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.

Showing 13 to 24 of 40 matching programs. Ordered by name.

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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 factsSMASH ResidentialRemoveUW Engineering AcademyRemoveMissouri Fine Arts AcademyRemove
Application deadlineUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
CostCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aidUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
Expenses and aid conditionsCatalog terms: Residential university housing: $0. Scholars live in campus dormitories as part of the 100%-free residential program.; Residential-session meals: $0. The organizer describes scholars eating in the dining hall within the 100%-free experience.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: Daily transportation to UW Seattle: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Student must provide transportation; amount varies by household/location.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or payUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
EligibilityGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higherGrades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higherUnconfirmed — check official site
Additional eligibilityResidency: Preference for students at target schools or living within the published radius of Atlanta, Boston, Detroit/Ann Arbor, or Bay Area sites; Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent; Requirement: Be in grade 10 or 11 when applying; Requirement: Demonstrate strong grade-level mathematics skills through state-standardized scores; Requirement: Attend a public high school or a private high school through scholarship; Requirement: Show strong interest in a computer-science degree or certification and a CS career; Requirement: Meet site-specific gender eligibility: male for Morehouse and female for Spelman; Exclusion: Applicants who do not meet every published requirement; SMASH states that there are no eligibility exceptionsResidency: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area under the 2026 rules; confirm 2027; Requirement: For 2026, be a current high-school sophomore or junior; Requirement: Attend high school in the greater Seattle area; Requirement: Arrange transportation to and from UW Seattle every program day; Requirement: Seek a first broad exposure to engineering; prior engineering knowledge is not required; Requirement: Attend and participate in the complete daily program; Exclusion: Using the 2026 grade year, dates, and region as guaranteed 2027 terms before publication; Exclusion: Assuming advanced engineering experience is required or gives a guaranteed advantage; Exclusion: Assuming UW provides transportation or that participation guarantees UW admission, credit, a scholarship, internship, recommendation, or jobRequirement: 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
Session dates or durationCatalog terms: 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteCatalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official siteStarts May 30, 2027; Ends June 12, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle)
FormatIn personIn personIn person
Housing and supervisionResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteNon-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
LocationAtlanta, Berkeley, Boston, Ann Arbor, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, MichiganSeattle, Greater Seattle area, WashingtonSpringfield
Selection and applicationSelection: Applicants must satisfy all published requirements, and geographic preferences apply; the current pages do not publish applicant counts or an acceptance rate.Selection: Application-based introductory program prioritizing students with limited prior engineering access. UW publishes no 2027 capacity, applicant count, acceptance rate, or score weights.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 sourcesSource 1 · checked 2026-08-21Source 2 · checked 2026-08-21Source 3 · checked 2026-08-21Source 1 · checked 2026-08-20Source 1 · checked 2026-10-12Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22Source 3 · checked 2026-08-22

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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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  • 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

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Explore Summer 2027 by interest, grade and state

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

Recorded application dates · check the 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.

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