15 Pre-Med Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in a career in medicine, research, or healthcare, it’s a good idea to start exploring the field early. Engaging in a pre-med research opportunity allows you to explore healthcare and understand what a career in medicine entails. Many prestigious universities and institutions offer pre-med research opportunities for high school students, with some experiences being in-person and others virtual. Participating in these programs provides a chance to connect with and learn from industry professionals.
Here are 15 pre-med research opportunities for high school students to explore!
15 Pre-Med Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee; $500 – $2,500 stipends
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 16+ by program start
The SIMR (Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research) program provides high school students with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how scientific research is conducted. As a participant, you will get to work on a medically-focused project alongside Stanford faculty, students, and researchers. You can choose to participate in one of eight research areas. This includes Immunology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Neurobiology, and more. You also have the option to participate in the program’s bioengineering bootcamp, where you will attend lectures on bioengineering research topics while also getting hands-on experience in bioengineering and biodesign.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts (12 weeks – 1 year) in a year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students interested in developing their research skills. You’ll get to choose from subject areas like data science, psychology, computer science, physics, engineering, medicine, chemistry, international relations, and more. As a participant, you will be paired with a PH.D. scholar who will act as a mentor for around 12 weeks. They will offer 1-on-1 guidance and support as you work on an independent research project. You can find the application form here.
3. Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: December – February
Eligibility: High school seniors older than 18; Colorado residents
The Child Health Research Internship is a summer program organized by the University of Colorado’s Department of Pediatrics and the Colorado Child Health Research Institute. Participants collaborate with university and hospital faculty, gaining practical experience. During the internship, you'll explore pediatrics through personal research projects on child health and attend weekly lectures led by research faculty. At the end of the program, you will provide a summary of your research experience as well as any contributions and accomplishments you’ve had. Additionally, you will be encouraged to submit your research to other local or national conferences. If your submission is accepted, the program offers funding to support your attendance at the event.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11; GPA of at least 3.67 out of 4.0
Horizon offers research programs for high school students interested in learning more about quantitative or qualitative research. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to develop a 20-page research paper, choosing from subject areas such as medicine, data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. You’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar, who will act as your mentor and guide you through your research work. Once your paper is ready, you might even get the opportunity to publish it in prestigious high school journals. The program also ensures you receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project.
5. UCSF’s Summer Student Research Program
Location: Various locations across the San Francisco Bay Area
Stipend: $3,000 – $4,300
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; At least one year in math and biology; 16+ by June 1; Students with under-represented backgrounds in the sciences
Participating in UCSF’s Summer Student Research Program will give you the chance to contribute to active biomedical research projects in local clinics and labs. You’ll also receive 1-on-1 mentorship from healthcare providers and researchers while working on clinical or basic science research projects. In addition to the research you’ll conduct, you’ll attend weekly seminars and meetings led by healthcare professionals from UCSF and other institutions. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with peers through a weekly journal club, during which you'll read and analyze various scientific papers. Finally, on the last day of the program, you’ll present your research at the Research Symposium.
6. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 3 – December 2
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Duval County or St. Johns County, FL, high school juniors and seniors; Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
Mayo Clinic’s SPARK gives high school students the chance to learn more about scientific research alongside top researchers in Mayo Clinic's state-of-the-art facilities. You will have the opportunity to explore and specialize in various research areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology, and many others. During the program, you’ll also get to work on a highly competitive project that you’ll submit to science fairs. You’ll also participate in a weekly Lunch and Learn series, during which you will further explore research and gain advice on college planning. The program concludes with an awards ceremony and a poster presentation, where you will showcase your work and present your final research poster.
7. The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, East Baltimore campus, MD
Cost/Stipend: None; $3,000 stipend
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Low-income high school students; More details here
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s SARE program offers low-income high school students in Baltimore the chance to participate in eight weeks of hands-on biomedical research. The program is split into three main components: academics, research, and professionalism. As a participant, you'll collaborate with research professionals acting as mentors, helping you learn and refine laboratory techniques in some of the country's leading research labs. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to enroll in advanced courses in topics such as mathematics, bioethics, scientific writing, and data analysis. It concludes with a scientific poster presentation where you’ll showcase your work and research.
8. Scripps Research: Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $4,830
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students who are 16+; At least one year of high school-level chemistry and biology completed; Minimum GPA of 3.0;
Scripps Research’s Summer High School Internship Program was designed to increase student interest in careers in biological and chemical sciences. The program focuses on providing insight into contemporary issues commonly encountered in biomedical research, as well as offering hands-on research experience in the lab. The internship is divided into three parts: a three-day boot camp, mentor interviews, and a seven-week lab internship. The first part of this internship focuses on providing you with necessary lab training, while the second focuses on matching you with a research laboratory. The final part of this program is the lab internship, during which you will work with a graduate student who will act as your mentor. They will guide your lab experience, provide insight into the college application process, and even help with your application essay.
9. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: First-generation and low-income high school juniors in Northern California
During the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP), you will spend over five weeks immersed in science and medicine. You will be placed in hospital internships at Stanford Hospital, where you will gain theoretical knowledge of medical science as well as hands-on experiences in several different aspects of healthcare. You will have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals, attend formal and informal discussions that introduce you to various healthcare career paths, and interact with patients. In addition to this, you will also attend two weekly lectures on public health and research methodology, which will prepare you for your group summer research project. You’ll also get the chance to network and connect with your peers as well as several other professionals from the Stanford medical community.
10. Indiana University: Molecular Medicine In Action (MMIA)
Location: Various locations in Indianapolis
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 2-day program; March 1 – 2
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall
Eligibility: Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
By offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge medical research, the Molecular Medicine In Action (MMIA) program aims to encourage high school students to pursue careers in science and healthcare. During this two-day program, you will cover subjects like molecular biology, cytogenetics, and cancer therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct an analysis of topics such as gene expression, imaging technology, and the modulation of cancer cell growth. This program offers you the chance to participate in experiments and research methodologies conducted in IU's labs. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and connect with many of IU’s scientists, clinicians, counselors, and professors.
11. Scripps Research: Student Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students; Must be 16+ before the program starts
The Scripps Research Translational Institute runs a ten-week Student Research Internship Program for high school, college, and graduate students. Its goal is to foster interest in translational medical research. Participants are paired with a mentor who will guide them through the internship and offer support for their future academic and career pursuits. You will work with your mentor to develop an independent research project, which you will then present at the end of the internship. During the program, you will learn about current topics in translational science, like how mobile technologies can be used to monitor and enhance healthcare. You’ll also explore genomic and genetic association studies, as well as mHealth trials, and learn more about the analysis methods used in translational research. You will be expected to attend seminars and present at the end-of-program poster symposium.
12. MD Anderson Cancer Center: High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $6,120 – $6,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Up to 12 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current high school seniors in Texas; 18 + by program start
MD Anderson Cancer Center’s High School Summer Program (also known as the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences) is a highly competitive program that accepts only around 12 students. During the program, you will have the opportunity to work at MD Anderson Cancer Center, renowned as one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment institutions. You will collaborate with a full-time faculty member on a research project within a biomedical field and gain an understanding of the fundamentals of scientific investigation. Aside from lab work, you will also attend seminars on various research topics and participate in poster, abstract, and elevator speech competitions. The program will end with a presentation and a luncheon, where you will present your research.
13. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: High School Research Immersion Program
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, TN
Stipend: $4,800
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in the Memphis-Shelby County area and immediate surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas; 16+ with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
As part of the St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program, you will have the opportunity to work on research projects in St. Jude's labs, psychophysics, epidemiology, clinical, or data science programs. You will collaborate with a research mentor and a science educator to explore concepts like the nature of science, the importance of ideas, and what defines a scientist. At the end of the program, you will be expected to present your research in a community exhibition via a scientific poster.
14. Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program
Location: Northwestern University
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 1 – 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older by program start
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program is a summer internship designed for high school and college students seeking a hands-on research experience in the biological sciences. Once selected, you will be paired with a Northwestern faculty member who will offer support and guidance throughout your work on a meaningful basic or clinical research project. The project you work on will contribute to your lab’s research and further our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to lung disease. In addition to research work, you’ll also attend workshops that help you prepare for the college application process and provide insight into careers in science or medicine. The program ends with the annual Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium, where you will be expected to present your work.
15. Max Planck Florida Institute: Neuroscience High School Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Dates: June 17 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in Palm Beach or Martin County; 16+ by program start and legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Max Planck Florida Institute’s Neuroscience High School Internship offers a six-week immersive lab experience, allowing you to work hands-on with MPFI researchers. During the program, you’ll conduct research and prepare a scientific abstract of your project, which you will present at the end of the internship. Participants can select from three tracks: Neuroscience, Mechanical Engineering, and Scientific Programming. In the neuroscience track, you will get to participate in intensive neuroscience research and gain experience in “wet-lab” techniques. The scientific programming track is designed for individuals with computer programming experience, and it'll have you developing programs that’ll be used for data analysis. During the mechanical engineering track, you will learn about mechanical engineering and design, and might even get to apply for an internship in the MPFI’s Mechanical Workshop.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image source - Horizon Academic Research Program