Top 14 Virtual Internships for High School Students
Internships are a great way for high school students to explore potential career paths, develop practical skills, and build valuable connections—all without the high costs that come with other learning opportunities.
Virtual internships are especially appealing because they offer flexibility and access to a wide range of organizations across multiple professions. Besides, they allow you to engage in opportunities from anywhere in the world.
If you are passionate about specific fields, internships provide a firsthand glimpse into industry practices and professional environments. To help you find the best options, we’ve curated a list of the top 14 virtual internships, offering exciting opportunities for high schoolers to kick-start their journeys!
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science
Location: Virtual and on-campus
Dates: 5 weeks, July – August
Application Deadline: Early March
Cost/Stipend: Hourly stipend for in-person participants only
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school students from the U.S. or Canada enrolled full-time toward a high school diploma
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program is a 5-week, fully-funded summer research experience designed for talented high school students from underrepresented communities. Here, you will work alongside leading neuroscientists, engage in hands-on research projects, attend scientific seminars, and participate in weekly development sessions. The program is offered virtually and on-campus, with fewer than 10 students selected each year. During the virtual internship you would engage in presentations, lab training, experiments, professional development training, and guided mentorship. At the end of the program, you will present your research through either an oral or poster presentation.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (10-20 hours/week; for 8-12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
3. Smithsonian Science Education Center Virtual Internships
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8-10 weeks between May and August, with flexible scheduling
Application Deadline: March
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided for eligible students
Eligibility: High school students; at least 16 years or older
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) offers virtual internship opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in communications, marketing, and public relations. You will have the chance to work on diverse projects, including creating social media content, developing graphics, producing videos, and brainstorming campaign ideas. You will also assist in strategy development, communication dissemination, and asset management. These internships provide valuable exposure to the world of educational outreach and public relations within a renowned institution. You will be exposed to opportunities for mentorship, collaboration with professionals, and hands-on projects in this experience.
You may have the chance to present your work and receive feedback from experts in the field. Graphic design applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio sample during the application process.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 12-15 week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Cost/Stipend: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program; $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase; $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on an individual project. An added perk of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. If you want to know more, check out some examples of past projects here. You can apply here.
5. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Virtual (for some) and various locations across the country; varies with the internship
Dates: Varies; summer
Application Deadline: Applications open in March or April, tentatively
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12); primarily students in the Greater Seattle area, but eligible to students across the U.S.
The SPARK Summer Internship Program (SPARK SIP) is designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research while working alongside industry experts, university professors, and experienced mentors. Through this program, you will explore various STEM fields, contribute to real-world projects, and gain direct exposure to professional research environments. The program primarily serves students in the Greater Seattle area but is open to eligible students across the U.S. As an intern, you will develop essential skills, gain valuable insights, and receive mentorship, helping you prepare for future academic pursuits and potential careers in scientific research.
6. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Both in-person and virtual options are offered.
Dates: Varies; available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; visit the application portal for current opportunities
Cost/Stipend: Some positions are paid, while others are unpaid; no application fee
Eligibility: Students eligible to work in the U.S.; specific eligibility requirements may vary
The American Psychological Association (APA), the leading professional organization for psychologists in the U.S., offers internships for students interested in applying psychological principles across various fields.
You’ll have the chance to choose from areas such as policy, communications, research, IT, operations, and finance. Your responsibilities may include tasks like research, writing, managing web projects, and supporting administrative functions, with specific duties varying depending on the department and intern skills. This internship is a chance for you to gain practical experience under the guidance of a supervisor. Both paid and unpaid internships are offered. This program provides a strong opportunity to gain insight into the field of psychology within a prestigious organization.
7. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
Location: Virtual and in-person
Dates: Spring: Feb – May, Summer: June – August, Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Check the website for specific dated For the summer cohort, applications open in February
Cost/Stipend: Provided for 10 interns
Eligibility: Students around the world, including international students, who have authorization to work in the U.S.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) is designed for students interested in foreign relations and international policy. You can choose from three key focus areas: research, special events/development, and operations. During the program, you will be paired with a scholar or professional, gaining valuable industry-specific skills and insights. Additionally, you will also have the opportunity to write a research paper, which may be featured on FPRI’s Intern Corner. Summer interns will attend weekly seminars on foreign policy and career development, further enhancing their experience. Through this internship, you will gain practical knowledge in international affairs and deepen your understanding of global issues.
Location: Virtual (with possible in-person lab tour)
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school students or rising college freshmen, at least 16 years of age, and residing in Massachusetts
Camp Zon, hosted by Zon Lab at Boston's Children’s Hospital, offers a research experience for high school students and rising college freshmen interested in biological research. You will collaborate in teams to design a research project aimed at studying anemia using zebrafish as a model organism. Each team will formulate a hypothesis, design experiments, and analyze data. Lab scientists will then conduct the experiments live, allowing you to observe the process in real time. At the end of the program, you will have the chance to present your research findings.
