Summer internships are a practical way to build advanced skills and gain experience that extends beyond classroom learning, especially if you’re in high school. These programs often focus on technical problem-solving, research design, or applied professional tools that are relevant to both academic and career development. Participating in a structured internship allows you to work on projects, interact with mentors, and sharpen competencies that are not usually covered in standard coursework. If you’re based in Maryland and looking for something local, this blog is for you.
The state is home to major research institutions, hospitals, and technology-driven companies, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, College Park. Choosing a program close to home can also be financially efficient, as it eliminates relocation costs while still providing access to high-quality learning opportunities.
In this list, we’ve highlighted 15 internships for high school students in Maryland.
14 Best Internships for High School Students in Maryland
1. MathQuantum High School Fellowship
Location: Online, hosted by UMD, College Park, MD
Stipend: None
Dates: 2 weeks from the middle/end of July
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: High school students interested in mathematics, computer science, physics, and/or quantum information science | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This program has a cohort of 10 fellows and completes a compact curriculum in math and quantum information science, combining lectures, seminars, and hands-on activities. You’ll practice core mathematical tools used in quantum research like algebra/representation theory, nonlinear analysis, PDEs, scientific computing, stochastic analysis, data science, and machine learning, and connect them to applications like quantum algorithms, cryptography, and dynamical systems. The program culminates in a mini-project, accompanied by a short presentation, which emphasizes research framing, computational experimentation, and technical communication. Expectations include full attendance, participation in professional development workshops, and (when offered) completing the Qubit by Qubit camp.
2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, East Baltimore Campus with a virtual option
Stipend: Hourly wage and transportation funds
Dates: 8 weeks (in-person, June – August); 5 weeks (virtual, June–August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | In-person program limited to Baltimore City public school students, virtual program open nationwide.
JHIBS immerses students in neurological research and clinical practice, combining mentored projects with exposure to medical settings. If you are an in-person intern, conduct research at the Department of Neurology, attend scientific seminars, and participate in clinical rotations alongside Johns Hopkins neurologists. If you attend the virtual program, you will engage in educational presentations, lab skills training, and professional development workshops, supported by structured mentorship. Both formats emphasize practice in scientific communication while learning core techniques in neuroscience and biomedical research. The program ends with a research symposium where you present your findings to peers, faculty, and other participants.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Nationwide placements, including Maryland, within 45-minute commute of the student’s home
Cost/Stipend: None / $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks during June – August; flexible dates can be arranged with mentor
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors at the time of internship | 16 years of age by June 1
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship and mentoring initiative for high school students, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. It pairs you with professional fisheries biologists for mentored summer research where you will gain hands-on field and lab experience in aquatic ecology, environmental monitoring, and fisheries management practices. Projects may involve sampling fish populations, analyzing aquatic habitats, or collecting water quality data. Alongside technical training, students build skills in data collection, teamwork, and ecological problem-solving while being introduced to career pathways in environmental science and conservation. The structured mentorship ensures guidance on both scientific methods and professional development.
4. Maryland Public Television (MPT) Internship Program
Location: Owings Mills, MD, and virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: Typically early June to mid August
Application Deadline: Rolling, before each session
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Maryland Public Television Internship Program exposes students to television programming, media production, development, and business operations within a statewide public broadcasting network. If you are a high school student, you will support staff in areas such as program scheduling, production assistance, and research for co-productions, while also learning how nonprofit media organizations manage content distribution and outreach. The program emphasizes communication skills, technical exposure to broadcast workflows, and organizational project support. You will be expected to commit to 16 hours per week during standard business hours, with occasional evenings or weekends depending on assignments.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Maryland (placements at local nonprofits) + Washington, D.C. (week-long leadership summit)
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8 weeks in summer + week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC between July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are permanent residents on Maryland | No previous participation in the program
This program places students in paid nonprofit internships, where they will contribute to projects that focus on community impact, organizational management, and service delivery. Past placements have included roles at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, providing hands-on experience in nonprofit operations. The program also consists of a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll analyze how government, business, and nonprofit sectors collaborate on civic challenges. You will develop technical skills in project coordination, teamwork, and community engagement, while also building a professional network through structured mentorship and peer collaboration.
6. Geosciences Bridge Program
Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Princess Anne, MD
Cost/Stipend: None / $500 per week
Dates: 6 weeks of summer; late June/early July – August
Application Deadline: Typically in spring
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Minimum 2.7 GPA | Have been accepted into an accredited U.S. college/university and plan to pursue a geoscience-related field
The Geosciences Bridge Program is a six-week paid summer internship designed specifically for high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in geosciences. It introduces you to geoscience disciplines through lectures, lab activities, and field trips. You will engage with topics such as atmospheric science, marine biology, oceanography, remote sensing/GIS, and biogeochemistry, while also completing for-credit coursework in College Algebra or Calculus I and a Freshman Seminar. You’ll gain technical exposure to environmental measurement methods, spatial data analysis, and marine fieldwork practices. In addition to a stipend, the program covers housing, meals, and travel costs, making it a comprehensive preparation for future study in geosciences.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Multiple Navy labs nationwide; Maryland options include Annapolis, Bethesda, Patuxent River, and Silver Spring
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,000 (new participants), $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: 8 weeks (summer; dates vary by lab) with optional 2-week extension
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) who are at least 16 by the start of the program; graduating seniors
SEAP places you in the Department of the Navy laboratories, where you’ll work directly with scientists and engineers on applied research projects. Depending on your lab, you may gain skills in aeronautics, computer science, environmental science, engineering design, or applied physics. The program emphasizes hands-on technical training, with you contributing to ongoing research initiatives under the guidance of expert mentors. You will be expected to manage lab responsibilities, conduct experiments, and document results, while also learning about the structure of federally funded research. Competitive placements make SEAP one of the most rigorous early research opportunities available in Maryland.
8. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various U.S. locations, including Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8 weeks, mid-June – August
Application Deadline: Typically January or early March
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 | Authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employment-based visa
The CLA High School Internship Program is a paid summer internship designed for high school students aged 16 to 18. It offers an opportunity to explore the world of business, professional services, and accounting by gaining hands-on experience with real projects and clients. You will participate in projects involving tax preparation, audit support, and financial analysis, working with teams to apply classroom concepts in a firm setting. The program emphasizes problem-solving and analytical reasoning, while also offering structured mentorship and networking with accounting professionals. You will gain exposure to industry-standard practices and compliance workflows, providing a technical foundation for further study or careers in business and finance.
9. Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Internship Program
Location: Various state agencies across Maryland
Stipend: Some are paid
Dates: Year-round including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; positions posted on the State of Maryland’s job portal (jobaps.com/MD)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Internship Program matches students with government agencies to support administrative, policy, and technical projects. Depending on placement, you may gain experience in areas like public administration, finance, communications, IT, or data management. You will be expected to prepare professional documents, manage time logs, and follow agency standards of confidentiality and conduct. Opportunities may be paid, unpaid, or for academic credit, but all provide structured oversight from state supervisors. The program helps students develop applied professional skills, policy awareness, and workplace discipline, while contributing directly to state-level operations.
10. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – High School Internships
Location: Multiple sites nationwide; Maryland locations for AEOP internships include research labs in Aberdeen, Bethesda, Frederick, Adelphi, and Silver Spring
Stipend: Paid, varies by location
Dates: Summer; dates vary by site
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Additional site-specific requirements may apply
The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships provide high school students with paid, hands-on research experiences alongside professional scientists and engineers within U.S. Army Research Laboratories and affiliated university labs. You will gain experience using advanced laboratory equipment, experimental methods, and computational tools while contributing to ongoing research in areas such as engineering, environmental science, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. Each placement emphasizes mentorship, with one-on-one guidance from practicing researchers. You will also build critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication skills, while learning how federal and academic labs apply STEM research to address national challenges.
11. Maryland Department of State Police Internship Program
Location: Maryland State Police Headquarters and regional bureaus
Stipend: None
Dates: 1 week to 1 month internships throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Current high school students (age 16+) or recent graduates | Have good academic standing, excellent moral character, and no serious driving or criminal offenses.
The Maryland Department of State Police Internship program introduces you to the administrative and operational functions of state law enforcement. You will be placed in bureaus such as Field Operations, Criminal Investigations, Support Services, or the Office of the Superintendent, where you’ll gain exposure to both civilian and sworn police work. Responsibilities may include assisting with administrative tasks, observing investigative workflows, and participating in structured orientation sessions. The program emphasizes professional conduct, legal awareness, and community service, offering students both academic credit opportunities and insight into pathways toward law enforcement careers.
12. Environment Maryland – Summer Campaign Internship
Location: College Park, MD
Stipend: None
Dates: Summer (June – August; flexible start dates)
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply early for priority placement
Eligibility: All high school students with an interest in environmental policy, grassroots organizing, or communications
In this internship, you will contribute to a grassroots campaign office that works on policy initiatives, such as the effort to ban polystyrene foam in the state. You’ll build experience in event planning, campaign organizing, and community outreach, while also developing skills in media communications and policy advocacy. The program emphasizes practical civic engagement, including tracking campaign goals, supporting field operations, and coordinating with staff on messaging and public awareness strategies. By the end of the internship, you will have gained applied skills in environmental advocacy, political organizing, and strategic communication within a nonprofit campaign setting.
13. Charles County Government – Student Internship & Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: La Plata, MD
Stipend: Student Internship: Paid, amount not specified | Summer Youth Employment Program: $15 per hour
Dates: Student Internship: First session: June – August (10-weeks); Second session: July – August (6-weeks) | Summer Youth Employment Program: June – July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Student Internship: Rolling | Summer Youth Employment Program: typically early June
Eligibility: Charles County residents only for both programs; Student Internship Program: rising high school juniors, seniors, and college students | Summer Youth Employment Program: residents ages 16–24 facing academic or employment challenges.
Charles County offers two summer tracks for students: The Student Internship Program and the Summer Youth Employment Program. The Student Internship Program places you in county departments where you gain exposure to public administration, policy, and local government operations, with structured supervision and project-based assignments. The Summer Youth Employment Program collaborates with local businesses and nonprofits to offer paid work experiences, focusing on developing work readiness, time management, and professional communication skills. Both programs prioritize building technical and workplace skills while connecting students with local mentors and career pathways in public service or community organizations.
14. Bryn Mawr School – Internships & Summer STEM Fellowship Program
Location: Baltimore, MD
Stipend: None
Dates: Summer program between June – August, followed by cohort meetings throughout the year
Application Deadline: Not specified; contact Bryn Mawr Director of Internships for details
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors interested in STEM research
Bryn Mawr offers a structured system of internships and fellowships that connects you with Baltimore-based professionals in medicine, the arts, veterinary science, and other fields. The Summer STEM Fellowship pairs rising seniors with labs at Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, or Towson University. You will engage in hands-on research in areas like neurobiology, virology, chemical engineering, protein therapeutics, and astronomy, learning lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific presentation. The fellowship concludes with a poster symposium, giving students experience in scientific communication and peer learning.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Bryn Mawr School