15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, summer programs are one of the best ways to explore the field before college. These programs give you the chance to move beyond textbook learning and experience medicine in a real-world setting. You’ll gain practical skills, learn industry practices, and even find mentors who can guide your future career path.
If you’re based in Illinois, you’re in luck! The state is home to world-class universities, nationally recognized hospitals, and cutting-edge research facilities. Many programs here combine classroom learning with labs, clinical shadowing, and biomedical research. You’ll also get opportunities to work directly with healthcare professionals and explore different specialties, from surgery to public health.
Not only will these experiences strengthen your college applications, but they’ll also help you decide whether medicine is the right path for you. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best medical summer programs in Illinois that you should definitely check out.
1. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,000 taxable stipend
Application Deadline: Applications typically run in January
Dates: The program typically runs from the second full week of June to the first week of August; exact dates are provided when applications open
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors at the time of application; at least 16 years old at the start of the program; have a strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine; should be able to commit to 8 full weeks of programming, 40 hours per week
ResearcHStart is a paid summer internship in Chicago that introduces you to cancer research through a full-time lab experience. As a participant, you will work alongside leading researchers in fields such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental therapeutics, and cancer disparities. The program places you in laboratories at top universities across Illinois, where you receive mentorship from faculty, professionals, and peers. In addition to research, you will attend career development and skill-building workshops designed to strengthen your academic preparation. By the end of the internship, you will have gained hands-on experience, professional guidance, and a strong foundation for pursuing future opportunities in cancer science.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program that gives you the chance to gain real-world experience working with fast-growing start-ups. Conducted remotely, the program places you with companies across diverse industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many of these start-ups are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders with backgrounds at organizations such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Throughout the internship, you will work closely with both a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach while contributing to meaningful projects. The program concludes with a final presentation of your work to the company. All available opportunities are listed through the application form.
3. UChicago’s Research in Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $14,490; Financial aid available
Application Deadline: January 22
Dates: June 14 – July 12
Eligibility: 10-11 graders who have completed high school biology and are at least 15 years old
The University of Chicago’s Research in Biological Sciences (RIBS) is a four-week intensive program focused on molecular and cell biology. You will begin by developing core laboratory techniques and then apply them to an independent research project in areas such as genetics or cancer biology. Most of the program is spent in the lab, where you will practice modern molecular methods and learn through direct experimentation. Alongside lab work, you will complete writing assignments, analyze research articles, and attend lectures to build scientific communication skills. Weekly faculty seminars introduce you to ongoing research, and the program concludes with a forum where you present your project to peers and instructors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June); upcoming cohort: Fall on September 14
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students 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 is a rigorous research opportunity that you can pursue if you’re interested in developing original projects. The program pairs you with a Ph.D. mentor for one-on-one guidance, helping you design and carry out an independent research study. Over 12 weeks, you will take part in research method workshops and receive structured support in writing a full-length academic paper. By the end of the program, you will have completed and submitted your own research work. You can choose from a wide range of fields, including psychology, physics, economics, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. Application details are available here.
5. UChicago Medicine’s SHE in Oncology
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Eligibility: Full-time high school students at the time of application; Residing in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties, Illinois, or Lake County, Indiana
SHE in Oncology is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to cancer research and healthcare. Designed for students who identify as women or are underrepresented in STEM, the program combines at-home lab work with collaborative case studies. You will receive a laboratory kit to conduct experiments and participate in daily sessions led by faculty, clinicians, and researchers covering cancer science and related career paths. A central tenet of this program is mentorship and peer collaboration, allowing you to connect with participants and professionals from institutions nationwide. The program provides both practical research experience and insight into future opportunities in oncology.
6. MedSTEM Explorers
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen and sophomores at time of application; Minimum 2.5 weighted GPA; Chicago residents
MedSTEM Explorers is a six-week paid summer program at Rush University Medical Center for rising sophomores and juniors in Chicago. The program introduces you to STEM and healthcare careers while helping you develop both academic and workplace skills. You will participate in workshops, conduct research activities, and have conversations with professionals to get a better understanding of the health issues affecting local communities. You would also receive support to be ready for college, along with training in practical skills such as CPR and first aid. You will also engage in service projects, career panels, and mentorship opportunities with peers and professionals. Those who excel during the program may be invited to continue into the MedSTEM Pathways internship.
7. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford University’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week summer program designed for those interested in brain science. You will take part in interactive seminars taught by Stanford faculty and researchers, exploring topics in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. The program combines academic learning with personal growth, offering you exposure to mental health, neuroscience research, and career paths in medicine and science. Working in small groups, you will design creative solutions to current challenges in neuroscience and present your ideas in a final capstone project.
