National Summer Transportation Institute

The National Summer Transportation Institute at the University at Buffalo is a free summer camp for high school students entering grades 9 through 12 who are curious about careers in transportation. The 2026 session ran August 3 to 7 on UB's North Campus in Buffalo, New York. It is a scholarship program, and funding for the 2026 camp came from the New York State Department of Transportation, so students paid nothing to attend. Enrollment is limited to 30 students. Campers take part in discussions, hands-on design competitions, and field trips to transportation sites around Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Listed activities include a tour of the regional traffic operations center, a visit to Buffalo's international airport and its air control tower, a cruise on the Erie Canal in Lockport, and a demonstration of a self-driving shuttle. Students also work on projects about bridge design, railroad networks, and air transportation, and receive leadership, communication, and college admissions guidance.

Open to high school students entering grades 9-12. Admission does not depend on top grades or prior experience; the camp looks for enthusiasm for engineering and STEM. Minority and underrepresented students are especially encouraged to apply. Apply through the online application form. The camp page listed an application deadline of Friday, May 30, with later applications placed on a waitlist.