16 Summer Health Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student, participating in a summer internship is one of the most effective ways to build practical skills, explore future careers, and strengthen your college applications. Internships help you develop real-world experience, improve your resume, and show admissions officers and employers that you’re proactive and passionate about your field of interest. For high school students interested in medicine, public health, nursing, or biomedical research, summer health internships offer a unique opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to the healthcare world.
Whether you're shadowing physicians, conducting lab experiments, or helping with community health outreach, these internships can help you test your interests and build confidence in a professional setting. Some summer health internships for high school students also provide mentorship from medical professionals, site visits to hospitals or research centers, and chances to work on meaningful health-related projects. These internships are open to high schoolers from a variety of grade levels and backgrounds, and include both free and paid opportunities.
Here are 16 summer health internships for high school students to explore!
16 Summer Health Internships for High School Students
1. Scripps Research Translational Institute: Student Research Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 40 students across all levels
Dates: June 2 – August 8; June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with a strong interest in biomedical or translational research
Stipend: Not confirmed
This highly selective summer internship immerses you in the field of precision medicine and translational science research. You will explore cutting-edge topics, including clinical genomics, biomedical data analysis, and digital health technologies. Under the guidance of experienced researchers, you'll receive lab training and conduct an independent research project. The program culminates in a formal symposium where you present your findings to peers and mentors. You’ll gain valuable experience in genetic association studies, data interpretation, and the scientific method, all within a collaborative research environment.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts available; Includes summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships offers a structured, remote internship experience tailored for ambitious students interested in fields like health tech, medicine, and mental health. You’ll be matched with a high-growth startup aligned with your interests and gain real-world experience through project-based work. In addition to hands-on tasks, you’ll benefit from weekly one-on-one mentorship with an experienced researcher or entrepreneur. The program emphasizes professional development, industry exposure, and portfolio-building, making it an ideal option for students exploring healthcare innovation. Ladder also offers flexibility with rolling cohorts and financial aid for eligible applicants.
3. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~20 students accepted
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+)
Cost/Stipend: None
The STaRS Internship at Stanford provides a hands-on introduction to surgical innovation, regenerative medicine, and biotechnology. Over seven weeks, you’ll collaborate with Stanford faculty on research projects in areas such as tissue engineering and medical device design. The program features lab-based experimentation, clinical seminars, and interdisciplinary teamwork, all of which are focused on translating scientific discoveries into practical medical solutions. You’ll gain exposure to both academic research and clinical practice, making it ideal for students interested in biomedical engineering or pre-med pathways.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work/research + learn model very closely!
5. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cohort Size: ~25 interns per session
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students aged 14+ who are California residents
Cost: $850 tuition + $40 application fee; Financial aid offered
During this two-week virtual program, you'll learn about cutting-edge AI applications in healthcare. Hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), the internship combines coding workshops, guest lectures, and research projects to help you explore how machine learning is revolutionizing diagnostics and treatment. You'll attend interactive “Career Lunch & Learns” with professionals in medicine, technology, and academia. The program culminates in a final symposium where you present your findings to peers and mentors, strengthening both your technical and communication skills.
6. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: January – February 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
This five-week internship offers hands-on exposure to neuroscience and neurological research at a leading medical institute. You’ll join lab teams to conduct research on topics related to neurological disorders and treatments, gaining experience in scientific analysis and laboratory procedures. The program emphasizes mentorship from academic professionals and includes seminars on interpreting scientific literature. In addition to research, you’ll build skills in communication and professional development, which will prepare you for future studies or careers in neuroscience, medicine, or biomedical fields.
7. Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) from Boston or Cambridge; Minimum GPA of 2.7
Stipend: Paid
Project Success is a rigorous summer internship that places you in a Harvard-affiliated biomedical lab with one-on-one mentorship from experienced researchers. Over six weeks, you’ll work on real research projects while attending seminars, hospital tours, and skill-building workshops on scientific communication, computing, and professional development. The program is designed to increase access for students from underrepresented backgrounds, offering not just technical experience but also personal support and exposure to academic and industry pathways in health and medicine. Read here for more information!
8. Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus (Children’s Hospital Colorado), Aurora, CO
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+)
Stipend: $4,400
This nine-week internship offers intensive exposure to pediatric clinical and research environments. You’ll assist faculty on projects related to genetics, child development, and public health, while learning research methodology and data analysis. During the program, you will attend seminars and participate in practical laboratory experiences that are directly relevant to clinical practice. Exceptional interns may be invited to present at scientific conferences, with funding for travel support. If you are interested in a career in pediatrics, public health, or academic medicine, this opportunity might be for you.
9. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Early November – February 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from the Cincinnati metropolitan area
Stipend: $13 per hour
This internship offers hands-on experience in pediatric healthcare and biomedical research to local graduating seniors. Over eight weeks, you’ll be paired with a mentor in specialties such as pediatric surgery, infectious diseases, or cardiovascular biology. Your experience may include shadowing clinical professionals, assisting in research labs, and participating in enrichment activities such as seminars, skills training, and community service. The program emphasizes both technical learning and professional development, providing a well-rounded introduction to the field of pediatric medicine.
10. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; only 80 students shortlisted (60% high school students)
Dates: June 3 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+); Must have completed high school courses in chemistry and biology
Stipend: $4,500
This immersive 10-week program places you in a cancer research lab, where you'll contribute to ongoing biomedical investigations under the expert guidance of a mentor. You’ll select a specific research project and engage in hands-on lab work alongside City of Hope scientists. The experience includes weekly seminars, workshops on research ethics, and poster presentations, culminating in a written research report. Some students co-author scientific papers or contribute to patented innovations, making this a strong opportunity for aspiring cancer researchers and future health professionals.
11. Fred Hutch Cancer Center: Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
Stipend: Paid + free ORCA card for commuting
This full-time, eight-week internship provides hands-on research experience for students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The program begins with two weeks of lab safety and technical training, followed by a period of working in a research lab under the guidance of a scientific mentor. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend seminars, professional development workshops, and networking events with peers and scientists. SHIP emphasizes both scientific growth and community-building, preparing students for future academic and career paths in health and medicine.
12. Helios Scholars
Location: TGen, Phoenix, AZ, or TGen North, Flagstaff, AZ
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 4
Eligibility: Graduating Arizona high school seniors (16+) with U.S. work authorization
Stipend: $14.70 per hour
This full-time summer internship allows you to explore biomedical research through hands-on work in areas like computational biology, lab science, and bioinformatics. Hosted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the program matches you with a research mentor to investigate diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. You’ll gain experience in both experimental and computational methods while also developing professional skills through seminars and writing workshops. The program supports students from diverse backgrounds and aims to prepare future scientists for careers in health and biomedical research.
13. KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Opens on November 18
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16-19 by June 1 (preference given to high school juniors and seniors); Should live in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area
Stipend: $23 per hour
This internship places you in a healthcare setting where you’ll contribute to administrative and support functions. Over seven weeks, you’ll gain exposure to hospital and clinical operations, build workplace skills, and learn from mentors in various healthcare professions. Weekly workshops cover topics such as personal development, communication, and career exploration. The program includes community service projects, networking events, and team-building activities, offering a well-rounded introduction to healthcare systems and careers.
14. University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: Various university labs
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 30 students per year
Dates: Second week of June – First week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+) from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas
Stipend: $3,000
ResearcHStart is a prestigious eight-week cancer research internship that immerses you in laboratory work across top Illinois institutions. You’ll collaborate with leading scientists on projects in areas like bioengineering, immunology, and therapeutic development. The program provides hands-on research training, mentorship from faculty, and weekly career development sessions. It culminates in a research symposium, where you present your work to peers and mentors, providing you with real-world experience in academic research and scientific communication.
15. Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP)
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cohort Size: 100 students selected per year
Dates: Year-round program; start dates vary
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Boston public high school students from partner schools with a keen interest in healthcare, science, or medicine
Stipend: $2,500 – $4,000 (tentative)
SSJP offers year-round internship opportunities for Boston high school students interested in careers in health and science. You’ll be placed in departments throughout the hospital where you’ll assist with tasks and learn about medical and research roles. The program offers academic and professional development resources, including tutoring, college counseling, and test preparation. You will also benefit from long-term mentorship and alumni internship opportunities, making SSJP a sustained pathway toward a future in healthcare.
16. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Two-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students interested in science and medicine
Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee; Financial aid offered
This virtual internship delivers hands-on surgical training and clinical knowledge through daily interactive sessions led by Stanford medical professionals. Mornings feature lectures on cardiothoracic topics, including ECG interpretation, imaging, and surgical pathology. In the afternoons, you’ll participate in simulation labs using mailed instrument kits to practice suturing, dissection, and vessel anastomosis. You’ll also study porcine heart anatomy and refine surgical techniques like knot tying and instrument handling, gaining early exposure to skills relevant to a career in medicine or surgery.
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