Free STEM summer programs are like hidden gems for high schoolers.

They're not just about saving money: they show that these programs really believe in your potential and value the importance of your research.

When you get into one of these programs, it means they see you as a future star in STEM—they're not just giving away spots for nothing.

In one of these programs, you’ll get to work on incredible projects with renowned scientists and explore new horizons (without worrying about the cost!).

Here are the TOP 10 FREE STEM SUMMER PROGRAMS for ambitious students.

Once you’re done with this list, check out our extended, comprehensive article on the 50 BEST STEM SUMMER PROGRAMS for high schoolers! https://youtu. be/32Uq1qNSDz4 AND here’s a bit of deeper insight into some of the select few programs that Rishab Jain, Harvard student and ISEF top winner, attests to.

Top 10 Free STEM Summer Research Programs List Research Science Institute (RSI) The Research Science Institute (RSI) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a premier summer program that stands as STANDARD of excellence in fostering young scientific minds.

The program is renowned not only for its rigorous selection process (selecting only 80 from thousands of applicants), but is ALSO known well as one of, if not THE MOST prestigious research programs in the world.

Hosted by MIT and CEE, RSI is meticulously structured to provide a comprehensive research experience.

Students are mentored through intensive research projects by leading scientists and researchers, predominantly at MIT and Harvard.

The program culminates in the RSI Final Symposium, a platform where students present their research findings.

RSI isn’t just a summer program, but a TRANSFORMATIVE experience that nurtures the next generation of scientific leaders, offering them a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and to form lasting connections with like-minded peers and distinguished mentors alike.

The program's legacy is evident in its alumni, who continue to make significant contributions to science and technology. “Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann and American physicist Jeremy England attended RSI in 199

8. Broad Institute and MIT neurobiologist, optogenetics pioneer, developer of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing method, and "35 Innovators Under 35" laureate Feng Zhang attended RSI in 199

9. ” Wikipedia Program dates: Late June to August (6 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 5% Eligibility:  All high school juniors Deadline: December 2024 https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=5upW1YuHZIo To see Rishab Jain’s full breakdown of how he got into RSI (covering his activities, stats, AND the details of his essay), watch this!

It’ll go through EXACTLY what he did and submitted to earn him a spot, and is GUARANTEED to help you not just in applying for the Research Science Institute, but ANY selective STEM programs.

MIT’s MITES Summer Program The Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) program at MIT is an on-campus experience that offers high school students a deep dive into the world of STEM.

Participants engage in challenging academic courses in core subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, and collaborate on team-based research projects, applying classroom theories to tackle real-world issues under the mentorship of MIT professionals.

Beyond academics, the program features enriching guest lectures from leading MIT faculty and industry experts, comprehensive college admissions counseling, and a host of social and cultural activities to foster community and exploration.

It offers a structured weekday schedule of classes, recitations, workshops, and campus tours, complemented by social events, study sessions, and opportunities to explore Boston during evenings and weekends.

A perk: participants are provided with free room and board.

MITES also offers each student a personalized written evaluation at the program's end, detailing their academic strengths, areas for growth, and class contributions, something invaluable for college applications.

Program dates: Late June to early August (6 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 3%-10% Eligibility: Applicant must be a high school junior Minimum

3. 5 GPA Deadline: February 2025 Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) The NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) program is an exceptional 10-week educational journey for students passionate about STEM.

The expanded program includes 4 weeks of remote workshops in June, focusing on interdisciplinary STEM disciplines such as Bio

- and Molecular Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, AI, and Machine Learning, followed by 6 weeks of in-person lab experiences starting in July.

This diversity offers students a broad spectrum of research opportunities to explore.

The sense of community and the array of extracurricular events further enrich the ARISE experience, extending learning beyond the labs.

The ARISE program fosters both academic growth and personal development in young researchers, giving them to opportunity to explore their passions in the heart of one of the world's most vibrant cities.

