15 Summer Biology Research Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student curious about biology, research programs can give you experience in labs, clinics, and field settings. You will design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present your findings. These programs also give you the chance to work with mentors, connect with students who share common interests, and learn about different areas of biology such as genetics, neuroscience, environmental science, and cancer research.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 biology research programs for high school students. Some of them are hosted at leading universities and research institutions, while others are offered by nonprofit science and education organizations. Whether you want to explore medical research, environmental studies, or biotechnology, these programs can give you valuable experience and help you prepare for future studies and careers in STEM.

1. Research Science Institute - Center for Excellence in Education - MIT

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None (fully funded)
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors

The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a 6-week summer program for high school students that combines STEM classes with hands-on research. You will begin with academic sessions and then work on your own research project under the guidance of a mentor. If you choose biology, you can study areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, or bioengineering. You will build skills in data analysis, scientific writing, and presenting your work. The program ends with a research paper and a symposium where you share your results. Along the way, you will learn from mentors, collaborate with peers, and gain experience in world-class labs.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks and devote 10-20 hours/week

Ladder Internships is a selective virtual start-up internship program, 8 weeks long, for ambitious high school students. In the program, you will work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, AI/ML, to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. Interns work closely with their Managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. 

3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Various sites across the U.S. and Canada
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $3,000 paid as stipend
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June and finishes in Late July/August
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9th–12th who are U.S. or Canadian citizens

The Hutton Program is a paid 8-week internship for high school students organized by the American Fisheries Society. It introduces you to the field of fisheries science and aquatic biology. You will be paired with a mentor in your community and work on conservation projects like restoring fish habitats, surveying species, and monitoring water quality. You will learn skills in data collection, field research, and environmental problem-solving. The program also gives students 1-on-1 mentoring to explore careers in natural resource management and environmental science. It focuses on building diversity in the fisheries field.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here. 

5. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free with travel expenses covered; need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Students must be in 11th or 12th grade and at least 16 years of age when the program begins

The SSRP at Rockefeller University gives high school students an opportunity to perform biomedical research in a leading lab. You will work full-time with a mentor on a project where you learn skills such as using advanced lab techniques, solving scientific problems, and analyzing data. You will also take part in elective classes, attend guest lectures, and join group discussions to build your knowledge of life sciences. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a formal symposium to faculty, mentors, and peers. With only approximately 30 students selected, this program is a valuable opportunity to gain research experience in biology.

6. Young Scientist Program: Summer Focus at Washington University

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend. $4,500 stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area, with preference given to students from underprivileged schools or those from underprivileged groups in STEM fields

This 8-week  program is designed for high school students in the Greater St. Louis area who wish to learn about biomedical research and develop their academic skills. You will be paired with a mentor and engage in hands-on lab work as part of an ongoing research project. You will learn skills like collecting and studying data, using lab tools, and writing about science. The program also helps you get ready for college by giving you 1-on-1  tutoring and training in science communication. You will attend seminars, work closely with your team, and give a final presentation at a research symposium. With a full-time schedule and a small group of students, this program gives you strong support and experience in both research and learning.

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

Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Students need to be at least 16 years of age on the first day of the Academy. They must be U.S.citizens or permanent residents and should have already taken high school courses in chemistry and biology.

The Summer Student Academy at City of Hope gives high school students an opportunity to learn biomedical research. You will work with a research team and receive mentorship from scientists. In the lab, you will develop skills in using lab techniques, collecting data, and sharing your results. You will also take part in professional development sessions to build your communication and career skills. The program includes seminars with faculty on topics such as cancer biology, immunology, and translational medicine. It is designed to support students from diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in biomedical careers.

8. OPTIMUS Outreach Program

Location: Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is provided
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10 and 11; must  live in San Diego and be a student at Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High School

The OPTIMUS Outreach Program gives students from underrepresented backgrounds an 8-week introduction to cancer biology and clinical medicine. You will work in a lab at the Moores Cancer Center, where you will learn how to run experiments, study data, and use lab equipment. The program includes mentorship from UC San Diego medical faculty and helps you build skills in research, communication, and professional development. You will also shadow doctors to see how patients are taken care of and learn practical skills like how to do basic clinical procedures, such as suturing, with guidance from surgery residents. 

