15 Free Medical Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in medicine, a medical research program can help you explore how scientific research supports advances in healthcare. These programs often include laboratory research, data analysis, scientific seminars, and mentorship in fields such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, genomics, and biomedical engineering. They can also help you develop research, analytical, and scientific communication skills while giving you a better understanding of different areas of biomedical science.
What are the benefits of a free medical research program?
Many free medical research programs are hosted by universities, hospitals, and research institutions, including Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Broad Institute. Through these programs, you may contribute to ongoing research projects, learn laboratory techniques, attend seminars, and work alongside scientists and physician-researchers in academic and clinical research settings. Since these opportunities are offered at no cost, and many also provide stipends, they allow students to explore medical research without the financial barriers associated with many pre-college programs.
To help you with your search, we have carefully selected 15 free medical research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online medical programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs are hosted by some of the most respected medical research institutions in the country, including Harvard Medical School, Stanford, NIH, Duke, the Broad Institute, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Most programs are not only free but also provide stipends ranging from $1,200 (Memorial Sloan Kettering) to $7,200 (MD Anderson's King Foundation program), making them financially accessible even for students who need income over the summer.
Many programs are geographically restricted, including Harvard Medical School Project Success (Boston and Cambridge residents), Broad Summer Scholars (Massachusetts students), and Fred Hutch SHIP (Greater Seattle area), so eligibility depends heavily on location.
Most programs culminate in a poster presentation, abstract submission, or symposium, giving students experience in academic research communication that mirrors professional scientific settings.
Application deadlines are concentrated between January and March, with the earliest being Duke STAR (January 2) and MD Anderson's programs (January 14), so students should prepare materials well before the end of the fall semester.
1. Harvard Medical School Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and affiliated research labs
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application deadline: February 4
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Boston and Cambridge who will be over 16 by June 29, hold a GPA of 2.7 or higher, are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, and have completed courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra when the program begins
Harvard Medical School offers high schoolers biomedical research experience through Project Success, a structured, locally focused pathway. During the summer, you will work full-time in a Harvard Medical School or affiliated lab, contributing to ongoing research while learning directly from scientists and mentors. The experience is designed to balance hands-on lab work with broader exposure to STEM careers through seminars, site visits, and guided discussions. You will also build practical skills, such as scientific writing and presentation, which are emphasized throughout the program. Mentorship is a central component, with advisors supporting both your research progress and your longer-term academic goals.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or PythonVeritas AI offers high school students passionate about AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. In the AI Fellowship program, you will learn about core AI concepts and pursue independent AI research projects focused on the use of AI. You will work on your projects over 15 weeks under the guidance of a mentor. A highlight of this program is the support of its in-house publication team that can help you publish your work in high school research journals. You can find a few examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost for students with family incomes under $80,000; $50 application fee for others (waivers available); limited need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; preference given to Bay Area students.
SIMR is an on-campus experience that lets you explore how medical research actually unfolds in a top university setting. Over eight weeks, you will join a Stanford lab/institute and work under a dedicated mentor on a project in fields such as cancer biology, bioengineering, immunology, or neuroscience. Your days will be split between lab work and lectures, helping you connect your experimental work with the broader scientific concepts behind it. The program will conclude with a poster presentation, providing you with experience in academic research communication.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Medical Research Track
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer, fall, winter, and spring cohorts available; options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who 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 across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end, you will have developed a research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as health science, data science, psychology, physics, economics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, international relations, and more. You can learn more about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: NIH campus, Bethesda, MD + other NIH locations
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided (amount varies by educational level)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: May 11 – August 31
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students, or professional students enrolled at least half-time or accepted into a program; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 18 and up by September 30.
NIH SIP places you directly inside an active scientific lab, offering you insights into what a real research career looks like on a day-to-day basis. During the summer, you will work full-time under a Principal Investigator within the NIH Intramural Research Program, contributing to ongoing projects in areas like biology, public health, engineering, or computational science. Your experience goes beyond lab work as you will also attend professional development sessions, career panels, and events like Poster Day, where you will present your findings to the NIH community. Through this experience, you will gain exposure to both the technical side of science and the broader healthcare research ecosystem.
