12 AI Internships for High School Students in New Jersey

Doing an AI internship in high school can help you understand how this technology works before you have to choose a college major or career path. You'll get experience solving problems in Artificial Intelligence, so you can figure out whether this is a field you want to pursue. An internship also shows future employers and colleges that you're proactive and capable of handling professional responsibilities, which can put you ahead of other applicants.

What AI internships are available for high school students in New Jersey?

New Jersey is a good place to find AI internships for high schoolers. The state sits within the Research Corridor, where AI intersects with healthcare and finance, and is home to major institutions like Princeton, Rutgers, and NJIT. Companies like Johnson & Johnson and Merck are increasingly using AI in drug discovery, and state initiatives like the NJCCIC add a cybersecurity angle to the options. 

We narrowed it down to 12 AI internships for high school students in New Jersey that prioritize mentorship, practical projects, and skill development.

1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of the Navy

Location: Department of the Navy research laboratories across the U.S., including Lakehurst, New Jersey
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 5–15 students
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer (exact dates vary by site)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 years or older at the start of the program; additional lab-specific requirements may apply

This paid summer apprenticeship places you in a Department of the Navy research laboratory, where you gain hands-on experience working alongside scientists and engineers on active research projects. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to research in areas such as computer science, engineering, robotics, materials science, physics, chemistry, or applied technology. The program emphasizes real-world research exposure, allowing you to assist with simulations, data analysis, and experimental studies using professional tools and methodologies. You also have opportunities to shadow researchers, attend professional development sessions, and learn about STEM careers within federal research institutions. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with peers and mentors in a structured lab environment.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

This selective virtual internship program connects you with high-growth startups across various industries, including AI/ML, technology, healthcare, marketing, consulting, and journalism. Over the course of 8–12 weeks, you work remotely on real-world projects that contribute directly to a startup’s operations and growth. You collaborate closely with startup managers while receiving structured support from a dedicated Ladder Coach focused on skill development and professional growth. You conclude the internship with a final presentation to company leadership, gaining experience in professional reporting and stakeholder communication. Overall, Ladder Internships offers a structured way to gain startup exposure and hands-on experience in innovative, fast-paced environments. Apply now!

3. Lockheed Martin High School Internship

Location: Moorestown, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically, small cohorts
Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, 16+ years old, and live within commutable distance to Moorestown

In this internship, you’ll explore radar systems and artificial intelligence by working on defense tech at the Moorestown facility. The curriculum covers machine learning, signal processing, and data science. You will spend your summer coding mission systems, prototyping AI capabilities, and collaborating with engineering teams on rapid software sprints. You receive one-on-one mentorship, which puts you on high-stakes projects instead of practice exercises. You’ll master technical skills in ML model development while sharpening your professional problem-solving and teamwork. This experience provides an authentic glimpse into how AI-driven systems safeguard the world. 

4. EdgeConneX / Hello World CS Internship

Location: Newark, NJ (Specifically, Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology and Newark Technology HS)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: Summer, between July and August
Application Deadline: Varies by school
Eligibility: Newark Public School students between the ages of 14 and 18 who are enrolled in a participating school

The EdgeConneX and Hello World CS partnership offers a unique window into the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. You will dive into topics ranging from Python programming and data science to the ethical implications of AI and the physical reality of data centers. During the program, you'll build immersive 3D virtual worlds, train models for handwriting recognition, and create AI-driven narratives through the AI Story Studio. This experience combines immersive VR technology with a focus on sustainable global infrastructure, giving you a taste of real-world problem-solving. It is a strong way to shift from being a passive tech consumer to a creator ready for the future digital economy. 

5. Nokia Bell Labs Summer High School Internship

Location: Murray Hill, NJ (Nokia Bell Labs Headquarters)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 15–25 students
Dates: 6 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Late February / Early March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current 11th graders); must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents; must live within a commutable distance to Murray Hill

The Nokia Bell Labs Summer High School Internship in Murray Hill, NJ, exposes you to cutting-edge industrial AI research. You will explore advanced topics like machine learning, robotics, and 6G connectivity while working alongside world-renowned scientists. During the program, you will design basic algorithms, conduct lab experiments, and attend technical research talks to broaden your scientific perspective. This immersive experience effectively transforms your academic interests into real-world expertise at the forefront of artificial intelligence. You will be part of a historic environment of innovation, and receive direct mentorship from leaders at the birthplace of the transistor and Unix.

