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10 Summer STEM Internships for High School Students

Writer's picture: Stephen TurbanStephen Turban

For high school students keen on exploring STEM beyond their academics, summer internships are a solid way to gain exposure outside the classroom and build a solid network. These internships offer practical experience and insights into different STEM professions, such as research, engineering, and technology.


Early involvement in STEM can greatly enhance your college applications by showcasing your engagement, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in a STEM career. Engaging in STEM internships during high school allows you to develop essential skills, acquire real-world experience, and explore various career paths within STEM.


Here is a curated list of 10 summer STEM internships specially tailored for high school students. Note: Please keep in mind the following information is for 2024-2025, though dates tend to be similar from year to year.


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 range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.


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

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!


Application deadline: November 3. You can apply here.

Duration: June 17 - August 2

Location: Stanford University

Cost: Free

Eligibility: Students 16 years of age and older with an interest in biomedical science and healthcare careers. Those from low-income families or under-resourced environments who will be first-generation college students or from underrepresented minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.


Students interested in healthcare and research are selected for this internship. These students get to work alongside clinicians and scientists in Stanford’s labs. A large number of mentors for the STaRS internship program have attained leadership roles themselves due to early mentoring. Applications open in September. The application process includes a written application and a letter of recommendation. If you're below the age of 18, you will have to submit signed parental consent forms to work in the laboratories.


NASA's Office of STEM Engagement offers high school students paid internships. Participants receive mentoring, training, and career development guidance throughout their internship experience. At NASA's centers, students engage in research using cutting-edge facilities and technology. Their research areas span space exploration, aerospace engineering, robotics, satellites, and related fields, providing them with valuable practical experience in STEM disciplines.


Location: Various NASA centers throughout the country.

Stipend: A stipend is paid based on academic level and session duration.

Application Deadline: Spring: Aug. 23; Summer: Feb. 28; Fall: May 16

Program Dates: Typically May-August, but check specific dates for postings.

Eligibility: High school students with a 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old at the time of the application.


Primarily a research program, this program will pair you with a mentor from George Mason University to work on a specific project. A wide range of research areas are available, including Earth Science, Molecular Medicine, Cyber Security, Finance, Astronomy, Math, Forensic Science, and more. The format of the program differs with each project. You will use sophisticated technology and equipment, develop scientific writing, and explore STEM careers.


Location: Remote, in-person, and hybrid options available

Cost: $25 application fee, no stipend. Application fees can be waived depending on need. 

Application Deadline: February 11th

Program Dates: June 18th - Aug. 9th

Eligibility: Students must be over the age of 15 for remote and computer lab in-person internships and over the age of 16 for “wet-lab” in-person internships


This program offers high school students exposure to research and diverse topics in an academic setting. Hosted by Stanford University, this remote internship allows students to explore various subjects. Participants will spend 30-40 hours per week on research, guided by Stanford faculty and industry experts. Teams can work on projects in fields such as biology, neuroscience, psychology, information and communication science, technology, computer science, the arts, and more. At the end of the program, students will present their projects with their teams.


Location: Virtual

Dates: June 17 - August 9

Stipend: This is an unpaid internship, but stipends may be provided based on financial need.

Eligibility: The applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors at the time of application and at least 14 years old by June 17.

Deadline: Applications typically close in February every year.


JHIBS is a fully funded summer research opportunity for talented high school students from underrepresented communities. You will work with top neuroscientists on projects, attend scientific seminars, and join weekly development sessions. Available both on-campus and virtually, the program accepts 5-6 students, provides an hourly stipend, and covers transportation costs. At the end of the program, students present their research through an oral or poster presentation.


Location: Virtual and in-person options.

Dates: 8 weeks, June - August (in-person); 5 weeks, July - August (virtual)

Stipend: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend (amount varies), while virtual interns receive a stipend of $500.

Eligibility:

  • Juniors and seniors from around the country are eligible to apply to the 5-week, virtual program.

  • Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area from underrepresented groups are eligible for the in-person program.

Deadline: March 1.


The Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE) is a paid 7-week internship program aimed at increasing interest in medical research among students from underrepresented groups. The program pairs students with mentors for lab projects in immunology and related fields. Participants also take part in coursework, lectures, and workshops. The program targets students from gateway communities in Greater Boston, including Cambridge, Boston, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Brockton, and Chelsea. RISE seeks to encourage rising high school seniors and undergraduates to pursue careers in research.


Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Dates: The program runs from June 24 to August 9 for high school students. 

Cost/Stipend:  High school students are paid $17 per hour. 

Eligibility: The program is open to high school students from underrepresented communities in the Greater Boston area. High school students must be rising seniors with an interest in STEM.

Deadline: March 15. Final selection to be made by April 19th. 


The Forsyth Institute Student Scholars Summer Internship Program offers an eight-week STEM research experience for high school students in the Boston metro area. Participants work with scientists on advanced research. They learn lab techniques, conduct projects, and present findings. The program includes weekly presentations and lectures on oral health research, immunology, and microbiology.


Location: Massachusetts, Boston metro area.

Dates: Eight weeks during the summer; exact dates vary each year. 

Cost/Stipend: Paid Internship.

Eligibility: The program is open to high school sophomores and juniors in Massachusetts. 

Deadline: TBA


With an acceptance rate of under 5%, this program offers students the chance to work on a year-long astrophysics project with a scientist from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center. Each year, 10-16 students are selected to collaborate on their projects. Interns attend monthly workshops and lectures to enhance their learning. At the end of the program, students present their research at a symposium through posters and presentations.


Location: Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) or virtual 

Cost/Stipend: A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge. 

Application Deadline: Applications open in May. 

Program Dates: September - May

Eligibility: Must be a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student.


AIMI offers a 2-week virtual internship focused on the technical and clinical aspects of AI in healthcare. The program features lectures, mentoring, social activities, group research projects, and virtual Career Lunch and Learns with guest speakers. Students can also choose an extended independent research internship. Aiming to advance AI research in medicine for public benefit, the program is ideal for those interested in health and technology. It is highly competitive, accepting only about 20 students each year.


Location: Virtual

Dates: June 17 - 28

Stipend: This is an unpaid internship. Students will receive a certificate upon completion and the potential to extend their internship.

Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project

Deadline: March 31


One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, you could also 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 4000 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 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.


Image Source: Ragon Institute logo

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