15 College Biology Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you already know you like biology, the next step is finding out what it feels like at the college level. College biology programs for high school students give you exposure to how biology is studied in universities, where the focus is not just learning facts but working with methods, evidence, and research questions. Depending on the program, you may do lab work, join research activities, study a specific area of life science, or work with faculty and graduate students.
Why should I participate in a biology college program in high school?
A college biology program can help you decide whether you want to pursue biology, medicine, public health, or research later on. It also gives you experience that is difficult to find in a regular high school setting. These programs also strengthen college applications because they show you took on a college-level experience and handled it well. And since you are working on projects, you have something concrete to talk about in essays and interviews.
With that, here are 15 college biology programs for high school students!
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee; limited number of stipends based on need
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: 50 students
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 and older
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program for high school students who want hands-on exposure to biomedical research in a university setting. As a participant, you will be matched with a mentor, such as a Stanford graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, or faculty member, and work within one of eight research focus areas. The program begins with an orientation and a structured period of lectures and lab sessions designed to build foundational knowledge and research skills. After this initial training, you spend most of your time conducting supervised research in Stanford laboratories and engaging in program-wide lectures and discussions. You are expected to document your work and communicate your findings through a research poster presented at the end of the program. SIMR admits roughly 50 students each year from a highly selective applicant pool, with an acceptance rate of about 3%, and requires a full-time commitment of approximately 40 hours per week.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7–10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Biology, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free of charge; students receive a stipend (amount unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: Low, with a rigorous selection process
Application Deadline: February 4
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Boston or Cambridge, at least 16 years old, with a minimum GPA of 2.7
Harvard Medical School’s Project Success is a six-week, paid summer internship for high school students from Boston and Cambridge who are interested in biomedical science. As a participant, you will be placed in a research lab at Harvard Medical School or one of its affiliated institutions, where you will assist with ongoing projects under the supervision of scientists and physicians. Alongside lab work, the program includes seminars that introduce key topics in science and medicine, as well as visits to hospitals and biotechnology organizations. You also take part in workshops focused on skills such as writing, public speaking, and basic computing. These components are designed to complement your research experience and support academic and professional growth.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free of charge; travel expenses are covered, and need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 32 students accepted into 4 teams of 8-10
Application Deadline: January 2
Program Dates: June 22 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the program’s start
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University is a summer research experience for high school students interested in biomedical science. Each year, a small cohort of students is placed into research labs, where you work alongside mentors on focused projects within the life sciences. During the program, you develop practical laboratory skills by assisting with experiments, collecting data, and learning how results are evaluated. In addition to lab work, you can take part in optional science courses, attend talks by visiting researchers, and participate in program activities with other students. The experience concludes with a research symposium where you present your work to peers and faculty.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $750 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Low
Application Deadline: February 16
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer research program for a small group of high school juniors and seniors. As a participant, you will work with Texas Tech University faculty on a research project in your selected discipline, which may include areas such as cell or molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, economics, or history. The program emphasizes direct involvement in the research process, allowing you to learn how academic questions are developed, tested, and communicated. Throughout the program, you also build skills related to academic writing, analysis, and collaboration. Admission is selective, and the program is designed for students seeking early exposure to university-level research.
Location: Stanford University (for residents only)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate. Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Low
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Eligibility: Must be 16 or older by the start of the internship, have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0, possess prior experience in biology, chemistry, or computer programming, and reside in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties
The Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS) at Stanford University is an eight-week program focused on genomics research. As a participant, you will work in a research lab under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The program also includes weekly group sessions, seminars on biomedical topics, career panels, and regular check-ins with your mentor to discuss progress and receive feedback. GRIPS provides hands-on research experience while helping you build skills in data analysis, lab techniques, and scientific communication.
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; includes a paid internship (stipend amount unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: February 8
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old by the program start date and reside in North Carolina within commuting distance of Duke University’s West Campus
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is an eight-week, paid internship for high school students interested in neuroscience research. You will work with a faculty mentor in a Duke neuroscience lab on a specific research project, gaining experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. The program requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week and emphasizes research skills and scientific inquiry. Alongside lab work, you participate in workshops on college applications, career paths, and opportunities in medicine, academia, and industry. The internship concludes with a poster session where you present your research to peers, mentors, and family, developing your ability to communicate scientific findings.
