Be sure to check the internships' websites for their COVID requirements. Some of the internships require interns to be vaccinated; others plan to switch to a virtual model if necessary.

Summer Internship Opportunities for Teens Near DC in 2022

1. Bank of America Student Leaders — Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD

The Bank of America Student Leaders program offers paid summer internships to more than 300 community-minded high school students. Students work 35 hours per week at a local non-profit, where they learn about the needs of their communities and the important role non-profits play. Included in the eight-week program is a week-long Student Leadership Summit in DC (all expenses paid) from July 25-30, 2022. Nearly 100 cities across the U.S. participate in the program, including DC and Baltimore.

Ages: high school juniors and seniors
Application deadline: January 28, 201

2. National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Bethesda, Baltimore, and Frederick, MD

The NIH's summer internship gives students interested in biomedical research the chance to work side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world. The roughly eight-week internship includes summer lectures given by prominent NIH investigators, professional development workshops, wellness programs, college readiness activities, and more. Student interns ;receive a stipend of more than $2,000.

Ages: 17 and up by June 15, 2022; high school juniors and seniors
Application deadline: February 1, 2022

MITRE's National High School Student Program offers eight-week paid positions. Photo courtesy of MITRE

3. MITRE — McLean, VA

Student interns at this non-profit apply STEM skills to help solve big problems threatening our communities and our nation, including cyber threats, healthcare inequities, and more. High school internships are full-time (40 hours per week), eight-week paid positions at various MITRE locations across the U.S., including the headquarters in McLean, Virginia.

Age: high school freshman through seniors
Application deadline: February 14, 2022

4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program — various locations

This program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society offers paid summer internships to students—especially girls and minority students—interested in careers in fisheries science and management. During the eight-week internship, students work 40 hours per week at fisheries agencies and institutions in their local area, where they are mentored by fisheries professionals in a marine and/or freshwater setting. Tasks include taking fish population surveys, testing water quality, snorkeling, helping with children's educational programs, and more.

Ages: high school sophomore, juniors, and seniors
Application deadline: February 15, 2022

Teens work with staff mentors on STEM projects during an ASPIRE Summer Session. Photo courtesy of John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, jhuapl.edu

5. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory — Laurel, MD

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory's ASPIRE Summer Session gives students the opportunity to work on STEM projects alongside staff mentors. Students must commit to working at least 25 hours per week (no more than 40) for a minimum of six weeks, with a one-week break allowed for vacations. ASPIRE offers in-person, virtual, and hybrid internship opportunities.

Ages: high school juniors and seniors
Application deadline: February 16, 2022

6. National Human Genome Research Institute — Bethesda, MD

Through this institute's Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research, students work with some of the world's most accomplished scientists to better understand the underlying causes of human genetic disease. Summer interns also attend a program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Seminar Series, where world-class researchers present their latest findings in biomedical and clinical research. At the end of the summer, students present their work at the annual NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day. Interns earn a monthly stipend.

Ages: 17 and up
Application deadline: March 1, 2022

The Smithsonian offers a variety of summer internships for high school students. Photo courtesy of ofi.si.edu

7. Smithsonian Institution — Washington, DC

Ages: 14 and up
Application deadline: March 15, 2022

The Smithsonian Institution offers various unpaid internships for high school students throughout its many museums and research centers. Internships are available in the fields of business and public administration, history, art, science, culture, and education. Because of the competitive nature of the program, students are encouraged to apply to the General Smithsonian Internship Pool. Interns are recruited from that pool as opportunities arise.