31 Science Internships for High School Students in San Diego
Participating in an internship during high school is a useful way to explore your interests and gain experience in professional settings. For high school students interested in science, internships provide the opportunity to see how scientific concepts are used in settings such as research labs, healthcare institutions, and technology organizations. These programs can also help you build practical skills, work with mentors, and better understand which areas of science you might want to pursue in the future.
San Diego offers a range of science-related opportunities thanks to its strong presence of universities, research institutes, biotech companies, and healthcare organizations. Local students can take advantage of these resources without needing to travel far, and many programs are designed specifically for high school participants.
In this blog, we’ve highlighted a set of science internships available to high school students in San Diego—including both in-person and virtual options. While not all of them are traditional internships, each one offers structured learning, exposure to scientific work, and the chance to build meaningful experience.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy
Location: Various lab locations across the country, including the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: June - August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens
If you're a high school sophomore, junior, or senior with a strong academic background in STEM, the SEAP program allows you to spend eight weeks at a Department of Navy lab working on current research projects. You'll be paired with scientists and engineers who mentor you while you contribute to ongoing studies in fields like engineering, cybersecurity, and applied science. Every year, around 300 students are placed at over 38 Navy labs across the country, and participants often continue into STEM careers with the Department of Defense. You’ll be expected to participate full-time and may have the option to extend your internship for two additional weeks.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies with the program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies with the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of STEM fields, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, data science, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here. While this isn’t a traditional STEM/science internship, it follows the work-learn model of one very closely!
4. Scripps Student Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California (20 minutes from San Diego)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend
Dates: June 2 - August 8 | June 16 - August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in STEM who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
At the Scripps Research Translational Institute, you can participate in a 10-week internship designed for students interested in biomedical science, computational analysis, or public health. This program places you in labs conducting translational research where you'll work alongside a primary mentor on an individual research project. You'll be expected to attend weekly seminars, read journal articles, and eventually present your findings both orally and at a poster symposium. The focus of your research may involve health data, mobile technology, or genomic analysis, depending on your assigned project. As a participant in this internship, you may also explore how data science and clinical research intersect to improve personalized healthcare.
5. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend $17/hour
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Open to students 16 years and older who reside and attend school in San Diego County with a minimum 2.75 GPA
This eight-week summer program engages you in a working laboratory at the Salk Institute, where you’ll collaborate with researchers on a project in molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, or a related field. You’ll be guided by a scientist mentor and take part in activities such as seminars, biotech site visits, and workshops. At the end of the program, you’ll share your work at the Summer Scholars Research Symposium, either through an oral presentation or a scientific poster. The program is designed not only to build technical skills such as bioinformatics or wet lab techniques, but also to foster an understanding of how professional scientists work and support early careers in research.
6. Craig Venter Institute’s High School Internship
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $17/hour
Dates: May - August; 10-15 week opportunities are offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
At the J. Craig Venter Institute, you’ll join a team of researchers in a summer internship aimed at giving you exposure to current scientific work in areas like genomics, microbiology, and bioinformatics. This program pairs you with a dedicated mentor and gives you access to advanced lab equipment as you contribute to ongoing research projects. Interns participate in professional development workshops, journal clubs, and seminars that strengthen both their scientific and soft skills. The experience includes a final judged poster presentation where you’ll share your findings with faculty and peers. The program is designed to widen your understanding of research methodologies and laboratory culture. You'll also get a better idea of what it means to pursue science and research at the university and professional levels.
7. The San Diego Natural History Museum Youth Internship Program
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Internships are offered all year round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students 16 years and older who are enrolled in a school-affiliated internship program for academic credit
As a high school intern at the San Diego Natural History Museum, you’ll work with different departments, including Entomology, Paleontology, Botany, and Herpetology to experience different areas of natural science. Throughout this internship, you’ll be introduced to the role of museum collections in scientific research and how data is managed in professional settings. Depending on your interests and school requirements, you may spend time in one specific department or rotate between several. The experience gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how science supports conservation and public education, and is ideal for those interested in life sciences.
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. Participants are assigned to locations within a 45-minute commute of where they live
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend
Dates: June – August (flexible)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship that introduces you to careers in fisheries and aquatic sciences through field and lab work. Open to high school students, the program focuses on increasing diversity in the environmental sciences and pairs each “Hutton Scholar” with a professional mentor from the fisheries field. You’ll be involved in conservation-related projects that may include habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and population studies in both marine and freshwater environments. Students are expected to complete a midterm and final report, in addition to logging their hours throughout the program. The mentorship component offers insight not only into fieldwork but also into professional pathways in biological sciences.
9. OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: Moores Cancer Center, University of Caifornia, San Diego, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; all participants receive a stipend
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10 and 11 who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools
Hosted at UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, the OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an eight-week summer internship that introduces high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to cancer research and clinical medicine. You’ll spend time assisting in actual labs while also observing doctors in clinic settings, giving you exposure to both the scientific and human sides of oncology. The program includes educational sessions led by medical students and graduate students, covering topics such as cancer biology, public health, and research methods. You’ll also participate in discussions on how lab discoveries translate into patient care, with an emphasis on mentorship and access to medical career pathways.
10. UCSD SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative medicine Knowledge)
Location: University of Caifornia, San Diego, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Open to high school students who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, or Morse High Schools
SPARK is a six-week paid summer internship based at UC San Diego that gives high school students relevant experience in stem cell and regenerative medicine research. As an intern, you will be assigned to an active research lab your daily work might include experiments related to tissue regeneration, gene therapy, or molecular biology. The program also includes interactive learning opportunities such as discussions with faculty and lab staff, workshops on scientific communication, and shadowing physicians to understand how research connects to clinical applications. The internship concludes with a final presentation at the SPARK Annual Conference, where you’ll share your project with a broader scientific audience.
11. Rady Children’s Hospital: FACES for the Future
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 3-year program, from sophomore year to senior year of high school
Application Deadline: This information is not available right now
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores who reside in the City Heights area of San Diego
FACES for the Future is a year-round pathway program for students from underserved communities interested in healthcare careers. As a participant, you’ll be matched with mentors working in hospitals and clinics while also gaining academic support and leadership training. This program combines practical exposure to medical professions with workshops on communication, wellness, and community advocacy. You’ll join field trips, attend healthcare panels, and receive guidance on college planning and public health topics. The experience also includes wellness education and conflict resolution training, helping you develop other professional skills as well.
12. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centers across the country, with virtual options
Cost/Stipend: No cost; most internships roles offer a stipend
Dates:
- Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
- Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August)
- Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application Deadline:
- Fall: May 16
- Spring: September 12
- Summer: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply
NASA’s OSTEM internships give you a chance to contribute directly to the agency’s work in aerospace, robotics, environmental science, and more. Depending on your placement, you could help analyze data from space missions, work on sustainable materials, or support software development used in NASA systems. These internships are offered at NASA centers and labs across the country, with some virtual and hybrid options, too. As an intern, you’ll be paired with mentors who guide your technical work while helping you understand NASA’s broader mission. The program runs in three seasonal cycles and is open to high school students who meet academic and interest-based criteria.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual and in-person (Baltimore, Maryland) options
Cost/Stipend: No cost; virtual interns are provided a $500 stipend, and in-person interns are paid at an hourly rate
Dates: 5 weeks (June to August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences is a competitive summer internship designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience and medical research. Students can participate either virtually from anywhere in the U.S., or in-person if they’re local to the Baltimore area. The five-week virtual option includes online lectures, lab technique demonstrations, mentorship training, and professional development workshops, while in-person interns conduct mentored research on campus for eight weeks. You’ll gain exposure to neurobiology, data analysis, and clinical research practices while working on a project under faculty supervision. All participants present their work at the end of the session and receive a certificate of completion.
14. Pathmaker Internship at Palomar Health
Location: Palomar Medical Center Escondido, Escondido, California
Cost/Stipend: $150 onboarding fee
Dates: 4 six-month internship rotations in a year, starting in March, June, September, and December
Application Deadline: Varies with cohort
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 16 years old before applying
The Pathmaker Internship at Palomar Health is a six-month program that allows high school and college students to work within hospital departments like emergency care, rehabilitation, imaging, and acute care. If accepted, you’ll be expected to work in shifts and serve alongside healthcare professionals, supporting patient care tasks and gaining insight into daily hospital operations. You’ll interact with patients and observe medical staff, giving you a deeper understanding of what working in healthcare is like. Interns often support both clinical and administrative functions, learning how hospitals manage patient flow and care delivery.
15. CS@Mines Virtual Computing Internship
Location: Remote and in-person options available
Cost: $100 (financial aid available)
Dates: 6 weeks during summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to community college students with a strong interest in learning computer science
The CS@Mines Virtual Computing Internship is a remote opportunity where you’ll work on computing projects that can have social impact under the guidance of a current undergraduate mentor. This six-week program includes placements in tracks such as “Computing for the Good,” with project themes that span data science, algorithm design, and app development. As a high school student, you’ll be part of a small team, contributing to real technical challenges while learning coding, project management, and communication skills. You’ll also attend virtual meetings to discuss project progress, brainstorm solutions, and receive feedback. Although this internship is unpaid, it’s worth considering because of the research experience and technical collaboration it provides.
16. NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital
Location: Find locations near you using the Banfield.com location finder
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Dates: 2–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16+
The NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital gives high school students insight into the veterinary profession through a part-time, paid summer experience. You’ll shadow veterinarians and veterinary technicians inside a working clinic, observing medical procedures and learning about animal care, client communication, and clinic operations. The program also includes virtual sessions where you’ll connect with other interns and industry professionals to discuss different roles and challenges in veterinary medicine. These internships are great for students curious about careers in veterinary science and comfortable around animals.
