13 Biology Programs for High School Students in Houston, Texas
If you’re interested in biology and want to go beyond classroom learning, a structured program can help you explore the subject in more depth. These programs introduce you to lab techniques, research methods, and topics such as genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology while helping you build scientific and analytical skills. You may also analyze datasets, observe research environments, and connect with mentors and peers who share your interests.
Why should you attend a program in Houston, Texas?
Houston is home to major universities, medical centers, and research institutions that offer biology-focused programs for high school students. Depending on the program, you could assist with lab research, participate in STEM workshops, explore bioengineering projects, or learn directly from medical professionals. These opportunities are great for both local and out-of-city students who want to study in Houston and want access to research hubs.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve narrowed down 13 biology programs for high school students in Houston, Texas.
If you’re looking for free programs in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. Houston Genetics BIORETS Program
Location: Houston, TX
Stipend: $8,000 stipend + 30 CPE hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9–July 18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school biology teachers in the greater Houston area
The Houston Genetics BIORETS program at the University of Houston is a seven-week summer research experience designed specifically for high school biology teachers. You’ll work full-time (40 hours per week) in a University of Houston genetics laboratory, contributing directly to research projects in evolutionary, molecular, developmental, or behavioral genetics. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows while deepening your genetics and genomics content knowledge. In addition to lab research, you participate in training led by teachHOUSTON faculty focused on inquiry-based teaching and culturally responsive pedagogy. By the end of the program, you’ll develop classroom-ready curricular materials informed by both your research experience and new instructional strategies.
2. Veritas AI's AI+Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter).
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students.
The AI + Medicine Deep Dive by Veritas AI is a specialized program designed for ambitious high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI provides students with structured exposure to real-world AI applications in the medical field. You learn how AI and machine learning models are used to diagnose diseases, enhance medical imaging, and interpret clinical data. Through hands-on projects, you build and apply AI models while developing an understanding of how these tools support doctors and improve patient outcomes. The program emphasizes practical implementation, technical skill-building, and applied problem-solving in healthcare contexts.
3. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $3,600 stipend; $7,200 stipend for MS1 students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students
The DACCPM Summer Research Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a structured 8–10 week research experience within the Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work on a laboratory or clinical research project, contributing directly to ongoing investigations in areas such as pain medicine, perioperative immune function, cancer recurrence, and related fields. High school and college students typically work part-time (around 20 hours per week), while MS1 students participate full-time, with schedules shaped by their mentor’s expectations. Early in the program, you complete training in lab safety, research ethics, and institutional policies, and you learn how to conduct literature reviews and analyze scientific data. The experience includes academic lectures, professional development sessions (such as applying to graduate or medical school), and concludes with a poster symposium where you present your work to the MD Anderson research community.
4. Lumiere's Biology Track
Location: Remote (students can participate from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort (Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring). Program length ranges from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating a high level of academic achievement.
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. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. 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, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. UPWARDS Summer Program
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Up to $7,200 stipend for the 10-week program (taxed; no additional housing allowance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 10 high school students and 20 undergraduate students selected
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High School Track: Local incoming seniors (fall semester) who are 18+ by June 1 and identify as economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or first-generation
The UPWARDS Summer Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a 10-week, full-time (40 hours/week) paid research experience designed to support underserved students pursuing STEM careers. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and work directly in an MD Anderson laboratory, gaining hands-on research experience while participating in structured coursework and professional development training. Throughout the summer, you attend scientific lectures, seminars, and career development events that introduce you to graduate education pathways and careers in cancer research. The program culminates in a poster presentation where you share your research with the broader MD Anderson community.
6. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $7,200 stipend (or $6,480 for nine weeks)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 6 students selected
Dates: June 1–August 7 (June 8 start option for some students)
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors age 18+ by program start
This 10-week summer program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers Texas seniors an immersive introduction to biomedical research within a leading cancer center. You’ll work full-time (8 a.m.–5 p.m., five days a week) in an MD Anderson laboratory under the mentorship of faculty, gaining hands-on experience in real research projects. Throughout the summer, you explore the foundational principles behind scientific investigation while contributing meaningfully to ongoing work in biomedical disciplines related to allied health careers. The experience also includes faculty-led seminars and program-wide activities such as abstract, poster, and elevator speech competitions, culminating in a final presentation and celebration luncheon. Participants receive a stipend intended to help cover living expenses, but you are responsible for arranging your own housing, transportation, and meals unless otherwise noted.
7. MohanLab Summer Internship (MLSI)
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8–July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (completed 11th grade) with a strong academic record and interest in biomedical sciences, bioengineering, neuroscience, or computer science
The MohanLab Summer Internship (MLSI) is an eight-week research experience for rising seniors interested in biomedical and computational research. You’ll begin with 1–2 weeks of instruction in basic laboratory techniques before transitioning into hands-on bench research under the mentorship of a scientist or graduate student. Research areas include biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and big data analytics (including AI and image analysis), giving you exposure to both wet-lab and computational approaches. At the end of the program, you present your findings through an oral presentation, and in some cases, your work may contribute to ongoing research publications. You also have the option to continue working with the lab beyond the summer, potentially engaging in data analysis or manuscript writing.
