Participating in medical research programs introduces you to advanced laboratory techniques and scientific research methodologies. It encourages you to develop critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills—important tools for any aspiring medical professional or researcher. Working alongside experienced scientists and mentors, you'll gain insight into the research process, innovative technologies, and real-world challenges facing modern medicine.
Below is a curated list of 16 medical research opportunities for high school students in 2024-2024. These programs are tailored to provide high school students with hands-on, in-depth research experiences beyond the classroom, allowing you to work directly with professionals in fields such as gene editing, epidemiology, cancer research, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering:
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) allows high school students to engage in advanced research across multiple disciplines, including a specialized track in Gene Editing and CRISPR Technology. This virtual, trimester-long program pairs you with professors or Ph.D. scholars from top universities who mentor you through the research process. You delve into the intricacies of gene editing, exploring applications, ethical considerations, and technological advancements, culminating in a 20-page, university-level research paper with potential for publication in prestigious journals.
The program also provides a recommendation letter and detailed project feedback, supporting you in future research and college applications. HARP offers quantitative and qualitative research options, catering to students with varied academic interests. This track is ideal for students interested in biomedical research and emerging gene-editing technologies.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher; 10th and 11th graders are typical applicants. Some tracks may have specific prerequisites.
Program Dates:
- Spring Seminar 2024: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer Seminar 2024: June 16, 2025 onwards
- Flexible lab dates; applications must be submitted at least four weeks in advance
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort; April 20, 2025, for the fall cohort
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students an opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of Ph.D. scholars from top universities. Within the Medicine track, you can explore neuroscience, biology, and public health, gaining insight into medical research methodologies. Over 12 weeks, you work one-on-one with your mentors to develop a research paper, enhancing your analytical skills and preparing you for college-level research.
This flexible program accommodates various schedules. Cohorts are offered year-round and duration options range from a focused 12-week program to an extended research commitment of up to one year. You gain mentorship and access to structured resources and feedback sessions that support your progress at every stage.
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated high level of academic achievement (unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0); no prior experience in the research field is required
Program Dates: Summer cohort (June–August), Fall cohort (September–December), Winter cohort (December–February), Spring cohort (March–June)
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Location: Remote — accessible worldwide
Cost: $2600 onwards, Full financial aid available
Application Deadlines: Vary by cohort; main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Cost: $1790
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program
or have prior Python experience.
Duration: 10 sessions, 2.5 hours per session
Dates: Jun 9 - Aug 11 (Sundays, 11 AM - 1:30 PM EST)
The SIMR program provides an eight-week experience where high school students engage in hands-on biomedical research under the guidance of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and experienced researchers. The program focuses on areas such as immunology, bioengineering, and cancer biology, and encourages you to participate actively in research projects, develop laboratory skills, and analyze data.
Throughout the summer, you will attend seminars to deepen your understanding of scientific methods, discuss ethical issues in biomedical research, and gain exposure to various biomedical fields. The program culminates with a poster session where you present your research findings to Stanford's scientific community, fostering critical thinking and communication skills. SIMR is particularly designed to promote diversity in STEM, encouraging applications from underrepresented backgrounds.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Application Deadline: February 22, 2025
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Subject Areas: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, and Genomics
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors and seniors attending school in the U.S.
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend
The BSSP provides a six-week medical research internship, immersing high school students in studying diseases like cancer and infectious diseases. Working with Broad Institute scientists, you contribute to pioneering research to understand disease mechanisms and potential treatments. You also develop laboratory skills, learn data analysis, and gain exposure to computational tools used in medical research.
Furthermore, you also participate in weekly seminars introducing you to topics such as bioethics, the role of computational biology in medicine, and advancements in disease research. This program fosters a collaborative environment where you learn to think critically about biomedical science. The program culminates in a poster presentation, allowing you to present your medical research findings to the Broad community, strengthening your research and communication skills.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline: January 22, 2025
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Subject Areas: Cancer Biology, Infectious Disease, Psychiatric Disease, Computational Biology related to Medical Research
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending schools in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the Broad Institute
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend of $3,600
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program offers a ten-week research experience in genetics and genomics. You will conduct independent research under the mentorship of an experienced scientist and gain practical skills in laboratory techniques and data analysis.
