GeneLab for High Schools
Growing the Next Generation of Scientists
Following a successful 2025 GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) program, GL4HS will continue offering its asynchronous summer program in 2026. The program will consist of 12 weeks of on-demand training and will run June 1st through August 28th, 2026.
Applications for the 2026 program will open on February 15 and remain open for one month, closing on March 15, or until 1,000 applications are received, whichever occurs first. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates.
High school transcripts are required for all applications. Only digital (scanned) copies in PDF format will be accepted and must be submitted through the online application form. Applications submitted after the application period closes will not be reviewed.
What is GeneLab for High Schools?
GL4HS offers valuable knowledge and skills for NASA’s space biology research, exploring how biological systems are affected by spaceflight conditions. Students will be introduced to omics-based research methodologies, learning how to analyze complex biological data, such as genetic sequences and protein interactions. The program will also cover bioinformatics and computational biology techniques, equipping students with the skills to process and interpret large-scale omics datasets. Additionally, participants will have the option to practice their scientific practices and communication skills by opting to deliver formal oral presentations of their work.
The GeneLab for High Schools program is now open to everyone who satisfies the eligibility requirements. Participation in the program is free to all students who are accepted into the program.
Eligibility Requirements for 2026:
- Only US citizens* and permanent residents (green card) attending US-based high schools
- Rising high school juniors and seniors (entering grade 11 or 12) or students entering College as freshmen in Fall 2026
- Participants must be able to use a computer with stable internet connection to successfully complete the course
- Have taken at least one high school biology course (please note that AP Biology is not a requirement of this program)
- Minimum (unweighted) GPA of 3.0
(*) Citizens of US territories Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Marianas are eligible U.S. citizens.
GL4HS students will learn and/or obtain training in:
- NASA space biology research
- Omics-based research
- Bioinformatics and computational biology methods and techniques to analyze omics data
- Applications of the bioinformatics analyses to NASA Space Biology science
Frequently Asked Questions:
I need to know if I can participate for the whole 12-weeks. How do I know what the program schedule will be?
Most of the GL4HS program materials will be available for students continuously throughout the 12 weeks. The course will be almost entirely self-paced except for the optional open office hours. There is tremendous flexibility in completing the course requirements to earn a certificate with the asynchronous program in 2026. A detailed schedule with open office hours will be released to all accepted applicants prior to the program start. The optional Capstone Project will require students to participate in a synchronous (live) 3-hour session for a mandatory Capstone Orientation on the first day of the program. Exact date/time to be released once the program begins. More information about how and when to register for the Capstone Project will be provided during the program.
What is the time commitment required for participating in the 2026 GeneLab for High Schools program?
Most of the course materials are asynchronous and can be completed on your own time. You should expect to spend approximately 20 hours per week throughout the 12-week program, including reviewing video lectures, reading materials, working through exercises, completing quizzes and participating in (optional) open office hours.
When will I receive notice about my acceptance into the program?
Application acceptance notices will be issued on a rolling basis and will continue through April 30th. [BE1] If you do not receive an acceptance notice, please be sure to check your SPAM/junk folders. If you are not eligible, then you are likely to hear from the GL4HS management team later in May or June.
I received an acceptance notification email. Is there anything else I have to do to ensure I can participate?
There is no formal acceptance process. You will not be required to sign or return an offer letter, or respond to the notification email. All accepted students will receive further instructions on how to join the learning platform and access the course materials via email by May 15.
What is the acceptance rate for the 2026 program?
Based on the 2025 GL4HS program, all applicants who met the eligibility requirements were accepted until the program reached its capacity of 1,000 students. For the 2026 program, applications will similarly be reviewed on a rolling basis, and acceptance will continue until capacity is reached.
What if I want to participate in the Capstone Project, but I don’t have a team?
Students are encouraged to communicate and network to start forming teams for those interested in moving on to the Capstone Project. Open networking sessions will be available for all students to attend throughout the basic course – participation in these is strongly encouraged for students interested in the Capstone Program. More information about this process will be provided during the program.
Is there a fee to participate in GL4HS?
No, there is no cost for students to participate in the program. No stipends will be offered for participants beginning with the 2026 program.
Course Design
Most of the course materials will be available for participants to view on their own schedule (on-demand) with pre-recorded lecture videos. Additionally, office hours will be made available throughout the basic course. Each week open office hours will allow course participants to get a live demonstration of instruction and to ask questions. Participation in open office hours is not required, but highly recommended.
Basic Level
- Recorded lectures and JupyterLab Notebooks are viewed and completed on students’ own time (self-paced)
- Open Office Hours are available each week for synchronous instruction (optional)
- If all Notebooks are completed and lectures are viewed, then a digital completion certificate will be awarded at the end of the course.
Capstone Project (Optional and application based)
- Self-formed teams of 4 students each will work collaboratively analyzing bioinformatics datasets. Teams must have completed the Basic Level course to be eligible to participate in the Capstone Project. An application form for the Capstone Project will be provided to students who successfully complete the Basic course. A maximum of 45 teams will be accepted into the Capstone Program. Students participating in the Capstone Program MUST agree to participate for the entire Capstone period including the Capstone Showcase.
- Student teams will prepare a presentation supporting a hypothesis-based research proposal using original analysis of dataset(s) from the Open Science Data Repository (OSDR)
- Teams will present their proposals (~5-10 mins long) at the end of the summer (approximately in September 2026) during a dedicated full-day competitive symposium, The Capstone Showcase.
- All student teams that complete the Capstone presentation will receive a Capstone Certificate
- The best 8 student teams will be invited to prepare written proposals for additional run-off competition
Proposal Competition (Optional)
The top three (3) student team proposals may be awarded an all-expense paid trip to travel to the annual American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference to present their proposals.
Note: Teacher internships will no longer be available for the asynchronous program.
GL4HS Mailing List:
To subscribe to our mailing list and to receive e-mail announcements about the program and application process, please send an email to arc-gl4hs@mail.nasa.gov with “subscribe” in the subject to be added to our mailing list.cess, please send an email to arc-gl4hs@mail.nasa.gov with “subscribe” in the subject to be added to our mailing list.
