Information for students

We accept applications from September through February from students who want to join the March-May Lab Training Program. We make every effort to connect the high school students who successfully complete our program to paid summer internships in a life sciences company, startup, or academic lab. Before you apply for our program, please read the following eligibility requirements carefully, as your application will not be considered if you do not meet these requirements:
  1. The high school you attend must be located in the Boston/Cambridge area or the Worcester area; and
  2. You can be recommended for this program by a teacher at your school; and
  3. You must meet one of the following:
  • You will be 18 years old as of June 1st and you want to work in a biotechnology company in the summer; or
  • You will be 16 years old as of June 1st and you want to work in an academic lab setting or a non-lab setting in a biotechnology company. 

Lab Training Selection
Students who are interested in participating in our Apprenticeship Challenge program must be nominated by a teacher at their school and complete an assessment form. Self-nominations will be considered if a teacher reference is listed and that teacher can be contacted to support the student application. The BioBuilder Educational Foundation and the MA Life Science Center will review applications. Priority will be given to students from under-represented backgrounds and those in under-served local high schools. Participants are accepted on a rolling basis and all will be notified no later than March 15th. We regret that we cannot respond to all student inquiries. Applications expire after 6 months.

Lab Readiness Training Stipend
We will pay students a stipend for their Lab Readiness Training. The number of stipends is limited. Students who successfully complete the Lab Readiness Training Program will be encouraged to pursue one of the paid summer internships that the Apprenticeship Challenge may arrange. Summer placement opportunities and compensation amounts will vary.

Information for companies and academic labs

We are eager to enroll new companies and labs into our program. Follow the link at the bottom of this page to get in touch.
About our Students
High school students who have successfully completed our Lab Training Program are prepared to begin a 6 week placement with a life sciences company (mature or startup) or an academic lab. Our students
  1. attend a high school in the Boston/Cambridge area or the Worcester area; and
  2. have been recommended for our program by a teacher; and
  3. have completed our science/engineering program as well as our career readiness program in advance of a non-lab summer placement. Students will also have completed our laboratory research program in advance of a research summer placement; and
  4. meet one of the following criteria:
  • the student will be 18 years old as of June 1st and wants to work in a biotechnology company in the summer; or
  • the student will be 16 years old as of June 1st and wants to work in an academic lab setting or a non-lab setting in a biotechnology company. 

Intern Selection
Companies, startups and academic labs who are interested in hosting our apprentices will be granted access to all student work performed through their apprenticeship and other match services such as meet-and-greet events, as appropriate.

Intern Stipend
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center may offer to reimburse employers for intern stipends at up to $12 per hour for a maximum amount of $2,880. Employers ultimately reserve the right to offer a higher or lower pay rate and the total amount paid for each internship will vary. The number of paid internships that the MLSC can offer is limited. Those employers who can afford to host interns at their own expense are encouraged to do so.