For high school students fascinated by the world of medicine, internships can open doors to experiences that go far beyond classroom learning. These programs place you in real research labs, hospitals, and clinics, where you can explore how science translates into patient care and medical innovation. You shadow healthcare professionals, participate in hands-on medical procedures and workshops, and engage in community health outreach, providing practical exposure beyond textbooks.
Medical internships help you build an advanced skill set early on, such as critical thinking, lab techniques, scientific communication, and professional collaboration. They also facilitate your understanding of the realities of medical careers, helping you make choices about your academic and professional future. They strengthen college applications and foster networks with mentors and peers.
To help you find meaningful opportunities, we’ve put together a list of medical internships for high school students.
14 Medical Internships for High School Students
1. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid, varies by placement, amount not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Have completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry
Project Success is a seven-week, paid summer internship hosted by Harvard Medical School for high school students from Boston and Cambridge, particularly those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. You’ll be placed in a Harvard-affiliated research lab to work on projects related to biomedical science, public health, or disease research. The program covers training in research ethics, data analysis, and scientific communication while providing mentorship from both scientists and clinicians. Outside the lab, you’ll attend seminars on topics like public health and participate in field visits to hospitals and biotech organizations, which highlight how research translates into medical practice. Further, you receive guidance on academic and career development.
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus, Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Up to $2,500
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (varies according to your coordinating center and research mentor)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or legal Permanent Residents | 16 years of age or older
The NIDDK High School Summer Internship Program allows you to take part in active research at the National Institutes of Health. Over 8 to 10 weeks, you’ll work full-time in an NIH lab focused on topics such as digestive, kidney, or endocrine diseases. Before beginning lab work, you will complete online safety and ethics training to ensure proper research conduct. Under the mentorship of NIDDK scientists, you’ll contribute to projects by following experimental protocols, collecting and analyzing data, and reviewing clinical studies. The internship concludes with a formal research presentation, where you’ll share your findings with peers and mentors.
3. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,600 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising MA high school seniors with a B or better in science and math | U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with work authorisation
BSSP places high school students in a six-week research experience at the Broad Institute, one of the nation’s leading biomedical research centers. The program pairs you with a Broad scientist, and you take part in hands-on research in areas like cancer biology, infectious disease, computational biology, and psychiatric disorders. In addition to your lab project, you’ll participate in professional development sessions, scientific talks, and team-building events designed to help you better understand the research process. The program offers a stipend, partial transportation reimbursement, and access to tutoring to enhance your understanding of key scientific concepts.
4. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics – Summer Internship
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6 or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: All high school students
The Summer Internship at Weill Cornell’s Department of Pediatrics provides high school students with first-hand exposure to pediatric medicine and research. Each participant is placed within a division aligned with their interests, such as clinical research, health policy, or patient education, and works under the close supervision of faculty and staff mentors. You may participate in activities like literature reviews, data collection and analysis, or shadowing healthcare providers during rounds. The program focuses on understanding how research informs patient care and how interdisciplinary collaboration shapes pediatric practice.
5. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Cost: None / $7,000 stipend
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 12 | U.S. citizens or lawful Permanent Residents | At least 18 years old
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) is a 10-week intensive experience where high school students explore genetics and genomics through hands-on research. Working under the mentorship of a professional scientist, you’ll design and conduct an independent research project, analyze data, and present your results at a formal symposium. Alongside lab work, the program includes seminars and discussions on topics in modern biomedical research, exposing you to real-world scientific challenges. The experience concludes with students presenting their research to peers, faculty, and family.
6. High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,800 stipend
Dates: June 2 – July 25 (community exhibition on July 26)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Memphis-Shelby County area and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas | 16 years or older | Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
The High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides rising seniors from the Memphis area and surrounding counties the chance to participate in mentored research focused on pediatric medicine. During the summer, you work in pairs with a research mentor on projects in areas such as laboratory research, psychology, clinical studies, or data science. You’ll also collaborate with an educator to reflect on the broader role of science in society and prepare a personal statement for college applications that highlights your experience.
7. UChicago Medicine – ResearcHStart
Location: Various colleges in Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 (taxable)
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16+ at the program’s start | Residing in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
ResearcHStart introduces high school students from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas to the world of cancer research through an eight-week, full-time summer program. You’ll work in university research labs at institutions such as the University of Chicago, engaging in hands-on projects related to cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, or health disparities. The program integrates lab experience with professional development through faculty lectures, workshops, and ongoing mentorship from research professionals. You receive a taxable stipend and gain direct exposure to Illinois’s top research environments. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings to peers, mentors, and scientists.
8. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend is $6,800 for 10 weeks; $6,120 for nine weeks
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current Texas public, private, or charter high school seniors | At least 18 years old by the program start | U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program gives high school students in Texas an in-depth introduction to biomedical and allied health research. Over 10 weeks, you’ll work full-time in an MD Anderson laboratory under the mentorship of a faculty researcher, conducting experiments and contributing to active scientific studies. The program balances practical lab experience with seminars on core research concepts, ensuring you understand both the techniques and theory behind medical science. You also engage in activities like abstract and poster presentations, gaining experience in scientific communication.
9. Pathmaker Scholars
Location: University of Utah – Huntsman Cancer Institute, UT
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 stipend
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year before the start of the program | Citizens or non-citizen nationals of the USA, or have a valid Alien Registration Card I-551
The PathMaker Scholars Summer Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute offers a 10-week residential experience focused on biomedical cancer research. As a participant, you’ll live on campus at the University of Utah and work alongside a principal investigator in a university lab, learning key research methods and lab techniques. The program includes weekly meetings, research seminars, and opportunities to discuss your findings with peers and faculty. You’ll culminate your summer by presenting your work at the annual Summer Research Symposium, and some students may have the chance to attend a national conference with full expenses covered.
10. Science Enrichment Program (SEP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,200 stipend
Dates: November 15 – August 26
Application Deadline: September 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology courses and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Science Enrichment Program (SEP) combines academic learning with hands-on research for high school students nominated by their schools. Running from November through August, the program begins with after-school sessions covering topics such as cancer biology, computational sciences, and lab skills, before transitioning into an eight-week summer research placement. During the summer phase, you’ll work one-on-one with a research mentor on projects in areas like immunology, pharmacology, or genomics. The program includes academic assessments and culminates in a poster presentation, where students present their research findings to the MSK community.
11. Massachusetts Life Science Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various life‑science workplaces across MA
Cost/Stipend: None / $17 per hour, up to $4,080 per intern
Dates: Internships must occur between May 1 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date | Enrolled in a school that meets one of these requirements
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge connects underrepresented and low-income students with paid internships in biotechnology and life sciences across the state. After completing the training, the program matches you with a paid internship placement at a biotech company or academic research lab in the Greater Boston area. Each year, the program creates over 150 placements by subsidizing intern wages for small companies and research institutions, making it possible for students to gain experience in real lab environments. Before the internship begins, many participants complete pre-internship training that covers biotechnology techniques, lab safety, and professional development skills.
12. CHESS: Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 stipend
Dates: June 16 – August 8 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: January 20 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students completing sophomore, junior, or senior years from underrepresented backgrounds
The CHESS program, organized by the University of Illinois Cancer Center and UIC’s Urban Health Program, is an eight-week research opportunity designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. The program pairs you with faculty mentors and assigns you to research labs in fields such as molecular biology, biostatistics, and computational science. Throughout the summer, you’ll conduct an independent research project, attend lectures, and participate in workshops aimed at building both scientific knowledge and professional development. The program emphasizes understanding cancer disparities and the role of health equity in medical research. It concludes with a student research symposium, where you present your findings to faculty and peers.
13. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid internship
Dates: Typically May – August
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Students attending NYC public high school during the academic school year who demonstrate economic or educational need based on set criteria
New York Bioforce is a four-month internship and training program for NYC high school students interested in biomedical research, biotechnology, and laboratory sciences. The program begins in May with approximately 100 hours of weekend and weekday training, where you’ll learn essential lab techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy, as well as communication and networking skills. After completing the training, the program matches you with mentors for 120 hours of hands-on research at labs hosted by prestigious institutions and various biotech start-ups across New York City. The program aligns its curriculum with the needs of modern biomedical and biopharma industries.
14. Johns Hopkins Internships in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Dates: 5 weeks, July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
The JHIBS program offers a five-week immersive introduction to neuroscience through a blend of virtual labs, seminars, and interactive workshops. Under the mentorship of Johns Hopkins faculty, you analyze brain imaging data, explore neurotechnology, and engage in simulated research tasks. Live lectures and Q&A sessions provide insight into neurological processes and current brain science research. Beyond scientific learning, the program prioritizes mentorship and community-building, enabling direct interaction with leading neuroscientists. Focused on supporting underrepresented students, JHIBS combines hands-on technical training with professional development opportunities in a nurturing environment.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like biomedical science, public health, neuroscience, or 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 – Johns Hopkins Medicine