16 Paid Summer Internships for High School Students
Internships can be a great way to explore your areas of interest and get some hands-on work experience before deciding on a college degree. An internship could involve projects or research work, which can be a solid way to enhance your resume while simultaneously participating in an enriching experience, both academically and professionally. Not to mention, many internships offer stipends so you’ll earn while you work!
However, your choice of internships can seem limited due to factors like location, costs, and timelines. So we’ve compiled a list of 16 best summer internships that offer a stipend. This list has options that range across the fields of STEM, arts, and business, among others. With these internships, you can work alongside leaders in your field of choice, such as engineers, senators, scientists, artists and business leaders. We’ve included the detailed information on stipends, eligibility criteria, and deadlines, so you can find an internship that aligns with your interests!
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are at least 16 years old when the internship begins can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. Before applying, you should check if your preferred lab has other requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open on August 1, 2024 for 2025
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
SEAP is an immersive research apprenticeship for high school students interested in STEM fields. The program places 300 students in around 38 Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country, where they will participate in research in subjects like computer science, physics, chemistry, aeronautics, mathematics, and more.
As an apprentice, you will work alongside and be mentored by expert researchers and engineers at the laboratory of your choice. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded foundation in STEM research.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Subject areas: Students have to choose one track—immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Program dates: June 10, 2024–August 1, 2024
Stipend: Students can earn a stipend of $500–$2,500. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Note: The program has a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipends of $2,500 and above are given on a needs-based system through special grants.
SIMR is an 8-week research-intensive internship for high school students. While applying, you can choose from 8 areas of research: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. During the program, you will be paired with a mentor, typically a Stanford graduate student or postdoctoral fellow, who will guide you through your research project.
The goal is to give high school students a specialized and in-depth understanding of research and help hone their laboratory skills!
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject areas: Biology, marine biology, aquatic science, fisheries science, ecology, conservation, and geology
Location: You will be assigned mentors in your area, typically within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the United States, Mexico, and Canada can apply.
Application deadline: January 16, 2024
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer. Start and end dates are flexible and are decided by the intern and the mentor.
Stipend: $3,000 stipend + an all-expense-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. It is ideal for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. With this hands-on internship, you will gain a holistic understanding of marine or freshwater research while partaking in laboratory and field research.
You will work outdoors in the field and in a laboratory. Some of the activities you are expected to carry out as an intern are electrofishing, examining specimens, data processing, and establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats. Additionally, you will get to go on an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit, which involves 3 days of programming intended to enhance your college readiness and provide a deeper understanding of the field of fisheries.
Subject areas: Computer science, business
Location: Menlo Park, CA.
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City can apply.
Application deadline: March 1, 2024
Program dates: June 17, 2024–July 26, 2024
Stipend: Students receive a stipend, but details regarding the exact amount are not available.
Meta, previously Facebook, conducts its yearly summer internship program Meta Summer Academy for high school students interested in learning about how the social media giant runs. As an intern, you will witness first-hand how Meta conducts its day-to-day activities and engage with the operations. You will also be paired with a Meta professional who will offer guidance as a mentor throughout the program. You will also pick up concepts in computer science and explore careers during the internship. Meta provides transportation to all students to commute to the site, making it an accessible internship opportunity.
5. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—biomedical sciences, biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, math, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, nursing, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields
Location: NIH campus and labs located in Bethesda, Baltimore, and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Hamilton, MT; Framingham, MA; and Phoenix, AZ
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are 17 years or older on June 15, 2024 can apply. There are some additional requirements for HS-SIP cohort programs: HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Application deadline: The applications typically close in February.
Program dates: June to August (tentative, based on previous years). HiSTEP will be held from July 2, 2024, to August 1, 2024, and HiSTEP 2.0 will run from June 10, 2024, to August 2, 2024.
Stipend: $2,300–$2,530
The High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) is a research-focused opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health. It is meant for students interested in healthcare and research, especially in fields of biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences along with engineering, nursing, computer science, and psychology. Once selected, you will be assigned a research group and work on a project under the guidance of a principal investigator. You could also apply for either of the HS-SIP cohort programs: HiSTEP or HiSTEP 2.0.
HiSTEP is a part-time summer internship program for high school juniors, who are expected to spend 21 hours a week undergoing training in STEM research and participating in group projects and discussions.
HiSTEP 2.0 is a full-time internship program for high school seniors, who will be granted research positions. They will be expected to work for 8 weeks in the summer, 40 hours a week, designing and conducting independent research.
