20 Best Medical Internships for High School Students

Are you a high school student thinking about going into medicine or a related biomedical research field? Want to get a head start with medical research experience, or just test out if a career in medicine feels right for you? Check out these 20 highly-rated medical internships for high school students.

Medical Internships for High School Students – What do medical internships look like?

Many of these internships provide opportunities for high school students to conduct real-world, laboratory-based research while being mentored by top researchers. As you work with these researchers on projects from pediatrics, to cancer research, to immunology, to neuroscience, many programs also involve individualized projects, final poster presentations, and practical career advising along the way. Most of these internships are paid, though interns must often find their own housing and transportation.

Note: Most application information for summer 2024 will become available this December or January, so be sure to check back on their websites for key dates and deadlines.

1) Harvard Medical School Project Success

This paid internship program for high school students includes career counseling, workshops, and seminars at Harvard Medical School and its affiliated organizations. Students from groups underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply.

• Pay: Payment provided
• Location: Boston/Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: January (date TBA)
• Eligibility: Eligible students must reside in Boston or Cambridge and be at least 16. Students must have a GPA equivalent to B- or higher and must have completed biology, algebra, and chemistry courses in high school.

2) National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

Here, interns participate in training on biomedical research projects related to underlying causes of human genetic disease. They also attend the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Seminar Series and present work at the NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day.

• Pay: Monthly stipend provided (students are responsible for travel and housing)
• Location: Bethesda, Maryland
• Dates: June-August
• Application Deadline: March 1 (rolling admission)
• Eligibility: Applicants must be 17, US citizens, and enrolled at least half-time in high school or college. Graduating high school seniors must provide a letter of admission from the college they will attend the following fall.

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3) Magee-Women’s Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program

MWRI, one of the largest institutes in the nation focusing on reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health, offers a paid internship in which students work on individualized research projects under the guidance of an investigator. Interns also attend Lunch & Learn sessions, where investigators share their perspectives on the field.

• Pay: Payment provided
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (housing not provided)
• Dates: 4 weeks (dates TBA)
• Application Deadline: February (date TBA)
• Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors in the southwest Pennsylvania region.

4) The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research

The Wistar Fellowship offers opportunities for 12 students to take part in research projects in cancer biology, vaccine development, and infectious diseases while contributing to Wistar’s projects.

• Pay: Stipend provided ($1,000)
• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Dates: July-August
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Students must be 16 with at least one high school science course completed. Those from underserved and/or underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

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5) The Seacole Scholars Program

Do you have a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license? Certified students can work 4-days a week in nursing units and spend one day attending Lifespan Workforce and Youth Development trainings.

• Cost: Paid
• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Dates: 7 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: January (date TBA)
• Eligibility: This internship is available to those ages 16-19 who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and possess a valid CNA license.

6) J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Internship Program

The JCVI Internship Program provides opportunities to network with world-class scientists, work on a unique mentored project, use state-of-the-art equipment, and participate in a final poster presentation.

• Pay: Hourly pay and/or school credit provided
• Location: Washington D.C. and San Diego
• Dates: 10-15 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Applicants must be fully-enrolled students in the US and 18 by the start of the internship. They must also have a GPA of 3.0. Eligibility requirements may vary by program.

7) Summer Child Health Research Internship

The Children’s Hospital Colorado offers summer research opportunities for rising high school seniors, undergraduates, and first-year medical students. Students work in labs with members of the Department of Pediatrics and the University of Colorado. In addition to conducting research related to child health, interns attend lectures and present their own research.

• Pay: Stipend provided ($3,500)
• Location: Aurora, Colorado
• Dates: 9 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Applicants must be Colorado residents and rising high school seniors.

8) High School Senior Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Also in children’s medicine and designed for high school seniors, this paid 8-week program allows interns shadow primary mentors for a personalized research experience.

• Pay: $13/hour, 20-hours/week
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Applicants must be high school seniors in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

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9) Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Volunteer Program

Students participating in this full-time program learn from experts currently working to prevent, treat, and cure cancer. Research areas include cell-to-cell interactions, tumor immunotherapy, human cancer genetics, drug development, and clinical practice.

• Pay: Volunteer-based
• Location: Washington D.C.
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: March 31
• Eligibility: Students must be 16 by the start of the program. No previous research experience is necessary, though AP science courses are recommended.

10) Scripps Research High School Student Summer Internship Program

Through this 9-month internship, Scripps Research Institute offers hands-on research experience to Florida high school students interested in contemporary biomedical research issues.

• Pay: Stipend of $4,060
• Location: Jupiter, Florida
• Dates: 7 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Eligible students are entering junior or senior year in a Palm Beach County or Martin County high school, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must be 16 by the start of the program. Students of ethnic and cultural groups historically underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply.

11) Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship

Also based in Jupiter, Florida, this 6-week internship focuses on brain structure, function, and development. Interns participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare written scientific abstracts, and deliver final presentations.

• Pay: $12/hour
• Location: Jupiter, Florida
• Dates: 6 weeks (June-July)
• Application Deadline: Not yet available for 2024
• Eligibility: Eligible high school applicants are at least 16 years old and reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties.

 12) University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program

Designed for Texans interested in Allied Health professions, this program introduces up to 7-qualified students to cancer research. Students do hands-on work in MD Anderson laboratories, attend faculty seminars, and prepare a final presentation.

• Pay: Stipend provided (up to $6,000)
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Dates: 9 or 10 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: February (exact date TBA)
• Eligibility: Applicants must be Texas high school seniors accepted into a college/university for the fall semester following the program. Previous research experience is recommended but not required.

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13) Washington University School of Medicine Young Scientist Program (YSP): Summer Focus

YSP aims to increase the participation of students from historically-excluded groups in science by bringing resources to St. Louis teachers and students. This mission includes diversity-focused paid summer research internships through Summer Focus, which pairs students with mentors (graduate students, post-doctoral associates, laboratory staff, and principal investigators at Washington University).

• Pay: Stipend provided
• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-July)
• Application Deadline: February (date TBA)
• Eligibility: Junior high school students from St. Louis area schools can apply. Applicants should have strong interest in science, though research experience is not expected. Individuals from under-resourced school districts and/or groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

14) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Summer Internship in Biomedical Research

NHLBI, a division of NIH, holds biomedical research internships in which interns conduct research under award-winning scientists and enjoy an array of professional development opportunities.

• Pay: Stipend provided
• Location: Bethesda, Maryland
• Dates: June-August
• Application Deadline: March 1
• Eligibility: Applicants must be current students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must be 17 by the start of the internship. Students from underrepresented populations or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

15) TGEN Helios Scholars

This paid, 8-week internship program in biomedical research is open to incoming and continuing undergraduate and graduate students who have studied at Arizona high schools, colleges, or universities. Mentored by TGen scientists, interns research genetic components of diabetes, cancer, and neurological diseases. Interns attend seminars to boost their professional skills, learn about career options, practice scientific writing, and more.

• Pay: Payment provided
• Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
• Dates: 8 weeks (June 10-August 2)
• Application Deadline: February 7, 2024
• Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 by the start of the program, and attend high school or college in Arizona. They must be full-time college/university students during the Fall 2024 semester.

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16) Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program

This 8-week, full-time paid internship provides opportunities for high school students to gain real-life experience with scientific research while developing professional skills for STEM careers.

• Pay: $16/hour
• Location: San Diego County
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Applicants must reside in San Diego County, have a GPA of 2.75, and have at least one year of high school-level chemistry or biology. They must be 16 by the program start.

17) Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)

The goal of CURE is to give practical meaning to academic coursework and encourage students to pursue careers in biosciences, especially related to cancer research, while also making real contributions to the DF/HCC research mission.

• Pay: Stipend provided
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Dates: 8-12 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: February (exact date not yet available)
• Eligibility: Applicants must be 16, Massachusetts residents, and have strong interest and ability in science. Students from populations underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply.

18) Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program

In this full-time summer internship, students are paired with mentors as they learn laboratory techniques and participate in research projects. Interns attend weekly presentations in areas such as oral health research, immunology, and microbiology, with final poster presentations to conclude the program.

• Pay: Stipend provided
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: April 1
• Eligibility: Eligible candidates are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school (Boston metro area).

19) Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program

Participants in this full-time program are paired with mentors to work on laboratory-based, computer-based, or clinical-based research projects. Students also attend weekly workshops about gaining admission to graduate and professional programs of study.

• Pay: Stipend provided
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dates: 8 weeks (June-August)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Students must be high school seniors or college undergraduates at the time of application. High school applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Though most participants reside in the Indianapolis area, applications are accepted from across the US.

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20) Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship

This intensive program provides exposure to technical skills related to cardiothoracic surgery, including knot-tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass graft, and cardiac valve replacement. Lectures and labs are led by Stanford faculty, surgical residents, and staff. One disadvantage is the tuition, which does not cover housing.

• Cost: $5,500 (includes snacks, lunches, and educational supplies, though not housing)
• Location: Stanford, California
• Dates: 2 weeks (either June or July)
• Application Deadline: TBA
• Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 by the start of the program, and they must reside in the Stanford area or be able to find supervised housing.

Final Thoughts – Medical Internships for High School Students

Internships, especially if they’re in your city or region, are often practical ways to learn a skill set while gaining practical experience in the field. If you think you might want to pursue a career in medicine or a related field, an internship designed for high school students could be a great place to start. For further reading, follow these links for information on Top Feeders into Medical School, Combined Medical Programs, and Best Colleges for Biology.