If you’re considering a healthcare career, medical summer programs in Florida let you observe professionals, practice medical techniques, and study specialized fields. You will practice medical procedures, study human anatomy, and learn how treatments work in real healthcare settings.
These programs focus on specific areas like cardiology, surgery, or neuroscience, while others highlight patient care, medical research, or public health. You will work with medical equipment, analyze data, and observe professionals as they diagnose and treat patients. By the end of the program, you will have hands-on experience with medical techniques and a better understanding of the skills needed in healthcare.
Here are 10 medical summer programs for high school students in Florida!
10 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
1. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute offers rising juniors and seniors from Palm Beach and Martin counties a chance to engage in biological and chemical research. Over nine weeks, you will gain exposure to fields like academic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering.
The program is designed to build lab skills, covering research planning, data analysis, and experimental design. Before starting, you will complete a one-week course on biomedical research techniques. Throughout the internship, you will attend weekly seminars, interact with scientists, and work on a research project. At the end of the program, you will submit a scientific abstract and present your findings.
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL. Housing or transportation is not provided.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a total stipend of $4,480, which will be paid biweekly during the program.
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates: June 2 - August 1
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, aged 16 or older, who will be juniors or seniors at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school in the fall, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and must be available for the full internship duration.
2. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at Miami’s School of Medicine
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is an 8-week program for high school juniors in Miami and Broward interested in biological and computational sciences. If selected, you will work at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG) alongside staff, post-doctoral students, or faculty members. During the internship, you will use advanced technology, analyze genetic data, and strengthen your research and presentation skills. The program focuses on identifying genes linked to human diseases, helping improve diagnosis, intervention, and prevention.
Location: Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend will be provided.
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: June 16 - August 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have the right to work in the US can apply.
3. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) High School Summer Research Internship
The MPFI Summer Research Internship gives high school students hands-on experience in neuroscience. You will work with neuroscientists at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, studying brain structure, neural circuits, and imaging techniques.
The program focuses on wet lab skills, including genetic engineering, histological staining, microbiology, and microscopy. Throughout the internship, you will conduct experiments, analyze data, and present your findings in a scientific abstract to peers, researchers, and the community.
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $13 stipend per hour.
Application Deadline: March 4
Program Dates: June 23 - August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, live in Palm Beach or Martin County, and have U.S. work authorization can apply.
4. FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health
The Florida International University Summer Research Internship allows local high school and FIU transfer students to work on cardiovascular health research over eight weeks. You will be paired with an FIU faculty mentor and complete required online safety courses before starting.
The program includes weekly workshops on professional and academic development, along with intern meetings featuring journal clubs and case study discussions. At the end of the internship, you will submit a research abstract and present your findings at an awards ceremony.
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. There is no stipend information available.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 13 - August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors can apply. Those applying must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and hold an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. High School Summer Internship Program at FIU’s Center for Translational Science
The High School Summer Internship Program at FIU’s Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) is a five-week research experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science. You will work in labs focused on neuroscience, aging and wellness, and drug discovery, conducting experiments and analyzing data.
The program includes opportunities to network with professionals, present research at a luncheon, and receive a scientific poster for future use. Completing the internship earns you a certificate, a letter from the Program Director, and over 100 volunteer hours.
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 9 - July 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live and attend high school in St. Lucie County, FL, can apply.
6. Mayo Clinic’s Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
The SPARK Research Mentorship Program gives high school juniors and seniors in Duval or St. Johns Counties hands-on research experience at Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus. You will work with biomedical researchers, learning about basic science, research methods, and critical thinking while developing projects for science fairs.
The program requires at least 25 hours per week during the summer, with additional time during the school year. This structure provides long-term exposure to scientific research and mentorship from experts in the field.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Dec 31
Program Dates: June 3-Dec 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in participating Florida school districts with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA can apply.
7. University of Florida’s Gator Pharmacy Exploration Camp
The Gator Pharmacy Exploration Camp is a one-week residential program that introduces you to the pharmacy profession through presentations, skills labs, discussion groups, and team-building activities. Pre-pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy students, along with practicing pharmacists, will guide you throughout the experience.
