If you are a high school student interested in studying more about cancer and possible solutions, consider joining a cancer research program!
Cancer research involves various fields, from basic science to clinical trials, to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. You will study the differences between normal and cancer cells to understand the causes of cancer, develop prevention strategies, improve diagnosis and treatment, and work toward finding a cure.
These programs offer early exposure to real-world work experience, allowing you to apply knowledge in practical settings while developing new skills. Additionally, participating in a research program can strengthen your college applications, as admissions committees generally value students who actively explore their academic interests.
Through these programs, you will design experiments, collaborate on real projects under expert guidance, and connect with like-minded peers. They focus on research methods, lab techniques, and data analysis.
Here are 10 cancer research programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Biotechnology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950; need-based financial aid is available only for Seminar courses, with a maximum tuition waiver of 90%.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort:
Dates:
- Spring: March 3 onwards
- Summer: June 16 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but applications must be submitted at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.67 GPA can apply. Most accepted students are in the 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which you can review here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields such as political theory, chemistry, physics, pathology, data science, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and psychology. With over 1,000 participants and more than 600 research specializations, you can choose between qualitative and quantitative research methods. If you’re interested in cancer research, Horizon offers a one-on-one PhD Labs Program on Bio-Industry, focusing on rare diseases and cancer. This includes studying the evolution, mechanisms, and challenges of cancer immunotherapy and examining how genomics improves cancer treatment through targeted therapies and predictive diagnostics.
After selecting a subject and research method, you will be mentored by a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university. By the end of the program, you will write a 20-page university-level research paper, which may be eligible for submission to academic journals. The program also includes expert guidance, a letter of recommendation, and detailed feedback to support college applications and future research. You can apply here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Biotechnology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The upcoming deadline for the summer cohort is April 13.
Dates: The program offers four cohorts: summer (June–August), fall (September–December), winter (December–February), and spring (March–June).
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week opportunity for high school students to develop an independent research project in a field of their choice with guidance from a Ph.D. mentor.
You will work with your mentor and a writing coach to select and refine your research topic while attending workshops on research methods. The program includes various fields such as engineering, anthropology, history, physics, biology, sociology, economics, data science, chemistry, and gender studies. If you are interested in cancer research, you can explore topics like biotechnology or human diseases. If none of the available topics align with your interests, you can customize your research focus. You can check out the details on the application process here.
3. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and students will receive a $1,200 stipend upon completing the program.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old by June, have a 3.5 GPA in science courses, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) is an eight-week summer internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) for high school students interested in biomedical sciences. You will be placed in a biomedical or computational lab and conduct independent research under the guidance of a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or research technician. The program covers various research areas, including Cancer Biology, Computer Science, Pharmacology, Drug Development, Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Computational Biology, Optics, Imaging, Engineering, Immunology, Immuno-oncology, Research Tools, Genomics, Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology, and Structural Biology.
4. UW Carbone Cancer Center ARISE Summer Research Internship
Location: The internship will start with meetings at Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR) and UW hospitals, but the research lab location will depend on student interests and mentor lab placements on campus.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; interns will receive a stipend of $15 per hour for 25 hours per week over seven weeks.
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start
his program is designed for high school students from underrepresented communities in biomedical fields, providing insight into careers in cancer research and healthcare. For 20 hours per week, you will work in a mentor lab, gaining practical experience in cancer research. This includes training in laboratory techniques, attending lab meetings, and becoming familiar with lab procedures. You will have regular check-ins with the Principal Investigator and contribute to a research project.
In addition, you will participate in career development and enrichment activities for 3–5 hours per week. These activities include career exploration in nursing and pharmacy, pathology experience, discussions on medical ethics, career panels, professional skills workshops, and training on giving scientific presentations. You will present your research findings at the end of the program and receive a UW Carbone Cancer Center Science Research Certificate.
5. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. Students will receive payment for eight weeks of full-time work at 35 hours per week.
Application Deadline: December 13
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and part of groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce as defined by NIH Guidelines
Funded by the National Cancer Institute, this two-year program provides hands-on cancer research experience with mentorship from researchers and physicians focused on cancer health disparities.
You will be matched with a faculty mentor whose research aligns with your interests. The program includes a weekly Cancer Biology Journal Club, where you will present and discuss cancer research articles. The eight-week summer session features orientation, scientific and professional training, development of an Individual Development Plan, submission of a scientific abstract, and, for second-year participants, an oral presentation. The program is highly selective, with a 1% acceptance rate for high school applicants and 20% for undergraduates the previous year.
6. Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program at Emory University
Location: Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; interns receive a stipend of $2,400.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Summer Scholars Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is a six-week internship designed to introduce high school students to cancer research. The program will encourage you to explore cancer research through hands-on experience and education. Each year, 10 to 12 students are selected to work one-on-one with a Winship physician or lab-based researcher.
You will conduct research in a lab or clinical setting under the guidance of a Winship investigator, who will mentor you as you complete a research project. You will take field trips to locations such as the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention David J. Sencer Museum. You will also attend lectures by Winship oncologists and research faculty to deepen your understanding of cancer research and present your findings to doctors, researchers, and graduate students at the program’s final symposium.
