15 Biology Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in biology, a summer program presents a great way for you to explore the life sciences beyond the classroom. These programs help you develop practical laboratory skills, gain industry experience through research or fieldwork, and establish valuable academic and professional connections. Many biology summer programs are hosted by prestigious universities, research institutes, and nonprofit organizations, ensuring that you receive both quality instruction and credible experience. If you are interested in fields such as biotechnology, medicine, or environmental science, summer programs offer a structured yet exploratory environment that allows you to deepen your knowledge and understanding.
To help you identify the most impactful opportunities, we have curated a list of 15 biology summer programs for high school students.
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Within commuting distance of your home
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Flexible start and end dates and determined by the selected student and their mentor
Application Deadline: November 22 – January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen (16+)
This eight-week paid summer internship, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), encourages high school students to explore careers in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be matched with professional mentors across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, with placements typically located within commuting distance of your home. You will work about 32 hours per week on projects such as fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, snorkeling, water quality testing, data analysis, and educational outreach. In addition to field and lab work, you will attend the Scholar’s Summit, gaining further insight into career pathways in aquatic science.
2. Veritas AI – Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have coding experience
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: The AI+ Medicine program combines biology and artificial intelligence, providing high school students with the opportunity to analyze biological data using machine learning techniques. As a participant, you will engage with bioinformatics tools and algorithms to explore applications in genomic data analysis and disease prediction models. This interdisciplinary approach offers practical, hands-on experience in AI while developing skills relevant to both biology and computer science. By the conclusion of the program, you will have completed data-driven projects focused on current biomedical challenges. You can apply to the program here.
3. New York University: Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 80 students
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: January – March 13
Eligibility: U.S. rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates (16+)
This three-week residential program introduces high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates to college-level study in the life and physical sciences. Offered at no cost, it combines lectures, workshops, and laboratory research across biology, chemistry, neural science, physics, and psychology. As a participant, you will learn directly from NYU faculty and guest speakers while gaining foundational exposure to multiple scientific disciplines. Beyond academics, the program also includes cultural and social activities in New York City.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4
The Lumere Research Scholar Program is a comprehensive research initiative designed specifically for motivated high school students. The program provides extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a diverse range of subject areas. As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will collaborate with you on an independent research project. Upon completion of the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper that could even be ready for publishing. You can choose research topics from fields like biology, biotechnology, human physiology and diseases, psychology, chemistry, and more.
5. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: High School Internship Program
Location: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 24 – August 5
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students (14-18)
This summer internship provides high school students with hands-on experience in biology and museum work. You will be placed in either the Department of Entomology or the Department of Exhibits, working on projects such as sorting and classifying insect specimens, assisting with collections, or contributing to exhibit development. Beyond project work, you will engage in public outreach, take part in field trips and behind-the-scenes tours, and connect with peers who share similar interests. The program also emphasizes skill-building to support future academic and career goals.
6. Stanford’s Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Summer Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 20 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students (16+) in the U.S.
This seven-week, in-person research experience introduces high school students to careers in healthcare and biomedical science. You will work full-time in the Jill Helms Laboratory, conducting hands-on projects in areas such as histology, imaging, and genotyping while contributing to ongoing research. The program integrates laboratory training with lectures, workshops on scientific communication and career exploration, and mentorship from faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. You will develop both technical skills and scientific reasoning, culminating in a formal presentation of your research findings to faculty, peers, and guests.
7. Stanford University: Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $500 – $2,500 and more
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (16+)
This eight-week internship is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical sciences. You will work full-time in Stanford laboratories under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students, with opportunities to specialize in one of eight research areas, including immunology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, and genetics/genomics. In addition to hands-on research, you will attend lectures and seminars covering key concepts in biomedical science. The program concludes with a poster presentation, allowing you to share your findings with the broader scientific community.
