14 Bioengineering Internships for Undergraduates
If you're an undergraduate looking to enhance your academic experience with practical skills, internships are a powerful way to gain professional experience. Internships give you exposure to industry practices and allow you to build valuable connections that can help shape your career. They also make a strong addition to your resume, demonstrating initiative, curiosity, and commitment to your field. Online internships, in particular, are increasingly accessible, giving you the chance to gain experience without relocating.
Why should I do a bioengineering internship in college?
A bioengineering internship in college gives you a first-hand look at the field, helping you understand the challenges and opportunities in biomedical research, medical devices, synthetic biology, and more. You’ll learn lab techniques, computational skills, and problem-solving strategies. They provide exposure to industry-specific regulatory frameworks, such as FDA compliance and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and technical workflows rarely replicated in a university lab. Biomedical internships also give you the chance to interact with faculty and industry mentors and gain references for graduate school or employment. Completing a biomedical internship in college can boost your chances of getting a job or research position after graduation.
To help you navigate this space, we’ve narrowed down our list of the top 14 bioengineering internships for undergraduates, focusing on programs that offer meaningful experience, mentorship, and career development.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; acceptance: 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
In the Ladder University Internship Program, you will gain hands-on experience with high-growth startups across fields such as health tech, AI/ML, sustainability, and consulting. You will work closely with a startup manager and Ladder coach to address a real-world challenge, developing practical problem-solving and project management skills. The program emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and applied learning, and provides guidance throughout the internship. You will also present your final work at the conclusion of the program, honing your communication and professional presentation skills. This experience is designed to help you build a strong portfolio of practical work while exploring potential career paths. Students interested in healthcare, medicine, or technology will find relevant projects tailored to their interests.
2. Biomedical Engineering and Informatics Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 50 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are 18 years or older on or before the first day of the program, have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate or master’s coursework, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
In this summer research internship, you work on biomedical engineering or informatics projects through NSF- and NIH-funded research initiatives at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. You are placed on a mentored research team and contribute to projects such as injury prediction modeling, biomechanics, medical device testing, imaging, and machine learning applications in health care. Your work may involve experimental research, computational modeling, data analysis, or informatics-based approaches, depending on your assigned project. You collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and research staff across departments and research centers. The program also provides exposure to applied research environments related to trauma, cancer diagnostics, and health systems research.
3. University of Virginia’s Multi-Scale Systems Bioengineering REU
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 10–12 students
Dates: May 26 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students returning in the Fall who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents
This program introduces you to the intersection of experimental biology and computational modeling, teaching you how to solve complex biomedical problems. You will spend your summer working directly in a faculty lab, where you won't just run experiments but also use data science to interpret them, bridging the gap between "wet lab" work and engineering simulations. Beyond the bench, you will participate in professional development workshops, present your findings at the university-wide symposium, and potentially travel to the annual BMES conference to showcase your research. By the end, you will have developed data analysis, computational modeling, and scientific communication skills.
4. University of Kentucky’s Engineered Bioactive Interfaces & Devices REU
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Stipend: $7,000 + up to $300 relocation expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; approximately 9–10 students
Dates: May 18 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents; undergraduate students (rising juniors/seniors preferred)
In this program, you explore the intersection of engineering and biology, focusing on designing advanced materials that interact with living systems. You will explore topics like novel bioactive architectures, cell-protein interactions, and the integration of biological systems into medical devices. You will work full-time in a research lab, participate in professional development seminars, present your findings at a closing symposium, and join unique field trips to Appalachian landmarks like Mammoth Cave. This experience is designed to build your technical confidence, teaching you critical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
5. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Mechanobiology REU
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks beginning May 26
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Undergraduate student enrolled in a degree program; US citizens, US nationals, or permanent residents
In this program, you will explore the intersection of engineering and life sciences, understanding how mechanical forces shape biological systems, from cell division to tissue regeneration. You will tackle real-world challenges in areas like lung mechanics, orthopedic tissue engineering, and cancer biophysics, using both wet-lab experimental techniques and computational modeling to test your hypotheses. Beyond the bench, you will engage in weekly workshops on research ethics and scientific communication, and you will even lead a K-12 STEM outreach activity to inspire the next generation of scientists. The experience culminates in a formal symposium where you present your original findings.
6. University of Alabama Birmingham’s Experimental & Computational Materials Research REU
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~10–15 students
Dates: May 17 – July 24
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents; currently enrolled in a U.S. institute of higher education, and who will be returning to an undergraduate program
In this program, you explore the intersection of physics, chemistry, and engineering to solve complex material science problems. You will actively conduct research in one of five specific clusters: computational materials, materials under extreme conditions, energy applications, sensors/lasers, or biomaterials for implants and tissue engineering. Your summer will involve running 400 hours of hands-on experiments or simulations, attending professional development seminars on scientific communication and ethics, and ultimately presenting your findings at a closing poster expo. A unique feature of this REU is its hybrid focus, allowing you to pair experimental wet-lab work with computational modeling, a skill set heavily demanded in modern R&D.
7. Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Summer Research Program
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 6 participants each summer
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident (NSF requirement) and may be an undergraduate enrolled in a two-year or four-year degree program; participants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for housing accommodations.
