15 Best Biology Internships for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student interested in exploring a field like biology, participating in biology internships for high school students will give you hands-on experience and exposure to lab work, field research, and clinical environments. They also help you build technical skills, gain professional mentorship, and make informed decisions about your future paths. From molecular biology labs to ecological field studies, you can explore a wide range of disciplines. Even better, some programs come with stipends, allowing you to earn money while you learn.
Whether you're aiming for a career in medicine, research, or conservation, these internships are a great way to build your resume and explore your interests. We’ve created a list of 15 biology internships for high school students in California that stand out for their educational value, mentorship, and focus on biological sciences.
1. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~20 students accepted
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by June
Stipend: Applicants can apply for stipend support
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship is a specialized summer program focused on biotechnology and surgical innovation. You will gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device development.
Under the mentorship of Stanford reconstructive surgeons and scientists, you'll participate in labs, seminars, and collaborative projects. The experience emphasizes the intersection of biology, technology, and patient care, making it ideal for students interested in both medical research and engineering applications in healthcare.
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year (8-12 weeks); summer cohort starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; deadline for the upcoming summer cohort is May 11
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students (10-20 hours/week commitment)
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
The Ladder Internship Program connects ambitious students with high-growth startups across industries like health tech, AI/ML, journalism, and consulting. You will work directly on real-world projects with guidance from both startup managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach. You will receive one-on-one training in communication, time management, and leadership, along with access to group learning sessions.
Startups in the program are often led by founders from Y Combinator, Google, and Microsoft, providing an unparalleled industry network. The program concludes with a final presentation to company leadership, offering you valuable mentorship and a professional deliverable for your portfolio.
3. Scripps Research Institute: Student Research Internship Program
Location: UCSD (San Diego Supercomputer Center)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
Cost/Stipend: None
The Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week summer internship that introduces high school students to translational science and personalized healthcare research. You will work in a lab under the guidance of a mentor, focusing on fields like genomics, proteomics, and mobile health technologies. You’ll also gain exposure to study design, data analysis, and the inner workings of clinical trials.
The program emphasizes collaboration, offering opportunities to engage with researchers across multiple disciplines. It’s an excellent fit for students interested in the biological sciences, medicine, and how data shapes personalized healthcare.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; May 25 for summer
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
Veritas AI offers a project-based internship where you’ll apply machine learning techniques to real-world problems alongside VC-backed startups. You will work in small cohorts under the mentorship of AI experts from Harvard, Google, and McKinsey, developing both technical fluency and professional communication skills.
Projects span healthcare, finance, sustainability, and more, giving you a window into practical applications of AI. The program includes individualized mentorship, peer collaboration, and a final project summary documented in a formal completion letter.
Location: Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to students from partner schools
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: San Diego-residing high school students in grades 10-11 from select schools
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
The OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an 8-week cancer research internship designed for students from underrepresented and minority backgrounds. Hosted at the Moores Cancer Center, you will engage in hands-on laboratory research and shadow physicians in clinical environments. You will also receive training in clinical skills such as suturing, guided by surgery residents.
The program pairs you with mentors from the UC San Diego School of Medicine to explore cancer biology, patient care, and academic medicine. OPTIMUS is both a research and clinical learning opportunity, with a stipend included to support student participation.
6. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cohort Size: ~20 interns per session
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students aged 14+ who are California residents
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) hosts a two-week virtual program that explores the intersection of AI and healthcare. You will participate in lectures, collaborative research, and mentorship sessions focused on medical diagnostics and machine learning.
You will interact with Stanford researchers and engineers on cutting-edge applications of AI in health. The program includes Virtual Career Lunch & Learns with leaders from academia, government, and nonprofits, offering insight into real-world AI implementation. It’s a competitive opportunity for students curious about AI, biology, and medical innovation.
7. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: December – February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties with a minimum 3.0 GPA and prior coursework in biology, chemistry, or programming
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based scholarships available
GRIPS is an intensive eight-week summer program where you’ll gain real research experience in genomics by working in Stanford labs. Under faculty mentorship, you’ll assist in experiments and contribute to biomedical research projects in areas like molecular biology and computational genetics. The program includes weekly seminars, cohort sessions, and career panels focused on the future of genomics. Designed for students from under-resourced schools, GRIPS emphasizes mentorship, skill-building, and access to world-class research environments.
8. BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), CA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors; ideal for students interested in continuing research during the school year
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; unpaid
UCLA hosts the BrainSport Summer Internship that introduces high school students to neuroscience, sports medicine, and brain injury research. You’ll assist with literature reviews, data collection, and statistical analysis in active research labs focused on concussion science. You will gain hands-on experience with tools used in cognitive neuroscience and engage with leading researchers and clinicians. The program also includes expert-led seminars and discussions that highlight the clinical and real-world implications of brain health in athletics and recovery science.
9. UCSF SEP High School Intern Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Low; 25 students selected
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: January – March 2
Eligibility: High school juniors from SFUSD, SF charter schools, or College Track SF; priority given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
Stipend: $3,200 stipend for part-time (25 hrs/week); $4,500 for full-time (35 hrs/week)
This 8-week internship connects high school juniors with UCSF scientists for in-depth biomedical research projects in fields such as neuroscience, immunology, stem cells, and cancer biology. You will be paired with a research mentor and gain hands-on experience in a real lab environment. The program also includes extensive college prep resources like resume-building workshops, campus tours, and financial aid advising. SEP fosters a close community of interns and offers one of the most well-rounded pre-college biology research experiences in California.
10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~3%; 50 students admitted
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16+ who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stipend: $500 minimum stipend; $1,500+ for students from underrepresented backgrounds
SIMR is one of the nation’s most prestigious biology internships for high school students, offering full-time biomedical research experience across eight advanced tracks, including immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, and bioengineering. You’ll be matched with a Stanford faculty mentor and immersed in lab work, data analysis, and the research process.
The program also features daily lectures and workshops to build scientific skills and knowledge. It concludes with a formal poster presentation session, where you’ll share your findings with experts and peers. SIMR is especially supportive of students from underserved backgrounds through enhanced stipends and mentorship.
11. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, CA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Typically in early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in certain counties in Northern California; a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.0; priority given to students with limited research experience
Stipend: $3,000 stipend for students demonstrating financial need
PIPS is a six-week summer research program offering high school students hands-on experience in pediatrics and biomedical science. You’ll be paired with Stanford faculty and researchers to conduct mentored lab work and gain insights into careers in medicine. The program includes 30 hours of weekly lab work, scientific seminars, and professional development sessions. You will explore topics such as child health, genetics, and disease research while building foundational skills in data analysis and critical thinking. PIPS especially welcomes students from backgrounds with limited prior research access.
12. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cohort Size: 24 students selected annually
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound
Stipend: $1,250
SMYSP is a five-week residential program that introduces first-generation, low-income juniors to medicine and public health careers. Hosted by Stanford University, the program combines clinical shadowing, research, and college prep with mentorship from faculty and healthcare professionals.
You’ll complete a collaborative public health research project, explore anatomy and epidemiology, and attend seminars on health equity. SMYSP also provides intensive college admissions support, making it a powerful stepping stone for students aspiring to enter medicine and health fields.
13. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) – Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)
Location: JBEI Laboratories, Emeryville, CA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 5 – March 16
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors (age 15+ by Dec 31) from Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County; GPA ≥ 2.5; must have passed Algebra I and Biology
Stipend: $3,000
iCLEM is a 7-week, paid biology internship hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute. Designed for low-income students from underrepresented backgrounds, the program provides research experience in biotechnology, microbiology, and sustainable energy. You’ll participate in hands-on lab projects, learn microbiological techniques, and explore pathways in science and engineering. In addition to lab work, the program supports career exploration and offers college admissions guidance, helping you build both scientific and academic readiness.
14. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 12 – March 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ residing in San Diego County; must have completed at least one year of high school chemistry and biology; minimum GPA of 2.75
Stipend: $17/hour
This competitive 8-week internship offers high school students hands-on research experience at the prestigious Salk Institute. You’ll work alongside scientists and mentors on real lab projects exploring molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience. You will receive training in lab techniques and contribute to research that mirrors work conducted in professional biomedical labs.
The program also emphasizes critical thinking, scientific communication, and collaboration, preparing you for both academic research and STEM careers. With a generous hourly stipend and mentorship in a world-class setting, this internship stands out for its depth and accessibility.
15. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: After school and weekends, year-round participation through high school graduation
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Full-time 9th or 10th graders in SFUSD with a 2.5+ GPA; must obtain a valid work permit
Stipend: Above minimum wage
CiS is a long-term, paid STEM internship aimed at San Francisco high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in science. You’ll gain experience in both scientific research and public engagement through fieldwork, science facilitation for museum visitors, and environmental projects.
You will also receive training in science communication, financial literacy, and college preparation. Throughout the program, you’ll present at STEM conferences and collaborate with researchers at the Academy or partner organizations. This multi-year internship is an ideal launchpad for students passionate about biology, sustainability, and science education.