15 AI Internships for High School Students in Illinois
Participating in an internship as a high school student is a practical way to build real-world skills, gain exposure to professional environments, and strengthen your academic and career profiles. By working on structured, hands-on STEM projects under the mentorship of professionals, you will develop technical abilities, communication skills, and a clearer understanding of how different industries operate. If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, taking part in AI internships will help you to explore how coding, data analysis, and computational thinking are applied in various fields, including healthcare, engineering, climate science, and technology research.
What AI internships are available for high school students in Illinois?
Across Illinois, various universities, research institutes, and community organizations provide internships and work-based learning programs that introduce you to AI-related tools, research techniques, and collaborative project experiences. These opportunities may involve working with real datasets, learning programming languages like Python or R, participating in lab-based or virtual research teams, or attending workshops on machine learning and data science. Many programs also include mentorship from faculty, graduate students, or industry professionals, along with chances to present your work at research symposiums or showcases.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve put together 15 AI internships for high school students in Illinois that emphasize hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and exposure to real research or industry tools.
1. Argonne National Laboratory’s College Bound Research Program
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (18+) from Illinois who are enrolled to attend college full-time in the Fall after the program; Must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.75/4.0 and be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The College Bound Research Program introduces you to applied scientific research through a structured, full-time summer experience in a national laboratory setting. You will work in a laboratory or office environment alongside Argonne scientists and engineers, contributing to projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, autonomous discovery, and data-driven science. During the first week, you will collaborate with a staff mentor to develop a research plan and complete required safety training before beginning hands-on project work. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly seminars and tours focused on current research topics and STEM career pathways. The experience concludes with a formal poster presentation of your research to Argonne staff and peers. With its emphasis on real research workflows and professional collaboration, the program provides practical exposure to how large-scale scientific projects are designed and carried out.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10%; Around 70 available spots
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program designed for motivated high school students. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with high-growth start-ups across various industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health technology, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These start-ups typically grow rapidly, with many raising over one million dollars. As an intern, you will work closely with your designated managers on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The internship is conducted virtually and typically lasts for eight weeks.
3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Stipend: Fellowship payment offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5%; Around 30 spots
Program Dates: June 14 – July 31 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: February – March 24 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offer a six-week, campus-based research experience for high school students. You will be placed in a faculty-led research group where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer science, quantum and nuclear physics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. Your work may typically involve hands-on data analysis, computational tools, or laboratory methodologies, supported by mentorship from faculty, graduate students, and research staff. Additionally, you will participate in weekly seminars focused on scientific communication, the college admission process, and research poster preparation. The program concludes with a research symposium where you will present your project through a formal poster to peers and university researchers.
4. Field Museum Women in Science Internships
Location: The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: Around 5 high school interns (tentative)
Program Dates: Full-time summer internship
Application Deadline: Not specified; Opens in the spring
Eligibility: High school students living in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan
The Field Museum Women in Science Internships are full-time, in-person summer placements that involve working directly with museum scientists on collections-based research projects. You may contribute to hands-on work such as digitizing specimens, georeferencing biological data, or training artificial intelligence tools to analyze or classify specimen features, such as color patterns in preserved insects. Your role may typically involve handling research data and gaining firsthand experience in documentation. Throughout the internship, you may collaborate with museum staff and researchers who provide guidance on both scientific methods and science communication. The experience emphasizes translating research into materials that can be shared with the public, connecting your technical work to broader community education.
5. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 13 – March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors or recent high school graduates who are enrolled in an Illinois high school; Must be U.S. citizens
The PRISM program at Fermilab offers a structured introduction to advanced research in science and technology. You will participate in themed weekly sessions that combine lectures, hands-on activities, and facility tours, providing exposure to areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, particle physics, and engineering. The internship includes mentorship from Fermilab researchers and STEM professionals who will guide you through developing a research abstract and poster based on your work. The experience emphasizes scientific communication, technical literacy, and professional collaboration. The internship concludes with a formal poster presentation where you share your work with staff and peers.
