25 Best Summer Internships for High School Students
Summer internships can be a practical and rewarding way for high school students to explore career interests, build real-world skills, and gain exposure to professional environments. From research labs at major universities to roles at leading organizations, internships offer a chance to work alongside professionals, develop technical and communication skills, and start building a network.
For high school students already interested in a specific field, an internship can be a low-risk way to explore that interest. There are many high-quality internships out there, but for this list, we’ve narrowed it down to the 25 best summer internships for high school students across various disciplines.
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual internship program that places high school students with global startups and nonprofits across industries such as AI/ML, tech, sustainability, journalism, business, and healthcare. You’ll work on a real-world project that addresses a need within the startup, collaborating directly with your manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who offers one-on-one mentorship. The program includes weekly skill-building sessions on communication, time management, and professional tools, along with peer cohort meetings. At the end of the 8-week program, you’ll present your final project to your host organization.
Location: Remote (virtual)
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (exact rate not published)
Program Dates: Typically 8 weeks during summer or school-year terms
Application Deadline: April 13 (Summer cohort)
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–18) who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students!
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an intensive 8-week research internship for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science. You’ll work in Stanford laboratories under the mentorship of faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research staff, gaining research experience and exposure to academic medicine. You can choose from eight research areas: Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics & Genomics. The program includes safety training, lectures from Stanford researchers, independent lab work, and a final poster session to present your research.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend provided ($1,500+ for underrepresented groups)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2% acceptance rate; ~50 students selected
Program Dates: June 9 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must live and attend school in the U.S. (international students not eligible)
Veritas AI Internship Program is an 8-week virtual program designed for high school students with prior experience in AI or machine learning. You’ll work in small teams on real-world AI/ML projects with VC-backed startups, applying your technical skills while being mentored by professionals from Harvard, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, and more. Each student is matched with a startup and a dedicated mentor. You’ll meet weekly with your startup supervisor, contribute to real development efforts, and receive a completion letter from the company. This internship is best suited for students who have completed prior AI coursework (such as the Veritas AI Foundations program) and want to explore how AI is applied in industry settings.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,490 (Financial Aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort size
Program Dates: Summer, 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort; April 27 for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) - Department of Navy
SEAP allows high school students to engage in real Naval research alongside professional scientists and engineers at the Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S. You’ll be matched with one of 30 participating labs based on your stated interests and the lab’s available projects. Research topics include engineering, data science, materials science, chemistry, computer modeling, cybersecurity, and marine biology. Past student projects include Submarine Life Support, Catalytic Oxidation of Li-Ion Electrolyte, and simulation work using tools like Ansys Fluent. You’ll contribute to ongoing research while developing technical, analytical, and communication skills. Interns typically present their findings at the end of the program.
Location: Various DoN laboratories across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of ~$4,000–$5,000, depending on location and experience
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (~300 students selected annually)
Program Dates: 8 weeks, typically June–August
Application Deadline: Early November
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16+ at the start of the program; U.S. citizenship required
5. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship
The NASA OSTEM High School Internship is a paid opportunity for high school students to contribute to NASA missions and projects. Interns are placed at various NASA centers across the U.S., where they work closely with scientists, engineers, and other professionals. You might assist in designing experiments, analyzing mission data, supporting public engagement efforts, or developing technology in space science, aerospace engineering, environmental science, robotics, space microbiology, or computer science. The internship also includes training sessions, mentorship, and career development programming to help you explore and prepare for STEM careers.
Location: NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend amount varies by location and duration)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by center
Program Dates: Spring session (Mid-January - Early May), Summer session (Late May - August), Fall session (Late August - Mid-December) Application Deadline: September 12 (Spring session), February 27 (Summer session), May 16 (Fall session)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA
6. Microsoft Discovery Program
Microsoft High School Discovery Program is a 4-week paid internship for graduating high school seniors interested in exploring careers in technology. You’ll work in a small team on a project within a Microsoft product group, gaining exposure to software engineering, product management, and UX design. In addition to real-world experience, the program offers mentorship from Microsoft professionals, professional development workshops, and insight into how your strengths can align with tech roles.
Location: Microsoft headquarters, Redmond, Washington State
Stipend: $20 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by year
Program Dates: 4 weeks during the summer (July 7 - August 1)
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors from select partner high schools; must be graduating the same year as participation
Meta Summer Academy is a paid 6-week internship program for high school students interested in careers in technology. Hosted at Meta’s California offices, the program provides exposure to the tech industry through mentorship and structured professional development. You’ll participate in technical workshops, coding instruction, and career readiness activities while learning from Meta employees. Interns work up to 30 hours weekly and participate in project-based learning, team-building exercises, and seminars on communication, leadership, and workplace dynamics.
