Are you in high school and looking to build a solid foundation in computing? If so, computer science summer internships offer structured experience in applied programming, systems design, and solving computational problems. Unlike short workshops, these internships emphasize hands-on learning, often pairing you with mentors while working on real or simulated projects.
From algorithmic design to AI-driven applications, these experiences allow you to practice technical skills while understanding how they are used in academic or industry contexts. You can expect to engage with tools such as Python, R, Java, or machine learning libraries, alongside methods like version control, debugging, or collaborative coding.
Below, we’ve compiled 14 computer science summer internships for high school students, ranging from university-based research placements to structured virtual mentorship programs.
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA centers and facilities nationwide, and some virtual options
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts offered
Application Deadlines: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: High school students age 16+, undergraduates, and graduate students; U.S. citizens only
NASA’s OSTEM internships embed you in active research projects alongside scientists and engineers working on computing, robotics, data science, and aerospace systems. Depending on your placement, you might apply programming in Python or MATLAB for mission simulations, work with data visualization pipelines, or support IT infrastructure for aerospace operations. You will be paired with mentors, gaining experience in project management and technical communication while contributing to NASA’s mission.
2. AFRL Scholars Program
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the United States
Stipend: $501.60 per week for high school students
Program Dates: Summer session, 8–12 weeks
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students (age 16+), undergraduates, graduates, and K–12 educators (at select sites); U.S. citizens only; minimum 3.0 GPA
The AFRL Scholars Program provides stipend-paid research internships where you can work on computational and experimental projects alongside AFRL scientists and engineers. You may contribute to areas such as radar modeling, high-performance computing for microwave systems, or spacecraft anomaly simulations. You will often use DoD simulation codes, supercomputers, and specialized software for modeling complex physical systems, depending on the project. Mentorship is structured, with deliverables ranging from prototype development to refinement of computational tools. This program is one of the few national-level opportunities where high school students directly engage in defense-related computer science and aerospace research.
3. Pathways Internship Programs
Location: Positions available nationwide across federal offices
Stipend: Paid (federal pay scale, varies by position)
Program Dates: Year-round; positions may be summer-only or extended across semesters
Application Deadline: Rolling; postings appear on USAJobs as needed
Eligibility: U.S. citizens age 16+; enrolled in high school, college, or graduate programs; minimum 2.0 GPA; must qualify for Secret or Top Secret clearance
The State Department’s Pathways Internship Program offers students, including high school students, paid experience in federal careers. Depending on placement, you may work in information systems, cybersecurity, or data management while contributing to technical projects in government offices. Positions fall under two tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP), which can extend through an academic program, and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP), designed for shorter-term placements such as summer sessions. Students interested in applied computer science for public service or cybersecurity policy will find exposure to real-world systems and federal IT workflows in this program.
4. Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Partner companies across the U.S. (media, entertainment, and tech industries)
Stipend: Paid (varies by host company)
Program Dates: Typically May – August (8+ weeks, 35–40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed September – April; placements finalized by May 1
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduates with 3.0+ GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must be 18 before internship start date
The Emma Bowen Foundation pairs students with partner companies in technology, media, and entertainment for full-time summer internships. For tech-focused placements, you may engage in software development, data analytics, IT infrastructure, or digital media systems, depending on the host company. The program emphasizes professional readiness, offering mentorship and networking opportunities in addition to technical work. Around 150 Fellows are selected annually from thousands of applicants, making it a competitive pathway into industry. Students interested in computer science applications within media and technology will gain practical workplace coding and project experience.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: 38+ Navy labs nationwide (placements vary by lab)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant); $4,500 (returning); paid bi-weekly
Program Dates: Eight weeks in summer (some labs allow up to two additional weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, age 16+ by start date; completed at least 9th grade; current high school students (graduating seniors eligible). Some labs may allow exceptions (grade/age/PR/dual citizenship) per lab page.
SEAP places high-achieving high school students into DoN labs for mentored research. Depending on your lab, you may work with Python/MATLAB for data analysis, embedded/controls for robotics and autonomous systems, RF/signal processing, materials characterization, or cybersecurity toolchains. The internship emphasizes experimental design, version control, technical reporting, and exposure to Navy R&D workflows. Selection is competitive (≈approximately 300 placements) and based on academic performance, essays, recommendations, and research interests.
6. New York Bioforce
Location: Placements at Columbia Engineering, Weill Cornell, NY Proton Center, and industry labs
Stipend: Paid summer internship
Program Dates: Spring training (~100 hours on Saturdays) followed by a 6-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in fall; selection completed by early spring
Eligibility: 11th–12th grade students from NYC public/charter schools; must demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
NY Bioforce combines structured research training with a paid STEM internship at academic or industry labs. During the spring, you complete ~100 hours of Saturday coursework in scientific methods, data handling, and professional communication. Successful trainees are then placed in six-week internships, where they contribute to projects in computational biology, medical imaging, or engineering systems. The program emphasizes technical research exposure and workforce preparation, providing students from underrepresented backgrounds access to tools and environments usually reserved for advanced undergraduates. This pipeline model ensures both skill-building and practical application in real-world labs.
