15 Medical Research Opportunities for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in a lab or contribute to the kind of research that leads to new medical discoveries? Exploring medical research opportunities while still in high school can give you early insight into the scientific process, strengthen your understanding of biology and healthcare, and help you develop practical skills that set your college applications apart.
High school students in New Jersey can engage in medical research through university labs, research centers, or hospitals. There are also some great virtual programs that allow participation from any location. These online options are particularly useful if you face scheduling constraints or live farther from campus-based programs.
In this list, you’ll find 15 medical research opportunities for high school students in New Jersey, offering a range of experiences to help you explore your interests and build a strong foundation for future studies.
15 Medical Research Opportunities for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
1. Laboratory Learning Program – Princeton University
Location: Princeton University main campus, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a US high school who are 16 years old by June 15. Specific research opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria.
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University enables highly motivated students to work full-time in a research lab over the summer, engaging in active research projects alongside faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. You’ll spend 5–6 weeks focused on science or engineering topics, such as molecular biology or biomedical engineering, and complete a two-page summary of your research findings. Each student is assigned to a lab based on project availability and lab schedules, so experiences may vary.
Projects in past years have included studies on antibiotic resistance and genetic variations in disease. Participation in this immersive medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey is limited and selective, typically offered to students who live near the Princeton area.
2. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: June 25 – August 27
Application deadline: March 8 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as graduated seniors who are rising freshman undergraduates
If you’re curious about cancer research and interested in a long-term commitment, the RUYES program at Rutgers Cancer Institute spans two summers and trains you through hands-on lab work, professional development, and community engagement. Participants dedicate 10 weeks each summer, working approximately 35 hours weekly under the guidance of cancer researchers. During this program, you'll develop skills in experimental design, review scientific literature, and analyze data, while also preparing presentations for an annual research symposium. The program integrates community-based science and includes monthly development activities throughout the year. Students are referred to as Community Scientists and take part in bridging research with real-world community needs.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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.
4. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underserved backgrounds with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The M.I.N.D.S. program, hosted by Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, introduces high school juniors and seniors to various medical disciplines and public health concepts over a six-week summer session. You’ll learn about health disparities, social determinants of health, and clinical topics like radiology and internal medicine through workshops, lectures, and dissections. The internship includes research projects and professional development activities such as SAT prep and public speaking. Students receive a stipend, and the program actively encourages participation from individuals underrepresented in medicine.
5. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
For those ready to dive deep into a topic and produce a formal research paper, the Horizon Academic Research Program offers a trimester-long experience where you can choose a subject like public health, neuroscience, or biomedical ethics. Once accepted, you’re paired with a PhD-level mentor and expected to write a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted for publication or competitions. You’ll work virtually and meet with your mentor weekly, focusing on either quantitative or qualitative approaches, depending on your topic. Horizon also gives detailed feedback on your paper and includes a recommendation letter upon completion. Horizon is another solid medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey that provides a structured framework for independent inquiry and scholarly output, remotely.
6. Waksman Student Scholars Program
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: Begins with a 2-week summer institute; continues during the school year
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students
Through the Waksman Student Scholars Program, high school students can take part in a year-long research initiative focused on molecular biology and bioinformatics. It begins with a summer institute, where teachers and a small group of students receive training, followed by participation throughout the school year through science classes or clubs. You'll utilize techniques such as DNA purification, PCR, and gel electrophoresis to analyze gene sequences, and your findings may even be published in GenBank. The medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey emphasizes collaboration between students, teachers, and professional scientists as you work on original research projects.
7. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: 4-Week Session: $2,500 | 2-Week Session: $1,250
Dates: 4-week session: July 7 – 31 | 2-week session: July 21 – 31
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
At Kean University, the Group Summer Scholars Research Program immerses you directly in real-world research projects in areas such as cancer biology, scientific computation, and drug discovery. Over the course of several weeks, you’ll gain lab skills, explore scientific questions, and contribute to ongoing research under the guidance of university faculty and graduate students. The medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey also incorporates workshops in career planning and lab instrumentation to prepare you for future academic work. You’ll work as part of a team, developing both your technical and collaborative skills.
8. Partners In Science – Liberty Science Center
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: June 25 – August 16
Application deadline: TBA. You can reach out to partnersinscience@lsc.org for more information.
