14 Summer Research Programs in Biology for High School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- 46 minutes ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student with a strong interest in biology, summer research programs can offer a meaningful way to move beyond textbook learning. These opportunities place you in real labs and field settings where you can build research skills, practice data analysis, and contribute to ongoing scientific work. Whether your interests lean toward molecular biology, ecology, genetics, or biomedical science, a research program helps you understand how biology works in practice.
Why should you attend a program in California?
California is home to a dense network of research universities, medical centers, biotechnology companies, and national laboratories engaged in biological research. In these programs, you may conduct experiments in molecular and cellular biology, analyze genetic or epidemiological datasets, or contribute to biomedical or ecological research projects. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, these programs allow you to take part in biology research with guidance from experienced mentors and build skills in the field.
To help you find a strong match, we’ve compiled 14 summer research programs in biology for high school students in California.
If you’re looking for free programs in California, check out our blog here.
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Provided
Program dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors, at least 16 years old, minimum 2.5 GPA; must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
The UCSF CURE Research Internship offers an eight‑week summer research experience where high school students work with graduate mentors and faculty on biomedical research projects. You gain exposure to basic, clinical, behavioral, or population science research in a professional laboratory setting. Mentors guide your learning of research techniques, experimental design, and professional scientific skills. Throughout the internship, you develop a research project, collect data, and prepare a presentation for the concluding research symposium. You also receive college and career advising as part of the program’s integrated educational support.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must 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. 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 biology, psychology, physics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more.
Location: UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences and multiple UC campuses, CA
Stipend: $2,000
Program dates: June 9 – July 18, tentative based on previous years
Application deadline: April 20, tentative based on previous years
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Northern California
The UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences sponsors the Summer Researchers in Global Health program, a six‑week interdisciplinary research internship for rising high school seniors. You collaborate with mentors at UCSF and UC campuses on global health projects spanning topics such as infectious diseases, epidemiology, and reproductive health. Weekly case discussions and group activities build your understanding of research methodology in public health and biological systems. Faculty and graduate student mentors support your learning through structured mentorship and hands‑on project work. The program emphasizes research communication and introduces you to diverse scientific careers in health and biology.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Program dates: Spring cohort: 15 weeksFall cohort: 15 weeksSummer cohort: 10 weeks, June – September
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites; more details can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and affiliated labs, San Francisco and Oakland, CA
Stipend: $3,000
Program dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: February 14, tentative based on previous years
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, age 16 or older; completed one year of biology and math; U.S. citizens or permanent residents, preference for students from underrepresented backgrounds
This 7‑week program embeds you in biomedical research labs across UCSF hospitals and partner institutions, where you work alongside scientists on biological or clinical research projects. Your summer includes structured mentoring, weekly seminars, and journal clubs that deepen understanding of laboratory practices and how biological research links to human health. As part of the cohort, you share findings, learn data interpretation, and participate in professional development panels. Through direct research involvement and communication activities, you can build technical competencies and gain exposure to real-world research cultures in the biological sciences.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost / Stipend: Need-based stipends offered; no cost apart from application fee, waivers available
Program dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, age 16 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The SIMR program places high school students in biomedical and biological research environments at Stanford University for an eight‑week summer internship. Under faculty and researcher guidance, you undertake full‑time lab research in areas like immunology, bioengineering, genetics, or neurobiology, gaining hands‑on experience in experimental methods. Daily work includes lab techniques, data collection, and critical analysis, supplemented by lectures and poster sessions designed to strengthen scientific reasoning. You also engage with faculty and peers through structured scientific forums, fostering community and collaboration. At the end of the program, you present your work, building communication skills vital for future research.
Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA
Cost / Stipend: None
Program dates: July 13 – July 24
Application deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school students in Northern California, at least 16 years old; minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA and 3.5 science GPA; must complete Biology and Chemistry by the end of the current school year
The LLNL Biotech Summer Experience introduces you to molecular biology and bioinformatics through intensive hands‑on experiments using real research techniques. In this two‑week program, you use methods such as plasmid DNA isolation, PCR, restriction digestion, and gel electrophoresis while exploring gene sequences from plant models. Bioinformatics tools support your analysis of DNA data, bridging laboratory work with computational research. The program culminates in submitting DNA sequences to an international scientific database under your name. Alongside lab practice, you learn research protocols and participate in group discussions on methodology and interpretation of biological data.
