15 Biology Winter Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student with a strong interest in the life sciences, a winter program can be a great opportunity to gain academic exposure outside the classroom. Unlike many summer programs that require longer commitments and higher costs, winter programs are generally shorter in duration, more cost-effective, and still provide substantial learning experiences. These programs often emphasise laboratory techniques, research methodologies, and analytical skills, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. In addition, participation offers exposure to industry practices, insights into potential career paths, and opportunities to build academic and professional connections.
Many of these initiatives are hosted by leading universities, research institutions, and organisations, ensuring a high-quality learning environment. These winter programs also serve as a strong foundation for future academic endeavours, including competitive summer programs, internships, and college-level coursework.
We have shortlisted 15 winter programs for high school students that combine academic rigour with experience.
1. Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute - High School Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Available throughout the year, including winter.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older are eligible to apply.
The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute offers research opportunities in its laboratories for high school students. These positions allow you to gain exposure to laboratory techniques and develop an understanding of careers in biomedical research. The availability of opportunities depends on the laboratories open at a given time. Interested students are encouraged to identify laboratories that align with their interests and contact the respective Principal Investigators directly. A brief email should outline your interest in the lab’s research focus, relevant coursework, prior research experience (if applicable), and preferred timeline for participation. Potential labs can be explored using the Institute’s lab search tool.
2. Veritas AI - Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: December 14 - February 15 (Sundays).
Application Deadline: Winter I: October 19 | Winter II: November 30.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding are eligible to apply.
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI+ Medicine program blends biology and artificial intelligence, teaching high school students how to analyse biological data using machine learning. You can engage with bioinformatics tools and algorithms to understand applications in genomic data and disease prediction models. This interdisciplinary approach offers hands-on experience in AI and enhances skills applicable to both biology and computer science. By the end of the program, you will have completed data-driven projects relevant to modern biomedical challenges.
3. Penn State College of Medicine - High School Research Internships and Observation
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA.
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Varies depending on the research mentor. Available during winter as well.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship.
Eligibility: High school students living in the United States and sponsored/supervised by a member of the College of Medicine faculty are eligible to apply.
The Penn State College of Medicine provides high school students with opportunities to engage in biomedical research through both internships and short-term observation experiences. You may participate in shadowing programs lasting one to two days or in longer internships that extend over several weeks or months. These experiences primarily involve observing the work of a research mentor, including their methodologies, experimental design, and overall approach to biomedical inquiry. You will be exposed to laboratory procedures, experimental setups, methods of data collection, and techniques for analysis. Applicants are advised to identify a prospective research supervisor before applying. Information on faculty research areas can be accessed through the Penn State Research Database.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Biology Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. 100% financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Winter I cohort starts on December 8 and Winter II cohort starts on January 19.
Application Deadline: Winter I: November 16 | Winter II: December 28.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Lumere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. It pairs you 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, biotechnology, human body & diseases, psychology, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here!
5. Fox Chase Cancer Center - Immersion Science Research
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Centre, Philadelphia, PA.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 16 students.
Dates: The winter session typically begins in early January and runs through mid-March. The session is 11 weeks in length, with week 11 serving as the student’s presentation day.
Application Deadline: Registrations typically run for 3.5 weeks from early to mid-October into early November.
Eligibility: Philadelphia- Tri-State area high school students who are 16 years of age and have completed high school chemistry and biology are eligible to apply.
The Immersion Science Program introduces high school students to advanced biomedical research through both coursework and laboratory experience. Research within the program focuses on identifying the molecular targets of dietary nutrients and their developmental effects across different genetic backgrounds, using model organisms such as the fruit fly. Current investigations examine nutrients that influence pathways, including Ras, Hedgehog, and nuclear hormone receptor signaling. You will conduct research in the FCCC Teaching Laboratory at the Reimann Building and also engage in community-oriented projects that integrate laboratory work with outreach. The program emphasises collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, preparing you to contribute meaningfully to studies of cancer-related pathways and the dietary components that affect them.
6. UC San Diego - Research Scholars: Marine Science
Location: In-person at University of California, San Diego, CA, online or hybrid.
Cost: Hybrid: $4,800 | Online: $2,000. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: To be announced. Check here for updates.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years of age are eligible to apply.
The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies administers the Research Scholars Program, which provides high school students with access to advanced educational and research opportunities. The Marine Science Research Scholars track focuses on oceanography and marine biology, guiding you through a structured three-part curriculum. You will first study foundational concepts in marine biology and ecosystem science, then engage in hands-on research under the mentorship of faculty and researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The program concludes with an emphasis on science communication, where you will present and disseminate your findings. Through this progression, you will gain practical field experience, strengthen analytical and problem-solving abilities, and deepen your understanding of marine science.
7. University of Maryland, Baltimore County - Pre-College Winter Session: Biology Track
Location: Hybrid, online, or in-person at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD.
Cost: Ranges from $439 - $6,426. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 30 students.
Dates: January 5 - 23.
Application Deadline: October 13 - January 4.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who meet UMBC’s high school concurrent enrollment requirements are eligible to apply.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers a Pre-College Program that allows high school students to enroll as visiting students and earn college credit. You may choose from in-person, online, or hybrid formats across a range of biology courses, including Concepts of Biology, Introduction to Modern Biology, Nutrition and Health, and the Experimental Biology Laboratory. Credits earned through the program can be applied toward degree requirements at UMBC or transferred to other institutions.
