15 Competitive Computer Science Internships for High School Students
For high school students, internships are one of the best ways to explore career paths and build experience. Internships give you exposure to technical skills, workplace environments, and professional mentorship that go beyond what’s taught in school. Many are free or even paid, making them accessible ways to learn while gaining valuable experience. These programs often involve research projects or coding experience, which you can showcase in your college application essays and resume.
If you’re curious about technology, computer science internships can help you explore fields like software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. Through these programs, you’ll get to solve problems, develop coding projects, and work alongside experienced professionals. These programs also help you clarify your interests in specific areas of technology and expose you to professional tools and environments.
To help you find the best options, we’ve narrowed down 15 highly competitive computer science internships for high school students, with most accepting less than 5% of applicants. We included both in-person and virtual opportunities known for their rigor, mentorship, and industry connections.
1. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Multiple Google offices in the U.S. or Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 60 - 100 students
Dates: Typically between June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors planning to enroll in a 4-year college degree in computer science or a related field in the U.S. or Canada
In this program, you will explore programming concepts and software engineering through project-based learning in Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll join team-based projects that reflect real-world tech challenges, and you’ll attend workshops on coding best practices, career development, and how to navigate your path in the tech industry. The program is tuition-free and covers all essential costs, giving you access to valuable experience regardless of your financial background. CSSI offers a unique, structured way to begin building your tech journey.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, with past cohorts seeing acceptance rates around 10%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
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 virtual program that pairs ambitious high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world. These companies are fast-growing and often raise over a million dollars in funding. If you are passionate about computer science, you will be matched with a company that aligns with your interests, whether in AI, software engineering, or health tech. As an intern, you will collaborate closely with a manager or founder on meaningful projects that contribute directly to the company’s success, gaining hands-on experience and learning directly from industry professionals.
3. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, WA or Atlanta, GA (local students only)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically small cohorts
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: High school seniors living and attending schools within 50 miles of Redmond or live and attend school in and around Atlanta | Must have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program
The Microsoft High School Discovery Program gives you a hands-on look at how technology comes to life at one of the world’s most innovative companies. Over four weeks, you will join a team of mentors and peers to work on projects, learning about software development, program management, and data science. You’ll gain experience in coding, teamwork, and professional communication while developing technical and career skills that prepare you for university and beyond. The program includes one-on-one mentorship from Microsoft employees, workshops on career exploration, and collaborative group challenges that mirror real-world tech environments.
4. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta's headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 150 students selected each year
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City | Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
The Meta Summer Academy places you in a six-week paid summer program at Meta where you work alongside engineers, designers, and product teams. You’ll engage in coding, explore careers in AI, data science, and software engineering, and be placed in teams working on meaningful projects under mentorship from Meta employees. The experience includes professional development workshops, networking sessions, and opportunities to build your technical strengths and broaden your career perspective. You’ll develop real job skills and build a strong foundation for your future in computer science.
5. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA Centers or Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; over 3,000 students annually
Dates: Three sessions per year (Summer, Fall, Spring); typically, 15 weeks for the spring and fall sessions, and 10 weeks for the summer session
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by session; Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old at the time of application | 3.0 GPA over a 4.0 scale
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program allows you to work side by side with NASA scientists, engineers, and professionals who are shaping the future of space exploration and technology. You’ll join active project teams that contribute directly to NASA’s mission, tackling challenges in fields like software development, data analysis, robotics, network engineering, and artificial intelligence. Throughout your internship, you’ll receive mentorship from NASA experts, participate in professional development activities, and strengthen your technical and problem-solving skills. This competitive program gives you the chance to take part in real NASA research while building the skills and experience that prepare you for a future career in science, technology, or aerospace.
6. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: Gaithersburg, MD & Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Eight weeks, starting from the second/third week of June to the second week of August
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application; must live near or be able to relocate to the NIST campus, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
SHIP at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) gives you the chance to spend eight weeks working 1-on-1 with NIST scientists and engineers on active research projects. You’ll be part of one of the nation’s leading research labs, exploring areas in computer science like AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and quantum computing. Throughout the program, you’ll learn professional lab practices, develop technical and analytical skills, and contribute to real research challenges in federal science. The experience culminates in a research presentation that lets you showcase your findings and see what a career in scientific research truly looks like.
7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SparkSMP)
Location: Virtual; some in-person options in Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Some projects may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typical cohort size is around 50 to 100 students
Dates: Internships generally run for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer (June through August)
Application Deadline: Around late May
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students who are citizens or permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP) connects you with mentors and professionals to work on STEM projects over the summer. You will join a small project team, tackle tasks in areas like machine learning, data engineering, software development, or biotech, and learn directly from industry and research experts. Throughout the internship, you’ll take part in workshops on technical tools, research methods, and professional skills that prepare you for your future in tech or science. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work, giving you evidence of what you have accomplished and a clearer idea of your path ahead.
8. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (and other U.S. Sandia sites)
Cost/Stipend: $17.75 – $19/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with limited high-school openings; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer internships typically run 10–12 weeks between May and late August; year-round part-time options are also available
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and enrolled as a full-time high school student | Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 (for high school students applying for Research and Development, Technical, or Business positions); more details here | 2.5 GPA for clerical or laborer positions
The Sandia National Laboratories Internship Program invites you to spend your summer working alongside scientists and engineers on real national-security and technology research. You will join a project team at Sandia’s lab site in New Mexico or another affiliated location where you’ll apply your skills, like coding, data analysis, or engineering design, in a professional research setting. Under the mentorship of experienced professionals, you’ll complete a meaningful technical assignment and take part in workshops and collaborative opportunities that strengthen your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. By the end of your internship, you’ll have built hands-on experience, connected with STEM professionals, and gained clarity on how you might pursue technology or research in college and beyond.
9. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee / $750 tax-free stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; only 12 students are accepted each year
Dates: Seven weeks, June 21 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old by the program start date and are expected to graduate from high school in the application year or the next
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University allows you to experience real university-level research as a high school student. Over seven weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a Texas Tech faculty mentor on a project that matches your academic interests, whether in computer science, biology, chemistry, or engineering. You’ll also take part in weekly seminars, field trips, and discussions that encourage you to think critically and explore where your curiosity might lead. Only 12 students are selected each year, making it one of the most competitive summer research programs in the country.
10. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None for families earning less than $150,000; $2,350 for other families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (10 – 12%); 30 – 40 students
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 living and attending high school in the U.S.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) offers you a four-week engineering and computer science experience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, designed for high school students interested in innovation. Before the summer begins, you complete a mandatory online course during the spring. On campus, you work in lectures, labs, and collaborative projects with MIT mentors throughout multiple courses, such as Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix, Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking, and Cyber Operations. You’ll have the opportunity to dive into complex technical challenges like programming vehicles or designing secure systems while using authentic tools and techniques. By the end of the program, you’ll showcase your work to peers and experts.
11. Boston RISE Internship Track
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $6,185; Residential: $9,785; limited financial aid and scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, with approximately 190 students accepted across tracks
Dates: June 28 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 14 (dates vary by year)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you will deeply engage with a research project in areas such as computer science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, or electrical and computer engineering. Alongside your hands-on research, you’ll attend weekly workshops covering topics like research ethics, journal reading, poster design, and career strategy in STEM. The program culminates in a Poster Symposium where you present your work and may have the opportunity to submit to competitions like the Regeneron Science Talent Search. For students drawn to computer science or applied math who want to experience authentic university-level research and build meaningful technical skills, this track offers a strong foundation and a clear signal of competitiveness for future STEM pathways.
12. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (JAX SSP)
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $7,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, under 5%; 32 fellowships in Bar Harbor, 11 in Farmington
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Students must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program and have completed 12th grade | U.S. citizens or lawful Permanent Residents
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) allows you to spend 10 weeks contributing to genetics and genomics research at laboratories in Maine or Connecticut. You will design and complete your own project under the mentorship of a JAX scientist, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as bioinformatics, data visualization, and computational biology. Throughout the summer, you will take part in professional development workshops, journal clubs, and discussions that teach you how to communicate science and explore different career paths in research. The program fosters a close-knit community of students and scientists, giving you opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow as an independent researcher.
13. Stony Brook Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost except for residents, dorm fee $2,360.25 + additional meal costs (~$500+) / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive (around a 4% acceptance rate); approximately 40 students are accepted
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old at the program’s start | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University immerses you in six weeks of real scientific research alongside faculty mentors in fields such as science, mathematics, and engineering. You will join a research group, develop your own project, and build practical lab and data analysis skills while attending seminars, lab tours, and workshops with other motivated students. Throughout the program, you will work closely with Stony Brook researchers and graduate students who guide you through experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific writing. By the end of the program, you will present your findings at a research symposium and write a professional abstract summarizing your work.
14. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee that can be waived / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive, with ~5% acceptance rate; 80 – 100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 years old by the start of the program; additional requirements can be seen here
In this six-week program, you will start with a week of advanced STEM classes led by MIT professors, building the foundation to think and work like a scientist. Later, you will work one-on-one with a mentor from MIT or another top Boston-area institution to design and conduct your own graduate-level research project. In the computer science track, you can explore areas such as machine learning, computational biology, or algorithm design, and present your findings at a final symposium before scientists and peers. Fully funded and highly selective, RSI gives you the great opportunity to experience life as a researcher at the world’s leading science and engineering university.
15. MITRE High School Student Program
Location: Various MITRE sites nationwide
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer, beginning in June and ending in August
Application Deadline: Typically around mid-to-late February/early spring
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 (freshmen through seniors) | Minimum age 14 by the program start | Legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
In this program, you’ll join a team working on a project in areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or systems analysis while receiving guidance from mentors. You’ll build technical skills, contribute to real-world challenges, and apply your math and computer science skills in a professional setting. You will also engage with peers and mentors across STEM disciplines, broadening your network and gaining insight into possible future paths in technology and public interest research. If you’re a high schooler ready to go beyond classroom learning and explore how your STEM interests can translate into impactful work, this program offers a strong stepping stone toward your future.
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