If you’re a high school student based in or around New York City looking to study healthcare or medical science, several free summer programs in the city offer accessible, hands-on learning experiences. Hosted by top hospitals, research institutions, and universities across NYC, these free medical programs encompass a wide range of experiences, from lab research and anatomy workshops to clinical shadowing and public health education.
Participating in paid programs may not always be feasible, but these free options allow you to build practical skills while staying close to home, or explore NYC’s medical landscape better.
To help you get started, here’s a curated list of 14 free medical programs for high school students in NYC to help you explore medicine in a rigorous, skill-focused way without leaving the city.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar 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).
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid is available!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic opportunity that allows high school students to engage in individual research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over the span of 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your assigned mentor to explore a topic of your choice and develop a fully independent research paper. This online summer enrichment program for high school students supports a wide variety of disciplines, including areas like psychology, international relations, economics, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computer science. This structure allows you to dive deep into a subject that aligns with your academic interests while gaining valuable experience in scholarly research and critical thinking. You can find more details about the application here.
2. AI + Medicine Deep Dive – Veritas AI
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
This online program is designed for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Over 10 sessions, participants learn from PhD-level mentors in medical AI and apply their skills to real-world use cases such as disease diagnosis, image segmentation, and genomics. You’ll explore how AI can sharpen medical scans, predict patient outcomes, and accelerate drug discovery. You’ll use tools like TensorFlow and Keras, build models using convolutional neural networks, and understand the ethics behind AI in medicine. Classes are highly interactive, combining theory, coding walkthroughs, and project-based learning to provide a comprehensive learning experience. You will work in small groups (5:1 ratio) and complete a capstone project that applies AI tools to solve healthcare challenges.
3. Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) – Weill Cornell Medicine
Dates: January – March (Fridays over 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 13
Cost: Free
Location: Held virtually, but will have at least one in-person session
Eligibility: New York City high school students in the 10th and 11th grades
Through HPREP, you’ll engage directly with Weill Cornell medical students and faculty in a structured, ten‑week program. You will collaborate in small groups to develop your personal statement, resume, and research paper, while also gaining practical experience through an anatomy lab session. The curriculum also includes a series of practical workshops on the college application process, financial aid, and strategies for writing research papers and personal statements. By the end of the program, participants complete the program with a certificate of completion, a letter of recommendation, and competitive awards, including $250 book scholarships for outstanding essays and research projects.
4. Summer Student Program (SSP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Cost: Free; $1,200 stipend
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors living within 25 miles of MSK’s main campus (NY, NJ, or CT); minimum 3.5 GPA in science; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; must be 14 or older by June; eight-week commitment.
The SSP offers an 8-week, mentor-led internship in biomedical or computational research within an MSK lab. Participants will acquire technical lab skills, carry out an independent project aligned with a PI’s research, and present their results. The program includes topics such as cancer biology, computational genomics, immuno-oncology, and pharmacology, along with professional development workshops on translational medicine and scientific careers. Participation in lab meetings and exposure to clinical departments provide a realistic picture of the pathways in biomedical research.
5. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Cost: Free; stipends available for students with financial need who meet attendance and research requirements
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory @ The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; must be at least 16 by program start; full seven-week attendance required.
The SSRP places you on a mentored research team in one of Rockefeller’s dedicated RockEDU laboratories, working alongside scientists from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, WCMC). You’ll gain hands-on training in experimental techniques, develop a research question, collect and analyze data, and present findings at a symposium. The program focuses on rigorous scientific inquiry, a team-oriented laboratory setup, and exposure to advanced topics like molecular biology, computational research, and biomedical sciences. Participants will also engage in supplementary workshops, elective courses, and networking events to enhance their professional development.
6. BRAINYAC – Columbia University Zuckerman Institute
Dates: Training begins in January; full-time lab placements are from June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: October 29
Cost: Free; stipend offered
Location: Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students enrolled in one of the NYC partner programs (S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus); must reside in NYC, with preference to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
BRAINYAC places you in a Columbia neuroscience lab for an immersive summer research experience under the guidance of a scientist mentor. You will carry out a practical research project, learn essential laboratory skills, and gain experience in professional academic settings. The program focuses on scientific investigation in neuroscience, helping you develop hands-on research abilities and network with active scientists. It aims to enhance your academic and career path in science and medicine while giving you access to Columbia’s state-of-the-art research facilities.
7. CEYE High School Summer Programs – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dates: July – August (full-time; specific dates vary by track)
Application Deadline: February
Cost: Free; Internship Placement Program typically offers a stipend
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Eligibility: NYC high school students; Internship Placement Program prioritizes rising juniors and seniors.
The CEYE Summer Programs provide intensive exposure to scientific research and clinical practice through three distinct tracks. The hybrid Introduction to Bioinformatics course blends molecular biology with computational genomics, while the Medical and Scientific Exploration Program pairs you with Mount Sinai departments for guided lab and clinical sessions. The Internship Placement Program offers direct, mentor-led experiences in specialized hospital departments and tracks, such as neurosurgery and veterinary sciences. Across all formats, you will gain mentorship, practical skills, and real-world healthcare experience within one of NYC’s leading medical systems.
8. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) – Columbia University VP&S
Dates:
- Summer Session: July 28 – August 8
- Academic Year Session: November 9 – May 17
Application Deadline: April 15 (Summer); September 15 (Academic Year)
Cost: Free
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Eligibility: 7th–12th grade students in NYC interested in medicine or STEM; priority to students from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare and licensed professions.
S-PREP combines intensive math and science enrichment with college preparation for students aiming at medical or STEM careers. Courses include anatomy, biochemistry, organic chemistry, brain & cognitive science, physics, and pre-med readiness, alongside PSAT and SAT prep. You’ll also engage in career development workshops, college counseling, and field experiences designed to strengthen your academic and professional trajectory. Admitted students gain access to additional Columbia research opportunities, including the BRAINYAC neuroscience research program and the YES in THE HEIGHTS cancer research internship.
9. Health Hacks: 5 Weeks to Level Up – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dates: January 9 – February 6 (Every Thursday)
Application Deadline: Late December
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (hosted by SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY)
Eligibility: NYC high school students interested in healthcare careers.
This five-week series is structured to give you an early foundation in public health and medical awareness. Led by current medical students, each session explores a major health issue such as chronic disease, epidemiology, or nutrition, using guided case studies and interactive discussions. You’ll also gain exposure to preventive medicine principles and develop basic health literacy, a skill essential for anyone pursuing a healthcare career. The program places strong emphasis on mentorship and provides a low-barrier introduction to the pathways available in medicine.
10. Brooklyn Scholar Athletes with Academic Goals (BK-SWAG) – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dates:
- Virtual sessions: June 25 & July 26
- In-person sessions: July 1 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 2
Cost: Free
Location: SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: NYC high school students, especially underrepresented athletes or those interested in combining sports and healthcare.
BK-SWAG integrates sports science with clinical medicine to show you how athletic performance connects to healthcare careers. You will rotate through sport-related medical disciplines, meeting providers in orthopedics, physical therapy, and sports medicine. You will participate in workshops focused on health disparities and leadership, earning CPR certification as a tangible credential for future clinical opportunities. The program aims to teach the physiology of movement and injury prevention while offering exposure to real-world healthcare roles. It bridges athletics and medical science within a structured, mentor-led setting.
11. Early Exposure for College & High School Students in Orthopedics (ECHO) – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dates: 9-week summer program (June – August)
Application Deadline: January 3
Cost: Free
Location: SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Female high school and undergraduate students interested in orthopedics.
ECHO is a focused, nine-week immersion into orthopedic medicine, designed to increase female representation in surgical specialties. You’ll gain practical experience in musculoskeletal health through shadowing, lab work, and mentorship with orthopedic experts. Career readiness modules and networking events enhance the clinical training, helping you prepare for future medical studies. The program combines technical skill development with research opportunities, providing a structured introduction to surgical practice and musculoskeletal science.
12. Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dates: 8-week Saturday program (Fall; October–November)
Application Deadline: Typically early September
Cost: Free
Location: SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: NYC high school students from disadvantaged school zones.
HPREP is an intensive pre-med pipeline focusing on anatomy, lab work, and research presentation. Over eight Saturdays, you’ll conduct dissection-based labs, attend academic workshops, and work in small mentoring groups with SUNY Downstate medical students. The curriculum is designed to enhance science skills, critical thinking, and communication abilities needed for future medical training. It concludes with a final research presentation, simulating the demands of early medical education while providing mentorship and hands-on experience in healthcare fields.
13. Division of Medical Ethics – High School Bioethics Project, NYU Langone Health
Dates: Academic-year internship; rolling participation
Application Deadline: Typically spring for the academic-year placement
Cost: Free
Location: NYU Langone Health, Manhattan, NY
Eligibility: NYC high school students interested in medicine, biomedical sciences, and ethics; teacher participation encouraged for curriculum integration.
This program immerses you in the ethical dimensions of modern medicine, covering topics such as CRISPR gene editing, vaccines, organ donation, and clinical decision-making. You will partner with NYU medical ethics faculty to design lesson plans and real-world case studies, learning to apply bioethical frameworks to contemporary healthcare dilemmas. The program emphasizes critical thinking, policy awareness, and the intersection of science, medicine, and ethics, making it a good option if you’re considering careers in medicine, biomedical research, or public health.
14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Track
Stipend: None (certificate of completion awarded)
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 1 (applications open December 1)
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors nationwide with an interest in neuroscience, medicine, or biomedical research.
The virtual JHIBS track provides a mentored introduction to neuroscience research and clinical concepts from one of the nation’s top medical institutions. Over five weeks, you’ll participate in remote educational sessions, learn fundamental laboratory techniques through virtual simulations, and engage in professional development training focused on research careers in neurology. Mentorship is a central component, with Johns Hopkins faculty and trainees guiding you through scientific presentations, ethics discussions, and project-based learning. The program culminates in a final presentation where you demonstrate your understanding of neurological research and applied scientific methods.
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!
Image source – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University