Looking for a way to make your summer both fun and productive? Summer internships for high school students can provide valuable opportunities to strengthen advanced skills while gaining real-world experience. and boosting your college applications. Whether you are curious about medicine, research, law, engineering, or any other field, these programs allow you to step out of the classroom into the real world.
If you’re based in Maryland, there’ multiple options you can explore. The state is home to nationally recognized universities, research institutions, and organizations that open their doors to high school interns each summer. By choosing local programs, you not only gain exposure to mentors and professional networks within your community, but you can also cut down on travel and housing costs. Best of all, choosing a nearby program can be a cost-effective option, saving on travel and housing. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Maryland.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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 provide an 8-week virtual internship program for high school students to gain experience working with fast-growing startups. As an intern, you’ll collaborate on real projects while receiving mentorship from your manager at the startup and additional support from a Ladder Coach. The startups range from health tech and AI/ML, to journalism, and consulting – most of them having raised over $1 million in funding. At the end of the program, you’ll showcase your work with a final presentation to the company, offering insights into startup culture and challenges faced by fast-growing companies.
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. Law Links Internship
Location: University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law + Various law firms in Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15/hour
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors attending a Baltimore City Public High School and living in Baltimore City
Law Links is a seven-week full-time paid summer internship for high school students in Maryland that gives an insider’s look into the legal world. As an intern, you will be placed in a law firm or legal organization where you will help with daily office tasks, and observe attorneys and legal professionals at work to see what it is really like to work in the legal profession. Beyond the internship, you’ll take part in the Law and Leadership Institute, a 50-hour seminar series on legal education and career readiness at the University of Maryland’s law school. The program kicks off with orientation, includes weekly professional development sessions, and even provides business attire so you are fully prepared to step into the profession.
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15/hour
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Baltimore City public schools
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is an eight-week, in-person summer experience for high school juniors and seniors from Baltimore City public schools who are curious about brain sciences. You will be based at the Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus, where you will work on a research project guided by faculty, staff, and student mentors. Beyond the lab, you’ll join clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists to see the medical side of brain science. Each week, you’ll also participate in weekly sessions covering professional development and scientific learning. The program wraps up with a final presentation of your work.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute of their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: November 22 – January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; must be 16 years old by the internship start date.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week, full-time summer internship program that gives high school students the opportunity to explore the world of fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton scholar, you’ll be paired with a local mentor and take part in activities such as electrofishing, fish habitat restoration, and lab research. The program encourages students from underrepresented groups to explore careers in science. As a Hutton Scholar, you will complete regular reports while gaining real experience in environmental science in both field and lab settings, and achieving clarity about future career prospects.
6. Geosciences Bridge Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
Location: University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, MD
Stipend: $500/week
Program Dates: July 1-August 9
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The Geosciences Bridge Program at UMES is a paid summer internship for high school students in Maryland, designed to introduce them to marine chemistry, environmental science, and other geoscience fields. As an intern, you’ll take part in math courses based on placement, a Freshman Seminar, and hands-on lab activities. You will also go on field trips and attend lectures on topics such as GIS, civil engineering, and oceanography. By the end of the program, you’ll get a taste of college-level geoscience and also build practical skills.
7. Internships at the Circuit Court
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Montgomery County Circuit Court
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Six weeks from mid-June through August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Internship provides high school and college students an opportunity to see upfront how court systems work. As an intern, you will assist with court operations in different offices, developing skills in organization, communication, and time management. While you won’t be working directly with judges or attorneys, you will get a valuable behind-the-scenes look into how the court system functions. Internships are available during the summer or academic year with flexible scheduling. You can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for your work.
8. U.S. DOJ Pathways Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: U.S. Department of Justice
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Program Dates: Depends on the internship
Application Deadline: Depends on the internship
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited school
The U.S. Department of Justice Pathways Internship Program allows high school students to gain early exposure to careers in the federal government. As an intern, you’ll work in various agencies, gaining experience in areas such as law, public policy, and administration. You will also receive mentorship and take part in professional skill-building opportunities to support your career growth. Internship positions are available nationwide, and listings are posted on USAJOBS.gov website.
9. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) – Summer Research Internship
Cohort Size: 25
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program to introduce high school students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will take part in technical lectures that explain AI concepts and their use in medical settings. Daily activities include mentorship, collaborative research projects, and guest lectures from professionals in academia, government, and industry. You’ll also join career-focused “Lunch and Learn” sessions to explore the connections between technology and medicine, and discover potential career paths. After the core program, interested students may continue with research opportunities to gain further experience.
10. American Legion Boys State & Boys Nation
Location: Multiple locations. Click here to know more.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Varies depending on the location; Boys Nation: July 18 – 26
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location you choose
Eligibility: High school students
American Legion Boys State is a weeklong civic education program that gives high school students an opportunity to experience government in action. During the program, you will create and manage a mock state government – campaigning for office, drafting legislation, and debating policies with fellow students. You’ll also take part in legislative sessions, court simulations, and meet local and state officials. The program focuses on leadership and civic responsibility through direct participation. Top delegates may be chosen to attend Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., where you’ll get to experience government functioning at the federal level.
11. Stanford’s A14ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: December 9 – January 24
Eligibility: 9th-graders or rising 10th-graders in the summertime, over 14 years by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence (AI) through interactive learning and applied projects. You will study robotics, natural language processing, computer vision, and medical AI, while practicing with AI tools and methods. You’ll work with fellow students under the guidance of experienced AI professionals. By the end of the program, you’ll develop a strong understanding of AI’s role in solving real-world problems and shaping society.
12. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid
Program Dates:
Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May
Summer Session: Late May to August
Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Application Deadline:
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM internships give high school and college students an opportunity to take part in science, technology, and space exploration projects. These internships are either part-time or full-time, and can be pursued either remotely or at NASA centers across the country. As an intern, you’ll get hands-on experience, work with mentors and see how STEM skills are applied in the real world. With three sessions available each year, interns can build practical skills while contributing to active projects that connect directly to their academic goals and career aspirations.
13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives high school students an opportunity to conduct research in a variety of scientific disciplines. During the program, you’ll work closely with faculty and professionals, while gaining experience using advanced technologies and research methods. Areas of study include bioengineering, neuroscience, forensic science, and data science – so you can explore the field that excites you. Beyond research, you will also develop skills in scientific writing, communication, and career exploration through forums and mentorship. In some cases, student projects may lead to conference presentations or contribute to published research.
14. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Virtual / In-person at FPRI
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Program Dates: Summer: June – August
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Rolling
Eligibility: High school students skilled in writing and research
FPRI’s virtual high school internship offers students an opportunity to dive into international relations and foreign policy. As an intern, you will attend policy seminars, support research, and focus on an area of interest such as communications, event planning, operations, or research. The program also includes career development workshops that strengthen skills including communication, teamwork, and time management. As an intern, you can participate in FPRI events and may even contribute to projects with potential for publication. Since it is fully online, the internship is open to students regardless of location.
15. USC Center for the Political Future Internship
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: June 1 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: High school students; Minimum GPA of 3.5
The USC Center for the Political Future, in collaboration with the USC Wrigley Institute, offers a summer internship for high students, focused on environmental policy. During the program, you will explore how political systems work by selecting and analyzing a bill related to the environment at the local, state, or federal level. Interns complete two main assignments: a legislative policy memo and a legislative process analysis. Whether the bill is active, failed, or passed, you’ll examine its background and impact. Since the program is fully online, you can participate from anywhere and develop valuable political research and analytical skills.
Image source – University of Maryland