17. CodeDay Labs – Open-Source Software Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 20 - August 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (further eligiblity criteria vary by track)
With CodeDay Labs, you’ll spend several weeks contributing to open-source software while being mentored by a professional in the tech industry. This virtual internship is ideal for students with some prior experience, such as participation in a hackathon or working on an independent coding project. You’ll work in a team with other students on a software product, using tools and frameworks common in industry, such as Kubernetes, TypeScript, or GraphQL. In addition to coding, the program offers career prep activities, including mock interviews, resume reviews, and daily tech talks from guest speakers. Your work is guided by a mentor who helps you develop both technical and professional skills over the course of the summer. This internship is designed to help you build a public portfolio and get comfortable contributing to large, collaborative software projects.
18. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country, including SSC - CGN, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $615.60 – $861.60/week (based on education level and credits earned)
Dates:
- Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December)
- Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
- Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
If you’re interested in applying your STEM interests to real-world defense and space communication technologies, the AFRL Scholars Program could be a good fit. As a high school intern, you’ll work alongside professional engineers and scientists at the San Diego Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a U.S. Space Force satellite communication hub. Your role may involve exposure to advanced projects in areas like physics, computing, and satellite systems that support secure global communications. The program is paid and selective, offering a chance to participate in projects related to both legacy UHF technology and next-generation WCDMA systems. You’ll not only observe but also contribute to ongoing technical work designed to enhance military communications.
19. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual and in-person (Fairfax, Virginia) options
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee, which is waived based on financial need; no stipend
Dates: June 18 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old can apply
ASSIP places you in a professional research environment where you’ll work one-on-one with scientists across a range of STEM fields, from neuroscience and biotechnology to climatology and software engineering. Over the course of the internship, you’ll engage in practical lab work, attend scientific forums, and contribute to ongoing research under the mentorship of university faculty and industry collaborators. You’ll also practice scientific communication by writing reports, reviewing literature, and potentially co-authoring published work. Many participants go on to present their findings at academic conferences. While the program is hosted in Virginia, some internships are also available remotely.
20. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: June 16 - July 24
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
Through the UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program, you’ll explore the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions while learning how health disparities affect diagnosis and treatment outcomes. This six-week summer experience is designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds and includes neuroscience seminars, mentorship sessions, and research activities. You’ll attend weekly journal clubs and neurology grand rounds and work on a project guided by UCLA faculty. Along the way, you’ll learn how to interpret scientific literature, discuss clinical findings, and connect with peers interested in brain research. By the end of this virtual science internship for high school students in San Diego, you’ll complete a project that reflects your understanding of both scientific and cultural aspects of neurological diseases.
21. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 24 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 15 years old, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and are U.S. citizens
The ASPIRE program allows high school juniors and seniors to join research teams at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and work on STEM projects in subjects ranging from robotics and cybersecurity to planetary science and bioengineering. You’ll be paired with a mentor based on your interests, and together you'll complete a 190-hour internship during the summer, which may continue into the academic year for additional research. Whether your project involves coding simulations, analyzing biological data, or building technical models, you'll gain insight into how scientific research is conducted in a professional lab. The program also includes a final Student Showcase where you’ll present your work to researchers and peers.
22. sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 1 - August 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students ( preference is given to students underrepresented in neuroscience or without prior research experience)
Sci-MI’s Neuroscience Mentorship Program is a free, online summer opportunity that centers around student-led research in the field of neuroscience. Over five weeks, you’ll work on an independent project, using publicly accessible scientific papers, software, and other resources to guide your work. Weekly journal clubs give you the chance to present and discuss peer-reviewed articles, while lectures provide foundational neuroscience knowledge. Students receive weekly mentorship to support their progress and project development. At the end of the program, you’ll deliver a 10-15 minute presentation of your findings and submit a written report that can be further used to enhance your college applications or publish in student journals.
23. Albany Medical College Next-Gen Neuroscience
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Last Monday of June – First Friday of August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students over age 16
The Next-Gen Neuroscience Summer Program at Albany Medical College is a six-week remote learning experience that combines live and virtual sessions focused on neuroscience and research communication. You’ll attend real-time virtual lectures, build your scientific vocabulary, and practice skills like drafting a CV, writing a research paper, and presenting your work to an audience. The program is open to high school students age 16 and older who are interested in scientific careers. You’ll also get to engage directly with neuroscience professionals, including researchers and clinicians, offering valuable perspectives on both research and clinical practice.
24. Internships at the City of San Diego
Note: There are numerous internships offered by different city departments, so the application deadline and program dates will vary.
