14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Ohio
Participating in a summer internship during high school can shape your academic profile and career plan. Beyond strengthening your resume, an internship allows you to apply classroom learning to industry settings, build skills, and gain exposure to professional environments. You’ll get the chance to explore different fields early, helping you decide what interests you before committing to a college major or career path.
Why participate in a summer internship in Ohio?
Ohio is home to several organizations and institutions that offer summer internships for high school students. As a participant in these programs, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts and gain valuable mentorship. Whether you’re interested in STEM, public service, healthcare, technology, or other fields, there are several summer internships for high school students in Ohio to consider. This list of 14 summer internships for high schoolers in Ohio is designed to help you identify summer internships that align with your interests and goals.
14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Ohio
1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH
Stipend: Paid a weekly stipend
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 8-12 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0
The AFRL Scholars Program places you at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, where you’ll work with Air Force scientists and engineers on STEM research projects. In this prestigious summer internship, research areas commonly include aerospace systems, materials science, sensors, and manufacturing technologies tied to national defense needs. You will be assigned a mentor and integrated into an existing research team, contributing through tasks such as data analysis, experimental testing, or computational modeling. You gain firsthand exposure to how government research labs function and how long-term technical projects are managed.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10-25%; 70-100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is an eight-week, fully remote experience that matches you with a startup working in areas such as technology, AI, healthcare, finance, or marketing. As a participant, you will be assigned to a single company and will work on a defined project that supports real business needs. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate with a startup manager and receive structured guidance from a Ladder Coach who will help you navigate expectations and deadlines. Your schedule includes virtual meetings, feedback sessions, and independent project work. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your completed project to the company team.
3. CYCE High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students (15+) residing and attending school in specific Northeast Ohio counties; Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5+ on a 4.0 scale (preferred) and be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or legal permanent resident
The CYCE High School Summer Internship Program offers paid, in-person placements at Cleveland Clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. You will be assigned to clinical, non-clinical, or advanced technology tracks depending on interest and eligibility. Clinical placements may involve patient-facing departments such as nursing, radiology, or pharmacy, while non-clinical roles focus on healthcare business operations like finance or marketing. The advanced technology track introduces areas such as AI, data science, IT, robotics, and biomedical engineering. In addition to job-specific responsibilities, you’ll build professional skills related to communication, teamwork, and workplace expectations. The program also allows you to connect with healthcare professionals and mentors across the Cleveland Clinic system.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states + Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: About 3%; 27-33 each year
Dates: 8 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship that introduces you to fisheries biology through mentorship from a scientist. Your work varies by placement and may involve field surveys, lab-based specimen analysis, water quality testing, or data management. As an intern, you might split time between outdoor fieldwork and office or laboratory tasks, depending on the project’s focus. You will be expected to log hours and complete written reflections documenting your learning and research activities. Mentors are located across the U.S. and nearby regions, with placements typically within commuting distance. The program concludes with a Scholars Summit that emphasizes career pathways, college preparation, and professional development in aquatic science.
5. Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Center (Mₐ²JIC) Summer Internship
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: September 1 – February 13
Eligibility: U.S. high school rising juniors or seniors living in the Columbus, Ohio, surrounding areas
The M²JIC Summer Internship introduces you to research in welding engineering and materials joining. As an intern, you’ll work alongside faculty members, graduate students, and research staff on funded projects connected to manufacturing and materials science. The internship focuses on how welded materials are designed, tested, and applied, often incorporating coding, modeling, and laboratory experimentation. Your responsibilities may include assisting with experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and documenting research results. This internship also includes lab tours and mentorship to help you understand engineering research environments. You will also get to present your work at the end of the program to peers and mentors.
6. Ohio State University Research Internship Program
Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: May 11 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and college students (18+); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Ohio State University Research Internship Program is a ten-week paid research experience hosted at the CFAES Wooster campus. During the program, you will be matched with a faculty mentor based on your interests and background. Research areas include animal science, plant pathology, food systems, environmental science, engineering, and sustainability. You’ll work at least 30 hours per week conducting laboratory or field research while participating in weekly professional development sessions. The internship concludes with a formal symposium where you’ll present your research findings.
