If you are a high school student who is interested in biotechnology, chances are that you are looking for summer programs in your area to either build your foundations in the subject or as a valuable addition to your college applications. 

In this post, we have curated a list of 8 biotechnology programs for high school students. We have included a mix of in-person and remote programs in case  you are unable to travel to these locations. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholars Program - BioTech Track 

   Founded by Harvard and Oxford PhDs, Lumiere is a selective research program for high school students, where students work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. The program offers an array of disciplines and you can opt to focus on biotechnology. In the past students have worked on projects to classify medical images, early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease using voice recordings, research on treatment of diabetic neuropathy, and more! Due to its one-on-one nature, you can expect to learn the most recent developments in the field and expand your skill sets by working directly with experts. 

   An added bonus is the opportunity you get to interact with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, CMU and more. This program is a particularly good option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. 

   Cost: 

   • Lumiere Individual Research Program - $2,800

   • Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program - $4,800 

   • Lumiere Research Fellowship - $8,400

   Location: Virtual 

   Application deadline: Rolling, cohort-based. Applications for the winter cohort are now open. You can apply here! 

   Program dates: Upcoming - December 18 

   Eligibility: High school students 

   2. Horizon Academic Research Program

   Location: Virtual 

   Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort 

   Program Dates: 

   • Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024

   • Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025

   • Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.

   Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which 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, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! 

   Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. 

   This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!

   3. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (Bioscience courses)

   Cost:  $3,050. Need-based financial aid is available.

   Location: Virtual

   Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
   Program Dates: Typically conducted in June and July

   Eligibility: Open to all high school students.

   Stanford offers a range of programs for students seeking a challenging educational experience. The institute is designed for academic, social, and extracurricular enrichment, with experienced instructors and engaging programs that cater to your interests.

   You can choose between multiple courses in biotechnology, such as Topics in Bioscience, Investigations in Genetics and Surgical Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship which covers epidemiologic and clinical research methods, clinical medicine, engineering design, and business principles. 

   With successful completion of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion! 

   4. Brown’s Pre-College Program (Biotechnology Courses)

   Cost:  Courses start at $2,707.

   Location: Either at Brown University, Providence, RI, or online. 

   Application Deadline: 

   • Applications open on January 18, 2024 and are accepted on a rolling basis. 

   • Last date to apply is May 12, 2024. (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Program Dates: Each program has several session dates. You can view the prospective dates here! 

   Eligibility: Open to all high school students. 

   Note: Some courses are only open to freshmen and sophomores.

   Brown University’s Pre-College programs are designed for students keen on exploring the challenges and opportunities of college, including academics and social life. While Brown Pre-College currently offers over 300 programs, 17 of them focus on biotechnology and independent research-related fields.

   Some courses that are offered in this field are Antibiotic Drug Discovery, Genetics Beyond Mendel and Research Techniques in Molecular Biology which allows you to immerse yourself in the principles of molecular biology research, and will help you gain experience with conducting advanced laboratory techniques.

   While these summer courses do not offer credit, they do allow you to experience college-level classes, and is a chance to explore biotechnology before you pursue it further in college! 

   5. Biotechnology for Science & Health Academy at Georgetown University

   Cost: $6,050 (for residential), $4,200 (for commuters)

   Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

   Application Deadline: 

   • January 31, 2024 (Early bird deadline. No application fee for all applications submitted by this date)

   • May 15, 2023 (Final deadline. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

   Program Dates: June 16 - June 28, 2024

   Eligibility: 

   • Open to current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the academic year prior to the summer program. 

   • Must have a good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA. 

   • Must be at least 15 years old by the date of check-in.

   The Biotechnology for Science and Health Academy delves into the applications of biotechnology in health and science. Through classroom instruction, and hands-on laboratory experiments, it gives you the opportunity to understand concepts and apply them in practical situations.

   In this program, you can expect to study topics such as cloning genes, DNA and protein diagnostics in healthcare, forensics, and biotechnology's role in various industries. The curriculum covers advanced DNA purification methods, bioinformatics, food safety applications, laboratory safety, DNA ligation and transformation, enzyme function, forensics, biotech tools, and protein purification.

   Apart from your lectures, the program additionally includes field trips to research laboratories and sessions with scientific professionals, so you can learn from the expertise of working professionals!.

   6. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

   Cost: No cost; stipend of $2,000 is provided

   Location:  Genspace, Brooklyn, NY

   Application Deadline: Not specified, but applications open mid-November!

   Program Dates: 

   • Spring Session: February 28 - May 23

   • Summer Session: July 1 - August 16

   Eligibility: 

   • Must be 16 years or older by orientation date. 

   • Live or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace (exceptions are possible, we recommend emailing Genspace for confirmation!)

   If you’re interested in biotechnology and genetic engineering, the Genspace Biorocket Research Internship is a 6-month, paid research opportunity. Through this research internship, you will acquire experience in conducting cutting-edge research projects in a range of diverse topics such as DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics.

   In addition to the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and technologies, you will also have access to scientific mentors, field-trips and improv training for scientific communication skills! 

   Previous work done by interns include differentiating the microbiome of 2 Red Oak species, algal growth in relation to water purification, and more! You can look at the previous projects here.

