12 Free Medical Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student curious about medicine, many free programs can help you explore the field without worrying about cost. These opportunities let you learn from doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals while building important skills like teamwork, research, and problem-solving. Various programs take place in hospitals and labs, allowing you to study topics such as neuroscience and public health under the guidance of experts. The programs in this list are either free of charge or offer complete financial assistance, making them accessible to students of all backgrounds.
In this blog, we have shared 12 free medical programs designed specifically for high school students.
1. ResearcHStart at the University of Chicago
Location: This program involves multiple institutions and will be held at various locations in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign.
Cost: No cost. Stipend of $3,000
Program Dates: The second full week of June through the first week of August.
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible.
ResearcHStart is a program where you will work on cancer research at UChicago, UIUC, UIC, Northwestern, and Rush University. Each year, 30 students learn how to use lab tools, run experiments, collect data, and analyse results. You will get to study cancer through areas like immunology, bioengineering, new treatments, and health differences. Along the way, you will practice writing, teamwork, and public speaking in workshops and with mentors. At the end, you will share your research at a symposium and explain your findings to others.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Program Dates: June 19 – August 18
Application Deadline: Early Admission - March 24, Regular Admission 1 - April 21, and Regular Admission 2 - May 19.
Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior Python experience or who have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI gives you the chance to learn how artificial intelligence is used in medicine. In the AI + Medicine program, you will practice using AI tools and machine learning models to diagnose diseases and read medical images. This program helps you build skills that can support your future in healthcare. Financial aid is available to make the program more accessible for students.
3. HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, Manhattan, NY.
Cost: A stipend of $1,200 is provided.
Program dates: June 30 - August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Those applying must have completed at least 9th grade by June, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, be eligible to work in the United States, and be at least 14 years old by June
MSKCC is a leading centre for cancer research and treatment. Its Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program Summer Student Program is an 8-week experience where you will learn how labs work and explore careers in cancer research. You will conduct your own research, attend training sessions, and take part in lab tours. You will be placed in a biomedical or computational lab and paired with a principal investigator who will connect you with a mentor. Skills you will practice include using lab equipment, collecting and analysing data, problem-solving, and scientific writing. The program covers many types of cancer and uses new technologies to study them.
4. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) — Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines. Click here for more details
Eligibility: High school students must be enrolled in grades 9-12, with most accepted students being in grades 10 or 11. A strong GPA (3.67 unweighted or equivalent) and a demonstrated interest or achievement in the chosen subject are required
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey.
5. Summer Student Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Cost: Summer stipends range from $3000–$4300, varying by student status and granting agency
Program dates: June 2 – August 4
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Students in 11th or 12th grade who have completed at least one year of math and biology, are 16 or older by June 1, and are from groups underrepresented in science
This summer program at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland gives you mentorship from health care providers and researchers. You will take part in workshops, seminars, training, simulations, and networking events. The program helps you explore health sciences and build skills for a STEM career. You will practice research skills such as designing experiments, collecting data, analysing results, and presenting your work. With your mentor’s guidance, you will complete a clinical or basic science research project and share your findings with the scientific community at the end.
6. Johns Hopkins University: The Immersive Summer Program for Education, Enrichment, and Distinction (ISPEED) in Biomedical Engineering
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Stipend is provided $2,400
Program Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors
The Johns Hopkins ISPEED program is a four-week residential internship where you will study biology, life sciences, healthcare design, and biomedical engineering. You will learn through projects, research talks, field trips, and lab work. Some of your time will be spent in the BME Design Studio and the Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab, where you will practice computer programming, machine learning, and scientific computing. At the end, you will create a project and present your work in a final showcase.
7. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school seniors or recent graduates who live or go to school in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program helps high school students who are underrepresented and want to learn about neurology. You will meet neurologists, explore career paths, and work on research projects. A short boot camp at the start teaches you skills like reading scientific papers, using lab tools, collecting data, and writing about your work. You will be matched with a faculty mentor who will guide you on a project. At the end, you will present your research, and you can also get help with publishing your work and applying for awards.
8. Medical Student Research Internship Program at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA. The institute provides a few resources to help students find housing.
Cost: A stipend will be provided, but there is no information on the exact amount. Travel and housing expenses will be covered.
Program dates: June 2 - August 8 OR June 16 - August 22
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 16 years old before the internship begins can apply
The competitive 10-week internship brings together 40 talented students (high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional) from across the country for a college-level research experience. You will learn about current topics in translational science and precision medicine, focusing on digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement. You will also study design and analysis procedures relevant to translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies. You will observe the steps of proposing, designing, undertaking, and analysing clinical trials. At the end of the program, you will present a scientific concept to your peers and mentors.
9. Summer High School Research Internship at the Houston Methodist
Location: Students choose a research site, such as a college, hospital, school, or private lab, and work with their centre to secure a mentor.
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: January 30th
Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year and are 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Houston Methodist Summer High School Research Internship gives you a chance to take part in medical research and learn about health care. You will work with undergraduate students and study translational research while building your own project. With lab experience and mentor support, you will practice skills like running experiments, collecting and analysing data, and scientific writing. You will develop your project in a chosen research area and present your results at a symposium to scientists, students, and staff at Houston Methodist. The program also helps you build career and professional skills for the future.
10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program - Bioengineering Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: No cost. A stipend is provided.
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
The SIMR Bioengineering Internship is an 8-week program at Stanford where you will work with a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow on biomedical research. You can study areas such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, cardiovascular medicine, bioengineering, and bioinformatics. You will practice skills like using lab tools, running experiments, collecting data, analysing results, and applying scientific methods. You will also learn data analysis, research writing, and communication in workshops with mentors. In the last two weeks, you will design a research poster and present your findings to students, mentors, and the Stanford community.
11. High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Location: The internship is conducted at most KP locations nationwide.
Cost: A stipend of $24 per hour is provided.
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 16-19 can apply
This seven-week paid internship gives you experience in healthcare fields like nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory sciences. You will work with professionals, shadow experts, and attend workshops. Each week, you will practice skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. You will also get chances to meet mentors, supervisors, and leaders in the field to build your network.
12. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free.
Program Dates: June 23rd to July 25th
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California.
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week summer program for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. On campus, you will take part in hospital internships, attend lectures, and work on research projects about health disparities. You will practice teamwork by solving public health problems in small groups. This free program helps you gain experience, build connections, and prepare for future studies in medicine. You will also join seminars where you will learn anatomy, research methods, and how to get ready for the college application process.
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