In the REM Summer Research Program, you will join a regenerative engineering research project at Northwestern University’s Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering. You work in the laboratory alongside Professor Guillermo Ameer and his research team, contributing to an NSF-funded EFRI project focused on cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration. Your work includes hands-on laboratory experience with techniques such as cell culture, microscopy, molecular assays, and evaluation of cell differentiation and function. You also engage in structured mentorship and professional development activities alongside your research responsibilities. Over eight weeks, you gain practical exposure to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, materials science, and regenerative tissue.
8. NanoBio Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 15 students each summer
Dates: Early June–early August (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, undergraduates who have completed at least one year of college, and not graduating before the program begins; 3.5+ GPA; should be non-Johns Hopkins University students
In the NanoBio REU Summer Program, you will work on a mentored research project in nanobiotechnology at Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for NanoBioTechnology. You conduct hands-on, graduate-level laboratory research that integrates biology, medicine, engineering, and nanoscience. You run your own research project under faculty and graduate student mentorship while developing laboratory, analytical, and communication skills. Alongside research, you participate in weekly journal clubs and professional development workshops focused on scientific tools and communication. You present your work through an oral presentation and a research poster at a campus research symposium. The program also includes structured networking, field trips, and group activities designed to support engagement with the research community.
9. ATP-Bio Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10–15 spots
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduate STEM students (including community college students) who have not participated in prior research
In the ATP-Bio REU, you spend ten weeks conducting team-based research focused on advancing biopreservation technologies. You work on projects aimed at extending the storage and transport of biological systems such as cells, tissues, organs, and microphysiological systems. Your research takes place at one of several partner institutions, where you collaborate with faculty mentors and research teams in a laboratory setting. The work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches across biology, engineering, and applied sciences. You gain hands-on experience contributing to defined research goals rather than independent project design. The program is structured as a full-time research commitment with provided housing and travel support to enable participation across sites.
10. Sustainable Protein Undergraduate Research Scholars (SPURS) Program
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–15 students
Dates: May 25 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students (rising sophomore, junior, or senior) in good standing at a U.S. college or university; U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, or current visa holders
In the SPURS Program, you will spend ten weeks conducting mentored research on sustainable protein systems at North Carolina State University. You work in a laboratory or research group focused on areas such as biomanufacturing, fermentation, biofabrication, or food systems analysis related to alternative proteins. Each week includes four days of research and one day dedicated to professional development and career exploration. You receive mentorship from faculty, lab staff, and industry partners in the sustainable protein sector. The program concludes with a presentation of your work at the Summer Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium. The experience is structured as a full-time, in-person research commitment.
11. UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars Program
Location: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 10 scholars
Dates: June 8 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, enrolled in a four-year college or university in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Territories; 3.2+ GPA; first-time Amgen Scholars applicants
In the UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars Program, you will conduct full-time research in a UC Berkeley faculty laboratory over ten weeks. You work on a defined research project within fields such as bioengineering, synthetic biology, computational biology, chemical and biomolecular engineering, neuroscience, or genomics. Your research experience is complemented by a structured program that includes faculty seminars, workshops, and professional development activities. You engage with graduate students, faculty, and peers through networking events and collaborative academic settings. The program culminates in oral and poster presentations of your research. You also participate in the Amgen Scholars North America Symposium, where you present your work alongside scholars from other host institutions.
12. Advanced Materials Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) — UC San Diego MRSEC
Location: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
Stipend: $600/week + travel reimbursement up to $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 8–12 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14, with an option to extend paid lab research by up to 2 additional weeks
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Current undergraduates enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year program; U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents; majoring in a relevant STEM field such as Engineering, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, or Data Science
In the Advanced Materials REU at UC San Diego, you will work full-time on interdisciplinary materials science research within MRSEC laboratories across chemistry, molecular biology, chemical and nano engineering, and physics. Your project focuses on areas such as predictive assemblies, engineered living materials, soft and biomaterials, self-assembled systems, or computational materials design, with exposure to both experimental and theoretical approaches. You receive intensive training in core materials science techniques and instrumentation, including electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction methods, along with instruction in lab safety and research ethics. Your research experience is embedded within one of the MRSEC RIMSE Summer Schools, where you complete a mentored capstone “Discovery Project” in a small team.
13. TECBio REU – Training and Experimentation in Computational Biology
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–12 students per summer
Dates: May 18 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents with a background in Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Math, and Chemistry
In the TECBio REU, you will engage in a 10-week computational biology research experience, exploring questions at molecular, cellular, tissue, and population scales. You may work on projects such as computational protein dynamics, signal transduction modeling, automated image analysis, and genomic/metagenomic studies, depending on your assigned lab and interests. The program emphasizes mentorship from faculty and graduate students, professional skill development, and collaborative team research. You will participate in workshops, weekly group meetings, and gain hands-on experience with computational and systems biology tools. At the end of the summer, you present your work at a Pittsburgh-wide annual research symposium.
14. Binghamton University REU – Microbial Biofilm Development, Resistance, & Community Structure
Location: Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY.
Stipend: $7,000 + $120 weekly meal allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 8–10 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who have completed their first year of undergraduate education; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); U.S citizens or permanent residents; Students who graduate prior to the summer are not eligible
In this REU, you will participate in a 10-week summer research experience focused on microbial biofilms, learning how they form, develop, and exhibit antimicrobial resistance. You will be paired with a faculty mentor, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to guide your independent and collaborative research projects. You will attend workshops on topics such as research ethics, graduate school, and STEM career pathways, as well as social events to connect with peers and the research community. At the end of the program, you will present your work at a public research poster session and prepare a research manuscript.
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