About

The ISPEED in BME program at the Johns Hopkins University Department of Biomedical Engineering is a four-week residential research immersion (June 29 – July 24, 2026) for academically prepared high school students (rising juniors and seniors) interested in the intersection of engineering, biology, and medical innovation. Hosted within one of the world’s leading biomedical engineering departments, ISPEED in BME places participants into project-based teams where they apply engineering principles—such as design thinking, prototyping, computational modeling, systems analysis, and biomedical instrumentation—to real biomedical problems. The program emphasizes hands-on engineering design and experimental investigation rather than classroom lectures alone, and students engage with faculty, graduate students, and research staff in labs and maker spaces on the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland. Enrollment is capacity-limited and competitive, with applications requiring a statement of interest, academic record, and a teacher recommendation; for the 2026 cycle, the application deadline is March 16, 2026.

A significant factual update for 2026 is that the program is now fully funded; there is no cost for tuition, housing, meals, or transportation to Baltimore, and students with financial need may apply for a one-time stipend of up to $2,400. During the four-week session, students engage in intensive design workshops and team research projects that culminate in formal design presentations judged by faculty and industry partners. Participating students gain exposure to biomedical device design, sensor integration, and systems evaluation, mirroring professional workflows in BME research and industry settings across three focus areas: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Scientific Computing, and Healthcare Design.

The experience does not confer college credit but situates students in a rich engineering ecosystem, with access to university-grade prototyping labs, imaging facilities, and computational tools. Given its location at one of the nation’s most respected biomedical engineering programs, the rigor of its research opportunities, and its newly tuition-free status, ISPEED is an absolute top choice for students wishing to pursue biomedical engineering at the most advanced levels.