15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Miami

If you're a high school student in Miami interested in an undergraduate degree in medicine, attending a medical summer program is a great way to start. These programs give you the chance to dive into hands-on learning, explore different healthcare careers, and experience college-level academics—all while being an accessible option to explore. You’ll get to meet professionals in the field, build practical skills, and experience work in a medical setting. 

To help you get started, we’ve made a list of medical summer programs for high school students in Miami. Most programs on this list are in-person, take place during the summer, and are open to high school students like you. We’ve chosen programs that are rigorous, offer strong networking opportunities, and are hosted by respected organizations. For students serious about exploring medicine, these summer experiences can offer a solid pathway into the field. 

Here are 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Miami!

1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Cost/Stipend: $5,950 (financial aid available)

Location: Virtual

Dates: 10–12 weeks for the summer cohort, 16 weeks for the year-round cohorts

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines per cohort. The Summer II cohort deadline is June 22

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA). Most accepted students are 11th and 12th graders. You can check individual track prerequisites here.

The Horizon Academic Research Program is a selective, trimester-long virtual research experience for high school students interested in pursuing undergraduate-level research across a range of disciplines, including medicine and the life sciences. You’ll select a subject track before getting paired with professors or Ph.D. scholars from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Yale.

Under their guidance, you conduct an in-depth exploration of a chosen topic, culminating in a 20-page research paper. In addition, you’ll receive detailed feedback, individualized instruction, and a letter of recommendation.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Medicine Track

Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,990 (financial aid available)

Location: Virtual

Dates: Varies by cohort. The Summer Cohort II starts on July 14

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The Summer Cohort II applications close on June 23

Eligibility: Academically strong high school students. Accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive 12-week research opportunity designed for high school students interested in exploring advanced topics through one-on-one mentorship. Participants are paired with Ph.D. mentors to pursue an independent research project in various fields. For students interested in medicine and healthcare subjects, Lumiere offers research themes including medicine, neuroscience, health science, biology, and more.

The program emphasizes personalized guidance, allowing students to choose from a wide array of existing subjects or even propose their own topics. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a full-length research paper and gain valuable experience in academic research, critical analysis, and scientific writing.

3. FIU’s Summer Research Internship (SRI)

Cost: None

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL

Dates: June 13 – August 8

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: High school juniors or graduating seniors who are going to attend FIU. Applicants must be from a South Florida high school, be at least 16 by the start of the program, and have an unweighted 3.0 GPA. Students with a strong interest in cardiovascular research will be preferred

FIU’s Summer Research Internship Program is a medical summer program for high school students in Miami that offers a rigorous eight-week experience in cardiovascular health research. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work a minimum of 15 hours per week in a research lab, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific methodology.

Alongside your lab work, you’ll attend weekly sessions that include case studies, journal clubs, and professional development workshops. At the end of the program, you’ll submit an abstract and present your research at a closing event, with top presenters invited to showcase their work at a university-wide symposium. 

4. American Cancer Society Internship Program

Cost: No cost; a stipend will be provided

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Dates: May 19 – July 25

Application Deadline: January 17

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors at a Florida institution of higher education with an interest in cancer-related research and an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Students must be from underrepresented groups in science and medicine, and/or from an economically disadvantaged background 

The American Cancer Society Internship program is a medical summer program for high school students in Miami, structured as a comprehensive 10-week experience to prepare you for a future in oncology and biomedical research. You’ll work on individual lab projects addressing major challenges in cancer science while also participating in clinical shadowing and learning how clinical trials are designed.

Throughout the summer, you’ll engage in workshops on computational tools, academic and career development, and cancer disparities, with opportunities to present your work at a symposium and potentially at national conferences. Year-round mentorship and structured programming during the academic year will further support your growth.

5. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship

Cost: No cost; a stipend will be provided

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Dates: June 16 – August 8 (tentative)

Application Deadline: January 31

Eligibility: High school students with excellent academic standing who attend Miami and Broward-area high schools

The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship offers students the chance to explore biological and computational research through a rigorous eight-week experience at the University of Miami’s John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG). 

You'll be paired with a faculty member, postdoc, or staff researcher and work directly in a lab focused on uncovering the genetic basis of human diseases. You’ll gain experience with advanced lab techniques, strengthen your data analysis and presentation skills, and learn how genetics research helps address real medical conditions. The program culminates in a formal research presentation, giving you a chance to showcase your work to peers and professionals.

6. High School Careers in Medicine Program

Cost: None

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Dates: June 23 – 27

Application Deadline: February 21

Eligibility: Rising seniors who attend a Miami Dade County Public School, have a B+ or higher in science courses, and a minimum overall 3.2 GPA. Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients

The High School Careers in Medicine Program is a medical summer program for high school students in Miami that gives practical exposure to work in healthcare. You'll build practical medical skills through hands-on activities in clinical medicine, such as suturing, simulations, and patient case studies. Throughout the program, you’ll be guided by faculty, residents, and medical students from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The program also includes academic enrichment sessions to strengthen your foundational knowledge, alongside professional development workshops that prepare you for future academic and career steps.

7. FIU Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) High School Summer Internship Program

Cost: No cost. Information on a stipend is not available

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL

Dates: June 9 – July 10

Application Deadline: April 8

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County

The FIU-CTS High School Summer Internship Program provides high school students with a hands-on introduction to biomedical science research. Over five weeks, you'll work alongside expert researchers in fields like neuroscience, drug discovery, metabolism, and heart and lung physiology. The program emphasizes critical thinking, hypothesis testing, and real-world application of the scientific method. 

You’ll design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and explore how scientific inquiry leads to new knowledge. You’ll also build a professional network, create a scientific poster for future competitions, and present your findings at the closing ceremony. Finally, you’ll receive a participation certificate, a signed letter from the Program Director, and you can earn over 100 volunteer hours.

8. Junior Doctors of Tomorrow Program

Cost: None

Location: FIU Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL

Dates: June 23 – 27

Application Deadline: May 26

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0

The Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT) Summer Program gives high school students a hands-on introduction to the medical field through clinical workshops and interactive sessions. Over the course of a week, you’ll explore core healthcare concepts and develop practical skills used in real clinical settings.

The program is highly selective, with only 30 students per session. This ensures personalized instruction and meaningful interaction with mentors and medical professionals. 

9. Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP)

Cost: No cost. A stipend may be provided

Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL

Dates: July 1 – August 2

Application Deadline: May 23

Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders between the ages of 15–18 who are enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School. Before applying, students must complete the online pre-internship course and submit the relevant documentation here.

SYIP is a medical summer program for high school students in Miami, in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). It provides a structured, five-week experience designed to build practical workplace skills. You'll work 30 hours a week alongside healthcare professionals and mentors, learning how medical teams operate and gaining exposure to a variety of clinical and administrative tasks.

From observing procedures to assisting with patient care and participating in health-related projects, you’ll deepen your understanding of hospital operations while developing communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. 

10. Baptist Health Observer Program 

Cost: None

Location: Baptist Hospital, Miami, FL

Dates: Year-round

Application Deadline: Varies

Eligibility: Applicants must be over the age of 16 and meet the application requirements specified on the website

If you're interested in exploring healthcare careers from multiple angles, Baptist Health offers several opportunities to help you gain valuable exposure. In particular, the Observer Program lets you shadow physicians and other medical professionals in clinical environments—watching procedures, joining patient rounds, and attending teaching conferences. While the program doesn’t provide academic credit or formal evaluations, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at daily operations in healthcare. You'll need to independently identify a Baptist Health sponsor to participate, and observerships can last up to four weeks.

