TL;DR
This list covers 15 STEM summer internships for high schoolers, mostly run through national labs, government agencies, and university research programs. Programs typically run 4 to 10 weeks over the summer, and most place you in a lab or research setting working alongside a scientist, engineer, or faculty mentor on a specific project. Costs and stipends vary a lot, with some being completely free and offering stipends up to $5,600, while others charge an application fee or tuition. It is worth examining the dates, requirements, and program features carefully to find an opportunity that aligns with your goals.
If you’re curious about science, technology, engineering, or math, a STEM summer internship can give you a chance to explore these interests beyond your regular classes. STEM internships can introduce you to a range of fields through research, hands-on projects, lab work, or technical activities. You might spend your summer studying a scientific question, helping with a research project, working with technology, or learning how professionals approach problems in STEM fields. These experiences can also help you discover areas you may want to explore more in college.
Why should you do a STEM summer internship?
A STEM summer internship can help you explore what working in a STEM field is actually like before you choose a college major or career path. Since STEM covers many different subjects, you may have opportunities to explore areas such as biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or environmental science. You can also see how different STEM fields are used in research, technology, healthcare, industry, or other settings. If you are still deciding what you want to study, internships can be a useful way to compare different interests through hands-on experience. To help you make the most of your break, our guide to using high school summers for college admissions can be your next read!
How do you apply for a STEM summer internship?
You can start by looking at the fields and types of projects offered by each internship, then check whether you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Applications may ask for information about your academic background, a resume, essays, transcripts, recommendations, or details about your STEM interests. Some programs may also have requirements related to your grade level, location, or previous coursework. Since summer internships can have application deadlines several months before the program begins, give yourself enough time to gather the required materials and complete your application. If you need structured support, start with our guide to applying for internships as a high schooler! You can also explore these common internship interview questions to prepare for the interview stage of your application.
To simplify your search, we have put together a list of 15 STEM summer internships for high school students. Our selection focuses on options that come with meaningful STEM exposure, networking opportunities, and hands-on project-based work to let you explore your interests.
Next, you can check out our selection of STEM camps and remote STEM internships if you are looking for additional learning opportunities in math, science, tech, or engineering,
Quick Overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Federal and national lab research programs |
SEAP, AFRL Scholars Program, NIST SHIP, AEOP Internships, Fermilab PRISM |
Free; stipends ranging from ~$500/week to $4,500 total |
Students who want a paid, government-affiliated lab research experience; most require U.S. citizenship and several are tied to a specific region |
|
University research programs |
RSI @ MIT, SIMR @ Stanford, Clark Scholars @ Texas Tech, UChicago DSI Summer Lab, NYU ARISE, ASPIRE @ JHU APL; Princeton LLP, SHTEM, George Mason ASSIP |
Cost: Free – $2,500 fee; stipends of up to $5,600 at some sites |
Academically strong students seeking a competitive, mentored research placement at a university; some options are open nationally and others limited to local students |
|
Remote startup Internships |
Cost varies, with financial assistance available |
Students anywhere who want a fully virtual, project-based internship with a startup rather than a lab or university setting |
15 STEM Summer Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students seeking firsthand exposure to the inner workings of startups and a fully virtual project-based internship experience.
2. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: U.S. Department of the Navy labs (multiple sites in the country)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend for new participants, and $4,500 stipend for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across 38+ labs nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; term can be extended to 10 weeks.
Application deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who have completed at least grade 9 and are U.S. citizens; some labs may be open to permanent residents or dual citizens (check individual lab pages for additional requirements here).
Each year, SEAP places high schoolers in Department of the Navy labs to contribute to real naval research for 8 to 10 weeks in the summer. At your assigned naval research lab, you will work on projects in STEM alongside scientists and engineers. Depending on placement, you may help with experiment design, data analysis, software development and design, testing and analysis of hardware or software systems, engineering design, and lab-based work. While the day-to-day responsibilities can vary by site, you will find opportunities to connect with researchers, tour laboratories, and learn about paths in research and STEM. Additionally, you will get to shadow STEM professionals and participate in seminars and technical meetings.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid internship focused on naval tech and hands-on STEM research.
