16 Free Neuroscience Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in brain sciences, a neuroscience summer program can be a great way to learn about the field.
Neuroscience programs can help you explore biological and/or medical science aspects regarding the brain, its diseases, function, structure, and more, beyond the school curriculum. As a participant, you will get insights into neuroscience while shadowing doctors or researchers, participating in lab research, attending college-level classes, and/or interning. These programs also offer opportunities to network with neuroscientists, researchers, and medical professionals.
Through these programs, you will pick up valuable skills, explore careers in medicine and research, and connect with peers who share your interests. Many organizations and universities offer free neuroscience programs for high school students. Such opportunities can be quite selective, which means participating in them can help your college applications stand out. The experience can also help you explore your interests in the field and decide if this is the right career path for you!
To help you with your search, we have created a list of 16 free neuroscience programs for high school students.
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology (East Baltimore campus), Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15/hour for In-person interns
Program dates: In-person program: Eight weeks, June – August | Virtual Program: Five weeks, July – August
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; in-person internship applicants need to live in Baltimore
JHIBS offers virtual and on-campus internships to high schoolers interested in brain research and clinical neurology. During the program, you will work with neuroscience researchers, engage in ongoing research projects, observe clinical environments through rotations, and attend neuroscience seminars. Both virtual and in-person formats offer access to research-focused activities and professional development sessions. As an intern, you will also attend live lectures, workshops, and mentorship sessions where you will learn lab techniques, the scientific method, and how to read research papers. In-person internship ends with an oral or poster presentation, where you will share your research experience.
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
3. Rice Neuroscience Society Neuro Camp
Location: Online or in-person at Rice University in Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Online camp: July 19 and 20 | In-person: August 9-10
Application deadline: May 17; applications open in March
Eligibility: High school students; in-person participants must live in the Greater Houston area
RNS NeuroCamp provides high school students interested in neuroscience with an introduction to the field through instruction and collaborative activities. At camp, you will develop a foundational understanding of the brain and nervous system and explore topics such as neuron anatomy, neurotransmission, sensory processing, computational neuroscience, and the philosophy of mind. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, small group discussions, and lab-style experiments, you will get some exposure to the theoretical and research aspects of neuroscience. This free program also offers career development panels featuring current Rice University students and neuroscience professionals who share insights into college pathways, research opportunities, and careers in neuroscience, medicine, and psychology.
4. High School Internship @ Max Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience (MPFI)
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience (MPFI), Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Program dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students
The MPFI internship program is designed for high school students interested in gaining hands-on experience in advanced neuroscience research. You can choose from three tracks: neuroscience research, scientific programming, and mechanical engineering. Based on your chosen track, you might learn lab skills like microscopy and genetic engineering, work on computational models using Python or MATLAB, or help design and build custom research tools using CAD software. Throughout the program, you will learn from MPFI researchers, participate in lab meetings, read scientific papers, and strengthen your science communication skills. At the end of the session, you will present your final abstract and formally present your research to faculty, staff, and peers.
5. Go4Brains Neuroscience Summer Program @ University of Minnesota
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: $400
Program dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 enrolled in Twin Cities schools; those who have faced barriers to accessing opportunities in science and medicine may be given preference
The Go4Brains Neuroscience Summer Program offers high schoolers a weeklong introduction to neuroscience and careers in the field. The program offers a mix of short lectures and engaging hands-on activities that can help you explore how the brain functions and how neuroscience research is conducted. You will examine real human brains, use virtual reality tools to study brain anatomy, engage in lab tours, and attend brain scanning demonstrations. In addition to neuroscience-based instruction, the program focuses on academic and career development by offering workshops on resume building, scholarship applications, college admissions, and mock interviews.
6. Explorations in Neuroscience Internship @ Ohio State University
Location: Ohio State University campus, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified, but students were paid $13/hour in the past
Program dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents
The Explorations in Neuroscience Internship is a seven-week summer research program for high school juniors and seniors curious about neuroscience and biomedical research. The internship offers exposure to neuroscience labs and opportunities to conduct research under the guidance of experienced faculty, graduate students, and research staff. You will work 30-40 hours per week conducting hands-on experiments in areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, or cellular neuroscience, contributing meaningfully to ongoing research projects. Along with lab work, you will attend journal clubs, participate in lab meetings, analyze primary scientific literature, and deliver research presentations.
7. Mass General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, recent high school graduates, and college students living or studying in Massachusetts
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a six- to eight-week paid internship offering high schoolers and college students the opportunity to explore neurology and research in the field. As an intern, you will work full-time in a Mass General research lab under the guidance of neurology faculty and collaborate closely with undergraduate mentors. The program begins with a preparatory boot camp to help you build essential lab and professional skills, followed by hands-on research experience in active neurology projects. In addition to lab work, you will also participate in journal clubs, attend weekly educational sessions led by MGH experts, and receive career development support. Throughout the program, you will have access to research mentorship, providing you with guidance to conduct and present your research.