8. High School Summer Research Program at McGovern Medical School
Location: Houston, TX
Cost: $3,800 program fee (no stipend; housing not provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information is available.
Dates: June 8–July 2
Application Deadline: January 15 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
This four-week summer research program is offered by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. You’ll spend your summer working directly in a research laboratory within a leading academic health center, gaining hands-on exposure to biomedical research. During the program, you are placed in a lab based on your preferences and work alongside faculty and student mentors on interdisciplinary medical science projects. Monday mornings are dedicated to structured didactic sessions focused on introductory laboratory biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, while Fridays feature student-led seminars and workshops with lunch provided. Along the way, you’ll build practical lab skills, strengthen your understanding of scientific concepts, and improve your communication and professional development abilities.
9. Rice Biomed Academy
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $599 per week; additional $3 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spaces available; exact cohort size not listed
Dates: July 6–10 or July 13–17
Application Deadline: April 18.
Eligibility: Students in 9th–11th grade
The Rice Biomed Academy is a one-week, hands-on summer experience hosted by Rice University’s Office of STEM Engagement for high school students interested in the intersection of biology, medicine, and technology. You’ll explore biomedical science through lab experiments, guest speakers, and field experiences at medical facilities, providing you with direct exposure to the practical applications of science. Throughout the week (9 AM–3 PM), you participate in interactive labs and activities designed to build your understanding of genetics, anatomy, and emerging medical technologies. The program emphasizes practical skills and scientific thinking, helping you grow more confident working in a lab setting and discussing complex ideas. You’ll also connect with Rice faculty, graduate students, and STEM professionals who can offer insight into future academic and career paths.
10. High School Emerging Researcher Experience
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Select group; exact cohort size not listed
Dates: June 8–July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (at least 16 years old) with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience at Houston Methodist is a 10-week, full-time summer internship designed to introduce academically strong high school students to translational research. You’ll work alongside undergraduate interns in a fast-paced academic medical center, contributing to a mentor-selected research project within your assigned lab. Throughout the program, you gain hands-on experience with laboratory techniques while learning how research findings translate into patient care. The internship also includes a structured career and professional development curriculum, along with access to seminars, lectures, and intern events that help you better understand college pathways and scientific careers. At the end of the program, you present your work at a research symposium through a formal poster presentation.
11. Global Teen Medical Summit
Location: Texas Medical Center area, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 14–June 19 or July 19–July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 (grades 9–12 for scholarship applicants)
The Global Teen Medical Summit is a six-day immersive experience for high school students curious about medicine and the future of healthcare. You’ll participate in hands-on sessions, simulated medical procedures, behind-the-scenes tours of labs and hospitals, and a collaborative design challenge guided by healthcare professionals. Throughout the week, you work in teams to explore practical medical and ethical issues and develop creative solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. The program includes workshops, lectures from professionals in the Texas Medical Center, and structured career exploration activities.
12. Molecular Medicine Summer Immersion Program (MMSIP)
Location: University of Houston (Main Campus), Houston, TX
Cost: $1,600 (early registration) or $1,800 (standard)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students per session
Dates: July 6–July 17 or July 20–July 31
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 with a strong interest in science, medicine, or biomedical research
The Molecular Medicine Summer Immersion Program (MMSIP) is a two-week, full-day laboratory experience hosted by the University of Houston’s Department of Biology and Biochemistry. You’ll train in real university lab spaces, learning advanced biomedical techniques such as mammalian cell culture, gene delivery, fluorescence microscopy, recombinant protein expression, and protein purification. The program blends hands-on experiments with interactive lectures on disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, small-group discussions, and career conversations with pre-medical, medical, and graduate trainees. Throughout the session, you build technical lab skills while strengthening teamwork, experimental planning, troubleshooting, and scientific communication. The program concludes with a final project showcase, and students receive a certificate of completion, formal biosafety training, and eligibility for a selective faculty letter of recommendation based on performance.
13. AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,400 program fee; $45 application fee (waived for financial aid applicants); need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15–June 26 or July 6–July 17
Application Deadline: February 13 (financial aid) or February 21 (standard)
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students entering grades 9–12; must be 14+ by program start; international students not eligible
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI). You’ll work in small teams on a mentored health AI research project, learning how artificial intelligence is developed and applied in real clinical and research settings. The program combines technical lectures from Stanford researchers and clinicians with hands-on project work, covering topics such as machine learning fundamentals, medical imaging AI, datasets, model evaluation, and responsible AI. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with Stanford student leads and research mentors while participating in speaker sessions that highlight career pathways in AI and healthcare. The program concludes with a certificate of completion for students who meet attendance requirements.
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