Looking for a way to explore different career paths before college? Summer or year-round internships give you a chance to get experience, learn from professionals, and see what working in a real-world environment is truly like.
The Bay Area, with its mix of tech startups, research labs, hospitals, universities, and nonprofits, offers a wide range of internships across industries like technology, science, business, healthcare, and arts. These programs let you test out fields you’re curious about, work on real projects, and develop skills that will help shape your future direction.
Staying local makes it even easier. You won’t have to worry about housing or travel, and many programs offer flexible schedules that fit around your school year. Beyond gaining experience, internships give you a chance to strengthen your resume, show initiative, and build connections that could benefit you long after high school.
To help you find the right options, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best internships for high school students in the Bay Area!
14 Internships for High School Students in the Bay Area
1. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Virtual or in person at the Stanford School of Medicine campus, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: Summer sessions: $6,580 (In person) | $4,580 (Virtual) + $95 application fee; Fall Intensive: $2,480 (Virtual) + $75 application fee
Cohort Size: Maximum 24 students per class
Dates: Summer Sessions: July 13 – July 24 (In person) | July 27 – August 7 (Virtual); Fall Intensive: September 10 – November 12 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 2 (Summer) | May 1 – June 1 (Fall Intensive)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduate pre-medical students who are 16 or older
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship (CSI) gives you an introduction to practicing medicine. You’ll learn from Stanford medical students, residents, and faculty about the science and human side of healthcare. You can choose from on-campus summer sessions, live online sessions via Zoom, or a 10-week virtual fall intensive for a more flexible schedule. You’ll work through clinical cases, practice skills such as taking vital signs, suturing, and giving injections, and dissect real organs like the brain, heart, and kidney using supply kits. You’ll read patient histories, take part in simulated medical team challenges, and build differential diagnoses.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $40 application fee (waivable based on financial need) | All interns earn a $500 stipend, with up to $2,500 in extra need-based financial support available
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the program start date
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) allows students to participate in real medical research with Stanford faculty, researchers, and students. The program offers one-on-one mentoring in a SIMR lab where you’ll get experience working on scientific projects. Lab placements are based on your interests, and you can choose from eight research areas: stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, immunology, genetics, neurobiology, bioengineering, and cancer biology. You’ll start your day with lectures, spend afternoons in the lab, and meet weekly for group discussions to share ideas and learn together. By the end of the program, you’ll design and present a research poster showcasing your project. If you prefer a different experience, you can join the bioengineering boot camp, which offers hands-on learning without a traditional lab placement.
3. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple sites across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | High school students earn a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from underrepresented STEM backgrounds who have completed at least one year of math and biology, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and will be 16 or older by June 1
The UCSF Summer Student Research Program offers high school students a 9-week, hands-on experience in biomedical research at a local lab, clinic, or community health site. Run by the University of California, San Francisco, the program will match you with a mentor who will help guide your project based on your interests and their expertise. You can indicate the general type of research you’d like to do (lab, clinical, or community and health), but the specific project will be decided with your mentor after you enroll. Affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, the program includes seminars, mentoring, workshops, and networking for students interested in STEM and health sciences. You’ll attend weekly talks by UCSF PhDs and MDs, join journal clubs, participate in social activities, and present your research at a symposium in early August.
4. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Hybrid; virtual and in person at Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based scholarships are available | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Each year, over 400 students apply, but fewer than 20 are accepted
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older who live in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alameda, or San Mateo counties, have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA, and some background in biology, programming, or chemistry
Stanford’s Genomics Research Internship Program (GRIPS) is an 8-week hybrid program for local high school students interested in computational genetics and genomics. You’ll participate in lab work and group workshops, with some in-person activities required on campus. You’ll spend about 20 hours a week in a research lab working on a genomics project under the guidance of a mentor. Your coding experience in Python, R, or Java will help determine your lab placement. Along with lab work, you’ll join weekly cohort sessions, seminars, and career panels focused on biomedical research. You’ll also develop professional skills, meet regularly with your mentor, and connect with other students and researchers.
