15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Canada

If you are a high school student in Canada, a summer internship in the country can help you learn how different careers work and give you experience that schools and employers value. You get to do real tasks, follow work routines, and build skills that are useful in many fields. You might try coding, teaching, lab research, writing, or mechanical work and find something you want to keep doing. 

Doing an internship in a subject you care about shows that you take initiative and want to learn beyond the classroom. It can also help you get used to deadlines, teamwork, and real project tasks. College admissions officers often notice when students show early interest in a subject through outside work like this.

To get started, we have put together a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Canada! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!

15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Canada

1. Ladder Internship Program

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

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 is an eight-week virtual program that places high school students with early-stage startups across fields like tech, health, journalism, and finance. You’ll work directly with startup founders and receive weekly guidance from a Ladder mentor. Most participating startups are venture-backed, giving you a look at how fast-growing companies operate. You’ll take on real projects, contribute to ongoing work, and present your results to the team by the end of the internship. Apply here.

2. RBC Summer Tech Labs 

Location: Ontario-based students; virtual/in-person hybrid (depending on cohort year)

Cost: Free and paid internships

Dates: July 2–August 20

Application deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Open to students in grades 11–12 currently enrolled in an Ontario high school with an interest in computer science, engineering, or entrepreneurship

RBC Summer Tech Labs is a paid eight-week internship for Ontario high school students interested in coding, design, and technology. You’ll join a small team as an Innovation Developer, where you’ll design and build a prototype that solves a real business problem at RBC. You’ll use tools like JavaScript, React.js, and GitHub, while also learning about product development, user interface design, and team collaboration. The program includes mentorship from RBC professionals and gives you exposure to how tech solutions are built within a large company.

3. Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program

Location: BC Cancer – Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, Victoria, British Columbia

Cost: Free

Dates: July – August (8 weeks)

Application deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Grade 11 students enrolled in Vancouver Island secondary schools; each school may nominate up to two students

The Xavier Pelletier High School Internship Program is a research-focused summer internship for students entering Grade 12 in Canada. Based at the Deeley Research Centre, you’ll work directly with cancer researchers, assist in lab experiments, and attend seminars on topics like immunotherapy and molecular biology. The program gives you a close look at how research happens, from lab techniques to the everyday challenges scientists face. This internship is nomination-based, so your school’s science department must recommend you. 

4. Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Program

Location: Participating high schools across Saskatchewan

Cost: Free; includes trade-related benefits upon completion

Dates: School-year based; varies by school

Application deadline: Rolling; dependent on school enrollment

Eligibility: Open to high school students in Saskatchewan enrolled in participating schools

The Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Program is a hands-on career exploration opportunity for Canadian high school students interested in skilled trades. You’ll complete 12 tasks that introduce you to apprenticeship systems and help you learn about trades like plumbing, machining, and welding. With support from a teacher or counselor, you’ll track your progress throughout the program. After completing the tasks, you can earn up to 300 hours of trade time credit and have your registration and tuition fees waived for Level 1 training in a Saskatchewan trade.

5. Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Program

Location: Accepted students are assigned to a university and a week

Cost: Free and unpaid

Dates: Week 1: May 11–16, University of Manitoba; Week 2: July 6–11, University of Saskatchewan; Week 3: July 20–25, University of Calgary; Week 4: July 27–August 1, The University of British Columbia 

Application deadline: December 20

Eligibility: Applicant must self-identify as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student currently in grades 11 or 12

The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Program is a one-week research experience for Indigenous high school students interested in STEM. Hosted at partner universities across Canada, the program lets you choose a research field and work alongside faculty and graduate mentors on lab-based projects and academic seminars. You’ll stay on campus with housing and meals provided, giving you a full preview of university life. The program includes educational and cultural support, and you’ll receive a certificate at the end. Participants may also become eligible for future scholarships.

6. STEM Co-Operative Placement Program 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free and unpaid

Dates: Semester-based; Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions available

Application deadline: Rolling; early inquiries recommended due to limited spots

Eligibility: Open to Canadian high school students in Grade 11 or 12 completing a school-supported co-op placement

The STEM Co-Operative Placement Program is a virtual internship for high school students in Canada interested in science communication and space research. You’ll join a small team of two or three students to work on projects related to planetary science, chemistry, or Canadian space studies. Tasks may include coding, designing models, and creating educational materials. You’ll receive one-on-one feedback from mentors and learn how to explain complex scientific ideas to public audiences.

7. ELITE Program for Black Youth – Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship

Location: Various sites across Canada (including universities, industry, and government labs); some virtual components may be possible

Cost: Paid (full-time or part-time)

Dates: 8–16 weeks (typically July–August for high school students)

Application deadline: The portal opens in November each year. Check here.

Eligibility: Black youth ages 15–22 who are high school students, post-secondary students, or transitioning into post-secondary education

The ELITE Program for Black Youth is a paid internship program in Canada for Black students aged 15 to 22, including high schoolers. You’ll be matched with university labs, government agencies, or industry professionals and work in STEM fields such as robotics, tissue engineering, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Placements can last 8 to 16 weeks and may be full-time or part-time. Along with technical training, the program includes leadership workshops, entrepreneurship sessions, and career coaching.

