Paid Summer Programs for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide

For high school students eager to delve into advanced academics and research, summer programs offer an invaluable opportunity to explore potential college majors, gain hands-on experience, and bolster their college applications. Paid summer programs, in particular, provide a unique advantage, allowing students to engage in rigorous academic pursuits without the financial strain. These programs, often highly competitive, signify a student's commitment to research and readiness for college-level challenges, making them a prestigious addition to any resume. Successfully completing a pre-college program demonstrates your ability to succeed in a rigorous college course. This article explores a variety of paid summer programs, highlighting their unique features and benefits.

The Allure of Paid Research Programs

Paid research summer programs offer high schoolers a solid opportunity to deepen their understanding of a specific field and enhance their analytical skills early on. Paid programs (programs that pay you a stipend) are usually super competitive and make for prestigious additions to your resume! By selecting a paid research program, you can demonstrate your commitment to research and your readiness to tackle advanced academic challenges to college admissions officers.

Featured Paid Summer Programs

Here are some notable paid summer programs for high school students, each offering a unique experience and focus:

1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $750 provided.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 - August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old

This prestigious program at Texas Tech University accepts only 12 students each year, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of less than 3%. Selected students conduct research and receive mentorship from faculty in areas like nutritional science, computer science, mechanical engineering, and history. This advanced program dives into what conducting research is like while making a great addition to your college application.

2. Stanford Institutes of Medical Research (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Unspecified stipend
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 17 - July 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

SIMR is a competitive and prestigious program in which 50 high school students work in a six-week research program within a Stanford lab alongside faculty, postdoc students, and researchers on medically-oriented research projects. Students get to train at eight medical research institutes specializing in bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics, neurobiology, immunology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and cancer biology. Through the program, you will learn about laboratory safety, general laboratory skills, in-depth research, and developing and presenting a poster highlighting scientific results. You’ll also receive guidance from a mentor in a state-of-the-art laboratory, allowing them to experience experiential learning during their medical research journey.

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3. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 - August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, are eligible to apply. Recommended scores are 740+ for PSAT Math, 700+ for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 33 for ACT Math, and 34 for ACT Verbal. If your scores are lower, you must provide other indicators of academic excellence.

The Research Science Institute is a highly esteemed program for high school students, renowned for its global reach, rigorous curriculum, and affiliation with MIT. The program's exceptional reputation attracts a large pool of applicants, with an acceptance rate as low as 5%. The program offers a comprehensive research immersion, enabling participants to engage in STEM and, in some cases, Humanities projects from start to finish under expert mentorship. After an intensive week of classes, participants embark on five weeks of guided research and lab work, culminating in a final presentation. In addition to the hands-on experience, completing an independent project showcases dedication and commitment to college admissions officers.

4. The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program

Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $6,500 stipend is provided
Application Deadline: January 27
Program Dates: May 31 - August 8
Eligibility: High school seniors who have completed 12th grade and are at least 18 years old

The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program offers fellowships to high-achieving students interested in conducting independent, mentored research projects in genetics and genomics. Forty high school and undergraduate students are selected to develop projects, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings. Specific research areas include bioinformatics, cancer, genomics, immunology, metabolic diseases, and more. Given that the program also targets undergraduate students, participants can expect a higher academic level of experience and a rigorous application process. The generous stipend and the program’s prestige make the SSP a well-regarded opportunity that can significantly enhance your college applications.

5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)

Location: NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost, $2,530 for current high school students
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: July 7 - August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who are at least 17 years old by June 15. Additional criteria apply for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.

The NIH High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is a 5-week paid research internship aimed at introducing students to careers in biomedical research, public health, and healthcare professions. As a participant, you’ll take part in scientific workshops, career exploration panels, and professional development sessions, while also learning about the latest advancements in medical and scientific research. HiSTEP further provides college application guidance, leadership training, and networking opportunities with NIH scientists.

6. QuarkNet Summer Research Program

Location: Varies depending on location and university
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided (amount varies)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on location and university
Program Dates: Varies depending on location and university
Eligibility: Varies depending on location and university

The QuarkNet program, supported by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, invites students to team up with scientists on exciting research projects. The topics can vary, but you’ll often dive into areas like particle physics, particle accelerators, quantum science, computing, and detectors. As a participant, you’ll get hands-on experience with data collection and deliver oral presentations, all while working alongside experts in the field. This experience allows students to contribute to ongoing experiments and deepen their understanding of particle physics while gaining valuable research skills.

