15 Free Internships for High School Students
For high school students interested in gaining professional experience, internships are a great way to explore careers, build new skills, and strengthen college applications. Whether you're curious about science, law, medicine, art, or business, internships let you go beyond the classroom and understand how professionals work.
While many internships come with high costs or application fees, there are also several free programs, with some even offering stipends. These opportunities are designed to be accessible and meaningful, helping you learn through projects, mentorship, and exposure to workplace environments.
We’ve narrowed down the list to 15 free internships for high school students. We’ve made the selection based on competitiveness and program structure.
15 Free Internships for High School Students
1. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 5 - 8%; approximately 50 students each summer
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Local students from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Must be 16+ by start date | Have prior knowledge in biology, chemistry, or programming, and hold a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS) is an 8-week research-focused summer internship opportunity for high school students. You will be placed in a research lab and conduct genomic research under the supervision of a mentor. The program includes career exploratory seminars in the field of biomedical research, professional development sessions, and collaborative activities with like-minded peers. Selection is competitive and requires a statement of purpose, essays, transcripts, a resume, and a letter of recommendation.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Full financial aid available!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
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: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free to participate; interns are paid a stipend
Cohort Size: Approximately 300 students are selected annually
Dates: 8-week internship during the summer, including the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. (July 21 – 26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; legally authorized to work in the U.S. | In good standing at their school | Permanently reside in one of the eligible locations and have not been previously selected for the program
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a non-profit, focused eight-week summer internship. In the program, you’ll work at a local nonprofit and understand how they serve their communities and the social impact they create. You’ll also get to attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.which will allow you to connect with peers and learn how businesses, government, and nonprofits collaborate to address social issues. This experience allows you to build leadership skills, explore social impact, and grow your professional network.
4. Lamont-Doherty's Secondary School Field Research Program (SSFRP)
Location: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid, amount not specified
Cohort size: ~30 students
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (10th, 11th, or 12th grade) plus undergraduate students and science teachers
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s Secondary School Field Research Program (SSFRP) is a 6-week-long field and laboratory research internship opportunity. You will be paired with peers, undergraduate mentors, and a teacher to form a research team and will then go on to conduct scientific research. Your research will be on ecological and physical processes in the wetland, which include reviewing existing literature, collecting samples, and performing experiments. Some areas you’ll delve into include nutrient cycling, natural carbon sequestration, non-chemical management of invasive plants, and the construction of rechargeable batteries powered by soil bacteria. At the end of the program, each team will create a research poster to be presented at the summer symposium.
5. Audubon Youth Leaders Internship
Location: Audubon Center at Debs Park, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort size: Approximately 10 students per year
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Audubon Youth Leaders (AYL) Internships program is designed for high school students interested in conservation and ecology careers. It places a strong emphasis on developing leadership skills within these fields. You’ll delve into the native ecology through team-led projects that focus on conservation. These projects are community action-focused, where you’ll work alongside peers and learn about environmental conservation. The program includes personal development activities, career path exploration, retreats, and camping trips.
6. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: 5 – 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a local U.S. high school | Must be 16 years old or older by June 15
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) is a full-time research experience for high school students interested in STEM or engineering. You’ll be made part of the ongoing research programs at Princeton and receive mentorship from faculty and research staff. The research will focus on Natural Sciences and Engineering. Participants must begin with safety training and are required to submit a research summary report by the end of the program. This report should detail the research question, methods, data, and conclusion of the study.
7. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: Free to participate; housing, meals, and a monetary award are provided
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically March/April
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin; Priority given to applicants from groups historically excluded from STEMM fields
Young Scholars Summer STEMM is a research experience for high school students that takes place over 6 weeks during the summer. You’ll gain the opportunity to develop practical research experience in various STEMM fields such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. You’ll receive mentorship from established researchers and work on research for 30-35 hours per week. The program also includes weekly seminars, college application help, and professional networking opportunities. You’ll present your work at a research poster symposium at the end of the program.
8. Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Internship
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cost: Free to participate; $1,100 stipend upon completion of the program
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer (Exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified (applications open in early February)
Eligibility: Students who are in grade 10 or 11 and reside in or attend a high school or homeschool in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut | Applicants need to have the consent of a parent/guardian to apply
The Met High School Internship Program is an opportunity for high school students to explore the field of public education, history, and art. You will receive mentorship from creative and museum professionals while gaining valuable work experience and professional skills. Some of the areas you’ll get to explore include curatorial, social media, education, imaging, design, and more. Selection requires completing an application form, essays, and a letter of recommendation.
9. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort size: approximately 20 students per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students who are age 16+ by June
The Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Summer Program is a research experience for high school students in healthcare and biomedical research. Over 7 weeks, you will work on research work alongside experienced clinicians and scientist mentors. You will also learn about essential lab techniques, including histology, imaging, and genotyping. The program is structured with interactive lectures, skill-building workshops, and career exploration sessions. The experience culminates in a final presentation where you will present your research findings.
10. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee (can be waived based on financial need); no additional cost
Acceptance rate: Selective, around 10%
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students aged 15 or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school students the opportunity to work directly with expert faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects. You will explore scientific research in areas such as Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Environment, Climate, Engineering, Technology, Math, Space, Astronomy, STEM business, and Policy. The program includes discussion forums, professional networking opportunities, and career exploration. Working on research in a professional setting will help you develop creative thinking, collaborative skills, and scientific communication.
11. Ladders for Leaders
Location: Various organizations in New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: 6 weeks; Varies by agency and role
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: NYC residents aged 16–24 who are enrolled in high school or college, have prior paid or volunteer work experience, and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Ladders for Leaders help students participate in summer internships in government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations in New York City. The program offers professional development through pre-employment training, where you’ll work on business etiquette, resume, and interviewing skills. You will also have access to mentors who’ll guide you through the process. Previous interns have interned across sectors at organizations such as the New York City Department of Design and Construction, Xandr, Brooklyn Navy Yard, NYC Office of Emergency Management, and the Economist group.
12. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns will be paid minimum wage
Acceptance rate: Varies depending on placement
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Manhattan residents who are current sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week internship for high school students interested in exploring career pathways in law and the legal system. During the course of the internship, you will gain an inside look into the criminal justice system. You will have the ability to work on your communication, critical thinking, and collaborative skills while gaining practical experience by participating in a mock trial program. The program includes workshops and discussions where you will have the opportunity to interact with various law professionals
13. L.A. Times High School Insider Youth Journalism Program
Location: El Segundo, CA (Los Angeles County)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $16.90/hour
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; legal U.S. residents
The L.A. Times High School Insider youth journalism program is a 7-week internship experience for high school students to explore journalism. During the internship, you will gain practical experience by working on breaking stories, writing feature stories, and dabbling in multimedia journalism. Some of the work you’ll do includes reaching out to sources, scheduling interviews, and collaborating with enterprises and editors for draft revisions. You will also have access to extensive skill-building and training workshops and receive mentorship from professionals.
14. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Today's Interns, Tomorrow's Professionals (TIP)
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Income-eligible high school students in Greater Boston who have completed their sophomore year; applicants must be enrolled in Boston Public Schools
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston offers Today's Interns, Tomorrow's Professionals (TIP) as an internship program for high school students interested in exploring investment and finance-aligned career pathways. You will then have the opportunity to apply to openings based on your interest and work in areas such as Economics, Finance, Risk, Operations, Technology, Data, and Outreach. Before the start of your internship, you’ll go through professional development training through job coaching and skill-building workshops. This opportunity allows you to develop key skills in data analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork while offering valuable insight into banking operations.
15. Judicial Youth Corps Program
Location: Courts in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate: ~22 students
Dates: July – August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: High school students residing in or attending a school in the city of the program location
The Judicial Youth Corps program offers high school students the opportunity to gain legal experience within the Massachusetts court system. As an intern, you will observe legal procedures, attend court proceedings, and gain practical experience by participating in a mock trial. You will have the opportunity to gain mentorship from various law professionals and get insight into career pathways in law and public service. Additional activities include education sessions on legal topics, team projects, and field trips.
Image Source - Bank of America Logo