TL;DR
The list below covers 15 medical research opportunities for high school students, including biomedical research, cancer research, neuroscience, clinical research, health data, and independent research. Some programs are fully funded or provide stipends, while others are paid or have different financial aid options. You’ll also find both in-person and virtual research opportunities, depending on the kind of experience you want. If you want to develop an independent medical research project with 1:1 mentorship, explore the Horizon Academic Research Program.
If you’re interested in medicine, research is a good way to get a feel for what the field is actually like before college. You can explore areas like cancer biology, neuroscience, genetics, biomedical engineering, health data, and clinical research while working with researchers and mentors. Some opportunities involve spending time in a university lab, while others let you work on clinical or computational research or complete your own project. This list includes 15 summer medical programs for high school students. If you want to explore more remote options, take a look at online medical research opportunities for high school students.
What kind of medical research can high school students do?
Medical research is a broad field. You don’t have to spend your summer doing the same kind of lab work as everyone else.
Some programs focus on cancer biology or genetics. Others involve neuroscience, clinical research, biomedical engineering, or health data. A few let you develop an independent research question with a mentor.
| If you’re looking for… | Programs to explore |
| Independent research from anywhere | Horizon Academic Research Program, Lumiere Research Scholar Program |
| Biomedical laboratory research | Stanford SIMR, Wistar High School Program in Biomedical Research, Fred Hutch SHIP |
| Cancer research | Roswell Park SURE-CAN, Fred Hutch SHIP |
| Neuroscience research | Duke DUNE, Stanford SIMR, Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford |
| Clinical or health research | UCSF Summer Student Research Program, NIH Summer Internship Program, Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford |
| Biomedical computing and health data | Columbia DBMI Summer Research Program, NIH Summer Internship Program, Roswell Park SURE-CAN |
Which medical research programs are free or offer a stipend?
Cost can be a major factor when you’re comparing research programs. Several opportunities on this list are free, and some also provide stipends or other financial support.
For example, Stanford SIMR is a no-cost program, while Wistar’s High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research provides a $1,500 stipend for successful completion. UCSF’s Summer Student Research Program provides a $3,000 stipend to eligible high school students.
Funding rules can change from year to year, so check the official program page before applying.
Which programs give you hands-on laboratory research?
If you want to spend your summer actually doing research, look for programs that place you in a research group or laboratory.
Programs such as Stanford SIMR, Wistar’s High School Fellowship, Rockefeller SSRP, and Fred Hutch SHIP all involve mentored research. The exact work varies by program, but you can expect exposure to laboratory methods, research questions, scientific literature, and research presentations.
Which programs focus on cancer, neuroscience, or other medical fields?
Your research area can make a big difference when choosing a program.
If you’re interested in cancer, Roswell Park SURE-CAN and Fred Hutch SHIP are worth exploring.
For neuroscience, Duke DUNE and Stanford SIMR offer research experiences in the field. For health data and biomedical informatics, Columbia DBMI is a more computational option.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
The Horizon Academic Research Program allows high school students to conduct independent research with guidance from professors or Ph.D. scholars. The Medicine Track can cover areas such as gene editing and CRISPR technology, along with related scientific and ethical questions. Students develop their work into a university-level research paper.
Who is it right for? Students who want a virtual, mentor-guided research experience and the flexibility to develop an independent medical research question.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to one year
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors for independent research. Research areas span subjects such as biology, psychology, data science, computer science, chemistry, economics, and international relations. The program is remote, and students develop an independent research paper.
Who is it right for? Students who want to conduct independent research remotely with 1:1 Ph.D. mentorship.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: No program fee; stipend support is available
Program Dates: Eight weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and meet the U.S. residency and citizenship requirements
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program places students in medically oriented research projects with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers. Research areas include immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, cardiovascular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and bioengineering. Students present their work at the end of the program.
Who is it right for? Juniors and seniors who want intensive, hands-on biomedical research in a university laboratory.
4. High School Program in Biomedical Research at the Wistar Institute
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free; $1,500 stipend upon successful completion
Program Dates: Four weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Check the official website for the next cycle
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old who have completed at least one high school science course
The Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research gives students hands-on experience with biomedical laboratory techniques while contributing to active Wistar science projects. You’ll also read scientific literature, learn about careers in biomedical research, and present your work at the end of the program. No previous research experience is required.
Who is it right for? Students 16+ who want an introduction to biomedical laboratory research without needing previous research experience.
5. Child Health Research Internship
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: Free; $4,400 stipend to help with travel and housing
Program Dates: Nine weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted between December 1 and February 1 for the upcoming summer cycle.
Eligibility: High school seniors over 18 who meet the program’s Colorado residency requirements
The Child Health Research Internship gives students the chance to work with researchers on child-health projects. You’ll have a faculty mentor, attend research seminars, and gain experience in a biomedical research environment. The program concludes with a research summary and an oral presentation or poster.
Who is it right for? High school seniors interested in child health research who can commit to a full-time summer research experience.
6. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free; paid financial award provided upon successful completion
Program Dates: Eight weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Opens in November for the following summer
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year who are at least 16, have limited research experience, and currently reside in the Greater Seattle area.
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program begins with laboratory safety and research training. You will then spend six weeks working with a Fred Hutch research group under the guidance of scientists. Research seminars and professional development activities are also part of the program.
