14 Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 8
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student in Massachusetts, you might want to start thinking about exploring a subject of your choice at an advanced level.
One way to do this is by applying to internships in the state. These internships let you work on real projects in areas like science, healthcare, technology, arts, or history, without having to leave Massachusetts for the summer.
You also get hands-on experience, which helps you figure out what interests you and build skills useful for school and future jobs. Taking part in an internship can also strengthen your applications for college or other programs and give you an advantage in related competitions or scholarship programs.
To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 14 internships for high school students in Massachusetts! If you're looking for more prestigious STEM programs or internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs.
14 Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital main campus and affiliated labs in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid; exact stipend details not disclosed
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates residing or studying in Massachusetts (proof of address required); must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a summer internship that lets you explore how the brain works through both research and clinical experience. It begins with a short boot camp where you learn basic lab skills and how doctors study neurological conditions.
After that, you’ll move into full-time lab work with support from a mentor and an undergraduate research partner. You’ll spend the summer working on real research projects, attending seminars led by doctors and scientists, and sharing your findings at the end of the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial assistance available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: June 4 for the summer cohort II
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12), undergraduates, and gap-year students; must commit to 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a remote program where you get to work with real startups in fields like biotech, environmental science, health tech, and data science. You’ll help with things like research, data analysis, and building out new ideas.
Each student is matched with a startup and works on real projects that matter. You’ll get support every week from your startup manager and a Ladder Coach who helps you build skills and stay on track. By the end, you’ll have a project you can show in your portfolio.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None (fully funded)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from around the world with exceptional academic credentials
The Research Science Institute is a free summer program held at MIT for high school students who are serious about science and research. It runs for six weeks and includes both classroom learning and hands-on research. You’ll take advanced STEM classes and work on your research project with help from a mentor.
You might work on topics like math, computer science, or engineering, depending on your interests. At the end, you’ll share your project in a formal presentation with other students and scientists. RSI is one of the toughest programs to get into, but it gives you real experience in science research and connects you with top experts in the field.
Location: Across research institutions and small life sciences companies throughout Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Paid; internship wages subsidized up to $4,080 per intern for six weeks of full-time work
Program Dates: Internships must take place between May 1 – April 30; can be part-time or full-time
Application Deadline: Rolling; funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after approval by MLSC
Eligibility: Underrepresented and low-income high school students throughout Massachusetts; specific eligibility requirements apply
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge is a paid internship program for high school students in Massachusetts. It’s run by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and focuses on students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Each year, the program helps over 150 students find internships at small life sciences companies and research labs.
Before starting your internship, you’ll go through a training program that covers topics like biotechnology, biomedical science, and workplace skills. After that, you’ll work on real projects in labs or companies, getting hands-on experience and learning how science works in the real world.
Location: LEAH Daly – Biogen Community Lab, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA; LEAH Knox – MIT Biology Building, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Up to $2,250 for the summer; additional paid school-year STEM Teaching internship available
Program Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by July 7; current high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors; must reside in and/or attend school in Massachusetts; must meet specific diversity or economic eligibility criteria.
The LEAH Summer Internships program offers two different five-week STEM experiences for high school students in Massachusetts. Both options include hands-on lab work, mentorship, college prep workshops, and a final symposium where you’ll present your project. You’ll also get to meet professionals working in science and health fields.
The LEAH Daly Internship takes place at the Biogen Community Lab. You’ll learn about drug development, genetics, and lab techniques like gel electrophoresis and PCR. The program starts with guided labs and then gives you time to work on your research.
The LEAH Knox Internship is based at MIT and focuses on biomedical and data science. You’ll study bacteria using molecular biology tools and data analysis. This track is designed to help you build independent research skills and understand how science is used to solve real problems.
Location: Ragon Institute and affiliated labs in Massachusetts (Boston, Cambridge, or Gateway Cities)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: June – August; 7 to 9 weeks
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students, recent graduates, or college students residing in Boston, Cambridge, or Massachusetts Gateway Cities; students from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply
The RISE Internship Program is a 7 to 9-week research experience for high school students in Massachusetts who are interested in science and medicine. It takes place at the Ragon Institute and is open to students from Boston, Cambridge, or Gateway Cities.
