Each summer the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh (CNUP) sponsors a vibrant and diverse 10-week summer program in which selected undergraduate students from throughout the U.S. conduct neuroscience research under the guidance of individual CNUP training faculty. The 2026 CNUP Summer Undergraduate Research Program is scheduled from Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, July 31.
The CNUP does not tolerate harassment in any form. We also strive for an inclusive environment such that all are welcome here.
- Program Goals
- To allow qualified students to experience the challenges and rewards of intensive, hypothesis-driven laboratory research in neuroscience.
- To teach the technical features of a research project. These may include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, molecular biology, brain imaging, computer simulations, neuropsychology, or behavioral assessments.
Note: Students who envision their future in clinical medicine typically will not be competitive for this fellowship, unless that vision also includes an important potential role for laboratory-based neuroscience research.
- Eligibility
- Applicants must have completed their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate training before the start of the program.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher; strong performance in science, math, and related coursework is especially important.
- Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university.
- International applicants will be required to provide official authorization for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from their home institution, before they arrive in Pittsburgh.
- Funding
- A $4,000 stipend will be paid in two equal installments, on June 30 and July 31, 2026. Please note that the stipend may be subject to tax withholding.
- The CNUP will provide apartment-style housing on campus to any fellows who require it for the duration of the program. Check-in will be a few days before the orientation date, and check-out will be after final presentations on July 31st, or on August 1st. Fellows who choose not to accept University housing, will receive an additional $500 to help offset housing expenses.
- Fellows will be responsible for their own meals and other expenses, including transportation to and from Pittsburgh.
- To Apply
- Complete and submit the online application form. Please ensure that you upload a single pdf including your college transcript(s) and personal statement as detailed in the application form by the deadline on the application form.
- View research interests of CNUP Training Faculty participating in the 2026 Summer Program.
- Choose the top 5 faculty members with whom you would like to work. Whenever possible, student/mentor pairings are determined from this list.
- Please arrange to have two letters of recommendation emailed to cnup@pitt.edu by the deadline listed on the application form.
- Program Policies
- All fellows must be available to begin on the orientation date and end their participation on the final presentation date. These are listed in the "Dates and Deadlines" section.
- Fellows are expected to work in the laboratory full-time throughout the 10-week program. Time away from the lab to take classes is not permitted.
- Fellows who leave the program early for any reason will have their stipend reduced in proportion to the number of weeks in the program missed. Requested vacation days must have pre-approval from their faculty mentor. Other awards and funding must be relinquished.
- Dates and Deadlines
- 2026 program dates: Tuesday, May 26 (Orientation) to Friday, July 31 (Final Presentations)
- Application receipt deadline: Friday, January 23, 2026
- Applicants will be notified by email beginning March 2, 2026 whether they are accepted, placed on a waitlist, or declined. Accepted students will be requested to accept or decline the CNUP Summer Program offer within 4 days.