Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This article rounds up 16 STEM internships for high schoolers in the Bay Area across university research labs, national labs, hospitals, tech companies, and science museums, giving you a chance to explore fields like biomedical research, biotechnology, computer science, and healthcare operations. Most run for a few weeks over the summer, though a few are year-round or multi-year commitments. Nearly all are paid, with stipends ranging from about $500/week to $4,500 for the whole program, though a couple charge an application fee instead. Only one option is fully remote; the rest require you to commute to a specific lab, campus, or facility, and several are limited to students from particular counties or school districts.
If you are planning to pursue STEM, internships can help you explore a range of fields in real-world settings such as labs, tech organizations, and scientific institutions. Depending on the internship, you may work with researchers, explore a technology project, spend time in a laboratory, or learn how STEM organizations approach real-world problems. Opportunities are typically available across areas such as computer science, engineering, biology, medicine, environmental science, and data. These internships can help you see what different STEM disciplines look like beyond your school.
Why should you do a STEM internship in the Bay Area?
The Bay Area is home to universities, research labs, technology companies, biotech organizations, and other STEM-focused institutions that offer a range of STEM opportunities for high school students. You may also find programs connected to major research institutions in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, and Silicon Valley. A STEM internship in the Bay Area can introduce you to the different ways STEM is used across research, technology, healthcare, and industry. The region also offers you opportunities to see how academic research and industry can overlap. If you already have a STEM interest, you can look for an internship that goes deeper into that subject; if you are still exploring, the range of opportunities in the region can help you compare different areas. Our guide to choosing the right internship can be a solid starting point for figuring out which opportunity will work for you! If you are trying to challenge yourself and gain meaningful work experience, here’s how to get into a competitive internship.
How do you apply for a STEM internship?
Start by checking the program’s eligibility requirements and the internship location. This matters in the Bay Area because programs can be spread across San Francisco, the East Bay, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, and some may require you to commute to a specific campus, laboratory, or workplace. Some opportunities may also be limited to students from particular counties, school districts, or communities. Applications can require transcripts, resumes, recommendations, essays, or responses about your STEM interests. Make sure you understand the schedule and transportation requirements as well as the deadline before applying. You can also check out our guide to applying for a high school internship to get started with your applications!
To simplify your search, we have put together a list of 16 STEM internships for high schoolers in the Bay Area. We have focused on options that are accessible yet rigorous, hosted by credible organizations or institutions, and are equipped to offer real STEM exposure.
If you are also looking for STEM opportunities beyond the Bay Area, check out our selection of summer STEM internships and remote STEM internships for high schoolers.
Compare your options
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
University and biomedical research programs |
Cost: Free – $50 application fee; most options offer stipends, with amounts going up to $4,500 |
Students who want mentored, hands-on biomedical or clinical research experience on a university or hospital campus |
|
|
National and Federal lab programs |
Berkeley Lab's EinR, BLDAP, Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories, Project SEED |
Free; stipends ranging from ~$500/week to $4,000 for the summer |
Students who want to work on real research or technical projects within a national lab setting |
|
Science museum and informal education programs |
California Academy of Sciences CiS, Exploratorium High School Explainer Program, Teen Internship Program (Lawrence Hall of Science) |
No cost; stipends available for all three |
Students who want to combine STEM learning with public-facing work, such as leading demonstrations or teaching younger kids |
|
Tech, healthcare, and industry Internships |
Ladder Internships, Meta Summer Academy, KP LAUNCH (Kaiser Permanente) |
Cost varies with aid available; Meta and KP LAUNCH offer stipends |
Students who want exposure to a company or healthcare work environment, whether remotely or in person with local eligibility requirements |
|
Specialized and interdisciplinary research programs |
SHTEM– $95 application fee & $2500 Tuition ; iCLEM comes with a stipend |
Students interested in a specific research niche like biotechnology, or a broader interdisciplinary project spanning STEM and the humanities |
16 STEM Internships for High Schoolers in the Bay Area
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for hands-on experience working on real startup projects and a fully remote internship.
2. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid; amount typically exceeds minimum wage rates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multi-year, year-round commitment; you will work after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays during the summer.
Application deadline: TBA; the next application window opens in February
Eligibility: Current 9th- or 10th-graders enrolled full-time in SFUSD schools, with a GPA of 2.5+ and a grade of C or better in science and math; students must be able to obtain a valid U.S. work permit and commit to the program for 2 to 3 years through high school graduation.
CiS is a paid multi-year internship designed to help local Bay Area students learn, teach, and engage with STEM in and around the California Academy of Sciences. You will join as a rising sophomore or junior and continue engaging with CiS through high school graduation, spending most of your time conducting outdoor fieldwork and running STEM learning experiences for museum visitors. Twice each month, you will participate in training sessions to learn from professionals about STEM paths, develop science communication skills, and receive guidance on financial literacy and college applications. As the internship progresses, you will join a group of peers to work on a research or environmental action project under the guidance of a researcher or partner at the California Academy of Sciences. You may also get to join the CiS Leadership Council and receive individualized mentorship from Academy experts.
