15 Online Internships for International High School Students (Students From Around the World)

If you’re an international high school student residing outside the US, this blog is for you! 

Remote internships, such as the ones in the list below, provide a flexible and convenient way to gain valuable experience. By working remotely, you can contribute to meaningful projects from home, balance academic commitments, and avoid the costs of commuting. Beyond hands-on learning, these opportunities help you build global connections in your field of interest.

Participating in online internships for international high school students can strengthen your university applications in the US, and enhance essential skills like critical thinking and problem-solving—key additions to your resume. You will work on real-world applications, get exposure to various roles and responsibilities within an organization, understand the challenges and dynamics of a particular field, and can test drive a future job opportunity.

To help you get started, here’s our list of 15 online internships for international high school students.

1. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). 

Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

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 allows high school students to work directly with fast-growing start-ups across fields like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. During the 8-week virtual program, you’ll contribute to real-world projects, collaborate closely with a company manager and a Ladder Coach, and present your work to the team. The start-ups you’ll work with typically have raised over a million dollars and are in active stages of growth. You can browse the available internship opportunities through Ladder’s application form. This selective program is designed for students eager to dive into hands-on work and build professional experience early.

2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: March 1

Program dates: 5 weeks in the summer between July and August

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors interested in future research and clinical careers in behavioral sciences or brain health-related sciences (neurology, neurosurgery or neuroscience) | Residents of North America (US or Canada)

This 5-week virtual research program offered by Johns Hopkins University is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience, especially from underrepresented backgrounds. This internship includes mentorship training, scientific research, learning laboratory techniques, professional development workshops, collaborative activities, and more. You will learn to analyze scientific data, conduct virtual experiments, and gain insight into neurological sciences. The program emphasizes early research experience to support those considering careers in STEM, equipping them with foundational skills for future academic and professional opportunities in neuroscience.

3. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship Program

Location: Virtual/hybrid

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: March 17

Program dates: June 9 - August 25

Eligibility: High school students | At least 16 years old

The Hidden Histories: Stories of Women in STEM Internship, offered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, is a hybrid research and historical writing internship focused on uncovering women's overlooked STEM contributions. You will develop skills in independent research, professional communication, interviewing, and science writing while exploring historical STEM figures and Smithsonian collections. Hands-on experiences include compiling research, conducting interviews with STEM professionals, drafting biographies, and contributing to the publication of an educational eBook. This program provides insight into journalism, science communication, and digital publishing, with mentorship and editorial guidance throughout the process and you will receive a stipend at the end of it.

4. Mary Miller Summer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible.

Program dates: Not specified, but the program is usually held in the summer

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

This program, offered by PHC Group, provides a paid online internship for rising high school juniors and seniors under the guidance of the Public Health Director with hands-on experience in social media projects, online community engagement, and technical assistance. You will monitor social interactions, conduct trending, analyses, and formulate a report for external clients. You will then present your findings to clients, implement theirs along with peer suggestions, and provide timely feedback. Additionally, you will gain social marketing research experience, enhance remote collaboration skills, and contribute to digital outreach efforts.

5. High School Summer Internship, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: March 1  

Program dates: June 30 - August 1

Eligibility: At least 16 years of age | Graduating senior in high school | Authorized to work in United States

This program offers a research-focused online internship for high school seniors interested in plasma physics and fusion energy. Hosted by Princeton University, it provides hands-on experience in experimental and computational plasma physics, allowing you to work on real-world projects involving data analysis, coding (Python, Java), and computer-aided design (CAD). You will develop problem-solving skills, gain exposure to advanced mathematics and engineering concepts, and deepen your understanding of fusion energy research. Ideal for those with a background in physics, chemistry, and math, this internship provides a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge scientific research. The program also encourages participation from underrepresented students via its Plasma Pathways program for Trenton Central high school students.

6. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) High School Internship

Location: Virtual and in-person

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Typically November/December for Spring Session | April for Summer Session | July for Fall Session

Program dates: February – May (Spring Session) | June – August (Summer Session) | September – December (Fall Session)

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

This program offers a remote research internship for high school students interested in international relations, foreign policy, and global affairs. Through this program, hosted by FPRI, you will develop critical research skills, data analysis expertise, and communication abilities while working under the guidance of scholars specializing in regions such as the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, and Asia. You will engage in policy research, attend foreign policy seminars, and contribute to think tank publications. The program also provides access to FPRI’s events, offering exposure to experts in diplomacy, security studies, and global governance. Strong writing skills, an interest in international affairs, and proficiency in foreign languages or data analysis tools are beneficial for this research-focused experience. You may get the chance to publish your research paper on FPRI’s Intern Corner and also earn a stipend.

7. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), GMU College of Science

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free, except the $25 application fee, for which, waivers are available

Application Deadline: February 2

Program dates: June 18 - August 8

Eligibility: Applicants must be 15 years or older by June 18 of the application year. Note: A few research labs may be unavailable for non-US citizens

This 8-week program at George Mason University offers a research-intensive virtual internship for high school students looking to engage in advanced STEM fields. You will work one-on-one with faculty researchers, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies in areas such as bioengineering, neuroscience, environmental science, cybersecurity, and mathematical modeling. The program emphasizes scientific writing, data analysis, and research communication, preparing you to contribute to ongoing studies that may be published in academic journals or presented at conferences. Through mentorship, discussion forums, and independent research, you will develop critical thinking skills and explore diverse STEM career paths while making meaningful contributions to scientific advancements. The annual ASSIP Research Symposium is held at the end of the program.

