15 STEM Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in science, an internship can help you learn about the field and explore future possibilities. STEM internships offer you a chance to move beyond classroom learning and observe science, technology, engineering, and math in action in professional labs, workplaces, and research centers. These opportunities allow you to learn from and work with STEM professionals and explore career paths in your field of choice.
As a high school intern, you will gain exposure to professional work environments and build key skills like teamwork, time management, and communication. From opportunities to work in coding to medical research to engineering design, STEM internships also help you explore your interests before committing to a college degree.
Here is a list of 15 STEM internships for high school students to help you get started!
1. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including various sites in Illinois
Dates: 6 to 10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity
Stipend: An educational stipend is offered; exact details not specified
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each internship opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored, research-based opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM. Here, you will contribute to lab work and research under the guidance and supervision of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You will gain experience in experimentation, study design, data collection, analysis, and comparison of datasets. The exact tasks vary by site. During the program, you will also have access to workshops and online learning materials to develop professional skills and prepare for future STEM academics.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students; certain programs require prior coding/AI experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Veritas AI offers various remote AI-focussed work-learn opportunities. You can start with the AI Scholars program, which combines instruction and project work to help you learn about AI, machine learning, and data science over 10 sessions. Alternatively, you can choose the AI Fellowship that goes a step further, combining advanced AI-focused instruction with independent project work, allowing you to gain experience in AI problem-solving. You will build a project in areas like natural language processing, computer vision, or generative AI under the mentorship of researchers from top universities. The program offers internship-like hands-on experience, allowing you to come up with solutions to real issues.
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Cost: Free (housing not provided)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are 16+ and authorized to work in the U.S.
Application deadline: March 1
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship offers graduating seniors the opportunity to step into a national research environment. Over five weeks, you will work full-time alongside scientists and engineers on experimental or computational projects related to plasma physics and fusion energy. You will gain firsthand exposure to real research practices, ranging from coding and data analysis to lab-based experimentation, while being guided by staff mentors. You will contribute to ongoing projects while exploring paths in physics, engineering, or energy research.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Online
Dates: Varies by cohort; several cohorts run each year in spring, fall, summer, and winter.
Cost: Varies by format; financial assistance available
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours of work every week
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Ladder Internships Program offers high school students the opportunity to work directly with startups on real-world projects through a dual-mentorship setup, consisting of a manager from the company as well as a dedicated Ladder Coach. During the internship, you will spend 8–12 weeks (or longer, based on the format) contributing to work in health tech, environmental science, AI, or other STEM fields. The program focuses on opportunities for skill-building and professional growth while you learn how to navigate the startup environment. You will work on and present a final project to the startup. The flexible, online format and multiple cohorts across the year make it an accessible opportunity to explore.
5. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in-person internships at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers on-campus as well as virtual research internships in a wide range of STEM disciplines, including chemistry, data science, computer science, neuroscience, engineering, and physics. You can choose a mentor aligned with your interests and spend eight weeks contributing to real research. During the program, you will learn about STEM career paths through discussions led by professors, researchers, or professionals. You will find opportunities to build scientific writing and communication skills. The program ends with a research symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
6. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA Centers nationwide; in-person or virtual options available
Dates: Opportunities available in spring, summer, and fall
Stipend: Paid; amount varies
Eligibility: Students, high school to university graduates, who are U.S. citizens, 16 or older, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0)
Application deadline: Varies by session
The NASA OSTEM Internship program gives students a front-row seat to advanced research and technology projects. As an intern, you will be a part of a NASA team tackling missions that range from deep-space exploration and robotics to Earth science and climate innovation. Under the mentorship of leading scientists and engineers, you will gain hands-on experience in STEM, build and refine technical skills, and contribute directly to projects with global impact. The experience can help you gain insights into space science and engineering. NASA offers a wide range of opportunities throughout the year; you can find opportunities here.
7. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Dates: June – August (five–six weeks; exact dates vary by project)
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a local high school who are 16 or older and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: TBA
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) offers local high school students a chance to participate in full-time, in-person research alongside Princeton faculty and staff. LLP will place you in an active lab for five or six weeks during the summer, where you will gain experience in science or engineering projects. You will complete safety training and then move on to working regular daytime hours during the summer. You will wrap up the internship with the submission of your two-page research summary report.
