As a high school student interested in science, participating in internships can be an opportunity to explore the field in considerable depth, as they offer a valuable chance to gain practical research experience. These programs bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical laboratory work. They provide exposure to laboratory techniques, advanced scientific methodologies, and direct mentorship from experienced researchers and industry professionals.
If you’re a high school student living in NYC, opting for local programs can be a financially strategic decision, eliminating the need for costly housing arrangements while accessing world-class research institutions. The competitive nature of these internships also provides you with valuable experience in scientific communication through application essays and interviews.
In this piece, we have compiled a comprehensive list of 13 science internships for high school students in NYC.
13 Science Internships for High School Students in NYC
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Summer Student Program
Location: Multiple Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer labs in New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2%; 20 interns
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (14+) within a 25-mile radius of NYC; Must have a GPA of 3.5 in science subjects
During the MSK Summer Student Program, you will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will oversee your independent research project, contributing valuable data to ongoing cancer research initiatives. You’ll get to learn advanced techniques, including cell culture, PCR analysis, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics using software such as R, ImageJ, and specialized genomics platforms. You can also expect to attend seminars on cancer biology, participate in journal clubs discussing recent publications, and gain exposure to clinical research methodologies. The program culminates in a research symposium where you’ll present your findings to MSKCC’s scientific community.
2. Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC
Location: Columbia Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 7 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 6 – 31
Eligibility: 10th-11th graders currently enrolled in a partner program; Must be NYC residents (preference given to students from upper Manhattan and the South Bronx)
The BRAINYAC program emphasizes hands-on learning through direct participation in ongoing research projects studying neural circuits, behavior, and brain development. During this internship, you’ll gain proficiency in advanced neuroscience techniques, including electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and behavioral analysis protocols. You’ll also work with sophisticated equipment such as two-photon microscopes, patch-clamp rigs, and specialized software, including MATLAB, Python, and neuroscience-specific analysis packages. Aside from this, you’ll attend weekly seminars featuring leading neuroscientists and participate in lab meetings where you present your research progress to graduate students and faculty members.
3. BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Location: BioBus, Harlem, NY, or Lower East Side, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 15 (summer); October 1 – June 15 (school year)
Application Deadline: March 24
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders residing in NYC
This program combines hands-on scientific research with science education outreach, providing you with dual exposure to laboratory research and science communication. You’ll master advanced microscopy techniques using research-grade equipment, including fluorescence microscopes, confocal systems, and live-cell imaging platforms. You’ll develop expertise in molecular biology protocols, data analysis using ImageJ and specialized microscopy software, and experimental design principles. The program includes a summer boot camp component where you gain intensive training in laboratory skills before transitioning to teaching roles during BioBus summer camps. You’ll conduct independent research projects in areas such as neuroscience, optics, plant biology, and behavioral studies while simultaneously developing science communication skills through direct teaching experience.
4. Genspace BioRocket Internship
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 6 months: February 25 – May 21 (spring); July 6 – August 14 (summer)
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 5
Eligibility: New York City public high school students (16+)
This program introduces you to cutting-edge genetic engineering and synthetic biology within New York City’s premier community biolab. You will gain hands-on experience with molecular cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, bacterial transformation, and DNA sequencing technologies. You will develop proficiency in laboratory techniques, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, protein purification, and cell culture, using industry-standard equipment and protocols. The program emphasizes practical applications of biotechnology through project-based learning, where you design and execute genetic engineering experiments.
5. Columbia Engineering Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 18 (priority); January 8 (regular)
Eligibility: Current NYC 10th-11th graders
This biomedical engineering program challenges you to address real-world health problems through innovative design thinking and prototype development. You’ll master CAD software, including SolidWorks, learn 3D printing technologies, and develop proficiency in biomedical device testing protocols. You’ll gain exposure to regulatory aspects of medical device development, including FDA approval processes and clinical trial design principles. The program culminates in comprehensive business plan development, where you learn market analysis, intellectual property considerations, and startup fundamentals.
6. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: Current NYC 10th-11th graders with a strong interest in STEM
This ten-week program provides you with approximately 120 hours of hands-on laboratory research experience across multiple engineering disciplines. You’ll gain proficiency in engineering software, including AutoCAD, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and specialized simulation packages used in civil, mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering. You’ll work directly with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on authentic research projects involving robotics, materials science, environmental engineering, and urban infrastructure challenges. The program includes college-level workshops on experimental design, data analysis, and scientific methodology. You’ll present your research findings at the prestigious American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium, providing you with exposure to New York City’s broader scientific community and potential networking opportunities with professional scientists.
7. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends may be offered to those experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 32 students accepted annually
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: October 13 – January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+)
During the Summer Science Research Program, you’ll design and conduct independent research projects modeled after Rockefeller University research methodologies in areas including molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, and structural biology. You’ll gain expertise in advanced techniques such as protein crystallography, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and computational biology using software including PyMOL, ChimeraX, and specialized bioinformatics platforms. You’ll work directly with world-renowned faculty members and graduate students, attending lab meetings and participating in the university’s seminar series.
8. American Museum of Natural History Teen Programs
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: NYC high school students
The American Museum of Natural History offers a variety of programs where you’ll get to engage in research in paleontology, anthropology, astrophysics, and earth sciences within one of the world’s most renowned natural history museums. You’ll gain access to the museum’s extensive research collections and work with advanced analytical equipment, including electron microscopes, X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, and 3D scanning technologies. You’ll develop skills in database management, specimen preparation, field collection techniques, and scientific illustration. The programs include both research components and public engagement opportunities where you interact with museum visitors and participate in educational programming. You may contribute to ongoing museum research projects and have opportunities to present your findings at scientific conferences, with some participants co-authoring research publications with museum scientists.
9. Weill Cornell High School Catalyst Program
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the spring
Eligibility: NYC high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds with an interest in STEM
This rigorous six-week biomedical research program pairs you with graduate students or postdoctoral mentors for intensive laboratory experiences in cancer research, neuroscience, and molecular medicine. You’ll gain expertise in advanced research techniques, including tissue culture, immunofluorescence microscopy, qPCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry analysis. You will develop proficiency in data analysis software, including GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, and statistical analysis packages used in biomedical research. The program includes journal clubs, research seminars, and workshops on scientific communication and career development in medicine and research. You’ll present your research findings in poster format at a closing ceremony and public symposium, with many participants maintaining ongoing research collaborations with your mentors beyond the program duration.
10. Research Institute of Sport & Exercise Summer Research Internship
Location: Multiple NYC locations, including Hospital for Special Surgery
Cost/Stipend: $150 application fee; Paid/non-paid positions available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 21 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in sports medicine and research
This multidisciplinary program combines sports medicine research with data science and epidemiological analysis, providing you with exposure to injury surveillance, biomechanics, and applied statistics. You’ll gain proficiency in database management systems, statistical analysis software, including SPSS and R, and specialized sports performance analysis tools. You will learn injury documentation protocols, biomechanical analysis techniques, and research methodologies used in sports medicine and exercise physiology. The program includes shadowing opportunities at collaborative medical institutions and exposure to computer science applications in healthcare. You will contribute to ongoing research projects that may qualify for prestigious science competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, while gaining valuable experience in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of medicine, technology, and athletics.
11. Mount Sinai CEYE: Internship Placement (IP) Program
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: July 1 – August 8 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Typically closes in March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The CEYE Internship Placement (IP) Program provides an introduction to the medical field at the Mount Sinai Health System. You’ll have a chance to rotate through various clinical departments, shadow healthcare professionals, and attend workshops on patient care and medical ethics. The program requires you to maintain a logbook, completing pre-/post assessments, and engage in research activities. You’ill have an opportunity to present your findings to peers and healthcare professionals and will be required to write a reflection paper. The experience is designed to help you gain insights into medical careers, develop essential skills, and receive focussed mentorship from healthcare faculty.
12. Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM)
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $3,900
Acceptance Rate: High selectivity
Dates: 14 months beginning in June
Application Deadline: Opens in the winter
Eligibility: NYC high school students (16+) eligible to work in the U.S.
This ecological research program provides you with in-depth exposure to field ecology, environmental monitoring, and conservation biology research methodologies. You’ll master field research techniques, including vegetation sampling, soil analysis, water quality testing, and wildlife observation protocols using professional-grade equipment. You’ll develop proficiency in GIS software, statistical analysis programs including R, and data visualization tools for ecological research. The program emphasizes hands-on fieldwork combined with laboratory analysis and includes training in environmental DNA sampling and ecosystem modeling. You’ll contribute to long-term ecological monitoring projects and gain 30 hours of community service while earning nine college credits through your research activities and scientific presentations.
13. NYSCF Summer Internship Program
Location: New York Stem Cell Foundation, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None (for high school students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 20 interns
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in December
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students (available only to partners of the NYSCF Summer Internship Program)
As a lab track intern, you’ll gain expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, cellular reprogramming, differentiation protocols, and advanced microscopy techniques. During the Data Science track, you will develop proficiency in Python, R, machine learning applications for biological data, and image analysis using specialized software packages. On the other hand, the Automation track will have you working with the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array®, learning robotic system programming and high-throughput screening methodologies. The program includes weekly seminars on stem cell biology, regenerative medicine applications, and career development workshops led by leading scientists in the field.
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 – New York Stem Cell Foundation