15 Science Internships for High School Students in San Francisco

Looking for a way to gain experience while still in high school? Internships can help you build your resume, strengthen your college applications, and sharpen the skills you’ll need in future academic or career pursuits. They offer a chance to work alongside professionals, learn through projects, and explore different fields before committing to one. 

For students interested in STEM, science internships for high school students in San Francisco provide the added benefit of engaging with current research, lab work, and science communication without needing to move cities for an internship. Many options are available in person, but several virtual internships now offer just as much value and flexibility. We've narrowed down 15 science internships for high school students in San Francisco.

1. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 5%-8% acceptance rate
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to local students from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties. Must be 16+ by start date and hold a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA.

If you’re interested in genetics and data-driven science, the GRIPS program at Stanford gives you the chance to take part in computational genomics research. This eight-week science internship places you in a research lab where you'll work under a mentor and gain exposure to lab procedures, data analysis, and the scientific method. The internship spans 20 hours per week and includes weekly cohort sessions, seminars on careers in biomedical research, and regular check-ins with your mentor. You'll also take part in professional development workshops and discussions with researchers in the field. You’re expected to attend all sessions and fully participate in both lab and non-lab activities throughout the program duration.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote – work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

As a participant in the Ladder Internship program, you'll collaborate with fast-growing startups on projects across areas like tech, health, journalism, and artificial intelligence. The program is entirely virtual and runs for eight weeks, matching you with both a startup team and a dedicated Ladder Coach who supports your progress. You’ll develop practical skills through one-on-one coaching, regular meetings, and project-based learning, all while gaining insight into how startup environments function. You might explore data analytics for a public health platform, contribute to research on wearable health devices, or assist with machine learning models applied to scientific problems in the science track. Each student contributes to meaningful work and presents their outcomes to company leadership by the end of the term.

3. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Internship

Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: After school and weekends, multi-year and year-round (2-3 years till graduation)
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented 9th or 10th graders in an SFUSD school with a 2.5 GPA and a grade C or higher in math and science, who can commit 2-3 years of attendance

At the California Academy of Sciences, the CiS Internship spans multiple years and gives you a paid opportunity to dive into environmental science and STEM education. You’ll start as a rising sophomore or junior and can continue through graduation, gradually taking on more responsibilities. Your schedule will include fieldwork, public engagement at the museum, and workshops on science communication and college preparation. Interns participate in project groups led by Academy researchers, create environmental or science-related projects, and even contribute to exhibit development. You’ll also go on college tours and present at conferences. 

4. SFUSD’s Industry Summer Internships

Location: San Francisco area
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 42 students per year
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: Details for summer internships will be available on February 1
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors (priority is given to juniors)

This six-week paid internship is available to high school students enrolled in the SFUSD, letting you explore career pathways in a professional setting. As an intern, you’ll spend at least 20 hours a week working alongside industry professionals in fields like environmental science, law, culinary arts, construction, or sports. You’ll also participate in weekly seminars focused on workplace readiness and skill development, hosted by your SFUSD mentor. It’s a structured program aimed at combining work experience with learning, helping you build both your resume and your understanding of how different industries operate through mentorship and practical exposure.

5. UCSF Summer Student Research Program

Location: San Francisco and Oakland
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend provided 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 35-40 students per year
Dates: February 14
Application deadline: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors or seniors, age 16+ by June 1, with at least one year of completed math and biology

As a UCSF Summer Research Program intern, you'll spend nine weeks immersed in a hands-on clinical or basic science research project, guided closely by a mentor from UCSF or a regional healthcare system. Each week, you'll join other high school interns in engaging seminars led by MDs and PhDs, take part in journal club discussions, and enjoy social events designed to foster community and connection. You’ll be expected to attend all scheduled meetings, actively participate in your mentor’s lab or project, and complete assignments such as a personal statement, research abstract, and detailed proposal. The program culminates in a formal Research Symposium, where you'll present your work either verbally or through a poster.

6. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)

Location: UC San Francisco campus
Stipend: Ranging from $3,000 to $4,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Open to current juniors attending an SFUSD school or an SF charter school

This UCSF program connects high school and college students with researchers in clinical and basic science labs for a nine-week mentored experience. You’ll work directly with a healthcare provider or scientist on a specific research project while attending seminars, journal clubs, and professional development workshops. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your work at a formal research symposium. The program especially encourages applications from students historically underrepresented in STEM, and expects full participation in research, writing assignments, and peer discussions throughout the term.

7. Stanford STaRS Internship

Location: Stanford University campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 20 students per year
Dates: June 23 – August 8 
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school or community college students, age 16+, interested in biomedical, biological sciences, or healthcare careers.

