Thinking about a college career in medicine as a high schooler? If so, free pre-college medical summer programs for high school students are a great way to start. These programs, hosted by some of the best universities and institutions in the country, help you explore different facets of medicine and the medical industry in a hands-on and focused manner. You’ll gain exposure to neuroscience, public health, pharmacology, anatomy, genetics, immunology, pediatrics, mental health, and more, without stressing about paying college tuition.
You will deepen your understanding of health sciences in a rigorous academic environment while developing key skills such as interpreting symptoms and scientific literature, writing lab reports, and proposing treatment plans—skills that are essential for success in college-level science coursework. Completing free pre-college medical summer programs for high school students also reflects a strong commitment to medicine and provides tangible evidence of your academic focus, which can strengthen your college applications by demonstrating sustained interest and initiative.
Below, we’ve put together a list of 15 free pre-college medical summer programs for high school students!
1. High School Summer Research – Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 4
Dates: Typically mid-June to late July
Eligibility: Legally authorized to work in the United States | Reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties and entering their junior or senior year at a high school in these counties during the current school year | 16 years of age or older at the internship’s start
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship is a six-week program designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring brain structure, function, and development through cutting-edge neuroscience research. You will work closely with MPFI researchers, gaining hands-on experience in laboratory techniques such as genetic engineering, histological staining, and advanced microscopy. The program culminates in a written scientific abstract and a presentation, allowing interns to showcase their findings to the scientific community. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert mentorship, this internship provides valuable insights into neuroscience and advanced research methodologies and a $13/hr stipend.
2. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Campus, Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23-27 | July 21-25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High-school juniors or seniors during the current school year | 16 years old by the first day of the camp in line with CDC’s laboratory safety requirements.
The Centre for Disease Control Museum Disease Detective Camp is a competitive five-day program for high school students passionate about public health and epidemiology. Through lectures and interactive activities, you can gain hands-on experience replicating the work of CDC professionals, such as investigating outbreaks, conducting laboratory sessions, and analyzing data related to global and environmental health. The program also introduces diverse career paths in public health and includes engaging activities like mock press conferences and chronic disease surveillance. With its structured curriculum and access to CDC scientists, the camp offers a comprehensive insight into public health and disease prevention.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (in-person) | Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June – August (8 weeks in person) | July – August (5 weeks online)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors | In-person applicants must live in Baltimore City or attend a local high school
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS) is a selective research program for high school students interested in neuroscience and medical research. You will work on research projects focused on brain science, such as neurodegenerative diseases, neural imaging, or brain development. You will learn how to read and analyze neuroscience research papers, collect and interpret neurological data, and use lab techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy. You also gain experience with data entry, statistical software, and understanding the clinical aspects of brain disorders. The program ends with a research symposium where you present your findings to faculty, peers, and other participants.
4. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility:Currently enrolled in high school, who are from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ | Be able to prove eligibility to work in the US
This program allows high school students to explore fields such as biomedical science, medicine, and other STEM disciplines. Aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds—women, ethnic minorities, and economically disadvantaged communities—this program provides a hands-on research experience under the guidance of experienced scientists. Over the course of seven weeks, interns will engage in full-time, paid research projects, gaining valuable laboratory skills and collaborating with professionals at the forefront of their fields. You will build essential skills in public speaking, written communication, and ethical research practices. The program concludes with a public conference where participants present their research to peers, mentors, family, and scientific staff.
5. Career Immersion Program, Mayo College of Medicine and Science
Location: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 22 – 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Minnesota | Minimum GPA of 2.5
This immersive, week-long residential program provides a deep dive into the diverse world of healthcare careers. You’ll explore a wide array of 50 career options from doctors and nurses to specialized roles like radiographers and respiratory therapists. The program features hands-on activities, opportunities to network with peers and professionals inclusive of Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences students, staff, and security, and insights into professional etiquette and the academic paths leading to these careers. You will also be part of learning and interactive sessions in college classrooms and labs. The program also encourages students from underrepresented communities to apply.
