14 Best Science Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in science, an internship can be a great way to gain insight into how scientific principles are applied across industries. Science internships give you professional experience, practical skills, and valuable professional connections. Through these internships, you may get to work on research projects, which will strengthen your academic abilities and deepen your understanding of science.
Beyond developing technical skills, science internships let you explore advanced technologies. Many programs focus on teamwork, communication, and leadership through group projects and workshops, skills that are useful in college and any future career. To make it easier for you to choose, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 best science internships for high school students.
1. Max Planck Florida Internship for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $13 per hour stipend
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering junior or senior year
During this six-week summer internship, you’ll put yourself in real-world neuroscience research and uncover the fascinating workings of the brain. You'll gain experience in state-of-the-art laboratories, learning about genetic engineering, microscopy, microbiology, and histological staining. As you investigate how neurons communicate and process information, you’ll use cutting-edge imaging technologies to visualize brain activity. Beyond lab work, you’ll learn to design experiments, collect and interpret data, and draw meaningful scientific conclusions. The program culminates in a research presentation, where you’ll write a scientific abstract and share your findings with mentors and peers.
2. Ladder Internships
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Summer Internship Program - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, and Framingham, Massachusetts
Cost: None. Stipend provided
Dates: May-August
Application Deadline: February 19 (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Summer Internship Program at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers you an opportunity to explore the field of biomedical research. You'll work in NIH laboratories alongside scientists, contributing to ongoing research aimed at advancing heart, lung, and blood health. In addition to lab experience, you’ll take part in seminars, workshops, and networking events that deepen your understanding of scientific inquiry and expose you to a range of career paths in research and medicine. By the end of the program, you’ll not only gain valuable technical and analytical skills but also experience firsthand how scientific discoveries evolve.
4. Parkview Health - Summer Internship Program
Location: Both in-person at Parkview Health facilities and virtual
Cost: None. Pays a stipend
Dates: May-July
Application Deadline: Applications available from October - March
Eligibility: High school students
In this program, you’ll work at various hospital departments, gaining exposure to both clinical and non-clinical roles while contributing to projects that support patient care and hospital operations. Throughout the internship, you’ll engage with Parkview’s mission and culture, attend professional development workshops, and learn best practices from experienced healthcare professionals. You’ll also build essential skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving — all while exploring potential career paths in healthcare.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: In person: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus, and virtual
Cost: None
Program dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Open to current High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences is a summer program for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in neuroscience and mental health. You can choose an 8-week in-person program in Baltimore or a 5-week virtual program from anywhere in the U.S. During the program, you will gain experience in research, lab work, and clinical rotations, attend seminars and workshops on neuroscience, and receive mentorship from scientists and medical professionals. You will also take part in career guidance, college prep, and networking activities, giving you a well-rounded introduction to the world of brain science.
6. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: None
Program dates: June 15-July 31
Application Deadline: Tentative deadline around mid-December
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a strong interest in science and research
The Monell Chemical Senses Center Summer Internship gives you a chance to explore biomedical science and medicine through hands-on research. You’ll work on research projects that may include studying how smell receptors work, how flavor preferences change with age, finding safe ways to protect crops from pests, or exploring how air quality affects our sense of health and well-being. In addition to lab work, you’ll take part in science talks, writing and public speaking workshops, and discussions on research ethics involving humans and animals. By combining research experience with skill-building sessions, the program helps you understand how scientific discoveries are made while preparing you for future studies and careers in science or medicine.
7. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford, California
Cost: Free
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
The STaRS Internship Program gives high school students a chance to explore how science and technology improve lives through medical innovation. The program focuses on cutting-edge techniques in reconstructive surgery, showing how advances in medicine help patients heal and recover. You’ll work alongside surgeons and researchers on projects in areas such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device design. You’ll also take part in hands-on workshops, interactive learning sessions, and have the opportunity to observe real surgeries — gaining a close-up view of how scientific ideas are turned into life-changing medical treatments.
8. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University
Cost/Stipend: None; Limited need-based scholarships offered
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (16) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from the following counties: Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties
The Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students at Stanford University is an 8-week summer program that offers hands-on experience in biomedical and genetics research. You’ll work in Stanford labs alongside scientists, helping with experiments in molecular biology, human genetics, and bioinformatics, among others. The program also includes seminars, career talks, and workshops to teach you research skills, data analysis, and how to share your findings. By the end, you’ll have real lab experience, meet scientists, and learn more about careers in medicine, genetics, and research.
9. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford Medicine campus in Stanford, California
Cost/ Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend
Dates: June 16 - July 25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors or seniors, aged 16+ by program start.
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford is a six-week summer program for high school juniors and seniors from Northern California who have little or no prior experience in medical or lab research. During the program, you’ll work closely with Stanford faculty and lab teams, spending about 23 hours each week on research projects. In addition, you’ll attend weekly workshops (around 6 hours per week) on topics such as research skills, careers in healthcare and medicine, leadership, and tips for preparing strong college applications. At the end of the program, you’ll have the chance to present your work at a Poster & Family Symposium, where families and Stanford staff celebrate each student’s accomplishments and hard work.
10. Samuels Family LA‑HIP High School Internship Program
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: None
Dates: Mid‑June to early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current 11th grade (rising seniors) only
The LA-HIP Summer Research Internship is a seven-week program for rising high school juniors and seniors from Latino and African American backgrounds. You’ll conduct biomedical research while working with professional scientists and faculty mentors. You’ll participate in real research projects in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, diabetes, and regenerative medicine, learning how to use lab equipment, run experiments, keep a research notebook, and present your findings at a final science symposium. Beyond the lab, you’ll receive college prep support, including SAT prep, one-on-one counseling, help with applications, and visits to local colleges to explore your higher education options.
11. Cedars‑Sinai INSPIRE Internship Program
Location: Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Duration: 6–10 weeks during the summer (typically late June through early August)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older (rising juniors and seniors)
Application Deadline: TBA
In this internship, you’ll work alongside doctors, scientists, and healthcare professionals on hospital research projects in areas such as genetics, cancer research, neuroscience, and public health. You’ll gain hands-on experience with lab tools, data collection, and analysis, learning the fundamentals of medical research. Beyond the lab, you’ll participate in career workshops, educational seminars, and mentorship sessions to explore college paths and healthcare careers. The program concludes with a final presentation, where you’ll share your research and insights with mentors and fellow students.
12. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centers across the country
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Varies depending on the semester
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 and Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizen and full-time student, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), minimum age of 16 years at the time of application
During the NASA program, you’ll work alongside scientists, engineers, and other professionals on projects that can range from space life sciences and bioinformatics to climate research and physical sciences. You'll gain practical skills such as using lab equipment, analyzing data, and conducting experiments. You’ll also attend workshops, seminars, and mentorship sessions that help you understand how research is done, explore different STEM careers, and develop professional skills. By the end of the internship, you may have the opportunity to present your findings and share your work with mentors and peers.
13. UCSF Fresno — Summer Biomedical Internship Program (SBI)
Location: UCSF Fresno + research sites in the San Joaquin Valley
Dates: 6–7 weeks (mid‑June to early August)
Cost: None
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors
Deadline: Not specified
The UCSF Fresno Summer Biomedical Internship Program is a 6- to 7-week summer program for high school students interested in medicine. You’ll work with UCSF scientists and mentors on projects focused on human health, gaining experience with lab tools, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up your findings. Outside the lab, you’ll take part in activities such as hospital tours, observing surgeries, and visiting UCSF’s main campus in San Francisco. You’ll also attend science talks and meet professionals working in medicine and research. The program ends with a special event where you present your research to mentors, fellow students, and guests.
14. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Stanford Medicine campus in Stanford, California
Cost: $6,380
Dates: July-August (two-week program)
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors (age 16+) and seniors
This program gives you a hands-on introduction to medicine and healthcare. You’ll practice skills like taking blood pressure, checking vital signs, suturing (stitching), giving practice injections, and even dissecting organs. You’ll also work in small groups to solve medical cases, just like real doctors do when diagnosing and treating patients. The program is led by Stanford doctors, medical students, and other healthcare professionals who will guide you and support you throughout. You’ll use real hospital tools and equipment and even get a look at how emergency airlift teams work. Along with the hands-on activities, you’ll attend talks by doctors and join “Day in the Life” sessions to see what different healthcare jobs are really like.
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