Top 10 Neuroscience Internships for High School Students in 2025–2026

Are you curious about how the brain works and what it takes to explore neuroscience? Neuroscience internships for high school students give you hands-on lab experience, mentorship, and research opportunities to explore your interests early.

In this guide, you will find the top 10 programs for 2025–2026, including paid, in-person, and remote internships. You will learn what each program offers, from lab projects and workshops to presentations, so you can gain skills, build your resume, and stand out to college admissions officers.

• What Are the Best Neuroscience Internships for High School Students?
• BRAINYAC (Columbia University)
• MPFI Summer Research Internship (Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience)
• Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
• Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program (Massachusetts General Hospital)
• NIH NINDS Summer Internship Program
• UCSF SEP High School Intern Program (Science & Health Education Partnership)
• iBRAIN Summer Internship
• Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
• Boston University RISE Internship Track
• Info for Neuroscience (IFN) Summer Internship
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Neuroscience Internships for High School Students?

Below is an overview of 10 of the best neuroscience internships for high school students:

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. BRAINYAC (Columbia University)

• Dates: Summer 2026
• Location: Columbia University, New York City
• Benefits: Lab experience, mentorship from Columbia neuroscientists, and professional exposure

The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) gives high school students from partner programs in New York City, including S-PREP, BioBus, Lang Youth Medical, Columbia Secondary School, and Double Discovery Center, the opportunity to work in a Columbia neuroscience lab. You are paired with a scientist who guides you through a research project, teaching lab techniques, data analysis, and experimental design.

The program runs in person over several weeks. You gain direct experience in lab work, observe professional research methods, and learn how neuroscience experiments are conducted and interpreted. Only 10th and 11th graders in partner programs are eligible, and preference is given to students from Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.

2. MPFI Summer Research Internship

• Dates: Summer 2026 (Exact dates announced January 2026)
• Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Beach, Florida
• Benefits: Paid internship at $13 per hour, 6 weeks of lab experience, mentorship, and scientific presentation skills

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship gives high school students entering their junior or senior year the chance to work directly with neuroscientists. You spend 6 weeks in person, 40 hours per week, learning practical lab skills and research techniques.

You can join one of three tracks:

• Neuroscience track. Learn 4 core wet lab techniques: genetic engineering, histological staining, microscopy, and microbiology preparations.
• Scientific programming track. Analyze large neuroscience datasets using Python, Matlab, Java, or C/C++.
• Mechanical engineering track. Design and build custom lab equipment using CAD software and machining tools.

Mentors guide you through a research project. At the end of the program, you complete one written scientific abstract and give one presentation to researchers. Applicants must be at least 16 years old, reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties, and be legally authorized to work in the United States. Applications require one essay, one resume, and unofficial transcripts.

3. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)

• Dates: June 15 to August 7, 2026 (8 weeks)
• Location: Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
• Benefits: Paid internship, hands-on lab experience, mentorship, workshops, and research presentation

Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is one of the top neuroscience internships for high school students, offering sophomores and juniors the opportunity to work full-time in neuroscience labs at Duke University. You are matched with a lab based on your interests and conduct a research project under the guidance of a professional scientist.

The program runs 8 weeks, Monday through Friday, and includes workshops on neuroscience, scientific communication, and career exploration. You complete a final research presentation to peers and mentors. You also meet other students and mentors during workshops and provided lunches.

Eligibility requirements include being a high school sophomore or junior in the 2025–2026 school year, attending one of the listed public or charter schools in Durham, having reliable transportation to Duke University, being at least 16 years old by June 15, 2026, and being a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or legal resident.

4. Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program (Massachusetts General Hospital)

• Dates: June 30 to August 8, 2025
• Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
• Benefits: Paid internship, hands-on lab experience, mentorship, weekly didactic sessions, and final research presentation

The Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program gives Massachusetts high school students the chance to work full-time in neurology and neuroscience labs. You are paired with an MGH Neurology faculty mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects.

The internship lasts 6 weeks, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with June 19 and July 4 off. You start with a bootcamp to learn lab skills, professional expectations, and mentoring structure. Weekly sessions cover neuroscience topics and career guidance. You complete one final presentation summarizing your research.

To participate, you must be a rising high school senior, recent graduate, or first-year college student living or studying in Massachusetts, legally authorized to work in the United States, and compliant with MGH health requirements. No prior research experience or GPA minimum is required.

5. NIH NINDS Summer Internship Program

• Dates: 8 to 10 weeks during the summer
• Location: NIH campuses, primarily Bethesda, Maryland
• Benefits: Paid research internship, mentorship from NIH scientists, hands-on lab experience, professional development, and Summer Poster Day

The NIH NINDS Summer Internship Program allows high school seniors to work in neuroscience research labs alongside NIH investigators. You engage in projects on topics such as neural circuits, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, brain tumors, and cellular mechanisms of the nervous system. 

The program also includes workshops to strengthen research skills and career guidance, and Summer Poster Day, where you present your research findings to the NIH community.

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 17 years old by June 1, 2026, if your permanent address is near an NIH campus. The program is full-time and requires a daily commitment to research in a laboratory environment.

6. UCSF SEP High School Intern Program (Science & Health Education Partnership)

• Dates: June 8 – July 31, 2026
• Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
• Benefits: $4,500 stipend, hands-on research experience, mentorship, college counseling, and professional networking

The UCSF SEP High School Intern Program (HIP) is a great option among neuroscience internships for high school students, letting rising seniors from SFUSD and SF charter schools conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a UCSF scientist mentor. You complete an original research project in fields such as neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, or stem cell research and present your findings at the end of the program.

