15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Toronto
If you're a high school student in Toronto interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, an internship in the city can be a great place to start. Such programs will give you the chance to explore these fields in practical settings, going beyond the school curriculum. Offered by hospitals, universities, and research institutes across the city, internships and research opportunities will allow you to work alongside scientists, engineers, or medical researchers, collaborate on current projects, and learn how research works outside the classroom.
STEM internships may focus on mentorship and career exploration, helping you build skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication; or place you directly in labs where you could conduct experiments or learn to analyze data,̉ among other activities. Whether you’re just starting to explore your interests or already thinking about a STEM major in college, these internships can help you build a strong foundation in a subject you’re curious about.
We’ve curated this list of the top 15 STEM internships for high school students in Toronto to help you get started. Let’s take a look!
1. Nokia Tech Summer Internship
Location: Nokia offices in Toronto, Canada
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will be paid $17 per hour
Dates: July 7 - August 22
Application Deadline: July 4
Eligibility: You should have at least a 75% average in Grade 11. You also need to be taking at least two of these Grade 12 courses: Physics, Chemistry, Advanced Functions, Calculus, Computer Science, Biology, Earth and Space Science, Computer Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering. You must be legally allowed to work in Canada and have a SIN.
The Nokia Future Tech Summer Internship is an eight-week program for high school students who want to explore the tech industry. During this internship, you will work with Nokia engineering teams to solve current problems and build practical tech skills. You will engage in hands-on work and receive support from a mentor at Nokia. You will also join ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions where you will gain insight into different careers and roles within the tech world. The program will give you an opportunity to build a network of professionals and peers who have similar interests to you.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies with the program type
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: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. As a Ladder intern, you will get to work with a high-growth start-up or nonprofit organization in a virtual internship setup. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, including tech/deep tech and AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, sustainability, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that raise over a million dollars on average. During the program, you will work closely with your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach on current projects that are relevant to the startup and present your work to the company. The virtual internship also includes professional skills and group training sessions.
3. SickKids StAR (Students Advancing Research) Program
Location: SickKids labs, Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications open in the spring
Eligibility: Grade 11-12 students; At least 16 years old; Identify as Indigenous, Black, or Filipino; Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
The StAR Program at SickKids is a six-week paid research internship for Indigenous, Black, and Filipino high school students. For the program, you will be matched with a lab and a mentor at SickKids to work on a research project. With guidance from scientists, you will learn how to do research, think through problems, and share your results. At the end, you will get to present your work at a symposium. You can also join the Kids Science program, where you take part in workshops and explore careers in health and science.
4. STEM Fellowship’s Research Exploration Opportunity (REO)
Location: Universities across the country, including University of Toronto (St. George), Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and University of Toronto (Mississauga), among others
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Dates: Varies; the program takes place during the university’s March break
Application Deadline: Applications open in November or early December
Eligibility: Open to high school students in Canada with an interest in STEM and academic research
The Research Exploration Opportunity (REO), offered by STEM Fellowship, introduces high school students to research through guided mentorship and practical learning. Over six weeks, you will gain exposure to how scientific research is conducted in university settings while building key academic and analytical skills. Through virtual workshops and group projects, you will learn how to read scientific papers, analyze data, and practice academic writing. With 1-on-1 mentorship from university graduate students and guidance from professionals, you will develop an independent research project and present your findings in a final report. The program includes virtual tours of research labs, observing experiments, and participating in lab meetings and faculty seminars.
5. Sunnybrook’s Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Dates: July to August
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–12) who are at least 16 years old by July 1, have strong academic standing in math and science, and are legally authorized to work in Canada
This summer research program at Sunnybrook Research Institute lets high school students gain relevant, practical experience in medical physics, biomedical engineering, and biology. You will get to work in the institute’s Focused Ultrasound Lab and collaborate on current projects like building and testing tools, writing code, and doing lab studies. You will be working closely with scientists and engineers. You’ll collaborate with professional scientists and engineers in a structured, lab-based setting.
6. RBC Summer Tech Labs
Location: Toronto (in-person) | Hybrid | Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Dates: July 2 - August 20
Application Deadline: Applications open in the spring
Eligibility: Grades 11-12 students currently enrolled in an Ontario high school with an interest in computer science, engineering, or entrepreneurship
RBC Summer Tech Labs is an eight-week paid internship for Ontario high school students who are interested in coding, design, and technology. For the program, you will join a small team as an Innovation Developer and work on current business challenges at RBC. You will build working prototypes using tools like JavaScript, React.js, and GitHub, and learn how to write clean code, use design thinking, test your ideas, and improve your work. Mentors and RBC team members will help you build, present, and improve your projects. This program helps you grow your professional skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
7. Emily Stowe Scholar Program
Location: Women’s College Hospital, Toronto
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by level; typically opens in spring
Eligibility: High school students (grades 11–12) from equity-deserving groups
The Emily Stowe Scholar Program offers fully funded summer research placements at the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. You will work in research labs alongside faculty and mentors, gaining exposure to healthcare, health policy, and academic medicine. You will attend skills workshops, seminars, and group sessions focused on leadership, communication, and identity in health research. At the end of the program, you will present your project at a summer research symposium. Transportation is covered, and after the program, participants are supported during the academic year through ongoing mentorship and learning sessions.
