If you’re a high school student passionate about understanding the brain and nervous system, engaging in neuroscience research is a solid option!
Here’s how a neuroscience research program can help: It allows you to engage in hands-on experience, develop advanced analytical skills, and expose you to subject-specific tools and techniques.
Many universities, research institutes, and organizations offer specialized neuroscience research programs that allow you to work alongside leading scientists and researchers.
These programs provide access to cutting-edge tools, resources, and networks, helping you apply what you have learned in your classroom, build new skills, and gain insights into neuroscience research.
This blog lists 15 neuroscience research programs designed for high school students, such as immersion experiences, pre-college programs, internships, and mentorship programs in neuroscience.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Neuroscience Track
Location: Virtual
Application Dates: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort; September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer: June 24, 2024 – September 2, 2024
- Fall: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA >3.67/4.0, typically 10th/11th graders
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs across fields, including neuroscience. Participants can choose between quantitative and qualitative research and will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar to guide them throughout the research process. The program focuses on specialized areas such as neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuroimaging, culminating in a 20-page research paper that can be submitted for publication. Horizon provides detailed feedback, a recommendation letter, and mentorship from top scholars, making it an excellent choice for students seeking to gain neuroscience research experience. To register for the program, apply here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Neuroscience Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: Fall (September), Winter (December), Spring (February), Summer (June), Summer II cohorts (July)
Eligibility: High school students with strong analytical skills and a background in science
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) or $5,400 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Lumiere offers a personalized research experience with 1-1 mentorship from professors and Ph.D. scholars. This program covers advanced neuroscience topics such as neurotechnology, brain-computer interfaces, and computational neuroscience. You will gain hands-on experience with tools like MATLAB and Python, and their work culminates in a research paper. The program heavily emphasizes skill development in data analysis, coding, and scientific writing, making it ideal for you if you are interested in exploring neuroscience as a research interest before applying to research internships!
3. Stanford University’s Neuroscience Pre-College Program
Location: Stanford University, CA and virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until November 2024 for 2025 admissions. The last date for submission is April 2025.
Program Dates: CNV-X (Virtual via Zoom) June 2025: CNI-X Session 1 (In-person on campus) July 2025: CNI-X Session 2 (In-person on campus): August 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a strong background in science
Cost: $1,495 for virtual and $2,795 for on-campus.
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is an intensive summer program that allows students to engage in neuroscience through hands-on lab activities and coursework covering neurogenetics, neuropharmacology, and behavioral neuroscience. Students learn about neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral and social sciences through seminars with faculty and researchers. You will gain exposure to advanced techniques like CRISPR gene editing and neuropharmacological assays, working closely with faculty and researchers. This program is designed to give you an authentic experience in university-level neuroscience research.
4. Johns Hopkins University – Discover Hopkins Neuroscience Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 2025
Program Dates: 2 weeks of July (Session I) and August (Session II)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Johns Hopkins offers a neuroscience track within its Discover Hopkins program, providing an introduction to brain anatomy, neural pathways, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Students participate in lab sessions, group projects, and guest lectures led by experts in the field. This program is perfect for students eager to explore neuroscience fundamentals and gain hands-on lab experience.
5. Research Science Institute (RSI) – Neuroscience Focus
Location: MIT, MA
Application Deadline: January 2024
Program Dates: 6-week summer program
Eligibility: Rising seniors with strong academic and research backgrounds can apply. One hundred accomplished high school students are selected for the program!
Cost: Free
RSI is one of the most prestigious high school research programs, allowing students to work on independent neuroscience projects alongside leading scientists. The program involves intensive lab work, data analysis, and the development of a research paper, offering a rigorous and rewarding research experience. RSI scholars begin with a week of intensive STEM coursework led by distinguished professors. The program’s core is a five-week research internship, where students work on individual research projects under the guidance of expert scientists and researchers. Participants prepare written and oral presentations in the final week to showcase their research findings.
6. RNS NeuroCamp
Location: Virtual and Rice University, Houston, Texas
Application Deadline: May 17, 2024
Program Dates: Online: July 13, 2024, or July 14, 2024; In-Person: August 3-4, 2024 (limited to Greater Houston area students)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; no prior experience required
Cost: Free of Charge
RNS NeuroCamp, organized by the Rice Neuroscience Society, allows you to explore neuroscience through interactive lectures, hands-on experiments, and professional development activities. You will explore topics such as neurons, neuroanatomy, and neurological diseases, with sessions led by Rice faculty and staff. The program includes a Careers in Neuroscience panel and discussions with Rice students about college applications and academic life. The camp is designed to inspire a passion for neuroscience and STEM, providing valuable insights into research and professional skills.
7. Simons Summer Research Program – Neuroscience Track
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Application Deadline: December 2024 for the summer of 2025.
Program Dates: 7-week program between July – August 2025
Eligibility: Academically talented and motivated juniors (11th Grade) must be US citizens and 16 years of age by the start of the program.
Simons Summer Research Program pairs students with faculty mentors to conduct independent neuroscience research in neurobiology, computational neuroscience, and neuro-engineering. Participants gain hands-on lab experience and present their findings at the program’s conclusion, making it an excellent opportunity for students interested in pursuing research careers.
8. The Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces – Neuroscience Module
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Application Deadline: February 2025
Program Dates: 7-week program from June to August 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.8- 4.0, US citizens with honors or AP A-plus in English, Chemistry, Mathematics or Calculus, Physics, and Biology. SAT/ACT scores must be 60% and above
Costs: $50 for Registrations and $4000 for Laboratory usage. Accommodations and meals are charged separately.
