Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This list covers 16 STEM internships for high school students in NYC, with a heavy concentration of biomedical opportunities and scientific research programs at institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, Rockefeller University, and Columbia University. You will also find university-led engineering and lab-research programs, environmental and field science internships based in local parks and nature centers, and a couple of tech-focused options, including one fully remote program. Most run 6 to 10 weeks over the summer, though a few (like BEYOND ALBERT and Tech Flex Leaders) extend into the academic year. Stipends, eligibility, and deadlines vary widely, so it’s worth checking individual program details before making a decision.
If you are considering a future in STEM, an internship is one of the most practical ways to explore your interests outside the classroom. STEM internships place you directly in universities, hospitals, museums, research institutions, technology organizations, and other STEM-focused workplaces to gain real work experience. Depending on the internship, you might spend your time in a lab, work on a technology project, assist with research, or learn directly from professionals. Some programs focus on a particular subject, while others let you explore several areas of STEM before deciding what interests you most.
Why should you do a STEM internship in NYC?
STEM internships in NYC place you in real workplace settings within a city where science and technology are connected to many different industries and public needs. You may find opportunities in healthcare and biomedical research at hospitals and medical institutions, technology and computing at universities and companies, or environmental and engineering projects related to the city’s infrastructure. Museums and science organizations can also offer opportunities that introduce students to research, education, and public-facing STEM work. If you are still figuring out your interests, a broader STEM internship in the city can help you explore multiple disciplines and see what catches your attention. Our guide to choosing the right internship can be a good starting point for figuring out the kind of opportunity that will work for you.
How do you apply for a STEM internship in NYC?
The first step should be to check whether you meet the program’s requirements, so that you only spend time on applications for programs specifically open to students with your background and interests. NYC programs may have eligibility rules based on grade level, age, school, borough, residency, or other factors. You may also need to submit materials such as a transcript, resume, recommendation, short-answer responses, or an essay. For in-person programs, check the location and schedule to make sure you can get there consistently. It’s also worth keeping track of different deadlines because NYC programs may open applications at different times throughout the year. If you are shortlisting highly selective opportunities, start with our guide to getting into competitive internships!
To make the search easier, we have put together a list of 16 STEM internships for high school students in NYC. Our selection prioritizes options that come with strong networking opportunities and rigorous, real-world STEM exposure.
If you are also looking for STEM opportunities beyond NYC, check out our selection of summer STEM internships and remote STEM internships.
Quick internship overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Biomedical and healthcare research programs |
MSK Summer Student Program, YES in THE HEIGHTS, Weill Cornell Pediatrics Summer Internship, BEYOND ALBERT, BRAINYAC |
Free; stipends ranging from ~$1,200 to $2,500 |
Students who want mentored research experience at a hospital or medical research institution, often with eligibility tied to NYC residency or a specific borough |
|
University Engineering & Lab Research Programs |
NYU ARISE, Columbia ENG, Project SEED, BioRocket Research Internship Program, Rockefeller Summer Science Research Program |
Free; stipends ranging from ~$2,000 to $4,000 |
Students who want structured lab training and research experience on a university campus, spanning fields like engineering, chemistry, and biotechnology |
|
Environmental and field science programs |
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, Wave Hill Forest Project, RISE Environmentor, Alley Pond Environmental Center's Field Biology Internship |
Cost: free to $200; stipends range from ~1,200 to $3,000 |
Students who want hands-on outdoor work, such as fieldwork, habitat restoration, or ecological surveys, rather than a traditional lab setting |
|
Tech and startup programs |
Cost varies with aid available; Tech Flex is free and offers a stipend |
Students who want exposure to tech or startup work, whether through a short virtual placement or a longer program building toward a paid tech internship |
16 STEM Internships for High School Students in NYC
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 a 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 seeking a fully virtual project-based internship experience led by a startup.
2. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn (New York City), NY
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact details not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who live and are enrolled in schools in New York City
ARISE is a paid, 10-week summer program that offers high schoolers research training and experience on the New York University campus. In the initial four weeks, you will attend training sessions covering college-level writing, research safety, and research basics. Then, you will join an NYU lab to engage in a six-week STEM research experience. Placements span a range of fields, including environmental engineering, cybersecurity, chemistry, civil engineering, biology, and data science. Over the course of the summer, you will receive college application guidance, gain about 150 hours of lab exposure, and develop a research presentation that you will deliver at the end of ARISE. You will leave with access to the program’s alumni network.
Who it’s best for: NYC students who want paid research and lab exposure on a university campus.
