15 In-person Biology Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 35 minutes ago
- 11 min read
Before committing to biology in college, it’s a good idea to explore the field and its applications. In-person programs allow you to see how biological research progresses. You may participate in lab sessions, examine specimens, or review experimental outcomes with mentors. That process can help you figure out whether a research environments suit you.
Why should I participate in an in-person biology program in high school?
Participating in an in-person program allows you to develop technical skills that are difficult to gain through virtual formats. You will become familiar with equipment, lab safety procedures, and collaborative research processes. It also adds depth to your academic profile. Colleges value students who have pursued sustained engagement in their areas of interest.
With that, here are 15 in-person biology programs for high school students!
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $50 application fee (Fee waivers available); Minimum $500 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited to approximately 50-100 students
Dates: June 8–July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be at least 16 years old by program start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending high school in the U.S.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) allows you to conduct hands-on biomedical research alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. During the eight-week program, you will work in a laboratory on a medically oriented research project, gaining exposure to the design, execution, and analysis of scientific research. The program focuses on foundational skills in biological and medical research, helping you understand experimental methods, data interpretation, and the role of research in advancing human health. You also gain insight into academic research environments and career pathways in medicine and the life sciences through close mentorship and daily lab work.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston (in person; residential)
Cost: Tuition-based, varies by location; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small-group instruction (typically 7–10 students)
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer (multiple cohorts)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Immerse Education’s Biology Track allows you to study biological sciences in a residential, university-style setting at leading academic hubs around the world. You live on campus and learn in small seminar-style groups led by tutors affiliated with institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, giving you opportunities to explore biological concepts through activities, case studies, and discussions. Alongside biology, the broader Academic Insights framework introduces you to interdisciplinary thinking and to how biology connects with fields such as medicine, engineering, and ethics. Throughout the program, you work toward a personal project that reflects your academic interests and receive individualized written feedback from instructors. Upon completion, you earn a certificate of completion, documenting your participation in an immersive, in-person academic program.
Location: In person at host institutions nationwide (placements within ~45 minutes of your home across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico)
Cost: Paid internship; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies annually
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer (June–August; exact dates set with your mentor)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: High school students
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid, eight-week summer internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society that allows you to gain hands-on experience in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be matched with a professional mentor and placed at a local host institution, where you will work in the field and/or lab on fisheries-related projects. The program emphasizes experiential learning, giving you exposure to data collection, species monitoring, habitat assessment, and conservation practices. Throughout the internship, you build professional skills while learning what a career in fisheries science can look like in practice.
Location: DNA Learning Center (DNALC) NYC, Downtown Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $500 stipend upon completion of research and symposium presentation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 36 students accepted annually
Dates: Year-long program (summer lab training in late August, followed by academic-year research; symposium in May or June)
Application Deadline: Spring application required (interviews held in July; proposal deadlines run from October 22 to January 7)
Eligibility: New York City high school students aged 13+; must reside in NYC
The Urban Barcode Research Program is a competitive, in-person research mentorship program that allows you to study urban biodiversity using DNA barcoding techniques. After acceptance, you will complete a laboratory training course covering conservation biology, biodiversity, and research methods, gaining experience with molecular biology tools. You are then matched with a scientist mentor and work in a small team to design and carry out a student-driven research project during the academic year. Your work includes field or sample collection, DNA extraction and amplification, sequence analysis, and interpretation of results. Mentors will guide you through proposal writing, data analysis, and scientific communication, culminating in a poster presentation at a formal research symposium.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Paid internship (stipend provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students residing in the greater Philadelphia area (including Camden, NJ) with U.S. work eligibility
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a paid, in-person summer research program designed to introduce you to biomedical science and research careers. During the program, you spend at least seven weeks working full-time in a Monell laboratory under the mentorship of a professional scientist. You will participate in structured research activities and gain experience with experimental design, data collection, and analysis in a biomedical research setting. The program also includes enrichment activities such as lectures on scientific topics, training in public speaking and scientific writing, and discussions on ethical principles in human and animal research. You present your research at a public conference attended by scientists, family members, and peers, helping you build confidence in scientific communication.
Location: SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, Cooperstown, NY
Cost: $3,500 stipend upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1–3 high school students selected annually
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer (late May–August; start/end dates flexible)
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: New York State residents aged 16 or older
The Biological Field Station High School Internship Program at SUNY Oneonta offers you an immersive, in-person research experience focused on ecology, aquatic science, and environmental biology. During the eight-week internship, you work closely with faculty, staff, and researchers on ongoing field station projects related to Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna River watershed. Your daily work includes a mix of field research, such as fisheries surveys, plant sampling, and water quality monitoring, and laboratory analyses like water chemistry, zooplankton identification, and specimen processing. You also develop skills in data analysis, scientific writing, and research communication through weekly seminars and regular project updates. By the end of the program, you will produce a technical report and a large-format research poster that contributes to the Field Station’s annual report.
Location: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA (in person)
Cost: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 4–10 interns accepted
Dates: June 29–August 21
Application Deadline: Not publicly specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors only (current 11th graders)
The Institute for Systems Biology Summer Internship Program offers you an intensive, in-person research experience focused on systems biology and interdisciplinary life science research. Over eight weeks, you will work on a mentor-driven research project aligned with ongoing ISB studies in areas such as computational biology, cancer, microbiology, infectious disease, immunology, aging, or the microbiome. Depending on your project, you develop skills in data analysis, coding, experimental design, engineering systems, or mathematical modeling while applying systems-level thinking to biological problems. You also build a project website documenting your research process and outcomes, strengthening your science communication skills.
