26 Research Internships for High School Students

Ever dreamt of working alongside scientists on advanced research? Well, guess what? That dream can become reality even before you set foot on a college campus! Research internships for high school students are a great way to jumpstart your academic journey and explore your passions in a real-world setting.

From marine biology to robotics, in this blog, we’ll share 26 incredible research internship opportunities specifically designed for curious and driven high school students like you.

Benefits of Research Internships for High School Students

Research internships for high school students are packed with benefits that extend far beyond learning about a specific field. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Exposure to real-world research: Research internships provide students with a firsthand look at how research is conducted in a professional setting. You will have the opportunity to work alongside researchers on real-world projects, learning about the research process from start to finish.

• Development of skills: Research internships help students develop a variety of skills that will benefit them in college and beyond. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, time management, and data analysis.

• Exploration of academic interests: Research internships can help students explore their academic interests more deeply. By working on a research project in a specific field, students can gain a better understanding of whether or not that field is a good fit for them.

• Stronger college applications: Research experience can look great on college applications. It shows colleges that you are a motivated and curious student who is interested in pursuing a research career.

• Networking opportunities: Research internships can help students build relationships with researchers and other professionals in their field of interest. These connections can be valuable resources for students as they continue their education and careers.

• Increased confidence: Research internships can help students gain confidence in their abilities. By completing a research project, you will learn that you are capable of doing real-world research.

26 Research 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 providing the foundational skills and experience to excel in research fields. You will go beyond textbooks as you work on real-world projects in areas like artificial intelligence or machine learning, gaining hands-on practice under the guidance of expert mentors. They’ll support you throughout the program, from project completion to crafting a standout college application that highlights your newfound research skills.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Weekly mentorship sessions, practice assessments to gauge your learning, an official letter of recommendation, and a director-signed certificate will solidify your academic profile and impress potential employers. With limited spots available for only 50 students and scholarship applications closing soon, don’t miss this opportunity to join a global network of ambitious peers and take the first step toward a fulfilling research career.

2. Adler Planetarium’s Summer High School Internship

The Adler Planetarium’s Summer High School Internship offers an opportunity for Chicago high school students to research the world of museums and planetariums. Running from July 8th to August 14th, the six-week program provides hands-on experience in various museum departments, from Visitor Experience and Learning to Research.

Interns will gain valuable insight into how scientific discoveries are transformed into engaging exhibits and programs, while also learning about diverse career paths within these institutions. This program is a great way for science enthusiasts to dig deeper into their passion and develop professional skills in a fun and supportive environment.

3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a prestigious seven-week summer research experience offered by Texas Tech University to a select group of twelve high school juniors and seniors. Held in Lubbock, TX, from June 16 to August 1, the program provides students with the opportunity to work on real-world research alongside esteemed faculty members.

Participants get to choose their research area from a wide range of disciplines, including cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, and even history. To apply, students need to submit an online application that includes short essays, their high school transcripts, test scores (including the PSAT if no others are available), recommendations from at least two teachers, and a list of their top five activities. 

4. Boston University’s Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Internship

Boston University’s Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Internship is a competitive six-week summer program designed for rising high school seniors passionate about STEM fields. Offered from June 30th to August 9th, the program allows students to study specific areas of science and engineering like astronomy, biology, or computer science.

Mentored by experienced faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, RISE interns actively participate in research projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience alongside weekly workshops that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among peers.

5. Brookfield Zoo’s King Conservation Science Scholars Program

The Brookfield Zoo’s King Conservation Science Scholars Program is a dynamic internship designed to spark a passion for animal conservation in high school students. Through interactive workshops, engaging research projects, and participation in community initiatives, students learn about zoology, environmental science, and conservation. The program fosters a deep understanding of these crucial fields, provides students with valuable research skills, and prepares them for college and future careers in conservation.

Scholars gain a strong foundation through introductory courses on Diversity Awareness and Conservation while also building a network of peers and mentors who share their passion. After a successful year, participants are encouraged to apply for scholarships and exciting paid positions working directly at the Brookfield Zoo, making a real difference in animal welfare and habitat protection.

6. California Academy of Sciences’s Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

The California Academy of Science’s Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is a chance for San Francisco high school students from communities underrepresented in STEM fields to gain valuable, paid experience throughout their high school journey. This multi-year program runs year-round, requiring participation after school and on weekends.

While exploring the wonders of science and sustainability at the Academy, interns will receive mentorship, develop transferable career skills, and attend workshops and conferences to enhance their academic and professional development.

7. Lincoln Park Zoo Malott Family Zoo Intern Program

The Lincoln Park Zoo’s Malott Family Zoo Intern Program is a paid, seven-week summer opportunity for Chicago high school students interested in animal and conservation sciences. Running from June 24th to August 9th, the program provides students with the skills to educate zoo visitors about these topics. Interns will develop engaging digital content and participate in a culminating project to showcase their learning.

Additionally, the program offers valuable insights into career paths by providing opportunities to meet and learn from researchers and animal care professionals. To be eligible, applicants must be Chicago residents between 15 and 18 years old and be entering grades 10–12 or their freshman year of college by the internship start date.

8. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is designed for high-achieving high school students. It offers an opportunity to work alongside PhD researchers from prestigious universities like Harvard and Oxford. This remote program lets you study a topic of your choice, from medicine and computer science to psychology and international relations, culminating in an independent research paper you’ll write with one-on-one mentorship.  

While competitively selective, the program is flexible, which allows you to participate for 12 weeks to a year during any season and offers financial aid to make it accessible. Though no prior knowledge in your chosen field is required, you should have a strong academic record (typically a GPA of 3.3 or higher).

9. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience’s Summer Research Internship

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) offers a six-week summer research internship program for high school students entering their junior or senior year. The program is ideal for students fascinated by the brain and eager to explore its structure, function, development, and the advanced technologies used in neuroscience research. 

Interns will work alongside experienced MPFI scientists on research projects, gain hands-on experience in labs, and develop valuable scientific communication skills by preparing a written abstract and presenting their findings at the program’s conclusion. Research tracks cater to diverse interests, including neuroscience itself, scientific programming, and the application of mechanical engineering in a neuroscience context.

To be eligible, students must be residents of Palm Beach or Martin counties, be at least 16 years old by the internship start date (June 17th), and attend a high school in those counties. Internship applications typically open in January and close in March, and accepted interns will be compensated $12.50 per hour.

10. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers a summer program through its Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP). This eight-week program provides high school students with the chance to experience cancer research firsthand. Students will work alongside a dedicated mentor who supervises their development of research skills and guides them through an independent research project aligned with the mentor’s ongoing work.

The program culminates in a poster session where students show their research findings to the broader scientific community. This is a paid opportunity open to students who have completed at least 9th grade by June 2024, are 14 years old by the program start date, boast a strong science GPA (3.5 or higher), and can secure two letters of recommendation.

11. NASA OSTEM Internship

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internship opportunities across various locations and for varying durations throughout the year. These internships provide high school students with the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside NASA’s research scientists and engineers.

This opportunity allows interns to contribute to real-world projects while strengthening their resumes and gaining valuable insights to prepare them for future careers in STEM fields. The application deadline typically falls in early February, so interested high school students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled full-time should be sure to research and apply early.

12. New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program

High school students living in the New York City metro area can study history research through the New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program. This program, focusing on the theme “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America” for 2024, allows participants to conduct research, collaborate with historian mentors, and even lead gallery tours.

Running from July 9th to August 15th, the program offers valuable opportunities to develop historical thinking, communication, and digital media skills. While most internships are unpaid, financial aid may be available for some students.

13. NYU Tandon’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

NYU Tandon offers a summer program called Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) for NYC high school students passionate about STEM fields. Running from June 3rd to August 9th, the 10-week program combines virtual and in-person learning. During the first four weeks online, students will participate in college-level workshops on topics like research methods, scientific ethics, and lab safety.

Then, for the remaining six weeks on-site at NYU Tandon, they’ll gain hands-on experience through research projects in various fields, including bioengineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence, all under the guidance of graduate or postdoctoral mentors.

14. QuarkNet Summer Research Program

The QuarkNet Summer Research Program is a seven-week paid internship (from June 17th to August 2nd) open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. While specific research projects change year-to-year based on ongoing lab work, interns can express their area of interest within the broad field of particle physics.

The application process includes a questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and an essay. To be eligible, students must be US citizens or permanent residents and be able to provide work authorization documentation. The program offers a competitive hourly rate of $17.20.

15. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Every year, the Research Science Institute (RSI) gathers 100 of the world’s most accomplished high school students for a summer program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. This prestigious, five-week program is entirely free for students and combines intensive on-campus coursework in STEM fields with hands-on research experience.

RSI participants work on individual research projects under the guidance of experienced scientist mentors, delving into the entire research cycle from literature review and project planning to conducting experiments and presenting their findings in a final conference-style setting.

16. RISE Environmentor Internship

The RISE Environmentor Internship is a six-week summer program designed for high school students living or attending school near the Rockaway Peninsula in New York. It provides a hands-on research experience mentored by scientists from local universities. Students work on real-world projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline, like studying sea turtle strandings or dolphin fin morphology.

Alongside research, the program offers water safety training, CPR certification, and fun on-water activities like kayaking and surfing. To encourage participation, students receive a stipend of up to $1,200 and earn community service hours for their involvement.

17. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is an opportunity for high school students to participate in scientific research for seven weeks from June 24th to August 8th at the prestigious Rockefeller University in New York City. Under the guidance of leading scientists, SSRP scholars design and conduct their own research projects within a themed research track and gain firsthand experience with the tools and techniques used in groundbreaking biomedical discoveries.

This hands-on program uses the RockEDU Laboratory, a 3,000-square-foot facility specifically designed to foster research skills. It is open to students who will be at least 16 years old by the program start date. The application deadline for SSRP is January 5th.

18. Simons Summer Research Program

The Simons Summer Research Program is held at Stony Brook University in New York. It offers an opportunity for high school juniors (at least 16 years old) to work on real-world research alongside distinguished faculty mentors. Over five weeks, Simons Fellows participate in hands-on research projects in science, math, or engineering. They gain valuable experience working in labs, learning new techniques, and using specialized equipment.

