15 Internships for 17 Year Olds
If you are a 17 year old high school student in your junior or senior year, internships can be a valuable way to explore potential career paths while building stronger academic and extracurricular profiles. By participating in an internship, you can gain practical exposure to your field of interest, develop professional skills, and add value to your resume or college applications. At this stage, you're also more likely to qualify for programs that set a higher minimum age or expect a bit more independence, which opens up options that weren't available to you as a freshman or sophomore. Junior and senior year is also when admissions readers pay closest attention to what you've done outside the classroom, so the timing works in your favor.
If you’re open to online programs in certain subjects, check out some science internships here & find economic internships here!
Why should you do an internship as a 17 year-old?
These programs also allow you to interact with researchers, mentors, professors, or industry professionals, helping you build connections and learn more about real academic and workplace environments. They can also help you better understand your interests before committing to a college major or future career path. Because you're closer to applying to college, these experiences can also help you speak more specifically in essays and interviews about what draws you to a particular field. Many 17-year-olds use this stage to test out a top choice before committing to it as a major, which can save you from second-guessing that decision later on.
To make the search easier, we created this list of 15 internships for 17 year olds.
Key takeaways
This list gathers 15 internships for 17-year-olds spanning federal research labs, museums, city government, and university research programs, with standout hosts including NASA, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and the Met.
Most of these are free or paid, with stipends ranging from around $700 up to $4,500 at one Navy research apprenticeship, while Ladder remains the one clearly cost-based option, offset by financial aid.
A few programs carry restrictions that specifically affect this age group: one museum internship excludes 17-year-old seniors by limiting itself to 10th and 11th graders, and one research program's eligibility language suggests it may primarily target international visa holders rather than domestic applicants.
Several of these require living within a tight radius of a specific research campus or attending a particular school district, while NASA, Ladder, and a couple of other programs offer flexible or fully virtual formats.
A couple of the earliest deadlines fall in late January for a federal research lab program and a fisheries-focused fellowship, so it's worth starting applications well before winter break wraps up.
1. NASA OSTEM High School Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies based on project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Spring/Fall: 15 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks (May – August)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ with a GPA of 3.0+ who are full-time students
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Internship Program is a collection of paid internship opportunities offered through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) and Pathways programs for students interested in science, engineering, technology, research, communications, and other professional fields. The program allows you to work with NASA scientists, engineers, and mentors on projects connected to areas like aerospace engineering, robotics, planetary science, climate research, software development, and mission operations. Internships are available during the fall, spring, and summer, and may be conducted in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format depending on the project and NASA center. You may be placed at one of several NASA facilities across the country, including centers focused on flight systems, space exploration, Earth science, and astronautics research.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
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)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internships Program is an online internship program that connects high school students with startup companies working in areas such as technology, healthcare, finance, artificial intelligence, sustainability, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program matches you with a startup project based on your interests and experience level, allowing you to work directly with founders, engineers, researchers, or company mentors over the course of an 8-week internship. Internships are conducted remotely, and you will typically spend 5–10 hours per week completing project-based assignments, attending meetings, and presenting deliverables to your host company. Projects may involve tasks like developing machine learning models, conducting market research, building software features, designing business strategies, or preparing research reports depending on the startup placement.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee (waivers available) + limited number of need-based stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; preference given to Bay Area students.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an 8-week summer research internship for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research, medicine, and STEM-related fields. The program places you in a Stanford research lab where you will work alongside faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. You can conduct research in areas like immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioinformatics, stem cell research, cardiovascular biology, and bioengineering. Throughout the program, you will also attend scientific lectures, workshops, and career seminars focused on research methods and biomedical topics. At the end of the internship, you can present your research findings during a formal poster session for the Stanford community.
4. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; specific cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an 8-week paid biomedical research internship for students who are interested in science, medicine, and laboratory research. This program begins with two weeks of laboratory safety and research training, after which you will be placed in a mentored research group for the remainder of the internship. During the program, you will collaborate with scientists and researchers on biomedical research projects while also attending seminars, professional development workshops, and career-focused sessions. You can participate in activities related to laboratory techniques, scientific communication, ethics, and research presentations.
5. Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective 7-week summer research program for rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates interested in advanced academic research. Hosted by Texas Tech University, the program places you in a one-on-one research environment with university faculty members across a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, economics, physics, and the humanities. As an intern, you can conduct an independent or collaborative research project while also participating in seminars, discussions, and field trips organized for scholars.
6. UCSF CURE Research Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco, CA.
Stipend: Stipend offered to students, exact amount not mentioned
Program Dates: June 10th to August 2nd
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current 11th graders who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
The CURE Research Internship Program is an 8-week biomedical research internship for high school juniors interested in science, medicine, and health-related careers. The program is organized by the University of California, San Francisco through its Center for Science, Education, and Outreach and places you in UCSF research environments where you work with faculty members, graduate students, and researchers on scientific projects. As an intern, you will participate in laboratory and health research experiences across clinical, behavioral, population, and biomedical sciences while also attending professional development workshops and college advising sessions. You will then present your research findings at a final symposium at the end of the program.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of the Navy Labs (multiple locations)
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens; a few labs will also consider permanent residents
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a Department of the Navy summer internship that gives high school students the opportunity to work in active Navy research laboratories across the United States. Through the program, you will be matched with scientists and engineers conducting research in areas such as aerospace, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, environmental science, and physics. Your work may involve assisting with experiments, analyzing data, using technical software, or contributing to ongoing research projects depending on the host laboratory. In addition to research exposure, the internship introduces you to government-funded STEM environments and the day-to-day work of military and civilian researchers. SEAP placements are available at multiple Navy laboratories, allowing you to experience different types of research settings and specializations.
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands (placements within a 45-minute commute of the student’s home)
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 – 45 students
Dates: 8 weeks during summer (flexible start and end dates)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen; must be at least 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid 8-week summer internship for high school students interested in fisheries science, environmental studies, and aquatic ecosystems sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. The program allows you to work with a local fisheries or aquatic science mentor in your community, where you will participate in fieldwork and research focused on freshwater or marine environments. Throughout the internship, you will work on activities like fish population surveys, habitat restoration, water quality testing, data collection, and conservation projects depending on your placement. You will be matched with a professional mentor and gain exposure to environmental science work in settings like laboratories, field sites, boats, and conservation organizations.
9. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.50/hour for high school students, $17/hour for undergraduates, $18/hour for graduate students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer Term: June – August; Fall/Spring Term: October – April
Application Deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students meeting age and residency requirements; high school students must be at least 16 years old, New York residents, and have working papers/employment certification at the time of application
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program is a paid government internship for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in public service and city administration. As an intern, you will be placed in New York City mayoral offices and administrative divisions connected to communications, policy, legal affairs, technology, public health, climate initiatives, and community engagement. Your responsibilities will vary by office and may include research, writing, data analysis, constituent services, administrative support, or project coordination. Offices participating in the program have included the Mayor’s Press Office, the Office of Operations, the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and the Office of Community Mental Health. Professional development events and networking sessions are incorporated into the internship schedule during the summer term.
10. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free; no stipend
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher; students must be U.S. citizens who live within 50 miles of either the Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO NIST campus
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a research internship for high school juniors and seniors interested in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Through this program, you can work in research labs at the NIST campuses in Boulder, Colorado, or Gaithersburg, Maryland, on scientific projects under the guidance of NIST researchers and engineers. Research areas vary by laboratory and may include physics, materials science, computer science, chemistry, electronics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or applied mathematics. Your work can involve coding, data analysis, laboratory testing, technical documentation, or experimental support depending on your assigned project. Seminars, meetings, tours, and poster presentations are part of the internship.
11. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) @ NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) is a 10-week summer research program that covers projects in machine learning, engineering, cybersecurity, biology, environmental science, urban systems, and data science. The first portion of the program focuses on workshops covering research methods, lab safety, scientific writing, and public speaking. Research work will be completed under the guidance of NYU faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral mentors in active university labs. You can contribute to ongoing projects through tasks like coding, laboratory testing, data analysis, literature review, or experimental support depending on your placement.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual and East Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: In-person: hourly wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 8 students selected for the in-person track
Dates: In-person: 8 weeks (June – August); Virtual: 5 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | In-person track limited to Baltimore City public school students | Virtual track open to students across the U.S.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer neuroscience research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neurology, mental health, and brain sciences. You can work in research and clinical environments connected to the Department of Neurology, on mentored research projects, clinical rotations, neuroscience seminars, and professional development sessions. Educational sessions cover topics such as neurological disorders, laboratory methods, scientific communication, and careers in neuroscience and medicine. Students in the in-person track also prepare a final oral or poster presentation based on their research experience.
13. Student Research Internship Programs at Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI)
Location: Scripps Research campus, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; some positions may be paid; funding yet to be determined
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 40 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7 or June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, or professional training (medical/law/graduate/business school) students who are at least 16 years old; the program generally only accepts non-immigrant individuals who are current academic students in the US, typically with F-1 or J-1 student visas
The Student Research Internship Program at the Scripps Research Translational Institute is a 10-week summer research internship for students interested in genomics, digital medicine, and computational health research. Research teams at Scripps Research will involve you in projects in bioinformatics, personalized medicine, mobile health technologies, and data science. Your responsibilities may include coding, data analysis, literature review, study support, or other research-related tasks depending on your assigned project. Scientists, faculty investigators, and research staff provide mentorship throughout the internship while seminars and research discussions introduce current topics in translational medicine and biomedical research.
14. Met High School Internship
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who are in grade 10 or 11 and who reside in and attend a high school or home school in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, and who can provide working papers and either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and who have not completed another internship at The Met
The Summer High School Internship Program at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a paid arts and museum studies internship in visual arts, history, education, and cultural institutions. You can work in areas like curatorial research, education, conservation, archives, digital media, visitor engagement, and exhibition support. Your responsibilities will vary by department and may include research, cataloging, content development, administrative support, or assisting with public-facing museum initiatives. Workshops, group discussions, and professional development sessions are incorporated into the internship schedule throughout the summer. You can also shadow museum staff members and department mentors to learn how large cultural institutions manage collections, exhibitions, education programs, and public programming.
15. Student Historian Internship Program
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 7 – August 13
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live in and attend school in the New York City metro area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey).
The Student Historian Internship Program at The New York Historical is a history and digital humanities internship where students can use the museum and library collections at The New York Historical to investigate a yearly historical theme and produce digital projects based on their research. Research work involves analyzing primary sources, conducting historical writing, and developing public-facing educational content connected to American history. Museum professionals and educators introduce fields like digital humanities, archival research, museum studies, and public history through workshops and collaborative sessions. Group projects and discussions are also part of the internship. Final projects will also be published or presented as digital educational resources connected to the program theme.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. Do I need research experience already to apply to these internships?
Not usually. Most of these are designed to teach research skills from scratch, so prior lab experience isn't expected. A few of the more competitive programs do favor students with some relevant coursework, so it's worth checking eligibility closely.
2. I'm a 17-year-old senior. Are all of these programs actually open to seniors?
Most are, but not all. One museum-based internship on this list is limited to 10th and 11th graders specifically, which would exclude seniors, so it's worth double-checking grade eligibility before applying to that one.
3. Several of these programs are limited to students near a specific city or campus. How do I know if I qualify?
Check the location and eligibility fields closely, since a few of these require living within a set radius of a particular research campus or attending a specific school district. The rest are open more broadly or offer a virtual track that doesn't require relocation.