15 Neuroscience Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you're a high school student curious about how the brain works, neuroscience research opportunities for high school students can be a great way to explore this field outside the classroom. Research programs in neuroscience can give you the chance to go beyond the classroom, gaining exposure to lab techniques, projects, and industry professionals. These research programs often include one-on-one mentorship, project-based learning, and even opportunities to present your findings.
These programs help you build practical skills like data analysis, critical reading, and scientific communication, which can be useful for future internships, college applications, and STEM careers. Some of these experiences are now offered virtually or in hybrid formats, making them accessible.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed it down to 15 of the most exciting and rigorous neuroscience research opportunities for high school students.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: Minimum $500 stipend; at least $1,500 for students from underrepresented backgrounds
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This highly competitive program immerses you in full-time biomedical research at Stanford’s School of Medicine. You can choose from eight tracks, including neurobiology, bioengineering, cancer biology, and bioinformatics. Under the mentorship of Stanford researchers, you'll work on hands-on lab projects, attend lectures from leading scientists, and develop a professional research poster. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your findings to peers and faculty, gaining experience in scientific communication and research methodology. SIMR is ideal for students seriously considering a career in medical or biological sciences.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts across Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring – January, Summer – May, Fall – September, Winter – November
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; must commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers you the chance to work on projects with fast-growing start-ups across fields like AI, neuroscience, health tech, and consulting. You’ll be matched with a host company based on your interests, and supported by a dedicated Ladder Coach throughout your experience. You will contribute to company goals while developing technical and professional skills in areas such as research, content creation, data analysis, and market strategy. The experience culminates in a final presentation to company leadership, giving you a platform to share your impact.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland | Virtual
Cost/Stipend: In-person interns receive hourly wages and transportation support; virtual interns receive a $500 stipend
Dates: In-person: June–August (8 weeks); Virtual: July–August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; in-person applicants must attend high school in Baltimore
JHIBS offers a neuroscience research opportunity that pairs you with Johns Hopkins faculty for an intensive, small-cohort experience. Whether virtual or in-person, the program combines research with expert mentorship and academic seminars. You will complete a guided project and participate in skill-building sessions that support your development as a young scientist.The program ends with a research presentation, allowing you to share your findings in a professional format. JHIBS is especially committed to providing opportunities to students from underrepresented backgrounds in science.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,990; financial aid available
Dates: Summer: June–August; also available in Fall, Winter, and Spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
Lumiere offers a personalized research experience for high schoolers interested in topics like neuroscience, psychology, AI, and more. You’ll be matched with a PhD mentor and guided through a 12-week research project, covering literature review, methodology, and writing. The program supports both qualitative and quantitative approaches using tools like Python, R, or NVivo. You’ll end the program with a research paper and the option to pursue publication or conference submission. You will also earn academic credit from UC San Diego, giving your work real-world recognition on college applications.
5. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Cost/Stipend: No information available
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
This five-week internship offers a dive into the scientific principles of neurology and neuroscience. You’ll engage with current research, evaluate scientific literature, and develop both technical and communication skills relevant to the field. Interns work on lab-based projects and learn about non-lab departments that support research infrastructure. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and critical thinking as you explore how neurological diseases are studied and treated in a clinical research environment.
6. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC)
Location: New York City, New York
Cost/Stipend: Approximately $6,000 stipend; fully funded with need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Open to 10th or 11th grade students nominated by a partner organization such as S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus
BRAINYAC offers high school students an immersive neuroscience research experience through Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute. You’ll work directly in Columbia labs, gaining exposure to experimental methods, data analysis, and scientific collaboration. The program emphasizes lab skills, critical thinking, and professional mentorship, and includes interactions with world-class researchers. The experience is designed to prepare you for a future in STEM while offering a glimpse into real-world academic research.
7. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual | In-person (Stanford University, Stanford, California)
Cost/Stipend: CNV-X: $1,595; CNI-X Session 1: $2,895; CNI-X Session 2: $2,895
Dates: CNV-X (Virtual): June 16 – June 27, CNI-X Session 1 (In-person): July 7 – July 18, CNI-X Session 2 (In-person): July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
CNI-X is a 10-day neuroscience and psychiatry immersion program led by Stanford University faculty and researchers. You will explore clinical neuroscience through interactive seminars, case studies, and capstone projects addressing real-world challenges in mental health and brain science. The curriculum spans topics like neuropsychiatry, epidemiology, and behavioral research. You’ll work in small teams on a final presentation, gaining both scientific knowledge and practical experience. Whether you choose the virtual or in-person session, CNI-X offers a focused look at medical and research careers in the brain sciences.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; on-campus participants pay $2,360.25 + ~$500 for meals
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old
The Simons Program immerses high school juniors in STEM research with Stony Brook University faculty and graduate students. You’ll collaborate on projects in neuroscience, biochemistry, computer science, or physics, depending on your mentor selection. Over six weeks, you’ll develop lab techniques, analyze data, and deepen your scientific knowledge through weekly lectures and workshops. The program culminates in a poster symposium, giving you a platform to present your research findings. With a low acceptance rate, this program is a competitive and enriching opportunity to experience university-level research firsthand.
9. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, North Carolina
Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (15+), who reside in North Carolina within commuting distance of Duke
DUNE is an intensive eight-week research internship designed for high school students interested in neuroscience. You will join a Duke lab and work alongside researchers on a dedicated project, gaining experience with lab techniques, data analysis, and the scientific process. The full-time program includes seminars on college preparation and career pathways in STEM fields. You’ll present your findings in a final poster session, developing key communication skills. DUNE is a fully-funded opportunity for North Carolina students to explore academic neuroscience in a real-world setting.
10. Helios Scholars at TGen
Location: Phoenix or Flagstaff, Arizona
Stipend: $14.35/hour
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 16 - February 5
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in Arizona, age 16+, with U.S. work authorization
Helios Scholars at TGen is an intensive full-time research internship for Arizona high school seniors entering college in the fall. You’ll work alongside professional scientists on projects in areas like computational biology, neurogenomics, infectious disease, and biomedical statistics. In addition to conducting hands-on research, you will participate in workshops on scientific writing, professional development, and public speaking. The program culminates in a research symposium where you present your work through posters and oral presentations. With a competitive stipend and mentorship from TGen’s experts, this program offers a powerful springboard into neuroscience and related fields.
11. Massachusetts General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Various sites in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates residing or studying in Massachusetts
Hosted by Harvard Medical School’s largest teaching hospital, this internship offers high school students research experience in neurology. You will begin with a boot camp covering clinical training and lab skills, then work under the mentorship of MGH faculty and undergraduate research partners. Over six weeks, you’ll contribute to active neuroscience projects while attending expert-led seminars and workshops. The program concludes with a final presentation to showcase your work and also provides long-term support through alumni mentorship, funding, and guidance for academic and career advancement.
12. Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program
Location: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Stipend: Provided
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; students from underrepresented minorities encouraged to apply
This NIH-funded internship gives high school students direct exposure to neuroscience research and professional lab environments. Over seven weeks, you’ll work alongside experienced scientists and graduate students in labs studying neurodegeneration, injury, and cognitive disorders. You will participate in journal clubs, lab meetings, and literature review sessions, developing critical thinking and scientific communication skills. The program concludes with a formal research presentation, giving you the opportunity to share your findings and gain experience in scientific outreach. Paid parking is available for commuting students.
13. UC San Francisco High School Intern Program
Location: University of California, San Francisco
Stipend: $3,200 for part-time (25 hrs/week), $4,500 for full-time (35 hrs/week)
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: January - March 2
Eligibility: High school juniors in SFUSD, SF charter schools, or College Track San Francisco; priority for students from historically marginalized backgrounds
This immersive research internship connects high school students with UCSF scientists working in biomedical fields like neuroscience, cancer, and immunology. Over eight weeks, you’ll contribute to research projects while building lab skills and deepening your understanding of biomedical science. You’ll also receive extensive college prep support, including financial aid advising, resume writing workshops, and college tours. With a highly selective process and robust mentorship, this program prepares you for both academic success and STEM careers.
14. Neuroscience Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Not disclosed; full scholarships available for eligible Philadelphia public/charter school students
Dates: July 5 – July 26
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: High school students who have completed one year each of biology and chemistry; open to U.S. and international students
Hosted by Penn’s Department of Neuroscience, this fully residential program gives high school students a broad introduction to brain science from cellular neurobiology to higher-order cognition. You’ll attend daily lectures and participate in journal and neuroethics clubs where you’ll analyze peer-reviewed articles and ethical issues in neuroscience. Hands-on lab activities provide exposure to experimental methods, while field trips and media-based discussions explore how neuroscience intersects with real-world topics. The program concludes with student presentations developed under faculty mentorship.
15. Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)
Location: Rockefeller University, Manhattan, New York
Cost: Free (includes meals, MTA passes, and all supplies)
Dates: August 4–15
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in early spring; interviews are held in April
Eligibility: NYC public high school students, age 16+ by program start date
The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) introduces NYC public high school students to modern neuroscience through learning and mentorship. Over two weeks, you’ll attend interactive lectures, dissect a sheep brain, tour labs, and even design your own neuroscience experiment. You’ll also take part in journal clubs and presentations, deepening your understanding of how the brain works and its connection to everyday behavior. Led by graduate students at Rockefeller University, the program emphasizes access and inclusion. All expenses are covered, but full in-person attendance is required for accepted students.