Paid internships for high school students
These opportunities pay you. That matters if you cannot afford to spend a summer working for free — and it is a legitimate reason to prioritize them.
70 programs currently listed · 70 free or stipend-paying.
What to know
- —Stipend amounts vary widely and are not always published in advance. The official page is the authority.
- —Paid roles often require you to be 16 or older by the start date because of labor rules.
- —Ask about the payment schedule. Some programs pay at the end, which affects whether you can front travel costs.
Programs in this collection
- SelectiveScholly by Sallie2 minutes to $2K from Sallie Mae
Scholarship application for a $2000 award.
📍 Multiple🎓 Eligibility not confirmed - Highly SelectiveAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchA*STAR Scientific Research Programme
Government research placements for pre-university students in Singapore.
📍 Singapore⏱ 8 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveWave HillACES — Art, Community, Education and Science
Year-long paid youth program connecting arts education, environmental science, community engagement and informal teaching.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCase Western Reserve University Department of ChemistryACS Project SEED — CWRU
Economically disadvantaged students conduct eight weeks of hands-on chemistry research with professional scientists and receive mentoring and a fellowship award.
📍 OH🎓 Eligibility not confirmed - SelectiveArmy Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUNC Charlotte Center for STEM Education / AEOPAEOP High School Internship STEM Research Program
Rising juniors and seniors complete roughly 220–300 hours of faculty-mentored STEM research and present their findings through program research events.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveQuantHubAlabama Data Scholars
Alabama high-school students complete data and AI training and work on a real employer project. The program allows on-site, hybrid, and fully virtual placements.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmazonAmazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveAmerican Indian Graduate Center & AIGCSAmerican Indian Graduate Center & AIGCS Scholarships
The largest scholarship providers to Native students in the United States, awarding $15 million in scholarships annually and more than $200 million since inception. For almost 50 years, AIGC has funded students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in any field of study at any accredited institution of choice, working with over 500 tribes in all 50 states.
📍 Multiple🎓 Eligibility not confirmed - SelectiveAmeriCorpsAmeriCorps Summer of Service
Service opportunities for teens through select programs.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars — Europe & Asia
Fully funded summer research at host institutions across Europe and Asia for undergraduates in the sciences.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveUniversity of Michigan Life Sciences InstituteAspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Michigan juniors spend six residential weeks contributing to active U-M life-science research projects. Housing and meals are covered and participants receive a $3,000 stipend.
📍 MI🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAudubon ConnecticutAudubon Sharon Summer Internships (Youth)
Research and education internship at a wildlife sanctuary focusing on birds and habitat health.
📍 Sharon, CT⏱ 8 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveNational Audubon SocietyAudubon Youth Leaders
Stipended conservation-leadership cohorts for teens nationwide.
📍 Multiple📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNCWITAward for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
📍 Nationwide⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveOhio State Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation CenterAWS Foundation & Mₐ²JIC High School Internship
Paid eight-week research internship in welding engineering, materials science, advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics; students complete a research project and poster.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveBank of AmericaBank of America Student Leaders
Paid 8-week summer internship with nonprofits + leadership summit in DC.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 8 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveAAPTBarbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers
Scholarships for high school students who plan to pursue a career in physics teaching.
📍 Multiple📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBaruch College / CUNYBaruch College Now STEM Research Academy
Spring research preparation followed by a five-to-six-week faculty-mentored summer project. Recent research includes genetics, biology and environmental science; participants receive a $1,000 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveAlbert Einstein College of Medicine / MontefioreBEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Eight-week full-time biomedical/cancer research placement followed by optional school-year work. Students receive a $2,500 stipend, meal support and transportation assistance.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveBioBusBioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Twelve-month paid science-research experience combining summer laboratory research with academic-year independent projects and science teaching.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–11 - SelectiveUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolBioMed Focus
Rising juniors and seniors complete an eight-week independent biomedical research project in a U-M laboratory, write a manuscript, and give a research presentation. Scholars receive $4,000; the 2027 program runs June 14–August 6.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveJohns Hopkins UniversityBiophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Rising sophomores through seniors spend five weeks conducting hands-on biophysics and biomedical research while studying scientific writing, mathematics, data analysis, and bioethics. The program is a paid internship; Hopkins materials list a $5,500 stipend.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveGenspaceBioRocket Internship
Six-month biotechnology internship combining spring training with summer research in molecular/synthetic biology. Participants receive a $2,000 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveLA County Department of Arts and CultureBloomberg Arts Internship — Los Angeles County
Students work at arts and cultural organizations while completing intensive college-readiness training, professional development, mentorship and career preparation.
