The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) is pleased to announce the BMRI Summer Scholar Program. The Program is an opportunity for promising young scientists residing in the New York City area and provides awardees a 9-week long paid internship at a world-renowned research facility with leaders in neurodegeneration research. Individuals will receive one-on-one training with a researcher in one of the BMRI/Neuroscience Graduate Program laboratories, develop a research idea and plan, learn scientific methods, and produce their own data. They will also be included in workshops and seminars sponsored by WCM’s Office of Access, Belonging and Student Success. At the end of the internship, BMRI summer scholars will present their findings in a research seminar.
Our 2026 program will be held from June 1st to July 31st, 2026.
Requirements:
- Applicants have completed at least two semesters of a college-level degree and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate educations by the start of the summer program.
- A science-related major (e.g., biology, chemistry, math, engineering, etc.) is not required; non-science majors should discuss their science-related interests in their personal statement.
- Commitment to a 9-week long, summer internship in one of the BMRI labs. See faculty list here.
- Strong motivation to pursue a doctoral degree and/or career in scientific research or a science-related field.
- U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Application materials:
- Personal statement (1000 words maximum) describing the applicant’s interest in science. We encourage applicants to include:
- Description of future academic and career goals and how this program may aid them.
- Previous research experience(s) and what they gained from those experiences. If the applicant has not yet had research experience, we ask that the applicant describe skills they believe will help them in this experience.
- What they hope to obtain through this program.
- Proof of citizenship: Copy of birth certificate, US passport, or US permanent resident visa card.
- Current CV or resume.
- 2 letters of reference from a professor or mentor that can attest to the individual’s potential and previous accomplishments.
The BMRI program welcomes applications from undergraduate students with varied experiences that are essential for advancing scientific discovery. These experiences include those who are first generation in college, those with socioeconomic disadvantage, those with chosen experiences that generate a keen orientation to the needs of marginalized individuals and underserved communities, persons with disabilities, persons from under-resourced educational backgrounds, and those who have overcome significant hardship in pursuit of higher education. All candidates who believe they meet this description are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, January 30th, 2026
- Please complete the application here.
- Letters of reference should be submitted separately to WCMNeuroScholar@gmail.com.
Frequently asked questions:
Who is eligible to apply?
- Undergraduates attending school in the tri-state area with a strong motivation to pursue a doctoral degree and/or career in a science-related field.
What should be included in the personal statement?
- 1000 words maximum.
- Description of future academic and career goals and how this program may aid them.
- Previous research experience(s) and what they gained from those experiences. If the applicant has not yet had research experience, we ask that the applicant describe skills they believe will help them in this experience.
- Should include which labs in BMRI/Appel Institute interest them.
- What they hope to obtain through this program.
How long is the program?
- The program is scheduled to be in-person over the course of 9-weeks, June 1st to July 31st, 2026.
Is housing and transportation provided?
- Housing and transportation will not be provided.
Who should write letters of reference and where should letters be sent?
- We encourage applicants to ask professors, lab mentors, and those who are capable of attesting to the applicant’s professional and/or scholastic abilities to serve as letter writers.
- Two letters of reference should be emailed as an attachment with the applicant’s first and last name in the file name to WCMNeuroScholar@gmail.com.
- Note that applications without two letters of reference will be considered incomplete.
Questions: Contact WCMNeuroScholar@gmail.com.
Weill Cornell Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.