5. Experiences in Research (EinR) – Berkeley Lab
Location: Mostly hybrid or virtual, with some required in-person events at Berkeley Lab in Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $500 per week
Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Current 10th–12th graders attending public schools in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco Counties can apply if they have some experience working independently and will be at least 16 years old by June 16
Experiences in Research (EinR) is a summer internship for Northern California high school students to get hands-on experience at Berkeley Lab. Over six weeks, you’ll work with STEM professionals on real projects in data science, experimental research, administration, and science communication. Throughout the program, you’ll connect with Berkeley Lab mentors, build professional and communication skills, and gain practical experience that can help you in college and future STEM careers. Your schedule will depend on your assigned project, but you’ll be expected to commit about 30 hours per week.
6. CURE (Community, Urban, Research, and Education) Internship Program at UCSF
Location: Held across multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a stipend
Cohort Size: 10–15 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7; student orientation will take place on June 11
Application Deadline: October 12 – February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a GPA of at least 2.5 who’ve earned a B or higher in Biology or Chemistry and will be at least 16 years old by the program start date
UCSF’s CURE Internship Program is an 8-week summer program for high school juniors from underserved backgrounds who are interested in health sciences or biomedical research. You’ll be matched with a UCSF faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student mentor and work about 40 hours a week. During the program, you’ll get hands-on experience in areas like basic science, behavioral science, clinical research, or population health. You’ll also complete your own research project and present it at a one-day symposium. You’ll get to explore research careers, learn about college majors in science, and get guidance on planning your future in healthcare or biomedical fields.
7. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $3,200 for 25 hours a week or $4,500 for 35 hours a week
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program is an eight-week summer opportunity for local high school juniors to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research at UCSF labs. Run by the University of California, San Francisco, the program will pair you with a scientist who will mentor you on a research project aligned with your interests. Lab placements depend on your schedule, preferences, and location. You can work on projects in fields like molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, cancer research, or infectious diseases. Throughout the program, you’ll connect with researchers, develop your science communication skills, and get college prep support, including help with resumes, personal statements, financial aid, transcripts, and campus visits.
8. Touro University California High School & College Summer Healthcare Program
Location: Touro University California, Vallejo (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | High school students earn a $600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 23 – March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds who live in Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, or San Joaquin County (north of the San Francisco Bay)
Touro University’s Summer Healthcare Program is a six-week experience that allows students to explore careers in health and medicine. You’ll take part in hands-on activities such as clinical simulations, the Food as Medicine lab, medication compounding, and other interactive sessions. During the program, you’ll strengthen your math and science skills, work with peers on a community research project, and learn more about public health. You’ll also get career and peer mentoring to support your college or graduate school plans.
9. The Lawrence Teen Internship Program
Location: The Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a $3,500 stipend for full participation over the summer. Any missed days will reduce the total amount, with $72 deducted for each day missed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (internship); there are 5 workshops conducted in May
Application Deadline: December 17 – January 15
Eligibility: Teens entering 11th or 12th grade who can commit to a full-time summer internship
The Lawrence Teen Internship Program offers an opportunity for teens who enjoy science and working with people. As an intern, you’ll learn how to lead hands-on science activities for kids as well as gain teaching experience that can strengthen your college applications or resume. The program includes two parts: Workshop Training before summer starts, and a Summer Placement. During training, you’ll attend workshops on science teaching, leadership, and conflict resolution. After the training, you’ll step into a summer science educator role, where your days might involve exploring the Outdoor Nature Lab, studying the Forces that Shape the Bay, or guiding visitors through exhibits at The Lawrence.
