15 Paid Fall Internships for High School Students
If you're a high school student looking to gain professional experience during the school year, a fall internship can be a smart way to get started. These programs let you apply what you're learning in class to projects while exploring different career paths. Along the way, you'll build professional skills, expand your network, and get a better sense of what you might want to pursue after graduation.
Internships that offer stipends give you a chance to save money for future college or other educational expenses. Programs with stipends tend to be more competitive to get into, making acceptance something you can highlight in your college applications. Below, you'll find 15 paid fall internships for high school students in a range of fields, chosen for their skill-building potential and mentorship opportunities.
15 Paid Fall Internships for High School Students
1. Massachusetts Life Science Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various life‑science workplaces across MA
Stipend: Part-time or full-time internships at $17 per hour for full-time work
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~150 placements each year
Dates: Internships must occur between May 1 and April 30; typically, 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: MA high school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date and from underrepresented or low‑income schools
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge creates paid research and lab opportunities for underrepresented and low-income students. Each year, the paid fall internship for high school students supports over 150 placements by reimbursing wages for life sciences companies and research institutions, ensuring financial accessibility for participants. Before starting, students often complete a pre-internship training program in biotechnology and professional skills, preparing them for lab and office work. Interns typically earn around $17 per hour while assisting with hands-on experiments, data collection, and other biomedical research activities under supervision. The six-week placements vary from part-time to full-time, depending on the organization.
2. The Intern Project Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Students are awarded a stipend (amount unspecified) and 1 free college credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 3 seasonal programs: fall, spring, and summer
Application deadline: Depends on cohort
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior years in high school and enrolled in a LA County High School
The Intern Project connects high school students in Los Angeles County with paid internships across industries such as technology, engineering, business, healthcare, and government. Over eight weeks, you’ll take part in various projects, attend skill-building workshops, and receive mentorship that helps you explore career paths and professional environments. Depending on your placement, internships can be on-site or remote, and participants receive both a stipend and college credit for completing the program. Throughout the experience, students also engage in informational interviews and networking sessions that offer firsthand exposure to workplace dynamics. Note that the program prioritizes students from underrepresented or financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
3. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Philadelphia, PA (remote and in-person)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September –
December
Application deadline: Varies, check here for more details
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute hosts internships during the fall, spring, and summer terms, offering students firsthand exposure to the work of an established policy think tank. Interns are matched with scholars specializing in areas such as Middle East studies, national security, or Eurasian politics, contributing to research, writing, event coordination, or communications. Weekly seminars with guest speakers provide insight into international relations and career development within the policy world. You’ll also gain access to FPRI’s events (held in-person, hybrid, or virtually), broadening your understanding of global issues. Participants in this paid fall internship for high school students may contribute original research or commentary for publication in FPRI’s Intern Corner.
4. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $501.60/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September - mid-December) | Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January - early May) | Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June - August)
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students over 16 years of age who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program allows high school students to participate in paid research internships alongside leading scientists and engineers. As a scholar, you’ll contribute to projects in aerospace, artificial intelligence, atomic physics, and data science, working directly in government research facilities. Depending on your assignment, you might engage in experimental design, software development, or satellite systems research while earning a weekly stipend. This paid fall internship for high school students is focused on mentorship, pairing you with professionals who guide your technical and professional growth.
5. Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: ~$14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall/Spring: Part-time during the school year
Application deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 16 years of age with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and who attend a high school in northern New Mexico.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program gives New Mexico high school seniors the chance to work in both STEM and professional disciplines while gaining paid, practical experience. Interns can take part in part-time work during the school year and full-time placements during the summer, typically lasting about ten weeks. You’ll collaborate with experienced mentors on projects that may involve scientific research, engineering, business operations, or administrative support. Working within one of the country’s most well-known research institutions allows you to contribute to projects that serve national and scientific interests while still in high school.
6. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohorts vary by placement
Dates: Year-round; varies by location and placement
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old to qualify
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship allows students to participate in paid, full-time research within U.S. Army laboratories or affiliated university labs. Under the mentorship of scientists and engineers, you’ll assist with research in diverse STEM fields, including biology, materials science, engineering, and cybersecurity. Interns gain experience conducting lab experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to technical reports while learning how research supports national goals in technology and defense. The paid fall internship for high school students also includes webinars, career panels, and networking events to help you explore professional pathways within and beyond the Army research network. Participants receive a stipend and work closely with mentors to strengthen both their technical and professional skills.
7. BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: BioBuilder Learning Lab @Allston Labworks, Boston, MA
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, 24 students
Dates: October 18 – December 13
Application deadline: Opens in September; rolling
Eligibility: Massachusetts high-school students aged 16+ years
The BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Challenge is an eight-week paid program designed to help students gain technical knowledge, laboratory experience, and professional skills essential for biotechnology careers. Combining online learning with in-person lab sessions, the program focuses on synthetic biology, experimental design, and communication skills. You’ll participate in hands-on lab work each week, practicing bench techniques and applying bioengineering concepts to real-world scenarios. Throughout the program, you’ll also work on collaboration, responsibility, and written and oral communication. Participants receive a $500 stipend and may test for micro-credentials that demonstrate proficiency in specific laboratory skills relevant to the life sciences industry.
