13 Biology Summer Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in biology, then pursuing a structured summer program can help you gain knowledge and skills. These programs let you participate in lab experiments, conduct guided research, and learn about areas such as genetics, biochemistry, ecology, and biomedical science. Along the way, you’ll connect with mentors, peers, and researchers who share your interests, helping you build a network that can support your academic and career goals in the future.
Why should you attend a program in Illinois?
Illinois is home to various institutes, such as the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago, that offer biology programs during the summer. These programs are a good way to work in research laboratories, participate in workshops, and attend various lecture series to develop practical skills and an in-depth understanding of concepts such as biogenetics and microbiological techniques. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, you can find a program that helps you build skills and develop your profile.
To make your search easier, here are 13 biology summer programs for high school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for internships in Illinois, check out our blog here.
1. University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Free, $3,000 stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, Illinois or Lake County (IN) residents, at least 16 years old, with a strong interest in scientific research or medicine.
UChicago Medicine’s ResearchHStart is a no-cost, stipend-based multi-institutional program for high school students in the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas. The program will allow you to work full-time in established cancer research laboratories and gain experience in areas including cancer disparities, cancer immunology, experimental cancer therapeutics, bioengineering, and more. You will get to participate in various skill-building and research development workshops, attend a cancer-based faculty lecture series, and build a professional network with peer mentors and faculty. The program will conclude with a research symposium for friends, family, and members of the scientific community.
2. Veritas AI's AI + Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter). You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience or completion of the Veritas AI program
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients.
3. Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5000 taxable stipend is paid
Dates:Two consecutive 8-week summers + monthly academic-year workshops; For 2026: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana (minimum age: 16); must be able to commit to the full two-year program
Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer is a no-cost research training program for high school students interested in careers in biomedicine. You will participate in the program for two consecutive summers, each lasting eight weeks. You will work in research labs, receive ongoing mentorship from dedicated faculty and research professionals, and participate in skill-building workshops. The program will provide you with research experience and training through cancer-based lecture series, concluding with an opportunity to present your work in various areas of cancer research at a research symposium.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Biology Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort — Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievements and a 3.3/4 GPA
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can choose research topics from subjects such as biology, psychology, neuroscience, and more.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states, along with Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, within a 45-minute commute of the student’s home.
Stipend: $3000
Dates: Determined by students and their mentors
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, 16 years old
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology is an eight-week summer internship program for high school students. The program will allow you to engage with a diverse generation of fisheries professionals. The program is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society and aims to inspire underrepresented groups and spark their interest in fisheries and aquatic science. You will get to appreciate the beauty of nature, make conscious environmental choices, and find solutions to environmental issues related to marine life. The program will provide you with a paid stipend and an opportunity to pursue a career in fisheries with confidence.
6. University of Illinois College of Medicine - Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; a stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: April 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students (minimum age: 16 years) must be Rockford residents
The Summer Science Internship by the University of Illinois College of Medicine is a free, stipend-based program for high school students interested in a career in Science. You will get the opportunity to be a part of a research team along with leading scientists, learn in-depth about medical research and its role in finding cures for various diseases. The program will help you learn the impact of industrial science in novel innovations, develop valuable skills, including resume building, leadership, interviewing, and build valuable professional relationships with mentors. Your mentors will also guide you through college admissions by writing letters of reference. You will be paid a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
7. Illinois Summer Research Academy (ISRA)
Location: Illinois Summer Research Academy (ISRA), Normal, IL
Cost: $300 + $50 application fee
Dates: July 22 – 26 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: May 6 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students
Illinois Summer Research Academy (ISRA) is a summer research program for you that spans a week. The program will allow you to gain laboratory experience, research the discovery of antibiotics, work on the investigation of bacterial resistance, and study evolutionary ecology. You will get the opportunity to learn many different techniques of microbial isolation, including biochemical and microbiological techniques. The program is an opportunity for you to learn important skills in biomedical research and the impacts of biofilm formation on bacterial lifestyles and bacterial interactions with human beings.
8. Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) - The University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $14,490 + $50 application fee
Dates: June 14 – July 12 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: January 22 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: 10th-11th-grade high school students
Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) is a four-week intensive training program that will allow you to participate in lab activities and learn different microbiological, cell biological, and molecular techniques. You will get to work on an independent project, receive weekly writing assignments, read research articles, and participate in group presentations. The program will include weekly seminars led by research faculty and present your research project results on a research forum at the conclusion of the program.
9. UChicago- Biomolecules of Life
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 + $50 application fee
Dates: June 14 – July 4
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: 9th-11th-grade high school students
UChicago- Biomolecules of Life is a three-week residential program for high school students. The program will introduce you to the functioning and structure of proteins such as nucleic acids, carbohydrates, enzymes, and lipids. You will work in laboratories and learn modern techniques that are used in biochemical and molecular biology research, including rational drug design, enzymatic assays, and molecular modelling. You will learn the role of these molecules in human health and disease development. Your knowledge and learning during the program will be assessed through exams. At the conclusion of the program, you will present a scientific poster after working with other students in a group.
10. Career Insight: Healthcare and Biological Sciences
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,625
Dates: June 14 – 27
Application Deadline: Priority- January 22, Regular- March 5, Extended- April 15 (tentative,
based on previous years)
Eligibility: 9th-11th grade students
The Career Insight: Healthcare and Biological Sciences is a two-week residential program for high school students. The program will provide you with hands-on experience and an in-depth understanding of important concepts in biological science through lectures, discussions, and readings led by UChicago professors and researchers. You will connect with practitioners and Career Advancement Staff to participate in informational interviews, presentations, and career treks around the city. You will get to explore different career paths in healthcare and biological sciences, work on assignments, keep a response journal, and develop the skills needed to build a career of your choice. You will submit a final portfolio of your learnings at the conclusion of the program.
11. Biotechnology for the 21st Century
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 14 – July 4
Application Deadline: Regular- January 22, Priority- March 5, Extended- April 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: 9th-11th-grade high school students
Summer at UChicago’s Biotechnology for the 21st Century is a three-week residential program for high school students. The program will introduce you to the world of biotechnology through basic concepts of molecular biology and genetics. You will get to attend lectures and participate in activities based on agricultural biotechnology, biofuels, cloning, medical biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, bioremediation, DNA fingerprinting, and forensics. You will learn about biotechnology breakthroughs, techniques, and the associated bioethics issues. The program is a good learning opportunity if you have an interest in biological sciences and technology.
12. Contagion: Infectious Agents & Diseases (Session 1)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost:$8,900. For local students from the Chicagoland area choosing to commute for the three-week Immersion program, the fee is $5,850; Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 14 – July 4 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Priority- January 22; Regular- March 5; Extended- April 15
Eligibility: 9th -11th grade high school students
UChicago’s Contagion: Infectious Agents & Diseases is a three-week residential program for high school students interested in biological sciences. The program will provide you with an opportunity to learn the origin, evolution, and biology of many dangerous viruses, including Ebola, Influenza, E. coli, and HIV. You will get to explore emerging diseases and their nature, and work on the prediction and control of these diseases. You will participate in activities such as CRISPR, DNA sequencing, PCR, DNA sequence analysis, antibody studies, and viral culture by receiving access to the state-of-the-art lab facilities at the University of Chicago.
13. Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment (BIOEE 1610) – Cornell Precollege
Location: Virtual. Illinois students can apply
Cost: Varies by session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 31 students
Dates: Summer Online 1: June 2 – June 20; Summer Online 2: June 23 – July 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Winter session: December 1
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students
Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment- Cornell Precollege program will introduce you to ecology, and provide an understanding of organism-environment interactions. You will learn about ecological principles and their application in environmental problems like climate change and biodiversity loss. You will learn to identify the causes and outcomes of complex ecological relationships and analyse patterns and processes at various scales of ecological organisation by using synthetic and experimental approaches. On the completion of the course, you will receive 3 college credits from Cornell University.
Image source - University of Chicago