15 Free Programs for High School Students in Washington, DC

Structured programs provide you with a focused way to explore academic and professional interests during high school. They offer a defined framework for developing practical skills, gaining exposure to professional environments, and learning directly from experienced mentors. Rather than observing passively, you contribute to research tasks, public-facing initiatives, or ongoing projects within established institutions. When programs are free or fully funded, you can access these opportunities without financial barriers, often through universities, federal agencies, or national organizations with established credibility.

Why should you attend a program in Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C., brings together government institutions, research centers, museums, and universities that regularly open their doors to students through free educational initiatives. Depending on the program, you might explore areas like public policy, scientific research, healthcare exposure, museum education, environmental science, or technology-focused projects. These opportunities are especially relevant for students living or studying in the D.C. area, but they also appeal to out-of-city students interested in learning within a nationally influential setting. 

To simplify your search, we’ve narrowed this blog to 15 free programs for high school students in Washington, D.C. 

If you’re looking for programs in Washington, D.C., check out our blog here.

1. U.S. Senate Page Program

Location: Capitol and Senate office buildings in Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Monthly stipend based on a $35,360 annual salary

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 30 positions available

Dates: Spring: January 25 – June 5 | Summer Session I: June 7 – 26 | Summer Session II: July 12 – August 7

Application deadline: Varies by session and office

Eligibility: Students who are rising high school juniors/seniors, U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), and 16 or 17 years old by appointment date, with a minimum 3.0 GPA

As a U.S. Senate Page, you take part in the daily operations of the Senate while living and studying in Washington, D.C. Your responsibilities include delivering legislative documents, assisting senators during debates and roll call votes, and preparing the Senate chamber for sessions. This role places you directly on the Senate floor, providing firsthand insight into how federal legislation moves forward. Pages attend the Senate Page School alongside their duties, balancing academics with civic work during the fall, spring, or summer term. Living with fellow pages provides a holistic experience rooted in both education and public service.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies by program; full financial aid is available for AI Scholars

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in 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 must have either completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts/Python

Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. 

3. Spark!Lab Teen Innovators Program

Location: National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

Stipend: $2,300

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 1 – August 16

Application deadline: May 9

Eligibility: Current high school students aged 15–17 from the DMV area

The Spark!Lab Teen Innovators Program is a seven-week, part-time internship at the National Museum of American History. You will work about 16 hours a week supporting visitors in the Lemelson Center’s invention space. Interns also work together on an invention project focused on either historical exhibit design or music history and beat production. During the program, you'll learn educational facilitation methods and the different stages of the invention process. Your duties include engaging with the public, developing content, and attending regular team meetings. The program concludes with a presentation of a working prototype designed to engage teen audiences.

4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation

Location: Remote

Cost: The program is fully funded!

Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Highly selective

Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; vary depending on the yearly cohort

Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall, and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a nonprofit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Building on the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at no cost. The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. 

5. U.S. Pathways Internship Programs

Location: Federal appointments across the U.S., including Washington, D.C. 

Stipend: Typically paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by position and department

Dates: Year-round opportunities; dates vary based on session and position

Application deadline: Varies by position; you can apply via the USAJobs portal

Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions, from high school to graduate school level; applicants must be 16+ and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program offers paid federal work opportunities to students, including high schoolers. You can apply to either the Internship Experience Program (IEP), which runs alongside your academic studies, or the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP), which takes place during school breaks. Depending on placement, work may involve administrative support, research assistance, or policy-related tasks. IEP participants may receive federal employee benefits and qualify for noncompetitive advancement within the civil service. ITEP roles are short-term and offer flexible scheduling without promotion potential. Internship openings are posted year-round on USAJOBS based on agency needs.

6. United States Senate Youth Program

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: $10,000 (College Scholarship)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~100 students

Dates: March 7 – 14

Application deadline: September/October

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/legal permanent residents living in the state they will represent; must currently hold a Qualifying Elected or Appointed Leadership Position

This prestigious free program for high school students in Washington, D.C. selects high-achieving student leaders for an intensive, weeklong experience. Each year, two students from every state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity attend Washington Week. During the program, you participate in briefings and discussions with senators, cabinet members, senior federal officials, and, typically, a Supreme Court justice. The experience is designed to deepen understanding of federal government operations and public service leadership. Upon completion, each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship for study in fields such as political science or history.

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

Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury offices, Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10–12%

Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December

Application deadlines: October (Spring) | December (Summer) | June (Fall)

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program offers unpaid internships in Washington, D.C. for high school students interested in federal careers. Assignments vary by office and may include research, data analysis, report drafting, or event coordination. You may also attend government meetings or hearings and assist with briefing materials tied to Treasury initiatives. Interns gain exposure to how fiscal policy, financial regulation, and administrative operations function at a cabinet-level agency. The free program for high school students in Washington, D.C., offers opportunities across economics, public policy, finance, communications, and information technology.

8. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program

Location: Greater DC Region

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: Nine-month program throughout the school year

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: High school seniors attending a partner high school

Urban Alliance operates a year-long internship program for high school seniors that combines paid employment with mentoring and skills training. You work part-time during the school year and transition to full-time hours in the summer. Before placement, participants complete approximately six weeks of pre-employment training focused on workplace readiness. Each intern receives support from a workplace mentor and an Urban Alliance program lead. The program offers ongoing workshops on job and life skills and post-high school planning, connecting students with professional settings across industries.

9. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 5–8%. Each local group consists of 2–5 students, comprising over 300 juniors and seniors from around 100 communities

Dates: 8 weeks in the summer 

Application deadline: January 14

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the U.S., live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is an eight-week paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors. Students are placed with a local nonprofit organization, where they work on community-focused projects and daily operations. Interns typically work about 35 hours per week and gain exposure to nonprofit management and civic engagement. A key component of this free program for high school students in Washington, D.C. is the Student Leaders Summit. During the summit, participants meet peers from across the country and take part in discussions on leadership and public policy. 

10. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships

Location: Washington, D.C. (remote options available)

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 100 students annually 

Dates: Internships are available year-round, lasting from six weeks to one year, in full- or part-time formats

Application deadline: March 1 (for summer internships); Applications for other seasons (Fall, Winter, and Spring) can be submitted at any time; however, completed applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the internship's start date

Eligibility: Open to all high school students (both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens)

The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers internships focused on cultural research, preservation, and public engagement. You may work on projects related to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Folkways Recordings, or archival collections such as the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives. Specific responsibilities can include research, digital archiving, content development, or production support. Students work under the supervision of Smithsonian professionals in fields like anthropology, folklore, and museum studies. 

11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Available across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. Participants are assigned to a location within a 45-minute commute of their homes

Stipend: $3,000

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (about 3%); 27-33 students make it to the final cohort every year

Dates: June – August (exact dates are flexible)

Application deadline: January 19

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; At least 16 years old by the internship start date

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week summer internship that introduces high school students to fisheries science and aquatic conservation through mentored research. As a Hutton Scholar, you are paired with a local fisheries professional and take part in both fieldwork and laboratory-based activities. Depending on the host site, projects may include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, or basic laboratory analysis. Some placements also provide exposure to techniques such as data processing, microscopy, and electrofishing. Throughout the internship, students are expected to document their work by submitting regular progress updates and completing a final written reflection. 

12. Student Volunteer Trainee Program – U.S. Department of Education

Location: Washington, D.C. or virtual

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: 8 – 10 weeks (fall, winter/spring, or summer sessions)

Application deadline: Varies depending on the session; typically end of March for the summer cohort

Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and attend an accredited educational institution, including but not limited to high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or graduate school

This free program in Washington, D.C., offers unpaid, year-round internships for high school students interested in the federal education system. Intern placements span areas such as education policy, data analysis, communications, information technology, and grants management. Your specific responsibilities vary by office and are shaped by both departmental needs and your skills or interests. During the academic year, interns typically work 20-40 hours per week, with full-time schedules available in the summer. In addition to daily work, you may take part in optional professional development activities, including resume workshops and informational sessions with senior officials.

13. D.C. Health and Academic Prep Program (D.C. HAPP)

Location: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 students

Dates: 4 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: January 30

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors with at least a 2.0 GPA who attend public schools in the DMV area and plan to pursue a career in medicine or healthcare

D.C. HAPP is a four-week summer program hosted by George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences that supports underrepresented high school students interested in healthcare careers. During the experience, you practice basic clinical skills, explore various health professions, and develop a public health project. Medical students, physicians, and public health professionals serve as instructors and mentors. Participants also receive guidance on college readiness, including applications and academic planning. After completion, students may have the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals at GW Hospital.

14. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Varies by Department of the Navy (DoN) lab location, including Washington, D.C.

Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement

Dates: June – August (8 weeks)

Application deadline: August 1 – November 1 

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 (16+) who are U.S. citizens

SEAP places high school students in Department of the Navy laboratories for an eight-week summer research program. You’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on active technical projects in fields such as engineering, computer science, chemistry, and physics. In Washington, D.C., placements may include the Naval Research Laboratory or NAVSEA facilities. Interns assist with experiments, data analysis, and problem-solving under the guidance of a research mentor. Approximately 300 students are selected nationwide across more than 38 Navy labs. Selection is based on academic performance, recommendations, and demonstrated interest in research.

15. Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~13,000 students nationally 

Dates: June 29 – August 7

Application deadline: March 6

Eligibility: Washington, D.C students aged 14-24 who are able to commute to the internship location

The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) is a paid summer employment initiative for high school students in Washington, D.C. Participants are placed in short-term positions with local government agencies, nonprofits, or private-sector employers throughout the city. These roles provide exposure to professional workplaces while helping students develop foundational skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. In addition to job placements, the free program for high school students in Washington, D.C. includes a citywide service project centered on community engagement. Students receive on-site supervision and guidance from host employers during their assignments. 

Image source - Bank of America