14 Healthcare Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
For high school students who want to pursue a future in healthcare, internships at nonprofit organizations offer a great way to learn more about the field. Working in a healthcare nonprofit exposes you to the intersection of medicine, community service, and social impact, helping you understand how healthcare extends beyond hospitals and clinics. Through these programs, you can gain insight into challenges in health equity, patient advocacy, and public health outreach. You’ll also build critical skills like teamwork, empathy, and communication.
By exploring professional environments early, you can learn about diverse career paths, including medicine, nursing, public health, or healthcare management. Nonprofit internships also help you meet professionals in the field who can potentially guide your future academic and career path. Below is a list of the 14 best healthcare nonprofit internships for high school students.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on the program; financial aid is available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
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 range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form. You are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills. You will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort.
2. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Free (paid internship)
Program Dates: Eight weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes in spring (exact 2026 date TBD)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (entering 12th grade), 16+ years old, residents of Greater Seattle or nearby areas
Hosted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, this competitive, full-time paid internship immerses high school students in biomedical research under the mentorship of leading scientists. The program begins with two weeks of hands-on lab training in safety and basic techniques, followed by six weeks of mentored research in active cancer, molecular biology, and public health projects. You will attend seminars, participate in college and career development workshops, and present your findings at a closing symposium for the Fred Hutch community. You don’t need prior lab experience, and SHIP offers you a real exposure to scientific research and the opportunity to explore future STEM careers in a supportive, world-class nonprofit research environment.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. There is need-based financial aid
Dates: Varies depending on cohort
Application deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual entrepreneurship program where high school students work in teams to design, test, and present a start-up concept that addresses real-world challenges. The curriculum integrates core business practices, product design, and ideation, supported by workshops and case discussions. Mentorship is central, and you will receive guidance from entrepreneurs linked to institutions such as Harvard, as well as professionals from global companies like Google and Microsoft. While many projects have a technology focus, there is also space to pursue nonprofit-oriented ideas, including those centered on healthcare or education access. By the end of the program, you will typically develop a minimum viable product and refine it through feedback and testing.
4. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Memphis, TN, and local St. Jude regional offices nationwide
Cost: Free to participate
Program Dates: Volunteer opportunities available year-round; summer roles open May–August
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by regional chapter or volunteer event
Eligibility: High school students under 18 with parental/guardian consent; group volunteers must have one adult chaperone per five students
The St. Jude Teen Volunteer Program allows high school students to contribute to pediatric healthcare through both on-campus and community-based volunteering. You can assist in the Child Life Playroom, family resource areas, hospital events, and fundraising campaigns like the St. Jude Walk/Run or Radiothon. Virtual roles also allow volunteers to promote awareness and donor engagement online. You will learn about pediatric care, nonprofit fundraising, and patient-family support within one of the nation’s leading medical research hospitals. This experience helps you build empathy, communication skills, and insight into how nonprofit healthcare systems operate.
5. Global Public Service Academy (GPSA) – Global Health Travel Program
Location: Various sites in Latin America (Guatemala, Belize, Dominican Republic, etc.)
Cost: Tuition required; limited scholarships available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions between June–August (1–3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early applications encouraged
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 interested in public health, medicine, or global leadership
The GPSA Global Health Travel Program offers high school students an immersive experience in healthcare outreach and global medicine. You’ll work alongside local health professionals and community leaders to conduct health screenings, record medical data, and participate in community education initiatives focused on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. You will gain insight into healthcare delivery systems in developing regions while exploring the social determinants of health and cultural competence in care. The program blends service and learning, helping you build skills in clinical observation, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication, all valuable for future studies in medicine and public health.
6. Squads Abroad – Health Squads Program
Location: Belize, Panama, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, and Guatemala
Cost: Program fee applies; includes lodging, meals, and in-country support; scholarships may be available
Program Dates: Various sessions from June–August (1–3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Open to high school students (ages 15–18); no prior medical experience required
The Health Squads Program by Squads Abroad (a division of Global Brigades) allows you to collaborate with healthcare professionals and local development teams to support mobile medical clinics and school health campaigns in underserved communities. You will learn to record patient data, assist with triage, conduct health education workshops, and engage in basic sanitation and hygiene initiatives. The program integrates health science learning with cultural immersion, offering students practical insight into public health systems and medical ethics. Students also gain experience in teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and implementing sustainable health projects, skills that are foundational for future careers in healthcare or global development.
7. American Diabetes Association – Camp Volunteer & Counselor Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (varies by state)
Cost: Free to participate; no stipend provided
Program Dates: June–August (1–2 week sessions)
Application Deadline: Typically April; varies by camp
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 16+); interest in healthcare, education, or community service preferred
Through the ADA Camp Program, high school students assist children living with diabetes during week-long summer sessions. As volunteers, you’ll support camp nurses, dietitians, and medical teams in monitoring glucose levels, managing insulin routines, and promoting healthy living habits. You’ll also help run educational activities that teach campers how to self-manage diabetes and make positive lifestyle choices. This experience offers early exposure to pediatric care, public health education, and nonprofit operations within one of the nation’s most respected health organizations. It’s an ideal opportunity if you’re exploring careers in medicine, nutrition, or community health.