6. Liberty Science Center – Partners in Science

Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students annually
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer between late June and late August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade high school students by June who are 16 years old by July

In the Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science program, you will explore machine learning, neural networks, and the ethics of automated systems. Through this eight-week summer experience, you will train predictive models, program autonomous systems, analyze datasets, and present your findings at a formal research symposium. The program's unique hallmark is its focus on high-level mentorship, placing you directly into professional laboratory environments where you contribute to actual ongoing scientific research. By the end, you’ll have gained the professional confidence and technical expertise required to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of modern technology.

7. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES)

Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Stipend: Paid, amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically ~15–20 participants

Dates: 4th week of June – August 25

Application Deadline: March 8

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend a school in New Jersey, 16+ by June 15, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents

In the RUYES program, you explore the intersection of cancer research and artificial intelligence to address regional health inequities. You will cover topics including cancer biology, genomics, and population health, while learning how machine learning accelerates discoveries in biomedical informatics. Over two months, you will conduct mentored lab experiments, present findings at a professional symposium, and lead community outreach projects as a student scientist. This program stands out due to its unique two-year paid structure and the rare chance to work directly within an elite National Cancer Institute-designated research center. Ultimately, you’ll gain technical skills in AI-driven data analysis and laboratory protocols.

8. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) 

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 students

Dates: 5–6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by June 15, enrolled in a local NJ high school, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

In this internship, you will explore advanced topics like computer vision, machine learning applications in environmental science, and robotics. You’ll train models using PyTorch, read academic papers, run experiments on high-powered computer clusters, and ultimately present your findings to the lab group. Unlike traditional summer camps, this program embeds you directly into a faculty-led research team where you work on independent projects alongside graduate mentors. This immersive experience provides you with a distinct advantage for future college applications in STEM.

9. Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology

Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~70 – 95 students

Dates: July 6–31

Application Deadline: January 8

Eligibility: High school juniors living in New Jersey who primarily have ‘A’ grades in honors math and science classes and outstanding scores in standard achievement tests 

The Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology (GSET) is a tuition-free residential program at Rutgers focusing on advanced AI and robotics. Over four weeks, you'll tackle topics like reinforcement learning and machine learning while exploring their applications in biomedical fields. You will build robots for "Robot Soccer," visit local corporations, and conduct collaborative research. The program features a grade-free environment that culminates in a formal research symposium and paper presentation. Through this experience, you’ll master advanced programming, technical writing, and teamwork while solving open-ended engineering challenges. It effectively bridges high school education with college-level scientific maturity.

10. Princeton AI4ALL

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~30–40 students
Dates: July 9–30
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: High school students who live in the U.S. and meet one of the socioeconomic conditions: Combined household income does not exceed $60,000; qualify for reduced-price lunch at school; receive a SAT and ACT fee waiver in school

In this three-week residential program at Princeton, you will dive into the technical and ethical world of human-centered artificial intelligence. You’ll explore core topics like machine learning and computer vision while focusing on using technology for social good. You will lead research projects, attend faculty lectures, participate in small-group mentoring, and take a field trip to Washington, D.C. to study AI policy. This fully funded experience is unique for prioritizing students from underrepresented backgrounds with no prior coding knowledge required. By the end, you will have gained Python programming skills, a deep understanding of algorithmic bias, and the confidence to present your own research.

11. GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)

Location: Virtual (self-paced with optional live office hours)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; roughly 800 students
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending U.S.-based high schools with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 who have completed at least one high school biology course

This NASA-supported summer program gives you structured exposure to space biology and bioinformatics through an entirely online format. You work with real biological datasets from NASA’s Open Science Data Repository, learning how computational tools are used to study biological systems in space. The curriculum focuses on data analysis, scientific interpretation, and research communication. Optional live office hours provide opportunities to ask questions and engage with instructors. Students who complete the program earn a digital certificate, and those who opt into the capstone component collaborate in small teams to develop and present an original, data-driven research proposal.

12. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual (participants must reside in the United States)
Cost/Stipend: Cost is $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students at least 14 years old who live in the U.S. and are entering grades 9–12

This selective virtual internship introduces you to how artificial intelligence is used in modern healthcare research and clinical decision-making. You will explore core concepts in medical AI through lectures, team-based research activities, and problem-solving exercises. Working alongside Stanford-affiliated mentors and student leads, you gain exposure to real challenges at the intersection of data science and medicine. The program emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical considerations in healthcare technology. You also participate in expert-led discussions that highlight academic, industry, and public-sector perspectives. Successful participants receive a Certificate of Completion acknowledging their engagement in AI-driven medical research.