8. Internships by EnergyMag 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions throughout the year

Program dates: Not fixed. Half-time internships are 2 to 8 weeks | Quarter-time internships are 1 to 9 months

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors and seniors only | Have at least one honors science or honors English class, exceptions are made for some cases | GPA over 3.25

The EnergyMag Virtual Internship provides high school and college students with the opportunity to research and analyze key developments in renewable energy and energy storage. This program allows you to work remotely while gaining hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting of a scientific or business issue. You will explore specific companies, technologies, or market trends, learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, conduct outreach to industry experts, and draft analytical reports for publication. With guidance from a mentor, you will refine your skills in critical thinking, professional writing, and market research, culminating in a published report that can strengthen your academic and career prospects.

9. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers and Community College Students

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free, but a $50 application fee is required. Need-based fee waivers are available.

Application Deadline: Typically March 1

Program dates: Not offering for 2025, but will be back in 2026. It is typically held between June and August 

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in 11-12 grades | Ages 14 and older

The SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Summer Internship at Stanford is a virtual research program where you will gain hands-on experience in real-world applications by working on projects and collaborative activities. Over eight weeks, you’ll work in small teams on interdisciplinary projects blending fields like computer science, biology, philosophy, design, linguistics, and engineering. Mentored by Stanford PhD students, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum in a group of 2-5, you’ll explore how humanities and STEM intersect in real-world research. The program concludes with group presentations showcasing your work. Around 60 students are selected each year.

10. Girl Rising’s Future Rising Fellowship

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: June

Program dates: August – August (one-year program)

Eligibility: High school students aged 17 and older (the full cohort includes participants up    to age 25) | Open to applicants from all countries.

This fellowship supports young storytellers and creators working at the intersection of climate change, environmental justice, and gender equity. Fellows are selected from the global pool, so a strong application and creative portfolio are important. The program begins with a virtual bootcamp and continues with regular workshops, mentorship, and leadership training. You’ll collaborate with a network of journalists, filmmakers, climate scientists, advocates, artists, and writers. Fellows work individually on their chosen media projects, whether in film, animation, photography, essays, or graphic novels while participating in virtual group sessions. You will also receive a stipend of $5,000 at the end of the program.

11. Medicine Encompassed Internships

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program dates: Open year-round

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide

Medicine Encompassed, a student-led nonprofit, offers flexible internship opportunities focused on STEAM, biology, and the various branches of medicine. Students contribute across 18 specialized committees with roles like writing, editing, sponsorships and partnerships, marketing, social media management, graphics design, and resource development. Responsibilities may include researching and writing educational articles, revising blog and social media content, ensuring scientific accuracy, and creating user-friendly guides and presentations. Interns can also participate in Project Cultivation, an outreach initiative aimed at expanding access to medical education.

12. The Junior Academy by The New York Academy of Sciences 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: July 1.

Program Dates: September - November (Fall)

Eligibility: High school students between ages 13-17

The Junior Academy is a STEM-focused program where participants tackle innovative and real-world science and technology challenges sponsored by industry-leading companies. You will choose your own teams, receive mentoring from STEM experts, and be part of in-depth discussions to tackle these challenges. You will engage in research and data analysis by applying scientific principles, analyzing complex information, and designing creative solutions to a real-world issue. You will develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills while contributing to impactful projects. The best team and solution will be judged by another team of STEM professionals at the end of the program. Some of the previous challenges included ‘Living in the Extremes,’ ‘Air Quality and Health,’ Remediation of South Brooklyn,’ etc.

13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: May 1

Program Dates: July 7 – 25

Eligibility: Open to female and gender minority students currently in grades 9–11, internationally. Preference is given to first-generation students, underrepresented groups in physics, and rising seniors.

SPINWIP is a three-week virtual summer program designed to ignite interest in physics among high school girls and gender minorities. You will explore topics like quantum physics, quantum computing, cosmology and astrophysics while also learning introductory Python coding without having any prior experience. The curriculum includes online lectures, small group research projects, and workshops focused on college pathways and career skills. You will be paired with mentors from Stanford’s community of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, providing support and guidance throughout the experience. SPINWIP’s goal is to encourage young women to pursue physics by building foundational knowledge and practical skills for future study and careers.

14. CrowdMath 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: November 30

Program Dates: Year-round

Eligibility: Open to all high school and college students worldwide

CrowdMath is a collaborative online research initiative co-hosted by MIT PRIMES and the Art of Problem Solving. This year-long program invites students globally to engage in advanced mathematical research in concepts such as number theory, linear algebra, etc. Participants work together on open-ended problems, contributing to ongoing individual and group projects and potentially co-authoring published papers. Each year, CrowdMath focuses on a unique research topic that will give you an idea of college-level research and aid you in your computational research ambitions. The project centers on ‘Goldbach Semidomains,’ while the prvious project was  "Generalizations of the Notion of Primes."  While not directly related to medical volunteering, CrowdMath offers valuable experience in collaborative research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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