9 Biomedical Research Programs for High School Students
Are you a high school student interested in science and curious about biomedical research? Opportunities to explore this field are more accessible than ever, with many programs designed specifically for high schoolers. From hands-on lab work to mentorship by scientists, these programs provide a chance to gain experience that can help you prepare for careers in medicine, biotechnology, or healthcare.
Whether you’re looking to contribute to cutting-edge research, develop new skills, or connect with like-minded peers, research programs are a good way to spend your summer. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 9 great biomedical research programs for high school students!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - 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.
Stipend: $4,000
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and have completed high school courses in chemistry and biology
The Student Academy at City of Hope offers high school students an opportunity to conduct biomedical research. You will work full-time in a research team, designing and executing your own project under the mentorship of physicians and scientists. You can conduct research in areas like immunology, cell biology, and genetics while developing critical thinking and scientific communication skills. The program includes weekly seminars where you will present your findings and workshops on topics like biomedical ethics and poster creation. You may have your name published in scientific papers or patents developed during your project.
3. Veritas AI
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 Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students 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: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $500 minimum
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age
SIMR is a prestigious internship for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. You will work alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories. SIMR offers 8 specialized research areas within the Institutes of Medicine at Stanford. This program emphasizes fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, encouraging applications from underrepresented students in biomedical research, including first-generation college students, economically disadvantaged individuals, and students with disabilities.
Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Application deadline: March 10
Program dates: July 8 – August 2
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who live or have housing within commuting of downtown Seattle; students from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply
The Research Training Program, led by PhD-level scientists, supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical and health sciences. You will gain hands-on experience in research laboratories, exploring biochemistry, gene editing, immunotherapy, and infectious diseases. The program includes group research projects, lectures on topics like immunology and public health, and workshops on preparing for college and future careers.
Location: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost: No cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Eligibility: Current high school students above 16 years of age (as of June 15) who reside in Massachusetts and attend a Massachusetts high school
The High School Health Careers Program at UMass Chan Medical School is a summer residential program for high school students interested in healthcare, biotechnology, and biomedical research. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers science, mathematics, language arts, and health disparities. You will have access to internships and mentorship from healthcare professionals. You will also complete a research project and earn a Certificate of Achievement. The program focuses on providing insight into healthcare careers, particularly for students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.
Location: National Institues of Health main campus in Bethesda, MD
Cost: No cost, stipend of $2,530 provided upon completion of the program
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who will be at least 17 years old by June 1
The HiSTEP program introduces high schoolers to biomedical research, science careers, and the work of the National Institutes of Health. The program develops leadership skills and prepares students for future success. It is specifically designed for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. You will attend lectures and networking events, visit research groups, and complete collaborative projects.
Location: Varies based on interest, you can find them all here
Cost: None; stipend provided but amount varies
Application Deadline: Applications open in November
Program Dates: Typically begin in mid-May or early June and last 8 weeks
Eligibility: High school seniors who are accepted to a U.S. university before the start of the internship
The NIAMS Summer Research Program provides an opportunity for incoming medical students to explore biomedical research. The program allows high schoolers to work with scientists on projects in protein structure, cell biology, gene regulation, immunology, and the study of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. You will receive training across basic, translational, and clinical research to develop expertise in laboratory techniques and data interpretation. The program offers career guidance and networking opportunities with NIH professionals and peers. You will attend lectures on health research and share your findings at the NIH Summer Research Poster Day.
Stipend: A stipend will be provided to summer interns. Year-round interns receive credit.
Location: National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: Starts on June 16 (runs for 8 weeks)
Eligibility: Students must be US. citizens or permanent residents and:
Be 17 years or older before the program starts
Attend a participating school within 30 miles of the NCI-Frederick Campus
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or provide a third teacher recommendation if their GPA is 2.5-3.0
This internship program gives students experience in medical and biomedical research. You can can opt for either a summer internship or a school-year program. The scientific research track covers molecular biology, cancer metabolism, chemical biology, molecular cloning, RNA/DNA sequencing, and cell biology. For those drawn to research support, internships are available in bioinformatics, data analysis, IT, science communication, media design, scientific outreach, and partnership development.
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.