Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University

The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is an intensive summer program that generally follows a student’s sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. Students attend a two-week (10-day) session which provides introductory exposure to fascinating topics in neuroscience, psychiatry and psychology plus an opportunity to complete a collaborative capstone project.

During each session, students from across California, the country, and the world are exposed to the breadth of research found in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Through interactive seminars with Stanford faculty and researchers, students learn about principles of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, and more. CNI-X also covers topics important to young people, including professional and career opportunities in medicine and science, plus self-care strategies in the transition to adulthood. 

In addition to participating in interactive lectures, students in each session will spend guided time working in small teams to develop innovative, novel solutions to social issues related to psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience. These ideas and solutions will then be presented at a final capstone session in front of an audience of classmates, families, and the program’s faculty and staff.

CNI-X is a fast-paced, intense, challenging, creative, and bonding experience for students. Previous students have come from very diverse academic backgrounds, and have a wide range of career aspirations, including law, sociology, medicine, psychology, engineering, business, fine arts, and more.

Applicants interested in the complementary CNI-X+ program for underrepresented minority (URM) students can learn more about it here.

Return to this page to access the online application beginning December 15, 2024.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis December 15, 2024 - March 1, 2025. Once the program reaches capacity, applicants will automatically be added to a waitlist. All applicants will receive notification of their status in early April 2025.

Students will learn and talk about a wide range of topics, some fascinating, some exciting, and some quite serious. Applicants should be aware that sensitive topics in psychiatry may arise, including but not limited to suicide, psychosis, addiction, child abuse, sexual assault, violence, and mental disorders, and should not apply if this will be problematic for them.

*All program activities will be conducted in English and participants should have high proficiency to fully engage in lectures and discussions.