15 Free Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
Structured programs can be a great way to gain early exposure to new fields and advanced academic and professional work while you are in high school. These experiences often go beyond classroom education, giving you the opportunity to work on projects, connect with professionals, and understand what it’s like to be part of a specific field or industry. Many of these programs are free of cost or offer full financial aid, making them accessible options to explore. These are also hosted by highly regarded institutions and organizations, which adds to their credibility and allows you to learn from experts and mentors with extensive experience in their fields.
New Jersey is home to several such universities, research institutions, and organizations that host free programs for high school students, offering them exposure to diverse areas such as science, business, medicine, and journalism. For New Jersey residents, participating in a local program can help save on travel and housing expenses. For out-of-state students, these programs can be opportunities to experience New Jersey’s academic and professional ecosystem. Since these programs are free of cost or offer financial aid, you can benefit from these programs without worrying about major program costs.
To help you identify the right opportunities, we have compiled a list of 15 free programs for high school students in New Jersey.
1. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; compensation offered to students to cover program expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fourth week of June – August 25
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as graduated seniors who are rising freshman undergraduates
The RUYES Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute is a two-summer initiative designed to engage high school students in cancer research and community health education. You will spend about 10 weeks each summer, working roughly 35 hours each week in a professional research environment under the mentorship of faculty scientists. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and literature review. At the end, you will present your work at an annual research symposium. The free program for high school students in New Jersey also offers health equity and professional development through monthly workshops held during the school year. You will also take on the role of a community scientist, engaging in outreach activities that connect scientific research to community-based healthcare awareness.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort; several cohorts (in summer, winter, fall, and spring) are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; certain programs may require prior experience with AI/Python or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI offers various virtual AI-focused programs for high school students. These programs combine instruction with project-based learning, which can help you explore the intersection of mathematics, data science, and artificial intelligence. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will learn how to work with Python and explore machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. Here, you will also collaborate with peers on a project, which can focus on the use of AI to solve real problems in fields like healthcare and finance. You can also opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers you mentorship to develop your own unique AI project. You can check out past projects here.
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and graduating high school seniors with U.S. work authorization
This internship is an opportunity to work alongside scientists and engineers on active research related to plasma physics and fusion energy. This free program for high school students in New Jersey takes place at PPPL’s facility, which is operated by Princeton University and the U.S. Department of Energy. Depending on your background, you might assist with simulations, data analysis, or engineering projects involving laboratory instrumentation. You may also work on tasks that require you to use programming skills in languages like Python or Java, or work with computer-aided design (CAD) software to support mechanical or electrical systems.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. The program is fully funded!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year; spring, summer, winter, and fall sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and financial hardship
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a nonprofit research initiative meant for academically gifted students belonging to low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which offers one-on-one research opportunities, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at no cost. The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. Here, you will work with a Ph.D. mentor on a one-on-one basis to design and complete an independent research paper. You can choose from a wide range of research areas, including social sciences, psychology, data science, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations.
5. Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) @ at Rutgers University
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fewer than 100 students
Dates: July 1 – 25
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in New Jersey
GSET is a residential summer program hosted at Rutgers University for rising high school seniors in New Jersey. As a participant, you will engage in engineering and technology coursework, attend lectures by Rutgers faculty, and collaborate on research projects focused on addressing real-world challenges. The experience also includes visits to local corporations where you will see how engineering principles apply in professional settings. You will work in a small team to design, test, and present a research project, which you will submit as a formal paper and presentation at a statewide symposium. Admission to the program is selective and requires a school nomination.
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs across the country, including the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in NJ
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Cohort size: Around 300
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 or older; labs may have additional requirements
SEAP is a research-based program that places high school students in Navy labs. During the eight-week program, you will gain insight into naval science and engineering under expert mentorship in an advanced lab setting. You will contribute to research projects and learn about potential careers in naval research and technology. The program also offers professional development opportunities, including allowing you to shadow and connect with researchers and other professionals. At the New Jersey site, you will assist the lab staff with Naval projects, tests, cybersecurity assessments, experiments, engineering evaluations, and tool development.
7. Laboratory Learning Program @ Princeton University
Location: Princeton University main campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Five or six weeks during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. high school who are 16 years old by June 15; certain research opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria.
Princeton University’s LLP offers local high school students the opportunity to work directly in Princeton research laboratories alongside faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. This free program for high school students in New Jersey runs full-time for about five to six weeks during the summer, focusing on research in engineering, biomedical science, and the natural sciences. Depending on your lab placement, you might explore projects ranging from antibiotic discovery to genetic analysis or sustainable materials design. You will produce a two-page summary report of your research at the end of the program. As participation depends on active lab schedules and available mentors, experiences vary yearly, making each placement unique.
8. Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ, or other university labs in NJ
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically ~30 students; varies by year
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in mid-November
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age before July 1
The Partners in Science Program at Liberty Science Center is an eight-week paid summer internship for students interested in STEM. During this program, you will work under the guidance of professional mentors at universities, hospitals, or research institutions across New Jersey. You will engage in projects within fields like molecular biology, medicine, or environmental science while gaining practical experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis. Workshops on scientific writing, communication, and career pathways are part of the hands-on research experience. You will present your findings at a closing symposium and receive a stipend upon completing the program.
9. New Jersey Scholars Program (NJSP)
Location: The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None (housing and meals fully covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 39 students
Dates: June 29 – August 1
Application deadline: Nominations due in January; final applications due in early February
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a New Jersey high school
NJSP is a competitive, five-week residential summer experience for academically talented high school juniors in the state. Hosted at The Lawrenceville School, the program covers and combines themes in the humanities, social sciences, and creative disciplines through lectures, seminars, and independent research. Each year’s program centers on a unique interdisciplinary theme, encouraging you to explore complex global issues within the subject while developing a 10–15-page research paper under faculty mentorship. You will also participate in cultural and artistic activities, including contributing to an Arts Festival that reflects the year’s theme. The program offers access to university faculty instruction and feedback, without the burden of grades.
10. Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts; exact details not specified
Dates: June 23 – 26
Application deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy is a four-day program designed to introduce rising juniors and seniors to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. As a participant, you will earn three transferable college credits while working in teams to design solutions addressing one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through daily workshops, you will explore topics like customer engagement, business modeling, financial analysis, and design thinking, guided by Rowan faculty and industry professionals. This short-term, free program for high school students in New Jersey concludes with a team pitch presentation before a panel of judges, simulating a real-world startup experience.
11. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Online & Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: Online workshops throughout July + a 10‑day residential session in early August
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High-achieving high school juniors with a minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0; applicants must meet at least one of the socioeconomic conditions listed here
PSJP is a free, year-long initiative that introduces high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds to journalism and college preparation. You will join a cohort of 40 students to participate in a hybrid summer intensive that includes virtual workshops led by professional journalists and Princeton faculty, followed by a 10-day residential session on Princeton’s campus. During the program, you will take part in lectures, reporting exercises, and newsroom visits to outlets like The New York Times and Bloomberg. You will also contribute to collaborative reporting projects that will be part of The Princeton Summer Journal, published at the end of the program. After the summer session, you can work one-on-one with dedicated college advisers throughout your senior year to navigate college applications, essays, and financial aid.
12. Waksman Student Scholars Program
Location: Waksman Institute at Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long program
Application deadline: Not specified; students participate through their schools
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students
The Waksman Student Scholars Program (WSSP) offers New Jersey high school students the opportunity to take part in authentic molecular biology and bioinformatics research over the course of a year. The program begins with a summer institute for teachers and students and extends into the school year as part of science classes or clubs. You will gain hands-on experience using laboratory methods such as DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis, while analyzing gene sequences with bioinformatics tools. Research outcomes are submitted to GenBank, a global DNA database, with contributing students credited as authors.
13. Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA) @ Stockton University
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort size
Dates: July 13 – 19
Application deadline: June 17
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
SEBA introduces high school students to core business concepts through a one-week on-campus residential experience. As a participant, you will learn about fields such as accounting, marketing, finance, management, and hospitality while working in a team to develop a startup idea. The free program for high school students in New Jersey includes lectures, field trips, and hands-on workshops that prepare you to present your team’s business plan in a competition judged by faculty, community leaders, and industry professionals. The winning group receives a cash prize, while all participants gain insights into entrepreneurship, business ethics, and teamwork.
14. Governor’s School in the Sciences @ Drew University
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in New Jersey with a strong interest in the sciences and ranking in the top 5% of their class
New Jersey’s Governor’s School in the Sciences is a three-week residential summer program for rising high school seniors held at Drew University. Designed for students with strong academic records in STEM, the program blends advanced coursework in subjects such as physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics with collaborative research experiences. As a participant, you will attend daily lectures, conduct experiments in university labs, and work on group research projects that culminate in a final presentation and paper. The program also features evening seminars by guest scientists and opportunities for discussion on current scientific developments.
15. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary; internships are arranged individually with the host faculty member
Application deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School offers independent research opportunities to high school students interested in gaining laboratory experience in medical or biomedical sciences. Unlike applying to a regular summer program, these internships require you to contact faculty members whose research aligns with your interests using the school’s faculty directory. Once accepted, you will assist in a research lab and contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as immunology, neuroscience, or molecular biology. You may engage in data collection, help with experiments, or learn laboratory techniques under professional supervision. This self-directed model allows you to tailor your experience to specific research goals.
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