3. Research Science Institute (RSI) @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee (waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3 – 5% acceptance rate; cohort of ~100 students/year
Dates: June – August (six weeks)
Application deadline: December/January (tentative; date TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors; RSI recommends applicants meet a few academic requirements.
RSI is a selective summer STEM program that lets high school students explore and engage in STEM research over six weeks at MIT. You will begin with one week of seminars learning about topics in STEM and the humanities. Over the next five weeks, you will work on a research project alongside a mentor and spend time in MIT labs. In the final week, you will work on completing and delivering formal oral and written presentations to discuss your research findings. The RSI schedule will include opportunities to connect with scientists and go on field trips to nearby science and tech facilities.
Who it’s best for: Academically motivated students who want to experience a competitive admission process and spend the summer conducting research at MIT.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No fee for applicants with household incomes under $80,000; $50 application fee for others (waivers available); need-based stipends may also be available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: June 7 – July 29
Application deadline: Late February (exact date TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; preference is given to Bay Area students.
SIMR is an eight-week summer program that lets you explore and engage in biomedical research at Stanford while working alongside Stanford faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers. As a SIMR participant, you will work within a Stanford lab/institute alongside a mentor, contributing to a project in STEM fields such as bioengineering, cancer biology, genetics, immunology, and neuroscience. Your daily schedule will combine lab work and lectures, helping you connect your hands-on experience with classroom concepts. SIMR will wrap up with a poster presentation, giving you the chance to practice science communication.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a mentored, research-centric experience within a university environment.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple sites in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is typically $506.80/week; a few sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by site and internship; typically a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required, with most internships running 10 – 12 weeks in the summer, spring, and fall.
Application deadline: Summer: January 11 | Fall/Spring: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and 16+
The ARFL Scholars Program is a paid internship that lets high school and college students engage in project-focused work experiences at Air Force research facilities. You will join a research team at an Air Force lab, with placements spanning various areas, including engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, and data science. Over eight weeks or more, you will work in an assigned lab under the supervision of scientists, learn about Air Force-centric R&D, and explore potential paths in STEM. Tasks can vary by placement: you may work with large datasets, run experiments, or help document research. You can also participate in the program next year to continue working on research.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working within Air Force research labs on real technical projects.
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10.4% acceptance rate; 35 students in the last cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0+; applicants must be U.S. citizens living within 50 miles of either of the NIST campuses.
NIST labs host a small group of high school students every summer through SHIP, a seven-week research-focused internship. At NIST, you will join one of six laboratories to engage in lab work and research, with opportunities spanning a range of engineering disciplines, including chemical engineering. Your daily schedule may include working with materials science or measurement science data, using advanced tech and tools, running experiments, or assisting with a technical investigation. At the end of seven weeks, you will share your findings with peers and professionals in the form of a poster.
Who it’s best for: Students near NIST campuses in Colorado or Maryland who want to spend the summer working on real scientific projects within a government agency.
7. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Internships
Location: Research sites available across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed; typically competitive
Dates: June – August; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by lab position
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific roles can have additional criteria
Every year, AEOP places students at Army facilities and university labs to work with scientists or engineers on research in STEM. During the internship, you will work under the supervision of a scientist or engineer, contributing to active research projects in STEM. Your role can vary by placement, but you may help run experiments, collect data, and conduct lab work. The program will also offer access to mentorship from a STEM professional. You will additionally attend educational workshops and sessions and find opportunities to connect with peers and the broader AEOP internship network.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM and research seeking lab-based experience and close mentorship.
