15 Recently-Launched Research Internships for High School Students in 2026
What if your first research paper, laboratory experiment, or data analysis project began while you were still in high school? If you're curious, enjoy asking questions, and want to explore ideas beyond the classroom, a research internship is one of the best ways to turn that curiosity into real experience. You'll work alongside professors, scientists, and researchers while building practical skills in literature review, data collection, statistical analysis, research methodology, and academic writing. In case you want some more options, check out this list here!
Why should you do a recently-launched internship in high school?
Along the way, you'll strengthen your college applications, enhance your resume, improve your future employability, and build valuable connections with mentors and like-minded peers. Many of these programs are also fully funded or offer generous financial aid, making them an accessible way to gain meaningful research experience. These programs provide hands-on experience across disciplines such as biomedical science, engineering, artificial intelligence, mathematics, and interdisciplinary research.
To help you find the right opportunity, we have narrowed down 15 recently launched research internships for high school students in 2026.
Key takeaways
This list gathers research internships for high school students spanning major cancer centers, national defense labs, and top research universities, with standout hosts including MD Anderson, Stanford, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Pay varies widely, with strong stipends reaching $7,200 at one Texas cancer research program and $4,000 to $4,500 at a Navy research apprenticeship, while a few of the most prestigious university programs charge an application fee instead of paying a stipend.
Several of these are exceptionally selective biomedical and STEM research programs at top institutions, giving strong applicants the chance to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on active research, though a couple require prior program participation or being 18 or older, worth checking closely given the typical high school audience.
Most of these require being on-site at a specific research campus, particularly clustered in Texas, California, and the Pacific Northwest, while Ladder remains the only fully virtual, location-independent option on the list.
A few of the earliest deadlines fall in mid-January for two of the most competitive Texas-based research programs, so it's worth starting applications well before winter break wraps up.
1. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 (10 weeks); $6,480 (9 weeks)
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors in a Texas public, private, charter, or home school during the spring semester prior; accepted into a college or university to begin the following fall; 18 years or older by program start; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program is a 10-week research experience that introduces high school students to biomedical science at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas. You will work alongside researchers in active laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in fields such as cancer biology and genetics. Throughout the program, you develop fundamental laboratory skills, assist with data collection and analysis, and contribute to ongoing research projects. In addition, you attend seminars led by scientists and healthcare professionals, providing insight into biomedical research, scientific careers, and the process of translating discoveries into medical advancements.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program is a remote opportunity that allows you to blend practical startup work with independent research across fields like machine learning, finance, health tech, and environmental science. Throughout the experience, you will define project milestones in weekly meetings, complete real-world deliverables for your host company, and author a formal research paper or prototype. Afterward, you will formally present your final findings to the company and your intern cohort. This program uniquely stands out by offering one-on-one mentorship from elite founders and researchers with backgrounds at Harvard, Y-Combinator, and Google. By completing this intensive work, you will develop practical analytical writing, research methodology, and professional networking skills. Apply now!
3. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid approximately the Texas minimum wage
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: 18 years or older by June 1; U.S. Social Security card or a U.S. Permanent Resident card; previous Saturday Morning Science participation or affiliation with certain undergraduate affiliate programs
In this program, you will spend approximately 40 hours each week working in a research laboratory under the mentorship of faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students. You will contribute to an ongoing research project while developing practical laboratory and analytical skills. You will also participate in research meetings to present your findings, receive feedback, and strengthen your scientific communication abilities. In addition, you will attend weekly "Lunch and Learn" sessions covering topics such as research ethics, STEM career pathways, and college preparation.
4. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $3,600 (pre-tax)
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students at least 18 or older by the start of the program; be in good academic standing or graduating; provide official proof of high school enrollment
It is a selective 10-week research experience for students interested in biomedical and clinical research. Throughout the program, you will work closely with a faculty mentor on an independent research project while developing essential laboratory and clinical research skills, including reviewing scientific literature, collecting data, and analyzing results. You will also participate in professional development workshops covering topics such as graduate school preparation and careers in medicine and research. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a poster symposium, and your project abstract will be published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
5. The University of Texas at Austin – High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $4,000; a limited number of need-based scholarships only may be available
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Texas residents and will be at least 15 years old at program start
The Summer High School Research Academy at UT Austin is a five-week research program that allows high school students to work on real scientific projects in university laboratories. You will be matched with a research lab based on your interests in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. Throughout the program, you will conduct hands-on experiments, collect and analyze data, and review scientific literature to deepen your understanding of your research. You will also learn how researchers develop hypotheses, design experiments, and solve scientific problems. In addition, you will collaborate with a small team on a group research project, strengthening your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
6. UT Southwestern Medical Center – Summer Research Opportunities (STARS)
Location: Dallas, Texas
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors in North Texas with excellent academic records, at least 16 years old by June 1; U.S. citizen, national, or eligible to work in the U.S.; must not have prior biomedical research experience
The UT Southwestern Medical Center STARS Summer Research Program is an eight-week, non-residential initiative providing Texas high school juniors with a stipend to explore science careers. You will focus exclusively on biomedical research while working directly in a professional laboratory. Specifically, you will work one-on-one with a faculty host, perform an independent investigative project, and present a scientific poster of your results. Through these hands-on activities, you will master the latest laboratory techniques and develop critical scientific communication skills. Finally, as a program emissary, you will share your research experiences with classmates at your home campus during your senior year.
7. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Students entering 9 to 12 grades in the fall; over the age of 14 by the program’s start; solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project
The AI in Healthcare Summer Program is a two-week online STEM experience that explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. In this program, you will attend technical lectures on core AI concepts and their healthcare applications while participating in daily mentorship sessions and collaborative research projects to apply your learning. You will also hear from guest speakers across government, academia, and industry, gaining insights into emerging healthcare technologies and STEM careers through interactive "Lunch and Learn" sessions. After completing the core program, you will have the opportunity to continue with extended research projects and will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing your participation and achievements.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of the Navy (DoN)
Location: At participating Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer with the possibility of extending up to two more weeks
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed grade 9, aged 16+ by internship start; some labs might make exceptions for these criteria; so check individual lab pages here for exceptions and/or additional requirements
The Department of the Navy's Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week summer internship where you conduct real-world, unclassified naval research at a military laboratory. Uniquely offering a competitive stipend for high schoolers, the program pairs you with top defense scientists for one-on-one mentorship. You will delve into advanced STEM topics like submarine life support systems, battery fire control methods, and human skeletal preservation. As an apprentice, you will engage in project planning sessions, actively assist with laboratory research problems, author a technical research paper, and formally present your findings. Through these hands-on tasks, you will master essential professional skills such as technical writing, scientific inquiry, and practical data analysis.
9. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace community biology lab in Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: Spring: February 25 – May 21; Summer: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: Typically around January
Eligibility: Students aged 16+; you should be a NYC resident or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace
The BioRocket Research Internship is a six-month biotechnology research program that gives high school students hands-on experience in a professional laboratory. Throughout the program, you will work on research projects involving techniques such as genetic engineering and DNA analysis under the guidance of experienced scientists. You will also develop your scientific communication skills through outreach activities, presentations, field trips, and visits to biotechnology facilities while collaborating with peers who share a research interest. By the end of the program, you will have completed a research project and gained valuable experience in modern biotechnology and laboratory research.
10. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) research sites across the U.S
Stipend: $506.80 per week; varies for some locations
Dates: Typically 8–12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The AFRL Scholars Program is a summer research internship that allows high school students to work alongside scientists and engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Throughout the program, you will contribute to research projects in fields such as aerospace systems, materials science, data analytics, and advanced electronics while receiving mentorship from experienced researchers. You will also participate in technical seminars, professional development activities, and networking opportunities that provide insight into STEM careers and research in a national laboratory setting.