The program lasts 8 weeks and requires 35 hours of in-person participation per week. HIP also includes college counseling with workshops on resumes and personal statements, one-on-one meetings to review transcripts, financial aid guidance, and a day-long college tour.

Each year, the program supports 25 interns. The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine funds 10 positions, and the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke funds 10 positions. 

7. iBRAIN Summer Internship

• Dates: 3 weeks in July or August 2026
• Location: iBRAIN Academy, Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses, New York, NY
• Benefits: Hands-on research, mentorship, classroom observation, capstone project, Psychological First Aid certification, volunteer hours, and college recommendation letters

The iBRAIN Summer Internship gives high school students who are at least 16 years old an immersive experience in neuroscience, special education, and clinical care. You work directly with professionals in psychology, therapy, education, and neurorehabilitation while observing classrooms and participating in interactive workshops. Interns complete a capstone research project and present it to iBRAIN faculty and families at the end of the program.

You gain practical skills in research, data collection, and science communication, along with mentorship and exposure to careers in neuroscience and related fields. The program also provides Psychological First Aid certification and support for volunteer hours or college recommendation letters.

The internship runs in-person, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the full session. Spots are limited to 40 students, and selection is based on your application essay and demonstrated interest in neuroscience, therapy, education, or mental health.

8. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program

• Dates: June 8 – July 9, 2026
• Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
• Benefits: Hands-on neuroscience research, mentorship, exposure to lab techniques, research support roles, and High School Symposium presentation

The Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program is one of the top neuroscience internships for high school students, offering 16-year-olds and older the chance to gain experience in neuroscience research. You work in the Department of Translational Neuroscience, participating in laboratory projects and using advanced scientific techniques, while also having opportunities in research support roles such as marketing, neuroscience publications, and the Barrow Neurological Foundation.

Mentorship is a key part of the program, and you receive guidance to develop scientific skills, evaluate research literature, and communicate your findings. At the end of the internship, you present your work at the High School Symposium.

To apply, you submit a completed online application, a letter of intent, and one letter of recommendation from a professional mentor. 

9. Boston University RISE Internship Track

• Dates: June 28 – August 7, 2026
• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Benefits: Hands-on laboratory research, mentorship, weekly workshops, Poster Symposium, college and preprofessional guidance

The Boston University RISE Internship Track allows rising high school seniors to work full-time on research projects under the guidance of faculty or graduate student mentors. You gain technical and analytical skills while conducting research in areas including:

• Astronomy
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environment
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Laboratory Research
• Anatomy and Neurobiology
• Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology
• Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics
• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Physics
• Psychological and Brain Sciences
• Public Health

Weekly workshops cover research ethics, reading scientific papers, poster creation, networking, and college preparation. Your work concludes with a Poster Symposium, and some projects may be submitted to national competitions.

Residential students live on campus and participate in social activities, while commuter students attend select events and use BU facilities. Admission requires US citizenship or permanent residency and entering your senior year in fall 2026. The program accepts approximately 190 students annually.

For an inside look at what it is like to conduct full-time research as a high school student at Boston University, explore our complete guide to the RISE Internship Track.

10. Info for Neuroscience (IFN) Summer Internship

• Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
• Location: Fully remote
• Benefits: Volunteer hours toward PVSA award and official certificate of recognition

The IFN Summer Internship offers high school students the opportunity to explore neuroscience and music therapy through a fully remote program. You participate in research and content-creation projects, such as designing educational posts and writing research-based articles. 

You gain a deeper understanding of brain function, neurological conditions, and the role of music therapy, while developing critical thinking and science communication skills. The internship is flexible, requiring 3 to 5 hours per week, and is offered free of charge. 

You apply through IFN’s online application form, and successful applicants receive an official certificate of recognition upon completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious neuroscience internship?

Many students consider programs like NIH NINDS, Boston University RISE, and MPFI highly prestigious among neuroscience internships for high school students because they offer hands-on lab experience, mentorship from professional neuroscientists, and opportunities to present your research.

2. Do these programs require previous neuroscience knowledge?

Most high school neuroscience internships, including IFN and iBRAIN, do not require prior experience, making them accessible to those just starting. Programs like MPFI and Duke’s DUNE may expect basic science knowledge, but they focus on teaching you the skills you need to succeed.

3. Are there virtual options available in 2025?

Yes, the IFN Summer Internship is fully remote and is one of the few neuroscience internships for high school students that lets you earn volunteer hours, create educational content, and develop research skills in neuroscience and music therapy. Remote programs are flexible and can fit around your school schedule.

4. How competitive are high school neuroscience internships?

Neuroscience internships for high school students, such as NIH NINDS, Boston University RISE, and DUNE, are highly selective, with NIH NINDS accepting about 20–25 students per year, Boston University RISE admitting approximately 190 students, and DUNE taking a small cohort of high school sophomores and juniors.

5. Can neuroscience internships improve my college application?

Yes, internships provide hands-on research experience, mentorship, and opportunities to present your work. Colleges value this practical experience in STEM fields. Completing an internship demonstrates initiative, critical thinking, and communication skills.

Takeaways

• You can gain lab experience and mentorship at top programs like NIH NINDS, Boston University RISE, and Duke DUNE, which will give you a clear sense of what neuroscience research involves.
• Paid internships like MPFI and Mass General let you earn while learning lab techniques, presenting research, and developing professional skills that stand out on your resume.
• Remote programs like IFN offer flexible options to explore neuroscience and music therapy from home while earning volunteer hours and building research experience.
• Highly selective programs require focused applications, so preparing essays, recommendations, and showing genuine interest in neuroscience can make a big difference for your acceptance.
• If you want to make the most of your neuroscience internships, talking with a college admissions expert can help you showcase your research, lab skills, and presentations in your applications and impress top colleges.