Finding ways to explore career interests while you’re still in high school can be tricky, especially if in-person opportunities are limited. That’s where online internships come in. These programs let you develop professional skills and collaborate with mentors and peers, all without leaving home.
Many virtual internships are designed to mirror real workplace settings. You’ll learn how to manage time, communicate clearly, and take ownership of projects while gaining exposure to fields including business, technology, healthcare, and the arts. Free online internships make professional experiences more accessible to motivated students everywhere.
Below, you’ll find a list of 11 free online internships for high school students that combine flexibility with valuable experience.
11 Free Online Internships for High School Students
1. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online with an option of being on-site at Austin
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid, but interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion
Dates: Each virtual project has a different timeline, within May to July. Please review the project description for additional details. Check here
Application Deadlines: February 22
Eligibility:
Current high school Sophomores or Juniors (rising Juniors/Seniors)
Must be 16 by July 5 of the application year
U.S. Citizens
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program, offered in partnership with NASA, allows high school students to work with NASA scientists and experts. As an intern, you’ll learn to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in fields such as Astronomy and Remote Sensing. You will also take part in a virtual SEES Science Symposium in the third week of July, where you will present your research to NASA, scientists, family members, and guests.
2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: In-Person at MIT and Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free except for students whose family income is $1,50,000 or greater. For them the fee for the program will be $1,750
Dates: Online courses open on February 1, and will remain open to students throughout the summer
Application Deadlines: Online courses will remain open through November for interested students
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending school in the U.S.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers an introduction to aerospace engineering and advanced technology. You’ll work on real engineering challenges such as Satellite Design and Autonomous Systems, developing a deeper understanding of hardware and machine systems. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and dive into other advanced topics. Specialized programs include Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing, where you’ll explore the design and programming of autonomous drones, and the Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Challenge, which lets you build AUVs to navigate underwater obstacle courses using real-time sensors. In Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence, students design “serious games” that simulate real-world issues, honing skills in game design, teamwork, and AI. The Microelectronics and Hardware Development track takes you from designing microchips to building impactful electronics – no prior experience required. These programs combine creativity and technology, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges.
3. High School Summer Internship, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age AND a graduating senior in high school when the internship begins. The applicant must also be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Internship Program offers a research-focused free online internship for students passionate about plasma physics and fusion energy. Hosted by Princeton University, this program provides hands-on experience in experimental and computational plasma physics, allowing you to work on real-world projects involving Data Analysis, Coding (Python, Java), and Computer – Aided Design (CAD). You will develop problem-solving skills, gain exposure to advanced mathematics and engineering concepts, and deepen your understanding of fusion energy research.
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost and no stipend
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer between July and August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school juniors and seniors interested in future research and clinical careers in behavioral sciences or brain health-related sciences (neurology, neurosurgery or neuroscience) and must reside in North America (US or Canada)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week virtual research program designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about neuroscience. Offered by Johns Hopkins University, this internship provides exposure to scientific research, laboratory techniques, and professional development. You will learn to analyze scientific data, conduct virtual experiments, and gain insight into neurological sciences through mentorship and educational sessions.
5. KPMG Future Leader Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost, but a $10,000 scholarship will be provided for college
Dates: July
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: This internship is available to:
- High school female seniors planning to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program for Fall of the application year with a 3.5 GPA
- Applicants with significant financial need (household income up to $75,000)
- Those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, including all U.S. territories
- Students who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, displays strong leadership potential, and an interest in a business or STEM field
- Students who have a recommendation letter from a nonprofit, school or community organization with which they are affiliated
The KPMG Future Leaders Program, offered by the KPMG U.S. Foundation, is a free online internship for high school senior girls interested in Leadership, Finance, and Professional Development. You will gain insights into how financial and business decisions are made, while exploring leadership and learning development concepts. The program covers Business Alignment, Learning Design, Instructional Strategy, AI Applications in Learning, and Analytics, combining theory with real-world projects that build your communication, facilitation, and strategic thinking skills. You’ll present your work, collaborate with peers and mentors, and access practical tools.
