Looking to turn what you learn in class into something real? Online STEM internships let you do that from your bedroom, a library, or anywhere with Wi-Fi. You can write code for an actual project, run data analysis for a researcher, or contribute to remote lab simulations while learning professional skills that look great on college applications.
Why online STEM internships work for you
They are flexible, affordable, and actually practical. You get to work with mentors and peers at universities or companies without the cost or hassle of travel. Many programs pair training with hands-on tasks, so you walk away with both new skills and tangible work samples. Whether you want to practice Python, dive into machine learning, or learn how real research is run, an online internship is an efficient way to test-drive a STEM path.
For more information on STEM programs for high school students, you can also refer to other great posts on Horizon’s blog.
13 Online STEM Internships for High School Students
1. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications close in early February; interviews and selections occur in March – April
Cost: Free (with a $25 application fee, waiver available)
Location: Online (with in-person options at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students aged 15+ (16+ for wet-lab or hybrid in-person roles)
The ASSIP program offers students opportunities to conduct original, faculty-mentored research across a wide range of STEM disciplines, including astronomy, proteomics, bioengineering, cybersecurity, machine learning, and computational modeling. You will gain exposure to data science, computer simulations, and software engineering projects that mirror professional research environments. You’ll sharpen your skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and experimental design while using industry-standard tools for simulation, coding, and statistical evaluation. The program also includes virtual seminars and networking with STEM researchers, making it ideal for students interested in building both their technical and academic portfolios.
2. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28 (Financial Aid Deadline: February 21)
Cost: $850 (Full scholarships and fee waivers available)
Location: Online (Hosted by Stanford University, CA)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12), 14+ years; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or valid visa holders; strong math or coding background preferred
This two-week virtual internship immerses you in the technical and clinical applications of artificial intelligence in medicine, combining live lectures with team-based research projects. You’ll gain hands-on experience with machine learning workflows, data annotation, and model evaluation techniques using health-related datasets under guidance from Stanford researchers. The program also features career talks from AI experts and interactive mentoring sessions, allowing you to explore how computational models drive diagnostics and clinical insights. By the end of the internship, you’ll develop foundational proficiency in AI tools and their application to real-world biomedical challenges.
3. Medicine Encompassed Online Positions
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Rolling (positions open year-round)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: Free
Location: Online (Global nonprofit organization)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide with an interest in medicine, biology, or STEAM fields
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering remote research and content roles in medical education. Participants can join as writers, editors, or resource creators across 18 medical committees, producing scientifically accurate articles, curriculum resources, and public health content for their online platforms. You’ll strengthen skills in medical writing, literature review, data interpretation, and scientific communication—critical abilities for students considering future careers in medicine or biomedical research. The program runs virtually and offers a collaborative environment where students develop leadership and team-based project skills while contributing to STEM outreach initiatives.
4. Summer Research Program with Columbia University – The Coding School
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Coming soon (five-week intensive)
Application Deadline: May 31 (for scholarship consideration)
Cost: Paid program; partial and full scholarships available
Location: Online
Eligibility: Incoming 10th–12th graders and recent high school graduates
The Summer Research Program with Columbia University, organized by The Coding School, is a five-week online immersion in data science and applied research. You’ll begin with intensive training in R programming, data visualization, and statistical analysis, gaining the technical foundation needed for real-world research. In the latter half, you’ll collaborate with PhD researchers at Columbia’s Data Science Institute, contributing to ongoing projects and refining your own independent study. Guided by university mentors, you’ll conclude the program by presenting your research findings, demonstrating both your analytical and computational expertise.
5. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Flexible — available year-round (2–8 weeks for half-time, or 1–9 months for quarter-time internships)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: Free
Location: Online (remote mentorship and collaboration)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA > 3.25 and at least one honors-level science or English class
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship allows students to conduct independent research on renewable energy technologies, companies, and markets under close mentorship from industry professionals. You will work remotely to produce analytical reports on topics like battery storage, grid efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure, developing strong skills in data gathering, technical writing, and critical synthesis. You’ll gain practical experience in research communication and energy sector analysis through Skype-based mentorship and peer collaboration. You’ll build proficiency in professional writing, environmental data interpretation, and applied STEM problem-solving while contributing to real-world sustainability discussions.
6. NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 9
Cost: Free
Location: Fully online (asynchronous with optional live office hours)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering grades 11–12 or college freshmen; must have completed at least one high school biology course and hold a minimum GPA of 3.0
Run by NASA’s Space Biosciences Division, the GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) program is a 12-week online research experience in space biology, bioinformatics, and computational science. You will receive practical training in analyzing omics datasets and applying NASA research techniques using data from the Open Science Data Repository (OSDR). The curriculum is self-paced, supplemented by optional live office hours and an advanced Capstone Project, where teams investigate biological data linked to spaceflight. Outstanding teams may be selected to present their findings at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference. Participants who complete the program earn a digital certificate recognizing their achievement in space bioscience research.
