Biomedical engineering sits at the intersection of biology, medicine, and technology, and summer internships in this field give high school students a rare chance to experience this blend in action. Through these programs, you can explore how innovations like tissue engineering, medical imaging, and prosthetic design are transforming healthcare. By working alongside researchers and scientists, you can learn laboratory techniques, data analysis, and engineering design principles that go far beyond classroom learning.
Why is an internship so valuable?
These internships not only strengthen technical and analytical skills but also help you understand how biomedical engineers tackle real-world medical challenges. Whether it’s contributing to a lab focused on regenerative medicine or assisting in a project on biosensors, you gain hands-on exposure to the tools and processes shaping modern healthcare. If you’re curious about how engineering can improve human life, these 15 biomedical engineering internships are a perfect way to start exploring that path early.
For further information on biomedical engineering programs for high school students, you can check out other posts on Horizon’s blog.
13 Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships for High School Students
1. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Stipend: Varies based on education level; typically ranges from $2,300–$2,800/month
Program Dates: June – August (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes March 1
Cost: Free
Location: NIH campuses nationwide, including Bethesda, MD
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old by June 1 and enrolled as high school seniors or college students
The NIH Summer Internship Program places you in a research group within the NIH Intramural Research Program, where you’ll conduct full-time biomedical research under the mentorship of a Principal Investigator. You can explore subfields like bioengineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, and translational medicine, depending on your assigned lab. Interns often use analytical software, data visualization tools, and molecular biology techniques to study cellular systems or develop therapeutic models. You’ll also participate in seminars, professional skills workshops, and present at the NIH Summer Poster Day, gaining direct exposure to the federal research culture and advanced laboratory methodologies.
2. University of Minnesota Biomedical Engineering High School Internship Program
Stipend: Provided (includes bus transportation)
Program Dates: Six weeks (typically June–July)
Application Deadline: Applications for Summer 2025 are closed. Applications for 2026 open in early 2026
Cost: Free
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This six-week, award-winning internship immerses rising seniors in biomedical engineering research through guided lab work, faculty lectures, and professional skill development. You will be mentored by graduate students and conduct hands-on projects in active research labs, including the renowned Visible Heart Lab, while learning data analysis, scientific writing, and effective communication. You will conclude the program with a poster presentation of your findings and receive faculty letters of recommendation for future applications. The program also includes lab tours, networking sessions, and exposure to biomedical career paths, providing a comprehensive preview of college-level research.
3. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy – City of Hope
Stipend: $4,500
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically closes in January
Cost: Free
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Eligibility: Advanced high school and undergraduate students with strong academic backgrounds in science
Hosted by the City of Hope’s Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, this 10-week research-intensive program pairs students with biomedical research teams investigating topics across neurobiology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, and cellular engineering. You will get to independently select a project and conduct full-time experiments under the mentorship of experienced scientists. You’ll gain proficiency in lab protocols, data analysis, and scientific presentation through weekly seminars and workshops on topics like biomedical ethics and poster design. Many students have even earned authorship on published papers or contributed to patentable discoveries, making this program one of the most prestigious research experiences for aspiring biomedical engineers.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Stipend: Approximately $500–$1,500
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens December 19; closes February 21
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are current high school juniors or seniors (ages 16+)
Hosted by the Stanford School of Medicine, SIMR immerses students in an eight-week mentored research experience across biomedical fields such as immunology, bioengineering, genetics, neuroscience, and cancer biology. You’ll work alongside faculty, postdocs, and graduate researchers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to ongoing scientific projects. Training may include exposure to lab instrumentation, statistical software, and molecular biology techniques, all culminating in a formal presentation of your findings. Designed to build both technical and analytical competencies, SIMR remains one of the nation’s most selective biomedical research experiences for high school students.
5. University of Arizona – KEYS Research Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 1 – July 17 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens November 3; recommended deadline January 8
Cost: Free
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Eligibility: Arizona high school students aged 16 or older with at least one year of state residency
Hosted by the University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute, the KEYS Research Internship offers a 7-week immersion in bioscience, data science, and biotechnology. You’ll complete pre-program assignments in science literacy and data analysis, followed by a week-long intensive training module to prepare for lab research. You’ll then join university research teams working on projects spanning biomedical imaging, drug delivery systems, and molecular biology. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain experience using biotech instrumentation and statistical tools to analyze experimental data. The program culminates in a research showcase, where you can highlight your discoveries to faculty and peers.
6. Northwestern University – Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Summer Research Program
Stipend: Provided (amount not specified)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 28; recommendation deadline March 4
Cost: Free; housing available for non-local participants
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in high school, two-year, or four-year degree programs (age 18+ by program start)
Hosted by Northwestern’s Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), this NSF-funded program offers eight weeks of mentored research in cellular reprogramming, tissue regeneration, and advanced biomaterials. You will collaborate on the Epigenetic Cell Reprogramming In Situ (EFRI) project, applying techniques in cell culture, 3D printing of biomaterials, microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. You’ll learn how chromatin structure and molecular pathways influence tissue repair, while gaining hands-on lab experience in regenerative medicine and nanomaterial engineering. The program also includes professional development workshops and mentorship from faculty in biomedical and materials engineering.
