Summer 2027 For high school students

Free summer programs for high school students in 2027

This list requires source-supported free participation. Free tuition may still leave travel, housing, materials or application expenses.

Planning for 2027. Check the year on dates and prices, then confirm the current application window on the official site.

No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. Methodology.

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Catalog facts retain their cycle. Check the official sources before applying or paying. On a phone, scroll the table sideways.

Selected programs, application facts and official sources
Program facts	Georgia Governor's Honors Program Remove	Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup Remove
Application deadline	Unconfirmed — check official site	Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost	Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site	Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid	Unconfirmed — check official site	Unconfirmed — check official site
Expenses and aid conditions	Catalog terms: Residential room: $0. Provided for the four-week program.; Residential board: $0. Provided by the program.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site	Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or pay	Unconfirmed — check official site	Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility	Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher	Grades 9–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher
Additional eligibility	Citizenship: No citizenship restriction published; Residency: Enrolled in or homeschooled in Georgia; Residency: Nominated through a Georgia public district, independent school, or state charter; Requirement: Be a current sophomore or junior; Requirement: Choose only one nomination subject; Requirement: Show exceptional skill, knowledge, creativity, maturity, and sustained interest in that area; Requirement: Complete the local selection process and obtain institutional nomination; Requirement: Complete the state application, recommendation, and transcript request; Requirement: Attend the assigned semifinalist interview or audition if selected; Requirement: Commit to every day of the four-week residential program; Exclusion: Students may not self-nominate directly to the state; Exclusion: A student may attend GHP only once; Exclusion: No numerical GPA or standardized-test cutoff is published; Exclusion: Standardized test results are not required; Exclusion: Leaving early or arriving late normally disqualifies or dismisses a participant except rare approved emergencies	Residency: Kentucky student; Requirement: Be in grade 9, 10, or 11 at application under current published scope; Requirement: Show entrepreneurial curiosity, creativity, drive, resilience, collaboration, flexibility, and comfort with risk/failure; Requirement: Commit to live on campus and participate every day for all three weeks; Requirement: Obtain parent/guardian permission and two eligible recommendations; Exclusion: GPA and standardized-test scores are not considered; Exclusion: Applicants do not apply with a fixed team or need a pre-existing business idea; Exclusion: Absence is allowed only for emergency, illness, or overriding personal reason under program decisions; Exclusion: Completion does not guarantee college admission, scholarship funding, business launch, patent, prize, or investment
Session dates or duration	Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 14, 2026; Ends July 11, 2026; 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site	Catalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format	In person	In person
Housing and supervision	Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site	Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Location	Statesboro, Georgia	Lexington, Kentucky, University of Kentucky Gatton College; statewide Kentucky cohort
Selection and application	Selection: Local schools/districts nominate through their own fair, disability-compliant processes; state content experts score applications; selected semifinalists interview or audition; finalists and alternates follow. More than 4,000 are nominated annually and approximately 20% or fewer attend. Local quotas, area rubrics, annual cohort size, and alternate movement vary. Application materials: One recommendation from a teacher, professor, tutor, mentor, or other person who can address the nomination area; Area-specific essays, work samples, portfolio, performance materials, or other requirements; Semifinalist interview or audition if invited	Selection: Holistic statewide selection without GPA/test-score review; no current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Two recommendations from eligible non-family/non-friend adults
Official sources	Source 1 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 3 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22	Source 1 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 3 · checked 2026-08-22 Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20

