12 Online Data Science Internships for High School Students
Are you a high school student looking for ways to gain hands-on experience in data science? An online internship could be the best choice for you! Many online data science internships for high school students are often curated by prestigious institutions and give you the chance to work on practical projects that provide real-world experience. You’ll get to learn things like data visualization, data interpretation, and machine learning; acquire industry knowledge; and form valuable connections that are helpful in the long run.
Above all, online data science internships for high school students present the benefit of flexibility, which is not always attainable in in-person settings. In this blog, we’ve curated a list of 12 online data science internships for high school students that you can choose from.
1. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Both in-person and virtual options are available
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance Rate: 1% – 2%
Internship Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility:
High school graduating seniors living and attending high school within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington/Atlanta, Georgia
Should have completed a pre-calculus/equivalent course by the start of the program
Should be members, participants, or students of select Microsoft-supported organizations/schools. Full list available here
Microsoft’s Discovery Program is one of the best online data science internships for high school students. If you're considering a future in data science or related fields, this 4-week program is a great way to get started. You'll work with other students to build a project for a Microsoft product group, giving you hands-on experience with the early stages of product development. Along the way, you’ll explore key areas like data science, software engineering, and product management. Plus, you'll get one-on-one mentorship from Microsoft employees who can share what it’s really like to work in tech and help guide your career path.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Internship Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; the summer cohort starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; May 11 for the upcoming summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10-20 hours a week
Ladder Internships offers a highly selective program designed for ambitious high school students seeking real-world start-up experience. As a participant, you will be matched with fast-growing start-ups across diverse industries, such as tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can view the full list of opportunities through the application form. On average, Ladder’s partner start-ups have raised over $1 million in funding.
During the internship, you will work directly with company managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach on real-world projects, culminating in a final presentation to the start-up team. The program is conducted virtually and typically runs for 8 weeks. Here’s the application form!
3. Stanford University’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 program fee (financial aid available)
Cohort Size: ~25 students
Internship Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
U.S. high school students entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by fall
Over 14 by the start of the program
Strong preference given to students with strong maths/computer programming skills/experience with a healthcare project
Organized by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), Stanford’s Summer Research Internship is one of the top online data science internships for high school students. Spanning two weeks, it aims to inspire students who want to explore data science and AI’s implementation in health and medicine, and equip them with the necessary skills. The program has an average cohort size of just 25 students. If selected, you will participate in lectures, hands-on group working sessions, and mentoring activities with Stanford Student Leads and researchers.
The program also hosts various social activities, like virtual career lunches with guest speakers, to enable participants to form valuable connections with industry leaders. You also have the choice to extend the Summer Research Internship into an independent research internship if you want to. Successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
4. Veritas AI Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: April 27 for the upcoming summer cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is led by Harvard graduate students and offers an 8-week experience working on real-world AI/ML projects. You will collaborate with VC-backed start-ups and receive mentorship from professionals affiliated with Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
Designed for students with prior AI/ML experience, this program provides hands-on industry exposure, networking opportunities with top professionals, and close collaboration with company leadership. Upon completion, you will receive a letter from the company recognizing your work. You can find more information about the program here and submit your application here.
5. NASA Internships
Location: Both in-person and virtual options are available
Acceptance Rate: < 5%
Internship Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline:
Fall: May 16
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Eligibility:
Full-time high school student
U.S. citizens
At least 16 years old at the time of application
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers multiple internships, including online data science internships for high school students interested in exploring STEM fields like computer science, machine learning, and robotics. If selected, you will be paired with a mentor and conduct practical research on real-world projects related to science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.
This opportunity is particularly ideal for students wanting to gain hands-on experience or boost their college applications. Although the internship is primarily conducted in person, you can opt for a virtual one if you qualify but don’t live near a NASA research facility.
6. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SparkSMP)
Location: Both in-person and virtual options available
Stipend: Paid (minimum of $500) and unpaid internships available
Acceptance Rate: < 5%
Internship Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 – 12; U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SparkSIP is a non-profit that helps motivated high school students find prestigious internships—both virtual and in-person. These internships cover a wide range of fields, including data science, computer science, business, and more. While not all projects involve hands-on research, many in the data science track have included work like data extraction, analysis, and software tools. Each project is unique, but all are designed to help you explore data science, build valuable skills, and learn about related career paths. Many internships also offer a stipend of up to $500, and you can apply to several (usually 5-6) simultaneously.
For more information, check out this blog!
