15 Free Computer Science Internships for High School Students

Getting into tech isn’t just about acing AP Computer Science or building apps. It’s about experiencing how the technology industry works. That’s where computer science internships come in. These programs let you work on coding projects, analyzing data, and AI while working with teams. You can develop skills useful for the industry, explore career paths, and connect with mentors in the field. Plus, you’ll learn what it’s like to work at labs, universities, and tech companies.

If you’re interested in computer science or just curious about the technology behind your favorite apps and algorithms, these internships are a great place to start. Participating in a computer science internship can also strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve explored your interests outside of the classroom. To help you get started, we’ve pulled together 15 of the best free computer science internships for high school students. These programs let you learn, code, and experience the tech world before you graduate. 

1. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (100% financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week

Ladder Internships connect high school students with fast-growing startups and nonprofits for remote, project-based summer internships lasting around eight weeks. You’ll collaborate directly with startup teams working in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, contributing to real projects that align with your interests. Each intern is paired with both a Startup Manager and a Ladder Coach, who will give you consistent mentorship, feedback, and support. By the end of the program, you’ll present your work to company leaders, showcasing what you have learnt, and leave with professional experience and insights into the world of computer science and entrepreneurship. Apply now!

2. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Competitive stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores; minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; Year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City 

The Meta Summer Academy gives you an inside look at one of the world’s largest technology companies while helping you develop technical and professional skills. Based at Meta’s Menlo Park campus, this free computer science internship for high school students involves working around 30 hours per week alongside Meta employees on projects related to software development, data analysis, or information technology. You’ll also participate in coding workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking events that show how data and computing drive innovation in social media and product design. The program focuses on professional growth, helping you strengthen your communication and teamwork skills while exploring what a future career in tech could look like.

3. New York University – ARISE Program

Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 18 (preceded by 4 weeks of remote workshops)
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; Full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools in the upcoming school year

The ARISE Program at New York University is a 10-week, tuition-free summer research experience that combines skill-building with real lab work. During the first four weeks, you’ll take part in safety training, college writing workshops, and technical skill sessions to prepare for your research. The next six weeks are spent conducting research in one of over 80 NYU labs, guided by experienced mentors. Students interested in computer science can work on projects in computational biology, neuroscience, or data modeling, applying programming and analytical tools to real datasets. You’ll log about 120 hours of lab experience, develop your presentation and communication skills, and present your findings to peers and faculty at the program’s closing symposium. Participants also receive college application support and continued access to mentorship and research opportunities.

4. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school (11th grade) who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program

The Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to spend the summer conducting real research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Over several weeks, you’ll work with a research team in science, engineering, or mathematics, contributing to an ongoing project and taking responsibility for a specific component of the work. Students with an interest in computer science often explore topics such as computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and data visualization. The experience also includes weekly faculty talks, workshops, and networking events that introduce you to the broader academic environment. By the end of the program, you’ll write a research abstract, create a poster, and present your findings at a campus symposium.

5. NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program

Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 5%
Dates: 8-12 weeks starting June (flexible dates)
Application deadline: November 18 – February 19
Eligibility: Enrolled in high school at least half-time as a senior or be accepted into an accredited program for the upcoming fall; Must be at least 18 years old by June 1; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale; Have completed coursework in computer science, data science, informatics, mathematics, or related fields

The Data Science and Informatics Scholars Program at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) is an 8-12-week paid internship for students interested in computational biology, biomedical informatics, and data science. As an intern, you’ll work full-time under the mentorship of researchers, contributing to projects that use computing and analytics to solve problems in health and life sciences. You’ll gain experience with scientific data management, coding, and visualization, while learning how large-scale biological datasets are used to advance research and improve healthcare. Beyond lab work, you’ll attend seminars, professional development workshops, and National Institutes of Health (NIH)-wide events to strengthen your communication and technical skills. The program concludes with a presentation of your research at both NLM’s and NIH’s Summer Poster Days – giving you a professional platform to showcase your work.

6. Microsoft Discovery Program

Location: Redmond, Washington
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, 1-2%
Dates: July 7–August 1
Application deadline: Applications open in February and are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to rising first-year students of a bachelor’s degree program (graduating high school seniors) who live around Redmond, WA, and have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program

The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week paid internship designed to introduce high school students to careers in technology and computer science. You’ll learn programming fundamentals in languages such as Python and JavaScript, explore concepts in software engineering and user experience design, and work in small teams to build tech projects. You’ll be mentored by Microsoft engineers, who will guide you through the creative and technical sides of innovation, offering feedback and insights into how major products are developed. In addition to technical work, you’ll attend workshops that cover resume writing, interview skills, and professional etiquette – helping you grow both your technical and career skills.

