If you’re considering a future in the life sciences, spending time in a research-focused biochemistry program can help you explore the field in a more meaningful way. These programs often provide access to laboratories, research projects, and mentorship from scientists.
These programs also carry significant weight in college applications. Being selected for a rigorous biochemistry program signals genuine scientific ability and intellectual curiosity in ways that classroom coursework alone rarely conveys to admissions committees at competitive universities.
What do high school biochemistry programs include?
Depending on the program, your experience might involve laboratory work, molecular analysis, experimental design, data collection, or research projects in areas such as genetics, cell biology, pharmacology, or protein science. You work with techniques and methodologies that practicing scientists use, developing skills in laboratory procedures, data interpretation, and scientific communication that college coursework in biochemistry and related life science fields will build directly on.
A completed biochemistry program also demonstrates scientific engagement, independent thinking, and a level of practical laboratory experience that stands out clearly to admissions committees. Many students also leave these programs with stronger letters of recommendation, clearer academic interests, and a much more honest picture of what a career in biochemistry or the life sciences actually involves.
Here are 15 biochemistry programs for high school students worth considering! If you are looking for a chemistry-focused experience, check out our blog on chemistry programs here.
Key Takeaways
- Biochemistry programs for high schoolers range from intensive two-week lab workshops to eight-week university research placements, with experiences spanning molecular biology, genetics, protein science, cancer biology, and computational biology
- Several programs are fully funded or provide stipends, including RSI (free), UMass Chan (paid above minimum wage), Clark Scholars ($750 stipend), and LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience (free)
- Programs like SSP Biochemistry, LLNL, and Johns Hopkins Pre-College offer concrete, credential-worthy outputs including GenBank-published DNA sequences, peer-reviewed research contributions, and transferable college credit
- Selectivity ranges from highly competitive placements admitting 12 to 50 students annually (RSI, Clark Scholars, SIMR) to more accessible options like ASSIP, Elio Academy, and M2M Camp that offer structured entry points for students earlier in their science journey
15 Biochemistry Programs for High School Students
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5% acceptance rate; cohort of 100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors from around the world who are at least 16 years old by July 1 of the program year; U.S. citizens/permanent residents and international students from participating countries can apply.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective summer research program hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and organized by the Center for Excellence in Education for high school students interested in advanced STEM research. The program spans multiple scientific disciplines. If you are interested in biochemistry, you may conduct research in molecular biology, chemical biology, genetics, biomedical engineering, or related life science fields under the guidance of university researchers and laboratory mentors. You will begin with intensive coursework and seminars covering scientific theory, current research topics, and experimental methods before transitioning into full-time research placements. During the research phase, you may work with laboratory instrumentation, analyze biochemical data, review scientific literature, and contribute to ongoing university-level investigations in fields connected to biochemistry and molecular science.
2. Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a selective seven-week summer research program that gives high schoolers the opportunity to work on university-level research projects across STEM disciplines. You can conduct independent research projects that involve analyzing data, reviewing scientific literature, and contributing to ongoing investigations related to biochemical and cellular processes. If you pursue a biochemistry-related research area, you may study topics like molecular biology, cancer biology, microbiology, or chemistry while working closely with faculty mentors in laboratory settings. Depending on your assigned project, you may also use laboratory instrumentation, microscopy tools, chemical analysis methods, or biological assays commonly found in university research labs. Alongside research activities, you will attend seminars, discussions, and presentations focused on scientific topics and research methodologies.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $50 application fee (waivers available) + limited number of need-based stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (primarily Bay Area students), who are at least 16, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week biomedical research program hosted by Stanford University School of Medicine that places students in active research labs across specialized institutes such as Cancer Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Stem Cell Research, and Bioengineering. Your work can involve molecular biology techniques, PCR, cell culture, protein analysis, microscopy, bioinformatics tools, or biochemical data interpretation, depending on the institute you join. You will spend most of the summer working directly in a Stanford lab alongside graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty mentors on medically oriented research projects. During the first weeks of the program, you will also attend research lectures and safety training sessions before transitioning into full-time lab work that follows the pace of university research environments.