Both the programs, along with the broader HS-SIP, offer weekly workshops and seminars to develop professional, and personal skills of students in addition to enhancing their scientific research skills.
6. Summer Experience at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research
Subject areas: Biology, laboratory science
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are at least 17 years old can apply.
Application deadline: May 15, 2024
Program dates: July 17, 2024–August 19, 2024
Stipend: $1,000
The Coriell Institute for Medical Research offers students the opportunity to work in Production Laboratories under the guidance of renowned scientists and learn various lab techniques. Here, you will engage with fundamental methods of generating, freezing, and distributing the samples at the Coriell Biobank.
You will have the opportunity to observe and explore karyotyping through which scientists can identify genetic disorders helping interns understand cutting-edge research in genetics. You also get to work in the Stem Cell and Molecular Biology Labs, where you can learn about induced pluripotent stem cells and DNA extraction, respectively. The program also places a strong emphasis on professional development, so you will participate in seminars and workshops for resume-building, mock interviews, and exploring career options in STEM, making this a well-rounded experience for professional development.
7. U.S. Senate Summer Page Program
Subject areas: Public service, political science, public policy, legislature
Location: Washington, DC
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and rising seniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment can apply.
Application deadline: This information will be available on the respective senator’s website, and if not, you can contact their office for details.
Program dates: July 21, 2024–August 2, 2024
Stipend: Stipend is based on an annual salary of $35,360. As most pages do not serve the entire year, they can expect a monthly stipend of $2,946.
The U.S. Senate Summer Page Program allows students to gain insight into public service while working alongside the nation’s top senators. As an intern, you will deliver correspondence and legislative material in Senate office buildings, prepare the Chamber for Senate sessions, work on the Senate floor on roll call votes, carry bills and amendments to the desk, and do much more. This a great opportunity for students interested in political science and legislature to gain networking opportunities and learn about various on-ground legislative procedures!
During the internship, you will also be part of the Page school, where you will take courses and undergo training to complement your work as a page. Studies could extend to subjects like American and British literature, algebra, calculus, US history and government, physics, and chemistry.
8. KP Launch High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Subject areas: Healthcare (non-medical, administrative roles)
Location: You can work at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to you. Find a facility near you.
Eligibility: High school students who are 16–19 years old can apply. Priority is given to juniors and senior-level students. Those applying must have the right to work in the US. Check all the requirements here before applying.
Application deadline: Applications typically close December-end.
Program dates: June 17, 2024–August 2, 2024
Stipend: $15.50–18 per hour
Kaiser Permanente’s 7-week internship program aims to offer high school students a chance to experience working in the healthcare sector. As an intern, you will engage with a number of related fields that are crucial to healthcare such as business administration, accounting, sales and marketing, communications, product development, and more.
This program also places a strong emphasis on professional development, so you will also engage in hands-on tasks, observational experiences, and educational workshops that will build on your existing knowledge of healthcare and many aspects of administration.
9. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Subject areas: Business, administration, nonprofit work, public service
Location: Multiple locations in the country—you will be assigned a local non-profit organization in your region/area. The Leadership Summit will be held in Washington DC.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. See the complete eligibility criteria here.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in October and close in January.
Program dates: 8-week summer internship, including an all-expenses-covered week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Dates vary by location, but the internship usually begins shortly after the school year ends.
Stipend: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount. The trip to Washington DC is covered by Bank of America!
Every year, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects about 300 driven high schoolers to work with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity and engage in community service. It is also a chance to explore various aspects of running such an organization and build a deeper understanding of social issues. You will also participate in a one-week, all-expenses-paid Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. During the internship as well as the summit, you will gain insights into how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate and work on community service projects.
10. Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program
Subject areas: Computer science, software engineering
Location: Redmond, WA
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (rising first-year students of a bachelor’s degree program) who are at least 16 years old and live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington and Atlanta, Georgia can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here before applying.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program dates: July 8, 2024–August 2, 2024
Stipend: $20 per hour
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is a great way for high-school tech enthusiasts to explore careers in the computer science and technology fields. As an intern, you will work on the design phase of the product development cycle. This experience will help you develop a strong understanding of computer science and programming fundamentals and hone professional and communication skills. You will also be mentored by Microsoft employees who will help you explore various career paths in tech both within and beyond Microsoft. You will work with a small team on a project and get some exposure to various aspects of product development.
