If you’re curious about the science behind everyday materials, medicines, and reactions, a chemistry internship can be a great place to start. These opportunities allow you to work alongside scientists, analyze data, and explore the applications of chemistry. Many of these programs also introduce you to lab methods, scientific writing, and mentorship from professors or researchers at leading universities.
You’ll deepen your understanding of chemistry and gain practical experience that helps in college applications. Whether you’re passionate about organic chemistry, environmental science, or biochemistry, these programs offer hands-on ways to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Plus, you’ll build valuable connections, strengthen your STEM portfolio, and get a glimpse into what a future career in chemistry might look like.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 15 chemistry internships and research programs for high school students.
14 Chemistry Internships for High School Students
1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Summer High School Internship
Cost: No participation cost; students cover housing and transportation
Location: Varies by lab
Application Deadline: February 13
Dates: June 18 – August 9
Eligibility: Rising seniors or recent graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who can work in the U.S.
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program allows motivated high school students to collaborate with professional scientists and engineers on active research. The program spans six NIST laboratories, each exploring a different field of science and technology. Chemistry students can join the Materials Measurement Lab to study alternative fuels, biological drugs, and environmental pollutants such as ocean plastics. As an intern, you will contribute directly to lab projects, gaining research experience and exposure to federal-level scientific work.
2. Scripps Research – Summer Internship Program
Stipend: $4,760 for the full program
Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
Application Deadline: April 3
Dates: June 19 – August 11
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students aged 16+ with at least one year of chemistry and biology, GPA 3.0+
Scripps Research offers one of the most structured science internships for high schoolers. The program begins with a boot camp, followed by lab placements and guided mentorship from graduate students. You’ll work on biochemical or biomedical research projects that contribute to studies in health and chemistry. The internship also includes training in data analysis and opportunities to present research results.
3. UC Berkeley – Science for Youth Intensive Program (SYIP)
Cost: $14,750 + $75 application fee
Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until October
Dates: Remote coaching (October–June); on-site internship (July 9 – August 5)
Eligibility: High school students (including rising freshmen) in the top 10% of their class who have completed general or AP Chemistry
UC Berkeley’s SYIP gathers high-achieving students for a four-week internship in chemistry and related disciplines. You explore subjects across chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science while working with Berkeley’s faculty. You’ll analyze data, perform safe lab experiments, and attend seminars that develop your scientific reasoning. Limited to around 30 students, it’s one of the most competitive and structured pre-college chemistry programs.
4. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins University
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, or virtual
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: Summer: June 25 – August 2 | Academic Year: September 16 – May
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (15+) with a GPA of 2.8 or higher who live in the Washington–Baltimore Metro area
The ASPIRE program, run by Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory, allows students to work with research mentors on projects in fields such as chemistry, physics, and engineering. You’ll assist with lab work, data analysis, and technical tasks under the guidance of an APL researcher. You commit about 40 hours a week and present your findings at the end of the program.
5. American Chemical Society – Project SEED
Stipend: Provided
Location: Varies by lab location
Application Deadline: April
Dates: 8–10 weeks (June–August)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from low-income families who have completed at least one chemistry course
Project SEED connects students to real research labs at universities and government facilities across the country. You work under a professional mentor on a dedicated chemistry project. This internship focuses on supporting students from underrepresented communities and helps them build confidence in scientific environments. As an intern, you may also attend the American Chemical Society National Meeting to present your findings.
6. UC San Diego – EM OPALS Internship
Cost: $1,000 + $40 application fee (financial aid available)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: June 26 – August 4
Eligibility: Current 8th–11th graders; local residents preferred (housing not provided)
The EM OPALS program offers students exposure to research in UC San Diego’s labs. As an intern, you will work around 20 hours per week alongside university researchers and students. Projects often explore biomedical and biochemical topics such as Huntington’s disease and glaucoma. You’ll also attend weekly talks and discussions with professors and guest speakers to understand current research trends.
