14 Paid Internships for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high school student looking to gain practical experience, a paid internship can offer a structured way to apply what you’ve learned in professional settings. Instead of only working through concepts in class, you may assist with research, contribute to community or technical projects, or support teams working on ongoing initiatives. These experiences help you build transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, while also giving you a clearer sense of how different fields operate in practice.
Why should you intern in Florida?
Florida offers a wide range of paid internship opportunities through universities, research institutions, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and government organizations. Programs across the state often combine mentorship with project work, allowing students to engage with fields such as biomedical research, environmental science, public service, and technology. For students living in Florida, these opportunities can be especially accessible, while some programs also accept out-of-state applicants.
To help you navigate these options, we’ve narrowed down 14 paid internships for high school students in Florida.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ≈300
Dates: Typically May – June
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
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students inside active U.S. Navy research laboratories for a summer of applied STEM work. During the internship, you collaborate with Navy scientists and engineers on projects tied to real defense and engineering challenges. Assignments vary by lab and may involve supporting electronics development, assisting with materials testing, contributing to environmental monitoring efforts, or analyzing computational data. Much of your learning happens through direct mentorship, as experienced researchers guide you through technical tasks and explain how their projects contribute to larger national initiatives. Along the way, you gain exposure to professional research environments and the workflow of federal laboratories. Many placements also include seminars or facility tours that introduce broader areas of naval science and engineering.
2. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $615.60 – $861.60/week (based on education level and credits earned)
Acceptance rate: Varies by placement
Dates: 8-12 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0
The AFRL Scholars Program gives high school students the opportunity to work alongside scientists and engineers at U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory sites across the country. Interns contribute to ongoing government research initiatives that explore areas such as aerospace engineering, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Your work may involve analyzing experimental results, supporting simulation models, assisting with laboratory experiments, or developing code used in technical investigations. Each participant is paired with a research mentor who guides daily tasks and explains the broader goals behind the project. This paid internship for high school students in Florida also introduces you to career paths in government research and national defense innovation.
3. Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) for Neuroscience High School Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Open to students entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school during the next academic year; Applicants must be 16 years of age or older
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship introduces students to advanced brain research within a professional laboratory environment. Interns join research teams studying neural circuits, brain development, and the biological mechanisms that shape cognition and behavior. Depending on the project, you may be engaged in tasks such as preparing biological samples, assisting with microscopy imaging, supporting data collection, or analyzing research datasets. Some placements focus on computational approaches, in which students help develop tools to interpret complex neuroscience data. Others explore engineering or design work that supports specialized research equipment used in experiments. By the end of the program, participants synthesize their experience by writing a scientific abstract and presenting their project findings to institute researchers.
4. ArtWorks: Internships in the Arts
Location: MDC's Koubek Theater, Miami, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks from June to July
Application Deadline: Opens in Spring
Eligibility: Florida high school students (14+) who meet I-9 work eligibility requirements
This paid internship for high school students in Florida places you in creative internships where you collaborate with professional artists across multiple disciplines. Participants select a focus area, including animation, filmmaking, music production, creative writing, theatre, dance, or visual arts. You then spend the summer contributing to artistic projects while learning how creative work moves from concept to production. Professional artists guide the process, offering feedback on technique, storytelling, and artistic development. Alongside project work, you also explore practical skills such as collaboration, time management, and communicating ideas within a creative team. Networking opportunities and mentorship conversations give participants a clearer picture of how artistic careers operate in professional environments.
5. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $4,480
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, will begin their junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school in the fall, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and will be 16 years old by the first day of the program
The Kenan Fellows High School Internship places students in biomedical research laboratories at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, where they work alongside scientists investigating major health challenges. Early sessions in this paid internship for high school students in Florida introduce core laboratory practices, safety protocols, and the fundamentals of the scientific method. Once training is complete, you transition into a full-time research role supporting ongoing projects in areas such as biotechnology, chemical biology, or drug discovery. Daily work may involve assisting with experiments, recording observations, and analyzing scientific data under the supervision of research mentors. You also attend weekly seminars where scientists present current studies and discuss careers in biomedical science. The program concludes with students preparing a research abstract and presenting their findings to peers and faculty.
6. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at UMiami’s School of Medicine
Location: Miller School of Medicine, UMiami, Coral Gables, FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to juniors in good standing from high schools in South Florida. Eligible students must excel in the biological and/or computational sciences and have completed or currently be enrolled in at least one AP or honors science course
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship introduces high school juniors to biomedical and computational research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Interns work directly with faculty mentors and research staff to investigate topics related to human genetics and disease biology. Projects often explore how genetic variation influences health outcomes, using laboratory methods or computational analysis. Throughout the program, seminars and workshops help you understand how genomics research contributes to modern medicine. Mentors further guide you through the process of forming research questions, interpreting data, and communicating results. The experience concludes with students demonstrating their work in a formal research presentation.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Florida. You will be assigned a mentor in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors + recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
This paid internship for high school students in Florida connects participants with professional fisheries scientists for a hands-on introduction to aquatic research. Each participant is matched with a working biologist whose ongoing projects shape the internship experience. Fieldwork is a major component, and interns may assist with fish population surveys, habitat assessments, or water quality monitoring in freshwater or marine ecosystems. Laboratory tasks sometimes include examining biological samples, processing field data, or helping organize research findings. Many placements involve time outdoors conducting ecological observations in rivers, lakes, or coastal environments.
