Curious about how the brain works? Neuroscience programs and internships for high school students give you the chance to dive into this fascinating field.
Through hands-on lab work, research projects, and expert mentorship, you’ll explore topics like neurobiology, cognitive science, and neural networks. These experiences combine structured learning with real-world applications, helping you build skills for future studies and careers in neuroscience.
Here are 13 neuroscience programs and internships for high school students!
Horizon Academic offers a trimester-long research program for high school students to explore topics like neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the computational neuroscience track, you’ll study the nervous system and progress to advanced topics like neuron neurophysiology, electrophysiological techniques, and simulations of neurons and networks.
You’ll be paired with a professor or PhD researcher from a top university who will mentor you as you develop a 20-page research paper. Your paper can be submitted to academic journals for publication. This program uniquely combines quantitative and qualitative research, giving you a chance to delve deeply into complex topics with expert guidance.
In addition, you’ll receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: The Spring Cohort deadline is February 16, 2025!
Program dates:
- Summer seminar — June 24, 2025 — September 2, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by alumni from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work on an independent research project guided by a PhD mentor. In this fully online program, you’ll develop a college-level research paper and have the opportunity to showcase your work at a final symposium. For those looking to take their work further, there’s also a dedicated research and publication track. If neuroscience is your chosen field, make sure to indicate it in your application to tailor your experience.
Subject areas: Arts, sociology, STEM fields, including neuroscience, computer science, aerospace engineering, environmental science, and many more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16–20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Application deadline: The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024! Fall, spring, and summer cohorts are available annually.
Program dates: 12 weeks for the research scholar program. 16–20 weeks for the Premium Research & Publication Program. The upcoming winter cohort will begin on Dec 16, 2024, and carry on for 12–20 weeks depending on the type of program you select.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA can apply.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school students a summer research experience through the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. You can choose between an 8-week in-person internship or a 5-week virtual program. The in-person option provides hands-on research, mentorship, career guidance, and seminars in neurological science, culminating in a final presentation. Both programs offer professional development workshops, college prep sessions, and networking opportunities. The virtual program focuses on foundational lab techniques. Access past JHIBS research topics here.
Subject areas: Neurological sciences
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: No cost. The in-person program provides an hourly stipend and covers transportation, but not housing. The virtual program offers a $500 scholarship to interns to support their education.
Application deadline: Applications for 2025 will open on Dec 1, 2024.
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June–August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds can apply.
SIMR offers high school juniors and seniors a chance to dive into biomedical research through a hands-on neuroscience internship. This 8-week summer program at Stanford University’s Institutes of Medicine places you in a research lab, where you’ll work closely with a mentor on active research projects. If neuroscience is your interest, you can select it as a preferred area, and you’ll be matched with a lab that aligns with your focus. The program also includes a bioengineering boot camp option, offering hands-on experience in bioengineering for those who want a broader approach.
Subject areas: Biological sciences including neuroscience
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No program fee, but a $40 application fee (waived for financial need). Housing and meals are not included. Participants receive at least a $500 stipend, with additional need-based stipends available.
Application deadline: Feb 22, 2025
Program dates: Jun 9- Jul 31, 2025 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply.
The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers high school students a chance to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience. If selected, you’ll work with neuroscientists at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, exploring brain structure, neural circuits, and advanced imaging techniques. The program focuses on wet lab work, where you’ll develop skills in genetic engineering, histological staining, microbiology, and microscopy. You’ll tackle real research questions, and by the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in a scientific abstract to peers, researchers, and the community.
Subject areas: Neuroscience, scientific programming, mechanical engineering
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $14 per hour
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024 and will open on Jan 7, 2025, for the 2025 cohort.
Program Dates: June 17–July 26, 2024 (6 weeks). TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, live in Palm Beach or Martin County, and have U.S. work authorization can apply.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital is a great opportunity if you’re a high school student interested in exploring neuroscience and neurology. This program connects you with top neurologists and neuroscientists, offering a blend of hands-on research experience, mentorship, and professional networking. You’ll begin with an intensive boot camp designed to familiarize you with the expectations of lab research and clinical work.
As part of the program, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and an undergraduate student, joining ongoing research projects in a collaborative lab setting. Throughout the internship, weekly sessions led by experts will deepen your understanding of neurology, and the program’s social events and tours offer a well-rounded experience. At the program’s conclusion, you’ll present your research to an audience of faculty, peers, and family.
Subject areas: Neurology, neuroscience
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost. Stipend provided (amount not specified).
Application deadline: Jan 31, 2025
Program dates: June 30–Aug 8, 2025
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school juniors (or rising seniors) or recent high school graduates can apply.
7. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Stanford’s SHTEM internships offer high school and community college students an interdisciplinary research experience in fields like neuroscience, psychology, biology, and computer science. The program focuses on the intersection of STEM and humanities, allowing you to explore neuroscience alongside engineering, linguistics, and design. During the internship, you’ll work on research projects with guidance from mentors, including Stanford students, faculty, and professionals from affiliated organizations. This mentorship will help you build skills in research, analysis, and academic writing, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches.
Subject areas: STEM including neuroscience, humanities, social sciences
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded + $50 application fee. Need-based stipend is available.
