For high school students interested in biology, programs outside the classroom can provide a much clearer picture of how the subject works in practice!
Biology programs introduce high school students to areas such as genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, or ecology through guided activities and research projects. You will work with mentors who explain the reasoning behind experiments and show how scientists approach biological problems step by step. These programs can help you understand what a future in biology, medicine, or environmental science might involve.
Why should you choose a biology program in Florida?
Florida’s environment makes it an ideal place to study biology. The state’s coastline, wetlands, forests, and ecosystems, such as the Everglades, provide natural laboratories for studying wildlife, ecosystems, and marine life.
At the same time, Florida is home to several major universities and research centers that run biology programs for high school students. This mix of academic research institutions and diverse natural environments allows you to experience both lab-based science and field research.
With that in mind, here are 15 biology programs for high school students in Florida! If you’re looking for summer biology research programs, you can find them here. You can also check out medical programs for high school students in Florida here.
15 Biology Programs for High School Students in Florida
1. USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp
Location: College of Engineering (DFX Lab), University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $1,350; the residential add-on costs $1,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 22 students
Dates: July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Registrations open on February 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students
The USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp allows you to work with electrical and biomedical engineering faculty and explore different career paths in the field. In the Design for X lab, you’ll plan, build, and test bioelectrical interfaces using advanced tools similar to those used by cardiologists and neurosurgeons. You’ll study the core areas of biomedical engineering, with a focus on instrumentation and the technologies that support healthcare. You’ll also measure bioelectrical signals from your own body and learn how to store and analyze data using professional techniques. The camp uses evidence-based teaching in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
2. Florida International University Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University Center for Translational Science, Port St. Lucie, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn over 100 volunteer hours; funding is provided by the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 9
Application Deadline: Students should contact their school counselor, STEM advisor, or science teacher for details about the application process and deadline
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live in and attend school in St. Lucie County
The FIU Center for Translational Science offers a summer internship for local students interested in biomedical research. You’ll work in modern labs where you’ll analyze data, run experiments, and learn how research moves from forming a hypothesis to interpreting results. You’ll get hands-on experience and guidance from scientists in areas like aging and wellness, drug discovery and delivery, brain and spinal cord injury, heart and lung health, mitochondria and metabolism, inflammation and immunity, and neuroscience. You’ll also create a scientific poster for future competitions and presentations. You’ll receive a participation certificate and a letter signed by the Program Director, earn over 100 volunteer hours, and present your work at the CTS High School Summer Internship Luncheon, as well as meet professionals in science. You can find more information here.
3. Morsani Mini-Med
Location: USF Health Building, Downtown Tampa, FL
Cost: $695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 30 students
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Registrations open on February 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students
Morsani Mini-Med is a five-day program for rising high school seniors interested in medicine and human biology. Connected to the Morsani College of Medicine, it will introduce you to major organ systems and the chronic diseases linked to them through discussions, simulations, and reflection. You’ll use medical mannequins and standardized patient actors to explore how diseases affect the body and how science connects to patient care. You’ll practice taking patient histories, improve communication and emotional awareness, and build teamwork skills. The program will also help you strengthen critical thinking, study strategies, and exam skills for college. You’ll work with near-peer mentors, join daily discussions with the program director, and get a realistic look at the science and responsibility of healthcare careers.
4. Mayo Clinic’s Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; selection depends on available mentors at the Mayo Clinic.
Dates: June 2 – December 3
Application Deadline: November 1 – December 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors at a school in Duval County or St. Johns County, Florida, who have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
The SPARK Research Mentorship Program gives you hands-on research experience in biomedical sciences. You’ll work in a mentor’s lab for at least 25 hours a week during the summer, with extra scheduled time during the school year. You will choose a research area during the application process, with options like biochemistry and molecular biology, drug development, epidemiology, immunology, cancer biology, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and regenerative sciences. You’ll participate in lab meetings, one-on-one mentor sessions, and a weekly Lunch and Learn series. You’ll complete a competitive research project that you will enter in science fairs, and have a chance to earn regional and state awards and prize money. You’ll present your work at the end of the summer through an oral presentation and share your final poster at the end of the year SPARK awards ceremony. Many participants continue to attend selective colleges to study science or medicine.
