§ Collection

Free summer programs for high school juniors

Junior year summer is the last full summer before applications are due, which makes it the highest-leverage one. Every program below is open to 11th graders and costs nothing to attend.

289 programs currently listed · 289 free or stipend-paying.

What to know

—Apply to a range of selectivity levels. A single reach program is not a summer plan.
—If a program asks for a teacher recommendation, ask in the fall — not the week before the deadline.
—Many of these accept rising seniors too, so check the grade line on each listing.

Programs in this collection

National 4-H Council
4-H Youth Development
Largest youth development organization in the US in agriculture, STEM, civic engagement.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 3–12
Selective
California Water Service
A Splash of Creativity
Students submit original artwork addressing water conservation and local California water issues for statewide recognition and awards.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
A*STAR Scientific Research Programme
Government research placements for pre-university students in Singapore.
📍 Singapore⏱ 8 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
A+ Scholarship Program
Merit-based Missouri program helping eligible graduates of A+-designated high schools pay tuition at participating two-year colleges and technical schools. High-school participants must enter an agreement with their school before graduation.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
AAPT
AAPT PhysicsBowl
An annual competition for high school students that celebrates physics and recognizes outstanding physics students and teachers.
📍 Remote📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Boston University
Academic Immersion
Spend three weeks immersing yourself in the study of psychology, business, medicine, or creative writing.
📍 Boston, MA📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
Academic Year Internships
Students contribute directly to TGen research in areas such as laboratory bioscience, computational biology, bioinformatics, statistics, communications, regulatory affairs, and research administration. High-school placements are explicitly possible but described by TGen as extremely rare because they require roughly 10–20 hours per week.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Columbia University
Academic Year Programs
Make the most of the school year with on-campus or online courses, including weekend options.
📍 New York, NY / Remote📅 Fall 2026 applications now open🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Stanford AIMI
Academic Year Research Internship
During the school year, students meet weekly in small groups with their student mentors to work on healthcare AI research projects under the guidance of Stanford researchers.
📍 Virtual🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social Sciences
Academy for Hawaiʻi Intelligence Studies Summer Program
Students study international security and intelligence through a university course, simulations, games, field trips and meetings with Hawaiʻi and national intelligence professionals.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship
Pays tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying low-income Nebraska high-school students taking college courses through dual or early enrollment at participating Nebraska institutions.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arkansas Division of Higher Education
ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship
Helps Arkansas high-school students pay for eligible concurrent-credit coursework at $65 per semester credit hour, up to $2,000 annually.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NMSU College of Business / NABA
Accounting Career Awareness Program
Free week-long program introducing students to accounting, finance and business through professional development, networking and hands-on learning.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
ACE Mentor
ACE Mentor Program
Free after-school mentorship in architecture, construction, and engineering for HS students.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wave Hill
ACES — Art, Community, Education and Science
Year-long paid youth program connecting arts education, environmental science, community engagement and informal teaching.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Adam Smith Society
Adam Smith Society HS Essay
Essay contest exploring market economics and policy.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Adobe
Adobe Design Achievement Awards (Semi-Pro)
International student creative awards across graphic design, film, animation, and social impact.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
The Adroit Journal
Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship
Free online mentorship pairing teen writers with established poets and prose writers.
📍 Online⏱ 6 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Idaho Department of Education
Advanced Opportunities
Idaho public-school students receive state funding that can be used for dual-credit college courses, overload courses, exams and approved workforce-training opportunities while still in high school.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network
Advancing Young Women in STEM Scholarship
Scholarship for New Mexico female juniors/seniors pursuing STEM education or careers; requires at least a 2.5 GPA.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UNC Charlotte Center for STEM Education / AEOP
AEOP High School Internship STEM Research Program
Rising juniors and seniors complete roughly 220–300 hours of faculty-mentored STEM research and present their findings through program research events.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)
AFSA National High School Essay Contest
An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.
📍 Online📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Alcorn State University / USDA APHIS
AgDiscovery Summer Enrichment Program
Students ages 13–17 learn from university faculty and USDA experts in plant science, animal science, biotechnology, veterinary science, wildlife biology, and agricultural careers through laboratories and workshops.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
AGFC Youth Volunteer Program
Students volunteer at conservation events and other AGFC activities across Arkansas while earning documented community-service hours.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alabama A&M University
AgriFCS Academy Summer Camp
A free residential week introducing rising juniors to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human-sciences disciplines through hands-on activities and campus experiences.
📍 AL🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Mississippi State University
AgriSTEM Summer Camp
Students explore precision agriculture and emerging agricultural technologies through hands-on projects, field trips, agricultural and biological engineering, and plant and soil science. Lodging and meals are provided at no cost.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UPenn Wharton Global Youth
AI Leadership
A location-based program in San Francisco, CA, focused on AI leadership.
📍 San Francisco, CA📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Central Arkansas
AI Robotics & Ethics Camp
Students program and train autonomous robot cars while learning machine learning, robotics, hardware, and the ethical implications of AI.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Inspirit AI
AI Scholars
Artificial Intelligence Program for High School Students. Develop and taught by Stanford and MIT Alumni and Graduate Students. Provides guidance on initiating AI projects, pursuing AI ventures, and preparing for college. Students collaborate with a mentor on a socially impactful AI project. No programming background required, advanced cohorts available. Also for middle school students, but this description focuses on high school.
📅 September🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
AI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
📍 PA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
University of Iowa College of Engineering
AI Youth Camp
Students explore machine learning, reinforcement learning, engineering ethics, open-source datasets, and practical AI applications during a free two-week Zoom camp.
📍 IA🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
AI4ALL
AI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
📍 Online⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
AIME
Invitational round for top AMC scorers. 15-question, 3-hour exam that gates the USAMO. No fee for invited students.
📍 School-administered⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
📍 Washington, D.C.⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference
All-expenses-paid journalism conference + $1,000 scholarship for 51 students.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 week📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
IROST
Al-Khwarizmi International Award (Youth)
International recognition for young researchers in science and tech innovation.
