12 Medical Research Opportunities for High School Students
As a high school student, you’ve probably worked on small-scale research projects within the classroom; it’s possible to go even further than that by participating in research opportunities for high school students. If you’re interested in exploring the medical field, medical research programs are a valuable opportunity to learn about the intricacies of the field. Participating in medical research opportunities for high school students is an excellent way to explore the field and gain a deeper understanding of a career in medicine. Engaging in meaningful research will help you establish a solid foundation to support your professional development.
Several top colleges and universities offer outstanding research opportunities for high school students. Many of these opportunities come in different formats, virtual or in-person, and are even offered for free (or with financial aid). You might even get the chance to earn a stipend during some programs. With that in mind, here are the top 12 medical research opportunities for high schoolers you can check out.
1. Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 3.2%
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 22
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; 16+ by program start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Bay Area applicants strongly preferred
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (Can be waived); Minimum stipend of $500
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program offers research opportunities for high school students that provide hands-on experience. As a participant, you will be mentored one-on-one by experts and mentors within the field of medicine. You’ll get to choose from eight areas of research: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics and Genetics and Genomics. You will then be assigned to a specific institute based on your choices. A highlight of the program is the poster session during which you’ll get to present a poster of your research to friends and family. It usually runs on the final day of the program.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: 4-6%
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students; No previous experience required
Cost: $2,990 onwards; Financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive 12-week (or longer) initiative that provides a personalized, one-on-one research opportunity across various fields, including medicine, physics, psychology, computer science, engineering, international relations, and more. During the program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to support your research endeavors. The program also includes five workshops focused on the research process and academic writing; they’re designed to help you develop a deeper understanding of these skills. Upon completion of the program, you will be expected to submit a 15-page research paper.
3. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program: The Future Scientist Program
Location: IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Dates: 8-9 weeks
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors in a Marion County public high school; Minimum 3.0 grade point average
Stipend: Paid
The Future Scientist Program offers 8-week research opportunities for high school students interested in working on a research project under the mentorship of a university researcher. It can provide you with both academic and practical understanding of medical research and its applications. This program is specifically designed to enhance your interest in the field of medicine and to support your development in this career path.
It offers both practical, hands-on experience and a solid theoretical foundation for you to build upon. It also features guest lectures and insights from industry experts, providing professional guidance to students. These guests come from diverse backgrounds, including government, medical science liaison roles, technical writing, and pharmaceutical companies, among others.
4. Veritas AI – Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,290 onwards; Need-based financial aid is available
The Veritas AI – Deep Dive: AI + Medicine program sits at the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence (AI). Being completely online, it gives you flexibility during your learning period. It introduces you to AI and medical data, especially the fundamentals of neural networks. The program also dedicates its time to teaching ethics in clinical AI, fundamentals of clinical evaluation, and other AI applications. The program provides you with hands-on experience in Python and basic programming, and an introduction to TensorFlow Keras, among others. You’ll be assigned a mentor who will guide you and give you feedback throughout the course.
5. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program
Location: MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive; Less than 8%
Dates: 6 weeks starting from June 16
Application Deadline: December 2 – February 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors in the local southwest Pennsylvania region; Interested in biomedical research; Older than 16 by program start
Stipend: $1,800 (Conditions apply)
The Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program is a 6-week program that focuses on reproductive biology and women's and infant health. As part of the program, you will participate in basic and clinical scientific research. You will also be engaged in a research project while being mentored by an investigator and staff at the Magee-Women’s Hospital.
The program will provide you with practical lessons in medicine and broaden your understanding of the field. You’ll also get to participate in informal Lunch & Learning Sessions, during which you will explore biomedical science as a career and gain insights from professionals in the field. The program will end with a High School Internship Presentation Day, where you will present your research to faculty and your peers.
6. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; At least 17 years old
Stipend: Paid
The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program offers 12-week research opportunities for high school students interested in working in leading research and clinical laboratories. As a participant, you will receive hands-on experience in the field of rheumatology and immunology with a focus on arthritis and related autoimmune diseases. The program ends with a poster session during which you will present your research and accomplishments over the last eight weeks. You will also be expected to submit a brief (around two pages) paper to the Arthritis Foundation, summarizing your experience.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford’s main campus
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Northern California high school juniors who are 16 or older by the start date
Cost/Stipend: None
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) provides research opportunities for high school students interested in exploring a career in medicine. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to take part in a Stanford Hospital Internship, a public health research project, and academic lectures and seminars. During the internship, you will participate in hands-on laboratory and departmental activities and will get to shadow various professionals or hospital staff.
You will also attend seminars and lectures that give you insights into topics such as creating a college action plan, applying for financial aid, and writing college essays. Your public health research project will focus on improving health access in all communities. You’ll work together to create a college-level research paper, presentation, and academic poster on your findings.
8. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
Location: Johns Hopkins, East Baltimore campus
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 5-8 weeks
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds attending schools in Baltimore City (in-person) or in the U.S. or Canada (virtual)
Stipend: $15/hour (In-person)
JHIBS offers both in-person and online internships for high school students interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of neurological sciences. It allows you to conduct in-depth research and acquire hands-on experience in the field, all while under the guidance of experienced mentors. If you participate in the in-person program, you will have the opportunity to work on a research project, attend scientific seminars, and participate in weekly educational and professional development sessions. You’ll also be expected to present your research project at the end of the program. In the online program, on the other hand, you will be mentored remotely and will learn fundamental laboratory techniques and experiments.
9. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience: High School Internship
Location: The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Acceptance Rate: 3%
Dates: June 17 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Palm Beach or Martin County high school juniors or seniors; 16+ by program start
Stipend: $13/hour
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship offers quality research opportunities for high school students who want an immersive laboratory experience with MPFI researchers. During the program, you will get to explore concepts like brain structure, function, and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. You can choose to participate in either of these tracks: Neuroscience, Scientific Programming, and Mechanical Engineering. You will gain hands-on research experience, working on research projects alongside MPFI scientists. You will be expected to submit and present your research project by the end of the program.
10. Children’s Hospital Colorado: Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado (Anschutz Medical Campus)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Colorado high school seniors over 18
Stipend: $4,400
The Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado provide research opportunities for high school students interested in exploring pediatrics and concepts related to child health. As a participant, you will get to work with faculty of both institutions and attend weekly research seminars. Towards the end of the program, you will be expected to present a written summary of your contributions and accomplishments as well as an oral presentation of your research. You might even get to submit your work to local, regional, or national meetings, and—if accepted—get a funded trip to one of these meetings.
11. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT
Acceptance Rate: 3.3%
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school juniors; More details here
Cost: Free
MIT’s RSI program offers a solid introduction to the world of medical research. It combines classroom work on scientific theories with hands-on research in science and tech outside of campus. During the program, you'll be paired with a mentor who'll give you research project assignments after just a week in the program. You’ll then be expected to start reading advanced texts and recent journal articles. In addition to the hands-on research experience, you’ll also attend evening lecture series, where you’ll get to network with your classmates, mentors, and industry experts and take part in various activities and field trips.
12. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University
Cohort Size: 12
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are at least 17 by program start
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
This seven-week intensive program offers an in-depth introduction to the research aspects of medicine, providing practical, hands-on experience in the field. The program also includes seminars and various weekly activities designed to facilitate networking with peers and industry experts. As a participant, you will gain valuable insights into different facets of medical research from both academic and professional perspectives. The program covers a range of research areas, including cancer biology, cellular and microbiology, physics, and mechanical engineering, with a focus on cancer bioimaging.
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