Catalog programs to compare

Kode With Klossy
Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Kode With Klossy offers free, two-week coding camps covering web development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, or data science. No coding experience is required. The official camp page says summer 2027 applications open in February 2027, with camps in June, July and August in nine cities and virtually.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
Hybrid
Location
Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site
Housing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection and application: Unconfirmed — check official site
- Official source checked Oct 10, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 10, 2026
Compare Visit official site
Last source check Oct 10, 2026. Official source
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
LLCipher
Free one-week, nonresidential theoretical-cryptography workshop in Cambridge for U.S. high-school citizens and permanent residents.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Last year's cycle (2026): Starts August 3, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
U.S. citizen; U.S. permanent resident; Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: MIT Lincoln Laboratory selects a workshop cohort from completed applications and teacher recommendations. It does not publish the current cohort size, number of applicants, evaluation rubric or acceptance rate.
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Citizenship: U.S. citizen; Citizenship: U.S. permanent resident; Requirement: Be enrolled in high school; Requirement: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; Requirement: Have an interest in mathematics or cybersecurity; Requirement: Submit the application and teacher recommendation by the same deadline; Requirement: Arrange reliable daily transportation and any needed housing; Exclusion: Students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents are not eligible under the published rule; Exclusion: The workshop is not residential and does not provide housing or transportation; Exclusion: No formal course prerequisite is required, despite advanced mathematical topics; Exclusion: Underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply, but encouragement does not guarantee selection
Selection and application: Selection: MIT Lincoln Laboratory selects a workshop cohort from completed applications and teacher recommendations. It does not publish the current cohort size, number of applicants, evaluation rubric or acceptance rate. Application materials: One teacher recommendation
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
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Last source check Oct 9, 2026. Official source
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
LLNL Biotech Summer Experience
Free, competitive two-week LLNL molecular-biology and bioinformatics workshop for qualifying Northern California students entering grades 11-12; the July 2026 cycle is complete.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Last year's cycle (2026): Starts July 13, 2026; Ends July 24, 2026; 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Livermore, California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory non-public workshop areas
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher
Minimum age 16; Students age 18 at the workshop start had to be U.S. citizens for the 2026 cycle; All applicants had to meet LLNL access restrictions under 2025 NDAA Section 3112; current official review controls; Attend a Northern California public, charter, private, or home school; Complete Biology and Chemistry or Integrated Science Series I and II by the end of the current school year
Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: Applications are competitive and space is limited; LLNL publishes no acceptance rate or guaranteed cohort size on the official page.
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 16; Citizenship: Students age 18 at the workshop start had to be U.S. citizens for the 2026 cycle; Citizenship: All applicants had to meet LLNL access restrictions under 2025 NDAA Section 3112; current official review controls; Residency: Attend a Northern California public, charter, private, or home school; Requirement: Be at least 16 by the first workshop day; Requirement: Enter grade 11 or 12 in fall 2026; Requirement: Have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA; Requirement: Have at least a 3.5 science GPA; Requirement: Complete Biology and Chemistry or Integrated Science Series I and II by the end of the current school year; Requirement: Qualify for access to the Laboratory's non-public areas; Requirement: Attend every weekday and provide daily transportation, lunch, and a laptop; Exclusion: Students entering grade 10 in the cited cycle; Exclusion: Students younger than 16 at the start; Exclusion: Students outside the Northern California school requirement; Exclusion: Students age 18 at the start who were not U.S. citizens; Exclusion: Applicants who cannot obtain access under current national-security law and LLNL screening; Exclusion: Assuming legal permanent residence alone replaces the specific age-18 citizenship rule; Exclusion: Assuming the 2026 GPA, citizenship, school, or NDAA rules will remain unchanged in a later cycle
Selection and application: Selection: Applications are competitive and space is limited; LLNL publishes no acceptance rate or guaranteed cohort size on the official page. Application materials: Biology or Chemistry teacher contact information for one recommendation
- Official source checked Aug 20, 2026
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Last source check Aug 20, 2026. Official source
McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin
McCombs Future Executive Academy
McCombs Future Executive Academy is a free six-day residential business and leadership program at UT Austin for current Texas high-school sophomores and juniors.
Application deadline
February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle)
Cost
Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle)
Session dates or duration
Starts June 6, 2027; Ends June 11, 2027 (2027 cycle)
Format
In person
Location
Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Housing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Current Texas high-school sophomores/juniors, rising juniors/seniors; full attendance, no concurrent summer school. First-generation/hardship backgrounds encouraged, not exclusive admissions requirement.
Selection and application: Application materials: Online application, transcript, activities/leadership, essays, recommendation and resume. Decisions by mid-April; supplemental deadline does not extend initial entry.
- Official source checked Oct 10, 2026
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Last source check Oct 10, 2026. Official source
Mississippi Arts Commission
Mississippi Governor's School
Mississippi Governor’s School runs June 6–19, 2027 as a fully residential, closed-campus programme at Mississippi University for Women.
Application deadline
November 1, 2026 (2027 cycle)
Cost
Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle)
Session dates or duration
Starts June 6, 2027; Ends June 19, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle)
Format
In person
Location
Columbus, Mississippi
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Mississippi resident
Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Mississippi resident; Requirement: Completing grade 10 or 11 at application; never attended MGS; one academic qualification: gifted eligibility OR ACT 25 OR GPA 3.25; also demonstrated advanced ability.
Selection and application: Application materials: Recent teacher recommendation (not counselor or homeschooling parent); Community-member recommendation
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 21, 2026
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Last source check Oct 9, 2026. Official source
Missouri State University Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Missouri Fine Arts Academy
A two-week residential arts academy at Missouri State University, May 30–June 12, 2027. Tuition is free for 2027; exact student application rules and other expenses remain unconfirmed.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Starts May 30, 2027; Ends June 12, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle)
Format
In person
Location
Springfield
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site
Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages.
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Previously published 2026 portfolio, school-grade and credit rules require confirmation for 2027; the current homepage identifies high-school artists.; Exclusion: Published 2026 condition, requiring confirmation for 2027: Students who previously attended MFAA may not reapply; Exclusion: Published 2026 condition, requiring confirmation for 2027: Incomplete files missing essay, evaluation, or portfolio or audition materials; Exclusion: Published 2026 condition, requiring confirmation for 2027: Applicants unable to complete the residential academy
Selection and application: Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages. Application materials: Published 2026 requirement, requiring confirmation for 2027: Approximately 500-word essay about how the arts affect the applicant and how MFAA interdisciplinary collaboration could support growth; Published 2026 requirement, requiring confirmation for 2027: Discipline-specific digital or physical portfolio for visual art or creative writing
- Official source checked Oct 12, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
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Last source check Oct 12, 2026. Official source
MITES at MIT
MITES Summer
Study STEM and live on MIT's campus for six weeks through MITES Summer. Program guidance covers instruction, room and board, with students responsible for travel to and from MIT.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Catalog terms: 6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts; national applicant pool
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grade 11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
U.S. citizen or current U.S. permanent resident with green card; visas do not substitute; National U.S. applicant pool; attend on MIT's Cambridge campus if selected; Commit to the full intensive residential schedule
Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: MITES seeks strong, STEM-motivated students and prioritizes educational access in holistic review, but the current pages do not publish applications, cohort size or acceptance rate for 2027.
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: Transportation to and from MIT: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Participant responsibility; available travel assistance, if any, is not stated on the current page.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Citizenship: U.S. citizen or current U.S. permanent resident with green card; visas do not substitute; Residency: National U.S. applicant pool; attend on MIT's Cambridge campus if selected; Requirement: Be in 11th grade or equivalent when applying; Requirement: Attend public, private or home school; Requirement: Demonstrate strong academics and enthusiasm for STEM; Requirement: Submit a complete shared MITES Summer/Semester application; Requirement: Arrange transportation to and from MIT if selected; Requirement: Commit to the full intensive residential schedule; Exclusion: Non-U.S. citizens without permanent residence are ineligible; Exclusion: Students outside 11th grade at application are ineligible under current rules; Exclusion: Applying to both national programmes yields at most one offer and participants cannot switch after offer; Exclusion: The programme is rigorous and includes substantial weekday/weekend homework
Selection and application: Selection: MITES seeks strong, STEM-motivated students and prioritizes educational access in holistic review, but the current pages do not publish applications, cohort size or acceptance rate for 2027. Application materials: Essays and extracurricular activities
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 20, 2026
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Last source check Aug 22, 2026. Official source
MultiCare Health System
MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H. Camp)
Free, competitive hospital-based summer career camp for Washington high-school students, offering hands-on exposure to clinical and nonclinical health professions across three regions.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Catalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima, Puget Sound, Spokane region, Yakima region
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Ages 15–18; Regional Washington eligibility varies; typical Puget Sound participants attend local schools; Meet the chosen region's grade/age and geography rules
Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: Competitive regional selection; official current applicant and seat counts are not published in the accessible notice.
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Ages 15–18; Residency: Regional Washington eligibility varies; typical Puget Sound participants attend local schools; Requirement: Be a high-school student with strong interest in health-care careers; Requirement: Meet the chosen region's grade/age and geography rules; Requirement: Attend all required camp days and hospital activities; Requirement: Complete the regional application and supporting materials; Exclusion: Admission is competitive; Exclusion: Exact eligibility and prior-participation limits differ by region/cycle; Exclusion: Clinical exposure does not authorize independent patient care
Selection and application: Selection: Competitive regional selection; official current applicant and seat counts are not published in the accessible notice. Application materials: Regional supporting materials such as statement, transcript, and reference when required
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 20, 2026
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Last source check Aug 22, 2026. Official source
National Youth Science Foundation
National Youth Science Camp
NYSCamp is a fully funded, residential STEAM programme in West Virginia with science, arts and outdoor activities.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site
Housing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: The completed 2026 cycle used graduating-student eligibility and participating state or country selection. Next-cycle dates and rules require a new announcement.
Selection and application: Unconfirmed — check official site
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 21, 2026
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Last source check Oct 9, 2026. Official source
Non-Trivial Ventures
Non-Trivial Research Fellowship
Free online research pipeline for eligible young people ages 14-20 before university; a single 2027 application begins with required Research Foundations before competitive summer Fellowship selection.