8. Bronx Zoo Animal Care Internships
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions
Application deadline: Varies based on position
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 18 years old (make sure to verify which internships are open to high school students)
The Bronx Zoo’s Animal Care Internships allow high school seniors to experience the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for animals in professional zoo and aquarium settings. Interns assist with essential animal care tasks such as dietary preparation, cleaning enclosures, exhibit maintenance, and behavior observation. Depending on placement, you may also support enrichment activities, help maintain life support systems, and contribute to record keeping. The paid fall internship for high school students runs across several facilities, including the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and Central Park Zoo; each offering distinct areas of focus like aviculture, behavioral husbandry, and aquatic species care.
9. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Internships
Location: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Indian Trail, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Two 90-day sessions run each year, one in spring/summer and one in fall/winter
Application deadline: Applications open in January for the spring/summer session and in July for the fall/winter session; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students aged 16 and above with a strong interest in animal care
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue offers immersive, hands-on internships for students interested in wildlife biology, zoology, or pre-veterinary studies. As an intern, you’ll work alongside veterinarians, licensed rehabilitators, and volunteers to care for birds and small mammals, with a primary focus on songbirds and domestic fowl. You’ll learn to handle animals safely, prepare specialized diets, and maintain clean, enriched habitats. Training covers advanced skills like administering medication, calculating dosages, and assisting in triage or treatment procedures. Interns also participate in daily care routines, such as feeding and monitoring patients, while supporting administrative and outreach efforts.
10. Museum of Science Museum Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically 7 weeks in the fall
Application deadline: Applications open in June/July and vary depending on the specific internship
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-19 years
The Museum of Science Internship Program in Boston provides high school students with practical experience in a professional, science-oriented environment. Interns contribute to the museum’s mission by assisting with exhibits, educational programming, or visitor engagement while developing transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and time management. Supervisors provide structured feedback and opportunities for reflection to help you build confidence and workplace readiness. In addition to hands-on experience, interns receive perks such as free admission to museum exhibits and reciprocal access to other cultural institutions.
11. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory: High-School Internships
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid or for-credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-round; exact dates vary
Application deadline: Exact deadlines for year-round internships vary
Eligibility: U.S. High school seniors at least 16 years old
PPPL, managed by Princeton University for the U.S. Department of Energy, offers in-person internships for high school seniors with strong academic backgrounds in math and science. During the program, you’ll assist researchers and engineers working on real-world projects in plasma physics, fusion energy, or related engineering fields. Participants are paired with mentors who guide them through technical tasks and help them understand how laboratory research supports advancements in clean energy and national science initiatives. Depending on your skills, you might contribute to coding and simulations, data analysis, or design tasks using programming languages like Python or Java and tools such as CAD software. The internships take place during the academic year, often through the fall months, and provide valuable exposure to research in a professional lab environment.
12. American Psychological Association (APA) – Remote Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations and remote options
Stipend: Some internship positions may be paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Internships are offered year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s eVerify service) and residing in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer.
The APA Remote Internship Program gives high school students the chance to explore psychology from home through a structured, professional experience. Interns are assigned to departments such as education, public policy, research, or communications, where they may work on data analysis, drafting educational resources, or supporting outreach projects. Each participant works under the supervision of APA staff, gaining insight into how psychological science connects to public policy and community well-being. The internship also includes optional workshops, networking sessions, and group discussions.
13. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies with experience and placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by position
Dates: Varies by internship; both full-time summer and part-time year-round internships are offered
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; specific eligibility criteria vary by position
Sandia National Laboratories provides paid internship opportunities for high school students interested in research, science, and engineering. These positions allow you to contribute to projects in cybersecurity, energy research, national defense, or computational modeling while working alongside professional scientists and engineers. Depending on your placement, you might help with programming, data analysis, or experimental work using software such as MATLAB, CAD, or Python. Throughout the program, you’ll receive mentorship, attend professional development sessions, and gain firsthand experience in a federal research environment.
14. NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Stipend: $1,200; Additional stipends up to $2,000 available for qualifying students based on financial need and placement site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Starts November 15
Application deadline: September 29
Eligibility: First-year applicants must be 15+, entering sophomore or junior year of high school, and have an academic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale
The Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program introduces high school students to the medical field through monthly sessions during the school year. You’ll take part in hospital tours, clinical skill workshops, and seminars with healthcare professionals from a range of specialties. The paid fall internship for high school students blends career exploration with leadership and service activities, helping you develop communication and teamwork skills while learning about real hospital operations. Mentorship is a central component, as medical staff guide you through discussions about healthcare systems, patient care, and career pathways.
15. Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship
Location: Remote and in-person in Maine
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September – December
Application deadline: September 19
Eligibility: High school students across Maine (15+); Work permit required if under 16
The Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship engages high school students in civic participation and community leadership through paid, part-time work. Over the course of the internship, you’ll dedicate around five hours a week to projects that may involve community organizing, communications, or youth advocacy. Interns earn $15 per hour while working on initiatives such as planning public events, creating digital content, or developing newsletters to encourage civic engagement among young people. The experience also includes learning about the legislative process and practicing facilitation, outreach, and public speaking skills. Depending on your interests, you can focus on areas like voting rights, equity, or social justice, building practical experience in advocacy and civic education.
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