In addition to hands-on project work, you will attend lectures, read relevant scientific literature, and learn data visualization skills, including coding for graphing data. There may also be an opportunity for in-person lab tours after the program.
9. Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University (SHTEM)
Location: Virtual
Dates: Typically June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Cost/Stipend: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; at least 14 years old by the start of the program
The Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SHTEM) Internship at Stanford University is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring research across various fields, including STEM and humanities. You will work closely with Stanford faculty and researchers on interdisciplinary projects, gaining a broader insight into how humanities intersect with scientific research.
The program includes seminars, workshops, and hands-on projects, allowing you to develop critical research skills and engage with peers while receiving mentorship. At the end of the program, you will also have the opportunity to present your research findings to the Stanford community, offering you a chance to showcase your work.
This immersive experience provides a glimpse into university-level research, helping prepare you for your future academic pursuits. While the program is on a hiatus in 2025, it will be back in 2026.
10. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: Between May and July; review project descriptions for specific dates
Application Deadline: February 22
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; unpaid. Interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores or juniors; must be 16 years old
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program, a collaboration between NASA and UT Austin, offers students the opportunity to engage in space and satellite research projects alongside NASA experts. You will work virtually on specific research projects and collaborate with NASA scientists. You are required to complete virtual activities by July 1 to stay eligible for the program. In July, both virtual and on-site interns will continue their work with NASA experts.
You will also have the chance to present your findings at the SEES Science Symposium, where you will share your research with NASA scientists and other experts in the field. This program gives you the platform to work directly with professionals, gaining valuable insights into space exploration and satellite technology. Keep in mind that you need to commit to the complete time required to be able to take part in this internship.
11. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Dates: 2 weeks, June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24th
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (for accepted students) with financial aid available for those with an annual family income under $80,000
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders; must be 14 years or older, preference given to students with math and/or computer skills
Stanford AI4ALL is an immersive program designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on increasing diversity in STEM fields. During the program, you will explore key AI topics such as robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing, while strengthening your understanding of how AI can improve society.
Through a combination of lectures, research projects, and mentorship, you will develop both technical and career-related skills. This program is an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of AI while connecting with industry experts and like-minded peers.
Location: Virtual
Dates: 2 weeks, June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost/Stipend: Application Fee: $40; Program Participation Fee (if accepted): $850
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old; U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging internship is designed to immerse high school students in the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) within healthcare. This thorough interdisciplinary program combines lectures, mentoring sessions, social activities, and collaborative research projects. You will engage in virtual Career Lunch and Learns with distinguished guest speakers giving you the opportunity to learn and network. By the end of the internship, you would have not only gained a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving field and be prepared to apply your learning in your future career in healthcare and technology. You also have the opportunity for an extended independent research internship if that interests you.
This competitive internship has a strong preference for high school students who excel at math and/or computer programming skills and have some experience in the area of healthcare.
13. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Check website for upcoming dates
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided by the City of Cambridge
Eligibility: Students of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
The Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) is an exclusive year-long opportunity for high school students to collaborate with leading scientists from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics on cutting-edge astrophysics research. The program has an acceptance rate of under 5% and this highly competitive program. Each year they select 10-16 students annually and organize them into small teams to engage in rigorous scientific inquiry.
You will work closely with mentors in both in-person and virtual formats, gaining hands-on experience while benefiting from monthly workshops and lectures designed to deepen your knowledge of astrophysics and refine your research skills. At the end of the program, you will present your findings at a symposium, showcasing your research through posters and presentations to the academic community.
This program offers you a chance to contribute to the field of astrophysics and develop relevant research expertise under the guidance of experts.
14. Building-U High School Internship (Research and Development Role)
Location: Virtual
Dates: Minimum 3 months in the summer, can run year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; early application is recommended
Cost/Stipend: Free
Eligibility: High school students
The Building U High School Internship offers opportunities for high school students to gain experience in the non-profit sector, specifically within administrative and business functions. For the course of this virtual internship, you will join a specialized team like marketing, research and development (R&D), and business development, where you will contribute to the organization's goals while gaining hands-on experience.
While this is not a traditional research program, the internship focuses on a variety of tasks, allowing you to contribute to key projects. You have a chance to develop a wide range of skills spanning from marketing, coding, animation, data, and content analysis. The internship provides meaningful exposure to the non-profit landscape and is designed to help you grow professionally and academically. Beyond these specific skills, this is a platform for you to learn essential communication, teamwork, and holistic knowledge blending skills.
You may have the option to extend your term beyond the typical three-month period if you perform well.