11 STEM Internships for High School Students in New Jersey
If you are curious about a future in STEM, internships can be a valuable way for you to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Instead of just learning concepts from textbooks, you get to apply them in various settings, whether that's a research lab, a hospital, a tech company, or an engineering workplace. They help you build technical skills, engage in problem-solving, collaboration, and understand the professional practices used in STEM fields.
Why should you intern in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to a strong network of research universities, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals, national laboratories, and technology-driven organizations that offer high-quality STEM opportunities for high school students. The state’s strengths in areas such as biomedical research, chemistry, engineering, computer science, environmental science, and data-driven innovation create a wide range of learning experiences. If you live or study in New Jersey, many of these internships will be within easy reach. Even if you are coming from out of state, New Jersey’s proximity to major research hubs and industry leaders makes it an appealing destination.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down 11 STEM internships for high school students in New Jersey.
If you are looking for summer research programs in New Jersey, check out our blog here.
1. Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP)
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Stipend amount varies by internship location and program duration
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
The Army Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP) at Stockton University is a summer research opportunity for high school students interested in STEM fields such as chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. Over a 6–8 week period, you’ll collaborate closely with university researchers and gain experience using professional-grade laboratory equipment and research techniques. This program emphasizes applied learning, allowing you to connect classroom concepts with real-world scientific challenges. Research projects may involve environmental testing, chemical analysis, or engineering problem-solving, depending on your placement. By the end of the program, you'll gain valuable insights into how scientific research supports innovation and national research initiatives.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort (summer, fall, winter, or spring). Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Startups that offer internships span a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are, on average, high-growth companies, raising over $1 million. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: Custom dates based on research mentor; typically June–August for 5–6 weeks
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by June 15 and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) gives motivated high school students the opportunity to participate in authentic research at one of the world’s leading universities. During this summer program, you’ll work in active research labs exploring STEM fields such as physics, engineering, biology, and environmental science. You’ll conduct hands-on experiments, analyze research data, and assist with ongoing scientific studies alongside graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty mentors. Through collaboration and problem-solving, you’ll develop critical research and communication skills that prepare you for advanced STEM coursework and future research opportunities.
4. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid)
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-August (4 weeks)
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old by July 1 and are U.S. residents with a strong interest in science (advanced coursework preferred)
The Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students is a four-week biotechnology and biomedical research internship that introduces students to professional laboratory environments. As an intern, you’ll work directly within Coriell’s biobanking and production labs, contributing to ongoing scientific operations. You’ll gain exposure to advanced research techniques, including DNA extraction, stem cell processing, karyotyping, and biological sample handling. Beyond hands-on lab work, the program includes weekly scientific seminars and career-focused workshops designed to broaden your understanding of pathways in biotechnology and medicine. The experience culminates in a formal presentation, allowing you to showcase the research and skills developed during the internship.
5. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 22 – March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (summer after graduation), at least 16 years old, and authorized to work in the United States
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship is a full-time, five-week research program for graduating seniors interested in physics, engineering, and clean energy science. Hosted at PPPL, the program familiarizes you with cutting-edge research in plasma physics and fusion energy, fields at the forefront of sustainable energy development. During the program, you’ll assist scientists and engineers with tasks such as experimental setup, data analysis, and computational modeling. You’ll gain insight into plasma diagnostics and fusion research, contributing to projects that advance sustainable energy technologies and advance scientific understanding.
6. American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED – North Jersey Section
Location: Various research institutions across New Jersey (including NJIT, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Stevens Institute of Technology, Montclair State University, Ramapo College, and affiliated hospitals and labs)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; students receive a paid summer stipend (amount set by ACS annually)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; cohort size varies each year based on available mentors and funding
Dates: Summer program (typically 8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by year; usually in early spring
Eligibility: High school students who have not yet graduated, come from an economically disadvantaged background (annual family income typically ≤ $34,000, with some flexibility up to $42,000), and have a strong interest in chemistry or related sciences
The ACS Project SEED (Summer Educational Experience) is a nationally recognized summer research internship that supports economically disadvantaged high school students interested in the chemical sciences. Through the North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society, you'll be placed in active research laboratories across New Jersey and work closely with scientist mentors on hands-on chemistry and STEM research projects. You'll gain exposure to laboratory techniques, data analysis, and professional research environments across fields including organic, pharmaceutical, environmental, analytical, and materials chemistry, as well as chemical and bioengineering. The work is typically full-time research during the summer, allowing you to develop skills in scientific thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. The program also emphasizes academic and career pathways in STEM, offering scholarship opportunities for students who pursue STEM after high school. Project SEED culminates in poster presentations and research symposiums, where you share your research with the scientific community and build confidence as an emerging researcher.
