10 Free Biotech Programs for High School Students
For high school students passionate about biotechnology, access to free biotech programs for high school students can be a game-changer. These initiatives allow you to get started on hands-on learning, interacting with industry professionals, and building foundational skills without the steep costs associated with many educational opportunities. Free biotech programs for high school students not only remove financial barriers but also provide an excellent platform to explore cutting-edge scientific fields in a structured and engaging environment.
Prestigious colleges and renowned organizations host a variety of free biotech programs for high school students, offering young minds a chance to work on advanced projects and gain exposure to real-world applications. For those curious about careers in biotech, these opportunities offer a practical way to test their interests and enhance their resumes. In this blog, we’ve carefully curated a list of the top 10 free biotech programs for high school students to help aspiring learners discover options that combine accessibility, quality, and a strong educational foundation.
1. Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost (except for a $40 application fee, which can be waived). $500 – $1,500 stipend
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of fall 2024, graduating in 2025 or 2026, and at least 16 years old by June 9, 2025. Applicants must reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card.
Cohort Size: 50 students
If you’re looking for free biotech programs for high school students, the SIMR program offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on biomedical research at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Over 8 weeks, you’ll work directly with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and other researchers on cutting-edge medical and biological projects. This program is designed to give you insight into how scientific research is conducted in a real-world setting, with a strong focus on the intersection of biology and medicine.
As a participant, you’ll dive deep into topics like molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering, depending on your research interest and the lab you're assigned to. You’ll further gain valuable experience in laboratory techniques, data collection, and scientific problem-solving under the mentorship of experts in the field. Your project will involve direct involvement in the research process, from experiment design to data analysis, and you may even contribute to ongoing studies or present your findings at the end of the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490 (100% financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter. The spring cohort starts on March 3
Application Deadline: February 23 for the spring cohort.
Eligibility: High school students experienced with AI/ML or those who have completed a Veritas AI program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, you will have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. You will work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
If you have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field, this program could be for you. You’ll get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
3. Biotech Summer Experience at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Discovery Center, Livermore, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3 – March 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 years or older by the start of the program with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
Acceptance Rate: Limited space, so applications are competitive
The Biotech Summer Experience at LLNL is a free biotech program for high school students that engages high school students in an authentic molecular biology research project. As a participant, you will dive into the study of duckweed, a freshwater plant that holds significant interest in the scientific community. Your main tasks will involve isolating and purifying plasmid DNA, performing PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), restriction digests, and running gel electrophoresis to analyze genetic material.
This practical experience gives you the chance to learn and apply key biotech techniques in a professional lab setting, helping you build practical skills that are directly applicable to real-world scientific research. Additionally, you will use bioinformatics tools to analyze DNA sequences, a process that mirrors the methods employed by researchers around the globe. At the end of the program, your work could be published in GenBank, an international DNA sequence repository, with your name credited as a contributor!
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (100% financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter. The spring cohort starts on March 3
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. February 9 for the spring cohort.
Eligibility: High school students who can dedicate 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Acceptance Rate: Relatively selective
Ladder Internships is an 8-week-long selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on a virtual internship. These start-ups offer internships that range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. During the program, you will get to work closely with a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, eventually presenting your work to the company. Here is the application form.
5. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with excellent standardized test scores from across the world can apply. More info here.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
RSI at MIT allows high school students to immerse themselves in scientific research, including in the fields of biology, technology, and engineering. This highly competitive program combines rigorous academic coursework with research experience in an actual lab setting. During the first week, you'll take part in intensive STEM classes led by MIT professors, covering key scientific concepts and theories that will lay the foundation for your upcoming research.
The core of the program is the 5-week research internship, where you’ll work on individual projects, which could include areas like biotechnology, under the mentorship of experienced researchers and scientists. Not only will you design and execute your own research as a participant, but you’ll also analyze current literature in your chosen field, ensuring that your project is grounded in the latest scientific advancements.
Throughout this intensive free biotech program for high school students, you’ll gain practical lab experience and an understanding of research methodologies. By the end of RSI, you’ll prepare both written and oral presentations of your findings, simulating the experience of presenting at a professional scientific conference.
