Important
The application period for the summer of 2023 is now CLOSED.
Summer Internships for High School Students
The Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, free research experience in the sciences or engineering for high school students. Students are included in ongoing research programs where they are closely supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff. The participation dates are customized according to the schedules of the research personnel and the specifics of the project. Internships typically span 5-6 weeks during regular 'office hours' over the summer (no evening or weekend activities). Each research opportunity has its own schedule.
The Laboratory Learning Program is not a summer camp. The Laboratory Learning Program does not include housing, transportation, social activities or entertainment. LLP students are not eligible to lease or sublease Princeton University housing.
Participants
- Sixteen years old or more by June 15, 2023. No exceptions.
- Enrolled in high school. Graduates who have not yet turned 18 by June 15, 2023 may apply.
- US citizens, legal permanent residents, or international students currently in the United States attending a US high school.
- Once accepted, parental consent forms, evidence of health insurance, and a high school nomination form are required before attending the program.
- All participants must strictly adhere to Princeton University COVID-19 policies, which may include vaccination, face coverings, and testing or other requirements. No exceptions.
- Safety training is required prior to beginning laboratory work.
- Two-page research summary report is due at the conclusion of the program.
Research Opportunities
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Engineering Research Opportunities
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Research Opportunity*
Title of Project
Application Deadline
Machine Learning Methods for Power Magnetics Modeling
3/15/2023
Heat pumps to save the world
3/15/2023
Chicken embryos lung development
3/15/2023
Investigating heteroresistance to antibiotics
3/15/2023
Hydrogels for environmental remediation
3/15/2023
Design of catalysts for plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis
3/15/2023
Molecular Modeling and Machine Learning of Polymers
3/15/2023
Mobile environmental sensing in Princeton
3/15/2023
PFAS biodegradation
3/15/2023
Exploratory Computer Vision Project
3/15/2023
Halogen blocking, electrically conducting charge transport layers for stable perovskite solar cells
3/15/2023
Quantum Cascade ring laser systems design
3/15/2023
Cellular Herding: engineering and controlling cellular dynamics
3/15/2023
Re-creation of historic scientific experiments and devices
3/15/2023
Machine learning and molecular dynamic simulations of high-pressure combustion for green power generation and propulsion using H2/NH3
3/15/2023
Plasma assisted cathode material and cement synthesis
3/15/2023
Electrified ammonia synthesis
3/15/2023
Biofuel oxidation at supercritical pressure
3/15/2023
*Click on the code for more information for each research opportunity.
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Natural Sciences Research Opportunities
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Research Opportunity*
Title of Project
Application Deadline
Photoredox-Catalyzed Cross Coupling of Alkyl Chlorides Via Silyl-Radical Mediated Chlorine Atom Abstraction
3/15/23
NMR-based metabolic reflection of OCD in horses using statistical analysis of prerecorded data
3/15/23
Modeling disease dysregulation using large genomic datasets
3/15/23
Decoding human genetic variation in human health and disease
3/15/23
Translational regulation of chemokine Cxcl12 in mouse mammary epithelial cells
3/15/23
Controlling cell-cell communication and group behaviors in in bacteria
3/15/23
Behavioral effects and changes to the CNS proteome following concussion in Drosophila
3/15/23
Biophysics: Experiment and Computational Modeling
3/15/23
*Click on the code for more information for each research opportunity.
Applications - read all instructions carefully
THE APPLICATION PERIOD HAS ENDED.
- The application period is open from February 15 to March 15, 2023.
- Mail-in applications must be postmarked between February 15 and March 15, 2023.
- One application accepted per student; no supplemental materials accepted.
- All applications will be reviewed at the end of the application period, and not on a rolling basis.
- Acceptances will be communicated on a rolling basis between late March and April 30, 2023 once decisions have been made for a particular research opportunity.
- Projects will be marked as closed on this site, once the accepted students are notified by email. Students who are not selected will not be contacted individually by email. Please DO NOT CONTACT the Office of the Dean for Research to check on the status of an application.
- Due to the volume of interest in this program, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries by email or phone.
