15 Free Medical Summer Research Programs for High School Students
Medical summer research programs can be a great way to explore whether a future in healthcare, biomedical science, or clinical research is the right fit for you. Instead of only reading about medicine in a classroom, you get the chance to work alongside researchers, learn laboratory techniques, analyze real data, and understand how scientific discoveries move from the lab to patient care. These programs also introduce you to physicians, graduate researchers, and faculty mentors who can help you better understand different careers in medicine. When a program is fully funded or offers complete financial aid, it also becomes much more accessible, allowing you to focus on learning rather than worrying about tuition costs.
What are the benefits of attending a medical research program?
Medical research programs expose you to experiences that go well beyond traditional science classes. Depending on the program, you may investigate neuroscience, cancer biology, public health, molecular biology, bioengineering, pharmacology, psychiatry, or clinical medicine while learning research methods used by professionals. Many programs also include seminars, journal clubs, hospital or laboratory visits, mentorship from faculty, scientific writing workshops, ethics discussions, and opportunities to present your work through posters or oral presentations. These experiences can help you build technical skills, improve scientific communication, and better understand the research process from start to finish.
To help you get started, we've narrowed down 15 free medical summer research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span cancer biology, neuroscience, psychiatry, pediatrics, translational medicine, AI in healthcare, bioengineering, molecular biology, and public health, so students with a wide range of medical interests can find a relevant free or fully funded option in person or online.
Several programs offer stipends in addition to being free, including Kaiser Permanente (up to $24 per hour), ResearcHStart at UChicago ($3,000), MGH Youth Neurology (paid full-time), MPFI ($14 per hour), MSKCC ($1,200), and Stanford Pediatrics Internship (up to $3,000 for eligible students), making them especially strong for students who need financial support.
Programs vary significantly in depth and format, from two-week virtual intensives, such as UT Southwestern Mental Health and UCLA Neuroscience Scholars, to eight-week full-time lab placements, such as Rutgers RITMS, Stanford SIMR, and MSKCC, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including Kaiser Permanente (January 9), ResearcHStart at UChicago (January 19), MGH Youth Neurology (January 31), and MSKCC (February 6), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–6 students
Dates: Third week of June until the second week of August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years old at program start | Entering grade 10–12 | Minimum GPA of 3.0 (or all A's/B's in math and science)
During this eight-week program, you will join biomedical and clinical research teams at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science. You'll gain experience with laboratory techniques, data collection, and interpreting research findings while working on projects in molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology. Weekly seminars introduce scientific communication, research careers, and professional development alongside your laboratory work. You finish the program by presenting your research through both oral and poster presentations to faculty members and fellow participants.
2. Veritas AI – AI + Medicine Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis | Spring sessions have a January deadline, Summer programs have a May deadline, Fall programs have a September deadline, and Winter cohort has a November deadline
Eligibility: High school students
During the AI + Medicine program, you'll work on projects that use AI models to analyze medical data, improve diagnostic accuracy, and interpret medical scans that can support healthcare professionals. Mentors lead the curriculum, drawing on advanced academic backgrounds and combining core AI concepts with applied, project-based learning. Depending on your experience level, you may participate in collaborative group sessions or conduct one-on-one research under faculty guidance.
3. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15–50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
During six weeks, you'll explore topics related to the brain, nervous system, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias through virtual learning and research activities. The program includes live seminars, journal clubs, Neurology Grand Rounds, and guided virtual laboratory experiences that introduce common neuroscience research methods. Throughout the program, mentors help you read scientific literature, interpret research findings, and develop your analytical skills. You will complete an independent neuroscience project and present your findings at the conclusion of the program.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; moderately sized cohort
Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts including summer, fall, winter & spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to the program cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school seniors who are typically from low-income families
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as medicine, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, biology, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program – Bioengineering Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None except a $40 application fee, which can be waived / Minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year | At least 16 years old by June 8 | Reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card
SIMR combines bioengineering research with hands-on medical problem-solving, where you work in small teams. You'll identify real medical needs, design possible solutions, build prototypes, and evaluate different aspects of your designs under the guidance of Stanford mentors. The internship balances lectures on bioengineering concepts with three days each week dedicated to project work and collaborative design. Throughout the experience, you'll strengthen your teamwork, critical thinking, and engineering skills while learning how medical technologies are developed. The program concludes with a poster presentation where you'll showcase your team's project to the Stanford community.
6. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Cost/Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 6–8 students
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school | At least 16 years old at the internship's start | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
During the six-week internship, you'll work alongside faculty members and postdoctoral researchers on neuroscience projects involving techniques such as genetic engineering, microscopy, microbiology, and histological staining. Depending on your assigned project, you may also gain exposure to imaging, electrophysiology, or computational analysis of neural circuits. Beyond the laboratory, you'll attend seminars on neuroscience, research ethics, and scientific communication while participating in collaborative lab meetings and mentoring sessions. The internship also includes demonstrations and site visits that help you better understand how advanced neuroscience laboratories operate.
7. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free program with paid internship positions. Interns will receive a stipend for full-time (40-hour/week) participation.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 50 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live or study in Massachusetts | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
This program combines neurological research with direct exposure to one of the country's leading academic hospitals. You'll work with clinicians and scientists on projects related to neuroimaging, clinical data analysis, or laboratory-based neuroscience while learning how neurological research supports patient care. Throughout the summer, you'll attend seminars on neurological disorders, bioethics, and career development, broadening your understanding of the field. Hospital site visits, shadowing experiences, and discussions with healthcare professionals provide additional insight into both research and clinical practice.
8. Medical Student Research Internship Program at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; about 40 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7 or June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by the internship start date
This internship introduces you to translational medicine by combining laboratory research with real-world medical applications. Over eight weeks, you'll work alongside faculty members and postdoctoral mentors on projects involving drug development, molecular biology, or translational medicine while learning experimental design, laboratory techniques, and scientific data analysis. Collaboration is an important part of the internship, allowing you to work with fellow interns while developing practical research and communication skills. The program also includes seminars on scientific ethics, clinical applications, and career pathways, along with opportunities to participate in site visits, laboratory tours, and networking events.
9. HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 2%; 20 interns
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK's Main Campus in NYC (NY, NJ, or CT) | Must be 14+ by June | Have a 3.5 GPA in science | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
You'll spend eight weeks conducting biomedical research in areas such as cancer genetics, molecular biology, and computational oncology while working closely with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. Throughout the internship, you'll develop practical laboratory skills, learn experimental design, and improve your ability to analyze scientific data used in cancer research. The program also includes seminars on cancer biology, clinical medicine, and research ethics, along with opportunities to collaborate across different research groups.
10. Summer High School Research Internship at Houston Methodist
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital campus, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size, which varies each year
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older by the program's start | Minimum 3.5 GPA
This internship allows you to participate in biomedical research within one of Texas's leading hospital systems. You'll become part of active research teams working on projects in molecular biology, immunology, or bioengineering, while seeing how laboratory discoveries connect to patient care. Daily activities include laboratory work, mentor meetings, discussions on medical research ethics, and workshops focused on scientific writing and data interpretation. Throughout the internship, you'll build practical research skills while gaining a better understanding of how hospital-based research is conducted. The experience ends with a research showcase where you'll present your findings to Houston Methodist scientists and guests.
11. UCSF's CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–11 interns per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th graders who are 16+ years old by the program's start | Minimum 2.5 GPA | Have completed Biology or Chemistry with a B or higher
During this eight-week internship, you'll contribute to ongoing research projects in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, public health, and other biomedical sciences while working with UCSF faculty and graduate mentors. You'll also develop practical laboratory skills, learn data collection and analysis techniques, and gain experience with clinical, behavioral, population, and basic science research. Weekly seminars on research ethics, science communication, and college preparation, along with workshops, site visits, and group discussions, help you better understand the broader research environment. The internship concludes with a research symposium where you'll present your work with guidance from your mentors.
