20 Summer Medical Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 28
- 12 min read
For high school students interested in exploring medicine outside of the classroom, summer medical internships offer a structured way to explore careers in healthcare and medicine. Whether you are interested in becoming a doctor, conducting medical research, or working in healthcare administration, medical internships can provide hands-on experience and exposure to the field. By shadowing professionals or assisting in clinical settings, you can develop essential skills, gain insight into different career paths, and build valuable connections—all of which can strengthen your resume and college applications.
A summer internship in medicine can also help you assess whether a career in medicine is the right fit, whether in direct patient care, research, or healthcare management. To help with this, we have compiled a list of the top 20 summer medical internships for high school students.
How have we identified the best summer medical internships for high school students?
Each program is hosted by a well-regarded medical organization in the U.S., offers free participation or a stipend, and has an acceptance rate of less than 20%.
For students looking for additional research programs, internships, or region-specific opportunities in medicine, explore our related blog posts.
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offers high school students hands-on experience in medical and biomedical sciences. Over eight weeks, you will work 20 hours per week alongside a mentor in pediatric specialties such as critical care, neonatology, human genetics, or molecular cardiovascular biology. Your mentor will guide you through daily tasks, and you may have opportunities to observe other specialties based on your interests.
In addition to research and clinical exposure, the program includes weekly group luncheons, community service activities, and specialized seminars. The program concludes with a presentation, where you will share your work and reflect on your internship experience.
Stipend: $13/hour
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, OH.
Dates: 8 weeks, starting February 3.
Deadline: Applications close February 1.
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors graduating in spring and residing in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
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.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available).
Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world).
Dates: Multiple cohorts: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks.
Stanford’s SIMR program provides high school juniors and seniors with hands-on experience in medical research. Over the summer, you will work alongside a mentor in one of Stanford’s leading labs. Your focus will be on exploring fields such as cancer biology, neurobiology, and bioengineering, as well as topics like immunology, genetics, and stem cell medicine.
As a SIMR intern, you will contribute to research projects within one of eight focus areas, such as cardiovascular biology or bioinformatics. After acceptance, you will be assigned to a specific area where you will assist with experiments, data collection, and analysis. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars and discussions that provide insight into the broader scientific landscape and the role of research in medicine.
Stipend: $500-$1500 stipend
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Dates: June 9 – July 31.
Deadline: Applications close February 22.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors or seniors (as of fall), 16 years or older by program start date, U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending a U.S. high school.
The Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship Program offers high school students an opportunity to explore reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health research. As an intern, you will work on an independent research project under the guidance of investigators from Magee-Womens Research Institute or Magee-Womens Hospital.
Beyond research, the program includes Lunch & Learn sessions, where biomedical scientists share insights about their careers and experiences in the field. The internship concludes with the High School Internship Presentation Day, where you will present your research findings to faculty, staff, and fellow interns, gaining experience in scientific communication.
Stipend: $1800 stipend
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
Dates: Starts June 16.
Deadline: Applications close February 7.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors, 16 years or older by program start date, permanent/primary residents of southwest Pennsylvania.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a competitive summer program that provides high school students with hands-on research experience in neurological sciences. Over eight weeks, you will work on research projects under the guidance of faculty, staff, and student mentors, gaining insight into brain science through laboratory work and clinical exposure.
In addition to research, the program includes clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists, scientific seminars, and professional development sessions. JHIBS also offers a virtual research experience, allowing students from across the U.S. to participate in educational presentations, learn laboratory techniques, and receive mentorship remotely.
Stipend: Paid position for in-person participants; virtual interns receive a certificate.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore campus.
Dates: In-person: 8 weeks, Virtual: June–August, 4 weeks
Deadline: Applications close March 1.
Eligibility:Virtual: High school juniors and seniors nationwide.In-person: Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and metro area.
The Helios Scholars at TGen program is an eight-week paid summer internship where high school students work full-time on a research project under the mentorship of TGen scientists. Research areas include the genetic components of diseases such as diabetes, neurological disorders, and cancer. Students placed at TGen North in Flagstaff may also study public health issues like Valley Fever or antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In addition to research, interns participate in seminars to strengthen their scientific knowledge, develop writing skills, and explore career paths in bioscience. The program concludes with a formal symposium, where participants present their findings through a scientific poster and, if selected, an oral presentation.
Stipend: $14.70/hour
Location: TGen headquarters, downtown Phoenix or Pathogen Genomics Division, Flagstaff.
Dates: June 9 – August.
Deadline: Applications close February 2.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a graduate of an Arizona high school by June 9, and eligible to work in the U.S.
