Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This article covers biomedical opportunities for high school students and graduating seniors, spanning laboratory research, specialized scientific interests, and remote startup experience. Depending on the placement, students practice laboratory techniques, analyze biomedical data and present research, discuss scientific papers, or develop company projects. Ladder Internships offers mentored virtual startup projects, including health technology and mental health.
Biomedical research explores how living systems work and how that knowledge can improve health. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences explains that basic research supports advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. For high school students, supervised research experience can connect classroom biology with the practical work of investigating scientific questions.
If biology or medicine is your interest, check out these biotech summer internships for high school students! And if you're torn between working from home and showing up in person, this breakdown of how remote and in-person internships differ should help you decide!
Why should you do a biomedical internship?
A biomedical internship can help you discover whether you enjoy the daily process of research, from asking questions to interpreting evidence. Working with a mentor offers a chance to understand scientific careers and how professionals approach uncertainty. To explore health technology through a startup project, apply to Ladder Internships.
What skills can you pick up in biomedical internships?
Biomedical internships can strengthen your ability to evaluate evidence and explain scientific ideas clearly. Depending on the setting, you may practice interpreting data, reading research papers, or documenting methods accurately. Learning to ask focused questions, respond to feedback, and communicate limitations matters because research depends on work that others can understand and assess.
How do you choose the right option?
Before you hit apply, take a moment to think about what works for you: your grade, where you're based, what you've studied, how much time you have, and what fits your budget. It's also worth double-checking the eligibility rules, since some programs accept only certain citizens or residents, and others require specific coursework or a minimum GPA. These vary a lot, so a quick look now can save you a wasted application later!
Still figuring out which internship is the right match? This guide on choosing the right internship is a great place to start!
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost / Stipend |
Best for |
|
Virtual Programs |
Cost: Varies by program type |
Driven high school students who want remote experience with startups or NGOs, including healthcare organizations, and can commit 10–20 hours weekly for 8–12 weeks |
|
|
Biomedical laboratory research and career exploration |
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) |
Cost: SIMR $50 application fee, with waivers available; Stipend: $1,500 – $4,800 |
Students who want hands-on laboratory work, close scientist mentorship, and experience presenting research; particularly students exploring research careers who meet each program’s age, grade, and location requirements |
|
Cancer research and immunology |
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center – Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE), Summer Only |
Cost: Free MD Anderson $6,480 – $7,200 |
Students who want intensive mentored research; options serve eligible Massachusetts students, Seattle-area rising seniors, graduating Texas seniors, and Vancouver Island Grade 11 students |
|
Specialized biomedical research |
MPFI Student Research Internship |
Cost: Free
MPFI $14/hour |
STEM-focused students drawn to neuroscience, genomics, digital health, or computational biology, as well as students ready to pursue a focused biomedical project; includes eligible Florida and Pennsylvania students and graduating Arizona seniors entering college full-time |
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee (waivers available) + a limited number of need-based stipends are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who turn 16 by the start date and are US citizens or permanent residents living and attending high school in the US; not open to international students
You can choose from 8 areas of research: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. You will participate in special joint lectures, lab work, and poster preparation. The program ends with a poster presentation where you share your research experiences with family, teachers, and Stanford community members.
Who is it best for: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (at least 16 years old) who are passionate about hands-on biomedical research and can commute daily to the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance rate; 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
You will get to work on a real-world project that is relevant to the organization and will present your work at the end of the internship. What sets Ladder Internships apart is its emphasis on mentorship, giving students the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, engage with cutting-edge research, and contribute to meaningful projects. In addition to working closely with your startup manager, you will be paired with a Ladder Coach, who acts as a second mentor, offering guidance for navigating the startup environment.
Who is it best for: Ambitious, driven high school students who want to gain real-world, remote experience by working directly on projects with fast-growing startups and NGOs in fields like AI, finance, technology, and healthcare.
3. MPFI Student Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 6–8 students
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+) who live in and attend a high school in Palm Beach or Martin County; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Working directly alongside world-class scientists, you will choose a specialized track in neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering to conduct hands-on experiments, utilize advanced neuroimaging tools, and deliver a final presentation on your research findings. The program uniquely positions you as an active collaborator, letting you contribute to real scientific discoveries while earning an hourly wage and receiving highly personalized mentorship.
Who is it best for: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending schools in Palm Beach or Martin County, Florida, who have a strong foundation in STEM and are eager to gain intensive, real-world research experience.
4. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center – Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) — Summer Only
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid weekly, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors; 16 years old at program start; reside in and/or attend school in Massachusetts; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
You are paired individually with a mentor at a partner institution, such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, or Harvard Medical School, to work on a project designed for you within ongoing cancer research. You attend weekly seminars led by researchers and physicians, complete responsible conduct of research training, and learn to analyze scientific papers in journal clubs. You also take part in career networking roundtables and informational interviews.
Who is it best for: Massachusetts high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 16 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and want mentored, hands-on cancer research experience, even without prior lab experience.
5. Scripps Research Translational Institute – Student Research Internship Program
Location: La Jolla, California, United States; in-person
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 1 – August 7 or June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students aged at least 16 before the internship begins
You will understand the process of clinical trials, especially those evaluating genomics and mobile monitoring of patients with diseases. Further, you will also present scientific concepts, like study design, research findings, data analysis, and interpretation of results during the program. Based on your preferred area of interest, you will be assigned a primary mentor who will offer guidance relevant to the program as well as students’ career prospects.
Who is it best for: High school students interested in genomics, digital health, computational or data-driven biomedical research who want mentored experience designing and analyzing a translational research project and presenting scientific findings.
6. City of Hope – Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: Duarte, California
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 70 students typically accepted annually
Dates: June 1 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students; at least 16 years old before the June 1 start; U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required; proof of medical insurance and U.S. work authorization required before starting
Your activities will include hands-on laboratory work, weekly seminars, and specialized workshops covering topics like biomedical ethics. The program's standout feature is that, rather than following a predetermined syllabus, you design and direct your own independent research project based on your personal scientific interests, mentored by leading physicians and scientists.
Who is it best for: High school students strongly interested in biomedical research who want a full-time, hands-on laboratory experience involving mentored research, scientific literature, seminars, bioethics, presentations, poster preparation, and research writing.
7. Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington, United States; in person at Fred Hutch
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year; strong scientific interest and academic background; age 16 or older by program start; current resident of Greater Seattle or surrounding areas
The internship begins with training sessions covering basic lab skills such as using a pipet, preparing solutions and dilutions, DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and more. Following this, students, in pairs, join a mentor in their ongoing work in the lab/research group. The program ends with a presentation in which you summarize your internship experience for your family, the Fred Hutch community, and teachers.
Who is it best for: Rising seniors with strong scientific interest but limited research experience who want hands-on laboratory training, mentored biomedical research, seminars, and college and career development.
8. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Boston, Massachusetts; in-person at HMS and HMS-affiliated research labs
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 8–9 students
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Boston or Cambridge, Massachusetts residents; current grade 11 or 12; minimum 2.70 GPA; at least 16 by June 29; algebra, biology, and chemistry completed by program start
You will be placed and mentored in a Harvard Medical School lab or another facility of an affiliated institution, where you will attend seminars with researchers and physicians, visit hospitals and biotechnology organizations, get some computer training, hone writing and speaking skills, and attend academic seminars and special programs. Students will also get to engage in hands-on research. Students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine and/or from a disadvantaged background are encouraged to apply.
Who is it for: Boston or Camrs and seniors who want hands-on biomedical research, scientist mentorship, and exposure to research and health careers through laboratory work, seminars, and site visits.
9. Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation – High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Stipend: $1,800 to selected students whose household qualifies under applicable Pennsylvania school-meal income guidelines; proof of eligibility required
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 11 students typically accepted annually
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors; over 16 years old by the program start date; permanent/primary residence in Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer, Butler, Armstrong, Indiana, or Cambria County, Pennsylvania
During the program, you will work on your own research projects under the guidance of an investigator at MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital. You will also get to attend informal “Lunch & Learn” sessions, where mentors will discuss their journeys in pursuing biomedical science as a career. The presentation is where you share your research findings with other interns and MWRI staff.
Who is it best for: High school sophomores or juniors who want intensive mentored experience conducting a research project and presenting their findings.
If you live outside of Pittsburgh and prefer remote learning, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
10. The Wistar Institute – High School Program in Biomedical Research
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; in person at The Wistar Institute
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 15 students
Dates: July 6–30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students; at least 16 years old by July 6; completed at least one high school science course
You’ll spend four weeks at The Wistar Institute learning biomedical lab techniques and contributing to active research projects in its Training Lab. You’ll also read scientific papers, explore research careers, and present your work. The program requires no prior research experience, provides a completion stipend, and may offer selected students an additional three weeks of individually mentored cancer research, subject to funding.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on laboratory training, experience contributing to active research, practice reading scientific literature, exposure to research careers, and a final research presentation.
