15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
Summer programs give high school students an early opportunity to explore academic interests, gain practical skills, and connect with mentors in professional settings. Whether through workshops, labs, or project-based learning, these experiences can help you build confidence, strengthen your resume, and get a clearer picture of possible career paths.
In New York City, you can benefit from access to world-class universities, hospitals, and research institutions. The city’s diversity and scale mean you can find programs ranging from clinical medicine and biomedical research to public health and community health initiatives. Local opportunities also make it easier to participate without needing to travel far, while still gaining exposure to some of the country’s top medical and research environments.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled 15 of the most notable medical summer programs for high school students in NYC.
1. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade at the time of applying, 16 years or older by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives high school students the chance to participate in research at a leading institution. As a Simons Fellow, you will be matched with a faculty mentor and work alongside a research team while contributing to an assigned project. The program includes training in research methods, attendance at faculty lectures, and participation in workshops and special events. At the end of the program, you will present your work in the form of a written abstract and a research poster at a symposium. Fellows receive a stipend and are required to commit at least four hours per day to their research. Click here to see the available research areas.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
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 offers high school students practical experience working with fast-growing start-ups. Conducted remotely, the program places you with companies across industries such as technology, AI/ML, deep tech, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many participating start-ups are Y Combinator-backed and led by founders with backgrounds at organizations like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate with both a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach while contributing to real projects. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your work to the company, and available opportunities are listed in the application form.
3. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend/Cost: No cost; stipend is avilable
Application Deadline: October
Dates: 6-10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students enrolled in partner programs residing in New York City
The BRAINYAC program at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute provides high school students with an in-depth summer research experience in neuroscience. Selected participants are paired with a Columbia neuroscientist who serves as a mentor, guiding them through a research project and demonstrating how laboratory work contributes to scientific discovery. The program focuses on hands-on learning, skill development, and exposure to an academic research setting. It is open to New York City students, with a focus on those from Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Through this experience, you will join a professional academic community while gaining a deeper understanding of neuroscience as a discipline.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Fall cohort: August 24
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
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 created for high school students. It offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. scholars, guiding you through the process of designing and completing an independent research project. The program features workshops on research methods and provides structured support for writing a full-length academic paper. Over the 12-week experience, you will produce and submit your own original research paper. Fields of study available include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and others. Application information for interested researchers can be found here.
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects; and be 14 or older by June
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s HOPP Summer Student Program is an eight-week research experience for high school students interested in biomedical and computational science. You will be matched with a mentor and take part in a research project within one of MSK’s laboratories. Areas of focus include immuno-oncology, pharmacology, developmental biology, and computational genomics. In addition to lab work, you will attend professional development events organized by MSK departments, which provide insight into translational medicine and healthcare systems. The program is designed to give you practical exposure to scientific research while introducing you to the career paths of biomedical scientists.
6. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: Stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The B2BSP is a six-week paid summer program designed for New York City high school students interested in biostatistics and data science. “Statistical thinking” sessions help strengthen your ability to interpret and analyze data, with mentorship provided by professional biostatisticians. As part of the experience, you will complete a cancer data analysis project and present your results in a formal setting. The program also incorporates SAT preparation and college readiness workshops to support your academic development.
7. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Varies based on placement
Application Deadline: February 20
Dates: Life Science Research and Professional Skills Training: April – July | Mentored Internships: April 5 – August 15
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students attending an NYCDOE public or charter high school
New York Bioforce is a two-part research program created for students from low-income or underrepresented STEAM backgrounds. During the spring, you will complete 100 hours of Saturday sessions focused on laboratory techniques, core STEAM concepts, and professional skill development. In the summer, you’ll participate in a six-week paid internship at research labs or healthcare institutions, such as Columbia Engineering or the New York Proton Center. The program provides hands-on exposure to scientific research and professional environments. At the conclusion, you will present your work at the American Museum of Natural History.
8. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 13
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14, with good academic performance and high aptitude, and an interest in science
Columbia University’s YES in the HEIGHTS program, hosted by the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a summer internship focused on cancer research and health equity. Across two summers, you will receive hands-on scientific training and either develop your own independent research project or contribute to your mentor’s ongoing work. Participants are paired with faculty mentors, gaining direct experience in laboratory research alongside leading scientists and physicians. The program also includes weekly Cancer Biology Journal Club sessions, where you will present and discuss research articles with peers. Additional requirements include completing an Individual Development Plan, submitting a scientific abstract, and in the second year delivering a formal scientific oral presentation.
9. Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s BEYOND ALBERT
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Application Deadline: January 12
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students in the Bronx who are at least 16 and are entering the 11th and 12th grades in the fall
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center offers Bronx high school students an immersive introduction to biomedical research. The program begins with an eight-week summer session, where you will work full-time in a faculty laboratory while building research and technical skills. Activities include laboratory research, career development workshops, and seminars led by faculty and graduate students. After the summer, you can choose to continue in the after-school program, meeting weekly from September to May. This component includes scientific talks, research skill-building, and mentorship to support your academic and career growth. The program concludes with opportunities to present your research to faculty.
10. Roswell Park’s SURE-CAN Program
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: June 26 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 15 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and residents of Western NY counties of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, living within commuting distance to Roswell Park
The SURE-CAN internship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a six-week summer program for high school students. You will gain hands-on research experience in either a wet lab or computational setting while attending lectures and group sessions. The curriculum covers cancer biology, imaging, genomics, and modern approaches such as artificial intelligence in medicine. Training also includes research ethics, basic statistics, and the principles of reproducibility in science. Alongside the research, you will attend seminars on career development and methods of scientific communication. The program concludes with a research symposium where interns present formal posters summarizing their work.
11. Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 15
Dates: July 28 - August 8 (Summer Session)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who have an 80% grade average
Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free college preparatory initiative for students interested in medicine and STEM. The program features classes in subjects such as biochemistry, anatomy, psychology, and a specialized “Ready for PreMed” course. You will also receive SAT preparation to strengthen your academic foundation. Beyond coursework, S-PREP provides college readiness workshops, career development sessions, and one-on-one academic counseling. Students also take part in college tours to gain a better understanding of higher education environments.
12. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s Brooklyn Scholar Athletes with Academic Goals (BK-SWAG) Program
Location: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free with a stipend
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 25 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students, with preference given to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
BK-SWAG, offered by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, is a program that exposes students to healthcare careers related to sports and wellness. Over the course of the program, you will join workshops on health disparities, receive mentorship, and interact with professionals in sports medicine. Academic guidance is provided alongside opportunities to meet leaders in healthcare. Students gain both practical skills and career insight through hands-on experiences. CPR certification is awarded at no cost to all participants. BK-SWAG is tailored for underrepresented student-athletes and others interested in exploring the intersection of sports and healthcare.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer between June and August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online program created for high school juniors and seniors. Through interactive lectures and digital resources, you will explore a wide range of neuroscience topics. Areas of study include brain development, mental health disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, along with exposure to basic experimental and laboratory methods. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through research-based projects while providing mentorship and career guidance. At the conclusion of the program, you will earn a certificate of completion to recognize your work.
14. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees)
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – 27
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 designed to introduce high school students to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will participate in technical lectures that cover core AI concepts and their applications in medicine, while collaborating on research projects under the guidance of daily mentorship. The program also features guest speakers from academia, industry, and government who highlight emerging innovations in medical technology. Career-oriented “Lunch and Learn” sessions provide guidance on pathways that connect technology and healthcare. Following the main program, students may pursue extended research opportunities.
15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers are available
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of faculty mentors. During the program, you will gain practical experience with advanced technologies while exploring disciplines such as bioengineering, neuroscience, climate science, cybersecurity, nanoscience, and other related fields. Participants build essential skills in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving while engaging with professionals in STEM fields. Some students may have their work published in scientific journals or presented at academic conferences. Previous research projects have included areas such as renewable energy, robotics, infectious diseases, and the study of exoplanets.
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