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
Cost / Stipend: Paid internship
Program dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students, age 16 or older, minimum 2.75 GPA; must complete at least one year of high school chemistry and biology
At the Salk Institute’s Heithoff‑Brody program, you conduct independent biology research under direct mentorship from Salk scientists. The summer schedule includes seminars and workshops on data analysis, laboratory techniques, bioinformatics, and science communication to help you integrate new skills. You also gain exposure to cutting‑edge biological research methods and network with peers and professionals through events and site visits. The program culminates in presentations where you share your research results, reinforcing scientific writing and speaking skills.
Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
Cost / Stipend: No cost; $5,040 stipend
Program dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Students from REACH partner schools or programs, varies annually
The Scripps Research High School Summer Internship Program, offered in collaboration with the REACH initiative, connects students from partner schools with hands‑on biomedical research in contemporary biological science. You engage in laboratory projects under the supervision of research mentors, while honing key research methods, experimental skills, and scientific communication. The summer begins with a three‑day research training boot camp to build foundational lab skills, followed by six weeks of project work where you contribute to ongoing investigations in biological sciences. Mentors support your development through structured feedback and professional interactions, culminating in presentations or reports that synthesize your research contributions.
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $4,500
Program dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending SFUSD or San Francisco charter schools
UCSF’s High School Intern Program matches rising seniors with UCSF scientists for an eight‑week paid summer internship focused on biomedical research. You work one‑on‑one with a scientific mentor on an original research project that develops your understanding of biological research techniques and critical thinking in lab contexts. The program assists low‑income and first‑generation college students by offering mentorship, structured research projects, and cohort learning opportunities. During the summer, participants gain hands-on experience in data collection, scientific methods, and research communication. To complete the program, students prepare and present their findings, which helps develop confidence in communicating scientific results to a wider audience.
11. University of California, Irvine Cancer Research Institute Youth Science Fellowship Program (YSFP)
Location: University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 29 – August 8
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in Orange County with at least one high school chemistry and biology class
The YSFP at UCI offers high school students an immersive six‑week research experience focused on cancer biology and related fields. Working in research labs, you undertake experiments, dissections, and literature review under the mentorship of faculty and doctoral researchers while attending lectures from academic scientists. The program emphasizes experimental design, data analysis, and research workflows that mirror professional biological research environments. Cohort activities include structured mentorship sessions and end-of-program presentations, during which you present your findings. This summer fellowship combines hands‑on lab engagement with exposure to current research discussions.
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $4,250 tuition, plus optional housing costs
Program dates:Online Research Prep: June 15 – June 18In-Person Research: June 22 – August 7Final Presentation: August 8
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–17; some biological research placements require age 16 or older
Within the broader UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program, many high school interns participate specifically in biology research placements, working side‑by‑side with faculty and graduate student mentors on authentic biological science projects. Research areas span molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and computational biology, with interns actively engaged in lab techniques, experimental design, and data analysis. You benefit from a research environment where your contributions are part of ongoing scientific investigations, and you attend group meetings and seminars that deepen your conceptual understanding. The program structure supports hands‑on learning, critical thinking, and research communication skills as you prepare a poster or final presentation of your summer project findings.
Location: University of California, Davis, CA
Cost: $7,750
Program dates: June 21 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16–18, U.S. residents currently residing and attending school in the U.S.
The UC Davis Young Scholars Program offers high school students an immersive six‑week summer experience in which they conduct original research in the biological, environmental, and natural sciences under faculty mentorship. You engage in laboratory work or field studies, attend lectures on current scientific issues, and participate in cohort research activities that mirror authentic scientific inquiry. Daily work with your research mentor builds technical competencies and scientific reasoning, while weekend field trips enrich your understanding of biological systems in real‑world contexts. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings, reinforcing scientific communication and analytical skills developed throughout the summer.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Research projects fee of $1,500
Program dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students, project participation varies by mentor
The UC San Diego REHS program places high school students with faculty mentors at the San Diego Supercomputer Center to participate in research projects that often integrate computational analysis with biological data and scientific problem-solving. Over eight weeks, you learn how to formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments or computational analyses, and interpret results under the guidance of professional scientists and graduate student mentors. Regular lab meetings and presentations help build scientific communication skills, and at the end of the summer, you prepare a scientific poster highlighting your work. While REHS now has a fee, it provides authentic exposure to research methodologies and collaborative scientific inquiry.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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