8. Mayo Clinic’s Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Dates: June 3 – December 2
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Duval or St. Johns County who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Application deadline: December 31
Mayo Clinic’s SPARK offers high school juniors and seniors a mentored research experience in biomedical sciences. You will work in Mayo Clinic laboratories, gaining exposure to the research process, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry alongside leading faculty mentors. You will find opportunities to explore fields such as cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, and drug development. You will have access to a weekly Lunch and Learn series, lab meetings, and 1:1 sessions with a mentor. You will also present your work at a final symposium. Past participants have gone on to present their work in regional and state science fairs.
9. Scripps Student Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up
Application deadline: March 31
Scripps’ Student Research Internships are designed to offer students exposure to research in the sciences under the mentorship of expert researchers. Over 10 weeks, you will work with a mentor in a dry or wet lab setting, gaining insights into translational research. You will explore topics like the genetic basis of human traits and diseases, as well as the use of mobile technologies to monitor and improve health outcomes. You will gain experience in study design, clinical trial analysis, and genomics research. The program also offers an opportunity to present research components and findings to peers and mentors.
10. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands
Dates: Flexible eight-week summer internship (includes 1-week Scholar’s Summit); start and end dates set by the student and the mentor
Stipend: $3,000
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and college freshmen who are 16 or older by the internship start date
Application deadline: January 19
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program pairs high schoolers with fisheries professionals for an immersive eight-week exposure to aquatic science. During the internship, you will engage in fieldwork, including tasks like electrofishing, snorkeling, and habitat surveys, as well as contribute to lab work, data analysis, and educational outreach. This program can help you explore real-world fisheries and environmental research. The experience also includes the Scholar’s Summit, a week-long event designed to help you undergo training, engage in networking, and access skill-building opportunities.
11. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Atlanta, GA, or Redmond, WA
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Stipend: Paid
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA; Redmond office applicants should be members/participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations listed on the program website; Atlanta applicants should attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett County School Districts
Application deadline: TBA, but applications typically open in early February/March
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in software engineering, computer science, and technology. Here, you will be part of a team working on the design phase of the product development cycle. Over four weeks, you will explore the applications of software engineering, computer science, and UX design fundamentals. You will also work on a group project focused on understanding customer issues and needs and helping with product design to meet those requirements. You will also connect with and learn from Microsoft employees and explore various Microsoft technologies.
12. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Dates: Eight-week summer program; dates TBA (information posted in November)
Stipend: Paid
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year who are 16 or older and residents of the Greater Seattle area
Application deadline: TBA
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutch offers high schoolers who have limited prior lab experience an introduction to biomedical research. You will begin with two weeks of intensive training in lab safety and techniques before joining a research group for six weeks of mentored work. You will also get to engage in research seminars, professional development workshops, and social activities with peers. The program concludes with a presentation of research findings to the Fred Hutch community and family members. SHIP is designed for local students and provides a stipend and ORCA card for commuting.
13. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Dates: June 16 – 27
Cost/Stipend: $850 + a $40 application fee; no stipend; fee waivers available
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred
Application deadline: February 28
This virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of healthcare innovation. As an intern, you will learn about the ways in which AI is used to tackle issues in medicine and work on addressing a real healthcare problem with the use of AI tools. You will work within a team on research projects and engage in social activities, virtual group work sessions, and career-oriented sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to the mentorship of researchers and Stanford Student Leads. You may also be able to access an extended research opportunity once the program ends.
14. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; session details available each fall
Cost: Free (program covers tuition, housing, and meals)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors worldwide with exceptional academic and research potential
Application deadline: Early January
Each summer, RSI brings together 80–100 rising high school seniors from around the world to MIT’s campus to gain firsthand exposure to research. The program combines intensive STEM coursework with mentored research, giving you the opportunity to design and carry out original projects. You will learn from scientists and engineers and explore advanced research methods and facilities. You will also present your findings at the end of the program in a conference-style presentation. Field trips to science and tech facilities in Boston are also part of the experience.
15. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; residential fee: $2,360.25 (optional); a stipend will be awarded
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are at least 16 when the program starts
Application deadline: February 7
The Simons Summer Research Program is an in-person STEM research program for high school students. It offers research opportunities spanning fields like engineering, geoscience, computer science, physics, astronomy, math, and chemistry. During the program, you will be a part of a Stony Brook University research team and contribute to a project while learning how to use professional laboratory techniques and tools. You will engage in weekly faculty talks to learn about various STEM fields and workshops to sharpen your research skills. You will submit and present a research abstract and poster at the end of the program.
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