10 Biotech Summer Internships for High School Students
Are you a high school student looking to make the most of your summer? An internship can be a great way to build connections with industry professionals, get work experience, and explore a field you're interested in. If you're interested in biotechnology and areas like genetic engineering, aquatic vegetation establishment, or electrofishing, there are some great opportunities offered by prestigious universities and organisations. We've rounded up 10 of the best biotech summer internships for high schoolers to help you get started!
1. Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free ($40 application fee, which can be waived) and a minimum of $500 stipend, students from underrepresented groups will be paid at least $1,500
Acceptance Rate: 2–3%
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (ages 16+) as of the application deadline
The SIMR Bioengineering Team Internship offers a bioengineering design experience where you’ll work in a small team to tackle a medical need. Over eight weeks, you’ll attend lectures on bioengineering research topics and apply engineering and critical thinking skills to develop, prototype, and test a biodesign solution. You’ll gain experience with tools like Arduinos, circuit design, CAD, 3D printing, machine learning, PCR, and silicone casting. You’ll also receive mentorship from Stanford undergraduate and graduate students. The program wraps up with a team presentation at the SIMR poster session.
2. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students selected each year
Program Dates: June 23–August 8
Application Deadline: November
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship Program is a prestigious opportunity for students interested in biotechnology and medical innovation. You will work with leading reconstructive surgeons and researchers, exploring how biotechnology drives advancements in reconstructive surgery and regenerative medicine. Over the course of 7 weeks, you will gain experience using state-of-the-art technology and software, including CT Analyzer, Avizo, Drishti, and 3D modeling tools. You’ll collaborate with clinician-scientist mentors and peers, developing critical thinking skills as you contribute to research projects. No prior lab experience is required.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective program;
Program Dates: Multiple 8- to 12-week cohorts throughout Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, gap year students, and undergraduates able to work 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program designed for ambitious high school students, gap year students, and undergraduates. Through this 8- to 12-week experience, you will work remotely with a high-growth startup on real-world projects, guided by a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Startups span industries such as tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more — most having raised over a million dollars in funding.
You’ll collaborate closely on meaningful projects that align with real company needs, build professional skills, and present your final work to company leadership at the end of your internship. Ladder Internships also emphasizes mentorship and personal development, offering structured support alongside the work experience.
4. The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free (low-income students may be eligible for a scholarship)
Acceptance Rate: 7-8%
Program Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 29
Eligibility: Open to residents of Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties. Students must be at least 16 years old by the program start date, have prior experience in biology, chemistry, or computer programming, and hold a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0.
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS) is an eight-week summer research experience for high school students. You will be placed in a Stanford research laboratory to conduct genomics research under the supervision of a lab mentor. The program combines lab work with seminars, panels, and mentorship designed to broaden your exposure to careers in biomedical research. You’ll work on genomics-focused projects, strengthen your research skills, and participate in seminars covering biomedical career paths. The program offers regular guidance from Stanford scientists.
5. High School Apprenticeship Challenge- Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Location: Massachusetts (internships located across the state)
Stipend: Paid internship; $17/hour, up to $4,080 total
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies; rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies by internship; typically six weeks
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline (rolling basis)
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old and either attend or have recently graduated from a vocational-technical high school, a Gateway City public high school, or a public high school where at least 25% of students are classified as "low income" by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge helps fund paid life sciences internships for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged high school students across Massachusetts. The program connects students to employers through an online platform. In select districts, the program also offers a pre-internship lab training to build biotech/biomedical and professional workplace skills. You can apply online by submitting a resume and cover letter. The MLSC approves host organizations. Employers typically hire one or two interns, while research institutions can hire up to 35 interns annually.
6. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace (Brooklyn, NY)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 students selected annually
Program Dates: Spring Session: February 27 – May 22 | Summer Session: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: Typically late fall
Eligibility: Must be 16 or older by February 21; must live in or attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship is a 6-month research program for New York City public and charter high school students. It is designed to introduce students to biology and genetic engineering. Starting in the spring and continuing into the summer, you will work alongside scientists to learn lab techniques, design and carry out research projects, and build science communication skills. You will collaborate with a small cohort of peers, tour labs and biotech companies, receive improv training to improve public speaking, and present your work to family and friends. No prior lab experience is required.
7. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: Applications open in November
Eligibility: Rising seniors with strong academic backgrounds
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive, full-time paid internship spanning eight weeks. The first two weeks are dedicated to safety training and skill-building in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. For the following six weeks, you will be paired with a mentor and placed in a research group to work on scientific projects. Beyond lab work, the program includes seminars, professional development workshops, and team bonding. The summer wraps up with you presenting your work to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends. You must be available for the whole internship and arrange your own housing and transportation.
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Nationwide (U.S.), Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Program Dates: 8-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Open to high school students from underrepresented groups
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship to inspire high school students from underrepresented groups to pursue fisheries and aquatic science careers. Each student is paired with a mentor from a network that spans all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, ensuring opportunities within a 45-minute commute of their home. You will engage in a variety of field and laboratory activities, such as fish population surveys, aquatic vegetation establishment, electrofishing, snorkeling, water quality testing, and data processing, along with assisting in educational programs for children. The program offers a unique experience at each location, as mentors come from various organizations with distinct roles and environments.
9. High School Research Internship Program - Houston Methodist
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: Available
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience, part of the Undergraduate Research Internship Program, allows high school juniors and seniors to engage in translational research alongside college students. Hosted at Houston Methodist in the Texas Medical Center, this program offers a chance to experience the research process while working on projects supervised by mentors. In addition to research, the career and professional development curriculum is designed to give you the skills necessary for college applications and beyond.
10. The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Stipend: Paid; $13/hour
Program Dates: Early June – Early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from the Cincinnati metropolitan area; must graduate in the spring and be available for in-person work throughout the internship.
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital offers graduating high school seniors the chance to spend eight weeks working on pediatric biomedical research. You will be matched with a mentor and work 20 hours weekly on research projects across various pediatric specialties. The program also features professional development activities like training with pediatric patient simulators at the SIM Center, community service projects, and lunch seminars with physicians and researchers. The experience concludes with you presenting a summary of your projects and experiences at a graduation celebration.