If you are serious about pursuing biochemistry, medicine, pharmaceutical research, or any life science field in college, a biochemistry internship in high school is one of the smartest investments you can make. These opportunities place you inside real laboratory and research environments, working alongside scientists and researchers who are actively contributing to their fields.
Biochemistry internships also carry significant weight in college applications. Being selected for one signals genuine scientific ability and intellectual curiosity in a way that coursework alone rarely communicates to admissions committees at competitive universities. That kind of access is rare at the high school level and tends to produce experience that is genuinely difficult to replicate through any other extracurricular.
Why should I pursue a biochemistry internship in high school?
Working in a real biochemistry environment develops skills that go well beyond what a classroom or school lab can offer. You learn how to handle laboratory equipment, follow research protocols, analyze experimental data, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing scientific work. These are exactly the skills that college coursework in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related fields will build directly on.
A completed internship under professional supervision also gives your college application something specific and credible to stand on. It demonstrates scientific initiative, independent thinking, and a level of practical experience that stands out clearly to admissions committees. Many students also leave these experiences with stronger letters of recommendation, clearer academic interests, and a much more honest picture of what a career in biochemistry or the life sciences actually involves.
With that, here are 15 biochemistry internships for high school students worth considering! For more such blogs and informative pieces, check out this Horizon blog page!
Key Takeaways
- Biochemistry internships place high school students inside real laboratory and research environments, developing hands-on skills in experimental protocols, data analysis, and scientific communication that classroom science cannot replicate
- Stipends and compensation are common across this list, ranging from $500 at Saturday Academy to $7,500 plus room and board at Jackson Laboratory, making paid research experience genuinely accessible
- Most programs conclude with a poster session or symposium presentation, giving you practice translating technical research into a format that mirrors what professional scientists do at conferences
- Selectivity varies widely, from programs admitting fewer than 10 students annually (Magee-Womens, SUNY Oneonta) to programs like ASSIP and Saturday Academy that offer more entry points for motivated students
15 Biochemistry Internships for High School Students
1. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 17 to $18 scholars annually
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising high school seniors attending a high school in Massachusetts within commuting distance to the Broad Institute. Students should have earned at least a B in science and math classes and must be authorized to work in the US. No prior research experience is required.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) gives you six weeks inside one of the country’s leading biomedical research institutes. You’ll join a research group and spend your days working on projects related to areas such as cancer biology, infectious diseases, computational biology, or chemical biology. Depending on your placement, you might analyze biological data, review scientific literature, or contribute to ongoing laboratory research. Throughout the summer, you’ll attend talks from Broad scientists, explore different STEM careers, and meet students working on completely different projects. Mentors help you understand the science behind your work and guide you through challenges as they come up. Towards the end of the programme, you’ll create a scientific poster and present your findings to researchers and fellow scholars.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford Medicine, Stanford, CA
Stipend: No cost to attend; limited need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 50 students selected each year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Applicants must currently be high school juniors or seniors graduating in the next two years, be at least 16 years old by June, and live in and attend high school in the United States. Preference is generally given to students from the Bay Area.
Stanford’s SIMR programme places you inside a Stanford research lab for nearly two months. You’ll be matched with a mentor and spend the summer working on projects connected to fields such as genetics, immunology, stem cell biology, neurobiology, cancer research, or bioengineering. Every lab is different, which means your daily work depends heavily on the research question being investigated. Alongside research, you’ll attend lectures and discussions that introduce different areas of medicine and biomedical science. You’ll also meet graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members who can explain what research careers actually look like. The summer concludes with a poster session where you present your project to the Stanford community.
3. UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco & Oakland, CA
Stipend: $3,000 for high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: February (exact date announced annually)
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students in grades 10–12, at least 16 years old by June 1, and US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Students should have completed at least one year each of math and biology, typically maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate an interest in health sciences.
UCSF’s Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) pairs you with a researcher or healthcare professional working in medicine, public health, or biomedical science. During the seven weeks, you’ll contribute to a project while learning how scientific studies are planned, conducted, and communicated. Some students work with clinical data, while others assist with laboratory or public health research. Outside the research setting, you’ll attend seminars, journal clubs, workshops, and networking events connected to healthcare and biomedical careers. You’ll also spend time discussing research papers and learning how scientists evaluate evidence. The programme ends with a symposium where you share your work through presentations and posters.
4. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME; Farmington, CT
Stipend: $7,500 plus room, board, and travel support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 34 – 38 students across both campuses
Dates: Bar Harbor: May 30 – August 7; Farmington: May 30 – August 10
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school students must be graduating seniors who are at least 18 years old by the start of the program. Students from any US state may apply, including US citizens studying abroad, though travel support is only provided from within the United States.
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) is a residential research experience centered on genetics and genomics. For ten weeks, you’ll work with a scientific mentor on an active research project and become part of a laboratory team. Research topics often involve genetics, disease biology, genomics, and related biomedical fields. Beyond lab work, you’ll attend journal clubs, career discussions, and professional development sessions with scientists from different backgrounds. You’ll spend time learning how researchers analyze data, communicate findings, and discuss scientific questions with colleagues. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your work to members of the JAX research community.
5. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students entering their senior year, at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and currently living in the Greater Seattle area or nearby communities. Students must be available for the full eight-week program and able to commute to the Fred Hutch campus in Seattle.
Fred Hutch’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) starts with research training before placing you into a mentored research group. During the first two weeks, you’ll learn laboratory safety, research practices, and the basics needed to work in a scientific setting. After that, you’ll join a research team and contribute to ongoing projects under the guidance of scientists and mentors. The programme also includes seminars, workshops, and discussions about careers in biomedical research and healthcare. As the summer progresses, you’ll become more comfortable reading scientific information, discussing results, and understanding how research teams operate. The internship concludes with a presentation where you share your work with researchers, family members, and fellow interns.
6. Max Planck Florida Institute Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4% to 10%
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students entering their junior or senior year, at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and residents of Palm Beach or Martin County, Florida.
Max Planck Florida Institute’s Summer Research Internship gives you six weeks to explore how scientists study the brain using research tools that most high school students never encounter. Depending on your placement, you could spend your time working on neuroscience projects, analyzing imaging data, writing code, or helping develop engineering solutions for research labs. You’ll work alongside researchers who investigate how brain cells communicate and how neural circuits influence behavior. Mentors explain not only what they’re studying but also why certain methods are used to answer specific questions. Research meetings and discussions help you see how scientific ideas move from an observation to a full project.
7. Scripps Research Translational Institute Student Research Internship Program (SURI)
Location: The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Typically $5,040 for the seven-week program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students each summer
Dates: June 1 – August 7 or June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Open to highly motivated high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students interested in genomics, translational medicine, or mobile health research. High school applicants must be at least 16 years old before the internship begins.
Scripps Research’s SURI programme focuses on a side of biomedicine that many students don’t see: the enormous amount of data behind modern healthcare and genetics research. You’ll work with a mentor on a research project connected to genomics, personalized medicine, clinical studies, or mobile health technologies. Most interns spend their time analyzing datasets, reviewing scientific literature, and investigating research questions using computational tools. Weekly seminars introduce current topics in biomedical science and allow students to hear directly from researchers working in the field. As your project develops, you’ll learn how scientists interpret data and communicate findings. The programme finishes with a poster presentation where interns share their work.
8. RISE Internship Track
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Tuition-based program; stipend not provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six-week summer program
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year with a strong academic interest in science and engineering research.
Boston University’s RISE Internship Track asks you to spend the summer doing what researchers do every day. You’ll join a university lab and work on a project under the supervision of faculty members, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers. Depending on the lab, your work could involve biology, chemistry, neuroscience, public health, or another STEM field. Research takes up most of the programme, often resembling a full-time job rather than a summer class. Alongside lab work, you’ll attend sessions on research ethics, scientific papers, and poster presentations. As the weeks go by, you’ll become increasingly responsible for understanding and explaining your own project. The programme ends with a research symposium where students present their findings.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits; fee waivers available for eligible students. $25 application fee.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students. High school applicants must be at least 15 years old for remote or computer-lab internships and at least 16 years old for wet-lab internships by June.
