15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Nebraska
Are you a high school student curious about what a future career might look like? An internship in a field that interests you allows you to explore potential career paths while building useful skills. By working alongside professionals, you'll gain work experience, develop confidence, and start building networks that can support your college and career goals. Internships help you strengthen essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, qualities that stand out in competitive college applications.
What summer internships are available for high school students in Nebraska?
If you are looking for summer internships in Nebraska, the state offers a wide range of opportunities across fields such as engineering, healthcare, environmental science, agriculture, and public service. These programs let you experience professional settings, contribute to projects, and learn from mentors in your industry. To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Nebraska.
1. NCMN STEM High School Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited placements
Location: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, NE
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $12/hour
Dates: Early June–late July (approximately 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older who have not yet graduated; U.S. citizenship required
The Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience (NCMN) STEM High School Internship gives high school students the opportunity to work in research laboratories at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. You will work with faculty members and research scientists in physics, engineering, or chemistry, gaining hands-on experience with experimental and theoretical research. The internship is designed for students with an interest in STEM fields and does not require prior research experience. You will spend about 20 hours per week on campus and receive structured guidance and mentorship throughout the program. The program concludes with a final poster presentation, giving you valuable experience in scientific communication and sharing research findings.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts per cycle
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts available, including summer (8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines by cohort (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Eligibility: High school students able to commit 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program that connects high school students with fast-growing startups, where you'll work on real projects that matter. You’ll join a small project-based team and work directly with a startup in areas such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and business operations. This program emphasizes real-world problem solving, professional communication, and independent project execution. Throughout the program, you receive structured mentorship and regular feedback while contributing to ongoing startup initiatives. You will present your work to the host company at the end of the program, thus gaining experience in professional reporting and presentation. While the internship is conducted remotely, it gives Nebraska students access to startup environments and industries that may not be locally available through in-person options.
3. InternNE High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by employer; placement-based
Location: NE
Cost/Stipend: Paid (wages set by host employer; supported by state funding)
Dates: Summer (timelines vary by employer)
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Primarily 11th–12th grade high school students and postsecondary students
InternNE is a summer internship for high school students in Nebraska that connects students with Nebraska-based employers across a wide range of industries. You'll be placed with an employer in areas such as business, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and public services. The program is designed to support career options, while applying what you have learnt in school to real workplace projects. During the internship, you'll work alongside professionals, often rotating through departments or contributing to specific projects based on employer needs. InternNE focuses on building job-ready skills such as communication, problem-solving, and workplace professionalism, while supporting Nebraska employers in developing future talent. All internships are paid and fully in-person, and placement details are determined by individual employers participating in the InternNE program.
4. AEOP High School Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by research site
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers, including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, NE
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend amount varies by site and duration
Dates: Summer (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; site-specific requirements apply
The AEOP High School Internship gives you the chance to contribute to research at universities and Department of Defense–affiliated labs. You will work alongside scientists and engineers on STEM research projects in areas such as advanced materials, biomedical technology, and applied science. You will gain hands-on laboratory experience while learning how research questions are developed, tested, and refined in professional settings. Each student is supported by a dedicated mentor who provides guidance on research methods, technical tools, and scientific communication. The program also includes structured skill-building activities and opportunities to engage with peers across AEOP sites.
5. Young Nebraska Scientists (YNS) High School Researchers Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very selective; limited research placements
Location: University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska–Omaha (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $12/hour
Dates: Early June–early August (up to 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early spring (varies by project)
Eligibility: Nebraska residents aged 16+, typically 10th–11th grade; U.S. citizenship or work authorization required
The Young Nebraska Scientists (YNS) High School Researchers Program offers paid summer research experiences in active university research labs across Nebraska. You will work with faculty mentors on scientific projects in fields such as biology, biomechanics, climate science, physics, chemistry, nanoscience, and materials engineering. Internships are project-based, with your schedules and responsibilities determined collaboratively with your supervising researcher. You will gain hands-on experience with research methods, data analysis, and technical tools, and many projects involve coding, modeling, or experimental design. You’ll present your findings through a research poster or a similar format at the end of the summer, building scientific communication skills and preparing you for future STEM studies.
6. IS&T High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited lab placements
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; no program fee
Dates: Early June–late July
Application Deadline: Spring (exact date varies by year)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 with a strong background in math or STEM; minimum GPA and Algebra I completion required
The IS&T High School Internship Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha gives you the chance to spend your summer doing real research work in computer science and information technology. You will work in UNO labs alongside faculty and university students on applied research and development projects. Internship tracks span areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, software engineering, mobile app development, gaming, and public health informatics. Throughout the program, you will use the same technical tools, research workflows, and problem-solving strategies that professionals rely on in real-world IT and research environments. As an intern, you'll contribute to ongoing projects and gain exposure to career pathways in computing and data-driven fields. The program emphasizes hands-on lab work, teamwork, and practical learning, making it well-suited for students considering future study in technology or engineering.
7. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~300 students nationwide
Location: Local nonprofit organizations, including Nebraska + Washington, D.C. (Student Leaders Summit)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; paid internship with travel and housing covered
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer, including a late-July summit
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in an eligible Nebraska location
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an in-person summer internship that places high school students with nonprofit organizations focused on community development and civic engagement. During the internship, you will work on projects related to budgeting, data tracking, program evaluation, and resource allocation, gaining insight into how nonprofits operate and measure impact. Along the way, you'll build professional skills such as data analysis, communication, and problem-solving, while working closely with experienced mentors and nonprofit professionals. The program concludes with a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you'll join students from across the country for leadership training, policy-focused discussions, and exposure to civic issues.
8. Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 150 fellows nationwide
Location: Nation-wide including NE
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, paid internship
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer (typically May–August)
Application Deadline: January (rolling review through spring)
Eligibility: High school seniors aged 18+ with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plan to attend a four-year college and are authorized to work in the U.S.
