15 Summer Internships for High School Students in New Jersey

As a high school student, summer break can be a great time to explore your interests and learn about new careers, and internships can help you do just that! Internships let you try out real-world tasks,  like working on small research projects, engaging in lab work, coding, or writing , giving you opportunities to supplement your classroom learning. As an intern, you also gain technical as well as professional skills, like communication and teamwork, while exploring how an industry or field actually works. 

In New Jersey, several reputable universities and organizations offer internships or paid research programs to high school students during the summer. These programs serve not just local students but also out‑of‑state high schoolers who want to experience NJ’s academic environment. These internships also help you build a network of mentors, professors, peers, and professionals who can offer advice, references, or open doors in the future. 

In this blog, we have shortlisted 15 summer internships for high school students in New Jersey to help you with your search.

1. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program

Location: Multiple locations in the country, including NJ + one-week free residential Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend at an hourly rate + fully funded trip to the Student Leaders Summit offered

Application deadline: January 15

Dates: June – July (eight weeks)

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in one of the eligible locations

This internship program offers high school students a combination of leadership training and practical work experience, with a focus on community engagement and service. You will be placed with a local nonprofit organization, where you will gain insight into the work of nonprofits and contribute to projects that address social and community issues. Tasks can vary, but could be related to financial planning, project development, or community outreach. The program also offers a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, where you will participate in workshops and discussions with peers and learn how government, nonprofits, and businesses address community issues. Past placements have included partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. 

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available

Application deadline: Rolling. You can apply here.

Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer

Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars program or prior experience with AI concepts or Python.

Although not a traditional internship, Veritas AI acts as a work-learn program. Founded by Harvard graduate students, it offers multiple AI-focused programs to high school students. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session bootcamp where you will learn about key topics in AI, machine learning, and data science through a mix of instruction and hands-on practice. The course ends with a group project, for which you will work with real-world data to come up with AI solutions. If you have some experience with AI, you can choose the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, which lets you work one-on-one with a university mentor to develop a project based on your own interests. You will also receive support from Veritas AI’s publication team to prepare and submit your work to high school research journals. You can find examples of previous student projects here.

3. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internship

Location: Various NASA facilities in the U.S. + remote opportunities 

Stipend: Available; amount varies based on course duration and academic level.

Application deadline: February 27 (for summer internships)

Dates: Late May/early June – August (typically, a 10-week program)

Eligibility: Full-time students (high school through graduate level) or part-time college students enrolled in a minimum of six semesters; applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old at the time of application, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers internships to high school students interested in science, engineering, and related fields. As an intern, you will work on ongoing projects alongside NASA professionals, such as researchers, engineers, and technical staff. You will have access to mentorship, training, and opportunities to build skills in areas like data analysis, experiment design, and technical writing. Internship roles and tasks vary and span various fields like aerospace engineering, space science, technology development, ecology, and science communication. Depending on your placement, you might help NASA professionals analyze mission data, design components, or support outreach efforts. The internship offers insights into NASA’s work and experience in contributing to long-term scientific or engineering projects. You can find current open positions here.

4. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines in a year; April – June, for summer cohorts

Dates: Several 8–16-week cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer

Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8–16 weeks

Ladder Internships is a virtual program where high school students work with startups and nonprofit organizations across various industries, such as tech, medicine, media, sustainability, and computer science. You will be matched with both a manager at the organization and a Ladder coach who will guide you through the internship. During the program, you will contribute to a real project that supports the organization’s broader goals, and you will present your work at the end. The program offers individual coaching sessions focused on skills like communication and time management, as well as group meetings with other interns. Internships are offered year-round and are mostly remote.

5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of the Navy (DoN)

Location: Various labs in the U.S., including in Lakehurst, NJ

Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)

Application deadline: November 1; applications open in August every year

Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer; exact dates vary by site

Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins; certain labs have additional requirements

SEAP places high school students in the Department of the Navy’s research laboratories to help them gain research experience. You will work on research projects under the guidance of scientists and engineers in areas such as computer science, materials science, robotics, engineering, physics, chemistry, and other STEM fields. You will also get to shadow researchers, attend professional development sessions, and connect with peers during the program. In the past, participants have worked on projects involving simulations using engineering software, as well as studies in materials science and conservation. 

6. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship

Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ

Stipend: Paid 

Application deadline: March 1

Dates: June 30  – August 1 

Eligibility: High school seniors (the summer after graduation) who are eligible to work in the U.S.

The PPPL High School Summer Internship is a paid, research-focused opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to work alongside PPPL scientists and engineers on laboratory projects. You will engage in hands-on research assignments related to plasma physics, fusion energy, and STEM disciplines. The program emphasizes full-time involvement, combining laboratory research, technical training, and professional development opportunities. You will spend the majority of 40 hours/week working with a PPPL mentor to complete a research project.

7. Liberty Science Center Partners in Science

Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: TBA; applications open mid-November 

Dates: June 30 – August 22

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old

Partners in Science is an eight-week research internship that places high school students with professional mentors in science, health, and technical fields. The program is designed to offer laboratory-based research experience that extends beyond classroom learning. You will learn about the entire research process, explore lab environments, develop research skills, and earn a stipend for your contribution. This can also be an opportunity to get a glimpse into university research settings. You will also find opportunities to refine written and oral science communication skills.

8. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Cost/Stipend: Free; no registration fees or stipend; transportation and housing not provided

Application deadline: March 15 (tentative, based on previous years)

Dates: Five to six weeks during the summer, typically spanning regular weekday working hours; dates are determined by research staff

Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older by June 15, enrolled at a U.S. high school, and living locally; applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton is a full-time, in-person summer science and engineering research internship for local high school students. You will join ongoing research projects and work within labs under the supervision of Princeton faculty and staff. The program aims to offer hands-on experience in active research environments, with each project varying in scope and lasting over five or six weeks. You will engage in lab activities and work on a research summary report to be submitted at the end of the program. 

9. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program

Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Stipend: Paid + program expenses covered

Application deadline: March 8, but applications are accepted until positions are filled; applications open in November.

Dates: June 4th week – August 25 

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors and rising undergraduate freshmen/sophomores who are at least 16, attend a NJ school or university, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

The RUYES program aims to increase participation in biomedical and cancer research careers by providing mentored research experiences at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. As a participant, you will receive research exposure, training, mentorship, and professional development, and participate in cancer-focused community outreach activities. You will spend the summer engaging in hands-on research alongside faculty and accessing career exploration opportunities in oncology. You will also prepare a poster and deliver a 10-minute talk to discuss your research experience at the program’s Annual Research Day.

10. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Cost: Free with housing, food, transportation, and equipment costs covered

Application deadline: February end

Dates: Multi-week hybrid program (late June – August), including a 10-day residential component

Eligibility: High school juniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted grade point average who  meet the socioeconomic conditions listed here

This program is designed for high school students who are interested in gaining insight and experience in journalism. Each year, ~40 students get to attend the program, which combines virtual sessions with a 10-day stay at Princeton University. You will participate in workshops and lectures led by journalists and program alumni, covering topics in politics, news writing, and media analysis. Throughout the summer, you will complete reading and writing assignments, including drafting news articles. During the on-campus portion, you will experience campus life and engage in discussions with faculty and peers. The program ends with the publication of The Princeton Summer Journal, which features your work and that of other participants.

11. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students

Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ

Cost/Stipend: None

Application deadline: May 15 

Dates: Mid-July – mid-August (four weeks)

Eligibility: Students who are at least 17 years old by July 1, residents of the U.S., and are able to travel to the Coriell facility

The Coriell Summer Experience is a four-week program for high school students with an interest in science and biotechnology. While unpaid, the program offers practical exposure to lab environments and work carried out in Coriell’s Molecular Biology, Stem Cell, and Production departments. As a participant, you will learn lab techniques such as DNA extraction, karyotyping, and stem cell culturing through structured rotations. The program also features weekly seminars led by Coriell staff on current topics in biomedical research, as well as workshops that cover resume building and interview preparation. You will also participate in a public speaking session to help you prepare for a final presentation that summarizes your work. 

12. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Research Internship

Location: Rutgers NJMS Research Laboratory, Newark, NJ

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid

Application deadline: Four weeks before the research experience starts

Program dates: Vary; dates assigned by the mentor

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 and have secured a commitment from a Rutgers RBHS-NJMS faculty member to host the internship

The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) Research Internship offers high school students the opportunity to engage in biomedical engineering or medical science research. Before starting with lab work, you will complete training on laboratory safety and biosafety protocols. Then, you will work under the guidance of an NJMS faculty mentor within a lab in a research area that aligns with your interests. You will create a research proposal and carry out related lab work, gaining exposure to the techniques and tools used in medical research. The internship also offers opportunities to build scientific writing, data interpretation, and communication skills through regular lab activities and discussions.

13. Mercer County Student Internship Program

Location: Various county government departments within Mercer County, NJ

Stipend: $17/hour

Application deadline: TBA in early January

Dates: July –  August; dates TBA

Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older and live or attend school/university in Mercer County, NJ

The Mercer County Student Internship Program offers structured internships providing high school and college students with hands-on experience in various county government departments. As a participant, you will work within a government department and engage in professional development sessions covering career readiness, resume writing, communication, financial literacy, and networking. The program offers opportunities to develop workplace skills and explore public service career paths while supporting local government operations. You will also attend training workshops and work on real assignments. You will participate in team-based learning projects and presentations, connect with County leaders and professionals, and explore public sector careers.

14. Cory Booker Senate Office Summer Internship Program: Summer High School Accelerated Session

Location: Newark, NJ, and Camden, NJ offices

Cost/Stipend: None

Application deadline: Spring (exact date TBA)

Dates: Summer High School Accelerated Session runs 14 consecutive business days in August 

Eligibility: Current high school students

The Summer High School Accelerated Session under Senator Cory Booker’s Internship Program is a condensed, 14-business-day immersion in legislative office work within the Newark and Camden, NJ offices. Here, you will learn about congressional operations while engaging in constituent services, community outreach, legislative research, and office administration. Although college credits and stipends are not offered to high school interns, the program offers practical exposure to civic engagement and access to professional development opportunities. Here, you will also gain work experience and explore career paths in the government.

15. The Newark Museum of Art Explorers Program

Location: The Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: June 1 (tentative, based on previous years)

Dates: Year-round program with summer and academic year commitment

Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who attend school or reside in Newark and hold a minimum GPA of 2.7

The Explorers Program is a program designed to boost high schoolers’ college, career, and life readiness. It offers you access to museum professionals, workshops in leadership, public speaking, STEM learning, team building, career readiness, and life skills. You will also engage in paid internships at the museum, field trips, college tours, and special events such as senior trips and gala invitations. The program also offers perks like a three-day senior trip, an invitation to the museum gala, and financial literacy workshops. Additionally, you will work on museum-based art and science projects and explore art and museum careers during the program.

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