If you’re a high school student looking to explore a career in a field of your choice early on, consider an internship! Online internships, specifically, are super practical (and accessible) ways to do so. They help open up a practical way to test the waters before committing to a field. Online internship programs give you the chance to sharpen advanced skills, from coding and data analysis to research and writing, all while working with teams and mentors. Because they’re online, you can join from anywhere, making them accessible even if you don’t live near a metropolis
The structured projects and mentorship not only build confidence but also provide valuable experiences that can help you stand out in college applications. Online internships can also help you network with professionals and peers, sparking long-term career opportunities. In this list, we’ve rounded up 16 best online internships for high school students that will help you build skills, gain exposure, and prepare for future academic and career goals.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you intern with a high-growth start-up. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options in their application form here. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised over a million dollars on an average. In the program, you will work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your report to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas 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 that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Online (hosted by Stanford University’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging)
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 program fee; financial aid is available
Program Dates: June 16–27 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. PT.
Application Deadline: February 28 (Fee Waiver/Scholarship Deadline: February 21)
Eligibility: High school students (entering grades 9–12 in Fall), over age 14, U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students on valid visas. Strong preference for applicants with math, coding, or healthcare-related experience.
Stipend: None
This two-week online internship at Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging introduces you to the technical and clinical applications of AI in healthcare. You’ll attend daily lectures on machine learning fundamentals, collaborate in mentored group research projects, and participate in career sessions with experts from academia, industry, and government. Through this internship, you can expect to sharpen skills in Python-based modeling, data analysis, and healthcare-specific AI tools while working in small teams under Stanford mentors. Upon completion of the internship program, you will earn a certificate and may be invited to extend independent research opportunities.
4. United Planet Virtual Internship and Volunteer Quests
Location: Online (international host organizations)
Cost: $100–$300 per week (varies by placement)
Program Dates: Year-round (5–8 weeks, 9–12 weeks, or 3–6 months, depending on placement)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16+, university students, and adults of all nationalities. Requires English proficiency and an interest in global issues.
Stipend: None
This program connects you with international organizations working in the field of global health, environmental sustainability, and children’s education. Projects are remote yet collaborative, with daily interactions across cultures, video calls, and written deliverables. You’ll gain exposure to nonprofit workflows, international development strategies, and cross-cultural communication while contributing to ongoing global initiatives. The placements emphasize teamwork, professional writing, and applied research, offering you a first-hand look at how international NGOs function in a digital environment.
5. George Mason University – Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Online, Hybrid, or In-Person (George Mason University and partner labs)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 18–August 8
Application Deadline: Applications open in January; close in February (notifications in March–April)
Eligibility: High school students (15+ for remote or computer-lab internships; 16+ for wet-lab). Open also to undergraduates.
Stipend: None
ASSIP offers high school students an opportunity to conduct original research alongside George Mason faculty and partner with scientists in fields ranging from molecular medicine, neuroscience, and climate science to machine learning, cybersecurity, and data science. Remote interns contribute to computational modeling, data analysis, and simulation-based projects using advanced software and coding tools. You’ll practice scientific writing, present findings in poster sessions, and may even see your name on published research abstracts. This program emphasizes both technical training and professional communication, making it a strong foundation for future STEM pathways.
6. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Summer High School Internship
Location: Washington, DC and Virtual (hybrid and online opportunities available)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 24–August 5
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to current high school students ages 14–18.
Stipend: None
This structured Smithsonian Summer High School Internship program places high school students in museum departments such as Entomology and Exhibits, where the interns support research and collections projects while learning the daily workflows of a major museum. Remote students engage in science communication, digital archiving, or online exhibition projects with the Smithsonian staff. You’ll gain first-hand training in research documentation, digital cataloging, and science writing while contributing to the museum’s varied initiatives. The experience culminates in presentations of your work, offering both technical and professional skills useful for STEM and humanities pathways.
7. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Track
Location: Online (hosted by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5-week virtual program in the Summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors in high school across the United States. Priority given to students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds in STEM.
Stipend: None
The virtual JHIBS program provides structured exposure to neuroscience and medical research, blending educational lectures, professional development workshops, and mentorship sessions with Johns Hopkins faculty. You will learn basic laboratory techniques through online simulations and guided exercises. You’ll explore themes in neurology and brain science, gain insights into medical career paths, and train in science communication, leading up to final presentations. This program is particularly valuable for students considering careers in neuroscience, psychology, or medicine and seeking early research mentorship from a top medical institution.
8. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Remote Internships
Location: Online or In-Person (Philadelphia, PA)
Cost: Free to apply
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Spring: February–May, Summer: June–August, Fall: October–December
Application Deadline: Applications closed for the Spring and Summer cohorts. Admission deadline for the Fall cohort is August 4–18
Eligibility: Open to students worldwide; no U.S. citizenship required. High school, undergraduate, and graduate students may apply depending on role. Advanced research positions may require language or data skills.
Stipend: Limited stipends available (based on financial need); many internships are unpaid or eligible for university work-study grants
FPRI is a Philadelphia-based think tank that offers structured internships in research, operations, development, and communications. As a remote research intern, you will collaborate with scholars having expertise in areas such as Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, often contributing to data analysis, policy brief preparation, or literature reviews. Communications interns work virtually on social media strategy, content creation, and editorial tasks, while operations interns assist in program management. You will be mentored by policy experts, have access to FPRI’s events, and may publish on the Intern Corner platform.
9. Seaside Sustainability Virtual Internships
Location: Online (remote worldwide; optional in-person opportunities for those near Gloucester, MA)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round; 5-month internship contracts (rolling start dates)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students (15+), undergraduates, and post-grads worldwide. Minimum 15 hours/week commitment for 5 months.
