14 Biology Research Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student interested in the field of biology, a research program can be a great way to explore the subject beyond the classroom. Biology research programs add to your school-based learning by giving you the chance to contribute to the scientific discovery process, work within lab environments, and learn directly from scientists and mentors who are shaping the future of the field. As a participant, you will also connect with peers, building connections that last well beyond summer.
Why should you attend a program in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is a great place to find and dive into research opportunities. Home to world-renowned universities and research centers like Harvard and MIT, the state offers a variety of biology research programs that welcome both local and out-of-state students. Whether your interests lie in medicine, genetics, biotechnology, or environmental science, these programs can provide you with the ideal environment to experiment, explore, and gain early exposure to scientific work in your chosen field.
To help you get started, we have rounded up 14 biology research programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you are looking for summer programs and internships in Massachusetts, check out our blogs here and here.
1. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 when the program begins; applicants must reside in Medford, Arlington, Melrose, Revere, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy, MA.
The TUBERS program is a six-week opportunity to work within biomedical engineering labs under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers. As a participant, you will explore how engineering principles apply to biological systems and ways to study cells, tissues, and organs. You will also gain exposure to research methods and techniques while working on your research project. At the end of the program, you will present your work to the Tufts community. You may also submit your work to local or national science competitions.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12- to 15-week sessions available around the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who have experience with Python or have completed the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI offers project-based learning opportunities focused on artificial intelligence. The virtual format allows you to connect with experts and learn from anywhere. The AI Fellowship program allows you to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities, learning about AI in structured phases, going from exploring advanced concepts to AI’s applications in various fields. You will develop an independent project, which can be a research report that focuses on the intersection of AI and biology or biomedicine. You will also receive support for publishing your project in high school research journals. You can check out past student projects here and apply to the program here.
3. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $75 application fee (waivers available)
Cohort size: ~100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who will be 16 or older when the program starts
MIT’s RSI is a selective summer program for high school students interested in science and engineering. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM lectures led by professors. You will then spend five weeks conducting original research under the mentorship of experienced scientists, engaging in the complete process—from reviewing literature and designing experiments to analyzing data and presenting results. You can focus on research in biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biomedicine, or bioengineering, based on your interests. The program ends with both written and oral presentations, allowing you to present your findings like professional scientists.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts throughout the year, running from 12 weeks to a year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual mentored research experience run by researchers from Harvard and Oxford. It helps high school students work one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors on an independent research project in a subject area of their choice. You can indicate your preference for research in biology. Throughout the program, you will engage in personalized, in-depth sessions with your mentor, who will guide you through the research process and help you develop a college-level research paper. You will also work with a writing coach to build skills in academic writing. At the end of the program, you will submit a full-length research paper and be eligible to earn UCSD credits.
5. Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE)
Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission; small cohort
Dates: Seven weeks; June – August
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising and graduating seniors who are 16 or older and are attending or have attended schools in Boston, Cambridge, Brockton, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Chelsea, or other Massachusetts Gateway cities; college students are also eligible.
RISE is a paid internship that introduces high school students to immunology and biomedical research through mentorship. Over the course of seven weeks, you will work within the institute’s research labs, gaining hands-on laboratory experience under the guidance of faculty mentors. The experience begins with a week-long boot camp covering lab safety and workplace expectations. You will attend an “Introduction to Immunology” course led by graduate students, engage in journal clubs, and participate in lectures led by researchers. You will also participate in workshops on college readiness, resume writing, and career planning, as well as field trips to local science institutions. The program concludes with presentations, allowing you to share your work with the broader Ragon community.
6. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance rate: Selective; ~15–20 students/year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors in high school with a grade of B or better in science and math classes; applicants must attend Massachusetts high schools and hold U.S. citizenship/permanent residency or U.S. work authorization.
BSSP is a six-week, fully funded research opportunity at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. You will be paired with Broad scientists and engage in real lab research within areas like cancer biology, infectious disease, computational biology, and genetics. Beyond research, you will gain access to college and career panels, scientific talks, a college fair, and opportunities to connect with peers through social events. The program also offers one-on-one tutoring, wet lab training, and guidance on creating and presenting scientific posters—helping you build strong skills and experiences for college and beyond. You will present your findings at a poster session for the Broad community.
7. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education & Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates/rising college freshmen who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education & Research Program is a six-week, full-time internship designed to offer you hands-on experience in neuroscience and clinical research at MGH premises. The program starts with a boot camp that introduces you to research methods and clinical skills, preparing you for your work in the lab. Then, you will be paired with a Neurology faculty mentor and an undergraduate student who will guide you throughout your research project. Over the course of the program, you will spend around 40 hours per week conducting experiments, attending seminars led by medical professionals, and engaging with ongoing neurology research. At the end of the program, you will present your work to family, peers, and mentors.
8. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by cohort; ~25–35 students/cohort in the past
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2; applications open December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and Massachusetts residents within commuting distance
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University is a free summer research opportunity designed for incoming 12th graders. As a YSP participant, you will spend six weeks working in a university research lab, engaging in science research. Beyond lab work, the program offers access to seminars led by faculty and graduate students, career counseling sessions, and site visits to various organizations. You will also get exposure to college life through access to campus facilities and opportunities to connect with current university students.
9. Harvard Medical School’s Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School or affiliated institution research labs in Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Date: July – August (six weeks)
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: Students who live in Boston or Cambridge, are in grades 11 or 12, hold a minimum GPA of 2.70, will be at least 16 years old by the program start date, and have completed courses in algebra, biology, and chemistry
Project Success, offered by the Harvard Medical School, is a six-week summer program designed for high school students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in biomedical careers. You will work in a Harvard or Harvard-affiliated research lab, attend seminars, visit hospitals and biotech companies, and receive hands-on computer training. Throughout the program, mentors and research advisors will guide you, helping you work on research and explore future career paths. You will also work on your writing, presentation, and technical skills during the program.
10. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~15–20 students/year
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are Massachusetts residents enrolled in Massachusetts high schools
The High School Health Careers Program, a four-week program conducted at UMass Chan Medical School, is designed for Massachusetts high schoolers interested in biotechnology, healthcare, and biomedical research. You will live on campus and take courses in biology, math, IT, and communication, paired with seminars on cultural and public health issues. You will gain firsthand exposure to the medical field through observer internships with healthcare professionals and field trips to research and clinical sites. A central component of the program is the Health Disparities Research Project, through which you will examine healthcare inequities within cultural groups in the state. Regular assessments and faculty feedback will help you track your progress.
11. University of Massachusetts Amherst Research Intensives: Biology
Location: Amherst campus of UMass Amherst, MA
Cost: Residential: $12,157 | Commuter: $7,022
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by lab
Date: June 29 – August 9
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with grades of B or above in science and math courses
The Research Intensives Program, part of UMass Amherst’s pre-college offerings, gives you the chance to work in real university labs with experienced professors and graduate students. You can choose from tracks like microbiology, biochemistry, or plant science. During the program, you will engage in hands-on research, build your lab skills, and learn how to communicate your scientific ideas clearly. The program also offers an introduction to various research methodologies and the opportunity to conduct individual or group experiments. You will create and present your findings at a poster session at the end of the program.
12. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for Massachusetts students
Cost: $25 application fee with need-based 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
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including biochemistry, systems biology, and bioengineering. You can choose a mentor offering a remote internship format to engage in research within your chosen track while also refining your scientific writing and communication skills over virtual sessions. During the eight-week program, you will learn about STEM career paths to explore through discussions with professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a research symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP during the summer.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; waivers and scholarships available
Cohort size: 25
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12 who are 14+ when the program begins; preference given to those with healthcare project experience and math and programming skills
The AIMI Summer Research Internship at Stanford University is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedicine. You will work in teams on research projects that apply machine learning to health challenges under the guidance of Stanford faculty and mentors. Alongside research, you will attend lectures, mentorship sessions, and “Career Lunch & Learns” with experts from academia, government, and nonprofit organizations. The program concludes with group presentations, during which you will share your findings and insights with peers. Following the summer, you can continue to engage in research by choosing to join an extended academic year research opportunity offered by Stanford AIMI.
14. Georgetown University’s Biology Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,995 with credits | $1,895 without credits; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Date: Year-round sessions of varying lengths
Application deadline: One week before each session starts; dates vary by session
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
In this online college-level biology course, you will dive into cellular biology and the latest discoveries that are shaping this field. You will study how cells function and interact in multicellular systems while learning how to identify the variety of cell types and their roles. While not a typical research program, the course offers exposure to biology research. The course introduces you to recent breakthroughs in biomolecular research and how they relate to human diseases. You will also work on a final capstone project, in which you will share your experience and takeaways while also receiving personalized project feedback from teaching assistants.
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