15 Genetics Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in genetics, joining a summer program is a great way to get a head start. These programs let you explore the field firsthand, work on experiments, and learn techniques that go beyond what’s taught in school.
Genetics summer programs often place you in labs, research centers, or university settings where you can handle real equipment, run experiments, and collaborate with faculty or graduate students. You might study DNA, gene expression, or genetic engineering, and see how discoveries in genetics impact medicine, agriculture, or forensics.
Most of these programs run during the summer, so you can focus fully without worrying about school. You’ll gain practical skills, understand how research projects are structured, and get a feel for the kind of work scientists do every day. Participating also strengthens your college applications by showing that you’ve already explored your interests in a meaningful, hands-on way.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 genetics summer programs for high school students! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Genetics Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Bar Harbor, ME & Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $7,000 stipend + housing, meals, and round-trip travel
Dates: May 30 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors (must be 18+ and have completed grade 12) and undergraduates
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a 10-week residential research internship focused on genetics and genomics. You’ll work on an independent project alongside experienced scientists, gaining lab skills and learning techniques like genetic testing and data visualization. The program includes seminars, journal clubs, and mentorship to help you explore scientific careers. You’ll also present your research to peers, scientists, and family members, while living in a close-knit community of aspiring scientists from across the country.
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; no stipend provided
Dates: Mid-July to Mid-August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors/seniors and early undergraduates (age 16+); must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; strong interest in biomedical research required.
The Coriell Institute Summer Experience is a four-week genetics internship for high school students. You’ll work in Coriell’s production, stem cell, and molecular biology labs, learning how to handle biobank samples, explore stem cell science, and observe techniques like karyotyping and DNA extraction. Weekly seminars and career workshops will help you build professional skills, and the program ends with a formal presentation where you’ll share your work with Coriell staff and fellow students.
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.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. 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.Â
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; stipend provided (amount varies annually)
Dates: June 15 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a strong academic background in science; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The University of Michigan Genetics Immersion Program is a six-week summer experience where you’ll work in active genetics and genomics research labs alongside graduate student mentors. You’ll get hands-on training in DNA analysis, genetic screening, and molecular biology techniques while exploring how genetics impacts health and disease. Weekly seminars and professional development workshops will help you build scientific and career skills, and the program ends with a research presentation to faculty, peers, and family.
Location: Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC
Cost/Stipend: $150 fee (includes materials, lab supplies, and lunch)
Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students (rising juniors and seniors)
The Greenwood Genetic Center Junior Genetics Scholars Program is a week-long summer experience for high school students interested in genetics. Each day focuses on a different theme, with hands-on lab activities like studying environmental effects on model organisms, identifying genes linked to sleep, analyzing human genetic variants, and exploring ancient DNA. You’ll meet guest speakers and learn about career paths in genetics.
Location: Virtual, with material provided by NASA Ames
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, or college freshmen in Fall; age 16
The GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) – NASA Ames is a free, 12-week summer program where you’ll explore how NASA studies life in space using real genetics and omics datasets. You’ll complete on-demand lessons with videos and Jupyter notebooks, join optional live office hours, and build skills in bioinformatics, data analysis, and scientific communication. If you opt in, you’ll join a Capstone Project team to develop a hypothesis, analyze open datasets, and present at a competitive symposium. Top teams move on to a proposal round, with the best earning a fully funded trip to a national conference.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; full tuition, housing, meals, and research costs covered
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 11 (date varies by year)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (11th grade with exceptional academic records in science and math
RSI is one of the most prestigious science programs for high school students, offering a fully funded six-week research experience at MIT. After a week of advanced seminars, you’ll be matched with a mentor and begin full-time lab research in fields like genetics, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or data science, depending on your interests and lab availability. The program equips you with the skills to analyze scientific papers, utilize advanced computing tools, and present your findings in a formal research paper and conference-style presentation. The program also includes evening lectures with Nobel laureates, field trips, and exposure to the broader scientific community.
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $2,000 stipend
Dates: Spring: Feb 25 – May 21 (Wed–Thu, after school), Summer: July 6 – Aug 14 (Mon–Thu in person, Fri virtual)
Application Deadline: Opens November 1; closes mid-January
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students, age 16+ by orientation; able to commute or apply with a strong interest; no GPA or transcript required
The BioRocket Research Internship is a 6-month science program where you’ll explore real genetics and biology lab work. During the summer session, you’ll work in person with mentors and peers to design and carry out a genetic engineering research project. You’ll gain hands-on experience with DNA manipulation techniques, visit biotech labs, and practice science communication through improv and public presentations. The program ends with a showcase of your work—and you’ll earn a $2,000 stipend along the way.
