Summer 2027 For high school students

Selective vs. pay-to-play summer programs

Judge a program by its work, selection process and full cost. A fee does not establish low quality, and a university logo does not establish selective admission.

Real program details, clearly separated from 2027 updates

Planning for 2027. Program pages may show details documented from an earlier cycle. 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 217 to 228 of 442 matching programs. Ordered by name.

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Clear comparison

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 factsOperation CatapultRemoveNIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) — High School Senior EligibilityRemove
Application deadlineApril 19, 2027 (2027 cycle)January 26, 2027 (2027 cycle)
Cost$2,750 (2027 cycle)Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Financial aidUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
Expenses and aid conditionsApplication fee: $0; Deposit to reserve a spot: $100. Due once the application is approved; Suggested spending money: $100–$150 (2027 cycle)Unconfirmed — check official site
Stipend or payUnconfirmed — check official siteUnconfirmed — check official site
EligibilityGrades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official siteGrade 12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors
Additional eligibilityRequirement: Open to grades 10–11; Requirement: Open in the summer after sophomore or junior year (students finishing grade 10 or 11); Requirement: One year of chemistry or physicsMinimum age 17; Citizenship: US citizen; Citizenship: US permanent resident; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 12 when applying; Requirement: Enrolled at least half-time as a high school senior and graduated before the internship starts; Requirement: 18 years old by September 30, 2027; a graduating senior who is 17 on June 1, 2027 must have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus; Requirement: Permanent residents must attend or be accepted to a U.S. educational institution
Session dates or durationStarts June 7, 2027; Ends July 22, 2027 (2027 cycle)Unconfirmed — check official site
FormatIn personIn person
Housing and supervisionResidential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official siteNon-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
LocationTerre Haute, INBethesda, MD
Selection and applicationSelection: Earlier 2026 instructions described selective application followed by first-come session placement after approval. Confirm the current 2027 review and placement process; no acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Recommendation from a counselor or teacherSelection: There is no centralized selection. Individual NIH PIs search applications, interview candidates, choose interns and supply funding; satisfying minimum eligibility does not guarantee a match. Application materials: Personal statement; Two references who submit letters of recommendation; Outreach to NIH Principal Investigators and interviews with them
Official sourcesSource 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22

Five signals to check before applying or paying

Acceptance rate
Use a rate only if the organizer gives the cycle, number of applicants and number admitted. A low rate does not tell you what you will learn. If those data are absent, the rate is unconfirmed.
Full cost
Ask for tuition, application fees, deposits, housing, meals, travel and refund terms. A fee-based class can offer useful teaching; a fee alone does not establish either selectivity or quality.
Stipend or pay
Look for an amount, eligibility conditions and payment schedule. Distinguish student compensation from financial aid, prize money and tuition discounts.
Essays and selection
Read the actual application. Essays, recommendations, prerequisites or interviews can describe a selection process, but their presence does not prove an acceptance rate. Ask who reads the application.
Who runs the program
Check the organizer on its official site, the instructors and the day-to-day supervisor. Distinguish a university department's program from an outside provider renting campus space. Ask what feedback and work you will receive.

The catalog examples below show supported costs, stipends, organizers and application details. They are comparisons, not selectivity rankings. We do not assign an acceptance rate or label a named program pay-to-play without evidence.

Catalog programs to compare

  • Program snapshot

    Museum of Life and Science

    Museum of Life and Science Summer Camp Youth Volunteer Program

    Selective Durham-area summer service role for ages 14-17, assisting science educators and young campers for full-day, multiweek assignments.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts May 26, 2026; Ends August 21, 2026; At least 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Durham, Chapel Hill, NC
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Ages 14–17

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: The Museum interviews new candidates, gives returning volunteers priority and states that space is limited; it does not publish applicant totals, openings or a selection rate.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Ages 14–17; Requirement: Experience working with young children and in positions of responsibility; Requirement: Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team; Requirement: Interest in science; Requirement: Able to work 7:45 am to 3:30 pm each camp day

    Selection and application: Selection: The Museum interviews new candidates, gives returning volunteers priority and states that space is limited; it does not publish applicant totals, openings or a selection rate. Application materials: Two Teacher/Mentor Recommendations (first-time applicants); Interview at the Museum (new candidates)

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  • Program snapshot

    National Aquarium

    National Aquarium Youth Exhibit Guide Program

    Baltimore summer marine-science volunteer program for rising grades 10-12, combining intensive training with at least 10 guest-facing exhibit shifts.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 22, 2026; Ends August 9, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Strong interest in marine biology, environmental science and related fields

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Qualified applicants receive required peer-and-staff interviews, with some placed on a waitlist. The Aquarium does not publish application totals, cohort size or acceptance rate.

