15 Competitive Biotechnology Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in how biology and technology come together to shape fields like medicine, genetics, and drug development, biotechnology programs are one of the best ways to explore that interest early. These biotech programs go beyond textbook learning, giving you hands-on experience with lab techniques, exposure to real research environments, and insight into how biotech innovations are developed.
From working with advanced tools used in biological investigations to learning directly from researchers, these experiences can help you build both practical skills and a deeper understanding of the field. They also signal strong initiative and intellectual curiosity on college applications, especially since many of these programs are selective and designed for highly motivated students eager to engage with advanced science.
Why should I participate in a competitive biotechnology program in high school?
Joining a competitive biotechnology program in high school can strengthen your subject knowledge by offering insights that go way beyond the regular high school curriculum. As a participant, you will master core and niche concepts in biotechnology, enhancing scientific literacy. Additionally, competitive biotech programs can also boost your profile, highlighting your willingness to challenge yourself academically and nurture your interests early on!
We have compiled a list of 15 competitive biotechnology programs for high school students. We have focused on options led by credible labs and organizations that offer opportunities for rigorous academic exploration and skill-building.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
This is a rigorous research program designed for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including biotechnology, biology, and bioengineering. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent biotechnology research paper! You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3–5%; ~100 student/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
RSI is a STEM research program that allows high school students to engage in scientific investigations at MIT. Hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, RSI invites 80–100 students every summer to complete a research project under the guidance of MIT professors and scientists. You will begin with a week of seminars covering research topics in biology, engineering, other STEM fields, and the humanities. For the next five weeks, you will work on a research project, which can focus on a question in biotechnology. In the final week, you will deliver an oral and written presentation discussing your research findings.
Location: Cambridge + online option available
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; students split into groups of 7 – 10
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 – 18, currently enrolled in high school
This Immerse Education program is an opportunity to experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10 peers, and learn from tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You will spend your time exploring molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. The curriculum is designed to be experiential, allowing you to take up a biotechnology project that will help you build skills in communication, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. By the end of the program, you will complete the project and receive written feedback along with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Stipend: $7,000 + with room, board, and travel covered
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; approximately 27 – 30 selected from 500+ applications
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Current high school seniors who have completed Grade 12, are at least 18 years old, and are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents; undergraduate students can also apply.
Every year, the Jackson Laboratory (JAX), a nonprofit biomedical research institution, runs the Summer Student Program (SSP) to offer high school students and undergraduates a residential, lab-based biology-focused experience. Over the course of 10 weeks, you will work closely with a scientific mentor to develop an independent project focusing on genetics and genomics. You will also participate with peers in a weekly journal club and attend professional development workshops and networking events with industry professionals from JAX. You will find opportunities to build skills in genetic testing and data visualization, as well as professional scientific communication. At the end of SSP, you will present your work to JAX researchers, other SSP participants, and family members.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost / Stipend: No cost except $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective; 12 students/year
Program dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 17 years old by program start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a competitive seven-week residential research experience designed for a small group of high school juniors and seniors. As a participant, you will work closely with a faculty mentor on a research project on a topic in biology (cellular/molecular), cancer bioimaging, or other related areas. Daily work varies by your chosen track and may involve data analysis, lab procedures, or literature-based investigations. The program also includes seminars, discussions, and field trips. You will conclude the program with the submission of a written research report.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost / Stipend: No tuition; optional residential fee: $2,360.25; stipend awarded
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: ~5%
Program dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old at program start
The Simons Summer Research Program is an in-person STEM research program for high school students. It offers research opportunities spanning various fields, including biotechnology and bioengineering. During the program, you will join a Stony Brook University research team and contribute to a research project, gaining experience in lab procedures and using lab tools. You will also attend faculty-led talks to learn about various STEM fields and workshops to further build research skills. You will produce and present a research abstract and poster at the end of the program.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost / Stipend: $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors | Full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a 10-week summer research program offering high schoolers lab training and the opportunity to engage in research projects in NYU labs. In the first four weeks, you will attend training sessions, learning about lab safety, academic writing, and research. Over the next six weeks, you will work in one of 80+ research labs at NYU, contributing to research in areas like bioengineering, biomolecular engineering, or molecular and cellular biology. You will spend the summer gaining 120 hours of lab experience, while also attending seminars and working on your research presentation, which you will deliver at the end of ARISE. The program also provides you with college application support and access to an alumni research network.
Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive with limited spots
Dates: July 13 – 24
Application deadline: February 26; applications typically open on January 19.
Eligibility: Northern California high school students entering grades 11 and 12 in the fall with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and a minimum science GPA of 3.5; applicants must be 16 years or older by the start of the program. You can check the detailed requirements here.
