15 Oncology Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Feb 25
- 12 min read
If you’re a high school student thinking about oncology as a possible career path, summer programs let you see how cancer science and clinical work come together. You can observe how research, data, and patient care shape decisions in oncology settings.
Why should I participate in a summer oncology program in high school?
Many oncology programs for high schoolers are hosted by cancer centers, medical schools, and research institutions. You may join discussions about treatment strategies, work with research teams, help with data collection or interpretation, or shadow professionals who work with patients. Participating in these programs can help you clarify whether healthcare or biomedical research is a path you want to pursue. It shows college admissions officers that you’ve taken the initiative to learn in an academically challenging environment.
Without further ado, here are 15 oncology summer programs for high school students!
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 20 candidates selected with a 2% acceptance rate
Dates: June 29 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, aged 14+, with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, living in NY/NJ/CT within 25 miles of MSKCC
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center hosts a small number of high school students for an 8-week oncology summer program focused on research and career development. You’ll be paired with a mentor from MSKCC matching your interests to pursue an independent oncology research project in specialized areas, including cancer biology, immuno-oncology, and pharmacology and drug development. To support your research, you’ll receive training in oncology and biomedical research skills through one-on-one mentorship, lab meetings, and program-wide educational workshops. The program also provides professional development events, including networking opportunities with Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers and professionals. You’ll finish the program by developing a research poster, which you’ll present to MSK faculty at the Closing Ceremony Poster Session.
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 12-week summer research experience where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a university like Harvard, MIT, or Yale. If you’re interested in an oncology program, you can choose to specialize in a field like neuroscience, medicine, or public health, with potential research topics including the biology of brain cancer, clinical oncology, or health disparities in cancer treatment. You meet regularly with your mentor to shape your research question, collect and analyze data, and write a paper that meets college-level standards. You build skills in research design, data interpretation, and academic writing. You’ll finish the program with a formal research paper, which you can submit for publication in student journals or utilize in a research supplement on college applications. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Columbia Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; <10%
Dates: June 29 - August 21 | 2-year summer program
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school students and undergraduates aged 14+ and committed to full program participation | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
YES in THE HEIGHTS is a competitive, paid oncology summer program offering advanced cancer research experience to high school and college students over the course of two summers. You’ll start the program with training in scientific oncology research and academic etiquette, then create an Independent Development Plan and a scientific abstract detailing your work plans. You’ll work on a research project throughout the program with the support of a Faculty Mentor specializing in your preferred research area. You’ll supplement your research with a weekly HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club, where you’ll read and discuss advanced literature in the field with your peers. At the end of your second summer in the program, you’ll finalize your project and deliver a conference-style oral presentation on your findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You’ll get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. If you’re looking for an oncology experience, you can direct your project towards technology-driven cancer diagnostics. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: Longwood Medical Area, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 7-11 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 and undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors aged 16+ | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident residing and/or attending school in Massachusetts, and able to commute to Longwood Medical Area
The Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center Summer Training Program places you in a cancer research lab where you work under the guidance of a research mentor on a project. Your work may involve lab experiments, data analysis, or computational research, depending on the lab’s focus. Outside the lab, you join journal clubs and research seminars that introduce current questions and methods in cancer science, along with training in lab skills and research ethics. The program also includes career and academic development sessions and exposure to researchers from institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. You finish by preparing a research abstract and presenting your work in a formal research setting.
Location: Remote
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; up to 20 participants selected per host site
Dates: 2 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by site
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students with an interest in STEM, aged 16+ | Individual sites typically have state/region residency requirements, and may have additional eligibility criteria
The American Cancer Society-funded Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology for high school students is a two-week paid virtual research program. The program is hosted by 15 cancer research centers and institutes across the US, including Mayo Clinic, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, and University of Pennsylvania; you’ll apply to a specific site, rather than the program at large. During the program, you’ll work with researchers from your host institution to conduct research using a home laboratory kit, analyze case studies, and learn about developments in oncology and biomedicine. Your experience will also include features like faculty lectures, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with researchers across host institutions. You’ll receive support on planning for your future through workshops on college preparation, oncology research careers, and professional skills.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Paid; unpaid positions for course credit also available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 40 students/year, including undergraduate and graduate students
Dates: June 1 – August 7 | June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are at least 16 years old
The Scripps Research Translational Institute hosts a select group of high schoolers, undergraduates, and graduate students each summer for the paid Scripps Student Research Internship, featuring an oncology specialization in the Cancer Genomics department. You’ll work on a translational medicine project under the guidance of an Institute researcher. Cancer Genomics topics may include characterizing tumor DNA in the bloodstream, detecting neoplasia in pregnant women, or developing liquid cancer biopsies. Outside of your research, you’ll participate in college-level seminars on translational science, discuss careers and academic paths in medical research, and network with Institute faculty. At the end of the program, you’ll develop a research poster and deliver a presentation on your work at the Student Research Internship Poster Symposium and the Translational Institute Research Meeting.
Location: University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Cost: Free; stipend of $3,000 ($4,300 for undergraduates)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; exact numbers not provided, but paid research programs for which undergraduates are eligible are some of the most competitive high school programs
Dates: June 15 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current 11-12th graders aged 16+ with backgrounds underrepresented in STEM. Must have taken at least one year of high school math and biology | Undergraduate students are also eligible.