Who is it right for? Students entering senior year who want intensive biomedical research experience and have limited previous research exposure.
7. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Five weeks during summer
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors living in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program combines medicine, science, and public health. You will complete a hospital internship and work in a small group on a public health research project focused on health disparities. The program also includes faculty lectures, professional development, and healthcare career exploration.
Who is it right for? First-generation juniors in Northern California who want to combine public health research with exposure to medicine.
8. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22–August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 at the start of the program
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program is a team-based, mentored research program. You conduct hands-on laboratory research while working around scientific questions connected to your interests. The program requires full-time participation and gives students experience working in a research environment.
Who is it right for? Juniors and seniors who want a full-time laboratory research experience in New York City.
9. Roswell Park High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 28–August 6
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who live and attend school in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua County
The Roswell Park SURE-CAN Program is a six-week cancer research experience. You can work on basic, epidemiology and health behavior, or computational projects while learning about cancer biology, genomics, imaging, statistics, and emerging technologies. The program ends with a technical abstract and scientific poster.
Who is it right for? Western New York juniors who want focused experience in cancer research and can commit to a full-time summer program.
10. Duke University Neuroscience Experience
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: A stipend is provided
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Local high school students who are at least 16 years old, have reliable transportation to commute, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience places students in neuroscience laboratories at Duke. You’ll work on a research project with an individual mentor and take part in professional development activities. The program ends with a scientific poster presentation.
Who is it right for? Local high school students interested in neuroscience who want direct experience in a research laboratory.
11. NIH Summer Internship Program
Location: NIH campuses in the United States
Cost: No tuition; internship funding is provided through individual NIH research groups
Program Dates: Summer; full-time
Application Deadline: Open in mid-November and closes in mid-February
Eligibility: High school seniors and other students who meet NIH age, citizenship, and enrollment requirements
The NIH Summer Internship Program gives eligible students the chance to work in research groups across the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research can involve biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, including basic, translational, and clinical research. You must meet specific age and graduation requirements.
Who is it right for? Eligible high school seniors who want research experience at one of the largest biomedical research institutions in the United States.
12. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: UCSF, San Francisco and Oakland, CA
Cost: Free; $3,000 stipend for eligible high school students
Program Dates: Seven weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Expected to open in December
Eligibility: Students 16+ in grades 10–12 who meet the program’s academic and disadvantage-related eligibility requirements
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program pairs eligible high school students with mentors for clinical or basic science research. You will attend seminars and workshops, take part in journal clubs and mentoring activities, and present their findings through poster and oral presentations at the end of the program.
Who is it right for? Students 16+ who meet the eligibility requirements and want mentored clinical or biomedical research experience.
13. Columbia Biomedical Informatics Summer Research Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Six weeks during summer
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years of age
The Columbia DBMI Summer Research Program focuses on biomedical informatics and health data science. Students from backgrounds such as biology, engineering, computer science, and statistics gain hands-on training and research experience. The program is designed for students who can spend the full program in the New York City area.
Who is it right for? Students interested in the intersection of medicine, computer science, statistics, and health data.
14. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Seven weeks during summer
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are local to the Bay Area and at least 16 years old
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford gives students an introductory research experience in pediatric medicine. You will work with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers to complete a research project. The program is designed for students with little or no previous research exposure.
Who is it right for? Rising juniors and seniors who want to explore pediatric medicine and research with a Stanford research team.
15. Stanford STaRS Summer Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Approximately eight weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who meet the program requirements
The Stanford STaRS Summer Internship Program gives high school students research experience in Stanford laboratories working in science, technology, and reconstructive surgery. You will learn basic laboratory techniques, contribute to research projects, and present your work with guidance from experienced researchers.
Who is it right for? Students interested in medical research and laboratory work, particularly research connected to reconstructive surgery and related biomedical fields.
How should you choose a medical research program?
Start with the type of research, not the name of the university. If you want cancer research, look for a program where cancer biology or oncology is part of the actual research experience. If you prefer neuroscience, look for a lab or mentor working in that area.
Then check:
- What will you actually research?
- Who will mentor you?
- Will you work in a laboratory or analyze data?
- What will you produce at the end?
- Is the program free, paid, or stipend-supported?
- Do you meet the location and eligibility requirements?
A program with a famous university name can still be a poor fit if the research itself doesn’t match what you want to study.
One more option: Horizon Academic Research Program
If you want to build your own medical research project, the Horizon Academic Research Program offers a different format. You can work virtually with a professor or Ph.D. scholar, develop an independent research question, and turn the project into a university-level research paper.
This can make sense if you already have an area of medicine or biology you want to investigate and prefer a structured 1:1 research experience.
What students ask about medical research opportunities
Not always. Some programs are designed for students with little or no previous research experience, while others have specific academic, age, location, or technical requirements. Always check the eligibility criteria before applying.
You can explore areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, genetics, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, public health, pediatrics, and clinical research. The research methods can range from laboratory experiments to computational analysis and work with existing health data.
Yes. Several programs on this list are free, and some also provide stipends or other financial support. Eligibility for funding varies by program, so check the current official details before applying.
Yes. Some opportunities place you in an existing laboratory project, while others give you more room to develop an independent question. If you want structured 1:1 mentorship while developing your own research question and research paper, explore the Horizon Academic Research Program.
Image source: Rockefeller University