   7. Biotechnology for the 21st Century at the University of Chicago’s Summer Session

   Cost: $8,350 ( includes housing and meals)

   Location: University of Chicago Campus 

   Application Deadline: Applications typically close by late spring.

   Program Dates: Tentatively, based on previous year’s dates: 

   • Session 1: June 12 - June 29, 2024

   • Session 2: July 5 - July 21, 2024

   Eligibility: 

   • Open to students between grades 9 and 11. 

   • Must have taken a high school biology class. They recommend taking the most advanced biology course and attaining a strong grade in order to be more successful in the summer session!

   This summer course at the University of Chicago is designed to create a foundation for biotechnology, and discuss the various applied fields such as microbial biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, biofuels, cloning and more.

   In this program, you will take university-level courses with personalized instruction from university faculty and researchers in the field. You can expect to cover topics such as bioremediation, medical biotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, and forensics, allowing you to gain insights into breakthroughs, techniques, and bioethics concerns.

   Apart from your course intrustruction, you can benefit from workshop discussions, research projects and hands-on activities - all designed to help you develop a deeper understanding of the principles of biotechnology! 

   8. Biotechnology Sequencing (BTS) Camp at MiRcore

   Cost: $770 (includes a one-year miRcore volunteer membership). But the total cost is discounted if you choose to attend more than one camp!

   Location: Virtual 

   Application Deadline: There is no information available on this.

   Program Dates: Tentatively, based on previous year’s dates: 

   • Session 1: June 19 - June 23, 2024

   • Session 2: July 31, 2023 - August 4, 2024

   Eligibility: 

   • Open to all high school students who have taken a high school biology class. A preference is given towards students who have attended Mircore’s Computational Biology Camp.

   MiRcore’s BTS camp is an opportunity for you to learn the skills to analyze next-gen raw sequencing data using the Linux operating system and commands. This virtual camp focuses on computational skills which are critical in sequencing research.

   A unique feature of this camp is that it focuses on learning scientific concepts, but also generating results. You will have the opportunity to conduct research on CoV-2, and you will have to identify who has specific infections such as SARS CoV-2 to RSV. 

   You will also receive guidance from approachable group leaders and the camp is conducted in a way where you require no prior programming experience. 

   9. Project SMART - Biotechnology and Society Module at the University of New Hampshire (UNH)

   Cost: $500 (full and partial need-based scholarships are available).

   Location: Virtual 

   Application Deadline: June 10, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Program Dates: July 10-28, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Eligibility: Open to all high school students. 

   Project SMART by the University of New Hampshire is a program where you can study advanced topics in biotechnology and its applications and implications within society. You will attend lectures, discussions and learn the process of biotechnology research by UNH faculty and graduate students.

   The interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology, spanning organisms from viruses to plants, is the central focus of this program. Subjects covered in the program include genetics, genetic engineering, DNA, RNA, proteins, GMOs, reproductive technologies, bioremediation, nanotechnology, and intellectual property.

   The program also features esteemed guest speakers, including Nobel Laureates and astronauts, who will provide valuable insight into cutting-edge scientific research.

   10. Biotech Summer Experience at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

   Cost: No cost

   Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Discovery Center, Livermore, CA 

   Application Deadline: May 26, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Program Dates:July 17 - 28, 2024 (only on weekdays - tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Eligibility: 

   • Must be 16 years or older by the start of the workshop.

   • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.

   The LLNL 2-week Biotech Summer Experience is an opportunity for you to pursue a research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Your project will focus on isolation, characterization, and DNA sequence analyses of genes from a duckweed species.

   As a participant, you can expect to isolate and purify plasmid DNA and perform PCR (polymerase chain reactions), restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis. You will also analyze gene sequences with the same bioinformatic tools used by scientists worldwide.

   An added bonus is that your DNA sequences will be submitted for publication in the international DNA repository (Genbank), in your name!

   11. Roswell Park High School Summer Research Experience

   Cost: $65

   Location: Roswell Park, Buffalo, NY

   Application Deadline: February 25th, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Program Dates: June 26th to August 11th, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)

   Eligibility: 

   • Must be in their junior year while applying. 

   • Must be a local resident of Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua)

   • Must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. 

   • Must be 15 or older by June 26th, 2024

   Roswell Park allows high school juniors to gain first-hand scientific research to prepare them for future careers in healthcare. The research program involves hands-on lab experience, an opportunity to use the latest technology, and mentorship and collaboration.

   In this program, you will be able to work on your own research project in your area of interest alongside a mentor. Areas of interest include:

   • Biostatistics

   • Cancer biophysics

   • Cancer cellular/molecular biology

   • Cancer genetics

   • Cancer Prevention/epidemiology

   • Health behavior/cancer health disparities

   • Molecular Pharmacology and cancer therapeutics

   • Tobacco regulatory science

   • Tumor immunology

   This experience is an excellent opportunity to work in a professional lab environment and network with top researchers in STEM fields. An added bonus is the planned field trips organized by Roswell! Previous trip locations include Darian Lake, a tour of Niagara Falls, and a Buffalo Bison minor league game.

   If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

   
   Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

   Image Source: Lumiere Education Logo