15 Paid Internships for High School Students in Maryland
If you're a high school student looking to gain experience in a field before committing to it in college, an internship can be a good option to explore. These opportunities often place you directly within a lab, agency, or organization, giving you exposure to how research and workplace tasks are carried out in professional settings. Paid internships, in particular, let you gain this kind of experience while also earning for your contributions.
Why should you intern in Maryland?
Maryland is home to federal science agencies, top research universities, and environmental organizations that offer year-round work opportunities for high schoolers. Depending on the internship you choose, you could work on biomedical or fisheries research, contribute to a legal or arts placement, or take part in a defense or government lab project. Whether you live in Maryland or are coming from a nearby state, you can find an internship suited to your interests and experience level.
To help you find the right opportunity, here are 15 paid internships for high school students in Maryland.
If you’re looking for data science programs in Maryland, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These internships span biomedical research, legal work, arts administration, environmental science, and biotechnology, with stipends ranging from $900 (UMD HIP) to $21.15/hour (Bloomberg Arts Internship).
Several programs prioritize underrepresented or low-income students, including JHU SARE, Bloomberg Arts Internship, and Project SEED.
Programs range from four-week intensives (JHU WISE, BRBT) to year-long placements (Urban Alliance), so students can choose based on availability and the depth of experience they want.
Application deadlines range from November (SEAP) to April (Project SEED, Law Links), with several programs, such as Urban Alliance and YouthWorks, not posting fixed deadlines publicly.
1. NIA Summer Trainee in Aging Research Program (STAR)
Location: Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid; amount varies based on education level (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program
Dates: Late May – mid-to-late August; 8–10 weeks
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school seniors and college, graduate, and medical students who will be 18 or older during the program
The STAR Program, run by the National Institute on Aging, places you within a lab environment to work alongside NIA scientists on scientific research over the course of the summer. You will spend 8 to 10 weeks conducting research and engaging in professional development and educational sessions. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly seminars led by NIA researchers, gaining exposure to the scientific thinking and communication central to a research career. At the end of the summer program, you will present your research data at NIA's Summer Student Poster Day. You can also check out the broader NIH internship program to find other opportunities in Maryland.
2. JHU Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine campus, East Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $3,000 upon program completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 13
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who are from households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; applicants must also meet an additional criterion, such as being first-generation college-bound, attending a majority low-income high school, or facing other documented hardship.
SARE is a paid Johns Hopkins internship designed specifically for high school students from low-income and educationally under-resourced backgrounds with a genuine interest in science or medicine. Over eight weeks at JHU's East Baltimore campus, you will work full-time on a research project in a biomedical lab, with the support of daily mentorship from scientists, graduate students, and faculty. The program also includes coursework in scientific writing, data analysis, mathematics, and bioethics, so you will build an academic foundation to match the lab experience. Some SARE scholars have even gone on to become co-authors on scientific papers.
3. Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI)
Location: Baltimore City, Maryland
Stipend: $21.15/hour
Cohort size: 70 students
Dates: June 15 – August 15
Application deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Rising seniors enrolled in a Baltimore City public high school who will be 16 years old or older by June 15 and able to work legally in the United States
The Bloomberg Arts Internship is a paid summer program that places you at an arts or cultural organization in the city for seven weeks. You will spend three days a week at your assigned worksite and the other two days on professional development, college prep, writing support, field trips, and arts experiences. The program opens with a full week of orientation, followed by the seven-week internship placement, letting you become familiar with workplace expectations and art-related community work. Through artist panels, studio visits, and trips to cultural organizations, you will build genuine connections with the city’s arts community.
4. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED
Location: Labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities in Maryland
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 350+ placements/year; Maryland-specific numbers not available
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course; applicants’ family income should not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on the family size.
