If you’re in high school and want to engage in neuroscience in a flexible manner, online neuroscience research programs are a good place to begin. These programs are made to help you pick up basic research skills while learning about things like brain structure, neurons, memory, and how the brain controls the body. Most of them include sessions with mentors or guided lessons, so you can ask questions and work through problems step by step.
You might look at real data from brain studies, use tools like Python or MATLAB to run simple analyses, or go through research papers to see how scientists test their ideas. Some programs will ask you to design small experiments or work on group projects. This gives you a better sense of how research is done and what it’s like to study science in college or in a lab.
To help you figure out what’s out there, here’s a list of 15 online neuroscience research programs for high school students!
15 Online Neuroscience Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Neuroscience Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a 3.67+ GPA. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon Academic offers high school students a trimester-long research experience in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the computational neuroscience track, you will start with foundational topics like nervous system functions before advancing to neuron activity modeling and neural network simulations.
You will work one-on-one with a mentor—a professor or PhD researcher from a top university—who will guide you in developing a 20-page research paper. The program provides structured support for both quantitative and qualitative research, helping you analyze complex topics with academic rigor.
At the end of the program, you will receive a project evaluation and a letter of recommendation. Apply here!
2. Stanford University Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Online (CNI-X session via Zoom)
Cost: $1,595 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: June 16–June 27
Application Deadline: March 1 (rolling admissions; waitlist once full)
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 (must be in high school or a recent graduate)
CNI-X is a 10-day virtual program from Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences that brings you into the world of clinical neuroscience. Through live seminars, discussions, and a hands-on capstone project, you will explore neuroimaging, sleep science, neurodiversity, and psychotic disorders. You will learn how these areas connect to mental health and brain function.
Small group projects let you apply what you learn by creating research-based solutions for real issues like youth mental health or forensic psychiatry. You will practice neuroscience by analyzing data, debating ideas, and solving problems like a clinical neuroscientist.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,990
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Founded by graduates of Harvard and Oxford, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging research opportunity designed for high school students. It offers personalized 1-on-1 mentorship with PhD experts in various fields, including neuroscience.
Throughout the 12-week program, you’ll work closely with a mentor on an independent research project of your choice. By the end, you’ll have produced a comprehensive research paper. You can choose your subject track in the application form, as well as a specific area of focus, such as neuroscience, throughout your research experience. More details about the application are here!
4. sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 1–August 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; preference for students underrepresented in neuroscience or without prior research experience
The Neuroscience Mentorship Program (NMP) is a five-week online research experience where you explore neuroscience topics on your own using open-access resources. You’ll join weekly journal clubs and lectures that walk you through how to read and present scientific papers. These sessions help you understand how scientists build and test their ideas.
If you attend the program live, you’ll be matched with a mentor who’ll guide you through the research process. You’ll come up with your own question, write a short research paper, and give a final presentation at the end. The focus is on helping you think like a scientist.
5. Rice University NeuroCamp
Location: Online (July 19 or July 20); In-person (August 9–10, Greater Houston area only)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 19 or July 20 (online option)
Application Deadline: Opens in March (first come, first-served)
Eligibility: All high school students; no prior experience or application process required
Rice’s NeuroCamp is a one-day online program that introduces you to key neuroscience concepts like neurons, synapses, and neurological disorders. You will explore computational models and the philosophy of mind through discussions that build analytical and problem-solving skills.
Beyond neuroscience, the camp includes professional development workshops, a careers panel, and conversations with Rice undergraduates about college life and STEM pathways. You will develop skills in scientific communication, critical thinking, and networking while learning from students and professionals in the field.
6. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Online (national) and in-person (Baltimore, MD)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: In-Person: 8 weeks in summer | Virtual: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: December 1–March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; in-person program is for Baltimore City public school students only; virtual program is open nationwide
JHIBS offers a virtual research experience open to high school students across the U.S., focusing on core neuroscience concepts and research skills. You will participate in structured lectures, receive mentorship, and learn lab techniques used in neuroscience research.
You will analyze scientific literature, interpret neuroimaging data, and apply statistical methods to real neuroscience research. Training covers experimental design, data collection, and coding for neuroscience applications. You will also develop scientific writing and presentation skills to effectively communicate research findings.
7. ENIGMA-U
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced modules are available year-round.
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline for course access; summer research placements may have separate timelines!
Eligibility: Senior high school and early college students; open internationally, with a focus on historically excluded groups in neuroscience
ENIGMA-U is a free online learning platform that trains you in core neuroscience fields, with a focus on neuroimaging and neuropsychology. You will work through expert-led modules covering MRI techniques, brain mapping, and data analysis while building a strong foundation in brain science. If you complete the curriculum, you may gain access to funded summer research opportunities through a developing mentorship network.
8. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Location: Online and in-person (Los Angeles, CA)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 16–July 24
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18); priority for students from underrepresented communities
This six-week summer program explores neuroscience through the study of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with a focus on health equity and cultural contexts. You will attend neuroscience seminars, journal clubs, and mentorship sessions while completing a virtual research project.
