Summer Internship Program
Computational research projects on whole-brain connectomes
This summer program is for students interested in computational research on complete brain wiring diagrams, using FlyWire connectomic data. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as exceptional high school students with strong programming and analytical skills.
Whole-brain connectomics is one of the newest frontiers in science. The datasets are massive, recently published, and still only partly understood. Students can work directly with real brain-scale data and contribute analyses, algorithms, and discoveries that may genuinely advance the field.
What participants work on
The FlyWire team will propose several research projects, and students may also propose their own ideas. Strong projects are concrete, data-driven, and feasible within a summer timeframe. Example directions include graph algorithms, optimization, statistics, machine learning, visualization, interactive tools, scientific software, and exploratory data analysis.
Projects do not require deep prior knowledge of neuroscience or connectomics. Ideal candidates have: strong programming ability, solid understanding of networks, graph algorithms, and data analysis, effective use of AI tools, and the ability to produce clear analyses and visualizations.
How the program works
Students work independently or in small teams. The program begins with a kickoff meeting in early June (exact date TBA). After that, we will hold weekly office hours (all on Zoom). There will also be one midpoint check-in meeting, where each student or team presents progress.
This is a lightly supervised research program designed for independent work. Students should be self-motivated, curious, and comfortable exploring open-ended scientific problems. This is not a paid internship. Time commitment is flexible and determined by the participants.
Successful projects may be presented to the FlyWire community after the program ends. Selected concluding presentations may take place in person at Princeton University.
What participants can gain
- Hands-on experience with real, large-scale scientific datasets.
- A substantial computational research project suitable for a portfolio, publication, or future applications.
- Feedback from FlyWire researchers and the broader FlyWire community.
- Experience tackling open scientific problems at the frontier of connectomics.
- An opportunity to present results to an active research community.
Example project directions
Past FlyWire Data Challenges are good examples of computational research projects that do not require neuroscience expertise:
- Visual Columns Mapping Challenge
- Minimum Feedback Arc Set Challenge
- VNC Matching Challenge
- Max Quasi-Cliques Challenge
Getting started
Start with the FlyWire Academy. Explore the public data in the FlyWire Codex. For videos, see the FlyWire Princeton YouTube channel.
For more background, see the lectures from the recent workshop on connectomics and brain emulation: schedule and GitHub. For a general introduction, read Prof. Seung's Connectome: How the Brain's Wiring Makes Us Who We Are.
Who should consider applying
- Students who enjoy coding, algorithms, data analysis, visualization, and scientific computing.
- Students who can work independently and communicate ideas and progress clearly.
- Students interested in large scientific datasets and open-ended computational problems.
- Students excited by the possibility of contributing to a rapidly developing scientific field.
Participants will be selected based on coding experience, prior projects, and proposed ideas, if applicable.
Apply by June 1st
Complete this form: FlyWire summer projects signup.
Admission to the program will be contingent on passing a brief technical skills assessment challenge in early June. Additional details will be shared with applicants. Questions? Contact flywirecodex+summer2026@gmail.com.