Oncology is the branch of medicine and research focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating cancer. It uses biology, chemistry, medicine, and data analysis to study how cancer develops and how it can be prevented or treated. An oncology summer program for high school students introduces these ideas in a clear, beginner-friendly way. Instead of diving straight into complex medical training, you’ll usually learn the basics of cancer biology, explore how research labs study cancer cells, and attend talks by doctors, scientists, or graduate students.
Why should you participate in an oncology program?
These programs are a good fit for high school students interested in medicine, biomedical research, or healthcare, and who want to explore cancer-related fields early on. They are particularly useful if you’re interested in understanding how biology relates to real medical issues and are still considering your career options. Joining a summer program can help you acquire core knowledge, understand the research process, and improve your problem-solving and teamwork abilities. Additionally, it can enhance your academic profile and give you a clearer idea of potential majors and career directions.
In this blog, we’ve listed 15 oncology summer programs for high school students. If you’re looking for research-based opportunities, you can find cancer research programs for high school students here and here.
15 Oncology Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a $1,200 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2% | 20 students
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 or older by June, live within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New Jersey, New York, or Connecticut, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and have a 3.5 GPA in science courses
The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program HOPP is an eight-week summer internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for high school students interested in biomedical science. You’ll work in a biomedical or computational lab on an independent research project with guidance from a graduate student, postdoc, or research technician. Projects span areas like cancer biology, immuno-oncology, computer science, chemistry, drug development, pharmacology, computational biology, engineering, immunology, imaging, genomics, and molecular and cell biology. You’ll develop technical skills while contributing to a project connected to a principal investigator’s research. You’ll also attend program sessions, lab meetings, and events focused on translational medicine, take part in tours and training led by MSK experts, and present your findings at a poster session.
2. UC Irvine Cancer Research Institute Youth Science Fellowship Program (YSFP)
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Each year, 20 students are selected from more than 100 applicants
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in Orange County who have completed both a chemistry and a biology class by the program start and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Youth Science Fellowship Program at the UC Irvine Cancer Research Institute is a six-week summer program that gives high school students from across Orange County hands-on exposure to cancer research. You will be paired with a research mentor to develop essential lab and research skills, enhance scientific communication, and explore future career paths in biomedical and cancer research. Collaborating with UCI researchers in lab or population science settings, you will attend interactive science seminars and participate in professional development workshops. The program requires about 30 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, depending on your lab’s schedule. It culminates in a Scientific Poster Symposium where you will present your work to faculty, peers, and family.
3. Emory University Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Virtual or in person at the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free | In-person program interns earn a $2,400 stipend
Cohort Size: 10 – 12 students
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who will be 16 or older by the start of the program can apply; applicants for the in-person program must be U.S. citizens or have U.S. Permanent Resident status
The Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program is a six-week program for high school seniors that offers hands-on experience in cancer research. You’ll attend lectures from Winship oncologists and faculty, work one-on-one with a physician or lab researcher on a guided project, and present your work at a final symposium. The program also includes field trips like the Michael C. Carlos Museum and Emory Proton Therapy Center, plus roundtable talks with cancer survivors and sessions on cancer biology and oncology careers. A virtual-only option is available with live access to 10 to 12 lectures, each about 1.5 hours long. Lectures are not recorded and cover cancer biology, oncology careers, and clinical and lab research methods. Students who attend at least 70% of sessions receive a Certificate of Attendance.
4. Wayne State University’s Discovery To Cure Program
Location: C. S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13 – 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older, as well as undergraduate students from Wayne State University or any other college or university
The Discovery to Cure Program offers hands-on research experience in labs at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Over eight weeks, you’ll train in fields like oncology, immunology, reproductive biology, genomics, prenatal medicine, toxicology, environmental science, and precision medicine. You’ll be paired with a mentor and work on an individual research project where you’ll develop a hypothesis, run experiments, and analyze results. You’ll work about 40 hours a week in the lab with support from a faculty mentor, postdoc, or research assistant, and attend weekly research seminars. On the final day, you’ll give a 10-minute oral presentation during the scheduled Research Presentation Day. You can review examples of past intern projects here.