Application deadline
November 15, 2026 (2027 cycle)
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Catalog terms: 8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
Online
Location
Applicants from almost anywhere; UK sanctions and payment restrictions apply
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site
Ages 14–20; Applicants may be based almost anywhere, except where UK sanctions or operational payment restrictions prevent participation; Meet the age 14-20 and pre-university requirements on the dates stated for the selected Foundations and Fellowship stages; Have not started university or other tertiary education; gap-year applicants and applicants who left a course may apply
Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: Non-Trivial plans approximately 600 Research Foundations finalists and about 200 Research Fellows for 2027; final cohort sizes may change and no acceptance rate is published for the cycle.
Financial aid:
Read aid terms and conditions
Last year's cycle (2026): Fellowship project grant: $0–$1,000. Need- and merit-based, discretionary, and not guaranteed; eligible uses include project expenses or compensation for paid work forgone.; Later Research Scholar award: $2,000–$10,000. Historical 2026 Scholar-stage terms: top three received $10,000 and other selected Scholars at least $2,000. This is not guaranteed to a Fellow and 2027 terms are not announced.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Application: $0. No application fee.; Fellowship project grant: $0–$1,000. Need- and merit-based, discretionary, and not guaranteed; eligible uses include project expenses or compensation for paid work forgone.; Later Research Scholar award: $2,000–$10,000. Historical 2026 Scholar-stage terms: top three received $10,000 and other selected Scholars at least $2,000. This is not guaranteed to a Fellow and 2027 terms are not announced.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Ages 14–20; Residency: Applicants may be based almost anywhere, except where UK sanctions or operational payment restrictions prevent participation; Requirement: Meet the age 14-20 and pre-university requirements on the dates stated for the selected Foundations and Fellowship stages; Requirement: Have not started university or other tertiary education; gap-year applicants and applicants who left a course may apply; Requirement: Be able to participate in English; Requirement: Commit at least 10 flexible hours per week for eight weeks; Exclusion: Current university or tertiary-education students; Exclusion: Non-Trivial Ventures employees and their family members; Exclusion: Applicants whose location or status is restricted by applicable UK sanctions
Selection and application: Selection: Non-Trivial plans approximately 600 Research Foundations finalists and about 200 Research Fellows for 2027; final cohort sizes may change and no acceptance rate is published for the cycle.
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 21, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 21, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 21, 2026
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Last source check Oct 9, 2026. Official source
NCSSM
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Summer Ventures
Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a no-cost North Carolina research program combining required online research preparation with four weeks of campus research. Tuition, application, room, meals and textbooks are covered. Campus calendars vary; Durham is not a universal program venue.
Application deadline
January 5, 2027 (2027 cycle)
Cost
Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
Hybrid
Location
Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
North Carolina residency requirements and published exceptions
Housing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Residency: North Carolina residency requirements and published exceptions
Selection and application: Unconfirmed — check official site
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
- Official source checked Oct 9, 2026
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Last source check Oct 9, 2026. Official source
National Symphony Orchestra / John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
NSO Summer Music Institute
Tuition-free three-week orchestral institute for musicians ages 15-20; 2026 is complete, food and travel were excluded, and 2027 is unannounced.
Application deadline
Unconfirmed — check official site
Cost
Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Session dates or duration
Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 29, 2026; 3.1 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Format
In person
Location
Washington, District of Columbia; Kennedy Center and the D.C. metropolitan area
Stipend or pay
Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site
Ages 15–20
Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: Competitive recorded audition with musical proficiency as the primary standard; essays and one recommendation inform the review, and instrument balance affects selection. No current acceptance rate is published.
Financial aid:
Read aid terms and conditions
Last year's cycle (2026): Limited travel and food aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Available to some students who demonstrated financial need; award amounts and counts were not published.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): 2026 application fee: $30. Nonrefundable; applicants with financial need could request a waiver.; 2026 triple-occupancy hotel housing: $0. Included for full-time participants; not provided to local piano or percussion participants in the limited track.; Food during the institute: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Not included; students prepared food in the hotel kitchenette or purchased meals. Limited need-based aid could help.; Round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Not included; limited need-based aid could help. Local program transportation was covered.; Limited travel and food aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Available to some students who demonstrated financial need; award amounts and counts were not published.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Ages 15–20; Requirement: Be at least 15 by June 7, 2026 and no older than 20 on June 29, 2026 for the completed cycle; Requirement: Be seriously considering music as a career and able to commit to the full program; Requirement: Audition on an eligible orchestral instrument with the required excerpts and solo; Requirement: Participate in all scheduled institute activities if accepted; Exclusion: Full-time fellowships were not listed for percussion or piano in 2026; locally based percussionists and pianists could apply for specified limited, non-residential components; Exclusion: Housing was not provided for the local piano and percussion tracks; Exclusion: The 2027 age cutoff and instrument roster are not yet verified
Selection and application: Selection: Competitive recorded audition with musical proficiency as the primary standard; essays and one recommendation inform the review, and instrument balance affects selection. No current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Two essay responses; One recommendation letter
- Official source checked Aug 22, 2026
- Official source checked Aug 20, 2026
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Last source check Aug 22, 2026. Official source

