15 STEM Internships for High School Students in NYC
New York City offers a unique setting for high school students to engage in hands-on learning opportunities in STEM fields. Participating in a STEM internship can give you the chance to observe and participate in cutting-edge innovation and research, and help you explore potential career paths, enabling you to make informed decisions about your future.
Several institutions, universities and organizations offer internships for high school students to engage in research and project development initiatives. These internships can provide valuable experience and serve as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application. The mentorship and professional networks established during these internships could be useful in your future academic and career pursuits, building a foundation for success in the evolving STEM fields while enhancing to your college applications!
Here’s a curated list of 15 STEM Internships for high school students in New York City spanning a wide range of subjects such as medicine, sustainability, life sciences, and engineering.
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary—machine learning, engineering, biotech, AI, healthcare and medicine, environmental science, media, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming deadlines for the Summer cohort (Regular Admission 1): April 14, 2024 | Summer cohort (Regular Admission 2): May 12, 2024.
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Ladder Internships, a fairly selective program founded by Harvard alumni, pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world for virtual internships. You can choose the field you wish to work in, from a wide range of industries, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. As an intern, you will work on meaningful projects that contribute to the startup or nonprofit’s larger mission, and present your work at the end of the program. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor.
The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
2. Boyce Thompson Institute Internships
Subject Areas: Plant science, plant molecular biology, plant biotic interactions, bioinformatics, and biological engineering.
Location: Cornell University Campus, Ithaca, New York.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a current high school student, who is regional to Ithaca, NY year-round.
- Be 16 years of age before the first day of the program.
- Not be graduated by the first day of the program, June 25, 2024.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Dates: June 25 - August 9, 2024. (Tentative dates)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; High school researchers receive a stipend, paid bi-weekly, totaling $4,000 for 7-weeks.
Internships at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BSI) are done alongside Cornell University and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This 7-week internship offers a variety of projects spanning plant science, plant molecular biology, plant biotic interactions, bioinformatics, and biological engineering of plant systems.
As an intern, 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 a predetermined project. Apart from conducting research, you can join undergraduate researchers for professional development lectures and discussions. Moreover, Boyce Institute organizes local field trips and training sessions as well!
3. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Internships
Subject Areas: Fisheries and plant surveys, water sampling, water chemistry, zooplankton ID, and fish dissection.
Location: SUNY Oneonta campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Upon successful completion of the internship, interns receive $3,000.
Application Deadline: April 12, 2024
Dates: Late May to August (9 weeks)
Eligibility:
- Open to all high school students.
- Must have a solid academic background in environmental or natural sciences.
SUNY Oneonta offers 9-week summer research internships for New York State residents. SUNY Oneonta internships are highly selective, with only 1-3 positions available for high school students (with one place awarded to a resident of Otsego County, NY).
In the internship, you will aid faculty and staff at the BFS central lab with their research projects or work on your research projects. Through the summer, you will engage in a mix of fieldwork, laboratory analyses, data analysis, and writing. You can view previous publications here! Previous fieldwork and laboratory analysis experiences include fisheries and plant surveys, water sampling, water chemistry, zooplankton ID, and fish dissection. The program concludes with you producing a poster to display your research findings to your mentor, BSF faculty, and other interns!
4. Alleypond’s Field Biology Internships
Subject Areas: Biology, zoology, and botany.
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, NY
Cost/Stipend: $150 acceptance fee to participate in the internship. Financial aid can be provided at request and no documentation is necessary. This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Application Deadline: Spring Semester - February 1, 2024 | Summer Semester - June 1, 2024 | Fall Semester - September 1, 2024
Dates: Spring Semester - March 16 to May 4, 2024 | Summer Semester - July 3 to August 7, 2024 | Fall Semester - 2024 Dates TBA
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 14 years old and currently enrolled in high school.
The Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship (FBI) is meant for high school students who are interested in field research, urban biology, and the intricacies of local ecosystems and wildlife. This program offers a foundation in research and experiment design, vital skills that will prove invaluable in college, and even more so if you’re interested in becoming a researcher. As FBI interns, you'll explore a range of ecosystems within Alley Pond Park and other Queens, NYC areas, conducting tasks such as biodiversity surveys, bird observations, soil and water quality assessments, macroinvertebrate identification, coastal seining, and native flora planting. Throughout your internship, you'll gain practical experience, learn from environmental experts, and build a supportive community with fellow interns and mentors.
This program is a great opportunity for students contemplating majors in sustainability, environmental science, natural sciences, biology, or related fields, offering a hands-on opportunity to study biodiversity, identify local wildlife, and engage with professionals in the field.
5. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Subject Areas: Oncology and pathogenesis research
Location: Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; A stipend of $1,200 will be provided after the successful completion of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 27 - August 22, 2024
Eligibility:
- Completion of at least the 9th grade by June 2024.
- Must be 14 or older by June 27, 2024.
- 3.5 GPA in science subjects.
