15 Research Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
Participating in a research program as a high school student gives you the chance to explore subjects deeply while developing skills that will be useful in both college and future careers. Whether you’re learning how to frame a research question, analyze data, or present your findings, these experiences can help you understand what it’s like to think like a researcher. Along the way, you gain exposure to professional labs, academic writing, and problem-solving.
New Jersey offers many such opportunities for high schoolers through its universities, research hospitals, and industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to technology. You can find research programs for high school students in NJ that focus on areas like biomedical science, engineering, environmental studies, or even forensic science. You’ll also benefit from working with mentors in these fields, which will give you insight into both academic and professional pathways.
To help you get started, here are the 15 best research programs for high school students in New Jersey!
15 Research Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
1. Princeton University's Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Typically mid-June to mid-August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
At Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program, you join active research teams in natural sciences or engineering rather than working on isolated assignments. You’ll spend several weeks contributing to real investigations under the guidance of faculty and research staff, with schedules shaped by the project’s needs. The program emphasizes immersion in the daily routines of research, giving you insight into how questions are developed and tested in professional labs. By the end of the summer, you’ll complete a written summary of your project, covering research goals, methods, data, and conclusions. For students looking for a research program for high school students in NJ that emphasizes hands-on experience, LLP offers an authentic lab environment.
2. Ladder Internship's Mentored Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Four cohorts annually: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships pairs you with high-growth start-ups for an immersive experience that combines professional projects and independent research. Over the 8-week internship, you work directly with company leaders on real-world challenges, followed by a 15-week mentored research component where you produce a college-level paper. Depending on your placement, you might analyze markets, contribute to product design, or research solutions relevant to the company’s focus area. Throughout, you receive one-on-one mentorship to refine your work and adapt to professional expectations. By the end, you’ll have professional deliverables as well as a written project to showcase.
3. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Mid July to Mid August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 17 years old with a strong interest in science
This is a research program in New Jersey where you rotate through several laboratory environments to gain an understanding of different facets of biotechnology. In the Production Labs, you learn core techniques like freezing and distributing biological samples, while in the Stem Cell Lab, you observe how skin and blood cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells. You may also see chromosome analysis through karyotyping or support DNA extraction in the Molecular Biology Lab. Beyond lab work, you attend weekly research seminars led by internal and guest scientists, giving you exposure to current topics in genetics and biobanking. At the end, you present your work in a formal presentation, practicing scientific communication in front of peers and staff.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students
The Lumiere program is structured around a one-on-one mentorship model where you work directly with a PhD researcher. Over 12 weeks, you move from selecting a research topic to drafting, revising, and finalizing an academic paper. Weekly sessions with your mentor and writing coach provide consistent feedback, ensuring your project is both rigorous and polished. Topics are flexible, ranging from STEM fields like astrophysics and neuroscience to humanities subjects like philosophy or history. The program ends with a symposium and graduation, giving you the chance to present your findings formally.
5. Rowan University's High School Biomedical Scholars Program
Location: Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Stratford, NJ
Cost: $1,500 + $500 non-refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.2 GPA
For students seeking short-term but intensive research programs for high school students in NJ, this 2-week program introduces you to biomedical research through structured lab activities and mentorship. You’ll practice techniques commonly used in biomedical science, with guidance from Rowan-Virtua faculty and graduate students. A unique element is the opportunity to participate in the Human Gross Anatomy Lab, an experience typically reserved for advanced medical training, though alternatives are available if preferred. Alongside lab work, you learn about careers in medicine and research, as well as strategies for graduate and medical school preparation. The program concludes with a recognition ceremony where you share your experiences with faculty and families.
6. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 40 interns
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old
This research program for high school students in NJ allows you to work alongside researchers and engineers on projects related to plasma physics and fusion energy. You might contribute to experimental design, computational modeling, or engineering tasks depending on your placement. A strong foundation in physics, chemistry, advanced math, or engineering coursework will help you navigate the technical challenges. Some projects may also involve programming in languages such as Python or Java, or working with design tools like SolidWorks and AutoCAD. You’ll gain insight into how large-scale scientific facilities approach energy research and innovation..
7. Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science
Location: Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: Paid upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (Varies by partnerships)
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: Typically February or March
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grader with an interest in science and technology
Partners in Science pairs you with mentors in scientific, health, or technical fields for an 8-week summer experience. You’ll join ongoing projects in a college or university lab, taking on authentic research questions rather than classroom-style exercises. Over the summer, you’ll develop both experimental skills and science communication abilities through writing and presenting your work. Mentorship is central: you build a network of advisors and peers who can guide your growth beyond the program. If you’re looking for research programs for high school students in New Jersey that emphasize mentorship and authentic lab practice, Partners in Science offers that blend.
8. Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: One Week Programs: $3,150; Two Week Programs: $4,700 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Varies by program, but generally rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
At Stevens Institute of Technology, you can explore fields ranging from artificial intelligence and neuroscience to civil engineering and electronic music production. The research programs for high school students in NJ run for 1-2 weeks, with residential sessions designed to simulate the experience of living and learning on a university campus. Depending on your choice, you might practice lab techniques, design a game, work on cybersecurity challenges, or analyze data in the context of social issues. Some sessions require prior coursework, such as AP Computer Science, while others are suitable for beginners. Beyond academics, the program's structure emphasizes intensive, project-based learning within a condensed timeframe.
9. Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE)
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 2; July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who have completed a high school-level biology course
WISE gives you the chance to contribute to real research in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Over 2 weeks, you’ll attend daily seminars led by Rutgers faculty and spend time in labs purifying and analyzing DNA fragments. Using bioinformatics tools, you’ll compare gene sequences from duckweed with those of other species, mirroring the work of practicing molecular scientists. An important feature of this program is the opportunity to publish your vetted sequence analyses in GenBank, a major international DNA database. Among research programs in NJ, WISE stands out for its integration of lab skills with contributions to global databases.
10. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES)
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 4th week – August 25
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are 16 or older, attend school in New Jersey, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
RUYES is a long-term research program for high school students in NJ that immerses you in cancer research while also providing mentoring and professional development. Over 2 consecutive summers, you’ll conduct basic, clinical, or population-based research under faculty supervision for about 10 weeks each year. During the academic year, you’ll continue with monthly professional development and outreach activities, strengthening your understanding of both the science and its community impact. You’ll also prepare posters and oral presentations for an annual research symposium, giving you structured experience in communicating your findings. In addition to hands-on lab work, you take part in seminars covering cancer biology, laboratory methods, and current research literature.
11. The Governor's School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering, Rutgers, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fewer than 100 (62–90 students)
Dates: 4 weeks starting late July
Application Deadline: Nominations: January 10; Student Applications: April 17
Eligibility: High school juniors who live in New Jersey with a strong interest in engineering and technology, with primarily “A” grades in honors math and science classes
At the Governor’s School, you join motivated peers from across the state for an intensive residential program in engineering and technology. The academic schedule includes four courses, workshops, and a collaborative research project that culminates in a symposium with a written paper and presentation. You’ll also visit local corporations to see how engineering concepts are applied in real-world contexts. The focus on research and design gives you a preview of how complex engineering challenges are approached. This New Jersey research program blends coursework, lab work, and professional exposure into a concentrated summer experience.
12. W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars Institute—Summer Institute
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: $5000 for rising 8th and 9th graders and $6,800 for 10tha dn12th graders (limited scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: 8th to 12th-grade high school students with a minimum B average
The Summer Institute combines academic rigor with workshops, lectures, and cultural experiences across multiple disciplines. Rising 10th–12th graders can join academies in engineering, pre-med/biological sciences, or leadership, while younger students enter preparatory tracks. Classes are designed at a university level, running in extended blocks that mirror college coursework. Fridays and weekends are reserved for field trips and guest lectures, which expand the program beyond the classroom and provide a broader social and cultural context. Workshops cover study skills, college preparation, identity, and contemporary issues, supporting both academic and personal growth.
13. Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey (BRInj) High School Research Program
Location: Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey, Cedar Knolls, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
This research program for high school students in NJ allows you to work alongside PhD and MD scientists in a biomedical research setting. The program emphasizes both exposure to cutting-edge science and the development of basic lab skills that can transfer to future coursework. Activities may include pipetting, analyzing samples, and learning how research questions are framed in medical and biological contexts. The mentorship component introduces you to scientists’ career paths while giving you insight into the day-to-day process of biomedical investigation. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of whether you want to pursue research or medicine in college.
14. Students 2 Science (S2S) STEM Internships
Location: East Hanover/Newark Technology Center, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots for high schoolers
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students
The Students 2 Science internship program places you in one of three areas: the Virtual Lab, ISAAC, or Career Advancement Program. In these roles, you might develop new educational content, update program materials, or assist with hands-on lab projects. Each intern is paired with a mentor who provides guidance throughout the summer. The program also incorporates career readiness by including site visits, workshops, and opportunities to present your work to professionals. Presentations allow you to summarize your project and gain experience in communicating technical material to different audiences.
15. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Forensic Science Initiative
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $50 registration fee + $1525 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are pre-enrolled in a forensic science course for their senior year, preferably NJIT FRSC 201 for dual credit, with at least a C in biology, chemistry, and trigonometry
NJIT’s Forensic Science Initiative introduces you to a wide range of forensic disciplines over 5 weeks. In dedicated labs, you’ll practice techniques in forensic biology and chemistry, conduct mock crime scene investigations, and learn how evidence is processed. Field research takes you to locations such as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum or federal courtrooms, showing how forensic science connects to real-world cases. You also act as an expert witness in a mock trial, which helps you understand how science intersects with the legal system. College prep sessions run alongside the science curriculum, covering topics like personal statements, scholarships, and making professional connections. This program adds a law-related dimension to research programs in New Jersey.
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