15 Low-Cost Internships for High School Students

High school internships offer a powerful, cost-effective way for you to accelerate your personal and professional growth before even setting foot on a college campus. By stepping outside the classroom, you gain practical, hands-on experience in a field of your choice, allowing you to test-drive potential careers while building a network of professional connections. These experiences not only enhance your college profile and resume but also give you an edge in long-term employability. With a wide array of accessible, high-quality opportunities now offered by top colleges and leading organizations, internships provide an impactful alternative to expensive summer programs if you are an ambitious high schooler looking to stand out.  

If you think an online/remote internship would be a better fit for you, check out a list of those internships here!

Why should I do an internship in high school?

Doing an internship in high school helps you stand out in competitive college admissions by showing curiosity, responsibility, and a willingness to go beyond academics. It provides hands-on exposure to real-world work environments, helping you understand how different industries actually function. Internships also build essential skills like communication, teamwork, research, and problem-solving, which are useful across all career paths. Additionally, they help you gain clarity about your future goals by allowing you to explore different fields before choosing a college major. On top of that, many of these opportunities are offered by leading universities, research institutions, and organizations, making them highly valuable for early-career exploration.

Here is a curated list of 15 of the best unpaid internships and research-style opportunities for high school students.

Quick Look

• 15 unpaid internships and research opportunities total spanning biomedical research, public policy, sustainability, journalism, and federal government work, hosted by organizations including Stanford, MIT's RSI, NIST, and the U.S. Departments of Education and Treasury

• Most programs are completely free, though a few carry application or tuition fees, including George Mason's ASSIP ($1,299 plus fees) and Boston University's RISE Internship (over $10,000 with housing and dining), with need-based aid available at several

• Standout programs include the Research Science Institute at MIT, one of the most selective research programs in the country, and NIST's SHIP, which places you directly in a federal research laboratory

• Several programs are fully remote and open nationally, including Ladder Internships, FPRI's Research Internship, Pasquines, EnergyMag, and Seaside Sustainability, making them accessible regardless of where you live

• Deadlines vary widely across the year, with the earliest falling in December for the Research Science Institute, so students interested in the most selective programs should start preparing early

1. Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS)

Location: Stanford University
Cost/Stipend: None except a $55 application fee; need-based fee waivers for the application fee are available
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (16+) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from the following counties: Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties; some prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, or programming

The Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford University is an 8-week summer opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in biomedical and genetics research.  You will work in Stanford labs alongside scientists, contributing to projects in molecular biology, human genetics, and bioinformatics. The program also includes seminars, career talks, and workshops focused on research techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. By the end, you will gain real lab exposure, strengthen research skills, and get insight into academic and career paths in medicine, genetics, and life sciences.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 8 – 12 weeks, devoting 10 – 20 hours/week

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students interested in gaining experience with fast-growing start-ups. Start-ups that offer internships span fields such as finance, tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised over a million dollars on average, backed by Y Combinator. The program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, plus group sessions with other interns. Startups in the program often have raised over $1 million and are led by founders with experience at places like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. Apply now!

3. Research Science Institute (RSI) 

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 
Cost/Stipend: None except a $75 application fee (waivers are available)
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites; at least 16 by July 1 of the program year 

The Research Science Institute is a highly selective, fully funded summer program hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It begins with advanced STEM classes and then moves into hands-on research, where students work with mentors on real projects in fields like biology, physics, and engineering. You complete the full research process, from studying existing work to conducting experiments and presenting your results. By the end, you gain practical research experience and a strong understanding of careers in science and technology.

4. Stanford SHTEM Internship 

Location: Stanford University, Stanford (in-person) 
Cost/Stipend: $95 application fee / No stipend
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1 
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (must be at least 14 by June 21); currently limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Stanford SHTEM summer internship is an eight-week program that challenges you to integrate the humanities with traditional STEM research. During the internship, you will explore diverse topics encompassing information and communication science, engineering, the arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design. As a participant, you will collaborate in small research teams, attend regular check-ins with Stanford mentors, code or analyze data, and deliver a final project presentation. By engaging in these hands-on tasks, you will actively build technical skills like advanced programming and data analysis. Ultimately, tackling these open-ended, multidisciplinary questions will thoroughly refine your communication, teamwork, and critical problem-solving skills.

5. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

Location: NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; current high school junior or senior; minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; must live within a 50-mile radius of NIST Gaithersburg or NIST Boulder; not open to international students

The NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) offers you an eight-week, unpaid volunteer opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at premier federal laboratories. Throughout the program, you will explore diverse topics encompassing engineering, information technology, materials measurement, physical measurement, communications technology, and neutron research. Specifically, you will work alongside top scientists on a dedicated research problem, acquire hands-on laboratory experience, analyze experimental data, and present your findings at a professional poster session. Engaging in these activities will help you develop robust technical abilities, analytical problem-solving skills, and professional scientific communication. Ultimately, this highly competitive environment immerses you directly in authentic federal research, perfectly preparing you for a future STEM career.

6. FPRI – Research Internship

Location: Remote or in-person at FPRI's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: October – December
Application Deadline: July 23
Eligibility: Students at all academic stages, including high school

As a Research Intern at FPRI, you work under the direct supervision of Institute scholars in the Asia, Eurasia, or National Security program, with duties matched to your interests upon acceptance. You conduct literature reviews, draft background materials, and edit program-related articles for FPRI's analysis page. You also compile data and create visual aids to help interpret research findings, sometimes joining meetings where senior researchers discuss results. You communicate with your mentor remotely via Zoom, email, or phone, while gaining access to FPRI's in-person, virtual, and hybrid events and seminars. Motivated interns can pursue independent research for possible publication on FPRI's Intern Corner, building research, writing, and professional communication skills at a nonpartisan foreign policy think tank.

7. U.S. Department of Education Volunteer Program

Location: Primarily in Washington, D.C. 
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round 
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old; enrolled at least half-time in an accredited high school, trade school, or college; must have permission from their educational institution; must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. 

The U.S. Department of Education Student Volunteer Trainee Program is an unpaid internship that immerses you in federal public service. During your tenure, you cover topics spanning education policy, grants management, data analytics, human resources, adult learning, communications, and information technology. You tackle practical activities like conducting policy analysis, supporting program management, evaluating federal data, and drafting departmental communications. A unique feature of this initiative is how supervisors tailor your daily assignments to align your specific academic interests with the active needs of Program Offices. You also gain experience that officially counts toward future federal employment ratings.

8. George Mason Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 + $25 application fee; tuition fee that can be waived for financial need / No stipend
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15 
Eligibility: High school and college students; wet-lab placements require age 16 by mid-June, while remote and computer-lab placements require age 15

The George Mason Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is an intensive, eight-week opportunity for you to dive into hands-on research alongside university faculty. You will explore topics across life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and environmental science. Throughout the summer, you will conduct authentic laboratory experiments, collaborate one-on-one with your mentor, attend scientific workshops, and present a research poster at a concluding symposium. A truly unique feature of ASSIP is its highly flexible structure. This allows you to participate in-person, fully remote, or hybrid while earning three college credits. By the time you finish, you will develop real-world skills in scientific writing, data analysis, research methodology, and professional communication. 

9. American Red Cross – LA High School Senior Summer Internship

Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors; at least 16 years old; registration as a Red Cross volunteer and compliance with organizational policies required

In this program, you are placed in one of five departments, such as Communications, Disaster Cycle Services, or Biomedical Services. Over nine weeks, you work about 20 hours per week alongside Red Cross staff and volunteers on meaningful projects tied to your assigned department. Depending on your placement, you might support outreach communications, coordinate volunteers, contribute to disaster preparedness efforts, or help with blood donation program logistics. You build leadership, communication, and project-management skills while gaining direct exposure to nonprofit and humanitarian operations. You also attend a required orientation before starting, and you receive a certificate of completion, verified service hours, and a letter of recommendation upon request.

10. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program

Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Spring (January–May), Summer (May–August), Fall (September–December)
Application Deadline: Spring (October), Summer (December), Fall (June)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in or accepted at a U.S.-accredited institution; not open to international students

In this program, you will explore topics covering economics, political science, public policy, international affairs, international development, business management, public administration, finance, accounting, human resources, marketing, journalism, communications, and law. During the semester, you will tackle practical activities like collecting and analyzing data, drafting briefing materials, researching academic literature, and attending congressional hearings. One unique feature of the program is that it allows you to closely observe the daily working environment of a major cabinet-level agency. This access places you directly at the center of national economic decision-making and financial security policy formulation.

