Participating in a coding internship as a high school student gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience in the field. You’ll also build advanced skills in programming, software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. While most of these programs are offered during the summer, some take place in the fall, from September through December, with some opportunities extending into the remainder of the academic year.
Why should I consider a fall internship as a high school student?
Fall internships are typically shorter and more flexible than summer programs, making them ideal for students who want to gain hands-on experience while managing their school workload. Participating in a fall internship helps strengthen technical and problem-solving skills, and build your resume ahead of college applications.
The programs on this list include both traditional internships and structured coding or research initiatives designed to prepare you for future opportunities, offering mentorship, practical coding experience, and exposure to professional workflows. You can learn how to write and test code, analyze data, build software or algorithms, and apply technical tools to solve complex problems. You’ll also meet other students with similar interests and may work directly with university professors, researchers, or industry professionals.
To help you get started, here are 12 fall coding internships for high school students.
12 Fall Coding Internships for High School Students
1. Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internships
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: $16.89/hour
Program Dates: Year-round internships, including in the fall
Application Deadline: August 1 – September 30
Eligibility: New Mexico high school seniors (16+) with a cumulative GPA of 2.75
As a fall intern in the Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program, you’ll spend 10-20 hours a week contributing to ongoing projects in areas such as bioinformatics, computational protein engineering, and artificial intelligence applications in chemistry and nanotechnology. Depending on the internship, you might write code to analyze electron microscopy images of quantum dots, apply machine learning tools to study protein structures, or use AI tools to analyze large datasets. Along the way, you will strengthen your skills in coding, data analysis, and problem-solving while gaining insight into how scientific research supports national priorities.
2. America On Tech (AOT)’s Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) Program
Location: Hybrid (Must be available to attend in-person sessions thrice a semester at Manhattan, Downtown Los Angeles, or Downtown Miami)
Stipend: Paid (exact amount is not specified)
Program Dates: Fall semester: September 8 – December 16; Spring semester: January 19 – May 14
Application Deadline: May – August 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, or Miami-Dade/Broward County public or charter school
The Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) Program is a nine-month immersive, tech-centered program. In the first semester, you will build a foundation in coding by learning HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, while also being introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI), including how AI tools work and how to use them responsibly. These skills will come together in a Demo Day Competition, where you and your peers will present team projects to a panel of judges. In the second semester, you will further your learning by exploring specialized tracks—such as advanced web development, digital marketing, data science, UX design, or product management—that integrate AI tools and applications into each area.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: AFRL locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (varies based on education level and project site)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the project and location; Fall options available
Application Deadline: Varies based on location and project
Eligibility: U.S. Students (16+; 18 and older if you want to apply to the California locations); Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 is preferred but not necessary; More information available here
In the AFRL Scholars Program, you’ll work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on projects that might involve coding and computational skills, such as FPGA programming, software development for data acquisition, or modeling and simulation work. The program is designed to provide hands-on experience with advanced technologies while allowing you to contribute to ongoing defense and aerospace research. You will be guided by experienced mentors and gain exposure to real-world applications of coding, engineering, and data analysis in a real-world setting.
4. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Virtual or in person at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA
Stipend: Paid (varies based on location, internship, and education level)
Program Dates: Internships are available year-round; Exact dates vary depending on the internship
Application Deadline: At least 3 months before your preferred internship’s start date
Eligibility: U.S. High school students (16+); Those applying for R&D or Technical roles must have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, and those applying for clerical or laborer roles need at least 2.5/4.0
Sandia National Laboratories Internships give high school students the chance to contribute to real-world research while working alongside top scientists and engineers. As an intern, you may explore fields such as computer science, cybersecurity, software engineering, and computational science. Depending on your placement, you could help design programmable logic for prototype systems, work on predictive-simulation models, or support research focused on remote-sensing technologies. The program also includes seminars, workshops, and tours to provide a broader understanding of Sandia’s mission and culture.
5. Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) Academic Year Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,800; Need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: September 29 – June 5
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served
Eligibility: High school students, but with preference given to alumni of the AIMI Summer Research Internship and Summer Health AI Bootcamp programs
Stanford AIMI Academic Year Research Internship offers high school students a chance to explore how artificial intelligence can be applied to healthcare. Over the course of 30 weeks, you’ll work in small groups with Stanford mentors on AI projects using real-world health data. Depending on your area of interest, your projects may involve exploratory data analysis, building and testing AI models, or preparing scientific writing that supports technical research. You will be expected to dedicate 3-5 hours each week to sessions with your mentor, as well as to your independent and group project work. The program also includes enrichment opportunities like “Meet the Experts” sessions with AI leaders and a final Student Showcase during Stanford Health AI Week.
6. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s (APL) ASPIRE Program
Location: Johns Hopkins APL, Laurel, MD (virtual opportunities are also available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: Summer internship dates are June 24 – August 21, and can be extended into the academic year (September – May)
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (15+) with a minimum GPA of 2.8; U.S. citizens with permanent residence in Maryland and Virginia counties; the District of Columbia (Students in Calvert or Charles Counties are only eligible for virtual ASPIRE internship placements)
With an acceptance rate of 10%, the ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins APL gives select students the chance to explore STEM careers while working on hands-on projects alongside APL mentors. If you are interested in coding, you can tackle projects such as building accessibility tools with Python, designing games using Java, or developing algorithms to improve robotic systems. In addition to programming and computer science, you can also choose from other areas of placement, such as artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, and cybersecurity. The experience concludes with a digital poster presentation of your project, giving you the chance to showcase your work to the wider scientific community.
7. Fred Hutch Girls Who Code Club
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: October 14 – December 2
Application Deadline: Rolling until full (Applications submitted by October 10 are guaranteed to be reviewed)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
The Fred Hutch Girls Who Code Club is a six-week, in-person program led by women and non-binary computational biology graduate students from Fred Hutch and UW. As a participant, you’ll meet weekly in small groups to work on Python-based projects that connect coding with computational biology concepts. Past projects have included analyzing infectious disease data, studying protein evolution, and programming robots, giving you experience in both biology and computer science problem-solving. You’ll focus on group projects in computational biology while also attending virtual talks or field trips that highlight careers in programming and data science. With sessions limited to 10-15 students, the program emphasizes collaboration and direct mentorship, especially for those with limited prior coding experience.
8. Boston Public Industry Council (PIC)’s School Year Community-Based Program
Location: Various companies in Boston, MA
Stipend: $15/hour
Program Dates: October 21 – May (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Boston Public High School students (15+) authorized to work in the U.S.
As an intern in the PIC School Year Community-Based Program, you’ll work after school while also participating in work readiness activities with your PIC Career Specialist. Possible placements vary, but some roles may involve computer and tech support, web design, or other technology-related tasks where you can strengthen your coding, troubleshooting, and digital literacy skills. These experiences are designed to help you build professional skills in familiar community settings while also serving as preparation for more competitive private-sector internships in the summer.
9. Google’s Code Next Lab Program
Location: In-person at one of the four Code Next labs in Oakland, CA, Chelsea, NY, Detroit, MI, and Inglewood, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: October – June
Application Deadline: April 7 – June 30
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old; Must live close to the lab you are applying to
During Google’s Code Next Lab Program, you will work on projects in areas such as web development, game design, AI, coding, machine learning, and hardware prototyping, using tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and VR/AR technology. The program includes after-school and weekend sessions led by Google employees, along with mentorship and networking opportunities. You’ll also participate in Demo Days, where you present your projects to the broader Google community and receive feedback.
10. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: ASDRP Labs in Fremont, CA (virtual options available)
Cost: $1,070; Financial aid available
Program Dates: September 1 – January 15 (fall term)
Application Deadline: May 1 – August 15 (fall term)
Eligibility: High school students who are currently enrolled in or entering grades 9-12
The ASDRP is a nonprofit research institution in Fremont, California, where you will design and carry out original research projects under the guidance of scientists and engineers. If you’re interested in coding-related fields, you could explore projects in machine learning, deep learning, data science, encryption, robotics, artificial intelligence, or computational modeling. You will work with research mentors to design a project, analyze datasets, and develop algorithms or simulations that address open scientific questions. Your project can even connect coding with broader domains such as astrophysics, quantum computing, or biomedical research, giving you experience in interdisciplinary applications of computer science.
11. UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) for High School Students
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, La Jolla, CA
Cost: $1,000; Financial assistance available
Program Dates: October 1 – May 31
Application Deadline: April 15 – May 31
Eligibility: Southern California high school students who are in grades 10-12 (16+); One year each of high school-level chemistry or biology is recommended but not required; Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
MAP offers an eight-month mentorship experience with UCSD faculty across a range of disciplines, including computer science, bioinformatics, and data analysis. Through one-on-one guidance, you will work on independent projects, visit your mentor’s lab, and potentially use tools like Python, MATLAB, or data visualization software. While MAP is not a traditional internship, it provides a structured, long-term opportunity to develop technical and analytical skills in a research setting. The program also offers the possibility of a summer internship upon completion of the mentorship, giving you a pathway to hands-on research experience.
12. Code2College
Location: Virtual
Stipend: The technical summer internships offer a stipend
Program Dates: August – May (Internship preparation and placement program) | June – August (Paid, technical summer internship)
Application Deadline: September 1 – April 30
Eligibility: High school students
Code2College runs a nine-month internship preparation & placement program during the school year that gets you ready for a paid technical internship the following summer. From August to May, you’ll take after-school coding classes taught by industry professionals, starting with Python and moving into areas like mobile app development and embedded systems. The program emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning, allowing you to build a portfolio while preparing for technical interviews. You will also take part in STEM Case competitions, networking events, and resume workshops to strengthen your professional readiness. If you complete the 9 months, you can apply for paid summer internships with partner companies such as GitLab, Polaris, or YETI.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computer science, data science, and tech, 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 – Code2College