If you are a high school student interested in genetics, medicine, public health, or lab-based science, biotech programs can help you understand how the field actually works. Free biotech programs are especially great because they remove cost as a barrier while still offering serious academic exposure.
These programs give you a chance to explore whether biotech is something you want to pursue further, without committing to expensive camps or courses. They are often run by universities, research institutions, or science organizations that want to introduce students to scientific thinking early.
What do free biotech programs involve?
Free biotech programs typically focus on how biological research is conducted in real settings. You may learn about molecular biology, DNA analysis, cell biology, bioinformatics, or biomedical research methods. Some programs include hands-on lab exposure, while others focus on data analysis, research design, or scientific communication. You begin to understand how experiments are planned, how results are interpreted, and how biological research moves toward real applications.
Why should you choose a free biotech program?
Free biotech programs offer high academic value without financial pressure. Many are competitive and selective, which means you are learning alongside motivated peers and working under higher expectations. Colleges recognize these programs as meaningful early engagement with a demanding field.
Just as important, these programs help you decide whether biotech, medicine, or research is the right path for you. They give you real experiences to talk about in college applications and interviews, grounded in actual scientific work rather than interest alone.
With that, here is a list of 15 free biotech programs for high school students! If you’re interested in building early research credentials, these programs also pair well with other structured research experiences, such as those featured in this blog. (Disclaimer: Details are subject to change and link to official websites for the most current info.)
15 Free Biotech Programs for High School Students
1. Biotechnology Summer Experience
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Livermore, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 13–24
Application Deadline: January 19 – February 26; recommendation deadline March 6
Eligibility: Rising grades 10–12; minimum GPA 3.3; must be 16+ by program start; U.S. citizenship required for students who are 18; eligibility to access LLNL under NDAA Section 3112 required
The LLNL Biotechnology Summer Experience is a two-week, lab-intensive program focused on molecular biology and applied bioinformatics. You will work on a real research project involving gene isolation and sequence analysis from Landoltia punctata (duckweed), a model organism used in environmental and genetic studies. The program emphasizes core wet-lab techniques, including plasmid DNA purification, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis. You will also analyze DNA sequences using professional bioinformatics tools and workflows commonly used in research labs. A distinguishing feature of the program is that validated student-generated sequences are submitted to GenBank, with student contributors formally acknowledged.
2. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University–affiliated teaching laboratories, New York City
Cost: Free; Need-based stipends available
Program Dates: June 22–August 6
Application Deadline: January 2 (student application); January 5 (letters of recommendation)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; must be 16+ at program start; full-time attendance required
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a full-time, team-based research experience that mirrors the structure of an academic biomedical research lab. You will work in small research teams mentored by scientific trainees from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine, focusing on a shared research theme aligned with mentor expertise. The program emphasizes experimental design, hypothesis-driven research, and hands-on laboratory techniques relevant to modern biology and biotechnology. Over the course of the program, you will move from learning core lab methods to defining a research question, generating and analyzing data, and synthesizing results into a formal research poster.
3. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (hybrid: in-person + virtual)
Cost: Free; A stipend of $2,000 is provided
Program Dates: Spring session: February 25–May 21; Summer session: July 6–August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open November 1
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students; age 16+ by orientation; ability to commit February–August
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a six-month, hybrid research experience focused on hands-on biology and genetic engineering. You will learn core wet-lab techniques used in modern molecular biology while collaborating with scientist mentors to design and execute a team-based research project. The program integrates laboratory practice with science communication training, including presenting results to non-technical audiences and participating in structured communication workshops. You will also gain exposure to the local biotech ecosystem through lab tours and field trips, alongside mentorship and career guidance.
4. Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Bar Harbor, ME or Farmington, CT
Cost: Free; Stipend: $7,000 (plus room, board, and travel support)
Program Dates: Bar Harbor: May 30–August 7, Farmington: May 30–August 10
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and undergraduates; strong interest in genetics, genomics, or biological research
The JAX Summer Student Program (SSP) is a 10–10.5 week, full-time research fellowship focused on genetics and genomics research in active biomedical laboratories. You will join an ongoing research group and work on a defined project aligned with the lab’s research goals, gaining increasing independence in experimental design and execution over the summer. Depending on the lab, you may develop skills in areas such as genetic testing, genomic data analysis, data visualization, and experimental biology using model systems. The program also includes structured training in scientific communication, peer review, and responsible conduct of research, alongside weekly journal clubs. You will present your research findings to the JAX scientific community at the end of the program, mirroring standard academic research dissemination.
