15 Internships for High School Students in Canada
If you are a high school student, exploring internships is a smart and strategic move to develop real-world skills early. Internships give you the chance to work on hands-on projects, shadow professionals in the field, and build confidence through structured, goal-oriented experiences. Whether you're looking to pursue a future in business, healthcare, technology, or the arts, internships can provide clarity and direction while keeping costs relatively low.
Canadian high school students are increasingly interested in internships that offer industry exposure, mentorship, and research experience. Universities, hospitals, labs, and startup incubators often offer many internships for high school students in Canada. They allow you to explore your interests without needing to commit to a degree or career path just yet.
In this list, we’ve compiled 15 internships for high school students in Canada, prioritizing options with professional or research-oriented learning.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial assistance available
Ladder Internships is a selective program that pairs high school students with fast-growing startups across various fields, including tech, AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. These partner companies have typically raised over $1 million in funding, offering you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work. The internship is conducted virtually over a period of eight weeks, with weekly mentorship provided by startup managers as well as a dedicated Ladder Coach. You’ll work on real-world projects and present your contributions to company leadership at the end of the program. A full list of startup options is available on the application form.
2. Future Tech Summer Internship – Nokia Canada
Location: Various Nokia offices across Canada
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 22
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: High school students entering Grade 12 with a minimum 75% average in Grade 11 and enrolled in two STEM Grade 12 courses
Stipend: $17/hour
The Nokia Future Tech Internship is an intensive seven-week summer program where you’ll work alongside professional engineering teams to solve real technical problems. This paid internship immerses you in the world of high-tech innovation, offering support from dedicated Future Tech Mentors. You’ll participate in hands-on projects, attend Lunch and Learn sessions, and explore career paths in software and hardware development, computer science, and engineering. This program is ideal for students who want to make informed post-secondary decisions and gain first-hand experience in the tech industry.
3. Sunnybrook Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July – August; Tentative start date: July 2
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 10-12), at least 16 years old by July 1, with strong academic performance in math and science; Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
Stipend: Paid
This research-focused internship at Sunnybrook’s Focused Ultrasound Lab gives you direct access to cutting-edge work in medical physics, biomedical engineering, and biology. For the full-time summer program, you will assist with engineering design, software testing, coding, and biomedical studies as part of real research projects. You’ll collaborate with professional scientists and engineers in a structured, lab-based setting. Students living outside the Greater Toronto Area must arrange their own housing, as the program is fully in person.
4. High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)
Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, and other Alberta institutions
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 3 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Grade 11 students residing in or north of Red Deer; Must have completed or be enrolled in Math 20-1/20-2, Biology 20, and one additional Grade 11 science course; Must be legally eligible to work in Canada
Stipend: Approx. $15/hour
HYRS is a prestigious six-week research internship led by Alberta Innovates that immerses you in health and medical science labs at leading Alberta universities. As a participant, you will assist researchers working on projects related to digital health, medical innovation, and health system transformation. In addition to hands-on lab experience, you’ll attend workshops on research skills and explore healthcare career pathways. This program is ideal if you're looking to enter a career in health science, biomedical research, or healthcare innovation.
5. Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Program
Location: Participating high schools across Saskatchewan
Acceptance Rate: Low to medium selectivity
Dates: School-year based; Varies by school
Application Deadline: Rolling; Based on school enrollment
Eligibility: High school students in Saskatchewan enrolled in participating schools
Cost/Stipend: Free; Includes trade-related benefits upon completion
The SYA Program introduces high school students in Saskatchewan to careers in the skilled trades through organized, hands-on learning experiences. Throughout the school year, you’ll complete 12 challenges that teach you how apprenticeships work, explore different trade areas, and engage in career-focused tasks. Fields include electrical work, machining, welding, and plumbing. Upon completion, you’ll earn 300 trade time hours, a waived apprenticeship registration fee, and free Level 1 technical training in any Saskatchewan trade. It’s a no-cost way to prepare for hands-on, high-demand careers.
6. seed2STEM Summer Research Program
Location: University labs in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Not specified; Typically due in spring
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students (grades 9-12) in Metro Vancouver or Kelowna; Must be eligible to work in Canada
Stipend: Paid minimum wage
In seed2STEM, Indigenous high school students take part in a six-week paid research internship at a university where they work on neuroscience, biology, chemistry, engineering, or physics projects. Hosted in partnership with UBC and community organizations, this program supports academic exploration with weekly workshops, field trips, cultural programming, and mentorship. You will receive comprehensive support, including meals, transportation assistance, youth worker support, and access to laptops. The program concludes with a student research symposium, where you’ll present your work and celebrate your learning.
7. SickKids StAR (Students Advancing Research) Program
Location: SickKids labs in Toronto, Ontario
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks in summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Opens in spring
Eligibility: Grade 11-12 students; At least 16 years old; Identify as Indigenous, Black, or Filipino; Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Stipend: Paid
StAR is a six-week paid research internship hosted by SickKids that supports Indigenous, Black, and Filipino high school students interested in health and science. You will be placed in a SickKids lab and contribute to a research project under the mentorship of experienced scientists. The program includes additional workshops through the Kids Science initiative, career exploration sessions. You will attend a final symposium where you present your research findings. It’s a valuable opportunity to gain both lab experience and professional exposure in a world-class pediatric research environment.
