15 STEM Internships for High School Students in the Bay Area
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 6
- 12 min read
If you're a high school student in the Bay Area interested in STEM, a summer internship is a practical way to apply what you've learned in school to real-world challenges. These internships give you hands-on experience in fields like science, technology, engineering, and math—often in research labs, universities, or tech companies.
You'll build technical and professional skills, gain exposure to how STEM works outside the classroom, and interact with scientists, engineers, and other professionals. These experiences can also help you strengthen your college applications by showing initiative, subject knowledge, and career readiness.
In this list, we’ve narrowed down the 15 STEM internships for high school students in the Bay Area based on three core factors:
Prestige of the hosting organization (think NASA, UCSF, Stanford, and Berkeley Labs)
Rigor of the professional experience, including hands-on research and mentorship from field experts
Fully-funded nature, ensuring accessibility through stipends or waived participation fees
If you're looking for more prestigious STEM programs and internships for high schoolers beyond the Bay Area, check out this set of blogs!
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!
The STaRS Internship is a 7-week, in-person summer program hosted by Stanford’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Selected high school students work in research labs alongside clinician-scientist mentors, gaining hands-on experience in biomedical science and surgery-related research. As interns, you’ll follow a full-time schedule that includes lab work, mid-week educational sessions, and mentorship.
You will work directly with clinician-scientist mentors and peers in biomedical research labs, exploring the challenges and rewards of careers in healthcare. The program is free to attend; however, students are expected to arrange their own meals, housing, and transportation. The program is selective, with only 20 students selected each year.
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University, CA
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Must be a high school student aged 16 or older by June 23; No prior lab experience required
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: Varies 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.
The SFPUC offers multiple paid summer internship programs for high school students in San Francisco who are interested in public service and STEM careers. Programs like SSIP CityWorks, YouthWorks, and Project Pull offer exposure to various fields, including engineering, water and wastewater management, environmental science, IT, and more.
You will be placed across city departments and receive mentorship, real-world work experience, and professional development support. Whether you're interested in architecture, biology, or tech, these programs offer valuable insight into how city infrastructure and public utilities function. You will also participate in workshops and may work with both public and private sector mentors, depending on the program.
Cost: Free; all high school internships are paid (stipend amounts vary by program)
Location: San Francisco, CA (various city departments and SFPUC offices)
Dates: June–August (6–8 weeks); varies by program
Application Deadline: Typically opens in early spring (February–March); deadlines vary by program
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in San Francisco public schools; specific programs target rising juniors and seniors
SSIP CityWorks: Students from southeast SF neighborhoods entering senior year
YouthWorks: SF public high school students interested in public service
Project Pull: Rising juniors and seniors from SF high schools
Through the San Francisco Unified School District, this six-week paid summer internship provides high school students with the opportunity to explore real-world careers through hands-on work with local industry partners. For students interested in STEM fields, opportunities are available in disciplines such as engineering, computer science, architecture, and environmental science.
You will work at least 20 hours per week, gain mentorship from industry professionals, and participate in weekly seminars to build workplace and career skills. While placements span a wide range of sectors, STEM-oriented students are encouraged to express their interest during the application process to be matched with relevant hosts.
Cost: Free; paid internship (minimum 20 hours/week). Contact the program at WorkBasedLearning@sfusd.edu for the exact amount.
Location: San Francisco, CA (placements vary across the city)
Dates: Summer; 6-week program (exact dates shared with selected students)
Application Deadline: Interest form typically opens in early spring and closes in March
Eligibility: Current SFUSD sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors); priority given to rising seniors. Students must be available for the full 6-week term.
Through UCSF’s Science & Health Education Partnership, the HIP program offers rising high school seniors from SFUSD or SF charter schools an immersive, 8-week summer internship in biomedical research. As an intern, you’ll be paired with a UCSF scientist mentor, conduct original research in areas such as immunology, neuroscience, and molecular biology, and participate in college counseling and science communication workshops.
The program culminates in a research presentation and includes activities like writing personal statements, networking with professionals, and campus tours. You can choose to work 25 or 35 hours per week and receive a stipend based on your commitment.
Cost: Free; interns receive a stipend of $3,200 for 25 hours/week or $4,500 for 35 hours/week over 8 weeks
Location: UCSF Campus, San Francisco, CA
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising seniors enrolled in SFUSD or SF charter schools; must meet income and residency requirements
Hosted by UCSF, the BAYS Program offers rising juniors and seniors from KIPP San Francisco College Prep an eight-week paid summer internship in biomedical research. You will work in UCSF labs under the guidance of graduate student mentors on topics such as drug discovery, cancer biology, and protein biophysics.
The program includes workshops focused on college preparation, life skills, and scientific communication, culminating in a campus-wide research presentation. Additionally, it features a virtual lecture series prior to the summer and ongoing college application support throughout the academic year. You will receive a $5,000 stipend upon completion and are expected to commit 24 hours per week across eight weeks.
Cost: Free; $5,000 stipend
Location: UCSF Campus, San Francisco, CA
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Must be enrolled at KIPP San Francisco College Prep | Must be 16 years or older by the start of the internship | Must have participated in the virtual science talk series prior to applying | Must commit to completing 200 hours (24 hrs/week) across 8 weeks
EinR is a competitive six-week paid internship for Northern California high school students to gain real-world experience in STEM and STEM-adjacent fields. Interns are matched to projects based on their skills and interests, with topics ranging from experimental research and data science to coding, science communication, and administration.
You will work closely with Berkeley Lab professionals while attending workshops, networking events, and professional development sessions. While projects may be hybrid or virtual, all interns are required to attend orientation and final presentations in person.
You are expected to dedicate 30–35 hours per week and collaborate in small teams under the guidance of project mentors.
