12 Biology Internships in New York for High School Students
If you’re a high school student in New York interested in biology, consider participating in a high school internship. These programs will help you apply concepts learned in school to real scientific work, which can strengthen both your academic interests and future college applications. Through these experiences, you’ll develop technical skills such as lab techniques, experimental design, data interpretation, microscopy, field sampling, and scientific communication. Many programs also encourage you to conduct independent or team-based research projects and present your findings through posters, reports, or presentations.
If you’re interested in learning more about the medical side of things, check out a list of summer-specific healthcare internships here; also find a list of virtual healthcare internships here!
What Biology internships are available for high school students in New York?
New York is home to several institutions and universities that offer solid biology internships for high school students, including The City College of New York, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Genspace, and more. Depending on the program, you may assist with laboratory experiments, field research, microscopy, biodiversity surveys, scientific writing, or data analysis while learning directly from researchers and STEM professionals. Many biology internships will also introduce you to professional lab environments and help you understand how biological research is conducted in universities, hospitals, museums, and research institutions.
In this blog, you will find 12 biology internships in New York for high school students that can help you gain research experience, explore different areas of biology, and prepare for future academic and career opportunities.
Key Takeaways
This list gathers 12 biology internships for New York high schoolers spanning cancer research centers, botanical gardens, zoos, and community biology labs, with standout hosts including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Columbia University, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden.
Most of these are free and come with real stipends, ranging from around $750 up to $3,500, making this one of the more accessible categories for students interested in hands-on lab or field research.
Several programs stand out for their distinctive research settings, from urban ecology fieldwork at the Bronx Zoo and Alley Pond Park to genetic engineering training at a community biotechnology lab, offering a wide range of ways to explore biology beyond a traditional classroom lab.
Most of these are based across New York City's five boroughs, with Ladder remaining the only fully virtual option on the list.
The earliest deadlines fall in mid-January for a couple of the university and museum-affiliated programs, so it's worth starting applications well before winter break wraps up.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 students
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (14+) living within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Manhattan campus in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut; Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and have a minimum 3.5 GPA in science subjects
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program is an eight-week biomedical research internship designed for high school students interested in cancer research, molecular biology, computational biology, and related life sciences. During the program, you will be matched with a mentor and placed in an MSK research laboratory, where you’ll contribute to an independent research project aligned with ongoing scientific investigations. You will gain experience with laboratory techniques, experimental design, analysis of scientific literature, and data interpretation through lab meetings and collaborative research discussions. Research areas include cancer biology, immunology, genomics, pharmacology, computational biology, and structural biology. Beyond laboratory work, the program also includes seminars, professional development workshops, and career exploration sessions that introduce you to translational medicine and biomedical research careers. At the conclusion of the internship, you will present your work through a research poster presentation to mentors, faculty, and peers.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid available); Unpaid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 8-12 weeks, committing 10-20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students that gives you the chance to work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. These internships often range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. As an intern, you will work closely with your manager at the startup on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
3. CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy
Cohort size: 25 students (spring course); ~10 (summer internship)
Location: The City College of New York (CCNY), New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Dates: July 6 – August 6 (summer internship)
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current New York City public high school students entering grades 10-12 with strong academic standing and an interest in STEM research
The CCNY College Now STEM Research Academy is a summer research program that introduces you to university-level scientific investigation and laboratory research. During the internship, you’ll work in small research groups under faculty mentorship while exploring subjects such as biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, and biomedical research. You will learn foundational research skills, including experimental design, scientific writing, data analysis, laboratory safety, and research methodology, through hands-on projects and workshops. The program also includes seminars, professional development sessions, and college readiness activities that help you understand how scientific research is conducted in academic settings. It concludes with a final symposium where you’ll present your research findings to faculty, mentors, and fellow participants.
