program for high school students interested in cybersecurity. The camp features hands-on exercises and interactive activities covering cyber threats, social engineering, the Internet of Things (IoT), ethics, and online safety. Participants will engage in real-world cybersecurity challenges and learn fundamental skills in the field. At the end of the camp, students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement, along with educational materials such as Raspberry Pis, video games, and cybersecurity-themed board games.
Location: Online
Duration: 12 weeks
Cost: Free
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Harvard’s CS50x is the online version of one of Harvard’s most renowned computer science courses, designed for high school students interested in programming. Whether you're a beginner or have prior experience, the course covers key topics such as abstraction, algorithms, and data structures while introducing programming languages like C, Python, and SQL. The curriculum includes nine assignments and a final project, and students who complete the course with a satisfactory score receive a certificate of completion. This certification can serve as a strong addition to college applications and future academic pursuits.
Location: Online
Duration: 6-12 weeks
Cost: Free. A $500 stipend is offered!
Program dates: There is no information available
Application deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: 9-12 grade high school students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents currently residing in the U.S.A.
SPARK SIP is a highly competitive summer internship for high school students interested in computer science and related fields, with an acceptance rate below 5%. The program offers hands-on experience in areas such as machine learning, programming, computer vision, and neural networks, applying these skills to real-world research projects. Past projects have included developing detection tools for tick-borne infections and breast cancer, as well as exploring 2D materials as conductors. Selected students work under the mentorship of experienced professionals and receive guidance from industry leaders and professors, along with resources to support their academic and career growth.
Location: Both in-person and virtual options are available
Duration: 4 months
Cost: Free. A stipend is paid!
Program dates: Late May – Early June/August
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
High school student
16 years or older
Who is a U.S. citizen
With a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship offers high school and college students the opportunity to work alongside NASA scientists and engineers. Interns gain hands-on experience in fields such as technology, aeronautics, and space exploration, with projects varying by NASA center. The program offers flexibility, allowing participants to choose between full-time or part-time commitments. Both virtual and in-person options are available, with sessions held three times a year.
Location: Online
Duration: 5 weeks
Cost: Free
Program dates: Summer (specific dates vary)
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living anywhere in North America (U.S. or Canada)
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week virtual summer research program designed for high school students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds interested in neurological sciences. Participants engage in mentored research, educational presentations, and professional development workshops. The program also includes virtual college prep classes, mentorship training, and networking opportunities to support students in their academic journey. Successful participants receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Online
Duration: 3 weeks
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 8 – July 26 (tentative)
Application deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to 9th-11th grade female and gender minority students worldwide, with preference for first-generation, underrepresented students, and rising seniors.
Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Wave of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a three-week virtual outreach program for high school girls interested in physics. Participants explore fields such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology while learning Python to develop physics-based projects. The program also offers mentorship and networking opportunities, including lectures by Stanford faculty, collaborations with Stanford undergraduates, and career development workshops.
Location: Online
Duration: 1 year
Cost: Free
Program dates: Online classes will begin in mid-July.
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are U.S. high school juniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA, an interest in journalism, and a family income under $60,000 or qualifying financial circumstances. First-generation college students receive priority.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long program for high school students from limited-income backgrounds who are passionate about journalism. Each year, 40 students are selected to engage in a hybrid curriculum featuring virtual workshops, lectures, and hands-on assignments led by Princeton professors and professional journalists. You will explore topics such as reporting, food journalism, and feature writing while participating in group discussions, mentorship sessions, and reporting projects. The program concludes with a 10-day residential experience at Princeton, where you will contribute to the Princeton Summer Journal, the program’s annual publication.
Location: Online
Duration: 3 weeks
Cost: Free
Program dates: The program typically runs from June to August
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school seniors planning to attend a four-year college in the U.S. or Canada, with a strong interest in technology and computer science.
Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a three-week immersive program for high school students passionate about computer science. The curriculum includes hands-on projects, daily development sessions, and networking opportunities with Google engineers. Participants also gain insight into Google’s internship programs and career paths in technology.
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.