10 Best Medical Research Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 21 minutes ago
- 7 min read
For high school students looking to get a head start in science, technology, engineering, or math, summer internships offer an accessible path to professional experience while school's out. STEM summer internships for high school students provide a way to build real-world skills beyond the classroom - whether that's learning lab techniques, exploring coding languages, or working with engineering teams. You also get the chance to connect with professionals in your field of interest, see how different roles work together on complex problems, and sometimes even contribute to meaningful research or product development.
Beyond learning, internships can be a solid addition to your resume, especially if you’re considering competitive college programs or careers in STEM. They help you show initiative, gain confidence in workplace settings, and understand what a STEM career might really look like. Since not every opportunity offers the same level of challenge or professional access, we focused this list on internships that offer a mix of prestige, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network with experts in the field.
Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into a STEM-related extracurricular, this curated list of 15 STEM summer internships for high school students can help you explore real-world experience in a meaningful way.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
10 Best Medical Research Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (grant-funded)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; open to eligible NYS students meeting academic and economic criteria
Dates: Year-round; includes a six-week summer session and two ten-week academic sessions (fall and spring)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (year-round)
Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12, GPA of 2.5+, must meet income eligibility or be considered economically disadvantaged
UB’s STEP is a state-funded program offering long-term academic and college readiness support for middle and high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. You’ll participate in a structured curriculum covering advanced math and science, SAT/ACT prep, reading and writing workshops, and research opportunities. The program includes a six-week non-residential summer session and two ten-week academic-year terms, all held on UB’s South Campus. Alongside classroom instruction, you’ll go on campus tours, take field trips, and receive one-on-one college and career advising. It’s designed to help you gain the skills and confidence to enter and succeed in health, science, and licensed professional fields.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free (fully funded)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective, small cohorts drawn from three partner middle schools
Dates: Year-round with after-school, Saturday academy, and summer enrichment
Application Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: Rising 6th–10th grade students from Franklin Square Elementary/Middle, Green Street Academy, or Southwest Baltimore Charter School
The UMB CURE Scholars Program offers a long-term pipeline into STEM and healthcare fields for students in West Baltimore. As a CURE Scholar, you’ll participate in academic enrichment activities, hands-on lab projects, and receive mentorship from UMB graduate students and faculty. The program is designed to grow your interest in health and biomedical research, starting from middle school and continuing through high school and beyond. You’ll attend regular after-school and Saturday sessions and engage in summer experiences that focus on real-world science and medical topics. UMB CURE also builds a support system through family, school, and community involvement, preparing you for success in competitive STEM and healthcare careers.
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend provided
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; based on holistic application review
Dates: November–April (six Saturdays during the academic year)
Application Deadline: August 1–September 30
Eligibility: 6th–8th grade students enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools or area charter/private schools; must be in good academic standing
StEP-UP offers a unique opportunity for middle school students to explore careers in medicine, health science, and research through interactive, hands-on sessions. Held over six Saturdays during the academic year, the program is led by MCW medical students, pre-med undergrads, and practicing health professionals. If accepted, you’ll participate in sessions tailored to your age group that cover different aspects of health professions, lab sciences, and healthcare pathways. The focus is on early exposure, building confidence, and encouraging interest in STEM and medical careers. While the program doesn’t include a stipend, it offers a valuable chance to connect with mentors and professionals in the field.
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; limited space
Dates: June 23–June 27
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8
City of Hope’s Jr. Medical Investigators Camp is a one-week summer program where you take on the role of a medical investigator to solve a diagnostic mystery. Through hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving, you'll perform tests, interpret medical data, and learn how diseases are diagnosed and treated. The camp introduces you to core scientific research techniques used in healthcare, all within a real medical research environment. You’ll also explore how scientists and doctors at City of Hope contribute to patient care and disease prevention. It’s a highly interactive experience aimed at building your interest and confidence in pursuing STEM and medical careers.
Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (NYS STEP-funded)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; priority given to students from Wayne or Monroe County
Dates: Fall and spring semesters (after-school sessions)
Application Deadline: August through late October
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering grades 7–12, residing in Wayne or Monroe County, GPA of 2.8 or higher, interest in science or health professions
MEPP is an after-school program led by medical students at the University of Rochester that introduces you to clinical skills and medical sciences through interactive, hands-on learning. You'll work directly with physicians and trainees, practicing techniques like taking vitals, dissecting specimens, and even learning to suture. The program also focuses on developing your problem-solving, critical thinking, and test-taking abilities, helping you prepare for advanced science coursework. MEPP includes lab activities, mentorship, and culminates in a field trip to the School of Medicine. Designed for ongoing engagement, students are encouraged to return for multiple semesters to deepen their learning experience.
8. Penn GEMS
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $650 (camp fee); limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; limited to students living within 60 miles of Penn
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: January 20–March 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th grade students (current 6th–8th graders), must attend school within 60 miles of Penn's campus, B average or higher
Penn GEMS is a week-long, hands-on summer day camp focused on exploring engineering and science through interactive projects and problem-solving. You’ll get to design catapults, build earthquake-resistant towers, extract DNA, explore robotics, and even debate bioengineering ethics. Led by Penn faculty and students, this program helps you discover what it’s like to study STEM in a university environment. Along with academic activities, you’ll strengthen teamwork, creativity, and communication skills in a supportive, collaborative setting. Although it’s a paid camp, financial assistance is available for families who qualify.
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; applicants complete essays and interviews
Dates: June 2–6 and July 14–18, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Application Deadline: Closed for current cycle; typically spring (exact dates vary)
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders
Data Detectives is a one-week summer academy where you'll explore real-world cancer-related community health problems using actual data and analytical tools. Hosted at Emory University, the program offers lectures from Emory faculty on topics like epidemiology, cancer disparities, and statistics, along with interactive sessions in AI and machine learning. Throughout the week, you’ll work in teams to develop a Community Action Plan, using big data to identify solutions and presenting your findings to peers and professionals. You’ll also receive mentorship from STEM undergraduates and graduate students and explore career pathways in data science and biomedical research. This hands-on program is a good match if you’re curious about health, science, or how data drives decision-making in medicine.
Location: American University (Washington, DC) and University of California, Berkeley (San Francisco, CA)
Cost/Stipend: $3,095 (residential) / $2,695 (commuter); scholarships available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open enrollment; space is limited per session
Dates: Multiple 6-day sessions from mid-June to mid-July
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; early application recommended
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 6–8
This weeklong program gives you an introduction to the field of medicine through hands-on labs, clinical simulations, and group workshops. As a participant, you’ll explore key concepts in anatomy, diagnosis, and patient care, guided by medical students and professionals. Sessions take place on college campuses, giving you a preview of university life while participating in leadership training and collaborative projects. The experience also includes field trips to local landmarks and museums to add context and variety to your learning. While it’s not a research-intensive program, it’s designed to help you build foundational knowledge in health care and decide whether a future in medicine might be right for you.
Lydia is an alumna of Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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