📍 International📅 September🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
QuantHub
Alabama Data Scholars
Alabama high-school students complete data and AI training and work on a real employer project. The program allows on-site, hybrid, and fully virtual placements.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Samford University
Alabama Governor's School
A three-week summer residential program for high-achieving high school students in Alabama.
📍 Birmingham, AL⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Alabama Wildlife Federation / Alabama Nature Center
Alabama Nature Center Volunteer Program
Volunteers age 16+ can assist with animal ambassadors, citizen-science work, educational field trips, fishing programs, and other conservation activities.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
Alan Bain Initiative in Math or Science
Rewards Nevada-area students in grades 9–12 for achievement in mathematics or science based on a submitted project.
📍 NV🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UAA WWAMI School of Medical Education
Alaska PreMed Summit
Participants hear from physicians, advisors and health-profession students and learn about prerequisites, admissions processes, medical education and how to become a competitive applicant for health-profession programs.
📍 AK🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alaska Science & Engineering Fair
Alaska Science & Engineering Fair
Alaska students present original scientific or engineering projects, with high-school participants eligible to compete for Alaska's pathway to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 AK🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
AAHSFF
All American High School Film Festival
Largest film festival exclusively for student filmmakers.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 4 days📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nebraska Writers Collective
All Writes Reserved Youth Spoken Word Festival
Nebraska and Iowa high-school teams receive free spoken-word instruction throughout the school year and then perform in a multi-round spring youth poetry-slam festival. The 2026 festival ran from preliminary bouts in March through finals on April 28.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Japan Cartoonists Association
All-Japan Manga Competition (Youth)
Youth-open division of the Japan Cartoonists Association's annual manga award.
📍 Japan (submissions welcome globally)📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Altru Health System
Altru Junior Volunteer Program
High-school students volunteer in a hospital environment while gaining exposure to health-care careers and patient-support operations.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8/10/12)
Series of national math competitions leading to USAMO/USAJMO and IMO selection.
📍 United States⏱ 75 min📅 Fall🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps Summer of Service
Service opportunities for teens through select programs.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program
ANSEP Acceleration High School
Free year-round STEM acceleration for Alaska Native students.
📍 AK⏱ School year + summer📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Australian National University
ANU Extension
University-level courses for high-achieving high school students in Canberra.
📍 Canberra, Australia⏱ 1 year📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Apple Inc.
Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
📍 Global⏱ 1 month📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Colorado Boulder
Aquetza Academic Summer Program
Residential academic enrichment combining history, literature, health science, writing, science, and civic/social issues while emphasizing leadership and community engagement.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
Architecture
Pre-College Architecture program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of the District of Columbia
Architecture Summer Camp
Students sketch designs, build physical models and use AI, digital modeling, laser cutting and 3D printing to develop an original architectural project.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne Exemplary Student Research Program
Chicago-area students conduct year-long research mentored by Argonne scientists.
📍 IL⏱ School year📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF)
Students advancing from qualifying fairs present original science or engineering research at Arizona's statewide fair. Senior Division Grand Award winners advance to Regeneron ISEF.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science Center Teen Volunteer Program
Teens support exhibitions, STEM demonstrations, guests, and educational programming while earning community-service or service-learning hours.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp
Fifty Arkansas students study international relations, diplomacy, the UN and Model UN before representing countries in General Assembly simulations and crisis exercises.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas College Bound
Students with disabilities experience college life while learning about postsecondary academic expectations, accommodations and preparation for further education or training.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Arkansas State University / Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Governor's School
A five-week residential program for high-achieving high school students in Arkansas focused on math, science, and the arts.
📍 Russellville, AR⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas State Coding Competition
School teams of up to three students solve programming challenges in Arkansas's statewide coding competition. Awards are deposited into Brighterfuture 529 accounts.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
Art
Pre-College Art program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Mississippi State University Extension Service
Art Doing Its Part
Mississippi high-school students create artwork, slogans, and short reflections explaining connections between litter and waterway pollution. The statewide contest highlights regional environmental challenges and uses winning work in public-awareness campaigns.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
ASDRP (RISE)
Free year-round Bay Area lab research. Open application.
📍 CA⏱ Year-round📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Ashoka
Ashoka Young Changemakers
Global community of young people (10–20) already leading social innovation projects; selected changemakers receive mentorship, storytelling support, and network access.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ Ongoing fellowship📅 Rolling · by country🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
AAJA
Asian American Journalists Association JCamp
Free six-day multicultural journalism program for high school students.
📍 Rotating (US)⏱ 6 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
APhO
Asian Physics Olympiad
Asia-Pacific regional physics olympiad; selection through each country's national physics olympiad.
📍 Asia-Pacific (rotating)📅 Varies by country🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology / ASM International
ASM Exploring Materials in Your World
Free selective materials-science program using laboratory equipment, experiments and team problem solving to investigate how materials behave and are engineered.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
News Literacy Project
ASNE High School Journalism Institute
Free media-literacy and journalism resources and student programs.
📍 Online📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Aspen Institute
Aspen Challenge
City-based design challenge for high school teams to solve community problems.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
George Mason University (GMU)
Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
A summer internship program that provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct research, develop new ideas, and invent new technologies.
📍 Fairfax, VA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute
Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Michigan juniors spend six residential weeks contributing to active U-M life-science research projects. Housing and meals are covered and participants receive a $3,000 stipend.
📍 MI🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Arizona State University
ASU SCENE
Free science club + research opportunities for AZ high schoolers, with focus on first-gen students.
📍 AZ⏱ Year-round📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Auburn University College of Engineering
Auburn Engineering Summer Camps (HS Track)
One-week intensive workshops in robotics, aerospace, and medical engineering for Alabama high school students.
