15 Biology Research Opportunities for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in biology, participating in research programs, internships, and courses can be a great way to gain practical experience without the expense of college classes or lab courses. These opportunities provide valuable insights into real-world biology applications, including molecular genetics, microbiology, environmental science, and biomedical research. 

Biology research opportunities for high school students often include chances to work on ongoing lab experiments, present findings in symposiums, or even contribute to published papers. Some of these programs are hosted by top universities or research institutions, offering access to cutting-edge tools and mentorship that can shape your academic and career path.

In this blog, we've narrowed down 15 biology research opportunities for high school students, including both in-person and virtual formats.

15 Biology Research Opportunities for High School Students

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

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3%, approx. 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are rising high school seniors or juniors and at least 16 years old by the program start date.
Cost/Stipend: $500–$2,500 stipend; $40 application fee (waivers available); housing and transportation not provided

SIMR provides high school students the chance to engage in hands-on, medically oriented research alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students. Participants select from eight specialized tracks, such as Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, and Genetics, and collaborate on a genuine lab project with dedicated mentorship. This eight-week internship focuses on scientific methodology and lab techniques, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical research experience. Participants will attend guest lectures, take part in community outreach activities, and may have the opportunity to present their work at a final symposium. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts (8–12 weeks); summer cohort begins June 2
Application Deadline: May 11 for summer cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; requires 10–20 hours/week commitment
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships span a variety of industries, including health tech, biotech, and environmental science, providing students with firsthand insight into startup-driven innovation and execution.  You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. 

3. Young Scientist Program: Summer Focus at Washington University

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Low; 15–18 students selected
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area, with preference for students from under-resourced schools or underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $4,500 stipend provided

This eight-week intensive program aims to support students from the Greater St. Louis area by providing mentored biomedical research and developing academic skills. Participants will be paired with a research mentor and engage in hands-on lab work as part of an ongoing scientific investigation. The program emphasizes both scientific research and college preparedness, offering one-on-one tutoring and coursework in science communication. In addition to lab experience, you’ll engage in seminars and complete a final research symposium presentation. With a full-time schedule and small cohort, this is one of the most rigorous and well-supported biology research opportunities for high school students in the region.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

5. Johns Hopkins University Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS)

Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD / Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: In-person: June – August; Virtual: July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City
Stipend: $15/hour stipend for in-person participants

The JHIBS program offers high school students in Baltimore the chance to engage in hands-on neuroscience research under the guidance of Johns Hopkins faculty. You will examine topics like clinical neurobiology, neurodevelopment, and neuroimaging while gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques and scientific analysis. Additionally, you'll observe patient care and clinical workflows during hospital rotations, integrating a practical medical perspective into the research. Regardless of format, you will attend weekly seminars, collaborate with peers and mentors, and complete a final research presentation. The program emphasizes professional development in STEM while supporting students from underserved communities.

6. OPTIMUS Outreach Program

Location: Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to students from partner schools
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early Spring
Eligibility: San Diego high school students in grades 10–11 from select schools
Stipend: Provided

The OPTIMUS Outreach Program offers an immersive introduction to cancer biology and clinical medicine for students from underrepresented backgrounds. You will spend eight weeks conducting lab-based research and shadowing physicians at the Moores Cancer Center, gaining firsthand exposure to both scientific and clinical workflows. Alongside bench work, you’ll also receive practical training in clinical procedures such as suturing, often guided by surgery residents. The program features mentorship from UC San Diego medical faculty and a structured curriculum that focuses on both academic and professional development. 

7. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 interns per session
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students aged 14+ who are California residents
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee

Hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), this two-week virtual program introduces students to the integration of AI and biology in healthcare. You will attend lectures on machine learning in diagnostics, collaborate on team-based research projects, and participate in small-group mentorship sessions with Stanford faculty and researchers. The curriculum includes “Career Lunch & Learns” with professionals from academia, government, and nonprofit sectors, offering insights into real-world applications of AI in medicine. With a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving, the AIMI internship is ideal for students interested in the intersection of biomedical science and technology.

8. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~32 students selected per cohort
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
Cost/Stipend: Free; travel expenses covered; need-based stipends may be available

The SSRP at Rockefeller University offers high school students the chance to conduct in-depth biomedical research in a world-renowned lab setting. You will be paired with a research mentor and participate in a full-time project that involves advanced lab techniques and scientific problem-solving. Besides your research, you'll attend elective courses, guest lectures, and discussion groups with peers aimed at expanding your knowledge of life sciences. The program finishes with a formal symposium where you will present your findings to faculty, mentors, and peers. With approximately 30 students accepted, SSRP is a highly selective and rewarding research opportunity in biology for high school students.

9. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship

Location: MPFI campus in Jupiter, FL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; <10% acceptance
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16+ residing in Palm Beach or Martin County with U.S. work authorization
Stipend: $13/hour paid internship

The MPFI Summer Research Internship engages high school students in advanced neuroscience research by providing hands-on experience with top scientists and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. You will select from focus areas including neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering and commit to full-time lab work over six weeks. Mentors guide you through experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, culminating in a final presentation of your findings. The program focuses on both in-depth research and professional growth, providing a unique chance to develop skills in a real laboratory setting. Additionally, you will connect with the MPFI research community and gain valuable insights into careers in brain science.

10. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: December – February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties; minimum 3.0 GPA; prior coursework in biology, chemistry, or programming required
Cost: Free 

The GRIPS program provides high school students with immersive research training in genomics through hands-on work in Stanford University laboratories. You will assist with ongoing experiments in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics while receiving mentorship from faculty and researchers. Beyond lab work, the program features seminars, career panels, and skill-building workshops focused on biomedical research and the future of genomic science. GRIPS prioritizes students from under-resourced schools, offering access to world-class facilities and professional guidance.

11. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)

Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 18–24 students selected from ~200 applicants
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students from the Greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
Stipend: weekly salary (varies by year)

The MSAP program provides high school students in the Philadelphia area with a special chance to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research within a professional laboratory environment. Throughout eight weeks, students will engage in experimental projects focused on sensory science, biomedicine, or neurobiology, guided by Monell researchers. Alongside lab activities, the program offers seminars on scientific communication, ethics, and advanced research topics. You will attend weekly lectures and finish with a public presentation of your research. MSAP combines mentorship, skill-building, and exposure to multidisciplinary science, making it one of the most established biology research opportunities in the region.

12. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students selected annually
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
Stipend: $1,250 stipend

SMYSP is a five-week residential program that competes to support underrepresented students interested in medicine and public health. Participants will shadow clinicians, work on a team-based public health research project, and learn key subjects such as anatomy, epidemiology, and health equity. The program also offers one-on-one mentorship from Stanford faculty and health professionals, as well as workshops on college applications and financial aid. With its comprehensive mix of research, academics, and career exposure, SMYSP offers a transformative experience for aspiring medical and biology students from underserved backgrounds.

13. Project Success

Location: Harvard Medical School and affiliated hospitals, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Roughly 10%; 20–25 students selected annually
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Boston or Cambridge who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum 2.7 GPA; preference given to students underrepresented in medicine or from low-income backgrounds
Stipend: Amount varies by placement

Project Success is a six-week paid internship program that places high school students in biomedical research labs at Harvard Medical School and its affiliated hospitals. You’ll conduct hands-on lab work under the mentorship of physicians and researchers, gaining practical skills in experimental design and scientific communication. In addition to your research placement, you'll participate in seminars, professional development workshops, and site visits to hospitals and biotech companies. The program emphasizes diversity in medicine and offers career counseling and mentorship tailored to students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds.

14. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; only 12 students selected annually
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors aged 18 or older by the program start date
Stipend: $6,800 

This 10-week program offers Texas seniors a deep dive into biomedical and allied health research through full-time mentorship at one of the nation’s top cancer centers. You will work closely with MD Anderson faculty on projects focused on cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutic research. You’ll also join faculty-led seminars, engage in team-based learning, and explore various healthcare career options. The internship concludes with a final research presentation at a formal celebration alongside mentors and peers. With a generous stipend and highly selective admissions, this program is one of the most prestigious biology research opportunities for high school students in Texas.

15. High School Research Academy (HSRA) Summer Program

Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX (non-residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate; exact numbers not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ by June 1 with an interest in STEM fields
Cost/Stipend: Need-based scholarships available, including stipend and free tuition

The HSRA Summer Program provides a five-week research experience for high school students at UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. You will become part of an active lab, engaging in research across fields like molecular biology, neuroscience, environmental science, or genome engineering. The program provides UT extension course credit and features weekly seminars on emerging STEM topics and professional growth. With faculty mentorship, you’ll prepare and showcase a research poster at the closing symposium, building skills in scientific presentation and communication.