5. University of Florida’s Research Explorations (REx) Program
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,500 + $35 non-refundable application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available Florida high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – July 3 | July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors
The University of Florida Research Explorations program gives you a deep introduction to research science. You’ll learn how scientists and engineers create new knowledge and turn ideas into therapies, solutions, and technologies. During the program, you’ll join discussions on current UF research, visit active labs, and participate in hands-on activities with faculty and graduate students. You can choose between two tracks. In the Biomedical Science track, you’ll study topics from basic discovery to clinical treatments and practice techniques like CRISPR, DNA and protein science, and gel electrophoresis. In the Environmental Science and Toxicology track, you’ll explore ways to reduce these impacts, examine how air and water pollution affect human health, and study conservation methods, aquatic health, and the effects of pollution and invasive species on ecosystems.
6. USF – Moffitt Explorers Oncology Program
Location: Moffitt Cancer Center and University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $525; the residential add-on costs $1,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 20 students
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Registrations open on February 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade students
The USF Moffitt Explorers Oncology Summer Program introduces you to modern healthcare. Through hands-on activities, tours, simulations, and conversations with professionals, you’ll learn about cancer care, psychology, research, pharmacy, genetics, new technologies, and the human side of medicine. You’ll learn how cancer is diagnosed, treated, and managed from pathology and imaging to survivorship. You’ll see how professionals in medicine, research, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, and genetics work together to care for patients. The program will help you build communication skills, practice reflection and wellness, and strengthen leadership skills needed in demanding healthcare settings. You’ll also learn about AI’s role in healthcare, clinical trials, and precision treatments by participating in lab activities and demonstrations.
7. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $14 per hour
Cohort Size: Only 7 students participated in this year’s program
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 16 – February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school who are 16 or older and legally authorized to work in the United States
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Summer Research Internship gives you six weeks of hands-on lab experience with MPFI researchers. The program focuses on how the brain is built, how it develops, how it works, and the imaging tools used to study it. You’ll work on real research projects, write a scientific abstract, and give a short presentation at the end of the summer. You can choose from tracks in Neuroscience, Mechanical Engineering, Scientific Programming, or Programming or Coding for Public Engagement. If you choose the Neuroscience track, you’ll take part in intensive lab research. You’ll use wet-lab techniques such as genetic engineering, histological staining, microbiological preparation, and microscopy to study how neural circuits are structured and function. This track is a good fit if you have a strong background in biology and chemistry. You can view presentations from past interns here.
8. University of Miami’s Pre-College Summer Scholars
Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: $10,225.20 (Residential) | $8,561.50 (Commuter) + a $75 non-refundable application fee; some courses charge extra fees, including a $450 fee for both the Marine Science Exploration and Cancer Biology courses. Limited scholarships are available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 27 – July 17
Application Deadline: November 14 – December 31 (early deadline) | January 1 – April 1 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)
The University of Miami Pre-College Summer Scholars Program allows you to earn six college credits in three weeks while exploring one subject area. You’ll choose one academic specialty from a UM school or college, and each specialty includes two courses that combine lectures with labs, guest speakers, discussions, and field trips. If you are interested in biology, the Biomedical and Health Sciences Exploration specialty offers tracks such as Cancer Biology, Food M3, Neuroscience and Public Health, and Microbiology, Immunology, and Public Health. Other areas also include Engineering, Architecture, Technology, Biomedical & Health Sciences, Global Studies, Business, Law, Music, Sport Administration & Medicine, Communication and Media, and Exploration Sciences.
9. Wertheim UF Scripps Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a $4,480 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute is a paid, full-time summer program for students in Palm Beach and Martin counties. You’ll spend eight weeks working 40 hours a week in a UF Scripps lab, Monday through Friday. During the program, you’ll explore biological and chemical research and learn about careers in basic research, biotechnology, drug discovery, and biomedical engineering. You’ll conduct basic biomedical research under the guidance of a scientist and learn how to plan studies, design experiments, analyze data, and work with lab teams. You’ll also attend weekly seminars on different research topics. By the program’s end, you’ll submit a written abstract and present your work through a poster and oral presentation.
10. Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students with significant financial need can apply for an additional stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: Students who have completed 11th grade at a Florida public or private high school, have at least a 3.0 GPA, live permanently in Florida, scored in the 90th percentile or higher in math on a nationally standardized exam before the deadline, and are enrolled in or have completed Pre-Calculus
The Florida State University Young Scholars Program is a six-week residential summer program for Florida high school students interested in STEM. You’ll take three program-specific courses in science, math, and computer programming with no high school or college credit. Courses are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on instructor preference. Biology options include Modern Molecular Biology Intensive, where you’ll use tools like cloning, qPCR, tissue culture, CRISPR, and microscopy to study genes, and Fundamentals in Neuroscience, where you’ll record and analyze neural signals using electrophysiology equipment. You’ll also complete an independent research project and present it at a final poster session. The program includes social events, required weekend trips, and optional dorm activities like fitness center workouts and games.
