14 STEM Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
If you're a high school student in Massachusetts interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, a summer internship can be one of the most valuable ways to explore your interests. These programs go beyond the classroom, offering hands-on experience in real labs, research centers, and tech companies.
Massachusetts is a hub for STEM —with popular institutions, universities and companies offering early exposure to fields like biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. As an intern, you’ll not only gain practical skills and mentorship but also strengthen your resume and college applications with practical experience.
To help you find the right opportunity, we've compiled a list of 14 STEM internships for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you're looking for more prestigious STEM programs/internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital main campus and affiliated labs in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, MA
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.
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: Paid; exact stipend details not disclosed
The program is hosted by Massachusetts General Hospital and introduces participants to neurology-focused scientific research and clinical practice. It begins with an immersive boot camp on research techniques and clinical skills before transitioning into full-time lab work. Participants will be paired with both a Neurology faculty mentor and an undergraduate student for one-on-one guidance throughout the six-week internship.
You’ll work 40 hours per week on active research projects, attend faculty-led seminars, and present your work at the end. This is a prestigious, paid STEM internship in Massachusetts with direct exposure to medical research and mentorship at a top-tier teaching hospital.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students, college undergraduates, and gap year participants who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Cost/Stipend: $2,490; financial aid available
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you will gain hands-on professional experience by interning with startups across industries like AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You will be placed with a high-growth company, often valued at over $1 million, and assigned a real-world project that aligns with your interests.
Under the guidance of a dedicated Ladder Coach, you’ll receive one-on-one mentorship, skill-building support, and feedback throughout the internship. This remote STEM internship is a flexible yet rigorous option for Massachusetts high school students seeking year-round experience.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Cost/Stipend: $2,490
The Veritas AI Internship places you in small cohorts to work on real-world AI/ML projects with VC-backed startups. Over 8 weeks, you will collaborate with mentors from institutions like Harvard and companies such as Google and McKinsey, applying machine learning techniques to practical challenges. The internship emphasizes individualized mentorship and active engagement in the AI field.
You will gain technical expertise and industry exposure, culminating in a formal letter of completion outlining your project work and skills gained. This virtual STEM internship is ideal for students looking to deepen their AI knowledge with real-world application and expert support.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from around the world with exceptional academic credentials
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Cost/Stipend: No cost (fully funded)
The Research Science Institute is one of the most prestigious and competitive STEM internships for high school students in Massachusetts. Over six weeks, you will first receive intensive academic instruction, followed by a research phase under the mentorship of university scientists and researchers.
You’ll conduct an independent research project in disciplines like engineering, mathematics, and computer science, culminating in a conference-style presentation. This fully-funded internship offers unmatched academic rigor and mentorship in a university setting, preparing students for top-tier research careers.
Location: Greater Boston area (includes BioBuilder Learning Lab in Kendall Square and local biotech labs)
Eligibility: High school students (16+) in Massachusetts with a demonstrated interest in science
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: Spring training (March–May) and full-time summer internship (June–August)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge begins with a spring training course where you will learn foundational lab techniques and biotechnology concepts through hands-on sessions at BioBuilder’s Learning Lab. Upon successful completion, you're placed into a paid internship at a biotech company or academic lab in the Greater Boston area.
You will acquire practical lab experience, collaborate with professionals in STEM, and showcase your learning and contributions at a final symposium. This program is a great option for Massachusetts high school students interested in biotech careers and offers a rare opportunity to blend structured training with paid lab research.
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Boston public high school students entering grades 11 or 12 who have completed at least one tech course
Application Deadline: Typically April
Program Dates: July – August (6–7 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
The Tech Apprentice Program connects you with Boston-area technology companies for a summer internship emphasizing IT skills, career readiness, and professional networking. You’ll be placed at a local company where you’ll work on real-world tech tasks, ranging from helpdesk support to data entry and software testing.
You’ll also attend professional development workshops and gain firsthand insight into the local tech economy. This paid STEM internship gives high school students in Boston a practical entry point into tech careers, with a focus on skill development and industry exposure.
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Boston residents aged 16+ by June 1; must be available full-time during July–August
Application Deadline: Late March to early April
Program Dates: July – August
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
The Youth Summer Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital introduces you to the healthcare field through a structured, paid summer internship. The program develops career awareness and workplace readiness, including hands-on work experience, mentorship, and professional development.
