15 Best Free Ivy League Summer Programs for High School Students
Free Ivy League summer programs allow high school students to explore college-level academics and campus life without the expense of paid options. These programs emphasize practical skills, exposure to advanced research, and opportunities to learn from industry professionals, supporting students in building knowledge in specific fields while preparing for future academic paths.
With low acceptance rates and small cohort sizes, these free Ivy League summer programs for high school students are fully funded, while providing personalized mentorship, collaborative learning opportunities, and the chance to connect with driven peers.
CS50, offered by Harvard University, is an introductory course in computer science and programming. The program covers core topics such as algorithms, data structures, software engineering, web development, and security. You will gain hands-on experience with programming languages like C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript, along with CSS and HTML.
This free Ivy League summer program for high school students emphasizes problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and collaboration within a global learning community. By the end of the program, you will design and present a final programming project, showcasing the skills you’ve developed.
Location: Online (Self-paced)
Duration: 11 weeks
Time Commitment: 10–20 hours per week
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to learners of all experience levels interested in computer science and programming
This course provides an introduction to the structure and function of key U.S. political institutions, including Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and the federal bureaucracy. You will explore how power is distributed among these branches and how voters, political parties, and agencies shape governance. Topics include congressional decision-making, political polarization, the limits of Congress in addressing major issues, the expansion of presidential powers, and the judiciary’s role in policy-making.
The course emphasizes critical thinking about the balance of power and the effectiveness of each branch within a democratic system.
Location: Online (Self-paced)
Duration: Not specified
Time Commitment: 2–4 hours per week
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all learners interested in U.S. government and political science
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University provides high school students with a full-time, in-person summer research experience in science and engineering. Open to local students, the program offers the opportunity to join ongoing research projects and collaborate with Princeton faculty and research staff. The program runs for 5–6 weeks during standard business hours, with schedules depending on the specific project. It is not a residential or social program, and no housing, transportation, or extracurricular activities are included.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (In-person only)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; over 1,500 applications in past years
Dates: 5–6 weeks during summer (dates vary by project)
Application Deadline: March 15 (Midnight EST)
Eligibility: Must be 16 years old by June 15
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship Program offers graduating seniors the chance to work on experimental or computational projects in plasma physics. Participants collaborate with research or engineering staff on focused projects and commit to a full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants should have a background in physics, advanced mathematics, or coding, and familiarity with tools like Python, SolidWorks, or AutoCAD is recommended. An interest in plasma physics or fusion energy is essential for this internship.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey
Dates: TBD (Summer after high school graduation)
Application Deadline: March 1 (Applications open on November 22)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a graduating senior, and authorized to work in the U.S. Housing is not provided. Minors must obtain working papers before the internship begins.
5. Yale Univeristy’s Financial Markets — Online
Yale University's Financial Markets course examines the financial system's essential role in the global economy. It connects financial concepts with economic principles, focusing on financial equilibrium as an extension of economic equilibrium. Students gain insights into analytical strategies used by hedge funds, offering a broad understanding of how financial markets function. This free Ivy League summer program for high school students is self-paced and reflects the structure of Yale’s on-campus version, which was originally taught in 75-minute sessions twice a week.
Location: Online (Offered by Yale University)
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Cost: Free (with an optional paid certificate)
Eligibility: Open to all learners interested in finance and economics; no prerequisites required.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long initiative for high school juniors interested in journalism. It includes a hybrid summer intensive with online workshops in July and a 10-day residential program at Princeton University. Participants attend lectures, write articles, complete assignments, and receive college application guidance.
During the residential portion, students stay on campus, visit news outlets like The New York Times and Bloomberg, cover events, and conduct investigative reports. They contribute to The Princeton Summer Journal while attending college admissions seminars and receiving personalized counseling.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program Dates: Late July – Early August (residential intensive)
Virtual Portion: Mid-July (online workshops and assignments)
In-Person Portion: Late July – Early August (residential intensive at Princeton University)
Application Deadline: February 24
Cost: All expenses (transportation, housing, meals, and equipment) covered by the program
Eligibility: High school juniors with a GPA above 3.5, interested in journalism
The Princeton AI4ALL Summer Program is a fully funded, three-week residential experience for rising 11th graders at Princeton University. It introduces students to the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, focusing on its ethical implications and societal impact. Participants attend lectures by Princeton AI professors and work on research projects guided by graduate student mentors.
This free Ivy League summer program for high school students includes a two-day trip to Washington, D.C., where you will get to explore AI’s role in public policy and meet policymakers. Career development is emphasized through workshops and mentoring, and the program concludes with group presentations on AI projects addressing real-world challenges.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program Dates: 3 weeks in 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)
Must live and attend high school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
Must meet at least one of the following low-income criteria:
Combined household income does not exceed $60,000
Eligible for free/reduced-price lunch
Eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver
Harvard Business School Online's Sustainable Investing course offers insights into integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment strategies. Participants learn to measure impact investments, assess climate risks, and apply financial models addressing sustainability. The course covers frameworks for evaluating sustainable opportunities and strategies to avoid "impact washing" while creating long-term value. It is designed for professionals looking to navigate sustainable finance and make informed investment decisions.