6. NIH’s Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Several different NIH campuses, including the main one in Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Paid (amount is based on educational level)
Program Dates: 8 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; at least 18 years old by June; enrolled at least half-time as a high school senior
Acceptance Rate: Very selective
NIH’s Summer Internship Program (SIP) is a summer research internship for students interested in careers in research and healthcare. As an intern, you will work in research groups led by a Principal Investigator (PI) that focus on areas like biomedical, behavioral, social sciences, and basic, translational, and clinical research. Aside from an intensive research experience, you will also get to attend professional development programs, future career and educational advising, and so on. You’ll also get to participate in the Graduate and Professional School Fair in July and Summer Poster Day in early August and share your research.
7. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: Bar Harbor, ME & Farmington, CT campuses
Stipend: $6,500
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: High school graduates who have completed 18 years of age and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Acceptance Rate: Medium
The Jackson Laboratory is a chance for high school students to dive into the world of genetics and genomics research. During this free biotech program for high school students, you’ll work directly with a mentor in a lab setting, where you’ll participate in scientific discovery. The focus is on developing your own independent research project, allowing you to apply the scientific methods you learn to real-world problems.
Throughout the summer, you'll be involved in everything from experimental design to data analysis. By the end, you'll present your findings to a community of researchers, students, and family members, simulating the experience of sharing your research at a professional conference. You’ll also be part of a diverse group of students from across the U.S., creating a vibrant environment for collaboration and networking.
8. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Program Dates:
Spring session: February 27 – May 22
Summer session: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older by orientation date and live or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace; more info here
Cohort Size: 10-13 students
The Biorocket Research Internship Program introduces New York City high school students to the world of genetic engineering and biology over 6 months. This free biotech program for high school students allows you to work hands-on in a lab, learning advanced biological techniques and exploring the latest breakthroughs in the field.
You’ll work closely with scientist mentors and other students, collaborating on a research project that aligns with your personal interests. Along with the scientific training, the program includes valuable field trips and behind-the-scenes tours of labs and biotech companies, offering you a glimpse into the professional world of science.
What sets this program apart is its focus on science communication, helping you develop the skills to present complex scientific concepts to a wide range of audiences. You’ll take part in improv sessions designed to boost your ability to communicate effectively, and by the end of the program, you’ll be able to share your findings with confidence.
9. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are over 16 years of age at the start of the program
Cohort Size: 32 students accepted annually
Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program SRRP at Rockefeller University allows ambitious high school students to participate in advanced scientific research within a collaborative lab environment. As an SSRP scholar, you’ll join a research team led by experienced scientists from prestigious institutions like Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), and Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC).
Your team will focus on topics that match your scientific interests, allowing you to dive into areas like genetics, molecular biology, or biomedical research. In this program, you’ll get practical exposure to the latest research techniques and lab practices, learning how to formulate and test scientific hypotheses. By the second week, you'll choose a specific research question to explore, and you’ll spend the next several weeks conducting experiments, analyzing data, and working closely with mentors to refine your findings.
In addition to the practical lab work, participants of this free biotech program for high school students benefit from a range of educational activities designed to enhance their research experience. You’ll attend relevant elective courses and guest lectures, participate in workshops, and have numerous networking opportunities with scientists and peers. By the program's conclusion, you’ll prepare a research poster and present your findings at a final symposium, simulating a professional scientific conference.
10. Urban Barcode Research Program
Location: DNA Learning Center NYC at City Tech, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $500
Program Dates: Lab training from August 26 – 30 (tentative), followed by additional sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: May 27 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9-12 at a public or private high school in New York City and residing in New York City
Cohort Size: 36 students
The Urban Barcode Project (UBP) provides high school students in New York City with a unique opportunity to explore biodiversity using cutting-edge DNA technology. As part of this program, you’ll engage in real-world scientific research, using DNA barcodes to identify species and investigate various environmental issues. This could involve projects such as sampling biodiversity in local parks, checking for invasive species, or even monitoring disease vectors. With a focus on hands-on learning, you’ll be able to delve into exciting biotech topics like DNA sequencing and bioinformatics while contributing to important environmental research.
To participate, you’ll need to form a team of 2-4 high school students, along with a science teacher or mentor, to develop and submit a research proposal. Your project could involve a wide range of topics, from detecting food mislabeling to studying endangered species or invasive plants. Once your proposal is accepted, you'll conduct your research and work on analyzing DNA barcodes, applying what you’ve learned to real-world environmental concerns. This free biotech program for high school students culminates with a project symposium where you’ll present your findings.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers. It’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to give students the opportunity to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
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