7. Amazon Future Engineer

Location: Most internships are conducted in Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: No cost; scholarship of up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 7%
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: December (tentative)
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to major in computer science or related fields, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale, are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or authorized to work in the U.S., and demonstrate financial need

The Amazon Future Engineer program opens doors for high school students passionate about computer science by combining academic support with real-world career opportunities. You can earn up to $40,000 in scholarship funds to study computer science or engineering in college, along with a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon after your first year of university. The internship exposes you to real-world projects involving artificial intelligence, software development, and cloud computing – core technologies that power Amazon’s global operations. Interns often collaborate with teams working on projects such as Alexa, AWS, or large-scale retail systems, developing technical solutions that impact millions of users. Beyond hands-on experience, the program focuses on mentorship and professional development, helping you build both your technical expertise and career confidence.

8. TECH360

Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami (virtual + in-person sessions)
Cost/Stipend: None | $500 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by location
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta high school | Aged 15-19 | First-time applicant

TECH360 introduces high school students to the exciting intersection of computer science and artificial intelligence through a hands-on learning experience. You will learn the fundamentals of web development using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, while exploring how predictive and generative AI models work through practical exercises in data science and machine learning. This free computer science internship for high school students includes interactive discussions on the social and ethical implications of AI, encouraging you to think critically about how technology shapes society. The program culminates in a capstone project, where teams create an AI-driven tool or website and present to a panel of judges during Demo Day.

9. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program 

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 7 (tentative)
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week residential research internship for academically talented high school juniors and seniors. As a Clark Scholar, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and conduct independent research in your chosen field, whether computer science, artificial intelligence, or engineering. You’ll take part in weekly seminars, field trips, and group discussions designed to strengthen your analytical and problem-solving abilities, while deepening your understanding of professional research environments. The program culminates in a written report and presentation of your project findings, giving you a taste of what professional research is really like. 

10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)

Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, Maryland, or Boulder, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens

The NIST Summer High School Intern Program gives high school juniors and seniors a unique eight-week opportunity to work alongside federal researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. You will be paired with NIST scientists or engineers and contribute to research in areas such as advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and materials science. Depending on your project, you might write code, analyze data, or take part in laboratory experiments – gaining first-hand experience of how scientific research is conducted. The program also includes research seminars and professional development workshops, offering insight into careers in scientific research and technology development workshops to help you explore careers in technology and science. At the end of the program, you’ll complete a poster presentation summarizing your project and findings.

11. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab

Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Current high school seniors starting college in the fall and residing in Chicago

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab is an eight-week free Computer Science internship for high school students in Chicago who are eager to explore applied, interdisciplinary data science. You will be paired with a mentor and work on research projects spanning fields such as computer science, computational biology, public policy, and social science. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with data analysis, visualization, and modeling, while learning key research methodologies and collaboration skills. The program also includes professional development workshops, speaker sessions, and community-building activities that help you grow professionally and academically. You’ll wrap up the program by presenting your findings at an end-of-summer symposium – just like professional researchers do.

12. MIT’s Research Science Institute

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 100 students every year
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors 

The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a six-week selective summer program that combines academic coursework with independent research across STEM fields, including computer science and data science. During the first week, you’ll attend lectures by MIT faculty, exploring scientific concepts and methods. The following five weeks are devoted to hands-on research: you’ll join a lab, work under the guidance of experienced mentors, and take on tasks such as literature review, data analysis, and experimentation as you develop your own original research project. The program culminates in written and oral presentations, where you’ll showcase your work, just like professional scientists do.

13. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College: CS Scholars Program

Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 21 - July 19
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores who will be 16 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipientsCarnegie Mellon University’s CS Scholars Program is a fully funded, four-week residential experience for rising high school juniors who want to dive into computer science. 

The program focuses on core CS concepts such as Python programming, algorithmic thinking, and problem-solving, with data structures such as lists and dictionaries. You’ll work on team-based projects where you’ll apply your coding knowledge to real-world challenges, and present your final solutions at the end of the program. Beyond technical coursework, you’ll attend seminars on college readiness, admissions, and financial aid, as well as discussions on equity and representation in STEM. Taught by CMU faculty and industry professionals, the program also includes fun campus activities and field trips.

14. Discovery Partners Institute - Digital Scholars Program

Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 5%
Dates: June 23 - August 1
Application deadline: February 28 - May 2
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-graders are eligible to apply

The Digital Scholars Program at the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago gives high school and early college students a free, college-level learning experience in computing and data science. You can choose from specialized tracks such as Data Science Discovery, where you analyze datasets using Python, or mobile app development with Swift, and computer engineering that examines how hardware and software work together. The program includes workshops on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and machine learning, helping you connect classroom learning with real-world applications in Chicago’s growing tech industry. Networking sessions with local startups and tech professionals further help you understand how computing skills can shape careers and drive innovation.

15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; remote and hybrid options available
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives high school students the chance to spend eight weeks conducting original research under the guidance of university faculty and professional researchers. You’ll join projects across a range of fields, including computer science, data analytics, computational biology, and artificial intelligence. The program trains you in research methods such as data collection, statistical modeling, and coding-based analysis, while also covering communication, collaboration, and ethics in scientific work. Throughout the summer, interns attend seminars led by STEM professionals and wrap up with a final presentation of their work to peers and mentors. Many students go on to publish their work or present at conferences.

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