The program emphasizes a full immersion in laboratory work, scientific ethics, and professional growth, supplemented by seminars on scientific communication. The experience culminates in a symposium where you present your research to the scientific community, enhancing your communication and analytical skills.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8, 2025
Subject Areas: Mammalian Genetics, Genomics, Biomedical Research
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years old; high school students who have completed Grade 12 and full-time undergraduate students with at least one semester remaining before graduation
Cost: Free; participants receive a $6,500 stipend, including room, board, and travel costs
The SPARK (Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge) Research Mentorship Program offers high school students an opportunity to engage in hands-on biomedical research within Mayo Clinic's laboratories. You are matched with experienced research mentors who are aligned with your interests, allowing you to contribute to ongoing research projects. The program requires at least 25 hours per week during the summer, with additional time during the school year to complete projects.
You will gain experience in basic science, the research process, critical thinking, and professional conduct. The program includes participation in local, regional, state, and international science fairs, where many SPARK scholars have achieved recognition and awards. It begins with a mandatory orientation and training in early June, followed by immersive research experiences, and weekly Lunch and Learn sessions. It culminates in an end-of-summer oral presentation and an end-of-year awards ceremony and poster session.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2024
Subject Areas: Biomedical Sciences, including Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, and Regenerative Medicine
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in Duval or St. Johns counties in Florida with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
Cost: Free
This summer program is designed for high school students interested in experimental foundations of biology, with a particular focus on disease relevance. The Biomedical Research Academy combines daily lectures, faculty research talks, laboratory experiments, and small group investigations into current research topics. You will gain insight into the core of biomedical research, including the instrumentation, sophisticated laboratory facilities, and the technologies researchers use.
The program is fully residential, fostering a collaborative learning environment. You engage in molecular biology experiments using techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction analysis, bacterial transformation, and ELISA. These hands-on experiences are complemented by journal club discussions, where you learn to read, interpret, analyze, and critique primary research under the guidance of Penn researchers or faculty members.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 1, 2024, the deadline is usually in February
Program Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
Subject Areas: Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetic Biology, Disease Mechanisms
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students; one year of high school biology required; one year of high school chemistry strongly advised
Cost: $9,700; financial aid available for select Philadelphia students
This seven-week program will allow you to work on independent research projects under the mentorship of Roswell Park experts. You gain practical experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis, complemented by classroom instruction on cancer fundamentals and seminars featuring guest speakers. The program emphasizes professional development, offering insights into various cancer science areas.
It culminates in a research conference where you present your findings, mirroring the experiences of graduate students and post-doctoral scholars.
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Program Dates: June 26 - August 8, 2025
Subject Areas: Cancer Science, including Biostatistics, Cancer Biophysics, Cellular/Molecular Biology, Cancer Genetics, Cancer Prevention/Epidemiology, Health Behavior/Cancer Health Disparities, Molecular Pharmacology and Cancer Therapeutics, Tobacco Regulatory Science, Tumor Immunology
Eligibility: High school juniors (graduating class of 2025) residing in Western New York, aged 15 or older by the program's start date
Cost: Free; limited funding available for subsistence allowances
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week, full-time, paid internship designed for high school seniors from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical sciences. The program begins with two weeks of intensive training in laboratory safety and research techniques in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. For the remaining six weeks, you are paired with a mentor and participate in ongoing research projects within a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. This experience allows you to engage in hands-on lab work, develop critical scientific skills, and gain insights into biomedical research.
In addition to lab work, you will also attend research seminars, career development workshops, and social events with fellow peers and Fred Hutch staff. The program culminates in a formal presentation to the Fred Hutch community, where you showcase your research findings and reflect on your learning experiences.
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year from backgrounds underrepresented in science; must be available for the full eight weeks in Seattle
Program Dates: TBD. Programs typically run from June to August
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free; Interns receive a stipend at the end of the internship
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
The Future Scientist Program at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is an eight-week summer research internship for high school juniors. The program places you in university research labs, where you work directly with mentors on ongoing cancer research projects. This experience is designed to engage in scientific research and provide hands-on exposure to cancer biology and lab techniques.
