Post-Baccalaureate

Launch your neuroscience career at MIT

Are you passionate about the brain but need more research experience before applying to graduate school? The K. Lisa Yang Post-Baccalaureate Program offers an immersive, two-year, fully funded neuroscience research experience at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research — designed to help exceptional recent college graduates build the skills, confidence, and mentorship networks they need to thrive in top-tier PhD programs.

We especially encourage talented scholars from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or those who lacked access to research opportunities during college to apply.

Applications open December 1: Apply HERE to the Research Scholars Program in MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

What you’ll do

Join a cutting-edge MIT lab: You’ll be carefully matched with a laboratory that aligns with your scientific interests. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor and day-to-day support from a postdoc or graduate student, you’ll design and carry out experiments, analyze data, and contribute to publications.

Grow as a scientist and scholar: Attend weekly lab meetings, high-impact seminars, and technical workshops; practice public speaking and scientific writing; and get hands-on guidance on preparing graduate school applications.

Learn without limits: Scholars can audit MIT classes to deepen knowledge and connect with professors across the institute.

Community & professional development

You won’t be alone — you’ll join a close-knit cohort of eight scholars and be part of a vibrant neuroscience community in MIT’s iconic Building 46. Together, you’ll explore science, share discoveries, and have fun along the way.

-Weekly postbac meetings to share research and sharpen skills (plus snacks!)
-Neurolunch and CogLunch weekly seminars with bldg. 46 graduate students and postdocs
-Social gatherings: off-campus fall social & spring retreat.
-Access to a rich schedule of world-class neuroscience talks and events, calendar here
-Outreach activities with public school students in the Boston area

Why it matters

The K. Lisa Yang Post-Baccalaureate Program is more than a bridge — it’s a launchpad. Our scholars leave with authored papers, strong letters of recommendation, deep technical training, and a network of peers and mentors that lasts for years. Our scholars have gone on to PhD programs at MIT, Stanford, Princeton, NYU, and Harvard Medical School.