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age before July 1
Partners in Science is an intensive eight-week summer program that matches high-achieving high school juniors and seniors with scientists at universities and research institutions across New Jersey. During the program, you’ll conduct research in fields like medicine, health sciences, or biotechnology, guided by experienced mentors. The focus is on learning through hands-on experience, helping you refine your scientific inquiry skills and develop proficiency in both oral and written scientific communication. Students also receive a stipend upon completing the program and attend workshops on science careers. Past participants have worked on projects ranging from pharmaceutical chemistry to public health studies.
9. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $840 + $40 application fee (Financial aid available)
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: December 9–February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are 14 years or older by the start of the program
Although based in California, the Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is available virtually, allowing you to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming medical imaging and clinical research. Over two weeks, you’ll participate in hands-on group projects involving Python programming, data analysis, and machine learning models, often applied to real-world medical datasets like chest X-rays. The program includes lectures, mentorship, and the chance to engage with researchers and guest speakers from the academic and healthcare sectors.
10. New Jersey Institute of Technology: High School STEM Research Programs
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $150 (financial aid is available)
Dates: June 23 – July 21
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: New Jersey students who are in grades 10 and 11 (at the time of application), who have an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or more, and who are interested in STEM subjects.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offers a summer research internship that places you in a six-week lab-based experience under the mentorship of faculty and research teams. You'll be asked to choose a broad research area such as bioengineering, material science, or data science, based on your interests. Once selected, you’ll work alongside undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers on real-world research projects, developing skills in laboratory techniques and scientific analysis. Each student’s schedule is tailored according to their mentor’s lab hours and research focus. The program is competitive and meant to nurture an early appreciation for discovery and scientific careers.
11. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost: None
Dates: Arranged individually with the host faculty member
Application deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are at least 16 years old
At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, you can explore independent research opportunities by directly connecting with faculty members working in medical fields. Since this internship isn’t included in a formal summer program, you should review the faculty directory, find a professor whose research interests match yours, and contact them to set up a placement. Once accepted, you’ll assist with ongoing lab work, gaining first-hand experience with research methods and the daily work of a scientist or medical researcher. This self-initiated medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey is ideal for those who are motivated to pursue lab-based learning in a university setting.
12. Governor's School in the Sciences
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: None
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.
The Governor’s School in the Sciences is a prestigious, three-week summer residential program held at Drew University for rising seniors. In this selective medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey, you’ll take part in advanced science and math courses, attend evening lectures, and join a small team to carry out an original research project under faculty guidance. Subjects vary but often include neuroscience, physics, biology, and chemistry, along with lab-based work that challenges you to think critically and solve problems like a scientist. Students must be nominated by their schools and accepted through a competitive application process.
13. Rutgers: Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
Location: Rutgers Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $925
Dates: Session 1: July 21 – 25 | Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) program at Rutgers offers a one-week, immersive experience for high school students interested in biomedical and environmental sciences. As a participant, you’ll explore topics like pharmacogenetics, forensic toxicology, and drug metabolism, while also learning about research ethics and lab design. The curriculum is intensive and interactive, including lab work and career discussions with professionals in medicine, pharmacy, and toxicology. You’ll need to submit a short essay and your high school transcript as part of the application process. While the medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey is brief, it provides a highly focused introduction to core topics in medical and health-related research.
14. Georgetown University's Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,795
Dates: Several one-, two-, and four-week sessions available in the summer
Application deadline: Varies based on the chosen session; applications typically close one week prior to the session start date.
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 13 years old
This online medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey introduces you to the process behind medical breakthroughs through the lens of clinical research. In this program hosted by Georgetown University, you’ll study how researchers create, conduct, and interpret clinical trials, and use real-world case studies to examine topics like ethics, epidemiology, and biostatistics. One of the key takeaways is the ability to formulate your own research question using the PICO method, a technique used in evidence-based medicine. The course concludes with a capstone project in which you’ll present a mock clinical study of your own, utilizing real journal articles.
15. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee, which is waived based on financial need
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP at George Mason University offers both in-person and virtual research experiences in biomedical and health sciences. Even though the program is based in Virginia, the virtual option makes it a relevant medical research opportunity for high school students in New Jersey who want substantial research experience without relocating. You’ll work alongside faculty mentors on projects in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, or medical imaging, and may have the chance to present your findings at a conference. The virtual internship includes training in scientific writing, lab techniques, and ethical research practices. Applicants select their preferred mentors and topics during the application process, which makes the experience highly customizable.
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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. You can apply here!
Image source - Princeton University