7. Google Summer of Code (GSoC)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: 16% – 20%
Internship Dates: January 27 – November 19
Application Deadline: March 24 – April 8
Eligibility:
18 years or older while registering for the program
Student/beginner contributors to open-source software development
Not be a resident of any U.S.-embargoed country
Eligible to work in the country they reside in
Should not have been accepted as a GSoC contributor before. For full details, check here.
GSoC is another esteemed online data science internship for high school students. Sponsored by Google LLC, it’s a 12+ week program that aims to foster the developer community and get more open-source code written and released for the public good. It’s highly selective and exclusive to students and open source beginners only. If accepted, you will work on a coding project with one of Google’s 200 open-source organizations using cutting-edge tech and guidance from seasoned mentors.
To apply for the program, you first must choose your mentoring organization and research project, and send a proposal through the program site. You can send up to three proposals based on your skills and interests. Although virtual, GSoC is an immersive program that gives exposure to real-world software development. Best part? It’s a paid opportunity, meaning every participant will receive a stipend for their contribution.
8. Stanford’s AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Internship Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: December 9 – January 24
Eligibility:
9th graders or rising 10th graders
Older than 14 years old by the start of the program
Available for the entire duration of the program
Preference will be given to students with maths/computer skills
If you’re looking for online data science internships for high school students that are brief but impactful, check out Stanford’s AI4ALL. It’s a two-week program that aims to increase inclusion in the field of AI and help students explore the potential of AI in different fields. As an intern, you will be engaged in lectures, hands-on research projects, and career development workshops led by seasoned professionals and researchers. Topics include robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and NLP. The internship also provides solid mentorship opportunities and a chance to explore Stanford’s AI Lab.
9. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Both in-person and virtual options available
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Internship Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
High school seniors planning on attending a four-year institution in the U.S. or Canada
Must have a passion for technology
Must intend to enroll in a computer science/computer engineering/software engineering/related department in this academic year
Google CSSI is a three-week intensive online data science internship for high school students. It is ideal for passionate tech students from historically underrepresented groups in computer science and related fields like data science and software engineering. The program follows an interactive project-based curriculum. If selected, you will be engaged in hands-on research and exploration, along with daily development sessions and interactions with Google engineers. As a part of this program, you will also get the chance to explore Google’s internship and tech career opportunities for the future.
10. George Mason University’s Young Scholars Research Program
Location: Both in-person and virtual options available
Cost: Varies per program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited seats per program
Internship Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9th – 12th
Another prestigious online data science internship for high school students, the Young Scholars Research Program is a 4-week and 4-month-long opportunity that lets you explore subjects like data science, political science, and business. As a participant, you will primarily be involved in conducting research and creating a research paper under the guidance of seasoned George Mason faculty. Each research project is tailored to your background, skills, and interests. You can either opt for independent research or form a group with your peers. Moreover, you also get the chance to publish your work.
11. Girls Who Code: SIP
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 needs-based grant (SIP)
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Internship Dates:
Round 1: July 7 – 18
Round 2 (for international students): July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early: February 26; General: April 11
Eligibility: 9th-11th grade U.S. students who identify as girls or non-binary and international students aged 14-18. Participants must commit to the full duration of the program
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (GWC SIP) is a two-week online data science internship for high school students. It is designed to introduce students to data science and related tech career paths. Its curriculum centers on real-world data projects, covering key concepts like data analysis, visualization, basic machine learning, and ethical data use. As a participant, you will participate in virtual classes, hands-on projects, and networking sessions with data professionals. Eligible U.S.-based students may also receive a $300 grant to support their participation.
12. NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program
Location: Both in-person and virtual options available
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Internship Dates: Starts in June and runs for 8 – 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility:
Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school or be accepted into an accredited college, university, or professional program for the fall
Should have completed coursework relevant to computer science, data science, informatics, mathematics, or related subjects
Should have a strong interest in using computational methods to answer questions related to biology, biomedicine, or health sciences
Should have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a scale of 4.0
Should be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident
Should be at least 18 years old by the start of the program
Last but never least, the NLM DSI Scholars Program is an 8 to 12-week internship opportunity for high schoolers interested in computational health and computational biology research. If selected, you will work in a collaborative research environment to create a research paper under the one-on-one mentorship of a seasoned researcher. Along with this, you will also take part in seminars and professional development workshops to cultivate necessary skills like scientific communication, public speaking, and leadership.
The program culminates with a presentation at NLM’s Summer Poster Day and NIH-wide Summer Poster Day. The DSI Scholars Program is a full-time internship opportunity that requires students to devote 40 hours per week. Participating students receive a stipend based on their education and expertise.