Location: Meta offices in California
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; transportation support provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohort
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (must meet age and residency criteria; often targeted at rising juniors and seniors from partner schools or local communities)
8. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
The Met High School Internship Program is a fully funded internship for NYC high school students interested in the arts, museums, and creative industries. Interns work with Met professionals and gain exposure to museum careers in education, conservation, marketing, scientific research, and social media. You’ll participate in projects, professional development workshops, career labs, and networking events. The program encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and is designed to help students explore various museum-related paths.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 40 students per session; highly selective
Program Dates: School-year Internship: January 11 – June 13 | Summer Internship: June 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: School-year Internship: October 28 | Summer Internship: March 7
Eligibility: NYC high school students (usually juniors and seniors)
9. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship for high school students interested in fisheries science and aquatic resource conservation. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the program pairs each participant (Hutton Scholar) with a professional mentor in their local area. You’ll gain experience in freshwater or marine environments through field and lab research, including electrofishing, specimen analysis, habitat restoration, and data processing. Scholars also attend the Hutton Scholars Summit, an all-expense-paid event held at the University of Arkansas, for networking and further training.
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship ($3,000 stipend) + all-expense-paid summit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12%
Program Dates: 8 weeks in summer, June to August
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12; must be at least 16 years old by program start
10. The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) is a selective, full-time summer research experience for high school students interested in science or engineering. You’ll work on an ongoing research project in a Princeton University lab under the mentorship of faculty or research staff. Projects span disciplines like chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, computer science, and environmental science. This in-person program is only for local students—Princeton does not provide housing, meals, or transportation. Internship dates vary depending on the lab, but most placements last 5–6 weeks and follow regular weekday hours.
Location: Princeton University (in-person, local students only)
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~40 students annually
Program Dates: Summer (5–6 weeks; varies by lab)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and live within commuting distance of Princeton, New Jersey (NJ)
11. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an 8-week paid summer internship that places high school students with local nonprofit organizations. You will develop leadership skills through community engagement. The program culminates in a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet other interns, hear from national leaders, and explore topics like civic engagement and social justice. All summit travel and accommodations are covered.
Location: Local nonprofit placements + one week in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by location; all summit expenses covered)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~300 students selected annually across the U.S.
Program Dates: June–August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; U.S. work authorization required
12. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is a multi-year, paid STEM internship hosted by the California Academy of Sciences for San Francisco high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a CiS intern, you’ll participate in environmental research, fieldwork, science communication, and projects led by Academy scientists. You’ll also gain mentorship, leadership development, and college prep throughout the program. Interns join the program in June and continue year-round—after school and on weekends—until high school graduation. The experience is designed to prepare you for a career in STEM through long-term training.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid (above minimum wage; exact amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 45–50 students
Program Dates: Year-round; starts in June for rising 10th or 11th graders
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: 9th or 10th-grade SFUSD students with a GPA ≥ 2.5 and a C or higher in math and science
13. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
The AFRL Scholars Program offers upper-level high school students the opportunity to work on STEM research at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) sites across the U.S. You’ll collaborate with scientists and engineers on projects in aerospace engineering, electromagnetics, satellite navigation, and environmental science. Some locations also support education-focused roles. You’ll receive mentorship, tour advanced research labs, and build technical and professional skills. Example projects have included PFAS contamination research, data structures for satellite navigation, and simulation testing of navigation signals.
Location: Multiple AFRL sites nationwide
Cost/Stipend: $468.80 per week (paid)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 8–10% acceptance rate
Program Dates: 8–12 weeks in summer (varies by site)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students age 16+ (also open to college students—filter by grade level)
14. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA Internship Program offers students the chance to apply psychology in real-world settings, with opportunities in policy, research, communications, and financial services. Interns contribute to ongoing projects, develop professional skills, and explore non-traditional career paths in psychology. Both paid and unpaid positions are available. During the internship, you’ll attend presentations by APA staff, access psychology research databases, and connect with senior psychologists.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid positions available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Typically 8–12 weeks in summer (varies by position)
Application Deadline: Varies by position (check APA internship listings)
Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, and graduate students
15. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program( SHIP)
SHIP is a competitive 8-week internship for rising high school seniors from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical sciences. You’ll begin with two weeks of lab safety and research skills training before spending six weeks conducting research in a Fred Hutch lab in Seattle. In addition to mentored lab work, you’ll attend seminars, professional development workshops, and social activities. The program ends with a formal presentation of your research to the Fred Hutch community.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact stipend not publicly listed)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~30 students
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders from underrepresented backgrounds in science; must live in the Seattle area or have housing in Seattle for the summer.
16. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore
The JHIBS program is a fully funded, 8-week summer research internship for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. You’ll work with Johns Hopkins faculty on brain science research, gaining skills in experimental design, lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend weekly seminars, professional development sessions, and discussions with neuroscientists. The program concludes with a final research presentation delivered as a talk or poster. A virtual format is available for students who cannot attend in person.
Location: Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland) or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; hourly stipend + transportation covered (In-person interns receive an hourly wage; virtual interns receive $500)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5–6 students
Program Dates: June–August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds in neuroscience; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
17. Adler Planetarium Summer Teen Internship
This paid summer internship allows high school students to build professional skills, gain experience, and contribute to a science museum. You’ll work on projects related to museum operations, STEM education, community engagement, and more while developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Interns connect with peers from across Chicago and explore career paths in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Whether you're interested in programming, public outreach, or museum logistics, this program introduces the behind-the-scenes work at a cultural institution.
