8 STEM Internships for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 3
- 7 min read
STEM internships provide high school students with an opportunity to begin building a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, allowing them to explore potential career paths in a professional setting. By engaging with professionals in the field and participating in projects, you will not only strengthen your problem-solving skills but also gain insights into STEM professions.
In a city like New York, internship opportunities can be found at research institutions, technology firms, medical centers, engineering companies, and many other organizations. These experiences enable you to apply theoretical knowledge in meaningful ways, reinforcing your understanding of STEM disciplines. Moreover, internships can help you build professional networks and develop a sense of direction as you plan your academic and career trajectories.
Check out our list of 8 STEM internships for high school students in NYC!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: $2,490. Financial aid is available.
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. Past founders have included YCombinator alumni, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cohort size: 12 students.
Dates: Spring Session: February 27 - May 22 | Summer Session: June 30- August 15.
Application Deadline: January 8.
Eligibility: New York City public and charter high school students aged 16 years or older.
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $2,000.
The Biorocket Research Internship is a six-month science research program for public and charter high school students in New York City. It offers training in genetic engineering and biology lab techniques, along with instruction in science communication to help you convey complex topics to diverse audiences. You will collaborate with peers and scientist mentors to develop a research project aligned with your interests, gaining lab experience and insights into the scientific process. The program includes lab tours, field trips, and improv-based communication workshops. You will also receive career guidance, visit biotech companies, and engage with a network of teen research interns across the city. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Lower East Side Junior Scientist Program and Harlem Science Internship Program: July 7 - June 15 | Harlem Women in STEM Junior Scientist Program: September - June 15.
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 21 and close on March 24.
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9-11 who live and attend school in New York City.
Location: LES Community Lab and BioBase Harlem, New York, NY.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $16.50 per hour.
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is a paid, research-based program that combines scientific inquiry with science communication and teaching. The internship provides training and mentorship from research scientists, enabling you to design and conduct independent projects utilizing advanced microscopes. You will contribute to community outreach by co-leading science events and programs, gaining valuable experience in teaching and leadership. You can apply to one of three programs: the Lower East Side Junior Scientist Internship, the Harlem Women in STEM Internship, or the Harlem Junior Scientist Internship. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: Typically 8 weeks in the summer, determined by the student and mentor (32 hours/ week).
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 22 and close on January 19.
Eligibility: High school students who will be 16 years old by the start date.
Location: Students will be paired with mentors in their geographic region, including NYC.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $3,000.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week, paid summer internship designed for high school students with an interest in fisheries and aquatic sciences. Accepted students are matched with professional mentors and gain experience in various settings, including the field, laboratories, and offices. Internships are tailored to each placement and may involve activities such as fish population surveys, habitat restoration, water quality testing, and educational outreach. Placements are available across all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, within commuting distance of your home. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 30 - August 8.
Application Deadline: February 7.
Eligibility: Students in their junior year at the time of applying who are US citizens and/or permanent residents and will be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend.
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct research in science, mathematics, or engineering at Stony Brook University. You will be paired with faculty mentors, join active research teams, and take on a defined research project. Throughout the program, you will develop technical skills, attend faculty lectures, and engage in workshops, tours, and academic events. The experience culminates in the submission of a research abstract and presentation of a poster at a closing symposium, where you will also receive a stipend. TO learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 2 - August 18.
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 6 and close on February 21.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC high schools.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $1000.
ARISE is a free, 10-week summer program offering high school students a combination of academic training and research experience. The initial four weeks focus on safety protocols, research skill-building, and college writing. In the remaining six weeks, you will be placed in one of over 80 NYU research labs, contributing to active projects under faculty guidance. You will gain approximately 120 hours of lab experience and present your findings at a Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium. The program also provides college application support, mentorship opportunities, and access to an alumni network for future academic opportunities. For tips on getting into this program, check out our guide here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June - mid-August.
Application Deadline: Not available on the website.
Eligibility: Students in 9th- 11th grade who live in New York City and attend school in or near the Rockaway Peninsula are eligible to apply.
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $1,200.
Environmentor is a science research mentorship program that enables high school students to conduct environmental research focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. Under the guidance of scientists from local universities and research institutions, you will engage in research projects. The program includes orientations and workshops in June, followed by six weeks of research in July and August. In addition to research, you will receive training in water safety and CPR and participate in activities such as kayaking, biking, and surfing. You will also engage in community service events through RISE and earn service hours.
Cohort size: 32 students.
Dates: June 23 - August 7.
Application Deadline: Applications open on October 14 and close on January 3.
Eligibility: Students enrolled as a junior or senior in high school at the time of application who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY.
Stipend: Need-based stipends are available.
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a team-based research initiative for high school students. You will join a research team led by scientific trainees from the Tri-Institutional community—Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Each team operates like a research lab, with dedicated mentors and access to resources within RockEDU laboratories. In addition to research, you will engage in elective courses, lectures, workshops, and networking events. Each cohort includes 32 students, divided into teams of 8–10 scholars. Team placements are based on the scientific interests and expertise of the mentors and aim to align with each student's interests. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
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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