Who it’s best for: Students in San Francisco interested in STEM education and a multi-year paid internship within a museum.
3. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year.
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: 10th graders who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven, or Redwood City with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Meta Summer Academy is a paid internship that lets high schoolers learn about the inner workings of a large technology company. Over six weeks, you will learn about digital media, explore coding basics, engage in project-based tasks, and gain exposure to real-world workplace operations. The internship will also offer insight into how teams within a tech company come together to develop products. Mentorship from professionals will help you develop an understanding of the day-to-day tasks in tech roles. Alongside technical skills, you will practice communication and teamwork. The internship can also help you learn about possible paths within tech.
Who it’s best for: Students in and around Menlo Park looking for a paid introduction to the inner workings of a renowned tech company.
4. CURE Research Internship Program @ University of California, San Francisco
Location: UCSF San Francisco, CA and Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed; the program receives hundreds of applications each cycle
Dates: Parent/Guardian Orientation: May 21; Student Orientation: June 11; Program dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: February 8; applications open on October 12.
Eligibility: Current 11th graders or City College of San Francisco students, ages 16 and up, with a GPA of 2.5+ and a grade of B or better in Biology or Chemistry.
Residency Required: Must reside in one of the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties.
CURE places you in UCSF's research environment, exposing you to career paths across basic, clinical, behavioral, and population health sciences, with the goal of helping you seriously consider biomedical research as a future path. You will be mentored by UCSF faculty, postdocs, and graduate students while you conduct hands-on scientific research. At the end, you will present your findings at a closing Research Symposium. Beyond lab work, the program will run a mandatory Friday College Seminar each week and offer college and career advising and application support.
Who it's best for: San Francisco-area 11th graders who want a paid, full-time research experience at a major research university.
5. Teen Internship Program @ Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley)
Location: Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley), Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,500 stipend ( a $72 deduction for each missed day)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Workshop Training: Four Saturday sessions in May + a staff meet-and-greet on May 29; Summer Placement: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 15; applications open on December 17.
Eligibility: Teens entering grade 11 or 12
This internship lets you build hands-on teaching and mentorship skills by helping lead science camp activities for younger kids at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Before summer begins, you will complete a series of Saturday Workshop Trainings to prepare for your role facilitating games, activities, and hands-on science exploration, including topics like the Outdoor Nature Lab and the Bay's natural forces. During the summer, you will work full time alongside staff, supporting classroom management, helping campers complete projects, and gradually taking on more responsibility as the summer progresses. Throughout the internship, you will receive mentorship from Lawrence Hall of Science staff. If your schedule doesn't allow for the full ten-week commitment, you can volunteer for individual camp sessions based on your availability.
Who it's best for: Science-minded teens who enjoy working with younger kids and want a paid, structured experience in informal science education and camp leadership.
6. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED
Location: Sites across the U.S., including in the Bay Area
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~350+ students/year; Bay Area-specific numbers not available
Dates: 8- to 10-week summer program; dates vary by host site
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school students under 18 who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry; applicants’ annual family income should not exceed 300% of the limits defined in the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Project SEED is a paid, summer program that connects high schoolers to university labs or research facilities. You will join a Bay Area university lab or research center contributing to chemistry projects alongside a scientist or research mentor. Depending on the site and mentor, you may attend career panels, participate in field trips and campus tours, and/or access other professional development opportunities. Additionally, you may get to attend the American Chemical Society National Meeting, where you can present your research findings to a large audience of STEM professionals. You may also be able to return to the program the following summer to continue engaging in chemistry research.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking a paid, chemistry-focused research experience and the opportunity to work in a real lab.
7. Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA; other sites also available
Cost/Stipend: Free; competitive hourly pay available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed; the number of spots can vary by role
Dates: Year-round and summer internships (10 to 12 weeks) available
Application deadline: Varies based on specific opportunity
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up, who are enrolled full-time at accredited high schools, colleges, or universities; a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate and high school students applying for clerical/labor-based positions and 3.0 or higher for undergraduate students and high schoolers applying for R&D, technical, or business positions is required.
Sandia National Laboratories’ internships let students engage in research and technical work in advanced lab settings. At Sandia labs, you will contribute to projects in energy, cybersecurity, engineering, or advanced research centered on national security. Depending on the placement, you will work closely with researchers, engineers, or other professionals while receiving guidance throughout. In addition to your assigned placement tasks, you may attend networking events, participate in leadership sessions, access employee resource groups, and join professional development programs to build workplace skills and explore paths in STEM.
