8 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia
Looking for free opportunities to make the most of your summer in Philadelphia? Whether you're interested in exploring the arts, diving into science, or building leadership skills, the city offers a variety of programs designed to help high school students grow academically and personally.
In this blog, we'll highlight 8 free summer programs available to high school students in Philadelphia, each providing unique experiences that can inspire your future career, enhance your college applications, and help you connect with like-minded peers.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Program Dates: Multiple, year-round cohorts. The Winter cohort runs from December to February
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available!
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored 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. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Application deadline: TBA for 2025
Dates: June 18 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: No cost; this is a paid internship, but housing and transportation are not provided
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, who are eligible to work in the U.S.
MSAP is a rigorous 8-week internship aimed at involving high school students in biomedical research. This program is specifically designed to spark an interest in advanced research and science careers among groups that are often underrepresented in the scientific community.
Participants in the MSAP program work full-time (35 hours per week) alongside Monell scientists on individual research projects. These projects can range from cloning olfactory receptors to identifying the nural basis of sugar preference. In addition to hands-on research, the program features educational lectures on scientific topics. The program culminates in a Capstone Symposium, where students present their research findings. With a 10% acceptance rate, MSAP is a highly selective program.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: No cost; Students receive a $1,000 stipend and SEPTA passes for travel
Application deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in January
Program Dates: July – August 2025, exact dates TBA
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, have completed at least one high school science course, and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
The Wistar Institute offers high school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in areas such as cancer biology, vaccine development, and infectious diseases. This biomedical research internship admits 15 students annually.
Over the course of four weeks, you will receive training in advanced biomedical lab techniques and actively contribute to ongoing projects at the institute's cutting-edge facilities. The program also includes instruction on how to critically read scientific literature and explore various careers in biomedical research. At the end of the program, you will showcase your research findings to both peers and mentors.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: TBA for 2025, typically July to August
Eligibility: Students must:
Have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the summer
Have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area
The TREES program is a summer research and mentorship initiative that offers high school students the chance to engage in hands-on environmental research. Each summer, students are paired with mentors to work on research projects that the students personally choose and design. The program begins with two weeks of training in fundamental laboratory techniques, which are essential for the research projects you'll undertake.
The rest of the program is devoted to independent research. Through your project, you'll adopt a scientific approach to tackle an environmental issue. You’ll do library research, master scientific methodologies, and perform hands-on lab work, with fieldwork incorporated where possible. Some students collaborate on team projects. The program culminates in a research report and a public presentation of your work to an audience of peers and guests.
Location: A non-profit organization in Philadelphia that Bank of America partners with
Cost: No cost. Students will be paid, but information on the exact amount is not available
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in the fall
Program Dates: 8 week summer internship, including the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Students must be:
Current high school juniors and seniors
Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
A student in good standing at their school
See all eligibility criteria here
The Bank of America Student Leader Program is a distinguished program offering paid internships to students who work with nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity. The program is designed to foster community engagement by empowering students to make a difference in their communities. Through this program, students gain practical experience in leadership and community service by working directly with a local nonprofit organization. Participants also acquire valuable skills in nonprofit management, engage in meaningful service projects, and develop a deeper understanding of social issues, all of which contribute to their future academic and career goals.
This 8-week paid internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where travel, lodging, and meals are covered by the bank. This is a highly selective program, with a 5-8% acceptance rate. For a more detailed look at this program, see our guide here.
Location: Students in Philadelphia can select one of two options—Naval Surface Warfare Center and Naval Information Warfare Center
Cost: Students receive a stipend: $4,000 (new participant) or $4,500 (returning participant). Housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, and are solely U.S. citizens. Eligibility requirements can vary by lab
SEAP is a highly esteemed and competitive program that allows high school students to work in Navy laboratories across the United States, engaging in real Naval research. This opportunity is ideal for those interested in deepening their understanding of STEM fields, particularly engineering. Throughout the program, students are guided by experienced scientists and engineers at Navy labs. By working directly on hands-on projects, participants gain practical experience and enhance their knowledge in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.
Lab placements are determined based on the student's area of interest, with around 300 positions available across more than 38 labs nationwide. Check out our full guide to the Navy’s SEAP internship here.
Location: Varies according to internship
Cost: No cost; Stipend of $17.53/hour for Summer 2024, with transportation and meals
Application Deadline: March 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 19 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Philadelphia
The Bloomberg Arts Internships are coordinated by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. These internships offer high school seniors a unique opportunity to engage with the world of art and culture, allowing them to gain valuable work experience.
You will be matched with one of various arts and cultural organizations across the Greater Philadelphia area, where you will work on projects that enhance your skills in preparation for future academic and professional endeavors. The program emphasizes work readiness and includes college preparation activities. Potential internship sites include music venues, art and history museums, and historical sites. If you successfully complete the summer program, you have the option of applying to continue your internship throughout the school year.
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.