15 Biology Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student interested in biology, joining a structured program is a great way to learn beyond what’s taught in the classroom. Biology programs can help you build laboratory skills, connect with mentors, and gain research, lab, or academic experience that can strengthen your college applications. They typically offer access to advanced coursework and practical experience in the field to help you assess if a career in the field is the right option for you.
California is home to well-known universities, biotech companies, aquariums, and research centers that offer various types of learning experiences in biology. Both local and out-of-state students can benefit from these programs and utilize the resources they offer. As a participant, you will also discover how biological concepts apply to real-world problems, from genetics to conservation, while collaborating with peers who share your interests.
To help you get started, here are 15 biology programs for high school students in California.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost apart from a $40 application fee (waivers available); minimum stipends of $500 offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SIMR is a research-focused internship that places you in Stanford laboratories to conduct projects in biomedical disciplines. As a participant, you will work full-time in biomedical labs and attend lectures and poster sessions designed to increase your interest in the biological sciences. You can choose to explore topics in fields like neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, etc., and engage in research within your chosen track. Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students will serve as mentors during the program. The program culminates in a final research presentation, where you will share your findings with peers and the Stanford community.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, fall, spring, and winter) every year
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
This program is a virtual opportunity to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, biology, and health sciences. The Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine program combines small-group classes focusing on AI and medicine with one-on-one mentorship from researchers at top universities. As a participant, you will work on projects that apply machine learning to medical and biological datasets, such as analyzing genetic sequences or studying disease prediction. You will design your own project and present your findings to peers and mentors at the end of the program. This experience can offer insights into the role of emerging tech in transforming modern biology and medicine. You can apply to the program here.
3. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Teen Conservation Leaders
Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – August 2
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old
As a Teen Conservation Leader at Monterey Bay Aquarium, you will spend your summer engaging in biology-focused conservation projects and public education efforts at the aquarium. You will learn about marine biology while guiding visitors, helping run exhibits, and taking part in field-based conservation activities. You can choose from three tracks. The Guest Track focuses on visitor engagement, the Animal Care & Engineering Track allows you to engineer tech-based animal care solutions, and the Social Media & Science Communication Track allows you to help the aquarium connect with teens through social media. The program also offers mentorship and science communication training from aquarium staff.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program: Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing
Horizon offers high school students the opportunity to work with a Ph.D.-level mentor on a research paper in a field of interest, including any biology subfield of their choice. For instance, you could investigate a topic within genetics, microbiology, ecology, or neuroscience, depending on your mentor's expertise. As a participant, you will learn how to conduct a literature review, frame a research question, and develop your analysis into a publishable paper. The program offers weekly one-on-one meetings with your mentor and peer workshops to help you get feedback. By the end of the program, you will have produced a formal academic paper, which you can submit to competitions or journals.
5. California Academy of Sciences’ Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Above minimum wage paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June onwards (after school and weekends); year-round commitment
Application deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: San Francisco public high school students in grades 9–12 with a GPA of 2.5+ and a valid work permit
In the CiS Intern program, you will undergo training and work as a youth science intern alongside researchers and museum staff. You will engage in projects in fields like biology, ecology, and conservation science, gaining lab and field experience. You will also help deliver educational programs to museum visitors, building both communication and scientific skills. Mentorship and support from working scientists will help you gain insights into how research is conducted in professional environments. Additionally, you will learn about STEM careers from practicing professionals, and have access to guidance on topics like financial literacy and the college application process.
6. The Marine Mammal Center’s Youth Crew
Location: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January – August
Application deadline: September 9; applications open in the summer of the previous year
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, who live within commuting distance of the program site
As part of the Youth Crew, you will volunteer alongside marine biologists and veterinarians and support the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals. During the program, you will gain hands-on training in animal biology while contributing to conservation efforts. Your responsibilities may include food preparation, cleaning enclosures, and observing animal care procedures. The program also provides opportunities to engage in community science and outreach projects. Direct collaboration with professionals will help you gain insights into the biological fieldwork.
7. University Lab Partners (ULP) Life Science Career Exploration Summer Internship
Location: University Lab Partners, Irvine, CA
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students accepted from 150+ applicants
Dates: June 9 – August 7
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed ULP’s Molecular Biology 1 and 2 workshop
ULP Summer Internship is a nine-week program that can help you explore biotechnology research through hands-on lab work, professional development opportunities, and workshops on cell culture, assay development, and laboratory safety. As an intern, you will undergo training in research methodologies and learn how to maintain a wet laboratory. At the end of the program, you will earn a University of California digital badge and receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The program also concludes with a poster presentation, where you will share your work with professionals and researchers at ROCK the Science.