8. American Museum of Natural History - Science Alliance High School Program
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY.
Cost: Range from $500 - $1,000 each, depending on the length of the course. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: Varies depending on the course.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The American Museum of Natural History offers the Science Alliance Program for students in grades 9 through 12, providing opportunities to study subjects such as anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, earth science, and evolutionary biology. The program runs during the academic year and is divided into fall, winter, and spring sessions. Courses are scheduled once or twice weekly in the late afternoon, with specific meeting times determined by the individual course listings.
9. Cornell University - Winter Online Program: Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,940 per credit. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: January 2 - 18.
Application Deadline: December 1.
Eligibility: Rising and current high school juniors and seniors who are aged 15 to 19 years are eligible to apply.
Cornell University offers high school students the opportunity to enroll in undergraduate courses during the winter session, where they can earn 3 credits and an official Cornell transcript. Among the courses available is Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment, which examines interactions between organisms and their environments at the levels of populations, communities, and ecosystems. The course applies ecological principles to contemporary issues such as population dynamics, biodiversity, invasive species, disease ecology, and global environmental change. By the end of the course, you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of ecological processes, apply ecological theory to modern challenges, and use experimental and analytical methods to interpret complex biological systems.
10. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research - Winter Break Biomedical Workshops
Location: Virtual or in-person at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and Columbia University.
Cost: Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Schedule for the winter break workshops will be scheduled in late summer. Check here for updates.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
This program offers winter workshops in molecular medicine designed for high-achieving high school students interested in fields such as medicine, biomedical research, drug development, pharmacy, or nursing. Both online and in-person options are available, with instruction led by PhD-level faculty experienced in research and teaching. The curriculum combines lectures with laboratory sessions, beginning with core concepts in molecular and cellular biology and then examining how these processes are altered in the development of disease. You will also explore experimental design, contemporary approaches to drug development, and the growing field of personalized medicine. The program concludes with you developing an original research project focused on a gene or molecular process of your choice.
11. Georgetown University - Medicine: An Inside Look At Treating Patients
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,895. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: Multiple 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions available throughout winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Georgetown University offers a winter course designed for high school students interested in medicine and healthcare. The program introduces you to the patient journey, the roles of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and approaches to treatment planning through case studies on kidney transplantation, vascular disease, and cancer. You will hear from physicians and other team members involved in patient care, while also examining the use of complementary and integrative medicine techniques. The course culminates in a capstone project, where you will design a healthcare team for a patient scenario. Upon completion, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
12. University of Rochester - Personalized Medicine: Customizing Care Through Genetics
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1595. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: December 21 - January 4.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
This winter course introduces high school students to the field of human genetics and its applications in personalised medicine. You will study the genetic code, learning how variations in gene sequences influence human traits and contribute to disease susceptibility. The curriculum covers genomic sequencing, interpretation of gene data, and the identification of mutations associated with disease, while also addressing advances in genetic editing and stem cell therapies. Ethical considerations related to these scientific developments are discussed throughout the course. Instruction emphasizes both scientific understanding and communication skills, with you preparing written, visual, or video presentations as part of a final capstone project.
13. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Virtual and in-person at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: January 14 - May 27 (Wednesdays).
Application Deadline: September 11 - December 1.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and senior high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residing in Oregon and the Portland metro area.
The Partnership for Scientific Inquiry program introduces high school students to biomedical research and the scientific process. From January to May, you will meet weekly for lectures and discussions with scientists from Oregon Health & Science University and other local research institutes. Each student is paired with a mentor, presents a published research article in a journal club format, and develops an original research proposal. Students who are at least 16 years old may continue into a summer internship, working in a research laboratory or on clinical projects, with the experience culminating in a poster symposium. The program requires consistent attendance and independent work outside of class, and high school credit may be available through participating schools.
14. Rice University - Physiology: The Foundations of Medicine
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,795. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year, including winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the start date.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Rice University offers a winter physiology course for high school students interested in understanding how the body’s organ systems function in health and disease. The curriculum covers the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, examining how they interact to maintain homeostasis. You will explore topics such as ion concentrations and neuron signalling, skeletal muscle contraction, cardiovascular function, and the mechanics of respiration, including Boyle’s Law. Instruction includes insights from practising physicians who highlight clinical complications within these systems. The program concludes with a capstone project, where you will create models demonstrating both healthy and pathological physiological processes. Participants who complete the course earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
15. Scholar Launch - Group Research Program Winter: Fundamentals of Cancer Biology
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Ranges between $4,500 - $8,800. Need-based financial aid is available.
Cohort size: 3 to 5 students.
Dates: Starts in January and lasts for 12 weeks.
Application Deadline: Early Bird Round I: November 1 | Early Bird Round II: November 16 | Regular Round: December 31 | Rolling Admission: After December 31.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
This program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of cancer biology, with a focus on cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Breast cancer is used as the primary framework for exploring these principles. Instruction is delivered through interactive lectures that integrate both classical and contemporary research, and you will apply this knowledge by independently developing a final research paper. The workload is approximately four hours per week, including class sessions and assignments. In addition to subject-specific content, you are trained in academic writing and research methods commonly employed in universities and scholarly publications. Potential project topics include areas such as carcinogenesis, genetic regulation, tumor microenvironments, inflammation, and mechanisms of cancer invasion and metastasis.
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