Free Programs for High School Students

Browse 145 verified tuition-free programs for high schoolers — no cost to participate, though some may still involve travel or housing.

Every opportunity on this page costs nothing to participate in. That's the program fee specifically — some free programs still expect you to cover travel, housing, or materials, so check the organization's own page before assuming a program is fully free.

Cost is often the real filter on whether an opportunity is possible, not interest or qualifications. Several of the most selective research and STEM programs in the country charge no tuition at all, precisely so that money isn't what decides who attends.

CompetitionU.S. House of Representatives

Congressional App Challenge

Build an original app for any platform and compete against peers in your congressional district. Winning apps are exhibited in the U.S. Capitol.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionArt of Problem Solving Foundation

USA Mathematical Talent Search

Free, proof-based math contest you complete from home over several weeks, with detailed written feedback on every solution you submit.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionMathematical Association of America

AMC 10/12

The nation's largest high school math competition, and the first step toward AIME, USAMO, and the IMO team. Register through your school's math department.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionSociety for Science

Regeneron Science Talent Search

The nation's oldest and most prestigious science research competition for seniors, judging original independent research. Top awards exceed $250,000.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 12
+3 more
ResearchMIT

PRIMES-USA

Year-long original research project in mathematics, pairing sophomores and juniors nationwide with an MIT researcher and completed remotely. No tuition or fee.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 10–11
ResearchCenter for Excellence in Education & MIT

Research Science Institute

Six-week research program on MIT's campus pairing juniors with a mentor for original STEM research, capped by a formal presentation. Free, including room and board; seniors are not eligible.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
InternshipGeorgia Tech Research Institute

GTRI High School Summer Internship

Five-week paid summer internship for Georgia high schoolers (Georgia residents only, 16+ by April 2027) working on real STEM research projects — robotics, drones, radar physics, piezoelectric systems — with GTRI engineers and scientists. Runs June 14–July 23, up to 24 hrs/week; no housing provided.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionNetwork for Teaching Entrepreneurship

World Series of Innovation

Free online challenge series where students submit solutions tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, solo or in small teams, for cash prizes up to $1,500.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramMIT

MIT THINK Scholars Program

Propose a STEM research or engineering project you haven't built yet; finalists get up to $1,000 in funding, weekly MIT mentorship, and an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT. Free to apply, solo or in pairs.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipLockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin High School Internship Program

Nine-plus week paid internship working alongside aerospace and defense engineers on real projects at a Lockheed Martin site (Denver, Sunnyvale, Cape Canaveral, King of Prussia, Huntsville, or Herndon), with mentoring, workshops, and networking events. Must be 16+, live within commuting distance of a site, and not a graduating senior.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–11
ProgramAsian American Journalists Association

JCamp

Week-long multicultural journalism training camp where students report, write and produce alongside working journalists. Open to sophomores and juniors of any background — you do not need to be Asian American to apply.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–11
CompetitionHorn Entrepreneurship, University of Delaware

Diamond Challenge

Global venture pitch competition with business and social innovation tracks and a $100K prize pool. Teams of 2-4 students need one adult advisor; finalists compete at the Limitless World Summit.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipNational Institutes of Health

Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

Paid summer research internship in an NIH laboratory for students who are at least 17 years old, working alongside scientists on biomedical research in Bethesda or another NIH campus.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
CompetitionAmerican Chemical Society

U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

Tiered competition: a local-section exam in late winter, a national exam in April, and a June study camp for top finishers. Register through your local ACS section, which sets its own cutoff.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramCarnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs

CMU CS Scholars

Fully funded four-week residential computer science program at Carnegie Mellon for 10th graders. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and documentation of financial need is required to apply.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 10
ProgramCarnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs

CMU AI Scholars

Fully funded four-week residential AI program at Carnegie Mellon for 11th graders, with research projects and faculty lectures. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and documentation of financial need is required to apply.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ResearchStony Brook University

Simons Summer Research Program

Seven-week research fellowship for juniors, working in an active Stony Brook lab in science, math, or engineering under a faculty mentor. Tuition-free, with a $1,000 stipend on completion; commuting avoids the optional housing cost.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
InternshipUCSF Science & Health Education Partnership

SEP High School Intern Program

Paid eight-week summer research internship at UCSF with a scientist mentor in neuroscience, immunology, or molecular biology, paying $4,500 on completion. Roughly 25 spots, open only to juniors at SFUSD or San Francisco public charter high schools.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrade 11
CompetitionDavidson Institute for Talent Development

