13 Biology Research Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you want to explore life sciences beyond the high school curriculum, biology research programs are worth considering. As a participant, you will participate in experiments, analyze datasets, and contribute to ongoing or independent research projects. They also help you build connections with researchers and gain exposure to how science is practiced in academic or industry settings.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City is home to universities, hospitals, and research institutions that offer a wide range of biology research programs for high school students. These programs can help you develop practical lab and data analysis skills and explore advanced topics in areas such as molecular biology, neuroscience, environmental science, and biomedical engineering. Whether you are a local or visiting the city, NYC offers various programs that let you explore opportunities in biology.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 biology research programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center’s Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends of $1,200 available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 2% acceptance rate; 20 interns/summer
Program dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6; applications open on December 1.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side in Manhattan; applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in science subjects, be at least 14 years old, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
MSK Cancer Center’s Summer Student Program is an eight-week research experience for high school students interested in biomedical science and gaining early exposure to laboratory research. You will spend the summer working in an MSK lab, focusing on a self-directed project in cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, or structural biology. Throughout the internship, you will work with a research mentor who will guide your daily tasks and help you build lab skills. The program includes professional development sessions across MSK departments, offering a broader view of translational medicine and biomedical career paths. You will attend lab meetings, connect with MSK researchers, contribute to projects supporting ongoing research, and present your work at a poster session.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with Python or core AI concepts
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends are available (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 20 students (tentative; subject to change)
Program dates: June 30 – August 15 (tentative; subject to change), with 12 Saturday classes during the Spring semester
Application deadline: October 31; applications open on October 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from NYC who are enrolled in one of BRAINYAC’s partner programs: S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Centre, Columbia Secondary School, and BioBus; preference is given to students from upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
BRAINYAC offers high school students a structured opportunity to explore neuroscience through hands-on laboratory work and guided mentorship. You will first take part in Spring training sessions covering scientific concepts like neuroanatomy, pipetting, Python fundamentals, scientific reading, and responsible research practices. During the summer, you will work with a Columbia neuroscientist on a defined research project, contributing to tasks such as microscopy, tissue processing, behavior analysis, or other experimental work. Beyond daily lab work, you will attend weekly classes that can help you prepare a scientific poster summarizing your contributions to the lab’s broader goals. At the end of the summer, you will present your poster at a public event and have the opportunity to continue your research through merit fellowships or future internships.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort—January deadline for Spring cohort, May deadlines for Summer cohorts, September deadlines for Fall cohorts, and November deadline for Winter cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
This is a rigorous research program meant for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including biology and biomedicine. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
3. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) at Bronx Zoo
Location: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) headquarters, Bronx Zoo, NY + field trips to green spaces and national parks across NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free; summer interns receive $750 or $16/hour | Fall interns get a $350 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~20 high school students
Program dates: Summer program: Late June – August (three days/ week) | Fall program: September – December (14 Saturdays)
Application deadline: March 7 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from the Bronx
Bronx Zoo’s Project TRUE internship offers high school students the chance to dive into ecological research through a paid summer or fall internship. You will work in small research teams led by Fordham University undergraduate mentors, focusing on field-based projects that examine NYC’s wildlife and green spaces. Your research may involve studying topics such as bird diversity, water quality, or invasive species. In the process, you will gain direct experience with data collection, analysis, and interpretation in an urban environment. Throughout the program, you will build technical and communication skills while learning how ecological research is carried out in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. You will also have the chance to present your findings at local conferences and the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium Symposium.
4. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 21; applications open January 6.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from NYC
ARISE at NYU gives high school students a structured introduction to scientific research through a combination of STEM training and hands-on lab experience. In the first four weeks, you will participate in safety instruction, research skills workshops, and college preparation sessions before moving on to a six-week placement in an NYU STEM lab. Here, under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers, you will observe how real research teams operate while contributing to ongoing work in areas such as molecular and cellular biology, genomics, evolutionary morphology, or applied micro-bioengineering. In the process, you will learn lab techniques, attend lab meetings, and develop public speaking skills. The experience concludes with opportunities to share your research findings at a colloquium and a final poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
5. BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; ~15 students selected each year
Program dates: Late June – August (eight weeks) + academic year program from September – May
Application deadline: January 12; applications open on November 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, reside in the Bronx, and attend a Bronx high school
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program is a paid opportunity for Bronx high school students interested in gaining substantial experience in biomedical and cancer research. The program combines an eight-week summer laboratory internship with an optional after-school seminar series focused on scientific skills and college readiness. In the summer, you will work full-time for eight weeks alongside MECCC faculty mentors, learning how to conduct hypothesis-based research, analyze data, and communicate your findings through written and oral presentations. You will also take part in workshops led by scientists, postdocs, and students, learning about research methods, professional pathways, and the day-to-day work of a cancer biology lab. At the end of the program, you will present your research to the MECCC community. Following the summer, you will be eligible to receive additional guidance on college applications, financial aid, and academic preparation during the school year.
6. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace Community Biology Lab, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies; ~14 students in the past
Program dates: February 25 – May 21 + Orientation Day on February 20 (Spring Session) | July 6 – August 14 (Summer Session)
Application deadline: TBA; applications open on November 1.
Eligibility: High school students who live or attend NYC public or charter schools within 45 minutes of Genspace (some exceptions might be made) and are at least 16 years old
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a six-month, paid STEM internship for New York City public and charter high school students. Hosted at Genspace, a community biology lab in Brooklyn, the program allows you to work with scientist mentors and peers to explore current topics in genetic engineering and biology while learning core laboratory techniques and building science communication skills. You may work on designing and conducting a group research project, take part in lab tours, visit biotech companies, and participate in improv-based workshops that help you communicate scientific ideas clearly. Throughout the program, you will get some exposure to real research settings and insights into the broader STEM ecosystem in NYC.