In addition to lab work, you will attend seminars and workshops covering essential cancer biology topics, research methodologies, and professional development. The program culminates in a formal presentation where you showcase your research findings to peers and mentors, honing your skills in scientific communication.
Eligibility: High school juniors from Indianapolis and Marion County public schools with a minimum of 3.0 grade point average
Program Dates: June 2 - July 25, 2025
Location: Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free; Paid internship
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program offers high school juniors, and seniors an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on rheumatology and immunology. Over eight weeks, you will work approximately 40 hours per week under the mentorship of principal investigators at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and affiliated institutions. You can focus on basic laboratory research, clinical epidemiology, or bioinformatics, gaining hands-on experience studying arthritis and related autoimmune diseases.
The program culminates in a poster session at UCSF, where you present your research findings, and a brief paper summarizing your experience. This internship aims to inspire students to pursue careers in medicine and science, with a proven track record of alumni advancing to successful roles in these fields.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be at least 17 years old by the program start date
Program Dates: June 2 - August 29, 2025
Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and affiliated institutions
Cost: Free; $2,500 stipend
Application Deadline: March 10, 2025
The High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides high school seniors from the Memphis area with an eight-week, full-time, paid internship in various research fields, including laboratory science, psychology, epidemiology, clinical studies, and data science. You are paired with an experienced mentor to work on research projects, gaining hands-on experience and insight into various scientific careers.
The program also offers workshops to help you reflect on the scientific process and develop college application skills, such as writing personal statements. The experience culminates in a community exhibition where you and your peers present your research findings through scientific posters, enhancing your communication and analytical skills in a professional setting.
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Memphis-Shelby County area and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas; must be 16 years or older with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Program Dates: June 2- July 25, 2025
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Cost: Free; $4,800 stipend
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
This program offers a deep dive into biomedical research for high school students. It focuses on diseases that impact millions globally, such as diabetes, digestive disorders, and kidney disease. Over the eight-week program, you gain experience in laboratory research alongside NIH scientists, developing key skills in scientific techniques, data collection, and analysis.
The program’s curriculum includes seminars on research methodologies, bioethics, and specialized topics relevant to NIDDK’s mission, such as emerging treatments for chronic diseases. Weekly sessions and discussions with leading researchers provide insight into careers in science and medicine, allowing you to network and receive guidance on academic and career planning.
Location: National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus, Bethesda, MD
Application Deadline: Applications usually close around February
Program Dates: Programs typically run from June to August
Subject Areas: Diabetes, Digestive Diseases, Kidney Diseases, Endocrinology, Molecular Biology
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older by June 15, 2024; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost: Paid internship; participants receive a stipend based on their education level and experience
The Summer Scholars Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is a six-week cancer research internship, designed for high school seniors. You work directly with Winship physicians or lab-based researchers, gaining experience in the laboratory and clinical research. The program includes field trips to prominent institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Georgia Institute of Technology, and lectures from oncology experts, offering a broad view of cancer research and treatment.
The internship concludes with a symposium where you present your research findings to peers and faculty, developing essential skills in scientific communication. The program emphasizes collaboration, scientific inquiry, and critical thinking skills.
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are 17 years old by June 10, 2024
Program Dates: June 9 - July 18, 2025
Location: Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free, $2,400 stipend
Application Deadline: Please visit the website for more detailed information.
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences at MD Anderson Cancer Center offers Texas high school seniors a 10-week experience in biomedical research. Designed for students interested in science and healthcare, this program places you in MD Anderson’s laboratories, where you work full-time alongside experienced faculty mentors. You get an opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, learning laboratory techniques, data analysis, and research methodologies useful for a future in biomedical sciences.
In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars that cover diverse research topics, enhancing your understanding of various scientific fields. Exclusive program activities, like abstract writing, poster presentations, and elevator speech competitions, allow you to develop your scientific communication skills. The experience culminates in a final presentation, where you present your research findings to faculty, peers, and family members, showcasing your growth and achievements.
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors aged 18 or older by the program start date, with an interest in allied health careers
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8, 2025
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Cost: Free, $6800 stipend provided to participants
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.