Thinking about a future in medicine, but unsure what’s really behind the scenes? Pre-med internships give you a front-row seat to the world of healthcare. You’ll shadow doctors, assist in labs, and see how hospitals, clinics, and research centres operate. This allows you to get your hands into the work, understand different roles, and see the day-to-day realities of medical careers.
These internships go beyond the hospital walls. You can dive into clinical practice, biomedical research, public health, or health policy, helping you figure out which path aligns with your interests. You will also develop skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
With that in mind, here is a curated list of 14 pre-med internships for high school students!
14 Pre Med Internships for High School Students
1. National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research
Location: National Institutes of Health (NIH) campuses, including Bethesda, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Paid; monthly stipends vary by education level
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (varies by institute)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 17 or older; enrolled at least half-time in high school, college, or an accredited educational institution.
The NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research gives you the chance to work with biomedical scientists on projects related to genetics, disease mechanisms, and experimental treatments. Over the summer, you conduct full-time research under the guidance of a principal investigator, attend the NIH Summer Seminar Series, and present your findings at the NIH Poster Day. You also receive career mentoring and take part in development events such as the Graduate and Professional School Fair.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, California
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee; stipends available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8–July 30 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school juniors or seniors, aged 16 or older by program start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program gives high school students hands-on experience in biomedical and clinical research under the guidance of Stanford faculty and researchers. Over eight weeks, you take part in medically focused projects in campus labs, learn experimental techniques, work with data, and see how scientific discovery unfolds in practice. The program supports early interest in medicine and biological science and helps you understand the pace and teamwork involved in professional research.
3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship in Biomedical Research
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, and Framingham, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: May 19, May 27, or June 2 – August 7–8 (poster presentation)
Application Deadline: February 19 (applications accepted on a rolling basis from November 18)
Eligibility: Students must be 18 years or older by June 15; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; enrolled at least half-time in high school (senior year), college, or graduate school; or accepted into a college for fall enrollment.
The NHLBI Summer Internship Program gives students a six- to eight-week research experience in the intramural laboratories of the National Institutes of Health. You work with principal investigators on biomedical research in areas such as molecular biology, physiology, genetics, and clinical science. The program includes mentoring, career development, and networking through seminars, poster sessions, and workshops. You learn how to design experiments, study data, and present your findings under guidance from researchers.
4. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 6 students
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: January 14 (applications open November 17)
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors aged 18+ by program start; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders; must be accepted into a college beginning in the fall
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program introduces Texas high school seniors to hands-on biomedical research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Over ten weeks, participants work full-time in faculty-led laboratories, contributing to ongoing projects in areas like cancer biology, molecular medicine, or biotechnology. The program emphasizes core research principles and the discipline required for scientific inquiry. Alongside lab work, interns attend faculty seminars, poster sessions, and presentation workshops that strengthen scientific communication.
5. University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Location: University of Chicago, Illinois
Cost: $14,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 14–July 12 (Session 1
Application Deadline: January 22 (priority); March 5 (regular); April 15 (extended); May 15 (rolling, if space remains)
Eligibility: Students entering 10th or 11th grade must have completed at least one year of high school biology.
The Research in the Biological Sciences program at the University of Chicago is a four-week practicum that immerses you in molecular, microbiological, and cell biology research. You take part in lab work and independent projects and learn techniques used in genetics, developmental biology, and cancer biology. The program focuses on clear scientific communication through lab notebooks, writing assignments, and journal discussions. You also attend weekly faculty seminars and end the program by presenting your research at a final forum.
6. University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Child Health Research Internship
Location: University of Colorado School of Medicine & Children’s Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: $4,400 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 2–August 1
Application Deadline: February (applications open in December)
Eligibility: High school seniors aged 18+ (Colorado residents only), undergraduate, graduate, and first-year medical students
The Child Health Research Internship introduces you to pediatric and biomedical research through lab work with mentors at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Over nine weeks, you explore research related to child health, attend weekly seminars, and learn different research methods. You choose preferred mentors and work under their guidance on active projects. The program ends with written and oral or poster presentations where you share your findings.
7. Washington University School of Medicine’s Young Scientist Program
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15–18 students
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors from the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri and Illinois). Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in science but have limited or no previous research experience.
