15 STEM Internships for International High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking to pursue an academic or professional career in various fields, an internship can give you a boost. Beyond enhancing your resume, STEM internships for international high school students can also help you explore real-world scenarios to apply your school learning, interact with peers and established professionals in the industry, and build practical skills that will help you get a head start. By engaging in STEM internships for international high school students, you can show future employers that you’re self-motivated, and serious about taking the initiative to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Whether you’re curious about coding, environmental science, biotechnology, robotics, physics, and more, STEM internships for international high school students can help you explore your field of interest and discover what really excites you. While most opportunities are typically open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, we have found STEM internships for international high school students that will give you a great experience no matter where you’re based. These may involve hands-on project work, networking opportunities, and other valuable activities that can transform your understanding of STEM fields.
15 STEM Internships for International High School Students
Location: Various locations around the country
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, exact dates vary; 32 hours/week
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and college freshmen, at least 16 years old by June 1
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a great option if you’re looking for STEM internships for international high school students in aquatic sciences and fisheries. You will be engaged in various activities including electrofishing, stream sampling, data analysis, laboratory analyses, fish tagging and tracking, and more. You will be paired with a fisheries and aquatic sciences professional who is located within a 45 minutes commute of your home, and they will offer mentorship training and guidance throughout your internship. Each opportunity offers a unique experience as you learn about local ecosystems and conservation efforts, and how your research is applied to practical scenarios. You will also contribute towards critical projects that impact the local aquatic life, and interact with professional ecologists and biologists to gain valuable insights into the nuances of working in the natural world.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Various deadlines throughout the year; August 24 for the upcoming Fall cohort
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 offers selective STEM internships for international high school students, connecting you with a high-growth startup or non-government organization. These companies typically raise over a million dollars on average, and give you the opportunity to add tangible value to their operations. You will be supervised by a company manager and gain one-on-one guidance and mentorship from a Ladder Coach as you work on real-world projects and gain practical experience in a field of your choice. This includes industries such as health-tech, machine learning, artificial intelligence, psychology, and more. You can also work directly with a start-up CEO hailing from a FAANG background in the CEO internship program. This program gives you a noteworthy opportunity to conduct research, gain hands-on experience, and showcase your work to your organization.
3. Adler Planetarium Summer Internship Program
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July – August (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: March 1 based on previous deadlines
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Designed for students who are interested in science communication, astronomy, and space, Adler Planetarium’s STEM internships for international high school students will give you a first-hand experience of what it’s like to be involved in a planetarium. This includes networking, logistics, leadership development, networking opportunities, and other activities designed to help you build your resume and gain professional experience. You will also develop your skills as you engage in real projects while working alongside educators, scientists, and other professionals. You may also be involved in conducting research, developing programs and exhibits, and interacting with visitors, while communicating complex scientific concepts in an approachable manner. This is a noteworthy opportunity at one of the most globally renowned planetariums, that can help you explore space science in a unique setting.
4. American Psychological Association
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; internships may be paid or for academic credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round internships; spring, summer, fall, winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students residing in states where APA is a registered employee, and eligible to work in the U.S.
The American Psychological Association offers noteworthy STEM internships for international high school students who wish to pursue a career in psychology or related fields. They offer various experiences, including research opportunities, and roles in diverse departments, including policy, communications, education, operations, and more. The learning outcomes vary across each department, allowing you to engage in various activities that enhance your theoretical and practical knowledge and abilities. You will be engaged in discussions, workshops, group projects, and other tasks that will improve your understanding of professional psychology and give you hands-on experience of working in a psychological organization, including all the daily tasks and operations involved. You will also benefit from supervision from professionals, and networking opportunities that allow you to connect with seniors and peers.