7. Seaside Sustainability Remote Internship (High School)
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: Rolling start; part-time (~15 hrs/week) for ~5 months
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free
Location: Remote (optional in-person activities near Gloucester, MA)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12), U.S. and international; capacity to commit ~15 hrs/week; strong interest in STEAM/biology/medicine/environment
As an intern, you’ll contribute to real projects across environmental education, conservation initiatives, and STEM programming, producing research briefs, status updates, and recommendations used by cross-functional teams. You’ll practice professional writing and effective research, present project findings, and build remote-work fluency through regular meetings and deliverables. The program emphasizes self-direction, critical thinking, and basic project management skills that you’ll apply while drafting materials, coordinating with mentors, and iterating on feedback for publishable outputs. Expect consistent collaboration, clear scopes, and iterative review cycles aligned to a five-month roadmap.
8. Colorado School of Mines – CS@Mines High School/Community College Internship
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 18
Cost: Free; C4G (Computing for the Good) track has a $100 fee, with scholarships available
Location: Remote and in-person options available (Golden, CO)
Eligibility: Open to high school and community college students; prior computer science experience not required
This 6-week internship introduces high school and community college students to computer science research through projects mentored by Mines faculty and undergraduate leaders. You will collaborate in small teams to work on computing challenges with social impact, gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving, programming, and research communication. You’ll spend around 10 hours a week applying coding concepts to real-world issues while developing teamwork and project management skills in a university research environment.
9. Green Scholars Program – Seaside Sustainability
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Flexible (semester or year-long)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free for individual participants (school partnerships available)
Location: Online / Hybrid (nationwide participation)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in environmental science, sustainability, or applied STEM.
Seaside Sustainability’s Green Scholars program immerses you in hands-on environmental research and leadership training. You’ll study key areas such as environmental science, sustainability principles, and project management, then apply your knowledge through initiatives like energy audits, aquaponics design, water conservation, and waste reduction. Mentorship from sustainability professionals helps you strengthen research, communication, and teamwork skills. The program’s experiential structure blends environmental literacy with community action. By the end, you’ll have gained applied experience in data analysis, sustainability metrics, and systems-based problem solving, essential competencies for future environmental scientists and engineers.
10. MITES Semester (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: Fall (applications open for high school juniors)
Cost: Free
Location: Online (with one in-person conference at MIT)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in 11th grade
MITES Semester is a six-month, free online STEM program by MIT designed for high school juniors passionate about science and engineering. You will take two rigorous courses—one project-based and one in a core area, such as calculus, computer science, physics, or science writing—while developing a deep understanding of how STEM shapes society. Mentored by MIT faculty and peers, you’ll work 25–30 hours per week during the summer on real-world projects like robotics, machine learning, and thermodynamics, then attend college prep workshops through the fall. The program concludes with an in-person conference at MIT, offering mentorship and networking with STEM professionals.
11. BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Stipend: $500
Program Dates: October – December (Fall) / March – May (Spring)
Application Deadline: Rolling (Early access available before each session)
Cost: Free
Location: Hybrid (Online + In-person labs in Boston, MA)
Eligibility: Massachusetts public high school students aged 16+ pursuing college or careers in life sciences
BioBuilder’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge is an eight-week hybrid training program for students interested in biotechnology and lab-based research. Participants meet online weekly for theoretical instruction and attend Saturday lab sessions to practice experimental design, pipetting, and molecular biology techniques at the BioBuilder Learning Lab. You will gain micro-credentials in lab skills, develop research thinking, and receive mentorship from STEM educators and professionals. The program emphasizes inclusion, preparing underrepresented students for future internships and STEM career pathways while offering a $500 stipend upon completion.
12. The Intern Group – Remote Internship Program
Stipend: Unpaid (Program fee: USD $1,990–$2,490 depending on duration)
Program Dates: Rolling start dates year-round (every two weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $1,990–$2,490 depending on duration (4–24 weeks)
Location: Online (Global)
Eligibility: Open to advanced high school and university students worldwide
The Intern Group offers a fully remote internship experience with over 3,000 partner organizations worldwide. You can choose from STEM-related fields such as computer science, engineering, environmental science, IT, and data analytics, and gain hands-on professional experience in a flexible, mentor-led environment. Participants work between 10 and 40 hours per week for 4 to 24 weeks, making it ideal for students balancing school or other commitments. Interns receive personalized placement support, career advancement training, 1:1 advising, access to global networking events, and a three-month Talkspace subscription for well-being support. The program is designed to help students develop real-world technical and professional skills while working remotely with international teams.
13. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship – The University of Texas at Austin
Stipend: Not specified (housing, meals, and local transport covered for on-site participants; some travel scholarships available)
Program Dates: May 19 – July 22
Application Deadline: February 22
Cost: Free
Location: Online (with select hybrid/on-site options in Austin, TX)
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12) interested in STEM
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) internship, funded by NASA and hosted by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research, offers high school students an opportunity to participate in authentic NASA research. You’ll begin with distance learning modules in Earth and space science and Python from May 19 to July 1, followed by virtual mentorship and project work with NASA scientists and engineers through early July. You will explore advanced topics such as remote sensing, satellite data analysis, planetary science, climate modeling, and Earth system science, using real NASA datasets to study natural hazards and global change. All teams present their findings at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium held in late July. This hybrid NASA-affiliated program is one of the most respected online STEM experiences available for high schoolers, combining scientific rigor with mentorship from leading researchers.
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 – George Mason University