15 Best STEM Internships + Programs for High School Students
STEM internships and programs can be a useful way for you to explore subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math beyond your regular classes. They allow you to build skills through research, technical projects, and structured academic activities while learning how different STEM fields operate. You can also gain exposure to mentorship, collaborative work, and professional environments that help you better understand your interests.
Why should you attend a STEM internship or program?
STEM internships and programs give you the opportunity to engage with topics in greater depth through guided projects and research experiences. Depending on the opportunity, you might analyze data, conduct experiments, contribute to engineering projects, or explore areas such as artificial intelligence and biomedical science while developing technical and analytical skills. These experiences can help you explore potential academic and career paths while strengthening your understanding of STEM fields.
To help you look into the best options across the country, we’ve narrowed down the 15 best STEM programs and internships for high school students.
If you’re looking for free STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Texas Tech University – Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (i.e., students graduating high school in the program year or the next) who are at least 17 by the start date and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, you spend the summer immersed in full-time research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Each participant is matched individually to a project, which may span fields such as engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, or even interdisciplinary areas. Your work involves engaging directly with research methods, including laboratory experiments, computational analysis, and theoretical study. Beyond your primary project, weekly seminars introduce broader academic topics and expose you to different ways of thinking across disciplines. You’ll also participate in discussions that strengthen your ability to analyze and communicate complex ideas. The experience concludes with a formal research report that reflects your independent work.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI’s programs guide you through understanding and applying artificial intelligence in a structured, mentor-supported environment. If you’re new to the field, the AI Scholars program will introduce you to core concepts such as Python programming, machine learning fundamentals, and data analysis through guided sessions and applied exercises. As you progress, you work on projects that use real-world datasets, helping you connect theory to practical applications. More advanced learners can choose the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where you collaborate one-on-one with a mentor to explore a focused topic. You’ll define a research question, analyze data, and develop models within a chosen domain. By the end, you complete a project that demonstrates both conceptual understanding and applied skills. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5%; 100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
At the Research Science Institute, you move quickly from advanced STEM coursework into independent, mentor-guided research. The program begins with intensive lectures that build a strong theoretical foundation across multiple scientific disciplines. Soon after, you transition into a research placement where you investigate a specific problem under expert supervision. Your work may involve designing experiments, building computational models, or analyzing scientific literature to develop new insights. Throughout the process, you learn how to structure research questions and interpret complex data. You also prepare both a written research paper and a conference-style presentation. The program culminates in a formal symposium where you present your findings.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple sessions of varying lengths (12 weeks–1 year) available, including summer cohorts
Application deadline: Varies by cohort/multiple cohorts run each year, including in the summer. You can apply here
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to develop an independent research project with guidance from a PhD-level mentor. After selecting a subject area, you refine a research question and begin exploring existing literature to shape your investigation. Regular mentorship sessions focus on building skills such as critical reading, research design, and analytical writing. As your project develops, you learn how to organize evidence and construct well-supported arguments. You also receive support through workshops that strengthen your understanding of research methodology. By the end of the program, you will have completed a full-length research paper that reflects sustained academic inquiry.
5. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (less than 1.5 hours away from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: No tuition, but a residential fee of $2,450 applies to students who need university housing | Paid
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 when the program starts
The Simons Summer Research Program places you within an active research group where you contribute to a defined scientific or mathematical project. Working alongside faculty mentors, you engage in tasks such as data collection, coding, or experimental work depending on your placement. You gradually take ownership of your project while learning how research teams operate in a university setting. Weekly lectures and workshops introduce essential research skills, including scientific communication and methodology. As the program progresses, you will design a research poster that visually and clearly presents your work. The experience concludes with a symposium where you share your results with peers and faculty.
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 placements nationally
Dates: Typically May to 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
Through SEAP, you spend the summer working inside a federal research laboratory alongside professional scientists and engineers. Your placement determines the type of work you engage in, which may include analyzing materials, supporting simulations, or assisting with electronics development. Daily tasks are tied to real research projects, giving you exposure to how technical challenges are approached in government labs. You are guided by a mentor who helps you understand both the technical and practical aspects of your work. Over time, you develop familiarity with research tools, data analysis, and problem-solving strategies. The experience also introduces you to the broader context of defense-related scientific research.
7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2%; About 20 interns per year
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: December 1 – February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors (14+) with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects; Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and live within 25 miles of the main campus
At Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program, you take part in biomedical research within a professional laboratory setting. You are paired with a mentor and work on a focused project that contributes to ongoing cancer research efforts. Depending on your lab, your work may involve experiments, computational analysis, or data interpretation. You also participate in seminars and journal discussions that explore current developments in medical science. Throughout the program, you refine your ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly. The experience concludes with a poster presentation where you share your findings with the research community.
