§ UT

Research programs in Utah.

91 local programs run in Utah, 53 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.

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Local to Utah

The American Legion Department of Utah
American Legion Oratorical Contest (Utah)
A constitutional speech competition for high school students under age 20, progressing from post to district to state finals. Utah winners receive up to $1,500 and can advance to national scholarships of up to $25,000.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Amplify Utah (with The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah College Media Alliance and partners)
Amplify Utah High School Newsroom
A statewide initiative building a pipeline for high school journalism, publishing student commentary and stories through media partners including The Salt Lake Tribune. Students submit stories and images by email and are credited when partners republish them.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UT Health San Antonio Office of Recruitment and Science Outreach
BEAT Academy (UT Health San Antonio)
A one-week in-person academy for up to 20 high school students exploring medical and biomedical research, with anatomy lab visits, simulated patient interactions, biomolecular experiments, and college preparation sessions. Topics include anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, aging, and neurodegeneration.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Utah John R. Park Debate Society
Beehive Bonanza High School Debate Tournament
An annual high school tournament on the University of Utah campus featuring Student Congress, policy, Lincoln-Douglas and public forum debate, and eight individual speech events.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah State University Center for Integrated Biosystems
Biotechnology Summer Academy
An intensive five-day internship in which high school students complete a biotechnology-related project with USU faculty mentors, lab training, workshops, and field trips. Topics range from plant and soil sciences to genomics and cloning.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
BYU Youth Programs
BYU Cyber Camp
Week-long cybersecurity camp for ages 13-18 covering AI, machine learning, game design, ethical hacking and capture-the-flag challenges, with no prior computing experience required. The 2026 session ran July 6-10 on the BYU campus.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 8–12
Moderate
BYU David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
BYU Model United Nations (BYUMUN) High School Conference
A high school Model United Nations learning conference at BYU focused on developing writing, research and interpersonal skills. Country assignments are given on a first-come, first-served basis and new schools and delegates are welcome.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
BYU Continuing Education
BYU Musicians' SummerFestival
A six-day summer camp on BYU's Provo campus for ages 14-18, with instruction on over 20 instruments plus voice and genres from classical to jazz to blues. Participants work with BYU School of Music faculty at intermediate and advanced levels.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
BYU Youth Programs / Plant and Wildlife Sciences
BYU Range & Wildlife Camp
Five-day residential camp for teens exploring natural resource management, wildlife habitat restoration, livestock management and fire ecology, with a look at conservation careers. The 2026 session ran July 13-18 at Camp Maple Dell in Payson Canyon.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 8–12
Moderate
Brigham Young University Youth Programs
BYU STEM Camp
A five-day immersive camp where students work with BYU professors and STEM students in industry-grade facilities, with workshops in areas such as engineering and biology and a closing competition called STEM Wars.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
BYU Continuing Education
BYU Young Authors Academy
An immersive residential summer writing camp for ages 14-18 with small-group writing courses and time with local and nationally recognized authors. Participants stay in on-campus housing.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
Cancer Research High School Program
A two-week virtual experience with live online laboratory instruction using an at-home lab kit, followed by career-exploration workshops and panels with research and medical professionals. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
Westminster University Honors College
Civility Scholars High School Essay Contest
Non-partisan 600-word essay contest for Utah high school students on civil discourse in public life. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize and finalists earn a $1,000 scholarship to Westminster University.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Clark Planetarium (Salt Lake County)
Clark Planetarium Youth Volunteer Program
Volunteer program for 16- and 17-year-olds who help with guest engagement, exhibit interpretation, STEAM demonstrations, public star parties and data collection. Requires a 4-hour-per-week commitment for a year, a 2-hour orientation and a $15 background check (fee waivers available).
