15 Paid Environmental Science Internships for High School Students
If you care about protecting the planet, studying ecosystems, or tackling climate challenges, environmental science internships are a great way to start making an impact. These internships let you step outside the classroom and experience what it's like to work in the environmental field, showing you how science is applied to challenges. Along the way, you’ll develop valuable skills, connect with mentors, and discover whether environmental science is the right path for you. An environmental science internship can also make your college applications stand out by showing admissions officers that you’ve taken the initiative to work on a cause outside of school.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 15 paid environmental science internships for high school students that combine practical learning, field experience, and impact.
1. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specifiedEligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship is a five-week program that lets high school students dive into some of today’s most important environmental challenges, specifically how clean water systems are managed and protected in the Seattle region. Hosted by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, the program combines workshops, field visits, and group discussions focused on sustainability and environmental justice. You’ll learn from environmental professionals, build leadership and communication skills by teaching younger students, and wrap up the program with a final project presentation. Beyond exploring how local organizations protect their water resources, you’ll develop collaboration and public-speaking skills that are vital for future studies and a career in the environmental sector.
2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August (8 weeks; flexible schedule)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid Environmental Science internship for high school students that offers a hands-on introduction to environmental science and aquatic research. Over eight weeks, you’ll work alongside fisheries scientists and mentors on field projects such as fish sampling, habitat evaluation, and water quality monitoring. Your mentor will walk you through each stage of the research process, from data collection to analysis, while helping you explore career paths in fisheries biology and conservation. The program focuses on applied, experiential learning, showing you how field data contributes to environment management and conservation efforts.
3. Environmentor – RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity)
Location: Far Rockaway, NY (on-site at RISE)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; up to a $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June - mid-August
Application Deadline: Spring (applications typically close by May)
Eligibility: 9th–11th grade students living in NYC who attend school in or near the Rockaway Peninsula
Environmentor – RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) is a six-week summer program that lets high school students explore environmental science and coastal sustainability through practical research along the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. Working with scientists from nearby universities and research centers, you’ll design and carry out your own project focused on areas such as marine ecosystems and coastal resilience. Beyond research, you’ll take part in outdoor activities such as kayaking, biking, surfing, and training in water safety and CPR. As part of the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium, Environmentor also includes community service through RISE events – giving you the chance to connect with the community while earning a stipend.
4. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Location: Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: $750 stipend / $16/hour (summer); $350 stipend (fall)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (late June - August) and Fall (September - December)
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Bronx-based high school sophomores and juniors in good academic standing
The Project TRUE program is a paid Environmental Science internship for high school students to explore how wildlife and green spaces thrive within New York City’s urban environment, while gaining ecological research experience. Hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo in collaboration with Fordham University, the program places you on a small research team investigating topics such as bird diversity, mammal activity, or water quality. You’ll learn to collect and analyze data, design your own project, and share your results with scientists and community members. With guidance from Fordham undergraduates and WCS educators, you’ll get a firsthand look at how ecological research is carried out in an urban setting – building skills such as data analysis and teamwork along the way.
5. Northwest Youth Corps – Youth Community Program
Location: Oregon, Washington, and Idaho
Cost/Stipend: $480 weekly stipend (+ potential $40 weekly bonus); $200 tuition (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August (5 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 living in participating Northwest communities
The Northwest Youth Corps – Youth Community Program gives high school students the opportunity to spend five weeks working on environmental projects in their local area, while developing practical job and leadership skills. Under the guidance of experienced crew leaders, you’ll take part in activities such as trail restoration, tree planting, removing invasive species, and installing fences. Each day involves reporting to a worksite and completing hands-on conservation tasks, blending real-world work with environmental learning. Alongside fieldwork, you’ll attend daily lessons on ecology, teamwork, and resource management. The program allows you to earn a stipend, possibly receive school credit, and build a deeper connection to your community’s natural environment.
