§ MD

Research programs in Maryland.

185 local programs run in Maryland, 76 of them free or paid, and 2 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

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Local to Maryland

American Chemical Society / ACS Maryland
ACS Project SEED - Maryland Section
A paid summer research program placing economically disadvantaged rising juniors and seniors in academic, industrial, or federal chemistry labs with a scientist-mentor for 8-10 weeks, with a $1,000 completion fellowship and potential college scholarship.
📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UMBC
Acting Techniques for High Schoolers
Students practice acting techniques in a high-school-focused course.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC Summer Enrichment Academy
AI Innovations in Sales/Marketing
High-school course focused on AI-powered business, sales, and marketing strategies.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
American Legion Department of Maryland
American Legion Department of Maryland Oratorical Contest
A scholarship contest requiring an 8-10 minute memorized speech on the U.S. Constitution plus a shorter speech on an assigned topic, progressing from local American Legion Posts through County, District, and Department (state) levels.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease
Two-week college-level program focused on human anatomy, physiology, and disease.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC at Shady Grove
AP Computer Science
Students explore material connected to AP-level computer science.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Applications of Chemistry in Medicine
College-level program examining applications of chemistry to medicine.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Applied Anatomy and Physiology
Two-week on-campus program focused on applied human anatomy and physiology.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC at Shady Grove
Arduino Robotics
Students learn robotics and programming using Arduino hardware.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Atmospheric Science Lab: Build, Test, and Deploy a Handheld Air Quality Sensor
Students explore atmospheric science through construction and deployment of an air-quality sensor.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH)
BACH Fellows Program
A five-week paid summer healthcare-exposure internship for Baltimore City rising juniors and seniors, placing up to 60 students annually at major hospitals (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinai, MedStar) to shadow professionals and explore allied health careers.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Chesapeake Bay Foundation / Washington College
Bay Science and Solutions at Washington College
Rising grades 10–12 collect environmental data by kayak and research vessel and work in Washington College science laboratories while studying ecosystem restoration and community solutions.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Become a 10x App Developer: AI-Assisted App Development
Students learn application development using AI-assisted development tools.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Big Data and Advertising
Students explore connections among large datasets, advertising, and modern business practices.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Rising sophomores through seniors spend five weeks conducting hands-on biophysics and biomedical research while studying scientific writing, mathematics, data analysis, and bioethics. The program is a paid internship; Hopkins materials list a $5,500 stipend.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
UMBC
BioTech Leader Simulation Program
Students participate in a biotechnology-focused leadership simulation.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Build a VEX Robot!
Students design, build, and program controlled and autonomous VEX robots for an engineering challenge. The 2026 fee was $374.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Build Your Own AI-Powered Virtual Assistant
Students build an artificial-intelligence-powered virtual assistant.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Health Tech Alley / Maryland Innovation Center
Business Analytics, Data Science and AI Youth Apprenticeship Program
A 12-month youth apprenticeship based at the Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia where high school seniors train in data analytics, AI, machine learning, and cloud computing while earning Google and Microsoft industry credentials and completing a year-long research project.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society
Chemathon
An annual, free-to-enter chemistry competition for high school chemistry students from Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC, organized by area teachers and chemists and hosted at the University of Maryland College Park chemistry department.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program
High-school students join a year-round leadership network, attend primarily virtual monthly meetings, participate in advocacy and conservation events, and design an evidence-based environmental action project.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Connections & Actions
Students investigate environmental challenges in rivers, marshes, farmland, and Bay communities while developing advocacy and environmental-leadership skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Chess Academy
Students develop chess strategy and analytical problem-solving skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland
Clark School Pre-College Scholars Program
Rising juniors and seniors complete three weeks of intensive SAT preparation, engineering-department presentations, college admissions workshops, and individualized application support. The 2026 fee was $400, with financial aid available.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Code in the Schools
CodeWorks
A 5-week paid summer experience, run through Baltimore City's YouthWorks program, where city residents ages 14-21 explore game development, web development, Python, data science, cybersecurity, and digital forensics with no prior experience required.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Coding with Emotions: The Science of Empathic AI
Students explore programming and artificial intelligence designed to recognize or interact with human emotions.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
