If you’re interested in making a career in healthcare, medical winter research programs for high school students can be a great starting point.
Medical winter research programs for high school students are short-term, intensive experiences designed to help you develop advanced skills like critical thinking, lab techniques, literature review, or data analysis while giving you a closer look at the world of medicine. You will have hands-on experience with advanced laboratory equipment and techniques rarely accessible in high school such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, cell culturing, microscopy, and bioinformatic tools for data analysis.
Medical winter research programs for high school students are also typically more accessible than summer ones. They’re shorter, often held online or locally, and don’t require you to give up your entire break. If you’re not sure whether research is right for you—or want to strengthen your application for more selective summer opportunities—winter is the perfect time to test the waters.
Here are 15 medical winter research programs for high school students.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! The program is designed to help students dive deep into academic fields while gaining valuable mentorship and research skills. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: February 23 for the Spring cohort. The summer cohort regular admission deadlines are April 27 and May 25. The Summer II program’s deadline is June 22 and Winter program in November
Dates: March 16 — May 18 (Spring cohort)
Eligibility: Grades 8-12 with a background in coding or who have either completed the AI Scholars program or have a coding background
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Track, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students that deep dive into the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medicine. You will learn complex topics such as the Fundamentals of Clinical Evolution, Image Segmentation and Regularization and Transfer Learning and gain an insight into the application of AI in hospital admissions, genomics, neuroscience, drug discovery, and more. You will interact with AI experts, and be part of lectures and a hands-on project where you will use AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to help doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form!
3. Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute’s Research Opportunities
Location: Cleveland, OH
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Flexible, based on your availability and lab needs
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old
The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute offers flexible, self-initiated research opportunities for high school students interested in biomedical research. It focuses on traditional research connecting lab discoveries to patient care for topics such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, brain and eye diseases, and inflammatory/immune system disorders. You’ll learn lab techniques through hands-on work in one of the Institute’s many active laboratories, engage in data analysis, attend seminars on scientific careers, and present your findings at a research symposium. You will be mentored by faculty members, and graduate students and learn critical skills in scientific methodology, laboratory techniques, critical thinking, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
4. Burke Neurological Institute’s Introduction to Neuroscience Course
Location: Online (live webinar format)
Cost | Stipend: $500 (Full scholarships available) | None
Application Deadline: Typically end of January
Dates: February 4 – March 27
Eligibility: High school students who have completed NYS Regents Living Environment or an equivalent biology course
This online course offers a deep dive into the foundations of neuroscience, covering key topics like neuron structure, neural signaling, and brain-behavior relationships. Through live lectures, guided discussions, and hands-on virtual labs, you’ll explore the workings of the neural structure, sensory processing, movement, memory, and learning related to the mammalian nervous system. It also covers understanding of events following a stroke, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and ways in which the nervous system can be repaired. The course includes interactive experiments and opportunities to work collaboratively on projects. You’ll also get insight into emerging research in the field and gain a clearer understanding of what it means to pursue neuroscience at the college level and beyond.
5. Penn State Research Internships and Observation
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Some internships may offer a stipend
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline
Dates: Flexible, year-round and depending on the research mentor
Eligibility: U.S. high school students sponsored/supervised by a Penn State College of Medicine faculty member
Penn State College of Medicine provides high school students with flexible, faculty-supervised opportunities to explore biomedical research. You can choose between short-term shadowing experiences (1–2 days) and longer internships lasting several weeks or months. These experiences are observational—you’ll follow a research mentor in their lab to better understand how biomedical research is conducted, from setting up experiments to analyzing data. Before applying, you’re expected to identify and reach out to a faculty member willing to supervise you. To do this, explore the Penn State Research Database to match your interests with current faculty projects.
6. Jackson Lab Academic Year Fellowships
Location: Bar Harbor, ME or Farmington, CT
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with most academic year research projects beginning in the fall and running through late spring
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (age 16+) enrolled at a school within commuting distance of a Jackson Laboratory campus
Jackson Laboratory’s Academic Year Fellowships offer in-person, hybrid, or remote research programs for high school students. You’ll join an active research team and receive training in lab techniques relevant to biomedical research. You will undergo all aspects of research—experimental design, data analysis, and regular meetings with lab members to share results. Alongside technical skills, you’ll build core research competencies such as time management, scientific writing, and collaborative problem-solving. With guidance from mentors—faculty members, postdocs, or graduate students, you’ll design and carry out a research project that contributes to the lab’s ongoing work.
7. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost | Stipend: Ranges between $2,000–$3,000 depending on the course (Financial aid available) | Provided (unspecified amount)
Application Deadline: Rolling until all spots are filled
Dates: Year-round programs. Winter programs typically run from January to March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 | Age 15+ | Minimum 3.0 GPA
UC San Diego’s Research Scholars program allows you to explore research in specialized tracks such as bioengineering, life sciences, marine science, business, design, and medicine. In each track, you’ll dive into advanced subject matter while developing practical research skills such as literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The Life Sciences program introduces you to molecular biology, experimental design, and data analysis through fieldwork and lab-based projects. You’ll work on original investigations—from forming hypotheses to processing real-world samples—and wrap up your experience by presenting your findings in a poster session attended by researchers and professionals from the San Diego science community.
8. Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Immersion Science Program
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center, PA
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Typically opens in October and closes in early November
Program Dates: Runs 11 weeks from early January to mid-March
Eligibility: High school students from the Philadelphia Tri-State area, age 16+, who have completed biology and chemistry
The Immersion Science Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center offers you hands-on exposure to biomedical research with a focus on cancer signals targeted by nutrients. In this program, you’ll attend weekly sessions combining lectures, lab techniques, and an independent research project. You’ll work closely with scientists, learning how to map nutrient targets and analyze experimental results. The experience culminates in a final presentation, where you’ll share your work with peers and researchers. With just 16 students selected per cohort, the program is selective and includes a detailed application process with two recommendations and an interview. The weekly sessions are of three hours each.
9. UMBC Pre-College Program (Winter Session)
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), MD
Cost | Stipend: Varies as per course | None
Application Deadline: December 16
Program Dates: January 2-24
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors eligible for concurrent enrollment. More details here
In UMBC’s Pre-College Program, you can enroll in college-level courses during the winter term to earn academic credit before graduating high school. You can choose from in-person, online, or hybrid programs in biology, media studies, languages, economics, and more. UMBC offers flexibility with both synchronous and asynchronous online classes that are fast-paced and condensed into three weeks, giving you a taste of college-level expectations and workload. Some courses include research components, helping you build analytical and academic skills early on along with critical thinking and time management. Most credits are transferable to other universities and count toward UMBC degree programs.
10. Molecular Medicine in Action (MMIA) at Indiana University School of Medicine
Location: Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana (in-person, with select hybrid/remote options)
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Opens each fall
Program Dates: March 1-2
Eligibility: Indiana high school students between grades 10-12
During this two-day experience, you’ll attend faculty-led seminars about cutting-edge medical fields such as molecular biology, cytogenetics, and cancer therapy. You will learn complex topics such as gene expression, imaging technology, and modulation of cancer cell growth via hands-on laboratory sessions with IU researchers—gaining practical exposure to real biomedical techniques. As a participant, you’ll travel to Indiana University’s Herman B Wellness Center for Pediatric Research and practice pipetting, biomolecular techniques, and experimental design, while building connections with peers and mentors. This selective event is designed to spark interest in biomedical research, sharpen lab skills, and introduce you to pathways toward careers as scientists and clinicians.
11. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Cost | Stipend: NA | Students will receive a stipend based on the opportunity
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Offered year-round; winter internships are available
Eligibility: Eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer | Enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution | Students under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit with their application
APA internships offer high school and college students a close-up look at the intersection of psychology and real-world issues. Available across multiple departments ranging from public policy and education to research and communications, you’ll take on projects aligned with your interests while learning how psychological science informs decision-making guided by professional mentors. During the winter session, you may assist with literature reviews, outreach efforts, administrative work, or web-based tasks, depending on your placement. You will also participate in workshops, discussions, and group projects that enhance your overall learning experience and develop skills such as communication, research analysis, and organizational behavior.
12. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Science – Winter Workshops
Location: Online | In-person, Alameda, CA
Cost | Stipend: Costs for the winter workshop will be out in late summer; summer workshops cost between $510 to $3,680 | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Dates for the winter workshop will be out in late summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 11–18
The Rosetta Institute’s winter sessions offer a compact, research-style experience focused on molecular medicine. In one intensive week, you’ll explore advanced topics such as cancer biology, medical bioinformatics, immunology, or neurobiology through university-level lectures and guided projects. The online format blends live instruction with interactive labs and small-group discussions, making complex material accessible without sacrificing depth. You’ll learn to interpret scientific literature, design experiments, and analyze real genomic data—skills directly applicable to future lab work. This winter program helps develop strong academic skills and a valuable college portfolio and helps you explore diverse potential career options while experiencing college dorm life.
13. OHSU School of Medicine’s Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Online
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: December 8
Program Dates: January 22 – May 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | Should be at least 16 years old
This 16-week course introduces the scientific process to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors based out of the Oregon and the Portland metro areas. A mentor will guide you throughout the program, be part of existing Oregon Health & Science University’s research projects, attend weekly sessions, and learn research methods firsthand. You will also present a published research article in a journal club format and develop research proposals. The program is also designed for underrepresented and underserved students belonging to a low socioeconomic status and having parents without graduate-level education. You may be offered a summer internship in a research or clinical setting upon completion of the program.
14. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Various sites
Cost | Stipend: Free | Provided (varies by site)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Site-specific requirements apply
This program offers high school students hands-on medical research opportunities in the U.S. Army labs and partner universities. The program covers diverse topics like neuroscience, biomedical engineering, chemical defense, and public health. You will engage in activities such as lab experiments, data analysis, prototyping medical devices, and fieldwork (entomology studies for military health). You will receive one-on-one mentorship from Army scientists, engineers, and university researchers, gaining insight into cutting-edge research and career pathways. Along with networking with professionals, you will develop critical skills such as scientific writing, problem-solving, and lab techniques. The opportunity to contribute to The Army will also make your college applications stand out.
15. University of Rochester’s Online Medical Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $1,495 (Need-based scholarships available) | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and above | Gap year students are also eligible
The University of Rochester’s Online Medical Programs allow high school students to explore various medical and healthcare fields. These self-paced, asynchronous, courses cover medical research topics through its Public Health Sciences department and advanced certificate programs like Clinical Research Methods. You will engage in data management and analysis using tools such as SAS and R, survey development, and applying epidemiological concepts to case studies. You will be mentored by faculty experts on assignments, capstone projects, scientific writing, and grant applications. The program emphasizes the ‘Biopsychosocial Model’ in its medical education. You will gain critical thinking, community engagement, communication, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
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 – University of Rochester