The Rockefeller University » Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)

The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) is a two-week course for NYC public high schoolers led by Rockefeller graduate students. Participants take a look at ongoing neuroscience research in an effort to understand how the brain works and how it relates to our daily life. We aim to introduce students to modern neuroscience, while empowering them to explore in their own unique ways the mysteries that remain.

In SNP students will:

participate in a series of interactive lectures
read and present a scientific article
design an original neuroscience experiment
meet with Rockefeller scientists
dissect a brain
visit research facilities

Applications for SNP summer 2025 are now open!

Program dates:
August 4-15, 2025 | Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Deadline for submission (both student application and mentor reference form) is March 15, 2024, 11:59 pm.
Click Here for Application and Mentor Reference Forms

three women scoop an ant into a test tube — Students work with a partner and a mentor to design their own experiment.

a man in front of a cage of mosquitoes talks with four students — Throughout the program, students get to see inside labs and core facilities. Here, a scientist gives students a close-up look at the lab's experimental animals.

Summer Neuroscience Program — Students present their work at the end of each week in a supportive, relaxed setting.

A mentor and three students in a journal club discussion outdoors. — Students work in small groups to read and analyze a research paper with the help of a mentor.

Three students in PPE dissect a brain. — Students dissect a sheep brain and a cow eye to identify anatomical features that we cover in lectures.

Four students looking through a rolled piece of paper in lecture — We try to make our lectures as engaging as possible! Here, students are looking at a visual illusion in class to learn how the brain can interpret visual stimuli.

SNP 2025 will take place August 4-15, meeting Monday – Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Rockefeller University in Manhattan. All expenses are covered (e.g. MTA passes, meals, and all necessary equipment and supplies). Please note that accepted applicants will be required to commit to attending the entire program in person.

We seek motivated, mature, and curious students, irrespective of grades or experience with science. We are particularly interested in applications from students with otherwise limited opportunities to develop their passion for science. Applicants must be enrolled in a New York City public school, and must be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program — we cannot make exceptions!

Interested students must complete the online student application and have a teacher complete the reference form. Applications missing either form will not be considered. A subset of applicants will be contacted by the SNP directors in April to arrange an interview.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: snp@rockefeller.edu

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