10 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
Participating in a summer research program can be a valuable experience for high schoolers. These programs provide an opportunity to gain experience, collaborate with experts, and explore STEM, humanities, or social sciences fields. Besides enriching your understanding of a specific subject, these experiences are also strong additions to college applications, CVs, or personal statements, showcasing a commitment to academic growth and intellectual curiosity! Additionally, they offer exposure to potential career paths and research methodologies that are crucial for success in higher education and beyond.
Here’s our curated list of 10 summer research programs for high school students in New Jersey. Note: The following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored 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 Ph.D. 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.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Rutgers Summer Scholars Program allows high school students to experience college-level coursework and research. With access to over 20 fields of study, you can explore psychology, engineering, biomedical sciences, or even digital filmmaking. The program is structured to give you insight into university life. You can earn up to six transferable college credits during the program, giving you an academic advantage before starting your undergraduate journey! You will attend lectures, participate in lab work, and work with Rutgers faculty to understand the practical applications of theoretical knowledge. The program allows you to take on research topics of interest, culminating in a final project that showcases your findings.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Program Dates: Typically from May to August
Cost: Varies by course ($441 – $505 per credit) + $162 student fee
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have a valid visa with a minimum 3.0 GPA
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
The Partners in Science program offers students the opportunity to work with professional scientists and researchers in labs. After being matched with a mentor, you’ll spend 8-10 weeks conducting research, learning advanced lab techniques and research protocols. Each week includes laboratory work, data collection, and analysis. The symposium presentation at the end will help sharpen your public speaking skills and offer exposure to professional critique. Research projects span various fields, from environmental science and biology to engineering and chemistry. You will have access to sophisticated lab equipment and conduct research that could impact real-world scientific questions.
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Program Dates: June 27 – August 24
Cost: Participants receive a $1,000 stipend (a valid Social Security Number is required)
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade students who will be 16 years old by July 1
Rowan University’s STEAM Academy brings together the arts and sciences in an interdisciplinary program. You can choose to focus on areas such as psychology, computer programming, education, or engineering. You will receive college credit for participating. Pathfinders gives you the chance to conduct research in a field that interests you with the mentorship of a Rowan faculty member. In the mornings, you will take an accredited Rowan University course, and in the afternoons, you’ll participate in leadership development sessions. As an example, the psychology course will introduce you to topics such as memory, perception, intelligence, and social psychology.
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Program Dates: July 6 – 18
Cost: $4,200
Application Deadline: Applications will open in December
Eligibility: Students entering 10th through 12th grades
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship offers high school students an opportunity to engage in research in plasma physics and fusion energy. The program includes research work under the guidance of PPPL scientists and engineers. This program is for graduating high school seniors who want to get some physics laboratory experience before starting college. It is recommended that applicants have experience in experimental or computational plasma physics projects, coding languages, and computer-aided design.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: Usually 8-10 weeks in the summer
Cost: No information available. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the lab
The New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences is a prestigious residential summer program aimed at high school students interested in STEM. Held at Drew University, it gives you the opportunity to take advanced classes in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. You will also engage in team research projects, attend lectures from scientists and experts, and explore STEM career pathways. The program concludes with a symposium where you’ll present your research findings.
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Program Dates: July 7 – 27
Cost: Free (tuition covered by the state)
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: High school juniors resident in New Jersey who are nominated by their high school
The Group Summer Scholars Program offers an opportunity to engage in research alongside Kean faculty. Whether you choose the 4-week session or the 2-week experience, you'll participate in projects, collaborative research initiatives, and interactive workshops that foster critical thinking and innovation. You can choose from projects in Scientific Computation, Cancer Biology, Machine Learning, Developmental Biology, and Modern Drug Discovery. The program includes laboratory work, interactive seminars, and specialized workshops designed to enhance technical and soft skills.
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12
Application Deadline: March 8
Program dates: 4 Week Session: July 8 – August 1; 2 Week Session: July 22 – August 1
Cost: 2 Week Session: $950; 4 Week Session: $1,950
SEAP is a prestigious summer internship program for high school students interested in STEM. The program allows you to participate in real Navy research alongside scientists and engineers at Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country. The SEAP program is eight weeks long, with the possibility of extending for up to two additional weeks. Students are selected based on their academic achievements, personal statements, teacher recommendations, and career and research interests. Lab specialties include behavioral science, statistics and probability, astronomy, oceanography, calculus, robotics, and more. To learn more about this selective program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ
Program Dates: Eight weeks in summer (specific dates have not been released)
Cost: Free with a stipend of $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, will be at least 16 years old by the start date, and are solely U.S. citizens. Specific labs may have additional requirements
REAP offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to participate in scientific research. Sponsored by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), REAP is a paid research apprenticeship where you will work with Stockton University faculty on chemistry, environmental science, and engineering projects. You’ll spend 6-8 weeks working in labs on research projects under the guidance of mentors from Stockton University's Chemistry department. The program is designed to give you real-world experience in STEM fields by teaching you advanced techniques using lab equipment. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings at a symposium, practicing scientific communication.
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Program Dates: Typically runs from late June to early August
Cost: Paid apprenticeship ($10/hour)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented groups in STEM within commuting distance of Stockton University. See detailed eligibility requirements here
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.