15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Canada
Participating in a high school internship can provide you with valuable hands-on experience early in your career. It can enhance your resume, help you develop practical skills, and help you explore your areas of interest. They also show future employers your dedication to the field, improving your future employability odds. Summer internships for high school students in Canada offer a great opportunity to explore various fields such as healthcare, technology, or business.
In this blog, we have curated 15 summer internships for high school students in Canada for you to explore. These programs offer practical experience and provide a strong narrative for your college applications.
15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Canada
1. Internships at the Canadian Space Agency
Location: Saint-Hubert, Quebec (Canadian Space Agency HQ) or remote
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies (typically 4-16 weeks in summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Typically posted in early spring
Eligibility: High school and post-secondary students enrolled in a recognized academic program
At the Canadian Space Agency, you will work alongside engineers, scientists, and program specialists on ongoing space-related projects. You might help analyze satellite data, assist in robotics labs, or support research teams. As an intern, you will often attend briefings, participate in planning sessions, and collaborate on technical reports. You’ll also get mentorship and a front-row view of Canada's space initiatives. Some internships may include site visits and team presentations. If space science excites you, this summer internship for high school students in Canada brings you closer to how missions are planned, tested, and supported in the agency.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year; Typically 8-week programs
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school and early college students with an interest in business, tech, or research
Ladder Internships connects you with startups and research labs for real project work. You’ll join weekly mentor sessions, work with professionals, and build hands-on skills in areas like AI, finance, or marketing. Projects vary from competitor research to pitch decks or data analysis. You work in small teams, present your findings, and get feedback from industry experts. The setup is remote, so you can join from anywhere, but the work is real and deadlines matter. If you're curious about working in startups or research-driven spaces, Ladder gives you a structured way to explore those paths early.
3. High School Youth Researcher Summer Program
Location: Alberta (various research institutions)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 6 weeks from May 1 – August 3
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Grade 11-12 students in Alberta with an interest in health research
Through the High School Youth Researcher Summer Program, you’ll work in a real lab setting alongside scientists and health researchers. You will support experimental procedures, review and interpret results, and develop practical research skills. Mentors will guide you throughout, helping you learn how studies are designed and how data is handled. Some programs include tours of research facilities or group presentations. This summer internship for high school students in Canada is a strong starting point if you’re curious about science or medicine. You’ll also meet other students with similar interests, adding to the experience.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Across the U.S. and Canada (varies by mentor location)
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June – August (8 weeks); Flexible dates
Application Deadline: November 22 – January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 16+; Interested in fisheries science or environmental fields
In the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, you’ll work one-on-one with a professional mentor in fisheries or aquatic science. You might collect field data, assist in lab work, or help monitor ecosystems. The work is hands-on and often outdoors. You’ll visit rivers, lakes, and research sites and learn how scientists ask questions and find answers. You also build a connection with someone working in the field, which can shape your future choices. If you care about the environment and want field experience, this program gives you a practical place to start.
5. RBC Summer Tech Labs Program
Location: Downtown core of Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: July 2 – August 20
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11-12 and early post-secondary students interested in tech
At RBC’s Summer Tech Labs, you work on real tech projects with support from experienced mentors and explore areas like AI, app development, and digital banking. As an intern, you will get hands-on learning, participate in brainstorming sessions, and have the opportunity to present your ideas to senior leaders. You also get access to workshops, site visits, and networking events. This isn’t shadow work, but you will be responsible. You learn by doing, improve your communication, and get a close-up view of the tech industry. If you're curious about how tech works in the real world, this summer internship for high school students in Canada gives you a solid head start.
6. Quantum School for Young Students
Location: University of Waterloo, Ontario
Cost: Free (includes meals and accommodations)
Dates: August 11 – 15 + August 18 (in-person lab day)
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Canadian high school students entering grade 12 with an interest in physics and math
The Quantum School for Young Students (QSYS) is a week-long summer program where you explore quantum physics with experts at the Institute for Quantum Computing. You’ll attend lectures, do lab tours, and take part in problem-solving sessions. The schedule includes team activities, discussions, and a chance to meet leading researchers. This program is not about studying theory, but seeing how quantum ideas apply to real-world tech. You’ll stay on campus, connect with students from across Canada, and learn in a focused, hands-on environment.
7. Medicine YSP by the University of Toronto
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Ontario
Cost: CA$1,668; Financial aid available
Dates: Varies by module; Multiple sessions from July to August
Application Deadline: Opens February 12; Limited seats, register as early as possible
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10-12) interested in medicine
Medicine YSP will give you a hands-on look at the medical field. You’ll learn anatomy, clinical techniques, and public health through labs, simulations, and lectures. The program includes site visits to medical facilities and talks from professionals in the field. You’ll get to work in small teams, build basic clinical skills, and discuss real medical cases. There’s also a chance to explore careers in healthcare and research. The setting is academic but interactive.
8. Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program
Location: Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: July to August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students (grades 11-12) with a strong interest in science and research; 16+ by July 1
This is a highly selective program that will place you in a real research lab at Sunnybrook, where you will work on focused ultrasound technology. You will assist with lab tasks, observe experiments, and take part in discussions on medical innovation. Mentors will guide you through each step, and you’ll see how research translates into patient care. You’ll also attend seminars, collaborate with professionals, and explore topics like neuroscience and oncology. At the end of the program, you will get to present your project findings.
9. Math Academy
Location: University of Toronto, St. George campus, Ontario
Cost: CA$450 + tax; Financial aid available
Dates: August 11 – 15
Application Deadline: July 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
Math Academy is a one-week enrichment program where you’ll explore advanced math topics generally not taught in schools. You’ll solve challenging problems, attend interactive lectures, and work with peers who enjoy math as much as you do. Sessions are led by university faculty and grad students, so the learning goes beyond textbook theory. There’s no test or pressure, but a strong focus on mathematical thinking. You’ll also get a glimpse of how math is used in university and research.
10. Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Program
Location: Saskatchewan (various schools and approved worksites)
Cost/Stipend: Free; Some employers may offer paid work experience
Dates: Flexible; Depends on school and placement schedule
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline (Enroll through your high school)
Eligibility: Saskatchewan high school students (grades 10-12) interested in skilled trades
The SYA Program helps you explore skilled trades while still in high school. You’ll complete program activities that introduce you to apprenticeship paths like welding, carpentry, or electrical work. Some students get hands-on experience through school programs or work placements. You’ll also learn how trade certifications work, meet mentors, and build basic technical skills. Completing SYA earns you credits toward your future apprenticeship and waives some fees.
11. ELITE Program for Black Youth – Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Toronto (St. George Campus) and partnering sites, Ontario
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8-16 weeks
Application Deadline: Opens in November
Eligibility: Black youth in grades 10-12 across the Greater Toronto Area; More info here
The ELITE Program combines classroom learning with hands-on industry experience. You’ll explore fields like AI, health tech, robotics, and entrepreneurship through workshops, mentorship, and team projects. After the academic phase, you’re placed in a paid internship at a tech or research company, where you’ll gain job experience, learn workplace skills, and build a portfolio. In this program, there’s a strong focus on community, identity, and leadership. You’ll also get access to career panels, university labs, and professional networks.
12. STEM Fellowship: Research Exploration Opportunity
Location: Remote (Canada-wide)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July – August (6-8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in late November or early December
Eligibility: Canadian high school students (grades 10-12) interested in STEM research
The Research Exploration Opportunity pairs you with researchers for a short-term, remote STEM project. You’ll assist with real data, literature reviews, and basic analysis under expert guidance. Projects range from environmental science to machine learning. You will join virtual check-ins, learn research methods, and receive mentorship from postgrads or professionals. At the end, you will present your work during a showcase event.
13. Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program
Location: Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer Victoria
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 bursary offered toward participants’ post-secondary education
Dates: July 2 – August 26
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+) in grade 11 enrolled in Vancouver Island secondary schools; Minimum 85% projected average in Biology 11 or 12, plus any two of math, chemistry, or physics; More details here
The Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program is at the Deeley Research Centre (DRC), BC Cancer’s Victoria campus. As a participant, you will work with cancer researchers to gain hands‑on experience in lab techniques, cancer biology, and immunotherapy. You will also be mentored by your supervisor and a team of research scientists. Aside from research work, you will participate in a book club that explores concepts like molecular and cell biology, the fundamentals of cancer, immunology, and so on. At the end of the program, you will be expected to present your research findings in a 20-minute oral presentation.
14. SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Stipend: Varies by program type
Dates: May 5 – August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Final year high school students and undergraduate students
The SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program offers a prestigious 15-week research internship for students, including final‑year high schoolers entering college or undergrads, working under a Research Institute scientist. As a participant, you’ll benefit from weekly scientific seminars, skills workshops (e.g., poster and abstract creation, networking), and a Career Night to explore diverse science careers. The program culminates in a Summer Student Symposium, where students present and may win awards. This opportunity is funded by IBRO, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, Lunenfeld, and Opportunity Summer Studentships.
15. seed2STEM Summer Research Program
Location: Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia
Stipend: CA$3,000
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students from grades 9-12 in Metro Vancouver or Kelowna
The seed2STEM program is a six-week paid summer internship for high school students in Canada. As a participant, you’ll work with university researchers at UBC or nearby labs in exciting fields like neuroscience, engineering, biology, chemistry, or physics. Beyond lab research, you’ll join weekly workshops, listen to guest speakers, go on field trips, and take part in cultural activities. The program supports you with transit passes, meals, youth worker guidance, and travel bursaries if needed. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your research at a symposium.
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