In this 8-week summer program, interns will embark on their own STEM research projects, guided by the expertise of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, or research technicians, making it an ideal setting for those seeking a mentorship experience in research.
Throughout the program, you'll be trained in the laboratory techniques vital for conducting research in STEM fields, equipping you with skills that are likely to be valuable in your future academic and professional endeavors. The culmination of the program includes a poster presentation session where you'll have the opportunity to showcase your research findings, demonstrating your ability to synthesize and present scientific research effectively. Additionally, the program features tours and training sessions led by seasoned professionals in various STEM disciplines.
For insights into the program and reflections from past participants, you can explore testimonials from HOPP alumni here, providing a deeper understanding of the program's impact and the valuable experiences gained.
6. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Subject Areas: DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics.
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a $2,000 stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in January.
Dates: Spring Session: February 28 to May 23, 2024 | Summer Session: July 1 to August 16, 2024
Eligibility:
- 16 years of age or older by orientation date.
- Live OR attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace.
The internship program at Genspace, a community-based biotech laboratory in New York City, provides an opportunity for students to explore biotechnology and genetic engineering. Throughout the program, you will engage in research spanning DNA sequencing, genetic modification, and bioinformatics.
Guided by experienced scientists and specialists at the lab, you will deepen your knowledge of life science concepts. You will also be able to refine your lab techniques and analytical abilities, by utilizing state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and technology. Emphasizing hands-on learning, the program helps students carry out genuine experiments within a fully equipped biotech lab. Through this internship, you will develop a better understanding of the foundations of biotechnology while understanding the importance of ethical and conscientious biotech applications.
Subject Areas: Data science, software development, and User Experience (UX) design.
Location: The program is conducted in a hybrid format, in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a $1,000 stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: The application cycle for Tech Flex Leaders 2024-2025 will open in May 2024 and close in August 2024.
Dates: 9 months starting in September
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami high school are eligible.
The Tech Flex Leaders program is a perfect fit for students looking to forge a path in the technology sector. This program delves deeper than basic concepts, offering insights into the complexities of emerging technologies.
Designed to nurture future leaders in tech, the program offers a variety of tracks, including UX Design, Data Science, and Web Development, among others. Throughout the program, you will engage in workshops and hackathons designed to test your problem-solving abilities and learn various programming languages. With a structured approach that emphasizes both theoretical understanding and the development of practical skills relevant to the fast-paced tech industry, this program offers a comprehensive learning experience. Additionally, it provides opportunities for students to connect with and gain knowledge from industry experts, helping to build a valuable professional network.
8. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Subject Areas: Biomedical research and bioinformatics.
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, NY.
Eligibility: To be eligible for SSRP participation, students must be enrolled as a junior or senior in high school and must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: June 24 - August 8, 2024.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship, and who meet all the attendance and research requirements of the SSRP. Applications for stipends will be made available on the first day of the program and are due before the end of the program.
SSRP is a mentored biomedical research program for current high school juniors and seniors to design and conduct their research projects as part of a themed research track. The topics of each SSRP Research team are based on the expertise and scientific interests of the research team leader. The SSRP cohort is composed of 32 SSRP Scholars. Approximately 8 SSRP scholars are assigned to each research team. Scholars are matched to a team that aligns with their scientific interests.
Research tracks include topics such as RNA Virus Discovery and Bioinformatics, Coronavirus Immune Response, and Ant Social Biology. As SSRP scholars, you will be expected to spend up to 35 hours per week (M - F) for seven weeks engaging in the scientific process.
9. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Subject Areas: Neuroscience research
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is provided to the students.
Application Deadline: The deadline for 2024 has passed and applications for BRAINYAC 2025 will open in October 2024.
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer between June and August.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school nominated by BRAINYAC’s partner programs.
- Applicants must reside in New York City, but preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) provides high-schoolers with an immersive, hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. This program offers you the unique opportunity to collaborate with established scientists and acquire essential research skills.
During your internship, you will be paired with a mentor from Columbia's neuroscience department, who will oversee your involvement in a specific research project. By the end of the program, you will have a deeper appreciation for how lab research catalyzes groundbreaking discoveries, insight into an academic research career, and a stronger foundation in neuroscience principles. For instance, past participant Edgar Garcia conducted research on the role of specific neurons in transmitting sensory information from the external environment.
It's important to note that the BRAINYAC application is exclusive to students nominated by their partner organizations, including S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical Program, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, and BioBus.
10. Wave Hill’s Forest Project
Subject Areas: Ecology and conservation science.
Location: New York City
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend of approximately $2,275, paid through the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: July 1 - August 16, 2024
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in high school at the time of application.
- 16 years old by May 1, 2024.
- Must be a New York City resident, eligible to work in the US.
Wave Hill (a public horticulture garden and cultural center) conducts a Forest Project to engage New York City youth in ecological restoration and urban ecology. Through the program, interns will form small crews and develop restoration plans for their assigned woodland sites.