Location: City department offices across San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost; most internship roles are paid
Dates: Vary with the role
Application Deadline: Varies with the role
Eligibility: Most internships offered are open to all students in high school. Students are recommended to check their preferred department’s internship requirements before applying
The City of San Diego offers internships for high school students across a variety of departments, giving you the opportunity to gain experience and explore different career options. These placements provide mentorship and training from professionals in fields such as environmental science, energy, engineering, public health, urban planning, and more, alongside roles in policy, communications, finance, and community services. Your work may include contributing to current projects, attending team meetings, and collaborating with experienced staff on initiatives that directly impact the city. For students interested in science, opportunities in environmental monitoring, sustainable energy, and infrastructure development offer practical experience that builds both technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
Take a look at the available positions here!
25. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to enrol in a 4-year program in the U.S. or Canada and intend to pursue a degree in it or a related department
At Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI), you'll learn programming through a three-week curriculum focused on web development, software engineering, and Python or JavaScript basics. You’ll build small-group projects, receive guidance from Google engineers, and learn how industry professionals solve complex problems. Beyond technical training, CSSI also includes professional development sessions, helping you prepare for careers in computing. At the end of this program, you’ll present your group project and have a foundational understanding of how to design and build real applications.
26. The Intern Group Remote Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,990-2,490
Dates: Internships start every 2 weeks, all year round
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school students or graduates who are at least 16 years old
The Intern Group’s Remote Internship Program connects you with companies around the world, letting you contribute to real-world projects virtually. As a participant, you’ll go through a matching process to find an internship aligned with your interests, whether that’s in engineering, data analysis, or environmental science. Internships are flexible, ranging from 4 to 24 weeks and are available part-time and full-time. Through video calls and online tools, you’ll interact with international colleagues and mentors, gaining both technical skills and remote work experience. The program emphasizes professional development and includes access to global networking events.
27. EnergyMag Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible, can be tailored to your academic schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students with at least one honors science or honors English class with a GPA of over 3.25
EnergyMag’s virtual internship gives you the chance to research and write about topics in renewable energy and energy storage, including battery technologies and renewable energy markets. This internship for high school students is remote and flexible, with options to work part-time across several weeks based on your availability. Under the guidance of a mentor, you'll investigate a topic, contact experts, analyze information, and draft a publishable report. Along the way, you'll develop skills in research, communication, and professional outreach, learning how to synthesize data and explain your findings clearly. Interns who complete a final report receive a Letter of Accomplishment, and in some cases, your work may even be published on the EnergyMag website.
28. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
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 the program start date
Stanford University’s SHTEM program is a research-based remote internship for high school students that covers both STEM and humanities. For eight weeks, you’ll work on a group research project under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and students, focusing on topics that span areas like psychology, engineering, linguistics, and virtual reality. You’ll commit 30-40 hours a week to your project, with all materials and support provided remotely. Past projects have included studies on surgical simulations, gender equity in STEM, and the use of art in scientific communication. With a highly selective application process and only about 60 students accepted every year, the program offers intensive mentoring and a final presentation.
29. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Location: Various lab locations across the U.S., including several in the Bay Area
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Students who
- are current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates);
- have completed one course of high school chemistry; and
- come from a family with an annual income that does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here.
Project SEED is a paid internship designed for high school students to explore research in chemistry and related sciences. You will work in professional laboratories, at universities, research centers, and even facilities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gaining experience in experimental techniques and scientific problem-solving. Interns take on independent projects in areas they choose, ranging from analytical chemistry to environmental science, and may also participate in field trips, lab tours, and career panels. In some cases, students have the opportunity to present their research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting. The program accepts around 350 students each year, with a strong commitment to supporting those from underrepresented backgrounds, and also offers summer camps to strengthen college readiness.
30. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 17 - June 28
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who will be over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week summer internship that allows high school students to explore the intersection of healthcare and AI. During the program, you will be introduced to the principles of artificial intelligence while examining its role in medical research and clinical practice. The experience combines daily lectures on AI applications in healthcare with collaborative, mentor-guided research projects led by Stanford AI engineers. Alongside technical training, students join virtual “Career Lunch and Learn” sessions with guest speakers from academia, nonprofits, and government, gaining insight into diverse career pathways. By the end of the program, interns leave with both foundational AI skills and an understanding of how these technologies are impacting the field of medicine.
31. Medicine Encompassed
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible dates, offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit that aims to make medical education more accessible. The organization offers a range of internship roles across its 18 committees, with applications accepted year-round. Interns can contribute to departments such as writing, editing, sponsorships, partnerships, graphic design, marketing, social media, and resource development. Work often involves researching medical and health science topics, creating informative articles or guides, and developing educational resources to help others learn about different areas of medicine. Participants may also join “Project Cultivation,” an outreach effort focused on expanding access to medical knowledge. By the program’s conclusion, interns help produce a collection of educational materials.
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