15 Biology Internships for High School Students in Bay Area
For students interested in biology, internships offer a look at how research is conducted, how labs operate, and how biological questions are investigated in academic and industry settings. These experiences can also help strengthen your resume, clarify academic goals, and improve your readiness for future academic or professional opportunities. Biology internships may involve lab work, fieldwork, data analysis, or collaboration on ongoing research. Many of these internships are offered by universities, medical centers, or nonprofit research institutes. We've narrowed down a list of 15 biology internships for high school students in the Bay Area. These programs also include mentorship, workshops, or opportunities to present your findings to peers or faculty.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: approximately 2-3%; 50 students are selected per cohort
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Stipend: Provided (amount varies, at least $500)
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school juniors or seniors (16+), U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week research experience for high school juniors and seniors. You spend the summer working full-time in a Stanford University lab, where you're assigned to research areas: immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, cardiovascular biology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, bioinformatics, or genetics and genomics. During the program, you take part in laboratory work under the supervision of faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers. You also attend weekly seminars on biomedical research topics, participate in skill-building workshops, and prepare a research poster to present at a closing symposium. The program includes sessions focused on scientific communication, lab safety, and overviews of college and career pathways in science and medicine.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; Summer Cohort II starts July 14
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students
Ladder Internships offers remote internships for driven high school students, including opportunities in biology, biotech, and health tech. Students are matched with fast-growing start-ups—many involved in life sciences—and work on projects under the guidance of a company mentor and a Ladder Coach. The program lasts about 8 weeks and concludes with a final presentation to the start-up team. While the internships are virtual, they’re open to students in the Bay Area looking to explore biology-focused career paths.
3. SIMR - Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 50 students
Location: Stanford University (in-person; no housing or transport provided)
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (waivable); free to attend; $500–$2,500 stipend based on financial need.
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or green card holders currently living and attending high school in the U.S.; must be a current junior or senior; must be at least 16 years old by June 9
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) lets you work with Stanford scientists in research labs, getting experience with tools, techniques, and advanced college-level topics. You’ll be matched with a graduate student or postdoc mentor who will guide you through a medically oriented research project, whether it’s in immunology, neuroscience, genetics, stem cell biology, or one of the other eight specialized tracks. If you're more interested in applied science, SIMR also offers a bioengineering bootcamp. The program starts with a mandatory orientation and safety training, then moves into daily lab work and weekly lectures from Stanford researchers. You’ll spend about 40 hours each week conducting experiments, problem-solving, and data analysis. Toward the end of the program, you'll prepare and present a research poster summarizing your findings
3. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Acceptance Rate: Specific numbers not listed
Location: Various UCSF-affiliated sites, including UCSF Mission Bay, UCSF Parnassus Heights, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, MLK Research Building in Oakland, and UC Berkeley
Stipend: $3,000 – $4,300, varying by student status and granting agency
Program Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students in their junior or senior year, with at least one completed year in math and biology. Students must be 16 years of age or older.
The UCSF High School Summer Internship Program offers you an opportunity to explore biomedical and health sciences in a research or healthcare setting. You will be placed at a UCSF campus site where you will assist with research tasks, shadow professionals, or contribute to community health initiatives, depending on your assigned area. The program includes weekly workshops focused on topics such as health equity, scientific communication, and career pathways in science and medicine. You also participate in group discussions, meet mentors working across UCSF, and prepare a final presentation.
4. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive, specific numbers not listed
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students residing in the Bay Area who will be 16 or older by the start of the program and live in the Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties, unweighted GPA of 3.0+
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS) is an eight-week opportunity focused on computational biology and genetics. You engage in guided research under the direction of a mentor in a Stanford lab. Projects involve working with genomic datasets and applying coding or data analysis skills to scientific questions. In addition to research work, you join weekly sessions covering topics in biomedical science, academic pathways, and professional development. Activities include cohort discussions, faculty talks, and mentor check-ins. GRIPS follows a hybrid format, combining in-person lab experience with virtual workshops.
5. Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program
Acceptance Rate: Exact acceptance rate isn't specified
Location: UC San Francisco (UCSF)
Stipend: $5,000
Program Dates: June 17 to August 9
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Must be a student at KIPP-SFCP who is at least 16 years old at the time of the internship and has been enrolled and engaged in the virtual series of science talks (Thursdays during RISE/lunch).
Through the Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program, you spend eight weeks at UCSF working on research projects in fields such as cancer biology, infectious diseases, drug discovery, and protein biophysics. You are matched with a research mentor and join their lab team four days a week during the summer. Before the lab component begins, you take part in a virtual spring lecture series featuring UCSF scientists and panels with early-career researchers. Weekly Friday sessions during the summer cover topics like research methods, professional communication, and college preparation. At the end of the program, you present your work at a campus-wide poster session.
6. NASA STEM Engagement
Acceptance Rate: Exact acceptance rate isn't specified
Location: NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View
Stipend: Varies based on program
Program Dates: Varies based on program
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Varies based on program
NASA’s STEM Engagement programs connect you to the agency’s research, missions, and science through a variety of learning experiences. These include internships, student research opportunities, design challenges, digital learning platforms, and educator resources. You can take part in experiences offered by NASA centers across the country, many of which focus on areas like space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, and robotics. Some opportunities are available year-round, while others follow a seasonal or academic calendar.
7. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not officially published, but the program is competitive and selective.
Location: Stanford University – Department of Surgery, Stanford, California. (Note: No on-campus housing is provided. You’ll need to arrange your own housing and transport.)
Cost: Free to attend. Stipend support may be available for eligible students
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old and must submit a letter of recommendation along with the application.
The Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Program at Stanford is a seven-week summer research program for high school and community college students aged 16 and older. You’ll work in a lab within the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, contributing to biomedical research under the guidance of Stanford researchers. Each week includes four days of lab work and one day of academic enrichment. Non-lab days include faculty lectures, anatomy lab tours, career talks, and group activities. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings at a closing symposium.
8. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not published
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California (Prep week is mostly virtual; in-person research is in Emeryville)
Stipend: $3,000 provided to all selected students
Dates: June – August ( with a virtual prep-week)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old, currently in 10th or 11th grade, and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology with a minimum GPA of 2.5, more requirements on the website
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is an eight-week summer program hosted by the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) in Emeryville, California. In this program, you conduct research in microbiology and biotechnology alongside scientists, UC undergraduates, and high school science teachers in a professional lab setting. You’ll explore topics in synthetic biology, molecular biology, and biofuels while designing and carrying out your own research project. The program includes support for college planning, such as sessions on financial aid, personal statement writing, and navigating the application process. In addition to lab research, the program features guest speakers from the STEM field and field trips to local biotech and pharmaceutical companies. At the end of the program, you present your research to an audience of peers and mentors.
9. UCGHI Summer Researchers in Global Health
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly listed; competitive and selective program with a focus on strong interest in global health
Location: Multiple UC campus
Stipend: $2,000 provided after program completion
Dates: June - July
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: You must be a rising high school senior (currently in 11th grade) and live in Northern California.
Designed for rising high school seniors in Northern California, this six-week summer program centers on global and planetary health research. You work with faculty and graduate students from five University of California campuses—UCSF, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Merced. Topics covered include infectious disease, reproductive health, climate change, and health equity. Research is paired with weekly group discussions and case studies that explore global health work. Throughout the program, you contribute to a project, engage with academic mentors, and prepare a final presentation of your findings. The program concludes with a joint event and research showcase at UCSF.
10. Stanford Young Investigators Summer Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not officially disclosed
Location: Stanford University campus
Cost: Free. Honorarium available for students who qualify (e.g., low-income or first-generation)
Dates: June to August
Application deadline: March
Eligibility: Must have completed at least one year of high school, live and attend school within approximately 25 miles of Stanford University, in the SF Peninsula or East Bay.
