Are you a high school student in New Jersey who wants to build fundamental skills this summer without paying a cent? Free summer programs are the way to go. These programs let you explore coding, engineering, business, journalism, filmmaking, and more. You will work on projects, use industry tools, and learn directly from experts at top universities and organizations.
Some programs focus on research, teaching you how to write academic papers, design experiments, or analyze data. Others are more hands-on. You might build an app, prototype a robot, or debate real-world policies. If you’re into creative work, you could produce a short film or investigate a news story. No matter what you choose, you will leave with actual work to add to your portfolio and a clearer idea of what you might want to study in college or pursue as a career.
To help you get started, here is a list of 10 free summer programs in New Jersey for high school students!
10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Cost: Free (includes housing, food, transportation, and equipment)
Program Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Open to U.S. juniors from low-income backgrounds with a 3.5+ GPA.
Subject Areas: Journalism, politics, and current affairs
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) gives 40 high school students an in-depth look at journalism. You will take part in lectures, hands-on workshops, and discussions led by professional journalists, Princeton professors, and program alumni. Topics include current events, world affairs, and social and political issues.
The program includes online sessions followed by a 10-day residential camp at Princeton University. During this time, you will report, write, and edit stories for the annual Princeton Summer Journal. The camp provides direct newsroom experience, helping you develop reporting, interviewing, and writing skills.
2. The Governor’s School Of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors who are residents of New Jersey.
Subject Areas: STEM
The Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University gives high school juniors hands-on experience in STEM. You will work on research projects, take advanced workshops, and learn from university faculty. The program covers fields like robotics, data science, and electrical engineering, helping you develop coding, circuit design, and problem-solving skills.
You will work in teams to design and test engineering solutions, analyze large datasets, and build prototypes. Faculty mentors guide you through the research process, from brainstorming ideas to presenting final projects. The program also includes technical writing and presentation training, preparing you to communicate complex ideas effectively.
3. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s High School Summer Research Internship
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: Open to 10th and 11th graders with a GPA of 3.75+. They must be New Jersey students and residents.
Subject Areas: AI, ML, Robotics, Bioscience, Bioengineering, Material Science & Engineering
The NJIT Provost Summer Research Enterprise gives high school students hands-on experience in STEM research. You will choose a research topic and work under a faculty advisor, moving through every stage of the research process, designing a project, forming a hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing results, and presenting findings.
You will collaborate with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, gaining experience in lab work, coding, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. Whether you’re interested in biomedical engineering, environmental science, or computer science, this program helps you build technical and analytical skills relevant to STEM fields. At the end of the program, you will present your research at the annual Summer Research Symposium.
4. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Internships last 5-6 weeks in summer, with dates based on research schedules.
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors
Subject Areas: Physics, Chemistry, Math, Engineering
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship is for students interested in plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields. You will work alongside scientists and engineers, gaining experience in experimental research, computational simulations, and data analysis.
Projects may involve coding simulations of plasma behavior, designing experiments, or analyzing fusion energy systems. You will learn scientific research methods, programming for physics applications, and problem-solving techniques used in real-world energy research. Hands-on experience with lab equipment and engineering tools is also part of the program.
5. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in late March/early April, based on past year dates
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented or financially disadvantaged juniors and seniors
Subject Areas: Medicine, Health Public Policy/Disparities
The M.I.N.D.S. Summer Internship Program is for high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds who want hands-on experience in medicine. You will take part in medical simulations, educational excursions, and research focused on health disparities in New Jersey.
You will study how factors like environment, social status, and education affect health outcomes. Working with mentors, you will conduct research, analyze healthcare data, and present findings. The program also offers CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, giving you a useful credential for future medical training.
6. Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 13 – 19
Application Deadline: Rolling applications until all spots are filled
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Finance, Management.
The Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Stockton University’s School of Business gives high school students hands-on experience in business management and entrepreneurship. You will explore topics like accounting, finance, and marketing while networking with professionals and visiting companies.
A key part of the program is the business plan competition, where you and your team will develop a startup idea and pitch it to a panel of faculty members and industry professionals. You will learn market research, budgeting, and presentation skills while refining your business strategy. Winning teams may receive cash prizes.
7. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be over sixteen and enrolled in a US high school, as well as have citizenship or permanent resident status.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Natural sciences
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton lets high school students work on real research projects under the guidance of faculty and research staff. You will gain hands-on experience in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, or engineering while contributing to ongoing research.
You will learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present findings. The program is flexible, allowing you to coordinate research schedules with your mentors. However, it does not offer housing, so you need to commute. This is a competitive program with over 700 applicants each year.
8. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Cost: Free; $15.49/hr pay for high school students.
Program Dates: May 21 – July 18; July 7 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 12
Eligibility: Open to students living in or attending a school in Mercer County
Subject Areas: Administration, Board & Authorities, Constitutional Offices
The Mercer County Student Internship Program gives high school students paid work experience in government offices. You will assist departments like Administration, Boards & Authorities, and Constitutional Offices with tasks such as data entry, research, report writing, and event coordination.
Beyond daily work, you will join career development sessions run by the Mercer County Office of Personnel. This program is a good fit if you are interested in public administration, policy, or government work.
9. Newark Museum of Art’s Explorers Teen Program
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 25 hrs/week in summer, 6 hrs/week during the school year.
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to rising freshmen to rising juniors with a GPA of 2.7+ residing in or attending a school in Newark
Subject Areas: Art, Leadership
The Explorers Program at Newark Museum gives high school students hands-on experience in museum work while helping them build leadership and communication skills. You will work across different departments, taking on projects that involve research, education, and public engagement.
A key part of the program is self-discovery. You will participate in workshops on leadership, public speaking, and teamwork while developing skills as a researcher, educator, and presenter. These experiences prepare you for college, careers, and beyond.
10. Congressman Cory Booker Internship
Cost: Free
Program Dates: August 12 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Subject Areas: Governance
If you want real-world experience in government and public service, this internship lets you work in Congressman Cory Booker’s Newark or Camden offices. You’ll sharpen your research, writing, and communication skills by tracking public opinion, assisting constituents, and attending local events. You’ll also handle administrative tasks and contribute to policy projects, getting a firsthand look at how a congressional office runs.
If you’re looking for a virtual mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Princeton University
