10 Medical Research Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in medical research, there’s no better way to explore the field than by participating in a hands-on research internship. Whether you're fascinated by genetics, neuroscience, or the intricate workings of the human body, these internships offer a chance to explore cutting-edge topics and work alongside real scientists who are changing the future of medicine.
These programs are designed for students like you who are ready to explore the world of research, learn from experts, and maybe even publish a scientific paper. In addition to building your research skills, these programs can be valuable additions to your resume for college admissions by demonstrating your commitment to learning.
So if you’re ready to go beyond textbooks and get lab experience, check out these 10 medical research internships for high school students.
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 alums, 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. Here is the application form. Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
This internship offers high school students the chance to work at the forefront of medical research alongside Stanford scientists. Whether you're interested in cancer biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, or immunology, SIMR places you in one of Stanford’s research labs where you'll conduct your own project, collect and analyze data, and contribute to discoveries. Beyond the lab, you’ll attend seminars and presentations from experts, all designed to deepen your understanding of medical research and prepare you for future studies in the field. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old, attend a high school in the U.S., and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost: Free, stipend of $500 – $1,500 offered
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Application Deadline: February 22, 2025
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
As part of this program, you'll join scientists at the University of California, San Francisco to conduct hands-on research and complete your own unique project. Whether you’re interested in discovering how diseases work, designing new treatments, or exploring the inner workings of cells, this internship is an opportunity to learn directly from experts and contribute to scientific breakthroughs. Alongside lab work, you'll sharpen your critical thinking skills, network with professionals, and gain valuable experience that could help you in a future career in science and medicine.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in a San Francisco High School from historically marginalized backgrounds in sciences
Cost: Free! (stipend provided for part-time and full-time internships)
Program Dates: Begins June 7 and continues for 8 weeks
Application Deadline: February 25, 2025
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
High school students can explore neuroscience research with Columbia University's BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships In New York at Columbia) program. This internship pairs high school students with scientists from the Zuckerman Institute, giving you the chance to work in cutting-edge labs and contribute to research projects focused on the brain. Over the course of the program, you'll gain hands-on experience, learning how to design experiments and analyze data. You’ll explore topics like brain development, memory, and disease. BRAINYAC gives you a glimpse into the life of a neuroscientist while building skills that will prepare you for future STEM opportunities.
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders nominated by one of these programs: S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, and BioBus
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: 2025 dates have not been released
Application Deadline: October 29, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
The RAST (Research in Science and Technology) Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is designed for motivated high school students who want to conduct biomedical research. You'll work side-by-side with scientists on projects that tackle critical questions in areas like cancer biology, genetics, and infectious diseases. In addition to hands-on lab work, the program offers seminars and workshops to help you sharpen your research skills, from designing experiments to analyzing complex data.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old with a committed faculty host
Cost: No information available
Program Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: All required documents must be submitted 4 weeks before the start date
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
The Houston Methodist Summer Internship Program offers high school students the chance to work alongside scientists and clinicians at one of the nation’s leading hospitals. Throughout the internship, you'll contribute to research projects that span various fields, such as regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and cardiovascular health. With mentorship from experts, you'll gain valuable lab experience, attend thought-provoking lectures, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how medical innovations occur.
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Location: Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
The University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStarT Program offers high school students an opportunity to contribute to the fight against cancer by working on research projects. Over the summer, you'll work alongside scientists in state-of-the-art labs, tackling critical questions in cancer biology, immunotherapy, and genetics. From designing experiments to analyzing data, you will gain real-world lab experience. In addition to lab work, you'll attend lectures, participate in career-building workshops, and network with professionals in the field.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas
Cost: Free, $3,000 stipend provided
Program Dates: Typically second full week of June through the first week of August
Application Deadline: January 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location:
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Rush University, Chicago, IL
For students interested in exploring respiratory and critical care medicine, Northwestern Medicine’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Summer Internship offers the chance to experience medical research and clinical practice. During this hands-on program, you'll work with leading physicians and researchers to study complex diseases like asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory failure. You'll gain valuable experience in state-of-the-art labs, shadow healthcare professionals, and participate in seminars and workshops to deepen your understanding of critical care.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: Typically in early February
Location: Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program gives high school students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at one of the world’s leading universities. Whether you're interested in molecular biology, physics, or environmental science, this program pairs you with Princeton researchers, allowing you to work in a state-of-the-art lab. From designing experiments to analyzing results, you'll gain hands-on experience while developing critical scientific skills.
Eligibility: High school students who are:
At least 16 years old
Enrolled in a New Jersey high school
New Jersey or Pennsylvania residents
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: Specific dates have not been released
Application Deadline: March 14, 2025
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
If you’re curious about the ethical dilemmas behind medical advances, New York University's Medical Ethics Internship Program is a good option for you. This internship offers the opportunity to explore the crossroads of medicine, ethics, and society. You’ll explore pressing issues like genetic testing, patient privacy, and end-of-life care, giving you insight into the dilemmas shaping modern healthcare. Under the mentorship of NYU’s ethicists and researchers, you'll engage in discussions, conduct research, and even contribute to real-world debates about how medicine can serve both science and humanity. If you’re passionate about science and the moral questions it raises, this internship is a good opportunity to broaden your perspective and make a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in December
Location: NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also 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.