Top 15 Biology Internships for High School Students in 2025-2026

Biology is a fast-growing career field tied to medicine, biotechnology, public health, and environmental science. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates nearly 114,000 new jobs will be added in the life, physical, and social sciences between 2020 and 2030.

One of the best ways to explore these careers is through a biology internship. You can work in labs, hospitals, or field sites on research projects and start building experience colleges value. Below are 15 of the best biology internships for high school students, with details on eligibility, program length, and the type of work students usually do.

• What Are the Best Biology Internships for High School Students?
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
• Summer Science Program (SSP) 
• Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) 
• High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
• Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
• Scripps Research High School Summer Internship Program
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program
• Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
• Aspirnaut Summer Research Program
• SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station (BFS) Internships
• Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program 
• Student Conservation Association (SCA) National Conservation Crews
• Wake Forest Summer Immersion Biology Research Institute
• Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) High School Student Internships
• BioBus Junior Scientist Internships
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Biology Internships for High School Students?

Biology internships help you build research skills, explore potential majors, and strengthen your college applications with meaningful hands-on experience. Below, you’ll find 15 of the best biology internships for high school students. We’ve summarized each program’s name, location, and dates to help you compare your options quickly.

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

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

• Dates: June 8–July 30, 2026
• Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
• Cost: Application fee is $40 with waivers available, and the program is free for all participants with a minimum $500 stipend.

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is one of the most selective biology internships for high school students. It runs for eight weeks and is open to rising juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research.

You can choose from eight research tracks:

• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Science
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics
• Bioengineering

The program takes place on Stanford’s campus, where you’ll help collect data, learn common research techniques, and present your work in a final poster session, with guidance from faculty members and graduate student mentors

SIMR admits about 50 students each year. Applicants should be at least 16 years old, enrolled in a U.S. high school, and entering their junior or senior year. The application usually requires transcripts, recommendation letters, and short essays explaining your research interest.

For more details about eligibility and how to apply, see our complete guide to SIMR.

2. Summer Science Program (SSP)

• Dates: Varies by campus (generally late June to early August)
• Location: Multiple campuses
• Cost: Fees are based on family income, with free attendance for many students under about $75,000, partial discounts up to $140,000 and above, and a maximum program cost of $9,800.

The Summer Science Program (SSP) is one of the most well-known STEM summer programs for high school students. It offers five research areas: astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, synthetic chemistry, and cell biology. Each track focuses on a scientific problem that students study in small teams, with a research project completed during the program.

SSP lasts about five weeks and is fully residential, with past host campuses including Purdue University, Lehigh University, and Knox College. The program also offers an optional mentorship program called College Link, which pairs participants with younger alumni mentors who provide guidance on the college application process.

To apply, you must be a high school junior who will be at least 15 years old but not yet 19 during the program. SSP is competitive, so strong grades and teacher evaluations are very important.

For a full breakdown of the program and application process, see our guide to the Summer Science Program.

3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

• Dates: June 18–August 12, 2026
• Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
• Cost: $25 application fee; $1,299 program tuition (waivers available for those who need them)

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is a full-time, eight-week internship where you work on a research project with faculty at George Mason University or partner institutions. Projects may be in person, hybrid, or remote, with 2026 mentors expected from fields such as bioengineering, atmospheric and oceanic science, earth science, and chemistry.

To apply, you must be at least 15 years old for remote or computer-based projects and 16 for in-person lab work. You also cannot have graduated from college before or during the internship.

ASSIP is competitive. Recent cohorts included 272 students from 33 states and several countries, so you’ll need to show a strong interest in science and research in your application.

Students who complete the program earn three college credits, and some projects are shared at conferences or included in research papers or patents.

4. High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)

• Dates: July 7–August 7, 2025
• Location: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland
• Cost: Paid internship with a $2,150 stipend

The High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is a full-time, five-week summer internship for 12th graders who want to explore science careers through biomedical research. Students attend lectures, participate in small-group discussions, take part in group projects, and learn how research is conducted in professional lab settings.