4. George Mason ASSIP
Location: Remote, in-person, and hybrid options available
Cost: $25 nonrefundable application fee, $1299 for three college course credits; full financial aid available to students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 18 to August 12(tentative)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students (minimum age depends on project type; 15 for computer/remote projects, 16 for wet-lab placements)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) allows high school students to spend eight weeks working in George Mason University research labs across scientific fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, and biomedical science. If you are interested in biochemistry, you can apply to mentors and research groups working in areas such as proteomics, molecular medicine, drug discovery, bioinformatics, chemistry, or disease diagnostics through George Mason’s College of Science and the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine. You may work with techniques related to protein analysis, peptide synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, genomic analysis, molecular modeling, or biochemical pathway research.
5. Summer Science Program (SSP) – Biochemistry track
Location: Multiple locations, including Hendrix College, Arkansas; Chadron State College, Nebraska; College of Wooster, Ohio; Indiana University, Indiana; Purdue University, Indiana; and University of Guelph, Ontario
Cost: Maximum program fee: $11,800 per student; full financial aid available; participants can also avail discounted fees based on family income; a limited amount of $3,000 “lost wages” stipends available additionally
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 36 students per session
Dates: Hendrix College: June 8–July 11; Chadron State College: June 15–July 18; College of Wooster: June 22–July 25; Indiana University: June 22–July 25; Purdue University: June 29–August 1; and University of Guelph: June 29–August 1
Application Deadline: January 29 for international applications, February 19 for domestic applications
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have completed or are in the process of completing any level of high school biology and chemistry by June for credit and a grade, who are at least 15 years old but not yet 19 during program operation
The Summer Science Program in Biochemistry centers on a single, team-based research project: characterizing and modeling an enzyme from a fungal pathogen implicated in crop infection, one that has never previously been modeled. Working in teams of three, you can combine bench work and computational tools to purify and analyze the protein, then use molecular modeling software to visualize its three-dimensional structure and design an inhibitor molecule capable of protecting crops from fungal infection. Lab techniques include affinity chromatography, gel electrophoresis, enzyme assays, and kinetics experiments, while the computational side covers homology modeling, ligand docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and inhibitor optimization. You can also apply bioinformatics tools for sequence similarity searching, multiple sequence alignment, and binding motif prediction, alongside mathematical methods like rate equations and biostatistics for curve fitting and data analysis.
6. LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 13-24
Application Deadline: January 19 – February 26
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, who are US citizen, and have a minimum GPA of 3.3
The LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience is a free two-week weekday workshop hosted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where high school students can work through a molecular biology research project focused on duckweed, a freshwater aquatic plant of active scientific interest. The research centers on isolating, characterizing, and sequencing genes from the species Landoltia punctata, and you carry out the full experimental process yourself, including plasmid DNA isolation and purification, PCR, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis. From there, you will move into bioinformatics, using the same sequence analysis tools that working scientists use to interpret your results. A distinctive feature of the program is that your DNA sequences are submitted to GenBank, the international DNA repository, with your name credited on each published entry.
7. The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 6- August 14
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent graduates from a vocational technical high school, public high school located in a Gateway City, public high school with a student population of at least 25% classified as “low income” by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or who are enrolled in the METCO Program, who are at least 16 years old
TUBERS offers high school students a summer research experience centered on human health, disease, and biological systems. Research projects connected to biochemistry can involve areas such as cancer biology, biomaterials, molecular engineering, tissue regeneration, cellular signaling, or metabolic processes studied within biomedical engineering research groups. You can spend roughly 35 hours each week working alongside faculty mentors, graduate students, and laboratory teams while contributing to active research investigations taking place at Tufts. Your work may include preparing samples, running assays, analyzing biological data, imaging cells or tissues, studying biomaterial interactions, or documenting experimental findings connected to biochemical and cellular processes.
8. RISE
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Application Fee (nonrefundable): $75, tuition: $5,930, service fee: $485, student health services: $25 per visit, Housing + 14 meals per week: $3,978, Housing + 19 meals per week: $4,320; limited financial aid and scholarship opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Residential: June 28- August 7, commuter: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year in high school who are U.S citizens or permanent residents
Boston University’s RISE program offers two separate research pathways called Internship and Practicum, both focused on scientific investigation conducted within university laboratories and research departments. If you are interested in biochemistry, the Internship track can place you in research groups connected to Biochemistry & Cell Biology, pharmacology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or medical laboratory research. As part of this, you will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing university projects under the supervision of faculty members, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers.
