Synapse & State is accepting applications for the first Youth Neuroscience Policy Fellowship!

The fellowship is a free virtual program for high school and college students interested in how neuroscience connects to public policy, research, technology, ethics, law, education, and access. We are planning to select 21 students for the first cohort.

What students will do

During the fellowship, students will:

• choose a neuroscience-policy issue they are interested in

• research both the science and the policy behind it

• attend short virtual sessions

• develop one realistic policy recommendation

• create a short policy memo and public explainer

• present their work at a final online summit

Possible topics include neural-data privacy, neurotechnology, neuroscience research funding, access to research, representation in studies, and neuroscience in law or education.

Students can also propose their own topic.

Who can apply?

Current high school and college students can apply.

No previous public-policy experience is required.

Students may apply individually or in small teams.

Deadline

Applications are due September 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

We expect to take around two weeks after the deadline to review applications and notify selected students.

Updates

More updates coming

We are still confirming some parts of the fellowship.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing updates about:

• the organizations our judges and reviewers will be from

• people leading fellowship sessions

• additional finalist opportunities and benefits

• the final program schedule

APPLY HERE

Questions can be sent to outreach.synapsestate@gmail.com.