6. Creating Change through Social Entrepreneurship | Yale University and Coursera
Location: Online
Cost: Free to enroll, but certificate courses are chargeable
Dates: Self-paced, will take 16 hours to complete at 3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Application Deadline: No deadline mentioned
Eligibility: All applicants
Creating Change through Social Entrepreneurship, offered online by Yale University via Coursera, teaches high school students how to turn ideas into ventures that make a real difference. You will learn to identify a real-world environmental or social problem, engage meaningfully with affected communities, and use human-centered design to develop a viable solution. The course begins with structured research and moves through stages of ideation, prototyping, and customer interaction. The curriculum also covers practical skills such as securing funding, structuring an organization, and effectively communicating your work through a business pitch. Featuring insights from Yale alumni and global changemakers, the program shows how small initiatives can grow into impactful, scalable solutions.
7. Internship Opportunities – Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person
Cost: Internships are paid
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program offers a remote research internship for high school students passionate about International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Global Affairs. You’ll work under the supervision of an FPRI staffer and alongside scholars in one of the following research areas: Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, or Asia. You will undertake policy research, attend foreign policy seminars, and contribute to think tank publications. The program also provides access to FPRI’s events, where you can engage with experts in diplomacy, security studies, and global governance.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), GMU College of Science
Location: Remote
Cost: No cost, except the $25 application fee
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Applicants must be 15 years or older by June 18th of the application year. Note: A few research labs may be unavailable for non-US citizens
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a research-oriented virtual internship for high school students looking to engage in advanced STEM fields. You will work one-on-one with faculty researchers, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies in areas such as Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Environmental Science, Cybersecurity, and Mathematical Modeling. The program helps in building your scientific writing, data analysis, and research communication skills, preparing you to contribute to studies that may be published in academic journals or presented at conferences. Through mentorship, discussion forums, and independent research, you will develop critical thinking skills and explore diverse STEM career paths while making meaningful contributions to scientific advancements.
9. Internships, Energymag
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost and the internship is unpaid
Dates: Not specified, but the internships are usually, from 2 to 8 weeks in duration
Application Deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible
Eligibility: Applicants must
- Be sophomores, juniors and seniors only
- have at least one honors science or honors English class, although we will make exceptions in appropriate cases
- GPA over 3.25
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship provides high school and college students with the opportunity to research and analyze key developments in renewable energy and energy storage. Offered by EnergyMag, this program allows you to work remotely while gaining hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting. You will explore specific companies, technologies, and market trends, learning to synthesize information from multiple sources, connect with industry experts, and draft analytical reports for publication. With guidance from a mentor, you will refine your skills in critical thinking, professional writing, and market research, culminating in a published report.
10. BUILDING-U HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: Internships run year-round
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school: 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
The Building-U Internship, based in New York City, gives high school students real-world experience in Finance and Analytics through a collaborative, project-based learning model. You’ll learn how Financial Analysis supports business decision-making while working on projects that integrate budgeting, market research, and data-driven strategy. Working with professionals and peers, you’ll be able to use tools such as Google Analytics and data visualization platforms to interpret and present financial information effectively. By the end of the program, you’ll build a foundation in financial reasoning, digital literacy, and collaborative problem-solving.
11. Interns4Good
Location: Remote opportunities are also available
Cost: No cost
Dates: Varies based on the internship selected
Application Deadline: Open throughout the year
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school
The Interns4Good High School Internship Program, based in New York City, connects students with nonprofit organizations across fields such as Marketing, Finance, Communications, Human Resources, Graphic Design, and Social Media management. Through remote and in-person internships, you will learn how nonprofits operate while applying creative and analytical skills to real projects, such as developing outreach campaigns, managing digital content, or designing marketing materials. The program emphasizes accountability, requiring weekly reports and professional communication, offering a realistic introduction to workplace expectations. Working alongside nonprofit professionals, you’ll develop skills in teamwork, organization, and project management.
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 – Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory