15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student in Massachusetts interested in science, tech, engineering, and/or math, an internship in your field of choice is worth exploring. STEM internships help you go beyond the classroom and gain exposure to labs, research groups, and tech-driven environments where you can apply what you have learned. These internships also offer the chance to develop practical skills, explore emerging fields, and connect with mentors who can guide your academic and career pathway.
Why should you attend an internship in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is a national hub for STEM, with universities, hospitals, and tech companies offering early opportunities in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and environmental science. As an intern, you will undergo structured training, build meaningful professional connections, and strengthen your resume or future college applications through real-world experience. While beneficial for local students who are trying to save on travel and accommodation costs, internships in Massachusetts are also great for out-of-state students looking to explore the state’s research and innovation ecosystem.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 STEM internships for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you are looking for internships in Massachusetts, check out our blog here.
1. Mass General Hospital Youth Neurology Education & Research Program
Location: MGH Main Campus; Charlestown Navy Yard; Assembly Row; or additional MGH lab sites in the Greater Boston area, MA
Stipend: Paid full-time summer internship; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by year
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (high school cohort)
Application deadline: January 31; applications open on November 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates who are living or studying in Massachusetts and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a full-time paid summer internship that places high school students in active neurology and neuroscience research labs at Massachusetts General Hospital. You will begin the program with a multi-day “bootcamp” focused on lab safety, research training, and professional expectations before moving on to mentored work alongside MGH neurologists and neuroscientists. Throughout the internship, you will contribute to ongoing research projects, attend weekly didactic sessions, and take part in occasional field trips or networking events. You will be paired with a peer to create a final research presentation summarizing your work, which you will share with other participants, mentors, and MGH faculty. Following the summer, you will join the program’s alumni network and receive ongoing career advising and professional support.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Cost varies by track; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small-group and 1:1 mentorship formats
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines in January, May, September, and November
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have prior experience with Python or AI concepts, or have completed AI Scholars.
Veritas AI offers structured virtual programs designed to help high school students build technical skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. You can start with the AI Scholars program, which provides a guided introduction to core AI principles through live instruction and project-based learning. If you are ready for more advanced work, the AI Fellowship offers the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities to design and complete an independent AI project. Fellows also receive support from an internal publication team to help prepare their work for high school research journals or competitive showcases. In both tracks, you will gain hands-on experience, individualized mentorship, and opportunities to develop real-world, portfolio-ready AI projects.
3. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free, including housing, dining, and tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5–3% acceptance rate; ~100 students/year
Dates: Six-week summer program (one week of academic coursework + five-week research internship); dates vary by year
Application deadline: Early–mid December (varies by year)
Eligibility: High school juniors; U.S. and international students from participating countries can apply.
Each summer, RSI brings together 100 students from around the world for an intensive six-week research experience hosted at MIT. As a participant, you will begin with a week of advanced STEM seminars led by MIT professors and visiting scientists, covering current topics in biology, physics, engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics. Following this phase, you will be paired with a mentor to conduct an independent research project in a university or industry lab, working through the full research process—from reading literature to designing experiments to analyzing data. Throughout the program, you will attend evening lectures from leading scientists, access MIT’s computing and library resources, and participate in field trips around the Boston area. RSI concludes with a written research paper and a conference-style oral presentation evaluated by a panel of scientists.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by track; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts across multiple fields
Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines in January, May, September, and November; you can apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week
The Ladder Internships places students in remote internships with high-growth start-ups across sectors, including technology, engineering, AI/ML, biotechnology, and other STEM fields. As an intern, you will collaborate directly with a startup manager on real projects, which may include data analysis, product development, technical research, or prototyping tasks, depending on your placement. You will typically work 10–20 hours every week and gain exposure to the fast-paced workflow of early-stage companies. Throughout the program, you will receive structured guidance from your mentor and a Ladder Coach, complete milestone-based deliverables, and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. As Ladder partners with venture-backed, rapidly scaling organizations, the internship projects can offer you exposure to advanced modern tools and the latest industry practices.
5. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend + partial transportation reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of rising seniors
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students with work authorization.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program is a six-week research experience for high school students interested in exploring experimental and computational biology. You will be matched with Broad Institute scientists and contribute to original research in areas such as cancer biology, infectious disease, psychiatric genetics, or chemical biology. The program includes scientific seminars, career exploration workshops, and guidance from staff mentors who help you understand lab and computational techniques. You will also participate in structured training sessions on scientific communication, leading up to a final poster presentation showcasing your research findings. Additional support is available through access to an on-staff tutor, the opportunity to attend social events, and exposure to STEM careers.
6. Harvard Medical School (HMS) Project Success
Location: HMS and HMS-affiliated research labs, Boston and Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort of Boston/Cambridge students
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Boston or Cambridge students in grades 11 – 12, ages 16 and up; applicants must have a minimum 2.70 GPA and have completed algebra, biology, and chemistry.
Project Success places high school juniors and seniors in paid, full-time biomedical research internships at the Harvard Medical School and its affiliated laboratories. You will work under the guidance of scientists and research staff while learning core lab skills, experimental design, and data collection techniques. The program includes seminars led by HMS researchers, site visits to hospitals and biotech organizations, and structured opportunities to strengthen scientific writing and communication. You will also receive mentorship, academic support, and career guidance to explore future pathways in STEM and healthcare.
7. NIH/NHLBI Summer Internship Program
Location: Framingham, MA & Bethesda, MD (NIH/NHLBI intramural laboratories)
Stipend: Paid based on education level; check details here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by lab and mentor availability
Dates: Six to eight weeks; start dates in late May and early June
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school and college students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, ages 18 and up by June 15; applicants must be enrolled at least half-time as high school seniors or undergraduate, graduate, or professional students.
The NIH/NHLBI Summer Internship Program allows students to work in federal biomedical research laboratories, including the NHLBI site in Framingham, MA, known for its contributions to cardiovascular and population health research. You will spend six to eight weeks conducting basic or clinical research under the mentorship of an NIH investigator, gaining exposure to experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You will also participate in career development workshops, networking events, and symposium-style activities hosted by NIH’s Office of Intramural Training & Education. You will present your work at a final poster day, gaining some exposure to scientific presentation standards.
8. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) @ Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Location: Various sites in Boston, MA (Longwood Medical Area)
Stipend: Paid weekly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small research cohort
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (and college freshmen–juniors) who are at least 16 and living in or attending school in Massachusetts.
The CURE Summer Only Program offers a full-time, paid research experience focused on cancer biology and biomedical science. You will work under the mentorship of researchers in the Longwood Medical Area, gaining experience in practicing experimental techniques, lab operations, and data-driven inquiry. In addition to research responsibilities, the program includes journal clubs, seminars, career exploration sessions, and professional development workshops to deepen your understanding of scientific careers. You will participate in community-building events and networking opportunities that connect you with peers and scientists across Boston’s medical research ecosystem. At the end of the program, you will present abstracts and research findings, often accessing opportunities to attend or present at scientific conferences.
9. High School Apprenticeship Challenge @ BioBuilder Learning Lab
Location: BioBuilder Learning Lab @ Allston Labworks, Boston, MA + online sessions
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited slots
Dates: Fall: October – December (Thursdays online and Saturdays in lab) | Spring: March–May (same schedule)
Application deadline: Fall and Spring deadlines vary; early access is available for the next cycle
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in Massachusetts public high schools
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge is an eight-week training experience designed to prepare Boston-area students for academic and professional pathways in the life sciences. Here, you will take part in virtual Thursday sessions that cover key biotechnology concepts, lab safety, and research-based problem solving. On Saturdays, you will attend in-person lab sessions at the BioBuilder Learning Lab, where you will practice techniques such as pipetting, culturing, and experimental design. The program also offers professional development opportunities, helping you build communication skills, workplace readiness, and confidence in a lab environment. You will earn a stipend, receive micro-credential evaluations at no cost, and gain experience that is relevant to future internship or job applications.
10. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Tech Apprentice Program
Location: Boston, MA (placements at local companies)
Stipend: Paid (a minimum of $15/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by employer placement
Dates: Six to seven weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Varies; applications typically open in late winter or early spring
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools high school students interested in technology or IT-related fields
Tech Apprentice connects high school students with paid internships at companies across Boston’s innovation and business sectors. You will work directly with industry professionals on practical projects such as helpdesk troubleshooting, web development, software testing, digital media production, and quality control tasks. You will gain hands-on exposure to IT pathways while contributing to ongoing operations within your host company. Throughout the internship, you will find opportunities to build workplace skills such as communication, problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting. This program is designed for students considering IT majors or technology careers and looking for a hands-on introduction to Boston’s high-tech ecosystem.
11. Youth Summer Program @ Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH)
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital campus, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid summer position
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by department
Dates: Six-week summer program (full-time, ~30 hours/week)
Application deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: High school students who are Boston residents and at least 16 years old by June 1
The Youth Summer Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital provides high school students with a six-week paid work experience across departments such as radiology, research labs, central transport, and materials management. You will spend about 30 hours per week engaging in workplace training, career exploration, and professional skill-building within a major academic medical center. You will gain firsthand exposure to healthcare environments while contributing to daily operations under the guidance of hospital staff. The program includes both job-specific responsibilities and broader learning activities designed to introduce you to hospital operations, community health, patient-centered care, and careers in health. You will have access to mentorship and connections that can support future academic or healthcare pathways.
12. Massachusetts Life Sciences Center High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Varies; sites across Massachusetts with hybrid and in-person placements depending on host organization.
Stipend: Paid by host organizations
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; placements occur on a rolling basis
Dates: Rolling internship placements throughout the year; hybrid roles require at least 40% in-person participation
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; applications may close once funding is allocated
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in (or recently graduated from) qualifying Massachusetts public, vocational, charter, METCO, or tuition-free private schools; homeschoolers in eligible districts may also apply.
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge connects students with paid biotechnology and life sciences internships across Massachusetts. You will apply through a centralized portal, after which potential employers may contact you directly for interviews and placement discussions. You will be hired as a W-2 employee and work on technical, laboratory, or professional tasks depending on the host organization. The program includes an optional pre-internship training component designed to help you build biotechnology skills, lab readiness, and workplace professionalism through partners such as BioBuilder, LEAH Project, WPI MeDHigh, and Digital Ready. Placements may be in-person or hybrid; hybrid roles require at least two days per week on site.
13. Museum of Science Boston Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: none; interns receive free museum admission and additional benefits.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by department
Dates: Summer session; recruitment typically begins in February–March
Application deadline: Varies by internship posting
Eligibility: Students, ages 14–19, enrolled in high school or an equivalent program; international students welcome if they do not require sponsorship.
The Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program offers high school students the chance to gain experience supporting exhibits, visitor engagement, and operational tasks across the museum. You will develop workplace skills while contributing to the museum’s work focused on science engagement. Your responsibilities may include assisting guests, supporting team-based projects, and learning how museum programs operate behind the scenes. The program emphasizes communication, collaboration, time management, and an understanding of professional expectations in a complex work environment. You will also gain free access to exhibits, IMAX films, planetarium shows, and reciprocal admission to partner institutions.
14. New England Aquarium’s Summer Teen Internship Program
Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: One week of training followed by six weeks of work; dates vary
Application deadline: Applications open in March and close once slots are full.
Eligibility: Teens, ages 14 and up; most positions are reserved for Boston and Cambridge residents.
The New England Aquarium’s Summer Teen Internship Program provides paid opportunities for teens to gain hands-on experience in marine science education and visitor engagement. You will participate in a week of training covering marine biology, climate science, public speaking, and customer service skills before beginning your six weeks of work. You will take on the role of Visitor Services Assistant or Aquarium Guide, helping visitors interact with exhibits and supporting conservation-focused programming. Throughout the program, you will attend professional development sessions, ocean advocacy workshops, and optional behind-the-scenes activities to deepen your understanding of the Aquarium’s mission. You will also find opportunities to build skills in communication, responsibility, and time management while contributing to public science education.
15. Tufts University’s Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Labs, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: None; no housing provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements in individual labs
Dates: July 1 – August 15 (~six weeks within the specified window)
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in February
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who reside in Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy
The TUBERS Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on biomedical engineering research in Tufts University laboratories. You will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate mentors to learn experimental techniques, analyze data, and investigate topics such as tissue engineering, cellular biomechanics, or biomaterials. The program offers exposure to the whole scientific process, from developing hypotheses to troubleshooting experiments and communicating findings. Daily schedules are arranged with each lab supervisor and designed to help you experience the pace and expectations of professional research environments. You may use your research to participate in science fairs and national STEM competitions with your mentor’s approval.
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