18 Exciting Neuroscience Internships & Research Opportunities for High School Students

Neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of the nervous system at the intersection of biology, psychology, and other fields. It’s an exciting field that’s advancing at a rapid pace and the great part is that you can start to get involved as a high school student! In this article we’ll walk you through what to expect from a neuroscience internship, provide a comprehensive list of internships, and also guide you through best practices on how to apply for these internships.

What to Expect from a Neuroscience Internship

Neuroscience internships typically allow you to do research under the guidance of university faculty mentors and give you access to the university’s facilities. If you’re excited about neuroscience, this basically means that you have an entire playground of resources to explore, and you can learn technical laboratory skills as well as academic research and writing skills.

Whether you're interested in biomedical sciences, computational neuroscience, social science, or scientific literature, you'll find an exciting research program below.

Top Neuroscience Internships for High School Students

1. Columbia BRAINYAC

BRAINYAC provides rising high school juniors and seniors with an immersive, hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia University laboratory. Each student is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist mentor who guides them through a research project. Interns gain valuable exposure to professional academic environments and come away with a stronger connection to neuroscience as a career path.

• Location: New York City

• Timeline: Fall

• Deadline: January to August

2. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship Program

The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship Program is an intensive six-week experience providing high school students the opportunity to work in clinical psychology and psychiatry settings. Participants conduct research, shadow professionals, and explore careers in the mental health field.

• Location: Palo Alto, CA

• Cost: $6,380

• Deadline: 

  • Session 1 (In person): July 14 - 25, 2025

  • Session 2 (Virtual): July 28 - Aug 8, 2025

  • Fall Intensive (Virtual): Sept 11 - Nov 13, 2025 (projected)

3. UCI Brain Camp

UCI Brain Camp is a two-week immersive summer program designed for middle and high school students interested in brain science. The program includes lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory tours, dissections, and hands-on neuroscience experiments.

• Location: Irvine, CA

• Cost: $2195

• Deadline: Rolling

4. University of Pennsylvania Neuroscience Research Academy

The Neuroscience Research Academy explores the biological foundations of the brain, progressing from cellular neurobiology to an understanding of sensory systems and higher-order cognitive functions, such as memory, emotion, and morality. Taught by faculty from Penn’s Biological Basis of Behavior program, this neuroscience research internship introduces students to cutting-edge neuroscience applications in research and medicine, offering insights into both healthy brain function and neurological disorders.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA

• Cost: $9,700

• Deadline: December 1, 2025

5. Harvard University Pre-College Program (Neuroscience Focus)

Harvard's Pre-College Program offers a neuroscience-focused track, introducing high school students to the field through coursework, seminars, and hands-on research experiences. This summer program allows students to explore the brain’s intricate workings and its role in behavior and cognition.

• Location: Cambridge, MA

• Cost: $5,550

• Deadline: 

  • Summer 2025 Session I; June 22–July 3, 2025

  • Summer 2025 Session II: July 6–July 18, 2025

  • Summer 2025 Session III: July 20–August 1, 2025

6. Psychology & Neuroscience at Yale University 

Yale’s Summer Springboard offers a neuroscience summer program that introduces high school students to brain structure, nervous system functions, and hands-on research projects. Participants engage in experiments, discussions, and interactive neuroscience activities. 

• Location: New Haven, CT

• Cost:

  • Residential Tuition: $6,298

  • Commuter Tuition: $3,498

• Deadline: Rolling

7. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (Neuroscience Track)

The Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University includes a neuroscience track for high school students. This program provides a comprehensive overview of neuroscience, covering topics like neural circuits, brain development, and neuroimaging techniques.

• Location: Baltimore, MD

• Cost: $695 - $2,130

• Deadline: Rolling

8. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) provides high school students with a hands-on, mentored research experience in neuroscience. The in-person internship is open to eight students from Baltimore City public schools. Students conduct faculty-guided research projects and participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists. The program culminates in a final oral or poster presentation. You can check out past intern projects for reference.
If you’re not based in Baltimore, you can participate in a five-week virtual internship, learning basic laboratory techniques and receiving mentorship.

