If you’re a high school student in New Jersey interested in healthcare or medicine, a summer program in the state can be a great way to explore the field without breaking the bank. The medical summer programs in this list offer hands-on experiences like lab work, clinical observations, and public health projects — giving you a closer look at what medical professionals do every day.
You’ll also gain insight into different healthcare careers and the skills they require, which can help shape your future academic trajectory. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a doctor, nurse, or researcher, early exposure can help you explore your interests more clearly.
To help you get started, here are 15 medical summer programs for high school students in New Jersey that offer valuable learning experiences and practical skill-building.
Note: We’ve included opportunities that are hosted in New Jersey, as well as a few virtual medical summer programs that allow students from New Jersey to apply.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (full financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free; students might receive compensation for their time and other possible expenses.
Application Deadline: March 8 (if all positions are filled, else applications are accepted until positions are filled)
Program Dates: June 25 – August 27
Eligibility: Rising high school junior/senior aged 16 or older.
RUYES is a fully funded cancer research program for high school students hosted by the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Over two consecutive summers, you’ll spend 10 weeks each year working in a mentor-led lab, gaining hands-on experience with techniques like PCR, cell culturing, and statistical analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism.
The program includes seminars on cancer biology and literature reviews, concluding with a poster and oral presentation. Monthly sessions during the academic year focus on professional development and outreach.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,990 (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school.
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, medicine, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
4. Rutgers: Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
Location: Rutgers Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $925
Application Deadline: March 14
Program Dates: Session 1: July 21 – July 25 | Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
THED is a week-long academic program designed for students exploring medicine, pharmacy, or biomedical research. Through focused modules on experimental design, genetics, pharmacogenetics, and forensic toxicology, students develop core lab competencies and an understanding of molecular mechanisms behind disease and drug response. Sessions also include discussions on research ethics and career pathways in environmental and health sciences. Prior biology coursework is recommended.
5. Partners In Science — Liberty Science Center
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend; the exact amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Program Dates: June 25 – August 16
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students who will be 16 years old
This 8-week summer program matches high school juniors and seniors with research mentors across fields like biology, environmental science, chemistry, and engineering. You will be engaged in a university or laboratory environment, performing original research while utilizing professional-grade laboratory equipment.
The program emphasizes core research skills, formulating questions, running experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and includes training in science communication through a final symposium. A stipend is awarded upon completion.
6. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: 2-Week Session: $1,250 | 4-Week Session: $2,500
Application Deadline: March 14
Program Dates: 2-week session: July 21 – July 31 | 4-week session: July 7 – July 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
GSSRP is a faculty-mentored summer research experience for high school students interested in STEM fields like Scientific Computation, Cancer Biology, Machine Learning, Developmental Biology, and Drug Discovery. You’ll contribute to real research projects, apply data analysis tools, and work within a lab team.
The program emphasizes technical training, collaborative problem-solving, and research communication. Additional workshops cover lab instrumentation, career pathways, and academic planning.
7. New Jersey Institute of Technology: High School STEM Research Programs
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $150
Application Deadline: February 27
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31
Eligibility:
- Students completing 10th or 11th grade are eligible.
- Applicants should have an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or better.
- Students must be New Jersey high school students and residents of New Jersey.
This competitive program pairs students with NJIT faculty mentors and active research teams in fields like bioscience and bioengineering. You will engage in experimental design, data analysis, and lab-based collaboration with undergraduates and graduate researchers.
The program focuses on research methods, collaborative scientific investigation, and STEM career growth through weekly seminars and a final electronic poster presentation at NJIT’s Summer Research Symposium.
8. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member.
Program Dates: Arranged individually with the host faculty member.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least sixteen years old and have a commitment from a Rutgers, RBHS-NJMS Faculty Member are eligible.
This flexible, mentor-driven internship places high school students in active research labs at Rutgers NJMS. After securing a faculty mentor, students contribute to ongoing medical research, gaining hands-on experience with experimental design, lab techniques, and data interpretation. The self-initiated structure supports exploring specific interests, ranging from molecular biology to clinical applications, while helping students build core competencies for future research or medical careers.
9. Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences (GSNJS)
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in mid-January
Program Dates: July 6 – July 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in New Jersey with a strong interest in the sciences. The student must be nominated by his/her high school. Interested students should speak with their guidance counselor or science and math teachers to indicate interest. Check more details here.
This selective 3-week residential program at Drew University immerses rising high school seniors in advanced scientific coursework and research. With core offerings like Molecular Biology of Cancer and lab modules in biology and biochemistry, students gain exposure to concepts critical for pre-med and biomedical fields. The experience includes team-based research projects, professional networking events like Career Day, and opportunities to develop scientific writing and presentation skills, preparing participants for the rigors of college-level STEM work.
10. Rutgers Science, Medicine, and Related Topics (SMART) Summer Academy
Location: Classes will be hybrid, with four days a week online and one day in-person at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost: $350 + $25 application fee
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: June 30 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students residing in New Jersey
This four-week enrichment program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is tailored for high school students, especially those from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, interested in pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, or biomedical research. Through hands-on activities in applied science and technology, career exploration workshops, and educational field trips, SMART aims to help students deepen their understanding of health science while building a strong foundation for future academic and professional success.
11. Summer Experience at the Coriell Institute For Medical Research
Location: The Coriell Facility, Camden, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: 4 weeks from mid-July to mid-August
Eligibility: High school students aged 17 years or older
This selective four-week program gives high school students the rare chance to work alongside scientists at one of the country’s leading genetic research institutions. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience in areas like stem cell research, DNA extraction, and biobanking operations, while attending lectures, scientific seminars, and resume-building workshops. Whether you’re assisting in cytogenomics labs or learning the basics of project management, the Coriell Summer Experience is an opportunity you can consider!
12. High School Biomedical Scholars Program at Rowan University
Location: Rowan University, Stratford, NJ
Cost: $1,500
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: August 4 – August 15
Eligibility: High school student with a GPA of 3.20 or better.
This two-week immersive program lets you work alongside Rowan-Virtua TBES and SOM faculty and grad students as you learn lab techniques, conduct biomedical research, and explore careers in medicine and science. You’ll also have the chance to participate in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab and receive guidance on applying to graduate or medical school, with the program concluding in a recognition ceremony for students and families.
13. Rutgers University’s Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE)
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ/ Virtual
Cost: In-person: $2,200 | Virtual: $600
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Session 1: June 23 – July 3 | Session 2: July 28 – August 8 | Virtual: August 11 – August 24
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one high school-level biology course
WISE gives high school students the chance to conduct real molecular biology and bioinformatics research. In this four-week program, you’ll get to purify and analyze DNA from Landoltia punctata, use professional bioinformatics tools, and submit your results to GenBank. The program includes daily faculty-led seminars and hands-on lab work. A virtual version (vWISE) is also offered, focusing solely on bioinformatics and gene analysis without lab experiments.
14. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 (Financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
This two-week virtual program introduces high school students to AI in healthcare through technical lectures, hands-on group projects, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. The program emphasizes how artificial intelligence is transforming medical research, diagnostics, and patient care.
You’ll attend career talks with professionals across sectors and may qualify for an extended research internship. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)- Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks between July and August
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The virtual track of the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school juniors and seniors a remote opportunity to explore neuroscience. Participants attend online seminars, engage in guided scientific discussions, and receive one-on-one mentorship from neuroscience professionals.
The program also introduces basic lab techniques and includes college and career preparation sessions. By the end of the internship, students earn a certificate of completion and a solid foundation in brain science research.
Image source – Rutgers University