15 Biology Programs for High School Students
If you are interested in biological sciences, a program in the field is worth exploring while you are in high school. These programs can offer you early exposure to scientific inquiry while helping you build practical lab and research skills. As a participant, you will get to investigate medical challenges, explore fields like genetics, environmental biology, biochemistry, or bioengineering, and network with researchers and professors. These programs can also help you explore whether a future in life sciences or healthcare might be right for you, without the heavy cost of a university-level course.
By engaging in these opportunities, you can strengthen your college applications and develop long-term skills in data analysis, research design, and critical thinking. In addition, some programs offer free/low-cost enrollment or stipends, making them accessible opportunities to explore.
To help you sort through the many choices, we have put together a list of 15 biology programs for high school students.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cohort size: 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the program start date
Cost/Stipend: $500–$2,500 stipend; $40 application fee (waivers available)
SIMR immerses high school students in biomedical and biological sciences through laboratory research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Over eight weeks, you will contribute to projects across specialized areas such as cancer biology, bioengineering, or genetics. Alongside technical lab experience, you will learn how to interpret biological data and practice scientific problem-solving. The program also offers access to guest lectures led by Stanford researchers, as well as outreach and community activities. You will conclude the program by sharing your findings at a final research symposium, gaining experience in professional scientific communication.
2. Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines depending on cohort
Eligibility: High school students interested in healthcare with prior coding experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on session; financial aid available
The Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive introduces students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine through project-based learning. You will work with real-world datasets to explore how machine learning supports diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. For example, your project work could focus on developing image recognition tools for medical scans or building predictive models from health records. Throughout the program, mentors from leading universities will provide structured guidance and technical feedback. The experience concludes with a capstone project, for which you will design and present your own AI-driven solution to a problem in healthcare.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Accessible placements across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Mid-June – Late July/August
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16; priority given to underrepresented groups in fisheries and aquatic sciences
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend; no program cost
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week internship designed to introduce high school students to careers in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be paired with professional mentors at host institutions and engage in fieldwork, data collection, and lab activities related to aquatic habitat conservation and resource management. Placements are flexible and arranged close to home, making the program accessible. Beyond technical skills, you will gain insight into ecological challenges and learn about career pathways in biology and environmental science. You will also gain exposure to career paths in fisheries science.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: Spring and Fall: 15 weeks; Summer: 10 weeks
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year, depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students (most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade) in good academic standing, generally with a GPA of 3.67+/4.0; some subject tracks may have prerequisites
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; financial aid may be available
HARP allows high school students to complete independent research under the mentorship of a university professor or Ph.D. scholar. You will choose a subject track, which can be biology, and spend the term developing a 20-page academic paper. The program offers experience in rigorous research, writing, and argumentation, giving you a taste of the real research process in higher education. Alongside individualized mentorship, Horizon provides structured feedback and a formal recommendation letter from your advisor. You may submit your paper to academic journals or competitions, or use it to prepare for future research opportunities.
5. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~20 students accepted
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by June
Cost: Free
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship introduces high school students to the fields of biomedical engineering and surgical innovation. Over seven to eight weeks, you will explore topics such as regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and the development of medical devices. You will work in research laboratories under the guidance of faculty mentors while also attending seminars that connect biology with patient care. The program emphasizes teamwork and critical thinking, allowing you to engage in collaborative projects.
6. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) @ DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Location: DNALC, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 36 students/year
Dates: Year-round program; after-school, school breaks, and summer commitment
Application deadline: May 27
Eligibility: NYC residents enrolled in grades 9–12 at public or private high schools
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend upon program completion
URBP offers high school students the chance to investigate biodiversity through genetics and modern bioinformatics methods. Before beginning research, you will take short preparatory courses in molecular biology and computational analysis. With guidance from mentors at academic and research institutions, you will then design and complete a year-long project exploring how human activity influences ecosystems in urban settings. The program also includes enrichment activities in collaboration with partner organizations, such as the American Museum of Natural History and Rockefeller University. You will wrap up your experience by presenting results in a professional setting and receiving a stipend upon successful completion.
7. BioRocket Internship @ Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort admitted annually
Dates: Summer Internship: July – August; Spring After-School Program: February – May
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students who are at least 15 years old by July 1 and attend schools within 45 minutes of Genspace
Stipend: $2,000
The BioRocket Internship gives high school students the chance to immerse themselves in biotechnology and synthetic biology research at a community lab. The program starts with a spring after-school session where you build foundational lab skills, followed by a summer internship devoted to team-based projects. You will work on original experiments while also participating in field trips, laboratory visits, and workshops on scientific communication. Mentorship is provided by professional scientists, helping you connect your research to broader real-world applications. The experience culminates in a written paper and presentation.
8. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%; 18–24 students selected from ~200 applicants
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: Varies annually; typically in early spring
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students from the Greater Philadelphia area (including
Camden, NJ); must demonstrate eligibility to work in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
MSAP offers students a paid opportunity to participate in sensory biology and biomedical research. Over seven weeks, you will work full-time in laboratories alongside Monell scientists, gaining insights into and skills in genetics, molecular biology, and data analysis. Enrichment workshops on ethics, writing, and communication will supplement the lab work. You will conclude the program by presenting your findings at a public symposium, developing scientific communication and professional skills.
9. STEM Research Academy @ CCNY
Location: City College of New York (CCNY), New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students in spring; 10 students advance to summer internship
Dates: Spring: February 11 – May 22; Summer: June 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th or 11th graders with qualifying Regents exam scores and GPA requirements; students taking more than two AP classes in spring are not prioritized
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,575 stipend for summer participants
The CCNY STEM Research Academy introduces high school students to authentic, inquiry-based scientific research through a two-phase program. In the spring, you will complete a 45-hour after-school science course on campus, which can count as a high school elective credit. Based on your course performance, you may get a chance to engage in a five-week summer internship, working with a CUNY or CCNY faculty mentor to pursue independent research projects. During the summer, you will spend time in labs, attend weekly seminars, and develop your research presentations. The program concludes with a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History, giving you the chance to share your findings in a professional setting.
10. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Internships
Location: SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, Cooperstown, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1–3 high school interns/year
Dates: Late May – August (9 weeks for high school interns)
Application deadline: March 26
Eligibility: New York State residents age 16 or older; at least one position reserved for Otsego County residents
Stipend: $3,000 stipend; housing not provided for high school students
This program offers high school students the chance to work directly with faculty and staff on ecological and environmental research. As an intern, you will take part in a wide range of projects, including fisheries surveys, water sampling, plant identification, and laboratory analyses. The program emphasizes teamwork, where you will pursue independent projects and support larger research initiatives. Weekly seminars will cover = topics such as lake ecology and watershed hydrology. During the program, you will develop and deliver a research presentation. At the end, you will also prepare a written technical report and research poster, which may be included in BFS’s Annual Report.
11. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students; ~2% acceptance rate
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK’s main campus in NYC; GPA of 3.5+ in science subjects; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Stipend: $1,200
The MSK Summer Student Program is a competitive eight-week research internship designed for high school juniors interested in biomedical sciences. You will be paired with a mentor in an MSK laboratory and conduct independent research in fields such as cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and computational biology. You will participate in lab meetings and complete a self-directed project contributing to the lab’s ongoing work. Outside the lab, the program offers professional development activities on topics such as translational medicine, ethics, and scientific communication. The experience culminates in a presentation of your research to peers and faculty.
12. Stanford’s Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20 students selected out of 400+ applicants
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties; minimum 3.0 GPA; prior coursework in biology, chemistry, or programming required
Cost: Free
GRIPS is designed to introduce high school students to advanced research in genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. It places emphasis on providing opportunities to students from under-resourced schools. Over eight weeks, you will take part in lab-based projects guided by Stanford faculty and researchers, learning how to conduct experiments and analyze complex data. The program features seminars and workshops on professional development, scientific methods, and careers in biomedical research. The program concludes with you presenting your findings, strengthening both your technical and communication skills.
13. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Internship Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5–10 students accepted annually
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a Michigan high school; must be at least 16 years old by the program start
Stipend: Paid
The Aspirnaut Internship Program offers high school students in Michigan a six-week residential experience focused on biomedical and life sciences research. As a participant, you will work full-time in a university lab, gaining exposure to experimental design, data collection, and laboratory techniques. Beyond research, the program integrates academic enrichment such as college readiness workshops, mentorship, and test preparation. Living on the University of Michigan campus will add to the experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in a university environment. At the end of the program, you will present your work to peers and mentors.
14. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of rising seniors each year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: Late January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance to the Broad Institute; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-citizens with employment authorization and have a B or better in math and science courses
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend + partial transportation reimbursement available
BSSP provides six weeks of intensive research experience at the Broad Institute. You will be paired with a Broad scientist to contribute to an original project in areas such as cancer biology, computational biology, chemical biology, or infectious disease. In addition to lab work, you will attend seminars, career talks, and training sessions on scientific communication. You will receive support from on-staff tutors and learn how to prepare posters for the final research symposium. Social activities and a college fair are part of the experience, providing you with exposure to academic science and community-building opportunities.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD / Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 students accepted for in-person internship
Dates: Eight weeks (in-person) or five weeks (virtual) in the summer
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; in-person participants must attend a Baltimore City high school
Cost/Stipend: No cost; in-person interns get hourly wages + transportation support
JHIBS introduces high school students to neuroscience and biomedical research through in-person and virtual tracks. During the in-person internship, you will conduct laboratory work, attend weekly scientific meetings, and gain hands-on experience under faculty mentorship. Here, you will also get to participate in clinical rotations alongside Johns Hopkins neurologists. Virtual interns complete structured modules that build research literacy and critical thinking skills, with a focus on neuroscience and behavioral biology. Both formats offer professional development sessions and career talks designed to expand exposure to biomedical research pathways.
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