Key Takeaways
- These 15 internships span federal research labs, hospitals, universities, and city agencies across Illinois, covering fields from particle physics at Fermilab to cancer research at UIC and public transit operations at the CTA, alongside Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offers a virtual research track for students who want a fully remote option.
- Most of these internships are paid, with stipends or hourly wages ranging from around $16 an hour to $500 a week, making them accessible options if you’re looking for compensated summer work alongside professional experience.
- Several programs, including the UChicago Youth Internship Program and MedSTEM Pathways, are structured as multi-session or multi-year pathways rather than single summer placements, offering continued involvement if you complete an initial year successfully.
- Many programs restrict eligibility to Chicago residents or specific counties, such as CHESS, the Chicago Summer Business Institute, and the Will County Summer Internship Program, so location matters more here than in a typical statewide list.
- Application deadlines vary considerably, from early options like SEAP’s November 1 deadline to later spring deadlines like the Summer Science Internship’s April 17, so it’s worth building a timeline early if you’re targeting multiple programs.
If you’re a high school student in Illinois looking to explore career paths and build real-world skills, internships can be one of the most impactful ways to spend your time. These opportunities extend beyond the classroom, providing firsthand experience in professional environments such as hospitals, research labs, nonprofits, and businesses. You’ll begin to understand what different fields look like day-to-day while developing skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. From a college admissions perspective, internships signal initiative and intellectual curiosity when they align with your interests.
Why Illinois Is a Great Place for High School Internships
Illinois offers a wide variety of internship programs tailored for high school students, many hosted by top universities, research centers, and civic organizations across the state. Whether you’re based in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, you’ll find opportunities that match your academic interests and future goals.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 internships for high school students in Illinois.
1. PRISM – Program for Research Innovation and STEM Mentorship – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Location: Batavia, IL (on-site and off-site schedule)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend of $500 per week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Illinois high school seniors or graduates who are U.S. citizens with medical insurance
PRISM is a four-week summer program where you rotate through different STEM themes each week, including particle physics, quantum science, engineering design, and artificial intelligence. Your days are a mix of hands-on activities, faculty-led lectures, and guided tours of Fermilab’s research facilities, so you’re not just sitting in classrooms the whole time. Each week focuses on a different scientific area, giving you broad exposure rather than locking you into one narrow project. Mentorship and professional development are built into the experience, with Fermilab staff helping you understand what STEM careers actually look like day to day. You’ll conclude the program by producing a research abstract, a poster, and a final presentation.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!
3. DSI Summer Lab – University of Chicago Data Science Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and Chicago-area high school students; high school students must reside year-round in the Chicago area
DSI Summer Lab is an eight-week summer research program where you work closely with a data science mentor on an applied research project. Projects span a wide range of fields, including computer science, social science, public policy, climate and energy, materials science, and biomedical research, so the work is interdisciplinary by design. You’ll be part of a cohort, which means your experience includes structured collaboration, regular check-ins, and shared programming alongside your individual research. You’re paired directly with a mentor and spend most of the summer focused on a single, in-depth research project rather than rotating topics. Prior research experience isn’t required, and the program is designed to teach research methods, teamwork, and communication throughout.
4. VALOR JROTC Program – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Location: Batavia, IL
Stipend: Paid at $18 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Illinois high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates enrolled in a JROTC program and eligible to work in the U.S.
The VALOR JROTC Program is a six-week paid summer internship where you work full-time in an on-site technical role at Fermilab. You’ll be assigned to an experiment or support group and help with routine technical tasks while working closely with scientists, engineers, and other staff. The work is supervised, structured, and team-based, so you’re learning how large research organizations actually operate day to day. Rather than focusing on independent research, this internship emphasizes hands-on technical support and professional workplace experience. You’ll end the program with an oral presentation reflecting on your work and complete an exit survey.
5. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs – Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; housing, meals, and a monetary award provided (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students from IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, IA, or WI
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs are a six-week, full-time research experience at the University of Illinois where you work in a real research group alongside faculty, graduate students, and other researchers. You’ll spend about 30–35 hours per week on research and professional development, with projects spanning fields like engineering, computer science, neuroscience, physics, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. Weekly seminars cover practical topics, including communicating research, building posters, and navigating the college admissions process. You’re embedded in an active research environment and expected to contribute meaningfully, not just observe. The program ends with a final research symposium where you present your work.