11. Seattle Children’s Research Institute – Research Training Program
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders who can commute to downtown Seattle; must possess an SSN or ITIN
The Research Training Program (RTP) at Seattle Children's Research Institute is a four-week summer program that introduces high school students to biomedical laboratory research. In this program, you will learn essential laboratory techniques while exploring topics such as biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases through hands-on activities. You will also participate in college and career readiness workshops, tour research facilities, and complete an independent research project that you will present at the end of the program, helping you build practical research skills and gain insight into careers in biomedical science.
12. Stanford SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
Stipend: $95 application fee / No stipend
Dates: June 22 –August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (Grades 11–12) during the application year and be at least 14 years old by June 21; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students
The Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship is an eight-week program that immerses you in early-stage academic research across Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. You will explore how technical fields like computer science and engineering intersect with linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and design. During the program, you will collaborate in small teams, conduct ongoing data analysis or coding, join regular mentor check-ins, and deliver a final research presentation. Its most unique feature is the integration of the "human element" into traditional STEM, challenging you to examine how technical innovation impacts society and human behavior. Ultimately, you will build essential skills in formulating complex questions, navigating open-ended problems, collaborating effectively, and communicating your interdisciplinary findings.
13. Boston University Summer Term – RISE Internship / Practicum (Research in Science & Engineering)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: $5,930 tuition, $485 service fees, $75 nonrefundable application fee; residential housing and dining $3,978–$4,320; limited need-based financial aid and the John Snyder and Phyllis Snyder BU IMPACTS Scholarship
Dates: Residential: June 28 – August 7; Commuter: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Students entering senior year of high school in fall; US citizenship or legal permanent residency
In this internship, you join Boston University's six-week RISE program and spend 40 hours a week on university laboratory research alongside a faculty, postdoctoral, or graduate-student mentor. You work on a mentor-designed project in fields such as astronomy, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer science, neuroscience, physics, or public health, building technical and analytical skills. Weekly workshops cover the scientific process, research ethics, reading research papers, poster construction, and networking, while Practicum peers run computational neurobiology or data science projects. You close the program by presenting your findings at the RISE Poster Symposium, and some interns go on to submit their work to national contests such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
14. Fred Hutch – Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students entering their senior year who reside in the Greater Seattle area; must be 16 or older by the program start
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week paid opportunity covering biomedical, cancer, and infectious disease research. Uniquely designed for rising seniors without extensive lab experience, it allows you to step directly into an authentic scientific environment. You will complete two weeks of hands-on training, conduct six weeks of mentored work in a research group, attend professional career workshops, and deliver a final presentation to the community. Through these structured activities, you will learn vital laboratory safety protocols, practical research techniques, and clear scientific communication skills. Ultimately, this program provides you with a thorough introduction to professional laboratory work while equipping you for future college and career pursuits.
15. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $50 application fee (waivers available) + limited number of need-based stipends are available
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; currently living in an attending school in the U.S; not open to international students
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a highly competitive, eight-week internship that immerses you in biomedical research. During the program, you can choose to study across eight specialized areas: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, or Genetics and Genomics. You will spend your summer conducting hands-on research alongside a one-on-one Stanford mentor, attending specialized lectures, and presenting your final project at a poster session. What makes SIMR unique is that it is completely tuition-free and offers an alternative bioengineering bootcamp where you can build medical prototypes instead of traditional lab work. By the end of the internship, you will have developed advanced scientific inquiry methods, critical thinking abilities, and technical communication skills.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need prior research experience to apply to these internships?
Not usually. Most of these are designed to teach research skills from the ground up, so no background is expected going in. A couple of programs do require prior participation in an earlier version of the same program, so check eligibility closely.
2. A few of these programs require being 18 or older. Does that mean younger high schoolers can't apply to any of these?
No, most of these set their minimum age at 14 to 16, so younger high schoolers still have plenty of options. Only a few of the Texas-based cancer research programs specifically require being 18, so check each listing's age requirement individually.
3. Some of these programs require prior participation in an earlier version of the same program. How do I get started if I've never done one before?
Look for the other research programs on this list that don't have that requirement, since most are open to first-time applicants. You can build toward the more restrictive programs later once you have some research experience under your belt.