14 Free Physics Internships for High School Students

If you’re a high school student interested in science or curious about how the world works, a physics program can be a great way to explore the field. Many universities, labs, and research centers across the country and online offer free programs that allow high school students to explore physics beyond the classroom. Some programs focus on specialized areas, such as astrophysics, nuclear physics, or quantum mechanics, while others introduce you to broader topics, including energy, space, or particle research. 

You may participate in lab experiments, analyze data, work on a research project, or attend lectures presented by professional scientists. Physics internships can help you build foundational skills, understand complex concepts, and decide if physics is something you’d like to study in college or pursue as a future career. Participating in a selective physics internship for high schoolers can also make your college applications stand out by providing proof of your ability in physics. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 free physics internships for high school students!

1. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)

Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 20 - 25
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: Current high school students 

Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) is a free, week-long summer program for high school students interested in nuclear physics and astrophysics. It is hosted by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics-Center for the Evolution of the Elements (JINA-CEE) at Michigan State University. During the program, you’ll take part in experiments, lectures, and group projects guided by researchers and graduate students. You’ll learn how atomic nuclei are connected to stars and the universe, perform lab work using real data, and present your findings at the end of the session.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
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: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks and devote 10 - 20 hours/week

Ladder Internships is a selective virtual internship program spanning across 8 weeks for ambitious high school students. In this program, you will work with high-growth start-ups across a variety of fields such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. Interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. 

3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship

Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Stipend is provided, but there is no information on the exact amount
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, US citizens or permanent residents, and will be graduating seniors in high school when the internship begins may apply; students must obtain their own transportation to and from the laboratory.

The PPPL High School Summer Internship gives students an opportunity to work on a real project along with the laboratory’s research or engineering staff at one of the most prestigious science institutions in the country. During the program, you’ll take part in experiments, data analysis, and computational simulations, gaining valuable technical and research skills. You’ll also explore key areas such as plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields, gaining a deeper understanding of how scientists are working to develop clean and sustainable energy solutions for the future.

4. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive
Dates: June 22 - August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with exceptional academic ability; check the website for more detailed eligibility requirements

The program begins with a series of seminars in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and other related fields to help you build a strong foundation. After the seminar phase, you’ll transition into a research lab, where you’ll read scientific literature, test your own ideas, and work closely with a mentor on a project. As part of your research experience, you’ll write a paper, present your results, and learn how scientists share and discuss their work. Along the way, you’ll attend talks by world-renowned scientists and innovators, including Nobel Prize winners, who’ll offer insight into major discoveries and what drives scientific exploration.

5. AFRL Scholars Program

Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the country
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $501.60 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive
Dates: June 1 - July 27
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students applying must be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline); high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are highly encouraged to apply, but a GPA of less than 3.0 will not disqualify applicants.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers hands-on research opportunities in engineering and STEM fields. You’ll work with AFRL scientists and engineers, exploring topics such as morphing aircraft design, electromagnetic structures, and metalens modeling. You’ll also get to tour AFRL labs and meet professionals who are driving innovation in national defense technologies. While the program is open to undergraduates and graduate students, there are dedicated placements available just for high school students.

6. Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Multiple labs across the country
Cost/Stipend: Stipend for new participants: $4,000, and returning participants: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June - August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school student who has completed at least grade 9

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) gives high school students the opportunity to work as high school interns for 8 weeks in Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S. You’ll work on Naval research projects and receive mentorship from experienced scientists and engineers. Research areas differ depending on the laboratory and can include physics, robotics, aerospace and mechanical engineering, materials science, and programming. You will gain exposure to technologies such as sensors, navigation systems, and intelligence tools. Your lab placement is based on your interests, and most labs involve physics-related research.

7.  Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 - August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program

The SSRP at Rockefeller University offers a prestigious biomedical research experience for high school students. You’ll be matched with a research mentor to conduct original investigations in molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or neuroscience. Alongside conducting research, you’ll participate in elective seminars, lectures, and peer discussion groups to develop your scientific understanding. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your findings to faculty and peers.

