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 research internship. Whether you're fascinated by genetics, neuroscience, or the workings of the human body, these internships offer a chance to explore cutting-edge topics and work alongside scientists.
These programs are designed for students like you who are ready to explore 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. 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.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 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
Application Deadline: February 22
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
As part of this program, you'll join scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, to conduct 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 from experts and contribute to scientific discovery. 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
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
High school students can explore neuroscience research with Columbia University's BRAINYAC program. This internship pairs you with scientists from the Zuckerman Institute, giving you the chance to work in labs to contribute to research projects on the brain. Over the course of the program, you'll learn 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: TBA
Application Deadline: October 29
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 with scientists on projects that tackle critical questions in areas like cancer biology, genetics, and infectious diseases. In addition to lab work, the program offers seminars and workshops to help you sharpen your research skills. You will design experiments and analyze complex data.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old with a committed faculty host
Cost: No information available
Program Dates: Vary 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 allows high school students 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 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
Application Deadline: January 31
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 valuable 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, the second full week of June through the first week of August
Application Deadline: January 22
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 program, you'll work with leading physicians and researchers to study complex diseases like asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory failure. You'll gain experience in 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
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 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. From designing experiments to analyzing results, you'll gain valuable experience while developing critical scientific skills.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, enrolled in a New Jersey high school, and New Jersey or Pennsylvania residents
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: Specific dates have not been released
Application Deadline: March 14
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 intersection 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 contribute to real-world debates. This internship is a good opportunity to broaden your perspective.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: Applications 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.