Top 20 Science Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

The right science programs for high school students allow you to explore STEM fields and gain hands-on experience in research and other projects, so you have a better idea of the academic and career path you want to pursue. Taking advantage of these opportunities can boost your college applications, especially if you’re applying to top STEM schools like MIT, Caltech, and Stanford.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the top science programs for 2025–2026, including their dates, locations, costs, and the experience you can expect as a participant.

• What Are the Best Summer Journalism Programs for High School Students?
• Research Science Institute
• Simons Summer Research Program
• Summer Science Program
• Garcia Summer Research Program
• Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
• MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
• Boston University Research in Science & Engineering
• UCSB Research Mentorship Program
• UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program
• Iowa Secondary Student Training Program
• COSMOS – California State Summer School for Math and Science
• MITES – Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science
• International Summer School for Young Physicists
• Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
• UC Davis Young Scholars Program
• UT Austin High School Research Academy
• UPenn Summer Research Academy
• High School Honors Science, Math & Engineering Program
• NIH/NIA Summer Internship in Biomedical Research
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Science Programs for High School Students?

The best science programs for high school students offer rigorous research opportunities, expert mentorship, and hands-on STEM experience that go far beyond the typical classroom. These programs stand out for their selectivity, strong academic focus, and proven track record of helping students explore advanced scientific topics while preparing for future college and career paths.

Here’s a quick overview of those program, together with their locations and dates for 2026:

Let’s explore each of these programs.

1. Research Science Institute

• Dates: June 28 – August 8, 2026 (six weeks)
• Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cost: Free (fully funded program)

The Research Science Institute is a prestigious six-week summer research program hosted at MIT for rising high school seniors. RSI is one of the most competitive science programs, accepting only about 80 students worldwide, with two-thirds from the U.S.

As a participant, you’ll spend one week in intensive STEM classes and five weeks conducting original research under MIT scientists. RSI covers all costs, allowing students to focus fully on their projects. By the end, they produce a conference-style research paper and presentation, often used for major science competitions.

If you’re curious about one of the most prestigious research experiences for high schoolers, check out our comprehensive guide on RSI.

2. Simons Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 29 – August 7, 2026
• Location: Stony Brook University, New York
• Cost: Free (no tuition or program fee)

The Simons Summer Research Program (SSRP) at Stony Brook University is a competitive six-week internship where participants, called “Simons Fellows,” are placed in research labs full-time. Instead of pre-set lab exercises, students work on authentic research alongside Stony Brook faculty and graduate mentors.

Fellows gain hands-on experience in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering, learning to analyze data, write abstracts, and present at a symposium. The program is open to rising seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a school nomination.

If you’re excited to see how high school students can contribute to university research, read our in-depth guide on the SSRP.

3. Summer Science Program

• Dates: Late June – Early August 2026 (five weeks, exact dates vary by campus)
• Location: Multiple campuses (rotating U.S. host universities)
• Cost: Approximately $9,800 program fee (financial aid available)

The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a legendary five-week residential research program that has run since 1959, making it one of the longest-running STEM summer programs for high school students. SSP offers several campus sites and project tracks—for example, Astrophysics (where teams might calculate an asteroid’s orbit) or Biochemistry and Genomics (where students might characterize an enzyme or gene).

Days include college-level lectures, lab or observing sessions, programming, data analysis, and occasional field trips. Each team produces a research report and presentation by the end. SSP is need-blind, offers strong financial aid, and is highly selective, admitting mostly rising seniors with strong STEM backgrounds.

If you’re curious about the specific tracks high school students can take in the program, read our in-depth blog on the SSP.

4. Garcia Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 24 – August 7, 2026
• Location: Stony Brook University, New York
• Cost: $4,000 lab fee (housing and meals extra)

The Garcia Summer Research Program (GSRP) is a seven-week intensive research experience focused on materials science and engineering. As one of the strongest early-research programs for high school students, it immerses participants in university laboratory work full-time.

Students begin with training workshops to build core lab skills, then pursue independent or team research projects in areas like polymers, nanomaterials, or physical chemistry under the guidance of Stony Brook faculty and graduate mentors. Garcia scholars also present their work at a final poster symposium. Many alumni even continue their projects into science fairs or publications.