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% of applicants accepted; 20 interns/year
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6; applications will open on December 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 14 and up, with a GPA of 3.5+ in science; applicants must live in CT, NY, or NJ within 25 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s main campus.
SSP at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) offers high school students hands-on exposure to biomedical and computational research over eight weeks. You will work with MSK researchers on an independent project aligned with the lab’s goals, gaining experience in experimental design, data analysis, and science communication. Research placements typically span STEM fields such as computational biology, genomics, cancer biology, cell/molecular/developmental biology, immunology, structural biology, and chemical biology. Alongside research work, you will attend seminars, lab meetings, and professional development sessions to learn about cancer biology and translational medicine, as well as get some exposure to the scientific community at MSK. The program will end with poster presentations.
Who it’s best for: Students close to MSK campus looking to work on independent biomedical or computational projects within a laboratory environment.
4. Columbia University’s Engineering the Next Generation (ENG)
Location: Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application deadline: FoR track: January 16 | CS3 track: March 1
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors) attending NYC schools who are legally allowed to work in NYC with prior work or volunteer experience
ENG is a paid six-week program run by Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. You will choose from two tracks: Foundations of Research (FoR) and Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3). In the FoR track, you get to work closely with Columbia Engineering faculty and researchers on projects in computer science or engineering. In the CS3 track, you will use computer vision, urban tech, AI tools, and coding to explore how technology affects community life. Both tracks will offer research skills workshops, college-prep sessions, science communication training, and mentorship from graduate students and faculty. Depending on the track you choose, you may get to present your projects to city officials or contribute to a research paper.
Who it’s best for: NYC high schoolers looking for paid hands-on tech and engineering experiences.
5. BioRocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace Community Biolab, Brooklyn (NYC), NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: February 25 – May 21 (Spring Session); July 6 – August 14 (Summer Session)
Application deadline: Typically, January; applications open on November 1.
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students who are 16 or older by the orientation date; applicants must live in NYC or attend an eligible school within commuting distance of Genspace.
BioRocket Research Internship is a six-month program that places local students within a research environment to work on investigations within genetics, biotechnology, or molecular biology. As an intern, you will explore and use laboratory techniques to conduct modern biological research, including genetic engineering methods, and work with peers and mentors on a team research project. The schedule will include visits to research laboratories and biotech organizations, helping you explore STEM beyond the classroom. At the end, you will complete an original research project.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in gaining lab experiences alongside scientists and able to commit six months to hands-on research work.
6. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED
Location: Participating research sites across the U.S., including in New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~350+ students/year; NYC-specific numbers not available
Dates: 8- to 10-week summer research experience; 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 be above 300% of the limits defined in Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Project SEED is a paid, summer experience that connects high school students to university labs or research facilities. You will spend 8 to 10 weeks in a laboratory engaging in real research work within chemistry alongside a scientist or research mentor. Depending on your site and mentor, you may go on field trips and campus tours, attend career panels, and/or access various professional development opportunities. Additionally, you may attend the American Chemical Society National Meeting, where you can present your findings to a large audience of STEM professionals. You may also be able to return to Project SEED in the consecutive summer to continue engaging in chemistry research.
Who it’s best for: Students who want a paid chemistry-focused research experience and an opportunity to work within a real lab.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in NYC. You will be assigned a mentor in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, or Canada
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, this paid summer program offers students exposure to real-world work within fisheries and aquatic science. As a participant, you will work closely with fisheries professionals, who will serve as mentors, and engage in projects focusing on aquatic habitat restoration, protection, and management. Over the course of eight weeks, you will gain exposure to the life of a fisheries biologist and explore other career paths in the animal and aquatic sciences. Tasks can vary by placement, with possible activities being electrofishing, fish tracking and tagging, examining aquatic specimens, taking fish population surveys, and analyzing data.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in fisheries and aquatic resource management who want a paid summer mentorship.
8. YES in THE HEIGHTS @ Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; less than 10% of high school applicants accepted/year
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 14 years of age
YES in THE HEIGHTS is a paid program that introduces students to the scientific work taking place at Columbia's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. You will spend eight weeks working closely with researchers and mentors and exploring how laboratory discoveries contribute to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The program will combine hands-on research with workshops covering scientific concepts and professional skills. You will also connect with physicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals, gaining a broader understanding of STEM careers. You will engage with the program for two summers.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a multi-summer research-focused experience under the mentorship of scientists and healthcare professionals.
9. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (6- and 10-week options available, depending on the project)
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors or seniors, college students, college graduates, and medical students
Weill Cornell Medicine’s internships place students on projects and pediatric departments to explore real-world work within medicine, research, or healthcare administration. You can choose from clinical, education, research, advocacy, or administrative tracks based on your interests. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to placement-specific research or tasks focused on infectious diseases, nephrology, pediatric neurology, asthma, cardiology, or public health. Throughout the internship, you will work closely with faculty mentors while developing skills in research, data analysis, patient education, or healthcare operations.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in healthcare and research who want to explore the behind-the-scenes work within a medical institute.
10. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based stipend may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up
The Summer Science Research Program offers students team research experiences at the Rockefeller University. As a participant, you will join a group of 8 to 10 peers to work on a mentored project under the guidance of trainees from MSK, Rockefeller, and Weill Cornell Medical Center. You will begin by learning about research techniques and best practices, and then move on to developing and investigating research questions within your team. During the program, you will also take elective courses and attend guest lectures, social/networking events, and workshops. The summer program will end with a poster presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for research exposure and group-based, mentored project experiences in STEM.
11. Wave Hill Forest Project
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx (NYC), NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; ~$2,275 stipend (paid through the NYC SYEP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer program; specific dates not specified
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 by May 1, are New York City residents, and are eligible to work in the U.S.
The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer program that offers students hands-on exposure to urban ecology and conservation through outdoor work in urban environments over the summer. You will spend the summer engaging in tasks like maintaining trails, restoring woodland habitats, removing invasive species, and supporting ecological stewardship efforts across Wave Hill's grounds. The internship will combine fieldwork with a college-level course in ecological restoration, allowing you to connect real-world experience with scientific concepts. You will also engage in data collection activities, group projects, and field trips with partner organizations.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid summer experience focused on ecosystem restoration and environmental science training.
12. BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx (NYC), NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Late June – August (eight weeks) + academic year program: September – May
Application deadline: January 12; applications open on November 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors, ages 16 and up, who reside in the Bronx and attend Bronx high schools
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program lets Bronx high schoolers engage in biomedical and cancer research. You will join an eight-week laboratory internship in the summer and an after-school seminar series focused on scientific skills and college readiness. During the summer, you will work closely with faculty mentors, conducting research, analyzing data, and learning how to present your findings in written and oral formats. You will also engage in workshops led by scientists, postdocs, and students, learning about research methods and pathways in cancer biology. Following the summer, you will receive additional support focused on college prep, applications, and financial aid during the school year.
Who it’s best for: Bronx students looking for year-long research and STEM exposure, guidance, and college prep support.
13. RISE Environmentor
Location: RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity), Far Rockaway (Queens/NYC), NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June – mid-August (six-week program; dates vary annually)
Application deadline: Not specified; Applications are available in the spring, and group interviews are scheduled in May.
Eligibility: 9th- to 11th-grade students who live in New York City and attend school in or near the Rockaway Peninsula
The RISE Environmentor is a mentorship program that lets students explore environmental science and climate action through community projects. You will conduct research under the guidance of mentors who will be environmental professionals and educators over six weeks. In the process, you will learn about areas like coastal ecosystems, climate resilience, and sustainable development. You will explore local environmental challenges affecting the Rockaway community. Fieldwork, leadership development, and career exploration activities will help you connect classroom STEM concepts to real-world issues. You will also engage in community service events and earn community service hours during the program.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working on real projects focused on environmental change.
14. America On Tech’s Tech Flex Leaders (NYC)
Location: Virtual + New York (Manhattan), NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Fall and Spring semesters: September – May; summer internship (June – August) (Nine months in total)
Application deadline: Priority deadline: July 5; final deadline: August 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors attending New York City public or charter schools (all boroughs) who are NYC residents; graduating seniors are not eligible.
Tech Flex Leaders is a nine-month program that introduces students to tech fundamentals alongside emerging AI concepts and tools over two semesters and a summer internship. In the fall semester, you will learn web development basics, HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, while also getting an introduction to how AI tools work and how to use them responsibly, culminating in a Demo Day Competition where top teams present their final projects to a panel of judges. In the spring, you will choose a specialized trackfrom Advanced Web Development, UX Design, Digital Marketing, Product Management, or Data Science, each incorporating AI applications relevant to that field. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly technical training sessions led by industry professionals, along with professional development workshops on identity, leadership, and navigating a tech career. As an NYC participant, successfully completing both semesters makes you eligible to work with AOT's Access Tech team to secure a paid summer tech internship through the organization's employer network, which includes companies like Accenture, NBCUniversal, and past alumni placements at Amazon, Cisco, and Microsoft.
