15 Free Medical Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in a career in medicine, medical programs can be a great way to explore this field. Free medical programs and internships are excellent opportunities for high school students to gain exposure to healthcare without any financial burden. They often include experiences such as clinical observations, research projects, and lab work, helping you build practical skills and understand medical careers.
Medical programs also provide access to professionals in the industry, allowing you to form valuable connections with mentors. Since many are hosted by top universities and medical organizations, you can benefit from high-quality instruction and facilities. Free programs tend to be more selective than paid ones, making them a standout addition to your college applications. To help you get started, below, we’ve listed 15 free medical programs for high school students.
15 Free Medical Programs for High School Students
1. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–6 students
Dates: Third week of June until the second week of August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years old at program start | Entering grade 10–12 | Minimum GPA of 3.0 (or all A’s/B’s in math and science)
In this 8-week free medical program for high school students, you’ll join research teams at Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science to explore biomedical and clinical research. You’ll work on experiments in areas like molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology under the mentorship of Rutgers faculty and graduate researchers. Your daily work will include data collection, lab techniques, and result interpretation. In addition to lab training, you will also attend weekly seminars on scientific communication and career development. The program concludes with oral and poster presentations where you showcase your findings to faculty and fellow participants.
2. Ladder Internships – Healthcare and Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can contribute 5 – 15 hours/week for 8 – 16 weeks.
At Ladder, you’ll work on healthcare and medicine projects with innovative startups. You will collaborate with mentors, engineers, and professionals to develop real-world solutions, from coding medical software to analyzing patient data. Daily tasks include research, project planning, and prototype testing, and virtual seminars on healthcare trends, ethics, and career paths. You’ll also interact with peers across different startups, honing teamwork and presentation skills. At the end of the program, you will present your findings and solutions to your mentors and the Ladder community.
3. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Through this six-week free medical program for high school students, you explore the brain and nervous system, including projects linked to Alzheimer’s and related dementias. You will attend live seminars, journal clubs, and Neurology Grand Rounds where experts will present their current research. Additionally, you’ll perform virtual lab activities that introduce you to research tools and methods. You will also work on a final project investigating a neuroscience topic of your choice and present your findings. Throughout this entire process, mentors will guide you in reading scientific articles, analyzing data, and presenting findings.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; moderately sized cohort
Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts including summer, fall, winter & spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to the program cohort
Eligibility: High school seniors who are typically from low-income families
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation offers a no-cost opportunity for students to work individually with a PhD mentor and produce an independent research paper over 12 weeks. You gain experience in developing a research question, conducting literature reviews, and composing a scholarly paper with expert guidance. The program includes several mentorship meetings, writing sessions, and concludes with a presentation at the Lumiere Research Symposium. Covering diverse disciplines such as data science, physics, history, and public policy, it helps you strengthen your critical thinking, academic research, and communication abilities. Designed as a fully funded version of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, it provides all the same academic depth and mentorship experience without financial barriers.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program - Bioengineering Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None except $40 application fee, which can be waived / Minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year | At least 16 years old by June 8 | Reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card
SIMR’s eight-week Bioengineering Team Internship allows you to tackle real-world medical challenges through hands-on biodesign projects. You will work in small teams under the guidance of Stanford graduate and undergraduate mentors. This free medical program for high school students combines lectures on bioengineering topics with three days of practical project work each week. You will identify medical needs, design solutions, build prototypes, and test aspects of your creations. The program emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving. At the program’s end, you will present your project at the SIMR poster session.
6. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance rate/ cohort size: Highly selective; 6–8 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school | At least 16 years old at the internship’s start | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this 6-week internship at MPFI, you will engage in neuroscience research under the guidance of faculty and postdoctoral researchers. It includes collaborative lab meetings, mentoring sessions, and opportunities to present your findings. You’ll gain hands-on experience in genetic engineering, microscopy, microbiology, and histological staining, working alongside scientists in state-of-the-art labs. Projects may also involve imaging, electrophysiology, or computational analysis of neural circuits. Additionally, site visits and demonstrations will provide you with insight into advanced neuroscience techniques and laboratory operations. You will also attend seminars on neuroscience topics, research ethics, and scientific communication.
7. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free program with paid internship positions. Interns will receive a stipend for full-time (40-hour/week) participation.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 50 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live or study in Massachusetts | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you will take part in neurological research at Massachusetts General Hospital under the mentorship of clinicians and scientists. Your work will explore areas such as neuroimaging, clinical data analysis, or lab-based neuroscience. Beyond research, you will also attend seminars on neurological disorders, bioethics, and career development. The program also includes hospital site visits, shadowing opportunities, and interactive discussions with healthcare professionals. Additionally, collaborate closely with other interns, gaining insight into the daily work of neurologists and researchers while also developing analytical, technical, and communication skills essential for a future in neuroscience or medicine.