Program Dates: Early June to August (10 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 30% Eligibility:  Applicant must be a graduating high school sophomore or junior Deadline: Match 6, 2024 “My time in ARISE has solidified my path to becoming an engineer.

At the start, I had no idea what type of engineer I wanted to be, but after participating in the program I learned about the different paths that I could take and now I want to be a mechanical or chemical engineer.

I loved the community and events we could take part in aside from working in our labs. " ARISE Alumnus Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an exceptional 8-week opportunity designed for ambitious high school juniors and seniors eager to delve into the world of medical research.

Hosted by Stanford University, SIMR offers students a unique chance to engage in meaningful, hands-on research within a range of cutting-edge fields, including neurobiology, bioengineering, and stem cell + regenerative medicine.

Participants are matched with an institute and receive mentorship from Stanford's world-class researchers, and, throughout the program, have the flexibility to express their research interests from eight distinct areas, ensuring a tailored experience that aligns with their academic passions.

Program Dates: Early June to August (8 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 3% Eligibility: Applicant must be 16 years of age Applicant must be a high school junior or senior Must be a U.

S. citizen or permanent resident Deadline: Late February 2025 CMU’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) The Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University is an enriching six-week residential program for high school students aiming to delve into STEM disciplines.

SAMS is a fully funded, merit-based initiative, ensuring that selected students can attend without financial burden.

It is particularly focused on cultivating a diverse group of talented students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.

SAMS offers an intensive curriculum combining classroom instruction with hands-on research projects in fields like robotics and computer science, all under the guidance of CMU's esteemed faculty.

The program is structured into two parts: an initial virtual component for skill-building and a comprehensive six-week on-campus experience involving full-day courses and project work.

Scholars benefit from access to advanced research facilities and are given the opportunity to present their work at a final symposium.

SAMS is dedicated to creating a collaborative environment, encouraging students to form lasting connections with like-minded peers and mentors.

Program Dates: July 1 to August 5 (5 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 8% Eligibility:  Applicant must be >16 years of age Applicant must be a high school junior Must be a U.

S. citizen or permanent resident Deadline: Late November 2024 (subject to change) Northeastern University’s Young Scholar Program (YSP) The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University is a remarkable opportunity for rising high school seniors in Massachusetts to engage in advanced scientific research.

This program, aimed at students within commuting distance, allows participants to work in Northeastern's state-of-the-art labs across the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences.

Scholars are involved in cutting-edge research projects under the mentorship of university faculty, gaining exposure to a range of disciplines.

YSP includes a series of seminars introducing students to various engineering fields, along with education and career counseling to help scholars navigate their future academic and professional paths.

Field trips to corporate and government engineering sites provide real-world insights, while on-campus experiences offer a taste of college life.

Through hands-on research, seminars, and networking, YSP empowers students to explore and commit to STEM careers.

Program Dates: June 24 to August 1, 2024 (6 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 10%-15% Eligibility:  Applicant must be a high school junior Must be a U.

S. citizen or permanent resident Deadline: March 15, 2024 (you can still get a spot for this year!) MIT PRIMES The MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science) is an exemplary year-long after-school initiative designed for high school students with a profound interest in mathematics and computer science.

Located ideally for those within commuting distance of Boston, PRIMES offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage in advanced research and independent study under the mentorship of MIT's graduate students and PhD’s.

Participants are immersed in a stimulating environment where they tackle unsolved problems in mathematics, computer science, and computational biology, providing a real-world context to their theoretical knowledge.

This engagement not only sharpens their problem-solving and research skills but also offers a substantial preview of collegiate and professional academic research.

Networking is a crucial element of the PRIMES experience, offering students the chance to connect with like-minded peers, esteemed academics, and industry professionals.

These connections can provide invaluable guidance, support, and opportunities well beyond the program's duration, emphasizing the program's lasting impact on participants' academic and career trajectories.

The PRIMES program underscores MIT's commitment to fostering the next generation of STEM leaders, providing rigorous academic challenges, mentorship, and the cultivation of a vibrant scholarly community.

