15 Paid Research Internships for High School Students
Academic research can allow you to dive deeper into a subject or discipline of interest, help you build a foundation to stand on, and guide you towards the career best suited for you. A research internship during high school can be a rewarding experience, especially if you’re thinking about building your resume, and improving your chances for your college applications. Getting some practical experience in research can also provide clarity about your field, while making it easier to understand and apply theoretical concepts.
College admissions officers view research internships that are fully-funded and/or provide a stipend quite positively - applications to these internships can be competitive, and getting in is a sign of your skills and dedication towards the subjects!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 paid research internships for high school students across multiple disciplines, allowing you to earn some money for your work and cover costs.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Subject areas: Medicine. Students can choose one track from Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics and Genetics and Genomics.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Dates: June 10, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Stipend: Students earn a stipend of $500 - $2,500. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Please note: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipends of $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system.
SIMR, a highly prestigious program, offers a research-focused internship opportunity. During this 8-week program, you will work one-on-one with a mentor, a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in hands-on research. As an intern, you will choose one of eight study fields – Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics and Genetics and Genomics. You will then spend two months being mentored by top scholars, researchers, and Ph.D. fellows in the field of medicine. This is a fairly competitive program with a cohort size of about 50 students – at an acceptance rate of less than 3% (approximately).
During the first weeks of the program, you will attend lectures in the morning and spend the rest of the day working in your lab. A majority of the program will be spent in full-time lab work. During the last 2 weeks of the program, you will work on your research poster of your project, which you present to your peers, teachers, family and the Stanford community at the end of the program. Each branch has a slightly different internship structure to help you get the best exposure to that branch, so be sure to read through the internship structures carefully.
2. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Subject areas: Medicine, biomedicine, biomedical research
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.
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.
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Dates: Minimum 8 weeks in summer, information on exact dates is not available.
Stipend: $2,300-2,530 (for students currently in high school) | $2,570-2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
NIH offers a range of summer internship opportunities for high school students in different areas of medicine. HS-SIP allows students to conduct hands-on biomedical research alongside leading scientists and mentors. You will work on ongoing research projects, analyze data, and acquire essential laboratory skills.
HiSTEP partners with renowned research institutions to help you dive into cutting-edge scientific research across diverse disciplines. HiSTEP is not a hands-on, full-time research program. It will combine an introduction to scientific, professional, and personal skills with leadership training, wellness programming, and an exploration of STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medically-related) careers. In addition, it will help prepare you for future scholarships and internships.
HiSTEP 2.0, an advanced continuation program, allows you to explore scientific research at a deeper level. Ideal for students who have completed HiSTEP or have done a similar research program, HiSTEP 2.0 allows you to design and conduct independent research projects under the guidance of mentor scientists in the field of biomedicine. You will also participate in weekly workshops and seminars aimed at developing your scientific, professional, and personal skills.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject areas: Physics, chemistry, biology, robotics, engineering, behavioral sciences, computer science, mathematics and more.
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. There is room for some exceptions. Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1st every year.
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Cost: There are no registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. You can expect to have to travel to and from your lab, depending on your placement.
This research-focused apprenticeship program, places 300 students across over 38 Department of Navy laboratories nationwide. SEAP is a highly competitive and prestigious program. During this program, you can choose to dive into research in a STEM field of your choice, most laboratories offer projects across a number of disciplines, including computer science, physics, chemistry, aeronautics, mathematics and more. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest! As an apprentice, you will get to work alongside top researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country, on actual Naval research. During the program, you will be mentored by expert scientists and engineers at the Navy labs. While working on projects hands-on, you will build on your valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines.
4. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Paid Internships
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary (including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, outreach, communications and more)
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers internships to students at all its centers across the country, where you can participate and contribute to the agency’s work, via research in science technology and space exploration. The program offers a range of different internship positions, in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications. During your internship, you will gain practical and real-world experience under the guidance of expert mentors and research scientists who are at the top of their fields in engineering, STEM, among others. You could participate in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies – engaging in real-world experiences, getting valuable experience and a solid insight into NASA's work. You can check out all the open positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students. The internships are offered full-time and part-time, with a few virtual options too!
5. Geosciences Bridge Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Subject areas: Geoscience, ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques
Location: University of Maryland, Princess Anne, Maryland
Eligibility: High school seniors who are entering their first year of an undergraduate degree program in the fall. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum of a 2.7 GPA. The program particularly encourages students from underrepresented groups who are planning to pursue a career in geoscience to apply.
