Medical summer programs are a super accessible way for high school students to develop advanced skills and gain meaningful, hands-on experience in the field of medicine. These summer programs allow students to explore healthcare careers early, build confidence, and strengthen their academic profiles for future studies.
By engaging in interactive activities, research projects, and connecting with medical professionals, participants develop a clearer understanding of what a career in medicine entails. With a wide range of programs to choose from, deciding where to start can be challenging.
That’s why we’ve carefully narrowed down a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students to help you take your first step into healthcare.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program created for high school students. It offers individualized, 1-on-1 research experiences across a broad range of academic fields that students can choose to explore. Each participant is paired with a Ph.D. mentor to jointly design and execute an independent research project. At the conclusion of the 12-week program, students produce and submit a research paper of their own. Research fields include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application process here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as medicine, healthcare, neuroscience, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Minimum stipend of $500 for all selected students
Cohort Size: 50
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older, U.S. citizens/permanent residents, and living in and attending high school in the U.S.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week internship in medical research designed for high school students to work alongside Stanford faculty, postdocs, and students. SIMR offers full-time laboratory experience, morning lectures, and practical training in scientific research. The program includes joint lectures and a workshop focused on creating research posters, helping you develop essential scientific communication skills. It concludes with a poster session where you share your research findings with the Stanford community.
4. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: This is a paid internship
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 and 12
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week, full-time paid internship designed for rising 11th and 12th-graders from underrepresented groups in biomedical science. During the initial two weeks of this medical research internship, students will receive practical training in lab safety and essential techniques such as PCR, DNA isolation, and sterile tissue culture at Fred Hutch’s Training Labs. Over the following six weeks, you will collaborate in pairs with a mentor within a Fred Hutch research team. Each week features ethics discussions, “meet the scientist” sessions, and workshops on biostatistics and college essay writing. The program will end with a presentation to the Fred Hutch community, showcasing your work.
5. The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research
Location: Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1,000
Cohort Size: 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age and have completed at least one high school science course. Priority is given to students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia.
The Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research is a four-week summer internship for high school students offering hands-on experience in biomedical research. You’ll receive training in laboratory techniques, contribute to ongoing projects, and learn to analyze scientific literature in Wistar’s cutting-edge Training Lab. In addition to research, the program exposes you to a variety of career paths in biomedical science and concludes with a presentation of your work. The fellowship selects a very limited number of high school students, with preference given to those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. No prior research experience is needed.
6. Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Milwaukee rising juniors, seniors, or June graduates; students aged 16 and above; a minimum science and math GPA of 3.0
The Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) program at MCW-Milwaukee is a medical research internship designed for high school students in Milwaukee who are from historically underrepresented groups in health sciences. During the 6-week program, participants will engage in clinical shadowing, hands-on simulations, and group activities to deepen their understanding of health science careers. You’ll learn about medical and allied health professions, explore medical issues impacting your community, and develop an abstract and oral presentation on a selected disease or condition. The program also includes mentorship from medical students, a field trip, and a certificate of completion.
7. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, D.C
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: Students who are 16 years of age by June 23 of the year of application
The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Summer Research Volunteer Program provides an 8-week full-time experience for high school students interested in cancer research and biomedical sciences. Participants undertake independent research projects supervised by research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, gaining hands-on experience in advanced laboratories. The program includes weekly seminars on cancer biology, work-in-progress presentations, and networking sessions with peers and faculty. Topics covered range from cancer genetics and tumor immunology to drug development and clinical therapeutics. Additionally, participants engage in interactive presentations and discussions to deepen their understanding of cancer biology and treatment approaches.
8. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
Location: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $6,800 for the 10-week program; $6,120 for nine weeks
Application Deadline: January 15
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors age 18+ by program start; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders; see more info here.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s 10-week summer program exposes Texas high school students to biomedical research and Allied Health professions. You’ll spend full-time in a research lab, mentored by MD Anderson faculty, to develop hands-on skills and insight into the scientific method. The program provides seminars on various research topics and opportunities to participate in activities such as poster presentations. The program ends with a formal presentation of your research.
9. Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: High school seniors over the age of 18 who are Colorado residents
The University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics offers a summer research program for high school seniors. Participants will work alongside Pediatrics faculty at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Anschutz Medical Campus, exploring research topics related to child health. The program includes a weekly lecture series and concludes with students presenting their findings via written reports and oral or poster presentations. Exceptional projects may be submitted to scientific conferences, with travel and registration expenses covered. Recognized as one of the leading medical research internships for high school students, this program provides valuable hands-on experience and insights into pediatric health research careers.
10. Medicine Institute: Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400
Application Deadline: Rolling basis starting in November
Dates: July 6 – 11 | July 20 – 25
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th grade students
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute gives high school students the chance to explore healthcare through hands-on learning and medical research. In this medical research internship for high school students, you’ll take part in research-based activities, such as working in simulation labs and contributing to clinical research projects in internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery. You will develop key skills such as measuring blood pressure, suturing, and performing ultrasounds, while also exploring advanced medical technology. The program offers access to the Wake Forest School of Medicine, enabling you to engage with medical students and gain insights into current research and clinical trials within real-world settings.
11. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship (rheumatology USA)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $2,500
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years of age by June 2
The Summer Science Internship from the Arthritis Foundation provides high school students with a chance to work in leading research and clinical labs at UCSF. During an 8-week program, you’ll gain practical experience in areas such as basic laboratory research, clinical epidemiology, or bioinformatics. This internship enables you to participate in cutting-edge research aimed at improving treatments for arthritis and similar diseases. Additionally, it offers insights into both laboratory and patient-focused research.
12. Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $500
Cohort Size: 16 per session
Application Deadline: March 14
Dates:
- Session 1: July 28 – August 8
- Session 2: August 11 – 22
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th grade students
The Pathways Research Explorers Program at Fred Hutch provides high school students with a two-week introduction to biomedical research. As a participant, you’ll gain practical lab experience, tour Fred Hutch’s research facilities, and engage with scientists at different career levels. The program focuses on cancer research, public health, and epidemiology, providing exposure to advanced research techniques.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks in the Summer
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online research program created for high school juniors and seniors. Held virtually, the program covers diverse neuroscience topics via interactive lectures and learning resources. Participants learn essential lab techniques, engage in research projects, and receive mentorship and career guidance. Connecting students nationwide, the internship provides a thorough overview of brain sciences. Upon finishing, students earn a certificate of achievement.
14. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is an intensive two-week program centered on neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through seminars with Stanford faculty and researchers, you’ll explore areas like behavioral neuroscience, brain imaging, mindfulness, sports psychiatry, and mental health genetics. The program features discussions on careers in medicine and science, alongside self-care tips for young adults. Participants will collaborate in small teams on a capstone project, crafting creative solutions for real-world mental health issues. CNI-X offers a fully immersive experience through interactive lectures, teamwork, and innovative activities.
15. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee
Application Deadline: March 14
Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4 | Program 2: July 14 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old on the first day of the program
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship provides high school students with hands-on experience in cardiothoracic surgery. The program covers cardiac and thoracic anatomy, physiology, and surgical diseases through lectures and supervised lab exercises. Participants will learn skills like knot tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass, and valve replacement, guided by Stanford faculty and surgical residents. The program also covers ECG interpretation, echocardiography, imaging methods, and major surgical disorders. Participants use surgical tools and study the anatomy of porcine hearts to deepen their understanding of cardiac structures.
Image source – Wake Forest University