The curriculum covers neuropathology, literature reviews, and grand rounds, giving you exposure to both clinical and research perspectives. You will also examine the role of community outreach in neuroscience and how neurological diseases impact underserved populations.
9. Albany Medical College Next-Gen Neuroscience
Location: Online and in-person (Albany, NY area)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Last Monday of June – First Friday of August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students (age 16+); local students preferred
The NextGen Neuroscience Summer Program offers the Exposure track, a virtual option designed to help you build research and professional development skills in neuroscience. You will attend live lectures, learn neuroanatomy, explore literature review strategies, and discuss ethics in animal research.
The program also includes training in scientific writing, statistical analysis using GraphPad, and preparing application materials like a CV and personal statement. You will develop the ability to interpret neuroscience data, analyze research findings, and communicate scientific concepts effectively.
10. University of Washington Young Scholars Program-Reach
Location: Online and in-person (University of Washington, Seattle, WA)
Cost: $500 (in-person), $100 (online); scholarships available
Program Dates: July 14–18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students (including graduating seniors); open to U.S. and international students
YSP-REACH is a one-week summer program that introduces you to neuroscience and neural engineering, focusing on neuroethics, brain-computer interfaces, and neurotechnology. The virtual track offers interactive sessions on core concepts in neuroscience and engineering, giving you a strong foundation in the field.
You will develop scientific communication skills by analyzing research, discussing key findings, and presenting ideas effectively. The program also explores how electrical engineering, biology, and computing come together in brain science, helping you understand the technology behind brain mapping and neural devices.
11. Rosetta Institute Biomedical Camps
Subject Areas: Molecular neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, cellular medicine
Location: Online and in-person (UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, University College London, Alameda CA)
Cost: Varies by program; typically ranges from $1,500–$5,000; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 2–August 15
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18 (12+ for select online sessions)
Rosetta’s Molecular Neuroscience workshops focus on how diseases disrupt cellular biology, combining lectures with hands-on research design. You will work with PhD level instructors to learn neurobiological principles and apply them to developing and presenting a research project.
The program also covers experimental methods, bioinformatics tools, and research communication. You will gain experience in molecular analysis, data interpretation, and scientific writing while exploring connections to fields like cancer biology and neuroinformatics.
12. Stanford University Summer of Neurosciences
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 8–July 31 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, with occasional Fridays); Orientation on June 30
Application Deadline: March 14–May 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors and college students
Stanford University’s Summer of Neurosciences program introduces you to the field through three main components. In the Investigation track, you will analyze research articles in journal club discussions.
The Insights track features career talks with neuroscience professionals. The Illumination track offers optional attendance at Stanford Neurology and Neurosurgery Grand Rounds. You will practice reading scientific literature, preparing group presentations, and engaging with clinical and academic experts.
13. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Location: Online (seminar); mentorship is hybrid, virtual, or in-person (New York, NY)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Seminar Series: September–May (Monthly); Mentorship Program: June–May (one-year duration)
Application Deadline: Typically opens early spring
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
BrainSTORM offers a monthly virtual lecture series and a year-long research mentorship program focused on neuroscience topics like Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and concussion. The seminar series is open to all high school students, providing exposure to interdisciplinary neuroscience through live discussions with Columbia faculty.
If selected for the mentorship track, you will work with a researcher to co-design and complete a guided project, developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program concludes with a final research symposium where you will present your findings.
14. William and Mary’s Cognitive Psychology: How the Brain Works
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: May 4–June 1 (4 weeks); May 18–June 1 (2 weeks); June 8–June 22 (2 weeks)
Application Deadlines: April 27, May 11, and June 1 (depending on course start date)
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
William & Mary’s Cognitive Psychology: How the Brain Works is an asynchronous online course that introduces you to key concepts in cognitive psychology. You will study brain structure and function, attention, memory systems, and decision-making, exploring how perception shapes behavior and how the brain processes reasoning and emotion.
Course materials include video lectures and interactive assignments, with mentoring support available throughout. For the final project, you will map brain activity during a real-life decision, applying what you have learned to a practical scenario.
15. Johns Hopkins University – Neuroscience and Human Behavior (AS.080.140)
Location: Online
Cost: $1,950 (plus $85 application fee); financial assistance available
Program Dates: Session One: June 23–July 4; Session Three: July 21–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled (recommended to apply early)
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
Johns Hopkins University’s Neuroscience and Human Behavior (AS.080.140) is a two-week asynchronous course that explores how neurons, neurotransmitters, and brain structures shape cognition and behavior. You will study real-world neurological phenomena, such as language changes after brain injury and the neural basis of monogamy in animals, using video lectures, assigned readings, and critical reflections.
You will develop skills in scientific analysis, critical thinking, and behavioral neuroscience. By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation in how brain systems influence behavior, and you will earn one college credit upon successful completion.
Image source – Stanford University
