§ SC

Research programs in South Carolina.

187 local programs run in South Carolina, 42 of them free or paid, and 1 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 210 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.

Filter the Finder by SC →Suggest a South Carolina program →

Local to South Carolina

SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Accelerate
Three-year live-virtual engineering dual-enrollment program with calculus, physics and engineering coursework plus hands-on summer experiences. Up to 33 college credits.
🎓 Grades 9, 10, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Advanced SNAP 2.0
Advanced Clemson nursing pre-college track, requires completion of base SNAP program.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
Advanced VEX Robotics
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series advanced robotics session, Jul. 12-17.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Adventures in Pharmacy
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Architecture & Landscape Architecture
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Anderson University
Art & Design Summer Institute
Hands-on studio art/design experience.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Audio Engineering & Music Production
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 10, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Ballet Intensive — Summer
Summer ballet intensive.
🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Furman University
Band & Orchestra Camp
Residential instrumental-music program.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Basecamp Clemson
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track in outdoor leadership/recreation.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Benedict College
Benedict College Upward Bound
Academic-year and six-week residential college-preparation program for eligible students from partner districts.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Selective
Clemson University
Biotechnology & Public Health
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 10, 12
Moderate
Furman University
Bridges to a Brighter Future
Multi-year college-access program beginning with Greenville County freshmen.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Business Entrepreneurship — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track; rising 9th eligible.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Claflin University
Call Me MiSTER
Teacher-development pathway for graduating male students entering education, with mentoring and tuition assistance ($5,000-$10,000/year).
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina (successor site)
Carolina Journalism Institute
Residential journalism/reporting/media experience; USC's own sc.edu page for this program is now dead, this successor site is the live source.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
University of South Carolina Continuing Education
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series
Week-long academic summer 'adventures' at USC Columbia for academically talented rising 6th-12th graders, covering topics from sports marketing to pharmacy and nursing, with residential or commuter options.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina (successor site)
Carolina Sports Journalism Institute
Sports reporting, media and communications track within the Carolina Journalism Institute.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Coastal Carolina University INBRE / SCoRE Program
CCU HCHEC Sponsored Research (SCoRE High School Track)
A paid summer research program placing Horry County high school students in Coastal Carolina University labs, where each student works alongside a faculty mentor and an undergraduate researcher; past participants have published work and presented at conferences.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
Chemical Engineering Camp
Hands-on batteries, polymers, clean energy, modeling and chemical-process engineering.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
The Citadel
Citadel Cyber Summer Immersion Program (C2SI)
A summer cybersecurity immersion program for high school students at The Citadel in Charleston, introducing participants to cyber operations and security concepts through hands-on training.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Claflin University
Claflin University Upward Bound
Free TRIO academic/college-access programming for qualifying Orangeburg/Calhoun-area students.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Highly Selective
Clemson University
Clemson CAFLS Summer Program (SPECTRA)
A residential program for diverse students to explore agriculture and natural resource careers at Clemson.
⏱ 1 week📅 April 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Clemson University
Clemson Dual Enrollment / Nondegree Enrollment
Academically qualified high-school students may enroll in preapproved Clemson courses before graduation.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson University
Clemson National Scholars Program
Competitive merit scholarship covering tuition, fees and required educational expenses plus enrichment opportunities.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Coastal Carolina University / NSF
Coastal Carolina High School SURF Pathway
Newly funded NSF expansion places four local high-school students each summer into CCU's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ecosystem.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson University
Construction Science & Management
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Creative Writing — Residential High School
Two-year residential arts high school, creative writing discipline.
🎓 Grade 10
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Creative Writing — Summer
Summer creative-writing arts program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Criminology
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
CSI: Forensic Science
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Culinary Arts — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track; rising 9th eligible.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Dance — Residential High School
Two-year residential arts high school, dance discipline.
🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
Clemson University
Data Science Through Eye Tracking
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
MUSC
Discover MUSC
Immersive healthcare-career event introducing local high-school students to medical professions, facilities and pathways.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Drama — Residential High School
Two-year residential arts high school, drama discipline.
