# High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)

Five-week paid NIH summer program ($2,150 stipend) in Bethesda, MD for rising seniors from DC/MD/VA schools with 30%+ free-or-reduced-lunch enrollment, exploring biomedical research and health careers.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | National Institutes of Health |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 11–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Bethesda, MD |
| Apply | https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/hs/hs-sip/histep |

## About this program

# High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)

HiSTEP is the National Institutes of Health's five-week summer enrichment program for rising seniors from the Washington, DC region, run by the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education on the main Bethesda campus. Unlike a lab placement, HiSTEP is a structured cohort program that opens doors to the full range of biomedical, healthcare, and STEM-M careers — and pays students a stipend of $2,150 plus public-transit benefits.

## What You'll Do

- Learn about research and healthcare careers through lectures, research-group visits, and networking events
- Work through small-group discussions and team projects with a cohort of peers
- Get structured guidance on the college application process
- Build career-readiness, leadership, and resilience/well-being skills
- Spend five weeks (early July through early August) on the NIH campus in Bethesda

## Who Should Apply

High school juniors (at application) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 17 years old by mid-June, live in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC within roughly 40 miles of the NIH campus, and attend a school where at least 30% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The application for each summer opens in mid-November and closes in mid-February.

## Outcomes

HiSTEP alumni finish with an NIH credential, a paid summer of career exploration, college-application support, and a direct pipeline into later NIH programs such as HiSTEP 2.0 and the High School Summer Internship Program.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) cost?

High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)?

High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is open to high school students in grades 11–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) online or in person?

High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is an in-person program based in Bethesda, MD.

### How do I apply to High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)?

Apply directly through National Institutes of Health's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-06.
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