📍 Auburn, AL⏱ 1 week📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Audubon Nature Institute
Audubon Nature Institute Teen Volunteers
Teen volunteers support Audubon's wildlife, conservation, education, and guest-engagement mission across its New Orleans nature attractions while working alongside staff and gaining practical experience.
📍 LA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Audubon Connecticut
Audubon Sharon Summer Internships (Youth)
Research and education internship at a wildlife sanctuary focusing on birds and habitat health.
📍 Sharon, CT⏱ 8 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Audubon Society
Audubon Youth Leaders
Stipended conservation-leadership cohorts for teens nationwide.
📍 Multiple📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
North Dakota State University
Avenues of Scientific Discovery
Students choose from hands-on STEM sessions and interact with university faculty during a one-day science-discovery conference.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
NCWIT
Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
📍 Nationwide⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Ohio State Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Center
AWS Foundation & Mₐ²JIC High School Internship
Paid eight-week research internship in welding engineering, materials science, advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics; students complete a research project and poster.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Temple University
B4USoar
Free Temple college classes and mentoring for Philadelphia students.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Bank of America
Bank of America Student Leaders
Paid 8-week summer internship with nonprofits + leadership summit in DC.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 8 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
AAPT
Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers
Scholarships for high school students who plan to pursue a career in physics teaching.
📍 Multiple📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Baruch College / CUNY
Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy
Spring research preparation followed by a five-to-six-week faculty-mentored summer project. Recent research includes genetics, biology and environmental science; participants receive a $1,000 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Base Pair Biomedical Research Mentorship
High-school students, primarily from Murrah High School and the Jackson Public School District, complete rigorous biomedical-research preparation and then work in UMMC laboratories with faculty mentors. Students can earn high-school credit and have historically co-authored scientific presentations and publications.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
BBC
BBC Young Musician
UK-wide music competition for musicians up to age 18; broadcast internationally.
📍 United Kingdom📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Rowan University
BEAM — BioEngineering And Me
Free virtual biomedical-engineering experience featuring faculty presentations, demonstrations, workshops and collaborative activities.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CERN
Beamline for Schools
CERN physics competition where student teams worldwide propose and run an experiment at a real particle accelerator.
📍 Geneva, Switzerland + Remote proposals📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
MIT Lincoln Lab
Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
📍 MA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
ELASH / Bebras US
Bebras Computing Challenge (US)
An international computational thinking and informatics competition. Students can take the test remotely or through a local school coordinator.
📍 Online⏱ 45 minutes📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
BeHERE Nevada / UNLV / UNR
BeHERE, BeWELL Behavioral Health Camp
Overnight camp introducing counseling, social work, psychology, psychiatry and other behavioral-health careers through workshops, tours and a student project showcase.
📍 NV🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📍 Online📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Best Buddies
Best Buddies International
Friendship and inclusion program pairing students with peers with intellectual disabilities.
📍 Global⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Best Buddies
Best Buddies Youth Leadership
Build friendships with people with IDD; chapter and leadership opportunities.
📍 Multiple schools⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Mississippi Scholastic Press Association / University of Mississippi
Best of Mississippi Student Media Competition
Students at MSPA-member publications compete for individual and publication awards in newspaper/magazine/site, yearbook, broadcast, and literary-magazine categories. All MSPA contests are free to enter.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore
BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Eight-week full-time biomedical/cancer research placement followed by optional school-year work. Students receive a $2,500 stipend, meal support and transportation assistance.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
College Board
BigFuture
A free, comprehensive set of digital resources that helps all students take a productive first step after high school. Includes information on planning for college and scholarships.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge
Civic engagement competition awarding scholarships for student-led community impact projects.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Summer🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
BioBus
BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Twelve-month paid science-research experience combining summer laboratory research with academic-year independent projects and science teaching.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Biogen
Biogen Community Lab
Free hands-on biotech labs and high school research opportunities at Biogen sites.
📍 Cambridge, MA + RTP, NC⏱ Day to weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Michigan Medical School
BioMed Focus
Rising juniors and seniors complete an eight-week independent biomedical research project in a U-M laboratory, write a manuscript, and give a research presentation. Scholars receive $4,000; the 2027 program runs June 14–August 6.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Rising sophomores through seniors spend five weeks conducting hands-on biophysics and biomedical research while studying scientific writing, mathematics, data analysis, and bioethics. The program is a paid internship; Hopkins materials list a $5,500 stipend.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Genspace
BioRocket Internship
Six-month biotechnology internship combining spring training with summer research in molecular/synthetic biology. Participants receive a $2,000 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Biotechnology Summer Experience
Students conduct an authentic molecular-biology and bioinformatics project involving DNA purification, PCR, restriction digestion, gel electrophoresis and analysis of gene sequences using professional bioinformatics tools.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Black Girls CODE
Black Girls CODE Workshops
Program that provides coding workshops and tech exposure to young girls of color.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Blue Marble Review
Blue Marble Review
Online literary journal of writing and art by teens worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
NCSSM-Durham
Blue Mirror
Primarily student-run art and literature journal publishing creative writing and visual work from NCSSM students multiple times each year.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Blue Ocean Strategy / various
Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition
Free global pitch competition with cash prizes. Teams pitch a novel business idea via video; finalists present live.
📍 Online⏱ 3 months📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
MIT
Blueprint by HackMIT
Annual learnathon and hackathon for HS students at MIT.
📍 Cambridge, MA⏱ 2 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Minnesota Department of Biomedical Engineering
BME High School Internship Program
Students spend six paid weeks conducting hands-on biomedical-engineering research with a graduate-student mentor, touring laboratories, receiving scientific-writing and communication training, and presenting a research poster. A stipend and bus transportation are provided.
📍 MN🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Bob Tyler Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest
Mississippi students depict native fish or wildlife species through original artwork. Winners receive gift cards, publication in Mississippi Outdoors, and display on MDWFP platforms.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
World Food Prize Foundation
Borlaug-Ruan International Internship
Eight-week international research internship for World Food Prize Youth Institute alumni.
