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STEM Internships and Summer Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors

Updated: 2 days ago

STEM Internships and Summer Programs for High School Juniors and Seniors

In this article we talk about good STEM internships and summer programs for high school, that students and parents can check out while deciding which one to go for.


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1. Ultra-Selective National STEM Research Fellowships

These are the “Olympic-level” summer programs: tiny cohorts, hard to get into, and often fully funded.


Research Science Institute (RSI) – CEE @ MIT (Cambridge, MA)


What it is: RSI is a 6-week, fully residential, cost-free summer research program run by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and hosted at MIT. Students spend the first part of the program on intensive STEM coursework, then dive into individualized research projects under MIT or nearby faculty mentors.


Who it’s for:

  • Primarily current high school juniors (rising seniors) from around the world

  • Academically top-tier applicants (strong coursework + test scores + teacher recs)


Money & logistics (at time of writing):

  • No tuition, room, or board charges to admitted students; CEE covers those costs.

  • There is typically a modest application fee (check current year’s instructions).


What you actually do:

  • Take advanced classes in math, science, and research methods

  • Conduct a high-level research project, write a paper, and present your work

  • Join an alumni network that includes winners of major competitions and scholarships



Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)


What it is: An intensive 7-week research program for only about 12 highly qualified high school juniors and seniors each summer. Participants do full-time research under Texas Tech faculty in fields ranging from engineering and biology to computer science and even some non-STEM areas.


Who it’s for:

  • High-achieving juniors and seniors from anywhere in the US

  • Students ready to handle college-level independent research


Key features:

  • One-on-one or very small group research under a faculty mentor

  • Weekly seminars, discussions, and enrichment activities beyond lab work

(Financial details – stipends, housing, etc. – vary; the program has historically offered substantial support, but you must check the current year’s info.)



Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (JAX SSP) – Maine & Connecticut


What it is: A 10-week research fellowship in genetics and genomics at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), with sites in Bar Harbor, ME and Farmington, CT. It’s open to graduating high school seniors and undergraduates interested in biomedical research.


Who it’s for:

  • Graduating high school seniors (class of 12th grade) and college students

  • US citizens/nationals/permanent residents (per current eligibility).


Money & logistics (current info):

  • Stipend around $7,000 for the 10-week program

  • Room, board, and round-trip travel are covered for admitted students.


What you do:

  • Join an ongoing lab project in areas like cancer, immunology, bioinformatics, etc.

  • Design and carry out experiments, analyze data, and present your research



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2. Classic Residential STEM Research Camps

Full-time, residential programs where you live on campus and do serious research with a group.


Summer Science Program (SSP) – Multiple Campuses


What it is: SSP is a nonprofit residential research program offering ultra-immersive “mini grad school” experiences in Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, Synthetic Chemistry, and Cell Biology, hosted at several US universities (e.g., University of Colorado Boulder, Purdue, Indiana University, UNC, etc.).


Who it’s for:

  • Primarily current juniors (rising seniors); a few sophomores may be admitted

  • Students aged roughly 15–19 with strong STEM backgrounds


Program structure:

  • About 5 weeks of residential, research-heavy work

  • Students work in teams of three to complete a full research project, including data collection, analysis, and a final presentation or report


Cost & aid (recent):

  • Program fee is in the $8k+ range, including tuition, room, board, and supplies

  • Need-based aid is generous, and SSP states it meets all demonstrated financial need.


Official URL : https://ssp.org/


UC Davis Young Scholars Program (Davis, CA)


What it is: A summer residential research program at UC Davis for roughly 40 high-achieving high school students. Participants work with faculty in biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences and complete an individual research project.


Who it’s for:

  • High school juniors and seniors (exact grade/age rules vary slightly year to year)

  • Students serious about lab-based science and ready to write a journal-style paper


Program structure:

  • About 6 weeks of on-campus research and residential life as of recent years

  • Each student is assigned to a research group and ultimately produces a paper + symposium presentation.