6. UChicago Youth Internship Program – University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid summer employment (stipend amount not specified; funded through One Summer Chicago)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students (including charter schools) who are at least 16 years old, authorized to work in the U.S., and residents of Chicago
The UChicago Youth Internship Program is a paid, two-summer experience designed to introduce you to STEM careers while also building college and workplace skills. In Year 1, you follow an earn-and-learn model with structured programming that includes workshops, guest speakers, workplace tours, leadership development, and college planning activities. The focus of the first summer is exploration and preparation rather than being placed directly into a job role. If you successfully complete Year 1, you can apply for Year 2, which places you in a six-week paid internship in health sciences, computer science, or IT services within University of Chicago units. The program runs on a set daily schedule during the week and includes required onboarding and orientation sessions.
7. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) High School Internships – Chicago Transit Authority
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid at $16.60 per hour; free CTA, Pace, and Metra transportation
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 250 interns
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 16–18 with a 2.5 GPA or higher who are authorized to work in the U.S.
The CTA High School Internship is a seven-week, paid summer program offered through One Summer Chicago that combines work experience with professional development. You’ll follow a weekday schedule and take part in a hybrid model that includes job assignments, mentorship from transportation industry professionals, and structured workshops. Programming covers topics such as financial literacy, career exploration, and workplace skills, and includes opportunities to connect with other interns across the city. This program blends real-world work experience with structured mentorship, rather than placing you in a single, isolated role. CTA provides technology during the internship, and there’s also an option to earn college credit through City Colleges of Chicago. This is a good fit if you want a paid, structured introduction to a large public-sector organization and can commit to a consistent summer schedule.
8. MedSTEM Pathways – Rush University Medical Center (REACH)
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31 (summer session) | January – March (spring session)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and recent high school graduates with a minimum 2.5 GPA (Chicago/Oak Park & River ForestResidents Only)
MedSTEM Pathways is a paid internship program where you split your time between hands-on work experience and structured classes focused on college and career readiness. During the summer session, you intern up to 12 hours per week in a department at Rush University Medical Center or a partner organization, and spend 8–12 hours per week in classes focused on certifications, healthcare skills, and career exploration. The program runs across three sessions, with summer as the main entry point and optional fall and spring internships for returning students. Internships span a wide range of areas, including clinical departments, research, IT, finance, and allied health roles. This program is a good fit if you’re interested in healthcare or related fields and want a paid, structured pathway that combines internships, skill-building, and college planning.
9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships – Army Educational Outreach Program
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and research labs, including sites in Illinois
Stipend: Educational stipend provided (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by placement
Program Dates: 6–10 weeks between May and August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; specific requirements vary by internship site
AEOP High School Internships are research-focused summer opportunities where you work directly with a university researcher or a Department of Defense scientist. Your day-to-day work depends on the site but often includes hands-on tasks such as running experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and comparing results across datasets. Illinois-based sites offer projects in areas such as synthetic biology, civil works, military and geospatial engineering, and materials science. You’re treated as a research assistant and expected to contribute to real, ongoing research rather than follow a preset curriculum. Alongside lab work, you’ll participate in workshops, webinars, and online learning modules that focus on professional and academic skill development.
10. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) – Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid internship (stipend amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents who are high school sophomores or juniors, maintain a B average (3.0 GPA), meet household income requirements, and can commit to full daily participation
The Chicago Summer Business Institute is a six-week paid summer internship program that places Chicago high school students in professional business and finance settings across the city. You’re matched with a corporate, nonprofit, or government host organization where you work in a real office environment and take on day-to-day responsibilities. Alongside your internship, the program includes workshops on professional skills such as resume building, interviewing, communication, and workplace expectations. The program is designed to give you early exposure to the business world while reinforcing the importance of continuing your education. Internships vary by placement, so your experience could involve finance, accounting, operations, or public-sector work.
11. After School Matters Programs – After School Matters
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend provided (amount varies by program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Spring (late February – mid-May) | Summer (late June – early August) | Fall (late September – mid-December)
Application Deadline: Varies by session (January for spring, April for summer, late August for fall)
Eligibility: Chicago residents ages 14–18 who attend a Chicago high school
After School Matters offers paid, skill-building programs during the school year and summer, where you explore career interests while working with mentors and peers. Programs fall into two main formats: apprenticeships, which focus on hands-on skill development in a specific area, and outreach assistantships, which provide introductory workplace experiences through team-based projects. You can choose from a wide range of fields, including arts, communication and leadership, sports, and STEM, depending on what you want to try or build on. All programs are paid, reinforcing that your time and effort are treated as real work. Sessions meet outside regular school hours or during the summer, making them manageable alongside classes.
12. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program
Location: Multiple Department of the Navy research labs nationwide, including sites in Illinois
Stipend: $4,000 stipend for new interns; $4,500 for returning interns
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 300 placements nationwide
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old; additional lab-specific requirements may apply
SEAP is an eight-week summer internship where you’re placed directly in a Department of the Navy research lab and work alongside scientists and engineers. Your responsibilities depend on the lab but may include materials testing, robotics work, systems engineering tasks, and support for ongoing research projects. You’ll learn how professional labs operate by practicing proper documentation, using research tools, and contributing to real experiments rather than simulated exercises. This program emphasizes full immersion in a federal research environment rather than classroom-style instruction. Mentors guide your work closely, but you’re expected to engage seriously with the research and ask questions as you go.