7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Stipend: Stipend may be offered for some projects
Program Dates: 6 – 8 weeks, June – August
Application Deadline: Early May
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; full-time (40 hrs/week) commitment required
SparkSMP pairs students with mentors to complete research and technical projects in subjects such as applied computer science. You can choose from projects in machine learning, computer vision, neural networks, or quantum computing applications, many of which involve Python scripting, data visualization, or technical writing. Mentorship is industry-led, exposing you to how concepts like spiking neural networks or sequence classification are used in real-world systems.
8. Boston Private Industry Council Tech Apprentice
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: 6 – 7 weeks, June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools (BPS) high school students interested in technology/IT fields
Tech Apprentice connects BPS high school students with Boston-area companies for paid summer placements in IT and computer science–related roles. You may work on helpdesk support, web design, programming, or quality control testing, depending on the host company. Some placements extend into media production, including video and social platforms, where technical and creative skills overlap. This internship emphasizes applied computing in workplace environments, giving you practical exposure to IT systems, troubleshooting, and software development workflows.
9. Sandia National Laboratories Student Internships
Location: Albuquerque, NM; Livermore, CA with some remote options depending on project
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by position; postings appear on Sandia’s careers portal
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are age 16+ enrolled full-time in high school, college, or graduate school; minimum GPA 2.5 (clerical) or 3.0 (technical/research). Background check and drug screen required.
Sandia offers structured internships where high school and college students work on applied research and development projects in computing, cybersecurity, and engineering systems. Depending on the assignment, you may contribute to tasks in data analysis pipelines, software engineering, high-performance computing, or applied security systems. Additionally, the program focuses on professional growth through seminars, lab visits, and networking opportunities. Interns are paired with managers who provide mentorship and track progress on technical deliverables. This is one of the few national labs where high school students (age 16+) can access classified or high-level technical projects under supervision.
10. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: ~8 weeks, mid-June – early August
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school juniors or seniors; minimum 3.0 GPA; must live near NIST Boulder or Gaithersburg; full 8-week participation required
SHIP offers high school students the opportunity to conduct supervised research at NIST laboratories. Depending on your project, you could get hands-on experience with Python scripting, LabView, Java, AutoDesk Inventor, or SQL-based systems, as well as applications in physics and electronics. Projects are designed to build technical competence while exposing you to scientific workflows in a federal research lab. Though unpaid, SHIP is highly competitive and provides one of the most direct routes for high school students into advanced computing and experimental research environments.
11. ACA Summer Internship Program
Location: New York, NY and Boston, MA
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled; essay required for placement
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); must submit essay outlining goals and skills
Cost: $6,495 (residential) | $1,995 (commuter)
ACA connects students with internships across 20+ industries, including computer science, business, media, and law. For tech placements, you may be assigned to roles involving software development, IT systems support, or digital media applications, depending on host company availability. The program emphasizes professional readiness with resume workshops, mentoring, and reference-building opportunities. Structured placements in major cities give applied workplace exposure, though participation requires tuition rather than a stipend.
12. MITRE Student Internships
Location: Multiple sites nationwide, including Bedford, MA and McLean, VA; remote options available for some roles
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Summer session
Application Deadline: Rolling; positions posted on MITRE careers portal
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students; U.S. citizenship required for many roles
MITRE hosts over 500 interns annually to work on projects in cybersecurity, robotics, data science, AI, and health systems engineering. High school interns are placed in supervised roles where they may gain exposure to Python scripting, applied machine learning, or systems modeling tools while assisting research staff. The program emphasizes mentorship, professional networking, and direct application of classroom knowledge to real-world technical problems. For computer science students, MITRE internships provide structured experience in federally oriented research and systems engineering.
13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Fairfax, VA, in-person, hybrid, and virtual options
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students age 15+ for computer lab/remote projects (16+ for wet-lab work); undergraduates also eligible
Cost: $25 application fee, waivers available
ASSIP immerses students in mentored STEM research, including fields directly tied to computer science such as machine learning, cybersecurity, data mining, computer modeling, game design, and software engineering. You will work full-time in labs or virtually, contributing to projects that may lead to conference presentations or publications. The program focuses on research methods, coding, and scientific writing, and wraps up with a final poster session to share the results. For students interested in computer science, ASSIP offers an in-depth look at how computational tools are used across different scientific fields.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship – Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students (entering grades 9–12); age 14+; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or valid visa holders; preference for students with math/programming background
Cost: $850 with need-based aid up to full waiver; $40 application fee
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship introduces high school students to applied artificial intelligence in healthcare. Through technical lectures, group research sessions, and mentorship from Stanford researchers, you will explore tools for machine learning, medical image analysis, and data-driven modeling. Projects emphasize collaborative problem-solving and computational methods applied to clinical datasets. The program includes career talks from industry and academic professionals, and students present their findings at the end of the session. An extended independent research option may be available for participants demonstrating strong technical ability.
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 – Stanford University