15 Biotech Internships for Undergraduates
If you are an undergraduate student interested in biotechnology, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field. Internships are one of the most effective ways for college students to explore career paths. They enable you to apply classroom learning to industry problems, develop professional skills that employers value, and establish relationships with mentors in your field. Internship experience also shows job readiness, especially in technical fields where practical exposure is essential. Online internships have made this kind of exposure more accessible by reducing geographic barriers.
Why should I do a biotechnology internship in college?
Biotech internships for undergraduates provide exposure to how research, product development, data analysis, and regulation operate in industry environments. A biotechnology internship allows you to assess whether the field aligns with your career goals before committing to graduate school or full-time employment. Internships make you more competitive after graduation, as many biotechnology employers prefer candidates who already understand industry expectations. Beyond technical skills, you’ll start building a professional network of mentors who can offer advice and references for future job or graduate school applications.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 biotechnology internships for undergraduates based on program prestige, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to work with scientists, engineers, and industry leaders.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Program fee (not specified); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: March - April (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: College students and young professionals
You are matched with a startup and spend eight weeks working on a defined project under the guidance of a company coach. The program follows weekly milestones, starting with project scoping and concluding with a final presentation delivered to the host company. You’ll typically work five to ten hours per week, with scheduled meetings and feedback sessions built in. The core focus is on producing a tangible deliverable that reflects real startup work rather than completing simulated tasks. You also receive direct mentorship from someone within the company. This program is well-suited if you’re looking for a structured, remote experience and want a concrete project you can describe in applications or interviews. Apply now!
2. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Biomedical Research – National Cancer Institute / National Institutes of Health
Location: Bethesda, MD, and other NIH campuses (varies depending on the lab)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend (amount varies depending on the education level and appointment)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (typically June - August)
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to work in the United States
You’ll spend the summer working full-time in a research laboratory at the NIH, including laboratories within the National Cancer Institute. Interns are matched with a principal investigator and take part in ongoing biomedical research projects, contributing to real experiments rather than shadowing. You can apply to multiple NIH institutes through a single application, which offers flexibility in research focus and laboratory placement. In addition to laboratory work, the program includes seminars, career talks, and professional development programming across NIH. This is one of the largest and most well-established biomedical research internships in the U.S., with opportunities across cancer biology, immunology, genetics, and related fields.
3. A Summer of Science Internship – Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid | competitive hourly pay with potential housing, travel, and health insurance support on a need basis
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at a U.S. college or university who have completed at least three semesters or four quarters and are eligible to work in the United States
You’ll spend ten weeks working full-time in a Novartis research lab, designing and conducting your own study under the guidance of a scientist mentor. The hands-on work is focused on drug discovery, with interns conducting experiments, analyzing data, and learning new laboratory techniques related to active research programs. You’re treated as a contributing member of the research team rather than an observer, taking responsibility for a defined project. In addition to laboratory work, the program includes scientific seminars, professional development sessions, and opportunities to present your results to the broader research community. This internship is aimed at undergraduates with limited prior industry exposure who are considering graduate or professional training in biomedical research. It’s a strong fit if you want a structured introduction to pharmaceutical R&D in an academic-style research environment.
4. Pfizer Futures: Research and Development Internship – Pfizer
Location: Multiple U.S. locations including Cambridge, MA; La Jolla, CA; Groton, CT; Andover, MA; Collegeville, PA; and others
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $26 - $29 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university | age 18+ years | authorized to work in the U.S. with a minimum GPA of 3.3
You’ll spend the summer working within Pfizer’s Research and Development organization, contributing to projects related to drug and vaccine development efforts. Internship roles span both laboratory-based and non-laboratory teams, including oncology, vaccines, inflammation and immunology, clinical development, and translational sciences. You’re expected to support real team priorities rather than side projects, with most roles requiring on-site work several days per week. The program runs on a rolling placement basis, so interview timing and responsibilities can vary depending on the division and location. Some interns may be eligible to apply for a rotational or full-time role with Pfizer in the following year.
5. Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) – Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $5,400 stipend plus free housing and travel support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at a four-year U.S. college with a graduation date of December or later | minimum GPA of 3.2 | authorized to work in the U.S.
