Spending your summer exploring real-world work experience is one of the best ways to figure out what excites you and to build skills that will set you apart in college and beyond. Internships give you a chance to tackle meaningful projects, work with professionals, and see firsthand how different careers operate. You’ll learn teamwork, problem-solving, and communication in ways a classroom just can’t replicate.
If you’re in Chicago, you’re in luck. The city offers a wide range of internships for high school students across industries like arts, tech, healthcare, and public service. These programs let you get hands-on experience, earn a stipend, and connect with mentors while discovering what kinds of work energize you most. From creative projects to professional environments, Chicago summer internships provide a perfect mix of learning, networking, and growth.
Below is a curated list of 15 internships for high school students in Chicago spanning various areas of study and learning.
15 Chicago Summer Internships for High School Students
1. ResearcHStart – UChicago Medicine
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 20
Program Dates: Second full week of June through the first week of August
Eligibility: Applicants must be High school juniors or seniors at the time of application and at least 16 years of age at program start
The ResearcHStart program provides high school students with an opportunity to explore bioengineering and cutting-edge AI applications in cancer research. In this paid internship, you will work full-time in research labs focused on bioengineering, experimental cancer therapeutics, and AI-driven methodologies for cancer analysis. You will gain hands-on experience with advanced research techniques, including AI algorithms for data analysis, bioinformatics tools, and innovative approaches to cancer treatment. Through this experience, you will develop a strong foundation in research methodologies and gain practical skills in bioengineering, AI, and cancer therapeutics.
2. DSI Summer Lab, University of Chicago
Location: John Crerar Library at the UChicago Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend for the 8-week program in previous years was $4,800
Application Deadline: January 12. Applications closed currently
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students located in the Chicago area; international students must provide authorization to pursue employment in the United States, and the students must be familiar with at least one programming language
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an 8-week paid research program that offers high school and undergraduate students hands-on experience in data-driven fields, such as computer science, social science, climate policy, and biomedical research. You will be paired with expert mentors to develop research skills, teamwork, and technical expertise while contributing to impactful projects. No prior research experience is required, though familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Python, Java) and coursework in computer science, statistics, or mathematics is preferred.
3. Summer Pathway Programs | Pritzker School of Medicine | The University of Chicago
Location: Hyde Park campus in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend for participants is $3,200
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: June 9 – August 4
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors and must have completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses
The Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER) at the University of Chicago is an immersive, eight-week residential program focused on research, education, and mentorship for rising college juniors and seniors interested in medical research. You will engage in basic science or clinical research projects and present your findings at a research forum at the program’s conclusion. Weekly cluster groups support their laboratory work and facilitate discussions on medical and research ethics, healthcare disparities, statistics, and essential research tools. Additionally, participants benefit from mentorship by Pritzker medical students and staff, which includes sessions with admissions officers and social events designed to build community among program participants and other summer research students at the university.
4. Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program: Department of Medicine
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: All students must be 16 years or older as of May 31 in the year the program takes place and must currently be a junior at the time of application
Offered by the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Northwestern University, the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program provides a free, six- to eight-week pre-medical research opportunity for rising high school seniors with an interest in the biological sciences. You will learn how to conduct scientific research in a university lab setting, engage in data collection and analysis, and develop a deeper understanding of pulmonary and critical care topics through direct mentorship from faculty, researchers, and graduate trainees. In addition to laboratory work, you will gain exposure to academic and career pathways in medicine and biomedical research, and have the opportunity to present your findings in a formal setting.
5. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: The Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, IL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 30
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Program in STEMM Research, hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a six-week summer internship where you will work directly with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students on advanced projects in fields such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, bioengineering, artificial intelligence, physics, and quantum mechanics. You will learn how to conduct independent research, analyze data, and communicate scientific findings through structured mentorship and weekly professional development seminars.
6. Summer Programs in Biomedical Sciences | College of Medicine Rockford
Location: College of Medicine Rockford, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is provided
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: June 9 –August 1
Eligibility: Illinois high school students who are at least 16 years old by May 1 of the year they apply to the program. Check the list here if your high school is eligible for this program
The Summer Science Internship, offered by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a two-month internship designed to introduce you to careers in medical and industrial research. You will learn laboratory skills while working alongside scientists on projects related to cancer treatment, vaccine development, and drug discovery, gaining direct exposure to how new therapies and products are created. Beyond lab techniques, you will develop essential professional skills.
7. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) | Internships
Location: On-site and off-site work schedule in Chicago Fermilab Offices
Stipend: $500 weekly
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Eligibility: High School Senior for the application year or a recent high school graduate, along with being a U.S. citizen and enrolled in an Illinois high school
The Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM) is a four-week summer internship for high school seniors and recent graduates that combines advanced scientific learning with hands-on research exposure. Offered by Fermilab, the program introduces you to particle physics, quantum science, artificial intelligence, and engineering design through guided lectures, lab-based activities, and direct access to Fermilab’s cutting-edge research facilities. Each week emphasizes a different theme, allowing you to build technical skills across multiple STEM fields while also developing problem-solving, collaboration, and communication abilities.
8. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Both Virtual and Chicago-based
Cost: No cost, but stipends will be provided, as per the employer
Application Deadline: No deadline mentioned, but applications open in the Spring!
