About

Stanford’s GRIPS is an eight-week, research-intensive summer internship in computational genetics and genomics for high school students in the Bay Area. Operated by Stanford Medicine’s Department of Genetics, the program offers lab-based genomics work, seminars, and professional development. GRIPS is free of charge; there is no program or application fee.

GRIPS is highly competitive; the 2024 cohort selection involved 400+ applicants for approximately 20 positions, for an acceptance rate of about 5%. Eligibility is limited to local residents of specified Bay Area counties (Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz) who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program. Prior coursework or relevant experience in biology, chemistry, or programming is expected but not strictly required, and GRIPS deliberately bills itself as an entry-level program to introduce high-schoolers to biomedical research—despite its intensive academics and very low acceptance rate.

Participants are placed in Stanford labs, working with mentors on genomics or computational genetics projects for twenty hours a week. They also participate in panels, seminars on biomedical research careers, regular meetings with their mentor, and cohort building. The program emphasizes exposure to authentic lab practices rather than just observation.

As a local, entry-level program GRIPS lacks the reputation and name recognition of the national flagship research programs, but given its selectivity, STEM rigor, free tuition, and the Bay Area frenzy for all things Stanford, its value is very significant. However, the program does not suggest publication outcomes, and the lab work tends toward learning and exposure more than science fair-worthy research.