Top 10 Paid Medical Internships for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you’re a high schooler interested in medicine, exploring your interest doesn’t have to wait until college. You can gain firsthand experience through internships that expose you to the medical field and connect you with mentors. The internships on this list come with a stipend, meaning you get paid while learning.
In New York City, top colleges and organizations such as hospitals offer summer programs for high school students. If you’re thinking of pursuing healthcare, biomedical research, or related fields, these internships are a great place to start. We’ve picked the top 10 paid medical internships for high school students in NYC to help you get started.
1. BioRocket Internship
Location: Genspace, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in November and are due by early January
Dates: Spring: February 27 - May 22 | Summer: June 30 - August 15
Eligibility: Students who are 16 years or older by orientation date and live or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship is a 6-month science program where you’ll explore biology and genetic engineering through lab work. As one of 12 students, you’ll collaborate with scientists to design a summer research project based on your interests. Alongside lab training, you’ll participate in improv sessions to develop science communication skills. You’ll tour biotech companies, meet researchers, and gain career guidance. The program encourages applicants from historically excluded groups in science.
2. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 - August 22
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled as a high school junior; live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects; and be 14 or older by June
In Memorial Sloan Kettering’s HOPP Summer Student Program, you’ll spend 8 weeks exploring biomedical or computational research. You’ll be paired with a mentor to work on a project in one of MSK’s research labs. Research areas include immuno-oncology, developmental biology, pharmacology, and computational genomics. Beyond the lab, the program includes professional development events hosted by MSK departments that expose you to translational medicine and healthcare systems. This is an opportunity to gain real-world research experience while exploring life as a biomedical scientist.
3. NYU High School Bioethics Project Internship
Location: NYU Langone Health, NY
Stipend: $640
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: March 24 – May 16
Eligibility: High school juniors in the New York City metropolitan area
The NYU High School Bioethics Project Internship offers an opportunity to explore the ethical issues shaping science today. For 8 weeks, you’ll research bioethics topics like stem cells, reproductive technology, and physician aid in dying. You’ll contribute to content for their lesson database and website, helping create accessible materials for educators. The program includes interactions with professionals in ethics, law, healthcare, and pharma. This internship empowers you to think about the values behind scientific progress and how they affect real-world decisions.
4. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)
Location: DNA Learning Center, NY
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: May 27
Dates: Lab training: August 25 - August 29 | Symposium: May 20
Eligibility: High school students residing in New York City, ages 13 years and above
In the Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP), you’ll explore biodiversity in New York City through DNA barcoding research. The program starts with a training course in lab techniques and concepts like conservation biology. Once trained, you’ll work in a team under a scientist mentor, designing and conducting a year-long research project. UBRP gives you access to events hosted by the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium and culminates in a poster presentation at a spring research symposium. You’ll build scientific skills while investigating how human activity affects biodiversity.
5. NYU - Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Application Deadline: January 6 - February 21
Dates: June 2 - August 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year
The ARISE program at NYU is a free 10-week summer experience where you’ll gain lab experience while building communication skills. ARISE starts with four weeks of training in lab safety, college-level writing, and research fundamentals. For the remaining six weeks, you’ll contribute to active projects in one of 80+ NYU research labs, including medical labs like Chromatin Genomics and Chromosome Inheritance. You'll gain around 120 hours of lab experience, develop public speaking skills, and present your research at NYU’s Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History. The program also offers mentorship, college application support, and access to an alumni network.
6. BioBus High School Junior Scientist Internships
Location: BioBus
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: Varies, depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9-11
BioBus’s High School Junior Scientist Internship is a year-long opportunity to explore science research and education. After orientation in June, you’ll spend September through June conducting research in a community lab, guided by BioBus scientists. You'll learn to use advanced microscopes, design your own project, and present your findings in poster sessions. You'll also gain teaching experience by co-leading science activities for younger students. You will be trained in science communication and assist at BioBus public events.
7. Bridge to Biostats Summer Program (B2BSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Stipend: This is a paid opportunity
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to rising seniors, residing and attending school in New York City
The Bridge to Biostats Summer Program is a six-week learning opportunity for high school students interested in data and health sciences. You’ll learn statistics fundamentals, receive beginner training in R programming, and participate in “statistical thinking” discussions.
Under the mentorship of professional biostatisticians, you’ll analyze cancer datasets and present your research findings. In addition to the technical focus, you’ll take SAT prep classes and attend academic development workshops to prepare for college.
8. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University
Stipend: Depends on the organization you are placed with
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Life Science Research and Professional Skills Training: April - July | Mentored Internships: July - August
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students attending an NYCDOE public or charter high school
New York Bioforce is a two-phase research program for students from low-income or underrepresented STEAM backgrounds. In the spring, you’ll attend 100 hours of Saturday training in lab techniques, STEAM principles, and professional skills. You’ll then participate in a six-week paid summer internship at research labs or healthcare institutions like Columbia Engineering or the New York Proton Center. You’ll gain exposure to scientific work and present your research at the American Museum of Natural History. The program is designed to guide you toward STEAM careers.
9. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University
Stipend: This is a paid opportunity.
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade at the time of applying, ages 16 and above by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school students the chance to conduct research at Stony Brook University. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and join an active research team in fields like biomedical engineering, biochemistry, or informatics. You’ll learn lab techniques, contribute to a project, and write a research abstract. The experience includes weekly research talks, workshops, and campus events. You’ll finish the program by presenting your findings at a poster symposium and receiving a stipend.
10. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Science Enrichment Program (SEP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Stipend: $4,200
Application Deadline: September 1
Dates: November 15 - August 26
Eligibility: Junior in high school with a nomination from a partner school
The Science Enrichment Program (SEP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering is a 10-month initiative for underrepresented students from selected NYC high schools. Beginning in November, you’ll attend after-school sessions covering cancer biology, lab techniques, computational science, and professional development. From July to August, you’ll complete an eight-week mentored internship where you’ll explore topics like immunology, pharmacology, and genomics. You’ll develop a self-directed project alongside researchers and present your findings. The program includes structured assessments, quizzes, and career training.