If you’re a high school student in New Jersey and interested in STEM, summer is a good time to explore it more seriously. New Jersey has many universities and organizations that run STEM programs each year for high schoolers. These programs cover subjects like biology, coding, robotics, engineering, and math. You get to use lab equipment, test ideas, or build working models and projects, all while learning from real researchers or faculty.
Most summer STEM programs in New Jersey are designed to help you build a strong skillset in STEM. You might lead a project with a small team, solve real-world problems, or learn how to think like a scientist or engineer. Some programs also focus on leadership, giving you a chance to step up and take initiative. If you live in New Jersey, joining a local program can also be a smart choice financially, since it keeps your travel and housing costs low.
To help you find the right opportunity, here are 15 STEM summer programs for high school students in New Jersey!
15 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), and Spring (March-June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA. No prior experience needed.
Lumiere is a virtual research program founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford. As a high school student, you get the chance to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university and complete a college-level research paper in a subject you care about. If you’re interested in engineering, computer science, math, biology, psychology, economics, or another STEM field, you can explore it in depth through personalized mentorship.
You’ll meet your mentor weekly, get support at every stage of your project, and finish with a polished paper you can use for college applications or competitions. If cost is a concern, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a fully funded version of the program for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers virtual programs where you can learn and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning through hands-on projects. If you’re just starting, the AI Scholars Program gives you a structured introduction to key topics like neural networks and natural language processing through ten live online sessions. You’ll join small groups, work through coding exercises, and build basic AI models with guidance from instructors.
If you already have some experience or want to go deeper, the AI Fellowship lets you work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university. You’ll develop an independent research project that applies AI to a real-world field like healthcare, climate science, or finance. You’ll also get editorial support to turn your project into a polished research paper, with the option to submit it for publication.
3. Laboratory Learning Program – Princeton University
Location: Princeton University main campus, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: February 15–March 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a US high school who are 16 years old by June 15.
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton places you in real university research labs over the summer, working full-time under the guidance of faculty and research staff. You’ll assist with active research in fields like physics, engineering, or life sciences. Projects vary each year based on faculty work, and past topics have included green energy modeling, supercritical biofuels, and genetic disease research. By the end, you’ll submit a formal two-page report summarizing your contributions.
4. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and a graduating senior in high school at the start of the internship should also have U.S. work authorization
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Summer Internship lets you work alongside scientists and engineers on real research in plasma physics and fusion energy. This 8 to 10-week program is open to high school students with a strong interest in physics, engineering, or computing.
You’ll spend your summer at PPPL’s research facility, which is run by Princeton University and the U.S. Department of Energy. Depending on your skills and interests, you might help with simulations, data analysis, or hands-on engineering tasks involving lab equipment. Some interns work with programming tools like Python, while others assist with design software such as CAD.
5. Waksman Student Scholars Program
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long program
Application deadline: Student selection happens through schools
Eligibility: Open to New Jersey high school students
The Waksman Student Scholars Program lets you take part in real molecular biology research as a high school student. You’ll begin with a summer institute, then continue working on your project during the school year through your science classes or clubs, guided by your teachers and professional researchers. You’ll learn lab techniques like DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis, and use bioinformatics tools to analyze gene sequences. If your research identifies something new, your results are submitted to GenBank, and your name is credited as a contributor to the global DNA database.
6. Governor’s School in the Sciences
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 6–26
Application deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors living in New Jersey with a strong interest in the sciences and ranking in the top 5% of their class.
The Governor’s School in the Sciences is a free, three-week residential STEM program for rising high school seniors in New Jersey, held each summer at Drew University. If you’re nominated by your school and selected, you’ll join other top students for an immersive academic experience with college-level coursework, lab work, and research projects. You’ll take classes in subjects like chemistry, physics, applied math, and psychology, and work in teams to complete a research project. Each group prepares a final presentation and research paper to share at the end of the program.
7. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: June 25–August 27
Application deadline: March 8 (rolling)
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as graduated seniors who are rising freshman undergraduates.
The Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program gives you the chance to do real cancer research over two summers while staying involved during the school year. As a high school student, you’ll train in biomedical labs for 10 weeks each summer, working closely with Rutgers faculty on experiments related to cancer biology. Along with hands-on lab work, you’ll attend seminars, create a research poster, and present your findings. During the school year, you’ll join monthly development sessions focused on professional skills and community health. The program also explores the role of “community scientists,” helping you understand how lab research connects to real-world health issues.
8. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Applications will open in February
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors from underserved backgrounds with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The M.I.N.D.S. (Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science) Program is a paid summer internship for rising juniors and seniors who are interested in medicine and health equity. Hosted by the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the program combines clinical exposure, research experience, and academic support. Over several weeks, you’ll attend seminars led by healthcare professionals, explore medical fields like internal medicine, radiology, and neurology, and even take part in activities like brain dissections. You’ll also work on research projects, practice public speaking, and join SAT prep sessions to strengthen your academic foundation.
9. NJIT – Forensic Science Initiative
Location: NJIT campus
Cost: $1525 (some scholarships are available)
Dates: July 7–August 7
Application deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors
The Forensic Science Summer Program at NJIT is a five-week experience that combines science, law, and investigation. If you’re interested in forensic science, you’ll explore topics like DNA analysis, trace evidence, and forensic microscopy through hands-on lab work, lectures, and field visits, all held at NJIT’s Newark campus. You’ll work in custom-built forensic labs and learn how scientific evidence connects to legal procedures. Field trips to places like federal courts and the 9/11 Memorial give you real-world context on how forensic science is used in investigations and trials. You’ll also get exposure to courtroom procedures and forensic law.
10. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: 4-Week Session: $2,500 | 2-Week Session: $1,250
Dates: 4-week session: July 7–31 | 2-week session: July 21–31
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply.
The Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP) at Kean University gives you direct access to research labs where you’ll spend the summer working on real scientific projects. As a high school student, you’ll be matched with faculty and graduate student mentors and take part in research focused on topics like cancer biology, drug discovery, or scientific computing. You’ll learn lab techniques, help analyze data, and contribute to ongoing research studies. To know more about this year’s research streams, click here.
11. New Jersey Institute of Technology: High School STEM Research Programs
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $150 (financial aid is available)
Dates: June 23–July 21
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Open to New Jersey students who are in grades 10 and 11 (at the time of application), who have an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or more, and who are interested in STEM subjects.
The STEM Research Internship at NJIT gives you the chance to join a university research lab over the summer and work on a project that fits your interests. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and research team in fields like bioengineering, materials science, or computer science, and take part in tasks like lab work, data analysis, and technical reporting. Your schedule and work will depend on the lab you’re assigned to, but you’ll get a clear view of how real research happens, from experiments to team meetings.
12. Partners In Science – Liberty Science Center
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: June 25 – August 16
Application deadline: Not specified. You can reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Eligibility: Open to 11th or 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age before July 1
The Partners in Science Program at Liberty Science Center gives rising high school juniors and seniors the chance to spend eight weeks working in research labs across New Jersey. You’ll be paired with a mentor and assist with real projects in fields like molecular biology, public health, or environmental science. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research to peers and mentors. A stipend is awarded upon completion.
13. Rowan University – STEAM Academy Pathfinders
Location: Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $4,200
Dates: July 6 – 18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.5+
The Pathfinders Track in Rowan University’s STEAM Academy is a two-week residential program for high-achieving high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors ready for college-level academics. You’ll stay on campus, take accredited university courses in the mornings, and work on faculty-guided research and leadership activities in the afternoons. The program blends science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, giving you a chance to explore interdisciplinary projects with Rowan faculty.
14. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: Arranged individually with the host faculty member
Application deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are at least 16 years old
The Independent Research Internship at Rutgers NJMS gives motivated high school students the chance to arrange their summer placement in a medical research lab. Instead of applying to a set program, you’ll reach out directly to faculty whose research matches your interests in areas like immunology, molecular biology, or biomedical engineering. Once accepted, you’ll join a university lab, assist with daily research tasks, and learn lab techniques while gaining real experience in a medical research environment.
15. High School Biomedical Scholars Program at Rowan University
Location: Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $1,500
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a GPA of 3.2+
The Biomedical Scholars Program at Rowan University is a two-week summer experience for high school students interested in healthcare, medicine, or life sciences. You’ll work in university labs alongside faculty and graduate students from the Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and the School of Osteopathic Medicine. The program includes hands-on lab work, biomedical research projects, and the option to observe or take part in a Human Gross Anatomy Lab.
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 – Rutgers University