10 Online Paid Internships for High School Students
Internships are a great way to gain career experience, develop new skills, and connect with professionals — all before graduating high school. Many leading organizations and universities offer paid internships, so you can earn while you learn.
Even better, online internships make it possible to work from anywhere, giving you flexibility to explore your interests without disrupting your school schedule.
If you're passionate about a field and want to dive in early, we’ve rounded up 10 online paid internships for high school students!
1. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline:
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Dates:
Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May
Summer Session: Late May to August
Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
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 offer opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration. Whether you choose to work remotely or at a NASA facility, you’ll engage in hands-on projects, applying your academic knowledge to real STEM challenges. These internships provide mentorship from NASA professionals, allowing you to develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and industry insights.
With three sessions held each year, you have multiple chances to contribute to groundbreaking research and innovation. This program is designed to help you build your resume, explore career paths, and gain practical experience that aligns with your academic and professional goals.
2. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Dates: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: High school students
If you're passionate about psychology and want to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, the APA Internal Internship Program (IIP) is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience. As an intern, you’ll work in a nonprofit setting, contributing to research, policy, communications, and education projects. You’ll also have access to mentorship, career-building workshops, and discussions on networking, federal advocacy, and graduate school applications.
The program helps you develop critical skills such as research, writing, and project management, preparing you for a variety of careers in psychology. Its strong emphasis on applying psychological principles to benefit society makes this internship a platform for those eager to make an impact in the field.
3. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
Location: Virtual or in-person (Philadelphia, PA)
Stipend: 10 paid internship spots available
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Dates:
Spring: February–May
Summer: June–August
Fall: September–December
Eligibility: High school students
If you're eager to gain real-world experience in foreign policy at a prestigious think tank, the FPRI Internship Program is a good option. As an intern, you’ll work closely with scholars and professionals in international relations, sharpening essential skills like research, communication, and critical thinking. You’ll also have access to exclusive foreign policy seminars, networking events, and professional mentorship. Summer interns get to attend weekly career-focused discussions with experts in the field.
Whether you choose research, event planning, communications, or operations, you’ll be part of meaningful projects that contribute to global policy discussions. Plus, you’ll have the chance to publish your work in FPRI’s Intern Corner. With both in-person and remote options, this program ensures flexibility while preparing you for a future in international affairs.
4. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Location: Virtual
Stipend: This is a paid internship; the stipend amount is not specified
Application Deadline: April 27
Dates: July 14 - July 25
Eligibility: High school or rising college freshmen, 16 years of age and older, residing in Massachusetts
For high school students fascinated by cancer research and blood development, Camp Zon offers a unique opportunity to explore these fields in a paid, two-week virtual research experience. You’ll work alongside top scientists at a world-class facility, learning to critically analyze scientific literature and develop coding skills for data analysis.
As part of the Zon Lab, you’ll design a research project focused on anemia using zebrafish as a model organism. You’ll generate hypotheses, analyze data, and witness live experiments performed in the lab. In addition, you’ll attend lectures by leading scientists, gaining insights into cutting-edge biomedical research. The camp also includes mentorship sessions with Dr. Len Zon and career panel discussions.
5. Internships at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Location: Virtual, In-person, or Hybrid
Stipend: This is a paid internship; the stipend amount is not specified
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: Internships are offered year-round and can vary from 6 weeks to one year
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Interested in folklore, music, or cultural preservation? The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers year-round internships that let you explore topics like ethnomusicology, museum studies, linguistics, and digital media. Whether you’re working on the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, or the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives, you’ll gain valuable research, production, and outreach skills.
Internships are available remotely or in Washington, D.C., with flexible durations ranging from six weeks to a year. You’ll work with professionals in the field and may be able to earn course credit if you're studying related subjects like history, music, or library science.
6. The Mary Miller Summer Program by the PHC Group
Location: Virtual
Stipend: This is a paid internship; the stipend amount is not specified
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Summer, exact dates TBA
Eligibility: High school seniors and juniors
The Mary Miller Summer Program is a paid internship designed for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to develop leadership skills and gain real-world experience. You’ll work as part of a global team, collaborating with senior leadership on social media projects, online community engagement, and digital marketing research.
Under the guidance of the Public Health Director, you’ll craft creative content, analyze trends, and contribute to strategic discussions. Through team projects and independent work, you’ll explore public health initiatives and digital communication strategies.
7. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Location: Virtual or In-person
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: Applications will open in March/April
Dates: June - August (~6 to 8 weeks); exact dates vary depending on opportunity
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP) provides high school students in the Greater Seattle area with an opportunity to gain real-world STEM experience. Through hands-on projects like modeling power grid resilience or technical writing in quantum mechanics, you’ll collaborate with industry experts, professors, and mentors. This program allows you to explore your academic interests, develop critical research and problem-solving skills, and prepare for future career paths.
You’ll be assigned 5-6 projects, according to your interests. You can experience what it’s like to work in a professional setting, tackling real-world challenges that have practical applications.
8. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Location: Washington, D.C. | Front Royal, VA | Herndon, VA. In-person, hybrid, and virtual formats are available.
Stipend: This is a paid internship; the stipend amount is not specified
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Dates: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: High school students
The Smithsonian National Zoo Internship Program offers an opportunity to explore zoology, veterinary medicine, genetics, and more. As an intern, you’ll work alongside leading experts on animal care, enrichment programs, and research projects, gaining valuable skills in a professional wildlife setting.
With multiple internships available throughout the year, students can explore various career paths in wildlife and environmental sciences. Volunteering positions are also available.
9. City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) by City Limits
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline:
Summer: May 24 (Tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Fall: September 9 (Tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Dates: The program runs for 8 weeks starting from October 15 (Tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors residing in New York City
CLARIFY is a paid internship for NYC high school students passionate about writing, storytelling, and civic engagement. This program, launched by City Limits, trains students in public service journalism, offering hands-on experience in news writing, research, and interviewing. Under the mentorship of professional journalists, you’ll cover important issues affecting your community and have the opportunity to publish your work in City Limits.
The program is designed to enhance media literacy, fuel civic engagement, and strengthen research and writing skills — all while giving you a professional newsroom experience. Whether you’re an aspiring journalist or simply eager to explore the power of storytelling, this program offers the unique opportunity to make an impact.
10. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship Program
Location: Virtual, in-person, or hybrid
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: Dates vary depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years and older
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is offering paid internships for those interested in developing curriculums, conducting research, or supporting global STEM initiatives. Whether you’re passionate about storytelling, digital media, or science education, you’ll work on exciting projects like uncovering hidden histories of women in STEM, crafting engaging social media content for NESST, or creating K-8 science assessments. These virtual, hybrid, and in-person internships allow you to collaborate with Smithsonian experts, gain professional skills, and make a real impact in science education.
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