For high school students interested in healthcare or medical research, summer programs and internships provide an accessible opportunity to delve deeper into the field and build a strong skillset. These programs, typically organized by prominent universities, hospitals, and research institutions, merge practical learning with guidance from experts in medicine and biomedical science.
Participants can engage in clinical simulations, research projects, or public health initiatives, developing skills in data analysis, experimental design, and scientific communication. These programs also help strengthen students’ college applications by demonstrating initiative, focus, and interest in the medical field.
In this list, we’ve compiled the 25 best medical summer programs + internships for high school students, selected for their rigor, mentorship, and reputation.
25 Best Medical Summer Programs + Internships for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Online
Cost & Stipend: $5,950; financial aid available
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadlines: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with GPA >3.67/4.0, typically 10th/11th graders
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
For those interested in medicine, Horizon offers a Medical Sociology track that allows you to explore the development of psychotherapy, therapist-patient dynamics, and societal influences on mental health care. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,990; financial aid is available for eligible students
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. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with GPA >3.3/4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
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! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. UChicago Medicine ResearcHStart
Location: Illinois State (various campuses in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign)
Cost & Stipend: Free; Stipend of $3,000
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, age 16+, resident of Illinois or Lake County, Indiana, with a demonstrated interest in science and biomedicine
ResearcHStart aims to immerse you in cancer research at top universities, providing ongoing mentorship from a network of faculty, researchers, program leaders, and peers. You’ll work full-time in a laboratory, mastering techniques like PCR and cell culture, and contribute to ongoing projects.
These opportunities offer hands-on experience with cancer and its impact on the local population. The program includes seminars and workshops designed to deepen understanding of cancer biology and research methodologies, as well as targeted career development and skill-building workshops.
4. Duke University’s STAR Program
Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
Cost & Stipend: Free; Stipend of $2,600; Extra costs for housing and transportation
Program Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (preference for rising seniors)
The STAR Program offers hands-on experience in research methodology and scientific writing. Under the guidance of Duke faculty mentors, you will work in teams on hypothesis-driven projects related to the uses and effects of a particular medication, using statistical software like SAS to analyze data.
You will attend lectures on applied statistics, pharmacoepidemiology, neonatology, and antimicrobial therapy. The goal is for you to qualify for co-authorship on a peer-reviewed manuscript, enhancing your academic credentials and your knowledge of scientific publishing.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost & Stipend: $40 application fee (waivable); Stipend of at least $500
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (graduating 2025 or 2026), age 16+, U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) enables students to conduct biomedical research alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers in fields such as immunology and neurobiology. Over 8 weeks, you’ll be assigned to a Stanford lab where you can hone your lab techniques and present your findings at a poster session. With guidance from faculty, you will engage in laboratory experiments, analyze data, and work on collaborative research projects.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre’s Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost & Stipend: Free; Stipend of $1,200
Program Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, age 14+, within 25 miles of MSKCC, 3.5 GPA in science
The HOPP Summer Student Program provides hands-on experience in translational cancer research. You will conduct independent research under a principal investigator’s mentorship. You will learn techniques such as flow cytometry and showcase your results at a poster session.
The program includes training sessions and clinical tours, enriching your understanding of biomedical research. This experience prepares you for advanced studies in oncology.
7. Health Care Careers Exploration Program at RIT
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Cost & Stipend: $850 (covers room, board, and all activities); Financial aid available; $1,000 scholarship and an application fee waiver for future enrolment at RIT/NTID
Program Dates: July 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students, grades 10-12, with excellent academic records
This one-week residential program at Rochester Institute of Technology is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 10–12 who are considering careers in healthcare. Participants engage in hands-on simulations and clinical workshops, learning skills such as patient assessment, CPR, and the use of electronic medical record systems.
The program emphasizes experiential learning, enabling students to practice in simulated medical settings and explore roles that range from nursing to medical technology. You’ll also interact with healthcare professionals and learn about the educational pathways for various medical careers.
8. Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC at Columbia
Location: Columbia University Labs, New York City, NY
Cost & Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: October 29
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from select partner programs and schools, residing in NYC (preference given to Upper Manhattan and South Bronx residents)
BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships In New York At Columbia) is a prestigious, six-week neuroscience research program that allows NYC high school students to conduct research under Columbia University mentors. Participants gain hands-on experience with brain imaging, behavioral testing, and data analysis tools, such as MATLAB, contributing to ongoing research projects. You’ll learn how to formulate hypotheses, analyze experimental results, and communicate your findings in a final poster presentation to the scientific community.
9. Pharmacy Summer Research Program at Chapman University
Location: Orange, CA | Irvine, CA | Online
Cost & Stipend: $1,503; No stipend; Extra costs for housing and transportation
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students with a 3.0+ GPA
In this program, you can explore pharmaceutical sciences by completing a lab-based research project at Chapman University under the guidance of a faculty advisor. You’ll develop skills in drug formulation and use analytical tools like HPLC, gain familiarity with the latest policies and practices in pharmacy, and practice evidence-based medicine.
