Top 12 Summer Internships for High School Students in 2025–2026

Looking for ways to strengthen your academic profile for an Ivy League application? Joining summer internships for high school students gives you practical workplace experience and provides the kind of concrete evidence admissions officers use to evaluate your maturity, initiative, and readiness to contribute on campus.

In this guide, you will find the top summer internships for high school students in 2025–2026. Each section explains who can apply, what the internship offers, and what you can expect to gain from the experience.

• What Are the Best Summer Internships for High School Students?
• NIH High School Summer Internship Program (SIP)
• NASA High School Internship Program
• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
• NOAA Pathways Internship Program
• AFRL Scholars Program (Air Force Research Lab)
• Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
• GTRI High School Summer Internship
• Smithsonian High School Internship Program
• Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
• University of Chicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program
• Stanford AIMI High School Summer Research Internship
• Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Summer Internships for High School Students?

Joining summer internships gives you structured ways to gain experience in professional settings. You learn workplace skills, build technical and research abilities, and work on tasks that add value to a team. These internships also create results that can strengthen your college applications.

Below is a table of the best summer internships for high school students, including each internship’s name, location, and dates for 2025–2026.

Let’s discuss each internship one by one.

1. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (SIP)

• Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025 (2026 dates to be announced) 
• Location: NIH campuses (e.g., Bethesda, MD)
• Benefits: Paid internship with a stipend based on educational level; free parking provided; some campuses offer commuter benefits through the Transhare program

The NIH High School Summer Internship Program gives you full-time research experience in NIH laboratories. Each intern is paired with a mentor and contributes to an active project, then presents their work at the NIH Summer Poster Day.

Stipends are provided and adjusted annually based on educational level. NIH offers free parking, and some campuses allow interns to join the Transhare program. All interns must show proof of health insurance.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be either 18 years old by September 30, 2026, or 17 years old by June 1, 2026,  and have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus. 

You must also meet one of these academic conditions:

• Be enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school and graduate before the internship begins 
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student
• Have been accepted into an accredited college for the fall, with plans to attend at least half-time 

The application opens on December 8, 2025 at 9 a.m. ET and closes on February 18, 2026 at noon ET. The reference letter deadline is February 25, 2026 at noon ET.

If you want to understand how the program prepares high school students for lab research, explore our detailed breakdown of NIH SIP.

2. NASA High School Internship Program

• Dates: Summer 2026 (June to August; dates vary by center) 
• Location: NASA Centers nationwide
• Benefits: Paid internship with a stipend based on academic level and session length; full-time mentorship and technical training provided

The NASA High School Internship Program places students in research and technical teams at NASA centers across the country. Project areas vary by site and may include robotics, aerospace systems, mission operations, coding, or engineering design. Interns follow a full-time schedule and receive training from their assigned NASA mentor.

Most interns receive a paid stipend, and the amount is set by academic level and session length. Work assignments depend on project needs. 

Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and enrollment in high school at the time of application. You must be at least 16 by the internship start date. Most positions are fully onsite, though some centers offer hybrid placements. NASA internships also expect strong interest in STEM fields and readiness for structured technical work.

3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Dates: Summer 2026 (8 weeks; summit in July 21 to 25, 2025; 2026 summit dates to be announced) 
• Location: Local nonprofits across the U.S. + Washington, D.C. summit
• Benefits: Paid internship at a local nonprofit; travel, housing, and program costs for the Washington, D.C. summit fully covered

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program places selected students in paid summer roles at nonprofit organizations in their local communities. Each year, the program connects more than 300 high school juniors and seniors with partner nonprofits. 

You work about 35 hours per week and support outreach, program operations, or administrative tasks tied to the organization’s mission.

All participants also attend a one-week Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., which is counted within the eight-week experience. Travel and program costs for the summit are fully covered. 

Eligibility requires that you are a current high school junior or senior and legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. You must be able to commit to the full eight-week internship at a local nonprofit and to the week-long summit in Washington, D.C.

If you want to see how the program builds leadership and nonprofit experience, review our detailed breakdown of the Student Leaders program.

4. NOAA Pathways Internship Program

• Dates: Year-round program; summer terms run from May to August 
• Location: NOAA offices and research units nationwide
• Benefits: Paid federal internship under the Pathways program; compensation set by federal pay guidelines; eligibility for future federal employment possible

The NOAA Pathways Internship Program gives students paid experience in federal roles connected to oceans, climate, weather, and environmental science. Interns support projects within divisions such as the National Weather Service, National Ocean Service, and NOAA Fisheries. 

