12 Free STEM Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), you should know that internships are an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and explore future career paths. These opportunities offer practical skills, industry exposure, and valuable mentorship connections. Best of all, many STEM internships for high school students are fully funded or provide 100% financial aid, making them accessible to many students like you.
Several of these STEM internships for high school students are hosted by top-tier institutions, such as Stanford, MIT, and Meta, making them highly prestigious and competitive. From working in research labs at leading universities to collaborating with scientists on cutting-edge projects, STEM internships provide an immersive experience that fosters both personal and professional growth. If you want to make the most of your summer, check out our list of the 12 best free STEM internships for high school students.
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; selects only 100 students
Cost: Application fee of $60; no program fee
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. It is recommended that your PSAT Math Scores be 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher; ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious six-week summer program hosted at MIT and sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE). As one of the best STEM internships for high school students, it offers high school seniors an opportunity to engage in advanced STEM research in fields like computer science, engineering, and mathematics.
The program begins with an intensive week of lectures and classes taught by MIT professors, providing you with a solid theoretical foundation. For the remaining five weeks, you will work on independent research projects under the mentorship of experienced scientists. The program concludes with a professional research symposium, where you will present your findings both orally and through a written report.
Check out this blog for more information on this program!
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Small cohorts with one-on-one mentoring
Cost: $2,490 (100% financial aid)
Eligibility: High school students with experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The regular summer application deadline is April 27
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year. The summer cohort starts in May
The Veritas AI Internship is a research-focused program for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence and machine learning. Through personalized, one-on-one mentorship, you will solve real-world AI challenges across various sectors. Projects may include applications in fields like healthcare AI, financial modeling, and natural language processing (NLP). You will also receive guidance from professionals affiliated with organizations like Harvard, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company. Finally, at the end of the program, you will present your projects and receive a letter of completion.
3. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cohort Size: 32 students per cohort
Stipend: Travel expenses covered; need-based stipends available
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be 16+ by program start)
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University is one of the best STEM internships for high school students and offers you the chance to participate in cutting-edge biomedical research. During the program, you will be paired with leading scientists to conduct hands-on research in disciplines such as molecular biology, immunology, and neuroscience.
In addition to your research, you will participate in elective science courses and guest lectures by prominent scientists. The program encourages you to develop your scientific communication skills through poster presentations and a formal research symposium. Networking events further connect you with professionals in your fields of interest.
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (100% financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students (able to commit 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The deadline for the summer cohort is April 13
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; the summer cohort starting on June 2
The Ladder Internship Program is a selective, remote internship that connects students with high-growth startups across industries like technology, artificial intelligence, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. The program concludes with a final project presentation to company executives.
With guidance from experienced startup managers and dedicated Ladder Coaches, you’ll contribute meaningfully to company operations. Many of the participating startups are well-funded, with investments exceeding $1 million, offering you exposure to industry practices.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD | Virtual
Cohort Size: 5-6 students per cohort
Stipend: $15/hour for in-person participants + transportation support
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (in-person applicants must attend a Baltimore-area high school)
Application Deadline: March 1 (annual)
Program Dates:
In-person: June – August (8 weeks)
Virtual: July – August (5 weeks)
If you’re interested in learning about biomedical research, then the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) summer research program is for you! This internship offers valuable hands-on experience through a workplace mentoring program, giving you the chance to work alongside neuroscientists and participate in laboratory research.
You will also get to attend educational seminars and professional development sessions, which will help you pursue a career as a researcher and/or clinician scientist. The experience culminates in a final research presentation, where you will present your work through oral or poster formats. The JHIBS program is unique and known as one of the top STEM internships for high school students because it emphasizes diversity and inclusion in STEM by encouraging applications from students from diverse backgrounds.
6. Student Research Internship Programs at Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI)
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 40 total spots available
Stipend:
Program I: Funding details pending
Program II: Includes stipend + travel and housing expenses
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students aged 16+ by the program start date
Application Deadlines:
Program I: March 31
Program II: January 26
Program Dates:
Program I: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22 (10 weeks)
Program II: May 19 – July 28 (8 weeks)
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) is another of the top STEM internships for high school students interested in learning about biomedical and translational science. SRTI offers two internship programs that you can participate in: the Student Research Internship Program (program I) and the Medical Student Research Internship Program (program II).