8. Jimerson Birr's School Internships
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: PaidAcceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4 – 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the spring
Eligibility: High school students
The Jimerson Birr High School Summer Internship offers students a behind-the-scenes view of how a professional law firm operates. As part of your internship, you rotate through multiple departments within the firm, including legal services, marketing, information technology, accounting, and business administration. Exposure to these areas helps illustrate how different teams collaborate to support legal work and client services. You’ll get to assist with day-to-day office tasks while observing how attorneys and staff manage complex projects and legal cases. Mentorship from department leaders provides insight into professional communication, organization, and workplace expectations.
9. Florida State University – Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Stipend: Students with significant financial need may apply for a supplemental stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who have completed the 11th grade in a Florida public or private high school (10th-grade students may also be accepted) with at least a 3.0 GPA (unweighted); Have scored at least the 90th percentile in math on a nationally standardized exam (i.e., SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN), and are enrolled in or have completed Pre-Calculus
Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program allows academically advanced high school students to explore STEM topics through a combination of specialized coursework and mentored research. You enroll in intensive classes that examine subjects such as computer programming, engineering concepts, or mathematical modeling. These courses focus on problem-solving and often require the use of programming tools such as Python or R to real datasets. Alongside coursework, students spend part of each week working with faculty mentors on research projects tied to ongoing university studies. The projects vary by mentor but may involve analyzing scientific data, exploring computational models, or assisting with laboratory investigations.
10. Florida Education High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Martin and St. Lucie Counties
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – July 25, plus orientation and graduation through July 29
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12, aged 16+ by June 1; Must live in Martin or St. Lucie County and be U.S. citizens or legal residents; 2.5 GPA preferred
The Florida Education High School Summer Internship introduces students to the operational side of the healthcare industry. Interns have the opportunity to explore departments such as administration, finance, marketing, and human resources within a hospital environment. Daily responsibilities may include assisting with departmental projects, organizing information, or contributing to team initiatives that support healthcare operations. Throughout the paid internship for high school students in Florida, you participate in training sessions that strengthen workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and project management. Regular mentorship from hospital staff helps you understand how nonclinical roles contribute to patient care systems.
11. RISE Program
Location: Hillsborough County Government Departments
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 for Parks & Recreation; June 8 for all other departments
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students ages 16+ enrolled in Hillsborough County Public Schools with a minimum 2.0 GPA; Must submit a report card and two references
The RISE Program places high school students in paid internships within Hillsborough County government departments. Participants work alongside public sector professionals as they learn how local government services are planned and delivered. Depending on placement, you may assist teams in areas such as emergency management, public utilities, parks and recreation, or community services. Supervisors guide students through daily responsibilities and help them understand how department projects support residents across the county. Professional development workshops throughout the internship cover topics like resume building, financial literacy, and workplace communication. The program concludes with you presenting a summary of a project or improvement idea related to your department’s work.
12. Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Florida International University (FIU) campus, Miami, FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: South Florida high school juniors, graduated seniors set to attend FIU, and accepted FIU transfer students who are 16 or older
The Summer Research Internship at Florida International University introduces high school students to laboratory research focused on cardiovascular health and disease. You’ll split your time between structured academic sessions and hands-on work in university research labs. Case studies, journal discussions, and workshops help participants understand how scientific evidence is interpreted and applied in medical research. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, you can contribute to experiments or data analysis related to ongoing cardiovascular studies. Orientation and safety training prepare interns to work responsibly in laboratory environments. At the end of the paid internship for high school students in Florida, you present your findings and reflect on the research process through a formal project presentation.
13. Tech Flex Leaders
Location: Miami, FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 9 months (dates vary by location)
Application Deadline: August 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending schools in NYC, LA County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta
This paid internship for high school students in Florida is a long-term technology training and internship pathway designed for those interested in digital careers. The program begins with weekly technical training sessions that introduce foundational coding concepts through web development tools such as HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. As you build these skills, you also explore emerging technologies and gain exposure to how AI is shaping the tech industry. Later stages of the program allow students to specialize in areas such as data science, UX design, digital marketing, or product management. Team projects are a central part of the experience, culminating in a presentation in which students showcase their work to industry professionals.
14. Miami-Dade County: Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP)
Location: Various organizations in Miami-Dade County, Miami, FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders (15-18) in Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The Miami-Dade County Summer Youth Internship Program connects high school students with short-term placements at organizations across the county. You gain practical work experience while learning how different industries operate in professional settings. Daily tasks vary by placement but often include assisting with administrative projects, supporting team activities, or helping organize information and resources. Mentors at host organizations provide guidance and help you develop professional habits such as time management and workplace communication. The program also encourages you to explore potential career interests by exposing you to multiple industries.
Bonus - Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by the program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). Apply now!
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships connects high school students with high-growth startups where they contribute to real business and technical projects. Interns are placed on small teams within companies working across industries such as artificial intelligence, health technology, marketing, and media. Under the guidance of startup managers, you assist with tasks such as market research, product development, data analysis, and digital strategy. The internship structure emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving, allowing students to experience the fast-paced nature of startup environments. Mentors provide feedback throughout the program as interns refine their work and develop professional communication skills. The experience concludes with a presentation where students showcase their contributions to the startup team.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we have had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!
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