Project SEED places you in a chemistry-focused research setting, such as a laboratory or university, where you will contribute to active scientific work under the guidance of a mentor. You will spend the summer conducting lab work, learning techniques, assisting with experiments, and observing how researchers troubleshoot and work with scientific data. In addition to the laboratory tasks, you will participate in sessions that introduce you to college pathways, careers, and science communication. You may conclude the program with a report or presentation of your contributions. You can also choose to continue engaging with the program next year.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S., including in Maryland
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 U.S. students/year; Maryland-specific numbers not available
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older by the internship start date and are U.S. citizens
SEAP places you in the Department of the Navy research laboratories for eight weeks during the summer, letting you contribute to real Naval research alongside professional scientists and engineers. Placements span a variety of STEM fields, including cybersecurity, materials science, biology, and engineering. As a SEAP intern, you will work directly under the mentorship of a qualified scientist or engineer, gaining hands-on research experience that mirrors what professional researchers do day-to-day. You will also attend seminars, meetings, and events to connect with peers and researchers.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including Maryland; mentors are assigned within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts every year
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; flexible dates
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and incoming 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 students to fisheries and aquatic science through guided fieldwork and research activities. You will be paired with a fisheries professional and work on tasks involving habitat restoration, fish population surveys, or water quality testing. Depending on the assigned site, your work may take place in outdoor environments, labs, or both. Some sites also focus on learning techniques such as microscopy or data processing. The experience is focused on data collection, observation, and environmental analysis in real research or field settings. Throughout the summer, you will document your progress and reflect on your work.
7. Maryland Youth & the Law’s Law Links Internship
Location: Law firms and law-related agencies in Baltimore City, MD
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Seven weeks in the summer
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors at Baltimore City public high schools who live in Baltimore City
Law Links is a seven-week paid summer internship that places you at law firms and law-related agencies across Baltimore City. You will work full-time, getting direct work experience within a professional legal environment. What sets this apart from a standard summer job is the Law & Leadership Institute, an educational seminar that runs alongside your placement. This combination of on-site work and structured legal education can help you navigate professional settings, explore career options, and understand how the legal industry actually operates.
8. YouthWorks @ the National Aquarium
Location: National Aquarium, Baltimore City, MD
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Baltimore City residents between the ages of 14 and 21 as of June 29; students must complete both a YouthWorks application and a National Aquarium interest form and attend a screening interview to qualify.
YouthWorks is a city-wide paid summer jobs program run through the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development, and the National Aquarium is one of its participating worksites. If selected for an Aquarium placement, you will contribute to real operations across the institution. You will engage in conservation or visitor-facing work while taking on roles such as Aviculturist Husbandry Aide, Herpetologist/Aquarist Husbandry Aide, Field Conservation Aide, Guest Engagement Representative, or Guest Services Representative. You may help care for the aquatic animals, assist with maintenance tasks, or help with aquarium tours, depending on the placement. The experience can offer you exposure to what it takes to run a major wildlife institution on both the scientific and public experience front.
9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Labs and universities in Maryland
Stipend: Paid educational stipend; amount varies by placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers not specified
Dates: Summer; specific dates vary by lab placement
Application deadline: Varies by individual posting
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents currently enrolled in high school who live within commuting distance of the assigned lab
The AEOP Summer High School Internship Program places high school students in hands-on research apprenticeships at U.S. colleges and universities and Army-funded research labs. As an AEOP intern, you will work directly under the supervision of a scientist or engineer, contributing to active research projects. Depending on your placement, this could mean working in materials science, cybersecurity, biology, energetics, or other research areas the U.S. Army prioritizes, while gaining access to high-tech equipment and cutting-edge lab environments. The program includes formal mentorship from a STEM professional, access to workshops and master classes through the AEOP Learning Hub, and opportunities to connect with the broader national AEOP network.
10. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Organizations in Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid at or above minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round opportunities; part-time work during the school year and full-time during the summer
Application deadline: Not specified; check the website for the current application cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program is a year-long paid experience, where you will work part-time with a real professional employer throughout your senior year and shift to full-time hours over the summer. Before the internship begins, you will undergo approximately six weeks of pre-employment job skills training to make sure you're prepared for the workplace. Then, you will join an organization with placements spanning a range of industries in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Throughout the year, you will attend weekly workshops covering job and life skills and post-high school planning. You will be assigned two dedicated adults, an Urban Alliance Program Lead and a one-on-one workplace mentor, who will support you throughout. The program is designed to help you connect to whatever comes next: college, career, or vocational training.
11. J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) Summer Internship Program
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD
Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: May – August (10 – 15 weeks); academic-year internships may also be available
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, enrolled in schools full-time with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, who reside in the U.S. and are eligible to work in the country
The JCVI Summer Internship Program places high school students alongside undergrad and graduate researchers to engage in research. You will work with a faculty or senior scientist mentor on a hands-on research project tailored to your academic background. You will work with advanced equipment and tech, connect with scientists, and become familiar with research workflows. Throughout the summer, you will attend journal clubs, career development sessions, and multidisciplinary scientific seminars. The program culminates in a judged poster presentation where you will present your research findings.