8.  Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend of $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 21 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are at least 17 years of age

As a Clark Scholar, you’ll have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty mentors across fields such as science, engineering, health, and humanities. In addition to your research activities, you’ll participate in seminars, field trips, and group discussions that help you explore new ideas and collaborate with other students. For students interested in physics, research opportunities are available in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering departments, focusing on areas such as millimeter-wave sensing, radar systems, and image-guided technologies.

9.  Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None, where you might need to arrange and pay for your own housing, meals, and transport.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive
Dates: June 2 - July 21
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old or above by June 15, and are enrolled in a high school

The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University is a full-time summer research opportunity for high school students interested in science and engineering, including physics. You’ll be matched with Princeton faculty and research staff to contribute to laboratory projects and gain experience with experimental methods and scientific research. Previous projects have explored topics such as piezoelectric soft robotics, sustainable catalysis, and photoredox chemistry. The internship typically runs for 5 - 6 weeks during the summer, following a weekday schedule. Throughout the program, you’ll build practical lab skills, work closely with experts, and submit a final research summary at the end.

10. AEOP High School Internship

Location: Universities and labs across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 20 - August 5
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old

The AEOP High School Internships allow students to take part in real research in the U.S. Army or university labs across the country. These internships give you the chance to apply your classroom knowledge to projects in physics and other STEM fields. You might work on experiments, analyze data, or use computer models to solve real problems. Guided by experienced scientists and engineers, you’ll learn new lab skills, explore advanced technologies, and gain a clear understanding of what it’s like to work in research and innovation.

11. ASPIRE internship at Johns Hopkins University 

Location: In-person (90% or more at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory campus, Laurel, Maryland) | Hybrid (50% at APL campus, and 50% remote) | Virtual (100% remote)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June - August (summer session) | September - May (academic year session)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens, will be at least 15 years old when the program begins, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and have permanent residency in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area 

During the program, you’ll explore fields such as physics, computer science, robotics, and aerospace while learning to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges. You’ll participate in lab work, data analysis, coding, and problem-solving activities, gaining experience with advanced technologies. The program also includes workshops and mentoring sessions that help to strengthen your communication, teamwork, and career readiness skills as you prepare for future studies in STEM.

12. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Internship

Location: Menlo Park/Palo Alto, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 10 - 12 weeks between May and September (exact dates depend on department/project)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students (who are authorized to work in the U.S.), undergraduates, and graduates are also eligible; they must pass required background checks and meet U.S. work-authorization requirements.

The SLAC High School Internship Program at Stanford University offers students an opportunity to take part in scientific research in physics and engineering. Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside SLAC scientists and engineers on projects in areas such as particle physics, materials science, and data analysis. You might support lab experiments, run simulations, or help develop new research tools and technologies. Mentorship is a key part of the experience, providing you with direct guidance from professionals in the field. By the end of the internship, you’ll have built strong technical skills and gained a deeper understanding of how major scientific discoveries are made.

13. (PRISM) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Location: Batavia, Illinois (Fermilab campus)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $500 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 13 - August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors (or recent graduates) enrolled in an Illinois high school; U.S. citizens only

The Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) offers high school seniors the opportunity to work on scientific projects at one of the world’s leading particle physics laboratories. During the program, you’ll be paired with a mentor and take part in hands-on research, data analysis, and experiments related to physics and engineering. You’ll learn how scientists design experiments, collect and interpret data, and address real-world problems in the lab. In addition to research, the program includes professional development sessions and lab tours, helping you understand how large-scale science works and how your skills can contribute to future discoveries.

14. NASA’s Internship Programs

Location: Virtual or on-site at one of NASA’s 10 field centers across the country, depending on the project requirements
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer: 10-week program, from late May or early June to August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 years or above with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0

During the program, you’ll explore areas such as astrophysics, Earth science, robotics, aeronautics, or data analysis, depending on the project you’re matched with. You may help gather and analyze data, support lab experiments, work with computer models, or contribute to mission-related research. You will also attend meetings, presentations, and mentoring sessions that show how NASA teams tackle problems and prepare for future missions. Through this hands-on experience, you build technical skills, learn how large research projects operate, and get a closer view of what a career in space science or engineering is all about.

Image Source - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Logo