Top 11 Physics Summer Internships for High School Students
Whether you're a high school student aspiring to develop quantum technology or explore the mysteries of the universe, or simply seeking a productive summer experience beyond textbook exercises, physics internships for high school students offer an opportunity to engage directly with real-world research. Many of the internships on this list are not only about boosting your resume, but they also offer access to labs, mentors, and projects that can shape how you think about science.
Several physics internships for high school students are offered by top colleges and universities, giving you the chance to connect and work with top professionals in the field. Another benefit of participating in an internship this summer is that you might also get to earn a stipend! Below, we’ve rounded up 11 standout physics internships and pre-college research programs that accept high school students. So, let’s dive in!
Location: Various NASA centers across the U.S.
Dates: Typically 6 weeks during the summer (Specific dates may vary by center)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 or older; Enrolled full-time in high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
NASA's OSTEM Internships program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research and projects under the guidance of a NASA mentor. These internships are designed to inspire and cultivate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. As an intern, you’ll work closely with experienced NASA professionals, gaining insights into various scientific and engineering disciplines. You’ll get to contribute to real-world NASA projects, enhancing your understanding of STEM fields and research methodologies. The program offers physics internships for high school students that emphasize the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills, preparing you for future academic and career pursuits.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: Starting at $2,490, with flexible financial aid options
Ladder internships offer 8-week-long internships for high school students looking to get exposure to high-growth start-ups. As a participant, you will intern at companies doing cutting-edge research related to physics—among other fields—and work on interesting projects. During the internship, you will be expected to spend 8-10 hours per week on a project for the start-up under the mentorship of a Ladder Coach and a start-up manager; they will both guide you through each milestone of the project. You will also get the chance to interact with high-level stakeholders in the company and present the project to them at the end of the internship.
3. RISE Internship – Boston University
Location: Boston University, MA
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (Residential); June 30 – August 8 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents entering their senior year of high school
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Approx 130 students
Cost: $5,700 tuition fee; More details here
The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program at Boston University offers a six-week immersive experience where high school seniors can engage in hands-on research within university laboratories. As a participant, you can choose between two tracks: the Internship Track—where you will collaborate with BU faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students on research projects—and the Practicum Track, which provides structured group research under the guidance of a BU instructor. Both tracks culminate in a Poster Symposium, allowing you to present your findings.
In the Internship Track, you will work 40 hours per week on research projects, acquiring technical and analytical skills while developing insights into the scientific process. Research areas include major STEM subjects, including psychology.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
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.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Cost: Varies from program to program
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.
5. Caltech’s Summer Research Connection
Location: Caltech Campus, Pasadena, CA
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: High school students of Pasadena Unified School District with a strong interest in STEM; At least 16 years old
Cohort Size: 20-30 students
Cost: Available on request through Caltech’s administration
The Summer Research Connection (SRC) program at Caltech offers high school students from the Pasadena Unified School District a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research alongside Caltech faculty and graduate students. This six-week summer program immerses you in various scientific disciplines, allowing you to contribute to ongoing research projects. You’ll work directly with Caltech researchers, participating in real-world scientific investigations. You’ll also be paired with a faculty or graduate student mentor who will provide guidance and support throughout the program. SRC fosters a collaborative learning environment, encouraging you to share ideas and learn from your peers and mentors.
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S.
Dates: Typically 8 weeks during the summer (Exact dates vary by lab)
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Eligibility: U.S. citizens (some labs may consider permanent residents); 16 years or older by the internship start date; Currently enrolled in high school; Should have completed at least grade 9
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Stipend: $4,000 (New Participants); $4,500 (Returning Participants)
Run by the Department of the Navy (DoN), SEAP gives high school students the opportunity to work in more than 30 participating Navy labs across the country. You will be placed with scientists and engineers to support real research projects, ranging from AI to oceanography. While some labs focus on cybersecurity and data science, others are involved in biomedical research, naval systems engineering, and other physics-related study areas. You will be embedded into active lab teams, contributing to existing research, not just shadowing. Labs vary in focus, and students can apply to up to three locations that match their interests.
7. Research Mentorship Program – UC Santa Barbara
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, CA
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 17
Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade and advanced 9th graders with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $5,175 (Commuter); $12,474 (Residential)
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara is a prestigious six-week summer program designed for high-achieving high school students. As a participant, you will engage in interdisciplinary, hands-on, university-level research under the guidance of UCSB researchers, including faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students. Before the start of the program, you will participate in a multi-day virtual orientation to meet mentors, learn about available research projects, and become acquainted with resources to make the most out of the program.
Through the lecture course, you will learn about the elements and construction of a formal research paper. By the end of the program, you will be able to translate your hands-on guided research experience into a scholarly research paper based on complicated physics concepts. You will earn eight university credits through the program’s two components.
8. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 22 – March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors with a strong interest in plasma physics and fusion energy, with experience in coding languages
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Stipend: Paid (Amount unspecified)
The High School Summer Internship at PPPL offers physics internships for high school students looking to engage in hands-on research projects alongside PPPL's research or engineering staff. This full-time, five-week program will immerse you in the field of plasma physics and fusion energy. You will get to collaborate on projects that align with your interests and the laboratory's ongoing research. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from PPPL's staff, ensuring guidance and support throughout the internship.
9. Physics of Atomic Nuclei Summer Program
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: Typically in late March
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in physics and nuclear science
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: Free
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program offers physics internships for high school students interested in exploring the world of nuclear science. PAN introduces you to the fundamentals of atomic nuclei and their connection to astrophysics and cosmology. As a participant, you will engage in nuclear physics experiments and learn about research conducted at the isotope laboratory. You will also get the chance to attend lectures from leading researchers in astrophysics, precision measurement, and nuclear science. As a bonus, you will also experience campus life at Michigan State University, including building relationships with university students while staying in dormitories and dining on campus.
10. Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Batavia, IL (remote components too)
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15 – March 15
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in a high school in Illinois
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Stipend: $500/week
The Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) at Fermilab offers a unique four-week hybrid internship experience for Illinois high school seniors and recent graduates. As a participant, you’ll engage in cutting-edge STEM research, collaborating with Fermilab professionals to explore various scientific and engineering disciplines. You will be paired with a mentor from Fermilab's scientific or engineering staff, ensuring personalized guidance throughout the program, and are expected to complete a research abstract, develop a research poster, deliver a final presentation, and participate in pre- and post-program surveys.
11. Modern Physics Pre-College Program, Northeastern University
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Dates: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically at the start of the year
Eligibility: High school students with a foundational understanding of physics concepts
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $6,895
The Exploring Modern Physics program offers high school students a unique opportunity to learn more about advanced physics topics rarely covered in standard curricula. Through a combination of lectures, guest speakers, and laboratory experiments, you will explore concepts such as special relativity, quantum mechanics, radioactivity, particle physics, and cosmology. Hands-on experiences include observing cosmic rays using a cloud chamber and measuring their properties with an electronic muon counter. You will take part in lectures and real-world projects and gain a well-rounded picture of interesting concepts in the world of physics.