Best Summer Research and Internship Opportunities for High School Sophomores

If you’re a 10th grader (sophomore), you’re probably at that exciting turning point where high school is no longer brand new, and now you’re ready to go deeper, explore your interests, and maybe even build a college-worthy resume.

One of the smartest moves you can make? Summer programs and research opportunities. They’re not just about boosting your applications, they’re about learning what excites you, building real-world skills, and connecting with mentors who can help shape your academic journey.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Best Summer Research and Internship Opportunities for Sophomores, organized by stream; STEM, medical, legal/social sciences, and the humanities. Each one is sophomore-friendly, with many welcoming students who are curious, motivated, and ready to explore.

🔬 STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)

1. Clark Scholars Program (Texas Tech University)

• 🎯 Who can apply: Exceptional high school sophomores and above

• 🧪 What you’ll do: Conduct hands-on research with a faculty mentor in fields like biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science

• 📍 Location: Lubbock, TX

• 💸 Cost: FREE (includes room, board, and stipend)

• 📅 Dates: Mid-June to early August

• 🧠 Why it’s great: It’s one of the most prestigious programs that actually allows sophomores and it’s fully funded.

  
  

2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute – Outreach Projects

• 🎯 Who can apply: Motivated 10th and 11th graders

• 🤖 What you’ll do: Tackle real-world problems in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and more

• 📍 Location: Cambridge, MA (and virtual tracks available)

• 💸 Cost: Free or low cost

• 📅 Dates: July–August

• 💡 Pro tip: Try out their online challenges during the school year to build eligibility.

  
  

3. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES)

• 🎯 Who can apply: U.S. high school students, including 10th graders

• 🌌 What you’ll do: Participate in NASA-led research in Earth science, remote sensing, data analytics

• 📍 Location: UT Austin + virtual prep

• 💸 Cost: Free (travel/lodging covered if selected)

• 📅 Dates: June–August

• 🚀 Why it’s awesome: Real NASA research? As a sophomore? Yes, please.

  
  

4. HOPP Summer Student Program – Memorial Sloan Kettering

• 🎯 Who can apply: NYC-area 10th graders and above

• 🧬 What you’ll do: Research in cancer biology, lab rotations, mentor sessions

• 📍 Location: NYC

• 💸 Cost: Paid internship (stipend included)

• 📅 Dates: 8 weeks in summer

• 💡 Best for: Early exposure to bio-medical research.

  
  

5. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

• 🎯 Who can apply: Sophomore girls and nonbinary students

• 💻 What you’ll do: Learn programming, develop real-world tech projects, and connect with women in tech

• 📍 Location: Virtual

• 💸 Cost: Free

• 📅 Dates: July–August

• 🌟 Why it rocks: Supportive, empowering, and beginner-friendly coding experience.

🩺 Pre-Med, Health & Life Sciences

6. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

• 🎯 Who can apply: Low-income, underrepresented 10th & 11th graders from CA

• 🧑‍⚕️ What you’ll do: Learn human anatomy, public health, and clinical skills

• 📍 Location: Stanford University

• 💸 Cost: Free (with stipend)

• 📅 Dates: Mid-June to late July

• 💡 Unique for sophomores: Most med programs are junior/senior-heavy but this one opens early doors.

  
  

7. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

• 🎯 Who can apply: Current 10th graders

• 🦠 What you’ll do: Learn how epidemiologists investigate outbreaks

• 📍 Location: CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA

• 💸 Cost: Free

• 📅 Dates: 1-week sessions in summer

• 🔬 Why it’s a standout: A rare, prestigious program focused on public health and infectious disease.

  
  

8. Penn Medicine Summer Program for High School Students

• 🎯 Who can apply: Sophomores and up

• 🧠 What you’ll do: Attend lectures from doctors, complete med-related projects, explore anatomy labs

• 📍 Location: University of Pennsylvania

• 💸 Cost: $$$ (financial aid available)

• 📅 Dates: July–August

• 💡 Why it’s valuable: Early exposure to Ivy League med education and clinical settings.

⚖️ Law, Government, & Social Justice

9. National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Law & CSI

• 🎯 Who can apply: Grades 9–11

• ⚖️ What you’ll do: Participate in mock trials, crime scene investigations, and forensic science labs

• 📍 Location: Multiple cities including D.C.

• 💸 Cost: $$$

• 📅 Dates: 1- to 2-week programs, multiple sessions

• 🔍 Best part: Combines law, ethics, and science in one unforgettable experience.

  
  

10. Constitutional Academy (Bill of Rights Institute)

• 🎯 Who can apply: Rising 10th–12th graders

• 🇺🇸 What you’ll do: Explore the Constitution, civil liberties, and U.S. politics with scholars and historians

• 📍 Location: Washington, D.C.

• 💸 Cost: Fully funded (incl. travel, housing, meals)

• 📅 Dates: One-week session in July

• 💡 Freshman & sophomore gem: If you're into politics or law, this is a goldmine.

📚 Humanities, Writing & Social Sciences

11. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

• 🎯 Who can apply: Top-tier 10th graders (full scholarship, competitive)

• 📖 What you’ll do: Explore race, social justice, and power through college-level seminars

• 📍 Location: Cornell, U-Michigan

• 💸 Cost: Free (fully funded + travel)

• 📅 Dates: 6 weeks, late June to early August

• 💡 Why it matters: Considered one of the most elite pre-college humanities programs.

  
  

12. Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop

• 🎯 Who can apply: High school students (sophomores welcome)

• ✍️ What you’ll do: Write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction in intensive, collaborative workshops

• 📍 Location: Kenyon College (Ohio)

• 💸 Cost: $$$ (financial aid available)

• 📅 Dates: 2-week sessions in June and July

• 🧠 Why it’s great: Deep, immersive creative writing environment.

  
  

13. School of the New York Times – Pre-College Summer Academy

• 🎯 Who can apply: Sophomores and up

• 🗞️ What you’ll do: Explore journalism, media, creative writing, and global affairs

• 📍 Location: New York City

• 💸 Cost: $$$

• 📅 Dates: 2-week sessions in summer

• 💡 Cool for storytellers: Work with real NYT journalists and editors.

🌎 Global, Leadership & Interdisciplinary Programs

14. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

• 🎯 Who can apply: Sophomores and up (international students welcome)

• 🌐 What you’ll do: Study politics, STEM, international relations, and more in seminar-style classes

• 📍 Location: Yale University

• 💸 Cost: $$$ (generous financial aid)

• 📅 Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions

• 🌟 Why it’s famous: Builds leadership and critical thinking in a global context.

  
  

15. Leadership in the Business World (LBW) – UPenn Wharton

• 🎯 Who can apply: 10th–11th graders

• 💼 What you’ll do: Explore business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, and leadership

• 📍 Location: UPenn Wharton School

• 💸 Cost: $$$

• 📅 Dates: Late June to mid-July

• 💡 Sophomore standout: One of few top-tier business programs that starts early.

Best Summer Research and Internship Opportunities for High School Sophomores

• Start applying early. Many top programs open applications between November and February.

• Focus on what excites you. Don’t worry about prestige, instead go for relevance and learning.

• Don’t skip financial aid. Many paid programs offer full or partial funding.

• Keep a résumé and personal statement handy. These are common application components.

Your sophomore summer is the perfect time to take that first big leap into the world of research, leadership, and college-level learning. Whether you want to build rockets, debate civil rights, or write the next great novel, there’s a program waiting for you.

Not only will these experiences shape your academic interests, but they’ll also introduce you to mentors, peers, and ideas that could change your future.

So go ahead—explore, apply, and grow.