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: $14 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 20 interns
Program Dates: July 6 - August 14 (Summer)
Application Deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12), primarily from the Chicago area
18. Idaho National Laboratory High School Internship Program
This 6-week internship places high school students in STEM or business roles at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. You’ll spend 80% of your time working on projects with a mentor and 20% on activities like seminars, tours, and career development. Research topics include clean energy, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, while business tracks cover finance and administration. Interns complete a final project and gain exposure to national lab careers.
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Program Dates: 6 weeks in summer (begins mid-June)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years of age and legal U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; Enrolled rising juniors, rising seniors, and recently graduated students; Have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA
19. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) High School Summer Research Internship
The MPFI Summer Research Internship provides high school juniors and seniors with experience in neuroscience at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. You’ll work in wet labs alongside researchers, developing skills in genetic engineering, microbiology, microscopy, and histological techniques. Projects explore brain structure, neural circuits, and advanced imaging methods to address key scientific questions. The program concludes with a written abstract and a final presentation to peers and professionals.
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Cost/Stipend: $13 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 8 participants
Program Dates: 6 weeks in summer (June 16 – July 25)
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, live in Palm Beach or Martin County, and have U.S. work authorization.
20. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
The PPPL High School Internship is a research opportunity for graduating seniors interested in plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, the program places students in ongoing experimental or computational projects under the mentorship of PPPL research or engineering staff. You’ll explore science and engineering problems through data analysis, modeling, or engineering support while building technical and professional skills. The program includes enrichment activities organized by the Science Education department, such as guest lectures.
Location: Princeton, New Jersey (remote options may be available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not publicly listed)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohort; highly competitive
Program Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors; must be 16+ and eligible to work in the U.S
21. NMNH Summer High School Internship – Smithsonian Institution
The NMNH Summer High School Internship offers high school students the chance to gain experience at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Interns are placed in either the Department of Entomology or the Department of Exhibits, where they assist with active museum projects while learning about careers in science, collections, and public engagement. In Entomology, interns sort and classify moths or work with insect collections, exploring specimen preservation and taxonomy. In Exhibits, students contribute to exhibit development and learn how museum experiences are designed and built. The program includes enrichment days focused on college prep, public speaking, field trips, behind-the-scenes tours, and team-building with fellow interns.
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $3,600 stipend award ($600/week)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohort (exact number not published)
Program Dates: June 24 – August 5; Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled high school students between the ages of 14 and 18; Applicants must write and converse fluently in English
22. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
The FPRI Internship offers high school students the chance to explore foreign relations, international policy, and think tank operations. Interns choose from one of three focus areas—Research, Special Events/Development, or Operations—and are matched with a scholar or professional mentor in their field of interest. Throughout the internship, you’ll develop both subject-specific and transferable skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. All interns gain access to FPRI’s in-person and virtual events, and you’ll have the opportunity to write a research paper that may be published in FPRI’s Intern Corner.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or remote
Cost/Stipend: Stipend available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer (June - August)
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: All students, including international students, are eligible. However, the program requires that you have authorization to work in the U.S
23. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship Program
SRTI’s Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week summer opportunity for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in translational science, medicine, and data-driven research. As an intern, you’ll work on projects related to genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and mobile health (mHealth), gaining experience in personalized medicine and computational biology. You’ll collaborate with researchers at the forefront of biomedical innovation, using health data and technology to understand disease and improve patient outcomes. Depending on their skills and interests, interns may be involved in coding, data analysis, literature reviews, or clinical research tasks.
Location: La Jolla, California (Scripps Research Translational Institute)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 40 students
Program Dates: 10 weeks during summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students (age 16+), undergraduates, and graduate/professional students with interests in health science, data science, or translational research
24. City Limits’ CLARIFY (City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth) program
City Limits CLARIFY (City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth) is a paid journalism internship for New York City high school students interested in public service reporting. Over several weeks, you’ll build skills in investigative journalism, research, interviewing, writing, and public speaking. Interns work individually and in teams to report on local civic issues, contributing to stories published by City Limits. You'll be mentored by professional journalists and gain experience in media ethics, photojournalism, and news literacy. Most work is virtual, but occasional in-person reporting may be required.
Location: Virtual (with occasional in-person reporting in New York City)
Cost/Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10–15 students
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary annually)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students residing in NYC, especially those with limited access to paid professional opportunities
25. The U.S Department of State’s Pathway Internship Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program offers paid federal internship opportunities through two tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Open to high school students, both programs provide exposure to federal careers and experience in public service. Internship opportunities vary by location, department, and academic background, with positions posted year-round on USAJobs.
Location: Various federal offices across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (rate varies by role and education level)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies (rolling, position-dependent)
Program Dates: Varies; year-round postings
Application Deadline: Rolling (check USAJobs.gov for current listings)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in high school, college, graduate, or professional programs