8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research
Location: The Grainger College of Engineering campus, Urbana, IL
Cost: Free; participants will receive a fellowship payment
Application Deadline: March 24
Dates: May 29 - August 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th - 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a six-week, no-cost opportunity for you to conduct research. You will work 30–35 hours each week in areas such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, and engineering disciplines. Faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers will guide you as you contribute to ongoing projects. There will be weekly seminars that will focus on college readiness, scientific communication, and research poster preparation. The program concludes with a research symposium where you will present your findings in a professional setting.
9. UChicago Medicine’s Chicago EYES on Cancer Program
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,000
Application Deadline:
Dates: Two-year program consisting of two eight-week summer research experiences and monthly academic year activities; summer research experiences typically take place from the second full week of June through the first week of August
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and are residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
UChicago Medicine’s Chicago EYES on Cancer Program is a two-year summer training experience for students pursuing careers in biomedicine. As a participant, you will spend two consecutive summers working full-time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers. The program combines hands-on research with a cancer-focused lecture series and year-round career development workshops. You will receive guidance from faculty, research professionals, and peer mentors. As part of the program, the areas of study include basic, clinical, translational, and population-based cancer research. At the end of each cycle, you will present your findings at a formal research symposium.
10. College of Medicine Rockford Summer Science Internship
Location: College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | A stipend will be provided
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: June 9 - August 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by May 1; review the list of eligible high schools here
The College of Medicine Rockford Summer Science Internship is a long-standing research program for high school students. Over two months, you will work alongside scientists in university laboratories conducting research in cancer, vaccines, and drug development. The program emphasizes learning laboratory skills while introducing you to careers in science and medicine. Your training will include resume writing, interviewing, and communication through oral and poster presentations. Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, the internship provides a stipend to selected students, with only five positions available each year.
11. NCRHP’s Rural Health Careers Camp
Location: Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL
Cost: $100
Application Deadline: Applications will open in January
Dates: June 23 - June 25
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who reside in and attend high school in a rural community with a population of 25,000 or fewer
NCRHP’s Rural Health Careers Camp gives you the chance to explore healthcare careers over a three-day experience. You will participate in more than 15 interactive activities and labs that highlight different healthcare professions. You will also learn directly from healthcare providers who share their experiences and career journeys. As part of the program, you will get support from camp counselors, who are students of the health profession themselves, which adds a valuable peer perspective. Alongside these activities, the camp provides opportunities for you to strengthen your college readiness skills.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online program for high school juniors and seniors. Conducted virtually, it introduces you to neuroscience through interactive lectures and digital resources. Topics in the program include brain development, mental illnesses, and neurodegenerative diseases, alongside training in basic laboratory methods. You will engage in research projects, practice essential lab techniques, and receive mentorship with career guidance. The program connects you with peers from across the country, creating a collaborative learning environment focused on neurological sciences. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your work and earn a certificate of completion, recognizing your skills and contributions.
13. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees) | None
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week online program that introduces you to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will take part in lectures on AI fundamentals and their medical applications, supported by daily mentoring and group research projects. Guest speakers from academia, industry, and government will discuss emerging innovations in medicine. There will be career-focused “Lunch and Learn” sessions, which highlight opportunities at the intersection of technology and healthcare. You may continue with extended research after the program. Once you complete the internship, you will receive a Certificate of Completion acknowledging your work.
14. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial aid available | None
Dates: Program 1: June 23 - July 4 | Program 2: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of the program
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship offers you direct exposure to cardiothoracic surgery. The program combines lectures and guided lab sessions to teach cardiac and thoracic anatomy, physiology, and surgical disease. You will develop technical skills such as knot tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass, and valve replacement under the instruction of Stanford faculty and surgical residents. The curriculum also introduces ECG interpretation, echocardiography, and imaging methods while reviewing major cardiothoracic disorders. In addition, you will practice handling surgical instruments and study porcine heart anatomy to gain a detailed understanding of cardiac structure.
15. SpHERES High School Research Program
Location: Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: $2,400 stipend
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
SpHERES High School Research Program is a two-week program that will help you get familiarized with clinically focused research. You will have weekly seminars on different topics such as clinical skills, research projects, innovation, and college readiness, among others. Topics of research include Neuroscience, Bioengineering, and Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory, among others. The program also helps you get used to a university environment and gives you a taste of college life. You will work with a faculty member as well as receive mentorship from students at graduate and undergraduate levels to get a peer perspective.
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