Are you curious about how the brain works and shapes behavior? Neuroscience programs allow you to explore these questions and gain an early understanding of this interdisciplinary field.
Neuroscience combines biology, psychology, chemistry, and computer science to study the brain at cellular and behavioral levels. These programs introduce topics like neuroplasticity, cognitive neuroscience, and neuroimaging, helping you prepare for future studies in medicine, research, or psychology.
You’ll work on building skills in data analysis and experimental design while learning how the brain influences human behavior. Whether you're just starting or have prior knowledge, these 12 best online neuroscience programs for high school students in 2024 offer pathways to explore neuroscience.
12 Best Online Neuroscience Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon's Academic Research Program (HARP) - Neuroscience/Biotechnology Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various disciplines, including specialized tracks in neuroscience and biotechnology. These tracks are ideal if you’re curious about the complexities of the brain or the cutting-edge innovations in biological sciences. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that allows you to choose between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a subject track and research type, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will mentor you throughout your project. Whether you’re exploring neural networks or investigating biotech breakthroughs, you’ll work to produce a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can submit to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. Horizon also provides a detailed project review and a letter of recommendation, making it a strong addition to your college applications and a valuable stepping stone for future research endeavors. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: The Winter II Cohort deadline is December 1, 2024, May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar - June 24, 2025 - September 2, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
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.
Lumiere Education’s research program gives you the chance to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a personalized project. If you’re passionate about neuroscience, this is a great opportunity to explore topics like neuroplasticity, brain-computer interfaces, and cognitive psychology.
You'll develop essential research skills, learn to analyze complex data, and produce a publication-ready research paper — all of which prepare you for future studies in neuroscience and related fields. This program also provides a recommendation letter, enhancing your college applications.
Cost: Varies by program [Individual Research Program ($2,990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900), the Research Fellowship ($8,900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900)]
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Winter Cohort: December 2024 (fall, sand pring cohorts also available)
Deadlines: The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024
Eligibility: Motivated high school students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI in Medicine program offers high school students an immersive introduction to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Designed for those interested in how machine learning can revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatment, this course covers key topics like medical imaging, drug discovery, and predictive analytics. You’ll gain hands-on experience through coding projects and real-world case studies, guided by industry experts and PhD mentors. This program provides a great opportunity to build your technical skills and explore the future of AI-driven medicine, making it a strong addition to your portfolio.
Cost: $2,290
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: N/A
Deadlines: The winter cohort deadline is December 1, 2024
Eligibility: Grades 8-12; Completed AI Scholars or background in coding.
Ladder Internships offers high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop professional skills through remote internships with startups. To get neuroscience and neurobiology internships, you can choose areas like healthcare, medicine, biotech, or mental health. You’ll work on a real-world project and present your work at the end. Along with your manager, you’ll have a Ladder Coach to guide you through the startup environment. The internship also offers professional skill development and training sessions. You’ll work 10–15 hours per week.
Cost: $2490
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Varies by cohort. Winter Cohort begins Dec 16.
Deadlines: November 24, 2024 (for Winter cohort)
Eligibility: Motivated high school students
Harvard’s Fundamentals of Neuroscience is a comprehensive online course series designed to take students from the basics of neural signaling to complex brain functions. This course is designed for high school students who want to explore the brain’s inner workings. You’ll learn about neurobiology, neural circuits, and sensory perception through interactive videos and virtual lab simulations. The self-paced program gives you access to Harvard's resources, helping you build a solid foundation in neuroscience before college.
Cost: $851.40
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Self-paced
Deadlines: None
Eligibility: Anybody can register!
Case Western Reserve University’s Pre-College Neuroscience Program offers high school students an engaging introduction to the world of neuroscience. Through interactive lectures, virtual lab activities, and hands-on projects, you’ll explore topics like brain anatomy, neurodevelopment, and neural disorders. Guided by expert faculty, this program provides a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the brain, develop critical research skills, and gain insight into potential careers in neuroscience and related fields.
