12 Biology Internships for Undergraduates

As a college student studying biology and exploring potential career paths, internships offer valuable opportunities to apply your coursework to real-world scenarios. These experiences provide hands-on practice that deepens your understanding of the field and helps you refine your career goals.

Internships also significantly enhance your employability. By working alongside professionals, you’ll develop your skills and build a network that can help you stand out in the competitive job market. Here are 12 internships to help you expand your professional network, boost your resume, and guide your career journey.

1.  Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Program Dates: 8 weeks starting December 16, 2024
Application Deadline: November 24, 2024
Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)

Ladder Internships is a selective program where you’ll work with a high-growth start-up or NGO on real-world projects. Internships span various industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and even fields that intersect with biology. You can find roles tailored to your interests on their application form.

Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with your manager and a Ladder Coach on impactful projects, presenting your work to the company at the end of the internship. You’ll also receive one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other essential skills, alongside group sessions with other interns.

2. American Museum of Natural History’s REU Biology Program

Location:  American Museum of Natural History in New York City
Eligibility: Students must be US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents, entering or continuing in an Associate or Baccalaureate degree program following their summer internship.
Program Dates:
Application Deadline: 
Cost: None. $6,000 traineeship stipend and per diem costs for housing, meals, relocation, and transportation is offered

This highly selective program, founded by the National Science Foundation and running for 30 years now, admits only 10 students per cohort. You will work alongside faculty, curators, and postdoctoral fellows on independent research in fields such as genomics, population biology, conservation biology, paleontology, taxonomy, and phylogenetics.

Gain access to extensive natural history collections and advanced equipment, including genome sequencing platforms and CT scanners. The program also offers formal instruction in systematics and evolution while helping you develop key skills in ethics, communication, networking, and more.

3. Boston University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Location: Boston University labs
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors
Program Dates: Early June to mid-August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 1 (based on 2024 dates)
Cost: None. Stipend is provided but the exact amount is not specified

Designed to promote access to graduate education, this program is open to talented undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. It encourages students to conduct research in science and technology, including projects like Biology and the Control of Gene Expression for Biological Outcomes.

Participants receive housing and benefit from weekly enrichment activities and social events. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to present your research at the Boston University Undergraduate Research Symposium.

4. Small Mammal House Enrichment Internship at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Location: Washington DC
Eligibility: undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in a related field who can work independently and in a team, with good physical health and are able to lift up to 50 pounds. Students must commit to a regular schedule, including weekends and holidays 
Program Dates: January - June, 2025
Application Deadline: November 14, 2024
Cost: Transportation, housing, and personal healthcare costs to be borne by the intern.

This internship offers hands-on experience in enrichment and husbandry tasks at the Smithsonian Zoo's Small Mammal House. You will assist staff in developing new protocols and enrichment items, while working on a project and shadowing daily keeper duties.

Your focus will be on species-specific behaviors for over 30 species of mammals, including primates, rodents, and carnivores. Throughout the internship, you will design, construct, and execute independent enrichment projects based on your research, evaluating their effectiveness through behavioral observations.

Additionally, you will gain knowledge in animal husbandry, interpretive educational programs, and animal/keeper safety protocols. If you wish to publish your project results at the end of the internship, the organization will offer full support.

5. NIH Summer Internship in Biomedical Research Program

Location:  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Opportunities are also available at other campuses
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 years of on or before June 1, 2025, and be currently enrolled in an accredited community college, university, or college.
Program Dates: 8 continuous weeks between May and September. Preferably in June and July.
Application Deadline: Mid-February.
Cost: None. Stipends depend on the education level

This program is designed for students pursuing careers in biomedical and biological sciences. It offers the opportunity to work on a research project using the latest molecular, biochemical, and analytical techniques in the field.

The program includes seminars and workshops, providing a platform to engage with leading researchers and staff within the institution. Depending on your program dates, you may also participate in a poster session during the last week of July, where you can present your work and answer questions about it.

6. Shoals Marine Laboratory Undergraduate Research Programs

Location: Hybrid in Washington D.C.
Cost: None
Stipend: $17/hour
Deadline: Typically in January
Program Dates: 12 weeks (June to August)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The Marine Mammals Internship selects only 1-2 undergraduate researchers, making it a prestigious opportunity.

Each week, you will conduct boat-based surveys of the Duck Island seal colony, located one mile north of Appledore Island. This involves photographing seals along a standardized survey route, then analyzing and cataloging the digital photos, along with associated environmental and behavioral data, in the laboratory. You will collaborate with a mentor to design a research project using archived or new data, and participate in weekly lectures and discussions.

This program will deepen your understanding of marine mammal biology, data analysis, photography, and vessel-based research techniques, making it an ideal opportunity for those interested in marine biology.

7. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Undergraduate Programs

Location: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who will have completed their junior year at colleges or universities by the start of the fellowship period. Students in a 3-year program must be in their second year, and students in a 5-year combined Bachelor/Master’s program must be in their third year.
Program Dates: Flexible. Typically between May-end and mid-June
Application Deadline: February 5, 2025
Cost: None. Stipend for the 10-12 week program is $680, plus a $700 travel allowance

This program offers students valuable exposure to research in oceanographic engineering, oceanography, and marine policy, making it ideal for those with an interest in biology, chemistry, geophysics, and related fields.

You will conduct independent research under the mentorship of a Scientific or Senior Technical Staff member. With guidance from your advisor, you’ll select your project and collaborate on its execution. Additionally, you will have access to over 200 practicing scientists and engineers and the institution’s exceptional facilities.

Highly selective, this program accepts only 25 to 30 fellows each year. The application process requires a completed form, a short essay, a resume/CV, unofficial transcripts, and two references.

8. American Heart Association’s SURE Scholar Program

Location: Virtual or in-person at a laboratory connected to the AHA
Eligibility: Underrepresented college students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years who are exploring careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), able to dedicate 8-10 weeks between May and mid-August, and attend the symposium at the end of the program
Program Dates: 8 - 10 weeks from May/June to August
Application Deadline: not specified
Cost: None. $6,000 stipend plus travel expenses and housing stipend

Designed to improve diversity and address inequities in healthcare, this program provides support to students from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino(a), American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students.

In partnership with various educational institutions, the AHA offers research experience and mentorship opportunities. You will collaborate with a mentor or laboratory affiliated with the AHA, conducting research that aligns with their mission.

9. New York Genome Center’s Summer Internship Program

Location: New York Genome Center
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a related course of study, authorized to work in the US without sponsorship and available to work full-time for the duration of the internship
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: not specified
Cost: not specified

This intensive 8-week summer program offers hands-on mentorship from mentors within the organization's scientific groups, research laboratories, and administrative departments. You will participate in specially curated events and enrichment opportunities, including presentations, weekly workshops, career panels, and networking events.

The program is designed to help you develop essential skills for your future academic and professional career. You will work on projects such as benchmarking and integrating bioinformatic tools into existing pipelines, coding for sequencing data analysis, and analyzing, summarizing, and visualizing datasets.

10. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Location: Florida, Arizona, Minnesota
Eligibility: Applicants must be current second or third-year undergraduate students who will be continuing in the subsequent fall semester. A 3.0 GPA is also required. International full-time students in a US college or university are also eligible to apply.
Program Dates: May 27 - August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
Cost: None. $6,000 stipend for 10 weeks which is broken into 4 payments paid on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.

This 10-week program will help you develop your technical skills as you conduct independent research or contribute to an ongoing project. You will also participate in special events, weekly seminars, and career development activities, and present your work at the Summer Research Poster Session.

The program provides access to over 350 faculty members, with just 180 students accepted across three campuses each year. Key highlights include hands-on experience with world-class instruments in state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to connect with the SURF community, which offers access to nationally and internationally recognized scientists.

11. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internships

Location: Virtual
Eligibility:  Full-time community college students within their first 3 years of CC, and within the age of 17-21 by June 17. High school juniors and seniors are also welcome to apply.
Program Dates: June 12 - August 9 (based on 2024 dates)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Cost: No cost. Financial assistance may be offered.

This program allows you to conduct hands-on, cutting-edge research under the guidance of the university’s renowned faculty and industry leaders, offering an immersive educational experience.

You will dedicate 40 hours per week to collaborating with peers and working on high-quality projects. All necessary hardware will be provided to support your success in conducting university-level research.

12. Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program

Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students from all backgrounds who can commit to the course full-time.
Program Dates: May 25 - August 2, 2025
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Cost: None. Stipends range from $3,000 - $5,000. Housing is provided.

The summer internship program at John Hopkins offers various opportunities across departments, including those focused on Nanotechnology for Biology and Bioengineering Research Experience at the Institute for NanoBioTechnology. These opportunities are designed to provide research exposure, enhance your theoretical knowledge, and develop your practical skills.

You will engage in a variety of activities, networking events, and research discussions. At the end of the program, you may present your work orally or in a poster format. This experience is similar to completing a laboratory rotation as a first-year graduate student.

If you're looking for an internship that will help advance your career in biology, consider the Ladder Internships!

Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual program where you’ll have the chance to work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! These startups span a variety of industries, including computer science, tech, and engineering. During your internship, you’ll work on a meaningful, real-world project that directly contributes to the startup’s needs, and you’ll present your work at the end of the program.

You’ll collaborate closely with your manager from the startup and also receive guidance from a Ladder Coach throughout your experience. Ready to take the next step? Apply now!