15 Free Medical Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student who’s curious about medicine or science, internships can help you explore the field. Internships can show you what jobs in the medical field are like, help you learn practical skills like suturing, and allow you to meet professionals. Through these internships, you can see how hospitals run, what medical research looks like, and how technology and the medical world intersect. You’ll develop lab skills, improve your communication, and start feeling more confident in professional spaces.
Beyond hands-on experience, medical internships offer valuable industry exposure, helping you understand how medicine operates across research, diagnostics, and patient care. Additionally, you’ll meet doctors and researchers who can strengthen your college applications by writing letters of recommendation for you. Many top colleges and organizations run such free or fully-funded medical internships. To help you start your search, we’ve rounded up 15 free medical internships for high school students.
15 Free Medical Internships for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) - Bioengineering Team Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived for students with financial need / Stipend of $500 - $2,500 based on need
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are aged 16+ by the start of the program | Must currently be living in and attending high school in the U.S. | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week internship program where high school students work full-time in Stanford labs under the mentorship of researchers and faculty. You’ll work directly with a graduate student or postdoc on biomedical projects involving cancer research, immunology, and bioengineering. You’ll attend workshops, learn data analysis, and at the end, present your work in a professional research symposium. It’s an extremely competitive program that allows you to contribute directly to cutting-edge biomedical research and experience what real science looks like firsthand.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (Work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid available / No stipend
Dates: Cohorts run in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter Cohort: November 16; apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
If you’re looking for flexibility and real-world experience, the Ladder Internship Program is a perfect pick. You can join from anywhere in the world, and you’ll get full financial aid if you qualify, making the program absolutely free to attend. You’ll work with real startups, including health tech companies and research-based projects, and get mentorship from industry professionals. You’ll spend around 10–20 hours a week working on projects, analyzing data, creating presentations, or helping design health-related solutions. For high schoolers who want a head start in their careers, this is one of the most dynamic programs out there.
3. Summer Student Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend
Dates: Typically 9 weeks, from early June to early August
Application Deadline: Typically, Mid-February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who have completed at least one year of math and biology and will be 16 or older by June 1
This program gives you a summer of research and mentoring at UCSF. You’ll be integrated with the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and get one-on-one mentorship from healthcare professionals and researchers. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in workshops, training sessions, simulations, and networking events that build your scientific and professional skills. The main focus is to help you explore the health sciences while developing the skills you’ll need for a career in STEM. You’ll conduct either clinical or basic science research under your mentor’s supervision, and by the end, you’ll present your independent research findings to the UCSF scientific community.
4. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Location: NIH campuses nationwide (main campus in Bethesda, MD)
Stipend: Before graduation: $2,530; After graduation: $2,840
Dates: 8 weeks in summer between mid-June and mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school | 18 years old by June 1 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The HS-SIP program allows you to engage in real biomedical research alongside professional scientists. You’ll work on current projects, analyze data, and build essential lab skills. The experience also includes leadership and wellness programming, and you’ll get an introduction to STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) careers. For students who have already completed programs like HiSTEP, NIH also offers HiSTEP 2.0, where you’ll design and conduct your own independent research projects under the guidance of experienced mentor scientists. If you are looking for a meaningful, hands-on research experience, this program is an excellent choice.
5. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend
Dates: Third week of June until the second week of August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students entering sophomore, junior, or senior year| At least 16 years old | Minimum GPA of 3.0
The Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) Summer Research Program is a tuition-free research opportunity designed for high school students interested in biomedical and translational science careers. You’ll learn how scientific discoveries become treatments in hospitals by spending time in labs, attending lectures, and discussing career paths with scientists. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in experiment planning and data analysis. This program offers immersive lab experience, mentorship, and insight into careers in medicine and research, making it an accessible and highly valuable pathway for science-focused students.
6. UCSF’s CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not mentioned
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th grader | At least 16 years old by the start of the program | Minimum GPA of 2.5 | Must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
The UCSF CURE Research Internship Program is a paid, in-person summer internship hosted by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) for high school juniors and community college students from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds interested in healthcare and biomedical research. It matches you with UCSF researchers where you take part in real research, conduct experiments, analyze data, and prepare a presentation for a professional research symposium. Along with research, you’ll attend workshops on scientific communication, college readiness, and career development. Throughout the summer, you’ll have the chance to learn experimental design, data interpretation, and academic writing.
7. The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee (can be waived) / need-based stipend up to $3,000
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are 16 or older | Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 | Live and attend school in one of the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Cruz
The Pediatrics Internship Program (PIPS) offers a hands-on introduction to science and medicine through research in maternal and child health. You dedicate roughly 23 hours each week to laboratory work, collaborating with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and staff as they design and complete an independent research project. Alongside lab research, you take part in workshops focused on leadership, research methods, and exploring career paths in healthcare. A key component of PIPS is the Near Peer Mentor program, which pairs each participant with two or three undergraduates, medical students, or residents who provide ongoing academic support and share insights from their own educational and professional journeys.
8. HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,200 stipend
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior, live within ~25 miles of MSK (NY, NJ, CT), have a 3.5 GPA in science | At least 14 years old by June | Legally authorized to work in the U.S
The MSK Summer Student Program provides high school students with an enriching 8-week experience in cancer research, where they are matched with a lab mentor, often a postdoctoral researcher or graduate student. Under their guidance, you undertake an independent research project that aligns with the lab's broader objectives. The research covers diverse fields such as cancer biology, immuno-oncology, computational biology, drug development, imaging, and structural biology. You also engage in seminars, tours, and interdisciplinary events designed to enhance their understanding of the interplay between clinical and laboratory science. The program culminates in a poster presentation where you showcase your research findings.
9. Johns Hopkins University: ISPEED in Biomedical Engineering
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,400 stipend
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are between the ages of 15 and 18 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Johns Hopkins University ISPEED program in Biomedical Engineering is a residential four-week summer experience designed for talented high school sophomores and juniors interested in biomedical engineering. You engage in project-based learning covering biology and life sciences in a state-of-the-art Cell & Tissue Engineering lab, computer programming, machine learning, scientific computing, and healthcare design in the BME Design Studio. Throughout the program, you complete approximately 34 varied activities, including biology experiments, computational projects, design challenges, research talks, and field trips. You can earn three Johns Hopkins College credits, participate in seminars about STEM careers, and experience full campus life, including housing and excursions.
10. ResearcHStart at the University of Chicago
Location: Multiple institutions across Chicago and Urbana-Champaign
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000 (taxable)
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16+ at the program’s start | Residing in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
The ResearcHStart program offers high school students from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign regions a full-time, eight-week summer experience focused on cancer research. You work in university research labs at leading institutions like the University of Chicago, engaging in hands-on projects across areas such as cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, and health disparities. Beyond lab work, the program combines professional growth with scientific learning through faculty lectures, workshops, and continuous mentorship from experienced research professionals. You receive a taxable stipend and gain valuable exposure to some of Illinois’s premier research environments. The program culminates with a research symposium where you present your work to peers, mentors, and scientists.
11. Kaiser Permanente High School Internship Program
Location: Medical centers in Northern California
Stipend: $24/hour
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 – 19 by June 1 | Permanent resident of Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area | Legally allowed to work in the U.S.
During this six-week internship, you will gain hands-on experience in healthcare by working across departments such as nursing, internal medicine, administration, and patient care services in various Northern California locations. You will assist with administrative duties, support non-clinical departments, and observe the inner workings of healthcare systems. The program starts with a detailed orientation where you will learn about professional behavior, communication, and workplace expectations. Throughout the internship, you will be paired with a mentor and participate in weekly workshops covering healthcare careers and community wellness. Additionally, you will engage in group discussions and activities alongside fellow interns, enriching your understanding of medicine and public health fields.
12. Medical Student Research Internship at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Location: La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by the internship start date
At the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, you participate in a 10-week summer internship focused on blending data science, genetics, and health technology to advance human health. Most of your time is spent in a dry lab environment, analyzing genomic and clinical data with computational tools, while limited hands-on wet lab experience is also available. You're paired with a faculty mentor who supports you as you explore genetic connections to diseases or evaluate how wearable devices monitor patient health. Throughout the program, you engage in weekly seminars, journal clubs, and roundtable discussions. This immersive experience helps develop your research skills, critical thinking, and scientific communication in a cutting-edge medical research setting.
13. STEP-UP (Short-Term Research Experience to Unlock Potential) – NIH
Location: Countrywide placements, including UT
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8–10 weeks (flexible dates between June–August)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors ages 16+ | U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident
In this program, you engage in an eight-week biomedical research internship focused on areas like endocrinology, nutrition, obesity, kidney diseases, and metabolism. Supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), this program connects you with seasoned research mentors in university or medical settings, enabling you to conduct hands-on investigations. The experience extends beyond summer with an additional nine-month mentorship period, culminating in a national symposium where you get to present your research work. This program not only provides you with practical experience but also helps you build professional connections and deepen your understanding of biomedical sciences.
14. Houston Methodist Summer High School Research Internship
Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Minimum 3.5 GPA | At least 16 years old by program start
As part of the High School Emerging Researcher Experience, you will spend eight weeks at Houston Methodist Hospital, where you'll join a lab team alongside undergraduate interns and get hands-on training in biomedical research. Throughout the program, you'll learn essential laboratory techniques, develop your own project, and improve your professional communication skills—all under the guidance of experienced faculty and research staff. Along with lab work, you'll participate in career development activities such as seminars, lectures, and networking events, culminating in a poster presentation of your research at the summer symposium. This opportunity gives you a unique chance to explore translational research and gain valuable experience in a real scientific environment.
15. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorization in the U.S.
In this program, you will participate in a paid, full-time summer internship focused on neurology and neuroscience research at Massachusetts General Hospital. The program begins with an intensive “bootcamp” where you receive training in lab safety, research protocols, and professional behavior to prepare you for working in a research environment. For 6 to 8 weeks, you'll be mentored by faculty members as you contribute to ongoing neurology research projects in their labs. Each week includes educational seminars led by neurologists and neuroscientists, plus opportunities to attend networking events and field trips. The program closes with a formal presentation where you share your research findings with peers, mentors, and staff.
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