15 Cancer Research Programs for High School Students

Cancer research programs for high school students offer early experience in scientific enquiry by allowing you to work with advanced biomedical equipment. These programs sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving while offering insight into complex biological processes and the work of scientists. They can also strengthen your college applications by showing initiative in pursuing rigorous academic opportunities.

If you’re curious about medicine, biotechnology, or lab-based research, cancer research programs for high school students give you a strong starting point by pairing you with experienced scientists and clinicians. In this blog, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best cancer research programs for high school students based on research depth, mentorship, and institutional credibility.

1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Student Summer Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 interns each summer (approximately)
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior, live within ~25 miles of MSK (NY, NJ, CT), have a 3.5 GPA in science | At least 14 years old by June | Legally authorized to work in the U.S

The MSK Summer Student Program offers high school students an 8-week exposure to cancer research. It matches you with a lab mentor (often a postdoctoral researcher or graduate student), after which, you carry out an independent project aligned with your lab’s overall goals. Research topics span cancer biology, immuno-oncology, computational biology, drug development, imaging, structural biology, and more. The program also includes seminars, tours, and interdisciplinary events to deepen your understanding of how clinical and laboratory science intersect. The experience ends in a poster presentation showcasing your project. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; upcoming cohort is Winter starting December 8
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September); Winter Cohort: November 16
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective program that connects driven high school students with innovative start-ups across diverse sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, health innovation, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Many of Ladder’s partner companies have secured more than a million dollars in funding, giving participants the opportunity to collaborate with energetic, rapidly growing organizations. During the internship, you’ll work closely with company leaders and receive mentorship from a dedicated Ladder Coach while contributing to impactful projects. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your work to the start-up team, providing a platform to demonstrate your newly acquired skills and insights. You can apply here.

3. UW Carbone Cancer Center ARISE Summer Research Internship

Location: Program starts with meeting at University of Wisconsin–Madison, but research lab locations will depend on student interest and mentor lab placements
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Must have completed sophomore year | Age 16+ at start of program

ARISE program welcomes high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical sciences, offering early exposure to careers in cancer research and healthcare. You will spend about 20 hours each week in a mentor’s lab, where you gain hands-on experience in cancer research through training in lab techniques, attending team meetings, and learning standard procedures. You will also work closely with the Principal Investigator through regular check-ins while contributing to an ongoing research project. Alongside lab work, you will engage in 3–5 hours per week of career development and enrichment sessions. At the end of the program, you will be awarded a UW Carbone Cancer Center Science Research Certificate.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring; upcoming cohort is Winter starting December 8
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Winter Cohort: November 16; apply here
Eligibility: Current high school students who 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 is a 12-week experience that allows high school students to design and carry out an independent research project in a subject of their choice, guided by a Ph.D. mentor. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with your mentor and a writing coach to shape your research topic, while also joining workshops on research methodology. Available fields include engineering, anthropology, history, physics, biology, sociology, economics, data science, chemistry, and gender studies. If you’re interested in cancer research, you can pursue areas such as biotechnology or human diseases. You may also be eligible for a UCSD credit at the end of the program.

5. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program

Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 1%
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old | U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Founded by the National Cancer Institute, this two-year initiative gives students experience in cancer research while working closely with researchers and physicians who specialize in cancer health disparities. The program pairs you with a faculty mentor whose work matches your interests, and you join a weekly Cancer Biology Journal Club to read, present, and discuss research papers. The eight-week summer program also includes orientation, scientific and professional skills training, creation of an Individual Development Plan, submission of a research abstract, and, for second-year participants, an oral presentation.

6. The Future Scientist Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8-9 weeks between early June and late July
Application Deadline: Generally late February-early March
Eligibility: High school juniors in a Marion County and Indianapolis public high school | Minimum 3.0 grade point average | Ability to obtain work permit if under 16

The Future Scientist Program at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is an eight-week summer research experience for high school juniors from Indianapolis and Marion County public schools who are interested in science and medicine. Designed to spark early interest in biomedical careers, the program blends structured instruction with hands-on, paid laboratory work. As a participant, you’ll spend around 40 hours a week in a university lab, working directly with researchers on a dedicated project. Your research will focus on understanding the molecular changes that drive cancer and exploring potential therapies for its prevention and treatment.

7. Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program at Emory University

Location: Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,400 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Only 1-12 students are selected
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically in early February
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors | At least 16 years old by June 9 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents

During the six-week Summer Scholars Research Program at Winship, high school seniors work closely with Winship physicians or lab researchers on cancer-focused projects in lab or clinical settings. Alongside the mentors, you will perform experiments, gather data, and engage with multiple facets of cancer biology. The experience also includes lectures from oncology faculty, field trips to institutions like the CDC Museum and Georgia Tech, and opportunities to attend professional panels. By the end of the program, you will present your research at a final symposium.

8. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s DACCPM Summer Research Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2– August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 18 or older by program start date

The DACCPM (Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine) Summer Research Program is a 10-week internship under the MD Anderson CATALYST umbrella that pairs students with faculty mentors to tackle research projects in both lab and clinical settings. The program begins with a “Cancer Biology boot camp” to familiarize you with foundational principles and lab techniques before moving into project work. You’ll attend development seminars on topics like graduate school planning, while working with your mentor on data collection, literature reviews, interpretation, and presentation. The summer wraps up with a poster symposium and abstract submission to the CATALYST abstract book.

9. TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy

Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,000 scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 students selected annually
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in Arizona who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program

The TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy is a two-week summer program for Arizona high school students that dives deep into biosciences and precision medicine. You’ll gain exposure to hands-on lab shadowing, experimental design, bioethics, clinical trial basics, and topics spanning neurological disease, cancer, diabetes, and infectious disease. In addition to scientific content, there are workshops on science communication, public speaking, networking, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Every participant finishes with a written and oral presentation on a bioscience topic and earns a $1,000 scholarship upon successful completion. 

10. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI)—High School Student Research Program

Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend of minimum federal hourly wage for 40 hours per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: High school students, particularly juniors, with a minimum 3.0 GPA

This program enables 20–25 students to take part in full-time research while attending bi-weekly seminars led by medical students, faculty mentors, and guest professors. These sessions cover subjects like cancer, cardiovascular disease, genetics, neuroscience, and preventive medicine. As a participant, you’ll commit to working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, throughout the program. During this time, you’ll strengthen your research skills, gain hands-on experience in both basic and clinical science, and sharpen your problem-solving and communication abilities. By the end of the program, you’ll share your findings in an oral presentation and submit a 3–4 page written report.

11. City Of Hope Cancer Center Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy

Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old before the internship starts

The Eugene & Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy gives students experience in biomedical research by allowing them to pick a research project in their area of interest. Over 10 weeks, you’ll join a research team under the mentorship of City of Hope faculty and scientists, and engage in weekly seminars where you present findings and learn from peers. The program also includes workshops on research ethics, poster presentations, and other professional development topics. At the end, participants receive a stipend in recognition of their full-time work and often gain exposure to published work or patents through their mentors.

12. UChicago Medicine’s SHE in Oncology

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / $500 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 students
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana

SHE in Oncology is a virtual, multi-institutional summer program that gives high school students a crash course in cancer research and biomedical science. Over two weeks, you work on virtual research projects related to oncology, learning experimental design, data analysis, and scientific methods. You also collaborate in small groups to discuss case studies, recent research, and present your project findings, enhancing communication and critical thinking skills. The program also features daily lectures, panel discussions, and workshops led by faculty, clinicians, and experts, helping you gain both scientific knowledge and insight into careers in oncology. 

13. UChicago Medicine’s Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer Program

Location: The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None / $5,000 taxable stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Two-year program between January and December that includes two eight-week summer research experiences between June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: Generally in December
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start | Residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana

Chicago EYES on Cancer (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) is a two-year cancer research training program designed for high school and undergraduate students, as well as science educators. Throughout both summers, you will work full-time in cancer research laboratories at the university, gaining hands-on experience in the field. The program offers comprehensive research training, a lecture series on cancer, career development and skill-building workshops, and ongoing mentorship from faculty and peers. It ends with a research symposium where you present your findings in areas such as basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer research. 

14. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center — High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) 

Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Subsistence allowances are awarded to students who qualify for limited funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who reside in Western New York within commuting distance of Roswell Park | 15 years of age by the start of the program

Roswell Park’s High School Summer Research Experience offers students the opportunity to conduct independent research under the mentorship of expert scientists. You’ll gain laboratory experience with advanced technology, collaborate closely with mentors, and engage in a team-oriented research environment. You will investigate areas such as cancer genetics, tumor immunology, and cancer biophysics, or explore emerging fields like tobacco regulatory science, providing a comprehensive introduction to cancer research. In addition to lab work, the program features classroom sessions on core cancer concepts, guest speaker seminars, and professional development workshops. The experience culminates in a poster presentation of your research findings, modeled after the presentations typically delivered by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

15. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid upon successful completion of the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Generally 8 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: 11th and 12th-grade students with a strong academic background and interest in science

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a selective, eight-week internship designed for rising 12th graders and recent graduates, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical sciences. The program starts with a two-week intensive training in laboratory safety, essential research techniques, and foundational skills. For the remaining six weeks, interns join Fred Hutch research teams in Seattle, participating in hands-on, mentored research projects. In addition to laboratory work, you will attend research seminars and career development workshops. Social activities foster peer connections and a sense of community. The program concludes with a presentation session, where you share your research findings with the Fred Hutch community.

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