6. Houston Methodist’s High School Emerging Researcher Experience
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, ages 16 and up, who have a GPA of 3.5 or higherHigh School Emerging Researcher Experience is an in-person summer program designed to introduce high school students to translational and biomedical research. You will work with undergraduate research interns and a mentor from Houston Methodist’s faculty on a medical research project. Over the course of the program, you will learn about research methods, lab techniques, and problem-solving. You will attend seminars that cover topics in medical and scientific research and healthcare. The experience ends with a symposium, where you will present a poster highlighting your research findings.
7. Duke Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program
Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend for high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 24
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising seniors, undergraduates, and medical students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; strong academic performance and interest in science required
Duke’s START program is a paid, hands-on research opportunity. Over five weeks, you will join a small team and work with Duke faculty to design and execute a hypothesis-driven study, often focused on clinical or pharmaceutical questions. The program walks you through the full research pipeline, developing a question, analyzing data, and writing a scientific manuscript with the support of statisticians and medical writers. You will also attend lectures on topics like epidemiology, ethics, and clinical medicine, and may even get exposure to hospital settings. A key feature is the emphasis on producing work that can be submitted to peer-reviewed journals, giving you insight into how research translates into real-world impact.
8. Harvard Cancer Consortium CURE Summer Only Program
Location: Sites in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; weekly stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 7 – 11 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or college freshmen–juniors who are at least 16 and living in or attending school in Massachusetts
This summer program offers you a focused, lab-based experience within a major research ecosystem. You will be matched with a mentor and spend your summer working full-time on a hands-on research project, gaining exposure to real experimental techniques and the process of scientific discovery. Alongside lab work, the program includes seminars, journal clubs, and professional development sessions that help you understand both the science and the broader research landscape. You will also have opportunities to engage with a community of peers and researchers through networking and social events. By the end of the program, you will synthesize your work into an abstract and present your findings, mirroring how research is shared in academic settings.
9. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,600 stipend + partial transportation reimbursement available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending school in Massachusetts who will be able to commute to the program site; applicants must have earned a B or better grade in science, and should have U.S. citizenship/permanent residency/work authorization
BSSP is a six-week focused research opportunity for high school students. You will be paired with a Broad Institute scientist and spend your days contributing to a real project in areas like genomics, infectious disease, or computational biology, while learning the techniques needed to keep up with research work. Support is built in through weekly check-ins with a tutor, training sessions, and guidance on translating complex science into a clear research poster. Outside the lab, you will attend talks, workshops, and a college fair, but the research remains the core of the experience. The program also focuses on offering you access to the rest of the cohort, so you will regularly interact with other students through group sessions and social events.
10. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; financial award provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 12 who are at least 16 and living in the Greater Seattle area
The program combines training with research, letting you learn lab and research fundamentals before stepping into a research role. The first two weeks are dedicated to hands-on training in core techniques like pipetting, PCR, and sterile methods, along with introductions to key biological concepts. After that, you will join a research group, where you and a partner will work with a mentor on ongoing projects, contributing to real lab activities and observing more advanced work. The program also includes weekly seminars, career-focused workshops, and discussions on topics such as ethics and data science, giving you a broader view of biomedical research. Your summer will wrap up with a presentation that reflects both what you did and what you learned, rather than just final results.
11. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program @ UT MD Anderson
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $7,200 stipend for 10 weeks | $6,480 stipend for nine weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort of up to six students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school seniors, ages 18 and up, who are Texas residents, U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holdersThis 10-week program offers a small group of high school and incoming college students early exposure to professional research. You will work on a biomedical research project under the mentorship of an MD Anderson faculty member. You will spend the summer engaging in hands-on laboratory work, attending faculty-led seminars, and developing an understanding of real-world scientific investigation. The program also lets you build soft and workplace skills through a range of activities, including poster making, elevator speech competition, and abstract writing. The program ends with a presentation where you will get to share your research work with peers.
12. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center main campus, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students/year; ~2% acceptance rate
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of NYC with a minimum 3.5 GPA in science who are at least 14 years old; U.S. work authorization is required.