5. UW Carbone Cancer Center ARISE Summer Research Internship
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $18 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year and are 16 or older at the program’s start
The Carbone Cancer Center High School Cancer Research Internship, run with UW–Madison, offers hands-on experience in an active cancer research lab. The program is split into two parts: lab work and enrichment activities. In the lab, you’ll be matched with a mentor, trained in lab techniques, meet with the Principal Investigator, support ongoing research, attend weekly lab meetings, and complete your own project. You’ll work 25 hours per week for eight weeks, Monday through Friday, and present your research at the end of the program. Outside the lab, you’ll spend three to five hours each week on enrichment activities like workshops on pathology, medical ethics, and science communication, career panels, and social events. You’ll also receive a UW Carbone Cancer Center Science Research Certificate.
6. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns receive a stipend and a free ORCA card for transportation in the greater Seattle area
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 19 – March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a strong interest and academic background in science who are at least 16 years old by the program start and live in the Greater Seattle or nearby areas
The Summer High School Internship Program is a competitive, paid eight-week internship for rising high school seniors who have limited research experience. You’ll spend the first two weeks learning lab safety and core techniques like pipetting, tissue culture, sterile technique, blood separation, DNA isolation, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. During the remaining six weeks, you’ll work full-time with a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle on mentored lab tasks, including preparing solutions, data entry, and attending lab meetings. You’ll join research seminars, college and career workshops, essay writing sessions, and team activities. You’ll also give a final presentation to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends. The program offers insight into cancer research and career development, helping you understand cancer prevention, treatment, and pathways to related careers.
7. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program
Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive; less than 10% of high school applicants are accepted
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: November 14 – January 9
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old, in good academic standing, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who show strong interest and ability in science can apply. Priority is given to students from the HICCC catchment area and those who have participated in HICCC or Columbia University programs or activities
YES in THE HEIGHTS is an eight-week summer internship that gives students hands-on research experience focused on cancer and health disparities. The program is designed to increase STEM involvement for underrepresented high school and college students. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor based on your interests and work with them on cancer research projects while writing a scientific abstract, and if you return for a second summer, you’ll have the chance to present your research. You’ll participate in the HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club, where you’ll read and discuss research papers with other interns. The program also offers training in scientific and professional skills, guidance on creating an Individual Development Plan, and social and networking events.
8. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $50 application fee (waivable based on financial need) | Limited need-based stipends are available through special grants
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and will be 16 or older by the program’s start
The SIMR program allows students to engage in real medical research with Stanford faculty, researchers, and students on active research projects. Lab placement is based on your interests, with eight focus areas to choose from, including cancer biology, neurobiology, bioinformatics, cardiovascular biology, immunology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, genetics, and bioengineering. If you choose a cancer focus, you can work at the Stanford Cancer Institute and study a wide range of topics related to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. You may also explore research areas such as Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Imaging and Early Detection, and Cancer Immunotherapy. You’ll complete lab work, attend lectures, and join weekly group discussions to share ideas and learn from peers.
9. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | $3,600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years old, are in good academic standing or graduating, and can provide official proof of enrollment
The DACCPM Summer Research Program is a structured 10-week program for students interested in research in critical care, anesthesiology, and pain medicine. You will serve as a lab or research trainee, gaining experience in laboratory and clinical research skills. This includes learning research policies, lab safety protocols, and methods for collecting, analyzing, and presenting scientific data, all centered around fundamental research principles. You’ll also learn data handling, review medical literature using the online Research Medical Library, and study topics like opioids, chemotherapy-related pain, perioperative immune function, and cancer recurrence. You’ll take part in hands-on research, help interpret data, observe clinical settings, and work with a faculty mentor. The program ends with a poster symposium, and your research abstract is published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
10. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $4,500 stipend
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program is an eight-week summer program for local high school juniors who are interested in medicine. Run by UCSF, the program will match you with a scientist mentor and place you in a biomedical research lab to work on a project based on your interests. You may work in areas like cancer research, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, infectious diseases, developmental biology, or stem cell research. Past projects have included studies such as CRISPR efficiency in NK-92 cells, which explored immunotherapy and the immune system’s role in cancer treatment. You’ll also develop science communication skills, connect with researchers, and receive college prep support, including help with financial aid, transcripts, personal statements, resumes, and campus visits.