📍 International⏱ 8 weeks📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
City of Boston
Boston Mayor's Youth Council
Boston high-school students represent youth in city government, collaborate with officials, and develop projects addressing community and civic issues.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
City of Boston
Boston SuccessLink
Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Boston University
Boston University Lab Apprenticeship in Science & Technology (BLAST)
Boston-area students participate in a paid biomedical-science internship featuring laboratory practicums and mentoring; the longer-term program can lead into immersive laboratory research.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Annual creative contest for teens combining art, writing, film, and music with environmental advocacy.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
International Brain Bee
BrainBee Neuroscience Competition
International neuroscience competition for high schoolers with local, national, and global rounds.
📍 Global⏱ 1 day📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Columbia University Zuckerman Institute
BRAINYAC
January–August neuroscience pathway culminating in seven weeks of mentored laboratory research. Participants receive a $3,500 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Breakthrough
Breakthrough Collaborative
Free summer and school-year academic program for first-generation, low-income middle schoolers; high schoolers can serve as teaching fellows.
📍 30+ US cities⏱ Multi-year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Create a short video explaining a big idea in science or math. Global competition for ages 13–18 with a $250K college scholarship.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Brilliant.org
Brilliant.org High School Problem Solving Track
While the physical show has locations, the virtual 'Think Tank' and 'Daily Challenge' offer online logic and math problems for students nationwide.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling (Weekly)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UKMT
British Informatics Olympiad (Open to Int'l)
Solve complex math and computer science problems created by the UK Mathematical Trust.
📍 Global⏱ 1 day📅 November 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Oxford
British Physics Olympiad
A tiered set of national physics competitions (Junior, Senior, Round 1/2) open to UK secondary students, with international variants schools worldwide can register for.
📍 United Kingdom⏱ Exam📅 Nov (senior) · Mar (junior)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NCSSM-Durham
Broad Street Scientific
Student STEM research journal publishing original work by NCSSM-Durham Residential and NCSSM Online students.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Broad Institute (MIT & Harvard)
Broad Summer Scholars Program
Paid genomics research for Boston-area rising seniors from underrepresented groups.
📍 MA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Brooklyn College / CUNY College Now
Brooklyn College STEM Research Academy
Spring research preparation followed by summer research in fields such as ecology, environmental science and biology.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Louisville Brown Cancer Center
Brown Cancer Center High School Summer Research Program
Students complete two weeks of intensive wet-lab and drug-discovery work followed by seven weeks of mentored cancer research, then present their results at a poster showcase and research retreat. Participants receive $3,500.
📍 KY🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)
N/A
📍 Off Campus or On Campus🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Brown Experiential Education (BEE)
N/A
📍 Off Campus🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Brown Pre-College Online
Experience Brown Pre-College wherever you are.
📍 Online📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Louisville J.B. Speed School of Engineering
Brown-Forman INSPIRE
Students spend a residential week exploring engineering, college preparation, and career pathways through faculty workshops, industry field trips, mentorship, and a team design challenge culminating in a presentation.
📍 KY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
North Dakota NASA Space Grant Consortium
Build the Moon Challenge
Teams design lunar-regolith concrete mixtures while applying aerospace engineering, materials science, prototyping and experimental design.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Georgia
Building Engineering Pathways
Students use engineering laboratories and fabrication spaces to tackle design projects, team challenges and real-world engineering problems.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Built By Girls
Built By Girls Wave Program
A peer-mentorship program connecting high school girls with women in tech.
📍 Online⏱ Ongoing📅 November 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Notre Dame
Business: What Is It Good For?
A course offered as part of the Notre Dame Leadership Seminars program.
📍 Notre Dame, IN📅 Annual — 2027 dates not yet announced🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
C-SPAN
C-SPAN StudentCam
Annual student documentary competition on public policy.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Arkansas Tech University
CAKE: Creativity, Agriculture & Knowledge of Enterprise
Students investigate Arkansas agriculture and tourism through science laboratories, agritourism activities, enterprise development and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Forestry Challenge
California Forestry Challenge
California's premier natural resource competition for high school students, similar to Envirothon.
📍 CA⏱ 1 week📅 April 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Cambridge
Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
Global chemistry problem-solving competition for Y12 / 11th-grade students; open worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Late June🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Ohio State Center for Automotive Research
Camp CAR
Week-long automotive-engineering camp covering simulation, manufacturing, machining, mobility research and industry/research-facility visits.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Willamette University
Camp College
Free three-day/two-night program with sample classes, college-search workshops and visits to neighboring campuses.
📍 OR🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Lincoln Park Zoo
Camp Teen Volunteer Program
Teens entering grades 9–12 complete a five-week service-learning placement supporting the zoo's conservation-focused summer camp. The position is volunteer rather than paid employment.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Waterloo (CEMC)
Canadian Computing Competition (CCC)
Free competitive programming contest run by Waterloo's CEMC; open worldwide and used as a qualifier for the Canadian Computing Olympiad.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
European Space Agency
CanSat Competition (ESA)
Build a satellite the size of a soda can. National rounds in ESA member states; European final each spring.