7. MIT THINK Scholars

Location: Virtual; Finalists are invited to a fully-funded, four-day visit to MIT (Cambridge, MA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Each finalist receives up to $1,000 in funding to implement their project, along with weekly mentorship from MIT students
Application Deadline: January 1 of each year
Program Dates: Finalists are announced in February, and projects are completed by the summer of that year in June.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two

If you have already prepared a research proposal but require expert help to complete it, the MIT THINK Scholars program is an excellent option. Unlike other programs, this one involves a competition where you submit a project proposal in science, technology, or engineering. Six finalists are awarded weekly mentoring sessions, technical support, up to $1,000 in funding, and a four-day visit to MIT’s campus. Although it partially coincides with the school year, the program provides a unique opportunity to conduct research from start to finish. Participating in this prestigious program will highlight your skills and greatly enhance your college applications.

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8. The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute Summer Lab

Location: University of Chicago campus, IL
Cost: No cost; $5,600 stipend provided
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: June 16 - August 8
Eligibility: High school students, particularly those with a familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, and math)

The DSI Summer Lab, hosted by the University of Chicago, is a 10-week paid research opportunity for high school and undergraduate students. It focuses on applied and interdisciplinary data science research and pairs participants with mentors specializing in various domains, including data science, computer science, and climate and energy policy. Mentors guide students in refining research methodologies, practices, and teamwork skills, while also providing specialized training in specific application areas. The program concludes with participants presenting their research findings through self-created videos, which are showcased in a professional conference format, allowing for peer interaction and discussion of projects.

9. NYU’s ARISE Program

Location: New York University, New York, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice)
Cost: No cost, $1,000 stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 - August 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors based in New York City

ARISE at NYU offers a fantastic opportunity for 10th and 11th graders from New York City. This seven-week summer program is entirely free. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in hands-on research alongside NYU’s top faculty members. You’ll explore exciting fields like computer science, machine learning, robotics, and more. The program is split into two parts: the first two weeks are filled with engaging workshops, while the remaining five weeks are spent working side-by-side with your mentor in the lab. ARISE provides a unique chance to train in college-level research, develop professionally, participate in colloquiums, and make meaningful contributions to cutting-edge laboratories.

10. Syracuse University Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Research Internship Program

Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: While the dates for the next cohort have not been announced, expect the deadline to be 2 months before the internship.
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Rising seniors in the Greater Syracuse area in good academic standing

Syracuse University presents a non-residential summer internship spanning six weeks, tailored for rising seniors within the greater Syracuse area. This internship is designed to immerse participants in advanced engineering and computer science research, aiming to ignite and deepen their passion for STEM careers. Throughout the program, interns engage in university-level research projects under the guidance of Syracuse University’s esteemed research faculty, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The end of the program is marked by interns presenting their research findings at a symposium alongside other high school and undergraduate research interns.

Beyond Research: Other Paid Opportunities

While many paid summer programs focus on research, other options exist for students interested in different fields:

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutch

Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Eligibility: Students between 11th and 12th grade who haven't had extensive research experience.

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive, eight-week, full-time paid internship for students between 11th and 12th grade. The program is specifically designed for students who haven't had extensive research experience. The internship begins with two weeks of hands-on training in laboratory safety and techniques as well as an introduction to the Fred Hutch. For the remaining six weeks, interns are paired and immersed in mentored activities in a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. Interns also participate in research seminars, attend professional development workshops focused on college and careers, and enjoy social activities with their teams and peers.

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Enhancing College Readiness

Many summer programs incorporate elements designed to prepare students for the college application process and the rigors of higher education. Our college readiness activities include workshops on how to write your college admissions essay, seminars on understanding the financial aid process, and panels on how to choose the right college. Previous Harvard Summer School students have gone on to attend college at institutions such as Harvard College, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Boston University, and Brown University.

Additional Programs to Consider

Lumiere Research Scholar Program: This program offers selective online high school programs for students, founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation provides a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students with need-based financial aid.
Tufts University Summer Programs: Tufts offers a variety of 1 to 6-week summer programs designed for high school students to explore engaging topics taught at a college level by Tufts faculty. These programs offer pathways to learning, with flexible program lengths and residential or commuter options, including opportunities in art, entrepreneurship, and health sciences. Limited financial aid and scholarships are available based on demonstrated student need.

Application Tips for SHIP

The SHIP application has two online components - an applicant section that you complete and a separate online form that your references complete. Thoroughly review the application and complete your section well in advance of the deadline. Proofread your application and essays carefully. You will not be able to go back into the system after you submit your application. Submit your section early so your references have time to complete their form. Read this entire page carefully. Due to the high volume of inquiries, we will not respond to questions that are already answered on this page. SHIP is a highly competitive program. Before you apply, make sure you have contact information for your two recommenders, your resume (PDF) and your transcripts (PDF) ready to upload. Your most recent transcripts are acceptable, even if they do not have final grades for your current semester.

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