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Institutes of Medicine at Stanford University
Cost: Free apart from a $40 application fee which can be waived under certain conditions
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and/or seniors living and attending school in the U.S. | 16 years or older | Permanent residents with a green card
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) offers high school students an intensive eight-week opportunity to conduct medical research under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. You will conduct experiments, analyze data, and be part of lab meetings for projects in immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics. The program aims to cultivate an interest in biological sciences and medicine while providing a deep understanding of scientific research methodologies. You will engage in hands-on research, collaborate with experts, and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and laboratory skills.
7. The New York Academy of Sciences – The Junior Academy
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Fall Semester: September – November | Spring Semester: February – April
Application Deadline: Fall Semester: March 27 – July 1 | Spring Semester: November – January
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17 with advanced level English proficiency
The Junior Academy by the New York Academy of Sciences brings global high school students and STEM mentors under one roof to design innovative solutions for real-world public health and biomedical science research problems. You’ll build scientific arguments and present solutions via multimedia presentations while collaborating with peers from diverse time zones and cultures. You will also have access to the resource library, analyze real-world data, design experiments, and build solutions. Some of the previous challenges included ‘Ethical AI,’ ‘Air Quality and Health,’ ‘Cybersecurity,’ and more. You’ll receive a certificate and become a ‘Young Member’ of the New York Academy of Sciences upon completion.
8. UT Southwestern Medical Center Internship for High School Students
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Two weeks starting typically in June
Application Deadline: September – February (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising grade 10, 11, 12, and college first-year students
This two-week internship introduces high school students to diverse mental health careers like neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, psychotherapy, and neuropsychological testing across two weeks. You will also attend interactive sessions led by licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists, based on their day-to-day responsibilities, real-world challenges, and their professional journeys, and gain real-world insight into the mental health profession. Before each session, you’ll review topical reading materials from curated packages featuring mainstream and scientific sources before each session. The program will help you build foundational scientific literacy and critical thinking skills.
9. Summer Pathway Programs | Pritzker School of Medicine | The University of Chicago
Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: June 9 – August 4
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors | U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents | Must have successfully completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses
In this program, you will engage in basic science or clinical research projects and present your findings at a research forum at the program’s conclusion. You will be part of weekly cluster groups to participate in lab activities and learn about medical and research ethics, healthcare disparities, statistics, and essential research tools. You will be mentored by Pritzker medical students and staff, which includes sessions with admissions officers and social events. The program is intensive and you will be expected to focus solely on your research without taking on part-time jobs, additional coursework, or MCAT/application preparation to ensure ample time for both in-lab activities and associated assignments.
10. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford
Location: Stanford University Medicine
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: June 16 – 25
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school | At least 16 years old by the start of the program | Reside and attend high school in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and the Santa Cruz counties in Northern California | Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0
In this six-week program, rising junior and senior high school students from diverse backgrounds having no prior research exposure learn about science, medicine, and research. You will be paired with a Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and research lab staff for a maternal and child health research project. You will also be part of interactive workshops on conducting research and exploring diverse career paths in science and medicine, along with the college application and financial aid process. The internship’s unique feature is the ‘Near Peer Mentor Program’ that involves you being paired weekly for hourly sessions with 2-3 NPMs (Stanford undergraduate, graduate, medical students, residents, and fellows from diverse backgrounds).
11. Project Success – Harvard Medical School
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Boston or Cambridge | At least 16 years old | Minimum GPA of 2.7
The Project Success program at Harvard Medical School is a six-week, paid summer internship for high school students in Boston and Cambridge, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. As a participant, you’ll be placed in a research lab affiliated with Harvard Medical School, where you’ll work closely with a mentor on biomedical research projects. You’ll gain hands-on experience with lab techniques and learn to analyze data and communicate your findings effectively. The program includes seminars and workshops to help you improve your scientific writing, presentation, and computer skills. You’ll also visit hospitals and biotech companies, gaining insight into different aspects of the biomedical field.
