12 Free Online Internships for High School Students
Gaining practical experience through free online internships for high school students is one of the smartest ways for you to explore potential career paths while still in high school.
What do free online internships for high schoolers involve?
Whether you're curious about STEM, business, policy, or creative fields, free online internships for high school students provide flexible entry points that fit around your school schedule. Many programs include mentorship, projects, and networking that strengthen your resume and college applications.
Why pursue a free online internship in high school?
These programs remove cost as a barrier while still connecting you with real mentors, real projects, and organizations that want to invest time in students. That distinction, seeking out real work rather than just reading about a field, tends to matter more to colleges and employers than people expect.
To help you get started, here are 12 free online internships for high school students. For related opportunities, check out our guide on free business internships for high school students.
Quick Look
10 completely free-to-participate internships: EnergyMag, Medicine Encompassed, The Junior Academy, MITES Semester, UT Southwestern, Building-U, NASA GeneLab, and others.
1 fully virtual, entrepreneurship-focused option: Young Founders Lab, useful if you want to build a real venture instead of interning at an existing organization, with need-based financial aid available.
1 paid virtual research program: Camp Zon High School Research Program, limited to Massachusetts residents 16 and older.
2 programs requiring prerequisite coursework or age minimums beyond typical high school internships: SEES (10th/11th graders only) and NASA GeneLab (rising juniors and seniors).
Most programs run 2 weeks to 6 months, so you can find an option that fits a single summer or a longer-term commitment.
12 Free Online Internships for High School Students
1. EnergyMag Virtual Internship (High School)
Location: Remote
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Limited number of interns accepted (exact acceptance rate not published)
Dates: Quarter-time internships are available year-round (1–9 months, ~8 hours/week); half-time internships are available during the summer (2–8 weeks, ~20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.25.
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship is a remote research program for high school students interested in renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainability. During the internship, you research topics such as energy technologies, companies, or niche markets, then analyze your findings and prepare a report for publication on the EnergyMag website. Each intern works closely with a mentor who provides guidance throughout the research and writing process. The program emphasizes practical skills such as professional communication, interviewing experts, research methodology, and analytical writing. While the internship is unpaid, students who successfully complete a publishable report receive a Letter of Accomplishment recognizing their work and contributions.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: $2,900 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: 4-week program starting tentatively June 5th
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.
3. American Psychological Association (APA) Internship Program
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid internships available; unpaid academic credit internships also offered
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: Year-round internships offered during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; applications accepted on a rolling basis through the APA Online Internship Application Portal
Eligibility: High school students are eligible
The American Psychological Association (APA) Internship Program offers remote internship opportunities in areas such as research, policy, communications, publishing, education, and operations. Interns work under the guidance of APA staff, applying psychological knowledge and professional skills in a nonprofit organizational setting. In addition to department-specific projects, participants may attend workshops, networking events, and professional development activities designed for emerging professionals in psychology. The program offers both paid and academic credit internship options, depending on the position.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
5. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Remote and Hybrid options available
Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Nationally competitive; acceptance rate/cohort size not publicly available.
Dates: May 15 – July 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Open to current 10th and 11th grade high school students
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program is a NASA-supported research internship hosted by the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research. Students collaborate with NASA scientists, university researchers, and industry professionals on projects in areas such as Earth science, astronomy, aerospace engineering, planetary science, remote sensing, and data analysis. Before beginning research, participants complete online Earth science and Python learning modules, followed by mentor-guided research conducted remotely or through an on-site experience in Texas. Interns present their findings at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium at the end of the program.
6. Medicine Encompassed Student Leadership Program
Location: Remote
Stipend: No cost to participate; unpaid volunteer leadership positions
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: Year-round participation with flexible involvement
Application Deadline: Rolling applications for general positions throughout the school year (Executive positions open periodically)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit organization that offers high school students opportunities to contribute to educational initiatives related to medicine and healthcare. Members can join medical committees as writers, editors, or resource creators, where they develop articles, study guides, presentations, and other educational materials for peers. Students can also participate in departments focused on marketing, graphic design, sponsorships, and partnerships, gaining experience in nonprofit operations and outreach. While not a traditional internship, Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit that lets high school students contribute remotely to health-education and outreach projects.