Application Deadline: You can expect the deadline for the 2024 cohort to be around April-end.
Dates: June - August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Stipend: $500 per week, along with reimbursements for travel. The program includes all lectures, field trips, college courses, housing, and meals at no cost.
This 6-week internship is perfect for high school graduates interested in geoscience. The program serves as a bridge program between high school and university, and receives hundreds of applicants from across the country. As an intern, you will engage with and learn about ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques. You will also need to take two college-level courses, before you start your undergraduate degree, to help prepare you for college academics. The program will cover meals, housing, travel to and fro the University of Maryland, as well as any other activities you may choose to undertake as part of the internship. It also provides a stipend! This program is quite competitive, with a 2-3% acceptance rate. Only 7-8 students are selected every year.
6. Idaho National Laboratory Internship
Subject areas: Wide range of subjects
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Eligibility: High school students above the age of 16, who hold a U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status are eligible to apply. (Exceptions can be made for foreign nationals who attend an accredited U.S. college or university).
Application Deadline: Typically, applications close in the spring.
Dates: 10-16 weeks in the summer.
Stipend: A stipend is provided, but information on the exact amount is not available.
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, offers research internships for high school students to apply STEM concepts to real-world problems. During the internship, you will spend 80% of your time in the lab working with your mentor, and 20% on enrichment and skill-building activities.
Some areas you could work in are advanced transportation technology, clear energy, critical infrastructure protection and cyber security. Options also include implementation and analysis of zero-trust architecture, the evolution of cybersecurity on critical infrastructure and thermal constraints violations as a result of ambient adjusted transmission line ratings. You can view projects in all the fields through their ‘Intern Poster’ sessions. Internships are divided based on related sets of research subjects and required skills. You can apply to as many potential areas of interest you have! The program also offers internships in business administration, finance and accounting internships along with their STEM internships.
7. Harvard MIT's Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Subject areas: Astrophysics, climate science
Location: Harvard or MIT
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (both international and US citizens) can apply.
Application deadline: May 2024 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: September 2024 - May 2025 (tentative)
Stipend: Students will be paid a stipend by the City of Cambridge, but information on the exact amount is not available.
The SRMP offers the best of Harvard and MIT mentorship and research opportunities, and is open to all high-schoolers with a passion for research to conduct independent research in the fields of astrophysics and climate science. The program, which runs through the school year, offers all the resources you may need to conduct your research, including a laptop, under the guidance of Harvard and MIT scholars. Students are divided into 5-6 research groups, and will be required to attend weekly discussion sessions, meetings, and guest lectures. At the end of the program, you will present a report on your research work at the annual Harvard symposium. The selection for this program is highly competitive with only 10-15 students forming the final cohort - an acceptance rate of less than 5%.
8. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Subject areas: Engineering, physics, particle physics, quantum science
Location: Varies depending on lab choice.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or those who have a permanent resident status with Illinois high school enrollment. Proof of medical insurance is required.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Dates: June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Students interested in engineering and physics can consider this prestigious internship program, where they can contribute to Fermilab research. Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) operates under the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Science and is one of America’s top labs for particle physics research. If you’re interested in particle physics and accelerator research, you must consider this program. During the internship, you will work on projects that cover particle physics, particle accelerators and detectors, computer and quantum science to analyze data that is used for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe. As an intern, you will also work on data collection through surveys, writing the team’s research abstract and giving oral presentations.
9. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) by the American Bar Association
Subject areas: Law, legal studies, judiciary
Location: Various cities across the country.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Dates: 6 weeks typically in the summer.
Stipend: $2,000
The ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program is a unique opportunity for high school students to intern with federal or state judges across the US. This program aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession. You will get hands-on experience in a court environment, observe trials, and engage in legal research. As an intern, you will work directly with judges and their chambers, getting a glimpse of the judicial system from the inside. You will engage in legal research, writing, and observe court proceedings, this helping you build a solid understanding of the legal process, along with valuable practical skills.
10. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Subject areas: Engineering, aerospace engineering, STEM fields
Location: Multiple locations across the country.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are highly encouraged to apply, but a GPA of less than 3.0 will not disqualify applicants. Students applying must be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline). It’s recommended you read through all the eligibility requirements before applying.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: Varies from project to project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for 9 weeks.
