Health science covers a wide range of fields, from laboratory research to health policy and direct patient care. This multidisciplinary field includes biology, physics, and chemistry to study human disease and the functions of the body.
If you’re a high school student interested in health science, consider a summer program!
Why should I do a summer program in health science as a high school student?
- Health science programs provide opportunities to gain experience in areas such as clinical research, therapeutic services, and healthcare administration contributing to medical knowledge and patient care.
- These programs can also strengthen your academic background and help you develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare and medicine.
To help you begin, we’ve put together a list of 11 health science summer programs for high school students!
1. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week program focused on science and medicine. During the program, you will attend two faculty lectures each week on topics such as public health, research methodology, and human anatomy. You will also participate in professional development workshops and networking events with the Stanford Medicine community.
You will engage in hands-on lab work, departmental activities, patient interaction, and shadowing experiences, as well as gain insight into various medical and health professions through direct observation and discussions. Faculty, healthcare professionals, and college students will mentor you throughout the research process while helping you explore medical careers and prepare for college. You will also work on a public health disparities research project in a small group, writing a research paper, creating a presentation, and designing an academic poster. The program includes hospital internships at Stanford Hospital, where you will gain both scientific knowledge and practical experience in healthcare.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Health Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort:
Dates:
- Spring 2025: March 3 onwards
- Summer 2025: June 16 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.67 on a 4.0 scale can apply. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which can be reviewed here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as physics, health science, data science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, political theory, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose between qualitative or quantitative research methods and take health science courses covering topics like digital epidemiology, environmental health and engineering, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug discovery, with case studies on cancer and COVID-19.
After selecting a subject and research method, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university who will mentor you throughout the program. By the end, you will complete a 20-page university-level research paper, which may be submitted to academic journals for possible publication. The program offers the opportunity to conduct research in specialized fields with expert guidance. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work to support college applications and future research projects. You can apply here!
3. UMass Chan Medical School’s High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, North Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: This program is tuition-free; students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are current sophomores or juniors at a Massachusetts high school
The UMass Chan Medical School’s High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) is a four-week, tuition-free residential program that introduces high school students to careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, and health professions. The program includes enrichment classes in mathematics, science/biology, language arts, and information technology, as well as seminars on cultural and contemporary health issues and field trips. Paid internships are also available, offering opportunities to work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals.
As part of the program, you will complete a Health Disparities Research Project focusing on a cultural group in Massachusetts. You will also interact with healthcare professionals and scientists through internships and seminars. Program evaluations include standardized pre-tests and post-tests, such as the Cognitive Abilities Test (verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal skills) and the Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension Test (vocabulary and reading comprehension). You will receive feedback on your performance from instructors and internship hosts at the end of the program.
4. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: Pre-registration for Summer 2025 opens on April 21. Enrollment is first come, first served, and space is limited.
Dates: Orientation is typically held in the third week of June, and participants are required to complete 50 volunteer hours by August 31
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old
UCLA Health’s Volunteen Summer Program offers high school students hands-on experience in various hospital roles, including patient transport, floating deliveries, and wayfinding. During the program, you will assist with discharging and transferring patients while supporting transport staff. Additional responsibilities include greeting visitors and patients, delivering mail and newspapers, providing wheelchair and escort services, and improving communication and patient service skills.
The program requires a commitment of at least 50 volunteer hours, with a flexible schedule. It is competitive, with a limited number of spots, so early application is encouraged. This program is a solid opportunity for students interested in healthcare administration and patient care. A hybrid virtual option is also available, which you can explore here!
5. UIC’s Summer Science Internship
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Cost: There is no cost to participate, and students will receive a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply. You can check the list of eligible high schools here.
The University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Summer Science Internship gives high school students hands-on experience in medical research while exploring careers in science. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine Rockford, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pierce Biotechnology), and the Rockford School District and surrounding areas. It focuses on the role of research in advancing treatments and disease cures.
As a participant, you will work with a research team at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and receive mentorship from experienced scientists. Research laboratories on campus focus on cancer treatment, vaccine development, and drug discovery. The program is designed to help you develop new laboratory skills, and mentorship may continue beyond the summer, offering valuable letters of recommendation for college and career opportunities. Each year, about 45 students apply for 5 internship spots. The two-month program also includes training in resume building, interviewing, presentations, leadership, and teamwork.
