If your student is looking for meaningful ways to spend their summer—or even part of the school year—an internship or research program could be exactly what they need. But navigating the landscape of options can be overwhelming. What's out there? What's worth the investment? And how do you know which type of experience is right for your teen?
This guide breaks down some of the best high school internship and research programs available, including virtual options accessible from anywhere, as well as California-based opportunities closer to home.
First, let's be clear: a high school internship isn't just résumé padding for college applications. The right experience can genuinely transform how a student sees themselves and their future.
Working on real projects—whether in a startup, a research lab, or a community organization—teaches skills that school often can't: how to manage ambiguity, how to communicate with professionals, how to push through challenges without a clear rubric. Students often come out with more confidence, more clarity about their interests, and a stronger sense of what they're capable of.
That said, not every program is the right fit for every student. The key is matching the opportunity to your teen's interests, capacity, and goals.
Before diving into specific options, it helps to understand the main categories:
• Startup/Professional Internships: Students work on real projects for companies or organizations, often remotely. Great for students curious about business, tech, or the working world.
• Research Programs: Students work with professors, Ph.D. mentors, or lab scientists on academic research—sometimes producing a paper or presentation. Ideal for students with deep curiosity in a specific field.
• Entrepreneurship Programs: Students build something of their own—a startup, product, or social venture—with structured mentorship. Perfect for self-starters with big ideas.
• Government/National Lab Internships: Paid positions at institutions like Sandia National Laboratories, offering hands-on experience in STEM fields. Competitive but prestigious.
Many programs can be done from anywhere, making them accessible to students regardless of location or local opportunities.
Ladder Internships
Ladder matches high school students with startups and organizations for 8-week remote internships. Students commit 5–10 hours per week, working on real projects in fields like technology, finance, healthcare, and social impact. Each student is paired with a supervisor and a "Ladder Coach" who provides structured mentorship throughout.
• Format: Virtual, 8 weeks, multiple cohorts throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, winter)
• Time commitment: 5–10 hours/week
• Cost: $2,990–$7,400 depending on program tier; financial aid available
• Best for: Students who want real-world work experience but don't have access to local internships
Lumiere Education (Research Scholar Program)
Lumiere pairs students with Ph.D. mentors for a 12-week research experience. Students choose a topic, work one-on-one with their mentor, and produce an original research paper—which can be submitted for publication or highlighted in college applications.
• Format: Virtual, 12 weeks
• Time commitment: Varies; typically several hours per week
• Cost: $3,190–$9,900 depending on track; free for families earning under $50K through Lumiere's Inclusion Foundation
• Best for: Academically curious students who want deep, guided research and a tangible deliverable
Young Founders Lab
Young Founders Lab is a 3-week intensive entrepreneurship bootcamp where students build and launch a real startup. By the end, students have an MVP (minimum viable product), real customers or revenue, and a polished pitch deck.
• Format: Virtual, 3 weeks
• Time commitment: Intensive (expect full days during the program)
• Cost: $3,490
• Best for: Motivated students interested in business, technology, or social entrepreneurship who want to build something, not just learn about it
For students who want a more local or in-person experience, these programs offer excellent opportunities—many of them free or paid.
Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR)
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab offers a 6-week hybrid/virtual STEM internship for Northern California high schoolers in grades 10–12. Students work alongside scientists on real research and receive a stipend.
• Format: Hybrid/virtual, 6 weeks (summer)
• Cost: Free; students receive a $500/week stipend
• Best for: STEM-curious students in Northern California looking for hands-on lab experience
Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship
Stanford's SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program offers 8-week virtual research internships for high school juniors and seniors. Students work in small groups (2–5 students) on interdisciplinary projects mentored by Stanford students, faculty, and staff. No prior research experience required.
• Format: Virtual, 8 weeks (June–August), 30–40 hours/week
• Cost: $50 application fee; no program fee, but also no stipend
• Best for: Juniors and seniors who want rigorous, Stanford-mentored research without cost barriers
SPARK (CIRM Stem Cell Research Internships)
SPARK, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, offers 6-week paid summer internships in stem cell research for California high school students. The program specifically supports students from diverse backgrounds and those facing socioeconomic barriers.
• Format: In-person at various California research institutions, 6 weeks
• Cost: Free; paid stipend
• Best for: Students interested in biomedical research, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds
Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship
Based at UC Berkeley, this program offers high schoolers the chance to work in science education—developing exhibits, leading programs, and engaging with the public. Students receive a $3,500 stipend.
• Format: In-person (Berkeley), summer
• Cost: Free; $3,500 stipend
• Best for: Students interested in science communication, education, or community engagement
Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA)
Sandia offers paid internships for students ages 16 and older at their Livermore facility. Interns work on real projects in areas like cybersecurity, engineering, software development, and scientific research. These are competitive, prestigious positions that look exceptional on a college application—and students get paid.
• Format: In-person (Livermore), 10–12 weeks
• Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA, U.S. citizenship required
• Cost: Free; paid internship
• Best for: High-achieving STEM students ready for a rigorous, professional environment
With so many options, how do you help your teen find the right fit? A few questions to consider:
• What are they genuinely curious about? A student passionate about biology will thrive in a research program; a student excited about startups might prefer Ladder or Young Founders Lab. Interest matters more than prestige.
• How much time and energy do they have? Some programs are intensive (Young Founders Lab, Stanford SHTEM); others are more flexible (Ladder, Lumiere). Be realistic about what your student can handle alongside school or other commitments.
• What's your budget? Costs range from free (with stipends!) to several thousand dollars. Many paid programs offer financial aid—don't assume cost is a barrier without checking.
• Do they want structure or independence? Some students thrive with heavy mentorship; others want room to explore. Research programs tend to be more guided; entrepreneurship programs require more self-direction.
It's worth acknowledging that some of the programs mentioned here are expensive. This can be a real barrier, which can be frustrating. Fortunately, options exist at every price point. Programs like Stanford SHTEM, Berkeley Lab's EinR, SPARK, and Sandia are free—and some even pay students. Lumiere offers full financial aid for families earning under $50K. Ladder has need-based aid available.
As you consider summer internship programs, just keep in mind that what’s most important is finding an experience where your student will genuinely learn and grow.
