13 Prestigious Physics Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in physics, internships can be a worthwhile way to explore the field. Physics internships for high school students provide experience in research, experimentation, and technical problem-solving. These programs expose you to tools and methods used in modern physics, including instrumentation, data analysis, modeling, and laboratory procedures.
You may observe how research teams design experiments, test hypotheses, and interpret findings, helping you understand how theoretical concepts translate into measurable outcomes. Internships also connect you with scientists, graduate students, and mentors who can guide your work and introduce you to different areas of the field. Participating in an internship can also boost your college admissions chances, especially if you’re applying to competitive physics undergraduate programs.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 13 prestigious physics internships for high school students that offer meaningful exposure to research and scientific inquiry.
1. QuarkNet Summer Research Internship at Fermilab
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $16.20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 17 - August 2
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in an Illinois high school
The QuarkNet Program introduces students to particle physics research using data from major experiments at labs such as Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. You join the program through a local QuarkNet Center and collaborate with high school peers, educators, and physicist mentors to analyse data, build detectors, or study cosmic-ray phenomena. The program includes workshops, e-lab investigations, and a summer research component. You participate in guided activities, data collection, and team presentations where you share your findings with mentors and fellow students.
2. Ladder Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships offers high school students to contribute to research and technical projects in areas such as physics, data science, and engineering. You work remotely for 8 - 12 weeks, spending 10 - 20 hours per week. Projects may involve data modeling, simulation, or experimental analysis relevant to physics applications. Each student is paired with both a startup mentor and a Ladder coach for ongoing guidance throughout the internship. You gain experience using analytical tools, interpreting scientific data, and preparing technical reports under supervision. The program concludes with a final presentation of your research outcomes to peers and mentors.
3. ASPIRE Internship at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory campus, Laurel, MD (hybrid and virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: October to May; July to August
Application Deadline: June 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens and will be at least 15 years old when the program begins, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and have permanent residency in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area
The ASPIRE Internship at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) allows rising juniors and seniors to contribute to ongoing research projects in areas such as physics, aerospace systems, and data analysis. As a participant, you complete around 190 hours of guided work under the mentorship of APL researchers. You may assist with tasks related to data modeling, simulation, or instrumentation that support broader research goals within the lab. The program features an orientation and regular progress discussions to help you understand research methods and lab practices. You also prepare technical summaries or presentations that communicate your findings to mentors and peers.
4. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Internship Program
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Stipend offered; exact amount varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Exact dates vary each year
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, US citizens or permanent residents, and will be graduating seniors in high school
The High School Summer Internship at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) allows you to contribute to ongoing research in plasma physics and fusion energy. You work alongside scientists and engineers on projects involving coding, data modeling, computational analysis, or experimental setup. Mentorship is a core part of the experience, with PPPL researchers guiding you through project development and review. You also learn to document and present your findings using standard research practices, while gaining exposure to laboratory instruments, diagnostic tools, and simulation software commonly used in plasma research.
5. Spark Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington, or remote
Cost/Stipend: Stipend up to $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June and August
Application Deadline: Early April
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 for the current school year
The Spark Summer Internship Program (SparkSIP) offers an 8 to 12-week virtual or hybrid internship where students work with industry mentors and educators. You take part in projects that may involve programming, data analysis, engineering design, or business research, depending on your host organization’s focus. Throughout the program, you receive guidance from both a company supervisor and the SparkSIP coordinator, attend regular progress reviews, and complete a final deliverable summarizing your work. You also participate in mentorship sessions that help you understand industry practices. Financial assistance is available for eligible students.
6. Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors in high school who are U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The National Institute of Standards and Technology High School Summer Intern Program (SHIP) places students in a research environment at the Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD campus, where they contribute to projects in physics, materials science, electronics, or algorithm development. You work in one of NIST’s six laboratories, such as the Physical Measurement Laboratory or the Materials Measurement Laboratory, under the mentorship of scientists and engineers. During the 8-week period, you assist with data analysis, instrumentation tasks, simulation programming, or measurement validation, depending on your lab assignment. Regular check-ins and research project deliverables guide your progress and reinforce professional research practices. The program concludes with a poster presentation where you share your results with mentors and peers.
7. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 as an application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University places you in a research environment where you contribute to scientific research across fields such as physics, nanotechnology, environmental science, or computational modeling. You collaborate with faculty members and professional researchers, selecting a project that aligns with your interests and skills. Over the 8-week program, you perform experimental design, data analysis, and prepare deliverables such as technical reports and poster presentations. Mentorship is provided throughout, including check-ins and expert feedback. The program is free for participants aside from a nominal application fee, which can be waived for eligible students.
8. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks (May - August)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 16
Eligibility: Full-time students who are U.S. citizens aged 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0+
NASA Internship Programs allow students to explore physics and related fields through direct involvement in NASA research and engineering projects. You may assist in areas such as data analysis, materials testing, computational modeling, or instrumentation under the guidance of NASA scientists and engineers. You will also get to work with specialized tools and simulations used in aerospace research, and contribute to projects in areas such as planetary science, propulsion, or fluid dynamics. The program provides access to mentorship, technical workshops, and exposure to research methods used in large-scale scientific missions. Stipends vary based on session duration and academic level, with opportunities available across multiple NASA centers throughout the year.
9. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: Several lab locations across the US
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1st
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and will be at least 16 years old by the time the internship begins
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places students in the Department of the Navy laboratory where they support scientists and engineers on research projects in areas such as applied physics, materials science, or electrical engineering. You contribute to experimental design, data collection, or computational modeling under the supervision of a research mentor. The program introduces you to how research is conducted within a federal defense environment, emphasizing precision, collaboration, and technical documentation. You participate in lab meetings and progress reviews, gaining experience with instrumentation and data-driven problem solving. The experience offers insight into how physics and engineering principles are applied to ongoing research at national laboratories.
10. The MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; highly selective
Dates: June 25 - August 5
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI) offers high school students a summer research experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, you spend the first part of the program completing intensive academic coursework, followed by a mentored research internship. You develop a research proposal, collect and analyze data, and present your findings through written and oral reports. The program introduces you to advanced scientific methods and gives you access to university-level labs and research tools. You also attend lectures led by scientists and engineers, gaining exposure to current developments in STEM fields.
11. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the country
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $468.80 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; highly selective
Dates: Varies depending on the project
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
The AFRL Scholars Program places students within Air Force Research Laboratory teams where they contribute to research projects in physics, engineering, or related technical fields. You may analyze datasets, build or refine simulation models, or support experiments that examine material properties, energy systems, or aerospace technologies. The program pairs you with research mentors who guide you through laboratory procedures, documentation standards, and analytical methods. You also use technical tools and software relevant to defense and aerospace research as part of your assigned project work.
12. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: No program fee; housing and meals provided; $750 stipend on completion of the research project report
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students selected each summer
Dates: June 21 to August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (or recent graduates) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University places students in a summer research environment where they design and conduct a physics or STEM-focused project under the guidance of Texas Tech faculty. You create a research proposal, collect or simulate data, and prepare a detailed report under the guidance of a mentor. The program includes weekly seminars and feedback sessions to support your experimentation and analysis skills. You live on the TTU campus during the 7-week program and collaborate with other student researchers. At the end of the program, you formally present your research findings to faculty and peers.
13. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Greater Boston), Massachusetts, USA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed exactly
Dates: Six weeks in summer (late June through early August)
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; high school juniors.
The MITES Summer Program (MIT) gives you a 6-week on-campus experience at MIT, where you study advanced topics in maths, science (including physics), and humanities. You take 5 rigorous courses, including a physics class aligned with your level, alongside recitations and lab tours. The program includes seminars on STEM careers, college admissions counseling, and sessions with MIT researchers and faculty. You live on the MIT campus, giving you daily exposure to college-style academic life and resources. As a participant, you also take part in social events and explore the Boston area, building a community of peers from around the U.S. Your work is evaluated through coursework, and you receive a written feedback report from your instructors at the end. The program is free to attend (excluding travel), with all academic and residential costs fully covered.
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