6. Forest Project – Wave Hill
Location: Bronx, New York
Stipend: Approximately $2,275 stipend through NYC SYEP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (exact session dates not yet released)
Application Deadline: March 1 (via NYC SYEP provider application)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ by May 1 who are NYC residents, eligible to work in the U.S., and interested in environmental science or urban ecology
The Forest Project gives an opportunity to high school students to explore urban ecology while contributing to real restoration work at Wave Hill, a public garden and cultural center in the Bronx. Over the summer, you’ll spend your days maintaining trails, removing invasive plants, and supporting woodland restoration projects alongside peers and mentors who share your interest in the environment. As part of the experience, you’ll take an accredited college course, ‘Restoration of New York City’s Natural Areas’ that covers ecology, data collection, and environmental management. Through a mix of field trips, group research, and hands-on work, you’ll build teamwork, communication, and field science skills while earning a stipend and college credit.
7. Biological Field Station High School Internship – SUNY Oneonta
Location: Cooperstown, New York
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1–3 high school interns selected annually
Dates: Late May – August (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens January
Eligibility: New York State residents aged 16 or older as of June 20
The Biological Field Station (BFS) summer internship at SUNY Oneonta provides real-world experience in environmental research and conservation. Under the guidance of scientists and faculty mentors, you’ll take part in studies focused on Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna River watershed, conducting fisheries and plant surveys, collecting water samples, analyzing lab data, and interpreting results. You’ll share your findings through a poster and technical report published in the BFS Annual Report, showcasing your contribution to scientific work. Combining hands-on field experience, lab work, and independent research, this program offers a true glimpse into environmental science while allowing you to earn a stipend and college credit.
8. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Multiple NASA centers across the U.S., including NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA) | Virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns receive a stipend based on academic level and program duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; varies by placement
Dates: Summer (Early June - August; 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students aged 16 or older | Must be U.S. citizens | Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program gives high school students an opportunity to work alongside NASA scientists and engineers on real-world research and engineering challenges. Depending on your placement, you might help design experiments, analyze mission data, or contribute to developing tools and technologies used in space exploration. Internship projects span a range of areas, including aerospace, planetary science, robotics, ecology, and technology innovation, each centered on a specific research goal. By the end of the program, you’ll strengthen your analytical and technical skills, gain firsthand insight into NASA’s work, and contribute directly to NASA’s mission of advancing scientific discovery and exploration.
9. Teen Science Scholars – Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Location: Denver, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,751 stipend provided to offset expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by track; typically 3 - 4 students per research area
Dates: Session 1: June 4 - June 27 | Session 2: July 9 - August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 14 - 17) from underrepresented or underserved communities; must be available Monday - Friday for one session
The Teen Science Scholars program at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science gives high school students a behind-the-scenes look at how scientific research takes place in a museum setting, all through a paid, hands-on research internship. You’ll get to choose from specialized tracks such as ornithology, paleontology, entomology, or anthropology, and work side-by-side with museum scientists both in the lab and out in the field. Over several weeks, you’ll collect data, analyze specimens, and learn how scientific research connects to the environment. Along the way, you’ll build essential communication and teamwork skills. The program ends with a Showcase event, where you’ll present your findings to peers and mentors.
10. Joint Science Education Project (JSEP)
Location: Remote (U.S.) and Field Program in Greenland
Cost/Stipend: Free | Field participants receive a $1,500 stipend + all travel expenses covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small national cohort
Dates: Summer (one-week remote or three-week field-based program)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (varies by year)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students and recent graduates (18+ for the field program)
The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) offers an opportunity to explore Arctic science and research with peers from the U.S. and Greenland. Organized by Dartmouth College’s Institute of Arctic Studies and funded by the National Science Foundation, the program includes two experiences: a one-week remote course for high school students and a three-week field expedition in Greenland for recent graduates. You’ll study climate change, ice sheets, and polar ecosystems, while working alongside scientists in the field. You’ll also build research, collaboration, and communication skills through hands-on activities and team projects. JSEP is interdisciplinary and cross-cultural, giving you firsthand exposure to environmental and polar science while connecting you with an international community of young researchers.