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Florida State University Young Scholars Program (FSU YSP) – Tallahassee, FL


What it is: A 6-week residential science and mathematics program at Florida State University for outstanding Florida high school students. Combines three custom STEM courses with an independent research project under FSU faculty.


Who it’s for:

  • Florida residents only

  • Students who have completed 11th grade (rising seniors), with very strong math/science records and high standardized test scores.


Money & logistics (current):

  • FSU provides room, board, and tuition free of charge to every admitted student (effectively a scholarship of $7,000+ per student).


What you do:

  • Take three rigorous courses (designed specifically for the program, not regular HS/college)

  • Complete an independent research project and present at an academic-style conference




3. University-Based Lab Research Programs

These are often on a single campus, usually 4–8 weeks, and very hands-on.


Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)


What it is: A 6-week research program placing high school students in Stony Brook University labs to work in areas like biology, chemistry, physics, math, engineering, and more. Students join active research teams and present a poster at the end.


Who it’s for:

  • Current high school juniors (11th grade) at the time of application

  • US citizens or permanent residents, at least 16 years old by program start


Key features:

  • Individual or small-team projects under a faculty mentor

  • Formal poster presentation at a closing symposium

(Funding details vary by year; in recent cycles, there has been substantial support and sometimes stipends—check the current year’s description.)



Garcia Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)


What it is: A 7-week intensive program focused on polymer science and materials engineering, run by the Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces. Students combine formal instruction with independent or team-based research, often in nanotechnology, biomaterials, and advanced polymers.


Who it’s for:

  • High school students (often juniors/seniors) with a strong interest in materials science

  • Must be able to commit to the full 7-week lab schedule; some projects can continue into the academic year via their Mentor Program.

(Program fees and aid options change; you need to check the current application page.)



Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – New York, NY


What it is: A 7-week, full-time mentored research program at Rockefeller University in New York City. Students work ~35 hours per week in advanced labs in biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, and related fields.


Who it’s for:

  • High school juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old, typically within commuting distance of NYC (exact rules may shift slightly each year).

  • Important nuance:Rockefeller does not allow SSRP research projects to be used in high-school science competitions (like Regeneron STS, ISEF, etc.), per their FAQs.



RISE Internship/Practicum – Boston University (Boston, MA)


What it is: RISE (Research in Science & Engineering) is a 6-week summer program at Boston University with two tracks:

  1. Internship Track: You join a BU research lab full-time (about 40 hours/week) under a faculty or graduate mentor.

  2. Practicum Track: You work in a structured lab course in areas like Computational Neurobiology or Data Science, with group projects plus lectures.


Who it’s for:

  • Rising seniors (current juniors)

  • As of recent cycles: US citizens or permanent residents only.


What you do:

  • Internship track: integrate into an ongoing research project and contribute real data

  • Practicum track: work on predefined research problems with a cohort

(Cost and available aid are specified each year; there is typically tuition plus housing fees with some scholarship support.)


Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)


What it is: A full-time ~8-week research internship where high school and undergrad students work alongside faculty at George Mason University and partner institutions. Fields include computing, engineering, biosciences, environmental science, physics, and more.


Who it’s for:

  • High school and undergraduate students, usually 15+ (16+ for wet-lab work) by a specified date.


Cost & format (current):

  • No program tuition; there is typically a small application fee (around $25) that may be waived for financial need.

  • Projects may be in-person, remote, or hybrid, depending on the mentor.


What you do:

  • Carry out hypothesis-driven research with state-of-the-art equipment

  • Build skills in scientific writing and communication and present your findings at a symposium



Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Northeastern University (Boston, MA)


What it is: A 6-week, hands-on research experience at Northeastern’s Center for STEM Education. Students are placed in research labs across engineering and science departments and complete a mentored project. The program is free to attend.