Davidson Fellows

Scholarship competition awarding $25,000 to $100,000 to students 18 or younger for a significant, original piece of work in science, technology, math, literature, music, or philosophy. No fee to apply.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
+2 more
ProgramPrinceton University

Princeton Summer Journalism Program

Free year-long journalism and college-preparation programme for juniors from limited-income backgrounds, built around a summer intensive that ends in a ten-day residency on campus and a student-produced newspaper. Admitted students also work with a college adviser through senior year.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
CompetitionBlue Ocean Competition

Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition

Complete a free online mini-course and submit a video pitch under five minutes for an original product idea, judged by entrepreneurs for cash prizes. Fully virtual, free, and no school sponsorship needed.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionSIAM

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge

Teams of three to five get a single 14-hour window to build and write up a mathematical model of a real-world problem, competing for over $100,000 in scholarships. Free, but a teacher must register the team.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 11–12
ResearchStanford Medicine

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

Eight-week mentored research placement in a Stanford lab spanning immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, and bioengineering. Free, with special consideration for Bay Area students.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 11–12
InternshipStanford Department of Genetics

Genomics Research Internship (GRIPS)

Eight-week wet-lab genomics research internship with a Stanford mentor, free apart from a waivable $55 application fee. You must be 16+ with a 3.0 GPA and live in one of six Bay Area counties.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–12
ProgramNational Youth Science Academy

National Youth Science Camp

Three-week residential science camp in the Monongahela National Forest for graduating seniors, with two delegates selected per state. Lectures and field studies run alongside outdoor expeditions; phone service on site is limited.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 12
+2 more
ProgramAmerican Legion, Department of California

California Boys & Girls State

Week-long government simulation at CSU Sacramento where delegates run for office, draft legislation, and argue cases. There's no direct application — your school nominates you and a local Legion post sponsors the fee.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ProgramUCSF Center for Science, Education, and Outreach

PITCH Health Careers Program

Three-week summer program at UCSF exploring health and medical science careers through mentored investigations and college-readiness workshops. Prioritizes first-generation and low-income students; 2.5 GPA minimum.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–10
ResearchNortheastern University Center for STEM Education

Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Free six-week research placement in Northeastern labs in engineering, science, and health sciences for Massachusetts juniors. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and live within commuting distance of Boston.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ProgramKode With Klossy

Kode With Klossy Summer Camp

Free two-week coding camp for girls and gender-expansive teens, covering web development, machine learning, or mobile app design. No experience required.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramGolden Gate National Parks Conservancy

LINC Summer High School Program

Free summer conservation and leadership program with an environmental-justice community-science track and an outdoor-leadership track including camping and kayaking. Participants receive a completion stipend.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
InternshipCalifornia Academy of Sciences

Careers in Science Internship

Multi-year paid internship in Golden Gate Park for SFUSD 9th and 10th graders underrepresented in STEM, doing fieldwork and visitor programs through graduation. Requires a 2.5 GPA and a 2-3 year commitment.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–10
ProgramSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

SAGE Summer Camp

Free one-week residential camp at the SLAC and Stanford campuses with job shadowing, hands-on projects, and career sessions led by lab scientists. Ages 14-17 in a set list of Northern and Central California counties.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
InternshipLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Experiences in Research

Paid six-week internship ($500/week) working about 30-35 hours a week with Berkeley Lab scientists on real projects in data science, coding, or experimentation. Northern California students who turn 16 by mid-June, with priority near the Berkeley site.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–12
+3 more
ProgramStanford University

Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

Tuition-free five-week science, medicine, and public health program admitting a small cohort of juniors. Limited to low-income and/or first-generation students in Northern and Central California.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrade 11
InternshipUC San Francisco

AI4ALL Summer Internship

Ten-week internship at UCSF Mission Bay working with faculty on biomedical research using data science and AI. Restricted to SFUSD juniors taking AP Statistics or AP Computer Science; unpaid and you commute daily.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrade 11
ProgramCounty of Santa Clara

Youth Task Force

County advisory body of students who bring youth voice to government and community-organization policy, meeting monthly in San Jose. Open only to Santa Clara County students.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramSan Jose State University

