15 Online Biology Research Programs for High School Students
Online programs are a practical option for high school students who want to explore biology beyond the classroom. As a participant, you will gain experience with data analysis, experimental design, or literature review without needing access to a physical lab. Since these programs are delivered online, you can participate from anywhere while balancing school and other commitments. This flexibility makes it easier to engage with specialized topics and learn directly from researchers, instructors, or mentors working in the field.
What are the benefits of a biology research program?
A biology research program can help you build concrete skills such as forming research questions, analyzing biological data, and communicating scientific ideas clearly. Depending on the program, you might work on independent or guided projects in genetics, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or clinical research. These experiences often expose you to core concepts such as experimental design, research ethics, and evidence-based reasoning. Many opportunities are offered by well-established labs and widely recognized organizations, making them solid options for you if you are seeking structured academic exposure.
To help with your search, we have narrowed down a list of 15 online biology research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students; preference given to Washington State residents.
Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer is an online program centered on the role of computation in cancer research. In the first part of the program, you will explore the application of computational tools in cancer research, participate in group activities, learn the R coding language, and connect with computational biologists. In the second phase, you will conduct individual research projects under the guidance of computational biologists. At the end of the program, along with a stipend, you will earn a Cradley Badge.
2.Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowshipprogram will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Cohort size: 20'
Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Minnesota residents
The SHE in Oncology is a multi-institutional program run by cancer centers throughout the country. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts this program for 20 high school students interested in biomedical research and oncology. As a participant, you will attend virtual lectures and discussions covering cancer care and biomedicine. You will work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study alongside peers. You will also receive your own laboratory kit to conduct experiments from home. Additionally, the program offers professional development and skill-building opportunities, including panel discussions led by cancer research and care professionals.
4. Immerse Education’s Online Research Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts in a year
Application deadline: Rolling. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18; accredited options are open to students who are at least 14.
The Online Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct rigorous research under the guidance of tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities. You will work with your tutor to explore a subject of your choice in depth and write an academic research paper. The program is offered in 1:1 and small-group formats, and you can choose to earn college credit from universities in the US and the UK. The virtual research program is offered in over 20 subjects, including artificial intelligence, chemistry, psychology, economics, computer science, creative writing, philosophy, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your tutor, an opportunity to publish your research, and an invitation to present at the Immerse Online Symposium. You can find examples of papers Immerse students have worked on here.
5. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for Massachusetts students
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
Each year, ASSIP allows high school students and undergraduates to work on original research with George Mason faculty across various disciplines, including biology.Online biology research tracks often focus on proteomics, bioinformatics, drug discovery, and environmental modeling. As a participant, you will spend eight weeks collaborating with your mentor, building proficiency in using advanced scientific software, conducting data analysis, and developing scientific communication skills through workshops and peer reviews. At the end of the eight weeks, you will present your work at a formal concluding symposium.
6. Talaria Summer Institute (TSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; ~13% in the past
Dates: July 1 – August 12
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Female and genderqueer high school students (applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are prioritized)
TSI is a free summer research program that pairs you with a professor or researcher in your field of interest. You will engage in literature reviews and computational data analysis to produce an original research paper.The program focuses on bridging the gap between high school students and high-level academia through intensive one-on-one mentorship. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a virtual research symposium. You will also submit your final paper to the Journal of Student Research or similar academic publications.
7. UCI School of Medicine Summer Online Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,350; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session One: June 22 – July 10 | Session Two: July 13 – July 31
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment till January-end/February beginning
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 18 years old with a 3.3+ GPA
This online biology research program is designed to introduce you to healthcare research and clinical trial design within the UC Irvine School of Medicine framework. You will work with faculty and medical students to develop research abstracts and conduct literature reviews on specific medical conditions. The curriculum emphasizes the scientific method, evidence-based medicine, medical ethics, and the peer-review process. You will submit a research report, and you may also receive co-authorship on abstracts submitted to national medical conferences if your work meets the required standards.
8. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research Summer Online Workshops
Location: Virtual
Cost: $490 – $1,070 depending on the workshop; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly sessions throughout June and July
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 18
Rosetta Institute offers workshops that provide deep dives into specialized medical biology topics, including oncology, medicinal chemistry, medical bioinformatics, and cellular and molecular medicine. These online biology research programs allow you to use bioinformatics tools to analyze real patient data or genomic sequences. Sessions are led by Ph.D.-level scientists and focus on the pathophysiology of diseases and modern therapeutic approaches. You will participate in daily lectures followed by interactive lab simulations and data analysis exercises. The program culminates in a final presentation where you will propose a novel therapeutic strategy based on your research findings.
