If you are a high school student interested in neuroscience, physiology, cognition or research these programs offer a great opportunity to begin your journey.
Here are 10 programs where students can learn more about this-
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (in-person); Virtual (remote)
Program Dates: In-person: 8 weeks (Summer 2025, dates TBA); Virtual: 5 weeks (Summer 2025, dates TBA)
Cost: Free; in-person interns receive hourly stipend and transportation; virtual interns may receive a $500 scholarship
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; in-person for Baltimore City residents, virtual open to all US/Canada
Deadline: March 1, 2025
JHIBS offers high school seniors the opportunity to work in a research project guided by mentors and neuroscience faculty. Students take part in scientific seminars, meetings with Johns Hopkins faculty - mentor/mentee selection, weekly educational and professional development sessions and preparation of a final oral or poster presentation describing their work.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Program Dates: 8 weeks (Summer 2025, typically mid-June to early August)
Cost: Free; students may receive a stipend
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors currently in the US; US citizens/permanent residents only
Deadline: February 22, 2025
High school students are provided with a broad range of experiences, interests and backgrounds and are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students and helping students to understand how scientific research is performed.
3. RISE Research
Location: Online
Program Dates: Flexible, year-round enrollment with customized timelines based on student needs.
Cost: $2,000 (publication included)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students (grades 8–12) from any country.
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Scholarships: Merit-based
RISE Global provides high school students exclusive one-on-one mentoring, helping them to create research projects that lead to esteemed publications. RISE helps students succeed academically and stand out on college applications by matching them with mentors from prestigious international universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Cambridge. RISE alumni have gained unique talents by pursuing a variety of fields, including psychology, economics, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
4. Penn Summer Neuroscience Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (dates TBA; typically July)
Cost: Tuition required (2024: ~$8,500, subject to change)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–11)
Deadline: Rolling admissions, closes May 1, 2025
Penn Summer Neuroscience Academy introduces students to this cutting-edge field in both research and medicine, which has provided important insights into understanding the mind in both health and disease. The program includes lab sessions,lectures and discussions and practicals outside classes.
5. Max Planck Florida Institute High School Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (June–August)
Cost: Free; paid internship
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; strong interest in neuroscience
Deadline: March 2025
Max Planck institute offers a lab experience under MPFI researchers, designed for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. Students are supposed to prepare a short presentation at the end of the program.
6. Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Program Dates: Summer 2025
Cost: Free; paid internship
Eligibility: High school students with interest in neurology/neuroscience
Deadline: March 2025
This program exposes high school students to neuroscientists and neurologists, mentored research, and publication and presentation opportunities. The initial part of the program will focus on a boot camp involving research and clinical training, building networks, improving your laboratory skills, and beginning a one-on-one mentorship.They will later be teamed under undergraduate students and faculty.
7. Columbia University BRAINYAC Program
Location: Columbia University Zuckerman Institute, New York, NY
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (March–August, with main research in July)
Cost: Free; paid stipend
Eligibility: High school students in NYC, especially from partner schools/organizations
Deadline: January 2025
BRAINYAC provides high-schoolers with an immersive, hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. It emphasises on opportunities to connect with real scientists, learn key skills required to work in a research environment, and become part of the Columbia University community.
8. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (dates TBA)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students interested in neuroscience
Deadline: March 2025
DUNE provides an opportunity for local high school students to engage in research at one of the university’s neuroscience laboratories. You will be matched with a lab and professional mentor and conduct research for a project of your choice. Further, you will attend professional development sessions and workshops to improve your understanding of neuroscience, college applications, and career opportunities.
9. CHOP Neurology High School Scholars Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: July 14, 2025 – August 15, 2025 (5 weeks); Poster presentation on August 21, 2025
Cost: Free; participants receive a $1,000 stipend
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors; must be 16 years old by the start of the program; must be able to commute to CHOP daily (no travel costs provided); must pass background checks and clearances
Deadline: March 7, 2025 (application opens February 10, 2025)
During the CHOP Neurology High School Scholars Program, students will shadow physicians in clinics, attend weekly education sessions, and deliver poster presentations at the final conference. At the end students will submit a report to their mentor or faculty.
10. Ohio State University Explorations in Neuroscience Internship
Location: Ohio State University, Department of Neuroscience, Columbus, OH
Program Dates: June 23, 2025 – August 8, 2025 (7 weeks)
Cost: Free; paid internship (NIH-funded)
Eligibility: High school students interested in neuroscience, neurological injury, or neurodegeneration research
Deadline: March 7, 2025
Students gain intensive research experience in a dynamic OSU Neuroscience lab, with mentoring from leading experts. They also gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, collaborate in an open environment, and gain practical lab exposure. Receive firsthand career advice, participate in journal clubs, network through meetings, and receive training to present their research at the program’s conclusion.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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