8. Summer Brand Ambassador and Marketing Intern

Location: Remote (Guelph)

Cost: Free; paid internship

Dates: 10–15 hours per week in July–August (start/end dates flexible)

Application deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 10–12 interested in marketing, social media, design, or communications

Sunny Dental Centre Marketing Internship is a part-time, paid opportunity for high school students in Canada interested in marketing, communications, or design. You’ll work with a local healthcare business to create social media posts, design promotional materials, and improve online presence. Tasks include taking photos, using tools like Canva, and reviewing engagement data to suggest changes. The internship provides guidance and mentorship while allowing you to take initiative. 

9. Quantum School for Young Students

Location: University of Waterloo

Cost: Free

Dates: August 11-15, with an optional in-person lab day for students from the Waterloo region on August 18

Application deadline: June 8

Eligibility: Open to grade 11–12 students (or equivalent, like Secondary V and CÉGEP in Quebec)

Quantum School for Young Students (QSYS) is an in-person summer enrichment program at the University of Waterloo for high school students with a strong interest in physics and math. You’ll attend lectures from quantum researchers, join group discussions, and work through problem-solving sessions on topics like superposition, entanglement, and quantum algorithms. The program also covers key math concepts such as complex numbers and linear algebra. QSYS connects you with students and mentors who are interested in quantum science, offering access to one of Canada’s leading research institutions in this field.

10. seed2STEM Summer Research Program 

Location: Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia

Cost: Free; minimum wage for 25 hours/week

Dates: July 7–August 15

Application deadline: Typically due in Spring

Eligibility: Open to Indigenous high school students (Grades 9–12) in Metro Vancouver or Kelowna; must be eligible to work in Canada.

seed2STEM is a six-week paid summer research internship for Indigenous high school students in British Columbia. You will work part-time in university labs, mainly at UBC or nearby institutions, on projects in neuroscience, biology, chemistry, engineering, or physics. Along with lab work, you will join weekly group activities, attend guest seminars, go on field trips, and take part in cultural events. The program provides support, including meals, transit passes, youth workers, and travel bursaries for students from remote areas. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a final symposium.

11. StAR (Students Advancing Research) Program 

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Cost/Stipend: Paid

Dates: 6 weeks, summer (exact dates vary)

Application deadline:  Starts in spring

Eligibility: Open to Grade 11 or 12 high school students who are at least 16 years old and identify as Indigenous, Black, or Filipino; must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents

SickKids StAR Program is a six-week paid internship for Indigenous, Black, and Filipino high school students in Canada who are interested in health research. You will work in a lab at SickKids, conduct research under the guidance of scientists and research staff, and gain hands-on experience in biomedical science. The program also includes workshops and career activities through the Kids Science initiative, giving you a broader look at STEM pathways. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings at a formal symposium.

12. SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program 

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Cost: Varies; some positions paid or grant-funded, others voluntary

Dates: 15 weeks, May – mid-August

Application deadline: Rolling; job postings and researcher-led hiring vary

Eligibility: Open to high school students who will be enrolled in a university/college undergraduate program in the fall following the summer program

The SSuRe Program at SickKids gives high school and undergraduate students the chance to conduct research under the guidance of SickKids scientists during the summer. There is no central application process. Instead, you contact individual researchers directly to ask about joining their lab. If accepted, you can take part in SSuRe activities such as weekly seminars, career development sessions with research staff, and a final Summer Student Symposium where you present your project. The program is flexible and lets you shape your experience based on your interests.

13. Blueprint by University of Toronto

Location: U of T’s St George Campus

Cost: Free

Dates: July 7 – August 1 (followed by biweekly events from October to February)

Application deadline: November 13–March 28

Eligibility: Open to Black students in grades 10–11

Blueprint is a four-week summer program for high school students hosted by the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. You will take two engineering courses focused on areas like human health, automation, or robotics, and learn the engineering design process through hands-on projects. Master's and Doctoral students guide you through academic sessions, group work, and creative problem solving. The program also includes excursions and peer networking, helping you build technical and teamwork skills while exploring real-world challenges.

14. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)

Location: Various Google offices across the U.S. and Canada

Dates: CSSI programs usually run from June to August

Application deadline: Applications are open from March to May

Eligibility: High school seniors intending to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in the US or Canada in computer science or a related field

Computer Science Summer Institute is a three-week program for high school graduates who are about to enter university programs in computer science or related fields. Hosted by Google, the program includes daily instruction in core computer science concepts, team-based coding projects, and mentorship from Google engineers. You will build software tools, explore different tech career paths, and learn in a real-world corporate environment. Space is limited, but CSSI offers strong early exposure to the tech industry for students planning to study computer science at the post-secondary level.

15. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Available across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. Participants are assigned an area that is within a 45-minute commute of their home.

Cost: No cost, $3,000 stipend

Program dates: June – August (flexible)

Application deadline: January 19

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date

Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship for high school students interested in environmental science and conservation. You will work alongside fisheries biologists on projects that may include habitat monitoring, fish population surveys, water quality sampling, and lab analysis. You will be matched with mentors and take part in hands-on research that supports real ecological studies. 

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. 

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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