If you’re a high school student interested in biology, you have a range of opportunities to gain hands-on experience, learn advanced techniques, and conduct research. Summer programs, internships, and camps allow you to dive deep into specialized subfields—whether it's molecular biology, bioinformatics, or neurobiology. These programs help you build technical and analytical skills, building a stronger foundation in biology and enabling you to pursue independent research projects.
Here’s a curated list of 10 free biology summer programs for high schoolers in 2024-2025. These programs are either fully funded or offer financial aid.
Cost: 100% financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort; Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply with at least 4 weeks prior notice
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Subject Areas: Environmental Science, Cellular Biology, Neurosciences, Biotechnology, Gene Editing and CRISPR Technology, Bio-Industry
Eligibility: High school students (10th/11th grade preferred) with GPA >3.67/4.0
Horizon is a research-focused program that matches students with PhD or professor mentors to complete an advanced project. You can work on topics such as molecular or cellular biology and complete a 20-page paper to showcase the findings. Emphasizing data analysis and research techniques, the program enables you to publish or present your work. You will also receive personalized feedback and a recommendation letter, which are valuable for future applications.
Cost: 100% financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple Cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Subject Areas: Biology, Neuroscience, Medicine
Eligibility: High school students; most accepted students have a GPA above 3.3
Lumiere pairs students with academic experts to work on research projects involving biological data analysis, such as genomic research. You can explore fields such as evolutionary biology and genomics using R and Python to interpret data. The program emphasizes developing a rigorous research paper that can be submitted for publication. You will work 1-1 with researchers from top universities to write a publishable research paper and present your work at the end of the program. This experience not only strengthens your technical skills but also provides a foundation for professional research practices.
Cost: 100% financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Convolutional Neural Networks, Image Segmentation, Clinical Evolution
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI+ Medicine program blends biology and artificial intelligence, teaching students how to analyze biological data using machine learning. You can engage with bioinformatics tools and algorithms to understand applications in genomic data and disease prediction models. This interdisciplinary approach offers hands-on experience in AI and enhances skills applicable to both biology and computer science. By the end of the program, you will have completed data-driven projects relevant to modern biomedical challenges.
Cost: Free, stipends are given based on educational level
Location: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7, 2025
Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
Subject Areas: Biomedical Research
Eligibility: High school juniors in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas who:
- Have a GPA >3.0
- Attend a school where 30% or more of the student body participates in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program
- Will be at least 17 years old by June 1, 2025
HiSTEP, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, provides high school juniors with hands-on lab experience in biomedical research. You can work on genetics, biochemistry, and bioinformatics projects under the guidance of NIH scientists. The program includes seminars and workshops that enhance lab skills, presentation abilities, and scientific communication. This experience is ideal for students interested in biomedical research careers.
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Application Deadline: February 22, 2025
Subject Areas: Immunology, Stem Cell Research, Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Neurobiology, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics and Genomics
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older with U.S. citizenship or a green card
SIMR at Stanford University offers students the chance to work in advanced biomedical fields, including immunology and bioengineering. You can join research labs on Stanford’s campus, where you will learn lab techniques and work with faculty researchers. This immersive experience provides practical knowledge in molecular biology and data analysis, essential for biomedical research. SIMR students also have the option to participate in the bioengineering boot camp, which involves hands-on activities rather than lab research.
Cost: Free
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Subject Areas: Biology, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Humanities, and Chemistry
Eligibility: High school juniors, certain standardized test scores are recommended
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious summer program where students conduct advanced research in molecular biology and computational genetics. The program begins with a week of classes taught by STEM professors, after which you will spend 5 weeks conducting research. RSI emphasizes hands-on lab work combined with computational skills, encouraging you to produce publishable-quality research. You will work closely with mentors to develop an independent research project and present the findings in conference-style oral and written reports.
Cost: Free with a stipend of $6,500 inclusive of boarding and travel
Location: Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Subject Areas: Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Cancer Biology Research, Developmental Biology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Neurobiology, Metabolic Disease
Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 18 years old
At Jackson Lab, students join a leading research environment focused on genetics and biomedical science. You will assist with lab projects on genome sequencing and gene expression, gaining a deep understanding of genetic research. The program provides mentorship and practical skills essential for careers in genetics. You will finish the program with a project presentation, sharing your work with the scientific community. This program selects 40 high school students and undergraduates from across the nation.
Cost: Free
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Areas: Dental, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Nursing
Eligibility: High school freshmen and sophomores from Philadelphia and surrounding counties
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is aimed at increasing college access for first-generation and underrepresented students in Philadelphia. This program allows you to participate in activities led by faculty and staff from Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Carey Law School, and School of Dental Medicine. The program combines experiential learning with career exploration activities that introduce you to fields such as medicine, engineering, law, and more. You will also develop life skills like digital literacy, financial literacy, professional development, and SAT preparation, equipping you for future educational and professional success.
Cost: Free with stipend provided
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.
Program Dates: Will be declared in 2025
Application Deadline: Will be declared in 2025
Subject Areas: Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Paleobiology
Eligibility: Washington D.C. metropolitan area high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors aged 14 to 19
The YES! program offers students exposure to biodiversity and conservation research with hands-on fieldwork at the Smithsonian. You will learn ecological research methods and conservation strategies, focusing on real-world environmental issues. This program is ideal for students interested in ecology and conservation science careers. You will attend workshops and presentations, enhancing your scientific communication skills. The program also offers field trips and college application support.
Cost: $4,750 + housing and transport, 100% financial aid available
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Program Dates: June 10 – August 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Areas: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Developmental Biology
Eligibility: High school students at least 14 years old
The UCSC Science Internship Program (SIP) offers high school students the chance to work closely with scientists on campus to contribute to a research project. You can do research in fields like evolutionary biology and biochemistry, using professional lab equipment and data analysis software. Projects are designed to enhance your understanding of biological research, providing valuable experience in fieldwork and laboratory techniques. You will present your project at the program’s concluding symposium.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.