If you’re a high school student curious about how the brain works, a neuroscience internship can give you a real taste of the field beyond textbooks. These internships let you explore topics that sit at the intersection of psychology, biology, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, and pre-med.
Why try a neuroscience internship in high school?
Neuroscience internships often introduce you to areas like brain imaging, neural circuits, behavior, neurodegenerative diseases, and even how computer models are used to study the brain. Many programs also teach foundational lab skills, simple experimental methods, and basic data analysis tools commonly used in neuroscience research. Working in a research or clinical setting helps you build analytical thinking, learn how scientific questions are asked and tested, and become more comfortable working with real data before college.
Beyond technical skills, these experiences give you a clearer sense of what studying neuroscience actually looks like. Whether you’re considering research, medicine, psychology, or public health, internships like these can strengthen your academic profile and help you decide if neuroscience is a field you want to pursue further.
To help you get started, here are 15 neuroscience internships for high school students. If you also want to look into neuroscience summer programs for high school students, you can check here.
15 Neuroscience Internships for High School Students
1. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University’s Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (amount not specified)
Cohort Size: 6–7 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 8
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors at public or charter schools in Durham, NC, who are U.S. citizens, legal residents, or permanent residents, and at least sixteen years old by the program start date
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience allows local high school students to conduct full-time research in a Duke neuroscience lab. You’ll be matched with a mentor, choose a project together, and spend most of your week working on it with regular one-on-one guidance. It runs Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., totaling about 40 hours a week. The program includes workshops and professional development sessions where you can learn about neuroscience, develop your communication skills, get college application tips, and explore careers in academia, medicine, and industry. You’ll also get to present your work at a poster session for your peers, family, and the DUNE team. You can review previous interns’ experiences here.
2. The Ohio State University’s Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: 7 weeks between June and August; June 23 – August 8 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 7 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents
The Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program is a 7-week paid NIH-funded experience for high school students interested in biomedical research. You’ll get hands-on training in areas like neuroscience, neurological injury, or neurodegeneration while exploring neuroscience as a possible major or career. You’ll work closely with a mentor and learn from graduate students and lab technicians. The program will place you in an active OSU neuroscience lab, where you’ll use modern facilities and learn research skills. Mentors will share practical advice about the field and help you develop confidence as a young researcher. You’ll join the program’s journal club and receive formal guidance on reading and presenting scientific papers. You’ll also participate in lab meetings, group discussions, and other networking opportunities. The program will end with training and support to help you present your research at the end of the session.
3. UCLA Health BrainSPORT Summer High School Research Internship
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Rising juniors who plan to mentor a new rising junior the following year can apply; students who want to continue the internship into the school year are encouraged to apply
The UCLA BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship is for students interested in neuroscience research. You’ll join scientists and clinicians studying brain health and sports-related concussions to improve your understanding of neuroscience while sharpening your research skills. You’ll learn from a multidisciplinary team that includes clinicians, scientists, a nurse practitioner, and BrainSPORT researchers. Much of your work will center on CARE4Kids, the largest study of adolescents with persistent post-concussion symptoms, which uses neuroimaging, autonomic testing, blood sampling, and cognitive assessments. The internship runs three to four half-days a week, totaling about 16 hours per week. You’ll help recruit patients, assist with study protocols, enter data, and attend weekly Traumatic Brain Injury lab meetings. You’ll also collaborate with other interns and UCLA students and complete a final project that you’ll present at the end of the program.
4. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 8 – July 9; orientation is held on June 5
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 10
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and up can apply.
Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program allows students to explore research areas such as neuropsychology, stroke, neurosurgical devices, neuroimaging, neuro-oncology, and neurodegenerative diseases. You can choose a lab that matches your interests and receive mentorship as you study biology and disease, explore research questions, apply lab methods, read scientific papers, and develop your communication skills. You’ll complete a research project that could be presented at competitions or even published. You’ll also learn how non-lab teams such as Neuroscience Publications, Marketing, and the Barrow Neurological Foundation support scientific work. The program will also introduce you to how neuroscience connects to mental health, including conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
5. Rockefeller University’s Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 20 students
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: March 15; applications open in January
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a New York City public school who will be at least 16 by the start of the program
The Summer Neuroscience Program offers a two-week opportunity for NYC public high school students to explore how the brain works and how it connects to daily life. It is run by Rockefeller University graduate students and will give you room to develop your own ideas. You’ll read and present a scientific paper, work with a mentor and partner to design a neuroscience experiment, and attend interactive lectures. You’ll participate in small group sessions that will help you break down research articles with mentor support. Lab and facility tours show you how researchers work and introduce you to experimental animals. You’ll also participate in hands-on activities like dissecting a cow eye and a sheep brain to learn the structures discussed in class. Each week ends with a presentation of your work.
6. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (amount not specified)
Cohort Size: About 20 high school students
Dates: The program runs from January to August (7 weeks), beginning with weekend training sessions in the winter and spring and continuing with a full-time summer internship
Application Deadline: October 6 – 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 from NYC who are at least 16 years old and are currently enrolled in one of the partner programs can apply; preference is given to students from the South Bronx and upper Manhattan
The Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC program is a seven-week research experience for high school students interested in neuroscience. You’ll attend weekend training sessions in winter and spring, then participate in a full-time summer internship. You’ll be matched with a Columbia neuroscientist and work on a project that fits their research, which might involve studying how synapses change during memory, how neurons send sensory signals, or how genes and brain circuits shape behavior. You’ll learn how lab research leads to scientific discoveries and get a clearer picture of what academic research careers look like. You can also apply for the Merit Fellowship to continue your work during the school year or the next summer. You’ll also have access to additional opportunities, such as alumni networking, paid internships, and group trips and events.
7. UCLA’s Mary S. Easton Center: Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive, <6%
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program introduces students to the brain and nervous system and is geared toward those interested in medicine, science, or psychology. You’ll study neuroscience with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The program meets three days a week for three-hour sessions and includes live seminars, group discussions, and collaborative activities. Guest speakers from medicine and research will share their experiences with you. You’ll attend Neurology Grand Rounds to hear clinicians and researchers present on current topics. You’ll also participate in a journal club to analyze neuroscience research papers, virtual lab activities to learn key research tools and methods, and a final research project where you’ll investigate a topic of your choice and present your findings.
8. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free, but on-campus housing and meals cost $2,450 | Stipend is provided (amount is unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors aged 16 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to dive into hands-on STEM research. You can list up to three preferred research areas or mentors, including fields such as neurobiology, biochemistry, physics, biomedical informatics, astronomy, computer science, math, civil engineering, and more. If you’re interested in neuroscience, you can work in the Neurobiology and Behavior department. Projects explore how aging and nuclear pore dysfunction contribute to ALS and Alzheimer’s, how protein synthesis changes after aversive learning, and how animals behave when protein synthesis is altered in specific neuron types. After placement, you’ll join a research group, work with a faculty mentor, and learn lab techniques, research methods, and experimental design. You’ll also write a research abstract, present a poster at the final symposium, and take part in lab tours, faculty talks, workshops, and other events.
9. Stanford University’s Harris Neuroscience Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Around 12 students
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: January 12 – February 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
Stanford School of Medicine’s Harris Neuroscience Internship is a year-long virtual program for high school students. You’ll be paired with Stanford neuroscience faculty and trainees and join weekly Neurology Grand Rounds. You will also participate in a monthly Neuroscience Journal Club where you’ll read and discuss current papers with Stanford experts in a casual setting. Your main focus will be working on a research project that matches your interests. This will help you build knowledge in neuroscience and strengthen your skills in data analysis, academic writing, and research. You’ll also work on a community-based project that will give you experience with engagement and outreach in the neuroscience field.
10. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $14 per hour
Cohort Size: Only 7 students participated in this year’s program
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 16 – February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors enrolled in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school who are at least 16 and legally authorized to work in the United States
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Summer Research Internship gives local students a six-week, hands-on lab experience with MPFI researchers. It’s designed for students interested in how the brain is built, how it works, how it develops, and the imaging tools used to study it. You’ll work on real research projects, write a scientific abstract, and give a short presentation at the end of the summer. You can choose from four tracks, which include Neuroscience, Scientific Programming, Mechanical Engineering, and Programming or Coding for Public Engagement. In the Neuroscience track, you’ll join intensive lab research and learn wet lab techniques like microbiological prep, genetic engineering, histological staining, and microscopy. You can check out past intern presentations here.
11. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, with a $40 application fee (waivable based on financial need) | All interns receive a $500 stipend, with up to $2,500 in additional need-based support available
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and will be 16 or older by the program’s start
The SIMR program lets you work on real medical research with Stanford faculty, researchers, and students. You’ll get one-on-one mentoring in a SIMR lab and gain hands-on experience with scientific projects. Labs are assigned based on your interests, and you can choose from eight areas, including neurobiology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, immunology, genetics, stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and cancer biology. If you want to focus on neuroscience, you can work at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, where you’ll explore how the brain supports mental life and behavior in both healthy and disease states. You’ll learn about three main research areas, such as NeuroDiscovery, NeuroHealth, and NeuroEngineering. You’ll participate in lectures, lab work, and weekly group discussions where you will exchange ideas and learn from others. By the end of the program, you’ll design and present a research poster that highlights your project.
12. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Multiple locations depending on the lab placement; MGH Main Campus, Assembly Row in Somerville, the Charlestown Navy Yard, or another lab in Boston, Somerville, or Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Cohort Size: Last year, 24 high school students and 5 undergraduate students participated in the program
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (High School Internships)
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates who live or study in Massachusetts during the program and are legally authorized to work in the United States
The Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a paid summer internship for high school and college students. It starts with a bootcamp that will help you complete required research and clinical training, learn key lab skills, start networking, and begin one-on-one mentoring.
You and a partner will be placed in a lab under an MGH Neurology faculty mentor. Throughout the summer, you’ll work with your mentor and lab members on active research projects.
Each week, you’ll join didactic sessions led by neuroscientists, neurologists, and other professionals. These sessions help you build your neurology knowledge while connecting with a wide range of people in the field. You might also join occasional field trips, social lunches, or other events to learn and network.
At the end of the internship, you and your partner will create and share final presentations about your research with mentors, peers, family, and the MGH Neurology department.
13. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn a $4,500 stipend
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program (HIP) offers an eight-week summer opportunity for local high school juniors interested in medicine. Run by the University of California, San Francisco, the program will pair you with a scientist who will mentor you on a research project that fits your interests. You’ll gain hands-on experience in biomedical research at UCSF labs. Lab placements depend on your preferences, schedule, and location. You can work on projects in fields like neuroscience, immunology, molecular biology, developmental biology, cancer research, infectious diseases, or stem cell research. During the program, you’ll interact with researchers, develop your science communication skills, and get college prep support with personal statements, resumes, financial aid, transcripts, and campus visits.
14. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 for 3 credits of undergraduate coursework + $25 application fee (both waivable based on financial need) | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: For computer lab internships, whether remote, in person, or hybrid, students need to be at least 15 years old by the start date. For in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships, students must be at least 16 years old
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is an eight-week research experience where you’ll work with George Mason University faculty. You’ll develop skills in scientific writing, communication, problem-solving, and research tools while exploring a range of STEM fields. Your internship can be in person, remote, or hybrid, depending on your mentor and project. Research options span neuroscience, bioengineering, math, computer science, data science, electrical and computer engineering, and more. If you’re interested in neuroscience, you might study 3D motion tracking in mice or analyze behavioral data with Python through the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience. You can also work in the bioengineering department on topics like rehabilitation robotics, soft robotics, prosthetics, or exoskeletons. Some projects even get published or presented at conferences. You can browse past work from different departments here.
15. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Neurology High School Scholars Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a $1,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: July 14 – August 15; the poster presentation will be held on August 21
Application Deadline: February 10 – March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are 16 or older by the start of the program
The Neurology High School Scholars Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a five-week paid internship for high school students. You’ll work closely with a neurologist or neuroscientist on a basic science or clinical research project, shadow physicians, and attend a weekly educational session. Your work hours will be set with your mentor based on project needs. By the end of the program, you’ll prepare a poster presenting your project results and share it at a conference on the last day. Past projects have covered topics like HHT-like symptoms in children with GDF2 mutations, genetic insights from exome data, and the use of telemedicine for Spanish-speaking families in the pediatric neurology clinic. Selected students must complete non-traditional personnel clearances, which may include FBI fingerprinting, immunizations, child abuse clearances, and other background checks. Additional research or training requirements may apply depending on your project.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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