If you’re a high schooler looking to explore science subjects in a more practical setting, consider an internship! Internship opportunities allow you to work alongside experienced researchers, educators, and industry professionals while sharpening your problem-solving, analytical, and technical skills. Whether in laboratories, research centers, or field projects, science internships provide hands-on experience that helps you understand how science functions beyond textbooks and theories.
By engaging with scientific concepts in practical settings, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the field and develop transferable skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
In this blog, we explore 14 science internships for high school students. You can check out our blog on summer research programs for high school students in NYC.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Varies based on lab locations.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 (16+) who are U.S. citizens
If you are interested in government-led research, SEAP offers the opportunity to spend eight weeks in the summer at a Department of the Navy laboratory, working under the guidance of scientists and engineers. Around 300 students are selected each year to join one of 38 labs across the United States, contributing to projects in areas such as cybersecurity, electronics, materials science, and systems engineering. As an intern, you’ll take part in ongoing research efforts rather than simply observing, and you’ll be expected to engage full-time in the lab environment.
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program
Location: IST laboratory at Gaithersburg, Maryland, or Boulder, Colorado
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 6
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
At NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program, you’ll spend eight weeks working full-time alongside researchers in one of the institute’s federal laboratories. As an intern, you will be matched with a scientist or engineer and assigned to projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced computing, or materials science. Your responsibilities may include lab experiments, coding, or technical analysis, and you’ll also attend research seminars and training sessions to build your knowledge. The program concludes with a poster presentation where you share your findings, giving you practice in communicating scientific results.
3. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (amount varies with experience and internship placement)
Dates: Varies by internship; Full-time summer and part-time year-round internships are offered
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; Specific eligibility criteria vary by position
Sandia National Laboratories provides paid internships that let you contribute to research projects focused on national security, energy, and advanced technology. As a high school student, you can apply for summer placements, part-time roles during the school year, or co-op positions connected to your school curriculum. Depending on your placement, your work may include coding, analyzing scientific data, or helping design experiments, all under the supervision of experienced professionals. As an intern, you will be treated as a junior team member, with clear goals and deliverables to complete over the course of your program.
4. Texas Tech University: Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2 – February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research experience that selects only about a dozen high school juniors and seniors each year. As a participant, you’ll be paired one-on-one with a faculty mentor and work on an independent research project in an area that fits your academic interests. Your daily schedule includes research tasks such as data collection, analysis, or writing, supplemented by weekly seminars and interdisciplinary discussions. Field trips and campus activities are also built into the program, allowing you to engage with peers and faculty outside of the lab.
5. NYU Tandon’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
Stipend: $1,000
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school; New York residents
The ARISE program is a fully-funded summer opportunity for high school students in New York City to gain direct experience in university research. The program begins with four weeks of structured workshops that cover lab safety, research ethics, academic writing, and scientific communication. For the remaining six weeks, you’ll work in a research lab alongside graduate mentors and faculty, contributing to ongoing projects in areas such as biomedical engineering, machine learning, psychology, and environmental science. ARISE also integrates training in public speaking and presentation, with final research shared both at NYU and at the American Museum of Natural History.
6. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: Various universities in Chicago
Stipend: $3,000 (taxable)
Dates: Second week of June through the first week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+)
Over the course of the ResearcHStart program, you’ll join a cancer research lab and investigate topics such as immunology, pharmacology, biophysics, and public health disparities. The experience is designed around practical lab work guided by faculty mentors, along with workshops on scientific skills and career development. Weekly lectures from university faculty expose you to new areas of cancer science and help you understand how research connects to larger medical challenges. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll present your report at a research symposium open to peers and professionals.
7. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Stipend: $500 weekly
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 13 – March 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors or rising graduates enrolled in an Illinois high school
PRISM at Fermilab is a four-week summer program designed for students who want to study advanced scientific topics while working with professional mentors. Each week focuses on a different theme, including particle physics, quantum science, artificial intelligence, and engineering design, giving you exposure to a wide range of STEM fields. The curriculum combines hands-on activities, lectures from scientists, and guided tours of Fermilab’s research facilities. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a research abstract, create a poster, and present your work to an audience.
8. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $6,800
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 18 – January 20
Eligibility: Current high school seniors (18+) in Texas
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program offers a 10-week placement in biomedical research for up to 12 high school students each year. You will be assigned to faculty mentors and will spend full days in the lab conducting experiments, analyzing results, and contributing to ongoing projects in cancer research and allied health. In addition, faculty-led seminars introduce you to a variety of topics in biomedical science, and enrichment activities, such as poster competitions and presentation sessions, allow you to share your work with others. The experience concludes with a formal presentation.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (remote & hybrid options available)
Cost: $25 application fee; Need-based fee waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 for remote internships and 16 for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
At George Mason University’s ASSIP, you’ll spend eight weeks conducting full-time research under the mentorship of faculty and professionals in STEM fields. Depending on your placement, you might explore areas like molecular medicine, robotics, bioengineering, computer science, or environmental policy. The program gives you access to advanced lab equipment and computational tools, allowing you to take part in projects that may even lead to publications or conference presentations. In addition to daily lab work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars that focus on topics such as ethics, science communication, and career development.
10. Science Enrichment Program (SEP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NYC
Stipend: $4,200
Dates: November 15 – August 26
Application Deadline: September 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science
If you are nominated by your school to join Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Science Enrichment Program, you’ll commit to a yearlong blend of academic coursework and research experience. From November through June, you’ll attend after-school classes that teach you the foundations of cancer biology and core lab techniques. You’ll then proceed to an eight-week summer internship, where you’ll be paired with a research mentor at the cancer center to work on projects in molecular biology, computational research, or immunology. During the summer, you’ll spend your days in the lab while also preparing to present your findings at a final poster session.
11. New York Bioforce
Location: Columbia University, Manhattan, NYC
Stipend: Paid
Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: NYC public high school students demonstrating economic or educational need based on set criteria during the academic year
New York Bioforce combines spring training with a paid summer internship to prepare you for work in biomedical labs and biotech settings. From May to June, you’ll spend 100 hours in Saturday training sessions, where you’ll learn essential lab skills such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy. You’ll also build communication and networking skills for professional science environments. Once the training phase is complete, you’ll move into a full-time, six-week internship from July to August at a partner lab. Internship sites range from university research labs at Columbia and Weill Cornell to biotech companies across New York City.
12. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older and high school seniors beginning the internship must have U.S. work authorization
During the program, you’ll be matched with scientists and engineers to contribute to real projects at a facility operated by Princeton University and the U.S. Department of Energy. Depending on your background, you might work on coding and simulations, analyze experimental data, or assist with engineering tasks using tools like CAD software or Python. The program is designed for students with strong preparation in subjects like physics, chemistry, math, or engineering, and familiarity with programming or design tools can be useful. Your daily activities combine independent tasks with mentorship, giving you exposure to the collaborative side of research.
13. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands; Participants are assigned to a location within a 45-minute commute of their home
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June – August (flexible)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+)
As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a mentor in your local area, where you might assist with fish population surveys, water quality testing, habitat restoration, or lab-based analysis. Your work will vary depending on your mentor’s focus, giving you a realistic look at the range of tasks that fisheries professionals handle. Along with field/lab activities, you’ll maintain logs of your hours and write reports to document your learning. Through the combination of mentorship, fieldwork, and reporting, you’ll get a closer look at how science is applied in conservation and resource management.
14. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable application fee of $75; None
Dates: June 22 – August 2 (based on the previous year)
Application Deadline: December 11 (based on the previous year)
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+) worldwide; More info here
At MIT’s RSI, you’ll spend six weeks immersed in both advanced coursework and hands-on research. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM seminars, providing you with exposure to fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, before you move on to your own research project. Under the guidance of an MIT mentor, you’ll contribute to ongoing investigations in a lab, analyze data, and shape your work into original findings. Along the way, you’ll read scientific literature, build skills in academic writing and modeling, and take part in evening lectures and activities. The program culminates with you presenting your research in both written and oral form at a symposium modeled after professional scientific conferences.
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!
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