15 Biology Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in exploring life sciences, a biology research program is an excellent way to gain early exposure to the field. Biology research programs provide a structured environment where you can explore laboratory techniques, data analysis, and real-world biological questions while working alongside researchers and mentors. They can also help you understand how biology connects to fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.
A research program can also help you strengthen your academic background while gaining experience. They often offer learning opportunities like research mentorship, site visits to labs or hospitals, and research presentations at the end of the session. By participating, you can also expand your network of peers and professionals who share your interests.
To help you navigate the many opportunities available, we have come up with a list of 15 biology summer research programs for high school students.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors and seniors and at least 16 years old by the program start date
Cost/Stipend: $500–$2,500 stipend; $40 application fee (waivers available); housing and transportation not provided
SIMR allows you to explore medically oriented biology research under the guidance of Stanford faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars. Over eight weeks, you will explore one of eight specialized research tracks, like cancer biology, bioengineering, or genetics, and contribute to a genuine lab project. In addition to gaining technical lab skills, you will learn about the scientific process and explore how to analyze biological data. The program also features guest lectures from Stanford researchers, opportunities for participation in outreach activities, and a culminating symposium where you will present your work.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; several deadlines for each cohort
Eligibility: High school students with prior coding experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Cost: Varies depending on session; financial aid available
The Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive gives you the chance to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare and medical research. Under structured mentorship, you will work with real healthcare datasets and participate in interactive coding exercises to explore machine learning applications in diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. Projects may include preparing medical data and designing machine learning models to tackle pressing health challenges. You will also work on a final project that addresses a medical problem through AI and present your findings for evaluation.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various locations throughout the U.S.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer; flexible start and end dates
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates, at least 16 years old, living in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend + all expenses paid trip to Hutton Scholars Summit
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program provides you with training in fisheries and aquatic sciences through a paid summer internship. Over eight weeks, you will collaborate with professional fisheries biologists on projects related to habitat protection, restoration, and management. Activities may include conducting fish population surveys, analyzing ecological data, and assisting with specimen examinations or electrofishing. In addition to field and lab work, you will present your findings at the end of the program to develop scientific communication skills. A highlight of the experience is the fully funded Hutton Scholars Summit, where you will participate in career exploration sessions, college preparation workshops, and networking with fellow scholars.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Biology Track
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in summer (June – August)
Application deadline: Varying deadlines by cohort; May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial assistance available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program’s Biology Track allows you to pursue independent research in life sciences under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over 12 weeks, you will design a project in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, ecology, or biomedical sciences and learn how to develop a research question, analyze data, and write a formal paper. The program emphasizes one-on-one mentorship, providing you with personalized guidance on both the technical and conceptual aspects of research. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished research paper that can serve as a strong academic writing sample.
5. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old (or 16+ for wet lab/in-person internships)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (need-based fee waivers available); no stipend
ASSIP offers on-campus and virtual research internships in various fields, including bioengineering, biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry. You can choose a mentor offering opportunities in biology or related tracks and contribute to their research efforts while also refining your scientific writing and communication skills. During the eight-week program, you will learn about STEM career paths through discussions led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2%; 20 students selected per year
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and reside in NY, NJ, or CT within 25 miles of MSK’s main campus
Stipend: $1,200
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program gives you the chance to conduct biomedical and computational research at a leading cancer center. Over the eight-week session, you will work closely with a faculty mentor on a laboratory project in fields such as genomics, pharmacology, or immunology. In addition to learning lab techniques, you will participate in seminars and workshops on scientific communication and career pathways. A key feature of the program is the poster presentation, where you will showcase your research findings to faculty and peers.
7. Johns Hopkins University Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: In-person: June – August (eight weeks) | Virtual: July – August (five weeks)
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City (in-person) or anywhere in North America (virtual track)
Stipend: $15/hour for in-person participants; no stipend for virtual interns
JHIBS is an opportunity to conduct neuroscience research alongside faculty at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. You will explore areas such as neurodevelopment, neuroimaging, and clinical neurobiology while gaining practical lab and analysis skills. In the in-person format, you will also participate in hospital rotations to observe patient care and gain an understanding of the clinical applications of neuroscience. Both internship formats offer weekly seminars, mentorship from researchers, and collaboration with peers on scientific projects. The program concludes with a research presentation, helping you build confidence in scientific communication.
8. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: MPFI campus, Jupiter, FL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; <10% acceptance
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, age 16+, residing in Palm Beach or Martin County with U.S. work authorization
Stipend: $13/hour
The Summer Research Internship at MPFI immerses you in advanced neuroscience research through six weeks of full-time lab work. You will choose a focus area such as neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering and gain direct experience with cutting-edge imaging technologies. Under the mentorship of MPFI scientists, you will gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis techniques while developing skills in scientific communication. The program concludes with a final presentation of your research findings to faculty and peers. Alongside lab training, you will engage with the broader MPFI research community, gaining insights into careers in brain science and professional growth.
9. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20 students selected out of 400+ applications
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties with a minimum 3.0 GPA and prior coursework in biology, chemistry, or programming required
Cost/Stipend: Free
GRIPS offers students research experiences in genomics at Stanford University. Over the course of eight weeks, you will assist with experiments in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics while working under the mentorship of faculty and researchers. The program features seminars, skill-building workshops, and career panels that focus on biomedical research and the future of genomic science. You will also find opportunities to connect with other researchers and peers during the program.
10. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%; 18–24 students selected from ~200 applicants
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students from the Greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
Stipend: Weekly salary available (varies by year)
MSAP provides high school students from the Philadelphia area with the opportunity to conduct biomedical research in a professional laboratory setting. Over the course of eight weeks, you will work on projects in sensory science, neurobiology, or biomedicine under the guidance of Monell researchers. You will have access to lab training and weekly seminars covering topics such as scientific communication, ethics, and advanced research issues. The program emphasizes both independent research and collaboration, culminating in a final public presentation of your findings.
11. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students selected annually
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who belong to low-income backgrounds and are first-generation college-bound students
Stipend: $1,250
SMYSP is a five-week residential program designed to support underrepresented students interested in medicine, public health, and the biological sciences. During the program, you will shadow clinicians, participate in team-based public health research projects, and take courses in anatomy, epidemiology, and health equity. You will also receive one-on-one mentorship from Stanford faculty and healthcare professionals who will provide academic and career guidance. Additionally, the program includes workshops on college applications and financial aid, ensuring you are well-prepared for future opportunities.
12. CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy
Location: City College of New York (CCNY) campus, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students in spring course; ~10 selected for summer internship
Dates: Spring Course: February 11 – May 22; Summer Internship: June 30 – August 7 (subject to change)
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th or 11th graders in spring; strong academic standing with specific Regents exam scores and GPA requirements
Stipend: Up to $1,575 available for summer internship participants
The CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy combines a preparatory spring course with a competitive summer research internship. During the spring, you will enroll in a 45-hour course focused on authentic scientific research methods, earning elective science credit while building a foundation in inquiry-based learning. Based on your course performance, you may get the chance to engage in a five-week full-time internship with CCNY or CUNY faculty mentors. As a summer participant, you will conduct lab research, design an independent project, and present your work both on campus and at the American Museum of Natural History. The program blends classroom learning with mentored research, providing exposure to scientific investigation in a university setting.
13. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who are 18 or older by the program start date
Stipend: $6,800
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program provides Texas seniors with 10-week research experiences in biomedical and allied health sciences. As a participant, you will work full-time under the mentorship of MD Anderson faculty on research projects in cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutic research. The program also offers access to faculty-led seminars and team-based learning activities, along with exposure to various healthcare career pathways. You will conclude the experience by presenting your research at a formal end-of-program celebration alongside peers and mentors.
14. BioRocket Internship @ Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort admitted annually
Dates: Summer Internship: July – August; Spring After-School Program: February – May
Application deadline: Early January
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students, at least 15 years old by July 1, attending school within 45 minutes of Genspace, with a teacher or mentor reference
Stipend: $2,000
The BioRocket Internship at Genspace offers NYC students an opportunity to gain experience in synthetic biology, biotechnology, and life sciences research. The program begins with a spring after-school component, followed by a summer research internship where you will collaborate in teams to design and execute original projects. Alongside laboratory work, you will engage in field trips, lab tours, and improv-based science communication workshops. Mentorship from practicing scientists will guide you throughout the process. The program culminates in the drafting of a scientific paper suitable for college applications or submission to student journals.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 interns/session
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students who are 14+
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; waivers and scholarships available
Hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), this two-week virtual program introduces you to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. You will attend lectures on the role of machine learning in biomedicine and healthcare, participate in team-based research projects, and receive small-group mentorship from Stanford faculty and researchers. The program also includes “Career Lunch & Learns,” where you will engage with professionals from academia, government, and nonprofit sectors to gain insight into how AI is applied in medical practice. The experience can offer you opportunities to build technical skills and gain interdisciplinary insight into biomedical science and technology.
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