5. Scripps Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 2 - August 8 | June 16 - August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in high school, college or professional training with a strong interest in genomics of mHealth translational research, at least 16 years old before the start of the internship
The Scripps Research Translational Institute offers STEM internships for international high school students that are designed to introduce you to current translational science topics while enhancing your knowledge of how mobile technologies can be integrated in the healthcare industry. You will also learn about design and analysis procedures involved in translational research, including Health trials and genomic/genetic association studies as you improve your proficiency in presenting scientific concepts and observe the various steps involved in conducting clinical trials. You will be engaged in weekly seminars and work on a research project while being guided and supported by a mentor, and present your independent research at a Translational Institute Research Meeting. Finally, you will showcase your findings during a poster symposium at the end of your internship.
6. Energy Mag Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Half-time internships available in summer: 2 – 8 weeks in increments of 2 weeks (20 hours/week) | Quarter-time internships available year-round: 1 - 9 months in increments of 1 month (8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors and seniors with at least one honors Science/English class, and a minimum 3.25 GPA. College students are also eligible
Energy Mag offers impactful STEM internships for international high school students looking to contribute to the global shift towards renewable energy. You will explore the fast-growing energy storage sector and gain valuable experience in research, analysis, and professional communication as you engage with companies working in the renewable energy industry. You will be paired with a site mentor who will guide you through the process as you conduct research, interact with professionals, gather information, and analyze your findings to create a detailed analysis report. This may be published on the Energy Mag website, giving you a platform to publish your findings, while helping you build practical skills. You will receive a Letter of Accomplishment at the end of the program, which will provide a summary of your work, thus boosting your college applications and resume.
7. National Museum of Natural History Summer High School Internship at the Smithsonian Institution
Location: Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 24 – August 5
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students between the ages of 14 - 18, fluent in oral and written English
Offering STEM internships for international high school students that combine science with public education and museum work, the NMNH Summer High School Internship is a great option if you wish to gain first-hand experience in museums, science, and the natural world. You will work in the Entomology and Exhibit departments where you will help sort and classify moths, and learn how insect collections are acquired, preserved, and maintained. You will also get a glimpse into how museum displays are conceptualized and brought to life, and contribute to current exhibit development projects. Beyond research and collections, you will be engaged in field trips, peer networking, and training sessions to improve your science communication skills.
8. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.
PPPL offers STEM internships for international high school students who are looking to gain experience in physics, engineering, and computer science. The program is hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy in collaboration with Princeton University, and gives you the opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research in fields related to plasma physics and fusion energy. You will receive training and mentorship, and work closely with professional engineers and researchers, to address real-world challenges. The program also provides valuable insights into computer modeling, experimental design, and magnetic confinement fusion, with the added benefit of practical experience in data analysis and simulation development.
9. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $15/hour for in-person interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 8 students in the in-person cohort
Dates: 5 weeks (virtual) or 8 weeks (in-person) in the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living in North America. In-person opportunities are limited to Baltimore City residents
Johns Hopkins’ STEM internships for international high school students give you the chance to pursue neurological and medical research in a virtual or in-person format and gain valuable experience in brain sciences. As an in-person intern, you will be mentored by Johns Hopkins faculty and work on formulating a hypothesis and conducting research for an independent project in a clinical or laboratory setting. This 8-week format also includes professional development workshops, networking activities, college preparation classes, and scientific seminars to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. You will showcase your findings in an oral or poster presentation at the end of the internship. Meanwhile, the virtual internship will run for 5 weeks and will introduce you to basic laboratory techniques and experiments. You will also benefit from college preparation classes, collaborating activities, workshops for professional and academic development, similar to the in-person component.
10. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual, hybrid and fully in-person options available in Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (may be waived based on financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old for the remote internship, and 16 years or older for the in-person/hybrid internship
George Mason’s ASSIP offers STEM internships for international high school students which focus on intensive research in various disciplines, including chemistry, drug discovery, molecular medicine, astronomy, sustainable botany, environmental science, and more. You will be engaged in discussion forums and seminars with industry experts from diverse fields who will offer insights on STEM career choices, as you hone your science writing, research, communication, analytical, and technical skills through practical learning. With access to the university’s state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, you will have all the resources available to work on noteworthy research projects and showcase your findings in the ASSIP Research Symposium.
