10 Summer Internships for High School Students in Maryland
If you’re a high schooler in Maryland looking for an accessible way to spend your summer break, consider an internship in the state!
Why should I do a summer internship as a high school student?
Summer internships are a solid option for high school students seeking real-world experience in a field of their choice.
These programs allow you to explore career paths, develop practical skills, and build professional connections without interfering with your school year.
Whether you're interested in science, medicine, engineering, or business, a well-structured summer internship can enhance your college applications and future career prospects.
For students in Maryland, summer is an ideal time to engage in a prestigious internship without having to travel out of state or engage in only virtual opportunities.
How have we shortlisted the programs in this blog?
In this blog, we've narrowed down the top 10 summer internships in Maryland that provide valuable experiences.
Our selection criteria include fully funded programs or those offering stipends, a highly competitive acceptance rate, and partnerships with reputable organizations such as top universities, renowned research institutes, and government agencies.
Explore our list of the best summer internships in Maryland for a rewarding experience.
Location: Remote; work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490; financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Cost: Fully funded.
Application Deadline: N/A.
Internship Dates: 2-week online program.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
The MathQuantum Summer Research Program at the University of Maryland provides a hands-on research experience at the intersection of mathematics and quantum information sciences (QIS). As part of UMD’s MathQuantum Research Training Group, you will work on real-world projects that connect math with quantum computing, cryptography, and physics. The program includes independent research projects, specialized workshops, and mentorship from experienced researchers, allowing you to develop critical research and proposal-writing skills.
Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with professionals in quantum science, enhancing your understanding of the field. With only 10 participants selected for each cohort, this program is highly competitive, offering an immersive experience in a rapidly advancing area of study.
Location: Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified).
Application Deadline: N/A.
Internship Dates: Typically in the summer; check the website for the latest dates.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors; Baltimore applicants must be enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools.
The Bloomberg Arts Internship Program offers high school students hands-on experience in the arts and culture sector through paid summer internships at local arts institutions in five major cities. Participants develop professional skills, enhance their resumes, and prepare for college while gaining insights into careers in the arts industry.
The program includes college prep resources such as guidance on the Common Application, essay writing workshops, and digital portfolio development. Interns also participate in professional development sessions, field trips, and arts experiences, including a full-day visit to Philadelphia. Throughout the program, students receive mentorship from industry professionals and present their summer projects at a final showcase. Expect to commit 30-37 hours per week to the internship, with application timelines and requirements varying by location—check for updates based on your city.
Location: Virtual and in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore campus.
Stipend: In-person interns receive an hourly stipend (amount varies); virtual interns receive a $500 stipend.
Internship Dates: In-person: Eight weeks (June – August); Virtual: Five weeks (July – August).
Application Deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: Virtual program: Open to high school juniors and seniors nationwide; In-person program: Open to juniors and seniors attending Baltimore City public schools, with preference given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in the neurological sciences.
The JHIBS Internship is a competitive, paid neuroscience program providing hands-on research experience for high school students. Only 5-6 students are selected annually for the in-person program, where they work with top Johns Hopkins researchers on projects related to epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, OCD, or brain cell regeneration, culminating in a research presentation.
Virtual participants learn fundamental lab skills and receive professional development training, along with mentorship from neuroscience professionals. This internship offers a valuable opportunity for students interested in brain science and medical research to gain practical experience and connect with experts in the field.
Location: Available in all 50 states.
Stipend: $3,000.
Internship Dates: Between June-August.
Application Deadline: January 19.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students residing in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship aimed at inspiring high school students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, to explore careers in fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Participants engage in hands-on activities, such as assisting with fish population surveys, electrofishing, and habitat restoration. Interns may also take part in snorkeling excursions, water quality testing, and specimen analysis while contributing to data collection and environmental research. This program offers valuable mentorship and real-world experience for students interested in ecology, conservation, and marine biology.
Location: Both in-person (Baltimore) and virtual options available.
Cost: Free; unpaid.
Application Deadline: N/A.
Program Dates: Summer session: June 2 – August 15; Fall session: September 10 – December 15; Spring session: January 28 – May 15.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors willing to commit to at least 16 hours per week.
Maryland Public Television (MPT) offers high school students hands-on experience in television production, programming, and business operations through its internship program. Interns can participate either in person at MPT’s Baltimore headquarters or virtually, committing a minimum of 16 hours per week.