College Application Bootcamp
Students focus on the college-application process and preparation.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Salisbury University
College Career Readiness Academy
Students explore college pathways, careers, financial literacy, résumé development, interviews, and goal-setting during a week-long academy. The 2026 fee was $450.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Computational Materials Chemistry
High-school students explore materials chemistry using computational approaches.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Create Your College Portfolio
Students work on materials and skills useful for building a college application portfolio.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Creating Dynamic Music Performances: Developing Your Unique Artist Identity
Students develop performance skills and their individual artistic identity.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Creative Writing
Online college-level creative-writing program offered across all three 2026 sessions.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Data Analytics Workshop
Students explore data analysis and analytical methods in an online college-level program.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Delegate Scholarship
Maryland high-school seniors can apply through their State Delegate for awards ranging from $200 to $14,086 for 2026–27.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Digital Society: Big Data, Social Media, and Ethical Engagement
Students examine big data, social media, society, and ethical engagement.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Digital Storytelling
Students explore digital techniques for creating and communicating stories.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering
Discovering Engineering
Rising juniors and seniors spend a residential week exploring engineering disciplines through hands-on design challenges and campus activities.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
DNR Internship Program
Paid and volunteer 10-12 week internships (summer and fall cycles) for high school and college students across DNR divisions such as fisheries, forestry, parks, and wildlife, based primarily in Annapolis with statewide fieldwork.
📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UMBC
Earth Science with Satellite Imagery
Students examine Earth-science questions using satellite imagery.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland Clark School / USMSM
Engineer Your Career: Robotics STEM Summer Camp
Southern Maryland high-school students design, build, and program robots while exploring 3D printing, coding, microprocessors, and human-machine interaction. The camp is free.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering
Engineering Innovation Research Program
Sophomores and juniors spend six weeks contributing to ongoing engineering research with Hopkins doctoral and postdoctoral mentors, including experimental or computational work, data analysis, scientific literature, and research presentations. Students earn three college credits.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Engineering Innovation–Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program
Baltimore City and County students take an Engineering Innovation course and receive an additional Whiting School job placement. Participants are paid $15 per hour for up to 25 hours per week.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy
Students explore entrepreneurship through financial-literacy concepts.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Humanities / MD Two Fifty
Envision Maryland: A Statewide High School Essay Competition
Maryland students submit a maximum-300-word vision of what Maryland should look like 50 years from now. County/grade winners earn $75, with statewide awards of $300, $200, and $100.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks
Students investigate infectious-disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering
ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Rising seniors complete a four-week engineering research experience involving literature review, research design, experimentation, technical communication, and a research project.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
UMBC
Ethics Bowl
Students analyze and discuss ethical questions in an Ethics Bowl–style course.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Exploring Music Production: Mixing, Songwriting, & Arranging
Students explore mixing, songwriting, arranging, and music-production techniques.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Exploring the Career of Sonography
Students explore sonography and its role in healthcare and medical imaging.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Exploring the Universe with Space Telescopes
Students explore astronomy and the universe through the science of space telescopes.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
FIRST Chesapeake
FIRST Robotics Competition (Chesapeake)
Teams of 10+ Maryland high schoolers build industrial-size robots with adult mentors to compete in an annually-changing field game, culminating in regional and world championship events.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
FIRST Chesapeake
FIRST Tech Challenge (Chesapeake)
Teams of 2-15 students design, build, and program robots using Android-based reusable platforms to compete head-to-head in an alliance format running September through February.
📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Forensic DNA Analysis
Students explore forensic science through DNA analysis.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Foundational Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence
Students study mathematical foundations underlying modern artificial intelligence.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Future Builders: Creating a Sustainable World
Students examine building and design through the lens of sustainability.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Geosciences Bridge Program
A fully funded 6-week summer bridge program for incoming college-bound high school seniors covering ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and GIS/remote sensing, including two for-credit college courses, housing, meals, and a stipend.
