15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Maryland
If you’re a high school student looking for productive ways to spend your summer, consider participating in a program. Summer programs offer a practical way to explore your interests, and they let you build skills, learn how different fields operate, and engage with topics you may not encounter in school. Many students use summer programs to test potential academic or career paths and to add meaningful experiences to their college applications and resumes.
In Maryland, there are opportunities for high schoolers in areas ranging from scientific research to healthcare to the arts. Programs like the NIST Summer High School Intern Program place you alongside scientists to work on research projects, while Johns Hopkins offers options in medical work and biomedical research. To make the search easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top 15 summer programs for high school students in Maryland. We’ve included a mix of academic, artistic, medical, and professional opportunities that highlight some of the strongest offerings for high schoolers in the state.
1. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application deadline: November 1 – February 6
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (and graduated seniors who haven’t started college yet) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program places you in a research role inside one of the institute’s six federal laboratories, where you work with a NIST scientist or engineer on ongoing projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, physics, chemistry, or materials science. Throughout the program, you may handle laboratory equipment, contribute to coding or data analysis, and attend technical training sessions and research seminars that explain the principles behind the work. You will be assigned to labs such as the Communications Technology Laboratory, Physical Measurement Laboratory, or the NIST Center for Neutron Research, depending on research interests and placement availability. By the end of the program, you will complete a formal poster presentation summarizing your contributions and results.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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!
The Ladder Internship Program places high school students in eight-week remote internships with startups working across fields such as deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. As an intern, you’ll collaborate closely with a startup manager while also receiving support from a Ladder Coach, giving you consistent feedback as you navigate real project responsibilities. The work you complete is intended to contribute directly to the company’s goals, allowing you to apply problem-solving, communication, and project-management skills in a practical environment. Startups in the program are typically fast-growing and mission-driven, giving you insight into how early-stage companies function. Over the course of the internship, you learn how teams coordinate tasks, make decisions quickly, and adapt to changing priorities. The summer program for high school students in Maryland ends with a final presentation to company leaders.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including MD (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 300 spots
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors who live in an eligible area and have not participated in the program before (more details here)
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects approximately 300 high school juniors and seniors for an eight-week paid internship at a nonprofit organization in their local community, such as Habitat for Humanity or Boys & Girls Clubs of America. During the internship, you will assist with areas such as budgeting, fundraising, community planning, and program operations, giving you a clearer understanding of how nonprofits address local needs. The program also includes a national Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll participate in workshops and discussions centered on civic engagement, economic responsibility, and cross-sector collaboration. The travel and accommodations for the summit are covered, allowing motivated students from across the country to connect.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research experience that pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors for one-on-one guidance on an independent research project in a chosen academic field. You can select topics in areas such as psychology, physics, computer science, economics, engineering, international relations, or data science, depending on your interests. Under your mentor’s supervision, you’ll develop a research question, review scholarly literature, analyze data or build models, and work toward producing a polished research paper. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work at Lumiere’s closing symposium, gaining practice in sharing research with an academic audience.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Varies based on Department of the Navy (DoN) lab locations (MD included)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 (16+) who are U.S. citizens
SEAP places high school students in Department of the Navy laboratories for eight weeks of summer research, allowing you to collaborate with scientists and engineers on technical projects. Around 300 students are selected each year and assigned to one of 38 Navy labs involved in areas such as cybersecurity, electronics, materials science, and systems engineering. Throughout this prestigious program, you’ll participate in experiments, analyze data, and learn the tools and methods used in professional military research environments. Your mentor guides you through daily tasks, offering feedback and explaining how research challenges are approached in a federal laboratory.
6. Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program (JHSJP)
Location: Johns Hopkins University and Health System campuses, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 2 – February 15
Eligibility: High school students living in Baltimore City; Must register with both YouthWorks and the Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program
The Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program provides Baltimore City high school students with a paid, seven-week internship across departments within Johns Hopkins University and the Health System. In this summer program, you’ll gain experience in healthcare, research, administration, or other operational areas depending on your placement. In addition to job responsibilities, the program includes weekly professional development workshops focused on communication, leadership, workplace behavior, and career readiness. Throughout the summer, you’ll learn about Johns Hopkins’ mission and institutional culture while forming connections with supervisors and mentors who support your growth.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states + Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 3% / 27-33 students making it to the final cohort each year
Dates: 8 weeks from June – August
Application deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship run by the American Fisheries Society that introduces high school students to fisheries and aquatic science through mentorship. If selected, you’ll receive a $3,000 stipend and work alongside a fisheries professional whose research determines the nature of your daily activities. Depending on the placement, you may assist with fish population surveys, habitat restoration projects, electrofishing, and water quality testing, among others. Some placements include multi-day or week-long field trips, requiring readiness for more intensive outdoor work. Each internship is unique, allowing you to gain experience in varied areas within fisheries biology.
8. Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort size
Dates: July 8 – August 8
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in Baltimore City and attending a Baltimore City public school
Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT) introduces high school students to biomedical research through hands-on laboratory work at Johns Hopkins University. In this paid program, you’ll work in a teaching laboratory guided by instructors, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members who help you understand research practices. The projects typically involve topics such as DNA and protein engineering, microbiology, or molecular biology, and you’ll be using professional-grade equipment to carry out experiments. The classroom sessions complement the lab work by explaining the scientific principles behind each activity. The summer program also connects you to other pre-college opportunities at Johns Hopkins for future exploration.