Admission is highly selective, typically requiring a strong academic record and solid recommendations. Though not free, the program provides a significant hands-on head start in research for aspiring scientists.

If you want a more comprehensive breakdown of this program’s experience, check out our full blog on the GSRP.

5. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

• Dates: June 21 – August 6, 2026
• Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
• Cost: Free (no tuition; includes housing/meals) + $750 stipend upon completion

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program (ACSP) is a highly selective seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University that admits only about 12 students each year. Clark Scholars offers a fully funded experience: students pay no program fees and even receive a $750 tax-free stipend at the end.

Each student is paired with a Texas Tech faculty mentor to complete an independent research project in fields ranging from engineering and computer science to biology, psychology, or the humanities. Scholars develop hands-on research skills, attend seminars and field trips, and live on campus in a small, intensive cohort. Students finish with a research report, presentation, and strong faculty and peer connections.

If you want to learn how top high school students spend their summer doing university-level research, check out our blog on the ACSP.

6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 8 – July 30, 2026 (8 weeks)
• Location: Stanford University (Stanford, California)
• Cost: Free (no tuition; ~$40 application fee; participants receive a stipend)

Stanford’s SIMR is an eight-week biomedical research internship that immerses 50–60 high school juniors and seniors in cutting-edge laboratory research at the Stanford University School of Medicine. It’s highly immersive, offering participants the chance to investigate areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering, and more alongside Stanford faculty mentors.

The program starts with lab safety and research training before shifting to full-time lab work on active research projects. Students attend lectures, career panels, and present their work in a poster session. SIMR is free aside from an application fee, and participants receive a stipend at the end of the program. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

If you want to learn more about how high school students can dive into real biomedical research at Stanford, read our blog on SIMR.

7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

• Dates: July 6 – August 2, 2026 (4 weeks)
• Location: MIT Lincoln Laboratory Beaver Works, Cambridge, MA
• Cost: Free tuition (students from higher-income families pay a housing fee up to $2,350)

MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week intensive STEM program for high-achieving students entering their senior year of high school, with a focus on engineering and computer science. This program is project-based and hands-on, allowing students to tackle cutting-edge tech challenges developed by MIT researchers—from autonomous drones and self-driving cars to satellite design and cybersecurity.

Participants must first complete a rigorous online course in the spring to qualify, ensuring they arrive with the coding and math skills needed to succeed.

Once on campus, students work in teams to build and test projects that often culminate in competitions or demos, guided by MIT faculty and graduate mentors. BWSI is tuition-free, and students from lower-income families receive free housing and lunch, making the program widely accessible and diverse.

If you’re eager to explore an intensive MIT tech challenge this summer, take a look at our detailed overview of the MIT BWSI.

8. Boston University Research in Science & Engineering

• Dates: June 28 – August 7, 2026 (six weeks – Residential track starts June 28; Commuter track starts June 29)
• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Cost: $6,185 (commuter) / $9,785 (residential) for 6 weeks; limited financial aid available

BU’s Research in Science & Engineering program (RISE) gives rising high school seniors a taste of undergraduate-level research at a major research university.

RISE actually offers two tracks: the Internship track places students full-time in a BU laboratory to apprentice with faculty (40 hours/week of research), while the Practicum track is a structured course with lectures and group research projects in computational neurobiology or data science. In both tracks, RISE students engage in hands-on experimentation, learn data analysis and coding, and present their work at a final research symposium.

The program offers a full campus experience, with students living in BU dorms, joining social activities, and exploring Boston. Although RISE has a significant tuition fee, it covers courses, lab materials, housing, and meals. Need-based aid and limited scholarships are available for eligible students.

The application emphasizes transcripts, a recommendation, and essays, and standardized test scores are optional.

Head on over to our full blog on BU RISE for a comprehensive inside look at this STEM summer program for high school students.

9. UCSB Research Mentorship Program

• Dates: June 15 – July 31, 2026 (includes required virtual start)
• Location: UC Santa Barbara, California (in-person, with an initial virtual component)
• Cost: $5,675 (commuter) / $13,274 (residential); need-based scholarships available

The UCSB Research Mentorship Program is a six-week summer program that pairs ambitious high school students with UC Santa Barbara researchers for an authentic research experience. RMP participants earn 8 college credits upon completion of the program.

