14 STEM Internships for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in STEM, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field. Internships provide practical experience, exposure to professional environments, and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with mentors. STEM internships for high school students can strengthen your resume, enhance your college and career prospects, and help you evaluate a field before committing to it. Many top universities, labs, and organizations offer structured STEM programs for high school students.
What STEM internships are available for high school students in Illinois?
Illinois is home to nationally and internationally recognized institutions such as the University of Illinois system, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Illinois Institute of Technology. These universities offer lab-based internships and outreach programs to high school students. You can explore different STEM career paths while learning how to conduct research, build robots, or analyze data.
To help you get started, we have put together 14 STEM internships for high school students in Illinois.
1. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermilab campus, on-site and off-site in Batavia, Illinois
Stipend: $500 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 - August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school senior or a recent high school graduate | must be a U.S. citizen with proof of medical insurance, and must have enrollment in an Illinois high school
In this STEM internship for high school students, you will spend four weeks at Fermilab exploring fields such as particle physics, quantum science, artificial intelligence, and engineering design. You will take part in hands-on activities, themed learning modules, lab tours, and talks led by Fermilab scientists and engineers. You will work with STEM mentors who guide you on how real-world research is planned and conducted. The program also emphasizes professional development and career exposure. By the end of the program, you will create a research abstract, design a poster, and present your work, building both technical and communication skills.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Applies | financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Various cohorts, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Based on the program cohort
Eligibility: High school students
In Ladder Internships, you will spend eight weeks working remotely with a start-up or nonprofit organization on projects that support the organization's goals. You will contribute to projects in fields such as AI, marketing, finance, health tech, or software, applying what you learn to solve real business challenges. You will work closely with a company manager and receive guidance from a ladder coach to build skills in communication, teamwork, and project delivery. You will present your work at the end of the internship, giving you experience working in professional environments. Apply now!
3. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate | housing, meals, and a fellowship award included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Online orientation: May 29, June 10 and 11 | in-person orientation: June 16 - 17 | in-person research: June 22 | in-person final symposium: July 31
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: Rising high school students (10th - 12th graders) from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
In this internship for high school students in Illinois, high school students will spend six weeks working on real STEMM research at the University of Illinois. You will join a research team in fields such as bioengineering, AI, neuroscience, or physics. You will work about 30 - 35 hours per week, attend weekly seminars on scientific communication and college planning, and gain hands-on laboratory skills by doing authentic research. You will interact with faculty, graduate students, and peers who guide you throughout the program. At the end of the internship, you will present your work at a research symposium through a research poster.
4. ResearcHStart by UChicago Medicine
Location: University of Chicago Medicine and partner institutions (Chicago & Urbana - Champaign, IL)
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school junior or senior at time of application | a resident of Illinois or Lake County, Indiana, and at least 16 years of age at the start of the program.
At ResearcHStart, you will spend eight weeks working full-time in active cancer research laboratories at leading universities. You will join research teams focused on topics such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental therapeutics, and disparities, doing real laboratory work under faculty mentorship. The program includes career development workshops and a faculty lecture series that help to expand your scientific skills and understanding. You will build lab techniques, conduct experiments, analyze data, and engage with professional researchers. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your work to peers, mentors, and members of the scientific community.
5. MedSTEM Explorer Program
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum weighted GPA of 2.5, 80% attendance record, and a resident of Chicago
Through the MedSTEM Explorer Program, you will spend six weeks exploring STEM and healthcare careers while researching health issues affecting Chicago communities. You will attend workshops, classes, and discussions with professionals to help you learn about different career pathways and build academic skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. The program also helps you develop workplace skills and receive training for basic certifications such as first aid and CPR. You will connect with peers and healthcare professionals through panels and community service, preparing you for future internships or college study. The program concludes with a final capstone project that integrates your learning.
6. UChicago Youth Internship Program
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - July 30
Application Deadline: Check their website for the deadlines
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old by the start date of the program and authorized to work in the United States | residents of the city of Chicago, and must attend a Chicago public high school, including charter schools
In the UChicago Youth Internship Program, you will complete an intensive six-week program gaining paid work experience, professional skills, and career insights. During year 1, you will attend workshops, seminars, and guest speaker sessions focused on STEM careers while building college and workplace readiness. You will also go on workplace tours and college visits that broaden your understanding of different career paths. If you successfully complete year 1, you can apply for a year 2 placement where you may work in areas such as health sciences, computer science, or IT services at the University of Chicago.