- Parental consent forms, evidence of health insurance, and a high school nomination form are not required at the time of application but will be requested once the student has been offered a place in the program.
FAQS
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FAQs
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What is the application process?
- Applications are accepted online or by mail.
- Each student may submit only one application in which up to two opportunities of interest are indicated.
- Accepted students will be notified by email using the email address provided in the application.
- Projects will be marked as closed once students have been selected.
- Students who are offered an opportunity will be required to submit additional forms and information in order to enter the program, including a parental consent form and a high school nomination form.
- Approvals will be communicated to the mentoring faculty member and the participating student by email.
What are the application deadlines and program dates?
- Application – Applications are accepted between February 15 to March 15, 2023.
- Application Deadline – March 15, 2023. Online applications must be submitted by midnight U.S. eastern time; mail in applications must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2023.
- Admission Decisions – Accepted participants will be contacted on a rolling basis as the selections are made for each opportunity. Projects will be marked as closed once students have been selected.
- Program Dates – Research activities take place during normal business hours daily. Most opportunities require a commitment of at least 5 weeks during the summer. Review individual opportunities for details.
What fields of study will be offered?
Natural sciences and engineering.
Is there a fee for the program?
There are no fees for participation in the program.
Who is eligible?
- Students must be 16 years of age or older by June 15. No exceptions.
- Students must be enrolled in high school. Students who have graduated from high school but have not yet turned 18 by June 15 may apply.
- Students must be US citizens, Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs), or international students currently in the United States attending a U.S. high school.
- Specific research opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria.
At Princeton University, we believe that the highest levels of research, scholarship, and teaching are obtained only through the combined participation of people with a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. For this reason, the University welcomes under-represented and socio-economically disadvantaged students and provides an environment that embraces all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities.
Are there exceptions to the eligibility criteria?
No.
How many applications do you receive each year?
During each of the past three years when the program was active, over 700 applications were received.
Was my application received?
Upon submitting the online application, you will be taken to a completion screen that states your application was successfully submitted. In addition, you will receive an email confirmation at the address provided in the application. If required fields are left blank or incorrectly filled out at the time of attempted submission, the application will not progress to the completion screen. Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to look up and confirm the status of individual submissions.
After my application is submitted, can I change my selections or other information?
No. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to change the selections listed in your application or any other information.
Can I submit supplemental materials, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts?
No. Do not send in any supplemental materials, they will not be accepted.
Does the program provide housing or transportation?
The Laboratory Learning Program is not a summer camp-style program. Students must have their own housing and reliable transportation to and from Princeton University; students are not eligible to lease or sublease University housing. The majority of program participants come from the surrounding communities. Students and families who are from outside the immediate region should have identified appropriate housing and transportation arrangements prior to submitting an application.
Is academic credit offered to participants in the Laboratory Learning Program?
The Laboratory Learning Program is an educational program for the benefit of the student. Students do not receive academic credit or other Princeton University credentials following participation in this program. Participation in the Laboratory Learning Program will not increase a student's chances of being accepted into Princeton University as an undergraduate.
When is the final report due?
Students must submit a 2-page research summary of their summer project to the Office of the Dean for Research ([email protected]) by August 20 of the academic year in which the research is completed. The research report should summarize the research question, methods, data, and conclusion of the study.
What are the COVID-19 health and safety requirements?
All participants will be required to strictly adhere to Princeton University COVID-19 policies, which may include vaccination, face coverings, and testing - see our Visitor Policy.
Faculty only: hosting a high school student
Faculty and labs planning to host a student should begin the process by submitting a research opportunity by January 6, 2023. Please contact [email protected] for the submission form.
Contact info for mail in application
Office of the Dean for Research
5 New South
Princeton, NJ 08544
[email protected]
Due to the volume of interest in this program, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries. Projects will be marked as closed on this site once accepted students have been notified by email.
[Photo credit: LLP students Pranav Kalinadhabhotla and Gabrielle Bailey presenting their research poster at the Department of Chemistry's “Pancakes & Posters” Summer Undergraduate Research Poster Session, held on August 8, 2019. Photo by Kirsten M. Arentzen]