Mosaic Journalism Workshop

Free two-week summer newsroom intensive at SJSU where about 20 mostly Bay Area students report, write, shoot, and produce work that gets published. Requires work samples and full attendance.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramGirls Who Code

Pathways

Free, self-paced seven-week virtual program for girls and non-binary students exploring AI, cybersecurity, data science, game design, or web development, with mentor check-ins along the way. Replaced the flagship Summer Immersion Program, which ended after its 2025 cohort.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionGenes in Space

Genes in Space

Design a DNA-based biotechnology experiment addressing a real challenge of space exploration — the winning proposal is actually run by astronauts aboard the ISS. Free, solo or in teams of up to five.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionSociety for Science

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

The world's largest pre-college science fair. You qualify by winning at an affiliated regional or state fair, not by applying directly.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
+3 more
ProgramMath Science Nucleus

Summer Environmental Interns

Five-day wetland science service internship at Tule Ponds in Fremont, with water sampling, plant surveys, and microbe studies. It is free, and 10 to 15 students are chosen. Applications for 2027 are due April 15.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–12
CompetitionTechnovation

Technovation Girls

Girls and gender-expansive students build a mobile app or AI project addressing a community problem with a volunteer mentor, then submit code, a demo, and a business pitch. Free, and you can register without a school program.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramCity and County of San Francisco

San Francisco Youth Commission

A 17-member commission that is the official youth voice in City Hall, advising the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on youth budget and policy over a year-long term. Open to San Francisco residents ages 12-23.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramJane Street

INSIGHT

All-expenses-paid, multi-day program at Jane Street's New York office introducing women, transgender, and gender-expansive juniors and seniors to quantitative trading and software engineering. No finance background required.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
CompetitionCorrelation One (with Citadel & Citadel Securities)

High School Terminal

Free, virtual, round-robin team coding competition where students build algorithms for finance and data-driven problems, with cash prizes and Citadel recruiting exposure.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramNYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute

Urban Journalism Workshop

Summer reporting workshop at NYU where students cover New York neighbourhoods and produce published work. The programme is free for admitted students.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–12
CompetitionWharton Global Youth Program

Global High School Investment Competition

Free ten-week competition where teams of 4-6 build an investment strategy for a real client case and manage a virtual portfolio. A teacher at your school must register the team.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionBreakthrough Prize Foundation

Breakthrough Junior Challenge

Submit an original two-minute video explaining a concept in physics, life sciences, or math, competing for a $250,000 college scholarship. Finalists also peer-review at least five other entries.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramMIT Department of Mathematics

√mathroots

Free residential summer math program at MIT for current high school students. There is no tuition or housing cost.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ResearchArmy Educational Outreach Program

AEOP Internships and Fellowships

Paid research internships in Army research labs and partner university labs. Positions are competitive.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
+1 more
CompetitionAmerican Foreign Service Association

AFSA National High School Essay Contest

Essay contest asking students to analyze a question about diplomacy, international affairs, and the work of the U.S. Foreign Service.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramAmerican Foreign Service Association

AFSA Opportunities for High School Students

Directory of public diplomacy, exchange, essay, and international-affairs opportunities maintained by the professional association for U.S. diplomats.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramCodeAI (formerly Code.org)

AI Foundations & CS Discoveries

Free, self-paced computer science and AI courses with no application or deadline. Code.org rebranded to CodeAI in 2026 as it shifted focus from coding toward AI literacy.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramAI4ALL

AI4ALL Open Learning

Free, self-paced online curriculum introducing artificial intelligence through projects on topics like computer vision and data bias. AI4ALL has paused all of its high school programming, so this is kept for reference only.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramFreedom Forum

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference

Five-day journalism programme in Washington, D.C. for 51 high school juniors — one from each state and the District of Columbia. Includes newsroom visits and time with national journalists.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ProgramAmazon

Amazon Future Engineer

Collection of free computer science courses, virtual field trips, and career-exploration content for students and teachers, including introductory coding and cloud computing material.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramAmerican Legion Auxiliary

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State

State-based government simulation where selected high school students form a model government, campaign for office, debate issues, and learn civic participation.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ProgramThe American Legion

American Legion Boys State

State-based government simulation where selected high school students create and operate a model state government through elections, legislation, and civic debate.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
CompetitionThe American Legion

