15 Biology Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida

If you are a high school student interested in biology, summer programs offer an exciting way to dive deeper into the subject through research, lab work, and field experiences. These programs allow you to explore key areas of biology like genetics, marine science, ecology, and microbiology by working alongside scientists, professors, and graduate students. You'll develop practical lab skills, enhance your scientific reasoning, and gain insight into what a career in biology entails.

Why should you attend a program in Florida?

Florida is home to universities, medical centers, and research institutes such as the University of Florida and Florida State University. These institutions host summer programs that expose you to advanced research projects, fieldwork, and mentorship from faculty and scientists. Whether you live in Florida or are coming from another state, the programs here provide a strong mix of academic challenge and practical scientific exploration.

To help you get started, below are 15 biology summer programs for high school students in Florida. 

If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.

1. High School Student Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology

Location: Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

Stipend: $1,000 scholarship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 8 – July 31

Application Deadline: February 1

Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older and are enrolled in 11th grade or below; students with H4 visas do not qualify for the program

Over eight weeks, interns at Moffitt Cancer Center join mathematical oncology researchers to explore cancer‑biology problems through a combination of biological insight and quantitative analysis. As part of the internship, participants contribute to research projects, help with data collection or computational modeling, and eventually produce a summary report of their findings. The program provides a practical introduction to interdisciplinary biomedical research by integrating biology, mathematics, and computational thinking. Students gain hands-on experience in research methods, data analysis, and collaborating across disciplines at a leading medical research center.

2. Veritas AI: Deep Dive: AI + Medicine

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python

Started and organized by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI is a program centered around artificial intelligence. The AI + Medicine Deep Dive version of the program teaches how you can implement AI within the healthcare and medical industry. During the program, you will have the chance to use AI and ML models to diagnose diseases, improve medical scans, and interpret their outcomes for doctors and patients.

3. FAMU Entomology Internship

Location: Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Cost/Stipend: Free | $250 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available

Dates: July 24 – 29 (tentative, based on previous years)

Application Deadline: Interested students can contact program staff

Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders with an interest in entomology

This brief internship provides high school students with practical experience in entomology and biological control research at FAMU’s Entomology Department. Interns work with insect specimens, contribute to small-scale research projects, and observe species behavior and care under supervision. The program culminates in a student presentation of findings, offering experience in scientific communication and project summarization. Additionally, interns attend workshops and educational sessions on entomology career paths, lab safety, and species management.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Biology Track

Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort

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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 biology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

5. Florida International University Summer Research Internship Program

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL

Stipend: Merit-based scholarship is typically provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: June 12 – August 7

Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring

Eligibility: Students from South Florida High Schools who are 16 years or older and have an unweighted GPA of 3.0

This eight‑week internship allows high‑school students (16+, South Florida) to engage in cardiovascular health research under the guidance of FIU staff. Interns commit to about 15 hours per week, including reviewing case studies, attending journal clubs, and contributing to ongoing research efforts. In addition to lab or research work, you’ll take an internship course of your choice and complete required safety training and paperwork before beginning.

6. Florida State University Young Scholars Program

Location:  Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; selected students usually have received a score in the 90th percentile or better in math on a nationally standardized exam

Dates: June 7 – July 18

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Students who have completed the eleventh grade in a Florida public or private high school and have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0

The Young Scholars Program is a residential program where you can study various STEM subjects, including biology, such as Modern Molecular Biology Intensive and Fundamentals in Neuroscience. Courses cover techniques such as tissue culture, molecular biology, fundamentals of gene editing, and neuroscience methods, providing early experience with college-level laboratory work. Participants can also collaborate with research teams from different university departments, gaining insight into joint scientific investigation. The program combines instruction, hands-on lab practice, and teamwork, all under academic oversight.

7. Summer Scholars Program: Marine Biology Program

Location: New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots

Dates: June 22 – 27

Application Deadline: Rolling through June 1

Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders

Over five days at New College of Florida’s Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center, students explore ecological and environmental challenges facing waterways and estuaries. Through small‑group work and staff‑led sessions, you’ll examine current research questions and brainstorm potential conservation or management strategies. Participants work together on problem-solving activities and gain practical field and lab skills related to marine biology. The program also offers a scholarship for students who perform well, providing a pathway to extended study at the college.

8. Saturday At The Sea

Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students and two teacher participants in each session

Dates: June 8 – 12 | June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10 | July 20 – 24

Application Deadline: May 8

Eligibility: Current 6th – 8th graders who reside in Florida and can swim

Over a five‑day session, participants join small cohorts to study marine ecology through fieldwork, habitat monitoring, and ecological data collection. Students gather real habitat data, analyze ecological parameters, and learn about coastal ecosystems and conservation science. The program offers early exposure to field‑based scientific research and teamwork in a natural environment. While non‑credit and introductory, it lets younger students explore whether marine ecology and environmental science interest them.

