Neuroscience pre-college programs for high school students give you the chance to explore the inner workings of the brain through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on research. You will have opportunities to work alongside researchers, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze real data, interpret results, and deepen your understanding of how the brain functions in health and disease. By building critical thinking and lab skills early on, these programs can help you strengthen your college applications and help you gain clarity on your academic interests.
Neuroscience pre-college programs for high school students are hosted directly by universities or other prestigious institutions and follow a highly structured, college-style format. You will take actual college-level courses taught by university professors, receive readings, homework, and projects, live in university dorms, eat in dining halls, and utilize campus facilities, giving you a taste of college life. They are typically held during the summer months and are designed to mirror the pace and rigor of undergraduate academics.
In this blog, we have narrowed down the best 15 neuroscience pre-college programs for high school students you can consider to get an early start into college-level academics.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Neuroscience Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (Financial aid available)
Application deadline: Summer Regular I – April 20 | Summer Regular II – May 18 | Summer II – June 22. Apply here
Program dates: Summer Regular I & Regular II – June 16 | Summer II – July 14 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA | Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders | Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Horizon stands out as one of the few opportunities where you can choose to conduct either quantitative or qualitative research, depending on your academic interests. After selecting your subject area, you’re matched with a faculty mentor—often a university professor or PhD researcher—who guides you through the complete research process. By the end of the program, you’re expected to complete a 20-page research paper, with the option to submit it to scholarly journals, and you also receive detailed feedback and a letter of recommendation. The program’s instructors focus on integrative neuroscience taking insights from psychology, data science, and philosophy along with traditional neuroscience, to deep dive into consciousness, perception, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Biology Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost:
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic research opportunity designed specifically for high school students. It focuses on individualized mentorship, pairing each student with a Ph.D. mentor to guide them through a 12-week independent research project. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced a full-length research paper in a subject area of your choice, with options ranging from biology, psychology, and economics to computer science, data science, chemistry, and more. This one-on-one structure allows for deep engagement with your chosen topic and provides a strong foundation for future academic or publication goals. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: Virtual: 5 weeks | In-person: 8 weeks in the summer (exact dates not specified)
Eligibility: Virtual program – High school juniors and seniors anywhere in the U.S.| In-person program: Baltimore City, MD residents
This program provides two summer research options—an in-person 8-week program for Baltimore City public school students and a 5-week neuroscience pre-college program for high school students nationwide. In the in-person track, you’ll work on mentored research projects at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, attend clinical rotations, engage in weekly seminars, and present your findings through an oral or poster presentation. You will also attend preparation classes, professional development workshops, and scientific presentations. The virtual experience includes learning foundational lab techniques, participating in professional development workshops, and receiving mentorship from faculty, and you will receive a certificate of completion at the end. Both formats give you early exposure to research methods, scientific inquiry, and clinical perspectives.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost: $40 application fee. Can be waived under certain criteria
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older and living and attending school in the U.S. | Permanent residents with a green card
In this program, you’ll spend eight weeks working full-time in a Stanford lab alongside researchers and mentors on a medically focused research project. As a high school junior or senior, you’ll be matched to one of eight research areas—neurobiology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, cancer biology, immunology, cardiovascular biology, genetics and genomics, and bioinformatics—based on your preferences. You will conduct experiments, analyze data, participate in lab meetings and better understand how scientific research is carried out in real-world biomedical settings. This experience is aimed at helping you explore careers in science and medicine while gaining practical skills in experimental design and critical thinking.
5. Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 3–December 2
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in Duval or St. Johns counties in Florida | Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
The Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program places you in a mentored research setting where you’ll spend at least 25 hours per week over the summer doing hands-on activities in a Mayo Clinic lab. You’ll be part of a neuroscience project where you will be actively involved in designing and executing your research, formulating questions and hypotheses, learning lab techniques, and collecting and analyzing data. You’ll also have regular one-on-one meetings with mentors to discuss progress and challenges. Eventually, you will produce a research project that you can enter into science competitions. The experience often continues into the school year and is designed to give you a realistic view of scientific research and its applications in neuroscience.
6. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: Seminar Series: September–May (Monthly); Mentorship Program: June–May (one-year duration)
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: All high school students
This program lets high school students explore neuroscience disciplines such as neuropsychology, neurology, neuropathology, and neuroimaging in two structured ways: monthly seminars and an optional research mentorship. The virtual seminar series features expert-led talks on topics such as epilepsy, sports-related concussion, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive experiment design, facilitating active discussion and cross-disciplinary insight into the brain. In the mentorship program, you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor–virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format–on an original research project that fits your interests and goals. The program concludes with a poster symposium, where you’ll present your findings alongside peers in neuroscience studies.
7. Massachusetts General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: January 31
Program dates: June 30–August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorization in the U.S.
This program held at Massachusetts General Hospital provides structured research experience paired with academic and professional development. During this 6-to-8-week program, you’ll start with a multi-day bootcamp that introduces essential lab skills, research and clinical training, and networking. You will then be paired with a faculty mentor and placed in a neurology lab where you contribute to active research work, attend weekly didactic sessions by leading neurologists and neuroscientists, and share your findings in the form of a final presentation. The paid internship also includes long-term support at the end of the summer for continued mentorship and guidance in research, academics, and career planning.