7. New Jersey Department of Health – Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) Internship & STEM Program
Location: Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL), Trenton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; select internships may be unpaid or tied to academic credit (stipend availability varies by role and funding)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; cohort size varies based on department needs, mentor availability, and project scope
Dates: Rolling opportunities year-round; summer internships typically run 12–15 weeks (minimum 200 hours)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students for internships; separate STEM outreach programming available for Trenton-area junior high and high school students with an interest in STEM and public service
The New Jersey Department of Health's Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) Internship and STEM Program provides hands-on experience in critical areas, including molecular microbiology, environmental chemistry, and public health operations. Interns work alongside experts from organizations like the CDC and NJDOH, gaining exposure to advanced laboratory techniques and public health data analysis. The program aligns with academic interests and may support capstone or research projects, fostering skills in documentation, collaboration, and scientific communication. Additionally, PHEL's STEM outreach initiative introduces middle and high school students to applied STEM careers, building awareness and strengthening the state's future public health workforce.
8. Career Accelerator STEM Internship Program (New Jersey)
Location: Statewide across New Jersey (internships hosted by participating employers)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; employers are reimbursed 50% of intern wages, up to $3,000 per student
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 1,000 student interns funded annually; awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
Dates: Varies by employer, school, and internship structure
Application Deadline: Rolling until funding is exhausted
Eligibility: High school, vocational school, college, or university students enrolled in a STEM field and meeting their school’s internship eligibility requirements
The Career Accelerator STEM Internship Program is a statewide initiative launched by Governor Phil Murphy to expand access to paid, high-quality STEM internships for students in New Jersey. Administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the program connects students with employers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields that are critical to the state’s economic growth. Rather than separating academics from career exploration, the program allows you to apply classroom concepts in real-world professional settings. Through hands-on, work-based experiences, you'll develop technical skills, workplace readiness, and industry exposure that enhance your long-term career prospects. Employers benefit by training emerging talent, while you gain practical experience that makes you more competitive in the STEM job market.
9. Waksman Student Scholars Program (WSSP)
Location: Rutgers University – Waksman Institute (New Brunswick, NJ), with additional partner sites including Johns Hopkins University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate for selected schools (school-based participation; costs typically covered through program partnerships and grants)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited; participation is school- and teacher-based, with cohorts determined by selected educators and institutions
Dates: Year-long program; begins with a Summer Institute and continues through the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students selected through participating teachers and schools; strong interest in biology, molecular science, or bioinformatics
The Waksman Student Scholars Program (WSSP) is a nationally recognized, year-long research program that introduces high school students to authentic scientific research in molecular biology and bioinformatics. The program begins with a summer institute, where participating teachers and one or two students receive training at a research institution. After this launch phase, the project continues within the high school during the academic year through classes or science clubs. You'll collaborate with teachers and professional research scientists to investigate real, unsolved biological questions and contribute original data to national research databases. Through hands-on lab work, computational analysis, and scientific collaboration, you'll experience how modern research is conducted rather than simply studying outcomes. Many students have the opportunity to publish their findings, gaining early exposure to the scientific publication process. By engaging in real-world research, WSSP helps build confidence, technical skills, and a strong foundation for pursuing higher education and careers in STEM, particularly in the life sciences.
10. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Stipend: Stipend paid based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very competitive; over 3,000 high school interns selected annually
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school and college students who are at least 16 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides high school and college students opportunities to contribute to aerospace, engineering, and science missions. As an intern, you'll work with NASA scientists, engineers, and mentors across multiple centers, gaining hands-on experience inside one of the world's leading research agencies. Your responsibilities will vary based on the center and role you are assigned, but you may be involved in research, coding, and data analysis. This paid internship can help you prepare for STEM careers in government, academia, or industry.
11. NJIT Provost High School Summer Research Internship
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $150 program fee
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 10th or 11th grade by June, have a minimum GPA of 3.75, and are residents of or studying in New Jersey
The NJIT Provost High School Summer Research Internship is a six-week STEM research program that provides high-achieving students with direct exposure to university-level research in science and engineering. Under the guidance of NJIT faculty members and undergraduate and graduate mentors, you’ll begin the program with required laboratory safety training before transitioning into active research work. Throughout the internship, you’ll contribute to ongoing research projects by collecting data, conducting quantitative analyses, coding, and performing hands-on laboratory experiments. Depending on your research placement, you may use tools and languages such as Python, MATLAB, or advanced lab instrumentation. The program concludes with a formal research symposium where you’ll present your work to faculty and peers, strengthening your technical communication and presentation skills.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!
Image source - Ladder Internships