🎓 Grade 10
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Drama — Summer
Summer drama arts program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Coastal Carolina University
Each One Teach One Entrepreneurship Institute
Entrepreneurship, leadership and college preparation with ongoing high-school components and internship/scholar pathways.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Educational Talent Search — University of South Carolina
Free college/career guidance and academic support for participating Richland County middle/high-school students.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
Engineering — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Environmental Science — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Event Planning
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University + technical-college/school partners
Expressway to Tiger Town
Teacher-preparation pathway beginning with high-school dual credit and leading toward a Clemson education degree. Students may begin as early as grade 10.
🎓 Grades 10, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Film — Residential High School
Two-year residential arts high school, film discipline.
🎓 Grade 10
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Film — Summer
Summer film arts program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Clemson University
Finance Summer Immersion
Finance/economics intensive for advanced students who have completed calculus or statistics.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
FIRST South Carolina
FIRST Robotics Competition - South Carolina
The South Carolina chapter of the FIRST Robotics Competition, where high school teams design, build, and program industrial-sized robots to compete in an alliance-based field game, guided by professional mentors.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
FIRST South Carolina
FIRST Tech Challenge - South Carolina
A robotics competition for teams of up to 15 students in grades 7-12 who design, build, program, and operate robots in a head-to-head alliance format, with a lower cost of entry than the full-size FIRST Robotics Competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Forensic Science — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Future Innovators — Business
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
General Engineering
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Genetic Horizons
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
GoSciTech Residential
One-week STEM summer courses on the GSSM campus.
🎓 Grade 10
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Graphic Design & Content Creation
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
GSSM Residential High School
Two-year advanced STEM residential high school with intensive coursework and mentored research.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics / Clemson
GSSM Summer Program for Research Interns — SPRI
Six-week intensive mentored research placement between junior and senior year at university and industry research sites.
🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
The American Legion, Department of South Carolina
H.W. Dare Maness High School Oratorical Program
A constitutional speech contest that develops high schoolers' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and public-speaking skills, progressing from local posts through semi-final and department-final rounds toward national scholarships.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Clemson University
Harry & Ina Durham High School Ethics Case Competition
Teams analyze and defend ethical positions before judges.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Aquarium
High School Intern Program
A paid internship for 11th graders in the Charleston area who complete Saturday training classes from January-April, then work alongside Aquarium educators and biologists through the summer and fall.
📅 October🎓 Grade 11
Selective
College of Charleston Honors College
Honors Pre-College Summer Institute
A non-residential summer institute on the downtown Charleston campus offering rising sophomores through seniors college-level seminar courses such as 'Exploring Charleston's Ecosystems' and 'Savor the Story: Food, Culture & Charleston,' combining classroom instruction with local field research.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Clemson University
Human Oncology & Pathogenesis
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Furman University
Innovation Academy
One-week entrepreneurship and innovation intensive for academically strong high-school sophomores/juniors.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Law & Crime
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track; rising 9th eligible.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Benedict College
Lawyers in Training
Legal-career, critical-thinking, reading, writing and public-speaking summer institute.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Leadership — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
SC Commission on Higher Education
LIFE Scholarship
$5,000/year for up to eight eligible terms; qualifying STEM students may receive enhancement after freshman year.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Marine Biology — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Marketing Communication
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
The Citadel, Department of Mathematics and Data Analytics
Math Research Experience for Lowcountry High School Students
A free, non-residential week-long camp where Lowcountry-area high school students and teachers work with Citadel faculty on open mathematical research problems drawn from MAA publications and The Fibonacci Quarterly.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
McLeod Health
McLeod Junior Volunteer Program
Eight-week structured summer hospital volunteer experience across McLeod facilities.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
Clemson University
Mechanical Engineering — Clemson Summer Scholars
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Medicine: Ultrasound
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Microbiology — Clemson Summer Scholars
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
MUSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND)
MIND Summer Experience Program
A summer program giving high school and college students hands-on experience in neuroscience research, faculty mentorship, and clinical shadowing at MUSC, intended to prepare the next generation of neuroscientists and healthcare professionals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Modern Dance Intensive — Summer
Summer modern dance intensive.
🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
MUSC Health
MUSC Candy Striper / Junior Volunteer Program
Structured hospital volunteering with healthcare exposure. Charleston's 2026 applications ran March 16-27 for two summer sessions.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Composition & Songwriting — Summer
Summer composition and songwriting program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Jazz — Summer
Summer jazz music program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Piano — Summer
Summer piano music program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Residential High School
Two-year residential arts high school, music discipline.
🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Strings/Chamber — Summer
Summer strings/chamber music program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Music — Voice — Summer
Summer vocal music program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Coastal Carolina University
National History Day — South Carolina
State contest feeding National History Day; students produce documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances or websites.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
American Legion, Department of North Dakota
North Dakota Boys State
A week-long immersive civic leadership academy where students who have just finished their junior year build and run a simulated state government, including mock legislature, courts, and elections.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
Nursing — USC Adventure Series
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Highly Selective
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Orchestra — Summer
Summer orchestra program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Clemson University
Packaging Science
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
American Legion Department of South Carolina
Palmetto Boys State
A week-long mock government and civic leadership program hosted at Anderson University where high school juniors run simulated elections and government, with specialized tracks in performing arts, criminal justice, and law.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
SC Commission on Higher Education
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Merit scholarship: $6,700 freshman year; up to $7,500 annually thereafter, with possible STEM enhancement.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
American Legion Auxiliary, Department of South Carolina
Palmetto Girls State
A one-week civic leadership and government-simulation program for high school junior girls, hosted at Presbyterian College, where delegates run mock political campaigns and elections and hear from government and civic leaders.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Partners for Mentoring in Engineering & Computer Science
Five-day technical workshop introducing advanced engineering/computing concepts.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson University / SC 4-H
Pinckney Leadership Conference
Leadership, college/career exploration and civic engagement for selected students.
🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Clemson University / 4-H
Pinckney Leadership Program
Broader youth leadership and civic-engagement programming (camp, conference, roundup).
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Pinckney Leadership Program (Clemson/4-H)
Pinckney Leadership Scholarship
$2,000/year, renewable through four years by reapplication, for eligible seniors who participated in Pinckney programming.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
SC Arts Commission / NEA
Poetry Out Loud — South Carolina
Students memorize and perform poetry through school and state contests with national advancement.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Selective
SC vocational rehabilitation partners
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Job exploration, work-based learning, counseling and workplace-readiness training.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC workforce/rehabilitation partners
Project SEARCH
Workplace immersion and transition program for eligible high-school students with disabilities.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
Southern Wesleyan University
Region I Science & Engineering Fair
Regional ISEF-pathway science-research competition.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Roper St. Francis Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Limited youth volunteer roles, with summer/daytime availability depending on facility.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
University of South Carolina
Sales
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson Extension
SC 4-H Ambassadors
Students represent South Carolina 4-H and develop statewide leadership/service experience.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson Extension / SC 4-H
SC 4-H Engineering Challenge
Coding, robotics, bridge building and rocketry competition.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Clemson Extension
SC 4-H Legislative Day
Students learn state government and interact with lawmakers at the State House.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC 4-H
SC 4-H Presentation Contest
Public speaking/research communication contest for 4-H youth.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson Extension
SC 4-H State Congress
Multi-day statewide leadership, education and networking conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson Extension
SC 4-H Teen Council
Statewide teen leadership/service organization.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Bar
SC Bar High School Mock Trial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship for graduating seniors involved in Mock Trial.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
South Carolina Bar
SC Bar We the People Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship for graduating seniors participating in qualifying civic education.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center
SC CHEER YES
Two-year cancer-research mentoring pipeline with summer laboratory projects, professional mentoring and college/career preparation for students at participating Charleston County high schools.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC Department of Education
SC CTE Work-Based Learning
Youth apprenticeships, co-ops, internships and employer-connected career experiences through school CTE programs.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Clemson University Cooperative Extension / National FFA Organization
SC FFA Association
The statewide student organization for agricultural education, offering 31 Career Development Events, leadership summits, and a state convention for students in agriculture-related coursework, spanning careers from biology to engineering.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Carolina FFA
SC FFA Career Development Events
Statewide agriculture competitions in animal science, plant science, mechanics, business and related fields.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina FFA
SC FFA Leadership Center High School Summer Camp
Three 2027 sessions of statewide FFA leadership camp.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina FFA
SC FFA Leadership Development Events
Competitive public speaking, leadership and communications events.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina FFA
SC FFA State Convention
Annual statewide leadership, awards and competition conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM)
SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics - Residential Program
A tuition-free, two-year public residential high school in Hartsville for current 10th graders with strong STEM records, offering advanced coursework, research opportunities, and a boarding-school experience for junior and senior year.
