If you’re a high school student interested in physics, enrolling in a summer physics program could be a great choice. These programs allow you to explore topics beyond the standard school curriculum, helping you better understand physics. Through these programs, you’ll have chances to work on projects under the guidance of experts, collaborate with other students, and develop your interests within the field.
Participating in these programs can also strengthen your college applications by highlighting your commitment to learning advanced physics. Many well-known universities and institutions offer fully funded programs, which can help you prepare for college and make informed decisions about your academic and career plans.
Here’s a list of 12 free summer physics programs for high school students in 2024-2025, covering areas like biophysics, astrophysics, nanotechnology, cosmology, and more!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Physics Track
Subject Areas: Physics, Biotechnology, Environmental Health and Engineering, Chemistry, Biophysics, Network Science, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, Neuroscience, Data Science, Machine Learning, Sociology, International Relations, Political Theory, Philosophy, History, and more!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 21, 2025 for the summer cohort (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24 – September 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
- Horizon Labs offers flexible dates, but you must apply at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of over 3.67 on a 4.0 scale can apply. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. You can review the prerequisites for various tracks here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in several fields, such as physics, political theory, biomedical engineering, data science, machine learning, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. A unique aspect of the program is that you can choose to use either quantitative or qualitative research methods. If you are interested in physics, the Fluid Dynamics and Physics course may be a good option for you.
After selecting your subject area and research type, you will be matched with a professor or PhD scholar from a reputable university who will mentor you throughout the research process. During the program, you will develop a 20-page research paper at a university level, which you can submit to recognized journals for potential publication as a high school student.
This program provides a great opportunity to conduct research in specialized fields with the support of an experienced scholar. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project, which can be beneficial for future research and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Physics track
Subject Areas: Physics, Psychology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Data Science, Gender Studies, Business, Economics, Chemistry, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research initiative for high school students that allows them to work on independent research projects across various subjects. You will be matched with a PhD mentor who will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the program. The program includes one-on-one sessions with your research mentor and a writing coach to guide you in selecting and developing your research topic. You’ll delve into your chosen subject and attend workshops to build research skills. By the end of this 12-week program, you’ll have completed an independent research paper. For application details, check out their website.
Subject Areas: Astrophysics, Mechanics, Quantum Dynamics, Electromagnetism, and Physics
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Students from Philadelphia public or charter high schools may qualify for free attendance through a Penn Summer Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer 2025 program will open on December 1, 2024
Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 9–11, including international students
The University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies offers three-week, subject-focused programs. The Experimental Physics Research Academy explores physics topics such as quantum dynamics, astrophysics, mechanics, and electromagnetism through lectures, hands-on activities, projects, and discussions. This residential program starts with an introduction to various physics areas, including kinematics, electricity, nuclear physics, modern physics, and quantum mechanics. It also addresses the philosophy of science, experimental design, science ethics, and educational pathways. You’ll learn about current research at Penn through faculty presentations on their specialties. For more details on the curriculum and alumni experiences, you can check here.
Subject Areas: High-energy-density Physics, Planetary Science, and Python Programming
Location: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free for all accepted participants; students receive either a stipend or academic credit
Application Deadline: For information on nomination deadlines, you can contact the CMAP program administrator at natalie.antal@rochester.edu
Dates: The internship typically lasts between 4 and 5 weeks during the summer, although program dates may vary each year
Eligibility: Applicants need to be nominated by their high school teachers from either Pittsford Central School District or the Rochester City School District
The CMAP Research Experience for High School Students at the University of Rochester is a paid, one-month summer internship. This program will allow you to experience campus life while conducting research in areas such as energy-density physics, planetary science, and Python programming. Throughout the internship, you will observe and participate in experimental demonstrations and collaborate on real-world projects with Rochester physics and astronomy graduate students. In addition to working on research projects, you will have the chance to tour the campus and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. The program also provides support for college applications and information about various STEM careers.
Subject Areas: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, and Humanities
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, except for a $65 application fee. Students will receive a stipend, though the exact amount is not specified
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the program's academic requirements, including international students
The Research Science Institute is a selective program that provides high school students the chance to conduct research at MIT. Organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, this program offers you a hands-on research project supervised by MIT professors and scientists. You will also take college-level classes taught by faculty members. The program starts with a week of seminars on current research topics in physics, other STEM fields, and the humanities. After this introductory week, research assignments are given, followed by five weeks dedicated to working on those projects. During the final week, you will have the chance to present your findings.
One example of a physics project from previous participants is "The Effects of Atmospheric Turbulence on Simulated Starlight in a Low-Pressure Telescope Environment (2004).” You can explore more projects like this here. Throughout the program, you will develop important research skills, including data collection, analysis, presentation, and reviewing recent literature in physics. You will also get to attend lectures and field trips. RSI is highly competitive, accepting about 70–100 students each year from approximately 3,000 applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of around 3%.
Subject Areas: Astrophysics, Space Science, Engineering, Aeronautics, Astronomy, Technology, Robotics, Space Microbiology, Ecology, and Outreach and Communications
Location: Interns may work remotely or on-site at one of NASA's 10 field centers across the country, based on the project
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; interns may receive a stipend based on their academic level and session length
Application Deadline: Summer 2025: February 28, 2025
Dates: These internships are offered in three sessions, with specific dates differing depending on the opportunity; Summer: 10-week program, from late May or early June to August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 or older with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be full-time high school students
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students at various locations across the U.S. These internships provide mentorship, training, and career development, allowing you to work with experts in science, engineering, finance, IT, and business. You may get to engage in activities like designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing new technologies.
