20 Summer Medical Programs and Summer Medical Internships for High School Students
For high school students interested in exploring medicine outside the classroom, summer medical internships and programs offer structured ways to gain hands-on experience and insight into healthcare careers. Whether your goal is to become a doctor, conduct medical research, or work in healthcare administration, these programs provide opportunities to shadow professionals, assist in clinical settings, or participate in lab research, helping you develop essential skills and build meaningful connections.
Why should I do a summer medical program or internship in high school?
Participating in a medical internship or summer program can also help you determine if a career in medicine is the right fit, whether it involves direct patient care, biomedical research, or healthcare management. Such experiences enhance resumes by demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and depth of engagement in a subject area. For students interested in medicine, internships at hospitals, clinics, research labs, or public health organizations provide valuable exposure to clinical environments, patient care, and medical research, helping them build useful connections and stand out in future college and pre-med applications.
How did we shortlist the best summer medical programs and internships for high schoolers?
To support your exploration, we have compiled a list of the top 20 summer medical internships and programs for high school students, featuring opportunities in hospitals, research institutes, and educational programs.
20 Summer Medical Programs and Summer Medical Internships for High School Students
1. Max Planck Florida Internship for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Stipend: $13/hr
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Legally authorized to work in the United States | 16 years of age or older at the internship’s start | Reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties and entering their junior or senior year at a high school in these counties during the current school year
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship is a six-week summer program where you’ll delve into real neuroscience research and learn how the brain works. You’ll work alongside scientists in state-of-the-art labs, gaining hands-on experience with techniques like genetic engineering, microscopy, microbiology, and histological staining. Throughout the program, you’ll explore how neurons function and use advanced imaging tools to study brain activity. You’ll also learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate your findings. The internship wraps up with you writing a scientific abstract and presenting your research to mentors and peers, giving you valuable experience in professional scientific research.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; including summer, spring, winter, and fall; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II have deadlines on May 12 and June 23 respectively
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week, for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships places you with a fast-growing startup for an eight-week virtual internship in areas like AI, health tech, journalism, marketing, and more. You also attend professional development workshops and receive guidance from venture-backed CEOs and a Ladder Coach. Along the way, you’ll get one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other essential skills. You’ll also present your final project directly to your company. Many of these startups are backed by Y Combinator or led by founders with experience at Microsoft, Google, or Facebook.
3. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Location: Stanford Campus, Northern California
Cost: None
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a three-week summer program for high school students interested in medicine and healthcare. You will engage in lab work, clinical shadowing, patient interactions, and department activities at Stanford hospitals. The program includes formal and informal discussions with doctors and healthcare professionals, giving you insight into real-world medical careers. You’ll also attend two weekly lectures on public health and research methods to help you complete a research project by the end of the program. The past projects have included topics such as racial inequities in health outcomes and language barriers in patient care.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Track
Location: Online
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines are on May 11 and June 23 respectively
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research experience founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford. It’s designed to allow high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project in a subject area of their choice. Throughout the program, you'll engage in personalized, in-depth sessions with your mentor, who will guide you through the research process and help you develop a college-level research paper in fields such as medicine, neuroscience, public health, or other areas within the life sciences. By the end of the program, you will submit a full-length research paper and be eligible to earn a UCSD credit.
5. Summer Internship Program - National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, and Framingham, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Can start on one of three dates between May 19, May 27, June 2
Application Deadline: February 19 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students who are 18 years or older by June 15 | U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents | Enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school
The Summer Internship Program at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) allows high school students to explore the world of biomedical research. You’ll work in NIH laboratories alongside experienced scientists, contributing to real research focused on improving heart, lung, and blood health. Throughout the internship, you’ll attend seminars, workshops, and networking sessions designed to strengthen your understanding of science and prepare you for future careers in research and medicine. This hands-on experience lets you see how scientific discoveries happen while developing valuable lab and professional skills.
6. Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center – Future Scientist Program
Location: IU School of Medicine’s downtown Indianapolis campus
Cost: None
Dates: 8 weeks between June – July
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: High school juniors from Marion County public schools who have a minimum 3.0 GPA
During this eight-week program at the IU School of Medicine’s downtown Indianapolis campus (IUPUI), you take part in a hands-on research project guided by university mentors. The program pairs you with a researcher from the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and you gain practical experience in lab work such as data collection, sample preparation, and analysis. The program also helps you become familiar with research terminology and processes, including how studies are planned, reviewed, and communicated. With a small cohort size, you benefit from close interactions with faculty and staff. This internship is ideal for students interested in exploring future careers in cancer research or academic medicine.