• Location: East Baltimore, Maryland In person or virtual

• Pay: Hourly wage and transportation funds for in-person experience, $500 scholarship for virtual interns

• Program Dates: June - August

• Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students, focus on underrepresented minority students

• Application Deadline: Applications reopen on December 1, 2025

9. Explorations in Neuroscience Internship

Ohio State’s Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program is a seven-week internship funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and provides high school students with hands-on biomedical research experience. Participants will engage in research focused on Neuroscience, Neurological Injury, or Neurodegeneration, working directly with trained mentors, graduate students, and research technicians.

Additionally, students participate in the Explorations in Neuroscience journal club, where they receive formal training in reading and presenting primary scientific literature. This internship is a great opportunity to develop both laboratory and academic writing skills.

• Location: Columbus, Ohio

• Pay: Paid internship

• Program Dates: June 23 – August 8, 2025 

• Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students

• Application Deadline: March 7, 2025

10. Youth Neurology Education at Mass General Hospital

This full-time, 40-hour-per-week internship is an in-person experience for high school students in Massachusetts. Participants start with a bootcamp, covering research and clinical training, networking, and lab skills development.

After onboarding, interns join a lab under the mentorship of an MGH Neurology faculty member, conducting hands-on neuroscience research. The program also includes weekly didactic sessions led by leading neurologists and neuroscientists, as well as a final research presentation for peers, mentors, and faculty.

• Location: Various locations in the Boston area

• Pay: Paid internship for 40 hour work week

• Program Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025

• Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students living or studying in Massachusetts

• Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

11. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Internship

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Internship is a six-week program designed for high school students in Massachusetts. Participants start with a bootcamp, covering research and clinical training, networking, and lab skills development.

After onboarding, interns join a lab under the mentorship of an MGH Neurology faculty member, conducting hands-on neuroscience research. The program also includes weekly didactic sessions led by leading neurologists and neuroscientists, as well as a final research presentation for peers, mentors, and faculty.

• Location: Palm Beach / Martin County, Florida

• Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students attending a Palm Beach or Martin County high school

• Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

12. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)

Through DUNE, you will be matched with a cutting-edge neuroscience lab at Duke University based on your research interests, where you can perform hands-on neuroscience research and gain technical research skills. 

There’s also an emphasis on mentorship and professional development, where you’ll receive individualized mentorship and also participate in a series of professional development workshops with local experts. At the end of the summer you’ll present at the end-of-summer poster session for your peers, family, and Duke scientists. If you’re interested in learning more about what the DUNE experience is like, you can check out the DUNE Scholar Series page to hear alumni stories.

Again, this research program is geographically limiting, but if you’re within commuting distance to North Carolina it’s an excellent learning opportunity.

• Location: Duke University, North Carolina

• Pay: Receive stipend + lunch

• Program Dates: June 10 - August 2

• Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school, must live in North Carolina

• Application Deadline: March 1

13. UCSF Neuroscape

Neuroscape was launched in 2017 with the goal of helping students gain first hand interactive experiences in translational neuroscience. Applications are submitted through the SFUSD school system so unlike other internships you’ll find out application info from a teacher or counselor at your school. 

In this internship, you’ll be paired with a team of mentors to work on an independent research project, with projects ranging from literature reviews to interactive media programming. The internship culminates in short presentations about what interns learned over the summer. There are also group enrichment activities that supplement learning each week and cover a wide range of topics from neuroanatomy to machine learning. Interns can use this time to connect with others in the program and to learn from experts.

• Location: San Francisco, California

• Pay: Not specified

• Program Dates: Based on student availability

• Eligibility: High school students studying in a San Francisco (SFUSD) high school

• Application Deadline: TBD, check website for updates

14. BrainSPORT

Interns in the BrainSPORT program have the opportunity to learn from a multidisciplinary team that consists of research scientists, clinicians, a nurse practitioner and researchers in the BrainSPORT program. The leader of the BrainSPORT program has a whole list of accolades that you can read on the website, but currently the team is working on the largest and most comprehensive study of adolescents with persistent post-concussion symptoms. 

