(Veritas AI) 15 Medical Research Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you’re a high school student interested in the medical field or healthcare, consider participating in a medical research program. Such programs offer opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom, allowing you to engage in independent or group research projects and gain practical field experience. Additionally, you'll have the chance to build professional skills in communication and teamwork, while also enhancing your research abilities.
Why should you attend a program in New York City (NYC)?
New York City is home to several universities and organizations, such as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Rockefeller University, that offer research opportunities in medicine. As a participant in these programs, you will work under faculty members and scientists, conducting research in areas such as cancer biology, bioengineering, and molecular biology. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, these programs help you build your profile and identify the areas of medicine that interest you.
With that, here are 15 medical research programs for high school students in New York City (NYC).
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. MSK’s Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance Rate: 2%
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors (14+) with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects; Must reside in NY, NJ, or CN, within 25 miles of MSK
MSK’s Summer Student Program provides an opportunity to engage in a biomedical or computational laboratory-based internship within a professional research environment. Some areas of research available to you include cancer biology, cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, pharmacology and drug development, immunology, and more. As a participant, you will be paired with a mentor who will oversee your work and help you develop important technical skills. You will work on an independent project aligned with your Principal Investigator’s overall research goals. In addition, you will be expected to attend laboratory meetings and sessions designed to provide insights into translational medicine and research.
2. Veritas AI: AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI offers several artificial intelligence programs designed for motivated high school students, founded and managed by graduate students from Harvard University. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will explore how AI is applied within the healthcare and medical industries. You will have opportunities to work on real-world projects utilizing AI and machine learning models to diagnose diseases, enhance medical imaging, and communicate their findings to support healthcare professionals and patients. You can find the program brochure here, and here is the application form.
3. Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 6-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 6 – 31
Eligibility: NYC 10th-11th graders enrolled in one of the New York City-based partner programs; Applicants from upper Manhattan and the South Bronx are preferred
During the Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC program, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a hands-on summer research experience. During the program, you will be matched with a Columbia neuroscientist who will offer guidance and mentorship as you work on a research project. You will develop essential research skills, learn how to work in a research environment, and connect with real scientists in a Columbia lab. Along the way, you’ll also learn about the professional academic environment and explore science as a career.
4. Lumiere Research Scholars Program: Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a comprehensive research program designed for high school students. It provides extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas, including healthcare, medicine, biology, psychology, engineering, and more. As a participant, you will be paired up with a Ph.D. mentor to collaborate on independent research projects. Upon completing the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper. You can find more details about the application here; take a look at some students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 6 months: February 25 – May 21 (spring session); July 6 – August 14 (summer session)
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 5
Eligibility: NYC high school students (16+) residing within 45 minutes of Genspace
As a participant in the Biorocket Research Internship Program, you will acquire knowledge in genetic engineering, develop laboratory skills in biology, and enhance your scientific communication abilities. Throughout the program, you will engage in a research project over the summer, collaborating with mentors and peers. You will also go on lab tours to learn about the behind-the-scenes and field trips to other research labs and biotech companies. Aside from this, you will receive career advice and network with real scientists and experts working in STEM fields, and fellow peers.
6. RockEDU’s Jumpstart Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No costs; $500 (phase I) + $3,250 (phase II)
Cohort Size: 16 students
Dates: Phase I: February 26 – June 11 (after-school); Phase II: June 22 – August 6 (SSRP)
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors
As a participant in RockEDU’s Jumpstart Program, you will spend time in the spring and the summer building skills in scientific research. In the first phase of the program (spring), you will attend after-school sessions designed to help you improve your research skills and scientific thinking. You will attend seminars and workshops to develop molecular biology laboratory skills and to become familiar with scientific research spaces. You’ll also get to nurture your scientific curiosity and will benefit from individual mentorship. In the second phase of the program (summer), you will join the Summer Science Research Program (SSRP), where you will participate in mentored hands-on laboratory research.
7. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: <5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (16+) when applying; Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program provides an opportunity to join a research team and collaborate with faculty mentors at Stony Brook University, contributing to ongoing research projects. You’ll also get to attend weekly faculty research talks, workshops, tours, and more. By the end of the program, you’ll be expected to produce and present a research abstract and a research poster of your work at the closing poster symposium. When applying, you’ll be required to choose your top three research areas and will be assigned a research group and mentor based on that. You can check the mentors and research areas here.
8. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Phase 1: April – July; Phase 2: July – August
Application Deadline: January 22; Rolling
Eligibility: NYCDOE 11th-12th graders who can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
During the New York Bioforce program, you’ll get the chance to intern at a prestigious research lab or health care institution, with past students getting placements in Weill Cornell Medicine, the New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, Columbia Engineering, and other life science companies. The program is divided into two phases: life science research and professional skills training, and mentored internships. In phase one, you will attend weekly on-site and virtual sessions and seminars that will introduce you to the principles of scientific investigation and essential laboratory techniques. Some STEAM fields or topics you’ll explore include biomedical engineering, molecular biology, clinical science, and more. In phase two, you’ll spend the summer working under a mentor in a lab or health care facility. You’ll also get to develop professional skills like writing emails, preparing for interviews, and building your resume. By the end of the program, you will present a poster of your work at the American Museum of Natural History.
9. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 32 students/cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: October 13 – January 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (16+)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) offers the opportunity to participate in a hands-on laboratory research program. As a participant, you will be paired with a research team aligned with your scientific interests. The teams will be supervised by a scientific trainee from the Tri-Institutional collaboration among Rockefeller University, MSK, and WCMC. They will replicate the structure of a genuine research laboratory. The program will start with an introduction to the team topic and ensuring you’re familiar with essential lab techniques and skills. You’ll then be expected to choose and explore a research question related to the topic. Alongside this, you will also attend workshops, lectures, elective courses, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with like-minded peers and industry experts. The program ends with a poster symposium, where you’ll present a poster of your work.
10. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Less than 10
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: November 14 – January 9
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) in good academic standing
The YES in THE HEIGHTS Program is an 8-week summer internship program that helps you prepare for a career in biomedical research. As a participant, you will work alongside renowned researchers and physicians and gain hands-on experience in cancer research. At the start of the program, you will be assigned to a faculty mentor who will guide your summer research project. During this period, you will learn how to develop an Individual Development Plan and a scientific abstract. You will also get to attend a weekly HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club, where you will discuss and analyze cancer research articles. Along the way, you’ll also develop proper academic etiquette and professionalism. In your second summer, you will be expected to produce a scientific oral presentation of your work.
11. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)
Location: DNALC NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Approximately 36 students
Dates: Year-round mentorship; August 25 – 29 (lab training); May or June (poster presentation)
Application Deadline: May 27
Eligibility: NYC high school students (13+)
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) is a selective, year-round research mentorship program for high school students that explores biodiversity using DNA technology. You’ll start the program by attending a training course that introduces you to topics like biodiversity, conservation biology, and scientific research. You’ll also gain hands-on lab experience and learn essential research techniques. After that, you’ll work on a mentored research project, making use of DNA barcoding. During this phase, you will learn about the different stages of the research process, including writing a research proposal, doing fieldwork, collecting samples, and more. You will also learn techniques such as DNA isolation, amplification of DNA barcoding regions, and DNA sequence analysis. By the end of the program, you will present posters summarising your work at a closing research symposium.
12. Partners for the Future
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: September – March (during senior year)
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: Long Island high school seniors
To participate in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Partners for the Future program, you will have to be nominated by your school’s science chairperson in your junior year. You will then be interviewed by the lab’s scientists and, if selected, get to spend your senior year working on an independent research project while under the mentorship of a scientist. During the program, you will learn about molecular biology as well as key research techniques. You’ll also get to discover day-to-day life in a working laboratory. By the end of the program, you will be expected to give a presentation of your project in front of mentors, lab admins, scientists, teachers, and parents.
13. Hofstra University's Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP)
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: $65 application fee + $350 tuition deposit + $1,900 tuition
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: U.S. 10th-11th graders who have had at least 1 year of a high school research course
During Hofstra University's Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP), you will have the opportunity to engage in research activities under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Mentors will be assigned based on your area of interest and their expertise. You may choose to work on projects in fields such as biology, chemistry, psychology, public health, engineering, mathematics, and more. Additionally, you will be expected to attend laboratory safety training and participate in weekly seminars or group discussions. At the end of the program, you will be required to present a poster of all the work done over the summer at a closing poster session.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee (can be waived)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: High school students (15+)
George Mason University hosts the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) and also offers virtual options to out-of-state students. You will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty researchers from George Mason University and other institutions, gaining hands-on experience with advanced equipment and technologies. As a participant, you will explore areas of medical research like proteomics and molecular medicine, biochemistry, drug discovery, and related fields. The program includes discussion forums and meetings designed to explore various STEM career pathways. It also provides a valuable platform to develop essential skills for conducting innovative research, such as scientific writing and communication. Upon completion, you may have opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and present your work at conferences.
15. AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 program fee + $45 application fee; Financial aid offered
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26, Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
The AIMI Summer Research Internship provides an opportunity to engage with the more technical aspects of healthcare. Over approximately two weeks, you will participate in lectures that introduce the fundamentals and significance of AI in healthcare. You will have the chance to learn from Stanford Student Leaders and researchers who will serve as mentors and guide you through hands-on research projects. Additionally, there will be “Career Lunch and Learns” sessions featuring guest speakers from academia, government, industry, and other sectors. Upon completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and may be extended an invitation to pursue an independent research internship.
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