Note:  For students not in the Greater Boston area, MIT PRIMES-USA extends similar opportunities nationwide, allowing high school juniors and sophomores to benefit from distance mentoring in math research.

This facet of the program ensures that talented students, regardless of their location, can access high-quality mentorship and engage in meaningful mathematical research.

Program Dates: Starts January 1 (year-long!) Acceptance Rate: 4%-5% Eligibility: Must be able to travel to Boston (however, there is also MIT PRIMES USA which is a program open to students across the country) Must pass entrance exam Applicant must show academic rigor Deadline: November 30, 2024 Roswell Park’s Summer Cancer Research Experience Program The Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program offers a unique and immersive opportunity for high school juniors interested in exploring cancer research.

The program allows students to conduct independent research in a state-of-the-art lab, focusing on various critical areas of cancer science including biostatistics, cellular/molecular biology, genetics, prevention/epidemiology, and more.

The program includes a series of educational workshops and seminars that cover a range of subjects from scientific communication and research ethics to career development in cancer biology.

An integral part of the experience is clinical shadowing, where students observe patient care and clinical research firsthand, offering invaluable insights for those considering a future in medicine.

The program culminates in a final symposium where students showcase their research findings, providing a platform for them to articulate their work and contribute to the scientific community.

Students are provided with university housing and a meal stipend, ensuring a comfortable and fully immersive experience.

The Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program is an excellent way for aspiring scientists and healthcare professionals to gain firsthand research experience, explore potential career paths, and make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures in science or healthcare.

Program dates: Early June to late July (8 weeks) Acceptance Rate: 80% (much less selective, but still a valuable experience) Eligibility:  Applicant must be >15 years of age Applicant must be a high school junior Must be a U.

S. citizen or permanent resident Deadline: February 2025 MIT Beaver Works The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is an exemplary program for high school students mpassionate about diving deep into STEM fields.

It offers an immersive experience with hands-on projects in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, data science, and engineering, where students tackle real-world challenges in team settings.

This program stands out for its robust mentorship, where participants receive guidance from MIT experts throughout their project development, ensuring a practical and impactful learning journey.

Beyond project work, the institute enriches students' technical acumen through specialized workshops that cover essential topics like CAD and electronics.

Additionally, the program offers unique insights into the industry through guest lectures from leading professionals and innovators, providing a window into the latest research and technological advancements.

On top of the academic and professional growth opportunities, various social and cultural activities across Boston are open to students, allowing them to interact with both their peers and the community.

Program dates: Late June to early August (6 weeks) Acceptance Rate: Highly selective (estimated ~8%) Eligibility: Applicant must be a high school junior Must be a US citizen or permanent resident Strong academic record with a relatively high GPA Experience/demonstrated interest in STEM Deadline: March 31, 2024  USC’s Young Researcher’s Program (YRP) The Young Researchers Program at the University of Southern California is an initiative designed to propel rising high school seniors in scientific research, offering a very hands-on experience into STEM. participants are matched with graduate mentors to conduct research in various scientific domains, culminating in a symposium where they present their findings.

In addition to research, the program enriches students' academic journey with weekly seminars covering college applications, scholarship opportunities, academic success strategies, and STEM career exploration.

Fun fact: You get to go on field trips!  “We spend a day at Catalina Island learning about Earth and environmental science, hiking, and snorkeling (no swimming experience is required).

We also tour NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory!” Program Dates: June 17 to July 26, 2024 Acceptance Rate: 5%-10% Eligibility:  Applicants must be rising high school seniors in the California area (a bit more exclusive, but still worth considering if you’re on the West Coast) Deadline: March 31, 2024  50 More STEM Opportunities for High Schoolers Download list of 50+ more STEM research programs!

Want some more insight on the best programs, competitions, and opportunities for aspiring researchers and ambitious students?

Get this list here for free: https://www. rishabacademy. com/guide.