8. American Red Cross – Youth Volunteer Program
Location: Available nationwide through local Red Cross chapters
Cost: Free to participate
Program Dates: Year-round; summer participation available through local chapters
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students (ages 13–18); age requirements and roles vary by local chapter
The American Red Cross Youth Volunteer Program empowers high school students to lead community-based health and humanitarian initiatives. You can join or start Red Cross Clubs at your schools, help organize blood donation drives, assist in health and safety training sessions, or support disaster relief efforts. You will gain exposure to healthcare logistics, emergency response coordination, and public health education while building leadership and teamwork skills. Local chapters often provide structured mentoring and service hours that count toward community service or NHS requirements. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore healthcare and humanitarian service under the guidance of a national nonprofit.
9. Northwell Health – Feinstein Institutes Summer Visiting Scholar Program
Location: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
Cost: Free to participate
Program Dates: July 1–August (orientation July 1; end dates vary by lab)
Application Deadline: April 1; medical clearances due April 11
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; must secure a Feinstein faculty mentor before applying
The Feinstein Institutes Summer Visiting Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to gain hands-on experience in a professional medical research environment. You will work under the supervision of Northwell Health faculty on ongoing studies in areas such as molecular medicine, cancer research, behavioral science, and bioelectronic medicine. To participate, you must independently identify a faculty mentor who agrees to host you for the summer. This model encourages early professional initiative, lab readiness, and networking with practicing researchers. You’ll attend orientations, complete medical clearances, and experience the pace of real-world clinical research at one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems.
10. Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) – High School Internship Program
Location: Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia (must reside locally)
Cost: Free to participate
Program Dates: Summer; exact session dates vary by placement (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Opens January; closes March (for Summer 2026 cohort)
Eligibility: High school students living in the National Capital Region; must be at least 16 and able to commute to a JSSA site
The JSSA High School Internship Program gives students early exposure to healthcare and social work through supervised placements across JSSA’s service areas. You can assist in programs focused on mental health counseling, hospice support, disability services, and chronic illness management. You learn how multidisciplinary teams address client well-being and community healthcare needs while applying classroom knowledge to real-life settings. The program emphasizes empathy, ethical care, and cultural inclusion, helping students understand how nonprofits deliver medical and emotional support across diverse populations. It’s ideal for those considering future careers in healthcare, psychology, or community health.
11. International Medical Aid (IMA) – Global Healthcare Internships (High School)
Location: International placements (Kenya, Peru, and other sites)
Cost: Program fee (includes housing, meals, clinical placement, mentorship, insurance, excursions); limited financial aid/payment plans available
Program Dates: 2–12 weeks; cohorts run year-round with peak sessions in summer and gap periods
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (limited spots; interviews required)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; parent/guardian consent; Zoom interview; interest in healthcare; travel documentation and vaccinations as required by the host country
High school interns rotate through hospital departments (e.g., pediatrics, emergency, surgery, women’s health) and participate in community health outreach, global health seminars, and medical language sessions (Spanish/Swahili by site). You’ll focus on observational clinical shadowing, ethical case discussions, and documentation basics aligned with AAMC core competencies (service orientation, cultural competence, teamwork). The program is intentionally structured and mentored, with daily clinical exposure, guided reflection, and physician-led lectures that build pre-professional skills without crossing scope-of-practice lines. You can expect a tight schedule (clinical mornings, language/seminars afternoons) with supervised service projects and weekend cultural fieldwork.
12. Dartmouth Health High School Foundations Summer Internship Program
Location: Lebanon, New Hampshire
Cost: Free (paid internship)
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+), local or regional to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
The High School Foundations Summer Internship Program at Dartmouth Health offers students a rare opportunity to explore the inner workings of a leading nonprofit healthcare system. You will work as a paid intern who rotates through two to three hospital departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, lab services, perioperative care, or inpatient administration, gaining broad exposure to patient care and hospital operations. The seven-week program also includes professional development workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on learning in communication, teamwork, and empathy. By combining healthcare experience with leadership and skill-building training, the internship helps you understand diverse career paths in medicine and allied health while contributing to meaningful community care.
13. Project C.U.R.E. – Global Healthcare Internship Program
Location: Denver, CO (Headquarters) and other U.S. locations
Cost: Unpaid; no participation fee
Program Dates: Offered year-round; interns typically work 10–12 weeks per session
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; apply at least 2 months before preferred start date
Eligibility: Primarily for upper-level undergraduates; exceptional high school seniors interested in global health or nonprofit management may apply with prior experience
Project C.U.R.E.’s Global Healthcare Internship Program immerses students in the operations of one of the world’s largest nonprofit distributors of donated medical equipment. As interns, you’ll contribute to inventory management, biomedical assessments, global health logistics, and community outreach, helping prepare shipments for hospitals and clinics worldwide. The program combines exposure to nonprofit leadership with practical healthcare problem-solving, giving participants an understanding of medical supply chains and sustainability in healthcare delivery. Regular global health discussions, staff interviews, and networking events are included, offering a comprehensive introduction to careers in nonprofit medicine and global development.
14. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Bethesda, MD, and other NIH campuses across the U.S.
Cost: Fully funded; stipend provided
Program Dates: June–August (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes March 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 years or older by June 1; open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students
The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) allows you to work directly with NIH researchers on cutting-edge biomedical and clinical projects in government labs. You’ll engage in activities like data collection, literature review, and experimental design within research groups led by Principal Investigators. In addition to lab research, you participate in professional development seminars, scientific skills workshops, and wellness programs. The program also includes a Graduate and Professional School Fair and a Summer Poster Day, where you present your findings to the NIH community. This opportunity provides practical experience in biology, psychology, epidemiology, and other health-related fields, offering valuable insights into the practice of research and healthcare.
Image Source - American Red Cross