8. UT Southwestern: Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; 15-20 students per session
Dates: June 1 – 5; June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders who live either in the United States or on a U.S. armed forces base or diplomatic post
The UT Southwestern: Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week summer program designed for US high school students entering grades 10 through 12 who are interested in psychological and psychiatric careers. In this program, you will explore mental health research and various clinical practices under the guidance of UT Southwestern faculty and clinicians. You will engage in hands-on projects in psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience, learning research methods, data collection, and analysis. Alongside research, you will also attend seminars on mental health topics, patient care, and career pathways. At the end of the program, you will also present your findings to faculty and fellow interns.
9. HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 2%; 20 interns
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK’s Main Campus in NYC (NY, NJ, or CT) | Must be 14+ by June | Have a 3.5 GPA in science | Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you spend eight weeks at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, immersing yourself in biomedical research on topics such as cancer genetics, molecular biology, and computational oncology. You will work alongside faculty, postdocs, and graduate students and study experimental design, data analysis, and lab techniques used in cutting-edge cancer research. Additionally, you will also attend seminars on cancer biology, clinical medicine, and research ethics. Beyond the lab, you will also collaborate with peers across different departments, gain exposure to real-world clinical settings, and end the program with a formal presentation of your research to MSKCC scientists and fellow interns.
10. Summer High School Research Internship at the Houston Methodist
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital campus, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size, which varies each year
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older by the program’s start |
Minimum 3.5 GPA
In this program, you spend your summer exploring real-world biomedical research at one of Texas’s leading hospitals. As an intern, you will join active research teams studying molecular biology, immunology, or bioengineering projects that connect directly to patient care. Each day brings you hands-on lab work, mentor meetings, and discussions on the ethics of medical research. You’ll also take part in workshops on scientific writing and data interpretation, preparing you for future studies in health or medicine. You end the internship with a showcase by sharing your findings with Houston Methodist scientists and guests.
11. UCSF’s CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–11 interns per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th graders who are 16+ years old by the program’s start | Minimum 2.5 GPA | Have completed Biology or Chemistry with a B or higher
In this program, you spend eight weeks at UCSF working on biomedical research in areas like cancer biology, neuroscience, or public health. You will assist faculty and graduate mentors in ongoing projects while learning lab techniques, data collection, and analysis on projects including clinical, behavioral, population, and basic sciences. Each week includes seminars on research ethics, science communication, and college preparation. You will also attend workshops, site visits, and group discussions that will connect you with professionals across UCSF. With guidance from your mentors, you present your research at a closing symposium.
12. The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee, which can be waived; students who demonstrate financial need may receive a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 40 students
Dates: June 16 - July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Northern California counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz) | 16 or older by the internship’s start | Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0
In this internship, you spend six weeks working alongside Stanford pediatrics faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and researchers on a meaningful medical research project. You can expect to spend about twenty-three hours each week in a lab focused on maternal or child health. Additionally, you’ll join weekly six-hour workshops on research methods, leadership, and college preparation. At the beginning of the program, the program pairs you with a near-peer mentor who will meet with you each week and help you deliver a professional poster presentation at a family and research symposium.
13. ResearcHStart at the University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago and partner institutions (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, Rush University)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 30 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start and who reside in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana.
In this eight-week program at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, you will engage in cancer-research labs under the mentorship of faculty and scientists. You work in university research labs, engaging in hands-on projects across areas such as cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and health disparities. Alongside, you’ll attend workshops on research methods, scientific ethics, and career paths. You will also join peer-mentor groups who help you present your findings at a symposium for family and researchers. At the end, you will gain valuable exposure to some of Illinois’s premier research environments and also receive a taxable stipend.
14. Medical Student Research Internship Program at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; about 40 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by the internship start date
Through this 8-week internship at Scripps Research Translational Institute, you will engage in hands-on biomedical research under the guidance of faculty and postdoctoral mentors. You will work on projects that will focus on drug development, molecular biology, or translational medicine. You will learn lab techniques, data analysis, and experimental design while collaborating with fellow interns. The program also includes seminars on scientific ethics, clinical applications, and career pathways. Additionally, you may also participate in site visits, lab tours, and networking events with researchers.
15. High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Location: Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Centers and business offices (placement based on applicant’s home address).
Stipend: Up to $24/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with work eligibility in the U.S. and permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
During this 8-week program at Kaiser Permanente, you will be exposed to healthcare operations, clinical environments, and patient services to gain a better understanding of healthcare systems. You will attend workshops on medical careers, healthcare ethics, and community health initiatives. You may also attend site visits, observe clinical practices, and learn how hospitals and clinics function, work alongside healthcare professionals, participate in team projects, and engage in mentorship sessions. The internship also includes weekly workshops focused on project management, workplace readiness, and professional communication.
Image Source - Rutgers University Logo