5. New York City Virus Hunters
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx; field + lab-based, New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-long (exact start/end dates vary by cohort)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open January–March (closed April–December)
Eligibility: NYC high school students; interest in biology, public health, or infectious disease research
New York City Virus Hunters is a year-long, paid research internship focused on community-based viral surveillance and applied microbiology. You will work as a Junior Scientist intern collecting avian fecal and swab samples from urban parks and wildlife centers, followed by laboratory screening for viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) and avian paramyxovirus (APMV-1). The program emphasizes molecular diagnostics, including PCR-based detection, viral isolation, and sequence analysis, alongside exposure to bioinformatics workflows and genome submission to public repositories like GenBank. You will collaborate closely with scientist mentors from Mount Sinai and BioBus, contributing to publishable datasets and, in some cases, peer-reviewed journal articles.
6. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Bay Area, CA
Cost: Free to participate (note: $55 application fee; fee waivers available)
Program Dates: June 15–August 6
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Age 16+ by start; residents of Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties; unweighted GPA 3.0+; some prior exposure to biology/ chemistry/ programming (coursework or extracurriculars)
GRIPS is an 8-week, part-time genomics research internship where you are placed in a working genetics/genomics lab and contribute to an active research project under a mentor. The structure (about 20 hours/week) is designed to build practical research habits without requiring prior lab or internship experience. Depending on lab placement, you may work with genomic datasets, basic bioinformatics pipelines, or experimental workflows tied to genetics research. If your project has a computational component, you may gain exposure to common research languages like Python or R for data cleaning, visualization, and analysis, even if you start with a minimal programming background. You will also participate in cohort sessions and check-ins that reinforce scientific communication and research process skills.
7. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)
Location: DNALC NYC, Downtown Brooklyn
Cost: Free; Stipend: $500 (upon completion and symposium presentation)
Program Dates: August 25–29 (required lab training) + academic year (minimum 55 research hours)
Application Deadline: Proposals reviewed on a rolling basis; final deadline January 7
Eligibility: NYC high school students; age 13+; must reside in New York City
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) is an academic-year research mentorship focused on biodiversity analysis using DNA barcoding. You begin with an intensive lab training covering conservation biology, research design, and core molecular techniques, then transition to a student-driven project under expert mentorship. Research activities include field or sample collection, DNA isolation, PCR amplification of barcoding loci, and sequence analysis to identify species and study human–biodiversity interactions. You will write a research proposal, manage a defined dataset, and interpret sequence results using standard bioinformatics workflows.
8. Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program
Location: San Diego, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 15–August 7
Application Deadline: Application opens December 1
Eligibility: San Diego County residents; age 16+ by program start; completed at least one year of high school biology and chemistry; minimum GPA 2.75 (exceptions considered); ability to commit 30–40 hours/week
The Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program is an 8-week, paid research internship embedded within active laboratories at the Salk Institute. You will work directly with a scientist mentor on a defined research project, gaining hands-on experience with wet-lab techniques, experimental design, and data analysis used in modern biomedical research. Depending on the lab, you may engage with molecular biology workflows, quantitative data analysis, or introductory bioinformatics. The program integrates seminars, career workshops, and industry site visits to contextualize lab work within broader research and biotech careers. You will synthesize your results into a formal talk or poster for a culminating research symposium, emphasizing scientific communication and reproducibility.
