14 Internships for High School Students in Pennsylvania
Internships can help you explore career interests while gaining experience outside the classroom. You can find opportunities in fields like medicine, engineering, neuroscience, finance, technology, and environmental science, through research, lab work, mentorship, or professional development workshops. Many are hosted by universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and research organizations, giving you early exposure to professional environments and helping you strengthen your college applications.
Why should you intern in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers a wide range of internships through universities, hospitals, and research institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, CHOP, and The Wistar Institute. Depending on the program you choose, you may conduct research, assist in labs, attend workshops, or work on community and healthcare projects. If you're interested in STEM, medicine, public health, or policy-related fields, you can find several opportunities across the state, and many programs also welcome students who are simply looking to explore these areas for the first time.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down 14 internships for high school students in Pennsylvania.
If you’re looking for programs in Pennsylvania, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 internships span biomedical research, engineering, arts, policy, conservation, AI in healthcare, and startup environments, so students with a wide range of interests can find a relevant opportunity in Pennsylvania or nearby.
Several programs are paid or offer stipends, including Bloomberg Arts Internship ($20+ per hour), SEAP ($4,000 to $4,500), Magee-Womens Research Institute (up to $1,800), Wistar Fellowship ($1,000), and CHOP-RISES, making them accessible without financial barriers.
Many programs specifically prioritize Philadelphia or Pittsburgh residents, including UPenn Provost Summer Mentorship, Bloomberg Arts Internship, and CHOP-RISES, so local students should take note of these targeted opportunities.
Programs vary in length and format, from two-week intensives, such as Stanford AIMI, to multi-summer commitments, such as CHOP-RISES, which spans two summers and includes an independent research project in the second year.
Application deadlines vary widely, with some programs, such as SEAP (November 1) and Magee-Womens Research Institute (January), closing well before the summer, so students should begin researching and preparing materials in the fall.
1. UPenn Provost Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Various departments at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; more than 100 students
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Philadelphia rising 10th and 11th-grade students; minimum 3.0 GPA
The Provost Summer Mentorship Program places you within one of Penn’s professional schools, where you'll explore fields such as medicine, law, engineering, or nursing through structured projects, workshops, and mentorship. Your days combine academic sessions with group activities, giving you a chance to engage with field-specific topics while learning from faculty members and graduate students. A distinctive part of the program is the opportunity to experience a professional school environment while still in high school, allowing you to explore potential academic and career interests firsthand. Beyond subject-specific learning, you'll spend time developing practical skills like study strategies, time management, and academic planning. The program also includes a strong college readiness component, with sessions covering standardized testing, personal statements, and the college application process. The experience typically concludes with a showcase or presentation event where you'll share what you've learned throughout the summer.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
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 is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships span a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech to AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are, on average, high-growth companies that raise over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
3. Bloomberg Arts Internship
Location: Various arts and cultural organizations, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $20+ per hour stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 40–50 students
Program Dates: June 19 – August 14; up to 35 hours per week
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors residing in Philadelphia
The Bloomberg Arts Internship places you at a local arts or cultural organization, where you'll contribute to projects in areas such as marketing, event planning, program coordination, or organizational operations. Your day-to-day responsibilities depend on your placement, but you'll typically support ongoing initiatives while gaining exposure to how arts organizations function behind the scenes. Because you're embedded within a working organization, you'll gain hands-on experience with real projects rather than participating solely in classroom-based activities. Alongside the internship, you'll attend professional development sessions focused on workplace communication, career planning, and other practical skills useful in future academic and professional settings. Cohort activities give you opportunities to reflect on your experiences and connect with other students placed across the Philadelphia arts community.
4. Magee-Womens Research Institute High School Summer Internship
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; eligible students may receive a $1,800 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors, age 16 or older, living in southwest Pennsylvania
This six-week biomedical research internship gives students exposure to laboratory and clinical research. You'll work with researchers studying women's health and reproductive biology while also attending Lunch & Learn sessions about biomedical careers. Students complete research projects under faculty supervision and present their findings at the end of the program. The program gives you direct experience with scientific research methods and lab environments commonly found in university and medical research settings.
5. Wistar High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 stipend upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 15 students selected annually
Program Dates: July 6 – August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older who have completed at least one high school science course
The Wistar Fellowship is a four-week program focused on biomedical research for students interested in lab science. Participants will learn various lab techniques, assist with ongoing research projects, and study scientific literature during the summer. The program also offers students the chance to explore careers in biomedical research and present their findings at the conclusion. Because the cohort is small, participants often receive close guidance from researchers while working in professional lab environments. The program encourages applications from students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
6. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area with U.S. work authorization
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program gives high school students the chance to work alongside researchers in fields like neuroscience, sensory biology, and biomedical science. During the seven-week internship, you'll help conduct experiments, learn laboratory techniques, analyze scientific data, and develop your own research project. The program also offers workshops on scientific writing, ethics, and communication skills. Students spend much of the summer working directly in research labs, which gives them exposure to how scientific studies are conducted day to day. At the end of the program, participants present their findings during a research symposium.
7. CHOP Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 18 – 24 students
Program Dates: June 29 – August 6
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors from Philadelphia public or charter schools who will be at least 16 years old before the program begins
CHOP-RISES is a two-summer research program for students interested in healthcare and biomedical science. In the first summer, you'll participate in laboratory research, attend workshops, and present your work at the end of the session. Students who return for the second summer complete an independent research project and mentor newer participants. The program combines scientific research experience with long-term mentorship from researchers and healthcare professionals at CHOP. It can be especially useful for students interested in careers in medicine, biology, or clinical research.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: There are several lab locations across the country to choose from. Students in Philadelphia can select one of two options in the city: the Naval Surface Warfare Center and the Naval Information Warfare Center
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 300 placements
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
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 | Some labs may have additional criteria
SEAP is a summer research internship sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Navy, allowing students to work in research labs on projects related to engineering, computer science, electronics, environmental science, and other STEM fields. Throughout the internship, you'll assist scientists and engineers with technical research, data collection, and problem-solving tasks. Participants work on ongoing research projects rather than classroom simulations, which gives the experience a more professional research focus. The program is competitive and typically seeks students with strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated interest in STEM subjects.