8. CURE Research Internship Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 – 11 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 11th graders | Must have completed biology or chemistry with a grade B or better | Must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program | Minimum GPA of 2.5
The CURE Research Internship places you in a collaborative research environment where you contribute to projects across biomedical and health sciences. Under the guidance of mentors, you assist with experiments, collect data, and learn how studies are designed and conducted. The program also includes sessions that introduce topics such as academic writing and research ethics. As you gain confidence, you take on more responsibility within your assigned project. You are encouraged to think critically about results and how they connect to broader scientific questions. Workshops throughout the program support both your academic and professional development. At the end, you present your research at a formal symposium.
9. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and U.S. citizenship
In the NIST SHIP program, you work within a federal laboratory environment focused on advancing scientific measurement and technology. You collaborate with scientists and engineers on projects that may involve computing, materials science, or emerging technologies. Your day-to-day work can include programming, testing systems, or analyzing experimental results. Alongside research tasks, you attend seminars that expand your understanding of technical fields and career pathways. As you progress, you build both technical and communication skills. The program concludes with a poster presentation where you showcase your work.
10. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 (10 weeks) | $6,480 (9 weeks)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; Up to 6 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current high school seniors (18+) in Texas; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders
At MD Anderson’s summer program, you engage in full-time laboratory research under the supervision of experienced faculty mentors. Your work centers on contributing to ongoing biomedical projects while learning fundamental research techniques. You spend much of your time conducting experiments, analyzing data, and observing how scientific investigations are carried out. In addition to lab work, seminars introduce a range of topics across biomedical science, helping you connect your project to broader research questions in the field. The program concludes with presentations that highlight your research experience.
11. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at the City Of Hope Cancer Center
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 4%; 82 students accepted out of 2,100 applicants
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Open to high school students at least 16 years old by the internship start date, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Roberts Summer Student Academy places you in a research lab where you explore questions in fields such as cancer biology and genetics. Interns work closely with scientists and clinicians, contributing to projects that aim to advance medical understanding. Your responsibilities may include experimental work, data analysis, and reviewing scientific literature. The program also includes workshops on research ethics, communication, and presentation skills. Regular interactions with mentors help you refine your approach and deepen your understanding of the research process. You conclude the experience by presenting your findings to peers and faculty.
12. 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: Not specified
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 introduces you to applied research within a government laboratory setting focused on science and technology development. Students are first matched with a mentor and then get to contribute to projects in areas such as aerospace, data science, or advanced materials. Your work may involve simulations, coding, or experimental testing, depending on your assignment. Throughout the program, you learn how research supports real-world applications in areas like defense and space systems. Mentors guide you through technical challenges and help you understand broader project goals, further helping you gain exposure to how large research teams collaborate on complex problems.
13. Johns Hopkins – ASPIRE
Location: Online or in-person at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
Dates: June 23 – August 21
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older by June 1 of the program year, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and are U.S citizens and residents of specific regions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
In the ASPIRE program, you join a project team at a professional research lab and contribute to ongoing STEM initiatives. Your work is guided by a mentor and can include coding, data analysis, experimental tasks, or design-based problem-solving. The program emphasizes independent thinking, requiring you to manage tasks and communicate progress effectively. As you work through challenges, you develop both technical and collaboration skills, while exposure to different project areas helps you explore potential academic interests. You also learn how research teams operate in a high-level scientific environment. The program concludes with a presentation that highlights your contributions.
14. Amazon Future Engineer
Location: Most internships are conducted in Seattle, WA
Stipend: Scholarship of up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 6%-7%
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to major in computer science or related fields; should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale; should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or authorized to work in the U.S., and demonstrate financial need
Amazon Future Engineer combines long-term academic support with hands-on experience in the tech industry. As part of the program, you gain exposure to real-world software development through a future internship with Amazon. During that experience, you work on technical projects related to areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or large-scale systems. You collaborate with engineers and contribute to tools or features used in real products. Along the way, you learn how teams design, test, and deploy software in a professional environment.
15. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective with small cohorts
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars program introduces you to artificial intelligence through a mix of coursework and collaborative projects. You begin with foundational programming concepts before moving on to applied AI topics, guided by faculty and mentors. Much of the learning happens through group projects where you apply concepts to real-world challenges. You also gain exposure to ongoing research and explore how AI is used across different domains. Workshops and discussions support your academic development and future college planning. The experience culminates in a final presentation where you showcase your project.