9. High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Massachusetts (various host research institutions and life sciences companies)
Cost: Free; Stipend: Paid internship; up to ~$17/hour for six weeks
Program Dates: Internships run between May 1–April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling; placements filled on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is allocated
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ from eligible Massachusetts public, charter, vocational, tuition-free private, or METCO schools; recent graduates (within two years) not yet enrolled in college may apply
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge funds paid, work-based internships in biotechnology, biomedical research, and life sciences across Massachusetts. You will be placed with a host organization, such as a research lab, hospital-affiliated institute, or small life sciences company, where you contribute to real workplace projects while developing technical and professional skills. Depending on placement, work may involve laboratory support, data handling, quality control tasks, or exposure to regulated research and development environments. The program emphasizes workforce readiness, including professional communication, time management, and familiarity with lab or industry norms.
10. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Free; Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: June 14–July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students from Michigan; strong interest in life sciences; ability to commit fully to a residential program
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship is a six-week residential program where you work inside a life sciences lab at the University of Michigan. You support ongoing biology research by helping with experiments, data collection, and analysis. You learn how research labs operate day to day, including teamwork, lab routines, and problem-solving. Alongside lab work, you receive training in science communication and attend seminars across different science fields. Housing and meals are provided, so you can focus fully on research and campus life.
11. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM)
Location: Emeryville, CA
Cost: Free; Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: Prep week June 16–19; in-person lab June 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; age 16+ by program start; residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco counties; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; minimum GPA 2.5; must have completed Algebra I and Biology; income-based eligibility required
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer research program where you work in a professional lab on applied microbiology and biotechnology projects. You complete a mentored research project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, building hands-on skills in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and basic synthetic biology. You spend time doing wet-lab experiments while learning how to design experiments, analyze results, and explain your work clearly. You also learn about biotech careers through conversations with scientists and visits to research and industry sites.
12. MohanLab Summer Internship Program
Location: Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 8–July 31
Application Deadline: Applications open February 1; deadline March 26 (5 PM CST)
Eligibility: Rising seniors (completed 11th grade); strong academic record recommended; interest in biomedical science, bioengineering, neuroscience, or computational methods
The MohanLab Summer Internship Program (MLSI) is an eight-week research internship where you work in a lab on biomedical science or biomedical engineering projects. You start with one to two weeks of structured training to learn core lab techniques, then move into a mentored research project at MohanLab. Depending on the project, you may work at the bench or focus on data-driven research like image analysis or large datasets. You learn how to document experiments, troubleshoot methods, and interpret results under close supervision. The program ends with an oral presentation where you explain your work clearly.
13. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Philadelphia, PA, including Camden, NJ
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 15–July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates from the greater Philadelphia area; must be eligible to work in the U.S.; strong interest in science or research
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is a paid summer research program where you work full-time in a biomedical research lab. You are paired with a scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and spend at least seven weeks contributing to an active project in areas like sensory biology, neuroscience, or human health. You learn how research actually runs, from planning experiments to collecting data, interpreting results, and communicating findings. Alongside lab work, you attend sessions on research ethics, scientific writing, public speaking, and science careers.
14. Biological Field Station (BFS) Summer Research Internship
Location: Otsego Lake region, NY
Cost: Free; Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: Late May–August
Application Deadline: Applications available in January
Eligibility: New York State residents; age 16+ by June 20; limited slots (1–3) for high school students, with preference for Otsego County residents
The Biological Field Station Summer Research Internship is a summer research program where you work on real ecology and environmental science projects. You take part in faculty-led research connected to Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna River watershed through a mix of fieldwork and lab analysis at the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station. You collect samples in the field, run lab tests, identify organisms, process data, and learn how long-term environmental research is done. You also write a technical report and create a research poster based on your work.
15. Student Research Internship Program (SURI)
Location: San Diego, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 1–August 7 or June 15–August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ (also open to undergraduates and professional students); strong interest in genomics, mHealth, or translational research
The Student Research Internship Program (SURI) is a 10-week research program where you work on translational science projects linked to genomics, data analysis, and health technology. You are paired with a mentor and develop your own research project connected to ongoing work at the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Most projects are dry-lab based and involve analyzing genomic data, genetic studies, or mobile health data from clinical research. A small number of wet-lab projects are also available. You learn how to design a study, analyze data, and communicate results by writing a proposal, presenting at research meetings, and creating a final poster.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, molecular biology, genetics, and biomedical research, 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 – Scripps Research