9. Range Resources SMART Start High School Internship Program
Location: Range Resources, Canonsburg, PA or Fort Worth, TX
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer (dates not specified); typically 10–20 hours per week
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Students age 16+ who will be juniors or seniors in the Pittsburgh/Washington, PA or Dallas/Fort Worth, TX areas; minimum 3.0 GPA
The SMART Start program places you in a department such as engineering, communications, finance, human resources, or environmental safety, where you'll gain hands-on work experience alongside industry professionals. You'll be paired with a mentor and supervisor who provide guidance throughout the internship. In addition to project work, you'll attend career development and networking events. The program is paid and may lead to an educational scholarship opportunity for eligible seniors.
10. Smithsonian National Zoo Internships
Location: In-person and virtual opportunities available
Cost/Stipend: Some internships offer stipends
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Applications are open to high school students; find available opportunities here.
The Smithsonian National Zoo offers internships related to animal care, veterinary medicine, conservation, and ecology. Depending on the role, you may assist with animal care routines, research projects, or educational outreach activities. Students work alongside zoo professionals and researchers while learning more about wildlife conservation and zoo operations. The internships provide hands-on exposure to careers related to animal science and conservation. Some opportunities are remote, while others require in-person participation.
11. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Some internships include stipends
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: March (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older
The Smithsonian Science Education Center offers internships focused on STEM education and curriculum development. Depending on the project, you may help with research, writing, media creation, or educational content design. Most internships run for 8-10 weeks and are completed virtually. You'll contribute to real educational projects while learning how science communication and curriculum development work behind the scenes. Strong writing and research skills can be especially useful for this program.
12. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internships
Location: Virtual and in-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Some part-time paid positions available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Spring: February – April | Summer: June – August | Fall: October – December
Application Deadline: Spring: November | Summer: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
FPRI internships focus on international relations, policy research, and communications. Interns may assist with event planning, writing, research, or media-related tasks, depending on the role. The experience emphasizes analytical thinking and research skills connected to global affairs. You'll work alongside researchers and scholars while learning how policy organizations conduct research and publish findings. Students interested in political science, journalism, or international studies may find this especially useful.
13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (Remote/hybrid options available)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee. Tuition $1,299 for 3 college credits (fee waivers available based on need)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (16+ required for wet-lab placements). No maximum age if not yet a college graduate
ASSIP allows students to work on scientific research projects in fields like neuroscience, environmental science, and bioengineering. Interns collaborate with university faculty while learning research methods, scientific writing, and data analysis. The program offers both remote and in-person participation options, which makes it more flexible for students in different locations. You'll spend much of the program working directly on research projects rather than only attending lectures or workshops. Students interested in academic research may find the experience particularly valuable.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fees
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 who are at least 14 years old
Stanford's AIMI internship centers on artificial intelligence and medical imaging, giving students the opportunity to learn about AI in healthcare while collaborating with researchers on technical projects such as coding, data analysis, and machine learning. Some prior coding experience can be beneficial, but it's not always necessary. You will gain insight into how AI tools are applied in medicine and healthcare research, an area still relatively niche for high school students. The program is brief but maintains a strong academic focus.
Frequently asked questions
1. What internships are available for high school students in Pennsylvania?
Options include biomedical research internships, such as Wistar Fellowship, Magee-Womens Research Institute, and CHOP-RISES, engineering and STEM programs, such as SEAP, arts and culture internships, such as Bloomberg Arts, policy and international relations programs, such as FPRI, and virtual options, such as Ladder Internships, Stanford AIMI, and Smithsonian Science Education Center.
2. Are there paid internships for high school students in Pennsylvania?
Yes, several internships are paid or offer stipends. Bloomberg Arts Internship pays $20 or more per hour, SEAP provides $4,000 for new participants, Magee-Womens Research Institute offers up to $1,800, Wistar Fellowship provides a $1,000 stipend upon completion, and CHOP-RISES and Range Resources SMART Start are also paid programs.
3. Which Pennsylvania internships are best for students interested in biomedical research?
Students interested in biomedical research might consider Wistar High School Fellowship, Magee-Womens Research Institute, CHOP-RISES, and Monell Science Apprenticeship Program, all of which place students in working research labs alongside faculty and professional researchers.
4. Are there internships in Pennsylvania open to students outside Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?
Yes, several programs are open to students regardless of location. Ladder Internships, Stanford AIMI, Smithsonian Science Education Center, FPRI, and ASSIP all offer virtual or remote participation options, making them accessible to students across Pennsylvania and beyond.
5. What is the most competitive internship for high school students in Pennsylvania?
Bloomberg Arts Internship is among the most competitive, selecting only 40 to 50 students from Philadelphia for paid placements at arts organizations. CHOP-RISES is also highly selective, accepting around 18 to 24 students from Philadelphia public or charter schools each year.
6. When should I apply to internships for high school students in Pennsylvania?
SEAP has the earliest deadline, closing on November 1, well before the summer. Other early deadlines include Magee-Womens Research Institute (January) and Stanford AIMI (February 20). Programs, such as Bloomberg Arts Internship (February 28) and CHOP-RISES (February), also close early in the spring. Students should begin researching options in the fall to avoid missing deadlines.