12 STEM Internships for High School Students in Boston
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student in Boston looking for a way to gain professional experience in a STEM field, consider a STEM internship!
STEM internships can provide a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real-world research labs, hospitals, tech teams, and clean energy startups. These summer opportunities explore STEM subjects, including biology, computer science, engineering, and environmental science.
Whether you're aiming for a future in medicine, AI, sustainability, or biotech, a well-chosen internship in the city can open doors. You will receive professional exposure, enhance your technical and communication skills, collaborate with industry experts, and build networks that could influence your future — all while significantly boosting your resume.
We’ve carefully selected 12 STEM internships for high school students in Boston, based on criteria like:
Prestige of the host institution or research lab (think MIT, Dana-Farber, Tufts, and more)
The rigor and structure of the professional experience
And whether the internship is fully-funded or pays a stipend
Each opportunity on this list takes place during the summer, is open to students based in Boston, and involves work in a STEM field.
💡 If you're looking for more prestigious STEM programs/internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs!
RSI is one of the most prestigious summer research programs for high school students, hosted annually at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Over six weeks, 100 selected students from around the world engage in an elite academic experience that blends advanced coursework with an intensive, mentored research internship.
You'll begin with one week of STEM lectures from MIT professors, followed by five weeks working on an original research project under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers. The program culminates in conference-style oral and written presentations.
Cost: Free
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge (Greater Boston area)
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (11th grade only); U.S. and international students are eligible
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Dates: Various according to the cohort. Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) programs, offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provide high school students with engaging STEM internships and career-oriented experiences. These programs are incorporated into Career Technical Education (CTE) and Innovation Career Pathways, covering areas such as engineering, healthcare, environmental science, and information technology.
Students will participate in practical learning through internships, clinical experiences, simulations, and capstone projects, often under the guidance of industry experts. The programs aim to enhance both academic and technical capabilities, assist with career planning via MyCAP, and may also address credentialing requirements in some instances.
Cost: Free (some internships and cooperative education experiences may be paid)
Location: Participating high schools and employer sites across Boston and Massachusetts
Dates: Varies by school and program; typically June–August for summer internships
Application Deadline: Varies by school and pathway; students should check with their career counselor or regional MassHire Workforce Board
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 enrolled in eligible schools with CTE or Innovation Career Pathways; MyCAP participation may be required
Northeastern University's Young Scholars Program (YSP) gives rising high school seniors the chance to immerse themselves in real-world research across engineering, science, and health sciences. Over six weeks, you’ll be placed in a lab alongside faculty mentors and graduate students, working on cutting-edge projects in areas like robotics, cancer therapies, renewable energy, and machine learning.
In addition to lab work, you will explore STEM careers through site visits to companies like Biogen and Akamai, attend engineering seminars, and receive personalized college and career counseling. It’s a rigorous and collaborative experience designed to build technical skills, confidence, and provide early exposure to STEM pathways in academia and industry.
Cost: Free
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are closed; typically open in January and close in March
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents entering 12th grade in Fall 2025; must live within commuting distance of Northeastern; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
The MGH Youth Scholars and Summer Jobs Program offers high school students from Boston, Chelsea, and Revere the opportunity to explore careers in science and healthcare through immersive, paid summer internships. You will be placed in departments across Massachusetts General Hospital, including regenerative medicine, anesthesia, and tissue engineering.
Over six weeks, you’ll gain hands-on experience, attend weekly professional development workshops, and connect with healthcare professionals and mentors. The program is designed to support first-generation and underrepresented youth, helping them develop academic confidence and practical communication skills.
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend for summer employment
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Dates: Varies depending on opportunity
Application Deadline: Applications usually open around February – March and close between March – April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 attending school in Boston, Chelsea, or Revere
7. YouthWorks
YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that places high school students and young adults in short-term, paid internships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in Massachusetts. Many of these job placements are in STEM fields like healthcare, environmental services, IT, and public works.
