14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Maryland

High school internships give you the chance to explore career paths, gain hands-on experience, and see what it’s really like to work in a professional setting before college. Maryland is a particularly strong place to look for opportunities because of its mix of government agencies, research institutions, universities, and nonprofits. With hubs like Baltimore, Silver Spring, and proximity to Washington, D.C., you have access to internships in areas ranging from public policy and healthcare to science, technology, and the arts.

By interning locally, you’ll not only build practical skills but also connect with professionals working in some of the country’s most influential organizations. Whether it’s contributing to a research project, shadowing in a hospital, or supporting community initiatives, internships in Maryland give you a chance to apply what you’re learning in school to real-world challenges right in your own backyard

1. Maryland Leadership Workshops

Location: Maryland (exact location shared upon registration)
Cost/Stipend: Varies; check website for fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Dates: July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Not specified (early application encouraged)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 

If you’re looking to build leadership skills in a fun, hands-on way, the Maryland Leadership Workshops could be a great fit.  Throughout the six-day experience, you’ll dive into dynamic workshops, build confidence, and discover your voice as a leader. You’ll also connect with students across the state and participate in educational, cultural, and social activities that help you grow both personally and professionally. Whether you’re new to leadership or looking to sharpen your skills, this program offers an empowering and supportive environment. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location:  Remote

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 

Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Cost: Starting from $2,490; Financial aid available

Ladder Internships is a competitive program designed for motivated high school students to gain hands-on experience with rapidly growing start-ups. These internships span a wide range of industries, including technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more—details are available on the application form. The participating start-ups are typically high-growth companies, often with funding exceeding one million dollars. During the 8-week virtual internship, students collaborate on real-world projects under the guidance of both a company mentor and a dedicated Ladder Coach, ultimately presenting their work to the start-up team.

3. NASA High School Internship Program

Location: Various NASA centers
Cohort Size: Hundreds nationally
Dates: Summer session (typically 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16–18 residing within 50 miles of a NASA center
Stipend: Paid federal internship

NASA gives you the chance to explore  STEM through a wide variety of paid internships offered in the summer, spring, and fall. With just one base application, you can apply to up to 15 internship opportunities each cycle, across different disciplines and NASA research centers throughout the country. As a high school intern, you’ll work directly on NASA missions under the guidance of expert mentors. You’ll gain technical skills, career experience, and insight into how major space and science projects are executed. This is more than just an internship - it’s a launchpad for your future in STEM and a potential pathway to a career at NASA.

4. Maryland State Internship Program

Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Paid (through YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 8 (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Enquire for future opportunities
Eligibility: Baltimore City residents aged 14–21

Looking to level up your tech skills and get paid for it? CodeWorks is a five-week summer internship where you’ll build real-world experience by working on collaborative projects with professionals from Baltimore’s thriving tech industry. Whether you're into web development, game design, mobile apps, or cybersecurity, this program offers exposure to industry-standard tools and collaborative team roles. Offered in partnership with Baltimore City’s YouthWorks, CodeWorks helps you build both technical and professional skills while contributing to exciting digital projects.

5. High School Internship Program

Location: Remote (for DMV region students)
Cost/Stipend: $900 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students (tentative)
Dates: 6 weeks (typically June–July)
Application Deadline: February (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the DMV region, authorized to work in the U.S.

If you’re passionate about geography, climate change, or geospatial science, the HIP program offers you the chance to do hands-on research from home. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor from the University of Maryland’s Department of Geographical Sciences and collaborate on a project aligned with your interests—topics may include climate data analysis, mapping tools, or coding for geospatial systems. Over six weeks, you’ll commit about 10 hours per week and be paid a stipend for your work. You’ll also develop important technical skills and present your research at the end of the program, just like at a professional academic conference. A select few students may even be invited to continue their internship into the school year.

6. DNR Internships

Location: Various Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sites across Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Offers both paid and volunteer positions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on agency needs
Dates: Summer (June–August); Fall (October–December); occasional off-cycle openings
Application Deadline: Summer applications open in February; Fall applications open in July
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school or college students, or recent graduates (within 1 year); minimum 2.5 GPA

If you're looking to gain meaningful experience in environmental conservation, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to do exactly that. Internships are available in both full- and part-time formats, with positions ranging from paid to volunteer depending on the role. You'll work alongside experienced mentors, apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, and build skills that make you stand out in college and career applications. You will take part in the daily work of a state agency while expanding their professional network and contributing to Maryland’s environmental efforts. To apply, you’ll need a resume, a state application, two recommendation letters, and an unofficial transcript showing a minimum 2.5 GPA. Academic credit may be available for qualifying internships.

