16 Online Science Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in science, an online internship can be a solid place to start. Online science internships make it possible to gain hands-on experience, build key skills, and explore your academic interests, from anywhere in the world.
These programs are designed to connect students with experienced faculty, researchers, and mentors who guide them through projects in areas such as biology, computer science, engineering, environmental science, medicine, and more. Instead of being limited by location, you can collaborate with experts from universities and research institutes across the country, and even around the world. Not to mention, a science internship looks great on your resume and college applications! It tells admission officers that you’re driven and motivated to learn and explore your chosen field beyond the school curriculum.
Online internships often focus on skills that would be useful in the professional world, such as coding, data analysis, research design, or scientific writing. Many also include virtual lab simulations, group discussions, or independent projects. Beyond technical skills, you’ll practice communication and critical thinking, while building a network of mentors and peers.
Whether you’re preparing for college applications or just curious, online internships give you a flexible, accessible way to gain real experience and start building a foundation for your future career. To help you find the best options, we’ve created this list of the top 15 online science internships for high school students that you can consider. Offered by leading universities, institutions, and organizations, this list includes programs across artificial intelligence, medicine, physics, biology, and more.
1. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/stipend: None
Dates: June 17 - August 9
Application deadline: February 23
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old can apply.
Stanford University’s SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Summer Internships is an eight-week virtual program for high school and community college students interested in interdisciplinary research. During this program, you will join a small group of 2-3 peers and work on projects guided by Stanford mentors, often graduate students, faculty, or staff. Projects typically span a wide range of fields, from engineering, computer science, and neuroscience to psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and design. Based on your project, you may receive materials for practical experiments or work at home, while most tasks focus on research, data analysis, and collaboration. The program concludes with a presentation, giving you the chance to showcase your research while building skills in critical thinking and scientific communication.
You can check past projects here.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (~15%)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies with program type
Dates: Multiple 8-12-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies with cohort — Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a virtual program for ambitious high school students that gives them the chance to intern with startups and nonprofits across the world. As an intern, you’ll be paired with a high-growth company based on your interests—you can choose from a wide range of fields, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, engineering, sustainability, business, and more. During the internship, you’ll contribute to current projects at the company while receiving guidance and mentorship from your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder coach. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to the company. This program also includes professional skills and group training sessions.
3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work-learn structure of one quite closely!
4. NASA OSTEM Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; most internship placements are competitive
Location: Multiple NASA facilities across the country + virtual options
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns will receive a stipend based on academic level and session length
Dates: Fall (16-week program, early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, early June to August)
Application Deadlines: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are U.S. citizens with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and are at least 16 years old
NASA offers high school students internships that provide practical experience in science fields. Offered at NASA centers across the country and virtually, these internships allow you to contribute directly to ongoing projects under the guidance of scientists, researchers, and engineers. Internships span diverse fields, including aeronautics, space science, engineering, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even communications and outreach. As an intern, your work may include designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or assisting in developing new technologies, gaining insight into NASA’s current work. Programs run in multiple sessions throughout the year, and each internship focuses on a specific short-term project, giving students the flexibility to explore new areas with each session. With these internships, you’ll receive mentorship, training, and career development support.
5. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 and a $40 application fee
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school students at least 14 years old with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
This program, hosted by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), is a virtual opportunity for high school students interested in how AI intersects with the field of healthcare. Over this two-week virtual program, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its applications in various medical settings. You’ll work on a project that addresses a current healthcare problem using AI tools, guided by researchers and Stanford student mentors. Beyond your project, you’ll join interactive group sessions, networking activities, and talks from guest speakers representing nonprofits, universities, government agencies, and industry. Students can even choose to continue their research project after the program concludes.
6. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%
Location: Virtual | Hybrid | In-person (Fairfax, Virginia)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivers available)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old at the start of the internship
This eight-week, full-time research experience is designed for high school students interested in science subjects. Here, you’ll get to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on independent projects across a wide range of fields, including molecular medicine, neuroscience, bioengineering, computer science, robotics, astronomy, environmental science, and more. In the lab, you’ll gain relevant experience with advanced equipment, data analysis, and research writing while developing essential skills in scientific communication. The program also offers seminars, workshops, and discussion forums on topics such as coding, statistical modeling, analytical thinking, and career development. Past interns have contributed to projects in areas like antibiotic development, tuberculosis diagnosis, nanoscience, and game design, with some even publishing their work in scientific journals. The program concludes with a symposium, where students present their research to peers, mentors, and faculty.
You can look at past interns’ research projects here!
7. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15-20%
Location: Virtual | In-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June - August (Summer session) | September - May (Academic Year session, optional)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who will be at least 15 years old when the program begins, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, are US citizens, and have permanent residency in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area (for the in-person program)
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) offers high school students a chance to explore science fields and careers through both in-person and virtual formats. When you apply, you’ll choose one of these eight focus areas—biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, information technology and cybersecurity, mathematics and data analysis, physics, or planetary science. Once selected, you will be paired with APL staff mentors and work full-time on research projects that help develop your technical, analytical, and professional skills. You may run simulations, analyze data, or contribute to engineering and computing projects, all while collaborating in a professional research environment. The experience concludes with the submission of a digital research poster.
Interns who continue through the academic year will need to follow these guidelines.
8. SEES High School Summer Intern Program – NASA & UT Austin
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5% (in-person program), ~20% (virtual program)
Location: Virtual | In-person (Austin, Texas)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June - July (varies by project; most teams run 6–8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizen | 16 years old by July 5 | Current high school sophomores or juniors (rising juniors and seniors)
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) internship, offered by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research in partnership with NASA, gives high school students a hands-on research experience in Earth and space science. As an intern, you will join project teams such as Earth System Explorers, Urban Heat Island Study, Air Quality Initiative, or Exoplanet Transits, each guided by NASA scientists and mentors. During the program, you will work remotely analyzing satellite data, using research software, conducting local fieldwork, and attending weekly live sessions. Projects emphasize data visualization, Python programming, and scientific analysis, helping interns develop practical research skills. The program concludes with the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, where students present their findings to NASA experts and peers nationwide.
9. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; very few internship positions offered, even fewer virtual options
Location: Virtual | In-person (Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some roles offer a stipend
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer (Monday-Friday) after graduation; some school semester-long internships are also offered
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, are graduating seniors when the internship begins, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Note: It is strongly recommended that applicants have a background in physics, chemistry, advanced math, engineering, computer languages, and coding.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, offers high school students the opportunity to gain practical research experience in plasma physics and fusion energy. You will work directly with researchers or engineers on experimental or computational projects, which may include coding, simulations, or using design tools like SolidWorks and AutoCAD. During the internship, you will get to develop skills in problem-solving, data analysis, scientific thinking, and research collaboration, while gaining insight into the operations of a professional laboratory. This program allows students to explore advanced topics in physics and engineering, engage with experts in the field, and deepen their understanding of complex scientific subjects before college.
10. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive;
Location: Virtual | In-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; virtual interns receive a stipend of $500, in-person interns are paid at an hourly rate
Dates: 5 weeks, July-August (virtual) | 8 weeks, June-August (in-person)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City (for the in-person program), and across the U.S. (for the virtual program)
This internship, designed for high school students interested in neuroscience, has two options: a five-week virtual program and an eight-week in-person program. In the virtual program, you will engage in live lectures, virtual lab activities, and structured research training while working closely with faculty mentors. You will explore topics such as neurodevelopment, neuroimaging, and clinical neurobiology, gaining experience in research techniques and methods. The program also includes weekly seminars, career development workshops, and mentorship sessions to help students understand potential pathways in research or clinical practice. By the end of the internship, students complete remote lab projects, develop core neuroscience skills, and present their findings through a capstone presentation.
11. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual | In-person (Washington, DC)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students (must be at least 16 years old)
This internship offers high school students a chance to gain practical experience in science communication, STEM education, and digital outreach. Interns support SSEC’s mission to improve K–12 science learning by contributing to projects in digital media, social media, communications strategy, and graphic design. Working alongside professionals, you may create educational content, manage digital assets, conduct background research, and help strengthen the SSEC brand. The program provides insight into how a communications team functions while helping you develop skills in messaging, strategy, and content creation. You may assist with educational websites or applications, analyze engagement data, and design interactive learning tools, all while contributing to ideas for STEM outreach.
12. Stanford University - Clinical Summer Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,380
Dates: July 28 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older
This is a two-week virtual program that provides high school students with an introduction to clinical medicine. You will engage in interactive lectures, virtual training, and expert-led sessions covering a variety of medical specialties, including cardiology, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. You will take part in small group case discussions, simulated patient interactions, and clinical technique workshops to develop diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and practical skills. The program also includes career-focused sessions and discussions on medical ethics, healthcare policy, and pathways into medicine. Guided by Stanford faculty and clinicians, students gain insight into actual clinical practice while honing communication and critical thinking skills.
13. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s High School Student Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students and rising college first-years
UT Southwestern Medical Center offers a two-week online internship for high school students interested in exploring careers in mental health. During this program, you will learn from professionals such as psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and physician assistants, gaining a comprehensive view of the field. You will engage in interactive sessions, readings, discussions, and live demonstrations to better understand the day-to-day responsibilities of mental health practitioners. The program covers a range of specialties, including psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, community psychiatry, and interventional approaches. Through this experience, students develop foundational knowledge of mental health care, explore different career paths, and see how various roles contribute to patient well-being.
14. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend
Dates: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age, residing in Massachusetts, and attending a Massachusetts high school
The Zon Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital offers this paid two-week virtual research program for high school students interested in blood disorders and cancer biology. Students work as part of a team to design studies on anemia using zebrafish as a model organism. You’ll develop hypotheses, plan experiments, and analyze data, while lab scientists perform the experiments live for students to observe. At the end of the program, teams present their findings to peers and mentors. Alongside research, students attend lectures on topics ranging from fundamental biology to clinical applications, receive training in reading and interpreting scientific literature, and learn basic coding for data visualization. The program also includes mentorship sessions and career panels.
15. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, ~5%
Location: Virtual | In-person (Greater Seattle area)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some projects may offer a stipend
Dates: 8–12 weeks in the summer, varies by project
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students (specific projects may have additional eligibility criteria)
This is a highly selective internship for high school students interested in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, AI, and data science. You will work closely with industry professionals, university professors, and mentors on team-based projects that tackle current scientific and technological challenges. Students select specialized tracks that align with their interests, such as software development, biomedical engineering, climate science, semiconductors, AI workflows, low-temperature electronics, or accessibility in engineering education. You will attend workshops to develop skills in Python, data analysis, prototyping, and other relevant tools depending on your project. During the internship, students receive guidance from experts, contribute to relevant projects, and present their work to peers and mentors.
16. EDIT AIML Summer Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: April 15 – June 15
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students with a background in computer science
The EDIT AIML Summer Internship Program at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center gives high school students the opportunity to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare. Interns work on projects designed to improve clinical efficiency and patient outcomes, gaining practical experience with tools like Python and R. You’ll analyze medical images using gigapixel imaging, develop AI-driven diagnostic tools, and apply natural language processing (NLP) to extract insights from clinical data. The program also provides exposure to IRB-approved research and the practical application of AI in medical settings. Beyond technical skills, you’ll build competencies in scientific writing, teamwork, and communication. The internship concludes with a presentation of your research to faculty and researchers.
Bonus! Here are a few more online science programs you can consider:
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