Research student giving a poster presentation at an event

Undergraduate Fellowships

Each summer, Yale undergraduate students collaborate with renowned Wu Tsai Faculty Members on interdisciplinary research questions that advance our understanding of the brain and cognition. These Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellows come from all backgrounds and levels of familiarity with research. They work under the mentorship of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from departments across biology, psychology, computer science, and related disciplines.

  • Apply

  • Eligibility

  • Submission

2025-26 Application

Status: OPEN

December 5, 2025
Application open

February 17, 2026, 7:00 pm EST via the Yale fellowship portal
Application deadline

March 2026
Notifications sent

May 26, 2026
Program start date

July 24, 2026
Program end date

If you have questions about Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellowships, you can schedule a time to meet with the Program Manager, Liz Knapp.

APPLY HERE
Wu Tsai Institute wordmark displayed on the corner of a scientific poster Wu Tsai Institute Undergraduate Summer Scholar giving a poster presentation at Yale Science Building

Fellows participate in workshops, seminars, and social events. At the end of the program, they present their work at a closing symposium. Fellows receive a competitive stipend.

Past research areas include:

  • Effects of early-life experience on brain circuitry

  • Visual pattern preferences across species

  • Neural algorithms for brain-computer interfaces

  • Development of inhibitory synapses in cortical neurons

  • White matter in a novel brain atlas

Eligibility + Submission

  • The fellowship is open to Yale students who are first years, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors with an interest in interdisciplinary neuroscience.
  • Students must have completed at least two terms and have at least one term remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program.
  • Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
  • Students must demonstrate an interest in pursuing research as a career or for an advanced degree program.
  • Students must demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity in academia.
  • Students must confirm their commitment to participate in all program-required events.

Applications consist of a CV, a statement of purpose, a social impact statement, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants identify up to three Wu Tsai Faculty Members they would be interested in working with, and list these faculty in order of preference. Applications consist of a CV, a statement of purpose, a social impact statement, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants identify up to three Wu Tsai Faculty Members they would be interested in working with, and list these faculty in order of preference.

Students who do not yet have a mentor are encouraged to contact potential mentors in advance to discuss summer research opportunities. Students who have already pre-identified and secured a Wu Tsai Faculty Member can also apply.

If you need help reaching out to potential mentors, you may use our email template as inspiration to contact prospective faculty whose research you are interested in.