📍 Various📅 National rounds fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UC San Diego
Cardiovascular Institute Summer Research Program
Eight-week mentored cardiovascular-science research experience with clinician-scientists, a core lecture series, research training, and clinical-shadowing opportunities.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
North Carolina Community College System / NC DPI
Career and College Promise
North Carolina high-school students take tuition-free college courses through community-college and cooperative pathways and can earn transferable college credit before graduation.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Explora X Studio
Career Pathways Internship Program
Two-year paid STEAM internship beginning with rising juniors. Interns receive workforce training, mentorship, portfolio development, financial-literacy instruction and opportunities for embedded internships at Explora.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall NYO-USA
Free national youth orchestra summer training and tour for ages 16-19.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1 month📅 Winter🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon
Carnegie Mellon AI Scholars
Free three-week residential AI program for underrepresented students.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Carnegie Mellon
Carnegie Mellon SAMS
Free six-week residential STEM program for underrepresented students.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA⏱ 6 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
NC State University
Catalyst: Creating Opportunities in STEM for Students with Disabilities
Year-long STEM and college/career-readiness cohort with workshops, field experiences, certifications and access to paid STEM internships.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Jackson State University Margaret Walker Center
Catherine Coleman Literary Arts, Food, and Social Justice Summer Program
Mississippi high-school writers spend a residential week studying poetry, fiction, screenwriting, Southern foodways, and social-justice history with professional writers. Students completing the program receive a $300 stipend.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nevada, Reno Raggio Center / Latino Research Center / School of Medicine
CBESS Student Researcher Program
Selects up to 30 bilingual Northern Nevada juniors for a 17-month pathway including residential and virtual research training, a student-designed community health research project, mentoring and a later outreach internship.
📍 NV🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Western Governors' Foundation
Celebrate the West — Idaho
High-school students create artwork inspired by their western state and compete first for state recognition and then regional awards.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Duke University Department of Cell Biology
Cell Biology Academy (CeBA)
Six-week paid laboratory research academy for Triangle-area high-school students, with close mentoring in contemporary cell and molecular biology.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Waterloo (CEMC)
CEMC Math Contests
Suite of free math contests (Pascal, Cayley, Fermat, Euclid, CSMC) written by Waterloo; open internationally through registered schools.
📍 School-administered (Global)⏱ 60–150 min📅 School registration by contest🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CFA Institute
CFA Institute Research Challenge
Global equity research and analysis competition with high school divisions in some regions.
📍 Global⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Rowan University
CHAMP/GEAR UP Summer Academy
College-readiness summer program for students from participating Camden-area schools with instruction in math, science, writing, computer science, financial literacy and public speaking.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Chapman University
Chapman University Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
A writing contest for high schoolers exploring the impact of the Holocaust through various creative prompts.
📍 Online📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Kansas Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering
Chemical Engineering Experience in Research (ChEER) for Youth Interns
Students ages 15–18 conduct non-hazardous chemical-engineering research under graduate or postdoctoral mentors, participate in research meetings, analyze data, and present results. The internship is unpaid and intended for students who can commute locally.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program
High-school students join a year-round leadership network, attend primarily virtual monthly meetings, participate in advocacy and conservation events, and design an evidence-based environmental action project.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Connecticut Office of the State Treasurer
CHET Dream Big! Competition
Connecticut students submit an essay, video or artwork addressing their aspirations or how they can help their community, competing for CHET college-savings awards.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chicago EYES on Cancer
A two-year cancer-research program combining two full-time eight-week summer laboratory experiences with school-year virtual enrichment. High-school participants receive a $5,000 taxable stipend each year.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Field Museum / Youth Conservation Action partners
Chicago Green Ambassadors Program
Paid youth interns explore environmental issues affecting Chicago communities and connect residents with neighborhood green spaces through conservation and community-engagement work. It particularly serves youth from several South and West Side neighborhoods.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
Children's Museum of New Hampshire Volunteer Program
Volunteers age 15+ can assist with museum programs, summer camps, student activities and drop-in STEAM experiences involving art, culture and science.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Maine Pulp & Paper Foundation
Chip Moody Consider Engineering Program
High-school juniors attend a competitive four-day residential program involving approximately 20 engineering activities and interaction with UMaine faculty, engineers, and engineering students.
📍 ME🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Freedom Forum
ChiPS Chips Quinn Scholars (pipeline)
Diversity journalism pipeline programs for students of color.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
City College of New York / College Now
City College STEM Research Academy
Faculty-guided research pathway with projects that have included anthropology and stem-cell science.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
City of Wichita
City of Wichita Leadership Internship Program
High-school and college students can work with city departments on areas such as planning, courts, purchasing, administration, and other public-service functions. Positions may be paid or unpaid depending on placement.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NYC College of Technology / CUNY
City Tech STEM Research Academy
High-school students complete research preparation and summer projects in engineering technology, computer science, biology and chemical technology.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
City Year
City Year Young Heroes
Volunteer service-learning Saturdays for middle and high schoolers.
📍 Multiple📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Civic Spirit
Civic Spirit Civics Day
National civics competition for middle and high school students from diverse religious schools.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1 day📅 Spring🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Civics Unplugged
Civics Unplugged Fellowship
Free fellowship for high schoolers building civic-tech projects and learning systems change.
📍 Online⏱ 6 months📅 September🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Valley City State University
Clarinet Day
Clarinet students attend demonstrations, lessons, masterclasses, ensemble rehearsals and a university recital.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Texas Tech University
Clark Scholars Program
Intensive research with TTU faculty across STEM and humanities. $750 stipend, room and board covered.
📍 TX (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Clean Energy Internship Program — High School Vocational Track
Eligible Massachusetts vocational-technical high-school students can obtain paid internships with clean-energy and water-innovation employers during the academic year and summer.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Clemson University
Clemson CAFLS Summer Program (SPECTRA)
A residential program for diverse students to explore agriculture and natural resource careers at Clemson.
📍 Clemson, SC⏱ 1 week📅 April 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
California Coastal Commission
Climate Storytelling Contest
Middle- and high-school students communicate their experiences and feelings about climate change through a podcast, photo essay or personal narrative essay.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU SAMS
Fully-funded STEM immersion for rising seniors from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 PA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Colorado Area Health Education Center / CU Anschutz
COAHEC HOPE Program
Colorado students participate in monthly statewide healthcare sessions on infectious disease, epidemiology, addiction medicine, behavioral health, nutrition and AI in healthcare. Completing three sessions can qualify students to apply for the HOPE Institute summer camp.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Code2College
Code2College Summer Program
Summer program for Texas students to gain technical skills and professional development.
📍 TX⏱ Various📅 February 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CodeDay
CodeDay Labs Fellowship
High school students are paired with industry mentors to build a real-world software project.