11. The Met Summer High School Internships
Subject areas: Art, design, museum studies, marketing, communication
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can apply.
Application deadline: March 8, 2024
Program dates: July 8, 2024–August 9, 2024. Students will be expected to attend a few training and orientation sessions toward the end of June as well.
Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a $1,100 stipend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers high school students the opportunity to work alongside museum staff and engage with the collections, artists, and various departments. As an intern, you will collaborate not only with museum professionals but also with professionals in marketing, scientific research, social media, law, and educational programming, helping you explore various careers. You will also take part in Career Labs, that are two-hour sessions where curators, educators, designers, conservators, and other staff discuss their professional journeys and conduct workshops to help you try your hand at various museum tasks.
12. Geosciences Bridge Program
Subject areas: Geosciences—atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, civil and environmental engineering, environmental science, marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, physical oceanography, remote sensing/GIS, and more.
Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in the US who will be first-year undergraduates in the fall can apply. The program particularly encourages students from underrepresented groups who are planning to pursue a career in geoscience to apply.
Application deadline: You can expect the deadline for the 2024 cohort to be around April-end.
Program dates: 6 weeks in June–August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Stipend: $500 per week, along with travel reimbursements. The program covers all lectures, field trips, college courses, housing, and meals.
The Geosciences Bridge Program is a great option for high schoolers interested in geosciences. During the 6-week internship, you will engage in hands-on activities in the fields of ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques that aim to bridge the gap between your high school studies and future college education. During this intensive program, you will also take two college-level courses that you can use towards college credit. The program also covers your meals, housing, and travel to and from the University of Maryland.
13. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary depending on the department selected, with a focus on communications, research, policy, public service, and political science
Location: New York City (across various city department offices)
Eligibility Criteria: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply. All applicants under 18 need to have their youth working papers to be eligible for the program.
Application deadline: March 31, 2024
Program dates: June 24, 2024–August 16, 2024
Stipend: $16 per hour
The NYC Mayor’s Office offers high school students the chance to explore city governance, policy, and planning. As an intern, you will conduct research, attend meetings, manage incoming inquiries, analyze data, draft briefings, help with staffing events, and more.
You will also work alongside government officials and attend sessions with guest speakers such as deputy mayors, commissioners, program directors, and other officials. The experience will offer a first-hand look at government and public service careers. You will also work on a service project, dedicated to uplifting deserving NYC communities. You can choose to apply to any of the departments based on your interests.
14. QuarkNet Summer Research Program by Fermilab
Subject areas: Particle physics
Location: Fermilab, Illinois
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Illinois who are at least 16 years old can apply. Check the complete requirements here before applying.
Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Program dates: June 17, 2024–August 2, 2024
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Students interested in STEM can consider this 7-week internship program offered by Fermilab. As an intern, you will get to work on research projects, exploring fields such as particle physics, particle accelerators and detectors, and computer and quantum science. You can mention your research area preferences while applying. During the internship, you will also learn about research techniques. The internship also involves working on a research abstract and oral presentations to share your findings.
15. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, outreach, communications, and more
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students can select opportunities in their cities or opt for virtual internships here.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum 3.0 GPA can apply.
Application deadline: January (Fall Session) | August (Spring Session) | October (Summer Session)
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions. Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Stipend: Most interns receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students a chance to contribute to the agency’s mission of advancing science. It is also a chance for you to get some work experience in fields such as space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications. As an intern, you can even support NASA’s business and program management work, which involves procurement, budgeting, accounting, information technology, and security. You will work alongside leading research scientists and mentors, helping you network and receive career guidance in your chosen field! An internship at NASA is a great way to engage with real-world research while getting solid insight into the agency’s ongoing work.
You can check out available opportunities here.
16. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: Multiple locations across the country. Find one that works for you!
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old (by the application deadline) are eligible. You should check all the eligibility requirements before applying.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program dates: Varies from project to project, but internships typically run 10–12 weeks, with a minimum requirement of 8 weeks.
Stipend: $468.80 per week
The AFRL, through its Scholars Program, offers motivated high school students interested in aerospace engineering a chance to engage with cutting-edge research. As an intern, you will work with AFRL scientists and researchers on ongoing research in the fields of aerospace/mechanical design for morphing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, metal design and modeling, and more. Check out all the research topics here.
For instance, this summer, high schoolers could choose from research topics like Experimental Testing for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine, Characterization of High-Temperature Structural Materials, and Advanced Methods of Photon Collection and Interpretation, among others.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.