7. The Jackson Laboratory – Summer Student Program (SSP)
Stipend: $7,000, plus room, board, and travel
Program Dates: May 30 – August 7 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens early November; closes January 26 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Cost: Free
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine & Farmington, CT
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors (graduating) and undergraduates with strong academic backgrounds in science
The JAX Summer Student Program immerses participants in genetics and genomics research within a professional biomedical environment. Working under the mentorship of JAX scientists, you’ll conduct an independent research project in fields such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, and genetic modeling. You’ll gain proficiency in data visualization, experimental design, and analytical software used in biomedical research. Weekly journal clubs, seminars, and communication workshops prepare you to present findings in a professional setting, culminating in a formal symposium at the end of the program. With full funding and access to advanced genomic labs, SSP offers one of the most rigorous introductions to biomedical research available to high school students.
8. OHSU Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program (Gibbs Lab)
Stipend: Unpaid in the first year; paid opportunities available for returning interns
Program Dates: Flexible 10-week minimum (typically June – August)
Application Deadline: February 2026, Date TBA
Cost: Free
Location: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students
Hosted by the Gibbs Lab at OHSU, this 10-week internship allows you to explore biomedical imaging and materials chemistry through hands-on lab research. You’ll train in cell culture, immunostaining, microscopy, and image analysis while assisting in the development of novel fluorescent contrast agents. The program builds both experimental and analytical skills across spectroscopy and organic synthesis, offering a direct look into translational imaging research. Returning students may qualify for paid research opportunities in subsequent years.
9. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center – Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Stipend: Paid (8-week, full-time position)
Program Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes in January
Cost: Free
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (11th–12th grade), aged 16 or older, residing in the Greater Seattle area
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s SHIP program offers high school students the chance to explore biomedical and cancer research through an immersive 8-week internship. You will begin with two weeks of intensive lab training in safety, molecular biology, and research techniques, followed by six weeks of mentored work in active research groups. Interns use biological assays, data visualization tools, and bioinformatics approaches to investigate cellular processes. In addition to hands-on research, you will attend seminars, professional development sessions, and present your findings at a closing symposium. Designed for students with limited prior experience, SHIP builds practical skills in biomedical experimentation and scientific communication.
10. Magee-Womens Research Institute – High School Summer Internship Program
Stipend: $1,800 (for students meeting income-based eligibility criteria)
Program Dates: June 16 – late July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens December 2; closes February 7
Cost: Free
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 16+) residing in southwestern Pennsylvania
Hosted by the Magee-Womens Research Institute, this six-week program offers an immersive research experience in biomedical, reproductive, and clinical sciences. You will undertake individual research projects under the mentorship of faculty from MWRI and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. Projects span topics like gene expression, biomaterials, fertility preservation, drug delivery systems, and maternal health. You’ll also attend Lunch & Learn seminars on scientific careers and present your findings at a formal symposium. With an acceptance rate of less than 8%, the program emphasizes both technical laboratory skills and the ability to translate research into real-world biomedical impact.
11. The Wistar Institute – High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
Stipend: $1,500, plus travel support (SEPTA passes)
Program Dates: July (4 weeks, Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Application Deadline: Opens in January; closes in spring
Cost: Free
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who have completed at least one science course (priority for Philadelphia public school students)
Hosted at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia’s University City, this 4-week fellowship introduces high school students to laboratory-based biomedical research. You will learn core lab techniques, data interpretation, and literature analysis while assisting in active Wistar research on cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Mentored by professional scientists, you’ll gain familiarity with experimental design, microscopy, and molecular biology workflows. The program concludes with a formal presentation of the findings to the Wistar scientific community, helping you develop both technical and communication skills essential for a career in biomedical research.
12. Washington University in St. Louis – Young Scientist Program (YSP) Summer Focus
Stipend: $4,500
Program Dates: June 1 – July 24 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 26; recommendation deadline February 2
Cost: Free
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Eligibility: High school juniors (rising seniors) from the Greater St. Louis area with a strong interest in science; preference for underrepresented or first-generation students
The Summer Focus program, part of Washington University’s Young Scientist Program, offers an intensive, eight-week biomedical research experience. Each scholar is paired with a faculty mentor and a graduate student tutor to conduct a biomedical or bioengineering research project in disciplines such as genomics, neuroscience, cancer biology, and biomechanics. You’ll receive structured training in lab safety, molecular techniques, and data interpretation, along with weekly coursework in scientific writing and college readiness. The experience culminates in a research symposium, where you will present your work to faculty and peers. This program is particularly valued for its personalized mentorship and its emphasis on both experimental and communication skills.
13. MD Anderson Cancer Center – Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Stipend: Provided (amount not specified)
Program Dates: June 1 – August 7 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 14
Cost: Free
Location: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors (age 18 + by program start); must have graduated high school by summer start and be accepted to a college for fall admission
Hosted by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s School of Health Professions, this prestigious 10-week internship immerses high school seniors in hands-on biomedical research. Each participant works under the mentorship of a faculty researcher to conduct an independent project exploring topics in cancer biology, allied health, or biomedical science. The program includes daily lab work, research seminars, abstract and poster competitions, and a final presentation symposium. By the end of the internship, you will gain a deep understanding of laboratory methods, data analysis, and the scientific rigor behind biomedical discovery.
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 – Washington University in St. Louis