📍 Online⏱ 3 months📅 May 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Codeforces
Codeforces Educational Rounds
Free competitive programming platform with weekly contests for students worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ 2 hours📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Children's National Hospital
Colaco Scholar Program
One or two area high-school students spend about eight weeks in Children's National's clinical laboratory learning medical testing, shadowing pathologists/hematologists and participating in research projects.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
QuestBridge
College Admissions Conferences (through College Prep Scholars Program)
Exclusive access to college admissions conferences as part of the College Prep Scholars Program.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
College Affordability Guide
College Affordability Guide
Provides clear, correct info and advice on the many options students have to reduce the cost of their degree, and to offer a fresh analysis of which colleges are doing the most to make high-quality education affordable.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
ThreeSixty Journalism / University of St. Thomas
College Essay Workshop
Twin Cities students spend four days developing a polished college or scholarship essay through brainstorming, drafting, professional mentorship, and peer review. Tuition was fully covered in 2026 and completers received a stipend toward transportation and application fees.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Chicago Botanic Garden
College First
CPS sophomores and juniors participate in a seven-week paid summer experience that combines environmental coursework with a mentored scientific investigation, field trips, and college preparation. School-year follow-up opportunities are also provided.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
City University of New York / NYC Public Schools
College Now
Free dual-enrollment program allowing NYC high-school students to take CUNY courses and earn college credit before graduation.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
QuestBridge
College Prep Scholars Program
Get a head start to a top college as a high school junior with scholarships, awards, and resources designed to help you stand out in college admissions. Offers expert guidance, access to summer program scholarships, college admissions conferences, personalized support, and community.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Delaware
College Readiness Scholars Institute (CRSI)
Multi-year college-access program beginning with an intensive summer session and continuing through the school year with academic seminars, admissions guidance and personal-development programming.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Columbia University
Columbia Junior Science Journal
Peer-reviewed high-school-authored science journal at Columbia.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Annual (opens July, closes October)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Columbia University
Columbia Science Honors Program
Free Saturday science program for NYC-area HS students, taught by Columbia faculty.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Year-long📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Commonwealth Foundation
Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Global short-fiction prize open to writers from Commonwealth countries.
📍 Commonwealth countries📅 November🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Duke Summer Session
Commuter Courses (High School)
High school students living in the local area can commute to Duke's campus to take courses for college credit during the summer.
📍 Durham, NC📅 June🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Compassionate Communities: Mental Health Training Program
High-school students receive mental-health awareness training and Teen Mental Health First Aid instruction designed to help them recognize and respond appropriately to signs of mental-health or substance-use challenges among peers.
📍 NV🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
Computational Biology
Pre-College Computational Biology program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
The Concord Review
Concord Review (Humanities Publishing)
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
US House of Representatives
Congressional App Challenge
District-level coding competition open to every US high schooler.
📍 All US districts⏱ Self-paced📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
US House
Congressional Art Competition
Nationwide art contest with winning art displayed in the US Capitol.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Annual📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Congressional Award Foundation
Congressional Award
Award for ages 14-23 earning bronze/silver/gold for service, fitness, expedition, and personal development.
📍 United States⏱ 6-24 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
U.S. House of Representatives Members
Congressional District Office Internship
High school students can intern in their local district offices to learn about constituent services and local policy.
📍 Local Districts⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman
Congressional Youth Cabinet
Arkansas juniors meet with peers throughout the year, learn how Congress and the legislative process work, discuss current issues and provide ideas to Senator Boozman.
📍 AR🎓 Grade 11
Selective
University of North Dakota / Williston Basin CTE Center
CONNECT Energy Education Workshop
Juniors and seniors explore engineering and energy careers through hands-on activities with UND and regional energy professionals.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Minnesota MnCAV Ecosystem
Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Camp
Students explore self-driving vehicles, drones, teleoperations, programming, and transportation technology, including building and programming an automated electric skateboard. The camp is free and lunch is provided.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Connecticut Invention Convention / NextMinds
Connecticut Invention Convention
Students design inventions addressing real problems and advance through school, independent or community pathways to Connecticut's statewide invention competition.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Conrad Foundation
Conrad Challenge
International innovation and entrepreneurship competition addressing global grand challenges.
📍 USA finals + global teams📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Student Conservation Association
Conservation Corps
Conservation crews for youth and young adults.
📍 Various US locations📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Conservation Discovery Corps
Year-long teen volunteer program combining field-conservation research, zoological career exploration and public conservation education.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
Coolidge Connecticut Open
High-school students compete in four rounds of structured debate, with undefeated varsity competitors earning invitations to the national Coolidge Cup.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
Coolidge Scholarship
The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. This one-of-a-kind scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university in the U.S.
📍 Any accredited college or university in the U.S.📅 Not yet announced — officially listed as TBD on the Coolidge Scholars' own site🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Coolidge Scholars Foundation
Coolidge Senators Program
Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.
📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Coro Northern California
Coro Youth Fellows
Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Helena-West Helena School District
Cougar Next Level Scholars Institute
Advanced interdisciplinary program combining research, STEM, literature, leadership, civic innovation, seminars and innovation labs around real-world problems.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Detroit Zoo
Counselor in Training — Safari Camp
Teens ages 15–17 mentor younger Safari Camp participants while developing leadership, education, and camp-counseling skills. Applications for summer 2027 open in March 2027.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Brown Pre-College
Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
Propose, design, and conduct your own research project, working on topics and seeking answers to questions that are currently unknown to the specific discipline.
📍 On Campus or Online📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery Legal Art Contest
Students interpret a legal theme through an essay, poem, visual artwork or musical composition. The 2026 theme was "Equity: What Does it Mean to You?"