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at the City of Hope Cancer Center is a 10-week internship where high school students design and conduct their own research projects based on their scientific interests. Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship from City of Hope researchers while developing skills in experimental design and data analysis.
In addition to research, interns participate in weekly seminars to present their findings and refine their communication skills. The program also includes workshops on scientific writing, helping students prepare research reports and gain experience relevant to manuscript publication and grant writing.
Stipend: $4,500
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA.
Dates: June 2 – August 8.
Deadline: Applications close March 12.
Eligibility: Open to high school students at least 16 years old by the internship start date, U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The MPFI Summer Research Internship is a six-week program for high school students interested in neuroscience. Interns work alongside MPFI researchers, studying the brain’s structure, function, and development using advanced imaging technologies. Research projects may involve techniques such as genetic engineering, histological staining, and microscopy to investigate neural circuits.
Beyond lab work, the program emphasizes scientific communication. Interns will write a scientific abstract summarizing their research and present their findings to peers and mentors at the program’s conclusion.
Stipend: $13/hour
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL.
Dates: June 23 – August 1.
Deadline: Applications close March 4.
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors from Palm Beach or Martin County high schools, 16 years or older by June 23.
The Student Research Internship Program at SRTI provides high school students with hands-on experience in personalized healthcare and translational medicine. Interns work alongside researchers in fields such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, gaining exposure to health data analysis, genomic association studies, and mobile health (mHealth) technologies.
Under the guidance of experienced scientists, interns design studies, analyze clinical trial data, and develop research skills. The program also includes seminars and journal clubs, where participants engage in discussions on study designs and emerging scientific findings with peers and faculty.
Stipend: Unpaid.
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.
Dates: June 16 – August 22.
Deadline: Applications close March 31.
Eligibility: Open to high school students at least 16 years old before the internship starts.
The Summer Child Health Research Internship provides high school students with hands-on experience in pediatric research. Interns work closely with faculty and researchers at the Anschutz Medical Campus, contributing to projects focused on disease prevention, treatment, and new therapies for children.
Alongside lab research, interns attend weekly seminars led by faculty, gaining insights into advancements in pediatric medicine. The program concludes with participants presenting their research through a written summary and an oral or poster presentation.
Stipend: $4,400
Location: The Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
Dates: June 2 – August 1.
Deadline: Applications close February 1.
Eligibility: High school seniors over 18 and residing in Colorado.
The PIPS internship offers high school juniors and seniors from the Bay Area a six-week opportunity to explore science, medicine, and research. Paired with a Stanford faculty mentor and their team, you'll work on a hands-on project in maternal and child health, gaining insight into research methods and the underlying science.
The internship concludes with a research poster presentation at the Poster & Family Symposium, where you’ll share your findings with the Stanford community. PIPS also provides workshops on various career paths in science and medicine. A unique feature of the program is the Near Peer Mentor (NPM) program, where Stanford students guide you through the internship and offer advice on pursuing a career in medicine.
Stipend: Need-based stipend of $3,000.
Location: Stanford University campus, CA.
Dates: June 16 – July 25.
Deadline: Applications close February 24.
Eligibility: Rising juniors/seniors (16+ by start) with a 3.0+ GPA, residing in select Northern California counties.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program offers high school students an opportunity to explore cancer research at one of the world’s top cancer centers. Available to just 10 students from Texas each year, this hands-on internship allows you to work in a lab, assisting with real research projects and gaining experience in scientific techniques.
Interns also attend faculty-led seminars on various biomedical topics, gaining insights into different career paths. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings, followed by a networking luncheon with scientists and mentors.
Stipend: $6,800 for 10 weeks, $6,120 for 9 weeks
Location: Houston, TX.
Dates: June 2 – August 8.
Deadline: Applications close January 15.
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors over 18, U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders.
The Stanford STaRS Internship is a 7-week, in-person program that immerses high school students in biomedical research and healthcare under the guidance of clinician-scientist mentors. As an intern, you’ll work alongside peers and professionals, gaining hands-on experience in real-world research while exploring the challenges and rewards of careers in science and healthcare.
Throughout the program, you’ll engage in various research activities, learning key techniques and concepts. Mentors will support your growth, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative healthcare research.
Stipend: Unpaid.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Dates: June 23 – August 8.
Deadline: To be announced.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 23 and reside in the U.S. or its territories.
The BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship at UCLA offers students the chance to explore concussion research and brain health. Working with pediatric neurology experts, you’ll contribute to projects like the CARE4Kids study, focusing on post-concussion symptoms in adolescents.