You’ll work on lab research in fields like immunology and medical science, while also getting help with college and career planning. The program includes workshops, field trips, and group activities so you can learn more about science careers and meet students from different parts of the state.
Location: Varies based on Department of Navy laboratory locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Program Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: August- November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a summer internship for high school students who want to explore science, engineering, or technology. It’s sponsored by the Department of the Navy and places you in one of their research labs in Massachusetts or other states across the country.
You’ll work alongside Navy scientists and engineers on real research projects. That could mean anything from testing new materials to running simulations or studying the environment. The lab you join depends on your interests, and the program tries to match you with a project that fits what you want to learn.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: July – August (6–7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Boston public high school students entering grades 11 or 12 who have completed at least one technology course
The Tech Apprentice Program is a paid summer internship for Boston public high school students. It’s run by the Boston Private Industry Council and connects you with local tech companies for hands-on work experience. You’ll be placed at a company in the Boston area, where you might help with IT support, software testing, or data entry.
Along the way, you’ll learn how tech teams work, build practical skills, and see what a job in the tech world looks like. The program also includes workshops and chances to meet people already working in tech.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: Late March to early April
Eligibility: Boston residents aged 16 or older by June 1; must be available full-time during July and August
The Youth Summer Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a paid internship for Boston high school students who want to explore healthcare careers. You’ll spend the summer working in different parts of the hospital, getting experience with how hospitals run and how healthcare teams support patients.
You’ll also join workshops and meet mentors who help you build skills for future jobs in health and science. The program helps you learn what it’s like to work in a hospital and gives you tools to succeed in any career. To apply, you’ll go through your school or a local group that works with the hospital.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: Summer (6–8 weeks; specific dates vary)
Application Deadline: Typically late winter to early spring
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 enrolled in a Boston Public School or partner school
The Teen Internship Program at the New England Aquarium gives Boston high school students a paid summer chance to learn about marine science and conservation. You’ll get hands-on experience by helping with public programs, assisting at exhibits, and working behind the scenes with animal care and science teams.
Along with daily tasks, you’ll join workshops on leadership, environmental issues, and job skills to help you grow both personally and professionally. You’ll also meet and learn from Aquarium staff and science experts who can guide you about careers in marine biology and conservation.
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: The Summer Youth Internship Program runs during July – August
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Actively enrolled high school students, aged 14–19, or equivalent program participants
The Youth Internship Program at the Museum of Science in Boston offers Massachusetts high school students a chance to gain real work experience in a science museum. You will help the Museum inspire interest in science while building skills useful for future jobs and school.
During the summer internship, you will work with Museum staff on tasks like public education, supporting exhibits, and helping visitors. The program helps you learn professional communication, teamwork, time management, and what to expect at work.
Location: Paul Revere House, North End, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants must bring their lunch
Program Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 in Fall; students from marginalized groups encouraged to apply
The Paul Revere House One-Week Internship gives Massachusetts high school students a chance to learn how history museums work and how they share stories with the public. Over five days, you will work with museum staff, see how historians study the past, and explore challenges in telling history fairly and clearly.
You will join group talks, handle real artifacts, and work on projects to create content about museum objects. This internship lets you see behind the scenes of museum work, visitor programs, and public events, helping you understand careers in museums and history.
Location: Tufts University Medford campus, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; transportation and housing not provided
Program Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by July 1 who reside in Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy, MA; strong interest in biomedical research required
The TUBERS program gives high school students from certain Massachusetts cities a six-week research experience in biomedical engineering labs at Tufts University. You will work with faculty and researchers, learning how to design experiments, test ideas, and think critically about scientific problems.
During the program, you will use different biomedical research methods, carry out your projects, and share your results with mentors, peers, and family. You can also get help to enter your project in science competitions at the local or national level.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $15 per hour
Program Dates: 12-month program beginning in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until May
Eligibility: Boston-area high school students
The MFA Teen Programs let Boston-area high school students explore jobs in museums and work with art and culture. You can join as part of the Teen Arts Council, Visitor Aides, or Program Assistants. This gives you a chance to see how the museum works behind the scenes and learn about its art collections.
You will help with teen events, support visitors, and work on projects that connect the museum with the community. You can also take art classes and workshops to build your creativity. The program includes chances to learn professional skills, meet artists and leaders, and get guidance from museum staff.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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