Cost: $1,495
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: December 22 - January 5; January 5 - February 2; February 2 - March 2 (the course is offered regularly, and is not limited to the dates provided here)
Deadlines: No deadlines are listed on the website
Eligibility: 13 years or older
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school students an opportunity to explore the field of neuroscience through a one-month, intensive research program. You’ll engage in hands-on lab experiences and interactive lectures with Johns Hopkins faculty, covering topics like brain anatomy, neurological disorders, and research methods. A virtual option lets you access this program from anywhere in the world, making it an ideal choice if you’re interested in careers in neurology and neuroscience without needing to be on-site.
Cost: None ($500 is awarded to students upon successful completion of the virtual program)
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: July-August 2025
Deadlines: March 1, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM courses and an interest in behavioral health-related sciences.
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University offers high school and undergraduate students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience and women’s mental health research. This internship offers a comprehensive introduction to research design, data analysis, and clinical applications through interactive workshops and mentoring from Stanford’s expert faculty. With a fully virtual option, you can participate remotely in research and educational activities from anywhere. Focused on neuroscience and mental health, the CNIX Internship Program is a great choice if you're interested in gender-based research and exploring careers in medicine and psychology.
Cost: $1,595
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 16 - June 27, 2025
Deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between December 15, 2024 and March 1, 2025
Eligibility: High school students currently in their sophomore, junior, or senior year who are interested in learning about neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology
Rice University's NeuroCamp offers high school students a dynamic introduction to neuroscience through an immersive, week-long program. You’ll learn about brain anatomy, neural circuits, and neurophysiology through hands-on activities and lab experiments. Led by Rice faculty and researchers, the camp includes interactive lectures and projects on cutting-edge topics like brain-machine interfaces and neuroplasticity. This program gives you a chance to build foundational knowledge in neuroscience, gain valuable lab experience, and network with experts in the field.
Cost: Free!
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Program Dates: July 13th and July 14th
Deadlines: May 17th (based on the 2024 deadline)
Eligibility: Anyone!
The Neuroscience Mentorship Program (NMP) by SciMi provides high school students with a tailored research experience in the field of neuroscience. You’ll be matched with a professional mentor who will guide you through an independent research project on brain science topics like neural signaling, cognitive functions, and neurological disorders. Through one-on-one mentorship and collaborative learning, you’ll develop key research skills, gain exposure to advanced scientific techniques, and complete a capstone project.
Cost: Free!
Location: Virtual (synchronous and asynchronous options are available)
Program Dates: July 1st - August 10th, 2025
Deadlines: May 15th (based on 2024’s deadline)
Eligibility: Any high school students!
11. ENIGMA-U
ENIGMA-U is a free, virtual neuroscience program designed for high school students. It introduces you to brain research and data analysis, covering topics like neuroimaging and brain disorders. Led by experts from the University of Utah, the program offers mentorship from top researchers, making it an ideal option if you’re looking for flexible, remote learning. ENIGMA-U also provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and explore careers in neuroscience.
The program aims to make neuroimaging, neuroscience, and neuropsychology accessible to students worldwide, especially those who may not have easy access to mentorship.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Self-paced
Deadlines: No application deadlines – just register and go!
Eligibility: Anybody
UCLA’s Neuroscience High School Scholars Program offers a flexible, virtual option for students passionate about exploring brain science. Through live online lectures, interactive lab activities, and guided research projects, you will delve into topics like brain anatomy, neural signaling, and cognitive functions, all from home. With mentorship from UCLA faculty, this program provides an engaging remote learning experience, making it an ideal choice for students seeking a deep dive into neuroscience without the need to travel.
Cost: No cost is listed.
Location: Virtual (or in-person)
Program Dates: The virtual summer program takes place during the summer months.
Deadlines: No deadline listed online (contact unhssp@mednet.ucla.edu for details)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (especially those from underrepresented backgrounds)
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.