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Free Programs for High School Students in Washington, D.C.

Nichable lists 28 programs, internships, research programs, competitions and volunteer opportunities for high school students based in D.C., Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. None of them lists a cost to take part, and 7 state outright that they're free. Each one is checked against the organization's own page.

High School Volunteer Program

Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
Volunteer· Alexandria, VA
Opening soon
Volunteer· Bethesda, MD
Opening soon

Maryland/DC Regional High School Science Bowl

U.S. Department of Energy / Montgomery College
Competition· Rockville, MD
DeadlineNov 23

DC STEM Fair

Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Competition· Washington, DC
Opening soon
Competition· Remote
Opening soon

Earth Science Week Essay Contest

American Geosciences Institute
Competition· Remote
Opening soon
Research· Paid· Remote
Opening soon

Summer High School Volunteer

Children's National Hospital
Volunteer· Washington, DC
Opening soon
Program· Alexandria, VA
DeadlineRolling

Teen Advisory Board

Arlington Public Library
Program· Arlington, VA
DeadlineRolling

Montgomery County S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council

Montgomery County Council (Councilmember Sayles)
Program· Rockville, MD
DeadlineRolling

ALA Girls Nation

American Legion Auxiliary
Program· Washington, DC
DeadlineRolling

Smithsonian NMNH Summer High School Internship

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Internship· Washington, DC
Opening soon
Program· Laurel, MD + 1 more
Opening soon

UDC Capital Cup Entrepreneurship Competition

University of the District of Columbia
Competition· Washington, DC
Opening soon

Georgetown Debate Seminar

Georgetown University
Program· Washington, DC
Opening soon

U.S. Senate Page Program

U.S. Senate Page Program
Program· Paid· Washington, DC
Opening soon

CHCI NextGen Latino Leadership Program

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Program· Paid· Washington, DC
DeadlineJan 15, 2027
Internship· Washington, DC + online
Opening soon

NIST Summer High School Internship Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Internship· Boulder, CO + 1 more
Opening soon

High School Internship Program

Lockheed Martin Space
Internship· Denver, CO + 5 more
DeadlineJan 3, 2027

High School Internship Program

DC Department of Employment Services
Internship· Washington, DC
Opening soon

APL ASPIRE Program

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Internship· Laurel, MD
Opening soon
Volunteer· Silver Spring, MD
DeadlineRolling

NIH High School Summer Internship Program

National Institutes of Health
Internship· Paid· Bethesda, MD
DeadlineJan 26, 2027
Competition· Washington, DC
Opening soon
Program· Washington, DC
Opens Nov 13, 2026
Competition· Washington, DC
Opening soon

Common questions

Are these programs really free for high school students in Washington, D.C.?

None of these 28 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 Washington, D.C.?

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.