If you’re a high school student in Massachusetts interested in medicine, medical summer research programs can help you build early experience in the field. These programs often include lab work, research projects, and mentorship, providing you with a head start on skills such as scientific writing, data analysis, and clinical observation.
Massachusetts is home to many hospitals, universities, and research institutions (this Harvard!) that offer such opportunities specifically for high school students. From clinical research to public health and biomedical sciences, these local programs offer accessible, hands-on exposure to the medical field.
We’ve put together a list of 15 medical summer research programs for high school students in Massachusetts designed to help you grow your skillset and gain deeper insight into medicine.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective research mentorship initiative where high school students work 1-on-1 with researchers from top universities. Students interested in medicine can use this opportunity to explore advanced topics through an independent research project developed in close collaboration with their mentor. The program emphasizes research design, literature review, data analysis, and academic writing. Participants produce a university-level research paper and gain experience with core methodologies relevant to the field they choose to study. This program is ideal for students seeking to build foundational research skills and deepen their engagement with scholarly work in a focused academic setting.
2. Horizon’s Academic Research Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
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.
The Horizon Academic Research Program offers high school students a structured opportunity to conduct individual research under the guidance of a professor or PhD candidate. Students interested in medical topics can develop a research paper rooted in close reading of academic literature and critical argumentation. The program emphasizes analytical writing and the process of building and defending a scholarly thesis, making it well-suited for those exploring intersections of science, ethics, health policy, or other conceptual areas tied to medicine. Horizon is a writing-intensive program that emphasizes clarity, structure, and source engagement over technical laboratory skills, making it distinctly academic in orientation.
3. Harvard Medical School MEDscienceLAB
Location: Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August. Check dates here.
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older.
MEDscienceLAB is a one-week, full-day program at Harvard Medical School that offers hands-on lab and clinical simulation experience for students interested in biotechnology, molecular biology, and medicine. You will work in teams to analyze clinical samples and perform core techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA. By engaging in lab experiments and advanced clinical simulations with a programmable patient mannequin, students learn how lab diagnostics influence immediate clinical decisions. The program also incorporates discussions with professionals in research and healthcare, with a focus on public health and biomedical science career paths.
4. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital lab in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, MA
Cost: No cost. A stipend will be provided.
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Applicant must be a rising high school senior, recent high school graduate / rising college freshman, current undergraduate student, or recent college graduate. Check more details here.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a full-time, paid summer internship (6 to 8 weeks) for high school and undergraduate students underrepresented in neurology. It begins with a ‘boot camp’ that covers essential lab skills and professional training. Interns are then matched with MGH Neurology faculty to work on ongoing research projects involving experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Weekly didactic sessions by neurologists deepen knowledge of neurology and current research. The program concludes with a research presentation and offers support for publishing and science fair submissions. Networking and occasional field trips provide additional learning opportunities.
5. Broad Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost; $3,600 stipend
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. Check more details here.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program is a six-week research internship for high school students at the Broad Institute. You will be paired with Broad scientists to conduct original projects in areas including cancer biology, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, computational biology, and infectious disease. The experience also includes attending scientific seminars, career development sessions, and a college fair. Students conclude by presenting their research at a poster session to the Broad community. A $3,600 stipend is provided to support participants during the program.
6. Secondary School Program at Harvard University—Medical Courses
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, or virtual
Cost:
- 7-Week Online or Commuting: $4,050 (4 credits) or $7,900 (8 credits)
- 7-Week Residential: $14,950 (8 credits)
- 4-Week Residential: $8,650 (4 credits)
Program Dates: 4-Week program: July 13 – August 9 | 7-Week program: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: 4-Week program: February 12 | 7-Week program: April 9
Eligibility: Students who will graduate from high school and enter college in the next three years and are at least 16 years of age by June but will not turn 19 before July.
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows high school students to take college-level courses for credit in either a 4-week or 7-week format. Students interested in medicine can select from offerings such as Introduction to Biomedical Ethics, Integrated Biology Laboratory, and Social Medicine and Social Change in Boston. These courses offer experience in ethical analysis, wet-lab techniques, and public health policy frameworks. Some programs, such as Neurodiversity and Psychopathology Research, motivate students to examine neuroscience and clinical psychology via academic texts, discussions, and analytical tasks. The program emphasizes reading primary sources, conducting research-based writing, and developing the academic discipline required in pre-med and bioscience college tracks.
7. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Program Dates: 7-11 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior, or a college freshman, sophomore, or junior aged 16 years or older.