8. The Rockefeller University: Summer Science Research Program
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends offered to those with financial hardships
Cohort Size: 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a team-based research initiative for high school juniors and seniors, hosted by the Tri-Institutions—Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Each summer, 32 students are selected and placed into small research teams, guided by scientific trainees and mentors. Working in dedicated RockEDU laboratories, you will progress through research training, from learning methods and selecting a question to collecting and analyzing data. The program also features elective courses, workshops, guest lectures, and networking opportunities. It concludes with a poster presentation, where you showcase your work to peers and mentors.
9. Stanford University: Pediatrics Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free! Needs-based stipends of $3,000 offered
Cohort Size: 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students (16+); Must reside and attend high school in one of the following counties in Northern California: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Cruz
This six-week program introduces high school students to science, medicine, and research with a focus on maternal and child health. You will spend about 23 hours per week in a research lab, working under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to complete an independent project. Weekly workshops cover research methods, career exploration, and leadership development, while additional sessions provide practical guidance on college readiness, including applications and financial aid. The program culminates with you presenting your research posters at a closing symposium.
10. The Jackson Laboratory: Summer Student Program
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Stipend: $7,000
Cohort Size: 40-45 students
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: November – January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
This 10-week research fellowship is designed for graduating high school seniors interested in genetics and genomics. You will join active research projects under the mentorship of JAX scientists, gaining hands-on laboratory experience and building independence as researchers. Alongside lab work, you will take part in professional development sessions on genetic testing, data visualization, science communication, and peer review. Weekly journal clubs and discussions with scientists expose you to diverse career pathways in science, medicine, law, and communications. The program concludes with you presenting your research findings to peers, mentors, and family members.
11. Stanford University: Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Mid-December – March 17 (tentative)
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week summer program for high school students passionate about biology and healthcare. It combines hospital internships, academic lectures, workshops, and a group research project addressing public health disparities. You will gain hands-on experience by shadowing medical professionals, observing patient care, and participating in lab and departmental activities at Stanford Hospital. In addition, the program offers lectures on anatomy, public health, and research methods, along with guidance on college admissions, financial aid, and academic preparation. Mentorship from faculty, healthcare providers, and university students helps you explore medical careers while building leadership and research skills. The program concludes with students presenting their research through papers, posters, and presentations.
12. Columbia University: State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 5 – April 15
Eligibility: High school students with an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
This free preparatory program is designed for high school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or STEM fields. You will take enrichment courses in subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, brain and cognitive science, physics, psychology, and advanced mathematics, including calculus and statistics. The program also provides PSAT and SAT preparation, career development and college readiness workshops, academic counseling, and opportunities for field trips and college tours.
13. Stanford University: Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Hybrid; Virtual and in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 20 students
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (16+) residing in one of the following counties—Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz; Must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0.
This eight-week program introduces Bay Area high school students to computational genetics and genomics research. You will spend about 20 hours per week working in a research laboratory under the guidance of a faculty mentor, gaining hands-on experience in genomics. Weekly cohort sessions, career panels, and seminars provide further exposure to pathways in biomedical research, while regular mentor check-ins support both technical skill development and a deeper understanding of the field.
14. University of Pennsylvania: Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 12-15 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Philadelphia rising 10th-11th-grade students
This four-week, campus-based program is open to high school students from Philadelphia and pairs you with one of five Penn Graduate and Professional Schools—Medicine, Nursing, Dental Medicine, Engineering, or Law. You will gain direct exposure to academic and career pathways through hands-on experiential learning while also receiving structured support in study skills, time management, SAT preparation, financial literacy, and personal statement writing. The program concludes with a college fair, offering you the chance to explore higher education opportunities.
15. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Biotech Summer Experience
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Livermore, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3 – March 14
Eligibility: High school students (16+) with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
This two-week program immerses high school students in molecular biology and bioinformatics research. You will investigate genes from the freshwater plant Landoltia punctata (duckweed) through experiments such as plasmid DNA isolation, PCR, restriction digestion, and gel electrophoresis. You will also use professional bioinformatics tools to analyze gene sequences, with final results submitted to GenBank and credited by name, providing a unique opportunity for international recognition in a scientific database.
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