15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
In today’s competitive academic and professional landscape, high school internships are a good way to stand out and gain professional experience. Internships provide early exposure to the demands of different industries and help translate classroom concepts into tangible skills. Beyond skill development, summer internships allow you to explore potential career paths before committing to a college major or long-term goal. Employers increasingly value candidates who bring practical experience to the table, and internships are one of the most effective ways to build that foundation.
Philadelphia’s top organizations, like the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program, Philadelphia International Airport, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and major companies such as Aramark and Comcast NBCUniversal, offer internships for high school students. These internships can enhance your resume for college applications and help you develop critical career readiness competencies, including communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Below is a curated list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Philadelphia that help bridge the gap between learning and doing.
15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
1. The Wistar Institute – High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15 students
Dates: Four weeks in July
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by program start date | Have completed at least one high school science course
The Wistar Institute’s High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research is a four-week summer program that immerses students in active cancer and infectious disease research. You work in Wistar’s advanced training labs, learning fundamental techniques in biomedical science, engaging with current scientific literature, and contributing to real research projects under the mentorship of scientists. The program also includes seminars on research ethics and career exploration, giving students a broader understanding of professional pathways in the biomedical field. Throughout this program, you’ll gain exposure to lab operations and data interpretation, culminating in a final presentation of your work to peers and researchers.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available) / No stipend
Acceptance rate: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, fall, and spring; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 12 and June 23, respectively
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–16 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students with early-stage startups for an eight-week virtual internship focused on hands-on, real-world projects. It matches you with companies based on your interests across diverse sectors such as AI, health tech, environmental science, media, and marketing. You work under the guidance of both a company manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who provides mentorship throughout the program. You contribute meaningfully to your host organizations and conclude the experience by presenting your projects to company stakeholders. The program also enables networking with professionals from top institutions and companies, including alumni from Google, Microsoft, and Y Combinator.
3. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, with work authorization in the U.S.
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program in Philadelphia is a seven-week, paid summer research experience designed to increase participation of underrepresented groups in science. You work full-time alongside Monell scientists, contributing to research in sensory biology, neuroscience, and biomedical science. You learn laboratory techniques, conduct experiments, and analyze data while developing your own research project under expert mentorship. In addition to lab work, the program integrates workshops on professional skills such as scientific writing, ethics, and public speaking. The experience culminates in a final symposium where you present your findings to scientists, family, and peers.
4. CHOP’s Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 18 – 24 students
Dates: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically January
Eligibility: Rising juniors from a public or charter school in the City of Philadelphia who will turn 16 before June 16
The CHOP-RISES program offers a two-summer internship for Philadelphia public and charter high school students interested in science and healthcare research. During the first six-week summer session, you participate in lab work, attend skill-building workshops, and present your findings in a research presentation. Those who continue into the second summer complete an eight-week independent project, serve as mentors for new participants, and showcase their research at a formal poster session. Mentorship from CHOP researchers throughout both summers helps students strengthen their academic foundation and explore potential careers.
5. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Neurology High School Scholars Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically very small cohorts
Dates: July 14 – August 15, with a poster presentation on August 21
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are 16 years of age by the start of the program
CHOP’s Neurology High School Scholars Program is a five-week paid internship that introduces high school students to neuroscience and clinical research. It pairs you with neurologists or neuroscientists, where you assist with ongoing research projects while also shadowing physicians to observe patient care in clinical settings. The internship includes weekly educational sessions focused on neurology topics and professional development in research communication. You receive a $1,000 stipend for your participation and collaborate closely with mentors to develop a research poster summarizing their work. The internship concludes with a poster presentation session.
6. Fox Chase Cancer Center – Teen Research Internship Program
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 16 students
Dates: Two 5-day sessions typically happen in the summer, in July
Application Deadline: Summer: typically spring
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area high schoolers who are at least 14 years old before the start of the program (residents of New Jersey and Delaware can also apply)
TRIP at Fox Chase Cancer Center introduces high school students to scientific research through a structured, multi-phase approach that includes project design, experimentation, and presentation. Throughout the program, you’ll develop your own research question and test it using lab techniques while exploring how factors such as diet, stress, and environment affect human health and development. Under the mentorship of Fox Chase faculty, you’ll collect and analyze data, troubleshoot experiments, and learn how to communicate your findings effectively. The program covers both scientific inquiry and public communication, culminating in a recorded presentation and a blog post summarizing your research. Alongside this, Fox Chase also runs a 10-week high school volunteer program.
7. UPenn Provost Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Various departments at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; more than 100 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Philadelphia rising 10th and 11th-grade students | Minimum 3.0 GPA
The University of Pennsylvania’s Provost Summer Mentorship Program is a four-week summer initiative designed for motivated high school students in Philadelphia interested in exploring college and career pathways. It pairs you with one of Penn’s professional schools—Medicine, Law, Engineering, Nursing, or Dentistry—to experience hands-on learning through academic projects, workshops, and mentorship. Beyond field-specific exposure, the program focuses on college readiness by offering sessions in study skills, SAT preparation, time management, and personal statement writing. You attend lectures and group activities led by faculty and graduate mentors, gaining insight into both higher education and professional life.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local Philadelphia nonprofit partner organizations; the summit takes place in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 300 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers paid eight-week summer internships at local nonprofit organizations, providing exposure to community-focused work and leadership development. You contribute to projects with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Clubs, gaining insight into nonprofit management, operations, and social impact. Alongside your local work, you attend the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you engage in workshops and discussions on civic engagement, leadership, and public policy. The program includes all travel and accommodation costs for the summit.
