High school is the perfect time to learn about new fields before committing to a college degree, and a research program can be a great way to do just that! Research programs provide an opportunity to build data collection, analysis, and lab skills and gain hands-on exposure to scientific and academic research. These programs allow you to work closely with mentors, design experiments, investigate new topics, and develop original projects.
If you’re based in New Jersey, you’re in luck!
New Jersey is home to a wide range of universities, hospitals, and organizations that offer research opportunities to high schoolers each year. Opting for a local program can be a financially smart choice, helping you avoid travel and housing costs.
To help you with your search, here is a list of 15 research programs for high school students in NJ (New Jersey):
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
3. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Program dates: Mid-July – Mid-August (four weeks)
Application deadline: May 15
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old by July 1 and U.S. residents
The Coriell Summer Experience offers high school students a hands-on exposure to careers in science and biotechnology. You will work alongside professional scientists in Production Laboratories, Stem Cell Labs, or Molecular Biology Labs, learning techniques like DNA extraction, karyotyping, and biobank sample management. You will also attend weekly Scientific Seminars, engage in small-group career workshops led by Coriell Human Resources, and develop presentation and professional skills in the process. At the end of the program, you will deliver a formal PowerPoint presentation to Coriell staff and peers, highlighting your learning and research experiences.
4. Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science
Location: Labs in NJ; location varies by placement
Program dates: June 30 – August 22 (8 weeks)
Application deadline: Application opens mid-December 2025
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend awarded upon completion
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-graders who are at least 16 years old
As a Partners in Science participant, you will work alongside experienced mentors in STEM fields to conduct authentic research in professional laboratory settings. Over eight weeks, you will design experiments, analyze data, and communicate results through written and oral presentations. The program emphasizes skill-building in scientific inquiry, problem-solving, and professional communication while exposing you to current research questions in biology, chemistry, and technology. You will also connect with mentors and peers, gaining insights into academic and career pathways in STEM. The program can also help you learn about the daily operations of a college or university research facility.
5. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program dates: Five to six weeks during the summer (exact dates vary by research opportunity)
Application deadline: March 15; applications open on February 15
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and above, who are enrolled in a U.S. high school, are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and local to the Princeton area
At LLP, you will engage in a full-time, hands-on research experience in the sciences or engineering alongside Princeton faculty and research staff. The program focuses on offering hands-on research experience and mentorship to high schoolers in a professional lab environment. You will contribute to ongoing projects, gaining exposure to authentic laboratory work while developing technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. You will learn about lab safety practices, conduct experiments, and complete and submit a two-page research summary at the conclusion of your project.
6. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship
Location: Remote
Program dates: Vary by cohort; multiple sessions each year, including in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varies; multiple deadlines for each cohort
Cost: Varies by program format; full financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students who have some experience with Python or have completed the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship is an online program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence and machine learning through instruction, project work, and mentorship. You will begin by exploring AI topics of your interest, engaging in supervised learning before advancing to a guided research project. The curriculum emphasizes computational thinking and practical applications of AI, while small-group sessions, coding labs, and one-on-one mentorship provide structured academic support. You can choose to work on an AI-focused research project that focuses on coming up with an AI model in an area of choice, such as healthcare, finance, or social impact, among other options. The experience can help you explore how AI can help tackle real-world problems using data-driven approaches.
7. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP)
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Program dates: Four-week session: July 7 – 31 | Two-week session: July 21 – 31
Application deadline: March 14
Cost: Four-week session: $2,500 | Two-week session: $1,250; fee waivers available
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Kean University’s GSSRP allows you to participate in a hands-on research experience designed to offer an early introduction to STEM research. You will work alongside faculty and graduate student mentors on projects in areas like scientific computation, cancer biology, machine learning, developmental biology, and modern drug discovery. Within the assigned research track, you will explore research tasks like experimentation, testing, and data analysis, from performing simple observation to working with cell-based fluorescent assays and flow cytometry. You will refine technical skills, contribute to real scientific knowledge, and develop teamwork and professional skills through workshops and instrumentation demos.
7. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1; applications open November 22
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors, minimum age 16, who are authorized to work in the U.S.; advanced coursework in physics, chemistry, math, or engineering, and coding or CAD skills are recommended.
This internship places you in Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s research or engineering teams, where you will contribute to real projects in plasma physics and fusion energy. Over five weeks, you will work full-time alongside scientists and engineers, gaining hands-on experience in experimental or computational research. As a participant, you will learn how large-scale scientific research operates and develop technical skills in a professional setting. The program can also help you gain a deeper understanding of careers in physics, engineering, and energy science.
8. Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences (GSNJS) @ Drew University
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Program dates: July 6 – 26
Application deadline: January 10
Cost: Free (tuition and fees covered by sponsors)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in New Jersey; nomination by school required
GSNJS is a three-week residential experience for the state’s motivated science and math students. Hosted at Drew University, the program allows you to take advanced courses in STEM and lab work and collaborate on team research projects. You will attend sessions led by speakers from industry and academia who offer insights into modern science. Events like Career Day will connect you with alumni and professionals who share insights into research and STEM careers. You will also present your projects to peers and program faculty. Alongside academic exploration, you will also experience campus life and build lasting peer connections.
