Free Summer STEM Programs for High School Students (2027)

Some of the most selective summer STEM programs in the country are free, and a few even pay you. But they're also small and competitive, and many deadlines fall in December and January, long before summer feels close.

This guide lists free and fully funded summer STEM programs for high school students, with eligibility and deadlines for the 2027 cycle where they've been announced. It's written by student volunteers at STEM for Others, a nonprofit that makes STEM education free. Details come from each program's website as of October 2026; always check the official site before applying.

Quick list

• Research Science Institute (RSI): juniors; free; 2027 deadline December 11, 2026.
• MITES Summer (MIT): U.S. juniors; free except travel; apply in the fall of junior year.
• Simons Summer Research Program: juniors nominated by their school; free with a stipend; application opens November 15, 2026.
• Clark Scholars (Texas Tech): rising seniors; free with a stipend; check the site for dates.
• NASA SEES: sophomores and juniors; free; applications usually close in late February.

Research programs

1. Research Science Institute (RSI)

RSI, run by the Center for Excellence in Education with MIT, is one of the most selective high school STEM programs in the world, and it's free to students. It starts with a week of STEM classes, followed by a five-week research internship with a mentor scientist. For 2027, the program is expanding to Stanford as well. High school juniors are eligible. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on December 11, 2026.

2. Simons Summer Research Program

At Stony Brook University, Simons fellows spend six weeks working in a faculty research group and finish with a research poster. The 2027 program runs June 28 to August 6. Applicants must be high school juniors nominated by their schools, and no prior research experience is required. The application link goes up on November 15, so ask your counselor about nomination now.

3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Texas Tech's Clark Scholars program brings a small group of rising seniors to campus for about seven weeks of research with faculty, with room and board covered and a stipend. Check the Texas Tech Honors College website for 2027 dates and deadlines.

4. NASA SEES

The NASA Summer Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) internship, run with the University of Texas at Austin, has students work on real NASA Earth and space science projects. In past years it's been open to U.S. citizens who are sophomores or juniors and at least 16 by July 1, with applications closing in late February. Check the official site for 2027 details.

Pre-college and enrichment

5. MITES Summer

MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT from late June to early August, focused on rigorous STEM courses. It's free: donors and MIT cover tuition, room, and board, so students only pay for travel to and from MIT. It's open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are high school juniors, who apply in the fall of junior year.

Can't get into a summer program? Do this instead

These programs accept a small fraction of applicants. If you don't get in, you can still have a meaningful STEM summer for free:

• Take a free online course and finish it with a project. STEM for Others offers 40 free STEM courses in coding, math, science, and engineering.
• Teach STEM to younger kids. Volunteering with a STEM for Others chapter, or starting one at your school, builds leadership and teaching experience.
• Do your own project, like building an app, studying a question with public data, or running a citizen science project, and stick with it all summer.
• Prepare for a competition, like the F=ma physics exam with our free Competition Physics course.

How to apply successfully

1. Start in the fall. Most deadlines are between December and February.
2. Line up recommenders early. Ask your math and science teachers at least a month before the deadline.
3. Show curiosity, not just grades. Programs want students who have explored STEM on their own: projects, clubs, competitions, or self-study.
4. Apply to several. Acceptance rates are low, so don't count on any one program.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free summer programs for high school students?

Yes. RSI and MITES Summer are free, and programs like Simons and Clark Scholars also provide a stipend. They're very competitive, so apply to several.

When should I apply to summer STEM programs?

In the fall and winter before the summer you want to attend. RSI's 2027 deadline is December 11, 2026, and many others close in January or February.

Do summer programs help with college admissions?

Selective programs like RSI can stand out, but they're not required. Admissions officers care more about sustained interest and what you accomplished than about any single program.

Are there summer STEM programs for sophomores?

Yes, though fewer. NASA SEES has accepted sophomores in past years. Many top programs, like RSI, MITES Summer, and Simons, are only for juniors.