9. Pathways into Healthcare Careers (PiHC) Program

Location: Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Jacksonville, FL

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 students

Dates: July 10 – 12

Application Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Duval County; U.S. citizens or permanent residents (students from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged) 

During this three-day program, you will engage in interactive stimulations, tours, panels, and activities tailored to educate you about 20 allied health professions. You’ll meet professionals from departments like pharmacy, anesthesia, surgical technology, and more, learning about daily responsibilities, required education paths, and career options. The program focuses on broad exposure instead of in-depth specialization, providing a comprehensive overview of healthcare careers beyond just medicine. Through meetings, observational experiences, and Q&A sessions, you’ll gain valuable insight into allied‑health roles and what it takes to pursue them.

10. Clearwater Marine Aquarium Marine Science Camps

Location: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL

Cost: $480

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots

Dates: Various 5-day camps from June 1 – August 7

Application Deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders between the ages of 15 and 18

Another option for marine biology enthusiasts is this Advanced Marine Biology camp by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you gain a thorough understanding of the basic concepts from the field through various activities. Alongside aquarists and marine biologists, you’ll visit a rehabilitation center and nearby natural habitats, and engage in activities such as snorkeling, kayak excursions, and education on local marine ecosystems. The experience is designed to introduce marine‑habitat biology, animal care, and ecological conservation in a coastal environment. It also gives students practical exposure to both the public‑education and scientific sides of marine biology.

11. Gator JumpStart Biology

Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Cost: $20 application fee; program fees TBA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: TBA

Application Deadline: Opens in January 

Eligibility: Students who are entering or attending a Florida high school and have not taken any high school biology

The Gator Jumpstart, operated by the University of Florida Center for Precollegiate Education and Training, is designed for high school students who want to familiarize themselves with concepts typically covered in Biology I. Over one week, you’ll be introduced to foundational biological concepts in a university setting, participate in research‑site visits, and interact with current UF students and researchers. The format combines classroom-style lectures, hands-on activities, and exposure to campus labs and facilities. For students wanting a gentle but structured introduction to biology before taking formal courses, this program offers a supportive setting and a glimpse into university-level science.

12. Southern Scholars Camp

Location: Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL

Cost: $500

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 9 – 13

Application Deadline: Opens in early January

Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders 

This five-day camp at Florida Southern College introduces younger students to foundational biology, environmental science, and microbiology through hands-on experiments and ecological sampling. Activities include soil‑sample collection and lab-based analysis, giving insight into ecology, microbial life, and environmental science methods. The program aims to build early scientific thinking, problem-solving, and observational skills. For students just beginning to explore biology, this camp offers a low-pressure, exploratory environment to test interest.

13. Cleveland Clinic Florida – Summer Scholar Program

Location: Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL 

Cost: $100 onboarding and processing fee for accepted students

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: June 16 – July 4 | July 2 – 25 | Compulsory orientation will be conducted on June 16 for both sessions

Application Deadline: March 30

Eligibility: Rising high school senior students with a GPA of 3.6 and higher, and college undergraduate students

This summer scholar program enables students to spend part of their summer immersed in hospital and clinical environments at Cleveland Clinic Florida, rotating through departments like radiology, emergency medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. Students observe healthcare processes, talk with physicians, and are introduced to different medical specialties. The program concludes with a case‑presentation requirement, providing participants with experience in medical communication and ethical thinking.

14. Pre-College at Eckerd: Marine Science

Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL

Cost: $2,250

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 14 – 19 | June 21 – 26

Application Deadline: Opens in January

Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall; must be able to swim and have active health insurance coverage

This one‑week program offers students a hands-on introduction to marine science through a curriculum modeled after Eckerd College's undergraduate program. It combines classroom lectures, lab experiments, and fieldwork in coastal and marine environments. Participants study topics such as marine biology, chemistry, and geology, and sample different career pathways in marine science. The balance of lab work, fieldwork, and academic content helps participants decide whether pursuing a career in marine science is worth it for them.

15. University of Miami Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program

Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

Cost: $9,532 (Residential) | $8,144 (Commuter) | Scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive

Dates: June 27 – July 17

Application Deadline: April 1 (Regular admission)

Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 or 11

This pre-college program from the University of Florida allows you to explore various disciplines, including biology, while earning six college credits. If you’re interested in biology, your options include Cancer Biology: Treatment, Management, and Prevention; Neuroscience and Public Health; and Microbiology, Immunology, and Public Health. Depending on the one you pick, you will attend two three-credit classes that are taught by professors who are experts in the field. Coursework combines theoretical lectures with lab experiments and research assignments, giving you both conceptual understanding and practical lab exposure.

Image source - Florida State University