📅 February🎓 Grade 10
Selective
South Carolina Governor's School
SC Governor's School Summer Programs
Free arts and STEM intensives for top SC students.
⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
South Carolina Bar
SC High School Mock Trial
Students serve as attorneys and witnesses in regional and state courtroom competitions.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC Commission on Higher Education
SC HOPE Scholarship
Approximately $2,650-$2,800 for freshman year for eligible students not receiving LIFE or Palmetto Fellows.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
HOSA-Future Health Professionals (South Carolina)
SC HOSA
South Carolina's chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals gives health-science students competitive events, leadership development, scholarship opportunities, and conference/networking experiences aimed at future healthcare careers.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
South Carolina HOSA
SC HOSA Scholarships
Recent awards $500-$2,000; 2027 process forthcoming.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
SC Academy of Science
SC Junior Academy of Science Annual Meeting
Annual meeting where students present original research through papers, presentations and posters.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC Academy of Science
SC Junior Academy of Science Research Competition
Students conduct and present original research through written papers, oral presentations and posters at the annual academy meeting.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Odyssey of the Mind
SC Odyssey of the Mind
A volunteer-run creative problem-solving competition for teams spanning kindergarten through college, where students write skits, build props, and engineer solutions to long-term open-ended challenges for state competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SC Council on Economic Education
SC Personal Finance Challenge
Students solve personal-finance questions and cases with state/national advancement.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC Speech & Debate
SC Speech & Debate / NSDA District Tournament
District speech/debate tournament with online debate the preceding week.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina State University
SC State JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge
Week-long leadership/STEM experience for participating JROTC cadets. Nearly 300 students attended in 2026.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC Technical College System
SC Technical College System Dual Enrollment
16 technical colleges serving all 46 counties; high-school students earn transferable college credit with state aid reducing tuition.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC Junior Academy of Science
SCJAS Fall Research Workshop
Research-focused workshop for students and teachers covering scientific inquiry, projects and presentation preparation.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Victory Gardens International
Seed Crew
Six-to-eight-week youth workforce program centered on sustainable agriculture, food systems and community development.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Wofford College
Shared Worlds Writing Camp
A two-week residential science-fiction and fantasy writing camp at Wofford College for rising 8th-12th graders, where campers build an imaginary world with published genre authors and workshop their own fiction set in it.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
SkillsUSA South Carolina
SkillsUSA South Carolina Championships
Skilled Trades, Engineering, Technology championship.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Anderson University
Smart Systems & Automation with Arduino
Robotics, electronics and Arduino-based engineering.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
SNAP — Summer Academic Nursing Program
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Highly Selective
South Carolina BPA
South Carolina BPA Competitive Events
Business, Administration, Technology competitive events.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
DECA Inc. / South Carolina DECA
South Carolina DECA
The chartered state association for DECA, preparing students enrolled in business or marketing courses for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship through chapter activities and an Association Career Development Conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
South Carolina DECA
South Carolina DECA State Career Development Conference
Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality career-competition conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
SC Council on Economic Education
South Carolina Economics Challenge
Teams test economics knowledge through online qualifiers and a state championship.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
SC Envirothon
South Carolina Envirothon
Teams compete in soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and a current environmental issue with national advancement.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina FBLA
South Carolina FBLA State Leadership Conference
Business, Finance, Technology conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina FCCLA
South Carolina FCCLA State Leadership Conference
Culinary Arts, Education, Leadership conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Coastal Carolina University / National History Day