If this topic sounds interesting to you, interns will work directly with BrainSPORT Study staff to recruit patients, enter research data, and conduct study protocols. Interns also have the opportunity to attend weekly Traumatic Brain Injury lab meetings with the BrainSPORT team, which can be great opportunities to learn more about clinical research.

This summer internship program definitely allows the student to be very involved in the program and is a great clinical research experience.

• Location: Los Angeles, California

• Pay: Not specified

• Program Dates: Early June - late August

• Eligibility: Rising juniors, especially if you are interested in extending internship into academic year

• Application Deadline: Opens back up next Spring

15. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Neurology HS Scholars

The Neurology High School Scholars Program involves working closely with a neurologist or neuroscientist on a basic science or clinical research project, shadowing physicians in a clinic, and attending a weekly educational session with other interns. 

The program is 5 weeks long, and at the end of the program, students will prepare a poster presentation outlining their project results. As a result, this internship provides a unique opportunity to work on your project showcasing skills, which is an important skill for research! This internship also requires an in-person interview for final candidates - read on below to learn more about how you can prepare for these interviews!

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Pay: $1,000 stipend

• Program Dates: July 7 - August 15

• Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Must be at least 16 years old

• Application Deadline: March 1

16. Barrow Neurological Institute Internship Program

This internship program has been around for more than 20 years, and high school interns perform hands-on lab work with cutting-edge technology.  In addition to research internship opportunities, they also offer support roles in Neuroscience Publications and the Barrow Neurological Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Institute.

The internship gives you the opportunity to work with your choice of different labs within the Institute, such as neuroepidemiology, neurodegenerative disease, and the brain tumor center. Be sure to do your research on which lab best suits your interests.

• Location: Phoenix, Arizona

• Pay: Not specified

• Program Dates: June 27 - August 2

• Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old and in high school

• Application Deadline: April 1. Check back in December for next application period

How to Apply for Neuroscience Internships

Preparing Your Application

Most neuroscience internships require students to submit essays explaining their interest in neuroscience and biology. Don’t worry if you don’t have technical lab skills yet—these programs are designed to introduce high school students to the field.

Writing a Stand-Out Essay

Your personal statement or essay is your opportunity to show why you’re passionate about neuroscience. Since most applicants are new to the field, admissions officers look for students who have a strong curiosity and clear learning goals rather than prior experience. Research each program carefully and mention specific aspects that excite you, whether it's hands-on lab work, neuroimaging, or computational neuroscience.

Letters of Recommendation and Interviews

Many internships require letters of recommendation, so if you’re planning to apply, start building relationships with your science teachers early. Strong recommendation letters come from teachers who can speak to your enthusiasm, work ethic, and ability to think critically.

Some programs also require interviews. Be prepared to discuss why you’re interested in neuroscience, how you plan to make the most of the program, and what career paths excite you in Criminal Justice and Criminology, medicine, or psychology.

Maximizing Your Internship Experience

Networking and Professional Development

Take the time to learn from graduate students, professors, and researchers during your internship. Ask questions, engage in discussions, and absorb as much as you can—these individuals once stood in your shoes and can provide invaluable guidance as you navigate your own neuroscience journey. Learn more  from our list of top colleges for neuroscience in the US. 

Turning Your Internship into a Career Opportunity

The value of an internship doesn’t end when the program does! The mentors and professionals you meet can become lifelong connections in your neuroscience career. Before your internship concludes, express your interest in staying in touch. Collect contact information and schedule periodic check-ins so that they can follow your academic journey and even connect you to future opportunities.

Explore Neuroscience Research Through Polygence

Not ready to commit to a formal summer internship but still eager to explore neuroscience? Polygence offers research mentorship that allows students to develop their own neuroscience project ideas on a flexible schedule with the guidance of an expert mentor.

Through Polygence Pods, you can join small-group research programs where you’ll explore topics like neurodegeneration, cognitive neuroscience, or neurotechnology. These programs provide structured mentorship, hands-on learning, and collaboration with peers who share your passion.

Take your first step into neuroscience today—apply now and get matched with a mentor!