10 Biomedical Internships for High School Students
As a STEM field, biomedicine is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that drives innovation in healthcare, technology, and scientific understanding. STEM research explores fundamental scientific concepts and their applications across various fields. Biomedicine applies biological and physiological principles to clinical practice, with the goal to develop new therapies, diagnostics, and medical technologies that can improve patient treatment.
If you’re a high schooler interested in STEM research or biomedicine specifically, an internship can offer valuable hands-on experience. Internships provide an opportunity to gain real-world experience, working alongside professionals in laboratory settings, research institutions, or tech companies.
The exposure you get with an internship can help deepen your understanding of complex scientific concepts, while also helping you develop critical skills such as problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication. Participating in a biomedical research internship could give you the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research projects, learn about the latest advancements, and explore potential career paths in your field of interest. Not only that, an internship indicates to college admissions officers that you’re motivated and passionate about your chosen field! Here are 10 biomedical internships for high school students that you can consider.
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Some financial aid is offered.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. The upcoming fall cohort deadline is August 25, 2024.
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students.
Ladder Internships, a fairly selective program founded by Harvard alumni, pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world for virtual internships. You can choose the field you wish to work in, from a wide range of industries, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. As an intern, you will work on projects that contribute to the startup or nonprofit’s larger mission, and present your work at the end of the program. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Stipend: Students earn a minimum stipend of $500. A stipend of $2,500 or above is offered on a needs-based system. Housing and transportation costs are not covered.
Application deadline: Applications close in February.
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age can apply.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an 8-week internship that gives students a chance to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, who is either a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in research. The goal of the program is to help students develop an interest in biological sciences and medicine. Students can choose from 8 areas of research: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics.
The first two weeks of the program include morning lectures and lab work. The rest of the program will consist of special joint lectures, lab work, and poster preparation. The program ends with a poster presentation where students share their research experiences with family, teachers, and Stanford community members. This is a fairly selective program with an acceptance rate of approximately 3% and a cohort size of about 50 students each year. You can check the program instructions here before applying.
3. Health Professionals Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)
Location: University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX.
Cost: No information on fees is available at the moment.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in November.
Program Dates: The program takes place in January.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 10-12 with an interest in medicine or science.
This program is tailored for students aspiring to careers in medicine or science, offering a unique opportunity to explore the fields of medicine, biomedical research, and healthcare through immersive, hands-on experiences, workshops, and mentorship. Participants will delve into topics such as human anatomy and physiology, medical ethics, community health, and clinical skills. Through interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, students will gain valuable insights into various healthcare disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacology, and biomedical research. Additionally, the program provides exposure to the UT Southwestern Medical School campus and its state-of-the-art facilities, giving students firsthand experience in a professional healthcare environment.
4. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (living in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: March 1, 2024
Program dates: June–August. The in-person program will last 8 weeks, while the virtual program will run for 5 weeks.
Stipend: The in-person program provides an hourly stipend and covers transportation, but not housing. The virtual program offers a $500 scholarship to interns to support their education.
This program aims to provide high schoolers with a chance to explore brain medicine and research. In the program, you will get to learn from biomedical research professionals and learn about the scientific method and how to conduct research responsibly. Students can choose between an 8-week in-person internship and a 5-week virtual program. Application for the in-person program is more competitive than the virtual one, so those who don’t get selected for the former may be offered a chance to participate in the virtual program instead.
With the in-person program, you will work on a research project, receive one-on-one mentorship, attend scientific seminars, and have access to educational resources, and career guidance sessions in neurological sciences. The virtual program offers activities related to science and the opportunity to learn basic laboratory techniques. Students in both programs will have access to professional development workshops, college preparatory classes, mentorship training, scientific presentations, and networking activities. In-person participants will also work on a final oral or poster presentation describing their work.
You can check the past JHIBS research topics here.
5. Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Seattle, WA.
Stipend: A stipend is provided. Details will be given to you during your interview.
Note: You are required to arrange for your own transportation and accommodation for the duration of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 16, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering senior year or final term after the summer with a strong scientific background. Students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical science are encouraged to apply.
This 8-week program is designed to immerse students in research while also offering professional development experiences. The program will begin with intensive 2-week training that covers laboratory safety protocols and fundamental research techniques. The next 6 weeks are dedicated to hands-on research, where interns work closely with mentors in Seattle-based research teams at Fred Hutch. In addition to laboratory work, you will engage in seminars and workshops focused on career development.
Community building is also a key aspect of the program, with organized social events that encourage interns to build connections and a strong support network. As the program concludes, interns will present their research findings to the Fred Hutch community.
6. Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s Research Training Program
Location: Seattle, WA.
Stipend: A stipend is provided, but the amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: July 8, 2024 - August 2, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10-12 who have a Social Security Number (SSN). Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
This program offers an opportunity for students within commuting distance of downtown Seattle to explore the field of biomedical research. It exposes participants to various laboratory techniques, including microscopy, gene editing, agarose gel electrophoresis, immunoassays, and more.
Alongside hands-on lab work, the program features a series of lectures that delve into topics such as immunotherapy, biochemistry, infectious diseases, and global health challenges. Workshops are also included to assist students with college readiness and career exploration. Participants will collaborate on research projects, ultimately presenting their findings at the end of the program.
7. High School Summer Internship at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital
Location: Cincinnati, OH.
Stipend: Students will be paid $13 per hour.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open November 2024, and will close around February 2025.
Program Dates: ~8 weeks across June - July.
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors residing in the Cincinnati area.
This summer internship program allows high school students to collaborate with mentors across various pediatric specialties. This program, requiring a commitment of 20 hours per week, provides a comprehensive exploration of careers in biomedicine.
During the program, you will observe and shadow your assigned mentors within the hospital environment. It’s crucial to detail your mentor preferences and areas of interest on the application to ensure alignment with your goals. Beyond observation, you may also assist with clinical or research projects. Additionally, the program includes group luncheons, workshops, training sessions, and seminars, all designed to deepen the your understanding and knowledge in the field.
8. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) at the Monell Center
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Stipend: A stipend is offered, but the amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close between January and February.
Program Dates: June 18, 2024 - August 16, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to high school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ.
This apprenticeship program is designed for students keen on scientific research in the fields of biomedicine and medicine. In this program, you will collaborate with top researchers across various disciplines, working in a dynamic environment. You will gain practical experience through research projects and learn a range of laboratory techniques.
Throughout the program, you'll engage in activities such as scientific lectures, public speaking and written communication workshops, and discussions on the ethical principles of human and animal research. The program culminates in a public conference where you will present your research to scientific staff, family, and friends.
MSAP is highly selective, admitting fewer than 10% of applicants, typically selecting 18-24 students from around 200 candidates.
9. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Note: Part of the HS-SIP are two programs, High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) and HiSTEP 2.0.
Location: Students can choose from NIH campuses across the country. The NIH campus and labs are located in Bethesda, Baltimore and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Hamilton, MT; Framingham, MA; and Phoenix, AZ.
Stipend: $2,300-2,530 (for students currently in high school) | $2,570-2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Program dates: Minimum 8 weeks in summer, information on exact dates is not available.
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application (or have recently graduated), and are 17 years or older on June 15, 2024, may apply. Do look through all the eligibility requirements before applying. There are some additional requirements for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
NIH offers summer internship opportunities for high school students interested in medicine, healthcare and biomedicine. These programs allow students to immerse themselves in biomedical research, personal development, and leadership training.
During HS-SIP, students collaborate with top scientists and mentors, contributing to ongoing projects, analyzing data, and gaining vital laboratory skills through direct involvement.
HiSTEP focuses on enhancing diversity within STEM fields. The program collaborates with prestigious research institutions to introduce students to the latest scientific inquiries across multiple disciplines. Unlike traditional hands-on programs, HiSTEP integrates scientific exposure with professional development, leadership training, wellness activities, and exploration of STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) careers. This program is designed to prepare participants for future academic and career opportunities.
For those who have completed HiSTEP or possess similar research experience, HiSTEP 2.0 offers a more advanced scientific exploration. In this program, students undertake independent research projects under the mentorship of experienced scientists in biomedicine. Weekly seminars and workshops complement this experience, focusing on refining scientific expertise along with personal and professional growth.
Overall, these NIH programs equip high school students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the scientific arena, fostering both practical research abilities and career development.
10. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL.
Stipend: $4,480.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: June 3, 2024 - August 2, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to students who:
are U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
are rising junior or seniors at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school;
have a minimum GPA of 3.0; and
are 16 years old by the start of the program.
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute in Jupiter, Florida, is a nine-week program designed for rising juniors and seniors from Palm Beach and Martin counties. Since its inception in 2005, this internship immerses students in the fields of biological and chemical research, offering a glimpse into potential careers in academic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering.
Interns begin their experience with a one-week, in-depth introductory course that covers essential techniques and applications used in biomedical research. This foundational training equips students with the essential lab skills. During the internship, participants will further develop their research planning and data analysis skills, engage in experimental design, and interact with professional scientists. The program also includes weekly seminars and culminates in the requirement for each student to submit a written scientific abstract and present their research findings.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
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