8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program @ Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students/cohort
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a competitive summer program that lets students engage in STEM research alongside faculty on the Texas Tech University campus. Placements are typically available in various STEM fields, including biology, chemistry, computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical/computer engineering. You will spend seven weeks conducting research, receiving faculty guidance, and completing your assigned research project. The program schedule will include weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips to help you experience life on a college campus and connect with peers. At the end, you will submit a research report.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a competitive, mentored research opportunity and exposure to student life on campus before college.
9. Fermilab’s Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not officially published
Dates: July 12 – August 6
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Seniors and recent graduates of Illinois high schools who are U.S. citizens
PRISM is a paid, four-week summer internship that offers students exposure to real-world particle physics, engineering design, quantum science, and AI. As a participant, you will connect with Fermilab professionals and learn about STEM fields and careers throughout the month. You will work on a research project under the guidance of a mentor and share your findings in the form of an abstract and a poster at the end of PRISM. You will also attend lectures, engage in STEM activities, and tour Fermilab’s research facilities during the experience. This can be an opportunity to gain insight into a particle physics laboratory’s work.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for an opportunity to explore interdisciplinary STEM work and the inner workings of a particle physics lab.
10. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; some labs may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1 – 2 students/lab selected out of ~3,500 applications
Dates: Five to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16, enrolled in a high school, U.S. citizens, and able to provide proof of local housing and transportation in New Jersey
Princeton’s LLP is a summer internship that lets you work with faculty and research staff on real projects in the sciences and engineering. The project focus and tasks vary by placement, but typically include lab-based work. You may also engage in data analysis, modeling, and/or scientific writing, depending on the project. You will follow a schedule set by your assigned Princeton lab and complete safety training before beginning with placement-specific work. At the end of LLP, you will write and submit a two-page research summary describing your summer research work.
Who it’s best for: New Jersey high school students seeking a free, credible, lab-based summer experience on a university campus.
11. University of Chicago Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $5,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; 22 students in the past cohort.
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and Chicago-area high school students; familiarity with programming languages and coursework in computer science, statistics, and math is preferred.
Offered by UChicago’s Data Science Institute, the DSI Summer Lab is a paid summer program that lets high schoolers and undergraduate students engage in interdisciplinary scientific research. You will join a mentor and a lab and work on a research project in computer science, biomedical sciences, data science, public policy, or social science. You will gain experience working with computational methods, datasets, and research tools. The summer schedule will include a speaker series and group sessions covering STEM and research topics. Social and recreational activities such as picnics, sports, and trivia will help you experience student life on campus and connect with peers. You will also practice communicating research findings through a video, which will be presented at a symposium held at the end of DSI Summer Lab.
Who it’s best for: Chicago-area students looking for paid interdisciplinary STEM research experiences on a university campus.
12. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn (New York City), NY
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact details not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who live and are enrolled in schools in New York City
ARISE is a paid summer program that offers high schoolers lab training and research experience on the New York University campus. During the initial four weeks, you will receive training on college-level writing, research safety, and research basics. Then, you will engage in a six-week lab experience to conduct research in STEM. Placements span a range of fields, including chemistry, civil engineering, biology, environmental engineering, cybersecurity, and data science. Over the course of the summer, you will receive college application guidance, work through skill-building activities, gain about 150 hours of lab exposure, and develop a research presentation that you will deliver at the end of the program. You will leave with access to ARISE’s alumni network.
Who it’s best for: NYC-based students who want paid research and lab exposure on a university campus.
13. SHTEM Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $95 non-refundable application fee + $2,500 tuition; no stipend, but financial aid may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 14 (tentative; dates TBA for the next cycle)
Application deadline: February 1 (tentative; details TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 14 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SHTEM is an on-campus research-focused internship where you will work in small groups on interdisciplinary projects guided by Stanford University mentors. The program is designed to help you explore how fields like biology, engineering, tech, and humanities intersect in research. You will engage with research questions through readings, discussions, and project work, all of which reflect university-level academic practices. Regular meetings and collaborative activities will simulate research group workflows. You may get to present your work at the end of SHTEM.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking exposure to interdisciplinary research and the opportunity to work on collaborative projects on a university campus.
