Best Summer Research & Internship Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors

Whether you’re wrapping up your junior year or about to enter your final lap as a senior, summer is no time to sit still, especially if you’re serious about college, scholarships, or building a competitive edge. For high school juniors and seniors, summer research and internship programs can offer more than just a preview of college, they’re a chance to deep-dive into a subject, contribute to real-world work, and showcase your passion and initiative.

The best part? Many of these programs are selective, prestigious, and sometimes even paid, and they look fantastic on college applications. Below is a detailed list of Best Summer Research & Internship Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors organized by stream: STEM, medical, business, law/social sciences, and humanities. Let’s get to it!

🔬 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

1. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT

• Who it's for: Rising seniors (current juniors only)

• What it is: A fully funded, 6-week program that combines on-campus coursework in scientific theory with hands-on research in science and engineering.

• Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA

• Cost: Fully funded

• Dates: Late June – Early August

• Why it’s elite: Considered one of the most prestigious STEM research programs in the U.S. (and the world).

2. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech

• Who it's for: High-achieving juniors and seniors (invitation or direct application)

• What it is: 7-week research program in STEM, economics, and more, under the mentorship of Texas Tech faculty.

• Location: Lubbock, TX

• Cost: Free + stipend

• Dates: June – August

• What stands out: Offers personal mentorship and real lab work experience.

  
  

3. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University

• Who it's for: Rising seniors with a strong STEM background

• What it is: 7-week immersive research experience in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering.

• Location: Long Island, NY

• Stipend provided

• Dates: Early July – Mid August

• Why it’s excellent: Direct access to top labs and real research teams.

  
  

4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors from the Bay Area

• What it is: 8-week biomedical research program with faculty mentorship.

• Location: Stanford University

• Stipend provided (free)

• Special feature: Tracks include bioengineering, immunology, neuroscience, and more.

  
  

5. NASA Internships

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors (U.S. citizens only)

• What it is: Paid internships at NASA centers across the U.S. with hands-on projects in engineering, coding, planetary science, and more.

• Location: Various NASA centers & online

• Paid

• Application deadlines: Usually in February or March

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🩺 Medical & Life Sciences

6. Garcia Research Program – Stony Brook

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors interested in biomedical engineering and materials science

• What it is: Collaborative lab research with college-level mentorship and a final research presentation.

• Location: Stony Brook University

• Cost: $$$ (Financial aid available)

• Known for: Launching students into science fairs like Regeneron and ISEF.

7. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors (16+)

• What it is: Work with scientists in biomedical research at NIH facilities.

• Location: Bethesda, MD and across the U.S.

• Paid internship

• Dates: 8 weeks, starting in June

• Why it’s special: NIH = National Institutes of Health. It doesn’t get more real than this.

  
  

8. Boston University RISE Internship

• Who it's for: Rising seniors

• What it is: 6-week research internships in STEM fields, working 40 hours/week in a lab with BU researchers.

• Location: Boston, MA

• Cost: $$$ (Financial aid available)

• Popular for: Its Research Internship Track (advanced, independent work)

  
  

9. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Internships

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors with an interest in medicine or biology

• What it is: Volunteer and internship-based programs in clinical research and health care shadowing.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA

• Free

• Why apply: Strong support for future pre-med students.

💼 Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

10. LEAD Summer Business Institute – UPenn, Stanford, Duke

• Who it's for: Underrepresented juniors and seniors

• What it is: Prestigious 3-week program on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

• Location: Ivy League and top business schools

• Partial scholarships available

• Dates: Late June – Mid July

• Bonus: Mentorship from MBA students, exposure to real case studies.

  
  

11. LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program (MIT spin-off)

• Who it's for: Competitive juniors and seniors

• What it is: Startup incubator for high schoolers; teams build real companies.

• Location: Online & on-campus (varies)

• $$$ (financial aid available)

• Why it’s unique: Focus on pitching, prototyping, and launching.

⚖️ Law, Policy & Social Sciences

12. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASP)

• Who it's for: Rising seniors (extremely selective)

• What it is: 6-week humanities program led by professors, focused on ethics, philosophy, and society.

• Location: Cornell, U-Michigan

• Cost: Free (fully funded)

• Prestige level: Among the most selective programs in the U.S., like RSI, but for humanities.

  
  

13. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors

• What it is: Paid 8-week internship with a nonprofit + all-expenses-paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C.

• Location: Your city + D.C.

• Stipend provided

• Deadline: January

• Why apply: Real-world leadership + civic impact.

  
  

14. American Legion Boys/Girls State

• Who it's for: Juniors

• What it is: Intensive week-long immersion in state government roles; legislature, courts, and elections.

• Location: Your state’s capital

• Cost: Usually sponsored (Free)

• Resume value: Highly respected by service academies and Ivy Leagues.

📚 Writing, Journalism & Humanities

15. Princeton Summer Journalism Program

• Who it's for: Low-income juniors

• What it is: 10-day journalism camp + yearlong mentorship from journalists at the New York Times, WSJ, etc.

• Location: Princeton University

• Free (travel included)

• Why it matters: Open door to top-tier journalism and storytelling opportunities.

  
  

16. Iowa Young Writers' Studio

• Who it's for: Juniors and seniors who love creative writing

• What it is: 2-week residential writing workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction

• Location: University of Iowa

• $$$ (aid available)

• Why it’s great: It’s hosted by one of the top MFA writing programs in the country.

Best Summer Research & Internship Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors

• Start early: Most programs open applications between November and January.

• Prepare a résumé, personal statement, and letter of recommendation. You’ll need these for many selective opportunities.

• Ask about financial aid. Many pricey programs offer generous aid or full scholarships.

• Choose depth over prestige. Colleges want to see genuine engagement, not just big names.

Whether you’re a rising senior trying to impress colleges or a junior exploring your passions, summer programs are your launchpad. These opportunities aren’t just about résumé-building, but they’re about growth, purpose, and discovering what lights you up.

So go ahead—research, apply, and take that leap. Your future self will thank you.