7. Kode With Klossy

Location: Various cities across the U.S. and virtual options
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students aged 13-18; No previous CS experience required
Cost/Stipend: None

Kode With Klossy offers free coding programs for high school students, including a two-week summer camp for young women and gender-expansive youth from the ages of 13 and 18. The program was established by model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss. It introduces students to coding languages such as Ruby, JavaScript, and Swift, while also guiding them with their tech projects. The curriculum is rigorous and allows you to build confidence as you learn. The educators of KWK create a powerful experience for scholars through training and support.

8. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Johns Hopkins University and Virtual

Acceptance Rate: Highly selective

Dates: In-person: 8 weeks (June – August); Virtual: 5 weeks (July – August)

Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; In-person for Baltimore City students; Virtual open to all U.S. students

Stipend: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend ($15/hour)

JHIBS is a summer research program for high school students looking to gain exposure to the neurological sciences. As an intern, you will participate in lectures, research projects, and skill-building sessions. The program focuses on helping students better understand neurological diseases and behavioral research techniques. It offers both in-person and virtual options, emphasizing mentorship and professional development. JHIBS aims to reach high school students at an early stage to help them understand and participate in a hands-on, mentored research experience.

9. University of Maryland's GeoSciences Bridge Program

Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Paid; includes housing, meals, travel, and stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort
Dates: July 1 – August 9
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school seniors planning to pursue careers in geosciences

If you’re a high school senior interested in oceanography, atmospheric science, or GIS, you dont want to miss the Geosciences Bridge Program. Held at UMES, this immersive program offers college-level courses, field trips, and hands-on research experience—all while covering your housing, meals, and travel. Funded by NSF and NOAA, the program supports students from underrepresented backgrounds. You'll sharpen your math and science skills, explore life on a college campus, and build the confidence and tools you'll need for a successful STEM journey. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a stronger academic foundation and a clearer sense of your future in the geosciences.

10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)

Location: Various Department of Navy (DoN) labs across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements annually
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; grades 10–12 (including graduating seniors); must be 16+ by internship start

In the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), you’ll work directly with top scientists and engineers at Department of Navy laboratories. Over eight weeks, you’ll take part in real-world STEM research while building valuable skills for college and beyond. Whether you’re exploring robotics, data science, engineering, or biomedical tech, this hands-on internship provides mentorship, experience, and even a stipend. It’s competitive — only 300 students are chosen — but ideal if you're seriously considering a career in STEM or public service. You must be 16 or older and a U.S. citizen to apply.

11. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: Various U.S. locations
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight-week summer program
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: Paid

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a paid 8-week internship where you will work with nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You will gain practical business experience during these eight-week internships. You will also learn how nonprofits, government, and businesses come together to solve local problems by participating in the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.

12. FreeCodeCamp

Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Open to all
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students 
Cost: Free

FreeCodeCamp is a fully online, self-paced platform that teaches coding through interactive tutorials and practical projects. Students can earn certifications in fields such as responsive web design, data analysis, machine learning, and JavaScript algorithms. The program emphasizes real-world, project-based learning to help users build a strong portfolio. A vibrant online community forum also allows learners to ask questions, exchange ideas, and track their progress. It’s a flexible and accessible choice for high school students interested in exploring computer science on their own.

13. CLA High School Internship Program 

Location: Select locations nationwide (varies by year)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4-week summer program (June start)
Application Deadline: Rolling, varies by location
Eligibility: Ages 16–18; must be able to attend all four weeks in person; U.S. work authorization required

CLA’s High School Internship is your gateway into the world of business, accounting, and professional services. Over four weeks, you’ll explore real projects and shadow professionals in your local CLA office. You’ll also collaborate with peers on team assignments. From learning the ropes of client service to understanding how accounting firms support communities, this internship helps you discover your strengths and passion. Reliable transportation is required, and participants under 18 must provide working papers.

14. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program 

Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students to a location within a 45-minute commute of your home) 

Stipend: $3,000. The program includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas  

Application Deadline: January 16

Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Program dates are flexible and mutually decided on by the intern and their mentor, typically between June and August.

Eligibility: All current high school students who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply.

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, led by the American Fisheries Society, is designed to spark an interest in fisheries and aquatic science among high school students, especially those from historically underrepresented communities. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a fisheries expert in your area who will guide and mentor you throughout the summer. You'll gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and lab research in both freshwater and marine environments. Your work may involve activities such as electrofishing, analyzing specimens, collecting and processing data, and helping to restore fish habitats and aquatic plants. The program also includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas, where you'll connect with other students and professionals in the field.

Image Source - NASA logo