6. The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Location: UChicago Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in Chicago; Must be familiar with at least one programming language (Python, Java, C++, etc.); Must have relevant coursework in areas such as computer science, statistics, and math
During the DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago, you will work within a mentor-led lab, contributing to projects that may involve machine learning, artificial intelligence methods, and large-scale data analysis across domains such as computer science, public policy, climate research, and biomedical science. A core component of the experience is a weekly speaker series where you engage with researchers working at the forefront of data science. You will also collaborate closely with mentors and peers through cohort-based activities and guided project work. The program concludes with a conference-style symposium where you present your research through a recorded project video and respond to questions from the research community.
7. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: Multiple universities across Illinois
Stipend: $3,000 taxable stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Only up to 30 students across all participating institutions
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (16+) from Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart introduces you to university-based cancer research through full-time placements in academic laboratories across Illinois universities. Depending on your lab assignment, you may support projects in areas such as computational cancer biology, cancer imaging, bioengineering, or molecular mechanisms of cancer. Along the way, you may also get to work with large datasets used to study cancer risks and outcomes. You will observe how laboratory research connects to clinical care and public health through faculty lecture series and structured career development workshops. You will work closely with faculty, researchers, and graduate students to learn laboratory techniques, data analysis methodologies, and scientific problem-solving approaches. The program emphasizes collaboration across participating institutions and regular mentorship from research professionals. You will conclude the experience by presenting your project at a formal research symposium for peers, families, and members of the scientific community.
8. University of Illinois Chicago’s Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP!)
Location: University of Illinois Chicago Medical Campus and Surgical Innovation Training Laboratory, Chicago, IL
Cost: $3,500 (scholarships may be available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24, followed by an academic year component (August – April)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
SHARP! is an 11-month, research-based program that combines a six-week summer lab apprenticeship with mentored academic-year projects. You will work directly in biomedical engineering and surgery research labs on projects that can involve AI for robotics surgery, computational bioinformatics, and data-driven analysis of biological and clinical systems. During the summer, you may assist with daily laboratory research, data collection, and technical documentation under the guidance of scientist mentors and faculty. The school-year component places you in a leadership role for your school team at the annual Biomed Breakthrough Challenge, where you will help design and present engineering solutions to clinically relevant problems. The program includes formal research presentations at a summer symposium and a public competition event, providing experience in scientific communication and professional review. In addition, you will participate in community outreach by leading hands-on science activities for younger students and may earn three dual-enrollment engineering credit hours upon successful completion.
9. After School Matters Internships
Location: Organizations across Chicago, IL
Stipend: Varies by internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the years, including summer, fall, and spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Chicago high school students aged 14-18
After School Matters Internships provide you with paid, community-based internships across technology, engineering, and other professional fields. You will be placed with a partner organization throughout Chicago, where you may support projects involving coding, data analysis, applied computing, or youth-focused STEM programming. You will have the chance to collaborate in small teams while developing skills in communication, time management, and professional conduct. The program includes career readiness workshops that focus on resumes, workplace expectations, and leadership skills. With multiple sessions and placement options available each year, you can explore different roles and organizations aligned with your interests.
10. University of Chicago’s Data4All High School Bridge Workshop
Location: University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 30 students divided into 6 groups
Program Dates: 8 weeks (spring and fall); Spring: March 28 – May 16
Application Deadline: Spring: March 9 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed Algebra 1
The Data4All High School Bridge Workshop introduces you to data science and foundational AI concepts through hands-on coding and research using real-world datasets. You will meet weekly on the University of Chicago campus to learn Python and apply tools such as NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib to analyze, visualize, and interpret scientific and societal data. The program places you in small research teams where you’ll investigate case studies focused on real-world scientific challenges. Along the way, you will gain experience in the full data science research lifecycle, from question formation to presentation of results. Undergraduate and graduate mentors from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory provide technical guidance and feedback on your projects. You will develop skills in statistical analysis, data-driven prediction, and communicating findings through group presentations and written summaries.
11. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps – Learning Electronics, AI, and Programming (LEAP) Camp
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $1,500 (Residential); $750 (Commuter); Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Around 25% – 40%
Program Dates: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling until seats are filled; February 1 – March
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
LEAP Camp introduces you to foundational artificial intelligence concepts through a hands-on engineering project that combines hardware assembly, programming concepts, and cloud-based data analysis. You will build a portable weather station by assembling sensors, microcontrollers, and printed circuit boards, while learning basic electronics, soldering, and embedded programming. The program includes instruction in how data collected from your device is transmitted to cloud computers for more advanced analysis using AI algorithms. Through guided lab activities and classroom sessions, you will practice coding concepts such as loops and conditionals alongside data visualization and interpretation. By the end of the camp, you will deploy and test your own weather station, applying both engineering design and introductory AI methods to real environmental data.
12. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) Digital Scholars
Location: Tech Law Center at the Conviser Building, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 30 students per class; Overall, the program accepts around 150 students
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28 – May 2
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s DPI Digital Scholars program offers a structured introduction to computing, data science, and technology-focused career pathways. You will enroll in one of several course tracks, such as data analysis and visualization, computer science and coding, electrical and computer engineering, or mobile app development, where you work on hands-on projects using real-world datasets and programming tools. You will participate in small-group learning and technical activities that reflect how software, data, and hardware systems are developed and tested in professional settings. Weekly topical workshops will introduce you to applied areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and entrepreneurship, connecting technical skills to industry use cases. Daily talks with technologists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders from Chicago’s tech community will provide you with direct exposure to career paths and professional perspectives. The program also includes college and career readiness sessions focused on communication, teamwork, and building a professional network.
13. EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Around 90 participants
Program Dates: June 13 – August 31 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students with prior programming experience in Python
The EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program places you in a fully remote, multi-institutional research environment focused on applying artificial intelligence to cancer and clinical data. You will work within a tiered track system, contributing to projects such as whole slide pathology image analysis, biomedical text processing, and machine learning model development using tools like R and Python. Weekly seminars and guided workshops provide structured instruction in AI methodologies, research ethics, and scientific communication. The program connects you with clinicians, researchers, and peer mentors from partner institutions, creating opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and professional feedback. You will gain access to a virtual lab environment with high-performance computing resources to train and evaluate models on Institutional Review Board-approved datasets. The experience concludes with formal presentations of your research to academic and clinical audiences.
14. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) – Virtual Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
Program Dates: June – July 21 (exact dates vary by project); SEES distance learning Modules will be available from May 15 – July 1
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+); Must not have worked as a SEES intern previously; Must be U.S. citizens
The SEES program offers you an introduction to space science, Earth systems research, and data-driven analysis through a virtual internship hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research. You will work with NASA and university mentors on mission-based projects involving areas such as remote sensing, exoplanet detection, and AI-informed systems design for space and environmental research. As an intern, you will support research through tasks like data visualization, Python-based analysis, GIS mapping, and technical documentation. The program also includes structured distance-learning modules in Earth and space science, along with training sessions in Python. You will collaborate in project teams to study real datasets related to air quality, urban heat patterns, or space mission planning. The experience concludes with a formal presentation at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium, where you present your research to mentors and peers.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Program Dates: June 15 – 26 (Session 1); July 6 – 17 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: High school students (14+) who live and attend school in the U.S.; Preference given to students with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers a two-week, fully virtual introduction to AI applications in healthcare and medicine. You will be placed in a small project team where you’ll work on a practical research problem related to machine learning in medicine, under the mentorship of Stanford student leads and researchers. The program includes technical lectures that cover AI fundamentals, healthcare data considerations, and research workflows. You will participate in guided, hands-on sessions that emphasize collaboration, problem-solving, and scientific communication. You will also have access to networking opportunities, including “Meet the Expert” sessions with professionals from academia, industry, nonprofit, and government sectors. The experience concludes with a final project presentation and a Certificate of Completion for students who complete the full internship.