26 Biology Internships for High School Students

Are you fascinated by the natural world and curious about how living things work? Do you dream of a career in medicine, conservation, or research? If so, a biology internship in high school could be the perfect starting point for your journey.

In this blog, we’ll share 26 incredible biology-related internship programs designed specifically for high school students like you. Through these internships, you’ll work alongside professionals, conduct real-world research, and discover your niche in the exciting world of biology.

Benefits of Biology Internships for High School Students

Biology isn’t just about textbook diagrams and memorizing complex terms. For high school students curious about the living world, biology internships offer a chance to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.

• Hands-on learning: Internships provide opportunities to use microscopes, prepare solutions, conduct experiments, or participate in field research. This practical experience solidifies your understanding of biological concepts and sparks a deeper passion for the subject.

• Discover diverse fields: Biology is a vast and ever-advancing field. Internships expose you to various areas like genetics, ecology, marine biology, and conservation. This exploration helps you identify specific interests and paves the way for a more focused college path.

• Develop valuable skills: Internships aren’t just about collecting data. You’ll hone critical skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also learn valuable lab techniques and time management strategies. These skills are highly sought-after in academic and professional settings.

• Boost your college application: Colleges appreciate students who take initiative. An internship shows your passion for biology and sets you apart from other applicants. The experience provides valuable talking points for essays and interviews, showing your research skills and commitment to the field.

• Network and build relationships: Internships connect you with professionals in the field. You’ll learn from experienced researchers, gain valuable mentorship, and potentially build lasting relationships that could lead to future research opportunities or even letters of recommendation.

26 Biology Internships for High School Students

1. Yocket High School Summer Internship Program

The Yocket High School Summer Internship is an intensive 4-week virtual program designed to spark your passion for biology. You’ll gain hands-on experience by working on real-world projects, like dissecting plant structures or analyzing DNA samples. Our expert mentors, accomplished biologists themselves, will guide you every step of the way, from project completion to crafting a stellar college application that highlights your newfound skills and knowledge.

This program goes beyond just the lab. Weekly mentorship sessions, practice assessments to gauge your understanding, and an official letter of recommendation will solidify your academic profile. You’ll also receive a director-signed certificate commemorating your achievement. With limited spots available for only 50 students and scholarship applications closing soon, apply now and join a global network of ambitious science enthusiasts.

2. Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) High School Research Internships

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) High School Research Internship offers a six-week summer program (June 25th to August 9th), which is open to local Ithaca, NY, students aged 16 and above. It’s an opportunity to gain firsthand experience and see if a biology major or a science career is right for you.

As a paid intern earning $4,000, you’ll work with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and a faculty mentor on real-world plant research projects. You’ll also participate in workshops, discussions, lectures, and field trips, all designed to broaden your scientific knowledge. The program concludes with a symposium, where you’ll present your research findings, allowing you to show your learnings.

3. Broad Summer Scholars Program

The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) is a six-week intensive program (June 3–August 2) where rising high school seniors can work on real-world research alongside leading scientists. Students will work on advanced projects in fields like cancer biology, computational biology, and infectious disease.

Additionally, BSSP offers career exploration workshops, scientific talks, and a chance to present research findings at a poster session. The program prioritizes students with a strong science and math background (Bs required) and a passion for scientific exploration. 

Students from underrepresented backgrounds and underserved communities are especially encouraged to apply. To top it all off, participants receive a $3,600 stipend to help with program expenses.

4. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy

The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy is a prestigious 10-week program (June 3–August 9) that offers high school and undergraduate students the chance to solve a real scientific challenge. You’ll work alongside a research team on a project of your choosing and gain hands-on experience in a professional lab setting.

Mentorship from leading scientists will provide you with critical thinking and communication skills, while workshops and seminars will further enhance your learning. You’ll also build a network of like-minded peers and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion. To top it off, you’ll receive a $4,000 stipend in recognition of your hard work.

5. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

The Fred Hutch Cancer Center offers a competitive, eight-week paid summer internship program (SHIP) specifically designed for rising 12th graders from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. The program runs from June 24th to August 16th and consists of two parts. During the first two weeks, interns receive intensive training in laboratory safety and essential techniques.

This provides them for the following six weeks, where they’ll be placed in a Fred Hutch research lab and participate in mentored activities alongside scientists. Interns will work a standard 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, and receive a stipend. While the program is open to students nationwide, it’s important to note that interns are responsible for securing their own housing and transportation during the internship.

6. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is a free program open to high school and undergraduate students eager for hands-on experience. Over eight weeks (June 18–August 9), you’ll work alongside Mason researchers, and gain firsthand experience with advanced equipment and technology in various STEM fields.

ASSIP helps you develop skills in scientific writing and communication. There’s even the potential to have your research published or presented at a conference. Keep in mind that age requirements vary by internship type. In-person, remote, and hybrid computer lab internships require participants to be over 15, while “wet lab” based internships require participants to be over 16.

7. George Washington Carver Internship Program

The George Washington Carver Internship Program offers an eight-week experience (June 3–August 1) for US citizens and legal residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Selected students will live on the campus of Iowa State University and collaborate with mentors on research projects related to food systems and the agricultural process.

Interns will dedicate 30–40 hours weekly to their research, culminating in an abstract, a written report, and a final presentation at a colloquium. To be considered for this opportunity, applications must be submitted by February 1. The program provides on-campus housing, a meal plan, round-trip airfare, and a stipend to cover additional expenses.

8. Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) Summer Student Program

The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) Summer Student Program is an eight-week intensive program designed to provide you with hands-on experience in a world-renowned cancer research center. You’ll work alongside researchers on your own project, attend training sessions to build your scientific foundation, and receive mentorship from experts in the field.

The program culminates in a poster session where you’ll present your research findings. This is a full-time commitment (40 hours a week), typically running from 9 am to 5 pm or 10 am to 6 pm, and you’ll be compensated with a stipend for your participation.

9. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. It is designed to spark interest in fisheries and aquatic science among underrepresented groups. The program offers opportunities for rising high school juniors, seniors, and even college freshmen across all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Interns work with fisheries professionals and gain hands-on experience through activities like fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, examining specimens, water quality testing, and data analysis. Selected interns receive a $3,000 stipend, work 32–40 hours per week, and even attend an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.

10. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internships

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) offers a great opportunity for high school students to gain valuable STEM experience through paid internships. You’ll be paired with mentors to work on real-world projects, develop innovative solutions, and gain hands-on experience in a lab setting.

The program follows an 80/20 philosophy, meaning 80% of your time will be dedicated to lab work while the remaining 20% is devoted to professional development activities like workshops and skill-building sessions.

To be eligible, you’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA, a clean background check, and a resume. Be sure to visit the INL website for specific application instructions and deadlines, as they can vary.

11. Indiana University Future Scientist Program

Indiana University’s Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center runs a summer program called the Future Scientist Program, specifically designed for high school juniors in Indianapolis and Marion County public schools. This eight-week program (June 3–July 26) offers an opportunity for science-interested students to gain hands-on experience in research.

Participants will be paired with mentors from the IU School of Medicine to work on a research project, which fosters their curiosity and investigative skills. Additionally, students will receive a stipend to acknowledge their contribution to the program.

12. Linking Individuals to Their Natural Community (LINC)

Linking Individuals to Their Natural Community (LINC) is a six-week paid internship program running from June 18th to August 2nd. If you live in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Solano, or Alameda Counties, this is your chance to dig deep into environmental stewardship while earning up to $2,300.

LINC combines hands-on activities like wildlife monitoring and habitat restoration with workshops on community building, service learning, and exploration. You’ll participate in adventurous experiences like camping and kayaking, all while getting a deeper understanding of the local environment and its impact on surrounding communities. 

13. Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program

The Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program provides a chance for qualified northern New Mexico high school seniors to gain hands-on experience in STEM fields. The program offers internships in various disciplines, including biological sciences. Interns will work on molecular biology and microbiology by learning essential lab procedures and assisting with routine maintenance tasks.

However, to be eligible, students must be residents of New Mexico, at least 16 years old, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, they will need to pass a drug test and submit a complete application package, including a resume, cover letter, and transcript.

14. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program

The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a competitive (only 18–24 students chosen) paid summer program, especially for underrepresented groups (females, minorities, and economically disadvantaged students). High schoolers and undergraduates living near Philadelphia can apply for this eight-week program (typically June 18th to August 16th). 

Apprentices will work on research projects alongside Monell scientists and gain valuable skills like public speaking, scientific writing, and research ethics through enrichment activities. The program culminates with a public conference where students present their research findings.

15. National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers the High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) for high school juniors interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research and healthcare. This program specifically targets students from the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland (DMV) metro area who come from schools with a high percentage of students in the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program.

Held on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, HiSTEP is a four-week summer program (July 2–August 1) designed to introduce students to the vast world of STEM-M through workshops, lectures, and hands-on activities that build foundational scientific skills. To be eligible, students must be US citizens or legal residents, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and currently be in their junior year of high school.

16. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Young Women in Science (YWIS)

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Young Women in Science (YWIS) program is an opportunity for high school girls interested in STEM fields. This ten-week summer program (typically running from June to August) allows students to gain hands-on research experience by working alongside a scientist mentor in a specific area of research.

Beyond the lab, YWIS also offers a variety of activities designed to help students develop their skills, including laboratory demonstrations, field trips, and workshops on communication and career awareness.

17. Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers

Harvard Medical School’s Department of Diversity and Inclusion offers Boston and Cambridge high school juniors and seniors a summer research internship program called Project Success. This program specifically targets students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine and those facing disadvantages.

Project Success offers a paid opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in research labs alongside mentors. Throughout the six-week program, interns will develop their technical skills, deepen their scientific knowledge, and strengthen their critical thinking abilities. Project Success also provides support to interns as they map out their academic and future career goals in the biomedical field.

18. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

The Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) offers an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to experience real-world research alongside leading scientists. This seven-week program (June 24–August 8) allows students to work alongside mentors in small groups (8–10 students) on exciting research projects in various fields.

Past projects have explored diverse areas, like RNA viruses, the immune response to coronaviruses, and even the social behavior of ants. Additionally, SSRP provides core sessions that discuss the scientific process and provide students with professional development skills, like building resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

19. Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program

The Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program is a seven-week program. It offers high school juniors a chance to learn more about cancer research. You’ll gain hands-on lab experience, attend classroom sessions on cancer fundamentals, and participate in professional development activities.

Even better, you can tailor your research experience to your interests, focusing on areas like biostatistics, cancer biophysics, or molecular biology. Financial aid is available, with subsistence allowances awarded to some applicants and stipends to help cover program costs.

20. Scripps Research California High School Internship Program

The Scripps Research California High School Internship Program is a 10-week summer program designed to introduce rising high school students to biomedical research. Running from either June 3rd to August 9th or June 17th to August 23rd, the program offers hands-on laboratory experience and mentorship from leading scientists.

This program is especially dedicated to fostering the interest of students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields and those who will be the first in their families to pursue college. This will provide them with research experience and guidance.

21. Student Conservation Association (SCA) National Crews

The Student Conservation Association’s (SCA) National Crews offer an incredible opportunity for high school students (ages 15–19) to gain hands-on experience in conservation while exploring the outdoors. This competitive program places students in teams of 6–8, led by two adult crew leaders, on projects ranging from two to five weeks.

Crew members will work on important tasks, like trail building and restoration, learning valuable skills and gaining a deeper understanding of ecology and environmental issues. Living in tents and cooking their meals, participants will build teamwork and leadership abilities while fostering a connection with nature and testing their own perseverance.

22. Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM

The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer internship program designed to spark an interest in science for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties. 

Over seven weeks, students will be involved in the world of biotechnology, microbiology, and biofuels. Through mentored research projects, career exploration workshops, and college application guidance, iCLEM interns gain hands-on experience in labs while strengthening their foundation in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and biochemistry. This program pays participants a $3,000 stipend and provides them with the knowledge and skills to confidently pursue careers in science.

23. SUNY Oneonta Summer Research Internship

SUNY Oneonta offers a nine-week summer internship program for high school students residing in New York who are 16 years of age or older. This program is perfect for students interested in ecology and environmental research. Interns will gain valuable hands-on experience in various aspects of environmental science, including fieldwork data collection on Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna watershed, which focuses on water quality and biological life.

They’ll also learn laboratory and data analysis techniques, scientific writing, and presentation skills. While the number of positions offered changes year-to-year, typically one to three interns are selected. To apply by the deadline of April 12th every year, students will need to submit an application essay and two letters of recommendation.

24. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a highly competitive 10-week program designed for high school seniors and undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in genetics and genomics research. Held at either the Bar Harbor, Maine, or Farmington, Connecticut, campus, students will work closely with a mentor to design a research project, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings.

This immersive program offers an opportunity to explore the field alongside leading researchers. With only 39 students accepted out of 569 applicants in 2023 (including just 3 high schoolers), admission is selective. However, selected students receive a $6,500 stipend to help offset program costs.

25. The University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Program

The University of Michigan offers a highly selective and prestigious summer program named the Aspirnaut Summer Research Program. This program accepts only eight to ten rising high school seniors from Michigan each year for a six-week summer experience. You’ll work with researchers on real-life projects in the life sciences and gain hands-on experience.

Beyond the lab, the program provides mentorship, college application guidance, and even standardized test preparation. To top it all off, you’ll live on campus at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, giving you a first-hand look at college life. Plus, you’ll receive a stipend for your participation.

26. Wave Hill Forest Project

The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer internship program ideal for New York City high school students interested in learning about ecology and environmental issues in an urban setting. Through hands-on fieldwork, interns gain experience in ecological restoration and urban ecology.

They also participate in college-level courses and hear from guest speakers working in various green careers. Interns work collaboratively in small crews and earn roughly $2,275 over the summer. There’s also the opportunity to earn three college credits upon successful completion of the coursework.

From the Desk of Yocket

A biology internship in high school can be a gratifying experience. It’s a way to turn what you learn in textbooks into real-world applications. You’ll gain practical skills, like working in a lab or conducting fieldwork, all under the guidance of experienced professionals. This hands-on experience can solidify your interest in biology or even spark curiosity in a specific area you might not have considered before. Perhaps you’ll discover a passion for genetics while assisting with research or fieldwork that might ignite an interest in conservation efforts.

Additionally, a biology internship can give you a significant edge when applying to colleges and future biology-related programs. Colleges value students who take initiative and explore their academic interests beyond the classroom. An internship shows your passion for the field and provides valuable experiences to discuss in essays and interviews. It can also help you build relationships with professionals who can provide valuable mentorship and even write letters of recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are biology internships?

Biology internships are hands-on learning experiences that allow high school students to explore careers in biology. They can involve working in labs, assisting researchers with experiments, or participating in field studies to collect data.

What are the benefits of biology internships?

Biology internships offer a variety of benefits for high school students. They can help you gain valuable research experience, develop laboratory skills, like using microscopes or preparing solutions, learn about different areas of biology that you might be interested in, and strengthen your college applications by showing your passion for the field.

What qualifications are needed for a biology internship?

Qualifications for biology internships can vary, but most programs look for students with a strong interest in biology, good grades in science courses, and basic lab skills. Some programs may also require a resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation from a science teacher.