15 Public Policy & Government Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
What do public policy & government nonprofit internships for high school students involve?
Public policy and nonprofit internships let you take part in meaningful work such as research, communication, or community outreach. You might help draft reports, assist with events, or support data collection for civic projects. These experiences show how public decisions are made and how small actions can create a larger social impact.
How would a public policy & government nonprofit internship help you as a high school student?
These internships are a good way to build professional skills while exploring possible college or career interests. You’ll work with mentors, gain exposure to leadership and policy-making environments, and strengthen your resume with practical experience. Plus, many of these internships are free or local, so you can learn without needing to travel far.
If you’re interested in non-profit programs, you can check here, or here for social entrepreneurship programs.
To help you get started, here are 15 public policy and government nonprofit internships for high school students!
Disclaimer: Not all of the items listed below are internships. Some are programs that would help you acquire skills that might be helpful for future internships.
15 Public Policy & Government Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
1. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session (see UNITAR website)
Dates: January Edition: Jan 12 - Feb 6; April Edition: April 13 - May 8; June Edition: June 8 - July 3; August Edition: July 27 - August 21
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
The Young Leaders Training Programme by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a four-week online course for students interested in diplomacy, international relations, and sustainable development. You’ll work through self-paced modules on the UN system, conference diplomacy, communication, and the Sustainable Development Goals, while joining weekly live webinars with UN experts. The program also includes e-workshops on negotiation, leadership, and career pathways in international organizations. You’ll spend about 4 to 6 hours a week on coursework and discussions with peers from around the world. On completion, you’ll receive a UNITAR certificate of participation.
2. Teens in Public Service (TIPS) Internship
Location: Greater Seattle Area, Washington (multiple nonprofit partners)
Cost/Stipend: Seattle minimum wage ($21.30/hour)
Dates: Late June through mid-August (approximately 6–8 weeks)
Application deadline: February 28 (for Summer)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors ages 15–19
Teens in Public Service (TIPS) connects you with one of the more than 200 nonprofit organizations across the Greater Seattle Area for a paid summer internship focused on community service and leadership. You’ll work on projects that fit your interests, whether in environmental advocacy, social services, arts, or education, while gaining hands-on experience in how nonprofits operate. The program pairs you with mentors and supervisors who guide your professional and personal growth throughout the summer. You’ll earn Seattle’s minimum wage for your work, participate in workshops and community events, and connect with other interns through TIPS network activities.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote – you can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on placement; some internships are paid; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program is a selective virtual opportunity that connects high school students with high-growth startups across industries such as technology, finance, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, and consulting. You will work directly with company founders and managers on real-world projects, applying your analytical, communication, and research skills to professional settings. You will receive mentorship from a Ladder Coach, who provides personalized guidance and feedback throughout the internship. You’ll attend group training sessions, develop time management and presentation skills, and deliver a final project to your company team.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live and interactive workshops
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a selective virtual startup incubator that gives high school students hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business finance, and financial strategy. Over the course of four weeks, you will collaborate with peers to design and launch a functional startup, applying concepts such as budgeting, revenue modeling, and cost analysis in real time. You’ll attend live workshops led by professionals from leading companies like Google and Microsoft and receive personalized mentorship from business and finance experts. The program emphasizes financial decision-making, innovation, and teamwork, helping you build both strategic and analytical skills. By the end of the experience, you’ll have developed a working business concept and a deeper understanding of how accounting and finance support sustainable growth.
5. Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship
Location: Remote and in-person in Maine
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $15/hour
Dates: Fall: September – December; Spring: January – April; Summer: May – August
Application deadline: Fall: September 19; Spring: January 16; Summer: May 15
Eligibility: High school students across Maine (15+); Work permit required if under 16
The Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship introduces you to civic leadership and public service through hands-on community projects. You can focus on areas like youth engagement, communications, or community organizing while learning how state laws are developed and passed. You may help with newsletters, public service campaigns, or local events that promote voter education and participation. The program builds practical skills in outreach, facilitation, and public speaking, while encouraging you to work on issues such as equity, inclusion, and voting rights through direct advocacy and community involvement.
6. A Wider Circle - Summer High School Internship
Location: Silver Spring, MD (commutable from Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: Free; Unpaid
Dates: June 24 – July 26
Application deadline: May 6
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
A Wider Circle’s Summer High School Internship gives you firsthand experience in how a nonprofit works to fight poverty and support local families. You’ll spend 10–15 hours a week helping with volunteer coordination, donation management, and daily operations. The program starts with an orientation and includes weekly workshops on nonprofit management, leadership, and social impact. You’ll also receive guidance and feedback from staff mentors while learning how community programs are planned and delivered. Lastly, you will be able to network with professionals and get a better idea of what a career in nonprofits would look like.
7. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend may be offered based on financial need
Dates: Spring: February to May, Summer: June to August, and Fall: September to
December
Application deadline: Varies by session; click here for more details
Eligibility: High school students authorised to work in the US
The Foreign Policy Research Institute offers internships for students who want to understand international relations and policy research. You’ll assist scholars with projects on topics like national security, global governance, and regional politics. Your work may include research, writing, and helping organize events and publications. The program includes weekly seminars with policy experts that discuss current global issues and career development. Some interns also get the chance to publish their work in FPRI’s Intern Corner.
8. World Learning - Youth Ambassadors Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at various locations in the U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: Three weeks between June - August. Exact dates vary by exchange country.
Application deadline: Varies by exchange country
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 years at the start of the program; applicants must have at least one semester of school remaining after program participation; be citizens and residents of the country they are representing on the exchange; and have sufficient proficiency in the language of the exchange (English, Spanish, or French)
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Youth Ambassadors Program brings together students from across the Americas for a three-week exchange focused on civic engagement and leadership. You’ll take part in workshops, community service projects, and meetings with local leaders in cities like Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. The program includes a homestay with an American family, giving you firsthand experience of civic life in the U.S. You’ll also design a community action plan to put into practice when you return home, helping you apply what you’ve learned to local issues.
9. Internships and Career Development – USC Centre for the Political Future
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible (seniors who are about to graduate cannot apply)
The USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future offers a remote summer internship where you independently select a local, state, or federal bill focused on environmental or sustainability policy and create original analysis. You'll complete a legislative policy memo and a process analysis, attend online check-ins with program staff, and track key political events to connect your work with real policy. Upon completion, you'll receive recognition as a research intern for both the Center for the Political Future and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.
10. George P. Kazen Fellowship Program
Location: Downtown Laredo, Texas
Cost: Free
Dates: June 3–July 1
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school students
The George P. Kazen Fellowship Program is a paid four-week summer internship held at the George P. Kazen Federal Courthouse in Laredo, Texas. It’s designed for local high school students, especially those who are first-generation or from low-income backgrounds. You’ll rotate through different courtroom settings, shadow judges and attorneys, and take field trips to legal institutions. The program includes mentorship, civic education workshops, and a final mock trial where you apply what you’ve learned.
11. Pasquines Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: Ongoing (internships available for indefinite periods)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students
The Pasquines Internship is a remote journalism program that combines writing, research, and civic learning. It focuses on U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, exploring how public policy affects these regions. You’ll research and write articles each week that link local events to broader national and global issues. The internship is flexible and fits around your school schedule while helping you build skills in journalism, analysis, and online publishing.
12. The Borgen Project – Political Affairs Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (college credit may be available)
Dates: New programs begin every month; you choose the month you wish to start
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Suited for high school students with strong communication skills
The Borgen Project’s Political Affairs Internship is a remote 12-week program where you work on U.S. foreign policy and global poverty issues. You’ll spend around 12 hours a week contacting elected officials, organizing advocacy events, writing to policymakers or news outlets, and running small fundraising campaigns. The internship offers a clear view of how local action can influence national policy while helping you strengthen your communication and advocacy skills.
13. TurnUp Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free and unpaid; hours can count towards community service or school credit
Dates: Flexible start dates: new cohorts begin each month
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
The TurnUp Internship is a remote, flexible program for high school and college students interested in civic engagement and youth leadership. You can start anytime and commit between 5 and 30 hours a week. You will join peers from across the U.S. to work on voter registration, outreach, and research projects related to social and political issues. You’ll collaborate in small teams, attend online workshops and speaker sessions, and complete short reflective assignments. The program provides training in public speaking, critical thinking, and digital organizing. Run by the nonpartisan nonprofit TurnUp, it also allows you to count internship hours toward community service or school credit.
14. National Student Leadership Conference – Political Action & Public Policy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $4,295
Dates: June 12 - June 20; June 24 - July 2
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9-12
The National Student Leadership Conference on Political Action & Public Policy gives high school students firsthand experience with how government and advocacy work. You’ll take part in simulations where you serve as senators, campaign strategists, or lobbyists, drafting and debating mock legislation. The program includes seminars with government officials and public service professionals, along with visits to policy centers and civic landmarks. Leadership workshops help you build skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You can also choose to earn college credit through American University while learning how real policy decisions take shape.
15. Global Leadership Adventures – Travel Internships For Teens
Location: Multiple locations worldwide (Costa Rica, Peru, Bali, Thailand)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by location; scholarships and payment plans available
Dates: 21 days (Varies by location)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–18
Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) operates three-week travel internships abroad for students aged 14–18, combining community service with nonprofit collaboration. Programs take place in destinations such as Costa Rica, Peru, and Thailand, where participants work alongside local organizations on projects tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You can choose focus areas like medicine, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, or community development, and deepen your learning through specialized tracks such as entrepreneurship or ecology. Each cohort lives together at a GLA “Home Base,” where meals, supervision, and reflection sessions are provided.
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