In the years after the COVID-19 epidemic, the medical field has become more competitive than ever. However, exploring medical internships and biomedical research while still in high school can give students an academic foundation and admissions advantage that few peers are achieving. The programs below are among the most rigorous opportunities available, ranging from clinical shadowing to advanced lab research, and are open to ambitious high school students eager to challenge themselves.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering HOPP Summer Student Program
The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering provides an eight-week medical internship immersion program in cancer biology and translational research. Students are paired with scientists in MSK’s world-class labs, where they design experiments, analyze data, and present their findings at a poster symposium. Alongside their lab work, participants attend seminars and professional development sessions, gaining exposure to both research and clinical practice.
Eligibility: High school students in the New York City tri-state area with strong science coursework.
Timeline: Applications open in December and close in February; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend.
2. Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
SPARK places selected students into Mayo Clinic laboratories on the Florida campus for eight to ten weeks. Participants conduct mentored projects in fields such as cancer biology, epidemiology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. The resulting projects are extremely competitive and are typically entered into top-line competitions and science fairs. In addition to the research, scholars join workshops on the scientific method and professional skills, building a foundation for medical school and future health professions.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in Duval and St. Johns Counties, Florida, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Timeline: Applications open in December and close in January; the program runs during the summer.
Cost: Free; stipends are provided to participants.
3. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
The JAX Summer Student Program is one of the nation’s longest-running research internships in biomedical science. For ten weeks, students live and work at JAX campuses in Maine or Connecticut, joining research teams in genetic testing, genomics, and related disciplines. Fellows gain intensive lab training, participate in journal clubs, and present their findings at a summer symposium.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors who are at least 18 years old by the program start date.
Timeline: Applications are due in late January; the fellowship runs from late May through early August.
Cost: Fully funded; includes stipend, housing, meals, and travel.
4. City of Hope Roberts Summer Student Academy
The Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope allows high school students to conduct full-time biomedical research alongside world-renowned physicians and scientists. Over ten weeks, participants design and execute their own research projects, attend seminars on ethics and scientific communication, and present their work at a final symposium. Many students have co-authored papers or contributed to patents through the program, and stay in touch with their mentors for years to come.
Eligibility: Outstanding high school students, typically rising seniors, with advanced science coursework.
Timeline: Applications open in January and close in early March; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend of about $4,500.
5. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle runs an eight-week internship aimed at preparing the next generation of cancer researchers. Students begin with a two-week lab “boot camp” covering core techniques and laboratory safety skills, then join a lab for six weeks of mentored research. Rather than just observing, participants are hands-on, making solutions and dilutions, creating culture plates, and practicing sterilization and blood separation. They also attend seminars, career workshops, and present at a final symposium.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Seattle area between 11th and 12th grade.
Timeline: Applications are due in January; the internship runs from late June through August.
Cost: Paid; interns receive a stipend.
6. UT Southwestern STARS Summer Research Program
The STARS program offers eight weeks of biomedical research at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country. Students conduct experiments under faculty mentors, attend enrichment lectures, and showcase their work at a final symposium. STARS is passionate about empowering the younger generation about biological science and medicine, so selected students also act as emissaries to their home classmates, sharing the research they conducted while in the program.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from the Dallas–Fort Worth region, age 16 or older.
Timeline: Applications are due in January; the program runs June through early August.
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend.
7. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Hosted at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, this weeklong day program introduces high school students to topics of epidemiology, patient advocacy, public health, and possible healthcare career options in those fields. Participants act as “disease detectives,” solving outbreak simulations, conducting labs, researching new ways to provide medical resources to in-need communities, and and exploring careers in global and environmental health.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old.
Timeline: Applications are due in early April; camps are offered in June and July.
Cost: Free; students cover their own travel and lodging.
8. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
ARISE is a seven-week program at NYU Tandon that begins with training in data analysis and lab methods before placing students in university STEM labs. Many projects are medically relevant, including work in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and molecular biology. Students also receive training on public speaking and participate in professional development workshops, to prepare them to present scientific work at a conference level one day.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live or attend school in New York City, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Timeline: Applications are due in February; the program runs late June through August.
Cost: Free; tuition is fully covered.
9. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Rockefeller’s SSRP gives high schoolers the chance to join small research teams in cutting-edge labs across biology, neuroscience, and immunology. For seven weeks, participants conduct experiments, attend lectures, and present their work in a final poster session - all at a professional level. SSRP teams mirror the structure of a real research laboratory, where there are 1-3 lead team leads who are supported by additional scientists. Each team manages their own space and resources in one of the dedicated RockEDU laboratories. This kind of experience and in-niche leadership development is a strong indicator to college admissions boards that you can handle a heavy work load professionally.
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who can commute to New York City.
Timeline: Applications are due in January; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; commuting costs are supported with stipends or MetroCards.
10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Research (SIMR)
SIMR places high school students in Stanford School of Medicine labs for eight weeks of biomedical research. Participants gain hands-on experience in cancer biology, human anatomy, immunology, stem cells, and bioengineering, while also attending seminars and a final poster session. This program is a great way to prepare for the rigors of a medical school curriculum and gain real-world experience in a lab simultaneously.
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 16 or older.
Timeline: Applications open in December and close in February; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; participants receive a modest stipend.
11. NIH Summer Internship Program
The National Cancer Institute offers a summer research internship for students interested in exploring careers in all areas of cancer research, including basic, clinical, and translational research, epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics/genomics, and behavioral research. The program previously only worked with college or post-baccalaureate students, but has recently expanded to accept high school seniors. Successful applicants are able to work directly under the supervision of an NCI researcher.
Eligibility: Seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Timeline: Applications open in mid-November and close in February; the program runs May through September.