📍 CA🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveUniversity of Minnesota Department of Biomedical EngineeringBME High School Internship Program
Students spend six paid weeks conducting hands-on biomedical-engineering research with a graduate-student mentor, touring laboratories, receiving scientific-writing and communication training, and presenting a research poster. A stipend and bus transportation are provided.
📍 MN🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveWorld Food Prize FoundationBorlaug-Ruan International Internship
Eight-week international research internship for World Food Prize Youth Institute alumni.
📍 International⏱ 8 weeks📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCity of BostonBoston SuccessLink
Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveBoston UniversityBoston University Lab Apprenticeship in Science & Technology (BLAST)
Boston-area students participate in a paid biomedical-science internship featuring laboratory practicums and mentoring; the longer-term program can lead into immersive laboratory research.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveColumbia University Zuckerman InstituteBRAINYAC
January–August neuroscience pathway culminating in seven weeks of mentored laboratory research. Participants receive a $3,500 stipend.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveBroad Institute (MIT & Harvard)Broad Summer Scholars Program
Paid genomics research for Boston-area rising seniors from underrepresented groups.
📍 MA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveBrooklyn College / CUNY College NowBrooklyn College STEM Research Academy
Spring research preparation followed by summer research in fields such as ecology, environmental science and biology.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveUniversity of Louisville Brown Cancer CenterBrown Cancer Center High School Summer Research Program
Students complete two weeks of intensive wet-lab and drug-discovery work followed by seven weeks of mentored cancer research, then present their results at a poster showcase and research retreat. Participants receive $3,500.
📍 KY🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCalifornia State Board of EducationCalifornia State Board of Education Student Member
One California public-school senior is appointed as a full voting member of the State Board of Education, participates in state education policymaking and represents student perspectives at board and advisory meetings.
📍 CA🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine / AHECCANOE Academy
Graduating seniors explore healthcare through problem-based learning, pre-health advising, clinical certifications, professional networking and residential university programming.
📍 HI🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveUC San DiegoCardiovascular Institute Summer Research Program
Eight-week mentored cardiovascular-science research experience with clinician-scientists, a core lecture series, research training, and clinical-shadowing opportunities.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveExplora X StudioCareer Pathways Internship Program
Two-year paid STEAM internship beginning with rising juniors. Interns receive workforce training, mentorship, portfolio development, financial-literacy instruction and opportunities for embedded internships at Explora.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCalifornia Academy of SciencesCareers in Science Intern Program
Multi-year, year-round paid internship involving hands-on science, field research, STEM education, professional development and public engagement at the Academy.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–10 - SelectiveJackson State University Margaret Walker CenterCatherine Coleman Literary Arts, Food, and Social Justice Summer Program
Mississippi high-school writers spend a residential week studying poetry, fiction, screenwriting, Southern foodways, and social-justice history with professional writers. Students completing the program receive a $300 stipend.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDuke University Department of Cell BiologyCell Biology Academy (CeBA)
Six-week paid laboratory research academy for Triangle-area high-school students, with close mentoring in contemporary cell and molecular biology.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCERNCERN Summer Student Programme
Paid 8–13 week summer programme at CERN for undergrads worldwide in physics, engineering, or computing.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveUChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer CenterChicago EYES on Cancer
A two-year cancer-research program combining two full-time eight-week summer laboratory experiences with school-year virtual enrichment. High-school participants receive a $5,000 taxable stipend each year.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveField Museum / Youth Conservation Action partnersChicago Green Ambassadors Program
Paid youth interns explore environmental issues affecting Chicago communities and connect residents with neighborhood green spaces through conservation and community-engagement work. It particularly serves youth from several South and West Side neighborhoods.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveChildren's Hospital ColoradoChild Health Research Internship
Participants conduct child-health research with faculty mentors, attend a weekly research lecture series, and present their work at the end of the internship.
📍 CO🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveCity College of New York / College NowCity College STEM Research Academy
Faculty-guided research pathway with projects that have included anthropology and stem-cell science.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveCity of WichitaCity of Wichita Leadership Internship Program
High-school and college students can work with city departments on areas such as planning, courts, purchasing, administration, and other public-service functions. Positions may be paid or unpaid depending on placement.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNYC College of Technology / CUNYCity Tech STEM Research Academy
High-school students complete research preparation and summer projects in engineering technology, computer science, biology and chemical technology.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 10–11 - Highly SelectiveTexas Tech UniversityClark Scholars Program
Intensive research with TTU faculty across STEM and humanities. $750 stipend, room and board covered.
