Science isn’t just for lab-coated PhDs anymore. Teens are jumping in, too—armed with curiosity, a laptop, and maybe a couple of weird sensors. Biohacking’s the name of the game. It’s this wild mix of biology, tech, and self-experimentation. Think gene editing, DIY health trackers, DNA analysis, even trying to tweak your body for better sleep or focus. Some of it happens in real labs, some in garages or virtual setups. Either way, it’s not just science class anymore—it’s hands-on, fast-moving, and kinda addictive once you start.
If you’re a high schooler into bio and tech, why wait for college? You can start now. There are solid programs—some online, some in-person—that let teens dive into real biohacking projects. You’ll get hands-on with tools, work with mentors, maybe even do publishable research. It’s a chance to learn, build cool stuff, and grow a portfolio that'll actually stand out. Below are 8 programs made for students like you, with all the need-to-know info: who can apply, deadlines, links—the works.
1. Bioinspired Design at UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science
Eligibility: High school students, with special preference given to teens from underrepresented groups in STEM.
Deadline: January 2025 (check website for updated info).
This in-person summer program at UC Berkeley mixes biology with design and engineering in a way that’s honestly pretty cool. You look at stuff in nature—like how geckos stick to walls or how fish breathe underwater—and figure out how to use those ideas to solve human problems. You’re not just sitting in lectures either. It’s super hands-on. You’ll be in labs, building stuff, working in teams, messing around with prototypes. One day it’s a robot, the next it’s some wearable health device. If you’re into life sciences and you like making things, this one’s worth checking out. And yeah, it’s Berkeley—so the vibe’s solid.
2. Nebula Youth Camps: Summer Bioinformatics Program
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 8–12).
Deadline: April 15, 2025, for early-bird applications.
The Nebula Youth Bioinformatics Camp is a virtual, student-run summer program that gives middle and high schoolers a solid intro to DNA science, genetics, and coding. You’ll learn straight from scientists at big biotech companies like Amgen and Genentech, which is honestly kind of wild. It’s not just theory either—you’ll team up with others to work on projects using Python to mess around with real genomic data. That kind of skill? Super useful if you’re into modern biohacking or anything health-tech. There are workshops, coding challenges, and even chances to show off your work.
3. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Eligibility: High school seniors, aged 18+ by the start of the program (for Bar Harbor site).
Deadline: January 2025 (typically second week; check site in October).
This one’s kind of a big deal. The JAX Summer Student Program is one of the most prestigious research gigs out there for high school seniors. It’s a 10-week residential internship at Jackson Laboratory, a serious biomedical research center. Like, NIH-funded level. You’re not just shadowing people—you’re actually in the lab, working on real projects in genetics, disease modeling, biotech. They treat you like a junior scientist. You’ll have a PhD mentor, learn proper lab techniques, and run your own research project by the end. A lot of past students end up going into medicine, research, or bioengineering. It’s intense, but if you’re serious about this stuff, it’s the kind of opportunity that can shape your whole path.
4. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 18 or older by June 15 of the program year.
Deadline: Typically mid-February (exact date TBA for 2025).
The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) is one of those rare chances where high schoolers get to work inside actual government research labs—and get paid for it. These internships are spread across different NIH campuses and cover everything from neuroscience to computational biology. You’ll be running real experiments, sitting in on mentorship sessions, and presenting your work at an actual poster conference by the end. It’s not just busywork either—you’re using top-tier equipment, learning from full-time researchers, and getting a front-row seat to the kind of science that drives modern medicine and biohacking. If you’re thinking long-term about healthcare or biotech, this is one of those “you should definitely apply” programs.
5. HackathonUSA: BioHack 2025
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and early college students (recommended ages 13–21).
Deadline: Usually 2–4 weeks before the event (Spring 2025; exact date TBA).
BioHack 2025 is a weekend-long sprint where students team up to solve biology-meets-tech challenges in the most creative way they can. Hosted by HackathonUSA, it’s fast, intense, and honestly, a lot of fun. You might end up building a health tracking device, or maybe an app that breaks down your DNA. Doesn’t matter if you’re a total beginner or someone who’s been coding since forever—this one’s open to all. No lab coats, no lectures—just ideas, teamwork, caffeine, and prizes. Judges include folks from biotech, medicine, and tech, so yeah, it’s a solid place to get noticed.
6. Biohacking Elite – Whop Community
Eligibility: Open to all ages; teen-friendly.
Deadline: No deadline—enrollment is ongoing year-round.
If you’re not into rigid programs and want something more chill and self-paced, Biohacking Elite might be your thing. It’s an online platform with quick, digestible lessons on stuff like nootropics, sleep tracking, gut health, and even brain performance hacks. You don’t need any fancy background—just curiosity. Teens can join in on live challenges, Q&As with experts, and try out mini experiments, like seeing how your microbiome shifts after certain meals or tweaking your sleep based on your own data. It’s perfect if you’re more of a solo learner or just wanna mess around with your own health in a smarter way.
7. VIBES: Vanderbilt Internship in Biophotonics for Emerging Scholars
Eligibility: Advanced high school students and undergraduates.
Deadline: February 1, 2025 (Priority Deadline: January 15, 2025).
VIBES at Vanderbilt is a tough one to get into—but if you’re into that mix of physics and biology, it’s totally worth it. This 10-week, in-person summer program dives into biophotonics, which is basically using light to study and improve biology and medicine. You’ll be doing original research in real labs, not just watching someone else do it. Along with that, there are talks, presentations, and chances to connect with researchers and other students. If stuff like optical sensors, cellular imaging, or wearable diagnostics gets you curious, this is one of the rare programs that actually lets high schoolers get their hands dirty in that space.
8. BRIC – Bengaluru (India) – inStem Summer/Intern Projects
Eligibility: Advanced high school or early undergraduate students (must contact labs individually).
Deadline: March 31, 2025 (for general inquiries; internship dates vary by lab).
BRIC and inStem in Bengaluru aren’t your usual high school programs. They’re serious research centers—but if you’re passionate and take the initiative, you might land a summer spot. There’s no official form; you email labs directly, share your interests, and ask. If they say yes, you’ll get to work on real stuff like gene editing, synthetic bio, stem cells, and more. It’s intense, academic, and perfect if you're aiming for biohacking or health tech in the future.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official site and take your college preparation to the next level!
Read More
