Our Mission
With an estimated 13 million American adults and children afflicted, mental health disorders are a leading cause of disability in the United States often leading to premature death (NIMH Strategic Plan 2008). In addition, with the worldwide aging of the population, it is expected that the prevalence of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders will increase every 20 years (World Health Organization). Better tools to identify and treat those at risk and the development of novel therapies and approaches, which can alleviate suffering, are urgently needed.
Addressing this problem successfully requires harnessing the intellectual potential of all citizens of the United States. However, currently, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds make up only 2-4% of the neurological sciences professional workforce, disproportionately lower than their 12-16% representation in the overall USA population.
Challenge
To stimulate interest in a career in brain science and medicine through pre-college exposure to a professional academic research and clinical environment combined with short- and long term mentoring, educational resources and encouragement.
Vision
To create a workforce of qualified clinicians and researchers from diverse backgrounds built through a workplace mentoring program.
Mission
To provide a summer research experience for juniors or seniors from Baltimore City high schools (in person) or juniors or seniors from high schools nationwide (virtual) that provides exposure to the behavioral sciences, mentorship, and professional development training to motivate and prepare them for a future career in neuroscience-related research.
Target
Junior and senior underrepresented students with strong academic records, and an interest in science and/or medicine.
Short-term Goals
Provide an immersion experience in a specific area of brain medicine and research in which students will learn from biomedical research professionals, learn about and employ the scientific method, be instructed in the responsible conduct of research, gain critical thinking skills to prepare them for college and beyond.
Long-term Goals
To increase in a significant way, the pool of qualified underrepresented candidates in the neurological sciences and medicine by 10 years post-internship through career-long mentoring and sponsorship.
In-Person Experience
We will select 8 high school juniors and seniors from Baltimore City public schools. The in-person internship is held at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus. Over the 8-week period in the summer, interns have the opportunity to participate in a research project guided by faculty, staff and student mentors and participate in clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists.
Activities include:
- Attendance at scientific seminars
- Meetings with Johns Hopkins faculty - mentor/mentee selection
- Weekly educational and professional development sessions
- Preparation of a final oral or poster presentation describing his or her work
Interns are paid an hourly wage and receive transportation funds.
Virtual Experience
High school juniors and seniors from across the United States are invited to participate in a 5-week virtual summer research experience.
The virtual research experience includes numerous activities related to science, including:
- Educational presentations
- Professional development training
- Learning basic laboratory techniques and experiments
- Mentorship training and more
Virtual interns who successfully complete the 5-week program will receive a certificate of completion.
Location(s)
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland
- Remote
Schedule
- In person: 8 weeks during the summer
- Virtual: 5 weeks during the summer
- 2025 dates TBA
Cost/Compensation
- In person interns are paid an hourly stipend plus transportation costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- General Eligibility Requirements for All Programs:
- Current high school juniors and seniors interested in future research and clinical careers in behavioral sciences (psychiatry or psychology) or brain health-related sciences (neurology, neurosurgery or neuroscience)
- We strongly encourage students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds to apply
- JHIBS In Person Cohen Opportunity Fund Program Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must live within Baltimore City limits
- Applicants must attend a Baltimore City public school
- JHIBS In Person Summer Jobs Program Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must live within Baltimore City limits
Deadline
- March 1st, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application, which includes short essays
- An unofficial transcript
- A resume
- 2-3 letters of recommendation from math or science teachers/mentors
- Students applying to the JHIBS Summer Jobs Program must also complete the Partner Application and Baltimore City Youthworks Application. Links to these applications are available in the JHIBS application
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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Johns Hopkins is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university. Founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, the university now maintains several campuses around Maryland, with graduate campuses in Italy, China, and Washington, D.C. Johns Hopkins has become a global leader in biomedical engineering, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in the subject. On campus, The Johns Hopkins University Press is the oldest continuously running University Press in the country, while on the field, the ‘Blue Jays’ men’s lacrosse team has secured 44 national championships. Notable alumni include Mike Bloomberg, Woodrow Wilson, Louise Erdrich, and Rachel Carson.
