15 Biology Summer Programs for High School Students

If you’re a high school student interested in biology, consider doing a summer program in the subject. Biology summer programs can help you develop skills beyond what’s taught in the classroom. These programs, often hosted by leading universities and research organizations, allow you to practice running experiments, analyzing data, and presenting your findings. You’ll also develop critical thinking and communication, valuable skills regardless of what you study in college. 

Biology summer programs offer early exposure to how research and healthcare work, as well as the opportunity to connect with mentors and peers who share similar interests. These programs can help you test your interests and set long-term academic goals. Many are virtual, making them accessible no matter where you’re based. To help you get started, below is a curated list of 15 of the best biology summer programs for high school students.

15 Biology Summer Programs for High School Students

1. Stanford University – Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived for students with financial need / Stipend of $500 - $2,500 based on need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age | Must currently be living in and attending high school in the U.S. | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week internship where you will work full-time in Stanford labs under the mentorship of faculty and researchers. You can choose from eight specialties, including immunology, cancer biology, genetics, and bioinformatics. The program combines lab research with lectures and seminars that explain the science behind your projects. What makes SIMR stand out is the chance to contribute directly to cutting-edge biomedical research as a high school student. You will end the program by presenting your work through a poster session alongside your peers.

2. Ladder Internships – Healthcare & Medicine Track

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year, including summer, winter, fall, and spring; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 12 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–16 weeks

Ladder Internships places you with real companies and startups in healthcare and medicine, where you will gain first-hand work experience. Projects may involve biotech research, analysing medical data, or supporting digital health initiatives. As a participant, you’ll work directly with a startup manager on meaningful projects and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. This balance of autonomy and guidance ensures you build both technical skills and professional confidence. By the end, you will have a portfolio of meaningful work to highlight in applications and interviews. Ladder’s startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

3. New York University – Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program

Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 80 students
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are at least 16 years old at the program’s start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The New York University – Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program is an intensive, fully funded three-week residential summer program for high school students interested in biology, chemistry, neural science, physics, psychology, and other life and physical sciences. You will attend college-level lectures, hands-on workshops, and lab sessions in biology, physics, psychology, and chemistry. The program also provides you access to NYU professors and guest speakers who share valuable career insights. It’s an excellent way to explore different scientific fields before deciding on a specific path in college. Beyond academics, the program also includes cultural and social activities in New York City.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Biology Track

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year, including summer, winter, fall, and spring; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 12 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers one-on-one research opportunities with PhD mentors from top universities. Over 12 weeks, you will work on an independent project in areas like biology, biotechnology, or human diseases. The program is designed to mimic the intensity and independence of university-level research. You will finish with a publishable-quality research paper that strengthens your academic profile. It’s one of the most rigorous and recognised research opportunities available for high school students, which also makes you eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).You can find more details about the application here.

5. The Rockefeller University – Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a prestigious, team-based, mentored research program for high school juniors and seniors, lasting about seven weeks during the summer. It places students into small research teams across Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell, and Memorial Sloan Kettering labs. You will learn research methods, collect and analyse data, and present findings in a final poster presentation. The program also includes workshops, guest lectures, and networking opportunities with leading scientists. Its team-based structure helps you build collaboration and communication skills while contributing to real research. Social events and elective courses round out the experience, making it both academic and community-driven.

6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Placements across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks during June – August; flexible dates can be decided with your mentor
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16+ by June 1

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. The program pairs you with a professional mentor where you work around 32 hours a week on hands-on field and lab projects. Depending on your location, you may survey fish populations, test water quality, or participate in habitat restoration. This is one of the few biology internships that pays you to gain direct experience in environmental science. You will also join the Scholar’s Summit, connecting with peers and professionals in the field, and be responsible for keeping logs of your experience and creating reports.

7. The Jackson Laboratory – Summer Student Program (SSP)

Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: None / $7,000 stipend plus housing, meals, and travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 – 45 students
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors who have completed grade 12 | At least 18 years old | U.S. citizen or permanent resident

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a 10-week fellowship focused on genetics and genomics. You will work on independent projects under the mentorship of experienced researchers, design a study, analyze results, and present your findings at the end of the summer. The program also includes journal clubs, professional development sessions, and discussions with scientists from diverse careers. You will not only learn lab skills but also see how genetics connects to fields like medicine, law, and communication. The program also offers access to recreational activities in nearby Acadia National Park and community-building events.

8. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – High School Internship

Location: Washington, DC
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 24 – August 5
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students between the ages of 14 – 18 | Write and converse in fluent English

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History High School Internship program offers motivated high school students aged 14 to 18 an immersive, hands-on experience in museum work and scientific research. You will work full-time alongside museum staff in various departments such as Entomology, Exhibits, Education, and Collections. You might classify insect specimens, support field research, or help create exhibits for the public. Beyond lab work, you will also practice public engagement and communication with visitors. It’s a unique opportunity to connect biology with education and outreach in a world-class museum setting. Field trips and tours add an extra dimension to the program.

9. Stanford University – Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation juniors from Northern California

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week enrichment program for students interested in health and medicine. You will rotate through hospital internships, faculty lectures, and public health workshops. The program also includes a group research project on healthcare disparities. Some of the past projects have included topics such as language barriers in patient care and racial inequities in health outcomes. You will get to shadow health professionals and see how science connects directly to patient care. College prep workshops on financial aid and admissions are built in to support your next steps.

10. Columbia University – State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: None / Paid for participating in the BRAINYAC program, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: NY 7th-12th graders with at least an 80% grade average, especially in math and science

Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free, rigorous academic program designed for 7th through 12th-grade students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or related STEM fields. It helps you strengthen your foundation in science, math, and health-related fields. You will take enrichment courses in subjects like anatomy, chemistry, brain science, and psychology. The program also offers PSAT/SAT prep, academic counselling, and college readiness workshops. It’s designed to build both your scientific knowledge and your pathway to higher education. Field trips and campus tours give you a broader perspective on future opportunities.

11. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $50 application fee (can be waived) / Students with demonstrated financial need are eligible for a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are 16 or older |  Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 |  Live and attend school in one of the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Cruz

The Pediatrics Internship Program (PIPS) introduces you to science and medicine through hands-on projects in maternal and child health. You will spend about 23 hours a week in labs working under faculty, postdocs, and staff while completing an independent research project. The program also includes workshops on leadership, research methods, and career pathways in healthcare. By the end, you will present your project at a symposium, giving you real experience in scientific communication. It also includes the Near Peer Mentor (NPM) program, where you are paired with 2–3  undergraduates, medical students, or residents who provide guidance and share their own academic journeys.

12. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory – Biotech Summer Experience

Location: Livermore, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12 in fall | 16 years old by the program’s start | U.S. citizens (18-year-old students) | Cumulative GPA of 3.3

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Biotech Summer Experience is a two-week immersive program that introduces high school students (ages 16 and older) to authentic molecular biology and bioinformatics research. You will conduct experiments in plasmid isolation, PCR, and gel electrophoresis, and learn advanced data analysis. This hands-on work is paired with training in professional lab techniques and research design. Your DNA sequence findings are published in GenBank under your name, giving you international recognition for your work. It’s a fast-paced, research-driven program that is perfect if you want exposure to real biotech practices.

13. Stanford University – Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Program

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by June

The STaRS (Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery program immerses you in biomedical research with a focus on reconstructive surgery. Over seven weeks, you will train in lab techniques like histology, imaging, and genotyping while contributing to ongoing projects. Alongside lab work, you will join lectures, career workshops, and one-on-one mentoring from Stanford faculty. You will also engage in interactive lectures and skill-building workshops. You will gain an insider’s view of how science translates into surgical and medical advances. The program ends with a formal presentation of your findings to faculty and peers.

14. University of Pennsylvania – Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 12–15 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th graders enrolled in a Philadelphia high school | Minimum 3.0 GPA

The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) connects you with Penn’s graduate schools in medicine, nursing, dental medicine, engineering, or law. You will spend four weeks experiencing campus life while gaining exposure to professional pathways. The program also builds your study skills, SAT prep, and financial literacy. Its low acceptance rate means you get highly personalized guidance from faculty and mentors. The program often concludes with a college fair hosted on Penn’s campus, offering networking opportunities and further college access support. You will finish with stronger college readiness and a clearer sense of your career direction.

15. Stanford University – Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)

Location: Stanford University (virtual and in-person)
Cost: None; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by the program start date | Residents of Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Minimum 3.0 GPA | Prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, or computer programming

GRIPS introduces you to computational genetics and genomics through an eight-week research internship. You will spend about 20 hours a week in a lab conducting experiments and contributing to ongoing biomedical studies under the mentorship of Stanford scientists. Weekly cohort sessions and career panels expose you to the broader biomedical field, and regular mentor check-ins ensure consistent progress and personalized support. This program is especially valuable if you’re interested in the intersection of biology, data science, and technology. You will leave with experience in genomics research and connections to Stanford scientists.

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