13. Will County Summer Internship Program – Will County Center for Economic Development
Location: Will County, IL (various worksites)
Stipend: Paid internships; pay rate varies by position (examples include $18 per hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by placement
Program Dates: Summer (dates vary by position)
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students; specific age, hour, and qualification requirements vary by internship
The Will County Summer Internship Program connects high school students with paid internships across local government agencies, nonprofits, libraries, healthcare providers, park districts, and private businesses. You apply directly to specific roles across engineering, IT, healthcare, marketing, education, public service, and skilled trades. Most positions are part-time and involve actual workplace responsibilities rather than simulated tasks. This program is notable for offering a wide range of industries, enabling you to explore careers that match your interests. Since each internship is hosted by a different organization, there can be significant differences in schedules, pay rates, and responsibilities.
14. Summer Science Internship – University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Location: Rockford, IL
Stipend: Paid stipend (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 7 interns selected from about 45 applicants
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7 (tentative)
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Area high school students who are at least 16 years old by May 1
The Summer Science Internship is a two-month, paid research program where you work directly in biomedical research labs at UIC Rockford. You’ll spend your summer learning lab techniques and contributing to ongoing research projects related to cancer, vaccines, drug development, and other areas of medical and industrial science. The program is highly mentored, with students working side by side with scientists and learning how to function as part of a research team. You’re expected to take on real lab responsibilities and develop concrete research and communication skills, including poster and oral presentations. In addition to lab work, the program includes training in resume writing, interviewing, leadership, and scientific communication.
15. CHESS – Cancer Health Engagement Summer Scholars Program – University of Illinois Cancer Center
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in cancer research and health professions
CHESS is an eight-week summer program that introduces you to cancer research through mentorship, training, and hands-on exposure to biomedical and population health topics. You’ll learn what cancer research actually looks like in practice, with opportunities to explore areas such as biology, health equity, and public health while working with mentors connected to the University of Illinois Cancer Center. The program is run in collaboration with the UIC Urban Health Program, with a strong focus on community health and access, as well as research. The program is designed to support students who may not otherwise have access to cancer research opportunities. In addition to research exposure, you’ll take part in structured learning and career exploration activities tied to health professions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of internships are available to high school students in Illinois?
You’ll find a mix of formats, including research-focused placements like PRISM at Fermilab and the DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago, healthcare and biomedical internships like MedSTEM Pathways and the Summer Science Internship at UIC Rockford, and city and civic-focused programs like the CTA High School Internships and the UChicago Youth Internship Program. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent, mentored research remotely across a wide range of subjects rather than joining a fixed in-person internship.
Do you need prior research or work experience to apply?
Most of these internships don’t require prior research or work experience, since many are designed to teach professional and research skills from the ground up. The DSI Summer Lab explicitly states that prior research experience isn’t required, and programs like the UChicago Youth Internship Program are structured around exploration and preparation in the first year before placing you in a more hands-on role.
Are these internships paid?
Yes, most of the internships on this list are paid. PRISM pays $500 per week, the CTA High School Internship pays $16.60 an hour, and SEAP offers $4,000 for new interns or $4,500 for returning interns. A few, like the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs, don’t pay a direct wage but cover housing, meals, and provide a monetary award instead.
Which internships offer the highest stipends?
SEAP offers the highest stipend on this list at up to $4,500 for returning interns, followed by the DSI Summer Lab at $5,600 for its eight-week program. CHESS at the University of Illinois Cancer Center offers a $3,000 stipend, and PRISM’s $500-per-week rate adds up to $2,000 over its four-week duration.
Which internships are restricted to Chicago residents or specific counties?
Several of these programs have geographic requirements. The UChicago Youth Internship Program and CTA High School Internships are limited to Chicago residents, the Chicago Summer Business Institute requires Chicago residency alongside income eligibility, and the Will County Summer Internship Program is limited to Will County. Others, like SEAP and the AEOP High School Internships, draw from a broader multi-state or national applicant pool.
Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured Illinois internship?
Yes. If you want a mentored research experience without needing to secure a spot in a specific Illinois-based lab or program, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, entirely online. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.
When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. SEAP has the earliest deadline at November 1, followed by CHESS (January) and the DSI Summer Lab (January 12). February and March bring several more deadlines, including MedSTEM Pathways (February 27), the Will County Summer Internship Program (February 20), and PRISM (March 1). Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.
Image source: University of Illinois