If you're a high school student looking to make the most of your summer, this list is for you. Below is a curated roundup of programs that are still accepting applications, with details on whether they’re paid, free, or offer stipends, and whether they’re open to international students. Whether you're passionate about research, technology, leadership, or the arts, there's something here for everyone.
Check back often—this list is updated regularly!
And of course, applications are still open for Nova Scholar—our summer program built on the belief that any student with work ethic and determination can create something incredible to share with the world. (Summer I Deadline: May 16, Summer II Deadline: June 20_
If you want to spend your summer developing something that reflects your full potential—with expert guidance and real-world impact—we offer two flagship tracks for high school students:
- Research Program: One-on-one mentorship with researchers from Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, or MIT.Open to Middle and High School Students.
- Patent Program: Based on Stanford Class 161A: Advanced Design. Work closely with in a small group to build a mobile app and draft and submit a patent application for a novel system you develop. Open to High School Students.
Know a great opportunity we missed? Email admin@novascholar.education and we’ll add it to the list!
Want early access next time? We shared many of these with our newsletter subscribers back on April 15—join our mailing list or email us to stay ahead of deadlines.
May Applications:
- SPINWIP (Free, Due May 1)
→ Summer Physics Internship for high school women and gender minorities. Research & mentorship experience. - Sci-Mi (Free, Due May 1)
→ Virtual science communication & microbiome research experience for high schoolers. - All Star Code Summer Intensive (Free, Deadline: May 2)
→ Free 3-week computer science program for young men of color. - The Digital Experiment (Free, Due May 5)
→ Explore AI, design, and ethics in a hands-on summer program. - Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) (Free, Deadline: May 5)
→ Leadership training for young women and gender-expansive youth. - Democrashe (Free + Stipend, Due May 9)
→ Government and democracy education for students from underrepresented backgrounds. - Yale Summer Session (Paid, Deadline: May 9 for Session A; June 13 for Session B)
→ College-level courses for pre-college students across multiple disciplines. - Cornell SCE Precollege Studies (Paid, Due May 9)
→ Take Cornell University courses for credit in various subjects. - Hinksey Labs (Paid, Due May 11)
→ Research-based program pairing high school students with expert mentors in STEM fields. - NYU Career Edge (Paid, Deadline: May 15 for Residential; June 13 for Commuter)
→ One-week intensive courses in fields like finance, journalism, and medicine. - Nova Scholar (Paid with financial aid available. Deadline: May 16 for Summer I)
→ Write a research paper or develop an app with the worlds best instructors and mentors. - Harvard StatStart (Free, Massachusetts only, Due May 16)
→ Intro to biostatistics and public health for underrepresented students. - American University Community Scholars (Paid, Due May 18)
→ Summer bridge program combining academics with community engagement. - Midland County CTE Summer Camps (Paid, Deadline: May 19)
→ Hands-on technical and career education summer camps. - Big Red Summer Academic Camp (Paid, Due May 19)
→ Academic exploration in subjects like robotics, fashion design, and entrepreneurship. - WASH SRI (Free, Due May 21)
→ Summer Research Institute focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene topics. - Afterschool Matters Internship (Free + Paid for Chicago students 16+, Due May 23)
→ Arts, leadership, and civic engagement internships in Chicago. - BU High School Honors (Paid, Due May 23)
→ Earn college credit through Boston University’s summer program. - Youth In Policy Fellowship (Free, Due May 30)
→ Policy writing and civic leadership fellowship for high school students.
June Applications
- UMD Terp Young Scholars (Paid, Due June 1)
→ A 3-week pre-college program at the University of Maryland where students can earn 3 college credits in various subjects - Nova Scholar (Paid with financial aid available. Deadline: May 16 for Summer I)
→ Write a research paper or develop an app with the worlds best instructors and mentors. - BAC Summer Academy (Paid, Online Registration Due June 9; Onsite Registration Due June 23)
→ A design-focused program offering hands-on experience in architecture and design. Students can choose between online and onsite tracks.
Rolling Applications
- Girls State & Boys State (Paid or Free, varies by state)
→ Immersive summer leadership programs in government and civic engagement. Availability and cost vary by state; some spots are still open but may require self-funding. - Boston Leadership Institute (Paid, Rolling)
→ STEM-focused academic programs in areas like medicine, business, engineering, and finance. - Dual Enrollment College Prep (Paid, Rolling)
→ College-prep and academic enrichment courses (not-for-credit) for high school students. - Smith Summer Science & Engineering Program (SSEP) (Paid, Rolling)
→ Hands-on research in science and engineering at Smith College for girls and gender-diverse students. - Columbia University NYC Residential Summer Program (Paid, Rolling)
→ Offers 3-week sessions in various subjects for high school students. Space-available basis. - Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College Programs (Paid, Rolling)
→ Courses in engineering, science, and business. Scholarships available for under-resourced students. - Bay City Rowing Club High School Programs (Paid ~ $165, Rolling)
→ Rowing instruction and training for students in the Great Lakes Bay area.
We know all these summer programs can feel overwhelming. At the end of the day, know this: you are already enough. There's so much pressure to pack your summer with the "right" opportunities—but what truly matters is that you spend your time in a way that helps you grow, learn, or connect more deeply with yourself. If you do that, your summer was absolutely worth it.
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