8. University of Toronto Blueprint
Location: University of Toronto, St. George, Toronto
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Black students in grades 10 and 11
Blueprint is a free four-week summer program at the University of Toronto for Black students in grades 10 and 11 who are interested in science and engineering. During the program, you will learn how to use engineering design processes and engage in courses such as Engineering and Human Health or Mechatronics and Automation. You will also work on actual projects in labs, learning how to use tools and equipment. You will get to build skills like problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. You will receive from university students and take part in community activities.
9. Secondary School Research Bursary Program
Location: Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (1 hour from Toronto)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a $1,500 bursary
Dates: June 30 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Ontario students in Grade 11 or 12; Grade 12 students must show proof of university acceptance
This seven-week summer internship gives you the opportunity to be a part of a research team at Hamilton Health Sciences or McMaster University, where you’ll contribute to basic or clinical research projects in the health and life sciences. During this program, you’ll work on developing lab skills, explore career pathways, and build professional networks. The program includes shadowing scientists, participating in other research activities, and presenting your work at the end. On completing the program, you’ll have a stronger understanding of research environments and the academic prep you need to pursue STEM fields.
10. Technovation Girls
Location: Virtual (across Canada and globally); local chapters and mentors available
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 12 weeks starting in October
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Open to girls and nonbinary youth ages 8–18. High school students (ages 14–18) can join the Senior Division in teams of up to 5.
Technovation Girls is a global tech program for young women and non-binary youth. During this program, you will join a small team, focus on a problem within your community, and build a mobile app or AI tool to help address it. With support from a mentor, you learn coding, design thinking, and business skills. You will create a working prototype and prepare a pitch to present your idea. The program is self-paced and entirely virtual. If your team is chosen as a finalist, you will get to present your project at the Technovation World Summit and connect with students and mentors from around the world.
11. Co-Operative Placement Opportunities
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Semester-based with fall, winter, and spring options
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to Canadian high school students in Grade 11 or 12 completing a school-supported co-op placement
This virtual co-op gives Canadian high school students the chance to work on science communication and space science projects virtually. During the program, you might get to design space models, develop educational resources, or work on Canadian space research. With guidance from your mentor, you will build skills in coding, research, project planning, and science communication. The small cohort sizes allow for personalized support, and the flexible remote format makes it accessible from anywhere in the country. It’s a great fit if you’re looking to explore STEM careers while balancing school work.
12. ELITE Program for Black Youth – Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
Location: Various locations across Canada (including universities, industry, and government labs); with possible virtual components
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid (full-time or part-time)
Dates: 8–16 weeks (typically July - August)
Application Deadline: Applications open in November. Check for updates here.
Eligibility: Black youth ages 15–22 who are high school students, post-secondary students, or transitioning into post-secondary education
The ELITE Program for Black Youth allows students to intern at actual workplaces in the STEM and business industries. For the program, you’ll be matched with university laboratories, tech companies, or government agencies to work on projects using industry tools. This program gives you a platform to explore career options practically and build essential skills, while receiving mentorship and building a professional network. Once a week, you’ll attend workshops on leadership, entrepreneurship, and career prep. You’ll also work on a final project and present it at a student showcase at the end of the program. High school students need to complete a safety course before starting, and you might be able to earn co-op credits.
13. Youreka Canada
Location: Varies with the pogram
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Typically, 10 weeks, January - April
Application Deadline: This information is not available at the moment
Eligibility: High school students
Youreka Canada offers a 10-week research and mentorship program for high school students in grades 9 to 12. Based on your interests, you’ll get to work on a citizen science project, guided by an undergraduate mentor. During the program, you’ll work on developing your skills in data science, writing research papers, and presenting academic work. This program pairs students with mentors from seven Canadian universities to help them develop their own research projects. You’ll also get to participate in regional and national symposiums, gaining practical, relevant experience.
14. University of Toronto’s Youth Summer Program (YSP) – Medicine Track
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto
Cost: $1668; $98 registration fee
Dates: Varies with the module; typically between July 7 and August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 12
Eligibility: You must complete Grade 10 or 11 by July 1 to join Med YSP. Grade 9 students cannot apply. Grade 12 students can join, but must talk to program staff before signing up. Spots are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
YSP’s Medicine Track lets high school students explore science and medicine through four one-week modules. In human physiology, you learn how body systems like the heart, lungs, and kidneys work. In pharmacology and toxicology, you study how medicines and chemicals affect the body at a molecular level. In the Molecular Biology and Genetics module, you work on DNA fingerprinting, gene editing, and forensic science. In microbiology, you do hands-on lab work to study and control microbes. You build skills in lab techniques, critical thinking, and scientific communication. Each module includes expert talks, lab activities, and group discussions designed to help you deepen your understanding of medical science.
15. Math Mentorship Program at the University of Toronto
Location: University of Toronto, St. George, Toronto
Cost: $255
Dates: January - May (flexible meeting schedules)
Application Deadline: November 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto offers a mentorship program for high school students interested in math research. For the program, you will be matched with a mentor who may be a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or professor. With your mentor’s guidance, you will work on a math research project based on your interests. The program starts in January with an in-person opening event and ends in May with a closing ceremony where you present your research to other students, mentors, and families. You must attend both events, which take place at the St. George campus. You meet with your mentor once or twice a month, either online or at the university, based on what works best for both of you.
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