📍 TX (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveMassachusetts Clean Energy CenterClean Energy Internship Program — High School Vocational Track
Eligible Massachusetts vocational-technical high-school students can obtain paid internships with clean-energy and water-innovation employers during the academic year and summer.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCoding it ForwardCoding it Forward Civic Innovation Corps
Summer civic-tech fellowship placing students at federal agencies (mostly college, some HS programs).
📍 United States⏱ 10 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveChildren's National HospitalColaco Scholar Program
One or two area high-school students spend about eight weeks in Children's National's clinical laboratory learning medical testing, shadowing pathologists/hematologists and participating in research projects.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThreeSixty Journalism / University of St. ThomasCollege Essay Workshop
Twin Cities students spend four days developing a polished college or scholarship essay through brainstorming, drafting, professional mentorship, and peer review. Tuition was fully covered in 2026 and completers received a stipend toward transportation and application fees.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveChicago Botanic GardenCollege First
CPS sophomores and juniors participate in a seven-week paid summer experience that combines environmental coursework with a mentored scientific investigation, field trips, and college preparation. School-year follow-up opportunities are also provided.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveCalvin Coolidge Presidential FoundationCoolidge Scholarship
The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. This one-of-a-kind scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university in the U.S.
📍 Any accredited college or university in the U.S.📅 Not yet announced — officially listed as TBD on the Coolidge Scholars' own site🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCoro Northern CaliforniaCoro Youth Fellows
Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveWashington University in St. Louis Cancer Research ClubCRISPr — Cancer Research Inspiring Future Scientists Program
Nine-week cancer-research internship pairing high-school students with WashU biomedical research labs for roughly 40 hours/week, plus workshops and a final symposium. Participants receive a $4,800 stipend.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNorthern Arizona University ¡MIRA!Cultural and Academic Research Experience (CARE)
High-school students conduct hands-on STEMM research with mentors while receiving college-preparation training. In-person participants can receive housing, meals, and a stipend up to $4,500; a virtual research track is also offered.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of Michigan Department of ChemistryD-RISE
Cass Technical High School students spend seven weeks doing full-time mentored chemistry research while living on the U-M campus during the week.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveDAADDAAD RISE Germany
Summer research internships in Germany for undergraduates from North America, UK, and Ireland; monthly stipend + travel.
📍 Various📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveDavis United World College ScholarsDavis Projects for Peace
$10,000 grants for undergraduates worldwide to design and implement grassroots peace projects.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveDC DOESDC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment
Free paid summer jobs for DC youth 14-24. Wide range of placements.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 6 weeks📅 Feb-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveHenry Ford HealthDepartment of Surgery High School Mentorship Program — Summer Internship
Detroit-area high-school students receive healthcare mentorship and hands-on exposure; selected participants complete a seven-week summer internship with a professional mentor and receive a $1,000 stipend.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design MuseumDesign Hive
Paid youth-led design initiative where students collaborate with professional designers, create projects and develop public programming. The 2027 cohort runs January–June.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveThe New York TimesDiverse Voices Scholarship
The New York Times Summer Academy fosters a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Their goal is to provide affordable educational opportunities to as many qualified applicants as possible through their Scholarship Program.
📍 Multiple🎓 Eligibility not confirmed - SelectiveU.S. Department of EnergyDOE STEM Rising / SCEP
Paid internships across the 17 DOE national laboratories.
📍 Multiple national labs (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveDuke Biomedical EngineeringDuke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP)
Seven-week biomedical-engineering research placement where students work in Duke laboratories and participate in STEM seminars and research presentations.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–11 - Highly SelectiveDuke Institute for Brain SciencesDuke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Eight-week neuroscience research experience placing Durham-area students in Duke laboratories with research mentors, professional-development sessions and scientific presentations.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveCity of DurhamDurham YouthWorks
Paid career-development program connecting Durham youth with work experiences, professional training and employer projects in several career pathways.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDelaware Division of Vocational RehabilitationDVR Pre-Employment Transition Summer Work Programs
Eligible students with disabilities participate in workplace-readiness training and work-based learning; multiple 2026 providers offered four-week paid placements with Delaware employers.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveAlaska Division of Vocational RehabilitationDVR Youth Summer Work Programs
Eligible students participate in paid 4–6 week work experiences through school districts, community agencies, parks, local businesses, and other employers while developing job-readiness skills. Many programs serve students with IEPs, 504 plans, disabilities, or potential DVR eligibility.
📍 AK🎓 Grades 9–12