9. RITMS Summer Research Program @ Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Program dates: late June – mid-August (eight weeks)
Application deadline: February 1; January 1 for international applicants
Cost: Tuition-free
Eligibility: High school students (minimum age 16) and undergraduates
The RITMS Summer Research Program is a tuition-free research experience designed to give you exposure to biomedical science. As a high school student, you will gain insight into how real research is conducted, strengthen your college applications, and gain insights into different kinds of colleges/universities you can choose. The program also offers insights into how biomedical science is conducted. During the program, you will join a lab team, plan and conduct experiments, analyze results, and present your findings. You will also receive mentorship from scientists and faculty while learning how advanced research connects to careers in science and medicine.
10. High School Biomedical Scholars Program @ Rowan University
Location: Rowan University, Stratford, NJ
Program dates: August 4 – 15
Application deadline: April 1
Cost: $1,500
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.20 or higher
High School Biomedical Scholars is a two-week program that allows you to gain research experience while working closely with faculty and graduate student mentors from Rowan-Virtua TBES and Rowan-Virtua SOM. As a participant, you will conduct biomedical research and perform laboratory techniques under expert guidance. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab or choose an alternative learning experience. Throughout the program, you will gain insight into various biomedical disciplines, explore career paths in medicine and research, and receive guidance on applying to graduate or medical school. The program concludes with a ceremony, which will be an opportunity for you to interact with the administration and faculty from various universities.
11. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote internships available for New Jersey students
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Cost: $25 application fee with waivers available
Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older
ASSIP at George Mason University provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in STEM research under the guidance of faculty mentors. You can choose research mentors offering remote internships in your field of interest, which can be engineering, data science, neuroscience, medicine, biochemistry, or statistics, among other available disciplines. Over the course of eight weeks, you will learn how to work with advanced technologies and contribute to research. In the process, you will refine skills in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving while connecting with STEM professionals. You may also have the opportunity to present your work at conferences and see your name published in scientific journals. The experience ends with a research symposium, where you get to learn about ASSIP research conducted by your peers.
12. Rutgers Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET)
Location: Rutgers University’s School of Engineering, New Brunswick, NJ
Program dates: July 5 – July 25 (residential, with online prep sessions held the week prior)
Application deadline: January 10 (application) | February 14 (transcripts/test scores)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: New Jersey high school juniors nominated by their school
The Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) is a fully funded residential summer program for New Jersey’s talented rising seniors. Over three weeks, you will dive into robotics, physics, and electives ranging from nanofabrication to biomedical engineering. A core component of the program is a team-based research project, for which you will work with mentors to solve complex engineering problems and present your findings at a symposium. The experience also includes industry site visits, guest lectures from top researchers, and enrichment activities designed to build both technical and life skills. Admission is highly competitive, with only 15–25% of nominees offered a spot.
13. Ocean County Historical Society’s High School Community Service Program
Location: Ocean County Historical Society, Toms River, NJ
Program dates: Semester-based (hours arranged during one school term)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: Free (volunteer-based)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 with an interest in history or related disciplines
This community service program gives you the chance to step into the day-to-day operations of a working museum and research center. As a volunteer, you will help preserve the historic Elizabeth Sculthorpe Force House, assist with exhibit preparation, and support research and archival projects. You may also take part in oral history interviews, maintain the museum gardens, and learn techniques for preservation that historians use in professional practice. The program can help you explore history as a discipline and a career path while building skills in organization, communication, and teamwork. Through this program, you will gain community service experience.
14. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Program dates: June 25 – August 27
Application deadline: February 23 (Early Decision) | March 8 (Final)
Stipend: Paid + other program expenses may be covered
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16+, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and enrolled in a New Jersey school; a two-year commitment is required.
RUYES gives you the opportunity to engage in mentored cancer research, professional development opportunities, and community outreach. Over two summers, you will commit to about 35 hours a week in a Rutgers lab, conducting research under faculty supervision and presenting your findings at the Annual Research Day. The program also includes monthly workshops, seminars, and community engagement activities designed to build your skills as a future biomedical researcher. You will be compensated for your time while gaining a guided research experience that can help you prepare for a career in cancer science and healthcare.
15. Explorers Program @ Newark Museum of Art
Location: Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ
Program dates: Starts in October; multi-year program with after-school and summer commitments
Application deadline: June 1
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who attend a Newark school or reside in Newark and hold a minimum GPA of 2.7
The Explorers Program is a multi-year college, career, and life readiness initiative that uses the Newark Museum of Art’s collections and staff to help you grow as a leader. Over three to four years, you will take on paid museum internships, lead independent projects, and gain real-world experience across different fields. Weekly workshops cover leadership, STEM learning, public speaking, and career exploration, while trips to cultural institutions expand your perspective. The program also includes community service, summer commitments, STEM projects that may involve research, and a three-day orientation. Alongside professional growth, you will have access to free SAT prep, financial literacy training, college readiness workshops, and exclusive museum perks.
Image source – Rutgers University