You will either work individually with a researcher or in small teams on current NASA projects. Tasks may include recording and analyzing data, tracking celestial objects with advanced telescopes, and assisting with mission preparations. You will also have the opportunity to attend lectures by astronauts and experts in astrophysics and related fields. The skills acquired during the internship will help you in your undergraduate studies and future careers in STEM fields. To find available internships, you can use the 'Filter' option to view those that are open to high school students.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Plasma Physics, Fusion Energy, Programming, and other related fields
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ (Commuter program)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants receive a stipend, though the exact amount is not specified
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: The internship runs for 8 to 10 weeks over the summer, though specific dates and duration may vary based on each student’s school schedule
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are at least 16 years old
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, offers an internship program for graduating high school students. The program allows them to work on a project with a member of the laboratory’s research or engineering team. This internship provides hands-on experience in research and lab work that will help you build foundational skills for a career in physics.
If accepted, you will engage in an experimental or computational project in plasma physics, covering various topics in plasma physics, fusion energy, and related areas. To participate in this internship, you should have experience with computational or experimental projects in plasma physics, relevant coursework in physics, engineering, advanced mathematics, and chemistry, and some familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD), coding, and related software tools.
Subject Areas: Physics, Chemistry, Biomedical Informatics, Astronomy, Engineering, Medicine, Ecology, Math, Computer Science, Atmospheric and Marine Sciences, Geosciences, Neurobiology, and Pharmacological Sciences
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: The program does not have tuition fees, but participants who choose on-campus housing will need to pay $2,781.50 for accommodation and meals; stipend provided, amount unspecified
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program gives high school juniors the chance to engage in a research project. You can select from different STEM fields, including physics and astronomy, and rank your top three choices for mentors or research areas. After being accepted, you will be paired with a mentor and assigned to a research group, where you will learn research methods and work on your project. The program also features weekly faculty research talks, workshops, tours, and special events.
During the program, you will need to prepare a written research abstract and a poster, which you will present at the closing poster symposium. With an acceptance rate of 5%, this program is highly competitive. For those interested in physics research, opportunities include working in the Physics & Astronomy department on topics such as geometric optics, simulations, machine learning in near-field optics, and quantum material research.
Subject Areas: Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Engineering. You should review the details here before selecting a NIST laboratory
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost for accepted participants; however, the internship is unpaid
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025. You can view the application guide here
Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are U.S. citizens
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers the Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) for students interested in conducting scientific research. As a SHIP intern, you will work with scientists and engineers on a research problem, gaining insight into NIST's projects. NIST comprises six laboratories. You can explore the websites of these labs, choose one that aligns with your interests, and indicate your preference in your application.
If you are particularly interested in physics-related research, you can apply to the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML), which focuses on areas such as molecular, atomic, optical, and radiation chemical physics. The lab also conducts research related to environmental sensing, quantum-based electrical measurements, and industrial radiation dosimetry.
Subject Areas: Astrophysics, Quantum Computing, Quantum Physics, Python Coding, and Cosmology
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: July 8 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students who are female or gender minorities and currently in grades 9–11. First-generation students, rising seniors, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in physics will receive priority
SPINWIP, hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, is aimed at high school girls interested in physics and coding. This three-week program offers the chance to engage in small group work led by Stanford undergraduates, attend lectures by Stanford professors and researchers, and participate in workshops centered on college planning and career development.
Throughout the program, you will study topics such as quantum physics, light, optics, lasers, quantum computing, and cosmology, which include black holes, dark matter, and exoplanets. The curriculum includes in-class worksheets and homework to reinforce the concepts discussed in lectures. You can check out the program syllabus here. Additionally, you will learn to code using Python, apply these skills to physics-related projects, and gain an introduction to Boolean Logic, NumPy, and Matplotlib. The program also provides insights into various career paths in physics and astronomy.
Subject Areas: Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and a stipend of $17.20/hour is provided
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in February and will reopen in November 2024 for the 2025 program
Dates: Typically 6 weeks in June and July
Eligibility: Illinois high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and eligibility to work in the U.S.
Fermilab, the foremost particle physics and accelerator laboratory in the U.S., provides various programs for students, including TARGET—a six-week paid summer internship aimed at Illinois high school sophomores and juniors. This competitive program is aimed at students with a strong interest and ability in physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science, encouraging them to pursue college studies and careers in STEM fields.
Participating in this program will allow you to explore physics while collaborating with scientists and engineers at Fermilab. Each year, 10 to 15 interns are chosen for the program. The program combines work experience with hands-on learning and includes workshops focused on STEM to help you prepare for college and future careers in these fields.
Subject Areas: Physics, Electrical Engineering, Cancer Immunology, Quantum Mechanics, Bioengineering, Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience, Computer Engineering, and others
Location: The Grainger College of Engineering campus, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate in this program, aside from transportation to and from the campus. Participants will receive a fellowship payment
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Dates: June 11 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students who are rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, or Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a six-week initiative for high school students to conduct advanced research in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine. If accepted, you will be assigned to a research group based on your application, including a personal statement and recent coursework. The program features weekly seminars to help develop your professional and academic skills, along with guidance on college admissions. You will also focus on improving your scientific communication skills and creating a research poster.
Throughout the program, you will collaborate on a STEMM project with university faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students. It is competitive, with only 30 students accepted out of approximately 600 applicants in the past two years. Accepted students will join one of three research groups—POETS, SpHERES, or GEnYus—based on their coursework and interests. The GEnYus group specifically studies areas such as nuclear or quantum physics.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.