8. MIT OpenCourseWare: Introduction to Psychology Course
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all
MIT’s OpenCourseWare platform offers free college-level courses. The Introduction to Psychology covers a wide range of topics, including how we remember things, what shapes our emotions and personalities, how mental health is studied, and the connection between the brain and behavior. This undergraduate-level course offers you access to recorded lectures led by MIT professors, allowing you to learn at your own pace from top experts. As you progress through the course, you will get to engage in interactive activities such as memory experiments and visual illusions that help bring the course concepts to life and deepen your understanding of neuroscience. You will also get to work on assignments and take exams during the course.
9. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: A $40 application fee, which can be waived for students from low-income backgrounds; a minimum $500 stipend is offered, and a $2,500 stipend is awarded on a needs-based system
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Application deadline: February 22
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
SIMR is an eight-week internship offering practical exposure to biomedical research. As a SIMR intern, you will work one-on-one with a mentor—either a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow—and engage in research. You can choose from eight areas of research, one of which is neurobiology, which allows you to work with Stanford’s neuroscience department on research focusing on understanding the human brain better, coming up with unique treatments for brain disorders, and promoting brain health. The program will begin with orientation, followed by morning lectures, lab work, special joint lectures, and poster preparation. Your experience will end with a poster presentation where you will share your research experience with family, teachers, and Stanford community members.
10. Neurology High School Scholars Program @ Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1,000
Program dates: July 14 – August 15
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older
The Neurology High School Scholars Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a research-based experience focusing on neuroscience and healthcare. The program will place you in a neurology department, where you will gain exposure to clinical and research environments under the mentorship of physicians, researchers, and clinical staff. You will engage in structured learning experiences such as shadowing opportunities, research-related projects, journal discussions, and lectures on neurological disorders. You will also get hands-on lab exposure and insights into the operations of a children’s hospital, helping you understand the daily realities and complexities of pediatric neurology. The program also offers professional development workshops and ends with a poster presentation, where you share your research with peers and mentors.
11. UT Southwestern Medical Center High School Student Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Two weeks in June
Application deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students
UT Southwestern Medical Center offers online internships to high school students interested in how the brain works and understanding mental health and its treatment. During the program, you will hear from professionals like psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and physician assistants as they share what their jobs are like. You will join interactive sessions, read research articles and mass media pieces, and participate in group discussions and demonstrations. The program also offers insights into types of therapy, methods for testing brain function, neuroscience, modern treatments in psychiatry, and how mental health services are delivered in communities.
12. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Program dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older, living in North Carolina within commuting distance of Duke University, and enrolled in a public or charter high school in Durham
Duke University’s Neuroscience Experience program is a free eight-week neuroscience program for high school students interested in research. Here, you work in a Duke University neuroscience lab on a research project under the mentorship of a professional scientist. Apart from lab work, you will attend professional development workshops led by local experts offering insights into college applications and career options in academia, medicine, and industry. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a poster session to peers, family, and the university scientists.
13. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Long Island, NY
Cost: None; a stipend may be awarded
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week research internship. While applying, you can indicate your preference for neuroscience research. You will conduct lab experiments, attend weekly seminars, and explore topics like how brain cells learn, how the brain changes with behavior, and how computers can help study brain signals. You will work with faculty mentors on independent research in university labs while learning lab techniques, attending research talks, workshops, and field trips, and gaining hands-on exposure to the scientific research process.
14. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Program dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) offers students an opportunity to explore neuroscience through the lens of the chemical senses, primarily taste, smell, and chemosensory perception. The program is selective, typically accepting just 10% students each year. If selected, you may assist in research examining how the nervous system responds to chemical stimuli, participate in EEG or behavioral studies, and analyze the neurological pathways associated with sensory processing. The neuroscience-focused projects in the program often involve studying how the brain interprets sensory signals, how olfactory receptors function at the molecular and cellular level, and how these signals influence behavior, memory, and emotion.
15. Brain Research Internships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: July – August
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in October
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 living in NYC and enrolled in partner programs—Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, and BioBus
The BRAINYAC program combines both classroom training and hands-on lab experience to introduce students to real-world neuroscience research. You will work alongside researchers investigating topics such as neural circuitry, brain development, sensory processing, memory, and cognitive disorders. The labs cover a wide range of neurological topics, from studying how neurons communicate and form connections, to how disruptions in these processes can lead to conditions like epilepsy, autism, or Alzheimer’s disease. While engaging in these projects, you will gain a deeper understanding of the brain’s structure and function, the complexity of neurological systems, and how neuroscience research contributes to developing treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
16. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Cost: None
Program dates: May 30 – July 3
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
The Barrow Neurological Institute High School Summer Internship Program is a five-week research experience designed for high school students interested in neuroscience and biomedical research. Here, you will work alongside scientists and clinicians in active research laboratories, engaging in hands-on neuroscience experiments and data collection. You will also attend lab meetings and scientific discussions covering topics such as brain tumors, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, and neural regeneration. In addition to laboratory work, you may also get to explore career development opportunities in neuroscience-related fields like publishing, science communication, or nonprofit fundraising.
If you are looking for an opportunity to explore the intersection of AI and neuroscience through hands-on projects, consider applying to Veritas AI's AI + Medicine Deep Dive!
Veritas AI is a program for ambitious high school students founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In its AI + Medicine Deep Dive, you will learn about the use of AI in the healthcare and medical industry. You will also get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose brain diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. You can find the program brochure here and check out the application form to learn more.
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