During an inevitable time of boredom over winter, students can  get ahead on their academic goals by applying to these top-tier, fully funded summer programs. 

MIT Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES Summer)

MITES is an academic enrichment program that introduces rising high school juniors to courses covering math, science, and the humanities (though the program focuses heavily on STEM). The six-week program is widely renowned for its rigor, and it takes place on campus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Massachusetts. Furthermore, minority students, such as African American, Native American, Hispanic, low-income, or future first-generation college students are directly encouraged to apply. 

Similarly to how students would spend their time in college, MITES participants live in MIT dorms for the summer and take classes, engage in discussions, and embark on tours on weekdays. Weekends, on the other hand, are designated time for exploring the vibrant city of Boston. 

Applications can be found here and are due Feb. 1, 2026. 

Civic Innovators Fellowship

Run by Civics Unplugged, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise a generation of innovative leaders and citizens, the Civic Innovators Fellowship is a fully online program for high schoolers and rising gap year students. The program is ideal for students who are interested in law, politics, public service, policy, and activism. Its virtual format and full lack of cost makes it totally accessible for students from all areas and all walks of life. 

Fellows take part in weekly virtual lessons covering topics like citizenship, public speaking, and community change. Additionally, after graduating the fellowship, alumni can take their civic engagement to the next level with other Civics Unplugged programs like the Civic Innovation Academy and the Civic Innovation Lab. 

Applications can be found here and are due Jan. 31, 2026. 

High School Diplomats Program 

This cultural exchange program is held close to home on the grounds of the University of Virginia and has even had Potomac Falls participants in the past. It lasts just over a week, and during this time, 20 American students are paired with 20 Japanese students. The intercultural duos live, learn, and socialize together in a structured schedule of activities meant to immerse American students in Japanese culture and vice versa.

Language classes, cultural presentations, festivals, and social events are only some of the daily happenings meant to help students explore each other’s cultures while building close friendships that defy national borders. 

Applications can be found here and are due Jan. 19, 2026. 

Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

One of the most prestigious high school research programs in the country, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program takes place at Texas Tech University and is not only free, but pays participants a modest stipend for their work. Only 12 high schooler juniors and seniors from around the world are chosen to do research with this program, so getting accepted is a true accomplishment. Areas of research include, but are not limited to, history, biology, computer science, and chemistry. Researchers work alongside university faculty mentors on independent projects and are expected to create a research report by the end of the seven-week program. 

Applications can be found here and are due Feb. 16, 2026. Submissions open on Jan. 2, 2026. 

Princeton Summer Journalism Program

While it can feel as though wealthy students have an unfair advantage in terms of admission to most academic programs, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program works to combat this by exclusively admitting high school juniors from low-income families. The program combines both online and in-person experiences, beginning with virtual assignments and workshops before ending with a 10-day residential session at Princeton University in New Jersey. 

In hopes of producing the next generation of talented journalists, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program allows students to visit major newsrooms, cover real-world events as they happen, and eventually publish their own student newspaper: the “Princeton Summer Journal.” Even after the program ends, PSJP provides students with one-on-one college application guidance as they navigate senior year. 

Applications can be found here and are due Jan. 26, 2026.