The Ultimate Guide to Apply to SIMR as a High Schooler

A quick overview – what is SIMR?

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a highly selective, tuition-free, summer research internship hosted by the Stanford University School of Medicine. Open to high school juniors and seniors, the program allows you to work alongside Stanford faculty on real biomedical research projects. While it operates in a commuter-only format, it is structured like a residential research experience in terms of mentorship and expectations.

Unlike many pre-college programs that rely on a “pay-to-play” model, SIMR is fully funded and designed as a true internship. Because of its prestige and limited seats, admissions are extremely competitive. As a result, SIMR is viewed as carrying substantially more weight in college admissions than standard summer courses. This is especially true for students interested in medicine, biomedical research, or related STEM pathways.

Some quick facts about the program:

• Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (Commuter only, no housing provided)
• Duration: 8 weeks, June 8 – July 30
• Eligibility: Current Juniors and Seniors graduating in 2026 or 2027, who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents and 16+ by the start date
• Application Deadline: February 21
• Cost: Free! There is a $50 application fee, which may be waived if your family income is below $80,000
• Stipend: Keep an eye on the website for details on the stipend. Previously, SIMR has paid a minimum stipend of $500. Stipends of $2,500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants

An important note: While SIMR is technically open to students from across the U.S., it is strictly a commuter program and does not provide on-campus housing. The program states a preference for Bay Area students simply because they can actually get to the lab. If you are applying from out of state, you must arrange your own housing and transportation. In addition, your application will be reviewed with the understanding that you can realistically manage these logistical challenges. 

What do you learn at SIMR?

The program is built around hands-on laboratory work rather than classroom theory. While you will participate in safety training, career seminars, and institute-specific lectures, most of your time is spent actively doing research in the lab. 

As part of the application, you choose one of eight research “institutes” or tracks. This specialization lets you tailor both your application and research efforts to a specific area of biology or engineering. The tracks are:

1. Immunology: Investigating the immune system, vaccines, and autoimmune diseases.
2. Cancer Biology: Exploring the molecular mechanisms of cancer growth and suppression.
3. Stem Cell Biology: Studying regenerative medicine and developmental biology.
4. Neuroscience: Focusing on brain function, neural networks, and neurological disorders.
5. Cardiovascular: Researching heart disease, vascular biology, and blood function.
6. Genetics: Analyzing genomic data and heredity.
7. Bioinformatics: Using computational tools to interpret biological data (requires coding interest).
8. Bioengineering: Applying engineering principles to medical problems (see below).

Bioengineering Team Internship

Within the Bioengineering track, you can also apply for the Bioengineering Team Internship. Unlike the individual lab placement in the other tracks, this functions as a collaborative design bootcamp centered on team-based problem-solving. You work in teams to identify a medical need and build a prototype solution. What makes this option unique is:

• The process: This track mirrors the biodesign process used in the medical device industry. You work with a team to identify a real clinical need, brainstorm solutions, and prototype a device.
• The opportunity to design real projects: In past summers, students have engineered novel eye-drop delivery systems, light-based diagnostic tools for cancer, and helmets for real-time concussion-predictions. 
• The tools & tech: You will use tools and technologies such as 3D printing, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), Arduinos for circuit logic, and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) for biological testing, to bring these ideas to life.

Who is eligible, and how does the admissions process work?

The admissions process is objective and the eligibility criteria is strict. You will need to meet the following requirements for your application to be reviewed:

• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder). International students and visa holders are not eligible.
• Grade Level: Open only to current high school juniors and seniors.
• Age: You must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The selection committee looks for genuine interest in scientific research rather than just high grades. Because this is a funded program, they are investing in your potential as a future scientist. Your essays should demonstrate a clear understanding of why you want to pursue biomedical research, specifically at Stanford. In addition, show that you understand the realities of research, including the need for persistence and the ability to handle setbacks that come with trial and error experimentation.

Cost & Financial Aid

SIMR is completely free to attend. There is no tuition fee, and the application fee of $50 can be waived for students who demonstrate financial need. All participants receive a minimum stipend of $500 to help cover transportation and meals during the program. Moreover, students from families with an adjusted gross income under $80,000 may qualify for significantly higher stipends to help offset lost summer wages or living costs.

However, since housing is not provided, students who are not local to the Bay Area must independently arrange and pay for their own accommodation. While the stipend can help,  the cost of living in the Bay Area for an 8-week stay is substantial. This financial reality should be a primary consideration if you are applying from outside the region.

What will you learn at SIMR?

SIMR focuses on real, technical competency rather than general exposure. By the end of the summer, you will have worked with professional-grade equipment and methodologies, gaining experience in:

• Wet lab techniques: You will gain proficiency in PCR, gel electrophoresis, cell culture maintenance, microscopy, and casting silicone for microfluidics or device parts.
• Engineering: You’ll build skills that include 3D printing, CAD modeling (SolidWorks or Fusion 360 style logic), circuit design, and microcontroller programming (Arduino/C++).
• Data Science: You will master the basics of machine learning in biology and bioinformatics data analysis pipelines.
• Research Communication: You will learn to navigate scientific literature (reading papers, not textbooks) and create a defense-ready scientific poster.

What have past students said about SIMR?

According to alumni, what sets SIMR apart is the collaborative environment and the “realness” of the work. The top 3 factors most commonly mentioned by past students are:

• Teamwork: In the Bioengineering bootcamp, students find that coordinating a build with peers can be as challenging as the engineering itself. “I was surprised at how well our team worked together” is a common sentiment.
• Pacing: The program moves quickly. Feedback suggests that the 8 weeks tend to pass faster than what students expect, with many wishing for “an extra day or so in the week” to refine their experiments and improve prototypes.
• Outcomes: Many students use their SIMR research as the foundation for science fair projects or supplementary materials for college applications.

Strengths & Considerations

Strengths:

1. You earn a stipend: You get paid to learn, which distinguishes SIMR from “pay-to-play” camps.
2. You create an asset for your resume: You leave the program with a concrete outcome, whether that’s a project, poster, or prototype to add to your portfolio.
3. The mentorship available is top-notch: You work closely with  Stanford graduate students and faculty who treat you as a junior colleague rather than a passive student.

Considerations:

1. Housing can be a serious challenge: No on-campus housing means you must be local or have a family in the Bay Area.
2. The program is intense: This is a full-time commitment, leaving no room for other camps, summer school, or a part-time job.
3. The acceptance rate is very low: The program is highly competitive. The acceptance rate is low because SIMR is fully funded, and spots are limited by lab space.

Verdict: Is SIMR the right choice for you?

SIMR is best suited for students with exceptional academic achievement who can handle the demands of a full-time job and have a clearly defined interest in biomedical science or engineering. If you are looking to build a technical skill set, such as learning how to actually run a PCR, culture cells, or code an Arduino for a medical device, and want to realistically test-drive a career in medicine, SIMR stands out as one of the strongest options on the West Coast. The program is extremely selective, admitting only 50 students a year, making it very hard to get in. But for those who are admitted, the payoff is more than worth it: both in terms of the academic and technical knowledge on offer, as well as the access to mentorship that it provides.

One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program

If you’re looking for a research experience that is more structured according to your needs, research focus, and level of experience, consider a mentored research program like Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!

Image Source: SIMR logo