South Carolina History Day
The state affiliate of National History Day, where students in grades 6-12 research a historical topic and present it as a paper, exhibit, performance, documentary, or website, competing to advance to the national contest.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Carolina HOSA
South Carolina HOSA State Leadership Conference
Medicine, Public Health, Health Science conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Academy of Science / Furman University
South Carolina Junior Academy of Science (SCJAS) Annual Meeting
An annual statewide research conference where middle and high school students present original research across categories like biochemistry, environmental science, computer science, and psychology, alongside a day of hands-on STEM activities.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), in partnership with SCDNR and Ducks Unlimited
South Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Competition
A visual-arts and wildlife-conservation competition where South Carolina K-12 students, including a dedicated grades 10-12 category, create an original drawing or painting of a native duck, goose, or swan species to compete for Best of Show and advancement to the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
SC Science Olympiad
South Carolina Science Olympiad
Team competition across laboratory, engineering, biology, chemistry, earth science and physics events.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
South Carolina Science Olympiad
South Carolina Science Olympiad (Division C)
The high school division of the statewide Science Olympiad tournament, where teams of up to 15 students in grades 9-12 compete across dozens of STEM events, with the state champion advancing to Nationals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SkillsUSA South Carolina
South Carolina SkillsUSA
South Carolina's SkillsUSA supports CTE students preparing for trade, technical, and skilled-service careers through the State Leadership & Skills Conference, training certifications, scholarships, and state officer leadership positions.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program (CERRA)
South Carolina Teaching Fellows
Up to $6,000 per year for four years, including summer enrichment, in exchange for qualifying teaching service. Up to 200 high-school seniors selected annually.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina TSA
South Carolina TSA State Conference
Engineering, Robotics, Technology conference.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
DECA Inc. - South Dakota Chartered Association
South Dakota DECA
South Dakota's chapter of DECA, which prepares emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through classroom instruction and a competitive State Career Development Conference (SCDC).
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of South Carolina
Sports Medicine: Athletic Training
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series one-week pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Clemson University
Sports Statistics & Analytics
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Benedict College
Starfleet Tiger Academy Cybersecurity Camp
Three-week cybersecurity/technology program.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
College of Charleston
STEM 360 Pre-College Summer Program
A five-day STEM sampler for rising 10th-12th graders covering biology, marine biology, chemistry, environmental geosciences, engineering, and computer programming, with field visits to the Stono Preserve and Grice Marine Laboratory.
📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
USC Upstate
Summer Cyber Camp
CyberPatriot-style cybersecurity camp with hands-on technical exercises.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
MUSC / SC AHEC
Summer Health Careers Academy
Intensive health-care career exploration immediately after high-school graduation, held on MUSC's campus.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Wofford College
Summer Immersion Program in Health Sciences and Medicine
A residential summer program on Wofford's Spartanburg campus where middle and high school students ages 13-16 learn from healthcare professionals and faculty, take part in medical simulations, and experience college life.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–10
Highly Selective
Furman University
Summer Keyboard Institute
Intensive piano/keyboard experience.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH)
Summer Programs (Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Film, Music, Visual Arts)
Residential, arts-intensive summer programs in Greenville for students in grades 6-11 (7-11 for most disciplines) to study creative writing, dance, drama, film, music, or visual arts alongside professional artists.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
Clemson University
Summer Scholars
A residential summer academic program for gifted middle and high schoolers (rising 7th-12th graders, up to age 17) offering immersive hands-on courses such as Vet Camp, Environmental Engineering, Microbiology, and Crime Scene Investigation, taught by Clemson instructors.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
Summer Seniors
A four-day residential program for rising high school seniors who will be first-generation college students, covering college admissions, academic preparation, and student life at USC.
📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Charleston County Government
Summer Youth Internship Program
Six-week paid county-government placement providing real departmental work experience. The 2026 program ran June 12-July 23.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Take One Make One (TOMO)
An outdoor education and mentoring program that pairs first-time youth hunters with an experienced SCDNR-affiliated mentor for a safe, ethical introductory hunt, plus access to conservation camps and shooting-sports clinics.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
TEAM UP
Virtual engineering/STEM pathway extending GSSM instruction statewide.
🎓 Grades 9, 10, 12
Moderate
South Carolina Aquarium
Teen Conservation Crew
A hands-on conservation program for 9th and 10th graders in the Charleston area, involving dolphin population counts, artificial reef construction, horseshoe crab surveys, and flood monitoring during spring and fall semesters.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
MUSC
Teen Science Ambassador Program
Paid internship exposing high-school students to clinical research, developmental neuroscience, addiction science and professional development.
🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
The Charleston Museum
Teen Workshops
Reservation-based workshops for teens ages 13-17 at the Charleston Museum, pairing a lesson or guided tour on history, natural history, or STEAM topics with a hands-on activity or craft project.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Furman University
Top Mock
An advanced trial advocacy summer program at Furman for experienced high school mock trial competitors, run by Furman's collegiate Mock Trial team and culminating in a mock argument at the federal courthouse in Greenville.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
SC Department of Education / Hearst Foundations
U.S. Senate Youth Program — South Carolina
Two student leaders represent SC at Washington Week and receive scholarships.
🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
Upward Bound — University of South Carolina
Free academic support, tutoring, college preparation and a six-week residential summer component for TRIO-eligible Richland County students.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Highly Selective
University of South Carolina
USC Region II Science & Engineering Fair
ISEF-affiliated regional science-research competition.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
USC Sumter
USC Sumter Upward Bound
Free academic-year and residential summer college preparation serving students including Manning High School.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Selective
Clemson University
Vet Camp
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 10, 12
Moderate
University of South Carolina
VEX Robotics
Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series standard robotics session, Jun. 14-19; rising 9th eligible.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Clemson University
Virtual Reality & the Great Outdoors
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
Visual Arts — Summer
Summer visual arts program.
🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Clemson University
Vocal Institute
Clemson Summer Scholars one-week residential pre-college track.
🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
VFW Department of South Carolina
Voice of Democracy - South Carolina
An audio-essay scholarship competition for high school students who record a patriotic-themed essay responding to an annual prompt, submitted through a local VFW Post, with South Carolina's state winner advancing toward national scholarships up to $35,000.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Carolina Bar Law Related Education
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution - South Carolina
A civics competition in which South Carolina high school teams prepare and deliver simulated congressional-hearing testimony on constitutional issues before a panel of judges, with the state champion advancing to the national finals in Washington, D.C.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Winthrop University
Winthrop Dual Enrollment
Qualified high-school students complete university coursework for college/high-school credit.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
Winthrop University
Winthrop University Model United Nations Conference
A multi-day Model UN conference at Winthrop University where high school delegates from the Carolinas and Georgia debate global issues alongside college students in a United Nations simulation.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
SC Works
WIOA Youth
Employment, career training, case management and supportive services for eligible youth and young adults.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Wofford College
Wofford Bonner Scholars
Leadership/service scholarship program meeting demonstrated financial need.
🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
YMCA
YMCA Youth in Government — South Carolina
Students run a model state government, introduce/debate legislation and serve in elected roles.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
York Technical College
York Technical College Dual Enrollment
No tuition/fee charge for eligible 2026-27 students via Lottery Tuition Assistance, though books/materials can still cost money.
🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
ZooTeens Conservation Team
A year-round youth volunteer program for high schoolers age 14+ who assist with zoo camps and education events, take part in conservation projects and field studies, and build job-readiness and public-speaking skills.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to South Carolina 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

Showing 20 of 210. See all in the Finder →

Browse other states

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY INTL