This program lets you develop and carry out your own project within a Memorial Sloan Kettering research lab, contributing to a broader scientific objective under a mentor’s guidance. Your daily experience will include lab meetings, collaboration with researchers, and exposure to how large research teams function in a clinical setting. Beyond the lab, the program introduces you to translational medicine through workshops and sessions that explore how discoveries move from research to patient care. The cohort is intentionally small, which means close interaction with both mentors and peers throughout the summer. The program ends with a closing event, where you will present your work through a research poster.
13. MD Anderson DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: University of Texas’s MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,600 stipend for high school and college students (part-time)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students, ages 18 and up, college students, and MS1 medical students who are authorized to work in the U.S.
This program matches you with a faculty mentor to work on a focused research project, which may involve experimental lab work or clinical data analysis, depending on your track. Early in the program, you will complete a cancer biology boot camp and training in research methods, giving you context before diving deeper into your project. Throughout the summer, you will also attend sessions covering topics like graduate school applications, career paths, and specialized areas such as anesthesiology and pain medicine. The experience is structured yet flexible in project direction, with mentors guiding your day-to-day work. At the end, you will present your findings at a symposium and submit an abstract, mirroring how research is shared in professional settings.
14. VCU Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP)
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~10 students/year
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: February 12
Eligibility: High school students (preferably rising juniors and seniors) who are current residents of the Greater Richmond Area
This is a free six-week medical research program offered by the VCU School of Medicine to a small group of high school students each year. You will join a lab at VCU to work on a research project under the mentorship of an M.D./Ph.D./graduate student mentor and a principal investigator. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly seminars led by guest speakers who will cover topics in biomedical research and share insights into healthcare careers. The program concludes with a poster and slideshow presentation that you will deliver to an audience of mentors, peers, family, and the broader VCU community.
15. University of Houston MohanLab Summer Internship
Location: University of Houston’s MohanLab, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort every year
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
MohanLab offers this summer research opportunity to rising high school seniors looking for direct exposure to lab-based biomedical research. You will explore key lab techniques over the first one to two weeks. Over the following six weeks, you will engage in research work under the guidance of a graduate student or a scientist. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of research areas, including big data analytics, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and biomedical engineering. The program wraps up with an oral presentation, where you will share your findings with peers and faculty. You may also continue working with the lab on your research after completing the internship.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free medical research programs for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's location and interests. Students in the Boston area might consider Harvard Medical School Project Success or the Broad Summer Scholars Program, those in Houston might look at MD Anderson or Houston Methodist's program, and students open to any location might consider the NIH Summer Internship Program.
Do free medical research programs for high schoolers provide stipends?
Yes, many do. Stipends range from $1,200 at Memorial Sloan Kettering to $3,600 at the Broad Institute and Duke STAR, to $4,000 at Duke's STAR program, and up to $7,200 at MD Anderson's King Foundation program.
Are free medical research programs open to students anywhere in the United States?
Most are geographically restricted. Programs at Harvard, the Broad Institute, and Fred Hutch prioritize local or regional applicants, while the NIH Summer Internship Program and Duke STAR are among the more nationally accessible options for students outside major research hubs.
What types of research do these programs focus on?
Research areas vary by institution. Cancer biology is a central focus at MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Harvard Cancer Consortium, and Fred Hutch, while programs like NIH SIP and Stanford SIMR offer broader research areas including immunology, neuroscience, genomics, and biomedical engineering.
How selective are free medical research programs for high school students?
Selectivity varies widely. Memorial Sloan Kettering's Summer Student Program accepts roughly 20 students per year with an approximately 2% acceptance rate, while programs like Houston Methodist's Emerging Researcher Experience and VCU's MSIP are selective but do not publish acceptance rates publicly.
When should I apply to free medical research programs for high school students?
Deadlines are mostly concentrated between January and March. The earliest include Duke STAR (January 2) and MD Anderson's programs (January 14), while others like Fred Hutch (March 13) and University of Houston MohanLab (March 26) fall later in the spring.