Stipend: None
Seaside Sustainability is a nonprofit organization focused on environmental conservation, STEM education, and community engagement. The online internships for high school students assign high schoolers to real-world sustainability projects involving policy research, environmental legislation, digital outreach, and STEM problem-solving. You’ll receive training in professional writing, project reporting, cross-functional teamwork, and environmental research. You’ll also gain practical skills in remote work, critical thinking, and self-directed project management, while contributing to global initiatives in climate action and conservation. Through the program, you can earn course credit and find opportunities in leadership roles during extended internships.
10. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Location: Online (remote, worldwide)
Cost: Free
Program Dates:
- Half-time internships (Summer only): 2–8 weeks, 20 hrs/week
- Quarter-time internships (Year-round): 1–9 months, 8 hrs/week
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (GPA > 3.25; preference for those with at least one honors science or English class). Requires application, interview, and writing sample.
Stipend: None
EnergyMag places interns on focused research and analysis projects in renewable energy and energy storage. Assignments may include investigating new storage technologies, analyzing emerging companies, or preparing policy/market reports, with direct mentorship provided throughout the period. You’ll gain professional training in research methodology, technical writing, and energy sector literacy while publishing your work online in your name. This makes it a unique opportunity to build both STEM knowledge and real-world communication skills in a rapidly growing field.
11. PHC Group Mary Miller Summer Program
Location: Online (virtual collaboration with PHC Group leadership)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer; June–August
Application Deadline: Applications open early in the year; rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors; applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, communication skills, and basic Microsoft Office proficiency.
Stipend: Paid internship
Hosted in memory of community leader Mary Miller, this program provides high school students with practical experience in public health and digital communication. You’ll work directly under PHC Group’s Public Health Director, contributing to social media strategy, online research, and collaborative planning meetings while learning how global teams operate on a daily basis. The emphasis on social marketing analysis, data reporting, and technical project support makes it an applied internship at the intersection of public health and communication.
12. Building-U High School Internship
Location: Online (remote, global)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round (3+ months; internships run continuously)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (apply anytime)
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) worldwide
Stipend: None
Building-U offers remote internships that immerse you in real organizational problem-solving across multiple teams, from marketing and business development to coding and data privacy. Depending on your team, you might work with Google Analytics for marketing campaigns, React and PHP for web development, or Laravel and Bootstrap for database projects. Other teams focus on research writing, multimedia editing, or creating social content across Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. You will collaborate globally, practicing professional communication, knowledge integration, and project management in an environment designed to mimic the workflows of a growing organization.
13. Medicine Encompassed Online Internships
Location: Online (remote, international)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round (ongoing positions)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (applications reviewed throughout the school year)
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) worldwide
Stipend: None
Medicine Encompassed, a student-led nonprofit, offers structured online roles across 18 medical committees and general departments such as marketing, partnerships, and design. As a writer, editor, or resource creator, you’ll produce and refine articles, study guides, and educational resources that form part of the group’s medical curriculum and outreach initiatives. You’ll also gain exposure to professional workflows in sponsorship outreach, graphic design, and social media strategy, while sharpening teamwork and scientific communication skills. This online internship for high school students is particularly valuable if you’re exploring medicine, STEAM, or healthcare-focused careers.
14. Oxford Scholastica Academy Online Summer Research Internships
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: £995
Program Dates: June–August (four-week cohorts; Saturdays or Sundays)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (limited places available)
Eligibility: Open to students ages 15–18 worldwide
Stipend: Unpaid; £995 tuition
Oxford Scholastica Academy offers fully online, month-long internships where students work in small cohorts with Oxford and Cambridge academics. Over four weekends, you’ll meet via Zoom for 12 hours of live mentoring, conduct research, and co-author a paper that can be published in an academic journal. You will also receive a Certificate of Achievement and a Letter of Recommendation, making this program a strong addition to university applications. With subjects ranging from Business and Finance to Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Psychology, the internship provides international networking, professional skills, and academic depth in a focused format.
15. Girls Who Code Summer Programs (SIP + Pathways)
Location: Online (open globally)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer (June–August); SIP is a 2-week live program, Pathways is a 6-week self-paced option
Application Deadline: Typically March (applications open in January)
Eligibility: Open to current 9th–11th graders for SIP; open to 9th–12th graders, including graduating seniors, for Pathways
Stipend: $300 needs-based grant available for eligible U.S. students (Summer Immersion Program only)
Girls Who Code’s Summer Programs give you the opportunity to develop advanced computer science skills either through a two-week live, virtual immersion in game design and UX principles or a six-week self-paced track in web development, cybersecurity, data science, and AI. You’ll work with coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, apply them to real-world projects, and connect with mentors from leading tech companies. The program also emphasizes professional networking, giving you exposure to engineers and industry leaders who can shape your future career path.
16. CS@Mines High School/Community College Internships (Colorado School of Mines)
Location: Hybrid, in-person in Golden, CO, and remote options available
Cost: Free for CS@Mines internships; C4G has a $100 fee with scholarships available
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the Summer
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to high school students and community college students with an interest in computer science (no prior training required)
Stipend: Unpaid
The CS@Mines summer internships connect high school and community college students with faculty-led research projects in computer science, offering 2–4 placements in research, 30–50 opportunities in Computing for the Good, and additional DECtech internships. Over six weeks, you’ll work in small teams led by Mines undergraduates, contributing 5–20 hours per week on projects that merge computing with real-world applications. The program is designed to be accessible even if you don’t have prior CS training, focusing instead on your curiosity and commitment to learning.
Image source – George Mason University