8. City of Hope’s STEP Science & Nutrition Summer Research Program
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four‑week program conducted over multiple sessions: July 8 – 10; July 15 – 17; July 22 – 24; July 29 – 31
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students
City of Hope’s STEP Science and Nutrition Summer Research Program introduces high school students to genetics, human nutrition, and public health. Over four weeks, you will attend classes on macronutrients and balanced diets, explore the role of genetics and socioeconomic factors in health, and complete team projects based on peer‑reviewed literature. Throughout the program, you will engage in labs, work on case studies, and participate in discussions and class work. You will also have the opportunity to explore the City of Hope’s gardens to learn about the role of food in the environment and communities. The program culminates in final project presentations.
9. Aquarium of the Pacific’s VolunTEENs
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts—Summer: June 14 – August 10 | Fall: October 11 – December 7 | Spring dates TBA
Application deadline: Summer: March 14 | Fall: August 15 | Spring deadline TBA
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 16
As a VolunTEEN at the Aquarium of the Pacific, you will take part in public education and conservation projects. You will undergo training and gain experience in interpreting exhibits for visitors while also learning about marine biology and supporting behind-the-scenes aquarium operations. The program emphasizes hands-on interaction with guests and collaboration with aquarium educators, helping you build scientific knowledge and communication skills. You will also learn about careers in marine biology and connect with aquarium staff and peers during the program.
10. UCI Cancer Research Institute Youth Science Fellowship Program (YSFP)
Location: University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~13%; ~20 students selected
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors attending schools in Orange County who have completed at least one high school chemistry/lab class and one biology class
UCI’s Youth Science Fellowship Program allows students to gain experience in cancer research. You will spend your time in UCI laboratories working on research while attending lectures from faculty and Ph.D. students. You will have access to the mentorship of researchers while conducting dissections, experiments, and literature reviews. You will present your findings at the end of the program. The experience can offer you insights into laboratory work, experiment design, and data analysis.
11. Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs: Biotech Engineering & Innovations in Genetics
Location: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,465 for the non‑residential session + optional residential add‑on: $1,255
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27 | July 7 – 11 | July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science offers various research-based science programs to middle and high school students during the summer. The week-long Biotech Engineering & Innovations in Genetics program is an opportunity to learn how to use CRISPR technology to edit bacterial genes, explore PCR, and examine the ethical issues related to gene editing. The program also offers insights into restriction enzyme mapping and gel electrophoresis. You will take part in campus and lab tours, hear from guest speakers, and connect with college students and scientists from the Innovative Genomics Institute to learn about academic and career paths. The week culminates with a presentation of your research project.
12. UC Santa Barbara Summer Research Academies (SRA)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter tuition: $2,775 | Residential tuition: $8,774; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 25 – July 25
Application deadline: March 31; applications open on December 15
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
This month-long project-based program allows you to explore subjects such as molecular biology and biomanufacturing. You will take a 4-unit university course that covers core subject concepts within your chosen biology track in the context of research, allowing you to learn how researchers approach their work. You will attend lectures and labs, and complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. In the first half of the program, you will finalize a research question, and in the second half, you will focus on investigation, data analysis, and presenting your research. The program culminates with a poster session where you will present your work.
13. Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs: Marine Biology
Location: Long Marine Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $2,870, including residential housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 19
Application deadline: June 29 or until seats are filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
This residential program, conducted at UC Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory, allows you to spend a week engaged in hands-on field and laboratory research. Activities include conducting tide-pool surveys, analyzing marine organism data, and developing your own research project. The program features lectures on marine ecology and offers opportunities to participate in lab experiments, helping you understand field research methods. You will also have the opportunity to interact with college students and scientists, gaining insights into academic and career paths in marine science.
14. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter) | $12,474 (residential); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students in the 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA
UCSB’s RMP is a six-week experience designed for high school students to engage in university-level research with support from a mentor. The program kicks off with a virtual orientation, introducing you to various project options and your assigned mentor. You can select from fields like biology, biochemistry, and marine biology. Most of your time will be devoted to conducting research, carrying out laboratory experiments, and analyzing data. You will also prepare a research paper and share your results at a final symposium. The program offers an opportunity to earn eight university credits by taking two interdisciplinary courses focused on scientific writing, as well as research techniques, methodology, and presentation skills.
15. UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: University of California, Davis, CA
Cost: $7,500 including housing, meals, and five units of university credit + $45 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students selected
Dates: June 21 – August 1
Application deadline: March 15; applications open on January 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, who live and attend school in the U.S.
YSP allows you to spend six weeks on the UC Davis campus and earn university credit while conducting research in the biological, agricultural, environmental, or natural sciences. The program offers you access to mentorship of faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, or doctoral students. You will work on bench, field, or computer-based research projects, participate in weekly seminars, and learn essential lab techniques. You will prepare a journal-quality paper and symposium presentation to share your work at a closing symposium. On weekends, you will have the chance to visit leading science institutions in Northern California, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, for hands-on learning outside the university setting.
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