If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work in a real research lab, a lab internship is your chance to find out. These programs allow you to step into the shoes of scientists, perform experiments, and learn to use professional tools. These internships also provide early exposure to academic inquiry, helping students clarify their college and career goals by testing their interests in specific scientific fields. You’ll develop hands-on skills that go beyond classroom learning, from data analysis to critical thinking.
Working alongside mentors and researchers also helps you understand the scientific process more deeply. Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, or technology, there’s an opportunity for you. By participating in hands-on projects, you not only strengthen your understanding of scientific concepts but also build confidence in applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations, preparing yourself for future academic and career pursuits.
To help you get started, we’ve listed 14 lab internships for high school students.
14 Lab Internships for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived) / Minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stanford’s Summer Internship in Medicine and Research (SIMR) is an eight-week program for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science. You’ll work under the guidance of Stanford researchers, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to active projects in fields such as bioengineering and bioinformatics, including AI applications. The program features lectures and workshops focused on research methods and medical science. It concludes with a symposium where you present your findings, and participants receive a stipend for their work.
2. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $75 non-refundable application fee (can be waived)
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 years old by the start of the program. You can view additional requirements here
MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) offers a six-week immersive program for high school students to engage in advanced STEM research. The experience begins with an intensive week of lectures from distinguished professors, followed by five weeks of mentored laboratory research. You’ll review scientific literature, design experiments, and present your findings through written and oral reports. Evening seminars with prominent scientists provide additional exposure to ongoing innovations and professional research practices.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD / Virtual
Stipend: In person: Hourly wage; Virtual: No stipend
Dates: In-person: June – August (8 weeks); Virtual: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | In-person program limited to Baltimore City public school students, virtual program open nationwide
Through the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS), you’ll spend eight weeks exploring neuroscience from both research and clinical perspectives. Working closely with faculty mentors, neuroscientists, and clinicians, you’ll participate in laboratory research, attend seminars, and complete an independent project. The program includes clinical rotations that expose you to neurological disorders and patient care. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your research findings, developing essential communication skills.
4. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: July 15 – August 20
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Must be 16 years old or more by June 15 | Currently enrolled in a US high school | US citizen or legal permanent resident
As a participant in Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program, you’ll join a research team for 5 to 6 weeks to work on a science or engineering project. You’ll be placed in a lab under the guidance of a faculty mentor, assisting with experiments, data collection, and analysis during the week. You will gain exposure to advanced techniques and lab environments by contributing to ongoing scientific experiments. Each placement aligns with the specific goals and schedule of the lab, offering practical research experience and insight into professional lab environments.
5. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No cost except for residents, dorm fee $2,360.25 + additional meal costs (~$500+) / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, at least 16 years old at program start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In the Simons Summer Research Program, you’ll spend eight weeks conducting hands-on research under the mentorship of a Stony Brook University faculty member. As part of a lab team, you’ll contribute to ongoing projects, gain practical lab experience, and develop problem-solving skills. The program includes weekly lectures by leading scientists and collaborative group activities. You’ll complete a research abstract and present your work at a closing symposium. All participants receive a stipend for their contributions to the program. To see the mentors and research areas from this year, click here.
6. University of Illinois Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,400 stipend
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically end of March
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a six-week immersive research experience. You’ll choose from three tracks: SpHERES (bioengineering and neuroscience), GEnYuS (diverse fields from computer science to quantum physics), or POETS (power and energy systems). You’ll work 30–35 hours per week on projects under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers. The program features weekly seminars focused on college preparation and scientific communication, particularly supporting students from diverse backgrounds. It concludes with a research symposium where participants present their work.
7. RISE Internship / Practicum
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $6,185; Residential: $9,785; limited financial aid and scholarships are available / No stipend
Dates: June 28 – August 7 (residential)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Boston University’s RISE program is a six-week summer opportunity designed for high school students interested in scientific research. You’ll work closely with faculty or research mentors, engaging in either laboratory or computational projects. Internship participants conduct full-time research across various scientific fields, while Practicum students take part in lectures and collaborative experiments in data science or computational neurobiology. The program also includes weekly workshops and networking sessions with biotech professionals. It concludes with a Poster Symposium where you’ll present your research findings.
8. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
NYU’s ARISE Program is a 10-week summer experience that blends research training with hands-on laboratory work. During the first four weeks, you’ll learn core skills in research methods, academic writing, and lab safety. In the following six weeks, you’ll work in an NYU research lab, completing about 120 hours of practical experience in fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The program also builds communication, analytical, and networking skills. It concludes with a research presentation at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
9. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: Bar Harbor, ME and Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $7,000
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 12 and are at least 18 years old | U.S. citizens or lawful Permanent Residents
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program offers high school and undergraduate students hands-on research experience in genetics and biomedical science. Over the summer, you’ll design and carry out a project under the mentorship of scientists specializing in genomics, cancer biology, or developmental genetics. Each year, around 40 students are selected to work in cutting-edge labs located in Maine or Connecticut. You perform experiments, analyze data, and present your findings at a final symposium. The program also emphasizes developing strong research and communication skills.
10. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors based in and studying in Massachusetts during the program and who have U.S. work authorisation
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital is a paid, full-time summer internship for high school students interested in neuroscience. Over 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll take part in lab-based research, receive individual mentorship, and join weekly workshops focused on scientific and professional development. The program begins with a preparatory boot camp to build lab and communication skills before you collaborate with neurologists on research projects. It concludes with a formal presentation of your findings, with continued mentorship available afterward through networking assistance, alumni advising, and help with professional and academic opportunities.
11. MEDscienceLAB Forensics
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800; limited scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 13; Session 5: July 14 – 18; Session 6: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
MEDscienceLAB Forensics is a week-long, full-day summer program at Harvard Medical School designed for high school students interested in forensic science and biomedical research. You’ll work in teams to solve a simulated crime by gathering evidence, analyzing samples, and applying scientific reasoning. You will learn advanced lab techniques such as PCR, ELISA, fingerprinting, and DNA profiling in professional lab settings. The program also features MEDchats with researchers to explore careers in medicine and science. It concludes with a presentation of your forensic investigation results.
12. Mini Med School
Location: Tufts University College, Medford, MA
Cost: Session 1 (commuter only): $3,625 + $100 Materials fee | Session 2: $6,950 (residential), $5,425 (commuter) + $200 Materials fee | Session 3: $4,650 (residential), $3,625 (commuter) + $100 Materials fee; limited need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – 26; Session 2: July 5 – 17; Session 3: July 19 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11-12 or Spring high school graduates who have completed one year of high school biology and are at least 16 years of age by the program start date
The Mini Med School at Tufts University School of Medicine is a summer program that introduces high school students to the medical field through immersive, hands-on learning. Guided by Tufts faculty and medical students, you’ll attend lectures, participate in labs, and engage in clinical simulations. You’ll gain practical experience with medical techniques such as suturing, taking vital signs, and using diagnostic equipment. The curriculum includes anatomy sessions in advanced labs and a healthcare-focused capstone project. Students also interact with physicians and admissions advisors to learn about medical careers and pathways.
13. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are 16 or older and live in Greater Seattle or the surrounding areas
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week paid internship for rising 11th and 12th-graders from groups underrepresented in biomedical research. The first two weeks focus on lab safety and basic techniques, such as PCR, DNA isolation, and tissue culture in Fred Hutch’s Training Labs. For the remaining six weeks, you’ll work in pairs under a mentor within a Fred Hutch research team. Weekly sessions cover ethics, biostatistics, and college preparation. The program concludes with a presentation of your research to the Fred Hutch community.
14. University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $14,490 + $50 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 14 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 11 who have completed a year of high school biology
The Research in Biological Sciences (RIBS) program is an intensive summer course that trains high school students in molecular, microbiological, and cell biology techniques. You’ll begin with two weeks of lab skill development before conducting an independent research project in areas such as genetics, cell biology, or cancer biology. Most of the program is spent in the lab, supported by lectures, writing assignments, and group presentations. You also analyze scientific papers and attend weekly faculty seminars to learn about research careers. The program concludes with a research forum where you present your findings.
Deep Dive blurb
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 – The University of Chicago