13 Summer Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
Summer internships can be a valuable way to explore your interests while still in high school. Through internships, you can learn how organizations operate, develop professional skills, and gain exposure to different career paths in fields such as science, healthcare, finance, technology, and public service. Participating in a structured internship can also help you build confidence, expand your network, and strengthen your academic profile before college.
Why should you intern in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts offers a wide range of internship opportunities through universities, hospitals, research institutes, museums, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Many of these institutions run structured programs that allow you to contribute to ongoing projects, learn from professionals, and gain insight into different industries. With its strong academic and research ecosystem, the state provides an environment where high school students can explore careers while developing useful skills.
In this post, we have listed 13 summer internships for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you’re looking for free programs in Massachusetts, check out our blog here.
1. High School Apprenticeship Challenge - Massachusetts Life Sciences Centre
Location: Massachusetts (various life sciences companies and research institutions)
Stipend: Paid internship ($17/hour, up to $4,080 for six weeks)
Dates: Opportunities available during the summer
Eligibility: 16+, enrolled in or recently graduated from an eligible high school
Deadline: Rolling
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge provides paid internship opportunities for underrepresented and low-income high school students across Massachusetts, focusing on biotechnology, biomedical research, and professional skills development. Interns benefit from pre-internship training that strengthens their technical knowledge and workplace readiness. Positions can be part-time or full-time, and students gain exposure to scientific research, professional environments, and mentorship from experienced professionals. The program emphasizes equity and access, helping students from Gateway Cities and schools with high populations of low-income students explore STEM career pathways. Successful participation builds both practical laboratory skills and a clearer sense of potential career directions in life sciences.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Online
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships span a variety of industries, including tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are, on average, high-growth companies that raise over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Museum of Science Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer (typically June-August)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-19
Deadline: Applications open February-March
If you’re curious about what it’s like to work in a real museum setting, Boston’s Museum of Science offers a Summer Youth Internship Program for high school students. This program lets you explore how science communication, education, and public engagement come together behind the scenes. You will develop essential workplace skills - from teamwork and time management to professional communication - while contributing to the museum’s mission of inspiring a lifelong love of science. Interns gain exposure to a professional environment, receive guidance from supervisors, and leave with stronger confidence in their academic and career interests.
4. Brigham and Women’s Hospital Youth Summer Program
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid position (30 hours/week for 6 weeks)
Dates: Summer (June-August)
Eligibility: Boston residents, high school students aged 16+ by June 1
Deadline: Applications open in February
If you’ve ever been curious about how a hospital works behind the scenes, the Youth Summer Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital gives you a real glimpse into healthcare careers. Over six weeks, you will work 30 hours a week in departments like radiology, research, materials management, or patient transport - gaining exposure to both clinical and non-clinical roles. The program blends professional development with community health learning, all while you earn a paycheck and build real-world confidence.
5. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: Summer (6-week internship with potential year-round extension)
Eligibility: Boston Public School students who have completed their sophomore year
Deadline: Not specified
The TIP internship program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston offers high school students a chance to step into the professional world early - with structure, mentorship, and purpose. Designed in partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council, the program begins with a paid summer internship that combines real work experience with skill-building workshops and job coaching. For students who show commitment and growth, the opportunity can extend into a year-round internship lasting up to three years. Through TIP, you can gain exposure to career paths in finance, technology, and community development while learning the fundamentals of communication, problem-solving, and financial responsibility. Beyond the paycheck, the program is a bridge to economic mobility, confidence, and long-term career readiness.
6. Project Success - Harvard Medical School
Location: Harvard Medical School and affiliated research labs, Boston/Cambridge, MA
Cost: Paid internship
Dates: Summer (6-7 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Boston or Cambridge, MA
Deadline: Opens late fall/early winter
Project Success introduces Boston and Cambridge high school students to biomedical research through immersive, paid summer internships. Hosted by Harvard Medical School (HMS), the program places juniors and seniors in HMS-affiliated research labs, pairing them with experienced mentors and scientists. Over six to seven weeks, you will gain first-hand exposure to laboratory research, while also attending seminars, site visits, and skill-building workshops. Beyond lab work, Project Success emphasises mentorship, academic support, and professional development. Students receive guidance from researchers and career advisors, build networks across institutions, and explore the various biomedical careers.
7. CURE - Summer Research Program
Location: Longwood Medical Area, Boston, MA
Cost: Paid internship
Dates: Summer (7-11 weeks)
Eligibility: High school sophomores–seniors or college freshmen–juniors; must be 16+ and live or attend school in Massachusetts
Deadline: Opens in the fall
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) is a full-time, paid summer internship designed for students serious about exploring careers in biomedical science. Over 7 to 11 weeks, you will work alongside leading researchers in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, gaining firsthand experience in cancer research while building both technical and professional skills. Each student is paired with a scientific mentor and takes part in an intensive research project - from forming hypotheses and running experiments to presenting findings at the program’s closing symposium. Alongside lab work, the summer includes seminars, journal clubs, networking sessions, and professional development workshops. CURE creates an environment that blends hands-on research with exposure to the collaborative, evolving nature of scientific discovery!
8. Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE)
Location: Ragon Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Paid internship ($17/hour for high school students)
Dates: June 23 - August 8 (7 weeks)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+), from Boston, Cambridge, and other Massachusetts Gateway cities; demonstrated financial need prioritized
Deadline: February 28
The RISE Internship Program offers Boston-area high school and undergraduate students a chance to step into the world of medical research and immunology through a paid, mentored summer experience. Over seven weeks, you will work in research labs at the Ragon Institute in Cambridge, learning both the science and the culture of biomedical work. Each intern is guided by a faculty mentor and supported through workshops, courses, and community activities that bring research to life in accessible and engaging ways. Beyond lab work, you get to take part in a week-long orientation “boot camp,” a twice-weekly Introduction to Immunology course, journal clubs, team-building activities, and college and career planning sessions. The program concludes with a final presentation of each intern’s research to the broader Ragon community - an early opportunity to practice the communication skills scientists use throughout their careers.
9. LEAH Knox: Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid internship (up to $2,250 in summer; up to $2,000 during the school year)
Dates: Summer (Full-time July–August); School Year (Part-time October–May)
Eligibility: Boston-Area Public School students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the first day of the program
Deadline: Typically late February to early March
The LEAH Project offers high school students in Massachusetts the opportunity to participate in paid STEM internships. Students can choose from various tracks, such as teaching STEM to younger students or conducting research at institutions like MIT. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, participants receive mentorship, college readiness support, and leadership development. This program is designed to provide students with real-world exposure to STEM careers while helping them build professional networks and academic skills.
10. Architecture/Design High School Internship - BSA
Location: Local architecture firms, Boston, MA
Cost: Paid internship
Dates: July 6 - August 14
Eligibility: Boston Public School students (Grades 9-12)
Deadline: Applications open February 20
If you’re curious about how cities are shaped, this internship offers a window into the world of architecture and design. Through a six-week paid placement at local Boston firms, you will get exposure to real projects, design tools, and the creative problem-solving that drives the field. The program pairs Boston Public School students with architecture firms of varying sizes and focuses, giving you a chance to see how different teams bring ideas to life. Alongside your internship, you will join Summer Fridays - a series of guided tours to Boston’s architectural and cultural landmarks that deepen your understanding of the built environment. Each year, the program evolves to connect students with meaningful mentorship, professional networks, and a clearer sense of what a design career could look like.
11. Summer Teen Internship Program - New England Aquarium
Location: Boston/Cambridge, MA
Cost: Paid internship
Dates: Summer (application opens in March)
Eligibility: Teens 14+; Boston/Cambridge residents preferred
Deadline
The Summer Teen Internship Program at the New England Aquarium gives teens aged 14 and up a chance to earn a stipend while learning new skills and exploring marine science. Over one week of training and six weeks of hands-on work, you will gain experience in roles like Visitor Services Assistant or Aquarium Guide, building knowledge in climate science, public speaking, and customer engagement. Weekly professional development and ocean advocacy courses help you grow your skills, while optional behind-the-scenes workshops and social events let you connect with peers who share your interests!
12. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (application fee $75)
Dates: 6-week program during the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (junior year applicants) must be 16+ by July 1
Deadline: December 10
In the Research Science Institute, you will spend six weeks diving into science and engineering at MIT. Students can start with a week of intensive STEM classes led by accomplished professors, then move on to a five-week research internship where they conduct their own project under the guidance of experienced mentors. By the end of the program, you will prepare a written research paper and give a conference-style presentation of your work at the RSI Symposium. This is a fully immersive experience that combines learning, hands-on research, and professional mentorship, giving you a real taste of the full research cycle.
13. √mathroots (MIT-PRIMES)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (includes housing and meals)
Dates: July 1-15
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating strong interest and potential in math
Deadline: March 3 (applications open January 1)
√mathroots is a 14-day summer program hosted by MIT-PRIMES for high-potential high school students interested in exploring creative and advanced mathematical ideas. Designed as a mathematical talent accelerator, the program focuses on problem-solving beyond the standard curriculum - through lectures, group activities, and guided exploration with experienced instructors. Students learn how to approach proofs, uncover elegant mathematical patterns, and connect with a diverse community of peers and mentors. It’s especially suited for those who show initiative and curiosity to work with mathematical concepts, even in the face of academic challenges.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we have had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!
Image source - Ladder Internships