SIMR (Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program): 2026 Guide
Updated: Aug 17
Last updated: August 8. 2026
TL;DR
SIMR is an eight-week, in-person research internship at Stanford School of Medicine open to current high school juniors and seniors nationwide. For the 2026-27 cycle, the application is expected to open December 18, 2026 and close in late February 2027, with the program running roughly June 7–July 29, 2027. The program is free to attend, aside from a $50 application fee (waivable for families earning under $80,000/year). While SIMR doesn't publish an official acceptance rate, third-party sources estimate it to be highly competitive - around 3%. For students based outside the Bay Area, consider virtual research opportunities like the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
If you're a high school student looking to do medical research, the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is worth applying to. Hosted at Stanford medical school, this eight-week internship allows you to do biomedical research before college. Applications for the 2026-27 cycle open this December!
What Is the Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)?
SIMR is a highly selective eight-week research program run by the Stanford School of Medicine, built for high school students who are passionate about research and the medical sciences.
If you’re admitted to the program, you'll get the chance to conduct novel research in areas like neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, stem cell biology, cancer biology, immunology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, and genetics. Alongside your research, you can expect to take part in weekly seminars and workshops, career development and college application sessions, and program socials.
Who can apply to SIMR?
You're eligible if you're a current high school junior or senior, at least 16 years old by the program's start date, and a US citizen or permanent resident currently living in and attending high school in the US. SIMR is designed to make biomedical research accessible to all students, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, or prior education.
That said, you should know the program prioritizes local applicants. Selection strongly favors students who live in or near the Bay Area, largely because SIMR is a commuter program with no on-campus housing.
You'll also need to pay a $50 application fee, which you can get waived if your family income is under $80,000 per year. The program doesn't cover housing or meals, so if you're out of state, this is worth weighing carefully: you're required to arrange your own housing with a family member or legal guardian for the full eight weeks, and hotels and short-term rentals aren't permitted.
What is SIMR’s acceptance rate?
SIMR is very selective, with estimates of about 3%. You'll be competing for around 50 spots each year out of a national applicant pool, though the exact number depends on how many labs and faculty sign on to host students that cycle. Stanford doesn't publish an official acceptance rate or applicant count.
When should you apply to SIMR 2026-27?
Here's what you'll currently find posted for the 2026-27 cycle (Summer 2027 program):
Stage | Date |
Application opens | December 18, 2026 |
Application deadline | Late February 2027 (exact date not yet finalized) |
Program dates | June 7 to July 29, 2027 (8 weeks) |
Results announced | Historically early-to-mid April (Summer 2026 decisions went out April 10) |
Note: These are tentative dates for the coming cycle, based on past editions’ timelines.
Your SIMR application is entirely written; there's no interview. Once it opens, you'll have roughly two months to complete it, including basic information, essay responses, a ranked list of institute/lab preferences, and one academic recommendation.
If you're accepted, you'll attend a mandatory orientation and safety training on the first day, then jump into lab work, workshops, and lectures for the full eight weeks. Attendance is strict, so plan to be available for the entire program with no exceptions.
What will you work on at SIMR?
Your day-to-day work depends on which institute you're placed in, but a few things are consistent across SIMR labs. You'll be paired one-on-one with a graduate student or postdoc mentor, and you'll spend most of your 40-hour week directly on your assigned research project rather than shadowing or observing. During your first two weeks, expect morning lectures 2 to 3 times a week. After that, you'll have a joint lecture about once a week.
Students in the bioengineering bootcamp track have designed original medical devices and prototypes rather than working in a wet lab. Others have worked on things like printing cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) or studying neural networks to understand how the brain processes information (read more here). Some SIMR projects have gone on to real recognition outside the program. Some SIMR projects have gone on to real recognition outside the program. A 2007 SIMR project on how different ligands affect lymphoma cell survival was later published in a peer-reviewed immunology journal.
When do SIMR results come out?
For the most recently completed cycle (Summer 2026), decisions went out by email on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 5pm PST, about seven weeks after the February 21 application deadline. Stanford's application page is explicit that you shouldn't email asking for an earlier answer: decisions go out to everyone on the same day, all at once.
For the 2026-27 cycle, you should expect a similar gap between your application deadline and your decision date, likely landing you in early-to-mid April 2027.
A few notes based on how the program has run past cycles:
You'll get your decision by email, not by phone or portal notification, so make sure the email you used on your application is one you check regularly.
If you submitted a recommendation letter separately, you can confirm it went through by checking the References tab in your Slideroom application portal.
Don't expect early or individual responses. Stanford has stated it won't reply to emails asking about your decision before the official date.
How to apply to SIMR: requirements + questions they ask
You'll submit your application through Stanford's online portal. Here's what you'll need:
Basic contact and school information.
An unofficial or official high school transcript.
Activities and coursework: your science/math courses, AP courses, extracurriculars, community service, and any prior research experience.
Institute preferences: you'll rank your top research areas; if accepted, you'll re-rank based on which faculty have been offered to host students.
Two application essays (roughly 3,500 characters each): one required prompt asking why you're applying, how SIMR fits your future goals, and why you're a strong candidate, plus your choice of one of two additional prompts, covering either how your background and experiences would shape your contribution to the program, or a specific extracurricular/work experience that had a major impact on you.