11. High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) Program at Roswell Park
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited cohort size
Dates: June 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live in Western New York and attend school in Erie, Cattaraugus, Niagara, or Chautauqua counties can apply. Applicants must be at least 15 years old by the program start and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center offers the Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) internship for local high school students. You will engage in group discussions, lectures, and practical lab research, whether dry or wet lab experiments. You will gain foundational knowledge in cancer science, covering areas such as cancer biology, genomics, imaging, and emerging technologies like AI. Additionally, you’ll learn essential statistics, research ethics, and explore how physics, mathematics, and engineering intersect with biology in the field of cancer research. The program includes seminars and career-focused sessions on scientific communication and cancer-related fields. It culminates in a research symposium where you’ll present a scientific poster outlining your project, goals, and results.
12. KU Accelerate Cancer Education (ACE) High School Summer Research Program
Location: University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free | $2,940 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors enrolled in a high school in Wyandotte County, KS, or Jackson County, MO, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the program start, have guardian permission, and be legally eligible to work in the US
The Accelerate Cancer Education program is a six-week paid summer research experience for high school students interested in biomedical careers. The program aims to develop the future oncology workforce by providing local high school students with this experience. Participants will gain practical exposure to cancer research, explore various career options, and engage in activities aligned with the University of Kansas Cancer Center’s emphasis on workforce development. You’ll take part in cancer-focused programming on site at the KU Cancer Center, work with a faculty mentor, and complete a summer research project in a clinical setting, lab, or office environment. The program will end with a poster forum where you’ll present your project and what you learned.
13. Future Scientist Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: IU School of Medicine’s downtown IU Indianapolis campus, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending Indianapolis or Marion County public schools with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are able to obtain a work permit through their school system if they are 16 or younger
The Future Scientist Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is an eight-week summer science program for high school juniors attending Indianapolis and Marion County public schools. This is a non-credit summer research program that aims to support the development of future scientists and introduce students to careers in science and medicine. You will spend the summer working on a research project with a university researcher who will mentor you throughout the program. You will work 40 hours per week alongside university researchers on a focused project, gaining hands-on experience. Research projects examine the molecular changes involved in cancer and explore targeted approaches to cancer prevention and treatment.
14. City Of Hope Cancer Center Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $4,500 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 14 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students who are at least 16 years old before their internship begins on June 1 and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope Cancer Center gives high school and college students hands-on experience in biomedical research. You’ll design and carry out a research project with guidance from City of Hope faculty as well as work alongside graduate students, postdocs, and lab staff from the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences. Faculty talks cover topics like neural stem cells, DNA repair, and plant signaling. You’ll present your work in weekly seminars and complete a written report with support in scientific writing. You’ll also attend the Distinguished Seminar Series, where invited researchers share their work and career paths. City of Hope also runs the YES2SUCCESS program, which provides outreach and mentored cancer research experiences for underrepresented students.
15. UChicago Medicine’s Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer Program
Location: University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | $5,000 taxable stipend per year
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 12 applicants are accepted each year
Dates: June 15 – August 7; Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year program with two eight-week summer research sessions held from mid-June to early August, along with monthly activities during the school year
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, are 16 or older by the program’s start, and live in Cook, Will, Lake, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year program for high school and college students interested in biomedicine. It also offers opportunities for science educators in cancer research. The program includes two back-to-back 8-week summer research experiences (35–40 hours per week) and monthly enrichment activities during the school year (2–4 hours per month). During the summers, you will work full-time in cancer research laboratories, gaining practical experience. The program includes research training, skill-building workshops, career development sessions, lectures on cancer topics, and mentorship from faculty and peers. It ends with a research symposium where you’ll present your work in basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer research.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like cancer biology, bioinformatics, data science in healthcare, molecular genetics, and medical research methodologies, 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 – UChicago Medicine