In the competitive landscape of college admissions, it is important for high school students to find a way to distinguish themselves. Internships are a great way of doing this as they offer a gateway to real-world experiences not found in classrooms. For those interested in machine learning, internships can give you a headstart on a career in tech. Machine learning internships generally offer the chance to work alongside industry experts and build a valuable network.

Along with getting experience and learning essential skills, these programs enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative abilities. In this article, we'll explore 8 machine learning internships designed for high school students. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. AI Internship Program by Veritas AI

Cost: $2,490

Application Deadline: October 20

Internship Date: The start date for the cohort is November 11

Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program 

The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.

2. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship

Application deadline: March 31

Eligibility: High school students who are over the age of 14  

Program dates: June 17 – June 28

Location: Virtual

Stipend: None

If you are interested in the application of AI and machine learning in medicine and healthcare, consider this research internship. The program includes lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare, mentorship by Stanford researchers, guest lectures, and group projects. During the internship, you will focus on developing innovative AI solutions to advance human health, which includes several aspects of machine learning. You will receive a certificate of completion. Each cohort usually accepts 20 interns, so the application process is quite selective.

3. NIST Summer High School Intern Program – Information Technology Laboratory

Application deadline: First week of February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Program dates: 8-week program from June to August (exact dates may vary)

Location: NIST campus in either Boulder, CO or Gaithersburg, MD

Stipend: None

Organized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce), this program is a research-based internship. As an intern, you will work on a research project at one of six NIST laboratories and be mentored by a NIST scientist. You can opt for the Information Technology Laboratory, which includes machine learning and computer network modeling, cryptography, data mining, information visualization, and more. This program is a great way to get experience in the field of technology. You can review a few of the previous topics here!

4. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Application deadline: February 11

Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old  

Program dates: June 18 - August 9

Location: Remote, hybrid, and in-person (at the university) options are available, depending on mentor

Stipend: None; $25 application fee

George Mason University’s ASSIP is another internship that offers an opportunity to work on a research project under the guidance of a professional mentor. Through your application, you can list 3 mentors of interest. Several mentors—from the departments of computer science, cyber security engineering, and information sciences and information technology—cover machine learning. Through the program, you will develop scientific writing skills and explore STEM careers. You can also go through the previous participants’ work to get an idea of what the research topics look like. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

5. NASA’s Antarctic Study with Satellite Observations

Application deadline: Generally in the first few days of February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old  

Program dates: The program usually takes place during the summer.

Location: Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Maryland

Fee: None; a stipend is typically provided

This opportunity allows interns to contribute to earth science and climate studies research at the Goddard Space Flight Center. As an intern, you will study Antarctic clouds and blowing snow and their interaction with the surface using observations from NASA satellites. Big data analysis and machine learning techniques are key to this process. A NASA internship at the Goddard Space Flight Center is a highly prestigious opportunity and would boost your academic profile. However, the internship is also open to undergraduate and graduate students, so you can expect it to be quite competitive. For tips on landing a NASA internship, check out our blog here.

6. Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program

Application deadline: The deadline is generally during the second half of March 

Eligibility: Graduated high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and have completed a pre-calculus or equivalent course. Students must live within 50 miles of one of the two offices in Washington and Georgia

Program dates: July 8 – August 2

Location: Redmond, Washington or Atlanta, Georgia

Stipend: Not specified

Microsoft’s internship is only open to graduating seniors, but it can make a useful addition to your profile before you start college or even during a gap year. As an intern, you will work in a team on a project within the design phase of product development. You will gain exposure to software engineering, UX design, and more, which could include elements of machine learning. While the focus may be on areas other than ML, the credibility of a Microsoft program will be a valuable addition to your CV. Participants will also receive mentorship from Microsoft employees, build a network, and explore how their interests can lead to a career in tech. You can read our in-depth review of this program here.

7. NYU’s ARISE Program

Application deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are residents of New York

Program dates: June 3 – August 9

Location: New York University

Stipend: $750

Organized by New York University, ARISE is a prestigious opportunity for high schoolers to engage in STEM research. You will choose your preferred areas of research while applying and be assigned to a specific lab. One of these is the Machine Learning for Good Laboratory, which uses machine learning for social good, like detecting diseases or improving fairness in criminal justice. Some of the other available labs also involve machine learning, such as the Building Informatics and Visualization Lab, the Privacy and Security Automation Lab, and the Music and Audio Research Lab. The program includes two weeks of remote coursework, five weeks of in-person research, and a colloquium. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

8. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

Application deadline: March 15  

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age

Program dates: 5-6 weeks during the summer (depending on the specific project) 

Location: Princeton University

Stipend: None

The summer internship offered by Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time research experience for students in high school. As a participant, you will work on a research project in engineering or natural sciences under the mentorship of Princeton faculty and research staff. Previous research projects include three options involving machine learning: machine learning of smart polymeric materials, using machine learning to navigate ocean currents, and machine learning for green power generation and propulsion. You will end the program by submitting a 2-page research report. The program usually receives over 700 applications, and this is a commuter program. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

One more option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’d like to participate in a rigorous research program open to high schoolers, you may want to consider the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 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 Ph.D. 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: Stanford AIMI logo