Who it’s for:

  • Rising seniors who are Massachusetts residents and can commute daily to campus

  • Strong interest in STEM, plus solid academic record


Key features:

  • Full-time lab placement in areas like sustainable energy, robotics, biotech, etc.

  • Workshops, field trips, and a stipend in some years (check current cycle details).



If you are passionate about STEM and want a glowing credential on your college portfolio, we run highly selective programs in association with our partner orgs, wherein you would get a chance to work with top researchers and get your research published in leading journals. These are paid programs with fees in the range of $3k-$8k for a program duration between 6 weeks and 6 months. Fill this form if you're interested to know more.

STARS Summer Research Program – UT Southwestern (Dallas, TX)


What it is: Part of the STARS (Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern) initiative, this is an 8-week summer research program for North Texas high school juniors and science teachers. Students work full-time in biomedical research labs at UT Southwestern Medical Center.


Who it’s for:

  • Current high school juniors from North Texas

  • Students with strong academic records and a real interest in biomedical careers


What you do:

  • Join a lab, conduct experiments, and produce a research presentation

  • Act as “emissaries” by sharing your experience back at your home school.

(Details on stipends vs. unpaid status vary; check the current year’s page.)



4. Applied / Field-Specific STEM Internships

These are still serious research, but focused on specific domains like agriculture or Earth/space science.


UGA Young Scholars Program – University of Georgia (Athens/Griffin/Tifton, GA)


What it is: A paid summer research internship run by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia. Students work in labs or research groups focused on agricultural, food, and environmental sciences.


Who it’s for:

  • High school students (typically juniors and seniors) 16+ by program start

  • Students able to commute to the Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campus


Program structure:

  • Five- to six-week internship (exact dates vary by year and site)

  • About 30 hours/week of research plus workshops and site visits

  • Concludes with a Pre-Collegiate Research Conference where students present poster projects.


Money:This is a paid internship; students receive wages for their research work.



STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) – NASA / UT Austin Center for Space Research


What it is: A nationally competitive NASA-affiliated summer intern program hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research, focused on Earth and space science. Students use real NASA mission data to study topics like remote sensing, natural hazards, climate, astronomy, and planetary science.


Who it’s for:

  • US high school students (exact grade/age varies slightly, but usually rising juniors/seniors)

  • Strong interest in Earth science, space, data analysis, or engineering


Program structure:

  • Hybrid format in many years: online preparation and team work, plus an on-site residential component at UT Austin (length varies by cohort; check current schedule).

  • Students interpret NASA satellite data under mentorship of scientists and engineers and present project outcomes.


(Costs and available travel support are explained in the current year’s description; many cohorts have been free or highly subsidized, but verify for your year.)



Additional programs to look out for


1. NYU Tandon ARISE


Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York


If you’re a motivated NYC high schooler who wants serious lab time at a major engineering school, ARISE is one of the strongest free options out there.


What the program is:

ARISE is a 10-week, in-person summer research program run by NYU Tandon’s K12 STEM Center. The first 4 weeks emphasize research skills: safety training, introductory research methods, and college writing workshops. The remaining 6 weeks are spent embedded in an NYU research lab (50+ partner labs across engineering, computer science, and applied sciences). You help with real projects, not canned school labs.

Students present their work at an internal colloquium and then again at a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History, so you get practice in formal scientific communication.


Eligibility & selectivity

From the current official description : k12stem.engineering.nyu.edu

  • Must be rising juniors or seniors (current 10th or 11th graders at application time).

  • Must be full-time NYC residents attending NYC high schools.

  • It’s competitive: spots are limited and there are multiple selection rounds (application, lab tours/ranking, interviews, etc.).


Cost & funding

  • Free to attend thanks to foundation support.

  • Students receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion (per current program page).


Who this is best for

  • NYC students with strong math/science background who want deep lab immersion + a strong college essay hook.

  • Especially good if you’re interested in engineering, data science, robotics, materials, or urban systems.



2. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program (UIUC)


Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

This is a selective, 6-week research experience at a top public research university, focused heavily on broadening participation in STEMM.


What the program is:

UIUC’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs place high school students into real research groups across engineering, computer science, neuroscience, bioengineering, and more. Students work ~30–35 hours/week in labs, attend weekly seminars on college admissions, scientific communication, and how to prepare a research poster, and present at a final research symposium.


Eligibility

According to the 2025 program info : wyse.grainger.illinois.edu

  • Rising 10th–12th graders (sophomores–seniors during the upcoming year).

  • Must attend high school in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin.

  • The program explicitly focuses on students from traditionally excluded or underrepresented backgrounds in STEMM, but all eligible students may apply.


Cost & support

  • No cost to participate other than transportation to/from campus.

  • Housing, meals, and a monetary award (fellowship) are provided for participants, per the official description.


Why it’s strong

  • The structure is very close to a college REU: full-time lab work, faculty/grad-student mentors, and professional development workshops.

  • It’s fairly prestigious and selective — external reviews estimate acceptance around 5% in recent years (not from UIUC directly, but consistently reported).



3. Young Scholars Internship Program (YSP) – University of Georgia


Location: University of Georgia (Athens, Griffin, and Tifton campuses), GA

This one sits at the intersection of STEM and real-world impact — you’re working on agricultural, food, and environmental science problems in actual research labs.


What the program is:

UGA’s Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a paid, 5-week summer internship for high school students. You work 30 hours/week in a UGA lab under a faculty mentor on research topics like plant genetics, animal science, entomology, soil science, food science, and environmental sustainability.

The program ends with a pre-collegiate research conference on the Athens campus where students present posters summarizing their work.


Eligibility

From the official CAES page : caes.uga.edu

  • You must have completed your sophomore year of high school and be a first-time participant in YSP.

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.

  • Must have completed at least one high school lab science course and one semester of algebra.

  • Non-residential: you’re responsible for daily commute to the assigned campus (Athens, Griffin, or Tifton).


Cost & pay

  • This is a paid internship (students work 30 hours/week for five weeks). The specific stipend rate may vary by year, but the program is clearly described as a paid internship program.

  • No housing is provided, so you or your family must arrange local housing/transportation if you’re not nearby.


Who it’s great for

  • Students in or near Georgia interested in ag-tech, food science, environmental science, or sustainability.

  • Strong fit if you want lab work that directly ties to climate, food security, or ecology rather than just abstract STEM.



4. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)


Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD & Boulder, CO

If you want to see how real science happens inside a federal research lab, SHIP is about as “inside the system” as it gets.


What the program is:


NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) lets students spend eight weeks, full-time (about 40 hours/week) in NIST labs working with staff scientists in areas like physics, chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, information technology, and computer science.

The official flyer notes that students work on real measurement and advanced technology projects, and some past participants have even been included as co-authors on scientific publications.


Eligibility

From NIST’s own pages and the SHIP flyer: www.nist.gov/itl/sed/how-work-us

  • For high school juniors and seniors at the time of application.

  • You must live near NIST’s Gaithersburg (MD) or Boulder (CO) campus — housing is not provided.

  • You must arrange your own housing and transportation.


Cost & stipend

  • SHIP is an unpaid, volunteer educational internship — no salary or stipend, but you can get Student Service Learning credit (especially for Montgomery County Public Schools in MD).


Why it stands out

  • It’s one of the few high school programs that puts you directly inside a U.S. federal research agency.

  • The work often involves cutting-edge measurement science, quantum, AI, cybersecurity, and advanced materials — things that look very serious on a STEM CV.


Official URL (overview page with SHIP section) : https://www.nist.gov/itl/sed/how-work-us

SHIP flyer (detailed HS info) : https://www.nist.gov/document/shipflyer-2pdf


5. McGovern Medical School – High School Summer Research Program (UTHealth Houston)


Location: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Texas

This is a high-intensity biomedical research program with structured coursework, labs, and a significant price tag.


