If you are a high school student interested in exploring medicine, free medical programs are a practical way to gain experience without the financial burden that often comes with summer opportunities. These programs give you access to advanced learning in areas such as clinical skills, anatomy, public health, and medical research, while also allowing you to interact with healthcare professionals.
Participating in a free medical program can help you build technical skills, strengthen your academic foundation, and understand what a future career in healthcare might look like. Many programs include hands-on activities, mentorship, and exposure to real-world medical environments, giving you a clearer sense of how medicine is practiced.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 free medical programs for high school students. Each of these opportunities offers structured learning, valuable connections, and a chance to explore medicine at a deeper level—all without cost to you.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full financial assistance available
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university on an independent research project. You will get to choose a research topic within subjects that align with your interests, including medicine and healthcare, while building advanced research, writing, and analytical skills. You’ll receive structured mentorship, develop a research paper, and learn how to communicate findings in a clear, professional way. This experience gives you a chance to explore the research process at a high level and strengthen your academic profile for future studies in science and medicine.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: Vary by cohort; typical commitment of 25 hours over 10 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students who have completed AI Scholars or have a background in coding
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers you the chance to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare through its Deep Dive: AI+Medicine track. Here, you will learn how AI and machine learning models are applied to medical problems like disease diagnosis and imaging analysis. You will work on real-world projects, such as utilizing AI tools for sharpening medical scans or helping doctors in interpreting patient data, while also gaining experience in coding, data handling, and model building. You will have access to mentorship as you explore AI concepts and develop an understanding of how these tools are shaping the future of medicine.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (waivers available); a minimum $500 stipend offered; stipends of $2,500 and above available on a needs-based system
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older, living in and attending high school in the U.S., and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
At SIMR, you will spend eight weeks conducting original research under the guidance of Stanford faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. You can choose from several biomedical research areas, including immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and genetics. Within your chosen track, you will learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present your findings in a professional setting. Alongside lab research, you will take part in lectures, workshops, and career development sessions that offer insight into medical research and healthcare careers. The program concludes with a symposium where you will present your project, gaining experience in scientific communication.
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost; hourly wages and transportation funds available for in-person interns
Dates: In-person program: Eight weeks in summer | Virtual program: Five weeks in summer
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school students living in or around Baltimore (in-person internship) or anywhere in North America (virtual internship)
JHIBS is a summer program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience and clinical research. The in-person option offers an eight-week experience at Johns Hopkins, where you will engage in mentored research projects, attend scientific seminars, join clinical rotations with neurologists, and present your work through oral or poster presentations. The virtual track involves five weeks of educational lectures, professional development training, mentorship, and lab-specific training. Both formats can provide you with early exposure to neuroscience, research skills, career development opportunities, and mentorship from Johns Hopkins faculty and scientists.
5. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates who live or study in Massachusetts
The MGH Youth Neurology Education and Research Program offers students exposure to the field of neurology and opportunities to work closely with leading physicians and researchers. The program begins with a boot camp where you will learn about and build key research skills. Then, you will collaborate with an MGH Neurology faculty mentor on a hands-on research project. During the program, you will meet neurologists, explore career paths, and access lab mentorship. The program concludes with a formal research presentation. Additionally, you may get to see you and your mentor’s work published or submitted for awards in the future.
6. UCSF’s CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California at San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Program duration: June 12 – June 13 | Orientation: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade (high school) or enrolled at CCSF (community college) who are at least 16 years old by program start, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or higher
The UCSF CURE Research Internship Program gives you the chance to conduct hands-on biomedical research under the guidance of UCSF faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. Over the course of eight weeks, you will explore areas such as basic, clinical, behavioral, and population sciences while learning how to plan experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings. You will present your work at the program’s Research Symposium, gaining experience in scientific writing and presentation. In addition to lab training, you will have access to academic advising, college application support, and professional development to help you prepare for future academics and careers in science or healthcare.
7. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Institutes of Medicine, Stanford University, CA
Stipend: Need-based $3,000 stipend available
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 and are living and attending high school in select Northern California counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, or Santa Cruz); applicants must a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.0
PIPS is a six-week research-focused summer program for high school juniors and seniors. Here, you will work alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers on a hands-on research project in the biological sciences or medicine. The program is intended for students with little or no prior research experience, making it an accessible introduction to scientific inquiry. Over the course of six weeks, you will attend workshops to learn how medical research is conducted, develop fundamental research skills, and gain exposure to careers in science and healthcare. At the end of the program, you will summarize your project in a research poster and present it at a symposium.
8. Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school junior, ages 14 and up, with a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects; applicants must live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the main Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center campus
The Summer Student Program at MSKCC is an eight-week internship that immerses you in translational cancer research. You will join a biomedical or computational research lab, where you will work on an independent project under the guidance of a principal investigator and mentor. In the process, you will develop technical skills, attend lab meetings, and contribute to research in cancer biology. Beyond labwork, you will take part in professional development sessions, tours, and events that introduce you to the broader world of translational medicine. The program concludes with opportunities to present your work.
9. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Program dates: Two weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Minnesota residents
Application deadline: May 30 (tentative)
The SHE in Oncology is a multi-institutional program hosted by cancer centers throughout the country. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center offers this program to 20 high school students interested in exploring biomedicine and oncology. Here, you will attend virtual lectures and discussions covering topics in cancer care and cancer science. You will work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study along with peers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin. Additionally, you will also receive your own laboratory kit to conduct experiments from home. The free medical program also offers high school students access to professional development and skill-building opportunities and panel discussions led by cancer research and care professionals.
10. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science Summer Research Program
Location: Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend may be avaialble
Dates: Third week of June – second week of August
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school, ages 16 or up, with a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or all As and Bs in math and science classes.
The RITMS Summer Research Program is an eight-week biomedical internship designed for high school and college students interested in careers in science and medicine. You will join research teams and explore disease mechanisms, drug development, and healthcare innovation through mentored laboratory work. You will gain practical experience in experiment design, lab techniques, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Alongside lab research, the program includes discussions and career sessions that highlight how scientific discoveries translate into clinical applications. The program can provide early exposure to research that may guide your college and career decisions and boost future applications.
11. Boston Medical Center’s Junior Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: Not specified, but the application window opens on March 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Junior Summer Volunteer Program at Boston Medical Center is an eight-week experience for high school students interested in exploring the daily operations of a healthcare facility. You will volunteer for at least one three-hour shift per week, assisting within hospital departments (like the outpatient pediatric clinic) and supporting patient care. In addition to volunteering, you will attend a weekly lecture series led by healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, surgeons, social workers, and administrators. These sessions offer some insight into medical careers and the teamwork required in hospital settings. By combining service with professional learning, the program offers a practical understanding of healthcare delivery and patient care. At the end of the program, you will earn credits and a certificate of completion.
12. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two weeks in June
Application deadline: Early February; applications typically open in late September
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This virtual program offered by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is meant for high schoolers interested in learning about careers in the mental health field. The program offers opportunities to connect with mental health professionals, including licensed social workers, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and physician assistants. Through online sessions, professionals will share their experiences in the field of psychology, offering you insights into pursuing a career. Additionally, you will learn about fields like community psychiatry, psychotherapy, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and neuropsychological testing.
13. Summer High School Research Internship @ Houston Methodist
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year and are 16 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Houston Methodist Summer High School Research Internship introduces you to translational medical research through hands-on projects and guided mentorship. As an intern, you will work alongside undergraduates and faculty mentors, gaining experience in lab techniques, scientific writing, and experimental design. Each project is mentor-driven, allowing you to focus on an area of expertise while building practical skills in biomedical research. The program also includes seminars, lectures, and career development sessions to prepare you for future academic and professional opportunities. Your experience ends with a research symposium, where you will present your findings to peers, scientists, and staff.
14. Roswell Park High School Summer Research Program
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June 26 – August 7
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in Western New York who are 15 or older by the program’s start date
The Roswell Park High School Summer Research Program allows you to spend six weeks immersed in cancer science at the only NCI-designated cancer center in Upstate New York. You will work in either wet or dry labs, gaining practical exposure to cancer biology, imaging, genomics, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Alongside lab research, you will attend lectures and discussions covering topics within research ethics, statistics, and the integration of fields such as mathematics, physics, and engineering in cancer research. You will also find opportunities to build skills in scientific communication and explore career pathways in health sciences. The program concludes with a research symposium, where you will present your project in a formal poster session.
15. Mayo Clinic’s Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: None
Dates: June 3 – December 2
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in Duval or St. Johns counties in Florida with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA.
During SPARK, you will spend the summer and part of the academic year working in laboratories at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. You will commit at least 25 hours per week to research within areas like immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, cancer biology, regenerative sciences, and drug development. Under the mentorship of scientists, you will learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and approach problems with critical thinking. Additionally, you will attend seminars, develop professional skills, and prepare research projects that you can present at science fairs. At the end of the program, you will present your final research poster.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science