Dates: Dates vary according to the individual employer
Eligibility: Resident of the City of Chicago, a high school Sophomore or Junior with a “B” or 3.0 average on your report card, and Family Household Income is below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers high school students in Chicago a valuable opportunity to gain paid summer internships in the financial services sector. CSBI aims to prepare students for the business world while encouraging them to pursue higher education. Participants work with prestigious organizations, gaining hands-on experience alongside professionals in banking, business, and entrepreneurship.
9. Malott Family Zoo Intern Program
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned, but a stipend is available
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 or their first year of college in the fall and aged 16-18 by June 7, residents of the city of Chicago
The Malott Family Zoo Intern Program, offered by Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, is a seven-week paid summer internship that allows you to explore animal and conservation science through education and research. You will develop skills in informal science communication by learning how to share conservation messages with zoo visitors, practice observation techniques by studying animals in their habitats, and work on a culminating project that promotes realistic conservation practices. Along the way, you will collaborate with researchers and Animal Care staff, gaining insights into careers in animal science and conservation, while also refining your presentation and teamwork abilities.
10. Summer Internship at the Art Institute of Chicago
Location: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Stipend will be given
Application Deadline: Summer application opens in April
Dates: Late June – Early August
Eligibility: a Chicago resident attending a Chicago High School, and be between the ages of 14 and 18
The Summer Internship at the Art Institute of Chicago, offered in partnership with After School Matters, is a program running from June to August designed for high school students in Chicago aged 16 and above. Through this internship, you will develop skills in public engagement, event planning, and collaborative teamwork by supporting gallery tours, workshops, and cultural festivals that reach diverse audiences. You will gain hands-on experience working with museum staff, explore curatorial and educational practices, interact with local artists, and study one of the world’s leading art collections from behind the scenes. The program also emphasizes communication and leadership development, as you collaborate with professionals and peers to design and present creative programs for the public.
11. Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas Program, Chicago Botanic Garden
Location: Chicago Conservation Areas
Stipend: $18.36/hour
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Dates: Begins in mid-April through the summer
Eligibility: All high schoolers interested in ecological restoration
The Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) Program, offered by the Chicago Botanic Garden, is a paid summer internship in Chicago that introduces you to habitat restoration and ecological research. You will work alongside Garden ecologists in prairies, woodlands, lakes, and shorelines, where you will learn how to identify native plants, remove invasive species, and support restoration projects through activities such as seed collection, planting, and habitat monitoring. Training sessions provide certifications in areas like prescribed burning and herbicide application, while also building practical skills in project management and ecological data collection.
12. Internships | PAWS Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: May through September
Eligibility: All are eligible to volunteer
The Internships at PAWS Chicago, offered by the city’s largest No Kill animal welfare organization, provide a structured introduction to both animal care and nonprofit operations. Through roles ranging from animal care and enrichment to community outreach, shelter management, development, and communications, you will learn how to support daily shelter operations, design enrichment activities, assist with adoption processes, and contribute to fundraising and public engagement efforts. Working alongside animal care staff, veterinarians, and nonprofit professionals, you will gain skills in teamwork, project coordination, animal welfare practices, and communication.
13. SHE in Oncology – UChicago Medicine
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: Two-week, part-time program that typically runs in the second half of July
Eligibility: Full-time high school student with a strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine; resident of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology, offered by the University of Chicago in collaboration with institutions including the University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Texas at Austin, is a two-week virtual program designed to build foundational knowledge in cancer science and medicine. Through genetics-based research and patient case study projects, you will learn how to approach biomedical questions, analyze data, and connect scientific understanding to patient care. Hands-on experience is provided through a home laboratory kit, alongside daily faculty lectures, panel discussions, and workshops that strengthen research, communication, and career development skills.
14. Teen Fellows – Chicago Architecture Center
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Stipend provided
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 23 – May 9
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend high school in the city of Chicago
The CAC Teen Fellows Program, offered by the Chicago Architecture Center in partnership with Harold Washington College, provides a three-semester introduction to architecture that begins with a six-week summer session. You will learn how to approach design through research, develop solutions to community issues, and build technical proficiency with professional software such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino, and Photoshop. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, including design projects, site tours, and firm visits, giving you insight into the architectural process beyond the classroom.
15. Apprentices and Outreach Assistantships – After School Matters
Location: After School Matters at Gately Park, Chicago, IL
Stipend: General Stipend of $15.8 per hour, but stipend will be awarded based on the program level and frequency
Application Deadline: Summer application opens in April
Dates: June – August
Eligibility: Residents of Chicago attending a Chicago High School, and be at least 14 years old by September 22 of the application year
The After School Matters (ASM) Summer Internship Program in Chicago offers high school teens aged 14–18 the chance to gain paid, hands-on experience across diverse fields, such as dance, plumbing, sewing, community organizing, and more. Through apprenticeship-style training and outreach assistantships, you will learn practical skills under the guidance of professionals, work collaboratively on team-based projects, and build confidence in applying knowledge to real-world contexts. The program emphasizes career readiness and community engagement, giving you opportunities to explore future pathways, develop workplace discipline, and present your work in professional or community settings.
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 – Chicago Architecture Center