17 Summer Internships in Hospitals for High School Students

Are you a high school student interested in exploring a future in healthcare or medicine? Hospital internships provide a unique opportunity to experience the medical field firsthand, from shadowing physicians and assisting with patient care to supporting research and administrative tasks. 

These programs enable you to acquire practical skills, observe clinical environments, and gain a deeper understanding of how hospitals operate daily. Some of these internships also offer mentorship from doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. 

From major medical centers to specialized hospital programs, here are 16 summer internships in hospitals for high school students!

1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP)

Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: $2,500 – $4,000
Program Dates: Year-round; start dates vary
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Boston public high school students from partner schools with an interest in healthcare or medical careers

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) is a year-round internship for Boston high school students interested in healthcare, science, and medicine. You will work part-time during the school year (7–10 hours per week) and full-time in the summer, gaining hands-on experience in hospital departments. Working on real tasks within a hospital setting will help you develop skills in clinical workflows, data management, and professional communication. Additionally, the program provides mentorship from healthcare experts, offering insights into diverse careers in medicine, research, and patient care.

2. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute Summer Program

Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Program Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 who live locally and can commute during the program

The Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute Summer Program is a four-week biomedical research experience for high school students. Designed for students entering grade 11, this in-person program immerses you in research fields such as biochemistry, gene editing, and infectious diseases. Under the guidance of Ph.D.-level mentors, you will learn essential laboratory techniques, conduct hands-on experiments, and participate in workshops on college and career readiness. The program offers a unique opportunity to explore hospital-based research while developing foundational skills for future studies in the health sciences.

3. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round (8–12 weeks each) during summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week

Ladder Internships provides mentored, project-based internships with fast-growing startups in areas like biotechnology, environmental science, and artificial intelligence. You will collaborate directly with startup teams on research or product development while supported by a Ladder Coach. The program includes weekly check-ins and seminars focused on communication and professional skills, culminating in a final presentation to startup leaders that highlights your contributions and growth.

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 in medicine and healthcare very closely!

5. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program

Location: Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, MA
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising seniors or recent graduates living or studying in Massachusetts; U.S. work authorization required

The Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a six-week, full-time summer internship designed for students exploring careers in neuroscience and clinical research. You will begin with an intensive boot camp that covers lab safety, research methods, and clinical training, followed by a neurology research team where you will work on real-world neurobiology or neuroscience projects. Weekly seminars led by leading neurologists will enhance your understanding of neurological disorders, while hands-on lab work builds technical skills. The program culminates in a final symposium, where you will present your research to peers and mentors in a professional setting.

6. LSU Health Sciences Center Summer Research Internship Program

Location: LSU Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 8-week program, June – July
Application Deadline: Varies; typically early spring
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year and undergraduate students; Louisiana residents preferred

The Summer Research Internship Program at LSU Health Sciences Center immerses students in an eight-week laboratory or clinical research experience. You will learn essential skills in experimental techniques, research design, and data analysis while working alongside medical and scientific mentors. Weekly seminars focus on public health, medical science, and career development topics, providing guidance in scientific communication. The program ends with a research symposium, giving participants the opportunity to present their work via poster or oral presentation. Research areas include basic science, clinical medicine, and cancer research, offering a well-rounded introduction to biomedical research in a hospital environment.

7. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program

Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1, with continued college counseling through the academic year
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current juniors attending a public high school in Los Angeles County; must be legally employable in California and demonstrate strong academics and a passion for science

The Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program is a yearlong initiative designed to provide hands-on biomedical research training and comprehensive college preparation. During the full-time summer internship, you will work in a laboratory at The Saban Research Institute, learning essential experimental techniques and participating in active research projects. In addition to lab work, the program offers biology coursework, SAT preparation, and college application workshops. LA-HIP aims to remove barriers to careers in science and medicine for students with limited access to such opportunities. After the summer session, you will continue receiving college counseling throughout your senior year, helping you navigate the admissions process.

8. BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors; preference for students interested in continued research and peer mentorship

The BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship is an eight-week neuroscience and sports medicine program hosted by UCLA’s Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Concussion Program. You will join a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers studying brain injury and recovery in youth athletes. The projects center around concussion research, cognitive testing, and neuroimaging methods like fMRI, EEG, and behavioral assessments. During the internship, you will help with literature reviews, data collection, patient recruitment, and data entry, while also participating in weekly lab meetings.

9. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Location: Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Program Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 18 years old by the program start date

The Summer Child Health Research Internship is a nine-week program designed for high school seniors, offering an immersive experience in pediatric research and clinical science. Hosted by the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, participants work alongside faculty researchers on projects spanning pediatric medicine, genetics, developmental biology, and public health. The program provides practical experience in laboratory and clinical research techniques, along with mentorship and professional growth opportunities. Exceptional participants may be invited to present their work at scientific conferences, with travel expenses covered, offering a professional stepping stone into biomedical research.

10. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Stipend: $13 per hour
Program Dates: June 3 – 8 weeks, 20 hours/week
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from the Cincinnati metropolitan area

The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offers graduating seniors hands-on experience in pediatric medicine and research. You will work with mentors in areas such as pediatric surgery, molecular cardiovascular biology, infectious diseases, and developmental biology. The program includes clinical shadowing, participation in research or clinical projects, and structured enrichment activities like training sessions, community service, lunch seminars, and networking events. This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to pediatric healthcare and prepares students for future studies in medicine or biomedical science.

11. Lifespan Hospital Seacole Scholars Program 

Location: Providence, RI
Stipend: Paid 
Program Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

The Seacole Scholars Program, named in honor of pioneering nurse Mary Seacole, provides a seven-week paid internship for high school students with a CNA license at Lifespan Hospital. You will work four days per week in nursing units alongside 80 other student interns, gaining direct experience in patient care and hospital operations. In addition to clinical exposure, you will participate in weekly Lifespan Workforce and Youth Development training sessions, which offer career counseling and guidance on healthcare pathways. This program is designed to help aspiring healthcare professionals develop skills, build confidence, and prepare for future nursing or medical careers.

12. CURE – Summer Only Internship Program

Location: Longwood Medical Area, Boston, MA
Stipend: Full-time paid internship
Program Dates: 7–11 weeks in the summer 
Application Deadline: Applications open in the Fall
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors and college freshmen through juniors; must be at least 16 years old and reside in or attend school in Massachusetts

The CURE – Summer Only Internship Program provides Massachusetts high school and college students with a full-time summer research experience focused on cancer and biomedical science. Over 7 to 11 weeks, you will conduct mentored research in a professional laboratory setting while developing scientific and technical skills. The program features structured professional development, networking events, and workshops focused on career growth. Aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds to enter science and medicine fields, CURE provides practical experience in Boston’s renowned Longwood Medical Area.

13. Inspiring New Scientists through Professional Internships and Research Experience (INSPIRE)

Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid internship 
Program Dates: 6–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ for INSPIRE High School track

The INSPIRE program at Cedars-Sinai offers a summer internship designed to immerse students and recent graduates in healthcare research through hands-on training and virtual workshops. You will work on-site alongside Cedars-Sinai faculty mentors, gaining exposure to cutting-edge technology and research projects spanning basic, translational, and clinical fields. Your training will cover essential research skills such as study design, data collection and analysis, research ethics including PHI usage, and scientific communication through writing and presentations. In addition to laboratory experience, you will participate in workshops aimed at career exploration, skill development, and networking. The program hosts 25 interns each summer, offering two specialized tracks to support diverse student backgrounds and career goals.

14. CYCE High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Northeast Ohio
Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, aged 15 or older by June 1, 2025, with a strong interest in healthcare or technology careers, who meet residency and school requirements for their chosen track.

This paid internship program provides real-world work experience and professional development in clinical, non-clinical, and advanced technology healthcare fields. You will join one of three tracks: Advanced Technology, Louis Stokes (business-focused), or Science, and gain hands-on exposure to areas such as AI, biomedical engineering, healthcare administration, or nursing. The program includes virtual orientation, on-site work, and a graduation event, with mentorship and skill-building throughout the 7-week summer session.

15. STAR 2.0 Program

Location: Kansas City, MO
Stipend: $2,600
Program Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in public or charter schools, preferably from urban Kansas City metropolitan school districts, with strong academics and interest in medicine or science.

The STAR 2.0 Program offers a hands-on summer research experience where you will work alongside Children’s Mercy faculty on original medical research projects. You will learn clinical and translational research methods, medical ethics, and career development. You will also be able to develop your research into publications for submission to peer-reviewed journals. 

16. St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program

Location: Memphis, TN, and surrounding counties in TN, MS, and AR
Stipend: $4,800
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors) aged 16 or older with a minimum 3.0 GPA attending high school in Memphis-Shelby County or nearby counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas.

This 8-week summer program immerses rising high school seniors from Memphis and surrounding counties in scientific research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Each student is matched with a research mentor to contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as biomedical laboratory research, epidemiology, data science, and clinical studies. Interns are expected to participate in daily research activities and attend weekly seminars that introduce them to career paths in STEM and biomedical research. In addition to scientific training, participants work closely with science educators to reflect on their experiences and present their research in a community showcase.

17. Neurology High School Scholars Program

Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1,000
Program Dates: July 14 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start date and able to travel to CHOP up to 5 days per week.

This five-week paid internship allows you to collaborate closely with neurologists and neuroscientists on either basic science or clinical research projects. You will shadow physicians and engage in weekly educational sessions. Your schedule will be coordinated with your mentor to meet project requirements. At the conclusion of the program, you'll present a poster summarizing your research at a conference. Participation requires completing personnel clearances and full attendance throughout the program.

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