Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a free, five-week summer program in science and medicine for low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California. It is run by Stanford Medicine's Office of Community Health and Engagement. Students split their time among several parts. They are placed in internships across Stanford Hospital, where they take part in lab and department activities, shadowing and patient interaction. In small groups they research a health disparity and produce a college-level paper, presentation and poster. They also attend lectures on public health, research methods and human anatomy (taught by Stanford medical students), along with weekly college-planning workshops and guest talks and tours from the Stanford medical community. Faculty, health professionals and college students serve as mentors throughout. The 2026 program met in person on Stanford's campus from June 22 to July 26, full time, about 30 to 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, after a required orientation on June 18. There is no cost to attend, and no stipend was offered for summer 2026. The 2026 cohort was 24 students.

Open only to low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California; the program makes no exceptions for students who are not Northern California juniors. It is a commuter program: SMYSP does not provide housing or transportation, so participants live with a family member or guardian and commute. Applications for 2026 were due March 23, with decisions released in early May.