Location: Online (Self-paced)
Dates: May 14 – June 25
Duration: 6 weeks
Time Commitment: 5 hours per week
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to professionals and learners interested in sustainable finance and ESG investing
Yale University's American Revolution course examines the profound transformations brought about by the Revolution, focusing on the ideological and societal changes beyond the battlefield. It traces how British colonists became revolutionaries and how the colonies united into a confederation of states with a shared purpose. The course begins with John Adams’ idea that the revolution started in the minds of the people before the war and explores how identities shifted from British subjects to Americans. It provides a comprehensive perspective on the Revolution's enduring impact during and after the conflict.
Location: In-person at Yale University
Program Dates: Self paced
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: High school students interested in philosophy, cognitive science, and social theory
Schedule: Online, twice per week for 50 minutes
10. Yale University Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature
Yale University's Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature course explores the connection between classical philosophy and modern cognitive science. By pairing key texts from philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, Rawls, and Nozick with contemporary cognitive science, the course focuses on three main themes: Happiness and Flourishing, Morality and Justice, and Political Legitimacy and Social Structures. You will engage with philosophical ideas alongside the latest research in cognitive science to deepen your understanding of human nature, behavior, and society.
Location: In-person at Yale University
Program Dates: Self paced
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: High school students interested in philosophy, cognitive science, and social theory
Schedule: Online, twice per week for 50 minutes
Columbia University's Global Climate Change and Public Policy course explores the complexities of climate change and its impact on ecosystems, biodiversity, and economic growth. Focusing on public policy, the course examines how policies address human impacts on the environment, using climate change as a central theme. You will explore environmental economics, including carbon taxes and trading schemes, while studying national and global challenges. Through case studies from both developed and developing countries, the course covers issues like renewable energy and organic agriculture, and highlights innovative policy solutions. This free Ivy League summer program for high school students aims to prepare you to engage in sustainability and climate action discussions.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Program Dates: June 30 to July 18
Class Times: Monday–Friday, 9:10–11:00 a.m. and 1:10–3:00 p.m. ET
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: High school students interested in climate change, public policy, and environmental economics.
12. Columbia University’s Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain
Columbia University's Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain course explores the brain's evolution, development, and role in behavior. Students will study the history of the brain as the seat of the self, from ancient Greece to the present, and learn about brain systems from individual neurons to the central nervous system. Key topics include sensation, perception, decision-making, animal studies, and neuropharmacology. This free Ivy League summer program for high school students combines lectures with small-group exercises, such as building brain models, critiquing research, and visualizing neural data, with asynchronous work complementing in-class activities.
Location: In-person at Columbia University
Program Dates: June 30 to July 18
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: TBD
Eligibility: One year of high school biology required. Open to high school students with an interest in neuroscience.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 11:10 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 3:10–5:00 p.m. ET.
13. Columbia University’s Introduction to International Relations and Great Power
This course explores international relations theory and its relevance to global politics, focusing on the evolution of the international order and economic statecraft in great power competition. The first half covers key theoretical frameworks, including the rise and fall of great powers and the role of non-state actors, using case studies to link theory to practice.
The second half focuses on the U.S., China, and Russia, analyzing economic statecraft as a tool for advancing national interests. It introduces macroeconomic concepts to help students understand each nation's strategy and global position, with an emphasis on those new to macroeconomics.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Program Dates: June 30 to July 18
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: TBD
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in international relations, economics, and global politics.
14. Columbia University’s Modern Biology & Its Real World Applications
Columbia University’s Modern Biology & Its Real World Applications course covers molecular biology, genetics, and evolution, focusing on their impact on medicine, agriculture, and ecology. Students will explore DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and apply these concepts to genetic engineering, immunology, cancer, virology, and bioethics. The course also connects biology to global issues like climate change and interdisciplinary fields such as anthropology and economics.
This Ivy League summer program for high school students includes group activities, online labs, and videos to enhance learning, but lacks a wet lab component. It is suited for students who have completed AP Biology, as much of the material will be familiar.
Location: In-person at Columbia University
Program Dates: June 30 to July 18
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: TBD
Eligibility: High school students, especially those who have taken AP Biology.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:10–11:00 a.m. and 1:10–3:00 p.m. ET.
This course examines the relationship between wealth and democracy in the U.S. through theoretical, historical, and contemporary lenses. Topics include campaign finance reform, the influence of wealth in politics, and political corruption. Students will engage with readings from political theorists, Supreme Court cases like Citizens United, contemporary studies, films, and press accounts.
The program includes guest speakers from campaign finance and political funding sectors. Morning sessions focus on theory and facts, while afternoon sessions involve writing position papers, debates, and group work. The course aims to deepen understanding of wealth's impact on democracy without prescribing solutions.
Location: Columbia University (In Person)
Dates: August 11–15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Recommended for students with the maturity and willingness to engage thoughtfully with sensitive and challenging topics.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 11:10 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 3:10–5:00 p.m. ET
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.