10 Cancer Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, especially biomedical sciences, consider applying for a research program. These programs not only provide a foundational understanding of scientific concepts but also cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity, igniting a passion for scientific inquiry and innovation. As a participant, you’ll often engage in hands-on lab work and field studies, which develop practical skills and provide solid exposure!
Cancer research is a field worth exploring as a high school student. It exposes you to advanced scientific techniques and real-world applications of biology and medicine, proves your dedication to addressing critical issues in healthcare, and demonstrates a proactive approach to tackling complex problems.
Here are 10 cancer research opportunities for high school students!
Stipend: Students receive a minimum stipend of $500 for the program. There is a $40 application fee, but it can be waived if your annual family income is less than $80,000.
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Application Deadline: The application for the 2024 period is currently closed. Deadline for the next cycle will likely be around February 2025.
Program Dates: June 10 – August 1, 2024
Eligibility: Open to applicants who
Are juniors or seniors in high school
Are at least 16 years old
Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Preference toward local Bay Area residents
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program that allows participants in hands-on research experiences guided by Stanford faculty. Applicants can choose from a range of research specializations, such as immunology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, neurobiology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. The program is highly selective, accepting just 3% of applicants annually, admitting roughly 50 students.
Here, you will collaborate closely and network with with a diverse group of academic peers and experienced professionals, including postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate and graduate students, which could be beneficial for future Letters of Recommendation (LORs) or other opportunities.
Stipend: $6,800 for the 10-week program; $6,120 for nine weeks (if students’ graduation/commencement collide with the program start date). Participants are responsible for their housing and transportation.
Location: The University of Texas: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Application Deadline: Applications close in January.
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2024
Eligibility: Open to current Texas high school seniors who turn 18 by the program start date
The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, offers a 10-week summer program for high school students from Texas interested in Allied Health careers. This program is highly selective, allowing up to 10 students to gain firsthand experience in a research setting at one of the nation's top cancer research and treatment centers. Here, you will participate in research projects under the mentorship of MD Anderson's full-time faculty members, focusing on the foundational principles of scientific investigation. The program provides extensive laboratory work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days a week, giving students a practical understanding of what it means to be a biomedical researcher and the discipline it requires.
The program also includes seminars on diverse research topics presented by faculty, and you can take part in activities like abstract writing, poster presentations, and elevator speech competitions. The program culminates in a presentation and celebration luncheon, where students showcase their research experiences.
Stipend: Paid internships are offered to applicants who qualify
Location: Buffalo, NY
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in November and close in February.
Program Dates: June 24 – August 9, 2024
Eligibility: High school juniors who reside in Western New York within commuting distance of Roswell Park, and are 15 years of age by the start of the program
Roswell Park’s High School Summer Research Experience allows you to engage in independent research projects under the guidance of Roswell Park experts. You’ll gain practical lab experience using cutting-edge technology, work closely with mentors, and participate in a collaborative environment. You can explore cancer research areas such as cancer genetics, tumor immunology, and cancer biophysics, or even explore new fields like tobacco regulatory science, providing a well-rounded experience in cancer research.
Beyond lab work, the program includes classroom sessions on cancer fundamentals, seminars from guest speakers, and professional development activities. At summer's end, you will present your research findings in a poster presentation, similar to the presentations done by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Stipend: $4,000
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Program Dates: June 3 - August 9, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 16 before their internship begins
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope offers a 10-week research-focused internship within a prestigious cancer treatment and research center. This program allows high school and undergraduate students to immerse themselves in independent biomedical research projects. As an intern, you will gain valuable hands-on experience by integrating into a professional research team and contributing to laboratory work. The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 3.9%.
As an intern, you will spend significant time in the lab, supported by weekly meetings and seminars where faculty present on various topics, from neural stem cell studies to career guidance. You have the flexibility to choose your own research focus — past students have worked on innovative projects, such as anti-HIV therapeutics and neural stem cell delivery systems. Additionally, the curriculum includes workshops on biomedical ethics and poster creation. Peer presentations during these sessions offer insights into the diverse research City of Hope conducts. The program concludes with a poster session, where students present their findings and network with professionals in the field.
Program alumni often proceed to prestigious universities, highlighting the program's significant impact on their academic and professional trajectories.
Stipend: $1,200
Location: Upper East Side Manhattan, New York City, NY
Application Deadline: Applications close in February.
Program Dates: June 27 – August 22, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to high schoolers (must have completed 9th grade) with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects. Must be 14 or older by June. Students accepted must commit to working 40 hours per week.
The HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is an intensive eight-week internship focusing on biomedical and computational research. More specifically, the areas of research include cancer biology, molecular biology, chemical biology, computational genetics, engineering, immunology, pharmacology, and structural biology. Each student is matched with a mentor who guides them through the internship, helping them to acquire relevant skills and knowledge. Throughout the program, students undertake a self-driven project that aligns with and contributes to the broader research goals of their mentor or Principal Investigator.
In addition to their project work, interns actively participate in laboratory meetings and program sessions, which offer exposure to the diverse professionals within their assigned labs and the larger MSKCC community.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend after completing the internship. Housing is not provided
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed
Program Dates: June 24 – August 16, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering senior year or final term after the summer with a strong scientific background
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a highly competitive, eight-week internship for rising 12th and post-graduates, encouraging the participation of students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical sciences. The program begins with a two-week intensive training, where students learn essential laboratory safety protocols and research skills. Interns spend the remaining six weeks embedded in Fred Hutch research groups in Seattle, where they engage in mentored research activities.
Beyond lab work, interns participate in research seminars and career-focused workshops. Social activities help students connect with their peers and build a supportive community. The program concludes with a presentation session where interns showcase their research findings to the Fred Hutch community.
Stipend: Not specified
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open in January 2025
Program Dates: September through March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; you must be nominated by your school’s science chairperson to participate in the program
The Partner for the Future program is an after-school opportunity for rising high school seniors. The application process for this program includes interviews with laboratory scientists, and you must commit to spending at least 10 hours per week conducting original research. A scientist will mentor you,, providing a valuable opportunity to engage in real-world scientific inquiry.
Program participants gain in-depth knowledge of molecular biology and cutting-edge research techniques, and are immersed in the daily routines of a professional laboratory. The program culminates in oral presentations where students showcase their research to an audience that includes their mentors, laboratory administrators, parents, and teachers. This hands-on experience at this leading research institution in molecular biology and genetics offers a rare glimpse into the life of modern scientists and the problem-solving nature of lab work.
Stipend: Yes, amount not specified
Location: Boston, MA
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Program Dates: June 17 (start date)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in Massachusetts
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program aims to inspire high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds in Massachusetts to consider careers in cancer research. CURE integrates students into actual research environments at prominent cancer research centers, linking academic coursework with practical application in the biosciences. The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center's (DF/HCC) is a leading NCI comprehensive cancer center with over 1100 researchers across seven Harvard institutions, dedicated to cancer prevention, treatment, and cure.
The program includes scientific seminars, professional development workshops, and journal clubs with researchers. By the program's end, participants prepare and present their research through an abstract, a poster, or a 10-12 minute PowerPoint presentation, showcasing their contributions to cancer research. This hands-on exposure provides valuable insight into the field and fosters a deeper interest in cancer research and related biosciences.
9. University of Pennsylvania Summer Academy in Applied Science and Technology (SAAST) - Biotechnology
Stipend: $8,500 program fee + $85 application fee
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Application Deadline: Applications open in January and close in April
Program Dates: July 7 – 27, 2024. TBD for 2025Eligibility: Open to high school students that have completed at least one year’s coursework in Biology and Chemistry
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) is a three-week program for students interested in sampling college-level engineering. ESAP blends advanced theoretical instruction with hands-on experience in innovative technologies. Participants work closely with distinguished faculty, earn college credits, reside on campus, and connect with peers from across the globe. The program offers numerous courses, including biotechnology.
This course on biotechnology focuses on the revolutionary techniques of genetic engineering. You will learn the fundamentals of molecular biology and engage in hands-on molecular cloning experiments. It includes a group research proposal project on a current biotechnology problem, allowing students to explore a specific research area in depth. Additionally, you will participate in a journal club to discuss recent scientific articles and hear from Penn faculty about current biotechnology research.
Stipend: Stipends are offered
Location: Bethesda, MD
Application Deadline: Applications open in November and close in January.
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9, 2024 (40 hours per week) as well as 3 hours per week of volunteer work during the school year
Eligibility:
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Attend an eligible school located within a 30-mile radius of the NCI-Fredrick campus.
Be in your junior year of high school when applying.
Must be 17 or older before the program start date
The Werner H. Kirsten Student Intern Program (WHK) at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick offers a unique year-long internship that immerses high school seniors in a biomedical research setting. Interns can engage in hands-on scientific research across various fields, including molecular biology, cancer metabolism, chemical biology, molecular cloning, RNA and DNA sequencing, and cell biology.
Alternatively, students can choose internships focused on scientific support, where they gain experience in areas essential to biomedical research. These areas include bioinformatics, statistical and data analysis, information technology, graphics and media, scientific communications, IT security, scientific education and outreach, and partnership development. This program provides comprehensive exposure to both the practical and supportive facets of scientific research, enriching participants' understanding of the biomedical field.
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
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in computer science, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: Fred Hutch Cancer Center logo
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