15 Online STEM Research Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, consider an online STEM research internship! An internship in STEM can offer you the chance to engage in ongoing STEM research and conduct your own under the guidance of expert mentors and researchers. This experience can also help get early exposure to the field of research, pick up a few key professional skills, and build valuable connections.
Whether you are exploring career paths or trying to build a robust college application, online STEM research internships for high school students are often more accessible and affordable alternatives to in-person opportunities. Additionally, online internships are quite flexible, allowing you to set your own pace, learn from the comfort of your home, and collaborate with peers and professionals across the globe.
To help you find such opportunities, we have come up with a list of 15 online STEM research internships for high school students, taking into account the prestige, rigor of their professional experiences, and opportunities to network they offer.
If you are looking for more prestigious online programs for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs!
Cost: $7,400 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Vary depending on the cohort (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring). The Combination program runs for 15 – 23 weeks (8 weeks of internship + 15 weeks of mentored research). You can choose to intern and conduct research simultaneously or one after the other.
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming Summer cohort’s applications are due on May 11
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5 to 15 hours per week for 15 – 23 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective online program that can offer you hands-on experience in various STEM fields, including physics, aerospace engineering, computer science, chemistry, AI/ML, health tech, neuroscience, and more. The Combination Program combines the flagship CEO Internship with a structured, mentored research initiative. If selected, you will get to intern with high-growth start-ups, many of which have raised over $1 million in funding. Then, you get to work on your research, which will be based on a subject area and topic of your choice. Spanning a total of 23 weeks, this program provides you with hands-on professional experience while working closely with the CEO of a high-growth startup and the chance to undertake a guided research project culminating in a college-level research paper.
Cost: Free!
Dates: TBA; the internship typically runs for 5 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications open on December 1 and close on March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a virtual summer research program that can introduce you to the field of neurological sciences and help you develop an interest in related careers. Over the course of five weeks, you will engage in a range of activities, including educational sessions, workshops, networking events, and professional development sessions. During the program, you will also learn foundational lab techniques and undergo mentorship training to explore the neuroscience research process.
Cost: Free; however, a $25 application fee is charged, but it can be waived on a need-based system.
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old at the start of the internship
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers high school students a full-time, eight-week research experience. Here, you will work closely with faculty at George Mason University and partner institutions, engaging in advanced research across various disciplines using state-of-the-art technology. For instance, you could find mentors and research topics in areas like astronomy, bioengineering, environmental science, forensic science, neuroscience, physics, mathematical modeling, and more. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, scientific writing and communication, exposure to STEM career paths through discussions with professionals, and the development of creative thinking essential for innovative research. You may also be able to get your ASSIP research work published in scientific journals and presented at conferences!
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend, but the exact amount is not specified.
Dates: Multiple internship periods throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions.
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers various paid internships and research opportunities to high school students. If selected, you can get some hands-on experience while engaging in activities that support NASA’s mission in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You can look for remote research opportunities here. During the program, you will work alongside NASA professionals—including scientists and engineers—online, either full-time or part-time. This experience can help you build practical skills, enhance your resume, and prepare for careers in STEM fields.
Cost: Free!
Dates: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: Applications are typically accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled or until the final deadline of May 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade high school students, especially women
This free online STEM research program, led by current Maryland Engineering students through the RISE Program in collaboration with the Women in Engineering Program, offers high schoolers an introduction to engineering through a research-focused lens. Here, you will get to explore a different engineering discipline each day while learning about various research labs at the University of Maryland. You will learn to read and write scientific papers, conduct simple at-home experiments, and interact with undergraduate mentors. While not credit-bearing, the program aims to provide foundational exposure to the interdisciplinary nature of engineering.
Cost: $1,595 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: Applications open on December 15 and close on March 1, and are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is a two-week summer research program. It offers an introduction to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through interactive seminars led by Stanford faculty, covering topics such as neuropsychiatry, behavioral sciences, and career paths in medicine and science. While not a traditional internship, CNI-X offers you a chance to engage in research. You will also engage in lectures and team-based projects, developing innovative solutions to real-world issues in mental health. The projects will be presented at a final capstone session. CNI-X is a fast-paced, immersive program that can foster academic exploration, creativity, and collaboration.
Cost/Stipend: No cost | A stipend may be offered.
Dates: The 8- to 10-week internship program typically runs between June and August.
Application deadline: March/April 2025; exact dates are yet to be announced
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. | The exact requirements, in terms of the city of residence, interests, and educational background, can vary for each opportunity.
The SPARK Summer Internship Program is an opportunity for high schoolers to work on cutting-edge STEM projects and connect with industry experts, professors, and mentors. Each year, the program offers in-person, hybrid, and remote internships. In the past, a remote opportunity called Data Engineering and AI for Real World Problems involved work on applications of AI/ML, data pipelines, and predictive analytics to find solutions to real-world challenges. Through this experience, you get to explore academic interests and get hands-on experience in a professional work environment.