7. BioBus High School Junior Scientist Internships
Location: Lower East Side Junior Scientist Internship: LES Community Lab, New York, NY | Harlem Women in STEM Internship and Harlem Science Internship: BioBase Harlem at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends of $17/hour available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Lower East Side Junior Scientist Internship & Harlem Science Internship: July 6 – June 15 of the following year | Harlem Women in STEM Internship: September – June 15
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9 – 11; Harlem internships are open to applicants who live AND/OR attend school in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood, and Lower East Side internships are open to students who live in and/or go to school in the Lower East Side or Chinatown.
The BioBus High School Junior Scientist Internships are paid opportunities for NYC high school students interested in hands-on biology research and science communication. Here, you will work with research scientists, develop an independent project using research-grade microscopes, and contribute to ongoing studies in areas such as ecology, organismal biology, and environmental science. You may also take on a teaching role by co-instructing for BioBus science programs designed for younger students. Depending on the internship track, you may participate in full-time summer research or part-time academic year sessions. As an intern, you will receive mentorship, present your findings at poster sessions, and get structured support as you build professional skills relevant to STEM fields.
8. SPARKED @ Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine
Location: Virtual and in-person at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai campus, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Four pre-program meetings + Summer internship: July 13 – August 20 + Academic-year engagement: November – May (twice a week)
Application deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 – 18, who have completed at least one high school science course and have at least an 80% GPA in science subjects
The SPARKED (Summer Program Advancing Research Knowledge, Education, and Development) program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers you direct exposure to biomedical laboratory work over the course of 10 months. The program begins with virtual preparatory sessions, followed by a six-week summer internship in which you work four days a week in a cancer or regenerative medicine lab alongside a dedicated faculty mentor. During this period, you will take part in hands-on experiments, learn core laboratory techniques, and practice reading and discussing scientific literature. You will also attend group enrichment sessions and hear from clinicians and scientists who specialize in cancer and regenerative medicine. During the school year, you will continue to engage part-time through monthly meetings focused on scientific enrichment, career exploration, and college preparation, culminating in a final presentation of your research.
9. Wave Hill Forest Project
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of ~$2,275 available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 6 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27; applications open on January 6.
Eligibility: NYC high school students, ages 16 and above, who are eligible to work in the U.S.; applicants must be able to engage in physical work, including working in unpaved natural areas and using heavy tools.
The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer internship that gives high school students firsthand experience in urban ecology, ecological restoration, and field-based environmental research. As an intern, you will join small crews to work on projects such as removing invasive species, maintaining woodland trails, stabilizing eroded slopes, and documenting ecological changes across the site. You will also take an accredited college course on the restoration of NYC’s natural areas, where you will learn about research methods, collect data, and study topics like ecology and environmental management. The experience also includes site visits and exchanges with partner organizations, giving you exposure to professionals and peers involved in similar restoration and environmental projects.
10. New York Bioforce
Location: Training at Columbia University, New York, NY + internship placements at Columbia Engineering/Weill Cornell Medicine/the New York Cancer and Blood Specialists/other life science organizations across NYC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends are paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies; ~27 students selected in the past
Program dates: April 4 – August 14
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: NYCDOE public or charter high school juniors and seniors enrolled in NYC high schools that have an Economic Need Index (ENI) of 0.8/80% or higher (check details here) | applicants must have a family income that qualifies for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or similar government aid.
New York Bioforce offers a two-phase training and internship experience that introduces you to life science research, laboratory techniques, and professional skills used in STEM fields. You will begin with 50 hours of Saturday sessions at Columbia University, where you will study topics such as molecular biology, biomedical engineering, data science, and clinical science while learning research methods and workplace communication skills. After the spring training, you will complete a six-week, mentored summer internship at an academic or industry lab or a health care institution, working about 25 hours per week alongside professionals in real research environments. Throughout the summer, you will gain hands-on experience conducting experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to ongoing projects under the guidance of a mentor. At the end of the program, you will present your research in a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History.
11. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: Various City University of New York campuses in NYC
Stipend: Varies by campus; typically, ~$1,500 offered to summer research participants
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by campus
Application deadline: Varies by campus
Dates: Spring courses + summer research; dates vary by campus
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
CUNY’s STEM Research Academy is a two-semester research-focused program designed for high school students. In the spring, you will learn about scientific research while taking a pre-college course. This will be followed by a summer research experience. Here, you will engage in a six-week research experience within a CUNY laboratory, where you will run experiments, learn how to collect and analyze data, and document your findings. You can highlight your preference for biology-focused placements. At the end of the internship, you will present your project at the American Museum of Natural History.
12. Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 80 students/year
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Simons–NYU Science Explorations is a three-week residential program for high school students interested in exploring biology, physics, chemistry, neural science, and psychology. During the program, you will dive into introductory college-level biology and science coursework and engage in laboratory research. Additionally, you will attend lab sessions and workshops designed to cover the fundamentals of all five scientific disciplines. The free program also offers opportunities to participate in social activities in NYC.
13. NYU’s GSTEM Summer Program
Location: NYU, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $5,750 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (housing and meal expenses); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 40 students/year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in grade 11
NYU’s GSTEM is a six-week in-person research experience for high schoolers interested in STEM. As a participant, you will work with a professor or researcher on a research project. You can choose a research track in biology. During the program, you will develop skills in data collection and analysis and scientific writing. The program also offers mentorship and exposure to women leaders in STEM while helping you build college-level research experience. You will get to present your work at the end of GSTEM.
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