📅 May🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Towson University, Department of Geography & Environmental Planning
Geospatial Technology Summer Camp
A four-day, three-night residential camp exclusively for Maryland high schoolers offering hands-on training in digital cartography, GPS, satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, drone operation, and open-source mapping, including a NASA field trip.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Security Agency
Gifted and Talented Language Program
A paid 12-week post-graduation internship at NSA for high school seniors fluent in Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi, or Arabic, providing practical foreign-language work experience.
📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
National Security Agency
Gifted and Talented STEM Program
A paid full-time summer internship for high school seniors with strong STEM backgrounds (advanced physics, calculus, and computer science/engineering coursework), working at NSA's Fort Meade facilities for 10-12 weeks after graduation.
📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Global Leadership for a Sustainable Future
Students examine leadership and global challenges through the lens of sustainability.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Green Chemistry: The Science of Sustainability
Students explore chemistry approaches designed around sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Guitar
Summer high-school course centered on guitar performance and musicianship.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Towson University Department of Art + Design, Art History, and Art Education
High School Art Scholarship Portfolio Competition
Each fall, Maryland high schools nominate up to two outstanding seniors to submit a portfolio for review by Towson art faculty, competing for renewable departmental scholarships.
📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Maryland Department of Geographical Sciences
High School Internship Program (HIP)
DMV-area juniors and seniors complete six weeks of remote geographical-sciences research with a faculty mentor in areas such as climate change and geospatial analysis. Students receive a $900 stipend and some may continue during the academic year.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Baltimore School of Law
High School Summer Pre-Law Academy
Baltimore City students participate in mock trial, college and career planning, and presentations from legal professionals and admissions representatives during a free five-day academy.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education
HiSTEP (High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program)
A structured summer research-and-enrichment program for rising high school seniors from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, combining biomedical research exposure, career-readiness workshops, and college-application guidance at NIH's Bethesda campus.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Johns Hopkins
Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
Eight-week paid summer neuroscience research internship for Baltimore high schoolers.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant
Financially eligible Maryland students can receive $400–$3,000 annually toward study at an eligible Maryland institution.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant
Financially eligible Maryland students entering an eligible Maryland college can receive up to $18,000 annually for as many as four years.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Intermuse Performing Artists / Mount St. Mary's University
Intermuse International Music Institute & Festival (IIMIF)
A solo and chamber music program for gifted young violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists (ages 12-22) with chamber music experience, culminating in festival performances; capped at 25 students.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Irvine Nature Center
Internship Program
Internships for high school and college-age students in environmental education, animal care, naturalist work, or early-childhood nature programming at a nonprofit nature center in Owings Mills.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
UMBC
Intro to AI Pipelines
Students explore the components used to build and deploy AI projects and pipelines.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology
Students learn principles of experimental design applied to biological questions.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Laboratory Research
Students receive an on-campus introduction to laboratory research and scientific investigation.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Surgery
College-level introduction to surgical medicine, offered in both online and on-campus versions.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Maryland Clark School / USMSM
Invent the Future: Applied Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp
Students build and deploy AI solutions while learning coding, CAD, 3D printing, electronics, and engineering-design skills. The month-long 2026 program was free.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Is Seeing Believing? Stalinism and the Manufacture of Truth
Students study Stalinism and questions surrounding propaganda, information, and manufactured truth.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins
JHU Internship in Brain Sciences
Paid neuroscience research for Baltimore-area students from underrepresented backgrounds.
⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Maryland Youth & the Law (MYLaw) / Maryland State Bar Association / Maryland State Dept. of Education
Law Links Internship
A 7-week paid summer internship placing Baltimore City public high school juniors and seniors in law firms and law-related agencies full-time, paired with a weekly Law & Leadership Institute seminar at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
UMBC
Mapping the Cosmos: From Kilometer to Megaparsec
Students investigate astronomical scales and the structure of the universe.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Maryland AAPI Legislative Caucus (Maryland General Assembly)
Maryland AAPI Legislative Caucus Summer Internship Program
A structured civic education program engaging high school and college students through the legislative process, including policy research, bill drafting, mock committee hearings, floor debates, and a final mock legislative session at the Maryland State House.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
American Legion, Department of Maryland
Maryland Boys State
A week-long residential program of government instruction where male high school juniors run a simulated city, county, and state government through elections, legislative sessions, and mock court proceedings.