Weekly faculty research talks, workshops, tours, and events further enrich the program, providing a well-rounded research experience. The program culminates in a closing poster symposium where students showcase their findings and receive a stipend for their participation.

19. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program

The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program is an 8–10 week opportunity for high-achieving and motivated high school students in the Greater Seattle area. Participants are paired with industry experts, university professors, and mentors to research real-world customer and financial market trends.

This program is designed to cultivate the next generation of business minds by providing hands-on research experience under the guidance of leading professionals. However, it’s important to note that SPARK is currently only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

20. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program located at Stanford University in California. It offers high school juniors and seniors a chance to study the world of medical research. Students will work alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, and students on projects in various medically oriented fields like immunology, cancer biology, and bioinformatics.

This experience fosters a deeper understanding of the scientific research process while igniting a passion for the biological sciences. Participants will receive a stipend of at least $500 to contribute towards program costs.

21. The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History

New York City high school students can work on scientific research with the American Museum of Natural History’s Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP). This year-long program (August to June) offers students the chance to work alongside Museum scientists on real research projects. Not only will students gain valuable research experience and potentially get paid for their work, but they’ll also develop a diverse skill set applicable to many scientific fields.

From analyzing data collected by telescopes to working with DNA in a lab setting, SRMP students learn by doing, gaining hands-on experience, and potentially even learning to code and analyze data using popular programming languages.

22. The Scripps Research High School Internship Program

The Scripps Research Institute offers a seven-week summer internship program for high school students in San Diego County. This hands-on program will be held at their La Jolla, California, headquarters and is designed to introduce students to biological and chemical sciences. Through laboratory experience and mentorship, interns will gain skills and insights while being motivated to pursue further education in STEM fields.

Scripps is particularly committed to increasing diversity in STEM and actively encourages applications from students from historically underrepresented communities in the sciences. All interns will receive a $4,760 stipend to help offset program costs.

23. The Wistar Institute’s High School Program in Biomedical Research

The Wistar Institute offers an opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in a real research lab. This four-week summer program in Philadelphia, PA, immerses students in the world of scientific discovery. Working alongside a principal investigator, participants will design and conduct their own research project, attend informative seminars, and receive mentorship from experienced researchers.

The program culminates with a final presentation, allowing students to show their findings. Students are expected to fully commit to the program, attending weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with limited exceptions. To help offset commuting costs and other program-related expenses, a $1,000 stipend is provided upon successful completion.

24. UChicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program

The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute (DSI) offers an opportunity for high school and undergraduate students through its eight-week Summer Lab Program. Held in Chicago from June 10th to August 2nd, this paid program pairs you with a leading data science mentor whose expertise could span from computer science and social sciences to climate policy and biomedical research.

You’ll gain experience in research methodology, teamwork, and practical data science applications. With no prior research experience required, the program provides you with the tools to work on a real-world research project. Culminating in a video presentation at a summer symposium, the DSI Summer Lab Program is an excellent way to develop your research skills and explore the exciting world of data science.

25. UT Austin College of Natural Sciences High School Research Academy

The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences offers a five-week summer program, the High School Research Academy (HSRA), for high school students to work on real-world research. Held on the Austin, TX, campus from June 10th to July 17th, HSRA participants work alongside faculty and researchers on interdisciplinary projects in exciting fields like biochemistry, biology, and data analytics.

The program even offers scholarships and financial aid to ensure all deserving students can participate, regardless of background. This is an opportunity for high schoolers to gain hands-on research experience and explore potential STEM career paths.

26. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC)

The Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC) offer an opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience research. This eight-week summer program allows students to work alongside leading scientists, develop essential research and laboratory skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the entire scientific discovery process.

Through this program, participants will be exposed to advancements in neuroscience while being mentored by experienced professionals at Columbia University. However, to be eligible, students must be nominated by one of BRAINYAC’s partner organizations (S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus).

From the Desk of Yocket

Doing a research internship in high school is an incredibly valuable experience. It offers a chance to step outside the classroom and experience the real world of research. You’ll gain hands-on experience with the research process, from formulating questions and conducting experiments to analyzing data and drawing conclusions. This not only strengthens your understanding of a particular field but also prepares you with skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

Research internships can also be a great way to explore your academic interests. By working on a real research project, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of a specific field and see if it aligns with your long-term goals. This first-hand experience can be much more insightful than simply reading about a subject in a textbook. Additionally, research experience can significantly strengthen your college applications, showing your initiative, curiosity, and commitment to a particular field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a research internship?

A research internship is a program where a high school student works alongside researchers on a specific project. This can be at a university, a research institution, or even a private company. Interns gain hands-on experience in a research setting by learning new skills and contributing to real-world projects.

Can I get paid for a research internship?

Some research internships are paid, while others are volunteer positions. Be sure to check the specific details of each program you’re interested in.

Why do a research internship?

Research internships can help you explore your interests in a specific field, gain research experience that strengthens your college applications, and develop valuable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.