Interested in biology, biomedical research, genetics, or computational biology but looking for opportunities that can be completed remotely? These virtual research programs allow high school students to work with mentors, explore advanced biological topics, and gain experience with the scientific research process from anywhere.
The programs below offer several different approaches to online research. Some focus on independent, student-driven projects, while others use lectures, group activities, or structured mentorship. Comparing the format, time commitment, cost, and expected final project can help you find the experience that best matches your goals.
1. MehtA+ Science & Engineering Research Mentorship
Type: Virtual Research Mentorship Program
Age: K-12 students, including elementary, middle, and high school students
Timeline: Flexible, with 10- or 15-hour mentor packages
Cost: $1,000-$2,700, depending on grade level and package
The MehtA+ Science & Engineering Research Mentorship program supports students as they conduct original, student-driven research. Students work one-on-one or in small groups with mentors who may include PhD candidates, researchers, and industry professionals. on STEM research. Depending on the project, mentorship can cover topic selection, literature review, research question development, experimental or computational methods, data analysis, and scientific writing. Students may also receive support creating a research paper or poster and preparing for science fairs, presentations, or journal submissions.
2. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Type: Virtual Research Internship
Age: High school students
Timeline: 2 weeks during the summer
Cost: $2,400; financial aid may be available
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers an exceptional program to students with an interest in Artificial Intelligence, medicine, and computational biology. Students are exposed through lectures and discussions on how AI can be used in solving problems in healthcare such as medical imaging, disease prediction, and data analytics in biomedicine. This program is exceptionally beneficial to students interested in computational biology and medicine since students are able to join the program virtually.
3. NC State Online Research Academy – Biology and Life Sciences Projects
Type: Virtual Research Program
Age: High school students
Timeline: 4 weeks
Cost: $1,295
The NC State Online Research Academy gives high school students the chance to engage in remote research using university resources. They learn about general science and life sciences through research questions, information analysis and presentations. This is a good program for students who wish to have access to research training without having to go through an in-person program.
4. Science Mentorship Institute (Sci-MI)
Type: Virtual Research Mentorship Program
Age: High school students
Timeline: 5-6 weeks during the summer
Cost: Free
The Science Mentorship Institute (Sci-MI) is an online program providing mentorship for students in research. This includes students learning about different topics like biology or neuroscience. They get mentorship while working on research projects, studying literature, and making presentations about their research. It is a great opportunity for students to get research experience under guidance of experienced mentors.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Biology Program
The strongest program for you depends on what you hope to accomplish. Before applying or enrolling, consider the following questions:
- Do you want exposure or an original project? A short program can introduce you to a field, while a longer mentorship may provide more time to develop a research question and final product.
- Which area of biology interests you most? Look for a program aligned with your interests, whether that is genetics, neuroscience, medicine, ecology, bioinformatics, or AI in healthcare.
- What kind of mentorship is included? Find out whether you will meet individually with a mentor, work in a small group, or mainly attend lectures.
- What will you produce? Possible outcomes include a presentation, poster, research paper, code repository, literature review, or data analysis project.
- How much time can you commit? Confirm the weekly schedule, meeting times, independent work expectations, and time-zone requirements.
What Can You Research Remotely in Biology?
Virtual biology research does not usually provide access to a traditional wet lab, but students can still complete meaningful projects using public datasets, simulations, scientific literature, and computational tools. Potential topics include:
- Analyzing gene-expression data associated with a disease
- Comparing DNA or protein sequences using bioinformatics tools
- Studying public health trends with open epidemiological datasets
For more project ideas, take a look at our Science Fair Project Discovery Hub.
The quality of a research experience depends less on having a physical laboratory and more on asking a focused question, using appropriate evidence, documenting a clear method, and drawing conclusions that the data can support.
Conclusion
Virtual research can be a practical way for high school students to explore biology and biomedical science, especially when location, travel, or access to a laboratory is limited. Whether you choose an intensive AI and medicine program, a structured academy, or an individualized mentorship, look for an experience that gives you ample opportunity to ask questions, analyze evidence, and communicate scientific ideas.
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Written by Varad K, MehtA+ Intern & Science Fair Winner