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program places you inside a real clinical research setting where you work closely with a faculty mentor on an oncology-focused project. Depending on the lab, your work may involve topics such as cancer genetics, treatment development, patient outcomes, or clinical trials related to pediatric or end-of-life care. Mentors include practicing oncologists and senior researchers connected to institutions like UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland. Alongside hands-on research, you take part in weekly journal clubs and lectures that break down how clinical research is designed, reviewed, and applied. You move through the full research process, from shaping a proposal to writing an abstract, and end the program by presenting your work at a formal research symposium.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free ($75 application fee; waivers offered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~80 students, <2.5% acceptance rate
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with exceptional achievement in STEM, aged 16+ | 90% have prior advanced research experience, and most hold leadership positions at their school and participate in community service
MIT’s Research Science Institute is a highly selective, free program for high school students offering oncology research opportunities under the guidance of faculty from MIT and other top Boston-area research institutions. You’ll begin with a week of intensive STEM education and professional research practices before working on an independent project with one-on-one mentor support. RSI also features a lecture series from prestigious scientists; past speakers in oncology have included a Nobel laureate winner and a founder of 5 cancer-focused biotechnology companies. You’ll write an academic paper and presentation after finalizing your research, which you’ll present to your cohort, RSI mentors, and a judging panel. Prior award-winning projects include oncology research on genome sequencing, familial cancer, and multiple myeloma.
Location: Hybrid at MIT, Cambridge, MA (PRIMES) or Remote (PRIMES-USA)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective (exact numbers not provided); strict eligibility criteria substantially limit the number of qualified applicants
Dates: One year beginning January 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors | PRIMES is open to students in the Greater Boston area; all other students must apply to PRIMES-USA (see site for additional information)
MIT PRIMES and PRIMES-USA, run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, place you in a long-term research setting that closely mirrors academic work. While the program is known for mathematics, some projects focus on bioinformatics and computational biology with direct links to cancer research. You begin with a mentor-guided reading period to build a technical background, then move into largely independent research with periodic guidance. Work includes written reports and problem-solving rather than classes, and you finish by presenting your project at a formal research conference.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; limited stipends provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective; ~50 students admitted. Acceptance rate is not released, but paid internships are typically some of the most competitive research programs.
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders aged 16+ | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident and attend school in the US | Bay Area students are prioritized
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) offers a funded oncology program for high school students through its Stanford Cancer Institute research placement. After specifying your preferred field, you’ll be matched with an Institute lab to execute an independent research project advancing the lab’s work. The Stanford Cancer Institute focuses on research areas including early drug development, clinical brain metastases research, and melanoma prevention, which can inform your work’s direction. In addition to research experience, SIMR offers networking events with Stanford researchers and clinicians, faculty lectures, training in laboratory skills and safety, and personal mentorship on research and scientific presentations from a Stanford graduate student or post-doc. You’ll spend your final two weeks at SIMR designing a research poster.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free with $750 stipend ($25 application fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 12 students | Only 1-2 students will be accepted to each research area
Dates: June 21 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders aged 17+ | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident
The Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective summer program for high schoolers with opportunities to specialize in one of 8 research focus areas. Oncology placements are offered in both Cancer Biology and Mechanical Engineering: Cancer Bioimaging, allowing you to pursue oncological research from either a wet-lab or technological approach. You’ll work under a Texas Tech faculty member specializing in your research interest areas to complete a project of your choosing. Previous student projects in oncology include studying mitochondria in the tumor-immune ecosystem and developing improved diagnostics and therapies for breast cancer. The program also features a weekly lecture series on scientific research, career and academic planning discussions, field trips, and a series of social networking events with professional researchers and faculty members.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; residential students must pay for housing ($2,450)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; <5% acceptance rate
Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Rising seniors aged 16+ who are US citizens or permanent residents aged 16+ | Students must be nominated by their high school; each high school may nominate up to 2 students
SSRP is a fully-funded summer program for high school students focused on scientific research, with opportunities to complete medical oncology research. You’ll be assigned to work on a project under the guidance of a university researcher. Subject options vary yearly, but oncology research is often offered in Medicine, Biochemical Informatics, and/or Pharmacological Sciences. Current options include studying the role of target proteins and cell receptors in cancer, tumor growth, and immunotherapy resistance. You’ll also participate in academic workshops, network with researchers and faculty at social events, and attend a faculty lecture series. You’ll finish the program by writing a research paper and delivering an oral presentation on your work.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500; financial aid available for Florida students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective; <15% acceptance rate for 90-student cohort
Dates: June 7 - July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning March 1 and ending April 1 (out-of-state) or April 15 (Florida residents)
Eligibility: Rising 12th grade students aged 16+
University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program provides a research-focused summer experience with additional academic and career development programming. You’ll join a UF laboratory to pursue a project advancing their ongoing research; oncology options can be found in clinical and medical research placements. You’ll take a college-level UF Interdisciplinary Honors Course alongside your research work focused on a specialized STEM field; past options include Cancer Biology and Therapeutics. You’ll also be trained in ethical research practices, receive career mentorship, attend faculty research lectures, and join a collaborative Study Group to share updates and receive feedback on your research. You’ll finish the program by writing and presenting on both an academic paper and a research poster. Florida students will earn dual enrollment college credit for their participation.
Location: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa, IA
Cost: $7,500; substantial financial aid and scholarships are offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective; ~10% acceptance rate
Dates: June 17 - July 24
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11
The Secondary Student Training Program is a prestigious research summer program for high schoolers, offering 6 medicine-focused research areas. SSTP is a strong option for students looking for oncology research experience. You’ll be matched with a research lab and mentor in a field such as pathology, internal medicine, pharmacology, or anatomy and cell biology, where you’ll pursue a research project aligned with the lab’s ongoing work. Former students’ oncology research topics include DNA replication in Ewing sarcoma, immune regulation in endometrial cancer progression, and targeted drug delivery for cancer treatment. At the end of the program, you’ll design a research poster to present at the SSTP Research Fair (past projects can be found here). Students are encouraged to work with their mentors to obtain a supplemental letter of recommendation for college applications.
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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