8. University of Calgary: Centre for Health Informatics: Summer Studentship Program
Location: Centre for Health Informatics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Full-time 8-week or 4-month summer term
Application Deadline: Varies annually; Typically opens in early spring
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students; High school applicants must secure a faculty supervisor and be available full-time for 8 weeks
Stipend: Paid
The CHI Summer Studentship Program allows you to participate in applied health research alongside faculty mentors at the University of Calgary. Whether you're interested in data science, health services, or digital health innovation, you’ll contribute to real-world projects that shape the future of healthcare. The program is open to students from diverse academic backgrounds, including science, engineering, and the humanities. It includes up to 35 hours/week of lab or technical work. A final report is required at the end of your placement to summarize your contributions and learning.
9. Secondary School Research Bursary
Location: Hamilton Health Sciences & McMaster University, Ontario
Acceptance Rate: Selective; Province-wide participation
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Senior secondary students pursuing or accepted into post-secondary programs in Health or Life Sciences; Grade 12 students must submit a university/college acceptance letter
Stipend: Not mentioned
This seven-week summer internship places you in a research team at Hamilton Health Sciences or McMaster University, where you’ll contribute to basic or clinical research projects in the health and life sciences. Through full-time weekday work, you’ll gain lab skills, explore career pathways, and build professional networks. The program is open to high school seniors across Ontario and includes a comprehensive application involving a resume, transcript, essay, and teacher nomination letter. You’ll complete the program with a stronger understanding of research environments and the academic preparation needed to pursue STEM fields.
10. Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
Location: Across Canada; Varies by department and agency
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by position (full-time and part-time roles available year-round)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Applications accepted year-round
Eligibility: Must be a full-time high school or post-secondary student who plans to return to school in the next academic term; Must meet minimum age requirements in province/territory of work; Canadian citizens and permanent residents are preferred
Stipend: Paid; Salaries vary by role and department
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is Canada’s largest student employment initiative, offering diverse entry-level roles across federal government agencies. While not law-specific, many positions involve policy research, administrative tasks, and legal support, particularly in departments like Justice Canada and Public Safety. You will gain early exposure to public sector work, including legal procedures, documentation, and policy analysis. Applications are submitted to a general inventory and matched to roles as openings arise. With its wide scope and flexible timing, FSWEP is an excellent option for students interested in pursuing careers in government, law, or policy.
11. Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program
Location: BC Cancer, Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, Victoria, British Columbia
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Each school may nominate up to two students
Dates: July – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Grade 11 students enrolled in Vancouver Island secondary schools; Nomination required by the school’s science department
Cost/Stipend: Free; students must arrange their accommodation and transportation
This competitive summer internship places you in a cancer research facility, where you’ll explore topics like cancer biology, immunotherapy, and lab-based biomedical science. Over eight weeks, you will conduct hands-on experiments, attend research seminars, and contribute to ongoing projects alongside scientists at the Deeley Research Centre. Designed to offer a realistic introduction to cancer research, this program is ideal for students passionate about biology or medicine. A nomination by your school is required to apply.
12. Co-Operative Placement Opportunities
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Limited spots per semester
Dates: Semester-based; Fall, Winter, or Spring terms
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Canadian high school students (typically Grade 11); Interest in STEM or space science preferred
Stipend: Unpaid
This virtual co-op gives Canadian high school students the chance to work on creative STEM and space science projects from home. You might design space models, develop educational resources, or research notable Canadian space scientists. With mentor guidance, you’ll build skills in coding, research, project planning, and science communication. The small cohort size allows for personalized support, and the flexible remote format makes it accessible from anywhere in the country. It’s a great fit if you’re looking to explore STEM careers while balancing school.
Location: Downtown core of Toronto; Virtual/in-person hybrid depending on cohort
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 2 – August 20
Application Deadline: Opens in spring
Eligibility: Grades 11-12 students currently enrolled in an Ontario high school with an interest in computer science, engineering, or entrepreneurship
Stipend: Paid
RBC Summer Tech Labs is an eight-week paid internship where you’ll work as an Innovation Developer on real tech challenges faced by RBC. You’ll join a small team to build working prototypes using tools like JavaScript, React.js, and GitHub, gaining exposure to the full product development cycle. Through mentorship, design thinking workshops, and regular feedback, you’ll improve your coding, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills. The hybrid format also introduces you to workplace culture while allowing flexibility based on your location and the year’s program setup.
14. ELITE Program for Black Youth
Location: Various sites across Canada (universities, companies, government labs); Some virtual components
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8-16 weeks from July to August
Application Deadline: Begins in November
Eligibility: Black youth ages 15-22 who are high school students, post-secondary students, or transitioning into post-secondary education
Stipend: Paid
The ELITE Program for Black Youth offers high-impact STEM and business internships through placements at university labs, government departments, and tech companies. As a participant, you’ll work on real projects using industry tools while developing essential skills in research, engineering, and entrepreneurship. One day each week is reserved for professional development workshops focused on leadership and career prep, and you’ll complete a final project to present at a showcase. High school students must complete a safety training course before starting, and may qualify for co-op credits.
Location: Regional offices across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa-Gatineau, Calgary
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Typically 10-12 months (articling terms); Some summer employment may be available
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: Canadian high school graduates and university students pursuing or entering law school; Preference given to Canadian citizens
Stipend: Paid; Governed by Government of Canada term employee salary regulations
The Legal Excellence Program, run by the Department of Justice Canada, provides a highly competitive entry into federal legal work through articling placements and pre-law training. You’ll gain hands-on experience in areas such as criminal law, immigration, litigation, and legislative drafting, working directly with federal legal teams. You will be paired with legal mentors and contribute to casework, legal research, and policy projects at the national level. The program is designed to expose future lawyers to Canada’s legal system and public policy landscape while supporting professional development within the federal government.