11 Indianapolis Internships for High School Students
Internships are a great way for high school students in Indianapolis to gain real-world experience without the high costs of traditional programs. Many top colleges and organizations in Indianapolis provide internship opportunities in fields like technology, healthcare, business, and aviation, allowing you to explore different industries before committing to a career path.
Online internships are also a strong option, offering flexibility and access to global opportunities. They help you build practical skills, work with professionals from anywhere, and strengthen your résumés without the need for travel or extra expenses.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled this list of 11 Indianapolis Internships for High School Students.
1. Indiana CTSI K-12 STEM Program
Location: Indiana University, Indianapolis, and other locations
Cost: Free; Stipend provided up to $4,000
Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: 8 weeks beginning early June
Eligibility: Priority is given to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. In some cases, 9th-grade students may also be accepted.
The SEED/STEM program offers a summer research experience for you in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, including fields like medicine, dentistry, computer science, and biomedical engineering. It is connected to the American Chemical Society’s long-standing Project SEED initiative.
If you are selected through a holistic review of your application, recommendation letter, and interview, you will be paired with a faculty mentor and conduct research in professional labs over eight weeks (early June to late July). Research takes place at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI), the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute (IBRI), and Eli Lilly.
2. Molecular Medicine In Action
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Free
Deadline: November 14
Program Dates: February 23 – 24
Eligibility: High School students
The MMIA program brings together a diverse group of talented students with a strong interest in science. Over two days, you will explore cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, cytogenetics, and cancer therapy, including gene expression analysis, imaging technology, and cancer cell growth studies.
This program offers hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art medical research environment, helping students deepen their understanding of scientific discovery. MMIA aims to inspire Indiana youth to pursue careers in science and innovation, encouraging more students to consider science as a future profession.
3. Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists, and Clinicians Preparatory Program
Location: Indianapolis, IN, and other locations
Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 from public schools in the greater Indianapolis area
In the MPESC-Prep program, you will gain hands-on experience and mentorship to help you explore careers as a physician-scientist, physician-engineer, biomedical researcher, or clinical care provider. As a high school student, you must be in grades 10-12 and attend a public school in the greater Indianapolis area to participate. MPESC-Prep considers various factors to support underrepresented students in biomedical sciences. If you are a Pell Grant recipient, a rural or first-generation college student, have a disability, have experienced homelessness, qualify for free or reduced lunch, or belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, you may be eligible.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
6. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Deadline: Applications are open all year round; you can apply here.
Program Dates: Flexible durations are available:
- Half-time internships: 2 to 8 weeks, requiring 20 hours per week.
- Quarter-time internships: 1 to 9 months, requiring 8 hours per week.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors only who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class.
EnergyMag’s virtual research internship lets you explore the renewable energy industry in a startup-style environment. You’ll develop research and analytical skills by studying companies, technologies, and market trends in this fast-growing field.
The program is flexible, lasting 2 to 8 weeks with a 20-hour weekly commitment. You’ll be paired with a mentor for guidance and support. After completing the program, you’ll receive a Letter of Accomplishment to showcase your work. This is a great opportunity for students interested in renewable energy to gain real-world experience, research scientific or business topics, and connect with professionals in the field.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Minimum commitment of 3 months, with internships available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students
The Building-U High School Internship is a virtual program where you’ll gain experience working with a nonprofit that creates resources for students. As an intern, you’ll join teams in areas like research, marketing, multimedia, blogging, and student outreach.
You’ll work on real projects, developing skills in research, marketing, and content creation while contributing to the nonprofit’s mission. Since the internship is remote, it’s flexible and accessible from anywhere. It’s a great way to strengthen your college applications and explore different careers.
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: Free; paid internship
Application Deadline: April 12
Dates: May 12 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students
The IAA summer internship is a paid, 12-week program offering hands-on experience in your field of study while exploring the aviation industry and airport management. Interns gain access to all staff levels, including one-on-one time with executives, and participate in job shadowing across departments for a well-rounded learning experience. You'll work on real projects to build your resume and portfolio, attend IAA community events like inaugural flights and public art displays, tour the Indianapolis International Airport and IAA facilities, and network at industry events while engaging in local volunteer opportunities.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute - CogWorks
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadlines:
- Online Course: Applications open in December and close in January
- Summer Institute: Applications open on March 3 and close on March 31
Program Dates: Online Course: February 3 – June 20 | Four-week Virtual Summer Institute: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year are eligible to apply. Completion of the online course is mandatory to participate in the Summer Institute.
The CogWorks program at MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute gives high school students hands-on experience in building AI assistants with machine learning. It begins with an online course covering Python, Git, natural language processing, and machine learning basics.
In the four-week summer session, students work in teams to design and test AI systems using tools like Amazon Alexa and open-source software. The program includes daily lectures, interactive projects, and a final competition where teams present their AI assistants.
Location: Virtual
Cost/stipend: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility:
_ High school students over the age of 14 at the start of the program
- Students with a mathematical/computer science background or students with experience in the healthcare sector are given preference
- Only students in the US may apply
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week summer internship for high school students interested in AI and healthcare. The program includes lectures on AI in medicine, hands-on group activities, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. Students also participate in social events and "Lunch and Learn" sessions with experts and have the option to pursue an independent research internship.
11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Interns are placed within a short commute of their hometown
Stipend: $3,000 provided
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: June – late July/August (dates flexible based on mentor-student agreement)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen who will be at least 16 years old by their internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid internship for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), this program pairs students with professional mentors across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Interns work 32 hours a week with a mentor in various settings, including the field, a boat, a lab, or an office.
Activities include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, snorkeling, microscope work, water quality testing, data processing, and helping with educational programs.