Top Summer Programs LibraryTop Summer Programs
Government Lab InternshipsNavy, Army, Air Force and NASA
Federal agencies such as the Navy, Army, Air Force and NASA hire high school students as summer interns in their laboratories. Students work alongside scientists or engineers and most programs pay a stipend, but housing is not provided, so these suit students who live near a lab. Almost all require US citizenship, and some accept green-card holders. Some programs have recently moved to college students only, so older guides need to be rechecked.
- Programs listed
- 61 paused, closed or changed
- Open to international students
- 0
- Free or with a stipend
- 4
- Next deadline
- Nov 30, 2026SEAP
Government Lab Internships: 5 Programs Compared
The five columns show the program, citizenship requirement, cost, the most recent application deadline, and officially published size or selectivity. Select a program for its full page.
| Program | Eligibility | Cost | Deadline | Size and selectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) | US citizens only | Stipend | Nov 30, 2026 | About 300 placements |
| Army Educational Outreach Program Internships (AEOP) | Citizens or green-card holders | Stipend | TBA | HS rate can be under 15% |
| Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (AFRL Scholars) | US citizens only | Stipend | Jan 11, 2027 | Not published |
| NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) | US citizens only | Tuition · aid available | Feb 22, 2026 | 215 admitted in 2024 |
| NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) | US citizens onlyLocal students only | Free | Jan 26, 2026 | Not published |
Paused, discontinued or changed
These programs are well known and often searched, so we keep them listed and explain their current status and alternatives on each page.
| Program | Eligibility | Cost | Deadline | Size and selectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASA OSTEM InternshipsEligibility changed | US citizens only | Stipend | TBA | Not published |
Program by Program
- Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)About 300 placementsSEAP, run by the Office of Naval Research, places high school students in Navy laboratories for eight paid weeks of research. It offers about 300 placements across 38 labs nationwide with a $4,000 stipend for new participants, and applications for summer 2027 close November 30, 2026.Full details →
- Army Educational Outreach Program Internships (AEOP)HS rate can be under 15%AEOP Internships, funded by the US Army, place high school students in Army research laboratories or partner university labs for paid research. AEOP says the high school acceptance rate can be under 15%; the former apprenticeships are now called internships and are open only to US citizens and permanent residents.Full details →
- Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (AFRL Scholars)AFRL Scholars, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory and run by USRA, places upper-level high school students and college students in Air Force labs for paid summer research. High school students generally earn $506.80 a week, but the program accepts only US citizens, and California sites require applicants to be 18.Full details →
- NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)215 admitted in 2024SEES is a NASA-funded high school summer internship run by UT Austin's Center for Space Research: students complete online modules, then work on research projects using NASA mission data. The official FAQ says it received about 2,000 applications and accepted 215 in 2024, and it is open only to US citizens.Full details →
- NASA OSTEM InternshipsNASA OSTEM Internships give more than 2,000 students a year the chance to work on real projects at NASA centers, most with a stipend. Current eligibility covers only college students from undergraduate to graduate level who are US citizens, so high school students can no longer apply.Full details →
- NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)SHIP is a seven-week unpaid research internship at NIST for 11th and 12th graders, who work on projects with NIST scientists at the Gaithersburg or Boulder campus. It accepts only US citizens whose permanent residence is within 50 miles of the campus.Full details →
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