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

Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $15 per hour stipend for in-person participants
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not available
Dates: In-person: June – August and Remote: July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live in Baltimore City

The JHIBS program gives high school students in Baltimore the opportunity to learn neuroscience research with guidance from Johns Hopkins faculty. You will study topics such as brain development, brain imaging, and clinical neurobiology. In the lab, you will learn skills like running experiments, using research tools, and analyzing data. You will observe patient care during hospital rotations to understand how science connects to medicine. Every week, you will join seminars, work with your peers and mentors, and practice communication skills. At the end of the program, you will give a research presentation. The program also helps you build professional skills in STEM and supports students from underprivileged communities.

10. Project Success by Harvard Medical School (DICP)

Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students residing in Boston or Cambridge who are at least 16 years of age by early July. Applicants should have completed courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra, and possess a minimum GPA of 2.70.

Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers is a 7-week paid internship for high school students hosted by Harvard Medical School's Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Partnership. The program is for students from Boston and Cambridge, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. You will work in research labs at Harvard Medical School or its partner institutions and learn skills like running experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results under the guidance of faculty mentors. You will also attend seminars with researchers and doctors, visit hospitals and biotechnology companies, and build computer skills. The program also trains you in scientific writing and public speaking to strengthen your communication and professional skills.

11. The Jackson Laboratory - Summer Student Program

Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine & Farmington, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $7,000, plus room, board, and travel.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a 10-week research experience in genetics and genomics for high school and college students. It takes place at two campuses in Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut. You will work on your own research project with guidance from a scientist and study topics such as brain development, sensory disorders, or bioinformatics. In the lab, you will learn skills like designing experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results. You will also practice scientific communication by writing about your work and presenting it. The program concludes with a symposium where you share your findings with researchers, peers, and family.

12. University of Chicago Medicine - ResearcHStart Program

Location: University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 as stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Second full week of June through the first week of August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students must be in 11th or 12th grade when they apply and at least 16 years of age when the program begins

The ResearcHStart program at the University of Chicago Medicine is an 8-week  summer experience for high school students in cancer research. You will work full-time in a lab and study areas such as cancer biology, immunotherapy, and genetics with guidance from research mentors. In the lab, you will practice skills like running experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results. You will also take part in lectures, career workshops, and networking events to build professional skills. The program concludes with a poster presentation where you share your research findings.

13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 as application fee
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. who are at least 14 years of age and live in California.

The AIMI program at Stanford is a 2-week virtual experience that shows you how AI and biology work together in healthcare. You will learn skills in machine learning through lectures on how it is used in diagnostics. You will work on team research projects where you practice problem-solving and collaboration. You will also join small-group mentorship sessions with Stanford faculty and researchers to build your communication and research skills. The program includes Career Lunch and Learns, where you learn from professionals in academia, government, and nonprofits about how AI is used in medicine. This program is a good fit if you want to explore both biomedical science and technology.

14. Medicine Encompassed Internships

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Internships are available year-round
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students

Medicine Encompassed offers high school students the opportunity to take part in medical research and resource development, with a focus on biology and anatomy. In this internship, you will build skills as a researcher, writer, and resource creator while working across 18 committees. Your tasks will include researching medical topics, writing clear articles, and creating learning materials to support an inclusive medical curriculum. You will also join Project Cultivation, an outreach effort that allows you to expand awareness and access in medical education. By the end of the program, you will have helped create a set of educational resources that showcase your research and writing skills.

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

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive $6,800 as a stipend for their participation in the 10-week program and $6,120 as a stipend if participating in the program for 9  weeks.
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors aged 18 years or above by the program start date

This 10-week program provides Texas high school seniors with an opportunity to explore biomedical and health research at one of the nation's top cancer centers. You will work full-time with MD Anderson faculty on projects related to cancer biology, diagnostics, and treatments. Along the way, you will learn how to collect data, design experiments, and analyze results. You will also build skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication through seminars and group activities. The program concludes with a research presentation where you share your work with mentors and peers. A stipend is provided, and only a few students are selected, making it an excellent chance for students to prepare for a future in science or healthcare.

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