For high school students aspiring to careers in medicine, public health, or biomedical research, summer is the perfect time to gain hands-on experience. Medical research programs offer students the opportunity to work in professional labs, engage with expert mentors, and develop foundational skills in clinical and scientific inquiry. These experiences are not only transformative—they're also powerful assets for future college and career opportunities.
Unlike classroom-based learning during the school year, summer programs provide immersion in real-world settings. Students may learn to culture cells, analyze genetic data, conduct public health studies, or assist with ongoing experiments in university-affiliated labs. Whether you're confident about pursuing a medical degree or just beginning to explore, participating in a research-focused program can be the key to building clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Below, we’ve curated a list of 12 of the best medical summer research programs for high school students. These range from competitive, fully funded internships at major research institutions to structured academic experiences focused on biomedical theory and lab skills. Many of these programs are selective, but they offer unparalleled access to mentorship, hands-on learning, and meaningful research outcomes.
Why Join a Medical Research Program in High School?
Build Critical Research Skills Early
Summer medical research programs provide early exposure to lab protocols, data analysis, scientific writing, and real-time problem-solving. These are foundational skills for any student considering medicine, public health, or biology as a future path.
Strengthen Your College Applications
Selective universities value students who demonstrate initiative and curiosity outside the classroom. Participating in a recognized medical research program can strengthen your academic narrative, especially if your future major includes pre-med, biology, neuroscience, or public health.
Engage with Mentors and Role Models
Most programs include mentorship from university researchers, postdocs, or clinicians. These relationships not only enhance the learning experience but can also lead to letters of recommendation, ongoing research opportunities, or guidance on future academic paths.
Explore Career Paths in Medicine and Health Sciences
Whether you’re interested in oncology, pediatrics, epidemiology, or neuroscience, these programs allow you to explore subfields of medicine in depth. You’ll gain clarity on what it’s like to pursue a medical career and which aspects of the field interest you most.
Top 10 Summer Medical Research Programs for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Stanford University offers one of the country's most established medical research programs, and SIMR gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to engage in biomedical research. With an acceptance rate below 3% and a cohort of about 50 students, SIMR allows you to work with Stanford’s graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. You can specialize in one of eight research fields: Cancer Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, and Genetics and Genomics. Based on your interests, you’ll be placed in a discipline and spend two months researching with experts in the field.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students are selected per cohort, and the acceptance rate is approximately 2-3%.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Stipend: Provided (amount varies, at least $500)
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school juniors or seniors (16+), U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
2. Children's Hospital Colorado - Summer Child Health Research Internship
The Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offer a nine-week summer internship focused on child health research. You’ll work in a biomedical research lab under faculty mentorship from the Department of Pediatrics, gaining experience in pediatric medical studies. The program includes a weekly seminar series. You’ll present your research findings through an oral or poster presentation, and students are encouraged to submit abstracts to scientific meetings. Selected students may also receive travel funding to present their research.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective.
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado & University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Program Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+), undergraduates, first-year medical students; U.S. students or international students with a valid U.S. visa; full program availability required.
3. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers a six-week experience in neuroscience research. You’ll work alongside MPFI researchers, learning lab techniques like genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy. If you’re interested in data analysis or mechanical engineering, the program offers specialized tracks in scientific programming (Python, C++, Matlab, Java) and mechanical design (SolidWorks CAD software). At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings to scientists and the local research community.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 10%
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+) from Palm Beach or Martin County, FL; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and available full-time.
4. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program
The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program allows you to work on medical research at Stanford University and UCSF, two of the country’s leading medical institutions. Over eight weeks, you’ll work on projects in rheumatology and immunology alongside scientists and clinicians. You can choose between lab-based research (bench work) or clinical and epidemiological research, focusing on arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Throughout the program, you’ll learn medical research methods, analyze data, and contribute to studies tackling health challenges, all while building connections with experts in the field.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly competitive, accepting only 12 students
Location: Stanford University & UCSF, California
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: Eight weeks during the summer, around June - August
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Must be 17+ by June 1, parental consent required if under 18.
5. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program
The MWRI High School Summer Internship Program offers research experience in women’s health, reproductive biology, and biomedical science. Over six weeks, you’ll work on maternal health, fertility, cancer, and infectious diseases alongside faculty from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine and Swanson School of Engineering. You’ll develop research skills in basic, translational, and clinical studies and attend weekly Lunch & Learn sessions where researchers share their career paths. The program wraps up with a final research presentation.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective. An acceptance rate of less than 8%.
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: $1,800 (for students qualifying under the National School Lunch Program)
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors (16+) residing in Southwest Pennsylvania.
6. Future Scientist Program (FSP) – Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
If you’re interested in cancer research and want experience early on, the Future Scientist Program (FSP) at Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center offers an eight-week introduction to oncology and biomedical research. You’ll work on a research project in basic science, translational medicine, or clinical oncology guided by university scientists. You’ll learn lab techniques like cell culture and PCR, analyze experimental data, and review scientific literature. You’ll also attend seminars by oncology experts and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; exact stats not available.
Location: Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid. The exact amount is not specified.
Program Dates: June 3 - July 26
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from public schools in Indianapolis or Marion County, IN.
7. Biomedical Research Academy – University of Pennsylvania
The Biomedical Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania offers a three-week residential program focused on cellular, molecular, and genetic research. You'll build a strong foundation in biomedical research through lectures from Penn scientists and faculty, journal clubs analyzing peer-reviewed articles, and lab work. You’ll learn experimental techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, and ELISA. The program also covers computational biology, teaching you Bash and Python for genomic sequence analysis and biological data interpretation.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: No stipend. There is a cost of $5,949 (covers tuition, fees, and housing.)
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26
Application Deadline: No information is available; check the program page for updates.
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders with at least one year of high school biology.
8. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
The Coriell Summer Experience is a four-week internship at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research for high school students interested in biomedical research and biotechnology. You’ll work with scientists and technicians, gaining skills in DNA extraction, karyotyping, stem cell research, and biobanking operations. The program includes scientific seminars led by Coriell’s research faculty and career development sessions on resume-building and interview preparation. It wraps up with a final research presentation.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective; cohort size undisclosed
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Stipend: Unpaid. Residents of the City of Camden may request transportation assistance through Camden Loop for the duration of their internship.
Program Dates: Mid-July to Mid-August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Must be 17+ by July 1, a U.S. resident, and able to commute to Coriell’s facility.
Additional Notes on Application Strategy
1. Be Proactive: Applications for many of these programs open in December and close by February or March. Start early, prepare your materials well in advance, and don’t hesitate to apply to multiple programs.
2. Tailor Your Application: Essays and letters of recommendation should be specific. Explain why you’re interested in the research focus, how your background aligns with the program, and what you hope to gain.
3. Consider Personalized Alternatives: If a traditional summer program doesn’t fit your schedule or research interests, you might consider a structured mentorship option. Programs like Nova Research and Nova Patent allow high school students to design their own project under the guidance of mentors from Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or MIT. Whether your interests lie in epidemiology, medical device innovation, or bioethics, a custom research experience can be just as rigorous and impactful.
Final Thoughts: Investing in Your Future Through Medical Research
Exploring medicine through summer research is about more than adding to your resume—it’s about discovering what excites you, building a toolkit for future success, and connecting with mentors who can guide your growth. Whether you plan to become a physician, researcher, or public health advocate, these programs provide a rare and valuable early look into the field.
Use your summer to grow, ask questions, and take initiative. With the right opportunity, one summer can open the door to a future filled with purpose, impact, and lifelong learning.
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