9. Internships at Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Location: Maryland Public Television, Owings Mills, MD (virtual options offered too)
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer: June 2 – August 15; Fall: September 10 – December 15; Spring: January 28 – May 15
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors willing to commit to at least 16 hours per week
Internships at Maryland Public Television introduce you to the day-to-day functions of a public broadcasting network, where you may work on projects tied to programming, production, digital media, or development. Based on your placement, you might assist with co-productions, content planning, communications, marketing, IT, or other operational areas that support MPT’s broadcast mission. The program includes both in-person and hybrid formats, giving you flexibility while maintaining a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week. You’ll work directly with MPT staff, contributing to tasks that build practical, technical, and creative skills in a professional setting. Beyond media-focused placements, MPT also hosts general internships in areas such as public relations, client relations, community engagement, education, and administration.
10. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including MD
Stipend: $18 – $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 17
Application deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are between the ages of 16-18
The CLA High School Internship Program provides a paid summer experience in professional services, giving you exposure to work in accounting, auditing, tax preparation, and business operations. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in hands-on assignments, shadow experienced professionals, and participate in case studies that mirror the work firms complete for clients. You’ll also collaborate on team projects and attend development activities designed to strengthen communication, problem-solving, and workplace readiness. Mentorship plays a central role in this summer program for high school students in Maryland, as you spend time learning alongside staff at different levels of the firm.
11. Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) Fellows Internship Program
Location: Various hospitals and healthcare institutions in Baltimore
Stipend: Summer Program: Paid; School-Year Program: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection
Dates: 5-week summer internship starts in late June or early July; School-year program follows the academic year
Application Deadline: January – March
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in the Baltimore area
The BACH Fellows Internship Program connects about 35 Baltimore high school students with paid, five-week healthcare internships in hospitals and medical centers across the city. During the summer, you’ll shadow healthcare professionals, observe clinical environments, and explore allied health fields ranging from medical technology to patient support services. You will also build workplace skills such as communication, professionalism, and conflict resolution while receiving guidance from teacher-mentors who support your academic and career planning. The program continues during the school year through a volunteer-based model that can count toward Service-Learning requirements. The students are placed at partner institutions, including MedStar Health, Mercy Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, the University of Maryland Medical System, and LifeBridge Health.
12. Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application deadline: November 1 – February 1
Eligibility: High school students from households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level; must be educationally under-resourced
The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine immerses high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in eight weeks of mentored biomedical research. Under the supervision of doctoral or postdoctoral fellows, you’ll work on lab projects while learning techniques such as data analysis, microscopy, and experimental design. Alongside laboratory work, the program includes coursework in mathematics, bioethics, scientific writing, and related subjects that strengthen your academic foundation. You will also attend professional development sessions focusing on communication, networking, and public speaking. Some students contribute to studies that later become part of scientific publications. The summer concludes with a formal presentation in which you share your findings with scientists, peers, and family members.
13. ASPIRE Program
Location: Virtual or in person at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Late June – August
Application deadline: Opens January 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors at least 15 years old by June 1; U.S. citizens; Minimum 2.8 GPA
The ASPIRE Program at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory places high school students on STEM-focused projects guided by APL staff mentors, allowing you to explore fields such as aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and environmental science. Each intern in this selective summer program is matched with a project based on their interests. You can contribute through coding, lab work, design, research, or science communication, depending on your skills. You will be expected to communicate regularly with mentors, persist through technical challenges, and develop both technical and interpersonal competencies.
14. Baltimore Law Links Internship
Location: Various law firms and agencies across Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – August
Application deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools
The Baltimore Law Links Internship places Baltimore City high school juniors and seniors in seven-week, full-time paid placements at law firms, corporate legal departments, and law-related public agencies. You’ll assist with tasks such as administrative support, document preparation, and basic legal research while observing how attorneys and staff manage daily operations. Alongside the internship, you will also attend the Law & Leadership Institute, a 50-hour seminar featuring workshops, guest speakers, and sessions on workplace etiquette and communication. The program begins with a multi-day orientation that prepares you for professional expectations and provides business attire to ensure all participants start on equal footing.
15. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): Pre-College Program
Location: Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore
Stipend: Residential: 2-Week Session ($3,850), 4-Week Session ($7,700); Commuter: 2-Week Session ($2,725), 4-Week Session ($5,450); need-based financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 5 (early); April 30 (final)
Application deadline: 2-week (session 1): June 12 – 25 & (session 2): July 26 – August 8; 4-week session: June 12 – August 8; Check here for commuter dates
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17
The MICA Pre-College Program gives high school students the chance to engage in college-level art and design coursework through two- or four-week sessions offered in residential or commuter formats. You can choose a major area of study, such as 2D Animation, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art, Darkroom Photography, or Film Photography, and spend your time in studio classes that mirror the structure and expectations of college art programs. There will be faculty-led instruction, workshops, and critiques that will help you build technical ability while exploring new creative approaches. The courses require significant independent work, and successful completion earns college credit that may support your future applications. Throughout the session, you also interact with undergraduate staff and instructors who provide ongoing feedback on your developing portfolio.
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