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Educators Rising Utah (Utah CTSO)
Educators Rising Utah State Conference
Annual state competition where Utah high school students in the K-12 Teaching as a Profession pathway compete in about 20 scenario-based events such as lesson planning and delivery, children's literature and job interview. Top performers can advance to the national conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Valley University
Empowered Professionals of Tomorrow
A tuition-free seven-week early-college program with tracks for Scientists (biotechnology, geology), Engineers & Technologists (3D modeling, intro to engineering), Educators, and Business Leaders (business, entrepreneurial thinking). Includes mentorship and career exploration.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Utah State University College of Engineering
Engineering State (E-State)
An overnight camp for students entering their senior year of high school to explore engineering disciplines by solving an apocalyptic-world challenge covering shelter, clean food and water, and infrastructure. Participants stay in campus dorms.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Weber State University Center for Technology Outreach
Envisioneering Summer Bridge
A seven-week college experience providing two free engineering and technology college classes, hands-on activities, tutoring, mentoring, and industry field trips for high school students.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Utah State University Huntsman School of Business
HackUSU
USU's flagship 24-hour innovation challenge and coding competition where teams build solutions with mentor support and workshops, regardless of prior experience. High school students are welcome.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
HCI-RISE Virtual Summer Research Experience
A virtual summer program introducing high school students from rural Mountain West communities to cancer research and healthcare careers through interactive workshops, career panels, and small-group activities.
📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Utah Price College of Engineering
Hi-GEAR Camp
A four-day camp exposing students to biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, materials, and mechanical engineering and computer science through hands-on projects, lab tours, and guest speakers.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Utah John and Marcia Price College of Engineering
High School Summer Research Internship (Price College of Engineering)
An 8-week, 30-hours-per-week lab internship where high school students are matched with a faculty lab, work on a research project, and present a poster at a closing symposium. Free to participate; open to students who will be seniors the following year.
📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Intermountain Health
IHealth Summer Program
Interactive experiences that let high school students explore health care careers through hands-on learning and observation. Students are invited through their school counselor or CTE coordinator.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Utah Department of Pathology, Medical Laboratory Sciences
Medical Laboratory Science Summer Immersion Program
A one-week summer immersion for high school students ages 16-18 with hands-on lab work in hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood banking and parasitology, plus microscopy and pipetting training and a tour of ARUP Laboratories. The 2027 session runs June 28-July 2 at the Eccles Health Science Education Building.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Utah Department of Linguistics
NACLO Open Round (University of Utah Site)
Free three-hour North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition in which high school students solve linguistics puzzles drawn from many languages, with no prior linguistics knowledge required. Top scorers advance to an invitational round that selects the U.S. team for the International Linguistics Olympiad.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah Division of State History
National History Day in Utah
Students research a historical topic tied to an annual theme and present it as an exhibit, documentary, performance, paper or website at local tournaments and a state contest. Top projects advance to the national contest in Washington, D.C.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Utah NeuroRobotics Lab
NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Program
A custom two-month summer research experience where high school students train alongside biomedical engineers, computer scientists, and neuroscientists. Past trainees have built exoskeletons and VR systems and presented at international conferences.
📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA)
OUT LOUD Teen Art Workshop Series
Free 12-week workshop series for current high school students, led by visiting artists, to explore new art mediums and develop an artistic voice. The program culminates in a museum exhibition of participants' work.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
PathMaker Scholars
A 10-week residential summer research experience with laboratory training and an individual cancer research project under faculty mentorship. Targets rural and frontier students of the Mountain West.
📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Poetry Ourselves Utah Original Poetry Competition
An original writing competition where grade 9-12 Utah students submit one or two original poems (or up to ten haiku) in English or Spanish. Students register and submit directly.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Poetry Out Loud Utah
A poetry recitation competition where grade 9-12 students memorize and perform three published poems, advancing from school to regional to state finals. The state champion competes at the national finals in Washington, D.C. for a $20,000 grand prize.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Salt Lake Community College Crossroads Center
Pre-Health Summer Program
A six-week program introducing Salt Lake County high school students to healthcare careers through college-prep courses, facility tours, simulator experience, and daily professional presentations.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Teen Summer Internship (DHHS)
An 8-week paid summer internship for teens with lived experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, youth services, disability services, or substance use and mental health. Positions include public health services and communicable disease surveillance.
📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Salt Lake County Mayor's Office
Salt Lake County Youth Government
A program for Salt Lake County middle and high school students to learn how government works and build leadership, advocacy and service skills, structured like the official county government. Students can run for elected offices or take non-elected roles and meet elected officials.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SLC Brain Bee Committee, University of Utah
SLC Brain Bee
Annual neuroscience competition free to Utah high school students, with neuroanatomy and neurological disease questions, Brain Awareness Week modules, a graduate student panel and laboratory tours at the University of Utah Health Sciences campus. The 2026 event was March 21.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah State University Center for the School of the Future
Slopes Hackathon
A free 12-hour coding competition where high school students form teams of up to four and build a working project from scratch with mentoring from USU faculty, students, and industry professionals.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Spy Hop Productions
Spy Hop Apprenticeship
A 2-4 month paid apprenticeship where teens work on real projects for real clients in film, audio, music or design while building a portfolio and earning a stipend.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Spy Hop Productions
Spy Hop In-House Media Arts Programs
Free hands-on film, audio, music and design programs for youth ages 12-25 at the Kahlert Media Arts Center in Salt Lake City, ranging from drop-in classes to year-long capstone projects. Students get free gear checkout, Adobe Creative Suite access and UTA transit passes.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
StoryCon
StoryCon 2027 (Teen Track)
Two-day writing and storytelling convention with a dedicated teen track on February 5-6, 2027, plus masterclasses, agent and editor sessions, and writing contests with nationally known authors as keynote speakers.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUU)
SUMA ARTventures Teen Art Camp
Four-day teen art camp exploring connections between art and the natural world through alternative photography, plein-air painting, printmaking, and collage. All supplies are included.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 8–12
Moderate
University of Utah Department of Chemistry
Summer Chemistry Program
A summer chemistry program for high school students who have finished their sophomore or junior year and at least one year of chemistry. Participants earn eight hours of transferable University of Utah credit that satisfies the physical and life sciences general education requirement.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
University of Utah Department of Mathematics
Summer Mathematics Program for High School Students
A three-week, non-residential program introducing motivated high school students to mathematical biology through collaborative problem solving with faculty and peer mentors. Participants earn three university credits in mathematics.
📅 May🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
Sundance Institute / George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
Sundance Film Festival Student Screening Program
Free screenings of specially curated festival films for Utah secondary students, with content advisories and Q&A sessions with filmmakers. Screenings are offered online and at festival venues in Salt Lake City.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Southern Utah University Department of Music
SUU High School Honor Band Festival
Audition-based two-day honor band for high school wind and percussion players, with rehearsals under SUU's Director of Bands and a final concert at the Heritage Center Theater. Participants receive two college elective credits.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Southern Utah University Department of Music
SUU High School Honor Choir Festival
Audition-based two-day honor choir for high school singers, rehearsing outstanding choral literature under SUU's choral director and performing in a final concert in Cedar City.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah System of Higher Education
T.H. Bell Education Scholarship
State scholarship for recent high school graduates and adult students who enroll in an approved teacher education (or speech-language pathology) program and commit to teaching in a Utah public school. Awards are available for up to four consecutive years, with priority for first-generation students and those planning to teach in high-need areas.
📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Utah Emma Eccles Jones College of Education
Teach for Utah Scholarship
A scholarship and mentoring program preparing future secondary STEM teachers; high school students with university or AP credit may apply as early as junior or senior year. Offers early mentoring, peer support, and customized coursework.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Natural History Museum of Utah
Teen Explainers Program
A paid high school internship where teens learn to engage museum guests in interactive science learning and build communication and professional skills. Offered as an October-April school-year cohort and a June-August summer cohort.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Salt Lake City Public Library (The City Library)
Teen Squad (Salt Lake City Public Library)
Six-week program for students in grades 7-12 who work with a librarian to set goals and develop a project, earning volunteer hours and job skills.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Utah Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge
A statewide business-idea competition for Utah high school students with an online application, top-20 selection, finalist video submissions, public online voting, and an in-person final.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary Volunteer Program (Ages 15+)
Ongoing volunteer positions at Salt Lake City's Tracy Aviary for people 15 and older, with hands-on work in aviary programs, conservation and grounds. Volunteers earn a free annual family membership after 20 hours.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Utah
U of U ACCESS Program
Year-long STEM research program for women entering the U of U from Utah high schools.
