If you’re a high school student seeking immersive experiences in medicine, you can gain valuable exposure through summer internships that place you in clinical environments, biomedical labs, or public health projects. These internships are skill-focused and structured, offering opportunities such as clinical shadowing, biomedical lab techniques, epidemiological modeling, health policy analysis, or exploration of medical technology. As a participant, you may engage in mentored research, data collection, lab-based experimentation, clinical observation, or project-based work, all designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of real-world medical workflows.

Why join a medicine-focused internship in the summer?

Summer internships are ideal if you want early experience in medical and research environments. You’ll also get the chance to strengthen analytical or laboratory skills or gain substantial, resume-worthy exposure to support future pre-med or STEM pathways. The summer months are especially valuable because they allow you to focus deeply on projects without the usual constraints of the school year.

With that, here is a list of 15 medicine summer internships for high school students to gain in-depth, hands-on experience and develop advanced skills.

15 Medicine Summer Internships for High School Students

1. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Co; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Program Date: June 1 – July 31
Deadline: December 1 – February 1
Eligibility: Colorado high school seniors (18+) 

During this internship, you’ll spend nine weeks embedded in pediatric research labs, working directly with faculty across child health disciplines. The program builds your technical abilities in data collection, lab workflows, experimental design, and scientific communication. You’ll also attend a weekly research seminar series, refine analytical reasoning through guided mentorship, and prepare written and oral/poster summaries of your findings. The structure mirrors real academic research, giving you practice in abstract writing, presenting, and navigating the mentor-selection process. If your work is accepted at a scientific meeting, the program funds your travel and registration, giving you early exposure to professional scientific environments.

2. Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego: Summer Medical Academy

During the Summer Medical Academy, you’ll explore healthcare careers through hands-on learning, clinical exposure, and structured skill-building experiences designed for motivated students. SMA emphasizes active engagement, meaning you’ll work through labs, observe demonstrations, apply clinical reasoning, and develop communication skills essential for healthcare environments. The program evaluates applicants on thoughtful short-answer responses, academic strength, service involvement, and a professional resume, mirroring real pre-health expectations. Throughout the two-week session, you’ll practice teamwork, build confidence in patient-care scenarios, and gain familiarity with hospital settings. The curriculum blends instruction with experiential activities, giving you a realistic understanding of healthcare pathways and the preparation required to pursue them.

3. UCSF Summer Student Research Program 

Location: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA; Various research sites across Oakland, Berkeley & San Francisco
Stipend: $3,000
Program Date: June 15 – July 31
Deadline: February 14 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (16+) with ≥1 year of math and biology and a GPA of 3.0 or higher; U.S. citizens/permanent residents; Must be from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences

As a participant in the UCSF Summer Student Research Program, you’ll work with a dedicated research mentor on a clinical, basic science, or community health project, developing skills in data collection, scientific writing, and critical analysis. The curriculum includes weekly seminars by MD/PhD researchers, journal clubs requiring structured paper evaluation, and milestone-based deliverables such as abstracts, proposals, and presentations. You’ll also gain practice in interpreting primary literature, drafting research documents, and presenting findings at a formal symposium. Through nine weeks of full-time, in-person research immersion, you’ll learn how scientific questions are formulated, tested, and communicated within professional biomedical environments.

4. Indiana University Simon Cancer Center: Future Scientist Program 

Location: IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid
Program Date: June 8 – July 31
Deadline: November 15 – February 28
Eligibility: High school juniors in Marion County public schools with a 3.0 GPA

As an intern in the Future Scientist Program, you’ll spend eight weeks embedded in an active biomedical research environment, working under the mentorship of a university researcher while contributing to real scientific inquiry. You can expect daily lab involvement, discussions, and structured responsibilities that will build your ability to work independently and solve problems experimentally. You’ll also practice data handling, scientific reasoning, and professional lab communication, all skills essential for any future scientist. The program is designed to strengthen your confidence in research settings while giving you firsthand exposure to investigative workflows, from forming hypotheses to presenting outcomes. This experience also equips you with a research poster and practical insight into cancer-focused science.

5. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience’s High School Summer Research Internship

Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14 per hour
Program Date: June 22 – July 31
Deadline: December 16 – February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (16+) in Palm Beach or Martin County; Must have legal authorization to work in the U.S.

MPFI’s High School Summer Research Internship is an immersive six-week program that introduces you to neuroscience research through hands-on laboratory experiences and mentorship with MPFI scientists. As a participant, you may choose from three tracks: Neuroscience (genetic engineering, histology, microscopy), Scientific Programming (data analysis software development using Python, C/C++, Matlab, or Java), Mechanical Engineering (CAD design, machining for neuroscience research), or Programming/Coding for Public Engagement (WordPress, HTML, CSS, Adobe Photoshop). The program emphasizes professional development, scientific communication, and exposure to cutting-edge neuroscience techniques and technologies. You’ll get to develop research skills, analyze data, prepare a scientific abstract, and present findings by the end. 

6. Medical College of Wisconsin: Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)

Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Paid
Program Date: Mid June – Early August
Deadline: November 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors or graduating seniors (16+) with a 2.75+ GPA in high school science/math; Must attend a Milwaukee-area high school

The Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) program allows you to spend six weeks working with medical students, clinicians, and simulation staff to build core competencies used in patient-facing fields. You’ll develop structured clinical observation skills, practice basic simulation procedures, and learn to interpret common disease presentations affecting local communities. The program emphasizes research-adjacent communication: drafting an abstract, organizing findings, and delivering a short oral presentation on a selected condition. The curriculum strengthens early medical reasoning, exposure to interdisciplinary health careers, and familiarity with academic environments relevant to future pre-med pathways.

7. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) 

Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid
Program Date: June 22 – August 14
Deadline: January 19 – March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+) residing in Greater Seattle or surrounding areas

As an intern, you’ll start with structured laboratory training that builds foundational competencies in safety, pipetting, sterile technique, and regulated research workflows. After this initial bootcamp, you’ll join a research group for mentored bench work that strengthens your ability to record data, run assays, interpret results, and communicate findings professionally. You also join seminars, career workshops, and cohort activities that reinforce scientific literacy and collaborative problem-solving. The experience culminates in a formal presentation to scientists, family, and peers. It gives you practice in constructing a coherent narrative around experimental design, results, and next-step reasoning.

8. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend offered to students with financial need
Program Date: June 8 – July 24
Deadline: January 7 – February 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from diverse backgrounds living in the Bay Area; Little to no prior research experience required

During the Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford, you’ll spend seven weeks gaining hands-on experience conducting a research project under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. The program introduces foundational research methods, scientific inquiry, and project design in maternal and child health and Pediatrics. You’ll attend seminars, engage in professional development workshops, and collaborate with peers to develop problem-solving and analytical skills. PIPS fosters early exposure to medicine and biomedical research while strengthening confidence and preparing students from varied backgrounds to pursue careers in science and healthcare.

9. Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program provides you with mentorship and exposure to diverse medical careers through daily virtual or in-person sessions. As a participant, you’ll learn from pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, radiologists, child life specialists, and therapists across multiple disciplines. The curriculum includes interactive presentations, hands-on learning opportunities, and professional insights into patient care. You’ll gain practical knowledge, develop professional skills, and receive a certificate of completion. 

10. Georgetown University Pre-College Programs: Medical Academy

This one-week intensive program will immerse you in the world of medicine through hands-on labs, interactive lectures, and off-site visits. You’ll explore human anatomy, physiology, radiology, surgery, ICU medicine, cancer research, and biomedical ethics. Activities include suturing, orthopedic casting, small mammal dissection, and patient simulator use. You will work directly with Georgetown medical students, faculty, and hospital physicians while developing clinical skills and understanding the medical profession. The program culminates with a capstone project and awards a Certificate of Participation, providing a practical, experiential foundation for future studies in healthcare.

11. Health Care Careers Exploration Program

Location: RIT/NTID Campus, Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: $900; $1,000 scholarship for students who later enroll at RIT/NTID
Program Date: July 18 – 22
Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Deaf and hard-of-hearing students entering grades 10-12 

The Health Care Careers Exploration Program is a one-week summer program that introduces deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students to careers in health care and health sciences. As a participant, you’ll engage in hands-on workshops, lab tours, simulations, and group projects to explore fields such as nursing, medical imaging, exercise science, physical therapy, psychology, biomedical research, public health, nutrition, and health care administration. You’ll learn from professionals and mentors, experience life on a college campus, and connect with peers through social activities. 

12. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute

Wake Forest Summer Immersion Medicine Institute is an immersive on-campus program that gives you hands-on experience in medicine, providing exposure to multiple healthcare careers. During the program, you’ll visit hospitals, practice clinical skills such as physical exams, blood pressure measurement, suturing, and ultrasound, and participate in simulations and labs. The curriculum covers internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, surgery, cancer care, and advanced medical technologies. You’ll also interact with medical students, faculty, and healthcare professionals, gaining insight into the daily life of a physician and the medical education pathway. Completion of the program awards a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

13. KP Launch: High School Program 

Location: Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers and Business Offices
Stipend: $24 per hour
Program Date: June 15 – July 31
Deadline: November 17 – January 9
Eligibility: High school students (16-19) with permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; Priority given to juniors and seniors 

KP Launch’s High School Program is a seven-week paid internship that provides you with professional experience in healthcare administration and support roles, without patient care duties. As an intern, you’ll participate in weekly workshops to develop personal and professional skills, work closely with mentors, and engage in networking opportunities with peers and senior leaders. Assignments span office-related tasks in departments like nursing administration, internal medicine, and patient care services. You’ll also gain insight into healthcare careers while building workplace experience, preparing for college and future employment.

14. Magee-Womens Research Institute: High School Summer Internship Program 

Magee-Womens Research Institute’s High School Summer Internship Program is a six-week internship that immerses you in biomedical research focused on reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health. As an intern, you’ll work on individual research projects under the guidance of MWRI investigators, gaining hands-on experience in basic, translational, or clinical research. The program includes Lunch & Learn sessions with faculty discussing biomedical careers, and culminates with a presentation of research findings at the High School Internship Presentation Day. Past projects have explored fertility preservation, ovarian cancer, maternal health, and translational applications in male and female reproductive sciences. You’ll also receive mentorship from faculty across the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Swanson School of Engineering.

15. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital: High School Senior Summer Internship Program 

Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Date: Varies as per program
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors

Cincinnati Children’s is pausing its traditional High School Summer Internship for 2026 to redesign a new summer program for high school seniors. The program will continue to provide hands-on experiences in pediatric biomedical sciences, mentorship from clinicians and researchers, and professional development opportunities. As an intern, you’ll shadow faculty mentors, participate in clinical or research projects, attend weekly networking luncheons, and engage in group activities including simulation-based training and community service. You’ll also present summaries of your unique experiences at a graduation event. 

One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, 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 – Georgetown University