Students spend 35–40 hours per week in their assigned lab, working on projects across fields such as engineering, biology, computer science, psychology, and environmental science. They’ll also be expected to produce a research paper and poster for the final symposium.

The program is rigorous, requiring a prep week and prohibiting taking other summer courses at the same time. Admission favors strong students (with a recommended weighted GPA of at least 3.8) with clear research interests.

If you want an even deeper dive into this program’s offerings, you can read our guide on the UCSB RMP.

10. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program

• Dates: June 15–19, 2026 (online prep week) + June 22 – August 7, 2026 (7-week in-person internship)
• Location: UC Santa Cruz, California
• Cost: $4,850 program fee; optional housing & meal plans cost $4,725 (weekdays only) or $6,650 (full-week). Need-based scholarships up to 100% available.

The UCSC Science Internship Program is a rigorous 9-week program that places high school students into research labs at UC Santa Cruz. SIP emphasizes independent research in STEM fields ranging from astrophysics and robotics to marine biology and genomics.

After a remote preparatory week on background material and programming, students join UCSC labs in late June for the remaining eight weeks to work full-time on focused research projects under the guidance of faculty or graduate mentors. Interns gain hands-on experience with lab equipment and techniques and present their work at a campus-wide symposium.

SIP accepts students as young as rising sophomores, though some projects require applicants to be at least 16 years of age. While not free, it offers need-based aid that can cover up to full tuition and housing costs.

If you’d like to learn more about how SIP works and hear success stories, check out our full overview of SIP.

11. Iowa Secondary Student Training Program

• Dates: June 17 to July 24, 2026
• Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City
• Cost: $7,500 (includes a non-refundable $95 application fee that is paid separately)

The Iowa Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) is a highly selective, intensive summer research program hosted by the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Iowa. It is designed for high school students in grades 10 and 11. Over a period of roughly five weeks, accepted students engage in university-level research under the guidance of experienced faculty.

SSTP offers a wide range of research fields, including neuroscience, engineering, environmental science, biomedical engineering, mathematics, and interdisciplinary areas. Students spend about 40 hours per week in a lab, completing a full research project and presenting the results at the end. Those who finish the program may also earn undergraduate credits from the University of Iowa.

If you want to learn more about this program, check out our full guide on SSTP.

12. COSMOS – California State Summer School for Math and Science

• Dates: July 5 – August 1, 2026, with the specific program dates for the UC San Diego campus being July 5 – July 31, 2026
• Location: multiple locations across the University of California (UC) system
• Cost: $5,518 (includes housing, meals, and program activities)

The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a highly regarded, four-week residential summer program for talented high school students (rising 9th–12th graders and exceptionally strong 8th-graders) in California.

Participants live on a UC campus and join a “cluster,” a specialized STEM track that includes advanced coursework, hands-on labs, and a research or project component. Each campus has different clusters, so it’s essential to research what each UC school has to offer before making a decision. For instance, UCSD has Photonics: Light-based Technologies in Everyday Life, while UCSC has Introduction to Smart and Sustainable Power.

COSMOS provides an intensive STEM immersion with college-level academics, lab work, and collaborative research, giving motivated students an early look at STEM fields and a strong head start for future studies.

If you’re interested in knowing more, head on to our comprehensive guide on the COSMOS Summer Program.

13. MITES – Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science

• Dates: Late June – Early August 2026 (6 weeks)
• Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cost: Free (no tuition, housing or meals costs – fully scholarship-funded)

MITES (formerly known as MITES “Minority Introduction to Engineering & Science”) is a nationally renowned six-week program at MIT that provides an intensive STEM curriculum to rising high school seniors from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. It offers college-level courses in math, science, and humanities.

Students take five rigorous classes—such as calculus, physics, life sciences, and engineering design—and spend their days in lectures, labs, and recitations that match the pace of MIT freshman courses. Evenings include homework sessions with TAs, workshops, and campus activities. The program also offers admissions guidance, mentorship from MIT undergraduates, and seminars on research skills and career paths.

If you want a closer look at what this program offers, check out our full blog on MITES.

