14 STEM Summer Internships for High School Students

Understanding science, technology, engineering, and math in the classroom is one thing — applying them in real-world settings is another. A STEM summer internship bridges that gap by giving you hands-on experience beyond textbooks and lectures.

You might run lab experiments, write code for a real project, help design a machine, or collect field data. You’ll work alongside professionals, gaining practical insights into STEM careers.

A STEM summer internship also helps you figure out what kind of work you enjoy in a specific field, be it data entry, strategy, or research. You see how real teams work, how problems are tackled, and what daily life looks like in a professional STEM space. Plus, internships strengthen your resume and show colleges you are serious about your future.

To help you get started, here are 14 STEM summer internships for high school students! If you're looking for other prestigious STEM programs/internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs!

14 STEM Summer Internships for High School Students

1. Ladder Internships

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Location:  Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. May 11, for the summer cohort.

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

The Ladder Internship is an 8-week program where you work with startups in fields like technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, and media. The startups you work with are often led by founders from places like Y Combinator, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.

You work on a real project that matters to the company and present your work at the end of the program. You are guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who helps you understand the work and adjust to the startup environment. The program follows a coaching-plus-work model, giving you both project experience and personal guidance along the way. You can apply here.

2. AEOP High School Internship

Cost: None. Pays a stipend. The amount depends on the location and the length of your internship.

Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide

Application Deadline: Rolling

Program Dates: Varies by location, typically June–August

Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents; grade and coursework requirements vary by site

The AEOP High School Internship places you in a university lab or a Department of Defense research center, where you work alongside scientists and engineers on real-world STEM projects. You are paired with a mentor and work on research in areas like advanced materials, biomedical technology, and other national priority fields.

You learn how lab work runs day to day, get hands-on experience with new tools, and build an understanding of research culture. The program includes mentorship, peer sessions, and workshops to help you prepare for college and future careers. You also join a national network of interns through virtual office hours and group activities. 

3. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway

Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available

Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the summer months with rolling admissions

Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 currently enrolled in high school

The Career Insights Program is an industry-focused experience for high school students in cities around the world. As a participant, you can expect to engage in practical projects with major businesses across industries. The program connects you with industry experts through interactive workshops, site visits, and hands-on projects. You'll also visit operational sites including offices, factories, and headquarters. The program culminates in a final presentation to industry professionals. You can explore career paths in subjects such as medicine, engineering, law, business, journalism, fashion, and more. The program also includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback. You can find more details about the application here!

4. NASA Internship Programs

Cost: None. Pays a stipend.

Location: Various NASA centers and facilities across the United States

Application Deadline: February 27 (for summer session)

Program Dates: Typically June–August

Eligibility: U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must be enrolled as a full-time high school or college student.

NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program gives you the chance to work on real projects tied to space exploration, research, and STEM fields. You are matched with a mentor and work alongside professionals in areas like engineering, computer science, planetary science, or even non-STEM fields like communications and business.

Internships are part-time or full-time and usually take place at one of NASA’s research centers. You build technical skills, professional experience, and a better understanding of how large missions like Artemis come together. Along with your main work, you can join professional development events, virtual seminars, and networking sessions.

5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Cost: None. Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)

Location: Department of Navy laboratories across the U.S.

Application Deadline: November 1

Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer (with optional 2-week extension)

Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently enrolled in high school; must have completed at least Grade 9 and be 16 or older by the start of the internship (some lab-specific exceptions apply)

The SEAP gives high school students the chance to work in the Department of the Navy labs on real research projects. For eight weeks, you’ll contribute to ongoing Naval research, using advanced lab equipment and gaining hands-on experience. You work closely with scientists and engineers, receiving mentorship while developing skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication. 

SEAP placements are competitive, and students are chosen based on academic performance, personal statements, recommendations, and how well their interests align with lab work. This internship helps you explore careers in defense-related science and technology and opens the door to long-term STEM pathways. 

6. Scripps Research Institute High School Internship

Cost: None; Pays a stipend of $4,830

Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

Application Deadline: April 4

Program Dates: June 23–August 8

Eligibility: Must attend one of six REACH partner schools in San Diego County; at least 16 years old; completed one year of high school chemistry and biology; GPA of 3.0 or higher; must be able to work 40 hours/week and obtain a work permit if under 18

The Scripps Research High School Internship Program gives you the chance to work directly with scientists on biomedical research in a professional lab. Over seven weeks, you build key STEM skills like experimental design, lab safety, and scientific communication while gaining hands-on experience.

Before you start, you’ll participate in a three-day training to prepare for the lab. Once you begin, you’ll work full-time on real research projects, learning how to approach problems, conduct experiments, and communicate findings effectively. You may work in areas like molecular biology or drug discovery, applying what you learn to current research.

7. JCVI Internship Program

Cost: None. A stipend of $17.50/hour

Location: JCVI campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Rockville, MD

Application Deadline: Rolling (application opens in spring)

Program Dates: June 23–August 22

Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16 or older with a GPA of 3.0+; must be enrolled full-time and able to provide transcripts and a 500-word statement of interest

The JCVI Summer Internship Program gives you a hands-on, research-focused experience in fields like genomics and synthetic biology. You’ll be paired with a faculty or senior scientist mentor and work on an individual research project that matches your academic interests. Over 8–10 weeks, you gain skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific communication. 

You also get exposure to advanced tools and techniques, working alongside interdisciplinary research teams. The program includes seminars, journal clubs, and career development workshops to build both your scientific knowledge and professional skills. At the end of the program, you present your work in a judged poster session.

8. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

Cost: None. Pays a stipend

Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA

Application Deadline: March 31

Program Dates: June 23–August 15

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical sciences; must be available for the full program and able to commute to the Seattle campus

The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) offers you an eight-week, full-time research experience with a focus on cancer biology and public health. You begin with a two-week training bootcamp, where you learn lab safety and basic lab techniques.

For the next six weeks, you will work in a research lab, gaining hands-on experience in scientific research under the guidance of a mentor. You develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication while contributing to real projects. The program also includes seminars, workshops on college and career readiness, and opportunities for community-building with other interns and researchers.

9. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship

Cost: None

Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: June 30–August 1

Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (must be 16+ and authorized to work in the U.S.); intended for the summer after high school graduation

The PPPL High School Summer Internship is a five-week research experience where you work alongside professional researchers or engineers on plasma physics and fusion energy projects. You gain hands-on experience in both experimental and computational science, building skills in data analysis, scientific programming (Python, Java), problem-solving, and critical thinking. 

You’ll also develop expertise in using advanced tools like CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) and improve your ability to communicate complex scientific concepts. While not required, students with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, advanced math, engineering, or coding are encouraged to apply.

10. LEAH Project’s High School Internships

Cost: None. Stipend: Up to $2,250 (summer); up to $2,700 (school year)

Location: Cambridge and Boston, MA 

Application Deadline: March

Program Dates: July–August (summer) and October–May (school-year extension for select programs)

Eligibility: High school students (must be at least 16 by the start of the program); must reside in or attend school in Massachusetts and be able to commute via public transportation; graduating seniors are not eligible

The LEAH Project offers STEM internships for high school students from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Massachusetts. The LEAH Knox Internship gives you hands-on experience in data science and biomedical research at MIT, with the option to continue in a lab placement the following summer. You'll develop skills in data analysis, research methods, and scientific communication while working in a cutting-edge environment.

The LEAH Daly Internship focuses on biology and biotechnology, offering a five-week wet lab experience at Biogen’s Community Lab. You gain practical lab skills, learn about biotechnology, and explore STEM career paths through job shadowing. Both internships pair you with a STEM mentor and provide college readiness support. 

11. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)’s Summer Research Internship

Cost: $850 (financial aid available)

Location: Virtual 

Application Deadline: February 28

Program Dates: June 16–27

Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students entering grades 9–12; must be at least 14 years old by the program start; strong math or programming skills preferred

The AIMI Summer Research Internship at Stanford is a two-week, fully virtual program for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and healthcare. Designed for students with a strong foundation in math or programming, the program combines daily lectures, hands-on group projects, and mentorship from Stanford researchers.

You’ll gain skills in technical problem-solving, data analysis, and AI model development while working on projects that apply AI to real-world medical challenges. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in research discussions, develop practical solutions, and attend virtual career panels with experts from academia, industry, and government.

12. Georgia Tech Research Institute’s High School Summer Internship 

Cost: None. Pays a stipend.

Location: GTRI Labs and Warner Robins Field Office, Georgia

Application Deadline: January 19

Program Dates: June 9–July 18

Eligibility: Georgia high school students graduating in next three years; must be at least 16 by March 31; U.S. citizens or U.S. persons; reliable transportation required

The Georgia Tech Research Institute’s High School Summer Internship offers a five-week, paid research experience for high school students across Georgia. You’ll work 24 hours per week in GTRI labs, collaborating with engineers, scientists, and university students on projects in radar physics, robotics, and energy systems.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with technical tools like circuit design and prototyping, improve your lab safety knowledge, and develop problem-solving and data analysis skills. You’ll be matched with a mentor based on your project interests, and at the end of the program, you’ll present your work in a team presentation.

13. Jacobs Institute’s NEXT-GEN Internship

Location: Jacobs Institute, Buffalo, NY

Application Deadline: April 1

Program Dates: July 7–18 (2-week); July 7–August 22 (7-week extension for selected students)

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors; must be able to attend the full 2-week program (and indicate interest in the optional 7-week extension if applicable)

Cost: None. A stipend of $599.60 (2-week program) + $15.50 an hour (remaining 5 weeks for 7-week program)

The NEXT-GEN Internship at the Jacobs Institute offers a summer STEM and medical immersion experience for rising juniors and seniors interested in healthcare careers. During the two-week core program, you’ll engage in hands-on activities like using endovascular simulators, 3D-printed models, and participate in research projects. You’ll also attend lectures by neurosurgeon Dr. Ken Snyder and hear from various healthcare professionals.

If you’re 17 or older, you may also have the opportunity to observe clinical procedures and shadow medical professionals. Hosted at the Gates Vascular Institute, the program gives you exposure to cutting-edge hospital and research environments. At the end of the two weeks, you’ll present a group project on real-world healthcare issues. 

14. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Summer High School Intern Program

Cost: None

Location: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO

Application Deadline: February 6

Program Dates: Mid-June–Early August (exact dates vary by year)

Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are current high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must live near a NIST campus and commit to the full 8-week program

The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers an eight-week immersive experience in scientific research at one of the nation’s leading federal research facilities. As a SHIP intern, you’ll be paired with a NIST scientist or engineer and work on a hands-on research project in fields like materials science, chemistry, artificial intelligence, energy systems, or advanced computing.

You’ll gain experience with professional-grade equipment, conduct structured lab work, and receive mentorship in research techniques. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in science-focused seminars and technical training, and at the end, you’ll present your findings at a final poster session.

One other option – 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! You can find the application form here.

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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