15 Prestigious Political Science Internships for High School Students
Gaining professional experience early can help you map your future academic and career paths, and internships are one of the best ways to do this. Internships help you build your resume, gain professional skills, and understand how your interests play out beyond the classroom. If you are drawn to politics, law, or public policy, an internship in political science can allow you to work with a government office, a civic organization, or a university research team.
If you are someone who wants to challenge themselves academically and learn more about the systems that shape how the world runs, exploring political science internships is a smart move. Presigious political science programs tend to be highly selective, hosted by respected universities, nonprofits, and government bodies, and designed to offer you exposure to policy-making, advocacy, and leadership. To help you with your search, here are 15 prestigious political science internships for high school students.
1. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Capitol and Senate office buildings, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Monthly stipend based on a $35,360 annual salary
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 30 positions available
Dates: Summer Session I: June 8 – 27 | Summer Session II: July 8 – August 1 | Fall: September 1 – January 23 | Spring: January 25 – June 5
Application deadline: Varies by session and office
Eligibility: Students who are rising high school juniors/seniors, U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), and 16 or 17 years old by appointment date, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The U.S. Senate Page Program places a select group of high school students at the center of American lawmaking on Capitol Hill. As a Senate Page, you will help deliver legislative materials, assist senators during debates, and prepare the Senate chamber for daily sessions, gaining insights into how federal policies take shape. You will spend the summer, fall, or spring semester balancing your academic studies at the Page School with a full schedule of Senate duties while living in Washington, D.C. This prestigious political science internship for high school students also includes cultural and educational trips that can give you a broader view of public service and history. The position is selective, requiring sponsorship from a U.S. senator, with roughly 30 students chosen per session.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10–20 hours/week
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students with global startups and nonprofits for an eight-week, remote learning experience. As an intern, you will work on real projects in fields like policy, civic engagement, or communications, contributing to meaningful organizational goals while gaining practical professional experience. You will be paired with a company mentor, who will offer consistent feedback and support throughout the internship. You will learn how to navigate teamwork, project management, and creative problem-solving while completing assignments that have a tangible impact. The program ends with a final presentation of your work to company leaders and mentors.
3. United States Senate Youth Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $10,000 college scholarships awarded for undergraduate studies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: March 7 – 14
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/legal permanent residents living in the state they will represent
The United States Senate Youth Program brings together student leaders from across the nation for a weeklong deep dive into federal government operations. Each year, two students from every state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity are selected to attend “Washington Week,” an intensive program in Washington, D.C. As a delegate, you will meet with senators, cabinet officials, Supreme Court justices, and other national figures while participating in policy briefings and discussions on public service. On completing the program, you will receive a $10,000 scholarship for college study in political science, history, or related fields.
4. U.S. Pathways Internship Programs
Location: Federal appointments across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends are typically available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by position and department
Dates: Year-round opportunities; dates vary based on session and position
Application deadline: Varies by position; you can apply via the USAJobs portal.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions, from high school to graduate school level; applicants must be 16+ and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
The Pathways Internship Program, operated by the U.S. Department of State, provides paid federal work experience to high school students. It offers two distinct tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP), which runs alongside your academic studies, and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP), which offers short-term roles during academic breaks. Depending on your assignment, you may contribute to administrative, research, or policy-related projects within federal agencies across the country. As an IEP participant, you may receive federal employee benefits and will be eligible for advancement within the civil service. ITEP roles provide flexible, shorter-term opportunities.
5. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; limited stipends offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Spring: February – April | Summer: June – August | Fall: October – December
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute offers research-focused internships for high school students interested in international relations, public policy, and global affairs. You will be paired with FPRI scholars specializing in areas such as national security, Middle Eastern politics, or Eurasian studies, contributing to research, writing, and event coordination. This prestigious political science internship for high school students is designed to provide insight into how think tanks shape public discussion and inform policy decisions. You will also attend weekly seminars with experts who discuss both career development and current geopolitical issues. You may get to publish articles through FPRI’s Intern Corner, a platform that features original student writing on foreign affairs.
6. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury offices, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December
Application deadlines: October (Spring) | December (Summer) | June (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
The U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters offers its Student Internship Program to high school students interested in getting an inside look at how national fiscal and economic policies are developed. In Washington, D.C., you will work at Treasury offices assisting with research, data collection, report drafting, and event organization. Assignments may involve preparing briefing materials, attending congressional hearings, or contributing to strategic projects related to financial regulation and public finance. Although unpaid, this prestigious political science internship for high school students provides valuable experience in public policy and federal administration. You will interact with senior officials, observe interagency collaboration, and gain insight into the inner workings of a federal institution.
7. Washington State House of Representatives Page Program
Location: Capitol building, Olympia, WA
Stipend: $65/day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Application deadline: Applications are accepted up to one month before the paging week
Dates: One week (40 hours of work) between January and March/April; exact dates vary
Eligibility: High school students in Washington State who are 14 – 16 years old
The Washington State House of Representatives Page Program offers high schoolers opportunities to gain firsthand insights into how the state government works. As a page, you will assist House members with various tasks, attend ceremonies, and join civic education programs to explore how laws are made. You will work with lawmakers, staff, and officials, taking on tasks such as handing out materials, working on the chamber floor, and delivering messages. During the program, you will also attend Page School, which is designed to help you learn how to be a page and study the government and the legislative process.