The Young Scientist Program’s Summer Focus at Washington University offers an eight-week biomedical research internship for high school students. You are paired with a mentor and a tutor who guide you through a research project in areas such as genetics, neuroscience, or microbiology. You attend weekly sessions on scientific writing, data analysis, and communication, along with a college prep course on applications and financial aid.
8. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid; free ORCA card for commuting
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: Eight weeks (June–August)
Application Deadline: Varies as per program. Application opens in November.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering their senior year who are at least 16 years old and reside in the Greater Seattle area. Applicants must show a strong scientific interest, provide two recommendations, a transcript, a resume, and short essay responses.
Fred Hutch’s Summer High School Internship Program offers an eight-week paid research experience for students interested in biomedical science. The program starts with two weeks of lab safety and technique training, followed by six weeks of mentored research in one of the center’s labs. You attend seminars, career workshops, and group events, and end the program by presenting your findings to the Fred Hutch community. The program is designed for students with limited research experience and gives you exposure to scientific inquiry, mentoring from researchers, and practical lab work that supports your college preparation.
9. Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: La Jolla, California
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 28 (letters of recommendation due April 4)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 or older by June 16 who live and attend school in San Diego County; must have completed one year each of high school biology and chemistry; GPA of at least 2.75 (exceptions possible).
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute gives high school students an eight-week experience in biomedical research. You work one-on-one with a scientist mentor, take part in active research projects, and build skills in lab techniques, data work, and basic bioinformatics. You also attend seminars, workshops, and biotech site visits that help you learn about scientific work and research culture at the Salk Institute.
10. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free (students provide their own housing and transportation)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 15 (high school program); June 1 – July 28 (undergraduate program; flexible dates)
Application Deadline: March 31 (applications open February 1)
Eligibility: Open to high school and undergraduate students; applicants must be at least 16 years old by program start; no prior research experience required (AP science recommended for high schoolers).
The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Volunteer Program gives high school and undergraduate students an eight-week research experience in cancer biology. You work forty hours each week and assist faculty and graduate researchers on projects related to tumor immunology, human genetics, drug development, and clinical therapeutics. The program combines lab training with weekly seminars, group discussions, and mentoring sessions that support scientific learning and professional growth. You gain first-hand insight into the research process, from forming a hypothesis to presenting data, while contributing to active projects in cancer research.
11. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Typically summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors with strong academic records and demonstrated interest in healthcare or biomedical research.
Hosted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, this program gives you a close look at pediatric medicine and biomedical science. You are paired with a clinical mentor to shadow in hospital settings and take part in research or clinical projects. Weekly luncheons, simulation training, and seminars with pediatric staff support your learning and help you build connections.
12. Wistar Institute’s Biomedical Research Internship
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 stipend; free SEPTA passes for travel
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15 students
Dates: July (four weeks, Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m)
Application Deadline: Opens January
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 or older who have completed at least one science course. Priority is given to students from the School District of Philadelphia.
The Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research is a four-week summer program that introduces you to real laboratory work. You receive lab training, learn how to read and interpret scientific papers, and contribute to ongoing projects in Wistar’s Training Lab. You also learn about different biomedical careers through guided sessions and meetings with professionals. The program ends with a presentation where you share your research findings.
13. Kaiser Permanente Launch
Location: Northern California (various Kaiser Permanente offices and hospitals)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $24/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 15–July 31
Application Deadline: Opens November 17 at 12 PM PST
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 by June 1, with residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; priority given to juniors and seniors
KP LAUNCH is a seven-week paid summer internship by Kaiser Permanente designed to introduce high school students to the world of health care. As an intern, you’ll gain firsthand exposure to non-clinical roles in departments such as administration, nursing, and patient care services. Beyond work experience, the program emphasizes professional growth through weekly workshops, mentorship, and leadership development.
14. The Seacole Scholars Program
Location: Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
Cost/Stipend: Paid employment (40 hours/week)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (7–8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in November
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 who hold a valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license and are interested in healthcare careers.
The Seacole Scholars Program, run by Rhode Island Hospital’s nursing department through the Brown University Health Summer Employment Program, gives high school students real experience in patient care. Over seven to eight weeks, you work full-time as a CNA for four days each week and attend professional development workshops on the fifth day. The program combines clinical exposure with workforce training to help you build both technical and interpersonal skills. You work with hospital staff, explore career paths in healthcare, and develop networks that can support you beyond the summer.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in medicine, biology, or health sciences, 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 topic 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