If you are a high school student interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, particularly biology, and want to explore if it's the right fit for you, then participating in an online program may be a good option. In this blog, we have curated a list of online biology programs that not only provide valuable knowledge and skills but also enhance your college application by showing admissions committees your commitment to learning. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

Here are 7 online biology programs for high school students to consider!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Biology track

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: Summer cohort runs from June to August, Fall cohort from September to December, Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June. Applications for the winter cohort are now open!

Cost: Full financial aid available!

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, including biology. The program pairs high-school students with PhD 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!

2. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University

Location: Online

Application Deadline: Applications usually close in January

Program Dates: June 17 – August 9

Eligibility: Students entering grades 11-12 or full-time community college students within their first three years 

Cost: Free

The SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University is a prestigious, free online research program designed for high school students. This summer opportunity allows you to conduct research projects that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. You'll collaborate on diverse, multifaceted projects tailored to your interests while exploring new fields such as information science, engineering, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, and design.

Mentorship is a crucial part of the experience, with the program offering guidance from Stanford students, faculty, and affiliated organizations. The SHTEM program aims to provide students with early exposure to cutting-edge research while developing essential skills in research, analysis, and writing. It emphasizes the integration of humanities within STEM, promoting a holistic approach that highlights the interconnectedness of various disciplines.

3.  Veritas AI's AI + Medicine Deep Dive

Cost: $1,790

Eligibility: Open to high school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience

Duration: 10 sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours

Dates: Vary according to cohort

Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Veritas AI is an innovative program designed for ambitious high school students led by Harvard graduate students. The AI + Medicine program explores the application of AI in healthcare, providing hands-on experience with real-world projects. Students will utilize AI and machine learning models to diagnose diseases, enhance medical imaging, and communicate results to support doctors and patients. You can find the program brochure here, and the application form here.

4. Medicine Encompassed Internships

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

Program Dates: Internships are available year-round

Eligibility: High school students

Cost: No information available

Location: Online

Medicine Encompassed offers unique roles in medical research and resource development, particularly in biology and anatomy, for high school students. In this internship, you'll work as a researcher, writer, and resource creator across 18 diverse committees. Your main tasks will include creating educational content that enhances an inclusive medical curriculum. This may involve researching various medical topics, writing informative articles, and developing learning materials for others. You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to the Project Cultivation outreach initiative, which aims to boost awareness and accessibility in medical education. By the end of the program, you'll help produce a comprehensive set of educational resources that reflect your contributions.

5. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship

Application Deadline: February 28

Program Dates: June 17 – 28

Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14 and older

Location: Online

Cost: $850 + a $40 application fee (financial aid is available, including fee waivers)

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week virtual internship that focuses on the use of AI in healthcare. This program features expert-led lectures, personalized mentoring, and collaborative research projects, providing you with hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, “Career Lunch and Learn” sessions feature guest speakers from academia, industry, government, and non-profits, offering insights into various career paths within biology.

6. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)

Cost: Free. Virtual interns receive a stipend of $500

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: Five weeks in July – August

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. from underrepresented populations

The JHIBS is a five-week virtual research program aimed at high school students from underrepresented communities. The program aims to promote diversity in the field of neuroscience. During this virtual program, you'll attend presentations on neuroscience and learn essential lab techniques. Additionally, the program includes professional development training and mentoring sessions.

7. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (Bioscience Courses)

Location: Online

Cost: $3,050 (need-based financial aid available)

Application Deadline: March 29

Program Dates: TBD. Two sessions were offered:

• June 17 – 28

• July 8 – 19

Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11

Stanford's Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer a challenging educational experience for students focused on academic, social, and extracurricular development. You can take various biology courses, including Equity in Medicine, Investigations in Genetics, and Surgical Technology. In the Equity in Medicine course, you'll learn evidence-based strategies to enhance healthcare equity, while Investigations in Genetics explores how genetic mutations impact disease occurrence. 

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.