You’ll spend nine weeks working on an original research project in a Broad Institute laboratory, with options in experimental or computational research across areas such as genomics, cancer, infectious disease, and data science. Each student is paired with a research mentor and is expected to contribute meaningfully to ongoing research rather than follow a predefined curriculum. The program combines intensive lab work with a structured curriculum focused on scientific communication and graduate school preparation. In addition to the laboratory work, you’ll attend seminars with researchers from Harvard and MIT and take part in workshops on careers in biomedical science. Housing, travel to Boston, and support to present your work at a national conference are all included. This program is well-suited if you’re seriously considering a PhD or MD-PhD career pathway and want sustained research experience in a highly collaborative research environment.
6. Biogen Summer Internship Program – Biogen
Location: Primarily Cambridge, MA, with some roles in Weston, MA, and Research Triangle Park, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid salary (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May - September
Application Deadline: End of April
Eligibility: College and graduate students with at least one year of college coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.2
You’ll support research and business teams across Biogen, with most research positions focused on laboratory-based research in Cambridge. Research interns typically work in areas such as molecular and cellular biology, immunology, neuroscience, chemistry, bioengineering, or biostatistics, depending on team needs. Most research roles expect you to have completed at least two prior lab courses and be comfortable working in a structured lab environment. In addition to research positions, Biogen also offers internships in manufacturing, quality, finance, HR, and legal departments. This program is designed for students seeking exposure to industry research rather than academic lab work. It’s a practical option if you’re interested in biotechnology or pharmaceutical careers and want to understand how large research teams operate in an industry environment.
7. Technical Development Applied Technologies Intern
Location: Norwood, MA (on-site)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 - August 14
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: Undergraduate or master’s students in engineering or computer science fields with U.S. work authorization
You’ll spend the summer working on applied technologies that support drug development and manufacturing, with a focus on automation and systems integration. Interns collaborate closely with engineers and scientists to design, test, and improve automated systems used in clinical and commercial production. The role includes hands-on project work, technical documentation, and troubleshooting existing processes, along with regular team meetings and training. This internship is strongly engineering-focused, emphasizing real-world automation rather than wet-lab research. Full-time, on-site participation for the entire summer is required, and immigration sponsorship is not available. This internship is well-suited if you’re interested in how engineering, software, and manufacturing intersect within a fast-paced biotechnology company.
8. Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend with housing provided (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 students
Dates: June 8 - August 8
Application Deadline: Applications closed
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from around the world (specific requirements not specified)
You’ll spend nine weeks working full-time on an original research project in a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory faculty laboratory. Research areas include molecular biology, cancer biology, genetics and genomics, neuroscience, plant biology, and quantitative biology. You are matched to an ongoing project rather than rotating between labs. In addition to daily laboratory work, the program includes structured workshops in bioinformatics and Python, along with training in scientific writing and presentation. You’ll write a scientific manuscript about your work and present your research to the full CSHL community at the end-of-summer symposium. Students live on campus and are fully immersed in the laboratory environment, with expectations similar to a junior researcher. This program is well-suited if you’re seriously considering a research-focused career and want deep, mentored experience at a leading basic science institute.
9. Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Location: Memphis, TN
Cost/Stipend: Paid, allowance with housing provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate, medical, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and preparing for careers in biomedical science, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health
You’ll spend the summer working in either a laboratory research or clinical research environment focused on pediatric cancer. Students are matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects rather than short-term simulations. Alongside research, you’ll attend a daily lunch & learn seminar series and participate in other clinical and scientific conferences designed specifically for POE trainees. Participants complete oral and written reports and are treated as full-time trainees in an active research environment. The program is designed for students with a demonstrated interest in cancer research and long-term scientific or clinical careers.
10. Vertex Summer Internship Program
Location: United States (varies depending on the role and team)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late May/early June - August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an academic degree program with U.S. work authorization
You’ll spend the summer working full-time on a defined project within a Vertex team, with roles available across research, medicine development, regulatory, commercial, and general business functions. Interns are embedded within teams and learn through day-to-day responsibilities rather than shadowing, with regular interaction with managers and colleagues. Each intern is expected to complete a meaningful project and present their work at an end-of-summer capstone event. Alongside project work, you’ll take part in professional development workshops, networking events, and sessions with organizational leaders. The program is designed to give you a realistic view of how a large biopharmaceutical company operates across functions. This internship is well-suited if you want broad exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and are exploring the possibility of how your academic background might translate into industry roles.