    Financial aid: Catalog terms: Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Catalog terms: Course registration and materials fee (if accepted): $40; Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Open to grades 10–12; Requirement: Completed ninth grade before the summer program; Requirement: Strong interest in marine biology, environmental science and related fields; Requirement: Able to attend all orientation and training sessions and complete 12 shifts over six weeks

    Selection and application: Selection: Qualified applicants receive required peer-and-staff interviews, with some placed on a waitlist. The Aquarium does not publish application totals, cohort size or acceptance rate. Application materials: In-person interview

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  • Program snapshot
    • STEM

    National Flight Academy

    National Flight Academy 6-Day Deployment

    Six-day residential aviation-STEM simulation at NAS Pensacola for students entering grades 6-12 and ages 10-17; fall dates and tuition are coming soon.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    $1,700 (2027 cycle)
    Session dates or duration
    Starts May 23, 2027; Ends July 30, 2027; 1 week (2027 cycle)
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Pensacola, FL
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 6–12 (provider uses rising grades)

    Maximum age 17

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: The program is session- and capacity-based rather than presented as a judged competition. Current capacity, applicant volume, wait-list rules, and acceptance rate are not published.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Maximum age 17; Requirement: Open to rising grades 6–12; Requirement: Not yet graduated from 12th grade and under 18 at the time of attendance

    Selection and application: Selection: The program is session- and capacity-based rather than presented as a judged competition. Current capacity, applicant volume, wait-list rules, and acceptance rate are not published.

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  • Program snapshot
    • STEM

    Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs

    National High School Game Academy (NHSGA)

    An intensive six-week residential game-development academy; the 2027 application is scheduled for December 2026.

    Application deadline
    March 1, 2027 (2027 cycle)
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): $13,281; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Starts June 26, 2027; Ends August 7, 2027; 6 weeks (2027 cycle)
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Minimum age 16

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Role-based application review with possible capacity closure; applicant count, cohort size, and acceptance rate are not published.

    Financial aid:
    Read aid terms and conditions

    Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based full scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Covers tuition, housing and dining; not open to international students.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Application fee: $75. Non-refundable.; Enrollment deposit: $800. Non-refundable.; Need-based full scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Covers tuition, housing and dining; not open to international students.; Enrollment deposit for scholarship recipients: $100. Available for the student's use on campus through the CMU ID card.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Academic average of B (3.0/4.0) or better; Requirement: Strong interest in the entertainment industry and in software development, game design, visual arts or sound design and music composition

    Selection and application: Selection: Role-based application review with possible capacity closure; applicant count, cohort size, and acceptance rate are not published. Application materials: One letter of recommendation; Two essays

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  • Program snapshot
    • STEM

    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
    Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts July 11, 2026; Ends August 1, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    WV
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Unconfirmed — check official site

    U.S. delegates are chosen by state, typically two from each state and the District of Columbia; International delegates come from countries selected by the U.S. State Department

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: U.S. delegates are chosen by state, typically two from each state and the District of Columbia; Residency: International delegates come from countries selected by the U.S. State Department; Requirement: Graduating from high school within the camp's window (for the 2026 camp, between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027); Requirement: Documented superior academic proficiency, including recognition in STEAM; Requirement: Intends to pursue higher education and a career in a STEAM-related field; Requirement: Able to participate daily for the entire camp

    Selection and application: Application materials: One letter of recommendation

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  • Program snapshot

    Nationwide Children's Hospital

    Nationwide Children's Hospital Teen Volunteer Program

    Nationwide Children's Hospital's 2026 teen-volunteer program is full. It required high-school teens 15 by June 1 to serve a fixed weekly 2–3 hour shift for ten weeks; 2027 availability is not announced on this page.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Catalog terms: 10 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors

    Minimum age 15; 15 years old by June 1

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 15; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: 15 years old by June 1; Requirement: Flu vaccination and full vaccination record (no waivers accepted)

    Selection and application: Application materials: Group interview

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  • Program snapshot

    NC State College of Design, Design Lab for K-12 Education and Outreach

    NC State Design Camp — Design Immersions Residential Program

    Hybrid pre-college design immersion for rising grades 11-12: online fundamentals and orientation followed by a residential NC State studio week producing one portfolio-quality project.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): $1,700; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts July 12, 2026; Ends July 18, 2026; 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    Hybrid
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 11–12 (provider uses rising grades)

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: The 110-seat program uses registration, statements and a waitlist. The organizer does not publish an academic acceptance rate or describe competitive portfolio-based admission.