In addition to shadowing, you can explore MedTalks, a virtual speaker series where healthcare professionals share their career paths and insights in one-hour sessions. If you're looking for more hands-on involvement, the Volunteer Program allows you to support staff and patients while gaining practical experience in a hospital setting.

You can register here to connect to the Baptist Health High School Student Network. 

11. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) High School Summer Programs

Cost: $4,195

Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL

Dates: Jun 17 – Jun 25 | Jun 29 – Jul 7

Application Deadline: Rolling, but sessions typically fill up by late March

Eligibility: Students who are 14–18 years old and have completed at least one year of high school

The NSLC on Medicine & Health Care is a nine-day medical summer program for high school students in Miami that provides an introduction to the medical field through hands-on simulations and workshops. You’ll practice clinical diagnostics, trauma assessment, suturing, surgical techniques, and anatomy through dissections while exploring topics like public health and medical ethics.

Guest lectures from healthcare professionals provide real-world insights, and off-campus tours, such as visits to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and local medical facilities, give you a broader view of the healthcare system. The program also incorporates leadership development workshops focused on communication, empathy, and resilience, helping you build skills essential for any healthcare career.

12. University of Miami’s Pre-College Summer Scholar—Healthcare and Medicine

Cost: Residential Program: $9,532 (Tuition $7,137 + Program Fees $2,395) | Commuter Program: $8,144 (Tuition $7,137 + Program Fees $1,007). Scholarships are available for eligible students 

Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL

Dates: June 30 – July 17

Application Deadline: The early application deadline is December 31 (recommended for the healthcare and medicine track, as it is in high demand). Regular applications are due on April 1. Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, provided there is availability

Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). The healthcare and medicine courses typically require completion of Biology and one other lab science, with the exception of Sports Medicine

The University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program offers a three-week, credit-bearing academic experience for students completing 10th or 11th grade. You’ll earn six college credits by selecting a healthcare-focused academic specialty and completing two university-level courses taught by UM faculty. Each track blends classroom learning with hands-on experiences such as lab work, field trips, and guest lectures.

Program options include Cancer Biology, Sports Medicine, Neuroscience and Public Health, Music Therapy, and Microbiology.

13. Introduction to Health Care Careers Camp

Cost: $259

Location: Miami Dade College - West Campus, Doral, FL

Dates: July 21 – 25

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 13–17

Miami Dade College’s Introduction to Health Care Careers Camp allows students to explore a range of healthcare careers. This one-week program is designed for high school students and features hands-on activities in a high-tech simulation lab. You’ll gain practical skills like taking vital signs, basic EKG monitoring and interpretation, and earn an American Heart Association Heart Saver certificate.

Throughout the program, you’ll also engage with instructors and peers while discovering different roles in the medical field. 

14. Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship

Cost: $850 + $40 (application fee)

Location: Virtual

Dates: June 16 – 27

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders with math/programming skills and/or experience in a healthcare project. Students must be at least 14 by the start of the program

The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a medical summer program for high school students that provides a firsthand look at how artificial intelligence is used in medicine. This two-week virtual program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of AI in healthcare through technical lectures, group research sessions, and mentoring by Stanford researchers and student leads.

You’ll explore real-world applications of AI in diagnostics, imaging, and treatment planning while collaborating on team projects and attending career talks with experts from academia, industry, and government. For those looking to explore this field further, an extended independent research option may be available. Students who complete the program will also earn a Certificate of Completion.

15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Cost: None

Location: Virtual

Dates: Typically July – August

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors interested in research and clinical careers in behavioral or brain health-related sciences

The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers a focused five-week virtual research experience for high school students interested in neuroscience and behavioral science. This STEM-centered program combines educational presentations, basic lab techniques, and structured mentorship to introduce you to key concepts in brain research and biomedical science.

You’ll build critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills, explore ethical research practices, and participate in professional development workshops, college prep sessions, and mentorship training. Once you complete the program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

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.

Image Source - Horizon Academic Research Program logo