As an NIH BRAIN Initiative funded project, the LINC center aims to engage promising junior researchers in our cutting-edge imaging and neuroscience research.
About
The LINC Camp is a 7-week virtual program that will immerse high school students in the fields of neuroscience, neuroimaging, and coding through scientific seminars and hands-on activities, while also offering guidance on college readiness and STEM career opportunities.
LINC Camp scholars will take a 6-week introductory coding course, while also participating in neuroscience seminars. They will then spend a week applying their coding skills to help map the wiring of the brain.
Eligibility
Students must be in high school at the time of application.
No previous coding or neuroscience experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn! We encourage applications from students who have not had previous training opportunities in these areas. However, applicants should have completed (and enjoyed) Algebra I.
Students must be available to attend all live virtual seminars during the 7 weeks of the program.
International students are welcome to apply. Please note that proficiency in English is required, as all program materials and seminars will be conducted in English.
Joy of Coding Partnership
We have partnered with Joy of Coding, a fully online, six-week introductory Python course developed at the University of Michigan to introduce high-school students to coding. Through this online program, students will develop essential programming skills. Learn more about Joy of Coding.
Exploring Neuroscience & More
In the final week of the LINC Camp, after completing the Joy of Coding course, the students will have the opportunity to apply their new coding skills to analyze brain imaging data. This will give students a unique experience at the intersection of coding and neuroscience.
Throughout the LINC camp, participants will also engage in lectures and discussions led by experts. Some topics include:
– Neuroanatomy
– Basic and clinical neuroscience
– Scientific communication
– Entrepreneurship
– The college admissions process
They’ll also benefit from insights shared by undergraduate and graduate student panels, connecting their learning to future pathways in STEM.
Students will earn a certificate from the LINC project upon completing the program.
Program Dates
- Camp Duration: June 18 – August 8, 2025
Schedule
The Joy of Coding will run from June 18 – July 30, 2025 as a self-paced, asynchronous course. Each week, you’ll complete an integrated module consisting of a lecture, reading, and coding assignment, requiring approximately 4–6 hours of work. You have the flexibility to schedule your time as you see fit.
In addition, there will be a weekly live scientific seminar held on Mondays from 10:00–11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST), running from June 23 – July 28, 2025 via Zoom. Attendance during these sessions is required.
During the final project week, August 1 and August 4–8, 2025 (six days in total), students will apply their coding skills to a neuroimaging project. This week will require increased availability, with two daily live seminars at 10:00–11:30 AM and 3:00–4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Participation in these sessions is also mandatory.
Cost
If selected for the LINC Camp, the Joy of Coding participation fee will be waived. The entire program will be free of charge.
How to Apply
**The deadline to apply for summer 2025 was March 5th, 2025. Applications are now closed, however you can look at the application process from this year below.**
- Complete the application here. You will be asked to answer several questions about your interest in the program. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Email notifications regarding your selection as a finalist for the program will be sent by late March or early April. Please check your spam/junk folders as well.
- Students who are chosen as finalists will receive detailed instructions to complete the Joy of Coding application and pre-screening module. This module includes basic algebra exercises and an enrollment form. Finalists will have one week to complete the Joy of Coding application, module, and enrollment form and must submit them by the specified deadline in order to participate in the program. Students who do not submit everything by the specified deadline will be ineligible to continue with the program.
- Please note that some applicants may be placed on the waitlist. Students who are not accepted into the LINC Camp are still welcome to apply independently for the Joy of Coding course. However, financial aid associated with the LINC Camp will not be available in this case.
Application Deadline: All LINC Camp applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on March 5th, 2025.
Questions?
If you are interested in applying to the LINC Camp, and have any questions, please use the form below to contact us.