10. LINC Summer High School Program
Location: Marin County, CA (LINC North) | San Francisco, CA (LINC South)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn an education award of up to $2,400
Cohort Size: 24 students (12 students per cohort)
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Bay Area public high school students are eligible to apply. Priority is given to graduating seniors, BIPOC youth with limited access to outdoor or nature-based jobs, low-income students, and students from immigrant families
LINC (Linking Individuals to their Natural Community) is a six-week summer program for Bay Area high school students, run by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Each week, you’ll participate in projects like habitat restoration, trail work, and park cleanups while also working on a summer project. You’ll take part in mock interviews, résumé workshops, and career panels to develop practical job skills. The program will help you improve your communication, teamwork, and public speaking skills. You’ll participate in activities such as wildlife monitoring with iNaturalist, kayaking, overnight camping, and cooking with your team. You’ll also get to explore local, state, and national parks and connect with other students from across the Bay Area.
11. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns are paid above the minimum wage
Acceptance Rate: 2–4 % acceptance rate
Dates: The program begins in June and continues year-round for 2–3 years, with sessions held after school and on weekends until graduation
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 1
Eligibility: Current 9th or 10th graders enrolled in an SFUSD school who have a minimum 2.5 GPA, a C or higher in science and math, and are U.S. citizens or have work authorization
Careers in Science is a paid, multi-year internship for San Francisco high school students from underrepresented STEM communities, including girls and students of color. During the school year, you’ll work on Saturdays, and in the summer, on weekdays, doing fieldwork and leading activities for Academy visitors. Twice a month, you’ll meet STEM professionals, participate in training sessions to build science communication skills, and learn about college and financial literacy. You’ll also present at STEM events, go on college tours, and help create Academy exhibits. As you advance, you’ll participate in research or environmental action projects with Academy scientists, step into leadership roles, and receive one-on-one mentorship.
12. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $50 application fee | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Around 60 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: November – March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 14 or older, including international students
Stanford’s SHTEM Summer Internship allows students to work on research projects that connect multiple fields. You’ll spend about 20–30 hours a week in the lab, collaborating with a mentor and your research group. Your schedule will depend on your assigned project and what you and your mentor decide together. You’ll work on projects guided by students, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum and its partners. Topics can include information science, engineering, communication, the arts, linguistics, biology, psychology, neuroscience, technology, computer science, philosophy, and design. Throughout the internship, you’ll explore how the humanities and human perspectives connect to STEM research. The program wraps up with group presentations where you’ll share your project and findings.
13. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Cohort Size: Around 130 students in total for both cohorts
Dates: Cohorts take place during the school year (September–May) and over the summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in March for the summer program and in July for the school-year program; you can find them on the Exploratorium’s current openings page
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 can apply as first-time Explainers, and returning Explainers can be up to 20 years old; students in both traditional and alternative high school programs are eligible
The High School Explainer Program at the Exploratorium is a youth development and job training opportunity for students interested in science and hands-on learning. As an Explainer, you’ll assist with exhibits, help museum visitors, and participate in daily museum operations. Before starting, you’ll complete over 60 hours of training, beginning with 20 hours before working on the floor, covering science topics, exhibit facilitation, communication, and career skills. Once on the floor, you’ll run demos, answer questions, assist guests with special needs, and help keep exhibits running smoothly. The program will help you strengthen your understanding of science, leadership, and teamwork skills.
14. Enterprise for Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $20 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: June 10 – June 14 (Pre-internship training week) | June 17 – July 26 (Internship); you can check all the important dates here
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students
Enterprise for Youth, a San Francisco nonprofit, helps high school students build job skills and gain paid work experience. Its Internship Program offers placements in areas like small businesses, nonprofits, retail, architecture, tech, healthcare, culinary arts, and climate careers. Internships last about 75 hours total, around 12 hours a week for six weeks between June and August, beginning with a pre-training week in June. You’ll join weekly professional development workshops, visit worksites, and attend the Climate Career Summit. Each week, you’ll also meet with a job coach for support. You’ll also practice job searching, interviewing, networking, and goal setting while improving your teamwork and confidence.
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!
Image source – Stanford University