15 Summer Data Science Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Feb 28
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student interested in data science, a summer internship can help you move beyond classroom learning and apply your skills in structured research or industry settings. Through these internships, you can strengthen your programming, statistical analysis, and problem-solving abilities while learning how data is used to inform decisions across fields like healthcare, engineering, public policy, and technology. You will also gain mentorship, professional exposure, and experience presenting your work, all of which can strengthen your academic profile and clarify your future goals.
Why Consider a Summer Data Science Internship?
Data science internships give you the opportunity to work with research labs, government agencies, startups, and universities on projects that involve coding, data analysis, modeling, and computational research. Depending on the program, you may analyze large datasets, build machine learning models, contribute to scientific studies, or support technology-driven initiatives under the guidance of experienced mentors. Whether you are just beginning to explore data science or already have experience in programming and analytics, these internships provide structured environments that help you grow technically and academically.
To help you identify the best options, we’ve narrowed this list to 15 summer data science internships for high school students.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Remote (Online)
Cost: Varies by program type
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Depends on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students interested in startups, technology, and applied problem-solving.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships span a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech to AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are, on average, high-growth companies that raise over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Cost: Paid internship, no cost
Program dates: The program begins in June and runs for 8–12 weeks; start dates and internship length are flexible based on individual needs
Application deadline: January 15 - February 18
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled at least half-time or students accepted into an accredited college or university, and must be at least 18 years old by the internship start date.
The NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program is a full-time summer research internship offered by the National Library of Medicine, designed for students interested in computational health and biological research. You’ll work on real-world data science and informatics projects in the biological sciences while training one-on-one with an assigned research mentor. You will be embedded in a collaborative research environment and participate in seminars, professional development workshops, and training on scientific communication. The experience culminates in formal research presentations at both NLM’s Summer Poster Day and the National Institutes of Health Summer Poster Day, giving you exposure to a broader scientific community.
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, or Boulder, Colorado
Cost: Free, unpaid internship
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer, typically from June to August.
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, or students who have just graduated from high school and have not yet started college.
The NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an in-person research internship offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, designed for high school students interested in hands-on scientific and technical research. You are placed within one of NIST’s research laboratories and work under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers throughout the summer. For students interested in data science and computing, SHIP offers project opportunities particularly aligned with areas such as data analysis, machine learning, information technology, computer modeling, statistics, and computational research, depending on laboratory placement. You’ll contribute to real research efforts, develop technical and analytical skills, and gain exposure to how data-driven methods are applied in federal research environments. The program concludes with a poster session, where you’ll present your research findings to mentors and peers, providing valuable experience in scientific communication and research presentation.
Location: Virtual, students must reside in the United States
Cost: $2,400
Program Dates: Session A: June 15– June 26 | Session B: July 6– July 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students currently attending a U.S. high school; must be 14 years or older by the program start date; preference for students with strong math skills, computer programming experience, or prior exposure to healthcare-related projects.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a selective, virtual research program offered by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, designed for high school students interested in applying data science and artificial intelligence to healthcare. The program introduces you to both the technical and clinical foundations of AI-driven medical research. Over two weeks, you’ll participate in introductory and technical lectures, collaborate on hands-on group research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford student leads and researchers. The internship also includes expert-led talks featuring speakers from academia, industry, non-profits, and government, offering you exposure to real-world applications of AI and data-driven healthcare innovation.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: $5,600
Program Dates: June 15 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students who reside and attend school in the Chicago area, and must be familiar with at least one programming language. Undergraduate students may also apply.
The DSI Summer Lab is a highly selective summer research program run by the University of Chicago Data Science Institute, where you’ll work alongside undergraduates as part of a structured cohort, gaining exposure to real-world data science problems across domains such as computer science, public policy, climate and energy, and materials science, among others. You will be paired with experienced data science mentors and will engage deeply in research methodologies, collaborative problem-solving, and applied computing practices. Throughout the summer, you’ll practice communicating your findings through regular research updates, culminating in a final research video presented during an end-of-summer symposium modeled after a professional academic conference. In addition to research, the program emphasizes cohort-based learning, teamwork, and professional development, helping you build both technical skills and confidence in collaborative data science environments.
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Cost: Stipend of $14 per hour
Program Dates: June 22 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year of high school; must reside in Palm Beach or Martin County, Florida, and be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Summer Research Internship is a research-intensive summer internship with data science-relevant project options, offering high school students the opportunity to work directly alongside professional scientists in an advanced research environment. You’ll contribute to active research projects and gain hands-on experience in laboratory or computational settings. For data science and computing, the Scientific Programming track focuses on analyzing and interpreting large, complex datasets generated by modern neuroscience research. You’ll develop software tools for data analysis and may use programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, Java, or C/C++, applying computational methods to real scientific problems. You’ll prepare a written scientific abstract based on your research and deliver a final presentation at the conclusion of the program, building both analytical and scientific communication skills.
Location: Multiple U.S. locations
Cost: Paid internship
Program dates: 10–12 weeks during the summer, late May or early June to late July or early August
Application deadline: Rolling; hiring continues through spring
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work permanently in the U.S., with strong academic performance and interest in technology, analytics, or public-interest research. Rising college juniors or seniors also eligible
The MITRE High School Internship Program offers you the opportunity to work on real-world research and technology projects alongside experienced professionals. You’ll contribute directly to mission-driven initiatives while gaining exposure to fields such as data science, analytics, computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering. Rather than observing from the sidelines, you will be embedded in active project teams and take on responsibilities similar to entry-level staff. Throughout the summer, you’ll participate in MITRE’s structured Learning Track Program, which includes technical talks, mentorship, networking events, and project showcases. With access to mentors, cross-functional teams, and long-term career pathways, this internship is well-suited for high-achieving students interested in applied data science and research-oriented careers.
