Computer science internships can give high school students great opportunities to play with new technologies, receive exposure and gain experience with field professionals, and work on technical skills that will contribute to a college experience and career pathways. High school students that have internship experiences can also improve their recruiting and selection prospects, and help develop ideas about future career paths in STEM.
The following list highlights eight computer science internships for high school students that aim to provide students with opportunities for all sorts of learning experiences.
1. MIT PRIMES
Location: MIT Campus, Massachusetts
Program Dates: Year-long program starting in fall
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores residing in the United States
Deadline: Applications open in October 2025
The MIT PRIMES program involves students who work with MIT faculty and graduate mentors in research topics in mathematics, computer science and computational biology. The program starts with a reading stage which covers foundational philosophical ideas, and is quickly followed by original research, which can often lead to publications in peer-reviewed journals or presentations in conferences.
Students participating in this program attend weekly meetings on the MIT campus and develop subject matter expertise of the underlying theoretical ideas and applications to develop new possibilities. The program is best suited for those students who want to contribute to important unresolved problems in one or more computational fields with the support of leading experts in the field.
2. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Massachusetts
Program Dates: Six weeks during summer
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors only
Deadline: Early January annually
Hosted by MIT and the Center for Excellence in Education, RSI immerses 100 high-achieving students in a rigorous research environment. The first week focuses on advanced coursework across STEM disciplines, while the remaining five weeks are dedicated to independent research projects supervised by MIT faculty. Participants present their findings through formal papers and oral presentations, simulating the peer-review process used in academic conferences. RSI’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and innovation makes it one of the most competitive and transformative experiences for aspiring scientists and engineers.
3. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, California
Program Dates: Six weeks from mid-June to late July
Cost: Free with generous stipend provided
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores living in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Deadline: March
A paid internship in software engineering, artificial intelligence, and user experience design is available through Meta Summer Academy. Students are exposed to industry-standard tools like PyTorch and React while working 30 hours a week on projects that are in line with Meta's product teams. The program consists of networking and career development workshops led by Meta engineers. This internship, which aims to strengthen underrepresented communities in technology, blends professional development with technical training, guaranteeing that students graduate with both abilities and self-assurance.
4. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Online
Program Dates: Four weeks during summer (typically July-August)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Recent high school graduates entering college, especially from historically marginalized groups
Deadline: Late April
Google CSSI offers a curriculum that covers Python, JavaScript, and web development to prepare incoming college freshmen for computer science majors. With the help of Google engineers, participants create projects like interactive websites and mobile applications. Through workshops on identity and resilience, the program also tackles equity in tech and imposter syndrome. CSSI facilitates students' seamless transition into college-level computer science courses while growing their professional networks by creating a welcoming environment.
5. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA centers across the United States
Program Dates: 16 weeks during fall semester
Cost: Free with paid stipend
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students (some programs accept advanced high school students)
Deadline: May 16, 2025
Students can participate in robotics, data science, and aerospace engineering projects through NASA OSTEM internships. Candidates from high schools with strong coding abilities can work on projects like satellite data analysis or Mars rover simulations. Mentors offer insights into NASA's collaborative research culture while offering advice on technical tasks and career planning. This internship is ideal for students passionate about applying computer science to space exploration and scientific discovery.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Texas
Program Dates: Seven weeks during summer (June-August)
Cost: Free with $750 stipend
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Deadline: Early spring
The program offers a plethora of research opportunities in computational neuroscience, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. In the laboratories of Texas Tech, work is done using software such as MATLAB and LabVIEW to analyze data or to simulate systems. Weekly seminars cover topics such as academic publishing and graduate school admissions, preparing students for STEM jobs in the future. The stipend and housing support are provided for students from differing backgrounds to avail the opportunity.
7. Fermilab TARGET Program
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, Illinois
Program Dates: Six weeks (late June to early August)
Cost: Free with $16.20 per hour stipend
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Illinois with 3.0+ GPA
Deadline: February 1
At Fermilab, students utilize computational techniques to assist in particle physics experiments and analysis, including acting on data generated by the Large Hadron Collider. Intern projects often include modeling particle behavior or optimizing algorithms for detectors through coding in Python and C++. In addition, the program stresses teamwork, weekly intern team meetings, and intern presentations for Fermilab scientists.
8. SPARK Summer Internship Program
Location: Greater Seattle area (various locations)
Program Dates: 8-10 weeks during summer (June-August)
Cost: $25 application fee, potential stipend up to $500
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in grades 9-12
Deadline: Applications typically open in March
SPARK connects students with mentors at research labs and tech companies for projects across a variety of topics (internet of things, app development, cyber security). Interns build IoT devices, using raspberry pi, and others create algorithms to detect diseases in medical diagnostics. The internship focuses on innovation and problem solving and the student
interns take away an experience built on a foundation of documntary evidence of their technical involvement and creativity.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Global Education offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Global’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!