You will build transferable skills, explore hospital operations, and gain insight into careers in health and science. Applicants are selected through a formal process coordinated with local schools and community organizations, with interviews required for placement. This is a competitive, community-centered STEM internship focused on healthcare exposure and career preparation.
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the Greater Boston area, who have earned a B or better in science and math classes
Application Deadline: January 22
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend
The Broad Summer Scholars Program allows you to work alongside scientists at the Broad Institute on cutting-edge biomedical and genomic research. Over six weeks, you’ll conduct original research in areas like cancer biology, infectious disease, or data science.
With daily mentorship, journal clubs, and professional development workshops, this program prepares you for future academic paths in STEM. You will be paired with a Broad scientist and will present your work at a capstone symposium at the end of the program.
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Boston or Cambridge, at least 16 years old, with a minimum GPA of 2.7. Priority given to students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: June 30 – August 15
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Project Success is a competitive six-week STEM internship hosted at Harvard Medical School, designed to introduce high school students to the world of biomedical research. You’ll be placed in a Harvard-affiliated lab where you’ll collaborate on real research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend seminars, biotech tours, and workshops focused on writing, presenting, and computational skills.
Location: NIH laboratories in Framingham, MA, and Bethesda, MD
Eligibility: Current high school seniors
Application Deadline: February 19
Program Dates: Start dates are May 19, May 27, or June 2; Poster Day: August 7–8
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; stipend provided
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) hosts a summer internship that places you in one of the NIH’s cutting-edge research labs, including its site in Framingham, Massachusetts. Over six to eight weeks, you’ll conduct original biomedical research alongside leading scientists and a principal investigator.
Beyond lab work, the program includes mentorship, workshops, and a culminating Poster Day where you present your findings. You will work alongside a principal investigator in NIH laboratories located in either Bethesda, Maryland, or Framingham, Massachusetts.
Location: Longwood Medical Area, Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors and college freshmen through juniors; must be at least 16 and reside in or attend school in Massachusetts
Application Deadline: Applications open in Fall
Program Dates: 7–11 weeks in summer (exact dates vary)
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; full-time paid internship
The CURE – Summer Only Internship offers a rigorous, hands-on introduction to cancer and biomedical research for Massachusetts high school and college students. You will spend 7 to 11 weeks in a research lab under the guidance of professional scientists, participating in experiments, learning technical lab skills, and attending workshops on STEM careers. The program emphasizes mentorship, scientific literacy, and professional development. This full-time paid internship provides deep exposure to biomedical science in Boston’s world-renowned Longwood Medical Area.
Location: Labs and biotech organizations across Massachusetts
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ enrolled in qualifying Massachusetts schools or programs; recent grads not yet in college may also apply
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Varies by placement
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; paid internship
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge provides paid internships in biotechnology and life sciences to students across Massachusetts. To build foundational lab and professional skills, you’ll first complete a pre-internship training program in locations such as Brockton, Cambridge, Worcester, and New Bedford.
Upon completion, eligible students are matched with host organizations that provide hands-on research experience. You will work as W-2 employees for 8–10 weeks, contributing to real lab projects under the guidance of STEM professionals. If the internship is hybrid, at least 40% of the internship must be in-person.
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on seasonal openings
Program Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; may include stipend or hourly pay (varies by year)
The Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program immerses high school students in dynamic, real-world work environments designed to build scientific curiosity and professional skills. Over the course of the summer, you’ll contribute to the museum’s mission through public engagement, project support, and teamwork across departments.
The program emphasizes social and vocational skill development, including communication, collaboration, time management, and workplace professionalism. You will gain a better understanding of science careers while receiving constructive feedback and exploring your interest in STEM education and museum work.
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 enrolled in a Boston Public School or partner school
Application Deadline: Typically late winter to early spring
Program Dates: Summer (6–8 weeks, dates vary)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
The New England Aquarium’s Teen Internship program provides Boston-area high school students with paid opportunities to explore marine science and conservation while building job-readiness skills. As an intern, you’ll engage in public education, assist with exhibits, and gain behind-the-scenes access to animal care and science operations.
The program emphasizes youth leadership, environmental awareness, and career exploration in marine biology and STEM fields. You will also participate in workshops and mentorship activities, making this a robust, hands-on STEM experience ideal for students interested in ocean science.
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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