15 Neuroscience Internships for Undergraduates
Internships can play an important role in your college experience, especially if you’re trying to better understand a specific field like neuroscience. These opportunities give you a chance to see how neuroscience is practiced in different settings—whether it’s computational modeling, clinical research, or laboratory-based studies. By working alongside researchers, physicians, or graduate students, you can build technical skills, observe research methods, and begin to identify which areas of the field interest you most.
Neuroscience internships also give you a clearer idea of the day-to-day work that takes place in academic labs, hospitals, or research institutions. This kind of exposure can help you decide whether you’d like to pursue graduate school, medical school, or a career in research or industry. In addition, internships allow you to build relationships with mentors who may offer advice, letters of recommendation, or connections to future opportunities.
To help you find a program that aligns with your interests, we’ve put together a list of 15 neuroscience internships for undergraduates—including both in-person and virtual options.
1. Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10
Location: Princeton, NJ
Cost & Stipend: Fully funded; includes $6,300 stipend, travel, and housing
Program Dates: June 2 - August 1
Deadlines: February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in graduate studies in neuroscience who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program offers undergraduates a chance to engage in neuroscience research. You’ll work with faculty and students on research projects, gaining experience in experimental or computational neuroscience. The program includes educational activities such as weekly lectures, lab meetings, journal clubs, and career advice sessions focused on graduate school applications. This internship is great for those considering a graduate degree in neuroscience, offering a foundation for future research careers.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; 8-12 weeks
Deadlines: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers selective, remote internships for motivated students, including opportunities in health tech, biotech, and neuroscience-related fields. You are matched with start-ups—many engaged in research and development—and contribute to projects under the guidance of both a company mentor and a Ladder Coach. Over the course of the 8-week program, you’ll gain experience, develop professional skills, and present completed work to the start-up team in a final showcase.
3. University of Florida Summer Neuroscience Internship Program (SNIP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Gainesville, FL
Stipend: $5,000; housing provided for non-UF students
Program Dates: May 16 - July 25; 10 weeks
Deadlines: February 1
Eligibility: U.S.-based institution undergraduates, completed their sophomore year
The University of Florida’s Summer Neuroscience Internship Program (SNIP) is a 10-week paid research internship for undergraduates seeking to pursue doctoral training in neuroscience. You’ll join neuroscience research labs, working under faculty mentors on projects in areas like neurobiology and neuroimaging. The program offers mentoring, graduate school admissions guidance, and professional development workshops. This program prepares students for careers in biomedical research, education, and industry through lab experience.
4. Center for Brains, Minds & Machines Summer Research Internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Location: Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Competitive stipend, on-campus housing, travel allowances
Program Dates: May 26 - August 2
Deadlines: January 30
Eligibility: Full-time U.S. undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, non-graduating seniors), minimum 3.5 GPA in science courses, prior research experience
The Center for Brains, Minds & Machines (CBMM) at MIT offers a 10-week summer internship focused on computational and cognitive neuroscience. You’ll conduct research with faculty mentors, attend seminars, and present findings. The program includes a GRE prep course and career workshops to prepare students for graduate school. This internship is great for students from institutions with limited research opportunities, fostering skills in programming and neuroscience research.
5. NYU Langone Undergraduate Summer Research Training in Neuroscience
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: New York, NY (in-person)
Stipend: $16/hour for 35 hours/week; housing, meals, and transportation not provided
Program Dates: June 9 - August 15
Deadlines: February 15
Eligibility: Full-time U.S. college sophomores or juniors residing in the NYC area, not graduating before program start, minimal prior research experience
NYU Langone’s 10-week program offers undergraduates experience in basic or translational neuroscience research. You’ll work under researchers, developing skills in experimental design and data analysis. The program encourages applications from underrepresented groups and those with minimal prior research experience. This internship supports students aiming for graduate school and careers in neuroscience research.
6. Carnegie Mellon - University of Pittsburgh Joint Summer Undergraduate Program in Computational Neuroscience
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: $4,500; travel and housing provided
Program Dates: May 27 - August 1
Deadlines: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled in a 4-year institution, 18+ by program start
The NIH-sponsored Summer Program in Computational Neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University’s Neuroscience Institute offers undergraduates a 10-week residential research experience. You’ll work closely with a faculty mentor on an individual research project in computational and theoretical neuroscience, benefiting from CMU’s collaboration with the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition. The program includes faculty talks, student presentations, journal discussions, career development sessions, and a final symposium to present research findings.
7. Washington University ENDURE Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 7-8 students
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost & Stipend: Fully funded; stipend and housing provided
Program Dates: May 25 - August 1
Deadlines: February 2
Eligibility: Undergraduates from U.S. institutions, interest in neuroscience research
The Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) ENDURE program offers undergraduates from all backgrounds a summer research experience designed to prepare them for neuroscience Ph.D. programs. You’ll engage in research, academic curriculum, and mentorship. Funded through the NIH Blueprint ENDURE initiative and Washington University, you’ll receive support for up to two years, including travel to the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting. The program immerses you in a collaborative community of neuroscientists, fostering skills, connections, and confidence to succeed in research careers. You will also present their work at a Closing Symposium at the end of the program.
8. University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazer BRAIN Undergraduate Summer Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Birmingham, AL
Stipend: Stipend and on-campus housing provided
Program Dates: June 9 - August 1
Deadlines: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduates (particularly rising juniors and seniors)
Blazer BRAIN is an eight-week summer program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) designed for those who have limited research opportunities at home institutions and seek experience in neuroscience. You’ll join active lab teams under the guidance of faculty from the Heersink School of Medicine, gaining skills in research methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. In addition to conducting projects, you’ll attend lab meetings, present your work at a research forum, and receive mentorship from experts across multiple neuroscience-related departments. The program also offers professional development workshops on graduate school preparation, including personal statements, recommendation letters, and mock interviews.
9. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Cost & Stipend: Fully funded; $6,000 stipend; housing costs partially covered
Program Dates: June 9 - August 9
Deadlines: January 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors enrolled in a 4-year institution
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Undergraduate Research Program (URP) is a summer opportunity for undergraduates from around the world to engage in research. You’ll undertake a project in one of CSHL’s expert labs, working in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, plant biology, or quantitative biology. You’ll gain experience with facilities, attend workshops in bioinformatics and computational neuroscience, and take part in seminars on research topics, ethics, and career development. The program emphasizes scientific communication, with students presenting their work in talks, abstracts, and a final symposium for the CSHL community.
10. University of Chicago DENDRITES Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost & Stipend: $5,100 stipend provided; housing + flights to and from Chicago also covered
Program Dates: June 16 - August 8; 8 weeks
Deadlines: April 18
Eligibility: Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in computational neuroscience, currently enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities
The DENDRITES Program at the University of Chicago provides a summer research experience in computational neuroscience. You’ll conduct mentored research projects, attending seminars and lab visits to explore diverse neuroscience topics. The program aims to diversify research exposure for undergraduates.
The DENDRITES Program at the University of Chicago is an eight-week summer research experience designed to immerse undergraduates in neuroscience. You are paired with faculty mentors, gaining experience with research methods and technologies while developing skills in experimental design, scientific writing, and oral presentation. The program also offers professional development workshops, graduate seminars, and career guidance to prepare students for Ph.D programs. Through mentorship and training, students strengthen their qualifications, learn to navigate academia, and build connections within the neuroscience community.
11. University of Texas Medical Branch NSURP
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Galveston, TX
Stipend: $6,000
Program Dates: June 10 - August 19
Deadlines: February 20
Eligibility: Undergraduates from U.S. institutions who are citizens or permanent residents, interested in neuroscience
The Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP) at UTMB offers a summer internship focused on multidisciplinary neuroscience research. Under the guidance of faculty, you’ll gain training in areas such as cell and molecular biology, translational science, toxicology, infectious disease research, stem cells, and tissue engineering. You’ll work with techniques including cell culturing, stem cell isolation, immunoassays, animal surgery, mass spectrometry, and electrophysiology. The program includes scientific seminars, journal clubs, and a poster session where you can present findings, as well as guidance on preparing for graduate school.
12. Georgia State University B&B Summer Scholars Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost & Stipend: Fully funded; ~$2500 stipend
Program Dates: May 16 – August 5
Deadlines: February 24
Eligibility: GSU undergraduate students, minimum 3.0 GPA, already engaged in research with a B&B faculty member
The B&B Summer Scholars Program at Georgia State University offers undergraduates the opportunity to gain research experience in faculty laboratories while also engaging in structured professional development. The 12-week program combines approximately 15 hours per week of lab research with 5 hours of online workshops focused on professional growth, offered in collaboration with CASA. You’ll work on projects related to neuroscience and behavior under the mentorship of faculty members, logging hours throughout the summer.
13. Northwestern University Summer Research Opportunity Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Evanston, IL
Stipend: $6,500; partial meal stipend
Program Dates: June 16 - August 8
Deadlines: February 10
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, minimum 3.0 GPA
Northwestern University’s Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) provides research training alongside professional development and community-building experiences. In addition to working full-time with faculty mentors, you’ll engage in workshops and discussions designed to prepare for graduate school, including Navigating Northwestern sessions and bi-weekly Purple Table Talks with current graduate students. You’re paired with a graduate mentor for personalized guidance, with social events like picnics, ice cream socials, and the Summertime Chi gathering. At the end of the summer, you’ll present projects at the SROP Research Symposium, sharing your work with faculty, peers, and the wider academic community.
14. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School NeuroSURP
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 students
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: $4,000; housing provided
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1
Deadlines: February 17
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are US citizens or permanent residents, with biology coursework and strong academics
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Neuroscience (NeuroSURP) at Rutgers University offers graduate-level research experience in active neuroscience labs on the Piscataway and New Brunswick campuses. The program pairs you with faculty mentors for full-time lab work while also providing weekly group meetings and professional development activities aimed at fostering long-term careers in research. Funded by an NIH/NINDS R25 Award, NeuroSURP emphasizes both scientific training and career preparation. You’ll gain experience in basic neuroscience research while expanding your knowledge of the field through workshops and educational events.
15. Virginia Tech NeuroSURF
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Roanoke, VA
Stipend: Competitive stipend
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1
Deadlines: February 1
Eligibility: rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents, minimum 3.0 GPA, completed an introductory course in biology, chemistry, physics, or psychology
Virginia Tech’s NeuroSURF program offers a 10-week, full-time summer research experience in translational neurobiology, with opportunities to work in Roanoke, Virginia, or at the Cancer Research Center in Washington, D.C. You’ll engage in hypothesis-driven projects across areas such as cognitive and computational neuroscience, molecular and developmental neurobiology, exercise medicine, implementation science, and cancer research. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend weekly faculty seminars, receive training in science communication, and take courses designed to prepare you for future careers in research. The program also emphasizes professional development, peer mentoring from Virginia Tech graduate students, and social activities that build community. At the conclusion of the summer, you’ll present your findings at two research symposiums—one at Virginia Tech and one at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.
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