⏱ Summer + school year📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Utah Department of Mathematics
U of U Math Circle
A weekly fall-semester math circle where high school students work with professors and graduate students on puzzles and problems beyond the typical classroom curriculum. Designed to extend mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah High School Activities Association
UHSAA Speech and Debate State Championships
School-based speech and debate competition sanctioned by UHSAA, with separate state championships by school classification featuring events such as oratory, extemp and interpretation as well as debate formats.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Utah Office of Admissions
University of Utah High School University Program (HSUP)
An early college program letting Utah high school sophomores through seniors take 1000-2000 level University of Utah courses for college credit at $5 per credit hour plus class fees. Eligible students may take up to 9 credits per semester.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Utah
University of Utah Science & Engineering Fair (USEF)
Regional science fair on March 8-12, 2027 for students in grades 5-12 from the Salt Lake, Tooele, Granite, Park City, Canyons and Murray school districts, with a Senior Division for grades 9-12. Students must first win at their school or district fair, and Senior Division winners advance toward the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah System of Higher Education (Talent Ready Utah) with aerospace employers
Utah Aerospace Pathway
Career pathway for high school juniors and seniors that combines Manufacturing Principles 1 and Composites 1 coursework with an externship at partner employers such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Completers earn a certificate and a guaranteed job interview with participating employers.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Utah Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
Utah AHEC Virtual Job Shadowing
Virtual job-shadowing experiences that let high school and college students learn from Utah healthcare providers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy and pharmacy. Participants hear about daily practice, lifestyle and board certification, and earn a certificate on completion.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Springville Museum of Art
Utah All-State High School Art Show
A juried statewide exhibition of the best high school artwork in Utah, with each student allowed up to two pieces submitted through their school art department. Awards include cash prizes, a Utah State Senate Visual Arts Award and selection for a statewide traveling show.
📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Utah Attorney General's Office
Utah Attorney General's Student Advisory Council
A council of 53 junior and senior high school students who meet monthly, alternating virtual and in-person sessions at the Utah State Capitol, for seminars with legislators, prosecutors and policy experts. Members discuss issues like online safety and youth crime and can track legislation in real time during the session.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
American Legion Department of Utah
Utah Boys State
A week-long civics program where high school boys run a simulated functioning government at the city, county and state levels, with mentorship from veterans, educators and public servants. The program is run in partnership with Weber State University's Political Science Department.
📅 April🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Utah DECA
Utah DECA State Career Development Conference
Utah's state competition for DECA chapters, with role-play events, written presentations, and online tests in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Top performers advance to the International Career Development Conference.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah State University Extension 4-H
Utah Envirothon
Two-day outdoor natural resources competition for teams of five high school students (grades 9-12, ages 14-19) with stations in forestry, aquatic ecology, wildlife, soils and land use, and a current issue. Winners qualify for national contests, with sponsors covering travel.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah FBLA
Utah FBLA State Leadership Conference
Utah FBLA's annual state conference where high school chapter members compete in business events such as Business Ethics, Business Communication, Business Law, and Business Management.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah FCCLA
Utah FCCLA State Leadership Conference
Utah FCCLA's culminating state conference after five regional conferences, featuring competitive events, leadership development, and career exploration for Family and Consumer Sciences students.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah FFA Association
Utah FFA State Convention
An annual convention where FFA members participate in general sessions, competitive events, agricultural tours, volunteer service projects, and leadership workshops.
📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
American Legion Auxiliary Department of Utah
Utah Girls State
An intensive civic leadership program in which young women who have completed their junior year run for office, draft legislation and practice public speaking. Attendees can earn three transferable university credits in Political Science.
📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Southern Utah University / State of Utah
Utah Governor's Honors Academy (GHA) - STEM Focus
A 4-week math/science/engineering program for high-achieving Utah high school students hosted at Southern Utah University.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Utah State University Extension Sustainability
Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest
Statewide contest where high school students learn about Utah's winter inversion air pollution and create public service announcements using social marketing techniques. Schools pick winners by mid-January and state winners share more than $6,000 in prizes at a February event in Logan.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah College Media Alliance (with Utah Press Association, Utah Education Network, Amplify Utah)
Utah High School Future of Journalism Awards
Statewide awards recognizing excellent journalism by Utah high school students in writing, photo/multimedia, and video/broadcast, judged by college journalists, journalism professors, and professionals. Includes Coverage Cup and High School Journalist of the Year honors.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Independent Education Program
Utah High School Model United Nations (UHSMUN)
High school Model UN conferences where student delegates immerse themselves in global diplomacy and debate across six committees on topics such as disarmament, climate and women's rights. Held at Utah Valley University in winter and the University of Utah in spring.
📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah State University Extension Youth Programs (U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl)
Utah High School Regional Science Bowl
Team quiz-bowl style science competition for Utah high school students, hosted on January 23, 2027 at Entheos Academy in Kearns, with up to 20 teams and no more than 3 teams per school. Winners can advance toward the National Science Bowl; there is no registration fee.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah HOSA-Future Health Professionals
Utah HOSA State Leadership Conference
Annual state conference with over 100 events including health science challenges, team competitions, presentations, and practical exams; winners advance to the HOSA International Leadership Conference.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Law Related Education
Utah Mock Trial Competition
Students act as attorneys, witnesses and bailiffs in simulated trials using real legal cases adapted for youth, coached by volunteer attorneys. High school state champions advance to the national mock trial competition.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah System of Higher Education
Utah Opportunity Scholarship
Statewide achievement-based scholarship for Utah high school graduates with a 3.3+ GPA and 3 advanced courses (AP, IB or concurrent enrollment) in math, science and language arts. Class of 2026 awards were up to $800 per semester for four semesters; the Class of 2027 application opens January 4, 2027.
📅 March🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Utah Department of Physics & Astronomy
Utah Physics Circle
An extracurricular group where high school students work with University of Utah faculty and students on physics discussion, problem solving and demonstrations, including preparation for the F=ma physics olympiad. The Fall 2026-Spring 2027 series begins September 30, with later dates to be set (likely monthly).
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Utah Shakespeare Festival
Utah Shakespeare Festival Actor Training
A week-long residential pre-college intensive for high school students ages 15-17 where participants train with professional Festival actors in acting and theatre workshops. Tuition includes tickets to seven Festival plays.
📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Utah Shakespeare Festival / Southern Utah University
Utah Shakespeare Festival Shakespeare Competition
Scholastic Shakespeare competition in Cedar City covering acting, dance, music, and technical theatre, with workshops, professional evaluations, and scholarships to SUU and Festival summer classes. Students in grades 10-12 can also earn one SUU university credit.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
SkillsUSA Utah
Utah SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference
Utah's showcase of technical skill, leadership, and career readiness with industry-judged contests across more than 80 trade, technical, and leadership areas for middle school, high school, and postsecondary students.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Chess Association
Utah State High School Chess Championship
The state-level championship tournament for Utah high school chess players, organized by the Utah Chess Association with online registration.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Symphony
Utah Symphony Salute to Youth Concerto Competition
A concerto competition for Utah's young musicians in piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp, voice and small ensemble, with up to two winners per age division performing as soloists with the Utah Symphony.
📅 July🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Utah Office of State Treasurer
Utah Treasurer's Investment Challenge
A free, statewide 10-week stock market simulation in which teacher-led teams of 3-5 students manage a virtual portfolio using real market data. Top teams in the high school division receive recognition and prizes including college savings certificates.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah Technology Student Association
Utah TSA High School State Conference
State conference for Technology Student Association members with more than 65 STEM competitions, including engineering design, coding, robotics and technical communication. The high school conference is March 16, 2027 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
VFW Department of Utah
VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program (Utah)
An audio-essay scholarship contest for grade 9-12 students on a patriotic theme, entered through a local VFW post. State winners receive at least a $1,000 scholarship and national winners up to $35,000.
📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Utah Law Related Education / Utah Valley University Center for Constitutional Studies
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (Utah)
Students prepare for and present a mock constitutional hearing before judges, building writing, collaboration and public speaking skills. The state winner advances to the national finals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Weber State University Entrepreneurship
Weber State High School Jump Start Competition
Business idea competition open to all Utah high school students (grades 9-12), individually or in teams, entered by registration form and short video. 2026 prizes were $5,000 for first place, $1,300 for places 2-6 and $500 for every finalist.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Weber State University
Weberbiz Free Summer Camp
A free business-education camp for ages 15-18 with hands-on classes taught by Weber State faculty and business professionals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Welch Foundation
Welch Summer Scholar Program
A five-week summer residency where Texas high school sophomores and juniors conduct real chemistry research under experienced research chemists at UT Austin, UT Arlington, UT Dallas, University of Houston, or Texas Tech. Selection is competitive and based on academics and recommendations.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
Weber State University
WSU Medical Academy
An overnight summer program helping high school juniors and seniors decide whether a healthcare career is right for them through faculty-led discussions, hands-on lab activities, and meetings with healthcare professionals.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Salt Lake City Youth & Family Division (YouthCity)
YouthCity City Department Internships
Eight-week paid internships placing teens ages 16-18 in Salt Lake City departments, part of the YouthCity Teen Internship Program that also offers unpaid government and child development internships.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Zoo Corps Teen Volunteers
A teen volunteer program where participants share animal and habitat information with zoo visitors while learning about animal care, conservation, and zoo careers.
📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective

Nationwide programs open to Utah 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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