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; Up to $4,500 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Low; 15–18 students selected
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area
This eight-week program is designed for high school students from the Greater St. Louis area to gain mentored experience in biomedical research while developing academic skills. You will be paired with a research mentor and participate in lab work as part of an ongoing project. The program combines lab experience with support for college readiness, including one-on-one tutoring and instruction in science communication. In addition to research, you attend seminars and present your findings at a final symposium. With a full-time schedule and a small cohort, the program provides focused guidance and practical experience in scientific research.
Location: MPFI campus in Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: $14/hour paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; <10% acceptance
Application Deadline: February 8
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16+ residing in Palm Beach or Martin County with U.S. work authorization
The MPFI Summer Research Internship is a six-week program for high school students interested in neuroscience. You can choose a focus area such as neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering, and work full-time in a lab under the guidance of experienced mentors. During the program, you participate in experimental design, data collection, and analysis, and the communication of scientific results, culminating in a final presentation of your work. In addition to research, the program provides opportunities to engage with the MPFI research community and learn about careers in brain science, offering hands-on experience and professional development in a laboratory setting.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $7,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; only 6 students are selected annually
Application Deadline: January 14
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors aged 18 or older by the program start date
This 10-week program is designed for high school seniors in Texas to gain hands-on experience in biomedical and health research at a leading cancer center. You will work with MD Anderson faculty on projects in areas such as cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutic research. The program also includes faculty-led seminars, team-based learning activities, and opportunities to explore different careers in healthcare. At the end of the program, you present your research in a formal session with mentors and fellow students. Participants receive a stipend, and admission is highly selective, providing an in-depth research experience in a professional scientific environment.
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Cost: None (paid stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 16% / 45 applications for 7 positions
Application Deadline: April 17
Dates: June 15 – August 7 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students from specific Rockford area schools (e.g., Auburn High School, Belvidere High School, Boylan Catholic) must be 16 years old by May 1
You work side-by-side with scientists in the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford laboratories, researching cancer cures, vaccines, and new drugs. The two-month internship develops laboratory skills through hands-on participation in ongoing projects. You will receive training in resume preparation, interviewing, oral and poster presentations, leadership, and teamwork. Mentors provide guidance that extends beyond the program, including letters of reference for college admissions or careers. Each year, approximately 45 students apply for the seven available positions. You present your research experience at the Summer Science Forum through oral presentations and scientific posters. The program collaborates with Thermo Fisher Scientific to sponsor stipends for participants.
Location: Center for Excellence in Education & MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None (cost-free to students)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: <2.5% / 3100 total applications with 100 students selected
Application Deadline: Early to mid-December (tentatively)
Dates: June – July (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school juniors (rising seniors) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents or from participating countries; must be 16 by July 1
You participate in a week of intensive STEM classes taught by professors, covering scientific theory. You will then conduct an individual five-week research project under mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers in fields like biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. You read current literature in your chosen area and execute a detailed research plan. You produce conference-style oral and written reports on your findings during the final week. You deliver presentations at the RSI Symposium. Mentors assign projects based on your indicated interests and background from the application.
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: January 30
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (six weeks)
Eligibility: High‑school juniors and seniors attending Orange County schools; completed at least one high school chemistry lab class and one biology class
The University of California, Irvine, offers a fellowship that places high school students in cancer research laboratories, where they explore areas such as tumor biology, genetics, and immunotherapy. You will participate in regular lab meetings, journal clubs, and career-focused panels. The program also includes weekly lectures led by faculty on topics like research ethics and professional development. At the conclusion of the six-week program, you present your research at a symposium attended by mentors and fellow participants, providing an opportunity to practice communicating your findings.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None (students cover housing and transportation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified, but over 3000 students apply for the program each year
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: Vary by research project; 5 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students, 16+, enrolled in a U.S. high school, and able to commute; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
The Laboratory Leadership Program (LLP) at Princeton University allows high school students to join research labs and work alongside faculty and graduate students. You may be involved in projects across fields such as molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, or environmental science. The program requires a minimum of 20 hours per week in the lab, where you learn techniques including microscopy, DNA extraction, and data analysis. Weekly seminars cover topics like research ethics and scientific career paths. At the end of the program, you present your research to the Princeton community, providing experience in sharing and discussing your findings.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students selected annually
Application Deadline: March 23
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week residential program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in medicine and public health. You will shadow clinicians, participate in a team-based public health research project, and study topics such as anatomy, epidemiology, and health equity. The program also provides one-on-one mentorship from Stanford faculty and health professionals, along with workshops on college applications and financial aid. Through a combination of research, academic instruction, and career exposure, SMYSP gives you practical experience and guidance in preparing for future studies and careers in medicine and the life sciences.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.
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