Here are six top high school internships in California, offering hands-on experience and mentorship. Eligibility and stipends change year to year, so confirm the current details with each program.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
SIMR is a strong opportunity for high schoolers interested in biomedical science. Participants do advanced medical research at Stanford alongside faculty and researchers, on real projects in areas like cancer biology, cardiovascular medicine, and neurobiology.
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in biological or medical sciences, who have completed biology and chemistry coursework. Admission is highly competitive.
Stipend: participants receive a stipend (a minimum of $500). The real value, though, is the experience of working in a world-class research environment.
2. Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH (KP Launch)
KP Launch introduces high school students to careers in healthcare through a paid summer internship. Interns get exposure to clinical practice, healthcare administration, and patient care, with job shadowing, workshops, and mentorship from healthcare professionals.
Eligibility: high school students in Northern California, with a focus on students from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare. The high school program runs about seven weeks in summer.
Stipend: it’s a paid internship, plus a certificate of completion, networking with professionals, and a possible path to future involvement with Kaiser Permanente.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a great fit for students interested in community service and leadership. It selects high school juniors and seniors from across the country for a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit, building leadership skills and a sense of how nonprofits work.
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors with a strong record of community service. Selection is competitive, based on leadership potential, academics, and community involvement.
Stipend: a paid internship (typically eight weeks), plus an all-expenses-paid, week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C. with peers from across the country.
4. Scripps Research Translational Institute Student Research Internship
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (STSI) offers a respected internship for high schoolers interested in biomedical research. Interns work on advanced projects alongside leading scientists, with a focus on translational science, bridging lab research and real-world clinical applications.
Eligibility: high school students with a strong academic record and a clear interest in biomedical research. The program is highly competitive.
Stipend: interns receive a stipend that varies with the length of the internship and their level of involvement. The experience can include contributing to work that leads to scientific publications.
5. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) High School Internship
The LLNL high school internship is for students interested in STEM, especially national security, engineering, and the physical sciences. Interns work on real projects in scientific innovation and technology.
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and a strong interest in STEM, particularly engineering, physics, or computer science. Selection is competitive.
Stipend: a competitive stipend, plus hands-on experience with advanced technology and mentorship from leading scientists.
6. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Internship
The Careers in Science (CiS) internship at the California Academy of Sciences is a multi-year program for students interested in science and the environment. Interns work across departments, including research, education, and conservation, for a well-rounded look at environmental science.
Eligibility: high school sophomores and juniors from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM in San Francisco.
Stipend: a paid internship, with the chance to continue in following years. The multi-year structure lets you go deeper, take on long-term projects, and build lasting relationships with mentors.
More opportunities
Rishab Jain, an ISEF winner, has done well across many research competitions. His free Student STEM Guide lists 50+ more opportunities, internships, and competitions.
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