Your work may involve analyzing biological samples, preparing laboratory materials, interpreting experimental data, reading scientific literature, or assisting with molecular and cellular research tied to biomedical science. The Practicum track follows a more structured format built around daily lectures and guided group research, with recent offerings focused on Computational Neurobiology and Data Science alongside wet-lab experiments involving model organisms, neural systems, and computational modeling.
9. Institute of Cancer Research and Education Summer Science Program
Location: State University of New York (SUNY), Old Westbury, NY
Cost: $950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Session 1: August 3- 7, Session 2: August 10- 14
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th graders
The ICaRE Summer Science Program at SUNY Old Westbury introduces high school students to biomedical and biochemical research through short-term laboratory sessions focused on cancer biology, molecular mechanisms of disease, immunology, microbiology, and neuroscience. Within the program’s biochemistry component, you study how enzymes function at the molecular level and examine their role as therapeutic targets in disease research. Your schedule includes faculty-led lectures, laboratory methodology training, scientific discussions, group work, and investigative research activities connected to human health and disease. You will also learn how researchers read and interpret peer-reviewed scientific literature while applying the scientific method to biological and biochemical questions. Depending on the session, you may work with experimental techniques related to molecular biology, microbiology, or cellular analysis used in biomedical laboratory settings.
10. Elio Academy Biomedical & Biochemistry Programs
Location: Online
Cost: Fee: $2475 for a semester-long high-school research program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 6 May – 29 August (tentative)
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Elio Academy’s Extended Research Program is a 12-week online research experience focused on biomedical science, scientific literature analysis, and independent investigation across areas such as genomics, biotechnology, neuroscience, and molecular medicine. Biochemistry-focused projects typically explore cancer signaling pathways, metabolic disorders, cellular communication, protein interactions, immunology, or molecular therapeutics through guided reading and research development. You will spend a substantial portion of the program evaluating peer-reviewed studies, interpreting experimental findings, examining research methodologies, and discussing how scientific conclusions are supported through data. The curriculum also introduces databases and analytical tools used in genomics, bioinformatics, and biomedical research, particularly in projects tied to molecular and biochemical science.
1. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Topics in Biochemistry
Location: Online
Cost: Fee: $3,200; need-based financial aid available (financial aid application fee $60, waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 6- 17
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9 – 11 who have completed a high school biology course
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is a selective academic summer program where high school students take intensive single-subject courses taught in small seminar-style classes by instructors affiliated with Stanford University. The program’s “Topics in Biochemistry” offering focuses specifically on the molecular mechanisms that govern living systems and human disease through a concentrated two-week curriculum. You will study subjects like protein structure, enzyme activity, metabolism, nucleic acids, and cellular communication while examining how these processes connect to contemporary biomedical issues and scientific research. Course discussions also explore topics such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, mRNA vaccine development, antibiotic resistance, and the biochemical basis of nutrition and drug interactions.
12. University of Houston Molecular Medicine Summer Immersion Program (MMSIP)
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Early registration fee: $1,600, standard registration fee: $1,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Session 1: July 6- 17, Session 2: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
The Molecular Medicine Summer Immersion Program (MMSIP) is built around laboratory training, molecular biology experiments, and disease-focused scientific investigation. You will work inside university teaching laboratories while learning techniques commonly used in biochemistry and cell biology research, including mammalian cell culture, sterile technique, bacterial transformation, recombinant protein expression, fluorescence microscopy, electrophoresis, and affinity-based protein purification. The program also covers experimental planning, troubleshooting, scientific documentation, and laboratory biosafety practices used in biomedical research settings. Alongside laboratory sessions, you can attend interactive lectures and small-group discussions focused on disease mechanisms, therapeutic development, and the molecular basis of medicine.