Internships follow federal Pathways rules, which allow students to convert into permanent federal positions after meeting program requirements and completing their education. 

Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship and enrollment as a current student. High school students may apply if they are at least 16 at the start of the internship and enrolled at least half-time. 

Because Pathways roles align with federal hiring needs, openings appear throughout the year and vary by NOAA office.

5. AFRL Scholars Program (Air Force Research Lab)

• Dates: Summer 2026 (10 weeks; dates vary by site) 
• Location: Multiple AFRL research sites across the United States
• Benefits: Paid internship with weekly stipends typically ranging from $500 to $805; some sites provide additional travel support

The AFRL Scholars Program places high school students in full-time research roles at Air Force Research Lab sites across the country. 

Examples of locations that have hosted high school scholars include Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, Kirtland AFB in New Mexico, and Edwards AFB in California. A full, up-to-date list of participating sites is available on the AFRL Scholars locations webpage.

High school interns may work on projects related to aerospace systems, materials science, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, sensors, or applied engineering research, depending on site needs and mentor availability. Project assignments vary by location and are matched based on student interests and lab priorities.

Stipends vary by site, with high school interns earning about $500 to $805 per week, depending on locality pay. Some locations provide additional aid; for example, Edwards AFB offers extra travel support to offset high living costs.

Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship and upper-level high school standing, typically a rising junior or senior who is at least 16 by the start of the internship. 

Applications for the Summer 2026 session open October 10, 2025, and close January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US/Central. Students must submit a separate application for each AFRL location they are interested in since selections are made at the site level rather than through a single, centralized application.

6. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

• Dates: June 22 – August 14, 2026
• Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
• Benefits: Paid, full-time research internship with a stipend; research seminars and professional development workshops included

The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program is an eight-week, full-time paid internship for students between 11th and 12th grade. The program runs up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Outside of lab work, you will also participate in research seminars and professional development workshops focused on college and careers.

Eligibility is limited to high school students entering senior year who are at least 16 by the start of the program and live in Greater Seattle or nearby areas. You must be available onsite for the entire eight-week session and able to join a Zoom interview during selection. Fred Hutch does not offer housing or transportation support. Prior extensive research experience is not required.

Applications open on January 19 and close on March 13 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. A link to the portal appears on the application opening date.

7. GTRI High School Summer Internship (Georgia Tech Research Institute)

• Dates: June 10 – July 19, 2025 (2026 dates to be announced) 
• Location: Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA
• Benefits: Paid internship with a stipend; hands-on applied research experience in GTRI laboratories

The GTRI High School Summer Internship places Georgia high school students in applied research labs across the Georgia Tech Research Institute. The program runs for five weeks, Monday through Friday, with interns working up to 24 hours per week under a flexible schedule set by each lab.

Eligibility requires that you are a Georgia resident attending a public, private, charter, or home school in the state. You must be at least 16 by the stated deadline and part of the high school graduating classes of 2025, 2026, or 2027. Proof of citizenship or U.S. person status is required because many labs support federally funded research.

GTRI typically accepts only 60 to 70 students each year, which makes the program competitive. Interns receive a stipend for the duration of the research placement.

The application deadline for the upcoming cycle is January 20, 2026.

8. Smithsonian High School Internship Program

• Dates: Summer 2025–2026 (specific dates vary by museum or research unit) 
• Location: Smithsonian museums, research centers, and offices in Washington, D.C.
• Benefits: Select programs offer a $3,600 stipend; lunch provided; transportation support available for field trips and local travel

The Smithsonian High School Internship Program places students in museums and research units across the institution. One of the main options for high schoolers is the NMNH Summer High School Internship, which supports current students ages 14 to 18 who want experience in museum work. 

Eligibility requires that you are currently enrolled in high school, between the ages of 14 and 18, and able to write and converse fluently in English. Some units set additional requirements based on project needs or security rules. 

A stipend of $3,600 is offered for six-week summer placements that follow the 2025 schedule, from Tuesday through Friday, from June 24 to August 5. These dates are for context only; the Smithsonian has not released the 2026 schedule yet. 

Lunch is provided during the program, and interns receive transportation support for field trips. SmarTrip cards are supplied if needed for metro travel.

9. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)

• Dates: July 13 – August 7, 2026 
• Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
• Benefits: Paid internship with a $500 per week stipend for the four-week program

The Fermilab PRISM internship gives high school students short-term research experience at the nation’s particle physics lab. Interns work with Fermilab researchers on tasks tied to accelerator physics, computing, engineering, or lab instrumentation. Interns are paid $500 per week for the four-week program.

PRISM requires several deliverables. Interns write a research abstract, create a research poster, give a final presentation, and complete pre- and post-program surveys.