14. ASPIRE @ Johns Hopkins University APL
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less than 10% of applicants selected/year
Dates: June 23 – August 21; commitment of 190 hours (30 to 40 hours/week)
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are 15+ by June 1, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and are U.S. citizens from specific MD/VA/D.C. regions (check details here)
ASPIRE is a summer program at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory that lets you work on STEM projects on campus. You will join a mentor to work on applied STEM projects including in areas like engineering, programming, math, physics, life sciences, machine learning, and aerospace. You may spend the summer participating in experimental lab work, coding, social impact-focused problem-solving, data analysis, or prototype testing. In the process, you will gain exposure to laboratory work, documentation, and lab safety. You will connect with professionals who can share insights into potential academic paths and roles in STEM. At the end, you will present your work at a showcase event.
Who it’s best for: DMV area students interested in working on meaningful technical STEM projects alongside a mentor.
15. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University and affiliated sites in Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition (fee waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote internships or 16+ for in-person/wet-lab opportunities
ASSIP allows students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University on active research projects in science, math, engineering, and tech. Placements span various STEM fields, including computational science, engineering, biochemistry, computer science, and biology. During the eight-week experience, you will learn how to work with lab equipment, advanced tech, and research tools, and develop and practice scientific writing and communication skills. You will also learn about career paths in STEM through discussions with professionals. You will leave with three credits from George Mason University.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM and research who want to work closely with faculty mentors in virtual or lab settings.
What skills can you pick up in STEM summer internships?
The skills you develop will depend on the internship, but you may learn how to conduct research, collect and interpret data, use laboratory or technical equipment, or work with scientific and computational tools. Some programs may also introduce you to research essentials like reading research papers, documenting your work, presenting findings, or communicating technical information. Because many STEM projects involve testing ideas and working through unexpected results, you can also practice adapting your approach when something does not work as planned.
Can a STEM summer internship help with your college applications?
Internship experiences can strengthen your profile by highlighting early exposure to a STEM field. While building a college application, you can use your internship experience to explain what you explored and how it influenced your academic interests. This is how internships can help:
Demonstrate curiosity about a subject: You can begin by explaining if an internship experience introduced you to a specific field or helped you narrow down your interests. Then, you can discuss a research question, project, or problem that made you want to learn more about the field. If your internship involved more than one area, explain how subjects such as math, science, and technology came together.
Discuss a specific experience: In your college essay or interviews, you can use a project, experiment, or challenge from the internship as a concrete example of your skills and tangible experience in a subject.
Explain what you want to explore next: You can show how the internship influenced the subjects, courses, or areas you want to study in college.
If you are interested in securing selective, more exclusive opportunities to further enhance your profile, check out our guide to getting into competitive internships!
Common questions about these summer STEM internships
1. Will I be working on my own research project, or mostly assisting with someone else's?
This depends on the program. Some internships let you contribute to an ongoing research project led by a scientist or faculty member, where your role might involve data collection, experiments, or lab support. Others are structured around a project you develop more independently with mentor guidance, which you then present or write up at the end of the internship.
2. Will these internships focus on one STEM field, or can I explore multiple areas?
Both formats exist. Some internships place you in a single lab or research area for the full duration, so your experience stays focused on one field. Others offer placements across several STEM disciplines within the same program, which can be useful if you're still exploring your options in areas like engineering, computer science, or the life sciences.
3. How much do these internships typically cost, and what stipends are available?
Costs range from completely free to a few hundred dollars in application or program fees, with financial aid often available. Stipends also vary widely, from around $750 for the full internship to $5,600. Some programs offer no stipend at all, so it's worth checking the cost and compensation details for each one individually.
4. Do all internships require in-person participation?
Most options do. Many internships require you to be on-site at a lab or campus, and several are limited to students from a specific state or region. A couple of them offer virtual tracks to students. If you are looking for fully remote participation, the Ladder Internship Program lets you work on startup-led projects from anywhere in the world.