Looking to build your skills while school is in session? Free fall programs let you do exactly that. They give you a chance to explore academic and professional fields without paying to participate, and they usually fit around homework and extracurriculars.
Why fall programs are a smart move for you
Fall programs are timed to the school year, so what you learn can feed directly into your classes. Many focus on practical skills like Python or data analysis, while others center on research, policy, writing, or hands-on fieldwork. Because these opportunities often run part-time or on flexible schedules, you can gain meaningful experience without overloading your semester.
Some fall options come as internships or mentorships, others are pre-college seminars or research projects. All of them give you a low-risk way to test-drive a potential major and build your resume.
For more information on free fall programs for high school students, you can also refer to other posts on Horizon’s blog.
13 Free Fall Programs for High School Students
1. Project TRUE – Wildlife Conservation Society & Fordham University
Location: Various wildlife locations in New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small research teams with undergraduate mentors
Dates: Saturdays, September – December (Fall session following summer fieldwork)
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living in the Bronx; good academic standing required
Cost/Stipend: $350 stipend for fall interns
Project TRUE gives students structured training in ecology and conservation research within New York City’s urban ecosystems. During the fall, you’ll extend summer fieldwork by analyzing datasets on mammal distribution, bird communities, water quality, and invasive species. The program emphasizes research design, statistical interpretation, and science communication through weekly workshops and peer feedback. You’ll also present your findings to scientists and the public, practicing skills in data visualization and public speaking. The mentorship model connects you with Fordham undergraduates and Wildlife Conservation Society staff, ensuring close guidance in ecological methods and analysis.
2. Textron Aviation High School Internships
Location: Textron Aviation, Wichita, KS
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by business needs and role
Dates: September – December (Fall session)
Application Deadline: April (for Fall sessions)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with weekday availability
Cost/Stipend: Paid; part-time hourly wage
Textron Aviation offers structured, part-time internships that align with high school schedules while providing exposure to careers in the aviation sector. Depending on placement, you may assist with engineering design, IT systems, aviation maintenance, or business operations. Work is project-based, emphasizing both technical skills and workplace communication. You will gain familiarity with industry software and workflows while collaborating with professionals in specialized departments. The program is designed to provide hands-on industry experience alongside mentorship, making it a practical entry point into aviation and business pathways.
3. CondéFuture – Condé Nast & Educational Alliance
Location: Condé Nast offices at One World Trade Center, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts drawn from underrepresented communities
Dates: Two-year program; Fall sessions begin each September
Application Deadline: Spring (applications typically open in April)
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented communities with interests in media, design, or creative industries
Cost/Stipend: Free
CondéFuture is a structured enrichment program designed to train students in creative and media-related skill sets. Across fall sessions, you’ll work with professionals from brands such as Vogue, GQ, and Teen Vogue on projects involving digital design, photography, video production, and social media strategy. The program integrates technical workshops with mentorship, giving you opportunities to practice industry-standard creative tools and workflows. By participating, you build both a portfolio of media projects and connections that support entry into internships or careers in the creative sector.
4. CLARIFY – City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth
Location: City Limits, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small Fall cohorts each year
Dates: September – December (Fall session)
Application Deadline: Summer (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: High school students in NYC; priority for underserved backgrounds
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
CLARIFY trains students in journalism by pairing classroom workshops with direct reporting assignments on New York City issues. You’ll learn research methods, interviewing, article drafting, and editing while working under the guidance of professional journalists. The program emphasizes civic engagement, with opportunities to interact with public officials, agencies, and community groups. By the end of the fall session, you’ll have bylines in published articles and firsthand experience meeting deadlines in a newsroom-style environment.
5. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internships
Location: FPRI, Philadelphia, PA (in-person and virtual options)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements per department
Dates: October – December (Fall session)
Application Deadline: Mid-year (varies by term)
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students with strong writing, research, or communication skills; international applicants not eligible for visa sponsorship
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; some need-based stipends available
FPRI internships give students direct exposure to the workflow of a policy research institute. Depending on your placement, you may support regional research programs (e.g., the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, Asia) or functional teams such as communications, development, or editorial. Your tasks as an intern may range from data analysis and policy writing to event support and digital media content. You’ll also have access to public lectures and workshops hosted by the institute. The program emphasizes research rigor and policy communication, with some students contributing short publications through FPRI’s “Intern Corner.”
6. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Hybrid (Harvard campus, Cambridge, MA + virtual meetings)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small yearly cohorts
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: May 1 – 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided by the City of Cambridge
SRMP pairs students with Harvard astronomers and astrophysicists for year-long research projects in observational astronomy. You’ll work with authentic astronomical datasets, applying coding, statistical modeling, and visualization techniques to extract and interpret patterns. Weekly meetings with mentors guide you through defining research questions, building computational workflows, and preparing results for a final symposium presentation. The program emphasizes technical proficiency in data science while grounding projects in astrophysical research questions.
7. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship
Location: Virtual or hybrid (Washington, DC)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements
Dates: August – October (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
Cost/Stipend: Paid
This internship emphasizes STEM education and science communication. Over 8–10 weeks, you’ll collaborate with Smithsonian staff to design digital learning resources, develop outreach content, and test prototypes for classroom and online use. Depending on placement, you may work with design software, analyze engagement data, or support curriculum development. The program provides practical training in educational media and applied communication strategies within a STEM context.
8. Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM (in-person)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; placements vary by division
Dates: September – December (part-time, 10–20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: September 30 (for Fall session)
Eligibility: High school seniors in New Mexico; GPA 2.75+; age 16+; must pass employment drug test
Cost/Stipend: Paid
LANL’s high school internship integrates students into active research teams at a federal laboratory. Depending on your assignment, you may contribute to computational modeling, experimental preparation, data analysis, or applied engineering projects. Mentorship emphasizes lab safety, technical documentation, and teamwork in a research setting. The fall schedule is designed to align with the school year, offering structured exposure to professional laboratory practices and scientific workflows.
9. Medicine Encompassed High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open; selective for executive positions
Dates: Year-round; Fall session begins in September
Application Deadline: Rolling (executive deadlines vary)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide with an interest in medicine or STEAM
Cost/Stipend: None
This nonprofit internship places students in committees focused on science communication and outreach. Typical work includes drafting medical articles, creating study guides, or designing infographics to explain biomedical concepts. Other roles focus on nonprofit operations such as marketing, partnerships, or digital content management. The program emphasizes collaborative project work and professional communication, with pathways to executive leadership positions for experienced participants. By the end of the fall session, you’ll have practical experience in both science education and organizational teamwork.
10. Northwestern Medicine GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Multiple Northwestern Medicine hospitals in IL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by hospital site
Dates: November 15 – April
Application Deadline: September 29 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (seniors at select sites); GPA 3.0+ or explanation if lower; minimum age 15
Cost/Stipend: None
This program introduces students to healthcare professions through structured workshops, hospital tours, and guest lectures. Monthly sessions include career panels featuring medical staff, group discussions on healthcare delivery, and community projects that emphasize public health services. You’ll develop professional skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership while gaining exposure to hospital operations. Some sites offer a two-year track, allowing extended engagement, while most follow a one-year cycle.
11. Healing Arts Fall Internship – The Health Museum
Location: The Health Museum, Houston, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements per fall session
Dates: Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school juniors (age 16+) through graduate students
Cost/Stipend: None; unpaid (academic credit or service hours may be available)
This internship integrates public health themes with creative communication through The Health Museum’s Healing Arts Program. You will assist with exhibit preparation, installation, and programming on topics such as aging, wellness, and community health. Projects may involve collaborating with artists, developing digital outreach initiatives, or coordinating workshops for the public. The program emphasizes museum operations, project design, and science communication, giving participants applied experience at the intersection of health and the arts.
12. Mayor’s Office Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (in-person)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; placements vary by city department
Dates: October 20 – April 10 (Fall/Spring term)
Application Deadline: August 31
Eligibility: High school students, NYC residents aged 16+ with working papers
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.50/hour for high school students
The Mayor’s Office Internship Program offers NYC high school students the chance to contribute directly to city government through hands-on departmental placements. You’ll support projects in areas such as communications, data analysis, policy research, and community outreach while gaining experience in real-world governance. Beyond day-to-day responsibilities, the program features a bi-weekly speaker series with city leaders and a collaborative service project, providing additional networking and professional growth opportunities. By the end of the program, you will have developed skills in policy analysis, project management, and public service engagement while earning compensation for your contributions.
13. DiverseWorks Internships – Fall
Location: Houston, TX (in-person)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very small; typically 1–3 interns per semester
Dates: September – December
Application Deadline: August 18
Eligibility: Primarily for current college students and recent graduates; high school students should confirm eligibility before applying
Cost/Stipend: Modest stipend
The DiverseWorks Fall Internship provides hands-on experience in contemporary arts and nonprofit administration through small, tightly focused cohorts. You will work across production, curatorial research, marketing, and visitor services, contributing to projects that support exhibitions and organizational operations. Responsibilities may include providing installation assistance, reporting on conditions, updating checklists, researching artists and venues, and drafting content for newsletters or web platforms. Interns also participate in a staff-led reading group to build shared vocabulary around curatorial practices and institutional frameworks. With emphasis on documentation standards, scheduling, and cross-team collaboration, this internship equips you with transferable skills for future careers in curatorial work, arts administration, or cultural nonprofits.
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 – Bronx Zoo