Eligibility is limited to high school seniors for the 2025–2026 school year or 2025 high school graduates. Students must be U.S. citizens, enrolled in an Illinois high school, and able to provide proof of medical insurance. 

Applications run from January 13 to March 1, 2026. Offer notifications are sent on April 11, and accepted students must confirm participation by April 22.

10. University of Chicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program

• Dates: June 15 – August 7, 2026 
• Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Benefits: Paid research internship with a $5,600 stipend for the eight-week session

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an immersive 8-week paid summer research program. The Summer 2026 application is due January 12, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. CT, and selected participants will receive a $5,600 stipend for the full session.

The program is open to both high school and college students, but high school applicants must live in the Chicago area since all work is conducted on the UChicago Hyde Park campus and requires daily commuting. 

Students are expected to maintain a full-time schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the 8 weeks. 

Current high school seniors entering college in fall 2026 are still classified as high school applicants and must also reside locally.

11. Stanford AIMI High School Summer Research Internship

• Dates: June 16 to 27, 2025 (2026 dates to be announced)
• Location: Online through Stanford AIMI
• Benefits: Financial aid available; application fee waivers and program fee coverage offered for eligible students.

The Stanford AIMI High School Summer Research Internship is an intensive two-week online program that immerses students in AI applications for medicine. 

The program keeps enrollment small, admitting around 25 students each year, which makes entry highly competitive. Interns are expected to follow a full-time schedule, and although they do not log hours, they are expected to engage in a full workday throughout the two-week session.

Fees include a $40 application fee and an $850 participation fee if accepted. Stanford offers a financial aid process that can waive the entire application fee and up to $850 of the program fee. 

Eligibility is open to high school students at least 14 years old who can commit to the full duration of the online program and are prepared to work intensively on research training modules. Strong math or computer skills or experience with a healthcare project are preferred but not required.

12. Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR)

• Dates: June 16 to July 25, 2025 (2026 dates to be announced)
• Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, California
• Benefits: Paid internship with a $500 per week stipend for six weeks

The Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR) program is a paid six-week STEM internship for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Northern California, offering $500 per week. 

Interns spend about 30 hours per week on program work, including roughly 5–10 hours of meetings, workshops, and career talks, with the remaining 20 hours dedicated to independent work or collaboration with project partners. 

The program is limited to students enrolled in public schools in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties. Participants must live within a 20-mile radius of the Berkeley or Emeryville campus because parking is not available and commuting is required.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 16, and a GPA of at least 3.0 is encouraged, with independent projects and demonstrated skills highly valued.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best summer internships for high school students in 2025–2026?

Top options include NIH SIP, NASA High School Internships, Bank of America Student Leaders, NOAA Pathways, AFRL Scholars, Fred Hutch SHIP, GTRI, Smithsonian High School Internship, Fermilab PRISM, UChicago Data Science Summer Lab, Stanford AIMI, and Berkeley Lab EinR. These programs offer research experience, technical training, and professional mentorship.

2. Are there free summer internships for high school students?

Yes. Many programs are fully funded or paid, including NIH, NASA, AFRL, GTRI, Fred Hutch, and Berkeley Lab. Some programs charge fees but offer waivers or financial aid.

3. What skills do summer internships help high school students develop?

Students build research, coding, analysis, communication, and project skills. They also gain experience working in professional labs, research groups, or community organizations.

4. How do summer internships help with college admissions?

Strong internship experience signals academic ability, initiative, and focused interest. Competitive programs and research outputs can strengthen applications and support letters.

5. When should I apply for summer internships for high school students?

Most applications open between October and January and close from January to March. Deadlines vary, so students should confirm dates early, especially for programs requiring recommendations.

Takeaways

• Summer internships for high school students give you structured, real-world experience in research, engineering, data science, healthcare, public service, and other technical fields. You build practical skills, gain workplace exposure, and work with professional mentors.
• Prestigious programs such as NIH SIP, NASA internships, AFRL Scholars, Fred Hutch SHIP, UChicago Summer Lab, Stanford AIMI, and Berkeley Lab EinR offer paid positions, defined research outcomes, and hands-on training that strengthen your academic profile.
• Many internships provide measurable outputs like research abstracts, posters, presentations, or documented project work that support college applications and show evidence of technical depth and sustained interest.
• Completing a competitive summer internship signals readiness for advanced study, strong initiative, and long-term commitment to a STEM or research field.
• If you want help building a stronger academic profile through summer internships for high school students, a college admissions consultant can help you select programs, prepare applications, and present your experience effectively.