Cost: Free; a stipend of $500/week is offered
Location: Hybrid or virtual, with required in-person events at Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility:
Must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade at the time of application
Must be at least 16 years old by June 16
Must be enrolled in a public high school in Northern California, preferably within Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco counties
Recommended to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and prior experience in independent STEM work
SIMR is an 8-week, full-time internship for high school juniors and seniors to explore careers in biomedical science through hands-on research in Stanford labs. You’ll be matched with one of eight institutes, such as cancer biology, stem cell medicine, bioengineering, or genetics, and work under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and researchers.
A parallel Bioengineering Team Internship allows you to build medical device prototypes addressing real-world needs. You will participate in lectures, work with your peers, and showcase your research at a concluding poster symposium. All students receive a minimum stipend of $500, with higher stipends awarded based on need.
Cost: Free to attend; a $500+ stipend is awarded to students upon completion
Location: Stanford University, CA
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. high school junior or senior
Must be 16 or older by June 9
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The CiS Intern Program is a multi-year, paid internship for SFUSD high school students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. You will engage in field research, science communication, and community education at the California Academy of Sciences. The program commences in the summer prior to 10th or 11th grade and features weekend and after-school activities throughout the academic year.
You’ll conduct fieldwork, support museum exhibits, engage in leadership and mentoring roles, and present at STEM conferences. As you progress, you’ll take on increasing responsibilities and may join research projects or serve on the CiS Leadership Council. CiS interns receive above-minimum-wage pay and long-term guidance on college, careers, and scientific literacy.
Cost: Free; interns are paid above minimum wage (amount not specified)
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Dates: Year-round, multi-year internship
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility:
Must be a 9th or 10th grade student enrolled in a San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) school
Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math
Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and able to obtain a valid work permit
Must be able to commit to the program for 2–3 years, through high school graduation
GRIPS is a highly selective, eight-week hybrid research internship for Bay Area high school students interested in computational genetics and genomics. You will be placed in research labs at Stanford, where you’ll conduct mentored projects while attending weekly cohort sessions and seminars on careers in biomedical science.
The experience includes hands-on research, professional development, and community building. You are expected to commit 20 hours per week, with in-person lab attendance required on certain days. The program is free, and a small number of need-based scholarships are available to support accessibility.
Cost: Free
Location: Hybrid (Stanford University, CA + virtual components)
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
Must be a high school student aged 16 or older by June 16
Must reside in one of the following Bay Area counties: Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz
Must have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
Must have prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, or computer programming (via coursework or extracurriculars)
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school students aged 16 and above, providing hands-on experience in aerospace research, data science, software development, and STEM project work. You will be mentored by NASA scientists, engineers, and professionals across various disciplines and may be placed at one of NASA’s research centers, including NASA Ames in the Bay Area.
Opportunities are available in summer, fall, and spring terms, and internships can be part-time or full-time depending on your availability. These internships are highly competitive and help build technical skills, confidence, and career readiness.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the number of hours and the center.
Location: Across NASA centers, including NASA Ames Research Center (Mountain View, CA) in the Bay Area
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions (multiple terms)
Application Deadline: February 27 for Summer; May 16 for Fall
Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be a high school student aged 16 or older at the time of application
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Must be enrolled full-time in high school
BLDAP: IPMLDS is a six-week, paid summer STEM program hosted by Berkeley Lab, designed to introduce high school students to data science, biosciences, and machine learning through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will attend daily in-person sessions where you’ll learn Python programming, conduct lab experiments, engage in career talks with STEM professionals, and collaborate on short research projects.
The program emphasizes skill-building in communication, collaboration, and scientific inquiry, culminating in a final presentation. You can continue to engage with Berkeley Lab by participating in special events, short courses, and internship opportunities during the academic year. All learning materials are provided, and students receive weekly stipends to support participation.
Cost: Free; a stipend of $500/week is offered
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Dates: June 17 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility:
Must be a public school student currently in 10th or 11th grade
Must reside in Alameda, San Francisco, or Contra Costa counties
Must be a full-time Northern California resident enrolled in school
Must be 16 years old by June 17
Students from low-income households or first-generation college-bound backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply
iCLEM is a rigorous, paid summer science intensive program designed for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors interested in microbiology, biotechnology, and biofuels. Hosted by JBEI with UC researchers, the program offers hands-on research in labs, college prep workshops, and career exploration via field visits and speakers.
Over the course of six in-person weeks and one virtual prep week, you’ll complete a mentored research project, gain laboratory skills in microbiology and molecular biology, and receive guidance on writing personal statements and navigating college admissions. The experience is designed to empower students who are underrepresented in science by building their confidence, increasing exposure, and providing access to real-world STEM environments.
Cost: Free; $3,000 stipend
Location: JBEI labs, Emeryville, CA
Dates: June 16 – August 1 (includes a virtual prep week and six weeks in person)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility:
Must be a high school sophomore or junior residing in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County
Must be 16 years old by June 16
Must have a household income below HUD-defined thresholds (e.g., <$120,800 for a family of 4 in Alameda/Contra Costa)
Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and have passed Algebra I and Biology
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) offers a six-week summer internship program for high school students interested in exploring careers in water, wastewater, and environmental services. You will work approximately 16 hours per week on real-world projects across various departments, including fisheries, watershed maintenance, and environmental engineering.
The program includes weekly enrichment activities, mentorship from EBMUD professionals, and exposure to diverse career paths in public utilities. Interns are placed at EBMUD sites throughout the East Bay, including Oakland and surrounding cities.
Cost: Free; interns are paid $16.50/hour
Location: EBMUD sites across the East Bay, including Oakland, CA
Dates: Varies by placement; typically runs for 6 weeks between mid-June and early August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility:
Must be a high school student living within the EBMUD service area
Must be at least 16 years old
Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
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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