📅 May🎓 Grade 11
Selective
DECA Inc., Maryland Association
Maryland DECA
A co-curricular CTSO integrated into marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship courses, where students compete in roleplay and written events at regional, state, and international conferences.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE)
Maryland Economics Challenge
A one-day statewide academic competition where high school teams are tested on microeconomics, macroeconomics, and the global economy, with two divisions based on experience level, and the state champion advancing to the National Economics Challenge.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Envirothon (Soil Conservation Districts)
Maryland Envirothon
Teams of five students in grades 9-12 study Maryland's natural resources across aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife over the school year, competing first at the county level then at the statewide Maryland Envirothon.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland FBLA
Maryland FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
A statewide CTSO with over 100 high school chapters preparing students for business careers through academic competitions, leadership conferences, and Business Achievement Awards at the district, state, and national level.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland FFA / National FFA Organization
Maryland FFA Association
The state agricultural youth leadership organization serving nearly 3,000 members across 50 chapters, offering Career Development Events, regional conferences, a state convention, and agricultural scholarships.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maryland
Maryland Girls State
A six-day residential civics program at Salisbury University where female high school juniors hold elections, legislative sessions, and a mock trial, culminating in a gubernatorial inauguration.
📅 May🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
University of Maryland
Maryland High School Business Plan Competition
A statewide competition open to Maryland high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who submit an executive summary of a new venture idea in teams of one to five for a chance at up to $10,000 in cash and prizes.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) Arts Program
Maryland High School Juried Art Exhibition
A statewide juried exhibition open to students in all Maryland high schools, showcasing artwork in all mediums with cash awards split between the student and their school's arts program.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Youth & the Law, Inc. (MYLaw) / Maryland State Bar Association
Maryland High School Mock Trial Competition
A statewide competition in which students act as attorneys and witnesses in civil or criminal cases, scored by judges and attorneys, progressing from eight judicial circuits through regional rounds to a State Championship held at Maryland's Supreme Court in Annapolis.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Humanities
Maryland History Day
Maryland's affiliate of National History Day, inviting middle and high school students to create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites on an annual historical theme, progressing through school, district, state, and national competitions.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland HOSA
Maryland HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
A student-led CTSO for future health professionals offering job shadowing, internships, field-based investigations, and competitive events, with a State Leadership Conference and International Leadership Conference each year.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE)
Maryland Personal Finance Challenge
A free two-stage competition where Maryland high school teams demonstrate personal finance knowledge through online testing, then compete at the Federal Reserve's Baltimore branch with a case-study presentation and Quiz Bowl round.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA)
Maryland Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Maryland regional affiliate of the nation's longest-running teen creative recognition program, judging student art and writing submissions across 28 categories, with Gold Key winners advancing to national judging.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Science Olympiad
Maryland Science Olympiad
The Maryland chapter of the national Science Olympiad competition, where high school teams (Division C) compete in 23 STEM events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, advancing from regional to state tournaments.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SkillsUSA Maryland
Maryland SkillsUSA
A Career and Technical Student Organization with roughly 5,500 Maryland high school members across 21 school systems, developing workplace, leadership, and trade/technical skills through the SkillsUSA Framework and a State Championship.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
US Chess Federation / MD Chess Association
Maryland State Scholastic Chess Championship
The official Maryland state scholastic chess championship, a US Chess-rated Swiss tournament with sections for grades 9-12 where the high school winner qualifies for the Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association (MDCSPA)
Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association
A nonprofit partnered with the Philip Merrill College of Journalism that offers free membership to high school journalism students and teachers, hosting J-Day, a Fall Workshop, and the Maryland Journalist of the Year contest.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Blockchain Association (MDBA) & Blockchain Legal Institute
MDBA Youth Blockchain Hackathon
A fully virtual hackathon for grades 10-12 with an AI & Machine Learning track (building decentralized data meshes and AI verification protocols) alongside blockchain and legal-tech tracks, judged with bounty prizes up to $25,000.