9. Bloomberg Arts Internship
Location: Various arts/cultural organizations, Greater Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $17.53/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 40 – 50 students
Dates: June 20 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors residing in Philadelphia
The Bloomberg Arts Internship allows high school seniors to work with arts and cultural organizations across the city. As an intern, you’ll gain paid, hands-on experience in areas such as arts administration, marketing, event planning, and exhibition coordination while supporting the daily operations of museums, performing arts centers, and cultural nonprofits. The internship also includes professional development sessions focused on college readiness, career planning, and workplace communication. Mentorship and networking are key components, as you’ll collaborate with peers and professionals in the arts sector. Reflective workshops and cohort activities throughout the summer help you explore career options in the creative scene.
10. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Cost/Stipend: None | Unpaid by default; financial-need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies as per session
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Typically between March–April
Eligibility: High school students authorised to work in the US
Internships at FPRI in Philadelphia give high school students an introduction to the world of global affairs, national security, and diplomacy. The program matches you with scholars based on research interests in areas such as the Middle East, Eurasia, or U.S. foreign policy, assisting with research, writing, communications, and event organization. You’ll participate in seminars led by guest speakers who discuss current international issues and share insights about careers in policy and global relations. You also have the opportunity to publish research-based articles on FPRI’s Intern Corner, contributing to public discussions on international topics.
11. WorkReady – Philadelphia Youth Network
Location: Multiple nonprofit and community-based worksites throughout Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, varies by placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 1,000 placements
Dates: Summer programs typically run for 6 to 8 weeks and begin in late June or early July, concluding in August
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: Philadelphia youth ages 12–24 | Rising high school sophomores through graduating seniors
WorkReady is a citywide youth employment initiative designed to provide paid work experiences, professional development, and career exposure. Through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, you engage in summer internships or apprenticeships that combine hands-on work with career readiness training. Most summer placements last around 120 hours and include industry tours, coaching, and workshops to build transferable workplace skills. Depending on the program, students can earn stipends during their placement. WorkReady also runs specialized tracks such as BOOST, focusing on job site skills, and VIP, which integrates social-emotional learning and violence prevention.
12. City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation Internship
Location: Philadelphia International Airport
Stipend: $15/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 17 – 24 students
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks between early June to mid-August
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school juniors or seniors
The Philadelphia International Airport’s High School Internship Program provides you with the opportunity to explore career paths within airport management and operations. In this internship, you are assigned to different departments such as Human Resources, Communications, Community Relations, and Purchasing, where you assist with administrative tasks, event coordination, and departmental projects. Each unit designs specific work objectives to ensure meaningful participation and mentoring throughout the internship. You also gain direct exposure to careers in aviation and municipal operations while learning how public service functions within a large organization.
13. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country. Students in Philadelphia can select one of two options in the city: the Naval Surface Warfare Center and the Naval Information Warfare Center
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 300 placements
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens | Some labs may have additional criteria
SEAP, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Navy, offers high school students an eight-week summer placement in one of 38 Navy research laboratories nationwide. Around 300 students are selected annually to assist scientists and engineers with hands-on research projects in areas such as electronics, computer modeling, materials science, and environmental testing. You receive mentorship from professionals working on real Department of Defense initiatives and gain firsthand experience in technical problem-solving and data analysis. SEAP is a competitive internship, and applicants are evaluated based on academic merit, recommendations, and demonstrated interest in STEM disciplines.
14. Shriners Children’s Philadelphia Medical Research Immersion Program
Location: Shriners Children’s Philadelphia
Cost/Stipend: No cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 20 students
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: March 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hosts a five-day Medical Research Summer Immersion Program for high school juniors, seniors, and college students interested in clinical research and pediatric healthcare. The program trains a small cohort of students on the fundamentals of clinical research, from understanding study design and data collection to exploring current medical trends. Over the course of the week, you’ll work with healthcare professionals to develop and present your own research idea, gaining experience in scientific thinking and presentation. By the end of the program, you’ll present a final proposal demonstrating your grasp of research principles.
15. University of Pennsylvania – Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES)
Location: Philadelphia, PA – In-person
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 7 – 8 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically February
Eligibility: Local high school students in grades 9–11 | Minimum 3.0 GPA
The TREES program is a six-week summer opportunity that blends laboratory training, field activities, and independent scientific inquiry in environmental science and public health. Under the mentorship of experienced guides, you will develop and carry out a research project, gaining skills in experimental design, data collection, and presentation of results. This comprehensive experience involves completing a research study from conception to final presentation. The curriculum includes topics like toxicology, water quality assessment, and environmental monitoring, complemented by field excursions for practical sampling. Combining both lab work and outdoor investigations, the program builds your technical expertise and analytical thinking as you collaborate closely with faculty members and graduate students.
Image Source - The Wistar Institute Logo