11. Boston University RISE Internship

Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; available as both residential and commuter
Cost/Stipend: $5,930 tuition + a $485 service fee + $75 nonrefundable application fee; housing and dining of $3,978 (14 meals per week) or $4,320 (19 meals per week); limited need-based financial aid and scholarships are available
Dates: Residential: June 28 – August 7; Commuter: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Current juniors entering senior year in the fall; US citizens or legal permanent residents

The Boston University RISE Internship immerses you in a rigorous 40-hour workweek, giving you a six-week crash course in authentic university laboratory research. You will explore comprehensive topics covering astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer and data science, earth and environment, mathematics, medical laboratory research, neuroscience, nutrition, physics, psychology, public health, and biomedical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. You will conduct independent, faculty-mentored lab experiments, engage in weekly professional development workshops, and participate in industry site tours. At the end, you will present your comprehensive findings at a professional Poster Symposium.

12. Pasquines Internship

Location: Virtual/remote; organization headquartered in Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round, with flexible weekly hours starting at two hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students nationwide with a passion for politics, public affairs, writing, or digital media

As a Pasquines intern, you contribute to a volunteer-run nonprofit newsroom covering political and policy issues across Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Depending on your role, you research, write, and edit articles, support fundraising and outreach efforts, or assist with graphic design and web development projects. You manage assignments through Trello and coordinate with a distributed team via Slack, gaining familiarity with remote collaboration tools used in modern digital workplaces. The role builds practical skills in journalism, digital publishing, or nonprofit operations, and offers flexibility, requiring as little as two hours of weekly work. College credit assistance is available if desired.

13. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipnd: $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students entering grades 9–12 in the fall; (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week virtual summer internship for high school students interested in AI and healthcare. In this program, you will attend lectures, work on collaborative research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford researchers and students. You will also join guest sessions like Virtual Career Lunch and Learns to explore careers in the field. You can apply for a Student Lead role to take on project leadership and gain additional experience. By the end, you will earn a certificate, and some students may be selected for extended research opportunities.

14. EnergyMag Internships

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Summer (2–8 weeks, ~20 hours/week) or Year-round (1–9 months, ~8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class with a minimum GPA of 3.25

The EnergyMag Research Internship is a virtual opportunity for high school students interested in renewable energy and sustainability. In this program, you will research companies, technologies, or energy markets while building strong analytical and writing skills. With mentorship and guidance, you will work toward producing a publishable report and gain experience in communication, networking, and professional research. The flexible schedule allows you to balance the internship with your academics, and by the end, you will receive a Letter of Accomplishment along with practical insight into the renewable energy sector.

15. Seaside Sustainability Internship

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 5-month terms offered year-round: Spring (January–June), Summer (April–August), and Fall (August–January)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who can commit to a minimum of 15 hours per week for 5 months

In this internship, you will work across areas like marine studies, IT, journalism, and outdoor leadership, often contributing to multiple teams at once. You can take on different roles, from team member to project manager, while exploring your interests. Although unpaid, the program offers Volunteer Service Awards and may count for course credit depending on your school. You will collaborate remotely with students worldwide using professional tools, helping you build skills in teamwork, communication, and project management. Uniquely, the program lets you set completely flexible hours and offers the rare chance to be promoted to a management role.

Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs

1. A lot of these programs are unpaid. Is it still worth doing one if I can't get a paid internship instead?

Yes, many of these programs offer research depth, mentorship, or federal and nonprofit exposure that's hard to find in paid roles at this stage. Programs like NIST's SHIP and Stanford's GRIPS place you inside real research environments working alongside professional scientists, which can be more valuable for a college application than a paid role with less substantive work. If cost of participation is a concern, look for programs like RSI and NIST SHIP that charge no fees at all, or ones offering fee waivers for financial need.

2. Several programs on this list are virtual. How do I know if a remote research or internship experience will still feel substantive?

Look at what the program actually asks you to produce. Virtual options like Stanford's AIMI and EnergyMag both require you to complete a defined project or report, not just attend lectures, which gives you a concrete deliverable and a real skill set by the end. Pasquines and Seaside Sustainability go a step further by embedding you in an active team, using tools like Trello and Slack, which mirrors how real remote organizations operate. A strong remote program should leave you with something tangible, whether that's a published piece, a research poster, or a completed project.

3. How do I decide between a lab-based research program and something more policy or writing focused, like FPRI or the U.S. Treasury internship?

It depends on what you want to explore. Lab-based programs like Stanford's GRIPS, RSI, and George Mason's ASSIP are the right fit if you're drawn to biology, chemistry, or hands-on experimentation and want exposure to how scientific research is actually conducted. Policy and writing-focused programs like FPRI and the U.S. Treasury internship are better suited if you're interested in how research and analysis shape real decisions in government or public affairs. If you're not sure yet, trying one of each across different summers is a reasonable way to figure out which direction genuinely interests you.