15 Bioengineering Internships for High School Students
If you’re in high school and passionate about STEM subjects in general, with an overarching passion for biology, you should look into bioengineering because it applies engineering principles and techniques to study, design, and create solutions related to living systems. Biogineering bridges biology, medicine, and technology to solve problems such as developing medical devices, designing prosthetics, engineering tissues, or improving healthcare diagnostics.
Bioengineering internships can offer you hands-on work experience, real-world exposure, opportunities to connect with professionals, and a chance to develop a deeper understanding of the field. Participating in an internship can also enhance your profile and help you stand out in college applications and beyond.
Here are 15 bioengineering internships for high school students that you can explore!
1. The Summer Student Program at The Jackson Laboratory
Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, CT
Stipend: $7,000
Cohort Size: 24 – 28 for Bar Harbor
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: Early November – January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduates age 18+
The Summer Student Program is a research opportunity for high school students to explore the fields of genetics and genomics. You will engage in research related to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, which involves the development of software applications and the utilization of computers and databases in biological research. You will work during standard office hours during the week and have the chance to participate in outings and recreational activities on weekends. Throughout the program, you will develop an independent project, implement your plan, analyze the data, and prepare a report of your findings. After the program, you will present your research results.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
If you’re looking for an intensive internship opportunity, you could consider Ladder Internships. This internship will allow you to intern with high-growth start-ups in various industries, such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars, giving you exposure to corporate culture and allowing you to gain practical experience. You will work closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects that you will present to the company.
3. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a ten-week research summer program. The first four weeks involve lab and safety training and will focus on helping you develop your research and scientific writing skills. Over the next six weeks, you will conduct hands-on research in one of the various labs, including bioengineering. You will have the opportunity to network with scholars and industry professionals and receive college application support. Finally, you will present your research at Colloquium to the NYU community and showcase your work at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $500
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+)
During the SIMR program, you will conduct lab-based research under the guidance of a mentor. There are eight institutes you can choose from, namely, Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics and Genomics. In the bioengineering track, you will work towards a biodesign project that addresses a medical need. In small teams, you will develop solutions, evaluate technical pros/cons, build prototypes, and test certain aspects of the creations. By the end of the program, you will have completed an innovative prototype that you will present at the SIMR poster session.
5. BIO5 Institute's Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) Research Internship
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None; Financial support offered
Cohort Size: 60 (tentative)
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: November 1 – December 13
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum of one year of Arizona residency
The KEYS internship is a 7-week program that will engage you in real-world projects under the mentorship of a scientist. This experience involves applying your classroom knowledge in a laboratory setting. The weekly Science Seminar is meant for you to receive presentations from the University of Arizona colleges and researchers, develop presentation skills, interact with staff and peers, and prepare your poster. You will present your learnings at the final research showcase. Once you complete the program, you will earn three units of MCB credit and assured admission to W.A. Frankie Honors College.
6. Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Summer Research Program
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: 6
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students in high school, two-year, and four-year degree programs
The REM program provides a selective opportunity to participate in an ongoing regenerative engineering research project. As a participant, you will gain practical laboratory experience, develop skills related to cellular reprogramming, and have access to mentorship opportunities. The project centers on the integration of nanoscale optical imaging, cell and molecular biology, physics, and advanced materials science. It concludes with a presentation luncheon.
7. Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: $800
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
BUGS Jr. is a summer research program that connects students with a USC faculty member and their laboratory team to engage in practical research activities. The research focuses on topics related to the human body and health, including biomedical materials, development of instruments or methods, computational or animal models of disease, cinematic analysis of scientific data or techniques, and human health topics. You can also participate in extracurricular activities, such as campus tours, journal clubs, career symposia, technical panels, and Bridge-sponsored peer community-building activities like research seminars and multi-disciplinary social mixers. You will present your research poster at the summer finale symposium.
8. Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering’s ISPEED Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Need-based stipends may be provided
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors who are between 15 and 18 years old
ISPEED is a residential program designed for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. Throughout the program, you will engage in research projects, gain hands-on experience in laboratory settings, and deliver presentations. Opportunities such as tours of Johns Hopkins University laboratories and seminars with STEM professionals are available to expand your knowledge and connect with leaders in the field of biomedical engineering. Living with other participants on campus provides an early experience of college life. Upon completion of the program, you will earn three college credits.
9. Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 13 – 17 (session 1); July 20 – 24 (session 2); or July 27 – 31 (session 3 for returning participants)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising juniors or rising seniors who have not been exposed to engineering through coursework, extracurriculars, similar programs, or close role models in the field
The SES is an immersive program designed to introduce you to various engineering disciplines. The program features workshops that include lectures and interactive activities. The introductory sessions cover a range of engineering topics, such as Bioengineering, Civil, Sustainable and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. You will also have the opportunity to explore career pathways within these fields. Over five days, you will engage in engineering projects and participate in recreational activities.
10. Duke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: December – February 16
Eligibility: North Carolina rising high school juniors or seniors (16+); Priority given to Durham Public School students
DukeREP is hosted by the biomedical engineering department; the program provides STEM education and training by allowing you to work on research projects. In addition, you will participate in weekly activities and seminars that include college advising, professional skills development, and talks by professors and professionals in engineering. The program is designed to encourage students to pursue careers in science and engineering.
11. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who live in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, and Quincy
TUBERS is a research opportunity during which you’ll get to conduct biomedical research, investigate biomedical questions, and develop new methods to study cells, tissues, and organs. You will learn about a broad array of biomedical engineering research techniques and study a particular field of science, while learning experimental protocols, making predictions, and testing hypotheses. You will observe professional scientists and develop critical thinking skills. Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as mentors, provide academic guidance. You will present your research findings at the end of the program and can participate in state and national science competitions.
12. Research Immersion in Biomedical Science and Engineering at Rowan (RISER) Summer Program
Location: Brown University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Within 3 weeks of receiving the application packet
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living and attending school in South Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties)
RISER is a volunteer opportunity designed to provide hands-on work experience in a research laboratory setting. As a participant, you will be placed in a biomedical engineering or biomedical sciences lab, where over six weeks, you will work on an independent research project under the guidance of a mentor. The final day of the program features a symposium during which you’ll present your research findings.
13. Brown University’s Engineering Biomedical Systems
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $3,584 (residential) or $2,960 (commuter); $50 supplemental fee; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 23 – 27 or July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students (14-18) in grades 9-12; High school biology is a prerequisite
This program provides an introduction to biomedical engineering analysis, focusing on device design and tissue engineering techniques. You will gain an understanding of how bioengineers approach the challenge of integrating biological and engineering principles to emulate living systems. Some of the examples used to explore these topics include popular biomedical technologies, including artificial joints and hearts, prosthetics, and insulin pumps. You will also examine the differences in current approaches, such as tissue-engineered organs and synthetic organ analogs. Working collaboratively in groups, you will develop solutions and work to enhance existing biomedical technologies.
14. Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (commuter) or $10,705 (residential); Need-based scholarships are available
Cohort Size: 25 per class
Dates: July 7 – 25 (session 1) or July 28 – August 15 (session 2)
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
SHAPE is a 3-week pre-college program during which you will undertake college-level, project-based courses in engineering disciplines. You can opt for the biomedical engineering track and also take up an elective, which is a skill-building seminar. Additional programming involves college preparation, workshops, and support from Columbia students. The biomedical engineering track includes lab-based work in biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging. You will also explore the engineering design process and various rapid prototyping techniques, which will help you build your biomedical device by the end of the program.
15. Boston Leadership Institute’s Biomedical Engineering Program
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA (session 1) or The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,500 (commuter) or $2,500 + $2,097 (residential); Need-based scholarships available
Cohort Size: 15-20
Dates: June 23 – July 11 (session 1) or July 14 – August 1 (session 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; Residential students at the Longwood Medical Area must be rising tenth graders or above
This program provides you with knowledge of how to develop medical technologies and devices by covering biochemistry, materials chemistry, and scientific reasoning. You will explore current trends and developments, as well as examine ethical considerations in biophysics, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. Hands-on activities will include working with DNA through extraction and bacterial transformation. Additionally, you will engage in 3D design and 3D printing techniques. The final group project involves researching a medical need and proposing a technological solution. You will demonstrate your solution's functionality and present it during the final class presentation.
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