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 29 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Students must be current high school juniors at the time of application and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a highly selective summer research internship supported by the Simons Foundation and hosted at Stony Brook University. You are matched with faculty mentors, join an active research group, and take responsibility for a defined research project. Over the course of the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in research methodologies, analytical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. You’ll conclude the program by producing a written research abstract and presenting your work at a poster symposium. In addition to daily research work, you’ll attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in workshops, tours, and academic events that provide exposure to life at a major research university. The program is an excellent option for high school students interested in data-driven scientific research, computational analysis, and advanced STEM inquiry.
Location: On-site at participating Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) locations across the United States
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Start and end dates vary by site, project, and funding availability. Interns must have a minimum 8-week participation requirement.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by AFRL site and project. Check site-specific pages for exact timelines.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens must be at least 16 years old with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The AFRL Scholars Program is a research-intensive STEM internship that places selected students alongside full-time Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers to work on cutting-edge, mission-driven research projects. While the program spans a wide range of STEM disciplines, many projects involve data analysis, computational modeling, simulation, or analytics, making it a strong option for those seeking data science–relevant research experience in a federal research environment. You’ll contribute directly to research initiatives, gaining exposure to real-world problem-solving across applied science, engineering systems, and technology development. You may be required to write technical reports and, in some cases, present your research findings at the end of the program, building both analytical and scientific communication skills.
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Cost: Free, $750 stipend
Program Dates: June 21 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, and must be at least 17 years old by the program start date.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a research-intensive summer internship designed for outstanding high school students interested in advanced academic research. While the program spans multiple disciplines, it offers data science-relevant project options through research areas such as computer science, electrical and computer engineering, physics, and computationally driven scientific fields, depending on the year’s available projects. You’ll engage deeply in research methodology, analytical thinking, and problem-solving, culminating in a formal research project report. In addition to research work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars and structured programming, as well as organized social and weekend activities that foster a collaborative cohort experience.
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, Maryland
Cost: Unpaid internship
Program Dates: June 23 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum 2.8 GPA.
The ASPIRE Internship Program is a highly selective, research-intensive summer internship that allows high school students to explore real-world STEM careers in a professional research environment. You are paired one-on-one with APL staff mentors and work on projects that require independent thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. While ASPIRE spans a wide range of STEM disciplines, many projects involve data-driven analysis, computational problem-solving, modeling, and technical research, making it a strong option for students seeking data science–relevant internship experience within a research lab setting. The program culminates in the ASPIRE student showcase, where you’ll present final posters highlighting your work.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia, and Manassas, Virginia
Cost: $1,299
Program Dates: June 18 - August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates with a minimum age of 15 years old.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is a nationally recognized, research-intensive summer internship with data science–relevant project options, offering high school students the opportunity to conduct original research under one-on-one mentorship from faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions. You’ll work full-time on authentic research projects using state-of-the-art tools and technologies, while developing scientific writing, data analysis, and research communication skills. The projects span a wide range of disciplines, including data science for social good, machine learning, data mining, and computer modeling and simulations, among others. A distinctive feature of ASSIP is that successful completion of the internship earns you three transferable college credits, allowing you to formally document your research experience on a university transcript.
Location: Stanford University, California
Cost: Unpaid internship, no cost.
Program Dates: June 22 - August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors and must be at least 14 years old.
The SHTEM Summer Internship Program is a research-intensive summer internship with data science–adjacent project options, designed to give high school students early exposure to interdisciplinary research in a university setting. Hosted by the Stanford Compression Forum, the program places you into mentor-guided research teams working on multifaceted projects that span science, technology, engineering, and the humanities. You’ll collaborate with Stanford-affiliated students, faculty, and staff on research themes that may combine computer science, information and communication science, technology, engineering, and design, among other fields. While projects are interdisciplinary by nature, those interested in computational thinking, information-driven research, and technology-focused problem-solving may find strong alignment with data science–relevant work, depending on the project placement. The program emphasizes hands-on research experience, exposure to academic research culture, and the integration of technical and human-centered perspectives.
Location: Austin, Texas
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June – July, with on-site research from July 5 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens only; current high school sophomores or juniors who are 16 years old.
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Internship is a nationally competitive, research-intensive summer internship with data science–relevant project options, designed for high school students. Hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research in collaboration with NASA, SEES places you on mission-based research teams aligned with national aerospace and Earth systems priorities. You’ll work alongside NASA scientists, academic researchers, and industry experts to analyze, visualize, and interpret large scientific datasets, including satellite and remote sensing data. Many projects incorporate Python-based data analysis, systems modeling, and computational workflows, giving you hands-on exposure to how data science is used in fields such as climate science, planetary science, space geodesy, and natural hazard analysis. The internship culminates in a formal research presentation at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium, where you’ll share your findings with scientists, educators, and families.
Location: San Diego, California
Cost: $1,500 registration fee
Program dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
The UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) is a research-intensive summer internship hosted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California, San Diego. Designed to build awareness of computational science and related research fields, REHS places you on established research projects under the guidance of computational research scientists. During the program, you’ll learn how to formulate and test hypotheses, run computational experiments, and analyze results, while participating in regular lab meetings and group discussions. You’ll work in pairs or small groups and receive close mentorship. The experience culminates in the creation of a scientific research poster that reflects your work, insights, and future academic goals, showcased at a celebratory event later in the summer.
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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