Location: Building Cure, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $2,000 stipend for meals and travel
Dates: July 14 - August 8 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m)
Application Deadline: March 9 (essays + application form); rec letter due March 30
Eligibility: Current 10th graders (rising juniors); must live within commuting distance to Seattle; SSN or ITIN required for stipend; no prior lab experience needed.
The Research Training Program (RTP) – Seattle Children’s Research Institute is a four-week in-person summer experience for students new to lab science. You’ll explore biology and genetics through hands-on experiments and workshops, learning techniques like PCR, bacterial transformation, gel electrophoresis, gene editing, and microscopy. You’ll also attend lectures on topics like biochemistry and immunology, join college readiness sessions, and present your mini research project at the end of the program—all in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; no stipend provided
Dates: June 23 - August 7 (full-time, 35 hours/week)
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, age 16+ at program start; full-time attendance mandatory; NYC area preferred
SSRP is a 7-week, full-time lab research experience for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll join a mentored team of scientists to explore a research question, learn core lab skills, and present your findings at a final symposium. While topics vary by mentor, past teams have focused on molecular biology, genetics, and biomedical sciences. You’ll also take electives, attend lectures, and build lasting connections with fellow students and researchers across Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NYC, and Passaic, NJ (in-person) + On-demand (virtual)
Cost/Stipend: $700 in-person / $420 on-demand (includes lab materials)
Dates: Weekly sessions, Monday-Friday
Application Deadline: Rolling until full (early registration recommended)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11-12; must have completed DNA Science or AP Biology (proof required)
The Genome Science Camp – DNA Learning Center is an advanced summer program where you’ll dive into real-world genome analysis using Nobel Prize-winning technologies. You’ll perform lab techniques like PCR, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics to study your own DNA, identify GMOs, and explore taste receptor genes. You’ll also use genomic databases to trace human origins and population genetics. Whether you attend in person or choose the virtual option, this camp offers a hands-on deep dive into molecular biology and genetics.
Location: Edward Teller Education Center, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend
Dates: July 14 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (age 16+) with strong STEM academics; must be able to commute daily to LLNL.
The Edward Teller Education Center Program – LLNL, Livermore, CA, is a two-week immersive experience where you’ll explore molecular genetics through hands-on lab research. You’ll isolate genes from duckweed, analyze them using DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools, and perform techniques like PCR, plasmid isolation, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis. Your DNA sequences can be published in GenBank with your name credited, giving you real-world scientific experience and training in genetic data analysis.
Location: University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend
Dates: Summer (exact start/end dates vary by lab)
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: For high school students who are at least 16 years old and have taken advanced Biology and Chemistry
The Summer Research Training Fellowship – University of Kentucky is a molecular genetics-focused program where you’ll work in an active research lab alongside graduate students and scientists. You’ll build hands-on skills in microbiology, immunology, and genetic techniques, read real research papers, and present your findings to faculty at the end of the program. Some students continue their projects into the academic year or return for further research, making this a strong bridge between classroom learning and real-world biomedical genetics.
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; no stipend or housing provided
Dates: June 2 – July 9
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (age 16+) in the Atlanta area with strong STEM academics
The Next Gen High School Internship Program – Emory University is a summer genetics internship that gives you direct exposure to lab science through hands-on experiments, shadowing, and lectures at Emory’s Department of Human Genetics. You’ll learn core genetics concepts, build real lab skills, and explore clinical and research careers through rotations and mentorship. The program also includes college and scholarship prep, field trips to Atlanta STEM companies, and guest speakers from diverse backgrounds.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, College of Natural Sciences
Cost/Stipend: Tuition applies; need-based scholarships available (tuition + stipend)
Dates: June 9 - July 16 (non-residential; 15–25 hrs/week in lab)
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Texas high schools; must have completed biology or chemistry.
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) is a five-week summer program at UT Austin where you’ll conduct real lab research in fields like genetics, genome engineering, and molecular biology. You’ll learn advanced lab techniques, collaborate with researchers and undergrads, and present your findings in a printed research poster at a final symposium. The program also includes guest lectures, reflective assignments, and college credit. Scholarships are available to cover tuition and provide stipends for students with financial need.
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 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.
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