14 Chemistry Internships for High School Students
As a high school student interested in chemistry, internships are a great option for you to explore the field and learn about future career paths. These internships can offer you experience in labs, exposure to real-world scientific research, and insight into the use of chemistry across industries like healthcare, environmental science, and pharmaceuticals. Unlike traditional classes, internships allow you to develop practical lab skills, learn lab safety protocols, and gain familiarity with scientific equipment. Many of these programs are hosted by prestigious institutions, offering you the chance to work alongside leading researchers. They also help you build valuable professional connections that could support college applications and future career opportunities.
To help you with your search, we have researched and narrowed down a list of the top 14 chemistry internships for high school students.
1. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual or in person at NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Application deadline: February 27 (summer) | May 22 (fall) | September 12 (spring)
Dates: Varies by opportunity; internships are offered during spring, summer, and fall.
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 at the time of application; a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides paid internship opportunities for high school and college students in areas such as science, engineering, IT, and business. You may find opportunities in chemistry and contribute to projects related to space propulsion, materials science, or atmospheric research. You will work on a range of assignments, from analyzing data to helping develop or test technology alongside NASA staff and small research teams. You may work on PolCube CubeSat, which studies aerosols in the atmosphere, or support work involving chemical processes in space environments. The program also offers opportunities to attend talks from professionals in the field and participate in activities that support both academic and technical skill development. The experience can offer insights into STEM careers, including those at NASA.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Application deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program here.
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars program or some experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is not a traditional internship but acts as a work-learn program. Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers several programs for high school students who want to explore artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session course that introduces you to key concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science. It combines instruction with practical exercises and concludes with a group project that applies what you have learned to a real-world dataset. If you already have experience with AI, you can choose the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase to work one-on-one with a university mentor to design and develop a project based on your own interests. Here, you will receive support from Veritas AI’s publication team for submitting your work to high school research journals. Examples of past projects can be found here.
3. UCSD IEM OPALS High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Institute of Engineering in Medicine at University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Application fee: $50; program fee: $2,000; no stipend provided
Application deadline: March 15 for the summer session (tentative); multiple sessions in a year
Dates: July 7 – August 1 for the summer session (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school and community college students who are at least 14 as of July 1; priority given to applicants who are 16 and older
The OPALS high school internship program offers students the chance to explore STEM research in a university setting. As a participant, you can choose from several ongoing projects, such as studying neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, or Glaucoma, examining DNA repair processes, or working on the development of laser-based technologies like ablation or trapping systems. Additionally, the program allows you to engage in weekly discussions, lab-based experiments, and presentations on current topics in science and engineering. You will also hear from guest speakers, including faculty, graduate researchers, and former interns, who will share insights about their academic and professional paths.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Dates: Eight-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High schoolers, undergraduate students, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a virtual program where high school students work with startups and nonprofits in various industries. Opportunities are available across disciplines, including chemistry, environmental science, healthcare, technology, and sustainability. As an intern, you will work with a startup, contribute to a specific project, and present your work at the end of the program. You’ll receive guidance from both your project mentor and a Ladder coach, who will help support your progress throughout the internship. The program also offers individual sessions on skills like communication and time management, as well as group training sessions. Internships typically last around eight weeks and are conducted remotely.
5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program @ George Mason University
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in person at George Mason University, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivers available); no stipend
Application deadline: February 2 (tentative)
Dates: June 18 – August 8 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students who are 15 years or older by June 18 (for remote internships and in-person/hybrid internships within computer labs); wet-lab in-person/hybrid internships require applicants to be at least 16 years old.
Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is an eight-week, full-time research-focused opportunity where you will work alongside faculty mentors on research projects. Opportunities span various STEM disciplines, including molecular medicine, bioinformatics, forensic science, and chemistry. Within chemistry tracks, you can explore topics such as drug development, environmental testing, or chemical analysis, while gaining experience with laboratory tools and techniques. You will also spend time developing skills in scientific writing and communication, which includes preparing reports or giving presentations on your research. Throughout the program, you will take part in discussions about STEM careers and learn from researchers and professionals working in various science fields.
6. Joint Biology Institute Summer Science Intensive: iCLEM
Location: Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA
Stipend: $3,000
Application deadline: March 16
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, from low-income backgrounds in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer program where you will work on research projects in microbiology and biotechnology at the Joint BioEnergy Institute. During the program, you will work with university undergraduates and research staff, learning techniques like PCR, spectrophotometry, and gel electrophoresis. Projects often focus on topics such as biofuels, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The program can help you build skills in data analysis, science communication, and problem-solving. You will also learn about different career paths in STEM. The program ends with a final project that allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real lab environment.
7. ASPIRE by the Johns Hopkins University
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: February 15
Dates: Summer: June 24 – August 21 | Academic year: September 15 – May
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 15 and up, with a minimum GPA of 2.8; applicants must be permanent residents of the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region.