Garcia’s neuroscience module explores the intersection of material science and neural engineering, focusing on biomaterials used in neuroprosthetics and drug delivery systems. This program combines lab-based learning with research projects, making it a unique option for students interested in the engineering aspects of neuroscience. This rigorous seven-week program is designed for gifted high school students, integrating formal instruction with independent research. Participants can develop original research projects under the mentorship of Garcia Center faculty, students, and staff. Since its inception, nearly 300 high school students have participated in the Mentor Program, consistently earning recognition in prestigious national competitions (LISEF, NYCSEF, NYSSEF, ISEF), publishing their work in refereed journals, receiving patents, being inducted into the National Young Inventor’s Hall of Fame, and gaining acceptance into top universities and professional programs.
9. University of Pennsylvania – Penn Summer Neuroscience Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA
Application Deadline: The applications for summer 2025 will open in late fall 2024.
Program Dates: 3-week summer program (July)
Eligibility: High school seniors are required to have one year of compulsory biology and chemistry subjects.
Costs: Not Specified, but financial aid for Philadelphia students is available under the Penn Summer Scholarship
Penn’s summer program offers a blend of lectures and lab experiences in areas like brain physiology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropharmacology. The Neuroscience Research Academy delves into the biological underpinnings of the brain, beginning with the cellular structure of neurons and advancing through the sensory systems to explore higher-order cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, and morality. Led by faculty from Penn’s Biological Basis of Behavior program, the Academy introduces students to the latest advancements in neuroscience research and medicine, offering critical insights into the workings of the mind in health and disease. The program is entirely residential, with no commuter or online options available. Students can participate in authentic research studies and present their work, gaining a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience research.
10. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience High School Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida
Application Deadline: The 2024 application has passed
Program Dates: June – July 2024
Eligibility: 16-year-old students entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2023 at a Palm Beach or Martin County school
Stipend: $12.5/hour
Run by the Max Planck Society, a leading non-profit research organization, this internship offers students a comprehensive lab experience in neuroscience. You will gain hands-on experience with “wet lab” techniques, including genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy. By the end of the program, you will have written a scientific abstract and delivered a presentation of your research project, preparing them for further study and careers in neuroscience.
11. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: Rockefeller University, NY
Application Deadline: December 2024
Program Dates: 7-week summer program (June to August 2025)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16+ at program start date.
Costs: Free of Charge.
Rockefeller’s program allows students to work on neuroscience research projects in a world-renowned research environment. The program focuses on neural circuits, molecular neuroscience, and neurogenetics, providing hands-on lab experience and mentorship.
12. Boston University – RISE Internship/ Practica Program
Location: Boston University, MA
Application Deadline: Month of February
Program Dates: 6-week summer program (June to August)
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school student with US citizenship.
Cost: Commuter $5820 and residential student $8940 (including room, meals, and fees). Financials are available.
BU’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program allows high school students to engage in lab-based neuroscience research, focusing on neuroinformatics, data analysis, and experimental techniques. The program includes hands-on lab work and mentorship from faculty, providing valuable research experience. Participants in this program will engage in research projects under the mentorship of distinguished faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students.
Internship Track: Opting for the Internship track, you will have to dedicate 40 hours each week to research projects designed by your mentor, aimed at developing technical and analytical skills while gaining insight into the scientific process. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your research findings at the Poster Symposium. Additionally, one day per week, you will join Practicum students in workshops designed to enhance your academic and professional skills.
Practicum Track: In the practicum track, you will conduct group research under the guidance of a Boston University instructor in a structured university setting, which is ideal for students who prefer a more organized research environment. This track focuses on computational neurobiology. Your day will begin with a two-hour lecture followed by four hours of group research, where you will perform experiments that demonstrate typical procedures used in university laboratory research within computational neurobiology. You will present your findings at the Poster Symposium alongside students from the RISE Internship track. Weekly on-site or off-site interactions with local biotech or pharmaceutical companies are also part of the program.
13. NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research – Neuroscience Track
Location: National Institutes of Health, MD
Application Deadline: February 15th of every year.
Program Dates: 8-week summer program
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled at least half-time in high school or college. Graduating high school seniors must provide a letter of admission from the college they will attend in the upcoming fall. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and at least 17 years of age.
The NIH internship program places students in neuroscience research labs, focusing on neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, and brain imaging. This program provides unparalleled access to cutting-edge research and mentorship from NIH scientists. Alongside laboratory training and mentorship, students participate in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Seminar Series, which broadens their exposure to cutting-edge biomedical and clinical research through presentations by world-class researchers. These seminars are tailored to advanced high school and college students. The National Human Genome Research Institute also hosts its Summer Seminar Series, emphasizing career development and mentoring.
14. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – Partners for the Future Program
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY
Application Deadline: September 2024
Program Dates: School year, weekly lab work
Eligibility: High school seniors
This program allows students to work on neuroscience research projects at Cold Spring Harbor’s renowned labs, focusing on genetic neuroscience, brain circuitry, and neural development. Students participate in hands-on research alongside top scientists. After the program, students give oral presentations of their research projects to scientific mentors, Lab administrators, parents, and teachers.
15. Sci-MI’s Neuroscience Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 20, 2025
Program Dates: July 1st – August 10th 2025
Eligibility: Open to all students, with preference given to those from underrepresented backgrounds and those without prior research opportunities
Cost: Free of Charge
Run by the Science Mentorship Institute, this program allows students to work on individual neuroscience research projects that culminate in a presentation and a written report. A vital feature of the program is its emphasis on open-source research, teaching students to utilize free resources, including software, research papers, and guidance from volunteer mentors. The five-week program includes a weekly lecture and a journal club where participants select and present a research paper, providing a collaborative and immersive learning experience.