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Jackson State University Margaret Walker Center
Creative Arts & Scholarly Engagement (CASE) Festival
High-school students submit and present essays, poetry, spoken word, fiction, performing arts, or visual art before audiences of students and professors during this annual interdisciplinary festival.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Iowa State University College of Design
Creators of Tomorrow
Students interested in art, planning, and design complete a hands-on multidisciplinary project, interact with design professionals and current students, tour campus, and receive college and financial-aid guidance. The one-day program is free and offered in spring and fall.
📍 IA🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Washington University in St. Louis Cancer Research Club
CRISPr — Cancer Research Inspiring Future Scientists Program
Nine-week cancer-research internship pairing high-school students with WashU biomedical research labs for roughly 40 hours/week, plus workshops and a final symposium. Participants receive a $4,800 stipend.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Code.org
CS Principles from Code.org
High-quality AP Computer Science preparation and advanced CS courses.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
CS Scholars
Pre-College CS Scholars program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Colorado School of Mines
CS@Mines Cyber Camp — Exploring IoT: Data Security and Privacy
Two-day camp covering IoT security, privacy, networking, data analysis, cyberattacks and AI-based defensive techniques through hands-on activities.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Colorado School of Mines Department of Computer Science
CS@Mines High School Research Internship
High-school students join Mines faculty research groups in areas such as AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and computing. Remote and in-person placements can be available.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Harvard / edX
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Introduction to computer science from Harvard University available for high schoolers.
📍 Online⏱ 12 weeks📅 Self-paced — no fixed deadline🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Harvard University / edX
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Harvard's world-famous introduction to computer science. While self-paced on edX, it offers a certificate and a deep dive into programming.
📍 Online⏱ 12 weeks📅 Self-paced🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
CTAHR Summer Research Institute
Eight-week program where students conduct original faculty-mentored laboratory, field or library research addressing food systems, sustainability, community resilience and related problems, then present at a research symposium.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Northern Arizona University ¡MIRA!
Cultural and Academic Research Experience (CARE)
High-school students conduct hands-on STEMM research with mentors while receiving college-preparation training. In-person participants can receive housing, meals, and a stipend up to $4,500; a virtual research track is also offered.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Cyber.org
Cyber.org Range Competitions
Free cybersecurity courses, range exercises, and competitions for K-12.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
University of Mary
CyberConnect CTF
Four-person high-school teams solve cybersecurity challenges in a capture-the-flag competition for cash prizes.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Idaho National Laboratory
CyberCore Camp
High-school students complete hands-on cybersecurity and computing activities connected to INL's national-security and cyber research.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CyberPatriot
CyberPatriot
A cybersecurity competition for high school teams to learn and apply cybersecurity skills in a virtual environment. Teams compete to find and fix vulnerabilities in simulated operating systems.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Air & Space Forces Association
CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense
National youth cybersecurity competition with middle and high school divisions.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Gallatin College Montana State University
Cybersecurity Summer Initiative Camp
Free summer cybersecurity camp where students explore networks, files, cyber hygiene and security through hands-on activities and a concluding challenge. The program includes high-school students within its grades 6–12 range.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Michigan Department of Chemistry
D-RISE
Cass Technical High School students spend seven weeks doing full-time mentored chemistry research while living on the U-M campus during the week.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Maine Community Foundation
Daniel Cardillo Charitable Fund
Maine young people needing financial assistance can receive support to pursue meaningful artistic, academic, athletic, vocational, or experiential opportunities outside traditional school.
📍 ME🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
New Jersey Department of Education
Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conferences
Seven regional conferences for middle- and high-school students with disabilities featuring student-led workshops on self-advocacy, leadership, IEP participation, college and workplace rights. Attendance is free.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth Bound (Free)
Free fly-in program for high-achieving, low-income juniors.
📍 NH⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Selective
UPenn Wharton Global Youth
Data Science Academy
On-campus academy focused on data science principles and applications.
📍 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UPenn Wharton Global Youth
Data Science Competition
A global competition for high school students centered around data science challenges.
📍 Remote📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of the District of Columbia
Data STEAAM Summer Camp
Six-week business-intelligence and research program where DC students use data analytics to study agriculture, energy, architecture and public-policy problems while working in university labs and research farms.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows
Scholarships of USD 10K, 25K, and 50K for students under 18 with significant work in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
📍 Online application⏱ Project-based📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Up to $100,000 scholarship (with $50,000 and $25,000 lower tiers) for original work in STEM, literature, music, and 'outside the box' areas, ages 18 and under.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Davidson College
Davidson Summer Promise Program
Free residential college-access program that begins before ninth grade and brings participants back to Davidson for annual summer enrichment through high school.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
DC DOES
DC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment
Free paid summer jobs for DC youth 14-24. Wide range of placements.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 6 weeks📅 Feb-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
DC STEM Fair
DC students present original STEM research at the District's official science and engineering fair. High-school overall winners and runners-up can advance toward Regeneron ISEF.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
DCF Youth Council
Youth ages 15–23 with current or past DCF involvement serve two-year terms, helping redesign programs, influence policy and present recommendations directly to state leadership. Recruitment for the 2026–27 term is active.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Debate Mate
Debate Mate
After-school debate mentoring by university student coaches, delivered to state schools across the UK and now internationally; free for participating schools.
📍 UK + Global partner schools⏱ School-year program📅 School enrolment: fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
DECA Inc.