Summer 2027 hub · Selective vs. pay-to-play guide · Application guide

Recorded application dates · check the cycle

Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC): February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle)
McCombs Future Executive Academy: February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle)
Mississippi Governor's School: November 1, 2026 (2027 cycle)

How to check costs, eligibility and dates

Read each program's coverage before budgeting. Financial aid that depends on an application is different from a program that is free for everyone admitted.

Missing facts say Unconfirmed — check official site. A past session does not establish 2027 availability. Format and location can change between cycles.

Frequently asked questions

Are these programs confirmed for summer 2027?

These are existing catalog programs to research for 2027. Inclusion does not confirm a 2027 session or open applications. The cycle label matters: a 2027-cycle application deadline can fall in 2026. Dates explicitly labeled as the 2026 cycle are historical; missing next-cycle details remain unconfirmed.

How should I compare program costs and formats?

Compare tuition, application fees, housing, meals and travel, then check whether attendance is online, on campus or hybrid. A free tuition offer may leave other expenses. Unknown fields say Unconfirmed — check official site.

Can a program pay to appear first?

No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. Here, fit means matching the filters you choose. Matching listings default to name order; you can sort by recorded deadline or latest source check. Use the methodology page to understand catalog standards.

How do I save a program?

Open its catalog listing and sign in to save it to your plan. You can browse these pages and official program links without signing in.