American Legion Oratorical Contest

Scholarship speech competition focused on the U.S. Constitution, civic knowledge, and prepared and extemporaneous public speaking.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
+1 more
ProgramAmerican Youth Policy Forum

American Youth Policy Forum Events

Public policy learning and youth voice resources connecting students and educators with discussions about education, equity, and youth policy.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionNational Center for Women & Information Technology

Aspirations in Computing Award

Recognition program for students who are women, genderqueer, or non-binary with an interest in computing, awarded on the basis of technical projects, leadership, and community. Winners join a national community with internship and scholarship connections.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionAyn Rand Institute

Ayn Rand Essay Contests

Open essay competitions on literature, ethics, politics, and individual rights, with prompts and awards listed by contest cycle.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramMIT Lincoln Laboratory & MIT

Beaver Works Summer Institute

Four-week, project-based STEM summer program at MIT. Students complete an online prerequisite course, then take on an intensive team project in autonomy, robotics, AI, or quantum computing. No tuition.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
+1 more
CompetitionBennington College

Bennington Young Writers Awards

Free writing contest for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, now part of the Bennington Young Creators Awards.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionBow Seat Creative Action for Conservation

Blue Planet Awareness Contest

Annual creative contest (formerly the Ocean Awareness Contest) asking students to explore an ocean and climate theme through visual art, writing, film, music, or interactive media. Free to enter, with cash awards across divisions.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipBreakthrough Collaborative

Breakthrough Teaching Fellowship

Paid summer teaching internship where high school and college students teach middle school classes through a Breakthrough affiliate site, receiving training and classroom coaching.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
CompetitionFederal Bar Association

Civics Essay Contest

Annual essay competition asking high school students to respond to a current civics topic, with scholarships for selected essays.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramCivics Unplugged

Civics Unplugged

Civic leadership community and fellowship opportunities for young people developing projects that strengthen democracy and public participation.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ResearchTexas Tech University

Clark Scholar Program

Seven-week summer research program pairing high school students with Texas Tech faculty for a mentored original project across the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. No tuition, and a stipend is provided for housing.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
+2 more
CompetitionCoca-Cola Scholars Foundation

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Achievement-based scholarship for high school seniors recognizing leadership and service, awarding 150 scholarships each year. Applications are free and open in the fall.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 12
ProgramStanford University

Code in Place

Free online course that teaches the first half of Stanford's intro Python class (CS106A) to beginners. Each group of 10 students gets a volunteer teacher. Sessions run in cohorts, so check the site for the next one.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 8–12
ProgramQuestBridge

College Prep Scholars Program

Free program for high-achieving juniors from low-income backgrounds, providing a college campus visit, essay coaching, and a head start on the QuestBridge National College Match scholarship application.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 11
CompetitionCalvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation

Coolidge Scholarship

Full-ride, four-year college scholarship awarded to high school juniors based on academic excellence, interest in public policy, and service. There is no application fee.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 11
ProgramHarvard University

CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science

Harvard's free, self-paced introduction to computer science, covering abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and web development in C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. No formal application and no cost for the online course.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionAir & Space Forces Association

CyberPatriot

National youth cyber defense competition where school and community teams work as IT professionals to secure simulated networks across online rounds. Teams register through an adult coach.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionDECA Inc.

DECA Competitive Events

Join your school's DECA chapter to compete in marketing, finance, and management case-study events, advancing from regionals to states to nationals.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionMichael & Susan Dell Foundation

Dell Scholars Program

Scholarship and support program for seniors who have overcome significant obstacles, combining funding with a college-readiness curriculum and a personal coach. No application fee.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 12
ProgramDoSomething.org

DoSomething.org Campaigns

Free national campaigns — voter registration, food drives, mental-health awareness, and more — that students can run in their own community. Some campaigns offer scholarships or prizes.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramEarthEcho International

EarthEcho Youth Programs

Free environmental action programs and youth councils where students lead water-quality monitoring, coastal restoration, and advocacy projects in their own communities.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionU.S. Army Educational Outreach Program

eCYBERMISSION

Free virtual STEM competition for teams in grades 6–9. Teams identify a problem in their own community, work through the scientific or engineering method, and compete for state, regional and national awards.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 9
+1 more
ProgramUniversity of Helsinki and MinnaLearn

Elements of AI

Free online introduction to artificial intelligence that needs no coding experience. It covers what AI can and can't do and how to start building simple AI methods. Start any time.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 8–12
CompetitionJazz at Lincoln Center

