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Free Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia

Nichable lists 26 programs, internships, research programs, competitions and volunteer opportunities for high school students based in Philadelphia, its Pennsylvania suburbs, and nearby South Jersey and Wilmington. None of them lists a cost to take part, and 4 state outright that they're free. Each one is checked against the organization's own page.

Delaware Teen Science Cafe

Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Program· Wilmington, DE
Opening soon
Program· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon
Volunteer· Wilmington, DE
Opening soon

PAFA Youth Council

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Program· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon
Research· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Immersion Science Program

Fox Chase Cancer Center
Research· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Penn Engineering High School Internship Program

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science
Research· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon
Research· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Paid Youth Internships

Bartram's Garden
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon
Competition· Remote
Opens Dec 1, 2026
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon · Due Nov 15, 2026

Teen Ambassadors

Independence Seaport Museum
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Neurology High School Scholars Program

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

VolunTEEN Program

Brandywine Zoo
Volunteer· Wilmington, DE
DeadlineRolling
Volunteer· Camden, NJ
Opening soon
Volunteer· Wilmington, DE
DeadlineRolling

Philadelphia Youth Commission

Mayor's Office of Youth Engagement
Program· Philadelphia, PA
DeadlineRolling

Academy of Natural Sciences Volunteer Program

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Volunteer· Philadelphia, PA
DeadlineRolling
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Volun-TEENS Program

Philadelphia Zoo
Volunteer· Philadelphia, PA
DeadlineRolling

Franklin Institute STEM Scholars

The Franklin Institute
Program· Philadelphia, PA
DeadlineRolling

Bloomberg Arts Internship (Philadelphia)

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

High School Summer Fellowship Program

U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Internship· Paid· Wilmington, DE
Opening soon

PYNtern Program

Philadelphia Youth Network
Internship· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

High School Internship Program

Lockheed Martin Space
Internship· Denver, CO + 5 more
DeadlineJan 3, 2027
Research· Paid· Philadelphia, PA
Opening soon

Common questions

Are these programs really free for high school students in Philadelphia?

None of these 26 listings names tuition or a required fee. Listings that charge say so in a cost line and are labeled "Costs money", so they aren't on this page. Smaller costs such as travel or materials can still apply, so confirm on the organization's page before you apply.

How do high school students apply to free programs in Philadelphia?

Each listing is run by its own organization and you apply on that organization's site. A free Nichable account shows each listing's deadline and how to apply, and lets you save and track them.