Who it’s best for: Students who want hands-on lab work experiences and can commute to Sandia’s facilities in Livermore.
8. UCSF Science & Health Education Partnership High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,500 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25 spots/year
Dates: Eight weeks; dates TBA for the next cycle
Application deadline: Typically, early February
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending SFUSD high schools or San Francisco public charter schools
HIP pairs you with a UCSF scientist mentor for a paid eight-week summer internship where you can conduct original biomedical research on topics like infectious disease, neuroscience, immunology, cancer, or stem cell research. Beyond lab work, you will build science communication skills and take part in structured college counseling, including resume and personal statement workshops, one-on-one transcript reviews, and a financial aid event for your family. A day trip to a UC or other nearby campus will also be part of the experience. At the end, you will present your project to peers and mentors. Unlike many research programs, admission to HIP doesn’t depend on your GPA; the program specifically recruits low-income and first-generation college-bound students and evaluates applicants on maturity, persistence, interest in science, and motivation.
Who it's best for: San Francisco juniors seeking a mentored lab research experience and structured, personalized college counseling support.
9. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No fee for those with household incomes less than $80,000; $50 application fee for others (waivers are available); need-based stipends may also be available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: June 7 – July 29
Application deadline: Late February (details TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; preference is given to Bay Area students.
SIMR is an eight-week program that lets you learn about and conduct biomedical research on the Stanford University campus alongside faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers. As a SIMR participant, you will work within a Stanford lab/institute alongside a mentor, contributing to a project in areas such as bioengineering, immunology, cancer biology, genetics, and neuroscience. Your daily schedule will combine lab work and lectures to help you connect your research experience with classroom concepts. SIMR will conclude with a poster presentation, giving you the chance to practice science communication.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking a mentored, research-focused experience on a university campus.
10. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine campus, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; need-based transportation assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students/year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: Details TBA for next cycle
Eligibility: High school and community college students, ages 16 and up
The Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship is an eight-week research experience that introduces students to biomedical science, medicine, and academic research. You will engage in hands-on biomedical research in a Stanford laboratory alongside clinician-scientist mentors and research teams. The summer schedule will include training in lab techniques such as imaging, histology, and genotyping, as well as lectures and skill-building workshops. You will also receive mentorship from faculty and student leaders and access to community-building activities and educational experiences. At the conclusion of STaRS, you will present your research findings at a presentation showcase.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in biomedical research, medicine, or lab science who want to spend their summer working on research projects in a university setting.
11. Joint BioEnergy Institute’s Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Prep week: June 8 – 12 + In-person research: June 20 – August 1
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 by June 15, live in Contra Costa, Alameda, or San Francisco County, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; applicants must come from low-income households (thresholds vary by county, based on HUD's definition of 80% or less of the area median income), have a GPA of at least 2.5, and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology.
Through the iCLEM (Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology) program, JBEI offers paid research experiences to local high schoolers interested in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, and biomanufacturing. Following a primarily virtual prep week covering required trainings and orientations, you will spend six weeks working in JBEI's labs on a hands-on research project while being mentored by researchers and UC undergraduates. Over the course of the summer program, you will build foundational knowledge in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and synthetic biology and practice communicating scientific research. The program will also run sessions focused on the college application process, including writing and revising a personal statement and learning about admissions and financial aid. You will additionally get to explore STEM careers through conversations with professionals and visits to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Who it’s best for: Students who want to work on collaborative STEM research projects within professional labs.
12. KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California (including sites in the Bay Area)
Stipend: $25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; ~300 students in the past cohort.
Dates: June 14 – July 30
Application deadline: January 9; applications open on November 16.
Eligibility: High school students and graduating seniors, ages 16 – 19 by June 1, who live in Northern California Kaiser Permanente service areas and are authorized to work in the U.S.; priority given to high school juniors and seniors.
The KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program offers students a structured, paid introduction to non-clinical and administrative healthcare operations. You will work full-time in departments such as information technology, research and development, healthcare operations, and materials management, exploring real administrative workflows within health facilities. The internship will also offer access to professional skill development through workshops covering workplace practices, communication, and career planning in healthcare. You will gain insight into how health organizations function and facilitate interdepartmental collaboration. Mentorship and networking opportunities will help you learn from professionals at Kaiser Permanente about non-clinical healthcare career pathways.
Who it’s best for: Students in Northern California looking for a paid summer experience within a healthcare setting.
13. Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research (EinR)
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10% acceptance rate
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: 10th – 12th graders, ages 16 and up, who have a 3.0+ GPA, and live in Northern California
The Berkeley Lab’s EinR is a six-week internship for high schoolers interested in gaining work experience within STEM and STEM-adjacent areas in laboratory settings. You will work about 30 to 35 hours each week with Berkeley Lab professionals on projects in STEM and explore coding, data science, administration, communication, and/or experimental research. Your daily schedule will vary by the assigned project and mentor’s needs. You may assist scientists and engineers in lab work or help with the lab’s behind-the-scenes operations. During the program, you will also get to practice science communication and teamwork.
