About

Stanford’s Pediatrics Internship Program (PIPS) is a seven-week summer research internship for high school students focused on pediatric science, medicine, and biomedical research at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The 2026 program runs from June 8 to July 24 and offers rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to work alongside Stanford faculty and research teams on projects in maternal and child health. Designed as an introductory experience for those with little to no prior research exposure, PIPS emphasizes the development of fundamental technical skills and clinical insights.

Participants commit 30 hours per week, with 23 hours dedicated to hands-on research in a specific lab and 7 hours focused on cohort-based workshops and mentorship. Mentorship is a cornerstone of the program; students are paired with Stanford faculty as well as "Near Peer Mentors," including undergraduate and medical students. The experience culminates in a Poster and Family Symposium where students present their research findings to the Stanford Pediatrics community.

Admission is selective and limited to students who reside and attend high school in seven Northern California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 8, 2026, and have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. The application includes an online form, unofficial transcripts (including Fall 2025 grades), one letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher, and a $50 application fee. The deadline for 2026 applications is February 23.

PIPS is a non-residential program, and students are responsible for their own housing and transportation. While the program is free to attend, a $3,000 stipend is available for admitted students who demonstrate financial need. The program consistently prioritizes students from underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds to support a diverse pipeline into the biomedical sciences.