📅 November🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Medical School Intensive
Intensive pre-college introduction to medicine offered through both online and campus-based sections.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
MERIT Baltimore / CollegeBound Foundation
MERIT Health Leadership Academy
A multi-year, out-of-school academic and career mentorship program for underrepresented Baltimore high schoolers pursuing healthcare careers, combining Saturday college-prep classes, progressive summer internships (bioengineering/math, then clinical shadowing, then research), and longitudinal mentorship.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Institute College of Art
MICA Pre-College
Four-week residential art program in Baltimore.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Institute College of Art
MICA Pre-College Studio Residency
Four-week residential studio program for rising 11th-12th graders.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
MDDC Press Foundation
Michael S. Powell High School Journalist of the Year
An annual $1,500 cash award honoring an outstanding senior member of a high school newspaper staff in Maryland, Delaware, or DC, presented at the MDDC Editorial Awards ceremony.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
UMBC
Mock Trial
Students explore legal argumentation and courtroom procedure through mock trial.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Model UN
Students explore diplomacy, global affairs, and international negotiation through a Model UN course.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
ScienceMONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Science Fair
An in-person three-day regional science and engineering fair (ISEF-affiliated) open to public, private, and homeschool students in grades 6-12 in Montgomery County, judged across biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, math, and physics categories.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Morality in Media: Comic Books
Students examine moral questions through comic books and media.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Music Performance & Songwriting
Students develop music-performance and songwriting skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Music Production
Students study techniques and tools used to produce music.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA Goddard High School Internship (OSTEM)
A paid summer internship for DC/Maryland area high school students focusing on physical sciences and earth observation.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 31🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships - Goddard Space Flight Center
Paid, project-based internships (10 weeks in summer) at NASA field centers, including Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, open to students 16+ enrolled at least part-time, working directly with NASA mentors on real projects.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Aquarium / Baltimore YouthWorks
National Aquarium YouthWorks
Baltimore City teens and young adults compete for paid summer placements at the National Aquarium, gaining workplace skills and experience in an aquarium and conservation organization. The 2027 interest form opens in January 2027.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National History Day
National History Day
Year-long historical research project competition culminating at the national contest.
⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
Maryland Forestry Foundation / Maryland DNR Forest Service
Natural Resources Careers Camp (NRCC)
A weeklong residential summer camp for grades 9-12 interested in forestry, fisheries, wildlife, or parks management, held at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County with hands-on training from natural-resource professionals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
United States Naval Academy
Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS)
A competitive six-day residential summer program for current high school juniors who live in Bancroft Hall and take part in engineering, science, and humanities workshops alongside military training and leadership activities.
📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Neurobiology: Cellular and Systems
Students study cellular and systems-level neurobiology in an online college-level program.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Students explore connections between neuroscience and human behavior.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS), Morgan State University
NextGen AI Innovation Challenge
A two-day build event where middle school, high school, and college students design AI-powered tools to make K-12 classrooms more inclusive and engaging, with winning teams earning up to $2,500.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Capital Region
NFTE Capital Region Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
An annual pitch competition for high schoolers across Maryland, DC, and Virginia where students present original business ideas to judges for a chance to compete at the national finals for seed capital and scholarships.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
NHLBI Summer Internship Program
A 6-8 week intramural research internship for high school seniors (18+ by mid-June) at NIH's Bethesda campus, working in basic or clinical research labs under an NHLBI principal investigator's mentorship.
📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
National Institutes of Health
NIH High School Summer Internship
Paid biomedical research internship at NIH labs.
📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
NIH
NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Eight-week paid summer biomedical research internship at NIH labs.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH)
NINDS High School Summer Internship Program
Fully funded 8-10 week summer internship in Bethesda, MD where high school juniors/seniors work side-by-side with NINDS investigators studying the nervous system, neurodegenerative disease, and stroke.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Library of Medicine (NIH)
NLM Data Science & Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program
An 8-12 week paid summer internship (fully remote or at NIH Bethesda) pairing high school seniors with an NLM research mentor on computational research projects applying data science and informatics methods to biology and health.
📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
NACLO, hosted by University of Maryland Language Science Center
North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition (NACLO)
A free linguistics puzzle competition for grades 6-12 (primarily 9-12) requiring no prior linguistics background, with an Open Round for all students and an Invitational Round for top scorers who advance toward the International Linguistics Olympiad.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Pharmacy, Healthcare, & Technology
Students explore pharmacy, healthcare, and the technologies used in those fields.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) / Maryland Humanities
Poetry Out Loud Maryland
Maryland's state recitation competition in the national Poetry Out Loud program, where high school students select and recite poems from an anthology, advancing from school to regional to state competition with a Poetry Coach mentoring finalists.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Political Debate & Current Events
Students analyze current political issues and develop debate skills.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Poolesville High School Math Team
Poolesville Math Tournament
An online high school math competition billed by organizers as Maryland's premier high school math competition, open to student teams statewide.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Population Genomics: Evolution, Extinction & Disease
Students examine population genomics in relation to evolution, extinction, and disease.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Pre-College Summer Intensive
A rigorous, college-level residential or commuter program for students ages 15-17 offering studio classes, workshops, and artist talks in art and design, with the option to earn up to three college credits and build a stronger portfolio.
📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Prepared & Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness
Students study CPR, first aid, and emergency/disaster preparedness.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Robotics Center, University of Maryland
PRIME-R — Pre-College Research Internships & Mentored Experience in Robotics
Students work 8–10+ hours per week in real UMD robotics laboratories with faculty and graduate researchers on AI, autonomous vehicles, drones, medical robotics, computer vision, and related projects. Program cost is $5,000.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Psychological Profiling
Students explore psychological profiling in an online pre-college setting.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Psychopathology and Its Development
Students examine psychopathology and how psychological disorders develop.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Quantum Bridge
High-school students receive an introduction to quantum science and technology.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP)
Baltimore City juniors and seniors enter a two-year biomedical research pathway with a five-week first summer, school-year research rotations, and an applied research experience the following summer. Summer participation can be paid through YouthWorks, with additional research-rotation compensation up to $500.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Morgan State University School of Architecture and Planning
SA+P Design Summer Camp
A free day camp introducing rising 4th-12th grade BIPOC students to architecture, design, and planning through hands-on projects including sketching, Building Information Modeling, virtual reality, TinkerCAD, and 3D printing.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
SAT Preparation
Summer course providing structured preparation for the SAT.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland (Ed Snider Center)
SELF: CEO of ME (Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows)
A summer program where high schoolers become the 'CEO of ME, Inc.,' learning entrepreneurship, leadership, economics, strategy, and personal finance while building a venture pitch, with in-person commuter, residential, and fully online options.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Loyola University Maryland
Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy
Rising juniors and seniors spend five residential days studying business strategy, ethical leadership, social responsibility, teamwork, and mission-driven enterprise.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Senatorial Scholarship
Maryland students apply through their State Senator for awards ranging from $400 to $14,086 for 2026–27.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland
Shirley Povich Sports Journalism Summer Camp
A weeklong July camp at Knight Hall for students entering grades 9-12 offering hands-on instruction from sports media professionals in sports writing, broadcasting, video production, and analytics.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
St. Mary's College of Maryland
SMCM Summer Space Camp
High-school students from St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles counties participate in a free STEM-focused space camp led by three SMCM professors. Lunch is provided.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Social Inequality and the Public's Health
Students examine relationships among inequality, social conditions, and population health.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Solar Powered: How to Harness the Power of the Sun
Students investigate solar power and renewable-energy technology.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland Robotics Center
SPARC Certificate Program
Students complete a three-week robotics certificate in areas previously including autonomous vehicles, drones, 3D nanoprinting, additive manufacturing, and medical or bio-inspired robotics. The 2026 fee was $5,000.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Sports Broadcasting
Students explore sports broadcasting and sports-media production.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
State of Maryland Speech and Debate Association (NSDA affiliate)
State of Maryland Speech and Debate Association
Maryland's official National Speech & Debate Association affiliate, coordinating interleague speech and debate tournaments statewide and an end-of-season interleague competition open to all Maryland, DC, and Delaware students and schools.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Stock Market: Financial Literacy