7. The New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: No participation fee; no stipend
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: Annual program with multiple Innovation Challenges conducted throughout the academic year
Application Deadline: July 9
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13–17
The Junior Academy is an online STEM program that connects high school students worldwide to collaborate in international teams on real-world Innovation Challenges. Participants use the Academy's platform, Launchpad, to work together, guided by STEM experts and industry professionals throughout each project. Before starting a challenge, students participate in a kick-off session covering research techniques, design thinking, and data analysis. Teams then develop and present solutions to challenges posed by industry partners, with STEM professionals acting as judges. Although it is not a traditional internship, the Junior Academy provides students with virtual team experience solving real-world problems, supported by mentors.
8. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Semester
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Free to attend; all program-related costs are covered by MIT and program sponsors. No stipend is provided
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: June – December (six-month program)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open during the fall of students' junior year. Deadline varies annually
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are current high school juniors
Though not a typical internship, MITES Semester is a free, six-month virtual STEM enrichment program for high school students entering senior year. Participants complete one project-based STEM course alongside a core course in subjects such as calculus, physics, computer science, or science writing while attending live evening classes and workshops. During the fall, students continue with weekly webinars, college admissions counseling, essay reviews, mock interviews, and networking opportunities with STEM professionals and admissions representatives. The curriculum has included topics such as machine learning, robotics, astrophysics, computational biology, and climate science.
9. UT Southwestern Medical Center High School Student Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: June (2-week summer internship)
Application Deadline: Early February (applications typically open in late September)
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students
The UT Southwestern Medical Center High School Student Internship is a two-week online program that introduces students to careers in mental health and behavioral medicine. Participants learn from licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and physician assistants through interactive sessions and guided discussions. Before each session, students complete assigned readings drawn from scientific literature and popular media to prepare for conversations with healthcare professionals. The program explores topics such as psychotherapy, neuroscience, neuropsychological testing, community psychiatry, and interventional psychiatry while giving students opportunities to ask questions about education, career paths, and professional experiences. Mentorship often continues beyond the internship, providing students with ongoing guidance as they explore careers in mental health.
10. Building-U High School Internship
Location: Remote
Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: Year-round internships; minimum commitment of 3 months
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 from around the world
The Building-U High School Internship is a remote, student-led program where high school students contribute to projects that support educational resources for their peers. Interns can join teams focused on research, marketing, blogging, coding, business development, social media, animation, or data privacy, depending on their interests and skills. Team members collaborate on real projects such as researching student opportunities, developing digital content, analyzing marketing data, and supporting website development. Students also participate in cross-functional meetings, giving them opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, and project management skills while working with peers from different countries.
11. NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Free to participate; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 1,000 participants.
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents attending U.S.-based high schools who are rising juniors or seniors (entering grades 11–12)
NASA's GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a 12-week online program that introduces students to space biology and bioinformatics through self-paced coursework. Participants learn how NASA researchers study the effects of spaceflight on living systems using omics-based research, computational biology, and biological data analysis. The curriculum includes recorded lectures, coding exercises using JupyterLab notebooks, optional live office hours, and opportunities to strengthen scientific communication skills through presentations. Students who complete the core coursework receive a digital completion certificate and may apply to participate in an optional team-based Capstone Project. Outstanding Capstone teams can advance to a proposal competition, with the top teams earning the opportunity to present their research at the annual American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference.
12. Camp Zon High School Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Paid internship (stipend amount not publicly disclosed)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents age 16+ who are rising college freshmen
Camp Zon is a two-week virtual summer research program that introduces high school students to cancer biology, blood development, and biomedical research. Participants interact with researchers from the Zon Lab while learning about experimental design, scientific literature, and current research in developmental biology. The program includes live demonstrations, journal discussions, presentations, and opportunities to develop critical thinking and scientific communication skills. Students also engage with peer mentors and researchers from Harvard-affiliated laboratories, gaining insight into careers in science and medicine. No previous research experience is required, making the program accessible to students who are beginning to explore biomedical research.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all of these online internships really free?
Yes, with one exception. All 12 are free to participate in except the Camp Zon High School Research Program, which is paid but limited to Massachusetts residents 16 and older.
2. Is there a free option to build my own venture instead of interning with an organization?
Young Founders Lab is fully virtual and lets you build a real, revenue-generating startup with mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and X, with need-based financial aid available, rather than joining an existing team's ongoing work.
3. Which programs are the longest commitment?
MITES Semester runs a full six months from June through December, and the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) program runs from mid-May through late July, both longer than most other internships on this list.