13. Johns Hopkins Pre-College STEM Programs
Location: Online and in-person at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Fee of $6,140 per 1-credit pre-college program for residential, $4,660 per 1-credit pre-college program for commuter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific program, typically between late June and early August
Application Deadline: Varies based on specific program
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Johns Hopkins Summer at Hopkins offers pre-college STEM programs where high school students cover university-level courses in subjects connected to biology, chemistry, medicine, and laboratory science. You can opt for courses like Introduction to Laboratory Research, Green Chemistry, Neurobiology, and Population Genomics, all taught through Johns Hopkins departments using a structured college-style format. As a participant, you will study scientific concepts through lectures, laboratory sessions, guided activities, and research-oriented assignments designed around undergraduate academic expectations. In the Introduction to Laboratory Research course, for example, you will work with biochemical and molecular biology techniques, including PCR amplification, restriction enzyme mapping, DNA analysis, and chromatography, while also visiting active biological research laboratories on campus.
14. Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology (BMB) Department- UMass Chan Medical School
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost: Free; stipend equal to or above minimum wage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16; work permits are required for students between the ages of 16 and 17
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology (BMB) department at UMass Chan Medical School offers research opportunities for high school students interested in working directly within biomedical science laboratories alongside faculty researchers and lab teams. Research placements within the department can involve areas such as molecular biology, genetics, cell signaling, structural biology, RNA biology, microscopy, and biochemical mechanisms connected to human disease and therapeutic development. You can contact faculty members directly based on your research interests and join labs conducting ongoing investigations across the department’s research centers and core facilities. Depending on the laboratory, your work may include preparing samples, analyzing experimental data, maintaining research records, assisting with molecular experiments, or learning techniques used in biochemistry and biotechnology research environments.
15. M2M Summer Camp
Location: West Virginia University, Health Sciences Campus, Morgantown, WV
Cost: Fee of $2,000; limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 19- 25
Application Deadline: March 11- May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school junior or senior who has earned a B or better in science and math classes
The Molecules to Medicine (M2M) Camp at West Virginia University allows high school students to explore how DNA, proteins, and cellular systems contribute to human health while examining the biochemical mechanisms involved in disease development and medical treatment. The program combines laboratory activities, faculty-led instruction, and discussions with scientists, physicians, and trainees working across medicine and biomedical research. Throughout the week, you will study topics connected to molecular biology, cell function, genetics, and therapeutic design while learning how discoveries in biochemistry translate into clinical and pharmaceutical applications. You will also participate in group activities and evening programming designed to build familiarity with university research environments and careers in the health sciences.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are biochemistry programs for high school students? Biochemistry programs for high school students are structured academic or research experiences that introduce you to molecular biology, genetics, protein science, cellular processes, and related life science fields. Depending on the program, you may conduct hands-on lab work, contribute to university-level research, analyze biological data, or study how biochemical mechanisms connect to medicine and disease.
Do I need prior lab or research experience to apply? Most programs do not require prior research experience. RSI, Clark Scholars, and LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience welcome motivated students without a prior lab background. SSP Biochemistry requires completion of high school biology and chemistry, and Stanford Pre-Collegiate requires at least one biology course. More competitive placements like SIMR may favor students with stronger prior science preparation.
Are there free biochemistry programs for high school students? Yes. RSI, LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience, Stanford Young Investigators, and UMass Chan BMB are all free. UMass Chan also pays students at or above Massachusetts minimum wage. Clark Scholars provides a $750 stipend. TUBERS and Rice University’s program are also free for eligible students.
What lab techniques will I learn in these programs? Techniques vary by program but commonly include PCR, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, protein purification, restriction enzyme analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and chromatography. SSP Biochemistry adds computational work including molecular modeling, ligand docking, and bioinformatics tools. LLNL students submit their DNA sequences to GenBank, the international DNA repository, with their names credited.
Which biochemistry programs offer college credit? Johns Hopkins Pre-College programs award one academic credit per course upon completion. George Mason ASSIP offers three college credits for $1,299. Boston University RISE is a credit-bearing program with tuition costs. SSP also offers college credit through partner institutions at several of its host sites.
When should I apply to biochemistry programs for high school students? Deadlines cluster between late January and late February for the most competitive programs. RSI closes in December, Jackson Laboratory and LLNL close in late January, and SIMR and Clark Scholars close in mid to late February. More accessible programs like ASSIP, Stanford Pre-Collegiate, and ICaRE have deadlines in March and April. Starting applications in the fall and having recommendation letters and transcripts ready early puts you in the strongest position.
Image Source: West Virginia University