Curious about the healthcare field? Medical summer programs for high school students give you a chance to learn about patient care, diagnostics, and human anatomy with expert mentorship. These programs go beyond classroom learning by offering you practical experiences in labs, clinics, or research settings.
What’s even better is that these programs are free or come with full financial aid. This makes them accessible to everyone.
Here are 12 free medical summer programs for high school students in 2024–2025!
12 Free Medical Summer Programs for High School Students 2024–2025
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey.
The Neurodegenerative Diseases: Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology course covers the mechanisms, clinical features, and neurobiology of disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS, and TBI. You’ll explore advanced research on genetics, diagnostics, treatment strategies, and molecular biology, while developing skills to analyze scientific literature.
Horizon also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback to help with future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application Date: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II); Summer II 2025: June 22, 2024.
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025!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.
Founded by graduates of prestigious universities, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Track offers high school students a unique research opportunity. You’ll receive personalized 1-on-1 mentorship from PhD experts in fields like medicine, biology, neuroscience, and public health.
Over the course of the program, you’ll work closely with your mentor on an independent research project tailored to your interests. By the end, you’ll have produced a detailed research paper. The program allows you to explore advanced topics and gain valuable experience that will prepare you for a future in the medical sciences.
Location: Remote.
Cost: 100% financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. December 29, 2024, for the upcoming winter cohort.
Program Dates: Summer cohort (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), Spring (March-June).
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3/4, no prior field knowledge required.
Ladder Internships offers you the chance to intern with high-growth start-ups in fields like tech, AI, health tech, and marketing. In this 8-week virtual program, you’ll collaborate with professionals, receive guidance from startup managers, and work with a Ladder Coach.
You’ll work on real-world projects, improve skills like communication and time management, and present your work to the company. For those interested in medicine, there’s an option to work with healthcare-focused companies. The program provides valuable hands-on experience with top-tier start-ups led by successful founders.
Location: Remote!
Cost: 100% financial aid.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. February 9th, 2025 for the Spring Cohort.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Spring Cohort begins March 3rd.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Veritas AI gives you the opportunity to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. In the AI + Medicine program, you’ll gain hands-on experience using AI tools and machine learning models to diagnose diseases and interpret medical images. This program will equip you with valuable skills for your future in healthcare.
Financial aid is available to help make the program accessible to more students.
Location: Remote.
Cost: Financial aid available.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024, for the upcoming winter cohort.
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior Python experience or who have completed the AI Scholars program.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Research (SIMR) program offers 50 high school students an eight-week opportunity to conduct medical research with Stanford faculty and researchers. You’ll explore fields like bioengineering, genetics, neurobiology, and cancer biology, while gaining lab safety training and research skills. The program ends with a poster presentation where you’ll share your findings and reflect on your growth.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend, but an application fee is required. Participants receive a minimum stipend of $500, with students receiving at least $1,500. Meals and housing are not provided.
Application Deadline: Feb 22, 2025
Program Dates: 8 weeks, Jun 9 - Jul 31, 2025
Eligibility: U.S. high school students graduating in 2025 or 2026, aged 16+, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The RTURP program is part of NIDA’s Intramural Research Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus. It offers you the chance to explore neuroscience, genetics, psychology, epidemiology, and pharmaceutical sciences. This paid training program focuses on the scientific basis of drug abuse, providing hands-on experience in addiction research. With only a limited number of spots available each summer, selection is highly competitive.
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus (Baltimore, MD)
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: Feb 1, 2025 (NIH-HS SIP)
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks. Typically, in July but may vary depending on the program.
Eligibility:
- At least 17 years old by June 15 (of that year’s program) and high school or college students.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Permanent residents must be enrolled in a school in the U.S. to be eligible.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) gives you the chance to explore neuroscience research with the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. You can choose between an 8-week in-person internship with hands-on research, mentorship, and career development, or a 5-week virtual program focusing on basic lab techniques and research skills. Both options include workshops on professional development, college prep, and networking. The in-person track ends with a presentation of your research findings.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free. In-person program includes stipend and transportation (housing excluded). Virtual program offers a $500 scholarship.
Application deadline: Applications for 2025 will open on Dec 1, 2024.
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June–August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds can apply.
The Houston Methodist Summer Internship Program gives high school students the chance to work with scientists and doctors at a top hospital. During the program, you’ll be involved in research projects in areas like regenerative medicine, cancer therapies, and cardiovascular health. You’ll develop lab skills, attend lectures, and gain insight into medical innovation, all while being guided by experienced mentors.
Location: Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: May 27 - Aug 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2025
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old can apply.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital gives high school students a chance to explore neuroscience and neurology. You’ll work with leading neurologists and neuroscientists, taking part in research and mentorship.
The program starts with a boot camp to prepare you for lab and clinical work. Then, you’ll do team-based research with a faculty mentor and an undergraduate student. Weekly sessions with experts will help you learn more about neurology, and tours and social events will make the experience even better. The program ends with a presentation of your research findings to faculty, peers, and family.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost. Stipend provided (amount not specified).
Application deadline: Jan 31, 2025
Program dates: Jun 30–Aug 8, 2025
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school juniors (or rising seniors) or recent high school graduates can apply.
Project Success offers a paid summer research internship for high school students in Boston and Cambridge, focusing on underrepresented and disadvantaged youth interested in biomedicine. Over six weeks, you’ll work in a Harvard Medical School research lab, attend seminars, visit hospitals and biotech companies, and receive computer training. Mentors and advisors will guide you, offering career advice and helping you build important technical skills. The program aims to inspire your interest in biomedical careers, develop critical thinking, and give you the tools to achieve your academic and professional goals in the field.
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Feb 3, 2025
Program Dates: Jun 30 — Aug 15, 2025.
Eligibility: Open to Boston/Cambridge high school juniors or seniors (16+ by June 30, 2025) from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, with a GPA of 2.7+, completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry, and an interest in biomedical or health careers.
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week summer opportunity for low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California. On Stanford’s campus, you’ll engage in hospital internships, academic lectures, and hands-on research focused on health disparities, working in small groups to tackle real-world public health challenges.
This tuition-free program helps you build your network, gain valuable experience, and lay the groundwork for future studies in medicine. You’ll also attend seminars on anatomy, research methods, and college application preparation.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free. Stipend of $1,250 provided. Students are responsible for their housing and transportation.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Applications will be available from mid-Dec, 2024.
Program Dates: Jun 23 — Jul 25, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California.
The University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStarT Program gives high school students the chance to contribute to cancer research. Over the summer, you’ll work with scientists in advanced labs, tackling important questions in cancer biology, immunotherapy, and genetics. You’ll design experiments, analyze data, and gain hands-on lab experience. In addition to the research, you’ll attend lectures, participate in career workshops, and connect with professionals in the field.
Location: Offered at Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois, and Rush University. All in Chicago, IL
Cost: No cost. A stipend of $3,000 (taxable) will be provided.
Application Deadline: Jan 20, 2025
Program Dates: 2025’s program will run from the second full week of June through the first week of August.
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors, at least 16 years old at the start of the program, with a strong interest in scientific research or medicine, and able to commit to 8 weeks of full-time programming (40 hours per week).
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.