The Stanford Young Investigators program is a summer research internship, which you’ll typically work 20–30 hours per week over a period of six to eight weeks, depending on lab availability. You’ll join a research group in the Doerr School of Sustainability and assist with ongoing projects in areas such as climate change, earth systems, energy, biodiversity, agriculture, or environmental social sciences. In addition to lab work, you participate in weekly lab tours, seminars, and field trips organized by the school. At the end of the program, you present your research findings to peers, mentors, and faculty. Students are matched to labs based on availability and expressed interests.
12. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 40 students
Location: Stanford University (in-person; some remote flexibility; no housing or transport provided)
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $3,000 stipend available based on financial need.
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; must be at least 16 years old by June 16; GPA of 3.0+; must live and attend school in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, or Santa Cruz counties; must have computer and internet access; full 6-week attendance required
PIPS is a six-week summer internship designed for rising juniors and seniors in the Bay Area who are interested in medicine, biology, and research but may have little or no previous exposure. Hosted by Stanford’s Department of Pediatrics, the program offers students the chance to work alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, and students on an introductory-level research project. You’ll spend about 30 hours per week learning how scientific research is designed and carried out, attending interactive sessions, and developing your own project with mentorship from the Stanford community. The program encourages applications from students who are first-generation college-bound or from low-income households, though students from all backgrounds are welcome.
13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 24 students selectedLocation: Stanford University (in-person; housing and transportation not provided)
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; no stipend
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living in Northern California; must be from a low-income background, first-generation college-bound; must be able to attend in person and live with a guardian during the program
If you’re interested in biology, internships give you a chance to see how research really happens — from how labs operate to how scientists investigate complex biological questions in both academic and industry settings. These experiences can help strengthen your resume, clarify your academic goals, and prepare you for future opportunities in science. Depending on the program, you might be doing lab experiments, fieldwork, data analysis, or contributing to ongoing research projects.
The Bay Area is a particularly exciting place to pursue biology internships because it’s home to world-class universities, leading medical centers, and some of the top biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the world. Being in this region means you have access to cutting-edge labs, innovative research projects, and professionals who are shaping the future of biology and healthcare. It’s also a hub for collaboration, so many programs include mentorship, workshops, and even opportunities to present your findings to peers and faculty.
We’ve put together a list of 15 biology internships for high school students in the Bay Area.
14. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly stated
Location: California Academy of Sciences (in-person; some remote work possible)
Cost/Stipend: N/A
Dates: Year-round, multi-year commitment
Application Deadline: April 19 (group interview date)
Eligibility: 9th or 10th graders enrolled full-time in SFUSD with a GPA of 2.5+ and C or above in math and science; valid U.S. work permit
At the California Academy of Sciences, the Careers in Science program offers a multi-year, paid internship designed to support San Francisco public high school students who are underrepresented in STEM. You’ll spend your weekends and summers conducting fieldwork, helping visitors understand exhibits, and collaborating on research and conservation projects with Academy scientists. You may also teach and lead community engagement. As you progress, you can take on leadership roles, receive one-on-one mentorship, and even help shape new museum exhibits. The program includes college prep, financial literacy workshops, and exposure to science careers.
15. UCSF High School Internship Program (HIP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25 students selected from around 50 interviews
Location: UC San Francisco (in-person)
Stipend: $3,200 (25 hrs/week) or $4,500 (35 hrs/week) upon completion
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors enrolled in SFUSD or SF charter schools
Hosted by the UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP), this internship offers rising seniors from San Francisco public and charter schools the opportunity to conduct research in UCSF laboratories. Over an eight-week period, you’ll work with a UCSF scientist mentor on a biomedical research project. Previous topics have included immunology, stem cell biology, cancer research, and neuroscience. In addition to lab work, you’ll develop science communication skills, build your professional network, and receive personalized college guidance through transcript reviews, essay-writing workshops, and a campus visit to a nearby university. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your research to UCSF faculty and peers.
Image Source - Stanford Institutes of Medicine logo