14 Internships for High School Students in Louisville, KY
If you're a high school student in Louisville, KY and looking for a way to build experience outside of the classroom, internships can be a great place to start. These programs allow you to explore different career paths, learn new skills, and work alongside professionals—all of which can help you make more informed decisions about college and future goals.
Louisville offers a range of internship opportunities thanks to its strong networks in healthcare, engineering, community service, and public administration. Local institutions such as Norton Healthcare, University of Louisville, and various nonprofits offer programs designed specifically for high school students. Participating in these local internships allows you to learn in a familiar setting, develop connections in your own community, and gain experience without having to travel.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 15 internships for high school students in Louisville, KY, including both in-person and virtual options across a range of fields.
1. Brown Cancer Center High School Summer Research Program
Location: Louisville, KY
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 20 students
Dates: June 9 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Louisville/Jefferson County, age 16+
The Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville offers an 8-week research internship for high school students in Louisville, KY. You’ll begin with a 2-week wet-lab tutorial, followed by mentored research with faculty in cancer-related fields. The program requires a minimum 30-hour weekly commitment and includes seminars on cancer research. You’ll present your findings in a poster session, honing skills in scientific communication. All expenses, including supplies and lab coats, are covered, making this a premier local opportunity for aspiring scientists.
2. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA Centers; Virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies, highly competitive
Dates: 10 weeks, June to August
Application Deadline: September 12 (Spring 2026 cohort); February 27 (Summer 2026 cohort); May 22 (Fall 2026 cohort)
Eligibility: High school students, 16+, who are U.S. citizens, minimum 3.0 GPA
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers paid virtual internships for high school students to contribute to space and science missions. You’ll work on projects in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, mentored by NASA professionals. The virtual format allows Louisville students to participate remotely, gaining experience in research. You’ll develop technical skills and career readiness, enhancing your resume for college applications. This program offers unparalleled exposure to STEM careers.
3. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students able to work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Also open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder Internships offers an opportunity for high school students to gain experience with high-growth start-ups. You’ll be matched with a start-up in fields like tech, AI, marketing, or consulting, working remotely from Louisville, KY. Over 8 weeks, you’ll collaborate with a manager and a Ladder Coach on impactful projects, culminating in a company presentation. The program develops skills in project management and communication. Its virtual format provides flexibility for students exploring diverse career paths.
4. Louisville Science Pathways
Location: Louisville, KY
Stipend: $15/hour (tentative)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 - July 25; 6 weeks
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students in Jefferson County
Louisville Science Pathways provides summer research internships for high school students in Louisville, KY. You’ll work with University of Louisville scientists in disciplines like neurobiology, computer science, and engineering. The program promotes science education and introduces you to research career paths. You’ll engage in lab-based projects, gaining practical skills and mentorship. This local internship is great for students seeking to explore diverse STEM fields.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work-learn structure of one super closely!
6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Louisville, KY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 300 students per year throughout the US
Dates: 8 weeks during summer; varies by state/location; July 21 – July 26 (Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC)
Application Deadline: October 14 - January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers an eight-week paid internship with a local non-profit in Louisville, KY. You’ll work on community-focused projects, developing leadership and civic engagement skills. The program includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., to explore national issues. You’ll gain professional skills like teamwork and communication while contributing to local organizations. This internship is great for students interested in community service and leadership.
7. Young Leaders Academy (YLA)
Location: Louisville, KY
Cost/Stipend: Free, with room and board provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, approximately 24 students
Dates: July 15 - July 19
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Kentucky high school students who have completed at least one year of high school
The Young Leaders Academy at the University of Louisville is a four-day residential program for Kentucky high school students. You’ll engage in seminars and discussions on American constitutionalism, led by university faculty and experts. The program fosters leadership skills and civic understanding through team-building activities and debates. All expenses, including lodging and meals, are covered, making it an accessible opportunity for Louisville students to enhance their leadership capabilities.
8. Speed School Outreach Programs
Location: Louisville, KY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: July 14 – July 19
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
The University of Louisville J.B. Speed School of Engineering introduces high school students to engineering through a week-long residential experience. Sponsored by Brown-Forman, it offers engineering activities and college preparation workshops. You’ll stay on campus, connect with peers, and explore career paths in engineering. The program is free, providing a great opportunity for Louisville students to gain exposure to STEM fields.
9. MITES Semester
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, approximately 80 students
Dates: June - December
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Semester is a six-month virtual program offering rigorous STEM courses and college preparation for high school juniors. You’ll engage in online courses, virtual webinars, and social events, with some in-person components, mentored by MIT faculty. The program builds skills in science, technology, engineering, and math, preparing you for college-level work.
10. Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program Online
Location: Online
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment with requirements
Dates: June 21–August 9; 7 weeks
Application Deadline: January 8 (early application); February 12 (regular and international application); April 9 (late application)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program offers a seven-week online experience where you can take college-level courses taught by Harvard faculty. You’ll choose from diverse subjects, earning college credit and building academic skills. The virtual format allows Louisville students to connect with peers globally while experiencing Harvard’s rigorous academics. Financial aid is available, making it accessible for motivated students.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850; $40 application fee (waivable); Up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, limited spots
Dates: June 16 – June 27; 2 weeks
Application Deadline: February 21 (scholarship deadline); February 28 (application deadline)
Eligibility: High school students, age 14+, with math or programming skills, who are US citizens/permanent residents
Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week virtual internship for high school students. You’ll collaborate on projects applying AI to medical challenges, mentored by Stanford researchers. The program develops skills in data analysis and AI applications, culminating in a project presentation. This internship is great for those interested in the intersection of AI and healthcare.
12. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 needs-based grant available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 7—July 18 (Round 1); July 28—August 8 (Round 2); two-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program offers a two-week virtual experience for high school students to learn game design and computer science. You’ll attend classes sponsored by industry-leading companies, covering beginner to intermediate computer science concepts, game design processes, and UX design basics. The program includes interactive events, mentorship, and optional student hours for extra support. You’ll have opportunities to build a professional network by connecting with engineers and entrepreneurs. This program is great for girls and non-binary students from Louisville interested in technology and game development.
13. EnergyMag Virtual Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies
Dates: Half-time (2-8 weeks) or quarter-time (1-9 months), summer options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with one honors science/English class, GPA >3.25
EnergyMag offers virtual internships focused on renewable energy research and analysis. You’ll work on projects related to sustainable energy, developing skills in data analysis and environmental science. The program is flexible, with half-time or quarter-time options, allowing Louisville students to participate remotely. You’ll collaborate with professionals, gaining insights into the renewable energy sector. This internship is great for students interested in sustainability and environmental careers.
14. SummerWorks Program
Location: Louisville, KY
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 300 students
Dates: June – August (varies based on placement)
Application Deadline: Rolling, year-round
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-21 in Louisville/Jefferson County
SummerWorks connects Louisville high school students with paid summer internships in various fields. You’ll find opportunities in marketing, IT, community service, and more through this local program. The platform provides resume-building and interview preparation support, helping you secure a position. You’ll gain professional experience and develop workplace skills, working with local employers.