10 Medical Research Programs for High School Students
For high school students, participating in STEM programs can offer a solid experience that extends beyond the classroom. These programs cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of complex scientific concepts. They also foster a sense of curiosity, encouraging you to explore cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. Early exposure to medicine and research can bolster your college applications in the highly competitive admissions process.
Engaging in medical research demonstrates a commitment to pursuing a career in medicine, showcasing a proactive approach to education. This experience enhances your understanding of medical science and highlights your ability to engage in rigorous academic endeavors. Additionally, hands-on experience in medicine can help you develop crucial skills such as empathy, communication, and analytical thinking, which colleges and universities highly value.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 10 medical research programs for high school students! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $40 application fee; program is free for all accepted participants; stipend of at least $500 is provided.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: The program runs from mid-June to early August each year
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students who are juniors or seniors at the time of application and are at least 16 by the beginning of the program.
SIMR is a highly competitive initiative that offers high school students the chance to engage in internships and research. With an acceptance rate below 3% and a cohort of about 50 students, SIMR allows you to collaborate with Stanford's graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. You have the option to specialize in one of eight fields: Cancer Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, and Genetics and Genomics. According to your interests, you will be placed in a specific discipline and spend two months conducting research. In the final two weeks, you will prepare a research poster, which you will present. Here is an in-depth review of this program!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: Chapman University, Irvine, CA
Cost: $1,503 program fee covering all meals and activities.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close by the end of May
Program Dates: Typically three weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Open to all students entering grades 9-12 with a recommended GPA of at least 3.0
Chapman University’s Pharmacy Summer Research Program is an ideal opportunity for students who want experience in pharmacy research. This program introduces you to laboratory equipment, research methodologies, and technology common in professional pharmaceutical practice. Working under the mentorship of a faculty advisor, you will collaborate on a research project with current Chapman Pharmacy students. Previous student research projects have examined areas such as the role of pharmacists in travel health services and methods to reduce patient readmission rates. The program focuses on writing research reports, critically evaluating scientific literature, and professionally presenting your findings.
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; stipend of $3,500 to assist with housing and travel costs provided.
Application Deadline: Applications open in December and typically close by January.
Program Dates: Typically eight weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors aged 18 by the start of the internship.
As a participant in this program, you will conduct research in the hospital’s laboratories and assist mentors with various child health projects. During the application process, you will have the opportunity to indicate your preferred mentors. The program features weekly workshops. Upon its conclusion, you’ll be required to produce written reports and present your research findings in oral, poster, or presentation formats. Additionally, you will compose abstracts suitable for submission to conferences at local, regional, and national levels.
Location: SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, Cooperstown, NY
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; stipend of $3,000 provided.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: Nine weeks in the summer; typically from late May to August.
Eligibility: Open to all New York high school students who are at least 16.
The State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta offers a prestigious nine-week summer research internship for high school students in New York. The highly selective program only accepts 1 to 3 participants each year. You will collaborate with faculty and staff in the BFS central lab, supporting ongoing research projects while developing your own research endeavors. At the end of the program, you will present your findings through a poster presentation to mentors, BFS faculty, and peers. This program offers exposure to a variety of research activities, including laboratory analysis, fieldwork, data interpretation, and scientific writing. Detailed insights into previous projects can be found in past publications.
Location: Various medical centers in Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: Dates and session length vary depending on program; typically from July to August.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors.
The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program, organized by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society, aims to inspire high school students to pursue careers in healthcare. This program offers the chance to shadow various healthcare professionals, engage in medical research, and take part in clinical simulations. You will receive mentorship from experienced healthcare practitioners, including surgeons, pediatricians, dietitians, pharmacists, and other specialists. The program involves attending presentations, participating in interactive sessions with both general pediatricians and specialists, and gaining experience through clinical simulations. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to work on research projects that complement your mentor's ongoing studies.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; varying in-person stipends by the hour; virtual participants get a stipend of $500.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: In-person: June - August (~8 weeks) | Virtual: July - August (~5 weeks).
Eligibility: Open to juniors and seniors around the country (virtual program)/juniors or seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area (in-person).
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program is an 8-week summer research initiative aimed at enhancing diversity in the neurological sciences. Designed for high school students from underrepresented communities, this program offers research experience under the mentorship of experts in the field. As a participant, you will engage in scientific seminars, discussions, and weekly sessions focused on personal and professional development. You will work with neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins University. With only 5-6 positions available, the program is selective. The internship culminates in students presenting their research findings through either an oral or poster presentation. For more information on past projects, see here. This article expands on the program!
Location: UC Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA
Cost: $5,500 tuition fee; covering meals and activities; housing and transportation are not provided; need-based financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: Session I: June 3 to June 14 | Session II: July 8 to July 19.
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16 or older with a 3.5 GPA (unweighted) or above.
The Summer Surgery Program at UC Irvine stands out as an excellent medical program for high school students by providing one-of-a-kind opportunities in the surgical field. This program introduces you to the day-to-day activities of surgeons through practical and observational learning experiences. As a participant, you’ll engage in dissection workshops, learn ultrasound techniques, and understand advanced minimally invasive surgical technologies. In addition to these practical experiences, you’ll network and collaborate with medical students, residents, and faculty. The program also includes obtaining a Basic Life Support Certification, equipping you with essential emergency response skills.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; a stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close between January and February.
Program Dates: Typically seven weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Open to high school and undergraduate students in the greater Philadelphia area; Preference for those from underrepresented backgrounds in science
The MSAP caters to students with a deep interest in scientific research within biomedicine and medicine. In this program, you’ll engage in research projects, gain practical experience, and master a range of laboratory techniques. Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll participate in scientific lectures and workshops focusing on public speaking, written communication, and the ethical considerations of human and animal research. The program concludes with a public conference where you will present your research findings. The program admits fewer than 10% of applicants, with typically 18-24 students chosen from approximately 200 candidates. About 20-30% of the accepted students are returnees. For a deeper understanding, check out this article!
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.
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