George Mason University’s ASSIP programme connects you directly with a faculty mentor working on an active STEM research project. Research opportunities span biology, chemistry, neuroscience, environmental science, machine learning, engineering, and several other fields, so experiences vary widely from one student to another. Throughout the summer, you’ll contribute to a project while learning how researchers ask questions, collect evidence, and evaluate results. Some internships take place in laboratories, while others focus on computational or data-driven research. Regular mentor meetings help students navigate challenges and understand the broader goals of their projects. You’ll also spend time developing a research presentation that explains your work to others.
10. Dartmouth Hitchcock High School Foundations Summer Internship Program
Location: Lebanon, NH
Stipend: Paid internship, Typically $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year, at least 16 years old by June 22, local or regional to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center & Clinics, and able to commit to 30–40 hours per week for the full program.
Dartmouth Hitchcock’s Foundations Summer Internship Program gives you a look at healthcare from several different angles instead of placing you in a single department. Over seven weeks, you’ll rotate through multiple areas of the medical center, which may include pharmacy, radiology, laboratory services, perioperative care, or healthcare operations. Each rotation introduces a different part of how hospitals function and how patient care is supported behind the scenes. You’ll spend time observing professionals, asking questions, and learning how different departments work together. Workshops throughout the summer help interns reflect on what they’re seeing and explore possible healthcare careers. The programme offers a broad view of healthcare rather than focusing on one specialty.
11. UMass Chan Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology High School Research Internship
Location: Worcester, MA
Cost: Paid (approximately equal to or above Massachusetts minimum wage)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible; varies by faculty, lab, and research opportunity
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, age 16+ for lab internships (work permits required for 16–17 year olds), with an interest in biomedical research. Students are encouraged to directly contact faculty and submit a resume and cover letter explaining their research interests.
UMass Chan’s Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology Research Internship works a little differently from most structured summer programmes. Instead of applying to a single internship cohort, you’ll reach out directly to faculty members whose research matches your interests. If accepted into a lab, you’ll spend the summer working alongside researchers studying topics such as molecular biology, biochemistry, computational biology, genetics, or biomedical science. Your daily work depends on the project, but it may involve assisting with experiments, analyzing results, reading scientific papers, and participating in lab meetings. Because you’re joining an existing research group, you’ll see how scientists collaborate and divide responsibilities. The experience feels much closer to becoming part of a lab than attending a formal summer programme.
12. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PA
Stipend: Eligible students may receive a $1,800 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 students annually, with an acceptance rate below 8%
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors interested in biomedical research, age 16+ by the program start date, and permanent residents of the southwest Pennsylvania region. Graduating seniors and rising sophomores are not eligible.
Magee-Womens Research Institute’s High School Summer Internship Program focuses on questions related to reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health. You’ll be paired with a researcher and spend six weeks working on a project connected to laboratory science, clinical research, or biomedical engineering. Much of your time will be spent collecting information, contributing to experiments, and learning how researchers investigate health-related questions. The programme also includes Lunch & Learn sessions where scientists discuss their work, career paths, and current research challenges. As the weeks progress, you’ll become more familiar with how medical research moves from a question to a study and eventually to new knowledge. The summer concludes with students presenting their projects and findings.
13. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station High School Internship
Location: Cooperstown, New York, NY
Stipend: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1–3 high school students selected each year
Dates: 8 weeks, late May through August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January
Eligibility: Open to New York State residents who are at least 16 years old by June 20. At least one internship spot is reserved for a student from Otsego County, NY. Students from outside the area may apply, but must arrange their own housing.
SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station Internship takes biology out of the laboratory and into the field. You’ll spend much of the summer collecting samples, monitoring ecosystems, studying fish populations, and helping researchers investigate environmental questions connected to Otsego Lake and its surrounding watershed. Some days may involve water quality testing, while others focus on fisheries surveys or plant studies. Back in the lab, you’ll analyze samples, organize data, and help interpret results. Weekly seminars introduce students to ongoing environmental research and conservation work. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your findings through reports, posters, or presentations.
