15 Biology Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you're interested in biology, a research program can help you explore the subject beyond the classroom. Many biology research opportunities for high school students place you in university labs, hospitals, research institutes, or national laboratories, where you'll contribute to ongoing research projects under the guidance of scientists and faculty mentors. These experiences also introduce you to the research process and the expectations of university-level science.
What are the benefits of biology research in high school?
Biology research programs help you develop practical skills in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, scientific writing, and presenting research findings. Some opportunities focus on wet-lab research, while others incorporate coding, bioinformatics, or computational biology. Many also include mentorship from researchers and graduate students, giving you insight into how scientific projects are developed and carried out. These experiences can help you explore different areas of biology before college and better understand what research in the life sciences involves.
To make your search easier, we've narrowed down 15 biology research opportunities for high school students.
If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span cancer biology, genomics, computational biology, immunology, reproductive biology, chemosensory science, cardiovascular research, and nutrition science, so students with a wide range of interests within biology can find a relevant research opportunity.
Several programs offer significant stipends, including NHLBI Summer Internship ($5,400), Broad Summer Scholars Program ($3,600), Magee-Womens Research Institute ($1,800), and Stanford SIMR (minimum $500, up to $1,500 for underrepresented students), while others, such as RSI at MIT, Fred Hutch, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, are free to attend.
Acceptance rates are extremely low for the most selective programs, including Memorial Sloan Kettering (2%), Monell Science Apprenticeship (10%), and RSI at MIT (100 students worldwide), so students should apply to multiple programs and submit materials as early as possible.
Most application deadlines fall between January and March, with the earliest being Monell Science Apprenticeship and Broad Summer Scholars Program (January) and RSI at MIT (December), so students should begin identifying programs and requesting materials in the fall of their junior year.
1. Summer Internship Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Location: Bethesda, MD, and Framingham, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,400 stipend is paid in two installments
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
In this program, you will spend your summer working directly inside National Institutes of Health laboratories focused on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and blood disease research. Your daily work includes assisting with experiments, learning molecular biology techniques, interpreting data, and participating in seminars and poster sessions. You'll work directly with NIH scientists while learning how research is conducted within one of the largest biomedical research organizations in the United States. Mentors also discuss research careers and graduate education throughout the internship. The experience provides a realistic view of day-to-day research in a federal laboratory.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Domestic high school students entering their senior year
As an intern in this program, you will join an interdisciplinary research team studying cancer biology, immunology, infectious disease, or computational biology. You will learn foundational laboratory techniques and contribute directly to ongoing research projects throughout the eight-week session. Weekly seminars will connect your benchwork to broader biological concepts and current developments in medical science. Mentors also discuss research careers and educational pathways throughout the program. The internship provides a closer look at how large biomedical research centers organize collaborative research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate 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 psychology, physics, economics, 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. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Minimum $500 stipend; students from underrepresented groups receive at least $1,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 50 students
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This eight-week program places you into a Stanford Medicine research laboratory under the direct mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Depending on your placement, you may conduct research in areas such as stem cell biology, cancer genetics, immunology, neurobiology, or bioengineering. You'll contribute to an active research project while learning how experiments are designed, conducted, and interpreted in a university laboratory. Weekly faculty lectures and professional development sessions complement your research experience. The program combines full-time laboratory work with exposure to different areas of biomedical science.
6. Summer Student Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2% acceptance rate, 20 interns per summer
Program Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old by June, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, live within 25 miles of the main campus, and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this eight-week internship, you will work inside specialized oncology laboratories studying cancer genetics, immunology, and therapeutic development. Your days include observing experiments, assisting with data collection and analysis, reading scientific literature, and attending presentations that place individual projects in the context of broader cancer research. You'll work under the guidance of research mentors while developing an understanding of how laboratory discoveries contribute to cancer research. Throughout the program, you'll also build experience communicating scientific findings and interpreting research questions. The internship provides a closer look at how biomedical research is carried out at a dedicated cancer research center.
7. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 100 students
Program Dates: June 28 – August 8, more details here
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors worldwide with exceptional academic and research potential in STEM
RSI begins with advanced STEM coursework before you transition into a mentored research project supervised by scientists and university faculty. Depending on your placement, you may conduct research in fields such as molecular biology, physics, computer science, or engineering while learning how academic research is carried out. You'll spend several weeks working on an independent research project before presenting your findings in both a written paper and an oral presentation. Lectures, seminars, and discussions run alongside the research experience. The program is one of the most selective research opportunities available to high school students and closely reflects the structure of university research.
8. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute or Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,800 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and reside in eligible southwest Pennsylvania counties
You'll work in research laboratories studying women's health, reproductive biology, and fetal development while learning how biomedical research informs clinical care. Your days include participating in laboratory activities, attending seminars, reading scientific literature, and discussing how research findings are translated into medical practice. You'll contribute to ongoing research projects while developing experience with laboratory techniques and scientific data interpretation. Mentors introduce you to different areas of reproductive and maternal health research throughout the summer.
9. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California
You'll engage with medicine, public health, and biomedical research via hands-on experiences, clinical shadowing, and workshops led by faculty. During the program, you'll study issues like health disparities, scientific investigation, and data analysis, culminating in a capstone project. The curriculum combines research experiences with community health, giving you a broader view of how medical research connects with patient care and public health. College preparation sessions are also included alongside the academic program. The experience emphasizes both scientific investigation and the social factors that influence healthcare.
10. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in high school
You'll spend the summer working in a university research lab alongside a faculty mentor on a project in biology, neuroscience, chemistry, or a related field. Your days include learning laboratory techniques, attending lab meetings, reading scientific literature, and contributing to ongoing research. As your project develops, you'll be encouraged to refine your own research questions and take increasing ownership of your work. At the end of the program, you'll present your findings to faculty and peers. The program gives you a closer look at how research groups operate and how scientific projects develop over time.
11. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10% acceptance rate, 18-24 students
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area who are authorized to work in the U.S.; underrepresented students are encouraged to apply
Over seven weeks, you'll collaborate with researchers exploring the connections between taste, smell, health, nutrition, and human behavior. Your work includes conducting experiments, analyzing data, attending laboratory safety training, and participating in seminars about chemosensory science. You'll complete a research project under the guidance of scientists before presenting your work to the Monell community at the end of the program. The program also includes sessions about college pathways and research careers. It provides an introduction to a specialized area of biology that is not commonly covered in high school classrooms.
12. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending schools in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the Broad Institute
You will join a research team focused on computational or experimental biology projects related to genomics and human health. In addition to your research tasks, you will participate in workshops on coding, data analysis, and scientific communication, gaining insight into how large-scale biomedical studies are coordinated. You will collaborate with researchers using many of the same laboratory and computational tools essential to genomics research. Throughout the summer, institute scientists will also give talks about current research and career paths. This blend of laboratory work and data analysis highlights the interdisciplinary character of modern biology.
13. Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Program in Computational Biology
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $10,750 (residential) or $8,041 (commuter), plus application and enrollment fees
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors worldwide who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Over four weeks, you'll learn how biology and computer science intersect to address research questions. The program features laboratory experiments, programming, and data analysis with biological datasets, supported by faculty and mentors. You'll discover how computational tools are applied in fields like genomics and bioinformatics while building essential coding skills. The coursework focuses on research-driven problems that highlight interdisciplinary science. By the end, you'll have a better grasp of how computation plays a role in contemporary biological research.
14. Science & Nutrition Summer Research Program
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Four one-week sessions in July
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
During this one-week session, you will examine how nutrition, genetics, metabolism, and human disease interact in a clinical environment. Throughout the program, you'll interpret scientific studies, examine research on lifestyle-related diseases, and work on a short project focused on nutrition or metabolic biology. The curriculum combines biological concepts with current research to show how nutrition science is studied in a medical research setting. Small-group discussions encourage you to connect laboratory research with real-world health questions. The program focuses on the relationship between biology and human health rather than laboratory research alone.
15. Biotech Summer Experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Discovery Center, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 13 – July 24
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Northern California high school students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Over two weeks, you will learn molecular biology and bioinformatics by studying the genome of the aquatic plant Landoltia punctata. Working alongside LLNL scientists, you'll practice laboratory techniques, prepare assays, analyze DNA sequence data, and discuss the scientific reasoning behind each step. You'll annotate DNA sequences and submit them to GenBank, contributing data to a publicly accessible scientific database. The program introduces both laboratory research and computational biology within a national laboratory setting. By the end of the program, you'll have a better understanding of how biological research is conducted outside a university environment.
Frequently asked questions
1. What biology research opportunities are available for high school students?
Options include federal lab research programs, such as NHLBI Summer Internship at NIH, cancer and biomedical research programs, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Fred Hutch, and Stanford SIMR, genomics and computational biology programs, such as Broad Summer Scholars Program and CMU Pre-College Computational Biology, university research programs, such as RSI at MIT, Simons Summer Research, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program, and specialized programs, such as Monell Science Apprenticeship for chemosensory science and Magee-Womens for reproductive biology.
2. Which biology research programs offer the largest stipends for high school students?
NHLBI Summer Internship offers the largest stipend at $5,400, followed by Broad Summer Scholars Program ($3,600), Magee-Womens Research Institute ($1,800), Monell Science Apprenticeship (stipend provided), and Stanford SIMR (minimum $500, up to $1,500 for underrepresented students). Fred Hutch also provides a stipend, though the exact amount is not publicly disclosed.
3. Which biology research programs prioritize underrepresented or low-income students?
Stanford SIMR provides higher stipends for students from underrepresented groups, Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is specifically designed for low-income first-generation students from Northern California, Monell Science Apprenticeship encourages underrepresented students to apply, and Fred Hutch SHIP and Lumiere Research Scholar Program offer need-based financial aid.
4. When should I apply to biology research opportunities for high school students?
The earliest deadlines are RSI at MIT (December) and Monell Science Apprenticeship and Broad Summer Scholars Program (January). Most programs close in February, including NHLBI, Stanford SIMR, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Simons Summer Research, and Lawrence Livermore LLNL. Fred Hutch and Stanford SMYSP close in March, while CMU Pre-College Computational Biology closes in April. Students should begin preparing materials in the fall of their junior year.