15 Paid Education Internships for High School Students

If you are a high school student curious about education, internships are a smart way to learn more about the field. You can get work experience in classrooms, after-school programs, or ed-tech teams while developing practical skills and meeting mentors who work with students every day. Internships allow you to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting and develop essential transferable skills like communication and problem-solving. The professional network you build through internships can guide you when it comes to your college applications and career path.

What are education internships? What will I do as an intern?

Many top organizations, like NASA and Lockheed Martin, and government offices offer education internships for high schoolers. These often include a stipend or other compensation, which helps offset expenses like transportation or even contributes to future education costs. To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 paid education internships for high school students.

1. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative - High School Internship 

Location: Arlington, Virginia. (Virtual, in-person, and hybrid options available)
Stipend: $2,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15 – 20 interns per session 
Dates: 7 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and first-year college/university students who are 17+

In this internship, you will spend seven weeks building both professional and technical skills. You will start with a two-week bootcamp that covers communication, teamwork, workplace expectations, and foundations in cybersecurity. During the bootcamp, students participate in intensive professional skills training covering topics essential for the modern workplace, such as budgeting, communication, presentation skills, and strategic planning. Later, you will move into a five-week placement with a cyber-focused company in Northern Virginia, in virtual, hybrid, or on-site formats. You will observe meetings, support real projects, and complete five guided check-ins with staff from the Children’s Science Center Lab.

2. KP Launch High School Internship at Kaiser Pemanente 

Location: Multiple locations throughout the country
Stipend: $24 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 40 – 50 students
Dates: 7 weeks in summer; June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school students and/or graduating seniors between the ages 16 – 19 by June 1 | Must provide proof of eligibility to legally work in the United States and have a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area

Through this paid education internship for high school students, you will spend seven weeks working full-time at Kaiser Permanente offices and medical centers across Northern California. You will handle entry-level administrative and support tasks, join team projects, and see how different departments coordinate patient care. Each week, you will attend Education Days that build workplace, communication, and career-readiness skills. Mentors and supervisors will guide you, share feedback, and talk honestly about their own paths into health careers. You will also connect with peers and leaders through workshops and community events. 

3. Summer Student Program by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Upper East Side, Manhattan 
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 2%; 20 students 
Dates: June 29 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors aged 14 or older by June, maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA in science courses, and residing within 25 miles of New York City

In this cancer research program for high school students, you will spend eight weeks working in an MSK lab on projects in biology, chemistry, engineering, or computational science. You will assist with experiments, data analysis, and literature review while gaining hands-on experience with lab methods and scientific inquiry. You will receive close mentorship from MSK researchers and attend lectures and workshops on cancer biology, clinical careers, and ethics in research. The program also includes tours and enrichment activities on campus, and many labs support end-of-summer presentations. 

4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program 

Location: Available in all 50 states
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 – 45 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; flexible dates can be decided with your mentor
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshman and at least 16 years old by the internship start date

Through this fisheries biology program for high school students, you will spend the summer working with a professional mentor on projects in freshwater or marine environments. You will help with fish sampling, habitat surveys, and data entry while gaining hands-on experience in field methods and ecological research. You will receive regular mentorship from fisheries biologists and join conversations about college majors and conservation careers. Many placements also include outreach events where you will help teach local communities about healthy waters. 

5. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship

Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 6 – 8 students 
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year from a Palm Beach or Martin County, and must be legally authorized to work in the United States | At least 16 years old at the internship’s start

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) High School Summer Research Internship is a highly selective, paid, six-week research program that offers aspiring young scientists an immersive, full-time laboratory experience. In this research program, you will spend six weeks at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience working in a lab that studies how the brain is built and how it works. You will help with experiments, image analysis, coding, or engineering tasks while learning core lab skills and scientific thinking. You will receive close mentorship from MPFI scientists and attend sessions on neuroscience careers, data ethics, and college pathways. 

6. CLA High School Internship Programs 

Location: Select CLA offices across the United States
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 60 – 70 students
Dates: June 17 – July 19
Application Deadline: Typically January 
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 18 who are authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa

In this paid education internship for high school students, you will spend four weeks in a CLA office learning how accounting and advisory firms serve clients. You will assist with structured projects, case studies, and office tasks while gaining hands-on experience with Excel, financial thinking, and professional communication. You will receive daily guidance from CLA mentors and attend sessions on careers in accounting, consulting, and related fields. Many cohorts also hold team challenges where you will present your recommendations to leaders. 

7. Teen in Public Service (TiPS) Internship Program 

Location: Nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Seattle / Greater Puget Sound Region
Stipend: Up to $3,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 75 spots
Dates: June 16 – August 22 
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 – 19 who live in Washington | Ability to provide proof of employment eligibility in the United States

The Teen In Public Service (TIPS) Internship Program is a non-profit organization dedicated to producing future leaders committed to their communities by offering paid summer internships to enrolled high school youth. In this program, you will assist with youth programs, food distribution, outreach, or office projects while building skills in teamwork, communication, and community service. You will receive mentorship from nonprofit staff and attend TIPS training on leadership, equity, and job readiness. Many sites also host events where you will interact with clients, volunteers, and partner organizations. 

8. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program 

Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee (can be waived) / Stipend of minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 50 students 
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors at the time of application and at least 16 years old or above by the program start date | U.S. citizens and permanent residents (with a green card) and attending high school in the country

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a highly selective, eight-week, paid educational internship hosted by the Stanford University School of Medicine. In this program, you will spend eight weeks working in a Stanford faculty lab on a project in cancer biology, genetics, neuroscience, bioengineering, or related fields. You will assist with experiments, data analysis, and background reading while gaining hands-on experience in lab techniques and scientific reasoning. You will receive close mentorship from graduate students and postdocs and attend daily lectures on current research and careers in science and medicine. 

9. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering 

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 65 students
Dates: June 1 – August 14 
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and must be full time NYC residents attending schools in the city 

In this STEM research program for high school students, you will spend seven weeks at NYU Tandon working in a lab on projects in engineering, computer science, or life science. You will assist with experiments, coding, or data analysis while gaining hands-on experience in research methods and scientific inquiry. You will also receive close mentorship from graduate and postdoctoral researchers and attend workshops on ethics, college planning, and public speaking. This paid education internship concludes with a colloquium where you present your findings to faculty, families, and peers. 

10. Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program 

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital main campus and affiliated neurology labs in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, MA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 – 25 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school recent high school graduate; MA residents | U.S. work authorization and health clearance required

Through this neurology program for high school students, you will spend the summer at Mass General working on research projects in stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, or other brain conditions. You will assist with data collection, chart review, and basic analysis while gaining hands-on experience in clinical research methods and scientific inquiry. You will receive regular mentorship from neurologists, residents, and research staff and attend teaching sessions on science careers, ethics, and health equity. This paid education internship for high school students highlights underrepresented groups and helps you see how neurology research connects to patient care, community health, and policy systems.

11. Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy 

Location: Baruch College, Manhattan, New York City (CUNY)
Stipend: $1,575 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 students 
Dates: Mid-July – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically December
Eligibility: NYC public high school students 10th or 11th grader who have an overall 80+ average | Priority will be given to students from our partner high schools and those from historically underrepresented groups in science (e.g., African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American Indian, and Alaskan Native)

In this program, you will spend the semester and summer working with CUNY faculty on projects in fields like biology, psychology, math, or computer science. You will assist with data collection, coding, or surveys while gaining hands-on experience in research methods and critical reading. You will receive regular guidance from your mentor and attend a spring research course that builds skills in writing, statistics, and study design. The program ends with a final paper or presentation where you share your results. 

12. Wistar’s High School Summer Program in Biomedical Research 

Location: The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, West Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15 students 
Dates: Four weeks in July
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students of at least 16 years of age by the program start date | Have successfully completed at least one high school science course

In this biomedical research program for high school students, you will spend four weeks at The Wistar Institute working in a training lab on projects related to cancer, immunology, or infectious disease. You will assist with basic experiments, data entry, and background reading while gaining hands-on experience in core lab methods and scientific inquiry. You will also receive close mentorship from Wistar scientists and attend sessions on research careers, ethics, and public health. It also includes college and workforce discussions that center local students. You will finish by presenting your work to mentors and families, showing how lab science connects directly to community health.

13. High School Apprenticeship Challenge 

Location: Life sciences companies and research institutions across Massachusetts
Stipend: $17/ hr up to $4,080
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 150 students 
Dates: May 1 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students who are at least 16 years old by internship start date | Enrolled in a school which meets one of these requirements

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) High School Apprenticeship Challenge is a state-funded workforce development program designed to facilitate and fund paid internship opportunities for high school students, particularly those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, throughout Massachusetts. You will spend about six weeks working at a Massachusetts biotech company or research lab on projects in laboratory science or biomanufacturing, where you will assist with basic experiments, equipment prep, and data entry while gaining hands-on experience in lab safety, documentation, and teamwork. You will also receive regular mentorship from scientists and technicians and may first complete a training course in biotechnology and job readiness.

14. Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy by UT Health San Antonio 

Location: UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Stipend: Voelcker Scholars receive a monetary stipend each summer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 60 – 70 students
Dates: 7 weeks each summer; ongoing commitment over three years
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: San Antonio rising high school sophomore students with a grade criteria of 90% or above in Math, Science and English (85% if in Pre-AP, AP or Dual Credit courses) | 15 years of age by June 15

In this program, you will spend three consecutive summers at UT Health San Antonio working in a faculty lab on projects in cancer, neuroscience, infectious disease, or related fields. You will assist with experiments, data analysis, and background reading while learning lab safety, core techniques, and scientific reasoning. You will receive close mentorship from investigators and trainees and attend seminars on research careers, ethics, and college pathways. Each summer ends with a formal presentation where you will share your findings with families, mentors, and peers. 

15. UW Botanic Gardens – Youth Summer Internship 

Location: Washington Park Arboretum
Stipend: $1,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 20 – 30 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: High school students between ages 16 – 18

In this environmental program for high school students, you will spend four weeks at the Washington Park Arboretum helping run summer camps and care for living collections. You will assist with children’s activities, trail games, and simple stewardship projects while gaining hands-on experience in outdoor education and group leadership. You will also receive daily mentorship from UW Botanic Gardens educators and attend sessions on ecology, climate, and green careers. Many days also include visits from guest speakers working in parks, farms, and environmental nonprofits. 

Looking for an immersive internship experience?

Check out Ladder Internships!

Ladder Internshipsis a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Apply now!

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