Essentially Ellington

Free Jazz at Lincoln Center program for high school jazz bands. Your school band takes part as a group.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionToshiba & National Science Teaching Association

ExploraVision

Team competition in which students pick a current technology, research how it works, and project how it could look twenty years from now — submitting a written description and a set of web pages.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
+1 more
CompetitionFuture Business Leaders of America

FBLA Competitive Events

Compete in banking, accounting, and financial-systems events through your school's FBLA chapter, from local conference up to nationals.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionFederal Reserve System

Fed Challenge

School-team competition where students analyze economic conditions and present a monetary-policy recommendation to Federal Reserve judges.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
InternshipGenesys Works

Genesys Works Bay Area

Free eight-week summer technical and professional training followed by a paid, year-long corporate internship during senior year. Open to students from partner high schools; interns earn roughly $10,000-$13,000 over the year.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 11–12
ProgramHack Club

Hack Club

Free network of student-run coding clubs plus open online programs, workshops, and community events. Students can join an existing club or start their own with Hack Club's tools.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipExploratorium

High School Explainer Program

Paid part-time museum job in San Francisco (about $19.61/hour, ~7.5 hours a week) where teens lead demonstrations and staff exhibits after 60+ hours of training. Ages 15-18, no science background required; postings open in July and March.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
+1 more
ProgramIBM

IBM SkillsBuild for High School Students

Free self-paced online courses on AI literacy, ethics of generative AI, and other tech skills for students ages 13 to 18. Start any time.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 8–12
ProgramThe Hidden Genius Project

Intensive Immersion Program

Free 15-month mentorship and technical-training program in Oakland for Black male high schoolers, combining two 7-week summer sessions with year-round coding, entrepreneurship, and leadership training. No prior coding experience required.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–11
CompetitionJohn Locke Institute

John Locke Institute Essay Competition

Essay competition with prompts in politics, economics, law, philosophy, history, and related humanities subjects.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramUCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals Foundation

Junior Ambassadors

Volunteer and philanthropy program for ages 14-18 supporting UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital through fundraising events, bedside activity kits, and cards for patients — not clinical shadowing.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramEl Camino Health

Junior Auxiliary

Hospital volunteer program in Mountain View or Los Gatos for students 14+ who've completed 8th grade, requiring a year-long commitment. Join through an application seminar, typically announced each January.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramNational Science Teaching Association & U.S. Army

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Students present original scientific research — by poster or oral presentation — at regional symposia, with selected students advancing to a national symposium. Free to enter.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
+1 more
InternshipKaiser Permanente

KP LAUNCH High School Internship

Paid seven-week summer internship across Northern California Kaiser facilities in non-clinical roles like operations, IT, communications, and finance. Ages 16-19 living in a Northern California KP service area; 2027 applications open in November.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 11–12
InternshipThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

Met Museum Summer High School Internship

Paid summer internship placing NY/NJ/CT high schoolers (grades 10-11) with Met museum professionals in curatorial, education, design, imaging, or social media teams. Interns receive a $1,100 completion stipend. 2027 application deadline not yet published — check the Met's internship page.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–11
ProgramMIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science

MITES Summer

Six-week residential academic enrichment program at MIT for rising seniors, with rigorous coursework in engineering, science, and humanities. Free of charge, including housing and meals.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
+1 more
InternshipNASA

NASA Internships (STEM Gateway)

NASA's official internship portal lists paid and unpaid opportunities at NASA centers and in virtual projects, with high school eligibility varying by session. Students apply through the portal and must be U.S. citizens.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 11–12
+1 more
CompetitionCouncil for Economic Education

National Economics Challenge

Team economics competition testing students on economic reasoning, current events, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionU.S. Department of Energy

National Science Bowl

Fast-paced buzzer competition covering math and all sciences, run by the U.S. Department of Energy from regional events through a national finals in Washington, D.C. Teams register through their school.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
+1 more
ProgramUCLA Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care

Neuroscience High School Scholars Program

Free virtual summer neuroscience program from UCLA for rising juniors and seniors, with a focus on students at schools with limited access to neuroscience courses. Dates and the application deadline will be posted in December 2026.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 10–11
CompetitionThe New York Times

New York Times Student Editorial Contest

Student editorial contest asking writers to make a concise, evidence-based argument about an issue that matters to them.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipOak Ridge National Laboratory