The STaRS internship at Stanford gives you a 7-week introduction to biomedical science and healthcare through lab research. You’ll work four days each week in a lab setting under the guidance of a clinician or scientist mentor and spend the fifth day in activities like lectures, site visits, and team-building sessions. The program’s structure helps you learn lab skills, understand scientific literature, and complete a research project from start to finish. It also includes presentations, case studies, and software training to support your overall development. If you're considering a future in medicine or biology, this experience offers exposure to the academic and professional expectations in healthcare research

8. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 16–July 24
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Application deadline: February 7 - March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)

The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program is a six-week experience that focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and related brain conditions, combining neuroscience education with discussions on health disparities in diagnosis and care. You’ll attend online seminars, participate in journal clubs, and complete a research project with mentorship from UCLA faculty. Through weekly meetings and collaborative sessions, you’ll build your scientific understanding and develop communication skills that are essential in research careers. The program is fully virtual, making it accessible to students across regions. 

9. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University

Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive 
Dates: 6 weeks in June–August
Application deadline: Typically in late February
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old by program start date

The SHTEM program at Stanford offers a remote, research-based internship where you'll explore topics that sit at the intersection of science, technology, engineering, humanities, and math. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll work on a project in a small group under the guidance of Stanford mentors, dedicating 30 to 40 hours per week. Past projects have examined virtual reality in surgical training, language and technology, and gender dynamics in STEM. The experience includes regular meetings, reading assignments, and opportunities to present your work. The science internship teaches participants to investigate questions using both technical and analytical methods.

10. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium

Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid opportunity
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 70 students per year
Dates: Available throughout the year and during the summer
Application deadline: Applications for year-round and summer programs are typically available in July and March, respectively, on the Current Openings page
Eligibility: Open to youths ages 15-21

As a High School Explainer at the Exploratorium, you’ll become part of a program that combines public science education with job readiness training. You’ll receive over 60 hours of instruction in science content, exhibit facilitation, and communication before interacting with museum visitors. Interns work on the exhibit floor, lead demonstrations, and participate in projects while representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This internship supports your personal development through mentoring, teamwork, and exposure to STEM careers. You can join either the summer or school-year cohort and gain experience in both informal science education and professional collaboration. 

11. San Francisco SSIP CityWorks Internship

Location: San Francisco area
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to residents of specific districts
Dates: 20 hours per week in the summer (June–early August)
Application deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors residing in District 10 or District 11 of San Francisco

CityWorks is a paid summer internship open to high school students from southeast San Francisco neighborhoods, with placements at the SF Public Utilities Commission or private engineering firms involved in the city's Sewer System Improvement Program. As a CityWorks intern, you'll work on projects related to infrastructure, environmental management, engineering, or communications. The program focuses on career exploration and professional skill-building through assignments, mentorship, and field visits. You'll also engage in resume development and networking with local professionals across industries such as law, government, and design. 

12. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Participants receive a competitive stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 - July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City 

At Meta Summer Academy, interns gain early exposure to the inner workings of a technology company while developing foundational skills in areas like coding, business, and media. The program includes activities, soft skills training, and interaction with Meta employees who offer insights into different career paths. You’ll also work on tech-focused projects and engage in sessions that explore how technology intersects with finance and communications. Designed to support career exploration and skill-building for high school students, the academy focuses on economic mobility and workforce readiness and covers professional development modules and tech applications. 

13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual
Stipend: Virtual interns are provided a $500 stipend 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: 5 weeks (June to August) 
Application deadline: December 1–March 1 
Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school juniors and seniors 

JHIBS is a five-week virtual internship that introduces high school juniors and seniors to research in neurology, neuroscience, and brain health. You'll dive into lectures, mentorship, and virtual lab training sessions. The program is designed to build scientific thinking and expose you to topics like neurodegenerative diseases, brain imaging, and molecular neuroscience. Past projects have ranged from studies on autoimmune encephalitis to the historical analysis of neurological terminology. You will also receive professional development training and a certificate of completion. 

14. SFUSD Summer Career Exploration Programs

Location: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: TBA
Application deadline: The Summer Interest Form opens in February
Eligibility: Open to current SFUSD sophomores and juniors

The Summer Career Exploration Programs hosted by SFUSD combine academic coursework with field exposure, giving you the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring industries like medicine and healthcare or automotive technology. You’ll enroll in a dual-enrollment course at City College of San Francisco and complete a work-based learning project under the guidance of industry mentors. Over the summer, you’ll build a resume, develop job-specific skills, and engage in both classroom and worksite learning. 

15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $840 + $40 application fee (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 16-27
Application deadline: December 9–February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will be 14 years or older by the program's start are eligible.

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship introduces you to AI in healthcare through a two-week virtual program that includes technical lectures, group work sessions, and guided research projects. Organized by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, the internship studies how machine learning tools are used in diagnostics, medical imaging, and public health. You’ll work with Stanford researchers and student mentors, attend virtual talks from guest speakers, and take part in collaborative assignments. Those interested may apply for an extended independent research opportunity following the initial program. A certificate is awarded upon completion, and the internship aims to develop awareness of how AI tech can be used to improve health outcomes and address inequities in care.