15 Internships for High School Students in Washington, D.C.
Internships can be one of the most direct ways to figure out what actually interests you before college. As an intern, you don’t just learn concepts; you step into real environments where tasks, expectations, and problem-solving look very different from school. Depending on the internship, you may explore medicine through clinical exposure and public health projects, engineering through lab-based research, or fields like finance, policy, and education through analysis, reporting, and operational work. During these internships, you will build practical skills such as writing, communication, collaboration, and time management that carry across any field. You also start forming connections with mentors and professionals who can help you think more clearly about your next steps.
Why should you intern in Washington, D.C.?
If you are looking for variety, Washington, D.C. is one of the few places where many fields overlap in a single city. Internships here are offered by federal agencies, research labs, museums, hospitals, and nonprofits, which means you can explore everything from government and public policy to science, healthcare, and cultural work. Your experience might involve supporting research projects, assisting with policy-related tasks, contributing to museum exhibits, or working on community-focused initiatives, depending on the role. The exposure goes beyond the tasks themselves; you will see how large institutions operate and how different sectors connect in practice. This makes D.C. a strong option whether you are local or considering a short-term move to gain experience in a nationally significant setting.
To guide your exploration, we have compiled 15 internships for high school students in Washington, D.C.
If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 internships span federal government and policy, biomedical and neuroscience research, fisheries biology, museum and cultural work, healthcare, AI, engineering, and community service, so students with a wide range of interests can find a relevant option in D.C. or remotely.
Several internships are paid or offer stipends, including U.S. Senate Page Program (based on a $38,547 annual salary), NMNH Summer Internship ($700 per week), SEAP ($4,000 to $4,500), Hutton Junior Fisheries ($3,000), AFRL Scholars (paid), and Mayor Barry Summer Youth Employment ($6.25 to $9 per hour), making professional experience accessible without financial barriers.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from one-week civic immersion experiences, such as U.S. Senate Youth Program, to year-long paid placements, such as Urban Alliance, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including AFRL Scholars (January 10), Hutton Junior Fisheries (January 25), SEAP (November 1), and D.C. HAPP (January 30), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Capitol and Senate office buildings in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid based on a $38,547 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 | Fall: September 7 – January 22
Application deadline: Varies by session and office
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), 16 or 17 years old by appointment date, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The U.S. Senate Page Program places you at the center of daily legislative activity, where you will support the functioning of the Senate while balancing academic coursework and living with other pages in a formal environment that combines academics with civic responsibility. Your responsibilities include delivering legislative materials, preparing the chamber for sessions, and assisting during debates and roll call votes. This internship for high school students in Washington, D.C., gives you direct exposure to how bills, amendments, and discussions move through the Senate in real time. Alongside the work, you will attend the Senate Page School, which ensures your academic progress continues during the term. The experience also includes opportunities to observe interactions between senators, staff, and policymakers, offering insight into federal governance.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise over a million dollars. You will work closely with a manager at the startup on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Washington, D.C.; mentors are assigned within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort each year
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; flexible dates
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Canada
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program introduces you to aquatic science through mentored fieldwork and research activities. You will be paired with a fisheries professional and work on projects that may include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, or water quality testing. Depending on the site, your work can take place in outdoor environments, laboratories, or both. Some placements also involve learning techniques such as microscopy or data processing. The experience focuses on observation, data collection, and environmental analysis in real-world research settings. Throughout the internship, you will document your progress and reflect on your findings.
4. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Greater DC Region
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long program; part-time work during the school year and full-time work during the summer
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors attending a partner high school
Urban Alliance combines a paid internship for high school students in Washington, D.C. with training and long-term mentorship throughout your senior year. You will begin with a pre-employment training phase that focuses on workplace readiness, including communication, professionalism, and basic office skills. After placement, you will work part-time during the school year and transition to full-time work in the summer. You will have access to the support of both a workplace mentor and a program coordinator who will guide professional development and future planning. The roles vary across industries, allowing you to choose from different career paths while building transferable skills. Regular workshops will reinforce topics such as financial literacy, career planning, and workplace expectations.
