15 Cancer Research Internships for Undergraduates
Internships let college students move beyond lectures and problem sets, offering industry exposure and valuable skills. If cancer research is something you’re interested in pursuing, an internship is a good way to learn more about lab science, clinical studies, computational work, or public health research tied to oncology. These experiences can help you clarify your goals and understand what research careers involve.
Why should I do a cancer research internship as an undergraduate?
A cancer research internship gives you exposure to experimental methods, data analysis, and the problem-solving mindset used in research settings. For students aiming for graduate school, medical school, or biotech roles, participating in a cancer research internship can significantly strengthen applications. Working closely with faculty mentors can give you strong recommendation letters for future job opportunities and graduate school. You will become familiar with current challenges in oncology, making your personal statements and interviews more convincing.
To streamline your search, we’ve curated a list of 15 of the best cancer research internships for undergraduates, focusing on programs that prioritize mentorship and substantive research work.
1. Columbia University IICD Summer Research Program (SRP) for Undergraduates
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: $8,000 + Reimbursement for commuting expenses (up to $300)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10 interns
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors (must be enrolled as an undergraduate in the fall); not open to Columbia/Barnard students
At Columbia’s Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics, you will spend 10 weeks working on a project that connects cancer research with mathematics and computational science. You are paired with a faculty mentor and focus on areas such as computational biology, genomics, data science, or statistical modeling, depending on your background. Past projects have examined tumor evolution, cancer metabolism, and methods for analyzing large genomic datasets. Alongside lab work, you attend weekly seminars, workshops, and lab tours that introduce current research and professional practices. The cancer research internship for undergraduates focuses on close mentorship and regular feedback on your research progress.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–15% acceptance; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual experience where you work directly with a startup or nonprofit on a defined project. You are matched based on your interests, which can include health technology, AI, consulting, or related fields relevant to cancer research and healthcare innovation. Each intern works closely with a company manager and receives guidance from a Ladder Coach throughout the program. Weekly meetings help you set goals, track progress, and refine deliverables. Projects often involve applied research, data analysis, or strategy development tied to real organizational needs. At the end of the internship, you formally present your work to the host organization. Apply now!
3. Feinstein Institute – Summer Student Intern Program
Location: Feinstein Institutes, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 25 students
Dates: May 27 – July 22
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Current matriculated undergraduate college students; 16+ at the program’s start
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research offers an eight-week summer internship focused on disease-oriented research, including cancer biology and related fields. You are matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to an ongoing research project, gaining hands-on experience with experiments, data analysis, or research protocols. The program introduces you to the full research process, from project planning to interpretation of results. Weekly seminars and workshops provide exposure to translational medicine and career paths in biomedical research. You also participate in journal discussions designed to strengthen critical reading skills. The cancer research internship for undergraduates concludes with an academic poster presentation shared with faculty and peers.
4. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Paid + program expenses covered, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~14–16 students
Dates: June 4th week – August 25
Application Deadline: March 8; however, applications stay open until positions are filled
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate freshmen and sophomores who turn 16 by June 15; attend a university in the Tri-state area (NJ, NY, PA, CT); U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The RUYES Program offers undergraduates a multi-year opportunity to engage in cancer-related biomedical research at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. During the summer, you spend 10 weeks working in a research lab under faculty mentorship, focusing on cancer biology or related areas. The program also continues during the academic year with monthly professional development and community health sessions. You learn how laboratory research connects to public health through training as a “community scientist.” You develop research posters and deliver oral presentations at the annual RUYES Research Day. Seminars introduce career options in oncology and biomedical science.
5. Weill Cornell Medicine – Gateways to the Laboratory Program
Location: Weill Cornell campuses, NY
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 7.5%; 15 students
Dates: 9 weeks starting June 1
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are college freshmen or sophomores and will be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program
This cancer research internship for undergraduates at Weill Cornell Medicine introduces you to the MD-PhD pathway through an intensive summer research experience. Over eight to nine weeks, you conduct independent research at Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Each participant is paired with a current MD-PhD student mentor who provides academic and career guidance. In addition to lab work, you join weekly journal clubs, clinical skills workshops, and physician shadowing at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The program also includes community outreach and science communication training. You present your research through oral and poster sessions at program symposia.
6. Rutgers Cancer Institute Summer Clinical Research Internship Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–15 students
Dates: June–August (flexible start date; 10-week internship)
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Undergraduate, associate, or graduate students; 3.5+ GPA on a 4.0 scale
Rutgers Cancer Institute’s Summer Clinical Research Internship Program is a 10-week experience focused on clinical oncology research. You’ll work with research staff on cancer trials related to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Responsibilities may include supporting patient recruitment, managing study protocols, and assisting with data collection. Interns meet regularly with mentors and receive ongoing guidance throughout the program. Some tasks can be completed remotely after an initial in-person orientation, depending on the role. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week.
7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Computational Biology Summer Program (CBSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~15 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Current U.S. undergraduates (freshmen through juniors) majoring in computer science, applied math, or related fields; minimum GPA of 3.0; experience with coding languages (e.g., Python, R, C++) required
The Computational Biology Summer Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering is a ten-week research experience for undergraduates with strong quantitative backgrounds. You work in a lab at MSK, Weill Cornell, or Rockefeller University on a computational biology project related to cancer or biomedicine. Faculty mentors guide you in applying computer science, math, or statistics to biological research questions. Weekly seminars and journal clubs introduce current topics in computational oncology. Professional development workshops address research careers and graduate training. The cancer research internship for undergraduates concludes with a formal poster presentation of your work.
8. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,304 (minus taxes)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~25–30 students
Dates: June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering the final year/term/quarter of undergrad study
Fred Hutch’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program is a nine-week, full-time internship focused on biomedical and cancer research. You’ll complete an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor in areas such as basic science, clinical research, public health, or infectious disease. Weekly seminars expose you to a range of research topics and approaches. Professional development workshops cover topics like graduate and medical school applications and scientific communication. The experience ends with a competitive poster session where you present your findings. Interns also participate in group activities that support cohort interaction.
9. American Cancer Society Internship for College Undergraduates
Location: Varies by institution (apply directly to ACS-funded sites)
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 4–8 interns
Dates: Typically 10 weeks between May/June and August; start dates vary by institution
Application Deadline: Varies by institution; typically between January, February, and March
Eligibility: Rising college sophomores, juniors, or seniors in STEM; minimum 3.0 GPA; must be full-time students not enrolled in conflicting summer coursework
This cancer research internship for undergraduates places you in a cancer research setting for ten weeks during the summer. You will be matched with a mentor and work on a research project in a laboratory, clinical, or community-based environment. Each host site determines its specific research focus and application process. The program is focused on providing students with hands-on experience and exposure to real-world research methods. Weekly workshops support skill development and research communication. Interns present their work at the end of the program and remain connected through ongoing career development activities during the academic year.
10. UMaryland Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research (NSIP)
Location: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $6,500 + $500 travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 positions available
Dates: May 18 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; undergraduate students with a GPA >3.2
The Nathan Schnaper Intern Program at the University of Maryland focuses on translational cancer research over a ten- to eleven-week summer term. You will join a mentored lab project that connects scientific discoveries with clinical applications. Regular workshops and seminars introduce how laboratory findings move toward patient care. The program also includes opportunities for clinical shadowing to observe research impact in healthcare settings. Interns receive guidance on scientific communication and career pathways in cancer research. At the end of the program, you present your research to faculty and peers. Past projects have addressed tumor biology, diagnostics, and drug development.
11. Fox Chase Cancer Center Summer Cancer Research Institute
Location: Temple University or Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: At least $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~10-17 interns
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Sophomores or higher enrolled at Temple University or Hunter College in both Spring and Fall; age 18+
The Summer Cancer Research Institute is an eight-week program where you work with a faculty mentor on a basic, clinical, or population-based cancer research project. Daily responsibilities may include assisting with experiments, data collection, analysis, or literature review, depending on the focus of your lab. In this cancer research internship for undergraduates, you attend cancer-focused seminars that introduce current research topics and approaches in oncology. Skill-building workshops support the development of scientific writing, data interpretation, and presentation skills. The program concludes with a formal research presentation where you share your work with faculty and peers.
12. Roswell Park College Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN)
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20–25 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; college juniors at the time of application or college sophomores participating in a SUNY C-STEP, LSAMP, or McNair program
Roswell Park’s SURE-CAN program is a ten-week summer internship at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. You’ll work on a mentored research project in areas such as tumor immunology, computational oncology, cancer prevention, or public health. The program combines hands-on research with lectures on cancer biology and treatment. You’ll attend weekly seminars and professional development sessions that address research ethics, statistics, and graduate school preparation. Further, interns build scientific communication skills through posters and oral presentations. The experience culminates in presentations at Roswell’s summer research conference and Buffalo Research Day. Some projects receive recognition through competitive awards.
13. Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience and Mentorship (CURE-M)
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; typically, 1–2 interns per participating lab
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors; at least one year of college-level coursework completed by program start; U.S. and international students
This cancer research internship for undergraduates at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is a 10-week summer research program for those interested in cancer or biomedical research. You will be paired with both a faculty mentor and a peer mentor to work on a research project. Workshops and seminars throughout the summer address research skills and career development. The program continues during the academic year with virtual seminars and structured mentoring. A dedicated online workspace supports collaboration and ongoing discussion. You present your work during a capstone research session at the end of the summer. A few participants may attend external scientific conferences.
14. University of Michigan Cancer Research Summer Internship Program (CaRSIP)
Location: University of Michigan Medical and NCRC Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
Stipend: $5,500 paid in three installments + $500 travel stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20–25 students
Dates: May 20 – July 29
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students with valid U.S. work authorization; full-time college sophomores or juniors; GPA of 3.0+; full-time participation required
The Cancer Research Summer Internship Program at the University of Michigan is a ten-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates. You will work with faculty mentors on cancer-focused research projects in a wet lab or data-driven research setting. Research topics have included DNA repair, tumor genetics, stem cells, and cancer biomarkers. Biweekly seminars introduce current cancer biology research and related career paths, while professional development sessions focus on scientific communication and graduate training. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your findings.
15. PathMaker Scholars Cancer Research Program
Location: Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Stipend: Up to $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~14-30 participants
Dates: May 25 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal residents; rising college freshmen or early undergraduates
The PathMaker Scholars Cancer Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is a 10-week summer experience for early undergraduates and advanced high school students. You’ll begin with a one-week laboratory skills course before starting a nine-week mentored research project in a university lab. The cancer research internship for undergraduates requires a full-time commitment and includes weekly meetings and career development sessions. Participants live on campus and engage closely with peers and mentors throughout the summer. You present your research at the University of Utah’s Summer Research Symposium. Program evaluations are completed during and after the experience. Students who complete the program are eligible to return the following summer without reapplying.