HiSTEP gives students from low-income public schools the chance to explore biomedical and healthcare careers while also receiving college advice and mentoring.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living within 40 miles of NIH (DC, MD, or VA)
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Attend a school where at least 30% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch

Participants receive Transhare benefits to help cover public transportation costs and a $2,150 stipend for completing the program.

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

• Dates: June 22–August 14, 2026
• Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
• Cost: Paid internship with stipend (amount shared after interview); ORCA card provided for commuters in the greater Seattle area

The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is designed for students with little or no prior research experience. It’s a full-time internship for rising seniors who are at least 16 years old and live in or near the Greater Seattle area. Interns must be able to attend in person for the full eight-week program.

The internship starts with two weeks of training in lab safety and research techniques, followed by six weeks working in pairs within a Fred Hutch research group. Students also attend research seminars, join college and career workshops, and take part in group activities. The program ends with a final presentation to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends.

As one of the top summer internships for high school students, SHIP is highly competitive. You’ll need to submit contact information for two recommenders, along with your resume and transcripts in PDF format. If your application is late, incomplete, or missing recommendations, it won’t be reviewed.

6. Scripps Research High School Summer Internship Program

• Dates: June 22–August 7, 2026
• Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
• Cost: Paid internship with a $5,040 stipend

Scripps Research’s High School Summer Internship Program introduces students to modern biomedical research. The program begins with a required three-day training boot camp from June 16–18, 2026, followed by a seven-week, full-time internship on campus.

During the internship, students work in research labs and attend weekly scientific seminars and professional development workshops. The program concludes with participants presenting their work at the campus-wide Summer Intern Symposium.

For 2026, the program is open only to students from the following partner schools:

• Barrio Logan College Institute (San Diego)
• Crawford High School (San Diego)
• Del Lago Academy (Escondido)
• Escondido High School (Escondido)
• Hoover High School (San Diego)
• Lincoln High School (San Diego)
• Madison High School (San Diego)
• Morse High School (San Diego)
• Orange Glen High School (Escondido)

If your school isn’t on the list, Scripps encourages you to consider the Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI), which is a separate summer medical research program. It’s open to local high school and undergraduate students who are interested in genomics, digital medicine, and data science.

7. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program

• Dates: Varies by internship (summer and year-round options available)
• Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
• Cost: Paid internship ($16.89/hour; about $35,143/year)

The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program is one of the top STEM internships for high school students in New Mexico. The program offers part-time internships during the school year and full-time positions in the summer.

Projects vary by department and team. Depending on your placement, you might prepare biological samples for protein analysis, help improve LANL’s HIV databases, or use Python to model biomolecules and other scientific data.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a high school senior at the time of the internship
• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Attend a high school in New Mexico
• Pass a drug test

Intern pay begins at $16.89 per hour starting in February 2026, or about $35,143 per year when annualized for technical and professional tracks.

8. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)

• Dates: June 15–July 31, 2026
• Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cost: Paid internship; specific stipend details not disclosed

The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is a paid summer research program in Philadelphia that introduces students to biomedical science and medicine. The program focuses on supporting students from underrepresented groups in science, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and students from low-income backgrounds.

MSAP runs for at least seven weeks and is full-time. Students work in a research lab with a Monell scientist and present their work at a public research conference. The program also includes sessions on scientific topics, communication skills, research ethics, and careers in medicine and science.

To apply, you must demonstrate a strong interest in science and research, be currently enrolled in high school or an undergraduate program, be eligible to work in the U.S., and live in the greater Philadelphia area (including Camden, New Jersey).

MSAP is highly competitive. The program typically receives around 200 applications each year and accepts only 18 to 24 students, or about 10% of applicants.

9. Aspirnaut Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 14–July 24, 2026
• Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Cost: Paid internship with a $3,000 stipend

The Aspirnaut Summer Research Program is a six-week residential internship for Michigan high school juniors. Hosted by the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute, it places participants into research groups led by university scientists in a collaborative lab environment.