5. United States Senate Youth Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $12,500 college scholarship awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~100 students
Dates: March 6 – 13
Application Deadline: December 1 (deadline for states to submit delegate selections)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/legal permanent residents living in the state they will represent; applicants must currently hold a Qualifying Elected or Appointed Leadership Position (check details here)
The United States Senate Youth Program is designed for student leaders looking for an intensive, short-term experience focused on understanding the federal government and public service. During the program, you will participate in briefings and discussions led by senators, cabinet members, and senior officials across major federal agencies. These sessions explore current policy issues and explain how decisions are made at different levels of government. The experience emphasizes dialogue, allowing you to engage directly with policymakers and ask questions about leadership and governance. You will also interact with a cohort of peers from across the country. Exposure to multiple branches of government will help you connect theory with real-world operations.
6. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury offices, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December
Application deadlines: October (Spring) | December (Summer) | June (Fall)
Eligibility: High school and college students who are enrolled at accredited institutions and are U.S. citizens
This unpaid internship for high school students in Washington, D.C., introduces you to the inner workings of a federal agency responsible for economic and financial policy. Your assignments may include conducting research, analyzing data, drafting reports, or assisting with event coordination. You may also observe meetings or hearings to gain insight into how policy decisions are discussed and implemented. The work will vary by office, but typically lets you explore areas such as economics, communications, or information technology. Interaction with professionals across departments will help you understand different career paths within public service.
7. Student Volunteer Trainee Program @ U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Location: Washington, D.C. or virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in fall, winter/spring, or summer
Application deadline: Summer: March 31 | Winter/Spring: November 30 | Fall: July 31
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and attend accredited high schools, trade schools, technical or vocational institutes, junior colleges, colleges, universities, or graduate schools
ED’s Student Volunteer Trainee Program allows you to explore how education policy and administration operate at the federal level. Depending on your placement, you may work on projects related to data analysis, communications, grants management, or information technology. Your responsibilities will be shaped by both departmental needs and your individual interests, creating a flexible learning environment. The program also offers optional professional development sessions, including resume workshops and informational meetings with senior staff. Through your work, you will contribute to initiatives to improve access to education and gain insight into how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated.
8. Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program
Location: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Not specified; typically, the museum offers community service hours and financial awards to student interns.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Seven weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: D.C. area high school students who have completed the Bringing the Lessons Home Program
The Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program is an internship that combines historical study with public-facing education in a museum setting. You will begin by building a detailed understanding of Holocaust history, focusing on its causes, impact, and ongoing relevance. You will then use what you learn to lead guided tours of the museum’s permanent exhibition, where you will engage directly with visitors. In addition to tours, you will design and facilitate educational sessions for younger students and peer groups. This internship for high school students in Washington, D.C. also includes collaborative work with other participants to plan and host youth-focused seminars and outreach initiatives.
9. National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Summer High School Internship Program
Location: NMNH, Washington, D.C
Stipend: $5,600 ($700/week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18
NMNH’s internship places you within active departments of a major research museum, where you will contribute to projects that connect scientific work with public communication. Depending on your assignment, you may focus on areas such as exhibit writing, anthropology restoration, paleobiology research, or plant specimen analysis. Your work may involve developing research-based content, assisting with laboratory preparation, or supporting curatorial tasks. Alongside assigned work, you will participate in workshops and behind-the-scenes sessions that introduce you to different museum career pathways. You will also gain exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration across scientific and cultural departments.
10. 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: ~300 students/year; D.C.-specific numbers not available
Dates: June – August; 8 – 10 weeks
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens
SEAP places you in a Department of the Navy research laboratory, where you will work on applied STEM projects under the supervision of professional scientists and engineers. Your daily tasks may include assisting with experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to technical problem-solving efforts. The projects span engineering, physics, computer science, and chemistry, depending on the lab’s focus. Working in a research environment will introduce you to how scientific questions are explored and tested in real-world settings. You will be paired with a mentor who will guide your technical learning and project development. You will also gain insight into how government research supports broader scientific and defense initiatives.
11. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the country, including D.C.
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by site (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring internships available; minimum duration is eight weeks (exact date varies by project and site)
Application deadline: January 10; applications open on October 10.
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, preferably with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (check details here)
The AFRL Scholars Program allows you to work on research projects that contribute to advancements in areas such as aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science. You will collaborate with Air Force scientists and engineers, supporting tasks like software development, experimental design, or systems analysis, depending on your placement. The work is tied to ongoing research initiatives, giving you exposure to how complex technical challenges are addressed. Mentorship plays a central role, with professionals guiding your learning and providing feedback on your contributions. The program may also introduce you to specialized fields such as satellite systems, robotics, and machine learning, helping you gain insight into how research is applied in government and defense contexts.
12. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships
Location: Washington, D.C. (remote options available)
Stipend: Available; exact details not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 100 students annually
Dates: Year-round opportunities; summer opportunities last from 8 to 16 weeks
Application deadline: Summer: March 1; Other terms: Six weeks before internship starts
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, postgraduate students, and non-students; open to both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens.
This internship focuses on cultural research and public engagement, allowing you to contribute to projects that document and preserve traditions from around the world. You may work on initiatives related to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, archival collections, or music and media production. Tasks often include research, digital archiving, content development, or supporting outreach programs. You will work under the supervision of professionals in fields such as anthropology, ethnomusicology, or museum studies. The experience will help you see how cultural knowledge is collected, interpreted, and shared with the public. You will also gain exposure to interdisciplinary work that combines research with creative and educational outputs.
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: Not explicitly specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 students
Dates: Four weeks in the summer
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and 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 introduces students to healthcare careers through a mix of clinical skill-building and public health exploration. During the program, you will practice foundational healthcare techniques while learning how different roles contribute to patient care. You will also work on a public health project, applying what you learn to real-world health challenges. The instruction is led by medical students, physicians, and public health professionals who also serve as mentors. The internship for high school students in Washington, D.C. also offers guidance on college preparation, while exposure to multiple disciplines allows you to compare roles such as medicine, nursing, and public health. In some cases, the program extends into shadowing opportunities, giving you a closer look at clinical environments.
14. Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Washington, D.C. area placements
Stipend: $6.25 – $9/hour for high schoolers based on age
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~13,000 students nationally
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Washington, D.C students, ages 14 – 24, who are able to commute to the internship location
This program places you in short-term roles across government agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations, giving you early exposure to professional work environments. Your responsibilities depend on your placement but often involve administrative support, customer service, or project assistance. The experience is designed to help you build foundational workplace skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork. In addition to your job placement, you will participate in a citywide service project that connects your work to community engagement. Supervisors at your worksite will provide guidance and feedback throughout the program.
15. METEOR Summer Program @ Children's National Hospital
Location: Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up by April, enrolled in DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) high schools; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.
METEOR (Mentored Experiences to Expand Opportunities in Research) is a summer program at Children's National Hospital where you take part in hands-on research in areas related to neuroscience, neurobiology, and biomedical science. You will be paired with a mentorship team for a seven-week, lab-based experience and work alongside researchers on ongoing projects. Beyond the lab, you will visit sites in the D.C. metro area such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Library of Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Smithsonian National Zoo. Through shadowing and hands-on learning, you will get a look at how a pediatric hospital operates and hear from doctors and researchers working in the biomedical field.
Frequently asked questions
1. What internships are available for high school students in Washington, D.C.?
Options include federal government internships, such as U.S. Senate Page Program, U.S. Senate Youth Program, and U.S. Treasury and Department of Education programs, biomedical and research internships, such as METEOR at Children's National Hospital and SEAP, museum and cultural internships, such as NMNH and Smithsonian Folklife, community and healthcare programs, such as Urban Alliance and D.C. HAPP, and virtual startup internships, such as Ladder Internships.
2. Which D.C. internships are paid or offer stipends?
U.S. Senate Page Program pays based on a $38,547 annual salary, NMNH provides $700 per week, SEAP provides $4,000 to $4,500, Hutton Junior Fisheries provides $3,000, and Mayor Barry Summer Youth Employment pays $6.25 to $9 per hour. AFRL Scholars, Urban Alliance, and U.S. Senate Youth Program (college scholarship) also provide financial compensation.
3. Which D.C. internships are best for students interested in science or medicine?
Students interested in science or medicine might consider METEOR at Children's National Hospital for pediatric neuroscience research, SEAP and AFRL Scholars for engineering and applied science, Hutton Junior Fisheries for environmental and aquatic science, and D.C. HAPP for clinical skill-building and public health projects.
4. When should I apply to internships for high school students in Washington, D.C.?
SEAP closes November 1, and AFRL Scholars closes January 10. Hutton Junior Fisheries closes January 25, D.C. HAPP closes January 30, and NMNH closes March 20. Programs, such as Urban Alliance and Ladder Internships, accept rolling applications, so students should monitor program websites from early fall and apply as soon as openings become available.
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