7. Explorations in Neuroscience Internship Program
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Stipend: $13 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 7 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents; Interest in biomedical or neuroscience research required
The Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship is a seven-week paid program at The Ohio State University funded by the NIH. As a participant, you will be placed in a neuroscience or biomedical research lab and work alongside faculty, graduate students, and technicians. Typical research topics include neurological injury, neurodegeneration, or broader biomedical science questions. In addition to lab work, you’ll participate in journal clubs, lab meetings, and research training sessions. You’ll conclude the internship by presenting your work to peers and mentors.
8. Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation: High School Tech Internship Program
Location: Various employers across Ohio; Coordinated by ESC and BridgED
Stipend: Minimum $12 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Internships must be completed between January 2 and September 30
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Ohio high school students age 19 or younger as of the start date
This statewide program connects you with paid, technology-focused internships hosted by Ohio employers across multiple sectors. Internships are designed to mirror entry-level tech roles and may involve software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, IT infrastructure, or broadband technology. You’ll work as part of an existing organization rather than a simulated training environment. Employers receive wage reimbursement, which supports mentorship and skill-building opportunities. Placements vary widely depending on location and host organization, but all emphasize hands-on technical experience.
9. INTERalliance INTERnships
Location: Various businesses across the Greater Cincinnati Area, OH
Stipend: $13 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 5 – February 22
Eligibility: High school students
The INTERalliance INTERnships Program places you in a full-time, paid summer internship with IT-focused companies in the Greater Cincinnati area. You will work in professional technology environments with organizations such as Procter & Gamble or GE. This summer internship focuses on exposure to a range of IT roles, including software development, data systems, and enterprise technology. Before placement, you’ll complete onboarding workshops and prepare application materials such as resumes. You will be expected to contribute meaningfully to active workplace projects. The experience helps you understand corporate IT structures and the professional expectations that accompany them.
10. Cancer Research Experience for the Advancement and Training of Emerging Scientists (CREATES-HS) Program
Location: Ohio State University – Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
Stipend: $3,900
Cohort Size: Approximately 10 students
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+) from the Columbus area
The CREATES-HS Program is an eight-week paid summer research experience hosted at OSU’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus. You’ll work in a cancer research lab alongside scientists, physicians, and graduate students. The internship also includes weekly educational sessions, professional development activities, and mentorship. By the end of the program, you should have completed a final research poster presentation summarizing your work.
11. Franklin County Auditor’s Office Internships
Location: Franklin County Auditor’s Office, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year; Summer: May – early August
Application Deadline: Rolling; Varies by semester
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in public service or government operations
The Franklin County Auditor’s Office Internship Program provides you with exposure to local government operations through departmental rotations. You may work in areas such as real estate assessment, consumer services, communications, or information technology. Rotations are designed to help you understand how different departments within a county office interact and function. If you express interest in a particular department, placement may be adjusted to reflect that preference. This internship focuses on skill development, workplace professionalism, and public-sector career awareness.
12. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are offered all year round, from 6 weeks to 1 year, full- or part-time
Application Deadline: March 1 (for summer internships)
Eligibility: High school students (both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens)
The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers internships that focus on cultural research, documentation, and public engagement. Depending on your placement, you may work on projects related to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Folkways Recordings, or the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives. You’ll be involved in activities including research, digital archiving, content development, and support for educational initiatives. You’ll work under the supervision of Smithsonian professionals in fields such as anthropology, folklore, and museum studies.
13. American Psychological Association (APA): Remote Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Internships are offered all year round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S. and residing in one of the states where APA is a registered employer
The American Psychological Association’s Remote Internship Program allows you to explore how psychology is used across professional fields such as research, education, public policy, and communications. You will be placed within a specific APA department, where you’ll assist with projects that may include research support, writing assignments, data-related tasks, or digital content creation. You’ll work closely with an APA staff mentor who offers supervision, feedback, and professional insight throughout the experience. The program also features optional workshops and networking events that introduce you to a range of psychology-focused career paths. Depending on the department, internships may be compensated or eligible for academic credit.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; Financial aid is available
Cohort Size: ~50 students per year
Dates: June 15 – 26; July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in medical imaging and clinical decision support. The curriculum blends instructional sessions on machine learning concepts with collaborative work using medical data. You’ll work in small groups alongside Stanford-affiliated researchers and student mentors to complete a structured mini-research project. Additional virtual panels and talks highlight career pathways at the intersection of AI, medicine, and public health. Participants who complete the program receive a certificate and may be considered for further research-related opportunities.
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