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program is a full-time, paid 7-11 week summer internship for high school students interested in cancer research. As a participant, you will work with mentors at Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Centers on hands-on oncology research projects. The program includes orientation, research training, scientific seminars, journal clubs, and professional development sessions. Students develop technical skills and scientific knowledge as they engage in the research process and its real-world applications. The program concludes with students preparing and presenting an abstract or poster on their research.
8. Boston Leadership Institute Biomedical and Surgical Research Program
Location: The Newman School, Boston, MA/Remote
Cost: Tuition: $2,500 | Residential Fee: $2,097
Program Dates: Session 1: June 23 – July 11 | Session 2: July 14 – August 1 | Remote Session: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Biomedical and Surgical Research Program is a three-week summer initiative designed for high school students interested in pursuing a career in medicine and surgery. Students explore key body systems — including circulatory, respiratory, nervous, skeletal, and digestive — through mock procedures, dissections, and case studies, practicing surgical skills such as knot tying and pacemaker implantation using cow hearts. The program includes labs on trauma care, cranial nerve exams, and spinal cord dissection, as well as original research projects. Field trips to medical labs and institutions offer real-world exposure to top researchers and clinical environments.
9. Harvard Medical School MEDscienceLAB Forensics
Location: Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June to July. Check dates here.
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older.
The MEDscienceLAB Forensics program is a comprehensive, one-week experience in forensic science using hands-on laboratory and simulation-based learning at Harvard Medical School. Participants apply techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, fingerprinting, hair and fiber analysis, and cellular microscopy to examine evidence collected from a simulated crime scene. Teams conduct witness interviews, draft lab reports, and present findings as part of a mock criminal investigation. The program also includes MEDchats (professional talks with researchers and healthcare professionals) to explore careers in public health, forensics, and biomedical science.
10. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th grade through 12th grade in the fall who are over the age of 14 by the start of the program; U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Priority is given to students with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a selective, two-week virtual program for high school students interested in AI applications in healthcare, with a focus on medical imaging. You will collaborate on hands-on research projects, attend technical lectures led by Stanford faculty and industry experts, and engage in networking events. The program concludes with a Certificate of Completion recognizing your contributions to AI research in medicine.
11. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) Virtual Track is a five-week remote summer research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. You will engage in online seminars, scientific discussions, and mentorship with neuroscience professionals. The curriculum covers basic lab techniques, research methods, and professional development, including college and career preparation. Successful completion of the program results in a certificate of completion and foundational knowledge in brain science research.
12. Center for Excellence in Education’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors. Applicants are encouraged to have PSAT Math scores of 740+ and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores of 700+. For the ACT, Math scores should be at least 33 and Verbal scores at least 34. You can see more details here.
The Center for Excellence in Education’s Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week, tuition-free summer program at MIT that provides high school students with direct exposure to academic research. Students begin with a week of intensive STEM lectures and follow it with a five-week mentored research internship. Those interested in medicine work on biology-related projects, which may involve reading current scientific literature, designing experiments, and analyzing data. The program emphasizes clear scientific communication, with participants delivering both written and oral reports modeled on professional conference formats.
13. University of Massachusetts Research Intensives
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost: Residential $12,157 | Commuter $7,022
Program Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: Applications typically close around May
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and seniors. Applicants should have a grade of B (GPA 3.0) or higher in mathematics and science courses.
The University of Massachusetts Research Intensives program provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in biology-focused laboratory work under the guidance of university researchers. Participants are matched with active research labs in fields such as biochemistry, biology, or psychology, where they gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and executing lab protocols. This program emphasizes foundational lab skills applicable to biomedical fields. Students also participate in college and career readiness workshops, which help them translate their research experience into future academic goals.
14. Boston Leadership Institute’s Neurosurgery Research Program
Location: The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost: Tuition: $2,500 | Residential Fee: $2,097
Program Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Neurosurgery Research Program offers a three-week immersion into neurological structure and function, with a focus on clinical and research applications. Through lectures and brain dissections, you will examine how neurological disorders and injuries impact behavior and perception. The curriculum includes case-based analysis and exposure to neuroimaging methods such as EEG, fMRI, and PET/SPECT, introducing participants to tools commonly used in neurosurgical and cognitive research. This program emphasizes the integration of anatomy, diagnostics, and imaging technologies to enhance understanding of the brain.
15. Stanford University Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience – Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged between 14 to 18 years.
The Stanford Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience is a 10-day virtual program for high school students interested in neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Hosted by Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the program includes interactive seminars led by faculty on topics like neuroimaging, neuropsychiatric disorders, and mental health research. Students also work in small groups to create a capstone project addressing real-world issues in neuroscience, which they present at the end of the program.
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