4. BioRocket Internship @ Genspace
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Dates: Spring: February 25 – May 21; Summer: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: November – early January
Eligibility: New York City public or charter high school students (16+) who either live or attend school within approximately 45 minutes of Genspace
The BioRocket Internship at Genspace is a six-month research internship that introduces you to biotechnology, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering through hands-on laboratory training and collaborative research. During the program, you’ll learn core biology lab techniques and work with scientist mentors to design and carry out a team-based summer research project. You will gain experience with experimental design, scientific writing, laboratory safety, data analysis, and science communication while working in a real community biology lab environment. The internship also includes lab tours, visits to biotech companies, mentorship opportunities, and improv-based science communication workshops that help you explain scientific concepts to different audiences. Throughout the experience, you will collaborate with peers and researchers while exploring current topics in molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, and biotechnology. The program concludes with a final presentation and research showcase where you share your work with mentors, families, and the wider scientific community.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Location: Multiple mentor sites across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen (16+) who are interested in fisheries, aquatic science, environmental science, or biology-related fields
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society that introduces you to fisheries biology, aquatic ecology, and environmental research through hands-on field and laboratory experiences. During the eight-week internship, you will be paired with a professional mentor in your local area and participate in research activities related to freshwater and marine ecosystems. Depending on your placement, you may assist with fish population surveys, water quality testing, specimen analysis, habitat restoration, data processing, microscopy, and aquatic biodiversity studies. You will also gain exposure to experimental design, ecological field methods, scientific communication, and environmental data collection while working alongside scientists and conservation professionals. Because placements vary by mentor site, you may work in laboratories, offices, rivers, lakes, hatcheries, or marine environments throughout the summer.
6. Alleypond’s Field Biology Internships (FBI)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Limited cohort
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens, NY
Cost/Stipend: $200 participation fee (financial aid available upon request); Unpaid
Dates: Fall, spring, and summer sessions
Application Deadline: August 1 (Fall); January 2 (Spring); May 1 (Summer)
Eligibility: High school students (14+) able to participate in outdoor activities for at least two hours and available to attend at least five of the six internship sessions
The Alleypond Field Biology Internship (FBI) is an outdoor environmental science internship that introduces you to field research, urban ecology, and biodiversity studies. During the program, you’ll explore ecosystems in Alley Pond Park and other locations throughout Queens while learning how scientists conduct ecological research in natural environments. You will participate in biodiversity surveys, bird observations, soil and water quality testing, coastal seining, macroinvertebrate identification, and native plant restoration projects. The internship emphasizes research methodology, experimental design, field data collection, and scientific record-keeping while helping you understand how urban ecosystems function. You will also interact with environmental professionals and develop communication and presentation skills through a final research presentation.
7. BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: BioBus Community Labs in Harlem and the Lower East Side, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid hourly
Dates: Summer component: July – August; School-year component: October 1 – June 15
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current NYC high school students in grades 9-11 who live or attend school in New York City; some tracks have additional neighborhood or demographic eligibility requirements
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is a year-long paid biology research and science communication internship that allows you to work alongside professional scientists in community laboratory settings. During the program, you’ll participate in hands-on biological research while learning experimental design, microscopy, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. Depending on the project, you may explore topics such as neuroscience, plant biology, behavioral biology, microbiology, optics, ecology, and environmental science. Beyond research, you will also co-teach younger students during BioBus outreach programs and science events, which helps strengthen leadership and public communication skills. Throughout the internship, you will attend workshops, career panels, and professional development seminars designed to introduce pathways in biology, biotechnology, and biomedical research. The program concludes with research presentations where interns share their scientific findings with mentors, peers, and the community.
8. New York Bioforce
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center and partner research laboratories, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Dates: April 4 – August 14 (Training in April - July; Internship: July - August)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current New York City high school students entering grades 10-12 who are interested in biomedical science and laboratory research
The New York Bioforce Program is a paid biomedical research internship that introduces you to laboratory science, biotechnology, and translational research through intensive training and mentored research experiences. You’ll first complete a laboratory training “boot camp” where you’ll learn core molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, micropipetting, bacterial transformation, DNA analysis, and laboratory safety procedures. After the training phase, you will be matched with research mentors at Columbia University and affiliated laboratories to work on ongoing biomedical research projects. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain experience with experimental design, scientific methodology, data interpretation, and professional laboratory practices while interacting with scientists and graduate researchers. The program also includes workshops on scientific communication, college readiness, and STEM career exploration. At the end of the internship, you will present your research findings through a poster presentation.
9. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Bronx Zoo and Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Summer: $750 stipend or New York City hourly minimum wage through SYEP if eligible; Fall: an additional stipend of approximately $350
Dates: Summer: Late June – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Current New York City high school students entering grades 10-12 with an interest in ecology, biology, environmental science, or urban research
The Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) internship is a paid summer research program that introduces you to field biology, ecology, and scientific research through hands-on projects conducted at the Bronx Zoo and nearby urban ecosystems. During the internship, you’ll work alongside scientists, educators, and Fordham University mentors to design and carry out original ecological research projects focused on urban biodiversity and environmental systems. You will learn research methodology, experimental design, field sampling techniques, species identification, data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific communication through guided fieldwork and collaborative investigations. Research topics may include bird populations, pollinator diversity, urban forests, aquatic ecosystems, and environmental conservation. The internship concludes with a formal scientific symposium where you’ll present your research findings to peers, mentors, and scientists.
10. Wave Hill Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,500 stipend
Dates: Phase 1: July – August (First summer); Phase 2: September – June (Academic year); Phase 3: July– August (Second summer)
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: New York City high school students (15+) who are interested in ecology, biology, environmental science, or urban research
The Wave Hill Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM) is a multi-phase paid research internship that introduces you to urban ecology, forest science, and long-term environmental research. During the first phase, you will receive intensive field training in ecological sampling, biodiversity monitoring, GIS mapping, forest dynamics, and environmental data collection through hands-on work in Wave Hill’s woodland ecosystems. In the second and third phases, you will continue working with scientist mentors on independent and collaborative ecological research projects while developing advanced skills in data analysis, scientific writing, experimental design, and public communication. You will also participate in field investigations involving invasive species, soil ecology, forest health, and climate-related environmental changes while learning how long-term ecological research is conducted in urban ecosystems. The program also includes leadership development, mentorship opportunities, college preparation support, and scientific presentations.
11. Hudson River Park: Science Leadership Program (SLP)
Cohort size: 12 female students
Location: Hudson River Park, Manhattan, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,400 stipend
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors with an interest in STEM research; Must be female-identifying students from underrepresented communities in STEM with previous participation in the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum’s GOALS for Girls or Navigators program, enrollment in The Young Women’s Leadership School, or involvement in Hudson River Community Sailing Sail Academy
The Science Leadership Program (SLP) at Hudson River Park is a paid summer ecology research internship focused on plastic pollution and urban environmental science. During the two-month program, you will work alongside staff scientists and near-peer college mentors to design and conduct independent ecological research projects connected to the Hudson River ecosystem. As an intern, you will participate in direct fieldwork, environmental sampling, ecological data collection, and scientific investigations while learning the foundations of research methodology, environmental science, and marine biology. The program also emphasizes leadership development, equity in STEM, teamwork, and professional growth through collaborative projects and mentorship. At the end of the internship, you will present your research findings at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) August Symposium alongside peers from partner STEM programs.
12. Science Internships at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Limited seasonal cohort
Location: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Dates: Fall and spring semester internships offered annually
Application Deadline: Varies by internship cycle
Eligibility: Current New York City high school or undergraduate students with an interest in plant science, biology, biodiversity research, or museum collections
The Science Internship at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a research internship that introduces you to botanical science, biodiversity collections, and museum-based scientific research. During the internship, you’ll work with NYBG scientists and mentors on research, collections, or library projects related to plant diversity, molecular biology, taxonomy, morphology, systematics, bioinformatics, and conservation science. You will gain exposure to scientific methodology, laboratory safety, data management, specimen curation, and scientific communication while participating in collaborative projects and professional development workshops. Depending on the project assignment, you may assist with herbarium collections, molecular research, biodiversity databases, ecological studies, or archival scientific resources. The program also includes mentorship opportunities, enrichment sessions, and career exploration activities that help students understand pathways in plant biology, environmental science, and conservation research.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need prior lab experience to apply to these biology internships?
No, most of these are designed to teach lab and field research skills from the ground up, so no background is expected going in. A few of the more selective research programs do favor students with strong science coursework, so it's worth checking eligibility closely.
2. Some of these programs pay a stipend while others are simply free to join. Does that affect how competitive they are?
Not necessarily. Stipend amount doesn't always correlate with selectivity, since some of the most competitive programs on this list offer smaller stipends while a few less competitive options pay quite well. Focus on fit and research area rather than pay alone when deciding where to apply.
3. Do I need to live in New York City specifically, or is anywhere in New York State fine?
Most of these do require NYC residency or attendance at a city school specifically, though a couple accept students from a wider tri-state radius. Double-check the location field before applying, since eligibility varies quite a bit across this list.