14. UC San Diego IEM OPALS High School Internship Program
Location: La Jolla, California, CA
Cost: $3,000 program fee; limited scholarships available for students with financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats available
Dates: Spring Session: January 25 – June 27; Summer Session: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: Spring: November 30; Summer: April 19
Eligibility: Open to current high school and community college students interested in STEM. Applicants must be at least 14 years old by July 1, though priority is given to students aged 16 and older. Housing and transportation are not provided.
UC San Diego’s OPALS Internship Program places you in a research environment where biology regularly intersects with engineering, medicine, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience. Depending on your project, you might review scientific literature, analyze research data, assist with experiments, or contribute to ongoing studies alongside graduate students and researchers. Mentors guide students through the research process while explaining how different disciplines come together to solve biomedical problems. The programme includes research discussions, poster presentations, and opportunities to communicate scientific findings. Because projects vary widely, students often gain exposure to areas they had never previously considered. The spring and summer formats also give you flexibility depending on your schedule.
15. Saturday Academy ASE Internships
Location: Portland Metro Area, OR; Albany, OR; Corvallis, OR; Eugene, OR; Remote/Hybrid
Stipend: $500–$1,500, depending on internship hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 75 internships offered annually; over 400 applications received each year
Dates: 8–10 weeks between mid-June and late August
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who are interested in STEM fields. Students must live near internship locations or arrange local housing with family or friends, as housing is not provided. Applicants must have reliable transportation and proof of health insurance. Some internship sites may have minimum age requirements, often 16 years old.
Saturday Academy’s ASE Internships match you with a professional mentor working in a STEM field and place you directly into a research or industry setting for eight to ten weeks. Placements vary considerably and can include biology labs, medical research groups, environmental science projects, engineering teams, or technology companies. You’ll contribute to ongoing work while learning how professionals approach problems, manage projects, and communicate findings. Throughout the summer, interns attend programme events, connect with peers in other placements, and reflect on what they’re learning. The experience concludes with a symposium where you’ll present your work and discuss your internship experience.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are biochemistry internships for high school students? Biochemistry internships for high school students place you inside active research laboratories or medical institutions, where you contribute to real scientific work under the supervision of professional researchers. Unlike a course or workshop, an internship means doing the actual work: running protocols, analyzing data, attending lab meetings, and often presenting findings at the end of the program.
Do I need prior lab experience to apply for these internships? Most programs do not require prior research experience. The Broad Summer Scholars Program explicitly states no prior research experience is needed, and Fred Hutch SHIP builds in two weeks of lab training before placing students with a research team. More competitive programs like Jackson Laboratory and Magee-Womens may expect stronger academic preparation, but none on this list require a prior internship.
Are there paid biochemistry internships for high school students? Yes. Many programs on this list are paid. Jackson Laboratory provides $7,500 plus room, board, and travel. Scripps SURI typically pays around $5,040. UCSF SSRP provides $3,000, Broad BSSP provides $3,600, and SUNY Oneonta offers $3,500. Max Planck Florida and Dartmouth Hitchcock pay an hourly rate. Saturday Academy offers $500 to $1,500 depending on hours.
How selective are biochemistry internships for high school students? Selectivity varies considerably. Magee-Womens accepts fewer than 8% of applicants and places around 10 students annually. SUNY Oneonta selects just one to three students each year. Saturday Academy receives over 400 applications for roughly 75 spots. Programs like ASSIP and UMass Chan offer more accessible entry points, with the latter allowing you to reach out directly to faculty whose research interests match yours.
What fields do these biochemistry internships cover? While biochemistry is the common thread, individual placements span genetics, genomics, cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, reproductive biology, computational biology, translational medicine, and environmental science. Several programs, including Stanford SIMR and George Mason ASSIP, match you to a lab based on your specific research interests rather than assigning a fixed track.
When should I apply for biochemistry internships? Most programs have deadlines between January and March. Jackson Laboratory and Broad BSSP close in late January, Stanford SIMR closes in late February, and Fred Hutch and Saturday Academy close in mid-March. UC San Diego OPALS has a November deadline for its spring session. Preparing application materials, including transcripts, a resume, and teacher recommendations, well before winter break puts you in the strongest position.
Image Source: Boston University