11. University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $1,500 + $25 non-refundable application fee
Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 7 – June 12 (Session 1) | June 21 – June 26 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: January 5 – February 27
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders who are Florida residents
Gator Vet Camp offers two one-week residential sessions for high school students who want to explore veterinary medicine and college life. The program includes hands-on activities that highlight courses important for college readiness and introduce you to careers in veterinary medicine. It is especially designed for students who are first-generation, from low-income backgrounds, or have had limited exposure to the field but some experience with animals. During the program, you’ll practice clinical skills, work with faculty, staff, and students on independent projects, and tour the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and its facilities. You’ll also learn about lesser-known specialties in veterinary medicine, such as large-animal, wildlife, and fish.
12. Pre-College Marine Science Program at Eckerd
Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost: $2,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – 19 | June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors can apply. To apply, students must pass a swim test by completing three full laps totaling 150 yards without touching the bottom, using any stroke, with no time limit.
The Pre-College Marine Science Program at Eckerd College allows you to explore marine science as a possible major. The curriculum follows Eckerd’s undergraduate program, where you’ll work with faculty on the Gulf of Mexico. During the program, you’ll participate in labs focused on marine biology, geology, and chemistry. You’ll catch and release nearshore fish and invertebrates like crabs, shrimp, and zooplankton, photograph wild dolphins to study their behavior in Florida coastal waters, and observe tortoises, snakes, alligators, and birds of prey at a nature preserve. You’ll also conduct a plankton tow on a vessel and examine live plankton under a microscope, gain hands-on lab experience, and study shorebirds while collecting sediment cores on local beaches. In the late afternoons, evenings, and overnight, you’ll spend time working and interacting with residential counselors.
13. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine
Location: Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn approximately $17 per hour
Cohort Size: 12 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 31
Eligibility: Academically strong high school juniors from schools in the Miami and Broward area who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. can apply. You can find more information about eligibility and the program here
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is an eight-week program for local high school juniors interested in biology or computational science. It takes place at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. You’ll be paired with a mentor, such as a staff researcher, faculty member, or postdoc, and gain hands-on lab experience using real research tools. You’ll develop research and presentation skills as well as study human genetics and how genes relate to diagnosing, preventing, and treating disease. You’ll work Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. At the program’s end, you’ll give a short oral presentation about your research at a luncheon attended by staff, faculty, family, local education leaders, and other interns.
14. University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500 + $50 non-refundable application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available Florida high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 90 students
Dates: June 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 1 (Out of State/International Students) | April 15 (Florida Students)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older by the start of the program
The University of Florida Student Science Training Program is a seven-week residential research program for students interested in careers in medicine, math, science, computer science, or engineering. You’ll spend about 30 hours each week working on your faculty mentor’s research, take a UF honors seminar, and attend daily lectures on current topics. Lecture topics include research in the biological, physical, and mathematical sciences, engineering, and medicine. You’ll meet with your mentor once every week and join small-group discussions. You’ll receive one-on-one support to understand scientific articles and improve your assignments. The program will help you develop communication and leadership skills through workshops, presentations, and group activities. You’ll also take part in service projects, social events, and weekend field trips. If you attend a Florida high school, you may get dual enrollment credit.
15. Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; around 28 students
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: South Florida high school juniors, accepted FIU transfer students, and graduated seniors committed to FIU who are 16 or older by the program start date and have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
Florida International University offers an eight-week Summer Research Internship, where you can learn about cardiovascular health. The program includes curriculum sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with journal clubs, case studies, and workshops. You’ll do research work for at least 15 hours each week with a faculty mentor. You’ll gain hands-on research experience and build skills in writing, analysis, and presentation. Before the program begins, you’ll complete five online safety trainings, be matched with a mentor, submit HR paperwork, and enroll in an internship course. You’ll also attend weekly workshops and intern meetings. You’ll submit a research abstract and give a PowerPoint presentation at the program’s end. The top three presenters receive awards and are invited to present at the MARC U STAR symposium in December.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like animal science, disease research, and biology, 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 – Florida International University