This program offers practical experience in pharmacological research and presenting findings in a professional setting, preparing you for advanced studies. You’ll understand the role of pharmacists in healthcare innovation and learn to critically evaluate scientific literature.
10. Johns Hopkins in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; or Online
Cost & Stipend: Free; Hourly stipend ($15/hour) + transportation costs for in-person experience
Program Dates: 5 – 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Baltimore City (in-person) or from across North America (virtual); preference given to underrepresented and disadvantaged communities
JHIBS provides hands-on behavioral science (psychiatry or psychology) or brain health-related science (neurology, neurosurgery, or neuroscience) research. For instance, you may choose to focus on neural modeling and data analysis using tools like Python. You’ll work with faculty on projects exploring brain disorders and present your findings in a final oral or poster presentation.
This program immerses you in cutting-edge neuroscience research, enhancing your scientific skills. Educational and professional development sessions also prepare you for higher education and potential career paths.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: $850; $40 application fee (waivable); Up to 100% financial aid available
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 21 (scholarship deadline); February 28 (application deadline)
Eligibility: High school students, age 14+, with math or programming skills, US citizens/permanent residents
During the Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship, you will explore AI applications in medical research and imaging, working on group projects using tools like TensorFlow. By engaging in lectures, hands-on technical workshops, and group collaborations, you will explore the utilization of AI tools in analyzing medical data, aiding diagnoses, and improving healthcare system design.
The curriculum features discussions led by researchers and industry experts, along with sessions on data privacy, algorithmic bias, and healthcare equity. It is highly advisable to have prior experience in programming and mathematics since the program heavily relies on these skills.
12. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; Extra costs for housing, meals, and transportation (financial help for transportation available upon request)
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students, age 16+, from the U.S.
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship Program offers a seven-week immersive research experience for high school students. You will engage in biomedical research under the guidance of Stanford mentors, learning about technologies such as CRISPR and bioinformatics tools. Hosted by Stanford’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, interns work alongside experienced clinician-scientists, mastering basic laboratory techniques and participating in cutting-edge research projects.
13. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation: Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI)
Location: Online
Cost: $4,170 (including application, tuition, and lab kit); financial aid available
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1 (summer session); August 25 – December 5 (fall sessions)
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility:
- Current high school students who are at least 15 years old by the program start
- Completion of Algebra II and a course covering trigonometric functions
- Completion of at least one year of high school-level chemistry or physics, including a lab component
The Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI) program at Johns Hopkins University is a six-week online course designed for high school students interested in learning about biomedical engineering. This program explores areas such as biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging, providing students with opportunities to participate in virtual labs and hands-on projects that reflect real-world biomedical engineering challenges. Through this experience, participants can cultivate essential critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, equipping them for further education in engineering and healthcare disciplines.
14. MITES Summer at MIT
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost & Stipend: Free (extra costs for transportation)
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors with a strong academic record who are U.S. citizens
MITES Summer is a residential experience that provides the opportunity to explore STEM fields, including genomics, through advanced courses at MIT. Students take five rigorous courses in math, science, and humanities, participate in lab tours, and receive college admissions counseling.
You’ll engage in hands-on projects and seminars with STEM professionals, as well as tour MIT labs and local companies employing MITES alumni. This program offers a college-like experience, preparing you for advanced studies. You’ll develop skills in scientific inquiry and problem-solving.
15. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost & Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with exceptional academic performance
The Research Science Institute (RSI), hosted by MIT and organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, is a prestigious six-week summer program for rising high school seniors. RSI combines on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus research, allowing students to conduct original research under the guidance of experienced mentors.
With guidance from leading professors and mentors, you will undergo the complete research process from start to finish and showcase your findings at a symposium. This highly selective program immerses you in advanced research, enhancing your scientific skills.
16. Penn Medicine Summer Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,875; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have completed high school biology
The Penn Medicine Summer Program is a four-week, residential experience at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. You’ll engage in hands-on medical simulations, attend lectures by top doctors, and have the opportunity to observe live surgeries.
The program also includes discussions on medical ethics and patient care, providing a comprehensive overview of the medical field. This program provides a glimpse into medical school life, preparing you for higher education and a career in healthcare.
17. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA
Cost & Stipend: Free; $3,000–$4,300 stipend
Program Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with at least one completed year in math and biology, age 16+, and from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences
In this legacy Summer Student Research Program, you will conduct biomedical research in UCSF labs and local clinics. You’ll be matched with scientist mentors and conduct research projects focusing on areas such as genetics and molecular biology.
