6 Paid Medical Internships for High School Students in 2024-2025
Getting a medical internship in high school is a chance to obtain practical experience and investigate potential career paths in the medical field. Paid internships offer the extra advantage of financial support during the learning process. This early exposure not only enhances your knowledge of medical fields but can also help you in your college applications.
We will discuss 6 paid medical internships for high school students in 2024–2025 in this blog. You can learn about different medical specialties, take part in field research, observe medical professionals, and even present your work at conferences or symposiums with each internship, getting valuable professional exposure. Here is a more detailed look at the programs, including projects, mentorship opportunities, and cohort sizes.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD and virtual
Cost: Free, in-person participants receive an hourly stipend, and virtual participants receive an honorarium
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds; in-person participants must be from Baltimore City, while virtual participants can be from anywhere in the United States
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Dates/Duration:
In-Person: 8 weeks, June 2025 – August 2025
Virtual: 5 weeks, July 2025 – August 2025
JHIBS provides a virtual, neuroscience-focused experience with an emphasis on mentorship and professional development. You will participate in lectures, hands-on research projects, and skill-building sessions, ending with a final research presentation. JHIBS includes modules on understanding neurological diseases, behavioral research techniques, and data interpretation in neuroscience. In addition to scientific research, you will attend career counseling sessions and seminars aimed at building a foundation in neuroscience and preparing for academic paths in the field. The program’s focus on neuroscience diversity fosters an inclusive community that encourages students from various backgrounds to pursue careers in this field.
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Paid (Stipend provided)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: February 21, 2025
Dates/Duration: June 26 – August 8, 2025
In Roswell Park’s Summer Cancer Research Experience Program, you will collaborate with experts in labs to conduct cancer research. At the end of the program, which focuses on cancer prevention and treatment, you will have the chance to present the results of your research. Roswell Park also gives you the opportunity to participate in seminars and workshops centered around oncology and the most recent developments in cancer treatments. Since Roswell Park is a leader in cancer research, you are likely to encounter novel clinical trials and treatments, giving you a comprehensive understanding of cancer treatment.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $50 application fee; free participation with need-based stipends available
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old, including international students
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates/Duration: June 17 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
This virtual internship program focuses on STEM and includes projects in fields such as biology, engineering, and computer science. You will work on research projects under mentorship, attend seminars, and present your work in a final showcase. Stanford’s SHTEM internships focus on the intersection of science, humanities, neuroscience, and engineering, allowing you to work on projects that bridge these fields.
Interns may tackle real-world challenges using innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, coding, or lab experimentation. The program also introduces you to interdisciplinary approaches to research, encouraging you to consider how technology and engineering can solve human-centered problems. Besides practical research, the program includes career panels with experts from tech, academia, and industry, broadening your perspectives on STEM applications.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free, $3,000 stipend for students with financial need
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Northern California from diverse backgrounds
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025
Dates/Duration: June 16 – July 25, 2025
PIPS offers hands-on exposure to pediatric medicine, with clinical observations, mentorship, and research projects. You will work with Stanford Medicine faculty and staff, gaining experience in both research and patient-care environments. In addition to shadowing pediatric professionals, you will benefit from interactive workshops that cover essential skills, such as conducting medical literature reviews and effective communication within healthcare settings. The program also emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare disparities and advocates for community engagement. Through weekly discussions, you can explore the socio-economic factors that impact child health and develop leadership skills that are instrumental in medical and scientific careers.
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free, with a stipend for accepted students
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates/Duration: Typically 6-10 weeks, July 1 onwards
This internship places you in labs across fields like oncology, genetics, and neurology, where you will gain practical lab skills, attend seminars, and work with mentors. The program culminates in a presentation of research findings. Beyond hands-on lab work, the Cedars-Sinai program includes a strong mentorship component, where you will engage directly with researchers and medical professionals. You will participate in career development workshops that cover a variety of topics, from preparing for medical school to navigating scientific career pathways. Cedars-Sinai also organizes guest speaker sessions featuring leading medical researchers, providing you with valuable networking opportunities and insight into cutting-edge medical research.
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $2,500 stipend
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be 16 years old by June 2, 2025) from underrepresented communities
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Dates/Duration: June 2 – July 9, 2025
Emory’s program focuses on laboratory and clinical work within the Department of Human Genetics. As an intern, you will gain exposure to genetics research and will be paired with a mentor. You will also attend lectures and networking events aimed at broadening your perspective on healthcare and science. The NextGen program places a special focus on advancing education for underserved communities.
You will work on research aimed at understanding the genetic basis of complex diseases, which provides a unique opportunity to gain specialized knowledge rarely offered at the high school level. The program includes interactive sessions that discuss ethics in genetics alongside technical skills training in lab techniques and data analysis software, preparing you for both collegiate and professional success in STEM fields.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starts at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Dates/Duration: 8 weeks, December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
Ladder Internships offer students the flexibility to work on various medical research projects in fields like genetics, neuroscience, and public health. You will collaborate with professionals and researchers, gaining valuable skills in data analysis and scientific communication. You can also opt for an industry internship, working for an organization in the healthcare and medicine space. Ladder Internships stands out for its flexibility, allowing you to work remotely while still gaining substantial experience in medical research. The program offers networking opportunities with professionals and researchers across the globe, making it ideal for students who prefer a more flexible learning schedule but still want exposure to high-level medical projects.
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.