11. Washington University Medicine – Young Scientist Program Summer Focus
Location: St. Louis, Missouri; in person at Washington University Medical and Danforth campuses
Stipend: $4,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15–18 students per annual cohort
Dates: Orientation and research bootcamp: May 27–29; eight-week internship: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students entering 12th grade after the summer; successful completion of junior year before the June start; permanent residents of the Greater St. Louis area in Missouri or Illinois
The program pairs you with a mentor and tutor, who are usually Washington University graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and laboratory staff. The mentor works one-on-one with you on a specific biomedical research project in the lab, while the tutor supports the scholar's research experience. You also take two courses: one to strengthen science communication skills and another to build college readiness.
Who is it best for: A St. Louis-area rising senior who wants intensive hands-on laboratory experience, individualized scientist mentorship, science-communication training, and college and career preparation, with no prior research experience required.
12. Helios Scholars at TGen
Location: In person: Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Stipend: $15.15/htoguests
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; other students
Dates: June 7 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: At least 16 by June 7; full-time college/university student during Fall; graduate of an Arizona high school by June 7 or currently attending an Arizona college/university; U.S. work authorization required
You receive hands-on laboratory experience as you work on a research project under the mentorship of TGen scientists. The program will cover areas like laboratory research, computational biology and bioinformatics, mathematics and statistics, and research administration. You will also attend educational seminars, learn about bioscience career options, work on scientific writing, present research, participate in social networking events, and work on a scientific poster.
Who is it best for: Arizona high school seniors graduating before the program and entering college full-time in the fall who want intensive, hands-on experience in biomedical research, bioinformatics, statistics, or research administration.
13. University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program
Location: Houston, Texas
Stipend: $7,200 stipend for 10 weeks or $6,480 for the permitted nine-week schedule
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; up to 6 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Texas public, private, charter, or home-school seniors; age 18+ by program start; graduating in spring before the program; accepted to a college or university for the immediately following fall; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders
Throughout the summer, you will work full-time alongside a faculty mentor to conduct hypothesis-driven laboratory or clinical research, attend intensive academic seminars like the Cancer Biology Bootcamp, and present your findings at a culminating scientific symposium. The program stands out for its substantial stipend, direct access to state-of-the-art research facilities, and dedicated professional development networking events.
Who is it best for: Texas high school seniors interested in allied health and biomedical research who want intensive, full-time laboratory experience with an MD Anderson faculty mentor before beginning college.
14. Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Center – Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program
Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Stipend: 5,000 CAD post-secondary bursary upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2–4 interns
Dates: July 6 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Grade 11 at time of application; at least 16 years old by program start; attending a Vancouver Island secondary school; nominated by the school's Science Department Head with Principal support; minimum 85% projected average in Biology 11 or 12 and any two of math, chemistry, or physics
You develop and carry out your own research project from start to finish, planning, performing, and analyzing a series of experiments under a designated supervisor and research team. You learn laboratory methods used in cancer immunology research and are introduced to research ethics and the regulatory oversight governing cancer research. In a weekly book club, you and a partner read material on molecular and cell biology, immunology, and cancer fundamentals, then present it to researchers in PowerPoint and receive feedback.
Who is it best for: Vancouver Island Grade 11 students with strong biology and science grades who want independent, hands-on laboratory experience in cancer immunology and are considering a career in biomedical research or medicine.
Can a biomedical internship help with your college applications?
A biomedical internship can give you concrete material for college applications by showing how you engaged with research through lab work, data analysis, scientific literature, or a mentored project. Some programs also involve posters, presentations, clinical research, or computational biology. Reflecting on what you investigated and contributed can demonstrate informed academic interest, applied learning, and scientific responsibility.
How do you apply for a biomedical internship?
Start with each program’s official eligibility rules, application instructions, and deadlines. Processes vary, so transcripts, recommendations, essays, and interviews may be required in different combinations. As a practical preparation step, describe your interest in a biomedical question and the schoolwork or experiences that support it, then give any recommenders enough time to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are these biomedical internships all focused on wet-lab research?
No, the work spans more than wet-lab research. The entries also include genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, digital health, data analysis, clinical research, and research administration alongside hands-on laboratory work.
2. Will I get my own biomedical research project, or join work that is already underway?
It varies: some students design and carry out their own research projects, while others contribute to projects led by a mentor or research group. Several entries also end with a presentation, poster, or symposium where students explain their work and findings.
3. Are any of these biomedical internships available remotely?
Yes, the list includes a virtual option alongside many in-person research placements. Students who need a remote format can consider Ladder Internships, which offers remote startup internships where students work on real projects with a manager.
4. Do these biomedical internships usually offer a stipend?
Several do, but compensation varies across the list. Some provide hourly pay or fixed stipends; some are free to attend without a stipend; one offers a bursary after successful completion; and one charges an application fee, with waivers available.