13 Summer Internships for High School Students in Texas
As a high school student, internships are one of the best ways for you to explore career paths, gain experience, and build skills that go far beyond the classroom. Whether you're interested in research, business, law, or healthcare, these experiences help you develop confidence, strengthen your college applications, and form meaningful connections with professionals in the field.
Texas offers a wide range of summer internship opportunities thanks to its strong industries, major research universities, and growing startup ecosystem. From biomedical labs in Houston to science internships in Austin, students across the state and outside of it have access to real-world learning environments that can shape future goals.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled 13 summer internships for high school students in Texas.
1. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 for 10 weeks; $6,480 for 9 weeks
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors who are 18+ by program start
This selective, paid 10-week summer program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center is for current Texas high school seniors who are passionate about biomedical research or healthcare. Participants work directly alongside faculty mentors in a research lab, gaining hands-on experience and learning the core principles of scientific investigation. Beyond the lab work, you will attend faculty seminars, build professional skills through events like poster sessions, and participate in an elevator pitch competition. This intensive experience provides an opportunity to build valuable lab skills and gain a clearer picture of allied health careers before starting college.
2. Veritas AI
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15 week cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students per year
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750; $25 application fee
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be at least 17 years old by program start date; U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Clark Scholars Program is an intensive, seven-week summer experience at Texas Tech where just twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors conduct individualized, university-level research. You'll work directly with faculty mentors across fields like science, engineering, and humanities, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to advanced projects. In addition to the research, you’ll participate in seminars and workshops, receiving professional development and a stipend for your work.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
If you're an ambitious high school student looking for real-world experience, the Ladder Internships program is worth checking out. This selective virtual program lets you spend eight weeks working with a high-growth start-up, many of which have raised over a million dollars. Internships are available across diverse industries, including AI/ML, health tech, and marketing. You'll work closely with a manager and a Ladder Coach on practical projects, developing valuable skills before presenting your final work to the company.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by opportunity
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., including AFWERX in Texas
Stipend: $501.60 per week for high school students
Dates: Varies based on location/project
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (for select locations)
The AFRL Scholars Program is a competitive, paid summer internship that allows high school students to work alongside top experts at U.S. Air Force research labs. Over 10 to 12 weeks, you'll join active research projects focused on developing cutting-edge technology in fields like aerospace, computer science, or engineering. This program offers a unique, hands-on experience, allowing students to apply their STEM skills, receive direct mentorship, and gain real-world experience. It's an excellent entry point for those considering a career in government research or the defense industry.
6. High School Emerging Researcher Experience – Houston Methodist
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: Stipend will be informed after selection
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience at Houston Methodist is a competitive, eight-week internship that drops you right into a real translational research lab. You'll gain practical experience in advanced lab techniques and contribute to ongoing biomedical science projects, working full-time alongside college students and faculty mentors. This program offers personal mentorship, professional development workshops, and a final research symposium to showcase your own poster presentation.
7. NBCF High School Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Frisco ISD / National Breast Cancer Foundation, Frisco, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Dates: Mid-June to mid-July (exact dates TBA on the NBCF website)
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Frisco ISD high school students
This internship offers a good chance to dive into the non-profit world for a month, giving you a full tour of how the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) operates. The initial weeks will immerse you in the daily operations of the Programs, Development, and Marketing teams, offering an insider's perspective. Concurrently, you'll benefit from weekly professional development sessions designed to enhance skills such as public speaking and resume writing. During the final three weeks, you will undertake a significant project and present your findings directly to senior staff.
8. Intern/Aide (Baylor College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Stipend: Up to $14/hour
Dates: Temporary position. The work schedule is full-time; Specific start/end dates are not provided
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, high school graduates, or college students enrolled in an educational institution
This is a temporary position with Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics, which offers you real-world experience. As an Intern/Aide, you'll be actively involved in the research process by helping gather and screen articles, abstracting data, and even supporting the initial design and analysis of studies. It's a full-time commitment during the week, running Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it can provide valuable exposure to the collaborative environment of a top academic medical center.
9. HBA Communities In Schools (CIS) Summer Legal Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Houston Bar Association (HBA), Houston, TX
Stipend: Stipend provided
Dates: June 9 – August 5
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students from at-risk schools in the Houston area
This paid, eight-week summer internship is designed for high-achieving students from at-risk schools to explore a career in law, thanks to the Houston Bar Association (HBA) and Communities In Schools (CIS). You'll gain firsthand legal experience through placements at major Houston law firms and public offices, giving you a true look at the profession. The program includes courthouse visits and mock trials, alongside mentorship from attorneys and law students.
10. MohanLab Summer Internship Program (MLSI)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Mohan Laboratory, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This eight-week summer internship will provide you with hands-on experience in a research lab setting, focusing on biomedical and computational sciences. You'll start with a crash course in basic lab techniques, and then spend the rest of the program doing actual bench research with guidance from scientists and grad students. The research spans areas such as neuroscience, bioengineering, and AI-driven data analysis. You'll conclude the summer by presenting your own research findings, which can serve as a valuable addition to your portfolio.
11. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research, Austin, TX + Virtual components
Cost/Stipend: None; housing, meals, and local transportation provided for on-site portion; limited travel scholarships available
Dates: Distance learning modules: May 19 – July 1 | On-site internship: July 6 – July 19 | Virtual symposium: July 21 – 22
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program, hosted by the University of Texas at Austin in partnership with NASA, is a nationally competitive, free program focused on Earth science and space exploration. The program begins with distance learning modules from May to July, followed by a two-week on-site internship in Austin. You will work directly with NASA-supported research, learning to interpret real data from NASA satellites and missions. Participants join a research team mentored by scientists and engineers to analyze topics such as planetary science or Earth's gravity field, culminating in a virtual symposium where you present your findings.
12. Intern/Aide (Baylor College of Medicine Division of Medicine)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Stipend: Varies depending on specific role
Dates: Temporary position with a full-time, year-round work schedule
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, high school graduates, or students enrolled in higher education
This paid temporary position with Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Medicine offers structured, hands-on training in public health, focusing on HIV education and program management through the regional AETC. You'll gain practical exposure to federal guidelines and the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, learning how health education is planned and delivered to providers. Your duties include assisting with workshop planning and evaluation, engaging community partners, and supporting data collection for impact assessment.
13. HBA Communities In Schools (CIS) Summer Legal Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Houston Bar Association (HBA), Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid eight-week internship
Dates: June 9 – August 5
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students from at-risk schools in the Houston area
This paid, eight-week summer internship is a meaningful way for high-achieving students from at-risk schools to explore a career in law, thanks to the Houston Bar Association (HBA) and Communities In Schools (CIS). You'll gain firsthand legal experience through placements at major Houston law firms and public offices, giving you a true look at the profession. The program includes valuable enrichment like courthouse visits and mock trials, alongside mentorship from attorneys and law students.
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