DECA Competitive Events (ICDC)
One of the world's largest business competitions for students to demonstrate their professionalism in multiple event categories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-long📅 January 10🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Decision for Dentistry
Three-phase program for 45 NJ high-school students featuring dental impressions, clinical observation, mentorship and an admissions symposium. The 2026–27 program dates are already scheduled.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Colorado School of Mines
DECTech Intern
High-school interns assist Mines outreach programs and help deliver computing and technology activities for younger K–8 students.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Department of Education
Delaware ArcGIS StoryMap Competition
Students use maps, data, images and narrative to investigate a real issue. The 2026 high-school theme focused on sustainability challenges in students' communities.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State of Delaware / University of Delaware
Delaware Governor's School for Excellence
Highly selective residential program with academic and visual/performing-arts tracks. Students study subjects including humanities, government, science, economics and the arts with UD faculty.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
State of Delaware
Delaware State Board of Education Student Member
One high-school student serves a full one-year term as a non-voting State Board member and contributes student perspectives on curriculum, graduation requirements, equity and accountability.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Delaware Teen Science Café
Free teen-only science events featuring local STEM experts, hands-on activities, collaborative discussion and topics ranging from astronomy to biology.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Delaware Teen Science Café Leadership Team
Students choose Science Café themes, work with STEM speakers, market events and host programs for other Delaware teens while earning community-service hours.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Theatre Company
Delaware Young Playwrights Festival
Students develop original plays, receive professional critique and revise their work; finalists participate in workshops leading to a professional public performance.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alaska Anchorage WWAMI School of Medical Education
Della Keats Health Sciences Program
Four-week residential health-sciences program in which students experience college life, complete health-related coursework and research projects, and participate in multiple medical or healthcare job shadows.
📍 AK🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Department of Economic Development Student Internship
Currently enrolled Georgia high-school or postsecondary students can obtain practical state-government experience applying academic skills to economic-development work.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Henry Ford Health
Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program — Summer Internship
Detroit-area high-school students receive healthcare mentorship and hands-on exposure; selected participants complete a seven-week summer internship with a professional mentor and receive a $1,000 stipend.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Derivative of Thrills Summer Institute
Free selective program using roller-coaster design and related problems to explore mathematics and engineering concepts.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
Design
Pre-College Design program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Reach Higher Montana
Design a Sticker, Win a Scholarship
Montana students create an original sticker design intended to inspire other high-school students. Awards range from $500 to $1,500, with additional funding for the winning students' school or community art programs.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NC State College of Design
Design Connections Residential Experience
Free residential design program for North Carolina students with limited access to design education; participants complete an interdisciplinary studio project.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Design Hive
Paid youth-led design initiative where students collaborate with professional designers, create projects and develop public programming. The 2027 cohort runs January–June.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Louisville J.B. Speed School of Engineering
Design Thinkers Camp: Innovate, Design & Optimize
Students tackle engineering-design problems involving human-AI teaming, virtual-reality driving technology, physiological sensors, 3D scanning, and human-centered systems.
📍 KY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship
Diamond Challenge
Global high school entrepreneurship pitch competition with $100k+ in prizes.
📍 Newark, DE⏱ Academic year📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of New Hampshire
Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy
Free immersive academy combining science, engineering, arts and mathematics with study of the Black experience and New Hampshire history. Day and residential options were offered in 2026.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
Discover Accounting
Free residential business program where students meet accounting professionals, tour workplaces, solve a business challenge and experience campus life. Participation can also help students qualify for additional accounting scholarships.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
Discover Actuarial Science
Free residential program introducing actuarial science through mathematical problem solving, industry visits and a team business challenge. Applicants should have completed Algebra II or provide a teacher recommendation.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering
Discover STEM
Students spend a week exploring current STEM research through laboratory tours, experiments, technology demonstrations, faculty presentations, and career discussions. Attendance is free.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Museum of Discovery
Discovery Camp Counselor
Teen volunteers assist museum educators with children's summer Discovery Camps and gain experience supporting informal STEM education.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UC Berkeley ATDP
Distinguished Scholars
Program recognizing accomplished ATDP students.
📍 Multiple🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
MSF USA
Doctors Without Borders Student Outreach
Student outreach, awareness campaigns, and clubs supporting MSF's humanitarian work.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE STEM Rising / SCEP
Paid internships across the 17 DOE national laboratories.
📍 Multiple national labs (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Google
Doodle for Google
Annual K-12 art contest with college scholarships.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Spring🎓 Grades 1–12
Selective
DoSomething.org
DoSomething Campaigns
Volunteer campaigns with scholarship sweepstakes for participants.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business
DREAMBIG Academy: Discover Business
Rising seniors explore business careers, leadership and networking while working with College of Business faculty and peers. UNL identifies its high-school business discovery programs as free.
📍 NE🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment Scholarship
Covers tuition and fees for financially eligible Missouri high-school students taking approved dual-credit or dual-enrollment courses. The fall 2026/spring 2027 application is currently open.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bank of North Dakota
Dual Credit Assistance
Income-eligible North Dakota students can receive assistance covering dual-credit application fees, tuition, books and related course costs.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Duke University
Duke Marine Lab Community Science Program
A hands-on summer research program at the Duke University Marine Lab focusing on ocean science and environmental justice.
📍 Beaufort, NC⏱ 2 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
Duke Biomedical Engineering
Duke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP)
Seven-week biomedical-engineering research placement where students work in Duke laboratories and participate in STEM seminars and research presentations.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Eight-week neuroscience research experience placing Durham-area students in Duke laboratories with research mentors, professional-development sessions and scientific presentations.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
City of Durham
Durham YouthWorks
Paid career-development program connecting Durham youth with work experiences, professional training and employer projects in several career pathways.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
DVR Pre-Employment Transition Summer Work Programs
Eligible students with disabilities participate in workplace-readiness training and work-based learning; multiple 2026 providers offered four-week paid placements with Delaware employers.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
DVR Youth Summer Work Programs
Eligible students participate in paid 4–6 week work experiences through school districts, community agencies, parks, local businesses, and other employers while developing job-readiness skills. Many programs serve students with IEPs, 504 plans, disabilities, or potential DVR eligibility.
📍 AK🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Community College System of New Hampshire
Early College at Your High School
College courses are taught inside participating New Hampshire high schools for both high-school and community-college credit. State funding currently makes up to two dual-credit courses per year tuition-free for eligible students in grades 10–12.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective

Other collections

Free summer programs for high school students Summer programs for high school sophomores Paid internships for high school students Research programs for high school students Online and virtual programs for high school students STEM programs for high school students Programs for underrepresented and under-resourced students Free programs for high school seniors

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