Participants live on campus for the entire program, with housing, meals, and a stipend provided. Outside of lab hours, interns also take part in social activities with other Aspirnaut interns and students from other high school summer programs at UMich.

To participate, you must be a high school junior attending school in the state of Michigan. You’ll also need to arrange your own transportation to and from the Ann Arbor campus and have health insurance for the duration of the program.

Previous research experience isn’t required, and the program is open to students of all experience levels. Aspirnaut only accepts between 6 and 10 interns each year, which makes it a small and extremely selective program.

10. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station (BFS) Internships

• Dates: Late May–August
• Location: Biological Field Station (BFS), Otsego Lake & Susquehanna Watershed, Cooperstown, New York
• Cost: Paid internship with a $3,500 stipend

The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station (BFS) offers one of the top biology internships for high school students in New York State. This nine-week program focuses on research on Otsego Lake and its surrounding watershed, where interns work closely with faculty, staff, and college researchers on ongoing projects.

Interns work in both the field and the lab, monitoring water quality, collecting fish data, surveying plants, and more. They also attend weekly seminars on lake ecology and complete a research poster and technical report for the BFS Annual Report by the end of the program.

The internship is open to New York State residents who are at least 16 years old by June 20. Each year, only one to three high school interns are selected, with at least one spot reserved for a student from Otsego County. Students from other parts of the state are welcome to apply, but must arrange their own housing.

Interns who complete the program also receive a $3,500 fellowship and one free semester hour of college credit, with the option to earn additional credits at their own expense.

11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

• Dates: June–August 2026
• Location: Local placement across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands
• Cost: Paid internship with a $3,000 stipend

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Since 2001, the program has supported 858 scholars, and 72% of alumni say the experience increased their interest in fisheries, aquatic, or environmental science careers.

The program is open to rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by June 1. If accepted, you’ll receive a $3,000 stipend and be matched with professional mentors across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Interns work about 32 hours per week, with flexible start and end dates. Depending on where you’re placed, your work might include collecting fish population data, restoring aquatic vegetation, or taking part in electrofishing or snorkeling surveys.

Some fieldwork can be physically demanding and may involve overnight or multi-day trips. You’re expected to complete the duties discussed with your mentor before the internship begins.

12. Student Conservation Association (SCA) National Conservation Crews

• Dates: Varies by crew (generally summer)
• Location: National parks, forests, and wildlife refuges across the U.S.
• Cost: Expense-paid (travel and weekly living allowances; housing or housing stipend often included)

The SCA National Conservation Crew program is one of the most hands-on environmental science internships for high school students in the U.S., placing participants on conservation projects in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges.

Students are placed into small crews, live in basic shared lodging, and prepare their own meals. Most of the work is physical, with common tasks including trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, and invasive species removal. Trained adult field leaders supervise each group and manage safety, while helping students build teamwork and leadership skills.

National Conservation Crews are generally open to students between 15 and 19 years old and run for two to five weeks during the summer. The program is currently on hiatus, so make sure to check the SCA website regularly for updates on the next schedule.

13. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Biology Research Institute

• Dates: July 5–10 and July 19–24, 2026
• Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Cost: $60 non-refundable application fee, plus $3,500 tuition (subject to change per year)

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Biology Research Institute is a one-week program where high school students take part in hands-on biology research. You’ll work on both lab-based and environmental projects, learn basic research skills, collect your own data, and present what you find to other students at the end of the program.

During the week, you’ll explore several areas of biology, such as plant hormonal development, oceanic molecular biology, disease biochemistry, grassland ecology, and global change biology.

The program is open to current students in grades 9 through 12 who are in good academic standing and have no school suspensions. All participants live in the assigned residence hall and stay on campus for the whole week.

If cost is a concern, limited need-based scholarships are available. To be considered, make sure to complete the scholarship section of your application.

14. Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) High School Student Internships

• Dates: Varies by internship (generally summer)
• Location: Institute for Systems Biology (Seattle, Washington) or virtual
• Cost: Both paid and unpaid internships available

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) offers several internship options for high school students through its Systems Education Experiences (SEE) program. These opportunities include both in-person and virtual roles:

• Systems Thinkers in STEM Ambassadorship (STiSA). Open to current 10th and 11th-graders. All students who complete the full application are accepted and can choose whether or not to participate.
• 8-week in-person summer internship (rising seniors). Open to current 11th graders. This is a formal 300-hour internship with possible topics such as computational biology, cancer research, and microbiology.
• 6-week DREAM-High summer experience (rising seniors, virtual or in person). Open to current 11th graders. This program is run with Columbia University and Stanford and focuses on using R and Python to analyze genomics, clinical, and cancer data.
• Academic year internship (senior year). Open to current 11th graders. Interns work about 10+ hours per week during senior year. ISB typically hosts two to six students, and the schedule is flexible based on mentor availability.

Note that you only need to submit one application to be considered for all programs you’re eligible for.

15. BioBus Junior Scientist Internships

• Dates: July 2026–June 2027 (varies by program)
• Location: Lower East Side and Harlem, New York City, New York
• Cost: Paid internship ($17 per hour)

The BioBus Junior Scientist program is one of the more hands-on biology internships for high school students in New York City. Interns receive training and mentorship from research scientists, develop their own projects, and help teach science programs to younger students.

The program options include:

• Lower East Side (LES) Junior Scientist Program. Open to students who live or attend school in the Lower East Side of Manhattan or Chinatown. Interns work 30 hours/week for six weeks in the summer and part-time one to two days/week during the school year.
• Harlem “Women in STEM” Junior Scientist Program. Open to female-identifying, gender-nonconforming, or non-binary students who live in or attend school in Harlem, Washington Heights, or Inwood. Meets once per week during the school year.
• Harlem Science Internship Program. Preference given to students who live in or attend school in Harlem, Washington Heights, or Inwood. Interns work 30 hours/week for six weeks in the summer and one day per week during the school year.

To apply, you must complete the BioBus internship application. You’ll also need working papers, which are employment certification documents required for students ages 14–17.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious biology internship for high school students?

Programs like Stanford’s SIMR, the Summer Science Program (SSP), and NIH HiSTEP are often considered the most prestigious because of their selectivity and research focus. Students from these programs often go on to attend top STEM colleges.

2. Do these programs require previous biology or lab experience?

Most do not. Programs like the Aspirnaut Summer Research Program and Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program are open to beginners. More advanced programs, such as SSP and ASSIP, prefer strong science coursework but still do not require formal lab experience.

3. Are there virtual biology internship options available in 2025?

Yes. ASSIP offers remote project options, and ISB (Institute for Systems Biology) runs virtual programs like DREAM-High. Some BioBus internship programs also include hybrid elements during the school year.

4. How competitive are biology internships for high school students?

Federal programs are often the most competitive, especially internships at agencies like NIH. University-based programs such as SIMR and Scripps are also highly selective. Other programs are more accessible but still look for strong grades, clear interest in biology, and solid recommendations.

5. Can a biology internship improve my college application?

Yes. Programs like SIMR, MSAP, Fred Hutch, and Scripps stand out because they show that you can manage college-level lab work and long research projects, which is important for science-focused majors at selective colleges.

Takeaways

• There are many biology internships for high school students that offer hands-on experience in labs and field research while helping you build skills useful for college science classes.
• Competitive programs like SIMR, SSP, Scripps, MSAP, and Fred Hutch stand out for their structured research training and selective admissions.
• Choosing programs that match your interests and committing fully to the work can help you develop technical skills, gain strong mentor recommendations, and build a clear academic direction for college.
• If you want help narrowing down programs or preparing compelling college applications, working with an admissions expert can help you plan your next steps.