2026 Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
The Environmental & Occupational Health Science Institute announces the 2026 Toxicology, Health & Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program. THED is a highly intensive program requiring active involvement of participants. Students will participate in a variety of activities encompassing laboratory ethics, experimental design, genetics, drug disposition and pharmacogenetics, and clinical toxicology. In addition, we will discuss career options in medicine, pharmacy, toxicology, environmental science, and biomedical research. This summer program is open to highly motivated high school students interested in biomedical and environmental sciences, entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall of 2026. Participants are required to have completed at least one high school biology course prior to attending.
The THED program will take place from 9:00am-5:00pm at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute on Rutgers Busch Campus in Piscataway, NJ. The non-refundable camp fee of $975 covers student tuition, instructional manuals, materials, safety equipment, laboratory supplies, and lunch during the program. Some financial assistance may be available for students who can demonstrate they require need-based aid. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Please note that this is NOT an independent research experience, but a camp focused on training students in basic laboratory techniques and topics in toxicology.
Contact: thed@eohsi.rutgers.edu
Two week-long sessions will be offered:
Session 1: July 20th-24th, 2026
Session 2: July 27th-31st, 2026
Parents or students seeking additional information about the program should contact: THED@eohsi.rutgers.edu
The application will be available until Monday, March 2nd, 2026.
Please attach the following when completing the application:
- A student essay of approximately 250 words explaining their interest in the THED program
- High school transcripts or report cards
Only online applications submitted via the online platform will be accepted. Applicants should indicate their attendance preference. Applications are reviewed after the application deadline. You will be notified of your acceptance into the program via email in the first week of April.
If your application is accepted, you will need to follow instructions in your acceptance email for payment processing. All payments must be received within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance in order to reserve a spot in the program. A spot in the program will be considered reserved upon receipt and process of payment. If payment is not received within two weeks of acceptance, your spot will be forfeited and given to an applicant on the waitlist. If your application is not accepted, you may be placed on a wait list and contacted if a position becomes available.
Read an article in NIH Environmental Factor about the 2013 THED program
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