7. STEM Pathway Programs Northwestern Medicine
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and partner sites, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate | some programs offer paid stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies depending on the program (summer timelines differ across pathways)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program | listed individually on program pages
Eligibility: High school students
Through Northwestern Medicine’s STEM internship for high school students in Illinois, you will explore careers in medicine and biomedical science through structured summer experiences. You will take part in workshops, hands-on activities, and academic sessions that will introduce you to health sciences, research, and clinical fields. Depending on the program pathway, you will work with faculty, staff, and mentors who will guide you through projects and skill-building activities. Some programs include lab exposure, career talks, and college readiness support, along with opportunities to connect with peers who share similar interests and goals.
8. After School Matters STEM Lab Internship
Location: The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six-week summer program
Application Deadline: Opens in March
Eligibility: Chicago Public Schools high school students who will be 16 years old by the first day of the program
In the After School Matters STEM Lab Internship, you will spend six weeks working in research labs at the University of Chicago under the guidance of researchers and graduate students. You will begin with a one-week research bootcamp covering laboratory fundamentals and scientific skills. You will then work approximately 20 hours per week on authentic STEM research projects in areas such as engineering and science. You will receive mentoring, training in science communication, and support for college applications. You will also get opportunities to present your work in different environments.
9. VALOR JROTC Fermilab
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Illinois JROTC high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates | must be eligible to work in the United States
Through the VALOR JROTC program at Fermilab, you will spend five weeks exploring STEM through the perspective of leadership and service. You will take part in science and engineering activities, research exposure, and career workshops led by Fermilab staff. You will work with mentors on guided projects that strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. The program includes lab tours, talks from scientists, and leadership development sessions aligned with JROTC values. You will also gain insight into STEM careers within national laboratories.
10. UChicago Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 13 - 25
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Full-time high school student at the time of application and a resident of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
Through this STEM internship for high school students in Illinois, you will spend two weeks exploring cancer science and patient care through online collaboration with peers nationwide. You will work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study that helps you understand key concepts in oncology research. You will attend daily faculty lectures, panel discussions, and skill-building workshops focused on scientific methods and career paths in biomedical science. Mentors and lecturers will guide you as you learn critical thinking about research questions.
11. Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program
Location: UChicago Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: $5,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students | international students are eligible if they have work authorization in the United States
In the Data Science Institute Summer Lab, you will spend eight weeks working as a research assistant under the guidance of a faculty mentor across fields such as computer science, social science, energy policy, and biomedical research. You will build skills in data analysis, research methods, problem-solving, and teamwork. The program also includes a speaker series, professional development, and social activities that enhance your learning experience. You will join a cohort of peers and work alongside researchers while gaining hands-on research experience. You are expected to communicate your findings through final videos and presentations at an end-of-summer symposium.
12. Summer Science Program in Biomedical Sciences by the University of Illinois
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: None | sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 45 students
Dates: June 15 - August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years old by May 1 | from local area high schools listed on the website
In this summer science internship in biomedical sciences, you will work for eight weeks alongside research scientists at UIC Rockford. You will spend time learning core laboratory techniques, collecting and analyzing data, and building professional skills such as resume writing and presentation. Mentors will guide you through real research focused on areas such as disease discovery, vaccine development, and drug design. You will also gain experience in teamwork and scientific communication through workshops and presentations.
13. nephroHUB-U Sci-High Program
Location: nephroHUB, Chicago Campus, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Check their website for specific dates
Application Deadline: Check their website for the application deadline
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside in Chicago or neighboring suburbs in Illinois
In the nephroHUB-U Sci-High Program, you will spend six weeks working alongside kidney disease researchers at the University of Michigan. You will engage in laboratory activities, learning techniques in cell biology, genetics, and biomedical research. Mentors will guide you through experiments, data analysis, and scientific communication. In this STEM internship for high school students in Illinois, you will also participate in career workshops, group discussions, and journal club sessions that develop your critical thinking and presentation skills. The program includes opportunities to interact with research faculty and peers who share your interests. At the end of the program, you will present your findings in a formal research presentation.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Application fee: $45 plus program participation fee (if accepted): $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 - 26 and Session B: July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Must be residing in the United States for the full duration of the program and must currently be attending a US high school (entering 9th grade through 12th grade in fall) | must be over the age of 14 years by the start of the program
In the AIMI Summer Research Internship, you will participate in an online, project-focused program focused on artificial intelligence in healthcare. Over two weeks, you will attend technical lectures, mentor-led sessions, and collaborative group work on research projects related to AI’s role in medicine. You will also take part in “meet the expert” talks and social activities that will connect you with researchers and peers. Mentors from Stanford and student leaders support your work and help you build skills in data analysis, collaboration, and research communication. Participants who complete the full program will receive a certificate of completion.
Image Source - Fermilab logo