The Student Research Internship Program is a 10-week program open to high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It focuses on genomics, clinical trials, and bioinformatics, and provides insights into how research translates into medical advancements. The Medical Student Research Internship Program, on the other hand, is an 8-week program open to medical student research interns. It emphasizes digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement, offering practical experience in personalized medicine. Both these programs provide hands-on training in genomic data analysis, clinical trial design, and bioinformatics under expert mentorship. The experience concludes with a research symposium, where you will present your findings to peers and faculty.
7. National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
Location: NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Stipend:
High School Students: $2,530
High School Graduates: $2,840
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates (must be 17+ by June 15) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; preference for students from schools where over 30% of the student body is on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7
The High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) at the National Institutes of Health is a selective five-week initiative designed to enhance diversity in STEM fields. It offers underrepresented students practical experience in biomedical research, along with opportunities for career exploration and professional development.
You will participate in lab tours, collaborative research projects, and interactive workshops in STEM and medical fields. Additional benefits include personalized college application support and wellness resources. The program concludes with a final presentation where you will share your research findings and insights.
8. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate: Less than 10%
Stipend: Paid (exact amount unspecified)
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
Application Deadline: December 31
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is an eight-week summer internship and another one of the top STEM internships for high school students. As a participant, you will benefit from hands-on experience in biomedical research, getting the chance to collaborate with leading scientists on cutting-edge research in sensory biology and medical science. You will also acquire skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
The program concludes with a public research conference, where you will present your findings to an audience of scientists, peers, and family. MSAP is a selective program and admits only 18 to 24 students from a competitive pool of over 200 applicants each year. With 20-30% of students returning for multiple years, it emphasizes long-term mentorship and academic growth.
9. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective. Around 20 students are chosen per cohort
Stipend: Unpaid
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+ years old)
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship Program is a prestigious summer opportunity for high school students passionate about medicine, biotechnology, and surgical innovation. During this internship, you will gain hands-on experience from working alongside Stanford University surgeons and researchers, and exploring advanced medical tools and reconstructive surgery techniques.
With personalized mentorship and immersive training sessions, you will develop practical insights into the medical field. Whether you aspire to pursue careers in bioengineering, medical research, or surgery, this internship serves as a valuable stepping stone. At the program's conclusion, you will present your findings and reflections in a final symposium.
10. BLDAP: Interdisciplinary Pathways to Machine Learning and Data Science
Location: BAIR Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cohort Size: 20 students
Stipend: $500/week (total of $3,000)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12; should be from the Bay Area, particularly Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties
Application Deadline: March 21 (recommended) + March 23
Program Dates: June 17 – July 25
The Berkeley Lab Director's Apprenticeship Program: Interdisciplinary Pathways to Machine Learning and Data Science (BLDAP: IPMLDS) is a six-week summer apprenticeship that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics. It is hosted by the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab.
You will participate in project-based learning and benefit from mentorship provided by UC Berkeley faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The curriculum features guest lectures, lab visits, and career guidance workshops. Upon completion, you will gain continued access to additional courses, seminars, and workshops at Berkeley Lab throughout the academic year.
11. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA | Remote
Acceptance Rate: 5%-10%
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends may be available based on academic level and session duration
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 or older, full-time high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadlines:
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Program Dates:
Fall Session: Late August/Early September – Mid-December (16 weeks)
Spring Session: Mid-January – Early May (16 weeks)
Summer Session: Late May/Early June – August (10 weeks)
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program offers high school students the chance to collaborate with NASA experts on real-world projects in fields such as aerospace engineering, robotics, chemistry, and space microbiology. With both remote and onsite options available, you can contribute to groundbreaking research at one of NASA's field centers.
As a participant, you will gain hands-on experience in designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing space exploration technologies. Previous projects have involved CubeSat missions and the study of atmospheric aerosols. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend seminars led by NASA astronauts and industry leaders, providing valuable networking opportunities.
12. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Location: Fully remote, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost/Stipend: Free; $25 application fee (waivers available). Unpaid
Eligibility:
Remote Internships: Minimum age of 15 by program start date
In-Person/Hybrid Computer Labs: Minimum age 15
In-Person/Hybrid Wet Labs: Minimum age 16
Application Deadline: December 2 – February 2
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is one of the top seven-week STEM internships for high school students. During the program, you will conduct hands-on research under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, engineering, and environmental science.
Throughout the internship, you will work with advanced lab technologies, computational tools, and scientific analysis techniques. In addition to research, ASSIP offers professional development workshops and career mentorship sessions. Past projects have included antibiotic development, volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, and sensor material development. You will conclude the program by presenting your findings at a scientific symposium.