12. Internship at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Care Institute
Location: Georgetown University
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by June 23 of the year of application
The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Summer Research Volunteer Program is designed to engage and train future scientists in the fight against cancer. In this eight-week program, you will engage in hands-on research experience in labs, where you will learn signals and pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation and death, tumor immunology and immunotherapy, human cancer genetics and biology, drug development, and more. You will work under the supervision of research scientists, with opportunities to collaborate with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. This initiative not only fosters discoveries in cancer research but also encourages students to pursue careers in the biological sciences.
13. LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program
Location: Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota
Cost/Stipend: All Scholars will receive an hourly wage
Application Deadline: Feb 15
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: 16 years of age or older | A current Junior or Senior at time of application | U.S. citizen
In this highly competitive scholarship program, you will engage in hands-on research, working closely with a faculty mentor in a dedicated lab to tackle intensive basic or clinical research. The program takes a multi-disciplinary approach, exposing participants to various facets of cardiovascular disease, from molecular biology to clinical applications. With weekly seminars led by industry leaders and field trips that provide insights into clinical, industrial, and academic medicine, you will gain deep knowledge of cardiovascular science along with associated career opportunities. This experience, coupled with mentorship from experienced faculty, equips scholars with a competitive edge, preparing them for future careers in medical and scientific fields.
14. Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program: Department of Medicine
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: 16 years or older as of May 31 in the program year | Currently be a junior at the time of application.
Offered by the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Northwestern University, the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program provides a free, six-to-eight-week pre-medical research opportunity for rising high school seniors with an interest in the biological sciences. You will learn how to conduct scientific research in a university lab setting, engage in data collection and analysis, and develop a deeper understanding of pulmonary and critical care topics through direct mentorship from faculty, researchers, and graduate trainees. In addition to laboratory work, you will gain exposure to academic and career pathways in medicine and biomedical research, and have the opportunity to present your findings in a formal setting.
15. Summer Training as Research Scholars Program (STaRS) Graduate – Medical Sciences, Boston University
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school junior or senior graduating in 2026, and not 2025 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Currently enrolled in a STEM degree program, part-time or full-time, leading to a Bachelor’s degree | Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
STaRS is a specialized on-site program for undergraduates and first-year Boston University medical students considering advanced degrees or careers in biomedical research. The program pairs you with faculty mentors to develop independent research projects in areas such as heart, lung, and blood studies. You gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge, disease-focused research while attending academic enhancement sessions, including seminars on research methods, oral and written communication, and graduate program applications. Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, STaRS emphasizes opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering a structured pathway to graduate or MD/PhD programs.
Bonus Options –
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. June 23 is summer cohort 2 deadline
Dates: Summer cohort – July 14 onwards | Fall cohort – September 24 onwards
Eligibility: Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 | Typically from households earning less than $50,000
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, born out of the flagship Lumiere Research Scholar Program, offers high school students an opportunity to engage in focused, one-on-one research under the mentorship of Ph.D. scholars. Throughout the 12-week program, participants can select subjects such as medical sciences, pediatrics, cancer research, and many others in the pre-medical track on a research project. The program culminates in the creation of a research paper and you develop critical thinking and analytical skills, also while potentially earning UCSD credit! You can apply here.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: February 23 (Spring cohort) | April 27 and May 25 (Summer cohort regular admission) | June 22 (Summer II cohort)
Program dates: March 16 — May 18 (Spring Cohort).
Eligibility: Grades 8-12 with a background in coding or who have completed the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine track provides an in-depth exposure to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medicine. You’ll understand the application of AI in hospital admissions, genomics, neuroscience, drug discovery, and other related fields. You will also deep dive into complex topics such as the Fundamentals of Clinical Evolution, Image Segmentation, and Regularization and Transfer Learning. You can apply here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to 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 – Boston University