10 Neuroscience Research Programs for High School Students
Neuroscience research can be an exciting field to consider if you’re a high schooler thinking about a career in STEM or medicine-related fields. Participating in a research program is a great way to gain hands-on experience and explore a subject beyond the standard school curriculum. These programs are led by expert faculty, offering an opportunity for you to learn the basics of research, including experimental techniques, literature surveys, data entry, and oral presentations.
The network you will get to build at a research program can be valuable for future career opportunities and, participating in these programs will demonstrate your strong interest in your field of interest and scientific research to college admission officers. Here are 10 neuroscience research programs for high school students to consider!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Neuroscience Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct research in various STEM fields, including neuroscience, with guidance from expert PhD mentors. The program, founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford, is entirely virtual, allowing you to participate from anywhere in the world. Students collaborate one-on-one with a PhD mentor to produce a university-level research paper.
You can find the application form here. Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based scholarships are available.
Individual Research Program: $2,990
Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900
Research Fellowship: $8,900
Application deadline: There are four cohorts throughout the year. Applications are due in February, May, September, and December, respectively.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a prestigious eight-week program for high school students interested in research and medical sciences, including neuroscience. With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, only 50 students are selected each year. Participants work in Stanford laboratories, developing research projects under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. The program includes weekly seminars, workshops, career development sessions, and social events. Students are expected to spend around 40 hours per week in the labs. You can read more about the program in detail here.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Stipend: $500-2,500.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors at the time of application, who are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply. This is a commuter program and local Bay Area students are preferred, as housing and meals are not provided.
3. UCLA Brain Research Institute NeuroCamp
NeuroCamp, a free summer outreach program by the UCLA Brain Research Institute, introduces highly motivated high school students to neuroscience. This is a highly selective program with only 15-20 students admitted each year. The program covers fundamental concepts and basic lab techniques in molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy.
Location: UCLA Brain Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Free!
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Program dates: This program typically runs June - August.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply, with preference given to Los Angeles residents.
4. National Institutes of Health - High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the High School Summer Internship Program allows high school students to spend their summer working in the Intramural Research Program (IRP). Research opportunities are available in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, including neuroscience, with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. The fully-funded program is highly selective and competitive with an acceptance rate of around 7%.
Location: Various NIH research campuses across the country.
Cost / Stipend: Free! Stipends are provided based on educational level. You can find more details here.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program dates: This program runs for six to eight weeks, from May to June.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years or older, reside within 40 miles of the NIH campus they have applied to, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
5. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
DUNE is an eight-week, full-time summer research program at Duke University for high school students. Participants work in neuroscience labs, gaining hands-on experience and technical skills under the guidance of professional scientists. The program includes workshops on college applications, scientific communication, and career exploration, and culminates in a poster session to present their research. DUNE offers a stipend, daily lunch, and access to a laptop with specialized software.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC.
Cost: Free!
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 2, 2024.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, at least 15 years old, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply. Preference is given to students from North Carolina.
6. Johns Hopkins University’s Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) at Johns Hopkins University is an immersive summer research program for Baltimore students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help develop their interest in STEM or medical-related majors. The program includes academic, research, and professionalism tracks, with a focus on scientific research and academic skill development. This is a highly selective program with only 20-25 students accepted each year.
Location: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Cost: Free! A stipend is provided depending on the project.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in December.
Program dates: The program typically runs June - August.
Eligibility: All high school students from Baltimore can apply.
7. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program is a free, six-week program focused on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research for high school students from underrepresented communities. Participants work with physician-scientists and research professionals, handling tasks like data entry, literature reviews, and brain-cutting sessions. They also engage in seminars, journal clubs, community outreach, and clinical trial preparation to enhance their educational experience.
Location: Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Free!
Application deadline: This information is not available at the moment. You can check this page for updates.
Program dates: The program typically runs for six weeks in the summer.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, aged 16 - 18 years old, from underrepresented communities or students interested in working with underrepresented communities in neuroscience can apply.
7. Neuroscience Research Academy @UPenn
The University of Pennsylvania offers a residential three-week intensive summer program in neuroscience. Students explore the biological foundations of the brain, from cellular foundations to higher-order cognitive functions. The program includes lectures, lab activities, and visits to the Mütter Museum and the Franklin Institute. Check the schedule of the 2024 Research Academy here.
Location: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Cost: $9,700 tuition + $75 application fee, which can be waived for students with financial need. Penn Summer Scholarship is available for Philadelphia public and charter high school students.
Application deadline: Applications for summer 2025 will open in late fall 2024.
Program dates: July 6 - 27, 2024.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 -11 grade with a minimum 3.3 GPA can apply.
The UCI Brain Camp is a day program for high school students to explore neuroscience through lectures, seminars, workshops, lab tours, dissections, and hands-on activities. Students learn about brain anatomy, brain-machine interfaces, and neuropathology, using advanced tools and techniques in laboratory sessions. In the second week, they design experiments, analyze data, and present their findings to families and UC Irvine neuroscience faculty.
Location: Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA.
Cost: $2,195 tuition. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program dates: July 29, 2024 - August 9, 2024.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
9. Boston Leadership Institute - Neuroscience Research
The Boston Leadership Institute offers a three-week neuroscience research program for high school students. The program covers neurobiology and neurochemistry, with a focus on the components of neurons, the transmission of signals and impulses, and different types of signaling molecules involved in the nervous system. It involves lectures, field trips, and hands-on experiments.
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA.
Cost: $2,200 tuition + $2,097 residential add-on.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program dates: July 15, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: All high school students in grades 8-12 can apply.
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Image Source - Lumiere Education Logo