Applications are currently closed. Please fill out our interest form to be alerted when the application opens next year.
You can learn more about the high school programs below, and learn more about college programs here.
The Application Process
Who is eligible for the BioBus high school internship program?
- High school students currently in grades 9-11 are eligible to apply. Students must live and go to school in New York City to be eligible.
BioBus aims to address historic inequalities in education and STEM by giving preference to students that self-identify as a member of groups historically excluded from STEM and/or economically disadvantaged. All students are welcome to apply.
Eligibility for Lower East Side Junior Scientist Internship
– Must be in 9th, 10th, 11th grades during 2023-24 School year
– Must live or go to school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan or Chinatown
Eligibility Requirements for Women In STEM Junior Scientist Internship
– Must be in 9th, 10th, 11th grades during 2023-24 School year
– Must identify as female, gender non-conforming, or non-binary person
– Must live or attend school in Harlem, Washington Heights, & Inwood
Eligibility Requirements for Harlem Junior Scientist Internship:
– Must be in 9th, 10th, 11th grades during 2023-24 School year
– Must live or attend school in New York City
Click here to learn more about the New York City Virus Hunters, another BioBus High School Internship
When can I apply?
- Applications are due in March 1, 2024.
What do I need to do to apply?
- Fill out the BioBus Internship application.
- You will also need working papers which are employment certification documents for students ages 14-17. See here for more information on working papers and how to get them.
Do you need a certain GPA or science background to apply?
- We do not look at grades at all! We are mostly interested in students who are enthusiastic, dedicated, and curious about science Grade transcripts, resumes, and letters of recommendation are NOT needed.
I am eligible for multiple programs, do I need to apply more than once?
- No. There is only one application for the Lower East Side, Women in STEM, and Harlem high school internships. In the application, you will designate your program preference.
When will I know if I am accepted to the Junior Scientist Internship?
- Acceptances will be shared by mid-April.
Do you have a college internship?
- We have a summer internship for college students through LifeSci NYC & The Opportunity Network. If you are interested in this program, visit our BioBus College Internship page for details.
The Internship Experience
Lee-Ashlie Fang ’19 presents her group’s research at the American Museum of Natural History
What do BioBus Junior Scientists do?
- This is a part scientific research, part science communication internship. Junior Scientists will receive training/mentorship by research scientists, while developing their own independent projects using research-grade microscopes, participate in teaching and outreach events and gain science communication skills. Junior Scientists will be paid by the hour.
Is this a paid internship?
- Yes! High School Junior Scientists are paid hourly ($16/hr in 2024, $16.50/hr in 2025). ($1600+ total over the course of the internship).
What is the difference between the Harlem Junior Scientist “Women in STEM,” Harlem Junior Scientist, and Lower East Side Junior Scientist programs?
- All programs are open to high school students, but they are open to different student populations and meet on different days of the week!
The Lower East Side (LES) Junior Scientist Program is open to high school students who live or go to school in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Chinatown. LES Junior Scientists work full-time (30hrs/week) in the summer for six weeks and part-time after school two days a week during the school year. This program meets on the Lower East Side.
The Harlem “Women In STEM” Junior Scientist Program program is open to female-identifying, gender non-conforming, or non-binary high school students living in or attending school in Harlem, Washington Heights, & Inwood. Women In STEM Junior Scientists meet after school during the school year. This program meets once a week during the school year and does not have a summer component.
This program meets in Harlem.
The Harlem Year Long Junior Scientist Program is open to all students who live and go to school in New York City. This program meets full-time (35hrs/week) in the summer for six weeks and 1-2 days a week during the school year. This program meets in Harlem.
What are the dates of the internship?
- The Lower East Side Junior Scientist internship start July 1, 2024 and end June 30, 2025.
- The Harlem Year Long internship will start July 8, 2024 and end June 30, 2025.
- The Women in STEM internship starts Sept 16, 2024 and ends June 30, 2025.
I am a female, gender non-conforming, or non-binary student living AND/OR going to school in Harlem, Washington Heights, or Inwood, which internships am I eligible for?
- You are eligible for both the Harlem Women in STEM Junior Scientist program and the Harlem Junior Scientist program. Meeting times can be found above and you will indicate your availability in the application.
What kind of research projects have interns done at BioBus?
- Interns have conducted research on a variety of topics, including but not limited to mutant microscopic worms, fruit fly behavior, and soil contamination! Interns have also worked on engineering projects such as designing microscopes! Check out our collection of intern projects!
Will the internship be in-person or remote?
- The health and safety of our students and staff is always our priority, and we are closely monitoring the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, we are planning to have the 2024-25 Junior Scientist Program in-person.
Do you require COVID-19 vaccination?
- Most of our Junior Scientist Internships do not require a COVID-19 vaccination.
Still have questions? Email us!
Harlem Program Contact: Tessa@BioBus.org
Lower East Side Program Contact: Grace@BioBus.org