You’ll assist with data collection, analysis, and participant recruitment while participating in weekly lab meetings. Collaborating with researchers, clinicians, and medical students, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in clinical research. At the end, you'll present your research project, showcasing your work and deepening your understanding of the field.
Stipend: Unpaid.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Dates: Early June – late August.
Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Eligibility: Rising juniors, especially those interested in mentoring and extending the internship into the academic year.
SHIP offers high school students the opportunity to engage in advanced research at a leading institution. This paid, 8-week summer internship allows you to build essential lab skills during the first two weeks and work closely with a mentor for the remaining 6 weeks.
In addition to lab work, SHIP includes seminars, workshops, and social events that provide a broader understanding of science and academic career paths. You’ll explore topics in cancer, immunology, and other medical research areas. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research to the Fred Hutch community, enhancing your communication and professional development skills.
Stipend: Paid opportunity.
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA.
Dates: June 23 – August 15.
Deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer.
TRIP offers motivated high school students an immersive, lab-based research experience where you can design your own research project and explore topics that interest you. You’ll start by developing your research questions and learning essential lab skills, including problem-solving techniques to guide your work.
As you progress, you'll gain hands-on experience in experimentation, learning to use lab equipment and design experiments. You'll also develop skills in data collection, analysis, and overcoming challenges. By the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings in a scientific symposium, sharing your work with a broader audience.
Stipend: Unpaid.
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia.
Dates: July – August.
Deadline: Open call twice a year.
Eligibility: High school students from Philadelphia and surrounding communities.
The Harvard Medical School Project Success program is a competitive opportunity for high school students from Boston and Cambridge to engage in advanced biomedical research. Over 7 weeks, you’ll work in a research lab at Harvard Medical School or one of its affiliated institutions, receiving paid, mentored training in real-world scientific research. You’ll also participate in seminars and workshops with leading researchers and physicians.
Beyond lab work, you’ll visit hospitals and biotech organizations, gaining insight into how research applies to real-world healthcare. Additionally, the program emphasizes building essential academic and professional skills, such as scientific writing, public speaking, and critical thinking.
Stipend: Paid opportunity
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Dates: June 30 – August 15.
Deadline: February 3.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from Boston or Cambridge, MA, aged 16+ by June 30, with a minimum 2.7 GPA and completed coursework in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
The National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program offers an intensive experience in genetic research, focusing on understanding human genetic diseases. Working alongside top researchers, you’ll assist in experiments exploring genetic disorders and contribute to efforts to detect, prevent, and treat them.
This summer medical internship for high school students also includes exposure to the NIH Summer Seminar Series, where you'll hear from leading scientists about the latest biomedical breakthroughs. Additionally, the program provides career-focused seminars, emphasizing mentoring and professional development. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your findings at the NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day, receiving feedback from researchers and networking with other interns and professionals.
Stipend: Paid opportunity.
Location: NIH main campus, Bethesda, MD.
Dates: July 7 – August 7.
Deadline: February 15 (rolling until full).
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (17+ by June 1) from DC/MD/VA with a 3.0+ GPA, attending a school where 30%+ receive free/reduced lunch. U.S. citizens or permanent residents only.
Washington University's YSP offers paid summer research internships for high school students, providing hands-on experience in a lab environment while contributing to real scientific research. The program also includes field trips to Washington University campuses, where you’ll engage with researchers, participate in scientific demonstrations, and interact with students.
Additionally, YSP supports schools in need by loaning or donating laboratory equipment and offers personalized mentoring from graduate students in medical, biomedical, and engineering fields. Through this mentorship model, you’ll develop academically and personally, honing your critical thinking and laboratory skills while working on hands-on research projects with expert guidance.
Stipend: Paid opportunity
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Dates: 3 weeks in June.
Deadline: Typically closes in February.
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in the St. Louis area.
The Seacole Scholars Program is a 7-week summer internship for high school students where you’ll work 4 days a week at Lifespan Hospital, gaining real-world experience by providing direct patient care under the supervision of skilled medical professionals. One day each week is dedicated to Workforce and Youth Development training, along with career counseling sessions.
As part of the Brown University Health Summer Employment Program, participants join a larger network of interns engaged in various healthcare roles. Performance during the internship could open doors to future employment opportunities with the Lifespan Hospital. Plus, as part of the Brown University Health Summer Employment Program, you’ll join a community of over 80 interns, creating a network of peers and professionals in healthcare.
Stipend: Unpaid
Location: Providence, RI.
Dates: 7 weeks, June - August.
Deadline: Typically closes in January.
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 19 with a valid CNA license.
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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