Cost: $850 tuition and $40 application fee | Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: Applications open on December 9 and close on February 28. The fee waiver and scholarship application deadline is February 21.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old at the start of the program
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual Summer Research Internship for high school students interested in the intersection of AI and healthcare. The program is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators by introducing both technical and clinical aspects of artificial intelligence in medicine. You will engage in lectures, mentoring sessions with Stanford researchers, collaborative project work, and career talks featuring professionals from academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors. You may also get to pursue an extended independent research opportunity.
Cost: Free!
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: Applications open on November 22 and close on March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and graduating seniors in high school when the internship begins
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a leading research center in plasma physics and fusion energy co-hosted by Princeton University and the U.S. Department of Energy. It offers a limited number of summer research internships focusing on plasma physics and fusion energy to exceptional high school seniors following graduation. You can indicate your preference for a remote internship while applying. During the internship, you will engage in full-time, research-oriented projects under the guidance of PPPL's research or engineering staff, contributing to active experiments or simulations in a professional scientific setting.
Cost/Stipend: None
Application deadline: February 15 (tentative date based on previous year’s program)
Program dates: June 24 – August 21 | If participants and mentors want to extend the internship, the program will continue for them starting from September in the first year to May the following year.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and reside in specific regions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s ASPIRE is a STEM research opportunity. Here, you can choose one out of eight placement areas, which include STEM fields like programming and computer science, mathematics and data analysis, engineering, and physical science. Then, you will be paired with an Applied Physics Laboratory staff mentor, who will offer support to help you work on your research project. The program ends with the submission of your digital project poster. The program also focuses on enhancing technical and interpersonal skills. You can also choose to continue your ASPIRE experience during the academic year while following the guidelines here.
11. Stanford AI4ALL
Cost: $4,000 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application deadline: Applications open on December 9 and close on January 24
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders over the age of 14 | Preference is given to students with math and/or computer skills.
While not a traditional internship, Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online research program designed to promote greater inclusion in the field of artificial intelligence. Here, you will engage in lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship, and explore advanced topics such as robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing. Offered in collaboration with the Stanford AI Lab, the program provides practical research experience, career development opportunities, and insight into how AI can drive positive societal change. You will also get to interact with AI practitioners.
Cost: Free!
Dates: June 1 – August 6
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in computer science
Colorado School of Mines offers high school students a six-week summer research internship in computer science. Here, you will work in a small team, led by a Mines undergraduate student, and contribute to ongoing research in areas such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity. All you need is reliable internet access and a personal computer to engage in the program. You can expect to work for 5 to 20 hours each week.
Cost: $4,380 tuition and $95 application fee
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: Applications open on November 1 and close on February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years or older
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI) is an opportunity for high school students to explore the practice of medicine. The program offers a diverse and immersive curriculum that includes research, clinical skills training, interactive lectures, and hands-on activities across various medical specialties. During the program, you will get valuable insights into medical careers through sessions led by Stanford faculty, researchers, and current medical and physician assistant students, who will share their academic and professional experiences with you.
Cost: Free!
Dates: Internships run throughout the year in 2–8-week sessions or 1–9-month periods
Application deadline: None. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who have taken at least one honors science or English class and have a GPA of over 3.25
EnergyMag’s research-focused online internships are meant for students interested in renewable energy and energy storage technologies. As an intern, you will work on projects that are assigned based on your academic background, experience, and graduation timeline. The assignments typically involve analyzing a specific company, technology, or market segment. You are expected to independently gather and synthesize information, develop a draft report, and contribute to content that may be published on the EnergyMag website with appropriate credit. Throughout the internship, mentors provide guidance and supervision. If you complete a publishable report, you will receive a Letter of Accomplishment recognizing your work.
Cost: $3,580 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Session I: June 16 – July 4 | Session II: July 7 – 25
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Stanford University Mathematics Camp offers high school students an intensive, academic, internship-like experience in advanced mathematics through a three-week, fast-paced online research program. During the program, you will engage in daily live lectures, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and research activities covering contemporary mathematical research, its historical context, and interdisciplinary applications. The program includes interactive classes, daily assignments, and mentorship from undergraduate and graduate instructional assistants. You will also attend virtual guest lectures from professionals who apply mathematics in diverse fields.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in conducting independent research, then consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs—selective online high school research experiences founded alongside researchers at Harvard and Oxford. In the past, over 4,000 students applied for the 500 spots in the program! You can learn more about the opportunity on the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which is a non-profit research program for talented students from low-income backgrounds. Last year, we accepted 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 Ph.D. 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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