9 Online Neuroscience Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
An internship in neuroscience as a high school student can be a solid step if you want to understand the brain and its functions in a practical setting. Online internships in neuroscience are a super accessible way to explore the field without having to move cities or states for an internship! Whether you're interested in psychology, medicine, or just curious about how the mind works, an online internship allows you to gain practical experience and learn research skills in a flexible format.
You’ll have the chance to work with professionals, explore real-world projects, and get a deeper look at the field. By applying to an online neuroscience internship, you're also showing colleges and future employers that you’re taking the field seriously, and are curious about exploring it outside the classroom.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 9 online neuroscience internships for high school students! If you're looking for more prestigious internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs! (
Note: While not every opportunity listed here is a formal internship, all of them follow a structure that gives you exposure to research, mentorship, or project-based learning.
9 Online Neuroscience Internships for High School Students
Ladder Internships is a virtual program that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits across different fields. Started by Harvard alumni, the program allows you to choose your area of interest, such as healthcare, medicine, health tech, or neuroscience. Once accepted, you are matched with an organization working in that area.
As an intern, you work on real projects that support the goals of the host organization. You also receive one-on-one guidance from a manager at the startup and a Ladder coach who provides additional mentorship. If you are interested in medicine or neuroscience, you can select that track on the application. You may be placed with startups like Softenmind, IPMD, or JuneBrain.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Stanford is known for its medical research and expert faculty, making it a great place for hands-on learning in the clinical field. The Clinical Summer Internship Program offers high school students a chance to work directly with professionals in clinical neuroscience.
In this program, you will practice skills such as taking patient histories, reading MRIs, and performing procedures like suturing and taking vital signs. You’ll attend lectures from Stanford doctors, participate in discussions with medical students about their training, and explore the nervous system through guided dissections.
Cost: $6,380 for the in-person session, $4,380 for the virtual session
Dates: July 14 – 25 for the in-person session, July 28 – Aug 8 for the virtual session
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
The JHIBS program gives you a five-week hands-on experience in neuroscience research. You’ll learn about brain anatomy, neurological disorders, and research methods through lectures and presentations. You'll also develop important skills like data analysis, critical thinking, and how to communicate research effectively. Mentors will guide you throughout the program, helping you grow both professionally and academically.
Cost: None
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM courses and an interest in behavioral health-related sciences
The Harris Neuroscience Internship at Stanford runs from September to May and provides high school students with hands-on experience in neuroscience. You will attend weekly Grand Rounds and monthly virtual Neuroscience Journal Club meetings, where you will read and discuss scientific literature with expert scientists.
You will also work on a research project of your choice, allowing you to apply what you learn in the field and develop skills in scientific research, data analysis, and academic writing. Additionally, you will participate in a community-based project, gaining experience in outreach and engagement within the neuroscience community.
Cost: None
Dates: September - May
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship Program, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), gives you hands-on experience in biomedical research over a 7-week paid internship. You will work directly with trained mentors in the fields of Neuroscience, Neurological Injury, or Neurodegeneration.
Throughout the internship, you will gain critical skills such as data collection, analysis, and scientific writing. You will also develop your ability to communicate research findings and explore neuroscience as both an undergraduate major and a potential career path.
Cost: Pays a stipend!
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
The BRAINYAC program functions like an internship, offering you the chance to work directly in a neuroscience lab at Columbia University. You’ll have a research mentor guiding you through real-world lab work, using equipment, following procedures, and carrying out your project. Just like an internship, you'll gain hands-on experience in how research is done, including dealing with unexpected results, gathering data, and refining your approach.
Cost: Free
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer, specific dates vary annually
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors from select partner schools in New York City
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is an online program where high school students work on original projects in areas like biology, neuroscience, and life sciences. You are placed in a research group and paired with mentors who guide you through each step of the research process.
During the program, you learn how to review scientific papers, design experiments, analyze data, and write research findings in a formal paper. You also develop technical skills like using basic coding tools or handling datasets related to health and biology. At the end of the program, you present your work at a research symposium.
Cost: $1070 (several partial and full scholarships available)
Dates: June 1 to August 24
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) with a strong interest in research
The Stanford Summer of Neurosciences is a three-week program where you get to experience neuroscience research firsthand. You'll spend your time engaging with current research, having discussions with professionals from various neuroscience careers, and attending lectures from Stanford faculty on topics like clinical research and the latest neuroscience findings.
This program is designed to give you an internship-like experience, where you’re not just learning from lectures, but also actively engaging in research activities and gaining insight into what working in neuroscience involves. You’ll have the chance to explore how research is conducted, how professionals work, and what skills are necessary for pursuing a career in neuroscience.
Cost: The on-campus program is priced at $6,380, while the virtual program costs $4,380.
Dates: July 8 – 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM courses
Columbia University offers a two-week introductory neuroscience course for high school students with a background in biology. This program takes you through the history of neuroscience, starting with the brain's evolutionary origins, its development, and how it governs behavior.
You’ll also get hands-on experience with techniques used in modern neuroscience, including recording, imaging, and computational methods. The course dives into neuropharmacology, offering a solid and practical introduction to the field. This program provides a chance to engage directly with neuroscience research and gain real-world experience, similar to what you’d encounter in a lab internship.
Cost: $3,965
Dates: Two batches available, July 7 – 18 and July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline till the batch is full
Eligibility: Current high schoolers who have completed one year of high school biology
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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 4,000 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 - Stanford Logo
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.