6. CDC Museum’s Disease Detective Camp
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 7
Dates: June 23 – June 27 | July 21 – July 25
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors at least 16 years old on the first day of the camp
The Disease Detective Camp, hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), introduces high school students to public health and epidemiology. The program covers topics such as environmental health, emergency preparedness, public health interventions, global health, laboratory technology, disease surveillance, infectious and chronic diseases, injury prevention, data analysis, school wellness programs, violence prevention, disease outbreaks, scientific communication, and public health law.
The curriculum may vary depending on CDC facility availability, so each session may offer different experiences. Activities include mock press conferences, simulated outbreaks, global and environmental health projects, and laboratory sessions. You will also learn about public health law and chronic disease surveillance while attending short lectures from CDC scientists. Hands-on activities are based on current public health events. Each session admits 27 students, with an acceptance rate of 7–8%, making the program highly competitive.
7. Summer Child Health Research Internship by Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and each intern will receive a $4,400 stipend to assist with travel and housing expenses.
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: High school seniors over 18 years old who are Colorado residents, as well as undergraduate and graduate students
The Summer Child Health Research Internship provides hands-on experience in child health research under the guidance of pediatric researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado. This program will introduce you to pediatric research and help you prepare for careers in health sciences. You will conduct laboratory research, attend weekly seminars, and complete an independent research project to present at the end of the program. Most of your work will take place in the hospital’s lab, where you will assist mentors with child health research. You can indicate mentor preferences when applying.
If your research is accepted for presentation, you will get to attend scientific conferences and participate in weekly workshops. By the end, you will submit written reports and give oral or poster/PowerPoint presentations on your project. You will also write abstracts for submission to local, regional, and national meetings.
8. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; students receive a taxable stipend of $3,000 after completing the program
Application Deadline: January 20
Dates: The program runs for 8 weeks, from the second full week of June to the first week of August
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old when applying
The ResearcHStart program at UChicago Medicine allows high school students to conduct cancer research alongside experienced professionals. The program provides hands-on experience in lab techniques, diagnostics, and treatments, focusing on cancer research. It is designed for students interested in medical research careers and helps build a strong foundation in scientific methods.
You will develop research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while exploring fields such as biophysics, pharmacology, immunology, biochemistry, and cancer research. Working full-time in cancer research labs, you will gain experience in areas like cancer immunology, experimental therapeutics, bioengineering, and cancer disparities. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a symposium for peers and university members. Admission is highly competitive, with no more than 30 students selected based on their passion for science, interest in biomedicine, and ability to work in a professional research setting.
9. Northwestern University’s Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program
Location: Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, but students are responsible for their housing and transportation to the Northwestern campus in downtown Chicago. Participants will receive a competitive stipend.
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old and undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited college or university
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program at Northwestern University’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care offers a six- to eight-week paid research experience for students interested in biological sciences. This competitive program combines research training with academic and professional development.
As an intern, you will be paired with Northwestern faculty and work on basic or clinical research projects that explore lung disease mechanisms. Projects may be hypothesis-driven or hypothesis-generating. The program also includes activities to support college applications, academic success, and career preparation in science or medicine. It concludes with a presentation at the annual Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium.
10. Young Global Leaders Program
Location: University of Arizona Health Sciences Campus, Tucson, AZ
Cost: The program fee is $350 per person; scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 5 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program). Applications for Summer 2025 will open on February 15.
Dates: June 2 – June 6 | June 9 – June 13
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Young Global Leaders Program, hosted by GHI in partnership with ESRAC, is a summer program for high school students interested in public health and health sciences, with a focus on investigating common public health myths. You will attend lectures from experts in these fields, learning scientific research methods and how misinformation spreads in public health. The program includes hands-on experiments and projects in advanced laboratories, providing experience with scientific methods used in health sciences.
You will tour research facilities and labs on the University of Arizona campus and interact with faculty and researchers. You will engage in experiments that examine public health myths and work in teams to research these myths and present science-based findings. The program also introduces academic opportunities and degree programs in Public Health, Environmental Health, Biomedical Science, and more, helping you explore potential career paths.
11. Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research
Location: Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: July 17 – August 1
Eligibility: Connecticut residents entering grades 11 and 12 with strong math skills and academic records are eligible to apply, with preference given to rising seniors
The Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research introduces high school students to biostatistics and its role in clinical and public health research. In partnership with the Yale Center for Analytical Sciences (YCAS), you will learn to analyze health data, conduct research projects, and apply statistical methods using the R programming language from biostatisticians and clinical researchers.
The program covers basic statistical techniques and study design, allowing you to explore real-world health questions in small groups and present your findings at the end. While programming can be challenging, prior experience with languages like Java, C++, R, or Python is helpful. A 6–8 hour introduction to R is required.
Image source – Stanford University logo