In the program, you will be assigned to a team under an experienced crew leader to participate in woodland restoration and research. Previous work conducted by interns includes removing invasive species, shorting up eroded slopes, and documenting the restoration process of disturbed woodland. As an intern, you will also take a college course on restoring New York City’s Natural Areas and work on group projects involving data collection and field research contributing to their coursework. An additional benefit is attending guest lectures to gain exposure to various careers in conservation sciences!
11. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary (including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, outreach, communications, and more).
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Depending on the project, interns will work either remotely or on-site at any of NASA’s 10 field centers across the country. Opportunities in New York are available.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session duration.
Application Deadline: July (Fall session) | November (Spring session) | April (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)
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizens
- Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Be a full-time student (high school through graduate level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application (no exceptions).
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school and college-level students based in its various sites across the country. These internships provide training, mentorship, and career development to over 2000+ students annually alongside exposure to leading experts in science, engineering, finance, IT, and business. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, robotics, ecology, and even outreach and communications. You will get to design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technologies. You can explore different internship opportunities here by using the ‘Filter’ option to view the options open to high school students.
12. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Subject Areas: Chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, bio- and molecular engineering, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend of at least $750
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Dates: June 3 to August 9, 2024 (10 weeks).
Eligibility: Students residing in New York City, who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June 2024, are eligible to apply.
NYU's ARISE program offers a rich summer learning experience for those drawn to engineering and its many branches. Its interdisciplinary approach encompasses a wide array of subjects, including chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, bio- and molecular engineering, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Designed to cultivate a breadth of STEM skills, ARISE provides hands-on laboratory experiences, alongside classroom sessions, and workshops focusing on ethics, lab safety, data collection, and even college admissions preparation. A standout element of the program is the mentorship from NYU's esteemed research faculty, which encourages a culture of teamwork, guidance, and creative inquiry, enabling students to engage in significant research endeavors within their chosen STEM domains. The program culminates with students showcasing their research outcomes at a colloquium.
For its 2024 session, ARISE is set to accept 76 to 80 students into the program. You can view Research Opportunities for this summer's participating professors and their labs.
13. Stanford’s SHTEM: Summer Internship
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary (science, humanities, technology, engineering, mathematics).
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024
Dates: June 17 - August 9, 2024
Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11-12 at the time of application, OR full-time community college students (within the first 3 years of community college), are eligible to apply.
This program is aimed at providing high school and community college students early exposure to cutting-edge research in an academic environment as well as introducing students to the diversity of research topics pursued in engineering. Conducted by a highly esteemed institution during the summer, this internship offers a unique chance for students to explore diverse subjects remotely. You will spend most of the time conducting research from where you are located (if you are working on hardware projects, materials will be sent to you) while maintaining regular communication with your mentors and group members. You can anticipate a commitment of 30-40 hours per week, guided by Stanford's renowned faculty and industry experts who provide valuable insights into the evolving tech landscape.
Themes cover the science of information and communication, engineering, the arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design, among other areas. This program will help you develop technical skills and foster a success-oriented mindset.
14. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Subject Areas: Chemistry and related fields.
Location: Varies based on lab choice. Opportunities are available in New York City. Check here.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates).
- Have completed one course in high school chemistry.
Preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here!
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4000 is awarded to the interns.
Project SEED is a paid, summer fellowship program for high school students. Once accepted, students commute daily to a research lab (typically about 8 hours per weekday, Monday through Friday) for anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks. This program offers an opportunity for students keen on working in laboratories and conducting work in the field of chemistry. Students will get to work in real laboratories at universities and other sites, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture lab.
In particular, Project SEED focuses on supporting over 350 students from underrepresented communities, providing both internships and summer camps to help students with university applications. As an intern, you will work on an independent project at a research lab located in the nearest Project SEED location. You get to choose the type of project you’re interested in – from a wide range of choices. Depending on your project site, you might have the chance to go on field trips and campus tours, attend career panels, and more!
A bonus is that your coordinator can choose to register you for the American Chemical Society National Meeting – where you can present your work.
15. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Subject Areas: Applied mathematics and computational science.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; A stipend is provided to students
Application Deadline: February 7, 2024
Dates: July 1 to August 9, 2024
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be in their junior year (11th grade) of high school at the time of applying
- Be US citizens and/or permanent residents.
- Be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program is a chance to engage in hands-on research in STEM alongside faculty mentors. In this program, you will be matched with a faculty mentor, join a research group or team, and be responsible for a project.
Throughout the program, students immerse themselves in leading-edge research, learning to conduct scientific investigations, communicate complex mathematics and computational science concepts, and explore careers in these fields. During the program, you’ll get a chance to work closely with seasoned experts and forge valuable professional networks. Beyond research, you will also get to attend community and career-focused events, including faculty research talks and workshops.
At the end of the program, you will produce a written research abstract and a research poster. With an acceptance rate of about 5%, gaining acceptance into this program adds considerable prestige to college and scholarship applications.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.