Who it's best for: NYC students who want a free, year-long introduction to tech and AI that leads directly into a paid summer internship.
15. BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia)
Location: Columbia University Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students
Dates: June 30 – August 14 (tentative; dates TBA for the next cycle)
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in October
Eligibility: 10th- or 11th-grade students who reside in New York City and are enrolled in one of BRAINYAC's partner programs
BRAINYAC offers students a paid summer internship focused on neuroscience research within a Columbia University laboratory. You will be paired with a mentor who will guide you as you work on a hands-on research project. Over the course of seven to eight weeks, you will attend educational sessions, build lab and data analysis skills, and learn how research contributes to discoveries in brain science. The experience will culminate in a scientific poster presentation where you will share your findings. You will also gain exposure to research and explore STEM careers as a participant.
Who it’s best for: Students in select NYC programs looking for one-on-one research mentorships and the opportunity to work in university labs.
16. Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, Douglaston (NYC), NY
Cost/Stipend: $200 (financial aid available upon request); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer: June 30 – August 5 (Tuesdays or Wednesdays) | Spring: March 14 – May 2 (Saturdays) | Fall: September 26 – October 31 (Saturdays)
Application deadline: May 1 (summer) | January 2 (spring) | August 1 (fall)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 years old and currently in high school; applicants must be able to participate in outdoor activities for at least two hours.
The Field Biology Internship lets you study organisms in their natural environment through ecological and biological work in local parks across New York City. You will spend three hours during every session learning from environmental professionals, exploring urban ecosystems, and building skills in data collection and research design. Your schedule will include activities like biodiversity surveys, water quality sampling, bird observations, and macroinvertebrate identification. You will also connect with other interns. The program will let you communicate your scientific findings through a final presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in ecology and biology and looking for fieldwork experience within urban parks.
What skills can you pick up in STEM internships?
The skills you develop will depend on the internship, but you may gain experience in research, laboratory work, coding, data analysis, scientific communication, or project development. Some programs may give you the chance to use professional equipment or software, while others may focus more on observation, experimentation, or group projects. You may also learn how to keep track of your work, communicate with mentors, and approach problems when you do not immediately know the answer. These are skills you can continue building through future classes, projects, and STEM activities.
Can a STEM internship help with your college applications?
A STEM internship can serve as useful application material, especially when it provides meaningful experience that connects to your academic interests. Instead of treating the internship as another activity to add to a list, you can use the experience in a few strategic ways:
Show how you spent your time outside school: An internship can demonstrate that you used your time to pursue a STEM interest in a structured setting. If you had specific responsibilities or worked on a particular project, you can describe them to highlight the extent of your involvement.
Explain what you discovered about a field: You can discuss an area of STEM that became more interesting to you after seeing how it is used in practice.
Use specific examples for personal essays: A challenge, project, mentor interaction, or new discovery can become a concrete example of how you learn and approach problems.
Support your academic direction: If the experience influenced the subjects you want to study or the questions you want to explore, you can explain that connection in your application.
Common questions about these NYC STEM internships
1. Will you actually conduct research and collect your own data, or mostly assist with someone else’s project?
Most of these internships involve direct, hands-on research work, whether that's running experiments, collecting field data, or analyzing results, rather than just watching from the sidelines. That said, how much ownership you have over the work can depend on your specific placement and mentor, so it's worth checking whether a program emphasizes an independent project or a team-based one.
2. Will your experience be lab-based, or can it involve fieldwork outside a traditional lab setting?
Both options exist. Several internships place you in a laboratory working with researchers on biomedical, chemical, or neuroscience research, while others are based outdoors, involving fieldwork like ecological surveys, habitat restoration, or environmental monitoring in local parks and natural areas.
3. How much do these internships pay, and is there ever a cost to apply?
Most of these internships are free to apply to and come with a stipend, with amounts typically ranging from about $1,200 to $4,000 depending on the program's length and funding source. A smaller number charge an application or program fee instead of offering a stipend, so it's worth confirming the cost structure before you commit.
4. Do you need to live within NYC or a specific part of the city to qualify, or are these internships open to students from anywhere?
Eligibility varies quite a bit. Some internships are open to any NYC resident or student enrolled in NYC schools, while others are restricted to a specific borough or neighborhood. At least one program requires a nomination from a partner school or program, so it's worth double-checking the exact requirements for your location. If you want a remote experience, Ladder Internships can connect you with a startup to work remotely on a STEM project.