LLNL’s Biotechnology Summer Experience allows high school students in Northern California to gain practical exposure to molecular biology and bioinformatics. You will spend two weeks working on a research project focused on analyzing genes from a specific duckweed species. You will engage in hands-on lab work, conducting experiments and analyzing results. You will gain experience in performing a range of procedures using bioinformatics tools to isolate and purify plasmid DNA. You will also find opportunities to build technical expertise in lab techniques such as gel electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Additionally, you have the chance to receive individual recognition for submitting your DNA sequences for publication in GenBank, the international DNA repository.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center (DNALC), New York, NY + other NYC research institutions
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 36/year
Dates: Lab training: August 25 – 29 + research project during the academic year (55 hours) + symposium in May/June
Application deadline: January 7 (applications typically open in the Spring)
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up, residing and attending high school in NYC
UBRP is a year-long program designed to provide high school students with hands-on biotech experience. You will spend the year studying the biodiversity in the NYC metro area using DNA technology. You will start with lab training sessions in the summer, conducted at the DNA Learning Center (DNALC) in NYC, and learn basic research and conservation biology concepts. You will then collaborate with a team of peers on a year-long authentic research project. You will receive mentorship from a scientist from a high-level institution and spend the year planning, developing, and conducting a DNA barcoding research project. You will find opportunities to build skills in research writing, sample collection, DNA isolation, and sequence analysis. At the end, you will deliver a presentation, discussing your project results at a symposium.
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,550 (+ optional residential add-on: $1,350); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer (running for five days); upcoming sessions listed here.
Application deadline: Sunday, the week before the session/residential package begins
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12
UC Berkeley’s Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics offers high school students a hands-on, research-based learning experience in gene editing. You will gain practical exposure to techniques and tools like gel electrophoresis, enzyme mapping, and gene editing with CRISPR technology while attending instructional sessions, labs, and guest speaker sessions. Discussions of the ethical aspects of gene-editing applications are also part of the curriculum. You will engage in a tour of the Innovative Genomics Institute and connect with peers. At the end, you will deliver a project presentation and receive a UC Berkeley certificate of completion.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $599/week (includes lunch) + $3 registration fee; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: July 6 – 10 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9 – 11 who have completed or are currently enrolled in Biology
Rice University's Bio Academies are designed to offer a one- to two-week hands-on exposure to biology and related fields. As a high school participant, you will join a focused BioTech track to explore topics like anatomy, engineering design, prosthetic development, biotechnology, and biomedical science, learning about research tools in the process. You will participate in hands-on lab activities and team projects, which offer insight into current challenges in the biotech field. You will gain experience in lab techniques such as DNA extraction and micropipetting. Sessions led by guest speakers and opportunities to connect with biotech professionals, university faculty, and graduate students are part of the experience.
Location: Virtual or University of Michigan Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $875 (in-person) | $610 (virtual) + $75 application fee; need-based limited partial scholarships available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students who have taken a high school biology class; students who have attended miRcore Computational Biology Camp are preferred.
The non-profit research organization miRcore's BTS camp provides opportunities for high school students to explore technologies in biotech through hands-on lab work. In this research-focused camp, you will learn to analyze raw sequencing data using the Linux OS and commands and the University of Michigan's computing cluster. You will participate in wet lab experiments with PCR and gel-electrophoresis techniques. You will also design, plan, and develop a biotechnology business plan based on the week’s research and pitch it at the end of the program.
Location: Paul Propst Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville’s Cumming’s Research Park, Huntsville, AL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 20 students/year; one student each selected from 20 eligible schools
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: Not specified; teacher nominations open in February.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors from eligible schools nominated by their school’s life science teacher; students should have completed grade 10 and passed biology.
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology offers rising high school juniors and seniors opportunities to explore careers in biotechnology and genetics. You will work with peers in small groups as well as work independently, and maintain a lab notebook. You will learn about concepts and lab techniques such as DNA extraction and amplification, nucleic acid visualization, and bioinformatics. You will gain insight into biotech applications in areas such as healthcare and agriculture. A tour of the institute and opportunities to interact with scientists and entrepreneurs from HudsonAlpha’s research labs and associated companies are part of the program schedule.
Location: North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Stipend: $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~24/session
Program dates: June 14 – 26 (Session 1) | July 12 – 24 (Session 2)
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade high school students from North Carolina high schools
The NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation's Program in Biotech is an educational outreach program designed for high school students in partnership with NCCU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE). During this two-week residential program, you will work on hands-on lab experiments in drug discovery and biotechnology while exploring life on the NCCU campus. You will participate in discussions with scientists and undertake a tour of a biotech company. You will also gain insights into STEM college programs and careers. In addition to gaining exposure to career pathways in biotechnology, you will find opportunities to develop professional skills, with a focus on entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Location: LA Biotech Center, Torrance, CA
Cost: Varies based on course, starts at $550
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Small class size (average 6:1 student to instructor ratio)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling basis up to one week before the start of the course
Eligibility: High school students
The LA Biotech Center High School Programs offer experiential learning experiences in wet labs. As a high school participant, you can choose from two programs: Methods in Stem Cell Engineering, which focuses on stem cell biology and genetic engineering, and Intro to Stem Cell Systems, which focuses on introductory training in stem cell biology, applied cell science, and biotechnology. You will work on actual scientific research models, gaining exposure to stem cells and cancer cells. You will attend lectures, work in a biotech research lab with guidance from professional science mentors, and participate in science discussions. You will also get to connect with peers and work with professional scientists. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program and support for exploring college and career pathways.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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