Cost: Paid; interns receive a stipend.
12. Boston University RISE Internship Track
BU’s RISE program places high school students into university labs for six weeks of research. Students work 40 hours a week on projects in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, or public health and present at a final symposium.
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Timeline: Applications open in December and close in February; the program runs late June through mid-August.
Cost: Tuition-based, with financial aid available.
13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
This five-week residential program supports underrepresented and low-income high school students with an interest in medicine. Participants take college-level science courses, join anatomy and pathology labs, shadow physicians, and complete a health research project on topics like public health disparities, medical research ethics, and AI applications within the medical field.
Eligibility: Current juniors in Northern and Central California from low-income or first-generation backgrounds.
Timeline: Applications are due in February; the program runs late June through July.
Cost: Free; all expenses are covered.
14. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
The Simons program connects driven high school students with Stony Brook faculty mentors for six weeks of intensive research in fields including medicine, biochemistry and cell biology, biomedical informatics, and neurology. Students present their work at a final symposium and often enter competitions afterward.
Eligibility: Current juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Timeline: Applications are due in February; the program runs late June through early August.
Cost: Free; housing and meals are the responsibility of students.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
JHIBS is a seven-week neuroscience program at Johns Hopkins where high schoolers have the opportunity to work in School of Medicine labs on projects in brain science, just like real medical students. Interns gain experience in research design, data analysis, and scientific writing while attending seminars on neuroscience careers. This is an excellent stepping stone to students hoping to attend top medical programs one day, especially those with eyes set on working in neurology medical departments in large hospital systems.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with strong science backgrounds.
Timeline: Applications are due in January; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; stipends may be available depending on funding.
16. Helios Scholars Program at TGen
Helios Scholars at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Arizona places students in labs focused on genomics and biomedical research. Students will take one of two paths: unravel genetic components of diabetes, neurological disease and cancer; or research public health and pathogens such as Valley Fever and antibiotic resistant bacteria. As a final project, interns participate in a research symposium where they present their project results and reflect on what they have accomplished during their tenure at TGen. Several are also selected to deliver oral presentations at the event.
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who attended some level of school in Arizona, with strong academic records in science.
Timeline: Applications are due in February; the program runs during the summer.
Cost: Paid; interns receive a stipend.
17. Max Planck Florida Institute Neuroscience Internship
MPFI is a six-week medical internship to join neuroscientists at the Max Planck Florida Institute. Participants engage in research on brain function, advanced imaging, and computational models, and present their research project results to the institute community. Hands-on experience is another key component of the program, and students will gain experience doing hands-on “wet lab” techniques such as genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from a Palm Beach or Martin County high school.
Timeline: Applications open in winter and close in early spring; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; stipends may be provided.
18. Scripps Research Translational Institute Internship
This competitive program covers translational science topics such as the genetic basis of common and complex diseases, genomic association studies, and mHealth clinical trials, with emphasis on study design, patient monitoring, and data analysis. Students receive clinical training in either a dry or web lab and gain proficiency in proposing, conducting, and interpreting research as well as presenting scientific findings to peers and mentors.
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older with interest in genomics.
Timeline: Applications open in winter and close in spring; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; many interns receive stipends.
19. Research Science Institute (RSI)
The Research Science Institute, hosted at MIT, combines academic courses with original research projects over six weeks. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM classes. For the rest of the summer, students participate in a five-week research internship on a topic of their choice and under the guidance of experienced scientists and researchers. The program culminates in writing a research paper and giving a conference-style presentation at the RSI Symposium.
Eligibility: Rising seniors worldwide with exceptional academic records.
Timeline: Applications open in the fall and close in January; the program runs June through August.
Cost: Free; all costs are covered.
20. Echelon Scholars Research Mentorship Program
Echelon Scholars is an approximately 6-month research program which helps high school students publish original research at a post-graduate level. Participants are paired with PhD-level mentors who will guide them through the process of innovative research in fields such as advanced biomedical science, AI applications in medicine, or clinical ethics. Upon completion, students will submit their paper to the highest level conferences like IEEE. Echelon boasts a history of 100% acceptance rate for their student's projects.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, typically juniors and seniors, selected through a highly competitive admissions process.
Timeline: Two cycles per year, each lasting eight months.
Cost: $12,500, with extensive need-based financial aid available.
21. Rockefeller Summer Neuroscience Program
The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) is a two-week brain science research course led by Rockefeller graduate students. Participants analyze ongoing neuroscience research in an effort to understand how the brain works and how it relates to our daily life. The program introduces students to modern neuroscience by teaching them surgical techniques through brain dissection, providing a series of interactive lectures from Rockefeller scientists, and guiding them through designing an original neuroscience experiment.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from NYC public high schools with strong science backgrounds.
Timeline: Varies by year; generally summer.
Cost: Free or funded through stipends.
22. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)
AIMI offers a rare opportunity for high school students to explore the intersection of radiology, data science, and AI. Participants join research teams to explore projects involving medical imaging datasets, machine learning methods, clinical applications of imaging technology, and how AI will transform pharmaceutical industries. It combines mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in coding, data analysis, and imaging research.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students from around the world. Strong interest in computer science, data science, or medicine is recommended.
Timeline: Applications typically open in winter and close in spring; the program runs for 8 weeks during the summer.
Cost: Free; no tuition is charged.
Final Thoughts
Each of these programs provides high school students and medical student hopefuls with unparalleled exposure to the medical and biomedical sciences. Through hospital-based labs, public health agencies, and top research universities, participants gain practical skills, mentorship, and the chance to make real contributions to science. For ambitious students — especially those aiming for Ivy League and top-tier admissions — these opportunities not only build academic strength but also demonstrate initiative and excellence at the highest levels.
