STEM internships can be a way for high school students to see how science, technology, engineering, and math are applied beyond textbooks. If you’re thinking about studying any of these subjects in college, spending a summer in an internship can give you a clearer view of how the field works and the career paths you might want to consider. If you’re based in Virginia and want something local, or looking for internships in Virginia, this blog is for you.
Virginia is home to a bunch of organizations and universities that offer internships for high schoolers each year. Some programs focus on areas like coding, robotics, or data analysis, while others give you experience in biology, chemistry, or engineering projects.
Staying local for an internship also comes with benefits. You can cut down on travel expenses and start making connections in your own community that could help when applying to college or future jobs. Plus, having STEM experience on your resume shows that you’ve taken the initiative to explore your interests early.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 STEM summer internships for high school students in Virginia!
15 STEM Summer Internships for High School Students in Virginia
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 5–15 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Ladder Internships is a remote program where high school students work with startups and nonprofit organizations in areas such as healthcare and medicine. The program pairs you with an organization based on your interests and the type of experience you’re seeking. Once matched, you’ll work on tasks that support the organization’s ongoing projects. A project manager from the organization will guide your day-to-day work, and you’ll also receive additional support from a Ladder coach. Throughout the internship, you’ll attend weekly sessions focused on developing skills like communication and time management. At the end of the program, you’ll present a summary of what you worked on and what you learned. Here is the application form!
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
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. Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Summer Camp
Location: Gloucester Point, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application Deadline: March 14 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: NERRS Nerds (rising 9th through 12th grade) on June 12–13 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school students are eligible for some of the camps.
The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, in partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, offers free multi-day summer camps focused on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. These camps are designed for different age groups and cover topics such as wetlands, marine habitats, and environmental responsibility. Activities take place both in the field and in the lab, giving you a chance to learn about marine science through hands-on experiences. High school students can apply to serve as Junior Counselors. In this volunteer role, you’ll assist with daily camp activities and support younger participants.
4. Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)
Location: One of the five partner universities in VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application Deadline: February 1 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: William & Mary: June 22 – 25; Virginia Tech: July 20 – 23; Radford University: July 20 – 23; Old Dominion University: July 27 – 30; University of Virginia: July 30 – August 2
Eligibility: 8th and 9th-grade Virginia residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a minimum 2.7 GPA
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) is a free three-day residential STEM program for rising 9th and 10th-grade students in Virginia. It takes place at five universities: Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William and Mary. The program is meant to give you a chance to explore science and technology in a college setting, especially if you have not had access to advanced STEM opportunities yet. During the program, you take part in hands-on activities run by university faculty. You get to try experiments in areas like engineering, physics, and computer science. You also attend sessions that introduce you to college pathways and STEM careers.
5. Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars
Location: Virtual and NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application Deadline: October 26 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: The program runs online courses from December to May, followed by an in-person week-long summer residency at the NASA Langley Research Center.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are Virginia residents, United States citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 2.7
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program gives you the chance to learn about aerospace science and engineering during the school year while connecting directly to NASA research. You begin with an online course where you study topics like space exploration, engineering design, and systems thinking. If you do well in the online course, you may be invited to a one-week summer academy at NASA Langley in Hampton, Virginia. At the academy, you work with a team to design a mission concept for human travel to Mars.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend. $25 application fee, which can be waived depending on need
Application Deadline: February 2 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: June 18 — August 8 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 15 are eligible to apply for remote and computer lab in-person internships, and those over the age of 16 for “wet-lab” in-person or hybrid internships
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a research-focused opportunity for high school and college students interested in STEM. As a participant, you’ll be paired with a mentor and take part in ongoing research projects in areas such as robotics, human-computer interaction, bioelectronics, and computational modeling. During the program, you’ll gain experience using lab equipment and software tools while developing skills in scientific writing and data analysis.
7. NOVA’s Bridge Programs in Computer Science/Information Technology and Engineering Technology
Location: Northern Virginia Community College
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: Not available yet. Check here for updates!
Program dates: Multiple sessions from July to August. Check here for updates!
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and current juniors can apply
NOVA Bridge Programs in Computer Science/Information Technology and Engineering Technology are free, two-week summer programs for high school juniors and seniors designed to give hands-on exposure to in-demand tech careers. In the Computer Science and IT track, you’ll build and assemble computers, install and troubleshoot software, explore cybersecurity basics, and get an introduction to AI, all through practical labs and simulations. The Engineering Technology track focuses on data center operations and semiconductor manufacturing, including tours of local industry sites such as AWS and Micron Technology.
8. Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Governor’s School
Location: Gloucester Point, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: January — February (varies by division/school)
Program dates: July 6–26 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders with a demonstrated interest in marine science
VIMS Governor’s School is a four-week summer residential program for rising 11th and 12th graders in Virginia who want hands-on experience in marine science. Run by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in partnership with William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education, the program immerses you in authentic research alongside professional scientists and graduate students. You’ll join a research team, conduct fieldwork and lab experiments, collect and analyze samples, and complete a research project that you present in a formal report.
9. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: March 1 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors residing in North America (U.S. or Canada) who are enrolled full-time toward a high school diploma
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week virtual summer research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. You work on a mentored research project led by faculty from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The program includes sessions on lab techniques, research methods, ethics, and brain science topics. You also attend professional development workshops and present your findings at the end of the program to peers and mentors.
10. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Dental Careers Exploration
Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: May 2
Program dates: July 13–17
Eligibility: Rising 10th to graduating seniors in the Greater Richmond area with a 3.0+ GPA who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents
The VCU Dental Careers Exploration Program is a five-day summer experience for high school students interested in dentistry. You’ll use real dental tools to practice techniques like tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, and digital imaging. The program includes lab simulations, live demonstrations, and chances to observe clinical procedures. You’ll also meet dental students and faculty to learn about different roles in oral health and how to pursue dental education.
11. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) – Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 (financial aid is available). Stipend not provided
Application Deadline: February 28 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: June 16 — June 27 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program where you explore how artificial intelligence is used in healthcare and medical imaging. You’ll attend lectures on AI fundamentals, work on a group research project, and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty, graduate students, and researchers. The program includes guest speakers during “Career Lunch and Learn” sessions, where you hear from professionals in medicine, government, and industry. You can apply for a “Student Lead” role to help coordinate projects and gain leadership experience. At the end, you present your research and receive a certificate of completion.
12. NASA OSTEM Internship Program
Location: Various NASA centers in the country including Langley Research Center in Hampton and Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore + remote options
Cost/Stipend: No cost. The stipend amount depends on the academic level and session duration.
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28 | Fall: May 16
Program Dates: Summer: Late May or early June to August | Fall: Late August or early September to mid-December
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by the time they apply.
NASA OSTEM Internship Program is a paid opportunity for high school and college students to work on real-world STEM projects alongside NASA professionals. You can choose between virtual or on-site formats at NASA centers across the U.S., including locations like Kennedy Space Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Johnson Space Center. You’ll be placed in a team based on your interests and NASA’s current research needs. Projects span aerospace engineering, space science, robotics, data analysis, software development, artificial intelligence, and even non-STEM areas like communications, finance, and program management.
13. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program dates: Runs all year round. Half-time (2–8 weeks in summer) and quarter-time (1–9 months) virtual internships are offered.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class, with a minimum GPA of 3.25, can apply.
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship lets you explore renewable energy and energy storage through a flexible, research-based format. You can take part half-time for 20 hours a week over 2 to 8 weeks, or quarter-time for 8 hours a week over 1 to 9 months. During the internship, you’ll choose a specific topic like a company, a technology, or a market segment in energy storage and dig into it using scientific papers, industry reports, and expert interviews. You’ll analyze your findings, write up a professional research report, and stay in touch with your mentor through video calls, emails, and chats.
14. Medicine Encompassed
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Program dates: Runs throughout the year
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
Medicine Encompassed is a student-run nonprofit that gives you the chance to explore medical careers through volunteering and skill-based projects. You can get involved in more than 18 committees covering areas like anatomy, surgery, neurology, and other medical fields. Depending on your interests, you might create educational content, write or edit articles and guides, help build structured learning materials, design graphics, manage social media, or work on partnerships with external organizations.
15. Seaside Sustainability Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free. No stipend
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.
Program Dates: Multiple opportunities throughout the year, including summer (an internship lasts 5 months from the start date).
Eligibility: High school, college, and university students with an interest in STEM areas.
Seaside Sustainability Internship is a virtual program where you can work part-time on projects about environmental science and sustainability. You can join teams focused on marine studies, climate advocacy, journalism, digital media, outdoor leadership, or business operations, depending on your interests. In the program, you might contribute as a team member, lead projects as a project manager, or take on a more advanced role coordinating and mentoring other interns. You’ll gain hands-on experience, collaborate with peers, and explore different areas of sustainability while building practical skills.
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 – Seaside Sustainability