10 Best Free Internships for High School Students

As a high school student, gaining exposure to real-world work can help you explore your interests, build useful skills, and get a head start on future academic or career plans. There are several internships for high school students that provide the same level of mentorship, hands-on experience, and professional insight without any cost of participation.

These programs often run in partnership with top universities, research labs, and government institutions, offering you the chance to work on projects in fields like science, healthcare, public policy, and more. You’ll have opportunities to interact with professionals, develop technical and soft skills, and even present your work at the end of the program. Many internships for high school students typically also include guidance, training, and networking opportunities.

Here are 10 of the best free internships for high school students.

1. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cohort Size: About 100 students selected nationwide
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors); Open to international applicants
Cost/Stipend: None

Hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education and MIT, the Research Science Institute (RSI) is one of the most competitive research programs for high school students. This makes it to our list because the collaborative research has a lot of strong components of an internship. At RSI, you'll engage in rigorous STEM research alongside professional scientists and researchers. Throughout the program, you will study scientific theory on campus and conduct research under the guidance of mentors off campus. You’ll work on a real-world research project, write a paper summarizing your findings, and present your work at a final symposium. Alongside the academic curriculum, you'll also take part in field trips to cultural landmarks and cutting-edge science and technology facilities across the Boston area.

2. Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internship

Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: September – November
Application Deadline: July 6
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old
Cost/Stipend: None

This virtual internship connects you with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, where you’ll engage in projects focused on science education and outreach. You will contribute to developing digital resources, assist with research on science teaching methods, and collaborate with a team passionate about improving STEM learning. The program includes mentorship, skill-building in research and communication, and opportunities to present your findings. It’s a solid chance to explore science education from a practical angle while gaining experience with a leading institution.

3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship

Location: On-site at NASA field centers across the U.S.
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple internships in a year; Specific dates vary depending on the internship
Application Deadline: Summer (February 27), Fall (May 22), and Spring (September 12)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and at least 16 years old at the time of application
Cost/Stipend: None; Paid and unpaid internships available

The NASA OSTEM internships offer high school students the chance to work on real-world space and science projects. As an intern, you will engage in research across various fields, including engineering, space science, technology, ecology, and more. Tasks may involve designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies. These internships provide exposure to professionals in science, engineering, finance, IT, and business, offering valuable experience and insight into NASA's work.

4. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~27 students per session
Dates: One-week sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 22 (Tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: None

CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp puts real-world experiences together with immersive learning to introduce you to the world of epidemiology and public health. You’ll take on the role of a disease detective, reviewing case studies, conducting outbreak investigations, and working through simulations to understand how public health responses are coordinated. Alongside experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you’ll build critical thinking and data interpretation skills while learning about careers in medicine, science, and health. The program also includes behind-the-scenes tours of CDC facilities and labs.

5. NIST Student Internship Program for High School (SHIP)

Location: NIST Boulder, Colorado campus and the NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland campus
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; Varies annually
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizen high school juniors/seniors with a GPA of ≥ 3.0
Cost/Stipend: None

The NIST SHIP internship is an 8-week program that lets you work alongside scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. You’ll gain hands-on experience in labs, focusing on areas like materials science, cybersecurity, or biotechnology. During the program, you’ll participate in research projects, attend professional seminars, and contribute to scientific documentation or presentations. Mentors will also guide you in building technical skills and understanding federal research practices. 

6. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: Local nonprofit partners across the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Approx. 300 students annually
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; The summit takes place between July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.)
Cost/Stipend: No costs; Stipend provided

Bank of America’s Student Leaders program places you in a paid internship at a nonprofit organization in your local community, while also giving you leadership development opportunities. Throughout the summer, you’ll work closely with teams focused on community impact, learning how nonprofits operate, engaging in service-based projects, and attending seminars on leadership and civic responsibility. The program includes a weeklong leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll join other high school interns from across the U.S. to explore how government, business, and the nonprofit sector intersect.

7. Washington State Legislature Page Program

Location: Olympia, WA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Depends on the legislative session
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the Fall
Eligibility: Must be 14-16 years old
Cost/Stipend: None; $65/day stipend available with a Social Security card

If you're between 14 and 16 years old, you can spend a week working as a Senate or House page in Olympia during the legislative session. You'll help with tasks like delivering materials, assisting offices, presenting the flag at daily session openings, and working on the chamber floor, all while attending daily “Page School” to learn about state government operations. Each day, you'll gain hands-on experience in legislative procedure and watch lawmakers in action. This week-long opportunity offers a close-up understanding of how the state government works.

8. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Meta office, Menlo Park, CA
Cohort Size: Approx. 150 students are selected annually
Dates: June 16 – July 25  
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores residing in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City; GPA ≥ 2.0
Cost/Stipend: None, $5,000 stipend

Meta Summer Academy offers a six‑week summer internship where you'll learn about the inner workings of a leading tech company. You will spend about 30 hours per week working on coding tasks, soft‑skill development, and career exploration activities, without needing prior tech experience. Throughout the program, you'll attend workshops on coding, professional networking, and financial literacy. You’ll also get to interact with and learn from Meta employees and guest speakers. You’ll practice skills in teamwork, technical problem‑solving, and communication, and complete a final project presentation reflecting your learning. 

9. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

Location: In-person at NIH campuses
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled at least half-time in high school; 18+ by June 15; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend provided

The NIH HS-SIP offers high school students the opportunity to engage in full-time biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, under the guidance of leading scientists. As a participant, you’ll work in an NIH research lab and contribute to projects in fields like molecular biology, neuroscience, genetics, or computational biology. You’ll gain hands-on lab experience, attend lectures from NIH researchers, and take part in a final poster presentation to showcase your work. The program emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and exposure to real-world research environments. 

10. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts in a year; Dates vary
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Varies by program type; Full financial aid available

Ladder offers remote internship experiences that connect you with startups and mentors from top universities across a range of industries, including healthcare, medicine, and tech. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll work on research projects in fields like medicine, build skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and academic writing, and meet weekly with a dedicated mentor. You’ll also get to work with a Ladder Coach and receive guidance from them during your internship. The program culminates in a final showcase where you’ll present your work to peers and mentors.