12. Johns Hopkins University Whiting Internships in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Location: Johns Hopkins University (JHU) campus, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fall: Early November – late February | Spring: Early February – late May | Summer: July 9 – August 7
Application deadline: Spring deadline: November 16 | Summer deadline: March 1 | Fall deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores (who have completed two years of high school-level math), juniors, and seniors enrolled in Baltimore City public high schools; students must have received As and Bs in all math and science courses and must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The WISE program connects Baltimore City public high school students with JHU researchers for a focused, paid research experience on the Hopkins campus. If you choose the fall or spring program, you will work three hours per day for two days per week for 15 weeks; the summer program meets five hours per day, Monday through Friday, for four weeks. For the majority of the program, you will work in a lab, computer, or field setting in a STEM area like materials science, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, or electrical and computer engineering. The schedule also includes a mandatory orientation, networking sessions with undergraduate and graduate students at JHU, peer-led lab tours, and attendance at campus events like Design Day. The internship wraps up with a presentation where you will share your research with fellow WISE students, your lab, your family, and JHU community members.
13. JHU Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Location: JHU Homewood Campus, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application deadline: Not specified; check the website for the latest updates
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
The BRBT program at Johns Hopkins University is a five-week program that gives you a structured, intensive look at real biomedical research. On the JHU Homewood Campus, you will spend five days a week in a high-tech teaching lab, starting with the basics of reagent preparation and materials handling, then moving on to microbiology techniques and DNA and protein engineering. Alongside the lab work, you will take coursework in scientific writing, data analysis, math, and bioethics. You will also spend time in Hopkins research labs with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. The experience can give you a concrete look at what a career path in science actually looks like.
14. IBBR High School Internship Program: Summer Track
Location: Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), Rockville, MD
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students who are rising juniors or seniors and at least 16 years old
The IBBR offers a limited number of internship spots each summer to MCPS students who want to gain experience in biotechnology research. You will work with an IBBR scientist, who will serve as your mentor and guide your research work across various areas of biotech throughout the eight weeks. You will spend your days working in the lab and connecting with scientists. The program wraps up with a poster presentation where you will share your research work with the broader IBBR community. Instead of this summer-only paid option, you can opt for a full-year version that combines the summer internship with an academic-year component and allows you to earn MCPS Internship course credit.
15. University of Maryland (UMD) High School Internship Program (HIP)
Location: Remote
Stipend: $900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; ~10 – 15 students/cohortDates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: Not specified; check the website for updates
Eligibility: High school students from the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia (DMV) region who are authorized to work in the U.S.
UMD’s Department of Geographical Sciences gives high school juniors and seniors in the DMV region an entry point into geographical and environmental research. The program, conducted entirely online over six weeks, pairs you with a UMD faculty member whose research aligns with your interests. Projects span topics like climate change, geospatial analysis, and the intersection of geography and tech. You will spend 10 hours per week working on your research project and developing practical skills in coding and geospatial methods in the process. At the end of the program, you will share your research with peers through a poster presentation modeled on academic conferences. A select group of interns gets the option to continue working with the department into the school year.
Bonus! Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid 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 startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups 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 startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise over a million dollars. You will work closely with a manager at the organization on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Frequently asked questions
1. What paid internships are available for high school students in Maryland?
Options include biomedical research (NIA STAR, JHU SARE, JCVI, IBBR, BRBT), government and defense lab placements (SEAP, AEOP), environmental science (Hutton, YouthWorks at the National Aquarium), and professional sector internships (Bloomberg Arts Internship, Law Links, Urban Alliance).
2. Which Maryland internships are open to students from low-income backgrounds?
JHU SARE targets students from households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, Project SEED targets students whose family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and Bloomberg Arts Internship and Urban Alliance also prioritize students from underserved communities.
3. Are there year-round or non-summer paid internships for high school students in Maryland?
Yes, Urban Alliance runs as a year-long placement with part-time hours during the school year and full-time hours over the summer. JHU WISE also offers fall and spring tracks in addition to its summer program.
4. When should I apply to paid internships for high school students in Maryland?
The earliest deadline is SEAP in November, followed by Hutton (January 25), JHU SARE (March 1), and Bloomberg Arts Internship (March 4). Several programs, such as Urban Alliance and YouthWorks, do not post fixed deadlines publicly, so students should monitor program websites from the fall onward.
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