7. UT Southwestern Medical Center - High School Student Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students
The UT Southwestern Medical Center Online Mental Health Internship is a two-week virtual program designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in psychology and mental health. Through interactive sessions and guided readings, you’ll learn from professionals such as psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and physician assistants who share insights into their daily work and patient care. The program covers topics like psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, and interventional psychiatry, while also helping you understand how communities receive mental health care. This internship gives you a clear, practical look at mental health professions and the science behind them.
8. Parkview Health - Summer Internship Program
Location: Both in-person at Parkview Health facilities and virtual
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Year-round with the internship lasting one semester
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: All high school students
The Parkview Health Summer Internship Program is a hands-on opportunity for you as a high school student to explore careers in healthcare. As part of the FutureREADY initiative, you’ll take part in job shadowing, clinical rotations, and observe different departments like nursing, therapy, laboratory sciences, and hospital administration. You’ll get a broad understanding of both clinical and non-clinical roles, develop professional skills, and see how a healthcare system operates day-to-day. Some parts of the program also include journaling or reflection sessions to help you connect what you learn to your future academic and career goals, giving you a well-rounded experience in the healthcare field.
9. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost except for residents, dorm fee $2,360.25 + additional meal costs (~$500+) / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, at least 16 years old at program start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week research internship designed for high school juniors who are passionate about science, mathematics, or engineering. As a participant, you’ll work alongside Stony Brook faculty mentors to conduct independent research in cutting-edge university laboratories. Throughout the program, you’ll learn essential lab techniques, attend research talks, and take part in workshops and field trips that expand your understanding of scientific inquiry. This hands-on experience helps you build academic and professional skills, explore future STEM career paths, and connect with like-minded students from across the country.
10. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: In person: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus and Online (Virtual)
Stipend: In person: Hourly wage; Virtual: No stipend
Dates: 8 weeks (in-person, June – August); 5 weeks (virtual, June–August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | In-person program limited to Baltimore City public school students, virtual program open nationwide
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences offers high school students a unique opportunity to explore neuroscience, brain research, and clinical neurology via in-person and virtual options. You'll work closely with neuroscience researchers, assist in ongoing projects, and gain first-hand exposure to clinical settings through rotations. In addition to in-person research, the program includes a five-week virtual component where you’ll engage in remote learning and research activities. You’ll attend live lectures, participate in mentorship sessions and skill-building workshops, and learn core concepts such as lab techniques, the scientific method, and how to analyze research papers.
11. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, with work authorization in the U.S.
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) at the Monell Chemical Senses Center is a summer internship for high school students interested in biomedical science and medicine. You engage in hands-on research focused on the chemical senses, including taste and smell. Projects may involve studying smell receptors, exploring how flavor preferences change with age, developing safe methods to repel pests from crops, or examining how air quality affects perceptions of health. Beyond lab work, you will attend science talks, workshops to strengthen public speaking and writing skills, and discussions on ethics in human and animal research, providing a well-rounded experience in scientific research and professional development.
12. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, California
Stipend: None
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by June
The Stanford STaRS Internship Program offers high school students an immersive summer experience exploring how science and technology can transform lives. This program focuses on advanced medical techniques, particularly in reconstructive surgery, showing how innovation helps patients heal and recover. As a STaRS intern, you’ll work closely with surgeons and researchers on impactful projects in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device design. You’ll participate in hands-on workshops, attend interactive learning sessions, and even observe real surgeries to see medical science in action. The internship also incorporates software training and professional development sessions to develop communication and technical skills.
13. Northwestern University’s Academic Summer Camps
Location: Northwestern University
Cost: Varies by camp; more details here; financial aid and scholarships are available
Dates: Vary by program (1 to 3 week courses)
Application Deadline: One week before start of each session
Eligibility: All high school students | Specific requirements vary by tier
The Academic Summer Camps at Northwestern University offer high school students an opportunity to explore their academic interests in a challenging and supportive environment. Guided by university faculty and industry professionals, you engage in advanced courses that go beyond the typical school curriculum. The program covers a wide range of subjects, including math, science, writing, technology, leadership, and service learning. You’ll work on real-world projects, think critically, and develop creative solutions, all while building essential skills like collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. This summer experience provides both academic enrichment and preparation for college and future careers.
14. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University
Stipend: None; but limited need-based scholarships offered
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Local students from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Must be 16+ by start date | Have prior knowledge in biology, chemistry, or programming, and hold a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
The Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS) at Stanford University is an 8-week summer internship that offers hands-on experience in biomedical and genomic research. You'll work in Stanford laboratories alongside faculty and researchers, contributing to real experiments in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and human genetics. Beyond lab work, you’ll attend seminars, career panels, and workshops focused on research techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. This program provides a valuable opportunity to gain professional lab experience, build connections with scientists, and explore future careers in medicine, genetics, and research.
15. Seattle Children’s Research Institute: Research Training Program
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,000 stipend
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors who live within commuting distance of Downtown Seattle with a strong interest in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field
The Research Training Program (RTP) at Seattle Children’s Research Institute gives high school students a hands-on introduction to biomedical research through lab work, workshops, and lectures. You investigate areas such as infectious diseases, immunotherapy, and biochemistry while developing key laboratory skills like microscopy, gene editing, and bacterial transformation. Alongside learning from scientists, you carry out an independent research project that ties together your newly acquired knowledge. The program also features lab tours, scientific presentations, and discussions on global and public health topics, showing how biology links to real medical challenges. For students drawn to lab science, RTP stands out in Washington for its emphasis on experimentation, inquiry, and scientific understanding.
16. Washington University’s Young Scientist Program: Summer Focus
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,500 stipend
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: Typically late January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri or Illinois)
The Young Scientist Program’s Summer Focus gives rising high school seniors a full-time, paid opportunity to delve into biomedical research at Washington University. You’ll work in a lab alongside a faculty mentor, contributing to real scientific projects while building skills in lab techniques, data analysis, and science communication. The program also offers one-on-one tutoring, workshops, and college readiness support to help you prepare for your future studies. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at a formal symposium, sharing your findings with mentors, peers, and the scientific community, giving you a full, hands-on research experience.
17. Rockefeller University: Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Need-based stipends may be available
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+ by the program’s start)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University allows high school students to explore advanced biomedical research. You’ll work alongside experienced university scientists on real projects in genetics, molecular biology, and neuroscience, gaining hands-on lab experience. The program also includes optional science classes, talks by leading researchers, social activities, and group discussions to connect with peers and mentors. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at a symposium, sharing your findings with the Rockefeller community and experiencing what it’s like to contribute to professional scientific research.
18. Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, East Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students from households with collective incomes that do not exceed 200% of the federal poverty limit, normalized by household size; can be found in the table in the application for financial eligibility based on family size
The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) is an eight-week program designed for high school students from underrepresented groups who are passionate about biomedical science. You’ll work on real research projects in leading biomedical labs and participate in advanced classes covering data analysis, bioethics, math, and scientific writing. With guidance from experienced mentors, you’ll gain hands-on lab skills, strengthen your critical thinking, and engage in daily academic and professional activities. By the end of the program, you’ll have a deeper understanding of biomedical research, and some students may even have the chance to be co-authors on scientific publications, giving you a meaningful head start in the field.
19. UCSD: OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically early Spring
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students at select San Diego high schools (Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss)
The OPTIMUS Outreach Program at UC San Diego offers high school students from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to explore cancer research and clinical medicine. During the summer, you’ll work on real research projects in UCSD labs, shadow doctors, and participate in medical training sessions, such as learning how to suture under the guidance of medical residents. The program blends hands-on lab work with clinical experiences, giving you insight into how science and medicine intersect. You’ll also receive mentorship from UCSD faculty and develop professional skills that will support your success in college and future careers.
20. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT Campus
Cost: None except $75 application fee (waivers are available)
Dates: June 22 – August 2 (six weeks)
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who are 16 years of age by July 1 of the program year
Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious summer program for high school students passionate about science and engineering. You’ll begin with a week of intensive STEM classes taught by expert professors, building a strong foundation in scientific concepts. The core of this program is a five-week research internship, where you work on a project under the guidance of experienced scientists, learning the full research process, from reviewing literature and designing experiments to analyzing data and drawing conclusions. The program concludes with written reports and oral presentations, giving you the experience of presenting your research just like professional scientists.
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