7. George Mason University – Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Cost: $25 application fee (housing and transport not included)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Application Deadline: January–February (typical)
Dates: June 20 – August 10
Eligibility: Remote/computer lab internships: 15+ years old by June 20 | Wet-lab internships: 16+ years old by June 20
ASSIP pairs high schoolers with George Mason University faculty to conduct original research. Over eight weeks, you’ll design experiments, collect data, and present your findings. Past chemistry projects have covered antibiotic testing, air-quality measurement, and tuberculosis diagnostics using qPCR. The internship also includes sessions on scientific writing and career development.
8. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Stipend: Provided
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Application Deadline: April 3
Dates: Year-round, multi-year participation
Eligibility: High school students living in San Francisco
San Francisco students get long-term exposure to research and sustainability work with CiS. As an intern, you will learn scientific methods while exploring subjects such as biomimicry, environmental justice, chemistry, and conservation. You’ll receive mentorship from Academy scientists and gain experience communicating science to the public. Activities include workshops, career talks, and museum-based projects tailored to each student’s interests.
9. Washington University in St. Louis – Young Scientist Program
Stipend: Provided
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: February 13
Dates: June 5 – July 8
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are residents of Missouri or Illinois
This eight-week internship pairs high schoolers with mentors and tutors at Washington University for full-time research internships. You explore subjects such as chemistry, biology, and earth sciences under the guidance of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. You’ll receive both technical training and personalized academic support to strengthen your scientific foundation. Alongside research, you’ll attend skill-building sessions in communication, college preparation, and career planning.
10. ASE – Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering Internships
Stipend: $1,100 for the full program
Location: Varies based on partner organization
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: June – August (296 total hours required)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors living near the Portland-Metro or Albany/Corvallis/Eugene areas
ASE places students in research organizations to work on ongoing projects in chemistry, biology, health, or environmental science. You are matched to a mentor and will participate in professional-level research and data collection. Past chemistry placements included projects on synthetic compounds, motor protein analysis, and medical imaging applications. The program helps you develop technical lab skills while understanding the daily work of scientists.
11. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – U.S. Department of the Navy
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Location: Multiple U.S. Navy research labs across the country
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: Eight weeks during summer (option to extend by two weeks)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16+ who have completed at least 9th grade; graduating seniors may apply
The SEAP internship allows high school students to work with Navy scientists and engineers on defense and research projects. As an intern, you are placed in Department of the Navy laboratories and contribute to research across physics, chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. Placements are based on your academic background and interests. If you’re focused on chemistry, you may work in the Materials Engineering Laboratory on sustainable materials and fuel technologies. With only about 300 spots available nationwide, SEAP is one of the most competitive STEM internships in the U.S.
12. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) – High School Internship
Stipend: Provided (amount not specified)
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 8–10 weeks (summer; exact duration depends on school schedule)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors aged 16+ who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Run by the U.S. Department of Energy, the PPPL internship gives high school students a chance to work on experimental and computational research in plasma physics, fusion energy, and applied materials science. You’ll collaborate with researchers on-site or remotely, depending on project availability. For chemistry-oriented students, research often focuses on materials development and sustainability applications. You work full-time during the summer and are mentored by professional scientists and engineers.
13. Boston University – Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship Track
Cost: $8,990–$9,296 (financial aid available)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Application Deadline: February (applications open December 15)
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (Residential) | June 30 – August 8 (Commuter)
Eligibility: Rising U.S. high school seniors
Boston University’s RISE Internship Track lets students conduct full-time research in university labs for six weeks under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers. Projects span chemistry, biology, neuroscience, and engineering. You’ll work 40 hours per week, get hands-on experience with lab equipment, and present your research at the program’s final poster symposium. Workshops on research methods, ethics, and college admissions complement the lab work.
14. NYU – Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Stipend: Minimum $750
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Application Deadline: March 6
Dates: June 3 – August 9 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: NYC high school students entering 11th or 12th grade by the start of the program
NYU’s ARISE program places high school students in faculty-led research labs for hands-on learning in chemical, biological, and engineering disciplines. The program begins with four weeks of remote workshops on lab safety, ethics, and data collection, followed by six weeks of in-person lab research. You’ll work on projects alongside university researchers and present your findings at a final colloquium. You will be mentored by NYU faculty or graduate researchers, gaining exposure to scientific inquiry and collaborative lab environments.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like organic synthesis, materials science, environmental chemistry, or biochemistry, 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 – UC Berkeley