Stipend: $468.80 per week
Fairly selective, this program invites motivated high school students who are interested in aerospace engineering, mechanical design and related fields. AFRL scholars program is an opportunity to learn from and work with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers, while touring AFRL laboratories and working on cutting-edge research and technology. You will work in the fields of aerospace / mechanical design for morphing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, and metalens design and modeling, to name a few.
These opportunities are also open to undergraduate and graduate-level students, so ensure you filter for specific opportunities open to high school students. A few research areas open to high schoolers are Clean-up of PFAS contamination, Data Structures for Advanced Satellite Navigation Signals, and Experimental Navigation Satellite Signals Simulation and Testing.
11. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Subject areas: Biotechnology, genetic engineering
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Students 16 years or older who live in NYC or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January
Dates: Spring semester (February 28, 2024 - May 23, 2024) | Summer semester (July 1, 2024 - August 16, 2024)
Stipend: $2,000
Genspace, a renowned community biotech lab in New York City, offers research internships to students interested in biotechnology and genetic engineering. During the program, you will conduct cutting-edge research in a range of topics such as DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics. You will receive guidance and mentorship from experts in the field, who will help build your knowledge and understanding of the field. The program provides you with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and technologies, guiding you to develop essential laboratory techniques and analytical skills. A few research subjects that student interns covered in the past include the behaviors of biofilm, algal growth in relation to water purification, and Zebrafish liver cells as biosensors. This program emphasizes practical learning, encouraging students to conduct real experiments in a fully-equipped biotech laboratory.
12. High School Research Internships at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), Cornell University, and the USDA
Subject areas: Plant science, computational biology
Location: Cornell University Campus, Ithaca, New York
Eligibility: Local/regional high school students who are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Dates: June 25, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: High school researchers receive a stipend, paid monthly, totaling $4,200 for the program.
The Boyce Thompson Institute, dedicated to life sciences research, invites local high schoolers to participate in their lab research every summer. As a student intern, you will be involved in the day-to-day research at BTI, in the world of plant science and computational biology. As an intern, you will be matched to a project keeping in mind your background, experience, and interests! The program offers various modules of research projects across plant science, plant molecular biology, plant biotic interactions, bioinformatics, and biological engineering of plant systems. You can find out more here regarding specific programs. During the program, you will be paired with a research mentor, typically a graduate student or a postdoctoral researcher, and a faculty mentor. You will work alongside your mentors on the predetermined project. Apart from conducting research, you can join undergraduate researchers for professional development lectures and discussions. Boyce Institute organizes local field trips and training sessions as well. The program culminates in a symposium in August, where you will present your findings with a poster.
13. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject areas: Fisheries science, aquatic science, marine biology
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Eligibility: All current high school students who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, with dates flexible per you and your mentor
Stipend: $3,000
This summer internship and mentoring program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, aims to encourage interest in fisheries and aquatic science, especially among underrepresented groups. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be paired with and mentored by a fisheries professional in your local area. You will gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, and experience in conducting laboratory and field research. You will participate in resource conservation and management projects, and will learn about career opportunities. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data procession, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more. This program also includes an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit!
14. J. Craig Venter Institute’s High School Internship
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA (20 mins from San Diego)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above can apply.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, as received once the position is posted.
Program dates: May - August, with occasional opportunities offered throughout the year.
Stipend: $17 per hour
This program invites motivated high-school, undergraduate and graduate students for an in-depth, structured research experience in various fields of STEM. During the program, interns will work with a mentor and get the opportunity to collaborate with top scientists. You will work on projects tailored to your academic experience, interests and skills, with access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology. During the course of this internship, there will be several workshops you can attend to help you develop your scientific and professional skills. These include journal clubs, career development sessions and multi-disciplinary scientific seminars.
15. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program
Subject areas: Biomedicine and related disciplines
Location: Houston, Texas
Eligibility: Must be a high school senior living in Texas.
Application deadline: January 17, 2024.
Dates: June 3, 2024 - August 9, 2024.
Stipend: $6,000
A long running internship, the MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Program accepts only 10 young Texans for this hands-on experience in biomedical disciplines. As an intern, you will work with faculty members on a real-world research project, build a solid foundation in scientific investigation principles and explore varied career opportunities. You are expected to work at the MD Anderson labs five days a week, gaining practical experience. You will also attend seminars by faculty, covering diverse research topics, and engage in activities such as abstract and poster competitions. At the end of the program, you will share your journey in a presentation with the staff and faculty.
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Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.