Chemistry Programs & Competitions for High School Students

Chemistry programs include USNCO and olympiad training, university lab research, and summer intensives in organic, physical, and materials chemistry.

Lab-based chemistry experience is rarer on applications than biology — which makes it more memorable.

20 verified programs match this page; 15 of the featured listings are completely free; 3 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 20+ curated programs for high school students:

• International Chemistry Olympiad Team Member — American Chemical Society: Compete globally in the International Chemistry Olympiad, a free STEM competition for high schoolers. Build advanced chemistry skills and boost your c
• Scripps Research High School Internship Program — Scripps Research: Gain hands-on biomedical research experience in this free high school internship for grades 11-12. Build STEM skills and boost college applications th
• Simons Summer Research Program — Stony Brook University: Explore STEM fields in the fully funded Simons Summer Research Program. Conduct hands-on research, gain mentorship, and boost college applications. Pe
• Monell Science Apprenticeship Program — Monell Chemical Senses Center: Explore a paid high school research apprenticeship in taste and smell science. Build hands-on STEM skills, boost your college applications, and work w
• National Science Bowl (High School) — U.S. Department of Energy: Compete in the National Science Bowl, a thrilling high school STEM competition. Build expertise in biology, physics, and math while boosting college a
• Penn Chemistry Olympiad Summer Camp (PENNCHEM outreach) — University of Pennsylvania Chemistry Outreach: Boost problem-solving skills and shine on college applications with this free online chemistry summer program for high schoolers. Perfect for Olympiad
• Stony Brook Simons Summer Research Program — Stony Brook University: Explore STEM fields in this free summer research program for high school juniors. Gain hands-on lab experience and boost your college applications thr
• Governor's School in the Sciences (NJGSS) — Drew University: Explore advanced STEM topics in this free summer program for NJ high school juniors. Gain hands-on research experience in biology, chemistry, and phys
• Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) — Columbia University: Selective Saturday science/math program during the academic year in NYC.
• UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP) — University of California, Davis: Immerse yourself in a competitive STEM summer program at UC Davis. Conduct hands-on research in biology, chemistry, or physics and boost college appli
• American Chemical Society Scholars Program — American Chemical Society: ACS Scholars Program awards $5,000 annually to underrepresented minority students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering. One of
• Harvard-MIT Chemistry Olympiad (HMChO) — Harvard-MIT Partnership: Join a free online chemistry competition for high school students (Grades 9-12) to boost STEM skills, enhance college applications, and tackle challen
• ACS Project SEED — American Chemical Society: Transform your summer with this free high school research program. Gain hands-on chemistry lab skills, boost your college applications, and earn a pai
• Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) — University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center: Discover a six-week summer program for high schoolers in grades 10-12 to gain hands-on STEM research experience with Iowa faculty mentors. Boost skill
• High School Honors Science Program (HSHSP) — Michigan State University: Transform your passion for science with this in-person summer research program. Gain hands-on experience, faculty mentorship, and a competitive edge f
• Brookhaven High School Research Program (HSRP) — Brookhaven National Laboratory: Gain hands-on STEM experience in physics, chemistry, and more through this free high school research program. Build skills and boost your college appl
• Penn Chemistry Research Academy — University of Pennsylvania College of Arts & Sciences: Dive into modern chemistry with Penn faculty and research labs.
• High School Student Research Internships — Scripps Research: Explore hands-on biomedical research in this free high school internship for grades 11-12. Gain lab skills, mentorship, and a boost for college applic
• Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (CChO) — Chinese Chemical Society: A national high school chemistry competition in China that selects top students for the International Chemistry Olympiad team.
• Korean Chemistry Olympiad for Students — Korean Chemical Society: A national chemistry competition in Korea that trains and selects high school students for the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Frequently asked questions