In addition to television production, MPT provides internships in various fields, including public relations, communications, content creation, sales, marketing, community engagement, IT, education, and administration. This range allows students to develop diverse skills applicable to careers in media and business while working on real-world projects, including video productions and outreach initiatives. Interested students can explore past video projects for insight into the experience.
Location: Multiple locations nationwide, including Maryland; assigned to a local nonprofit organization. The Leadership Summit is in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid, unspecified amount; travel expenses to Washington, D.C. are covered by BoA.
Application Deadline: January 15.
Internship Dates: Eight-week summer internship, including the summit in Washington, D.C.; exact dates vary by location, typically starting soon after the school year ends.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers high school students hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector through a paid eight-week summer internship at community-based organizations. Approximately 300 students are selected each year to intern at nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, where they contribute to community projects and develop professional skills.
A key highlight is the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where students nationwide learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government entities collaborate to address community challenges. Bank of America covers all travel, food, and lodging costs, allowing participants to engage in workshops and discussions with policymakers and social impact leaders, making this a valuable experience for those interested in leadership and civic engagement.
Location: University of Maryland, Princess Anne, MD
Cost/Stipend: Provided, unspecified amount
Application Deadline: Typically end of May
Internship Dates: July-August
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 2.7 GPA; students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
The GeoSciences Bridge Program is a fully funded summer internship for high school seniors aspiring to careers in geoscience. With an acceptance rate of just 2-3%, it admits only 7-8 students each year, making it one of the most competitive opportunities in the field.
As a GeoSciences intern, you will gain hands-on experience in ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques. You will also complete two college-level courses—Math and a Freshman Seminar—credited through UMES, preparing you for university-level coursework. This program offers an immersive research and academic experience, helping students build a solid foundation for a future in geoscience.
Location: Varies by internship; some opportunities are virtual; in-person internships in Maryland are hosted at Goddard Space Flight Center, Glenn Dale, MD.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified.
Cost: No cost; a stipend may be provided based on session length and academic level.
Dates: May–August (10 weeks); spring and fall internships also available.
Application Deadline: Applications for summer internships typically close in February.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be at least 16 years old at the time of application, and be enrolled as a full-time high school or undergraduate student.
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship is a prestigious program offering paid opportunities at multiple NASA centers, including the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Interns work alongside top scientists, engineers, and researchers, contributing to real NASA projects and gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields.
As an intern, you may be involved in space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, or outreach and communications. Your responsibilities could include designing experiments, analyzing space mission data, or developing innovative technologies. The program also offers mentorship, career development, and networking opportunities with leading experts, providing valuable insights into NASA’s groundbreaking work.
Location: Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified.
Cost: None; students are responsible for transportation and housing.
Dates: Eight-week program, running from mid-June to mid-August.
Application Deadline: February 14.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors, must be eligible to work in the U.S., and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) is a competitive internship for high school students interested in scientific and technological innovation. Participants work with leading scientists and engineers at one of six NIST laboratories on real-world research projects.
Interns can focus on areas such as sustainable manufacturing, robotics, automation, net-zero energy buildings, and integrated construction processes. The program offers hands-on experience in a professional research environment. For students eager to explore cutting-edge research and build a strong foundation in STEM, SHIP provides an invaluable opportunity. For more details and a list of available research projects, visit the NIST internship portal.
Location: Various Navy laboratories in Maryland, including Annapolis, Bethesda, Patuxent River, and Silver Spring.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified.
Cost: No registration fees, but participants cover housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses.
Dates: Eight-week summer program (exact dates vary by lab).
Application Deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grade 9 or higher, must be at least 16 years old by the program start, and graduating seniors are eligible; check specific lab details for additional requirements.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students research experience at Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories. Interns work alongside scientists, researchers, and engineers on naval research projects in areas like computer science, engineering, and aeronautics.
Participants can choose up to three preferred laboratories, allowing them to focus on their interests. SEAP provides approximately 300 placements at over 38 Navy labs nationwide, making it a competitive program. Accepted students receive mentorship, hands-on training, and insights into military research applications, providing a foundation for those interested in STEM or engineering careers.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re a high school student in Maryland interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Johns Hopkins Logo