The Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC) is once again joining the Ocupação Científica de Jovens nas Férias initiative, promoted by Ciência Viva, by organizing a set of summer internships aimed at primary and secondary school students.

With several years of participation in this program, CNC-UC reinforces its commitment to promoting scientific culture, offering students the opportunity to engage directly with the research environment and laboratory practices.

For 2026, the program includes the following internships:

• Mitochondrial Fun: Energy and Other Stuff
• Development of nanosystems to support antitumor strategies
• Do cells age too?! Come and find out!
• Does Parkinson’s disease start in the gut?
• Thinking outside the lab

Now, the important part, especially for school students: this isn’t just about “seeing how it works” — it’s about actually experiencing real science.

You’ll step into a real lab, interact with researchers, and discover how answers to some of today’s open scientific questions are found. And yes — you’ll get hands-on!

If you’re curious, enjoy a challenge, and want a summer unlike any other, apply.

Applications open on May 6. More information and applications available here.