7. The Future Scientist Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; students receive a $3,000 stipend.
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: High school juniors in a Marion County public high school who possess a minimum 3.0 grade point average
The Future Scientist Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is an eight-week summer research opportunity for high school juniors from Indianapolis and Marion County public schools who are interested in science and the medical field. IU designed this program to introduce students to biomedical research while supporting their early exposure to science careers. This program is a non-credit summer research experience that combines structured learning with hands-on, paid lab work.
You will work 40 hours weekly alongside university researchers on a specific project, gaining hands-on research experience. Your research will explore the molecular changes that lead to cancer and focus on developing targeted therapies for its prevention and treatment.
8. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
Application Deadline: January 20
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years old, either in good academic standing or graduating, and can provide official proof of enrollment
The DACCPM (Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine) Summer Research Program is a structured 10-week training designed for students interested in research. You will develop laboratory and clinical research skills, conduct medical literature reviews using the online Research Medical Library, and learn data-handling techniques. Research topics may include opioids, perioperative immune function, chemotherapy-induced pain, and factors influencing cancer recurrence. Additionally, you will become familiar with institutional and federal policies related to basic science research in laboratory and clinical settings, as well as lab safety practices and methods for collecting, analyzing, and presenting scientific data.
You will collaborate with a faculty mentor on a research project and present your findings at a poster symposium at the end of the program. The research abstract will be published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.9
9. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI)—High School Student Research Program
Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free. Students will receive the minimum federal hourly wage for 40 hours per week during the program.
Application Deadline: January 17
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students, particularly juniors, with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. Priority is given to those who are financially, educationally, or socially disadvantaged.
Each summer, 20–25 students engage in full-time research, attend bi-weekly seminars with medical students, faculty mentors, and visiting professors, and explore topics such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, genetics, neuroscience, and preventive medicine.
You will be expected to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, for the program’s duration. You will develop research skills, gain experience in both basic and clinical science, and improve your problem-solving and communication abilities. At the end of the summer, you will present your research through an oral presentation and submit a 3–4 page summary report.
10. TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy
Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Participation is free, but students must arrange their own housing and transportation. Each graduate of the program will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Application Deadline: February 5
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in Arizona who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy is a two-week summer program for 20 high school students from Arizona, designed to expand their understanding of biosciences and precision medicine. TGen scientists and staff lead sessions on research, lab techniques, clinical trials, bioethics, experimental design, and the clinical applications of genomic medicine.
Classes run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with optional assignments and readings that can be completed outside these hours or at TGen from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Topics include cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, and infectious diseases, along with career pathways in biosciences. The curriculum, developed by TGen scientists, features lab shadowing, facility tours, journal clubs, and professional development activities. The program also focuses on leadership, teaching skills in science communication, public speaking, teamwork, and networking.
11. UChicago Medicine’s SHE in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and students receive a $500 taxable stipend upon completing the program.
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: SHE is a part-time, two-week program usually held in the second half of July.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply, with a focus on those who identify as female and are underrepresented in biomedicine.
This program helps participants explore careers in biomedical fields, with a focus on cancer, and admits up to 20 trainees each year.
You will work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study to learn about cancer science and care. The program includes daily faculty lectures, panel discussions, and workshops to develop skills and build connections for future careers in biomedicine. You will gain hands-on research experience using a home laboratory kit and engage in career development activities with professionals from various sectors of cancer research and care. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings to mentors and peers while learning from other participants’ projects.
12. City Of Hope Cancer Center Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; students receive a $4,500 stipend upon completing the 10-week program
Application Deadline: March 12
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old before the internship starts
You will design and conduct research projects in your areas of interest under the guidance of City of Hope faculty mentors. You will also collaborate with postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and lab personnel from the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences.
Faculty speakers present a range of scientific topics, including neural stem cells, plant signaling pathways, and DNA repair. You will present your research findings in a weekly seminar series and receive mentorship in scientific writing, culminating in a written report. The program helps develop oral and written communication skills relevant to seminars, research publications, and grant writing, which are helpful for future academic and professional success.
13. UChicago Medicine’s Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer Program
Location: The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, but students are responsible for their own housing and transportation to the University of Chicago. High school students will receive a $5,000 taxable stipend.
Application Deadline: December 2
Dates: Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year program that includes two eight-week summer research experiences that take place from mid-June to early August and monthly activities during the academic year.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Participants must commit to the full two-year program, which includes two consecutive 8-week summer research experiences (40 hours per week) and monthly skill-building activities during the academic year (2–4 hours per month).
During both summers, you will work full-time in cancer research labs at the university, gaining hands-on experience. The program includes research training, a lecture series on cancer, career development & skill-building workshops, and ongoing mentorship from faculty and peers. It concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your work in areas such as basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer research. Throughout the program, you will receive continuous guidance and support from university faculty, researchers, and program staff.
Image source – The University of Chicago Medicine