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 8–July 31
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students; must be able to attend all on-campus sessions
The STEP Science & Nutrition Summer Research Program introduces you to foundational concepts in nutrition and health through an applied, research-oriented curriculum. Over four weeks, you will explore how macromolecules such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins affect human health, while also examining how genetics, behavior, healthcare access, and food availability shape health outcomes. The program combines hands-on labs, case studies, guided discussions, and community-based learning, including a visit to City of Hope’s community garden. You learn how to read and interpret peer-reviewed scientific literature, develop research questions, and propose evidence-based solutions to real nutrition and public health challenges. Working in pairs, you complete a final project that culminates in a formal presentation at the end of the program.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (in person or virtual)
Cost: $875 in person; $610 virtual; limited partial scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 13–July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed at least one high school biology course
The Biotechnology Sequencing (BTS) Camp introduces you to next-generation sequencing (NGS) through a research-focused, computational biology experience. During the program, you will learn how to analyze raw genome sequencing data using the Linux operating system and tools commonly used in professional biomedical research labs. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in genomics and data analysis, areas that are increasingly important in biotechnology, computational biology, and medical research. You work with real human sequencing datasets to identify viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 or RSV and may explore emerging variants after completing core analyses.
Location: Wiregrass Innovation Center, Dothan, AL
Cost: $175 per student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats; registration-based
Dates: June 15–June 18
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 11 (seats fill quickly)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students enrolled during the school year
The HudsonAlpha BioSkills Microbiology Level 1 Camp introduces you to foundational biotechnology and microbiology techniques through hands-on laboratory instruction. During the camp, you will learn essential wet lab skills such as aseptic technique, micropipette use, solution preparation, and laboratory safety practices. Guided experiments allow you to culture, count, and classify bacteria while exploring bacterial cell structures and growth patterns. Instruction is led by the HudsonAlpha Educational Outreach team, providing structured exposure to biotechnology research methods.
Location: Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH
Cost: $475 for members; $525 for non-members; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to 12 students per session
Dates: June 22–June 26 or August 3–August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling registration (remains open until sessions are full)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
The Marine Biology Camp at the Seacoast Science Center provides you with an immersive, field-based introduction to marine science and ecological research. Over the course of the week, you will explore coastal and marine ecosystems while learning how marine biologists design studies, collect data, and analyze findings. Activities include offshore fish identification, tide pool research, water quality testing, and investigations into marine debris and ocean plastics. You also study marine organisms such as crustaceans and echinoderms to better understand biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Exploration-based experiences like kayaking or snorkeling, along with a visit to a marine research facility, offer direct exposure to marine science careers.
Location: UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA); UC San Diego (La Jolla, CA); Columbia University (New York, NY); University College London (London, UK); Alameda, CA (commuter); and online
Cost: Tuition-based, varies by workshop and format; residential and commuter options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions offered in summer, winter, and online formats
Application Deadline: Varies by workshop and session
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 (some online workshops open to ages 12–18)
The Molecular Medicine Workshops offer you an in-depth introduction to how molecular and cellular biology drive human health and disease. Led by PhD-level instructors, the program combines lectures with hands-on laboratory activities that introduce experimental design, modern drug development, and personalized medicine. You will study how disruptions in normal biological processes lead to disease and apply these concepts to biomedical research questions. Depending on the workshop, you may explore focus areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, aging, developmental biology, or bioinformatics, including AI-enhanced data analysis. University-based sessions provide residential or commuter experiences that simulate college-level study, while online formats offer flexible access to the curriculum. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed an original research project centered on a gene, pathway, or molecular process of your choice.
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Week of July 5–10 or week of July 19–24
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Biology Research Institute at Wake Forest University offers you an immersive introduction to biological research through hands-on laboratory and field-based investigations. Throughout the residential program, you will explore diverse areas of biology, from molecular plant development and disease biochemistry to grassland ecology and global change biology. You work closely with PhD-level researchers and instructors, learning benchtop techniques, conducting ecological fieldwork, and collecting and analyzing your own data. You also engage with guest speakers and daily research-focused activities that expose you to current scientific questions and methods. By the end of the program, you present your findings to peers and receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $10,750 (residential), $8,041 (commuter) + $50 non-refundable application fee + $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit (due upon acceptance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 20–July 18
Application Deadline: Early: February 1 (scholarship & international applicants); Final: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; at least 16 years old with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Computational Biology Pre-College Program at Carnegie Mellon University immerses you in the intersection of biology, computer science, and data-driven research. During the four-week, in-person program, you work on research-inspired problems that mirror real computational biology challenges, from studying microbial ecosystems to analyzing public health data. Each day balances laboratory work, such as DNA extraction and sequencing, with team-based hackathons where you code solutions to biological questions. You gain exposure to advanced tools used in modern research, including robotic lab automation platforms and machine learning applications in science. Faculty-led instruction emphasizes how experimental data and computation work together to drive discovery in biology and medicine.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $8,226 commuter; from $18,771 residential with meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by course
Dates: June 20–August 16
Application Deadline: Varies by track and housing option
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; must be 16–19 years old during the program and not matriculating at Stanford
Stanford Summer Session allows you to take real Stanford courses alongside undergraduates and graduate students while earning official university credit and a transcript. As a high school student, you enroll in in-person courses across disciplines, including biology, data science, and interdisciplinary life sciences. Courses such as Introduction to Statistics for Biology introduce you to statistical methods used in biological and medical research, including experimental design, probability models, hypothesis testing, and data analysis with software tools. You experience a collaborative academic environment where students from more than 60 countries engage in rigorous, college-level learning. Depending on your enrollment status, you may live on campus or commute while meeting minimum unit requirements.
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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