High-school course focused on financial literacy and stock-market concepts.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services
Student Page Program
A non-partisan program placing high school seniors as pages in the Maryland General Assembly during the legislative session, keeping bill books current, distributing floor materials, and assisting members and visitors.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Morgan State University
Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS)
A rigorous, primarily virtual (with one on-campus week) enrichment academy for rising 11th/12th graders in mathematics, actuarial science, and computer science, including college-level coursework, Excel training, professional development, and field trips.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
The Backlot: Film School and Studio
Summer Camps: Filmmaking & Creator/YouTube
In-person film production camps for ages 13-18 where students write a screenplay, shoot with professional cameras, lighting, and sound equipment, and edit using Adobe Creative Suite, or develop their own YouTube/content-creator projects, each culminating in a premiere screening.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Juniors and seniors living within 50 miles of NIST Gaithersburg spend seven weeks conducting research alongside NIST scientists and engineers. The internship is unpaid; 2027 applications are expected to open in mid-October 2026.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
J. Craig Venter Institute
Summer Internship Program
Rising high school students conduct an in-depth, structured 8-week research experience in genomic medicine, synthetic biology, infectious disease, or bioinformatics under faculty mentorship at JCVI's Rockville campus, culminating in a judged poster presentation.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Maryland Writing Project / Towson University
Summer Writers Camp (Maryland Writing Project)
A week-long in-person creative writing camp for grades 8-12 with icebreakers, writing-strategy instruction, dedicated writing time, and one-on-one conferences with experienced writing teachers.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maryland State Department of Education / Towson University
Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM)
A statewide Career and Technical Education pathway starting in 10th grade where students take a four-course sequence culminating in an Education Academy Internship, gaining classroom observation and lesson-planning experience.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship
High-school seniors planning to enter an approved teacher-certification program can receive major tuition, fees, and room-and-board support in exchange for a Maryland teaching service obligation.
🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Walters Art Museum
Teen Lab
Free teen-focused workshop series offering hands-on art experiences; the fall 2026 series includes multi-session printmaking and pattern-design work.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Walters Art Museum
Teen Takeover: Spirit Realm
WAMTAC teens take over the museum with teen-designed art activities, games, interpretation, and programming inspired by the museum collection. The 2026 event is free.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
The Era of Quantum Science & Technology
Students examine modern quantum science and emerging quantum technologies.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
The Handbook to Cybersecurity Challenges in AI
Students examine cybersecurity challenges associated with artificial intelligence.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
The Japanese Cultural Experience
Students explore Japanese culture in a structured summer enrichment course.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
The Power Within: Recharge Your Future with Battery Tech
Students explore battery technology and energy-related science and engineering.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
The SingerStudio: Learning How to Sing Better and Why!
Students study vocal performance and the principles behind effective singing.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Tributary & Bay Ecosystems Exploration
Students canoe, boat, hike, examine water quality and Bay ecosystems, and learn environmental advocacy during a five-day overnight expedition beginning and ending in Annapolis.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Towson University / Baltimore County Public Schools
TU-BCPS Model United Nations
A free Model UN partnership between Towson University and Baltimore County Public Schools featuring a training day and an annual conference on Towson's campus, connecting students with professors and college mentors.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society
U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad - Maryland Section
A two-stage chemistry competition (local exam then national exam) for Maryland high school students, with top national performers invited to a residential Chemistry Study Camp to prepare for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Maryland, Baltimore
UMB CURE Scholars Program
A year-round pipeline program for 6th-10th graders from West Baltimore offering after-school, Saturday academy, and summer enrichment in biomedical research and public health, with high schoolers completing paid summer internships through Baltimore City's summer employment program.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
UMBC at Shady Grove
Unlock the World of Bioterrorism and Bio-Warfare
Students explore biological threats and topics related to bioterrorism and biological warfare.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
USA Brain Bee / International Brain Bee
USA Brain Bee
A neuroscience competition for teens ages 13-19 that begins with local chapter bees and advances winners to regional and national championships testing knowledge of brain science.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Walters Art Museum
Walters Art Museum Teen Advisory Council (WAMTAC)
Teens receive paid professional museum experience, collaborate with museum staff, advise on projects, and design programming for other teens.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL)
Washington Urban Debate League
The only organization offering competitive policy debate to DC public and charter school students, with a focus on Title I schools, running after-school debate, travel teams, tournaments, and a summer debate institute.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Mathematician?