You will explore different pharmacy practice settings and work on a group project focused on public health. The program also provides information on pathways into pharmacy school, including the UF Pharmacy Early Assurance Program, helping you create a personalized career plan.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost for the program except for a non-refundable $20 application fee. The program includes room and board, meals, transportation, academy resources, and activities.
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 8-June 14
Eligibility: Rising seniors can apply
8. FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute
The FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute is a one-week residential program designed for high school students interested in pursuing a medical career. You will explore clinical settings, learn about financial aid and pre-health advising, and experience medical school life through faculty interactions and presentations on key medical topics.
During the program, you’ll shadow physicians and biomedical researchers, tour rural medicine facilities, and attend workshops led by FSU medical faculty on topics like vital signs, CPR training, college admissions, financial aid, and medical ethics. You will also participate in an anatomy lab tour, engage in recreational activities, and collaborate on a group research project focused on a health topic. Each session accommodates 20 students.
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $1,650 (covers registration, supplies, room, and board on the FSU campus). Limited need-based scholarships are available for qualified students who are Florida residents.
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: Session 1: June 8-June 13| Session 2: June 22-June 27| Session 3: July 13-July 18
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA can apply.
9. University of Florida’s Research Explorations (REx) Program
The University of Florida’s Research Explorations (REx) program offers a hands-on introduction to research science. You will learn how scientists and engineers generate new knowledge and address societal challenges through research. The program includes visits to active research labs, discussions on current work at UF, and hands-on activities with UF faculty and graduate students.
In the “Biomedical Science Track,” you will gain experience in biomedical research and clinical therapeutics, learning techniques like DNA science, protein science, CRISPR, and gel electrophoresis. In the “Environmental Science and Toxicology Track,” you will study the impact of pollutants on human health and ecosystems, exploring methods to mitigate these effects.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,500 (includes accommodation, social activities, meals, insurance, staffing and supervision, and program supplies) + $35 non-refundable application fee. Limited, need-based scholarships are available for Florida high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: Session 1: July 6 - July 18 | Session 2 (for the Biomedical science track only): July 20 - August 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors can apply.
10. Nova Southeastern University’s Achieve In Medicine (AIM-High) Day Camp
Achieve in Medicine (AIM) High is a five-day medical immersion camp hosted by Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine for high school students interested in health careers. You will take part in educational sessions on topics like suturing, dissection, pharmacy, sports medicine, and cancer detection while engaging with NSU medical students at social events.
The camp explores a variety of medical fields including preventative medicine, pediatrics, neuroscience, pharmacy, physical therapy, and public health. You will use advanced medical technologies like 3-D modeling, language processing, and augmented reality, and practice essential procedures such as suturing. You will also earn first aid and CPR certification and undergo disaster medicine training with Sunrise Fire and Rescue.
Location: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus, FL | NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, FL
Cost: $1,600 + a $50 non-refundable application fee. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the camp reaches full capacity.
Program Dates:
- NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus – Session 1: July 7-11 | Session 2: July 14-18
- NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, Florida – June 23-27
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.2 can apply.
If you’re looking for remote research opportunities, here are two solid programs to check out as a bonus.
11. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Medicine Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to work on independent research projects across various fields. You will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor for personalized guidance, and work closely with a writing coach to choose and develop your research topic.
Throughout the 12-week program, you will explore your chosen subject, attend workshops on the research process, and produce an independent research paper. Topics available include medicine, psychology, data science, economics, computer science, physics, engineering, international relations, chemistry, and more. Details about the application process can be found here.
Subject Areas: Biology, international relations, data science, economics, psychology, computer science, gender studies, engineering, environmental science, chemistry, business, entrepreneurship, physics, and more!
Location: Virtual!
Cost: Starts at $2,900. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
12. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) - Medicine Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like medicine, data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. The program lets you choose between quantitative and qualitative research methods.
After selecting a subject area and research type, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. mentor from a leading university who will guide you through the research process. By the end of the program, you will produce a 20-page, university-level research paper, which you may submit for publication in reputable journals. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback to support future projects and college applications.
Subject Areas: Medicine, biotechnology, neuroscience, environmental health and engineering, behavioral economics, psychology, international relations, data science, machine learning, network science, biophysics, chemistry, physics, history, philosophy, political theory, sociology, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a fee. You can raise an interest form here to find out the exact cost.
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Image source – University of Florida logo