8. UCLA Brain Research Institute NeuroCamp
Location: UCLA Brain Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Week 1: June 16–18 | Week 2: June 23–24, 26–27
Application deadline: April 27
Eligibility: All high school students
At UCLA’s Brain Research Institute NeuroCamp, you’ll join 15-20 high school students for a program that introduces core neuroscience topics through hands-on lab experience. You will dive into areas such as molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy while developing practical skills in basic lab research techniques. The program is designed to build your understanding of how the brain functions at different levels, from cellular mechanisms to broader systems, and encourage engagement through interactive instruction and guided experimentation. If you’re based in the Los Angeles area and are interested in neuroscience, this program allows you to engage directly with brain science through hands-on research and lab work.
9. George Mason University College of Science – Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, hybrid or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee (may be waived based on financial need)
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Open to high school students 15 years or older by June 18
In this program, you will spend eight weeks engaged in hands-on neuroscience research with faculty mentors and professional scientists. As an intern, you will work on active projects across areas like cognitive processing, brain-computer interfaces, neural pathways related to behavior, or the psychology and neuroscience of learning. You’ll gain experience in using advanced lab equipment, participate in scientific writing and communication training, and attend career-focused discussions that highlight pathways into neuroscience and STEM fields. Your contributions may even be part of published research or presented at conferences, giving you a glimpse into what a career in neuroscience could involve.
10. Rice University NeuroCamp
Location: Virtual | In-person
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Applications open in March and are first come, first-served
Program dates: Virtual – July 19-20 | In-person – August 9-10
Eligibility: All high school students
NeuroCamp at Rice University allows students to explore foundational and advanced neuroscience topics through a mix of lectures, interactive discussions, and lab activities. You will study subjects such as neuron structure, neurotransmission, neuroanatomy, and neurological disorders, while also getting brief exposure to fields like computational neuroscience and the philosophy of mind. Further, you’ll develop lab skills by conducting simple experiments and receive guidance on STEM careers and college preparation via panels with neuroscience professionals and current Rice students. The program also includes sessions with Rice’s Center for Career Development to help you build professional skills relevant to scientific and broader academic paths.
11. Albany Medical College Next-Gen Neuroscience
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: Last Monday of June – First Friday of August
Eligibility: Open to all high school students over age 16 (local students are given preference)
Albany Medical College’s Next-Gen Neuroscience Summer Program introduces core topics through live, structured, and flexible online lectures and guided projects over six weeks. You will attend sessions on neuroscience fundamentals, engage in discussions with professionals in the field, and develop key academic tools like drafting a CV, personal statement, and research paper. If accepted into the more intensive Neuroscience Immersion track, you’ll also join a mentored lab-based research project, working onsite up to 20 hours a week and presenting your findings at the program’s conclusion. The program is designed with a focus on scientific communication, critical thinking, and real-world exposure to careers in neuroscience.
12. Stanford University Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual | In-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Virtual – $1,595 | In-person: $2,895 (Scholarships available)
Application deadline: March 1 (rolling admissions)
Program dates: Virtual – June 16–27 | In-person Session 1: July 7 – 18 | In-person Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14–18 ( applicants must be in high school or recent graduate).
In this two-week program, you will delve into topics spanning neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. You will participate in interactive seminars led by Stanford faculty, covering areas such as clinical neuropsychiatry, behavioral sciences, and psychiatric epidemiology, alongside discussions about career paths in medicine and science. You’ll also collaborate in small teams to develop innovative solutions addressing social issues related to mental health and neuroscience, culminating in a capstone presentation to peers and faculty. The curriculum includes subjects like brain stimulation, mindfulness, forensic psychiatry, and neuroimaging, providing a broad perspective in the field of neuroscience research.
13. Johns Hopkins University – Neuroscience and Human Behavior (AS.080.140)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 + $85 application fee (financial aid is available)
Program dates: Session One: June 23–July 4 | Session Two: July 7–18 | Session Three: July 21–August 1
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
In this course, you will explore how brain cells and chemicals drive complex behaviors, from language and social bonding to unusual neurological phenomena. Through this primarily online, asynchronous format, you will work on case studies such as stroke recovery altering language ability and how specific neural receptors influence animals’ social behaviors while considering questions about the mind’s nature and functioning. You will be expected to keep up with regular assignments and have access to optional live sessions for deeper discussions and support. This program offers a detailed introduction to behavioral neuroscience concepts for those wishing to explore the foundations of the subject.
14. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 16–August 8
Application deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | At least 16 years old by June 16 | Attend a public or a charter school in Durham, NC. List here | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) allows motivated high school students to spend the summer engaged in full-time research within one of Duke’s neuroscience laboratories, working directly on a project that aligns with their interests. As a DUNE scholar, you’ll be matched with a mentor and gain practical experience conducting experiments, analyzing data, and developing your understanding of topics such as brain development, neural circuits, or behavior. Besides lab work, you will also get to participate in workshops focusing on scientific communication, college preparation, and neuroscience careers. The program concludes with a final research presentation, where you will demonstrate your findings.
15. Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) for Neuroscience’s High School Internship
Location: MPFI, Jupiter, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 17–July 26
Application deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Open to Palm Beach or Martin County high school students entering their junior or senior year during the coming school year | Reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties | At least 16 years of age by the internship start date
This six-week internship allows you to engage in hands-on neuroscience research under the guidance of MPFI researchers across subjects such as brain structure, function, development, and advanced neuroscience imaging techniques and technologies. You’ll join a research team and learn techniques like genetic engineering, histological staining, microbiology preparations, and advanced microscopy to explore how neural circuits work. Your experience will culminate in writing a scientific abstract and presenting your findings to MPFI researchers and community members. Along the way, you will also gain exposure to the daily workflow of a neuroscience lab, learning how hypotheses are developed, experiments are designed, and data is analyzed in a professional research setting.
Image source – Max Planck Florida Institute