11. Illumina Internship Program
Location: United States (varies depending on the role and team)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (typically June - August)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an academic degree program with U.S. work authorization
You’ll spend the summer working in an Illumina team on projects that contribute to genomics technology, product development, data science, or business operations. Interns are expected to take ownership of meaningful assignments rather than shadowing, with daily responsibilities shaped by their specific team and role. The program emphasizes mentorship, team collaboration, and hands-on projects aligned with Illumina’s core genomics mission. Alongside project work, you’ll take part in career development workshops, networking with senior leaders, and team-building activities. Roles span technical and non-technical areas, including engineering, bioinformatics, data science, research, and business functions. This internship is best suited if you’re exploring how genomics research and technology translate into real-world biotechnology applications and want exposure to an industry environment.
12. Gilead Internship Program
Location: Primarily Foster City, CA, with opportunities at other U.S. Gilead and Kite locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with housing and travel assistance for eligible interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified (roles typically posted mid-November)
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate or doctoral students with a minimum GPA of 2.8 and U.S. work authorization
You’ll spend 10 to 12 weeks working on a team at Gilead, contributing to projects across functions such as research and development, manufacturing, IT, finance, marketing, and operations. Interns are embedded within teams and expected to support day-to-day work rather than being a silent observer. The program emphasizes practical, real-world experience and cross-functional exposure within a large biopharmaceutical company. Alongside project work, you’ll take part in cohort-based events, networking activities, and professional development programming. Interns also receive benefits such as paid holidays, wellness resources, and a paid volunteer day.
13. Thermo Fisher Scientific Internship Program
Location: United States and international locations (varies depending on the role and team)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies | typically 3 months to 6 months, with some roles up to 1 year
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies depending on the position)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited degree program
You’ll work on projects that support Thermo Fisher’s scientific, operational, or business teams, with roles available across life sciences, engineering, data, finance, procurement, and more. Interns are embedded within teams and expected to contribute ideas, execute projects, and collaborate across departments rather than being silent observers. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, professional development workshops, and direct exposure to how science-driven products are delivered to customers. Outside of day-to-day work, interns can participate in leadership coffee chats, volunteer opportunities, and events hosted by employee resource groups. Internship length and responsibilities vary widely depending on the location and function, offering flexibility based on your academic schedule. This program is well-suited if you want broad exposure to an industry leader serving research, diagnostics, and biopharma customers and are exploring applied careers beyond academic research.
14. Genentech Community College Internship Program (Manufacturing)
Location: Oceanside, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $23 - $25 per hour (location-based) | paid holiday time off
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May - August (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Community college students currently enrolled or A.S./A.A. degree holders within 1.5 years of graduation | must be 18 years or above with a high school diploma or GED
You’ll work in a manufacturing-focused role at this biotech firm, supporting day-to-day operations under the supervision of a manager and a technical team. The internship follows a structured training plan and includes meetings, independent reading, and hands-on tasks tied to real manufacturing workflows. You’re expected to take ownership of assigned work and clearly explain your process and results through oral and poster presentations. In addition to project work, the program includes professional development activities such as workshops, panels, and networking sessions. This internship is designed specifically for community college students exploring entry-level pathways in biomanufacturing and biotech, rather than prior laboratory research experience.
15. UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Stipend: Fully funded | housing provided and a stipend of $1,802, along with covered travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 students
Dates: June 4 - August 6
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from eligible Asian countries who have completed at least one year of study and plan to continue their undergraduate enrollment after the program
You’ll spend eight weeks working in a University of Tokyo research laboratory on a biomedical or life sciences project alongside graduate students and faculty. Projects span areas such as neuroscience, molecular biology, bioengineering, immunology, and related fields, and you apply to one specific project rather than a general pool. The program is designed around immersive lab work, with expectations similar to those placed on junior researchers. In addition to laboratory work, you’ll attend seminars, take part in Japanese language and cultural activities, and present both a poster and an oral talk on your research. Housing, travel, and a living stipend are provided, but you’re expected to commit full-time and cannot take classes or hold other employment during the program. This program is best suited for undergraduates seriously considering a PhD who want an intensive, internationally focused research experience at a highly selective institution.