One letter of recommendation, ideally from a science or math teacher, submitted through the application system. You can submit your application before the recommendation arrives, but it needs to be in by the deadline.
Optional standardized test scores: not required, but you can include them if they strengthen your application.
Tip: Since the program leans heavily on holistic review rather than grades alone, you'll want your essay answers to be specific and personal.
7 tips to help you get into SIMR
1. Lead your required essay with a specific moment, not a general statement of interest
Your required essay asks why you're applying, how SIMR fits your future goals, and why you're a strong candidate. Don't open with "I've always loved science." Open with the specific experience that pulled you toward research: a class project that didn't go as planned, a family health issue that got you asking questions, a lab demo you couldn't stop thinking about. Make your essay memorable!
2. Match your institute preference to something you can actually defend in conversation
You'll rank your top research areas on the application. Don't rank an institute just because it sounds prestigious. If you list neuroscience first, you should be able to explain what draws you to it beyond "the brain is interesting," and ideally point to something you've already read, built, or investigated on your own. Reviewers are checking for genuine direction.
3. Choose your recommender for depth of insight, not convenience
You need one letter, ideally from a science or math teacher. Pick the teacher who can speak to how you think and work under pressure, not necessarily the one who gave you the highest grade. A recommender who can describe a specific moment you showed initiative or handled a setback will do more for your application than one who can only confirm you got an A.
4. Use your second essay prompt to show something the rest of your application can't
You'll choose between a prompt about how your background and experiences shape your contribution, and a prompt about a specific extracurricular or work experience that had a real impact on you. Pick whichever one lets you show a side of yourself that isn't already visible in your transcript or activities list. This is your chance to add dimension, not repeat what reviewers can already see elsewhere.
5. If you're applying from outside the Bay Area, figure out housing early
SIMR is a commuter program with no on-campus housing, and selection favors students who can realistically get to campus every day. If you're not local, don't leave your housing plan vague. Be specific and confident about where you'll stay and with whom, since ambiguity here can work against you regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.
6. Submit your application before your recommendation letter is in
You're allowed to submit your application before your recommender submits their letter. Don't hold your entire application hostage to someone else's timeline. Submit early, then follow up directly with your recommender and confirm the letter went through using the References tab in your application portal.
7. Treat the optional pieces as opportunities, not afterthoughts
Standardized test scores are optional. If a specific score genuinely strengthens your profile, include it. If it doesn't add anything, leave it out rather than padding your application. The same logic applies everywhere in this process: every piece you submit should be doing real work for your candidacy, not just filling space.
FAQ
What does SIMR stand for?
SIMR stands for the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program, an eight-week research internship you can attend at Stanford School of Medicine as a high schooler.
Is SIMR hard to get into?
Yes. You'll be competing for around 50 spots a year from a national applicant pool, though Stanford doesn't publish an official acceptance rate.
How do I get into SIMR?
You'll need to submit a complete application before the 2026-27 deadline (tentatively late February 2027), including your transcript, activities list, two essays, and one teacher recommendation. Your best shot comes from showing specific, genuine interest in a research area rather than a generic pre-med narrative, since the selection process is holistic rather than grades-only.
What is the acceptance rate for SIMR? How many people apply every year?
Stanford doesn't release an official acceptance rate or applicant count. The 3% acceptance rate from 1500-1800 applicants is a fairly close approximation!
Does SIMR cost money?
No, SIMR is fully-funded. You won't pay tuition or a program fee. You will need to cover a $50 application fee, which you can get waived if your family's gross income is under $80,000 per year or you have documented special circumstances.
Does SIMR provide housing?
No. Since SIMR is a commuter program, you're expected to live with a parent, family member, or legal guardian in the area for the full eight weeks. Hotels and short-term rentals aren't allowed.
Can I apply to SIMR if I live outside California?
Yes, technically. SIMR is open nationally to any eligible US citizen or permanent resident. In practice, selection strongly favors Bay Area applicants, since housing outside the region is difficult and the program doesn't provide it.
Does SIMR offer a stipend?
Usually not. Stanford's own stipends page says stipends aren't generally guaranteed, with only a very limited number of need-based grants available. Several third-party guides claim a $500 minimum for all participants.
What if I want to work on research before I apply to SIMR?
Consider the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which pairs you with a PhD mentor from Harvard, Oxford, or another top university for a 1-on-1 research project, done online and without SIMR's geographic or attendance requirements. Apply here.
Not sure SIMR is the right fit, or want a backup plan in case you're not selected?
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor from Harvard, Oxford, and other top universities for a 1-on-1 research project, done entirely online, with no geographic restriction and no eight-week attendance requirement. Apply here.
Looking for other Stanford or medical research options? Check out our blogs on the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP), other summer opportunities at Stanford, pre-med research opportunities, medical research opportunities, and biology research opportunities.
Stephen Turban is the co-founder of Lumiere Education and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics before beginning a PhD at Harvard Business School. A former McKinsey & Company consultant and former researcher, his research has been covered by the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, and the Washington Post. In his articles for Forbes, he writes on what students and professionals can learn from high school research, high school passion projects, critical thinking, and mentorship. At Lumiere, he leads a selective research program where students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper. Connect with him on LinkedIn.