14. International Summer School for Young Physicists

• Dates: July 17 – July 28, 2026 (2 weeks)
• Location: Online program hosted by Perimeter Institute (Waterloo, Canada)
• Cost: CAD $250 (≈USD $185) program fee; financial aid available for accepted students

ISSYP is an exciting and challenging two-week online program for high school students worldwide who are fascinated by theoretical physics. Run by Canada’s Perimeter Institute, a leading center for physics research, ISSYP brings together about 30–40 students (half from Canada, and half international) to learn cutting-edge topics beyond the standard curriculum.

Students attend live mini-courses on quantum mechanics, relativity, cosmology, and other modern physics topics taught by Perimeter researchers, with ample Q&A. They complete readings, problem sets, and hands-on or group projects to reinforce concepts.

ISSYP also includes keynote sessions with prominent physicists and emphasizes collaboration through breakout groups, social events, and an online community.

If you’re eager to delve into advanced physics with peers around the world, our guide on the top physics programs offers other options you might also be interested in.

15. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics

• Dates: June 22 – August 3, 2026 (6 weeks: 2 weeks online + 4 weeks on-campus)
• Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Leitner Observatory & campus)
• Cost: $8,000 (2025 tuition; covers all program costs except travel)

YSPA is an intensive six-week research and enrichment program in which 32 students conduct astronomy research at Yale. It offers an immersive experience that combines elements of an online course, a college class, and a research internship.

YSPA begins with a two-week online segment covering astronomy, Python, and data analysis, followed by a four-week residential program at Yale. On campus, students live in a dorm, take astrophysics classes, and complete a capstone research project at the Leitner Family Observatory. They operate Yale’s telescopes—both in person and remotely—to gather data, analyze it under faculty guidance, write a research paper, and present their findings at a final mini-conference.

If you’re curious how a high school student can study the cosmos like a professional astronomer, be sure to read our comprehensive guide on YSPA.

16. UC Davis Young Scholars Program

• Dates: June 21 – August 1, 2026 (6 weeks)
• Location: UC Davis, Davis, California
• Cost: $7,500 (covers tuition, room & board); financial aid available for those admitted

The UC Davis Young Scholars Program is a six-week residential research program focused on the biological and natural sciences, open to rising juniors and seniors. Over the summer, students spend full weekdays in the lab running experiments or fieldwork. Past projects have ranged from cancer cell biology and veterinary medicine to environmental ecology and food science. By program’s end, each student produces a journal-style research paper and a presentation detailing their findings.

Alongside lab work, YSP scholars attend research seminars, skills workshops, and occasional field trips. UC Davis awards 5 units of university credit for the research course, giving students an official transcript upon completion. The program fee includes housing and meals, and need-based reductions or scholarships are available.

If you’re eager to conduct hands-on research and earn university credit as a high schooler, check out our complete guide to the UC Davis YSP.

17. UT Austin High School Research Academy

• Dates: June 8 – July 15, 2026 (5 weeks)
• Location: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX) – non-residential program
• Cost: $4,000 tuition (for Texas residents; includes UT course credit); a limited number of full scholarships available for students with financial need

The High School Research Academy at UT Austin is a five-week non-residential summer program that places students into active research streams within the College of Natural Sciences.

Students spend 15–25 hours per week working on a research project within a UT faculty lab. Students also attend weekly seminars and present their work at a final poster symposium. A key feature is enrollment in a UT Extension course, allowing participants to earn 3 hours of college credit.

The program fee covers course credits and activities, with payment due only upon acceptance. HSRA is open only to Texas residents, and since it’s a non-residential program, students must plan their commute or local accommodations.

If you want to see how it feels to be part of a university research team before college, read our detailed guide on the UT Austin HSRA.

18. UPenn Summer Research Academy

• Dates: July 11 – August 1, 2026 (3 weeks)
• Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• Cost: $10,050 for 3-week residential academy (2026 rate); includes housing and meals (need-based scholarships available for local students)

The University of Pennsylvania offers several Summer Academies, which are intensive three-week programs, and a few of them are STEM research-focused, often collectively referred to as the Penn Summer Research Academy. These include the Biomedical Research Academy, Chemistry Research Academy, Experimental Physics Research Academy, and Neuroscience Research Academy, among others.