You will engage in seminars, workshops, and a journal club focused on reading and discussing scientific literature, culminating in a presentation of research findings at a symposium on the final day of the program. This opportunity provides one-on-one mentorship, enhancing your research skills.
18. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (PLLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free (extra costs for housing and transportation)
Program Dates: 5–6 weeks during the summer (exact dates vary depending on the research program you are placed in)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students, age 16-17, who are US citizens/permanent residents
The Princeton Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, free research experience that allows participants to join ongoing research programs at Princeton. You will collaborate with faculty and research personnel while gaining opportunities to operate advanced lab equipment and enhance your skills in experimental design and data analysis. The program offers an in-depth research experience, preparing you for higher education in STEM fields and careers in bioengineering, the life sciences, and medicine.
19. University of Washington INSIGHT High School Program
Location: Online
Cost: $2,200
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 or recently graduated
The INSIGHT High School Program at the University of Washington is a four-week virtual program that introduces students to public health, biomedical research, and medicine. You’ll analyze data and learn about injury and violence prevention strategies. This program emphasizes social justice in healthcare, deepening your understanding of health disparities.
20. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost & Stipend: Free; No stipend (volunteer program)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, 3.0+ GPA, age 16+, residents of Southern California
The Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) at UC San Diego’s Supercomputer Center is an eight-week volunteer program. You will engage in ongoing research projects while learning computational techniques, formulating and testing hypotheses, conducting computational experiments, and drawing conclusions.
This program offers practical experience and requires attendance at regular lab meetings and group discussions, which improve your research and communication abilities. Finally, you will present your findings in a poster session.
21. UC Berkeley Summer Discovery Program: Psychiatry & Neuroscience and Emergency Medicine
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost & Stipend: $3,999 – $10,499; No stipend
Program Dates: June 29 – July 11 (Psychiatry & Neuroscience); July 13 – July 25 (Emergency Medicine)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
UC Berkeley’s Summer Discovery Program offers two specialized tracks for high school students: Psychiatry & Neuroscience and Emergency Medicine. In the Psychiatry & Neuroscience track, students analyze mental health conditions through case studies and neuroimaging tools.
The Emergency Medicine track offers hands-on training in suturing, dissection, and trauma response techniques. Both programs include interactive role-plays, expert-led panels, and the use of clinical diagnostic platforms, preparing students for careers in healthcare.
22. UIUC Young Scholars Summer SpHERES Research Program
Location: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost & Stipend: Free; $2,400 Fellowship payment (stipend) on program completion; Extra costs for housing and transportation
Program Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school students, grades 10-12, from IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, IA, WI
SpHERES Scholars partner with a UIUC research faculty member and mentors to work on a research project that merges medicine, engineering, and science. You’ll attend weekly seminars covering a range of topics like research projects, college preparedness, innovation, entrepreneurship, holistic and inclusive care, and clinical skill development.
You’ll also learn to use advanced tools and present your research project findings at a symposium. This program offers authentic research experience and the opportunity to build a network with mentors and peers in STEMM fields.
23. USC Summer Programs in Health & Healing
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $7,812 (commuter); $11,347 (residential); $11,949 (international students, residential); $65 application fee
Program Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 14 (international students); May 2 (domestic students)
Eligibility: High school students
USC’s “Health and Healing: Explorations in the History of Medicine” is a four-week, interdisciplinary program for high school students interested in the evolution of medical practices. You’ll explore the societal impact of diseases and the development of medical technologies through lectures, discussions, and field trips to LA’s medical history sites.
This interdisciplinary program integrates history, science, and ethics, promoting critical thinking and research abilities. You will carry out a research project and present your results, developing a profound understanding of the history of medicine and its future implications.
24. Camp CHLA at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free (extra costs for transportation)
Program Dates: June 16 – June 20 (Session 1); July 28 – August 1 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9-11, from Los Angeles County
Camp CHLA is a free, five-day program where you can explore healthcare careers through hands-on activities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. You’ll learn from select medical professionals and engage in simulations, such as “day-in-the-life” explorations. The program offers real-world healthcare exposure in a hospital setting and teaches skills in health promotion and disease and injury prevention, preparing you for the future in the medical field.
25. MYHealth Summer Launch at the University of Michigan
Location: Online
Cost & Stipend: Free | $10/hour stipend; $20/survey completed; $25 if post-program interview is completed
Program Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Current or graduated high school students, age 14+, residing in SE Michigan
The MYHealth Summer Launch explores health research through team-based projects at the University of Michigan. This is a year-long online research program that begins in the summer. You’ll learn statistical analysis and study public health and health research topics, eventually choosing a research project topic.
This program fosters collaborative research skills, preparing you for health-related higher education and careers. You’ll also gain insights into addressing a wide range of subjects, such as health disparities through research. Stipends are provided, and laptops are available for the program duration.
Image source – University of Michigan