Next Generation STEM Internship Program

Seven to ten weeks on site at Oak Ridge working alongside research and professional staff on a STEM project. Open to rising juniors and seniors and to recent graduates who have not yet enrolled in a degree programme.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
+2 more
ProgramCity of Oakland

Oakland Youth Advisory Commission

Commission of about 20 young people ages 13-21 representing Oakland's council districts, advising the City Council and Mayor and meeting twice monthly at City Hall. Unpaid, with dinner and transit reimbursement.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
InternshipCity of Chicago

One Summer Chicago

Chicago's summer jobs, internships, and training for youth ages 14 to 24, with city agencies, companies, and community groups.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramFred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Pathways Research Explorers (High School Explorers Program)

Two-week introduction to cancer research at Fred Hutch in Seattle, with hands-on lab activities. It costs nothing to attend, students who finish get a $500 award, and applicants must live in the Seattle area. Applications for 2027 open next January.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–10
CompetitionCarnegie Mellon University

picoCTF

Free cybersecurity capture-the-flag competition and year-round practice platform built by Carnegie Mellon for middle and high school students, covering cryptography, forensics, and web exploitation.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramProject Euler

Project Euler

Free archive of several hundred mathematics and programming problems of increasing difficulty, solved by writing code. Progress is tracked through a free account.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipCity and County of San Francisco

Project Pull

Paid eight-week internship placing San Francisco juniors and seniors in city departments like the SF Public Utilities Commission, with weekly STEAM enrichment alongside the paid work.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 11–12
CompetitionPurple Comet!

Purple Comet! Math Meet

Free online team mathematics contest held each spring, with a high school division and problems designed for collaboration. An adult coach registers the team.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipPhiladelphia Youth Network

PYNtern Program

Paid work-based learning in Philadelphia. Rising 9th and 10th graders start with career exploration, and older teens move into internships.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramReading Partners

Reading Partners Volunteer Tutoring

One-to-one literacy tutoring for elementary students in under-resourced schools, with training and a structured curriculum provided. Many regions offer in-person and online tutoring sessions.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramAmerican Red Cross

Red Cross Youth & Young Adult Programs

Volunteer opportunities through local Red Cross chapters, including blood drives, disaster preparedness education, and Red Cross Club leadership. Some roles carry age minimums.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionRonald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series

High school debate competition built around constitutional questions, public argument, and civic leadership, with regional events and scholarships.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramRotary International

Rotary Interact Club

Rotary-sponsored service club for ages 12-18 where members run at least two projects a year — one local, one international — with mentorship from a sponsoring Rotary club. Join or start a chapter through your school.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ResearchAmerican Museum of Natural History

Science Research Mentoring Program

Multi-year mentored research program where New York City students work on museum research projects in biodiversity, astrophysics, or earth science and present results at a symposium.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–12
InternshipStudent Conservation Association

Student Conservation Association Programs

Paid conservation crews and internships where students work on trail building, habitat restoration, and park service projects in national parks and public lands. Positions list their own age and session requirements.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
InternshipBank of America Charitable Foundation

Student Leaders Program

Paid eight-week summer internship with a local nonprofit plus a week-long national leadership summit, for students with a record of community involvement.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
ProgramStudent Press Law Center

Student Press Law Center Resources

Free legal and civic education resources for student journalists, including training on press freedom, media law, and newsroom rights.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramPBS NewsHour

Student Reporting Labs

Free youth journalism program with lesson plans, editing support, and publication opportunities for student-produced video and audio stories on national broadcasts and the PBS NewsHour site.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramCarnegie Mellon University

Summer Academy for Math and Science

Residential summer academy at Carnegie Mellon for rising seniors from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, building calculus, physics, and programming foundations with college application support. No tuition.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 11
ProgramSanta Clara University School of Engineering

Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)

Free five-day residential engineering seminar at Santa Clara University for high school sophomores and juniors, with priority for sophomores. Housing and meals cost nothing, and applicants are judged on math and science grades and financial need. The 2027 application opens in December.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–11
ResearchThe Rockefeller University

Summer Science Research Program

Six-week mentored laboratory research placement in biomedical science at Rockefeller University, with a stipend and a closing research symposium. Open to New York-area students.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
InternshipUC San Francisco

