15 Science Internships for High School Students in NYC
An internship in high school is a game-changer—it boosts your resume, builds your confidence, and helps you stand out in college and job applications. And the best part is that it gives you a taste of what it’s really like to work in the field you're passionate about. If you are fascinated by science, this is where it gets interesting. An internship opens doors to exciting research, learning lab techniques, and tackling real-world problems. And if you are in New York City, you are in luck – there’s multiple internships available for you to apply each year, with STEM and non-STEM work programs hosted by popular universities and professional institutions. To help you find the perfect fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 science internships for high school students in NYC. Whether you're dreaming of becoming a doctor, building the next big thing in AI,, or saving the planet, these science internships for high school students in NYC could be a perfect starting point. Check them out and see what excites you!
1. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University allows high school students to dive into real research at one of the top research schools in the country. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll get paired with a faculty mentor, join a research team and even run your own research project. During this science internship for high school students in NYC, you’ll learn essential research skills and attend lectures, workshops, and special events hosted by faculty. The program wraps up with a symposium, where you’ll present your work through an abstract and a research poster. Fellows receive a stipend and are expected to commit a minimum of 4 hours daily to research. It is a serious commitment, but if you are passionate about research, this is the best way to kickstart your career.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships give high school students an opportunity to get real-world experience by working with fast-growing start-ups remotely. You can explore diverse sectors, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many of these start-ups are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders with backgrounds at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Throughout the internship, you’ll work closely with the start-up manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. You will take on projects, build skills and conclude with a final presentation to the company. If you are curious about the internship roles available, you can check them on their application form.
3. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade with strong academic performance
ARISE at NYU is a 10-week STEM research program designed for high school students who want to dive into active research. This science internship for high school students in NYC covers interdisciplinary fields such as bioengineering, molecular and chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. You’ll get hands-on exposure to advanced research, while also broadening your knowledge of STEM disciplines. What makes ARISE stand out is its structure: it provides a good introduction to scientific inquiry and the confidence to tackle real-world research problems.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship for high school students who are curious about fisheries and aquatic sciences. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a professional mentor located in your local area. Internship activities vary by location, but could include field studies, lab work, data analysis, or even community education. You can try out techniques such as electrofishing, testing water quality, or restoring aquatic habitats– basically, science in action. Along the way, you will submit timesheets every two weeks, a short report half way through the program and a final report.
5. Stanford’s AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Rising 10th-graders in the summertime, over 14 years by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to the field of artificial intelligence. You’ll join live classes, collaborate on research projects, and get mentorship on cutting-edge topics such as natural language processing (NLP), Medical AI, and Robotics. The program isn’t just about coding; you will see how AI makes a difference in people’s lives. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your technical abilities, get career ready and work closely with mentors from the Stanford AI Lab. The program is a perfect mix of education, guidance, and personal development.
6. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors entering grade 11 or 12; have taken at least one high school biology course; Minimum (unweighted) GPA of 3.0
NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a 12-week summer program that lets you explore the world of space biology and bioinformatics–all online at your own schedule. You will delve into genomics research and learn how to use computational tools to analyze actual NASA datasets. You can also join optional weekly office hours for up to six hours of live teaching and interactive Q&A with experts. If you complete all the required tasks, you’ll earn a digital certificate. And here’s the best part: After completing the main program, you can apply for the Capstone Project, where you’ll work on a team to analyze real data, present your findings at a summer symposium, and maybe even qualify for a national competition.
7. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) | Environmentor Internship
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Program Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Applications will open in Late February
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who live in New York and attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula; students who attended Shore Corps in the fall and spring will be prioritized
Environmentor is a six-week summer mentorship program that allows high school students to participate in environmental research focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. This science internship for high school students in NYC kicks off in June with orientations and workshops, then shifts into four days a week of hands-on research through July and August, all guided by science mentors. The coolest part – you will not only do research, but also learn skills such as water safety, CPR, kayaking, biking, and even surfing. On weekends, you can join RISE community service events and earn volunteer hours, while giving back to society. The program is real-world research, outdoor learning, and community involvement, all rolled into one.
8. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week online program that shows high school students how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare. You’ll attend lectures covering core AI concepts and their use in medicine, and team up with fellow students on group research projects under the guidance of mentors. You’ll also hear from guest speakers from academia, industry, and government, and join “Lunch and Learn” career sessions to explore careers where tech and medicine overlap. After the main program, you can pursue optional research opportunities to keep building your skills. Everyone who completes the internship will receive a Certificate of Completion.
9. Wave Hill Forest Project
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Approximately $2,275
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: New York high school students who are at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.
The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer internship that gives high school students practical experience in urban ecology. As an intern, you’ll join a small team to restore and care for woodlands – constructing trails, removing invasive plants, and preventing erosion to keep the forests healthy. The program includes team-building exercises, and a college-level, accredited course called 'Restoration of New York City’s Natural Areas,' where you’ll learn ecology and environmental management. You’lll also go on field trips to partner organizations, collaborate with other groups and explore research topics connected with conservation and environment.
10. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Program Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and are authorized to work in the U.S.; applicants must live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s main campus on the Upper East Side in Manhattan
The Memorial Sloan Kettering HOPP Summer Student Program is an 8-week internship for high school students with an interest in biomedical science. As an intern, you’ll take on your own research project in one of MSK’s labs, working on topics connected with cutting edge cancer research. Each student is paired with a mentor who helps build technical and research abilities while introducing them to a collaborative lab setting. You’ll also join lab meetings, scheduled sessions, and community activities to see what scientific work and life at MSK is really like. Research areas include cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, drug discovery, and related topics. The program also includes career development sessions focused on translational medicine – where science moves from the lab to actual patient treatments.
11. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week summer program for high school students curious about psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. Over 10 days, you’ll dive into clinical and research topics such as social neuroscience, behavioral science, and psychiatric epidemiology through lectures taught by Stanford faculty. You’ll also work in small groups on a capstone project, where you’ll create and present solutions to issues in mental health or neuroscience. CNI-X also includes workshops on self-care and guidance for the transition into adulthood, so you’ll walk away with both scientific knowledge and personal growth.
12. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: Stipend provided
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The B2BSP is a 6-week paid summer program that introduces New York City high school students to the world of biostatistics and data science. You’ll build key skills in statistics and R programming by working on hands-on projects. Through “Statistical thinking” sessions and mentorship from experienced biostatisticians, you’ll sharpen your data analysis skills and learn how to conduct research. At the end of the program, you’ll complete a cancer-focused data project and deliver a formal presentation of their results. On top of the research, the program also offers SAT preparation and college readiness workshops.
13. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5 weeks from July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current rising juniors or seniors in high school
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. Through lectures and learning resources, you’ll explore various neuroscience topics, while also gaining essential lab skills and taking part in research-based activities. Along the way, you’ll benefit from mentorship and career advice from experts, and also have the opportunity to connect with students from across the country who share your interests. Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive a certificate of participation.
14. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: The City University of New York – multiple campuses
Stipend: Varies, depending on the campus chosen
Program Dates: Vary, depending on the campus chosen
Application Deadline: Varies, depending on the campus chosen
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11
The STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program for NYC Public School high school students interested in pursuing STEM research. During the spring, you’ll enroll in a pre-college course at CUNY to build your research skills, and in the summer, you’ll spend six weeks working in a CUNY research lab. Throughout the program, you’ll develop your scientific literacy and math skills, and learn the importance of mentorship and teamwork. At the end of the summer, you’ll showcase your research at an exhibition held at the American Museum of Natural History. You will not only earn a stipend, but also join a supportive network of STEM mentors and alumni, opening the doors for research opportunities in the future.
15. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Program Dates:
Spring Session: February 27 - May 22
Summer Session: June 30 - August 15
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older by the orientation date who live or attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship Program is a 6-month opportunity for New York City high school students to dive into real scientific research. You’ll learn genetic engineering methods and biology lab techniques while working with scientist mentors and fellow students to design your very own research project. Along the way, you’ll go on lab tours, field trips, and get training in science communication so that you can explain your results clearly like a pro. To sum it up, you'll gain career knowledge and practical experience in a real research setting, master lab skills, enhance your communication abilities and even receive a stipend for taking part in the program.
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