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program dates: June 17 — August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students in grades 11–12 at the time of application who are at least 14 years old, including international students.
The Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program at Ohio State University offers an excellent paid research experience for high school students interested in neuroscience. Funded by the NIH, this program places you in an active lab where you’ll gain hands-on experience in areas like neurological injury and neurodegeneration. Working directly with a research mentor, alongside graduate students and lab technicians, you’ll be involved in the daily work of neuroscience research and benefit from their expertise.
In addition to lab work, the program includes access to lab meetings, social events, and a neuroscience journal club where you’ll develop skills in reading and discussing scientific literature. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore neuroscience as a possible undergraduate major and career path. The program ends with a presentation of your research.
Subject areas: Neuroscience
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost: No cost. Stipend provided (amount not specified)
Application deadline: Applications usually close in April.
Program dates: Jun 23 - Aug 8, 2025
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school can apply.
9. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program (SIP)
The NIH Summer Internship Program offers high school seniors and college students hands-on research experience in areas like neuroscience, biology, and psychology. You’ll join a research group at one of the NIH campuses, including Bethesda, MD. Working under a Principal Investigator (PI), you’ll engage in biomedical, behavioral, or social science projects, with opportunities in both basic and clinical research. The program provides professional development, career advising, and skills training for future careers in research and healthcare, while also supporting your well-being during the experience.
Subject areas: Health-related fields, including neuroscience, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, and bioinformatics
Location: NIH research campuses in the USA including the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
Cost: No cost. A monthly stipend is provided.
Application deadline: Feb 19, 2025
Program dates: The program typically runs from June to August!
Eligibility: Must be 18 years of age or older on June 1, 2025, and currently enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school.
10. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Duke University’s Neuroscience Experience program offers high school students an intensive, eight-week paid internship to explore neuroscience research. During this full-time summer program, you’ll work in a Duke neuroscience lab under the mentorship of a professional scientist, engaging in hands-on research and gaining valuable lab experience.
Beyond lab work, you’ll attend workshops focused on college preparation and career paths in academia, medicine, and industry, giving you insights into future opportunities in neuroscience. The program culminates in a poster session where you’ll present your research to peers, family, and Duke researchers, showcasing your findings in a professional setting.
Subject areas: Neuroscience
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC
Cost: No cost. This is a paid internship, but the stipend amount is not specified.
Application deadline: Feb 9, 2025
Program dates: Jun 16 — Aug 8, 2025
Eligibility:
- At least 15 years old by Jun 16, 2025
- A current high school sophomore or junior (from 2024–2025), or a senior who does not plan to attend college in fall 2025.
- Attend a public or charter high school in Durham, NC.
11. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Neurology High School Scholars Program
The Neurology High School Scholars Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offers a valuable opportunity for high school students interested in neuroscience. In this program, you’ll collaborate closely with a neuroscientist or neurologist on a research project, which could be in basic science or clinical research, with flexible hours set by you and your mentor. Beyond research, you’ll gain hands-on exposure by shadowing physicians in clinics and attending weekly educational sessions. The program wraps up with a poster presentation at a final conference in August, where you’ll present your findings to peers and professionals.
Subject areas: Neurology, neuroscience
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: No cost. A stipend of $1,000 is provided
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025. Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: July 7–August 9, 2024 (5 weeks). TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old and can commute to the hospital for 5 days of the week are eligible to apply.
12. Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
The BRAINYAC program at Columbia University provides a lab-focused research internship for high school students interested in neuroscience. Starting with a training phase, you’ll learn essential neuroscience concepts and lab skills, such as microscope techniques, pipetting, dissection, neuroethics, coding for experiments, and analyzing data.
Once equipped with these fundamentals, you’ll work on a research project with a Columbia mentor and connect with the broader neuroscience community, including grad students, postdocs, faculty, and BRAINYAC alumni. The program concludes with an end-of-summer symposium, where you’ll present your research at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute and a STEM event at the American Museum of Natural History.
Subject areas: Neurology and neuroscience
Location: In-person at Columbia University, New York
Cost: No cost. Stipend provided (amount not specified).
Application deadline: October 29th, 2024 (for the 2025 program)
Program dates: TBA for 2025 (tentatively 6 weeks between July and August as per 2024’s schedule).
13. University of California, San Francisco SEP’s High School Intern Program
The UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) High School Intern Program offers an eight-week research internship for students interested in fields like neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, cancer, and stem cell research. Working with a UCSF scientist as your mentor, you’ll gain hands-on experience on a research project alongside a cohort of about 25 peers. The program also includes college counseling, with workshops on resume building, financial aid information, and college tours, helping you prepare for future academic and research opportunities.
Subject areas: Biomedical sciences including neuroscience
Location: University of California, San Francisco campus, CA
Cost: No cost. The part-time internship (25 hours/week) pays $3,200 upon program completion | Full-time internship (35 hours/week) pays $4,500 upon program completion
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February. TBA for 2025.
Program dates: The 8-week program typically runs from June to August. TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: High school juniors attending an SFUSD school, SF charter school, or participating in College Track San Francisco and from a background considered historically marginalized in the sciences can apply.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.e United States.