15 Biology Research Programs for High School Students
As a high school student interested in biology, a research program can be a valuable stepping stone to your career in STEM. By working on research projects, you can develop practical lab skills, learn how scientists think, and collaborate with mentors. Many programs feature lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities, allowing you to understand how research connects to college majors and future careers. These experiences also help you strengthen applications to selective universities by demonstrating a commitment to science and an ability to handle complex projects.
Biology research allows you to explore many fields, including medicine, neuroscience, genetics, and environmental science, based on your interests. Working in biology labs can teach you how to design experiments, analyze data, and communicate results clearly. You may study cancer cells, track animal behavior, or work with computational models of disease. By the end, you will understand what real scientific research involves and whether you want to continue studying biology in college.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down 15 biology research programs for high school students.
If you are interested in biology, check out our other blogs here and here
1. Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), New York, NY
Stipend: $1200 upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 – August 21 (eight weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: High‑school students, 14+, who live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Main Campus; 3.5+ GPA in science subjects
This eight-week internship introduces you to cancer research at one of the world’s leading biomedical institutions. You’ll be matched with a mentor and contribute to projects in biology, chemistry, or computational analysis while learning standard laboratory methods. Weekly seminars and panel discussions connect you with MSK researchers and clinicians, offering insights into careers in science and medicine. The experience culminates in a poster session where you’ll present your project to faculty and peers. With its competitive selection and paid stipend, this program is a strong option among biology research programs for high school students based in New York.
2. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 28 - August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High‑school juniors with strong academics
Hosted at MIT, RSI blends advanced coursework with an immersive research internship, giving you the chance to experience science at a professional level. The program begins with one week of intensive STEM seminars taught by distinguished professors and researchers. You’ll then spend five weeks conducting original research under the mentorship of MIT faculty or scientists from partner institutions. During this phase, you’ll read scientific papers, design and perform experiments, and analyze your results independently. Alongside lab work, you’ll attend lectures on topics like research ethics, communication, and college pathways. The program concludes with a written thesis and oral presentation, mirroring the expectations of graduate-level research.
3. Veritas AI – AI + Medicine Deep Dive Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; 100% need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Ten‑week sessions; dates vary based on cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling based on cohort; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High‑school students, grades 8-12, completion of AI Scholars, or background in coding
This virtual program, developed by Harvard graduate students, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the medical field. You’ll learn to design and test machine-learning models that can detect diseases, interpret medical images, or assist with diagnosis. In small mentor-guided teams, you’ll work on an original research project that connects AI to a health-related challenge. Throughout the ten-week course, you’ll refine your technical and analytical skills through coding sessions and discussions on real-world case studies. The program concludes with a presentation of your findings and feedback from academic mentors, helping you understand how data science meets medicine.
4. Biotech Summer Experience
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3 – March 14
Eligibility: High‑school students aged 16+, GPA 3.3+,
The Biotech Summer Experience gives you an inside look at how molecular biology and biotechnology are applied in real research labs. During two intensive weeks, you’ll perform experiments like gene cloning, DNA sequencing, and computational analysis using bioinformatics tools. You’ll also attend seminars led by laboratory scientists and collaborate with other participants on a capstone project. By the end of the program, you’ll have built technical and teamwork skills and gained an understanding of how research supports national science initiatives. The program wraps up with a symposium where you’ll share your results with mentors and peers.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; one‑to‑one mentorship
Dates: Varies based on cohort; Winter cohort starts December 8
Application Deadline: Rolling based on cohort; Winter cohort: November 16
Eligibility: High‑school students with strong academic scores
Lumiere’s Biology Track pairs you one‑on‑one with a PhD mentor from universities like Harvard, MIT, or Oxford. You select a topic based on your interests, such as genetics, ecology, neurobiology, or biotechnology, and develop a research question with your mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll perform literature reviews, design experiments or computational analyses, and write an academic‑style research paper. You will receive detailed feedback and a letter of recommendation, and you can submit your paper to high‑school research journals or competitions. The personalized mentorship model makes this a solid option among biology research programs for high school students.
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (eight weeks)
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High‑school juniors and seniors; 16+, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At Stanford’s SIMR, you’ll be immersed in one of several research areas, from immunology and stem cell biology to bioinformatics, working directly with university scientists. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn advanced lab techniques, attend daily seminars, and contribute to ongoing research projects. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, giving you the chance to collect data, analyze results, and discuss findings with peers and mentors. You’ll conclude your summer by presenting your project at a campus-wide symposium. Because SIMR accepts only a small number of students each year, participation demonstrates strong academic preparation and genuine scientific curiosity.
7. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Location: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1 (nine weeks)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who have completed at least one year of math and biology; 16+ by program start, live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and are underrepresented in the sciences
In this nine-week program, you’ll work alongside scientists and clinicians at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital on projects in molecular or clinical research. Mentors will guide you through the process of collecting data, interpreting results, and understanding how laboratory science connects to patient care. Weekly seminars and journal discussions help you grasp broader topics in medicine and public health. The program also builds a sense of community among participants through networking and social activities. It concludes with a formal symposium, where you’ll present your findings to faculty, peers, and family members.
8. Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None (students cover housing and transportation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Vary by research project; 5 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: High school students, 16+, enrolled in a U.S. high school, and able to commute; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
At Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program, you’ll spend several weeks as a full-time member of a university research team. You may assist with experiments in molecular biology, ecology, or chemical biology while learning essential techniques like PCR and gel electrophoresis. You’ll attend regular lab meetings and journal clubs, gaining a real sense of how professional scientists collaborate and troubleshoot. This non-residential program requires you to arrange your own housing and transportation, but offers flexibility for students living nearby. By the end, you’ll produce a written summary of your research and walk away with practical skills that mirror an undergraduate lab experience.
9. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend provided upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, exact dates vary by year
Application Deadline: March 31; exact dates vary
Eligibility: High‑school rising seniors, 16+
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, you’ll begin your summer with two weeks of intensive research training before joining a lab for six weeks of mentored work. You’ll participate in experiments related to cancer biology, immunology, or data analysis, depending on your placement. The program includes professional development workshops and community-building activities, giving you a well-rounded view of research careers. By the end, you’ll present your findings at a campus symposium and receive feedback from scientists across disciplines. This selective internship is ideal if you are seeking a comprehensive introduction to laboratory research and scientific communication.
10. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Centre, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid (undisclosed stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High‑school students from the greater Philadelphia area; strong interest in science and ability to work in the U.S., underrepresented groups strongly encouraged to apply
The Monell Chemical Senses Center’s apprenticeship gives you the chance to explore how taste and smell research connect to health and nutrition. Over seven weeks, you’ll conduct experiments under the supervision of Monell scientists while attending enrichment lectures and safety workshops. The program emphasizes developing your own curiosity, encouraging you to interpret results and discuss their implications with mentors. You’ll also join panel discussions on college preparation and STEM careers. The experience ends with a public presentation of your work, making it a valuable early step toward a future in biomedical research.
11. UCI Youth Science Fellowship Program
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (six weeks)
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High‑school juniors and seniors attending Orange County schools; completed at least one high school chemistry lab class and one biology class
At the University of California, Irvine, you’ll spend six weeks contributing to ongoing cancer research projects in faculty labs. Your focus might include tumor genetics, immunotherapy, or molecular diagnostics. You’ll work roughly 30 hours per week, participate in journal clubs, and attend lectures on research ethics and career development. Throughout the fellowship, you’ll build technical and analytical skills while gaining confidence in presenting scientific results. The program concludes with a formal symposium where you’ll share your findings with the UCI research community.
12. Science & Nutrition Summer Research Program
Location: City of Hope Medical Centre, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Four one‑week sessions; July 8 – 10, July 15 – 17, July 22 – 24, July 29 – 31
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High‑school students (grades 9–12)
City of Hope’s program introduces you to the intersection of biology, nutrition, and public health. Across four weekly sessions, you’ll explore how nutrients and genetics influence metabolism and chronic disease risk. Lectures and group discussions help you connect scientific theory with real-world health outcomes. You’ll collaborate with peers to analyze research papers and design a mini-project related to human nutrition. In addition to lab exposure, you’ll participate in workshops and campus tours that showcase careers in medical and nutritional sciences. This is a solid option among biology research programs for high school students interested in nutrition and its impact on human biology.
13. UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: University of California, Davis, CA (residential on‑campus program)
Cost: $7,500 including housing, meals, and five units of university credit + $45 application fee (waiver available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 40 students are selected
Dates: June 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 15; applications open on January 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and live and attend school in the U.S.
This residential program at UC Davis offers you a full summer of hands-on research guided by faculty mentors. Over six weeks, you’ll live on campus, earn university credit, and investigate topics ranging from molecular biology to environmental science. You’ll learn lab or fieldwork techniques and attend weekly academic seminars. The weekends feature educational trips to facilities like the Monterey Bay Aquarium or Bodega Marine Lab, expanding your perspective on scientific research. The program concludes with a presentation of your project findings, giving you valuable experience in professional scientific communication.
14. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,675 (commuter) | $13,274 (residential); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9
Eligibility: High school students in the 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA
At UC Santa Barbara’s RMP, you’ll spend six weeks conducting university-level research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You’ll select a topic from disciplines such as biology, biochemistry, or marine science and spend most of your time in labs or research meetings. The program also includes two interdisciplinary courses that teach research design, academic writing, and presentation skills for college-level work. You’ll produce both a formal research paper and a final presentation summarizing your findings. Participants can earn university credits, making RMP a rigorous and rewarding experience for aspiring scientists.
15. UC San Diego Research Scholars: Life Sciences Track’s Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
Location: Hybrid; online lectures with an optional in‑person lab session at UC San Diego
Cost: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: January 5 – March 12
Application Deadline: December 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 who have taken AP Biology and Pre‑Calculus
This ten-week hybrid course introduces you to the computational side of biological research. You’ll attend online lectures on topics such as sequencing technologies, R programming, and data visualization, with an optional in-person lab component. Mentors guide you through statistical design and interpretation of biological datasets using public data repositories. You’ll practice analyzing and presenting results in clear, professional formats similar to what undergraduates use in research courses. The program concludes with a capstone project that demonstrates how bioinformatics tools help answer real biological questions.
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