Who it’s best for: Students in Northern California who want to work within a federally funded lab on real projects.
14. Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP): Interdisciplinary Pathways to Machine Learning and Data Science
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $500/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially specified
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Current 10th- or 11th-grade public school students, ages 16 and up, in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco counties
BLDAP is a project-based program that lets you take on work focused on interdisciplinary pathways to machine learning and data science. As a participant, you will learn about data science, complete an introductory Python course, and work on scientific projects and bioscience experiments. The program will also let you connect with researchers and operations staff. You will practice communication, problem-solving, and collaboration while also learning about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s research activities. The summer program will end with a final presentation where you will share your work with other high school participants and mentors.
Who it’s best for: Local students interested in STEM, coding, and data science and who want to spend a few weeks working at a national laboratory.
15. SHTEM Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $95 non-refundable application fee; no stipend, but financial assistance may be available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 14 (tentative; dates TBA for the next cycle)
Application deadline: February 1 (tentative; details TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 14 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SHTEM is a summer internship where you get to work in small groups on interdisciplinary STEM and humanities projects guided by Stanford University mentors. The program is designed to help you explore how disciplines like tech, neuroscience, biology, engineering, philosophy, design, and the arts intersect in research. You will explore topics in research through readings, discussions, and project work. Meetings and collaborative activities will offer exposure to real research group workflows. You may also get to present your project at the end of SHTEM.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking exposure to interdisciplinary research and the chance to work on team projects on a university campus.
16. Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 130+ students/year (across summer and school-year cohorts)
Dates: Summer and school-year sessions available; specific dates vary
Application deadline: Summer applications are typically available in March; school-year applications are typically available in July.
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, are eligible to apply as first-time Explainers, while returning Explainers can be up to 20 years old. Applicants must be able to obtain a valid work permit.
The High School Explainer Program is a paid workforce and youth development program at the Exploratorium. As an Explainer, you will engage in work catered toward museum visitors, such as helping visitors engage with exhibits, leading demonstrations, and supporting different museum operations. Before working with visitors, you will undergo more than 60 hours of specialized training covering career readiness, science content, exhibit facilitation, and youth development. As you gain more experience, you may also participate in specialized internships or study groups. The program is designed to help you build workplace skills while learning how to communicate with and assist people from different backgrounds.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in science communication and looking for paid work experience within a museum.
What skills can you pick up in STEM internships?
The skills you will build depend on the type of internship. You may learn how to work with research methods, programming, laboratory techniques, data, engineering tools, or scientific equipment. You might also learn how researchers organize a project, how technical teams collaborate, or how scientific findings are communicated. Some internships may involve creating something from the ground up, while others may have you contribute to an existing research project. In the process, you can build skills in documenting your work, asking questions, presenting ideas, and working with mentors or other students.
Can a STEM internship help with your college applications?
A STEM internship can give you a concrete way to show how you pursued an interest outside your regular schoolwork in the following ways:
Show that you sought out real STEM experiences: You can use your internship experience to explain how you went beyond school assignments to spend time in a research, technology, laboratory, or engineering setting. You can describe the specific work you were involved in and what you learned from it.
Demonstrate your ability to handle unfamiliar problems: If your internship required you to learn a new tool, understand a difficult concept, or figure out a problem, that experience can show how you approach learning.
Highlight your ability to work effectively with others: You can discuss how you collaborated on projects with researchers, engineers, scientists, or other professionals and what this collaboration taught you about STEM careers and academic paths.
Common questions about these Bay Area STEM internships
1. Will you actually conduct research and collect your own data, or mostly assist with existing projects?
Most of these internships involve genuine hands-on work, such as running experiments, collecting data, or contributing directly to an active research project under a mentor's guidance, rather than just observing. That said, how much independence you get and the specific tasks you're assigned can vary depending on your placement and mentor.
2. Do these internships focus on one specific STEM subject, or do they cover multiple disciplines?
It depends on the program. Some place you directly into a specific field, like biomedical research or chemistry, from day one, while others are more interdisciplinary and let you explore connections across subjects such as engineering, data science, and biology within the same experience.
3. How much do these internships cost, and what stipends are typically offered?
Costs vary across the list, but most are free to apply to and pay a stipend, with amounts ranging from roughly $500/week to $4,500 for the full program. A smaller number charge an application fee and don't offer a stipend.
4. Are any of these internships available virtually, or do most require you to be on-site?
The vast majority require you to be physically present at a lab, campus, or facility, and several are limited to students living in a specific county or school district. If you want to participate from anywhere else in the world, Ladder Internships can connect you with a startup for a fully virtual internship experience.