Are you a high school student in New Jersey who wants to conduct research? Applying for research programs, internships, or learning experiences early on can give you a significant academic advantage. Not only do these opportunities help you explore your academic interests, but they also allow you to develop critical skills like problem-solving and independent thinking. Besides building research skills, these opportunities can benefit your college applications. Getting into a selective research program can help you stand out from other college applicants. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

Quick Look

• 7 programs total spanning independent research mentorships, university lab internships, paid STEM apprenticeships, and a fully residential engineering program

• Costs range from free with stipend (REAP at Stockton, $10/hour) to free with no stipend (Governor's School at Rutgers, Princeton LLP) to paid programs at $500 (NJIT) and $950 to $1,950 (Kean University); Lumiere starts at $2,990 with financial aid available

• Most in-person programs require New Jersey residency or enrollment in a New Jersey high school; Princeton LLP also accepts Pennsylvania residents within 50 miles of campus; Lumiere is fully remote and open globally

• Programs are open to students from grade 10 onwards; REAP at Stockton and Liberty Science Center's Partners in Science are specifically for rising juniors and seniors aged 16 and above

• The earliest deadlines are Governor's School at Rutgers (January 10), NJIT (February 26), and Princeton LLP (March 14)

In this blog post, we'll explore 7 research opportunities for high school students in New Jersey.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program 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 PhD 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, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

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!

Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June 

2. Partners In Science—Liberty Science Center

The Partners in Science program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to collaborate with experienced scientists in real lab settings. Over 8-10 weeks, you'll engage in research, gain proficiency in advanced lab techniques, and develop skills in data collection and analysis. The program spans environmental science, biology, engineering, and chemistry, providing access to professional-grade equipment. You’ll conclude by presenting your work at a symposium, refining your communication skills and receiving constructive feedback from experts in the field.

Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ

Cost: N/A. Students can reach out to partnersinscience@lsc.org for more information

Program dates: June 25 – August 16

Application Deadline: Applications for the program will open in January

Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age as of July 1

3. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program

Kean University offers a STEM-focused research program for students who want to conduct research with faculty. You will get to work on advanced research projects in areas like Scientific Visualization, Cancer Biology, Machine Learning, Developmental Biology, and Modern Drug Discovery. This is a great opportunity to gain technical skills, learn teamwork in a lab setting, and contribute to scientific discoveries. The program also includes professional development workshops, equipment demonstrations, and guidance on college and career pathways in STEM fields.

Location: Kean University, Union, NJ

Cost: 

• 4 Week Session: $1,950

• 2 Week Session: $950

Program dates: Usually between July and August

Application Deadline: Typically in early March 

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

4. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Provost High School Summer Research Internship

If you’re interested in STEM and want to gain hands-on research experience, the NJIT Provost High School Summer Research Internship is an excellent opportunity. Over six weeks, you will collaborate with faculty as well as undergraduate and graduate mentors to conduct research in science and engineering. The program begins with lab safety training and concludes with a research symposium, where you’ll practice scientific communication and presentation. 

Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

Cost: $500 

Program dates: June 24 – August 1

Application Deadline: February 26

Eligibility: Applicants must have completed 10th or 11th grade in June, have a 3.75 GPA, and be residents of or studying in New Jersey

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

The Governor's School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology is a highly selective summer program where driven high school students can study at the Rutgers University School of Engineering. You'll collaborate with peers on a unique research project and present your findings at a research symposium. The program includes workshops, site visits to local companies, and opportunities to connect with professors, professionals, and fellow students from across New Jersey. You'll also take four academic courses, complete a small research and design project, and visit local corporations to explore future career paths.

Location: Rutgers School of Engineering, Piscataway, NJ

Cost: Free

Program dates: July 5 – 25

Application Deadline: January 10

Eligibility: New Jersey residents who are high school juniors during the current school year

6. Army Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP)

The Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP) at Stockton University gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to work closely with university faculty on STEM research projects, including chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. Sponsored by the Army Educational Outreach Program, this paid apprenticeship runs for 6-8 weeks and immerses you in lab work, advanced techniques, and hands-on experience with modern lab equipment. The program concludes with a symposium where you will present your research findings, building skills in scientific communication.

Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ

Cost: Students will be paid a stipend of $10/hr

Program dates: June 22 – August 7

Application Deadline: Usually between April – March

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors from groups that are underserved and underrepresented in the STEM community

7. Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University

This is a highly selective program for high schoolers to work with faculty and researchers at Princeton on ongoing research in engineering and the natural sciences. There are 25 Princeton laboratories which accept 40 interns annually. At the end of the program, you will produce a 2-page research summary report. Research opportunities vary depending on the laboratories participating. Some of the research projects that interns have participated in the past include machine learning methods for power magnetics modeling, heteroresistance to antibiotics, and biofuel oxidation at supercritical pressure. You can see the entire list of past research opportunities here. 

Cost: None

Program dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the researchers' schedule. Interns work full-time, Monday to Friday, with no weekend activities.

Application deadline: March 14

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Eligibility: Students who

• are enrolled in a U.S. high school and are at least 16 years old

• are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Are New Jersey or Pennsylvania residents who live within 50 miles of campus

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need prior research experience to apply to these programs?

   
   

No prior research experience is required for most programs on this list. Partners in Science at Liberty Science Center, the Governor's School at Rutgers, NJIT, and Lumiere are all designed to introduce students to research for the first time. REAP at Stockton does not require prior experience but does prioritise students from underrepresented communities in STEM. Kean University's program is the most coursework-adjacent, focusing on specific technical areas like cancer biology and machine learning, but still does not require prior lab experience. Princeton LLP is the most selective and benefits from strong academic preparation, particularly in the natural sciences or engineering.

2. Are any programs on this list open to students outside New Jersey?

   
   

Lumiere is the only program on this list that is fully remote and open to students anywhere in the world. Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program also accepts students enrolled in U.S. high schools who are Pennsylvania residents within 50 miles of campus. All other programs on this list require New Jersey residency or enrollment in a New Jersey high school, with the Governor's School at Rutgers limited strictly to New Jersey residents.

3. How do these programs compare for college applications?

   
   

The most impactful programs for college applications are those that produce a tangible output. Princeton LLP requires a formal 2-page research summary, Liberty Science Center culminates in a symposium presentation, and Lumiere produces an independent research paper that can be submitted for publication. Programs like the Governor's School at Rutgers and REAP at Stockton are also strong for applications because of their selectivity and institutional affiliation, even without a formal written output. Paid programs like REAP demonstrate that your research skills were considered valuable enough to be compensated, which is an additional signal worth including in application materials.

Summary

This list covers 7 research opportunities for high school students in New Jersey, ranging from 6-week paid lab internships at Stockton and NJIT to fully funded residential programs at Rutgers and Princeton, with Lumiere available year-round for students who want a remote independent research option. The most competitive programs are Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program (40 spots across 25 labs) and the Governor's School at Rutgers (highly selective, NJ residents only), both of which are free and close between January and March, so students should begin preparing applications well before the new year. For students who want the most tangible output for college applications, Princeton LLP (research summary report), Liberty Science Center (symposium presentation), and Lumiere (independent research paper) are the three programs on this list that produce a formal, verifiable academic deliverable.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.