Students tackle mathematics through a themed summer enrichment course.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Maryland
WIE Aspire! Explore Engineering
Rising ninth and tenth graders explore UMD's engineering disciplines through hands-on projects, laboratory tours, and conversations with faculty and students. The 2026 commuter program cost $650; 2027 information arrives in January.
🎓 Grades 9–10
Moderate
University of Maryland
WIE Change the World!
Rising juniors and seniors explore multiple engineering fields through hands-on design activities, campus facilities, and interaction with Maryland Engineering faculty and students.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
University of Maryland
WIE RISE! An Introduction to Engineering Research
Rising grades 9–12 virtually explore eight engineering disciplines, research laboratories, scientific papers, and home-friendly experiments. The 2026 fee was $25 and 2027 applications open in January.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Naptown Philharmonic
Young Artists Concerto Competition
A competition for Maryland resident high schoolers (grades 9-12, under 19) who perform a memorized concerto movement in piano, strings, or brass/winds/percussion categories, with winners performing as soloists at the orchestra's season finale.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Young Founders Lab (YOFO)
Young Founders Lab
A Maryland nonprofit's fully virtual accelerator for middle and high schoolers covering venture building, financial literacy, AI coding and digital prototyping, and pitch coaching, culminating in a Demo Day.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Washington College, Rose O'Neill Literary House
Young Writers' Studio
A one-day creative writing program for high schoolers featuring generative workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, a literature seminar with English faculty, and a celebratory open mic; successor to the Cherry Tree Young Writers' Conference while it is on construction hiatus.
📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Howard County Conservancy
Youth Climate Institute
A climate education and civic action program for 10th and 11th graders providing foundational climate science training and certifying students as climate ambassadors through a capstone community action project.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
National Aquarium
Youth Exhibit Guide Program
Students who have completed ninth grade train intensively and then serve two four-hour aquarium shifts per week for six weeks, interpreting exhibits and engaging visitors about marine biology and conservation.
🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Maryland Zoo
Zoo Teen Volunteer Program
Teens ages 14–17 complete a week of training and then volunteer at least four shifts monthly for one year, beginning as Zoo Guides and later accessing conservation, research, and education opportunities.
🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Maryland students

University of Pennsylvania
Academic English & University Readiness Academy
Two-week residential academy at Penn for non-native English speakers. Students do university-style work: reading, lectures, discussions, research and group projects, ending in a final presentation. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 26 - August 8, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)
AFSA National High School Essay Contest
An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.
📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
AI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
AI4ALL
AI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
AIME
Invitational round for top AMC scorers. 15-question, 3-hour exam that gates the USAMO. No fee for invited students.
⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Amazon
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Mathematical Association of America
AMC 10/12
The entry-level American Mathematics Competition. Top scorers qualify for AIME and the path to the USAMO. Open to all US high schoolers; school registration required.
⏱ 75 minutes📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
ACSL
American Computer Science League (ACSL)
A multi-division computer science competition covering both theory and programming.
⏱ School year📅 November 30🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Online Seminar
Two-week online seminar (daily Zoom sessions) teaching basic ASL conversation and narrative skills in an immersion setting, plus Deaf community perspectives through vlogs, lectures and a panel of Deaf professionals. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 13 - 24, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Apple Inc.
Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
⏱ 1 month📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Berklee College of Music
Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
The world's premier summer performance program for contemporary music, including jazz, rock, and pop.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
Astronomical Techniques Research Academy
Two-week residential academy at Penn. Students learn observational astronomy and data analysis, build simple cameras and spectrometers, observe the Sun and stars, and analyze data with Python. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
⏱ 2 weeks (July 11 - 25, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
NCWIT
Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bard College at Simon's Rock
Bard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
MIT Lincoln Lab
Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
ELASH / Bebras US
Bebras Computing Challenge (US)
An international computational thinking and informatics competition. Students can take the test remotely or through a local school coordinator.
⏱ 45 minutes📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

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