8. Centre for Justice Innovation’s Youth Action Institute
Location: New York
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Acceptance rate is not specified. Cohort size is 20
Application deadline: September 7
Dates: Year-round program; First session starting date: September 30
Eligibility: New York City residents, ages 16 – 21
Offered by the nonprofit Centre for Justice Innovation, the Youth Action Institute is a public policy fellowship that allows you to learn about policy issues and explore their solutions. You will investigate topics that affect young people’s safety and agency. You will also undergo training on anti-oppression practice, qualitative research, the policy landscape of NYC, and the intersections of all these areas. Following the training phase, you will choose a subject, i.e., the policy and issue, that you want to analyze. Once you are done with your research, you will make initial policy recommendations and then narrow the scope of your work during the second phase. You will refine your policy recommendations and share them with stakeholders across community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and government offices to receive feedback. This feedback will help you prepare your work for publication, advocacy, and/or wider reach.
9. Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship
Location: Remote and in-person at League of Women Voters of Maine, Portland, ME
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall: September – December | Spring: January – April | Summer: May – August
Application deadline: Fall: September 19 | Spring: January 16 | Summer: May 15
Eligibility: High school students across Maine who are 15 or older; applicants under 16 need to have a work permit.
The Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship offers high school students a hands-on introduction to civic engagement, voter education, and community leadership. You will work on initiatives that strengthen youth participation in democracy, such as creating public service announcements, coordinating community events, or producing digital content to promote civic awareness. Depending on your focus area, you might explore topics in communications, organizing, or youth advocacy while gaining insight into how state policy decisions are made. This paid, prestigious political science internship for high school students focuses on helping you develop practical skills in outreach, public speaking, and facilitation.
10. Mikva Summer Fellows Program
Location: Various offices across Chicago, IL
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: Six weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago students, ages 16 – 22
The Mikva Summer Fellows Program is a paid six-week opportunity for Chicago high school students to gain real experience working in government offices. You will work with local, state, or federal officials, assisting with tasks such as policy research, communications, and community outreach. Alongside the placement-related work, you will attend workshops on civic leadership, workplace readiness, and community impact, gaining insights into civic engagement and political science careers. You will work about 30 hours a week and earn a stipend through the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program.
11. The Borgen Project: Youth Ambassador/Advocate
Location: Virtual
Cost/stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
Dates: Three months; new programs begin every month, and you can choose your starting month.
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with strong communication skills
The Borgen Project’s Youth Ambassador program gives high school students the chance to engage directly with advocacy work aimed at addressing global poverty. As a Youth Ambassador, you will represent the organization in your local community by raising awareness about poverty issues, organizing fundraising campaigns, and encouraging civic participation. You can contact government leaders to support anti-poverty policies and attend local events to promote the cause. This virtual political science internship for high school students focuses on helping you build leadership, communication, and outreach skills while learning how citizen-led advocacy can shape policy outcomes.
12. Internships @ Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office
Location: Senator Chris Van Hollen’s offices in Baltimore and Rockville, MD
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall session: September 1 – December 18 | Spring session: January 5 – May 15
Application deadline: Fall: June 12 | Spring: October 23
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office hires high school interns, offering them exposure to the inner workings of government agencies and Congress. As an intern, you will assist with phone calls, support constituent casework, draft correspondence to constituents and federal agencies, attend briefings, community events, and meetings, and draft memos for staff and the Senator. In the process, you will gain insights into legislation, public service, political correspondence, and government operations. You will commit to working 22 to 26 hours a week, gaining experience within real political environments.
13. NYU Democracy Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in NYC
The Democracy Scholars program at NYU is a three-week free opportunity to explore the themes of political philosophy and social justice. As a participant, you will study texts, including classical literature and contemporary works, that have shaped the U.S. political framework. Although not a typical internship, this program involves hands-on work. You also attend discussion-based sessions led by NYU professors to gain experience in college-level writing, reading, and critical thinking. You will also get insights into the college application process with the help of professors and Democracy Scholar Writing Mentors. A key highlight of the program is the civic engagement project, on which you will work during the summer and throughout your senior year. This program can help you gain experience diving into the roles of community activist and student leader.
14. The New York Public Library Teen Center Ambassadors
Location: Various sites in New York, NY
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various positions scheduled between January 20 and June 5; dates vary
Application deadline: November 24
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 10 – 12 in NYC high schools
The New York Public Library’s Teen Civics Ambassadors offers paid opportunities to help you develop job readiness and leadership qualities. During the program, you will focus on creating library resources, engaging peers in civics learning, and encouraging them to get involved in the community. You will also have access to training sessions that can help you in your academic and career-related pursuits. The experience can help you develop leadership skills and learn about civic responsibility while exploring library materials and gaining insights into public service.
15. USC Centre for the Political Future High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: June 1 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible.
The USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future offers a virtual research internship focused on environmental policy and sustainability. As a participant, you will select a local, state, or federal bill—whether active or historical—and complete two assignments focused on the bill: a legislative policy memo and a process analysis. You will engage in online check-ins to seek guidance and feedback from USC faculty and mentors, who can help you refine your analytical writing and research approach. On completing the program, you will be recognized as a research intern for both the Center for the Political Future and the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Your work may even be published on the institute’s website.
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