The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship gives high school seniors the chance to step into the world of media, entertainment, and technology organizations, including select partners in Nebraska. You will work full-time alongside professionals in areas such as journalism, digital media, business operations, public relations, software development, or technology support, depending on your placement. Rather than observing from the sidelines, you will contribute to day-to-day workflows and gain firsthand experience with how professional teams operate in a fast-paced environment. Throughout the summer, you'll receive mentorship on career readiness, workplace communication, and professional development. EBF emphasizes skill-building, guidance, and support that often continues well beyond the internship itself, making the program particularly valuable for students planning to pursue media or tech careers in college.
9. Summer High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; based on faculty and lab needs
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 2–July 11
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Students aged 16+, entering grades 10–12, from participating school districts
The UNO College of Information Science & Technology Summer High School Internship Program offers students practical experience in university research labs. You will collaborate with faculty and current students on projects in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, software engineering, bioinformatics, app development, gaming, and IT innovation. The internship focuses on research and development, allowing you to learn new technical tools while contributing to real problem-solving efforts. You will spend about 20 hours per week on campus, with regular check-ins to track your progress and receive guidance along the way. You are required to complete a mid-internship report and deliver a final presentation, thus gaining experience in professional communication and project reporting, and insights into how college-level research and tech careers actually work.
10. Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHARP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited number of scholars
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors aged 16+ who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHARP) is a 10-week, in-person biomedical research internship hosted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. You will work in a research laboratory within departments such as pharmacology, experimental neuroscience, biochemistry, and anesthesiology, gaining experience with bench-side research techniques used by professional scientists. You will receive structured training in research methods, data analysis, and laboratory practices, while collaborating with faculty, researchers, and lab teams. Throughout the program, you contribute to an independent research project and learn how to interpret and present scientific findings. The program culminates in creating a research poster and presenting your work at the end-of-program poster session, helping you gain experience in scientific communication.
11. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 20 students per cohort
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Dates: Two weeks during the summer (weekday sessions; dates vary)
Application Deadline: Spring (dates vary by year)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a short-term summer program that introduces high school students to the science and clinical care behind cancer. Through collaborative, faculty-led learning, you'll learn about the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. You will work with peers on a genetics-focused research project and a patient case study, helping you understand how scientific discoveries connect to clinical decisions. The program also includes faculty lectures, panel discussions, and structured skill-building workshops focused on biomedical career pathways. You will engage with researchers and students from multiple institutions, giving you exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives in oncology. The program emphasizes mentorship, scientific communication, and career exploration, making it suitable for students seeking an introductory experience in cancer research and medicine rather than a full-time lab internship.
12. Mental Health Careers Summer Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Location: Virtual program led by practicing mental health clinicians
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two weeks during June (sessions scheduled after spring selection)
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students, as well as rising college first-year students
This two-week summer internship introduces high school students to a range of careers in mental health through interactive, clinician-led sessions. You will learn from professionals such as licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and physician assistants, gaining a clear picture of both clinical practice and research-oriented roles in the field. Before each live session, you'll complete curated readings that include scientific literature and practical mental health resources, helping you engage more deeply with the discussions. Throughout the program, clinicians walk you through what their day-to-day work looks like and share honest insights about training pathways, career decisions, and the challenges of working in mental health. The internship emphasises career exploration, mentorship, and long-term guidance rather than clinical practice, making it suitable for students considering future study in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, or social work. You'll build connections with mentors who may continue supporting you beyond the summer experience.
13. EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited research placements
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Summer (onboarding mid-April to mid-June; internship period during summer)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a strong background in computer science and prior exposure to machine learning or deep learning concepts
The EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program is a research-focused experience hosted by the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. This program gives you the opportunity to work with clinician-scientists and researchers who are at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to clinical challenges. During the internship, you'll work on applied machine learning projects aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy and clinical efficiency. Your work may involve analyzing large, complex datasets such as whole-slide pathology images, electronic health records, text-based pathology reports, genomics data, and other multi-omics sources. Along the way, you will build technical skills using tools such as Python, R, and high-performance computing while learning how AI methods are developed and validated in clinical research settings. You will participate in guided projects, lectures, and seminars and gain experience communicating results to a clinical research audience, with opportunities to contribute to scientific writing and ongoing research initiatives.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Location: Virtual and in person at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: No stipend; $25 application fee + $1,299 on acceptance (fee waivers available)
Dates: June 18-August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ for computer science and remote research tracks; 16+ for in-person wet-lab research
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is an eight-week research-focused summer program that allows high school students to dive into real STEM research alongside university faculty. You will join a research group in areas such as cybersecurity, engineering, computational science, data science, and applied mathematics, depending on your background and interests. You will gain experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and applying quantitative and programming tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB to solve complex problems. As you work closely with faculty mentors and research teams, you'll develop technical and analytical skills while gaining insights into life inside a university research setting. The program concludes with a summer research symposium, where you'll present your work and learn about projects completed across the program.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~50 students per summer cohort
Location: Virtual (hosted by Stanford University)
Cost/Stipend: $850 program fee; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Two weeks during the summer (Session A: mid-June; Session B: early–mid July)
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old and residing in the U.S.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to the technical and clinical applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The program combines structured lectures on AI fundamentals in medicine with group research projects focused on healthcare challenges. You will work closely with Stanford-affiliated researchers and student leads, gaining experience in interdisciplinary problem-solving at the intersection of data science and medicine. The program includes mentoring sessions, collaborative working groups, and “Meet the Expert” discussions with professionals from academia, industry, and public-sector organizations. The experience focuses on research thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication rather than independent lab work. Students who complete the full program receive a Certificate of Completion.
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