9. miRcore Computational Biology Research Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $610 + $75 application fee; partial scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 19 | Session 2: July 6 – 10 | Session 3: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
This online biology research program focuses on the intersection of biology and computer science, specifically regarding genetics and personalized medicine. You will learn how to use R programming and various bioinformatics tools to analyze gene expression datasets related to diseases like Alzheimer’s or cancer. The curriculum moves from basic genetic principles to complex multi-omics data analysis within a single week. You will work in small groups to identify hub genes and propose diagnostic biomarkers. As a participant, you will be encouraged to continue your research throughout the school year through the miRcore Volunteer Program (MVP).
10. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application fee: $45 + Program participation fee: $2,400; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/session
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience working on a healthcare project and/or those with strong math or computer programming skills are preferred.
This online research program is designed for high school students interested in exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedical sciences. You will work in small groups on research projects under the guidance of Stanford faculty and graduate mentors. You will also attend daily lectures on AI fundamentals, ethics in healthcare, and machine learning clinical applications. The curriculum is designed to teach you how to build and evaluate models for disease diagnosis using real medical datasets. You will also learn about AI applications and career paths from guest speakers from diverse sectors. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your team's research findings to the Stanford AIMI community.
11. Johns Hopkins University’s Global Health Leaders Conference (GLHC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $99 registration fee, which can be waived
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Weekends between June and July
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students
This is a series of virtual sessions focused on global health. While primarily a conference, the GHLC runs an intensive Student Speaker Series that serves as a virtual research presentation program. If admitted, you will conduct independent research on a global health topic or biological threat under the guidance of conference mentors. You may then get to present your findings to an international audience of peers and Johns Hopkins faculty. The program includes lectures from leaders in medicine and public health, focusing on the biological mechanisms of disease and social determinants of health. It is a platform designed for students who want to bridge biology with public policy.
12. New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fall and Spring semesters
Application deadline: July (Fall) | January (Spring)
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 17
The Junior Academy allows students to join international teams to solve real-world challenges sponsored by major organizations. Biology-related challenges often focus on sustainable agriculture, public health, or biodiversity. You will work on a virtual platform to conduct research, design prototypes, and draft project reports over several months. Mentors from industry and academia will provide feedback throughout the research process. The winning teams will then present their solutions at the Academy’s annual summit.
13. University of Washington’s INSIGHT High School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Current high school students entering grades 10 – 12 or recent graduates planning to attend college in the fall
This four-week program is designed to introduce you to biomedical research, public health, and medicine with a focus on injury and violence prevention. The theme changes by year, but typically involves work on a group research project. During the program, you will attend skill-building seminars on resume writing, public speaking, and data visualization, as well as virtual research seminars and speaker panels featuring healthcare professionals and representatives from community health organizations. The program includes peer networking opportunities and interactive social activities. On the final day, you will attend an online symposium and present your capstone project to physicians, researchers, medical professionals, and college students.
14. Wake Forest Virtual Regenerative Medicine Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 18
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine runs a one-week intensive virtual academy focused on tissue engineering and lab-grown organs. You will engage with expert faculty through live lectures, virtual lab tours, and interactive demonstrations. The curriculum covers the biology of stem cells, biomaterials, and the ethical implications of regenerative technology. You will work on case studies and team projects that require analyzing experimental data provided by the institute. While shorter than a full biology research program, it offers exposure to the bench-to-bedside process of clinical biology.
15. Georgetown University’s Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Several one-, two-, and four-week sessions throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically, one week before each session starts.
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
This online course focuses on the role of clinical research, approaching it as a systematic process grounded in evidence-based medicine. You will learn how researchers formulate questions, design studies, and evaluate outcomes using established clinical trial frameworks. Early modules introduce biostatistics, epidemiology, and the PICO method for developing research questions. Ethical analysis is woven in through case studies that contrast responsible and unethical research practices. The capstone project shifts you into an applied role, where you will synthesize published cancer research and the components of the scientific method for clinical trials into a structured presentation.
Image source - Immerse Education