You will work for 6–8 weeks during the summer (or September to May in the year-round version) and receive professional training in soft skills, communication, and workplace behavior through the Signal Success curriculum. The program is designed to help you build career-ready experience, navigate professional environments, and prepare for further education or vocational training.
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend or hourly wage
Location: Boston and other participating cities across Massachusetts
Dates: Summer program (6–8 weeks, typically June–August); Year-round option (September–May)
Application Deadline: Varies by location; students can apply through a local YouthWorks partner or city program.
Eligibility: Massachusetts youth aged 14–21; priority is often given to low-income or at-risk students
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program gives high school students the chance to work on real research in cutting-edge biomedical labs. Over six weeks, you’ll join a research team at Tufts, learn experimental protocols, test hypotheses, and study a biomedical topic in depth, ranging from tissue engineering to cellular systems.
You will work closely with university researchers and graduate students while gaining exposure to research careers in biomedical science. The program ends with a presentation of your work to peers, families, and teachers, and many students go on to enter their projects in local and national science competitions.
Cost: Free
Location: Tufts University Medford campus (Greater Boston area)
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old by July 1, and reside in one of the following Massachusetts towns: Boston, Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, or Quincy
The RISE Program at the Ragon Institute gives high school students the chance to explore cutting-edge biomedical research in immunology. Over seven weeks, you’ll work in a professional research lab alongside scientists, gaining exposure to experimental techniques and real-world scientific questions.
The program includes a week-long “boot camp,” an immunology crash course led by graduate students, field trips, college prep workshops, and a final presentation of your work. Interns are placed in labs based on their interests and backgrounds, and they receive mentorship throughout the experience.
Cost: Free; participants are paid $17/hour
Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge, MA
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors or recent high school grads aged 16+ from Boston, Cambridge, Revere, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Lynn, Medford, Quincy, or other MA Gateway Cities; must show academic interest in STEM, and economic need is prioritized
The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program offers vocational and technical high school students a chance to gain paid, hands-on experience in Massachusetts’ fast-growing clean energy industry. The program runs through the academic year and summer, placing you in roles to learn job-site skills, interact with professionals, and explore career pathways in clean technology, engineering, and energy systems.
You will also receive support from co-op coordinators and build valuable industry connections, often leading to future opportunities in the green workforce. Work placements are tailored to the student’s background and program of study, with eligibility checks and structured onboarding supported by MassCEC.
Cost: Free; participants receive hourly wage
Location: Boston and other participating locations across Massachusetts
Dates: October 28 – August 21
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged for best placement opportunities
Eligibility: High school seniors in vocational or technical programs, After Dark or CTI students, or recent graduates (within one year) from those programs, subject to approval by the school and MassCEC
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge provides underrepresented and low-income high school students across Massachusetts with paid internships in the life sciences. Each year, the program funds over 150 internships at research labs, biotech companies, and healthcare organizations.
You will receive pre-internship training in biotechnology and workplace skills through regional partners like LEAH Project, BioBuilder, WPI MeDHigh, and Digital Ready. You will work part-time or full-time under supervision, acquiring practical experience and investigating actual career paths in STEM.
Cost: Free; interns are paid ~$17/hour for up to 6 weeks; funded by MLSC
Location: Boston and other participating cities across Massachusetts
Dates: Internships take place throughout the year between May 1 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling; funding is first-come, first-served after offers are approved
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds enrolled in participating Massachusetts schools; pre-training program may be required based on region
Dana-Farber’s Student Training Program offers high school students from Boston a chance to explore healthcare and research through a structured, paid summer internship. As an intern, you will be assigned to one of the hospital’s departments, which range from clinical oncology to cancer research or healthcare administration, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in real professional environments.
The program includes weekly workshops on college and career readiness, networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, and visits to local colleges. Designed to empower students academically and professionally, this internship supports personal growth, builds confidence, and helps you explore future careers in science and healthcare.
Cost: Free; students are paid for their participation (hourly stipend not publicly specified)
Location: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students from Boston and partner communities; commitment to attend orientation, work 30 hrs/week for 7 weeks, and participate in college readiness activities
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, 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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