12 Competitive Engineering Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student passionate about engineering, an internship in the field can be a practical, cost-effective way to explore your interests and get some insights into real-world engineering work.
Engineering internships designed for high school students offer a great way to develop soft and technical skills and build valuable industry connections in the field. Unlike expensive summer programs, internships offer hands-on learning opportunities at no or low cost to help you explore engineering disciplines and careers.
Many engineering internships in the country are also quite competitive, and have a super low acceptance rate. Engaging in these selective internships can offer you access to rigorous academic experiences as well as benefits like stipends, scholarships, and one-on-one mentorship.
To help you find the right opportunity, we have compiled a list of 12 competitive engineering internships for high school students.
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: <5%; 80–100 students accepted each year
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong academic credentials
Cost/Stipend: None; fully funded program
The Research Science Institute is a fully funded summer program conducted at MIT and designed for high school students with a strong interest in science, engineering, and research. Over six weeks, you will engage in advanced STEM courses and work on an original research project guided by a professional mentor. Depending on your interests, your work may focus on areas such as mathematics, computer science, or engineering. You will be part of a small, highly selective group of students from around the world, learning through both classroom instruction and hands-on research. At the end of the program, you will present your findings to peers and scientists at a formal symposium.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~10%; 70 students selected out of 700 applicants
Dates: Multiple cohorts (winter, summer, fall, and spring) throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a virtual program that matches high school students with startups and organizations working in various fields, including mechanical engineering, software development, and robotics. As an intern, you will work on real-world projects like designing prototypes, writing code, analyzing technical data, or supporting product development cycles. You will be paired with a mentor as well as a Ladder Coach who will guide you throughout the program. The internship also offers structured opportunities to develop transferable skills like problem-solving, project management, and technical communication. During the program, you will also get to present your work to the startup manager and get hands-on work experience in real-world professional settings.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA centers in the country + virtual options
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; varies by session
Dates: May – August (10 weeks); spring and fall sessions also available
Application deadline: Summer 2026: February 27 | Fall: May 22 | Spring: September 12
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old at the time of application, enrolled full-time in high school or college, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends provided depending on session length and academic level
NASA’s OSTEM internships offer opportunities to join research teams at NASA centers like the Goddard Space Flight Center or virtually on tasks aligned with the agency’s mission. You will work with engineers and scientists on projects related to space science, aeronautics, and advanced technology development. Your tasks might involve data analysis, experiment design, or software and systems development, depending on the site and project. You will also receive mentorship and technical training designed to strengthen your problem-solving and research skills. This internship can help you explore careers at a federal STEM agency while contributing to NASA’s mission and gaining experience in real-world research.
4. Army Educational Outreach Program High School Internships
Location: Various labs and universities across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by lab and site
Dates: Typically summer months; exact dates vary by site
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents; site-specific requirements may apply
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; amount varies by location and duration
AEOP High School Internships offer you the opportunity to work at a U.S. Army research lab or affiliated university research center. As an intern, you will join research teams and work on lab-based tasks in fields like engineering, chemistry, biology, or computer science, contributing to real research projects. Tasks may include collecting data, learning lab techniques, and presenting your findings. You’ll also participate in workshops on college readiness, STEM careers, and professional development. The program offers hands-on experience in a structured environment, helping you develop both technical and soft skills through mentorship and practical learning.
5. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; exact acceptance rate not disclosed
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: Last week of January
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are U.S. citizens, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, and live near the NIST campus; helpful (but not required) skills include Python, electronics, LabView, AutoDesk Inventor, and basic chemistry or physics knowledge
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend; students must make their own housing and transportation arrangements
SHIP is an eight-week educational internship where you will join NIST researchers at their Boulder or Gaithersburg campuses to explore scientific research firsthand. You will be paired with staff scientists and engineers to work on a defined research project, gaining hands-on experience in fields like chemistry, physics, electronics, and computer science. The research at NIST is conducted in six different labs, each focusing on meeting the industry’s needs for data, measurement methods, tools, and tech. You can highlight your preference for any lab while applying. Projects may involve tasks such as coding, data analysis, or working with lab instrumentation, depending on your placement and skills. While unpaid, the program is highly competitive and offers exposure to real lab work and technical mentorship in a federal research environment.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; 12 students selected annually
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost/Stipend: Free (with a $25 application fee); $750 stipend offered upon successful completion of research report
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a fully funded seven-week research experience at Texas Tech University for high school juniors and seniors. If selected, you’ll work one-on-one with faculty mentors on advanced research projects in fields such as computer science, mechanical engineering, cancer bioimaging, and physics. In addition to lab work, the program offers seminars, guest lectures, and field trips that broaden your understanding of research careers and academic pathways. During the program, you will have access to experienced research faculty and university resources. This program is highly selective, and participants are typically students with strong academic records, clear career interests, and strong letters of recommendation.
7. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (Spark SMP)
Location: Varies depending on the internship provider
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by project and mentor availability
Dates: May – August (8–12 weeks, depending on the project)
Application deadline: April; exact dates TBA
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in grades 9–12
Cost/Stipend: Free; some projects offer stipends
Spark SMP connects you with mentors from academia, tech companies, and community organizations for immersive summer internships in STEM fields like engineering, biology, and computer science. The program typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks and provides opportunities for hands-on research or professional skill-building in real-world settings. Spark SIP uses a mentor-matching system, where mentors select students to guide through personalized projects. This setup allows for a deeper learning experience tailored to your interests and goals. If you’re exploring STEM careers, Spark SIP can offer mentorship and project-based experience to help you gain practical skills and insights in your field of interest.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) @ George Mason University
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in-person internships at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2; applications open on December 2
Eligibility: Remote/computer labs: Students who are at least 15 | Wet labs: Students who are at least 16
Cost/Stipend: Free (except a $25 application fee; waivers available); unpaid internship
ASSIP is a seven-week research internship where you get to collaborate with university researchers on projects in a field of choice, including engineering. Whether working remotely or on-site, you will gain exposure to scientific research methods, lab equipment, and analytical software. The program also offers workshops on STEM careers, resume-building, and science communication. You will get to present your research findings at a formal symposium to faculty, peers, and mentors. With its flexible format and strong emphasis on independent research, ASSIP offers you the chance to build real scientific skills and explore future academic pathways.
9. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who reside in New York City
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $1,000 stipend upon completion
ARISE is a seven-week summer research program hosted by NYU for NYC high school students interested in STEM. You will begin with four weeks of intensive workshops on research methods, ethics, and communication. After that, you will join an NYU lab and collaborate with faculty and graduate mentors on real projects in areas like biomedical engineering, robotics, and environmental science. The program includes weekly seminars, guest lectures, and career development sessions. At the end of the internship, you will present your work at a formal symposium.
10. Yale Social Robotics Lab High School Internship
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; small cohort admitted annually
Dates: Six weeks typically scheduled between June and August
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 and are entering grades 11 or 12
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
The Yale Social Robotics Lab High School Internship is a six-week summer research experience focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-robot interaction. You will work alongside faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on projects exploring machine learning, behavioral modeling, and sensor technologies. As part of an active research team, you will engage in hands-on experimentation and collaborative problem-solving. The program is designed to give you a deeper understanding of how robotics systems interact with people in social environments. This highly selective internship can offer insights into emerging technologies and engineering or research career pathways.
11. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of Navy laboratory locations across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; around 300 placements annually
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16, have completed grade 9, and are U.S. citizens
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a paid summer internship sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Navy for high school students interested in science, engineering, or technology. Here, you will be placed in one of the Navy’s research labs in the country based on your interests and qualifications. During the eight-week program, you’ll work on real research and other lab-specific tasks alongside Navy scientists and engineers. Your work could involve anything from running simulations and analyzing environmental systems to testing cutting-edge materials. The program can offer early exposure to professional research and help you develop valuable technical skills in a real-world lab setting.
12. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (AFRL Scholars)
Location: Various AFRL sites across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by lab and availability
Dates: Vary by placement; typically 8–12 weeks in the summer + a few internships available in fall and spring
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, U.S. citizens holding a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, and willing to undergo background checks
Cost/Stipend: Stipends are provided based on experience and education level
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid summer research internship for upper-level high school students interested in STEM. You will work full-time alongside Air Force scientists and engineers on advanced projects in areas such as aerospace, computer science, mechanical engineering, and materials science. You will contribute to real-world research and have access to cutting-edge lab facilities. The program offers access to professional mentorship, technical training, and exposure to military-related research and innovation. The exact tasks vary based on the location and project. If you’re looking for a highly structured, full-time STEM internship with real impact and federal research experience, AFRL Scholars is worth considering.