    Financial aid:
    Read aid terms and conditions

    Last year's cycle (2026): Financial assistance scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on demonstrated need, student motivation and creative and academic merit.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): Late registration fee (after April 10): $50; Registration deposit: $100. Non-refundable.; Financial assistance scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on demonstrated need, student motivation and creative and academic merit.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 11–12

    Selection and application: Selection: The 110-seat program uses registration, statements and a waitlist. The organizer does not publish an academic acceptance rate or describe competitive portfolio-based admission. Application materials: Online registration with a student statement of interest (approximately 300-500 words)

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  • Program snapshot
    • STEM

    Northern Crops Institute

    NCI Summer Ag Academy

    Northern Crops Institute’s five-day agriculture career academy in Fargo offered four hands-on tracks for students in grades 9–11. The June 22–26, 2026 programme was free and is closed; a future cycle is unconfirmed.

    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 22, 2026; Ends June 26, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Fargo, ND
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 9–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–11 when applying; Requirement: No prior agriculture experience needed

    Selection and application: Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

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  • Program snapshot
    • STEM

    North Dakota State College of Science and Essentia Health

    NDSCS Scrubs Camp

    NDSCS and Essentia Health’s three-day healthcare career camp in Wahpeton. The June 23–25, 2026 session for rising grades 8–12 was full and cost $200 including meals and two dorm nights; future dates and fees are unconfirmed.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Last year's cycle (2026): $200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 23, 2026; Ends June 25, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Wahpeton, ND
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 8–12 (provider uses rising grades)

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 8–12; Requirement: Interest in health occupations

    Selection and application: Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

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  • Program snapshot

    Nebraska Department of Agriculture

    Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI)

    Nebraska agriculture leadership and career conference for high-school juniors and seniors. The official page lists the past July 6–10, 2026 week at UNL’s East Campus; future dates, applications and costs are unconfirmed.

    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 6, 2026; Ends July 10, 2026; 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Lincoln, NE
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grades 11–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 11–12 when applying

    Selection and application: Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

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  • Program snapshot

    National Hispanic Institute

    NHI Great Debate

    Four- to six-day NHI residential communications and leadership programme for eligible current ninth graders in participating communities. Fees vary by site; a separate application fee, deposit and tuition balance apply.

    Application deadline
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Cost
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Session dates or duration
    Unconfirmed — check official site
    Format
    In person
    Location
    Sherman, San Antonio, Rock Island, San Diego, TX, IL, CA
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 9; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Participating cities and surrounding areas

    Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Application fee: $25. Non-refundable.; Great Debate deposit: $150. Paid on acceptance to secure a spot; non-refundable. (2027 cycle)

    Full eligibility requirements: Residency: Participating cities and surrounding areas; Requirement: GPA of at least 3.0 or 85 and a college-bound curriculum; Requirement: Spring regional training applies to specified four-day programmes

    Selection and application: Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

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  • Program snapshot
    • Research
    • STEM
    • Internship

    National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training & Education

    NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) — High School Senior Eligibility

    Paid NIH research internship. The earlier Summer 2027 guidance limits high-school applicants to graduating seniors who meet citizenship, age and local-residence conditions. Current dates and availability are unconfirmed.

    Application deadline
    January 26, 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
    In person
    Location
    Bethesda, MD
    Stipend or pay
    Unconfirmed — check official site

    Eligibility: Grade 12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors

    Minimum age 17; US citizen; US permanent resident; 18 years old by September 30, 2027; a graduating senior who is 17 on June 1, 2027 must have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus; Permanent residents must attend or be accepted to a U.S. educational institution

    Housing: Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Selection: There is no centralized selection. Individual NIH PIs search applications, interview candidates, choose interns and supply funding; satisfying minimum eligibility does not guarantee a match.

    Financial aid: Unconfirmed — check official site
    Full details and official sources

    Expenses and aid conditions: Unconfirmed — check official site

    Full eligibility requirements: Minimum age 17; Citizenship: US citizen; Citizenship: US permanent resident; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 12 when applying; Requirement: Enrolled at least half-time as a high school senior and graduated before the internship starts; Requirement: 18 years old by September 30, 2027; a graduating senior who is 17 on June 1, 2027 must have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus; Requirement: Permanent residents must attend or be accepted to a U.S. educational institution

    Selection and application: Selection: There is no centralized selection. Individual NIH PIs search applications, interview candidates, choose interns and supply funding; satisfying minimum eligibility does not guarantee a match. Application materials: Personal statement; Two references who submit letters of recommendation; Outreach to NIH Principal Investigators and interviews with them

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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

Use the concrete checks below alongside the catalog examples. Missing acceptance rates or application details stay unconfirmed; price alone cannot establish selectivity.

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.