11. UChicago’s After School Matters STEM Lab Internship
Location: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend offered, exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer; exact dates not specified
Application Deadline: Applications open in March. Deadline not specified
Eligibility: Chicago high school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
UChicago offers STEM internships for international high school students who wish to gain experience in a professional setting as they pursue science and engineering. The program begins with a week-long research bootcamp where you will be introduced to the fundamentals of authentic research, after which you will spend 20 hours/week conducting research in a laboratory. A team of PME education staff and researchers will offer guidance and mentorship as you work on your project with access to all the required resources to ensure that you can successfully present your work in various scenarios. You will also gain support for your college applications and benefit from science communication training.
12. Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering’s STEP Summer Internship Program
Location: Georgia Tech Campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Georgia residents who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
If you’re looking for STEM internships for international high school students that goes beyond the scope of a traditional summer camp, the Georgia Tech STEP program is a great opportunity that will engage you in a dynamic, research-focused environment where you will solve real engineering challenges. You will be mentored by Georgia Tech faculty as you work alongside other students to address real scientific questions. You will be encouraged to think creatively, and collaborate with your teammates to solve problems, finally presenting your research findings to industry experts and faculty at a professional poster session. The Program is fully funded, making it an accessible option that empowers you to contribute to active scientific inquiry.
13. UCSC Science Internship Program
Location: UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA
Cost/Stipend: $65 application fee + $4,250 tuition; additional costs for housing and transportation. Limited partial and full need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 23 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 28 (according to previous years)
Eligibility: Students are at least 14-17 years of age on the program start date
The UCSC STEM internships for international high school students are offered over the course of 10 weeks, with a week-long virtual preparation period, followed by 7 weeks of in-person research conducted at the renowned institution. While receiving 1:1 mentoring from post-doctoral researchers, UCSC faculty, and graduate students, you will work on existing projects spanning diverse fields such as biomedicine, AI, astrophysics, and more. The program also gives you the opportunity to showcase your ideas at prestigious competitions such as Science Talent Research and Regeneron ISEF, in addition to career guidance, professional development, and networking opportunities.
14. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Mid-July – mid-August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Must be at least 17 years old
The Coriell Institute for Medical Research’s hands-on STEM internships for international high school students will expose you to real-world scientific research and biobank operations, as you work alongside the organization’s professional technicians and scientists. You will gain insights into the day-to-day functions of molecular biology labs and high-level production, with diverse opportunities available in their Stem Cell Lab, Molecular Biology Lab, and Production Lab. You will be engaged in stem cell processing, DNA extraction, and karyotyping as you learn to identify genetic disorders. The program also includes professional development seasons that will enhance your resumes, improve your public speaking skills, and prepare you for interviews. You will further benefit from scientific seminars led by guest speakers and internal researchers on a weekly basis. Finally, you will have the chance to showcase your work to your peers and Coriell staff at the end of the program.
15. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Location: Virtual or in-person at various locations around the country
Cost/Stipend: On-campus tuition ranges from $3,149 – $7,501 (based on previous years); exact amount depends on the course and format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Various sessions from June – August; exact dates depend on the location/course
Application Deadline: May 16 for on-campus Summer courses; May 20/June 17 for online Summer courses | August 12 for the fall batch starting in September
Eligibility: Advanced learners in grades 2 - 12
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers enriching experiences for advanced students, with hands-on activities and educational experiences that are similar to those offered by traditional STEM internships for international high school students. These courses come with the added benefit of an immersive on-campus experience that gives you a glimpse into college life on a university campus, should you opt for an in-person program. The program is designed to give you a holistic experience that facilitates well-rounded social and academic development, to ensure that you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and build connections with your peers to lay a foundation for your future pursuits. You may also be engaged in conducting research as you work on projects in university laboratories, and explore various fields related to your interests.