12. The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee, which can be waived; students who demonstrate financial need may receive a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 40 students
Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Northern California counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz) | 16 or older by the internship's start | Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0
This internship combines pediatric medical research with structured mentorship and college preparation throughout the six-week experience. You'll spend approximately twenty-three hours each week working alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers on projects related to maternal or child health. Weekly workshops introduce research methods, leadership development, and college preparation while helping you strengthen your communication and analytical skills. Each participant is also paired with a near-peer mentor who provides guidance throughout the internship and helps prepare for the final presentation. You conclude the program by presenting your research through a professional poster presentation at the family and research symposium.
13. ResearcHStart at the University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago and partner institutions (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, Rush University)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 30 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start and who reside in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
Throughout the eight-week program, you'll work in cancer research laboratories on projects related to cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and health disparities while receiving mentorship from university faculty and scientists. You'll also attend workshops covering research methods, scientific ethics, and career pathways, giving you a broader understanding of biomedical research beyond the laboratory. Peer mentor groups provide additional support as you prepare to present your findings at the closing symposium for researchers and families. Along with gaining research experience, you'll receive a taxable stipend and exposure to several leading research institutions across Illinois.
14. High School Program at Kaiser Permanente
Location: Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Centers and business offices (placement based on applicant's home address)
Cost/Stipend: Up to $24/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20–50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with work eligibility in the U.S. and permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
This internship offers a broader view of healthcare by combining clinical exposure, healthcare operations, and professional development in one summer experience. During the program, you'll learn how hospitals and clinics function while observing clinical practices, participating in mentorship sessions, and working alongside healthcare professionals. Workshops focus on healthcare careers, medical ethics, community health initiatives, project management, workplace readiness, and professional communication. You'll also take part in team projects and site visits that provide a better understanding of healthcare delivery beyond the laboratory.
15. UT Southwestern: Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; 15–20 students per session
Dates: June 1 – 5; June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders who live either in the United States or on a U.S. armed forces base or diplomatic post
This fully funded internship introduces you to mental health research while also helping you understand careers in psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience. During the program, you'll conduct research on mental health while learning methods for data collection, analysis, and scientific investigation under the guidance of UT Southwestern faculty and clinicians. Alongside project work, you'll participate in seminars covering psychiatric disorders, patient care, and career pathways within behavioral health. The program also encourages discussion with faculty members and fellow participants, helping you understand current research questions in mental health.
Frequently asked questions
1. What free medical summer research programs are available for high school students?
Strong options include MSKCC and ResearcHStart at UChicago for cancer and biomedical research, MGH Youth Neurology and MPFI for neuroscience, Stanford SIMR and Stanford Pediatrics Internship for bioengineering and pediatric health, Kaiser Permanente for clinical healthcare exposure, and Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation for virtual AI-driven medicine and interdisciplinary research.
2. Which free medical programs also provide stipends or pay?
Kaiser Permanente pays up to $24 per hour, ResearcHStart at UChicago provides $3,000, MGH Youth Neurology provides a full-time stipend, MPFI pays $14 per hour, MSKCC provides $1,200, and Stanford Pediatrics Internship provides up to $3,000 for eligible students. Scripps Research Translational Institute and UCSF CURE are also paid, though specific amounts are not publicly disclosed.
3. Which free medical research programs are most selective?
MSKCC accepts roughly 2 percent of applicants and requires a 3.5 science GPA and proximity to Manhattan. MPFI accepts only 6 to 8 students per year, and UCSF CURE accepts approximately 10 to 11 interns. ResearcHStart at UChicago and Houston Methodist Summer Internship are also highly competitive with limited cohort sizes.
4. When should I apply to free medical summer research programs for high school students?
Kaiser Permanente closes January 9, ResearcHStart at UChicago closes January 19, and MGH Youth Neurology closes January 31. MSKCC closes February 6, UCSF CURE closes February 8, and Stanford SIMR closes February 21. Students should begin preparing materials in the fall to avoid missing the most competitive deadlines.