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to explore STEM through project-based learning. You will be paired with a mentor and assigned a project that aligns with your general interests, though the exact topic is determined by the mentor. Projects span several fields, including chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, and planetary science. As part of the experience, you will develop technical skills while also building communication and teamwork abilities, exploring research environments, and learning about potential STEM career paths.. The program is selective, with ~10% students accepted each year.
8. University of Chicago’s After School Matters STEM Lab Internship
Location: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Provided; amount unspecified
Application deadline: TBA; applications will open in March
Dates: June – August; dates TBA.
Eligibility: Chicago Public Schools high school students who are at least 16 years old
The STEM Lab Internship at the University of Chicago is a six-week program offering students exposure to professional STEM environments. It begins with a one-week introduction to lab safety, experimental design, and foundational research practices. Following the training, you will spend around 20 hours per week working in a research lab within the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Under the mentorship of faculty and research staff, you will contribute to ongoing projects, many of which focus on chemistry and related fields. The program also offers activities focused on science communication, where you will have the chance to share your research in a formal setting. In addition, you will receive support with the college application process.
9. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CIS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid internship; stipend amount varies by position and funding source
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: Summer internship program; 8 – 12 weeks
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, primarily from underrepresented or underserved communities, who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
The CIS Intern Program places high school students in hands-on research, education, and conservation internships at the California Academy of Sciences. You will work with scientists and educators on projects ranging from biodiversity research to environmental education programming. The program emphasizes mentorship, skill-building, and career exploration within scientific and museum contexts. You will gain real-world experience through laboratory work, field research, and public engagement activities. You will also attend professional development workshops and team-building events.
10. Washington University in St. Louis Young Scientist Program (YSP) Summer Focus
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Stipend: $4,500 (pre-tax)
Application deadline: January 27 (tentative)
Dates: June 2 – July 25 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students currently in 11th grade (junior year) enrolled in high schools in the Greater St. Louis area (MO and IL); priority given to students from under-resourced and historically underrepresented groups
WashU’s Summer Focus internship provides 15 – 18 motivated juniors with paid, full-time, hands-on biomedical research internships conducted in university laboratories. You will be paired with a mentor (who can be a graduate student/post-doc/lab staff member) and tutor, receiving close guidance on a research project that you will complete over eight weeks. You will also participate in two courses: a Writing Course focused on strengthening science communication skills, and a NextUp Course that offers college application guidance and professional development. The program concludes with a research symposium where you will present your project.
11. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: Late January
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates vary by year
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and are U.S. citizens.
The NIST SHIP program places you in a research lab, where you can work on projects in chemical science, engineering, and other STEM fields. You will spend eight weeks working with researchers contributing to research on the composition, structure, and properties of industrial, chemical, and biochemical materials. Your project will be guided by a NIST scientist or engineer, but you are expected to take ownership of your work and contribute ideas. You will present your work at the end of the program.
12. ACS Project SEED Program
Location: Various participating academic and industry research laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $4,000
Application deadline: Typically early spring (February – March)
Dates: Summer program; 8–10 weeks between June and August (dates vary by site and program year)
Eligibility: High school students from economically disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds; students must demonstrate eligibility according to ACS guidelines (check details here)
ACS Project SEED is a national program founded to improve educational access and provide paid, hands-on research experiences to high school students from underprivileged backgrounds. Here, you will take on chemistry research work for 8–10 weeks in participating academic and industry labs under the guidance of professional scientist mentors. In addition to the in-person research, Project SEED provides virtual summer camps focused on lab skills, college readiness, and professional development, along with webinars addressing science-related topics and career pathways. The program can offer exposure to chemical sciences, professional research environments, and other STEM disciplines. As a participant, you will be able to access further enrichment opportunities and alumni networks, along with webinars led by experts and program alumni.
13. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Application deadline: Mid-December
Dates: Six weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school juniors (current 11th grade students) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents/international students (with a separate application process); applicants must demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and interest in STEM fields.
RSI is a highly selective, six-week summer research program hosted at MIT and managed by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE). The program brings together 100 accomplished high school juniors, allowing them to engage in STEM research experiences. You will engage in rigorous STEM coursework followed by mentored research projects in science, engineering, or mathematics, under the supervision of MIT faculty or researchers. The program includes preparatory academic classes, project work, and a research conference where students present their findings. Field trips to science and tech organizations are also part of the experience.
14. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; a stipend is provided
Application deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Students who are in their junior year of high school at the time of applying; applicants must be at least 16 years of age and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
This program gives high school students the chance to engage in scientific research alongside faculty mentors. As an intern, you will join a lab group and contribute to a specific project, gaining experience with research techniques and day-to-day lab work. The program includes weekly talks from researchers and opportunities to collaborate with other students. Over the course of eight weeks, you will develop a research abstract and prepare a poster to present your findings at the program’s closing symposium.
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