SEED/STEM Summer Program
Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
An eight-week summer program pairing high school students with research faculty to contribute to biomedical/STEM research and prepare a poster, with need-based stipends to remove financial barriers.
Who should apply
A great fit for Indiana high school sophomores–seniors interested in STEM and research who can commit to a full-time summer research experience on the IU Indianapolis campus.
Eligibility
- Current Indiana high school sophomore, junior, or senior
- Completed at least one high school chemistry course
- Demonstrated interest in science and/or research
- Able to commute to the IU Indianapolis campus
- Able to commit full-time, Monday–Friday, ~8 hours/day
What you get
- Eight-week summer research with faculty mentors (IU School of Medicine, IU Indianapolis, Indiana Bioscience Research Institute)
- Contribution to ongoing research and a research poster
- Need-based stipends up to $4,000 for eligible students
What the application involves
- Student application form
- Parent application form (household/income details)
- Recommendation form from a STEM teacher
Application tips
- Have your STEM teacher recommender lined up early.
- Apply as soon as the application opens, the program runs on a fixed seasonal timeline.
Good to know
Summer 2026: applications open Nov 1, 2025; deadline March 1, 2026; interviews from March 23; decisions in April; program June 8 – July 30, 2026.
Not eligible for this one? These are open anywhere in the U.S.
Being in the wrong state rules out a lot of programs and almost none of the good ones. Here are three you can apply to from anywhere, soonest deadline first.
Due December 1 · ~4 months
Research
Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Nemours Children's Health
A 10-week full-time paid summer research program for undergraduates at four Nemours pediatric sites in Delaware and Florida. Students work on clinical, laboratory, or translational research projects.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grade 12
Due in February · ~7 months
Research
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
A biomedical research internship inspiring underrepresented students toward careers in neurological and behavioral sciences, with an in-person Baltimore track and a national virtual track.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grades 11–12
Due in February · ~7 months
Research
Simons Summer Research Program
Stony Brook University
A summer program where academically talented high school students join active science, math, or engineering research teams under faculty mentors and present at a closing poster symposium, receiving a stipend award.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grade 11