What the program is

McGovern Medical School’s High School Summer Research Program is a 4-week, in-person immersion in biomedical research within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Students:

  • Join a research lab and work alongside faculty and student mentors.

  • Attend didactic courses on introductory biochemistry and molecular biology techniques (currently scheduled on Monday mornings).

  • Participate in student-driven seminars and workshops on Fridays, including professional development.


Eligibility

Per the 2026 application page : med.uth.edu

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the program start.

  • Ideal candidates are rising juniors or seniors with strong interest in biomedical science or medicine.

  • Application requires:

    • High school transcript upload

    • Two letters of recommendation

    • A personal statement


Cost

From the official 2026 application page:

  • The fee is $3,800 (for 2026), including registration, parking, and lab coats.

  • Housing is not provided.

There may be limited aid in some years, but the program is clearly structured as a fee-based research opportunity, not a free one.


Who this suits

  • Students with serious interest in medicine, biochemistry, or biomedical research who can afford the fee (or secure aid).

  • Especially useful if you want hospital / med-school context rather than a purely basic-science campus lab.



6. Scripps Research – Student Research Internship (high school eligible)


Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute (California; some programs have multiple sites)

Scripps is a world-class biomedical research institute, and its Student Research Internship lets high school students get into the translational medicine world early.


What the program is

According to current Scripps materials, the Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week summer program designed for high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students interested in health sciences, statistics, and computational/computer science applied to translational medicine.


The core goals are to:

  • Train students in translational medical research and data-driven health.

  • Provide experience with real research projects under the guidance of Scripps researchers.

  • Develop skills in data analysis, programming, and health-related statistics (especially via the Translational Institute).


Eligibility

From Scripps documentation and outreach materials:

  • Open to high school students who meet minimum age and coursework requirements (often 16+ by the start, with strong math/science background).

  • Also open to college and graduate students; high schoolers compete in that mixed pool, so expect high selectivity.

Exact grade and age thresholds can shift, so you need to check the latest year’s program PDF or site.


Cost & funding

  • Recent information frames it as a training internship, not a tuition-style pre-college program.

  • The 2025–26 combined program PDF (SR & SRTI) is primarily about structure and eligibility; stipends vs. unpaid status can differ by track and year, so you should rely on the current document for financial details, not older blog posts.


Why it’s interesting

  • You’re at a top biomedical research institute with very strong credentials in genomics, precision medicine, and digital health.

  • Great fit for students who like computational biology, biostatistics, digital health, and data-heavy research, not just wet lab.



STEM Internships and Summer Programs for High School

How to Use This List Without Going Crazy!


  1. Start from constraints.

    • Need fully funded? Prioritize RSI, FSU YSP (if you’re in Florida), Northeastern YSP, JAX, and possibly SEES/UGA YSP depending on your location and aid.

    • Need commuter only? Look at Rockefeller SSRP, Northeastern YSP, STARS, ASSIP, UGA YSP (if near a campus).


  2. Match by field:

    • Math/Physics/Astrophysics: RSI, SSP (Astrophysics), Simons, STARS

    • Biochem/Biomed/Genetics: JAX, SSP (Biochemistry/Genomics), Garcia, Rockefeller SSRP, BU RISE, ASSIP, FSU YSP

    • Earth/Space/Agriculture: SEES, UC Davis YSP (biological/agricultural/environmental), UGA YSP


  3. Watch the fine print.

    • Some programs are state-restricted (FSU YSP, Northeastern YSP, STARS, UGA YSP).

    • Some are US-citizen/Permanent-Resident only (RSI, BU RISE, often Simons, JAX, etc.). Always check eligibility.


  1. Don’t treat these as “all or nothing”. Even if you don’t get in, building smaller, local research experiences (with a professor at a nearby university, or through structured online research programs) can be just as impactful if you actually do meaningful work and communicate it well.


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