Each academy immerses students in a specific field through lectures, labs, and seminars led by UPenn faculty. For example, the Biomedical Research Academy covers molecular biology and disease-focused experiments, while the Physics Academy explores mechanics and optics through hands-on projects.

Students work in teams to conduct experiments and analyze results with college-level tools. Outside class, they live in dorms and experience campus life. The program fee includes tuition, housing, meals, and activities, with a limited number of full scholarships available to eligible Philadelphia public school students.

If you’re interested in what other STEM opportunities you can find at Penn, check out our overview of UPenn’s other summer programs.

19. High School Honors Science, Math and Engineering Program

• Dates: program usually starts mid-June to early July and ends in late July to early August
• Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
• Cost: expect $4,000 to over $6,000 for tuition; scholarships and financial aid available

The High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program (HSHSP) at Michigan State University is a seven-week residential research experience for rising seniors. Students live on campus and work with MSU faculty and graduate mentors on university-level projects in science, math, or engineering.

They complete the full research process—keeping journals, analyzing data, writing a formal paper, and presenting at a symposium—while also attending seminars and participating in a supportive residential community. Founded in 1958, HSHSP is the oldest program of its kind in the U.S. MSU has announced that HSHSP will not run in summer 2025, with no updates yet on future years.

If you’re curious about a program that builds your research, analysis, and scientific writing skills, read our full guide to HSHSP.

20. NIH/NIA Summer Internship in Biomedical Research

• Dates: June – August 2026 (8 weeks, exact dates vary by institute)
• Location: NIH laboratories (primarily Maryland; e.g. National Institute on Aging in Baltimore or Bethesda)
• Cost: Free (no cost – interns receive a stipend for their work)

The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Biomedical Research allows motivated high school students to conduct research across NIH institutes, including the National Institute on Aging for those interested in aging and neuroscience. Interns spend 8–10 weeks in an NIH lab, contributing to experiments and participating in lab meetings under the guidance of NIH scientists.

Interns might assist in cutting-edge projects such as studying cancer pathways, developing gene therapies, or analyzing big data in public health.

Because these are federal internships, students are paid a stipend (amount varies by year/experience) rather than paying any fees, making it an extremely accessible opportunity for those who can earn a spot.

If you’re curious about how to land a coveted NIH high school internship and what the experience entails, don’t miss our comprehensive guide on NIH SIP.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best science programs for high school students in 2026?

Programs like the Research Science Institute (RSI), Simons Summer Research Program, Summer Science Program (SSP), MITES, Garcia Summer Research Program, Stanford SIMR, and BU RISE are consistently regarded as the most prestigious due to their rigorous research training, faculty mentorship, and strong STEM outcomes.

2. Are there free science programs for high school students?

RSI, MITES, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, JCamp-style STEM opportunities, and some NIH or university-based research initiatives cover tuition, housing, or meals for admitted students. These programs aim to increase accessibility for talented students, especially those from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

3. What skills do science programs typically teach?

Science programs teach core research skills like lab techniques, data collection and analysis, coding, research design, and scientific writing. They also build important soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication through team projects and mentorship.

4. How can science programs help with college admissions?

Participating in a reputable science program strengthens a college application by showing academic curiosity, research experience, and commitment to STEM outside the classroom. Admissions committees value rigorous, self-driven learning, especially when it leads to substantial projects or publishable work. These programs also provide strong recommendations, portfolio material, and insights useful for college essays.

5. When should I apply for science programs?

Most competitive science programs open applications between October and December and close from January to March. Because they often require essays, transcripts, recommendations, and sometimes test scores or prerequisite coursework, students should begin preparing several months in advance.

Takeaways

• Exploring the top science programs for high school students is one of the best ways to deepen your STEM skills, gain hands-on research experience, and stand out in the competitive college admissions landscape.
• Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded research-intensive or a university-based academic program, each opportunity offers the chance to work with scientists, strengthen your problem-solving abilities, and discover which fields excite you most.
• By choosing a program that aligns with your interests and goals, you can build a strong foundation for future STEM studies, and take meaningful steps toward a successful academic and career pathway.
• If you want personalized guidance on which science program matches your goals, check out our Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation to make your experience stand out on college applications.