Summer Student Research Program

Seven-week full-time program pairing you one-on-one with UCSF researchers and clinicians, ending in a research symposium; high schoolers received a $3,000 stipend. Requires being 16+ and demonstrating economic, educational, or medical disadvantage.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–12
InternshipNYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

Paid summer work and career exploration for New York City youth ages 14 to 24.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
ProgramStanford Health Care

Teen Volunteer Program

Year-round hospital volunteer program for ages 16+, staffing the gift shop, information desks, or administrative areas on a weekly shift. This is a volunteer role, not clinical shadowing.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–12
ProgramThe Congressional Award Foundation

The Congressional Award

Non-competitive, self-paced program where students set personal goals across voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition. Participants log hours toward Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificates and medals.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
CompetitionBill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Gates Scholarship

Last-dollar scholarship covering the full cost of attendance for highly motivated, low-income high school seniors from minority groups underrepresented in higher education. No application fee.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrade 12
ProgramThe New York Academy of Sciences

The Junior Academy

Free online program where you join an international team and work with STEM experts on real-world challenges.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
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ProgramU.S. Senate Youth Program

U.S. Senate Youth Program

National civic education program for high school students who hold leadership roles in student government, public service, or civic organizations; selection is administered by each state.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 11–12
CompetitionUSA Computing Olympiad

USA Computing Olympiad

Four free online programming contests per season, open to any pre-college student and split into four divisions from Bronze to Platinum. Registration is free and rolling.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramUSACO Guide (community project, not affiliated with USA Computing Olympiad)

USACO Guide

Free, community-maintained practice curriculum for competitive programming, organized by topic and difficulty with curated practice problems and an online judge for submitting and checking answers.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
InternshipUSC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

USC Unruh Institute High School Summer Internship

Online summer internship researching and writing a legislative policy memo on a climate or sustainability bill, with mentorship and guest-speaker sessions from USC's Center for the Political Future. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.5+ unweighted GPA; graduating seniors not eligible. 2027 dates not yet announced — sign up for the program newsletter.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–11
ProgramKaiser Permanente

Volunteer Services Teen Program

Structured, non-clinical hospital volunteer program for 16-17 year-olds at select Northern California medical centers (link goes to Santa Clara; other sites list their own pages). Requires a health screening and a weekly shift commitment. Kaiser's volunteer portal listed teen applications as closed at the last check.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 10–11
CompetitionCenter for Civic Education

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

Classroom-based constitutional civics program culminating in simulated congressional hearings where student teams present and defend policy positions.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 9–12
CompetitionBill of Rights Institute

We the Students Essay Contest

National essay contest inviting students to connect constitutional principles with a current issue in American civic life.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 8–12
CompetitionWharton Global Youth Program, University of Pennsylvania

Wharton High School Data Science Competition

Free sports analytics contest from Wharton. You use real data to answer a sports question.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramMIT

Women's Technology Program

Four-week summer program at MIT for rising 11th-grade students who are girls or gender-expansive, combining computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering classes with hands-on labs. No tuition.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrade 10
ProgramYouth Speaks

Writing Workshops & Teen Poetry Slam

Free weekly spoken-word writing and performance workshops in San Francisco and Oakland, plus an annual Teen Poetry Slam whose finalists represent the Bay Area at Brave New Voices.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
InternshipNational Park Service

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

Paid summer job on a crew in a national park, doing needed work on public lands. Open to U.S. permanent residents ages 15 to 18.

Tuition-FreeIn-PersonGrades 10–12
ProgramThe Marine Mammal Center

Youth Crew

Five-month, hands-on service-learning program for ages 15-18 at the Center's Sausalito hospital, working alongside staff on animal care and ocean-conservation education. Applications open in fall for the following year.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramYR Media (Youth Radio)

Youth Media Programs

Free Oakland-based training in journalism, audio production, and digital storytelling for ages 14-24, no experience needed. The organization paused in late 2024 and relaunched in 2026 — confirm current status before applying.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12
ProgramYouth Service America

Youth Service America

Youth civic engagement and service opportunities supporting student-led community projects and participation in national service campaigns.

Tuition-FreeRemoteGrades 9–12
ProgramGrassroots Ecology

Youth Stewards

Free, hands-on habitat-restoration program at open space preserves in Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto, doing invasive-plant removal in seasonal cohorts. The next cycle opens in spring.

Tuition-FreeBay AreaGrades 9–12