11. Student Urban Nature (SUN) Internship – Natural Areas Conservancy
Location: Forest Park, Queens, and the Greenbelt, Staten Island, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small local cohorts
Dates: Summer (5–6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in Winter
Eligibility: High school students, particularly those underrepresented in STEM
The Student Urban Nature (SUN) Internship introduces high school students to urban ecology through hands-on fieldwork across New York City’s parks and green spaces. You’ll study local ecosystems, identify plant and animal species, and collect data that supports conservation and park management efforts. The program combines science learning with real-world experience, letting you explore wetland and forest ecology, participate in environmental stewardship projects, and present your findings at a research symposium. You’ll be mentored by professionals from NYC Parks and partner organizations, gaining professional insight while earning a stipend for your work. Along the way, you’ll build teamwork, observation, and research skills in an inclusive, community-focused environment.
12. The Institute Discovering Environmental Scientists (TIDES) – Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Location: Staatsburg, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small student research teams
Dates: July 14 - 25
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school and college students
The TIDES program enables students to conduct hands-on field and laboratory research along the Hudson River and nearby streams. You’ll work with educators and scientists from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, gaining experience in environmental science. You’ll design scientific questions, collect and analyze environmental data, and present your findings to the community. The program emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and exposure to careers in environmental science, helping you build a strong foundation in ecology, research methods, and conservation while earning a stipend.
13. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations (U.S. and international)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80–100 interns each summer
Dates: 10–12 weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: Mid-February for summer positions; fall and spring cycles also available
Eligibility: Current or recent undergraduate and graduate students
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Internship Program allows students to work alongside experts shaping global environmental and climate policy. Each internship is project-based, with opportunities across science, policy, economics, advocacy, and communications. You’ll receive one-to-one mentorship from EDF professionals, attend workshops and speaker sessions, and participate in social events that connect you with industry leaders and other students. With its structured learning and meaningful, real-world work, this internship will help you build professional skills alongside exploring career paths in environmental sustainability and climate action – all while contributing to EDF’s mission of creating a more sustainable planet.
14. MobilizeGreen Internships and Fellowships
Location: Nationwide (U.S.) and remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid (living allowance, benefits, and travel/housing for some roles)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program and funding cycle
Dates: Ongoing; most programs open between January and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling; depends on funding cycles and program type
Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, and recent graduates
MobilizeGreen connects students and emerging leaders to real-world environmental and sustainability careers through paid internships, fellowships, and virtual projects. You might do fieldwork in national parks, support infrastructure projects for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, or collaborate remotely on sustainability initiatives. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable skills in ecology, environmental management, data analysis, and leadership. Programs typically include mentorship, professional training, and networking opportunities to help you launch a career in the green economy. With both in-person and virtual options, MobilizeGreen provides flexible, hands-on experiences that prepare you to make a tangible impact on the environment and communities across the country.
15. The Marjot Foundation
Location: New England and New York
Cost/Stipend: Free | $5,000 research grant
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 3–5 students annually
Dates: One-year research duration (school year; optional summer continuation)
Application Deadline: April 20 and October 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) from New England and New York
The Marjot Foundation empowers high school students to become independent researchers by funding self-designed projects that tackle environmental challenges. You’ll design your own research proposal, carry out field and lab investigations, and present your results. Each selected project receives a $5,000 grant, covering both research costs and stipends for you, your mentor, and your school’s science department. Throughout the year, you’ll prepare reports, share findings at science fairs, and gain experience in scientific writing and project management. This opportunity is ideal if you’re ready to take initiative and explore environmental science through independent, student-driven research.
Bonus
Ladder Internships
Location: Remote — you can join from anywhere in the worldCost/Stipend: Depends on program type; full financial aid availableAcceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by cohortDates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year — Spring, Summer, Fall, and WinterApplication Deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, and November)Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students with fast-growing startups around the world, offering an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fields such as sustainability, technology, healthcare, and environmental science. You’ll be paired with a startup manager and dedicated ladder coach and collaborate directly with its team on real projects, gaining an inside look at the fast-paced startup environment. Over the course of about eight weeks, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to solve real challenges while building skills in research, communication, and creative problem-solving. With flexible scheduling and financial aid available, the program makes professional experience accessible to students around the world. Apply now!
Image source - Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program logo