15 Clinical Research Internships for Undergraduates
Clinical research internships are aimed at motivated undergraduates looking to pursue careers in healthcare and medicine-aligned fields. These internships offer the chance to gain research experience, work alongside professional researchers, and shadow physicians, scientists, and doctors in a clinical setting.
Why should I participate in a clinical research internship as an undergraduate?
Clinical research internships include training, where you will gain clarity on research methodology and research ethics. You’ll develop your scientific communication skills by working on abstracts and learning how to present your work to an academic audience. You will get the chance to work on your own research project under the mentorship of professional researchers and gain familiarity with basic, translational, and clinical research. These programs also include weekly seminars and lectures where you will build an understanding of clinical concepts and your chosen medical specialty. Many of these internships cater to students who want to pursue a graduate program in clinically aligned fields. You'll have the opportunity to explore different career paths and gain guidance on the graduate application process.
Here are 15 clinical research internships for undergraduates! Many opportunities are multidisciplinary.
1. Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1–August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5; U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents; interest in pursuing an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program places you at an academic medical center where you'll gain both research and clinical patient care experience. You will be paired with a research mentor and complete a research project in the area of clinical or basic science research. The program begins with training, after which you will observe patient care by going on rounds with a general medicine physician team and shadowing residents and attending physicians. The experience includes weekly seminars where you will gain clarity on pathways in medicine, explore academic pathways, gain clarity on college admissions, and discuss topics in healthcare. The program culminates in a symposium where you will present your research over the summer to an academic audience.
2. NIH Summer Internship Program
Location: NIH Intramural Research Program campuses, primarily Bethesda, MD (with some positions at other NIH institutes such as NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, NC)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (stipends vary by educational level and are adjusted annually; interns receive a monthly training stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: May 15–August 1
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, or professional students; must be 18 years old by September 30 (or 17 by June 1 with specific residency conditions); U.S. citizens or permanent residents; enrolled at least half-time or accepted for future enrollment at accredited institutions
The National Institutes of Health offers a summer internship program where you can explore pathways in healthcare and research. During the internship, you will work within a research group, mentored by a principal investigator, and develop familiarity with conducting basic translational and clinical research. You will also have the ability to explore the fields of biology, epidemiology, pharmaceutical science, nursing, bioinformatics, and other health-aligned fields. The experience includes professional development programs, focusing on professional skills needed for healthcare research and aligned pathways. The selection is competitive and includes a personal statement, resume, transcript, and a letter of recommendation.
3. Penn Undergraduate Clinical Scholars Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania and associated clinical research settings, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1–July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate; non-graduating undergraduates; eligible to work in the United States; international students with a visa permitting paid work
The Undergraduate Clinical Scholars Program is designed for students interested in exploring clinical and epidemiologic research. During the program, you'll gain experience conducting your own research with a clinical investigator and have access to weekly lectures and workshops where you will build an understanding of epidemiologic and biostatistical topics. You will be introduced to other aspects of clinical research, such as human subjects and ethics, and strengthen your scientific communication skills through writing abstracts and working on scientific manuscripts. The experience is catered to students with a goal of pursuing a graduate program in clinically aligned fields and includes guidance on choosing appropriate programs and navigating the application process.
4. Mayo Clinic Clinical Research Internship Study Program
Location: Mayo Clinic clinical research internship at Mayo Clinic medical campuses in Jacksonville, FL, and Rochester, MN
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 26–July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates or recent graduates enrolled in or graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university; must be at least 18 years old by program start; minimum GPA 3.5; completed freshman year of college; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students on F-1 visas attending U.S. colleges are eligible
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science offers a clinical research internship study program where you'll gain research experience and explore pathways in medicine, healthcare, and science. During the program, you will be paired with a faculty researcher to work on a clinical research project tailored to your interests. Past participants have worked on research projects in endurance injury epidemiology, vascular risk factors, geriatric transplantation outcomes, anticoagulation management, and image-guided spinal surgery. You will build an understanding through training in research methodology and explore clinical topics via weekly lectures and assigned projects.
5. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute internship, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend with free housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30 students selected per term
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors; enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college/university; minimum GPA 3.3; interest in pediatric research; U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduates a keen insight into the pediatric research and academic medicine fields. During the 10-week internship, you will understand the process of clinical research under a mentor and learn about research design, techniques, and analysis. You will have the opportunity to work in a transitional clinical or behavioral research team and work on your own independent research project, which you will get to present at the poster symposium at the end of the program. The experience includes professional development activities that allow you to network with faculty members and discuss topics such as mentorship, exploring pathways, goal-setting, and elevator pitches. You will also gain exposure to clinical careers through shadowing opportunities, mentorship through conducting informational interviews, and participation in individual development programs.
6. Indiana CTSI Undergraduate Summer Internships
Location: Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, IU Indianapolis campus, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend with housing assistance for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8-week program in June–July (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates with at least one full year completed by June; enrolled full-time at Indiana University, Purdue University, or the University of Notre Dame; pursuing first undergraduate degree in health or life sciences; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Indiana Clinical and Translational Science Institute offers an undergraduate summer internship program that provides research experience. During the internship, you will work alongside faculty members on research projects on translational research projects in the fields of biomedical and life sciences. You will build an understanding of how to conduct research and gain experience working in a professional laboratory. The program also provides you access to professional networking opportunities where you can interact with medical and graduate students and gain clarity on your career pathway.
7. Lurie Cancer Center Undergraduate Summer Research Internships
Location: Northwestern University at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center research labs, Chicago and Evanston, IL
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15–August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Undergraduates (freshman–senior); strong academic record and interest in biological and health sciences; commitment to 8 weeks; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Lurie Cancer Center Undergraduate Summer Research Internship is a program catered to students interested in gaining research experience in the fields of biomedical and health sciences. Over eight weeks, you will work under the mentorship of professional cancer researchers, gain laboratory experience, and work on projects in the fields of cancer immunology, clinical investigation, genomics, and bioinformatics. The program is structured to cover key principles of cancer biology and laboratory investigation, along with professional development activities where you can explore pathways and receive career guidance through seminars, mentoring experiences, and professional networking opportunities.
8. Four Directions Summer Research Program
Location: Mass General Brigham academic medical and research facilities, Boston, MA Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend with free housing (travel grants available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1–July 24
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and first-year medical students; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Four Directions Summer Research Program at Mass General Brigham is offered to students interested in exploring clinical and research-aligned fields. During the 8-week experience, you will participate in a basic science research project under the mentorship of a faculty researcher. The course is designed to give you insight into the pathway of becoming a physician, researcher, or public health professional through shadowing and mentorship experiences. The program includes career exploration and professional development through seminars, talking circles, and networking events, among others. The selection is competitive and includes a personal statement and essays, academic transcripts, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.
9. UMass Chan EXCEL-UP Summer Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship
Location: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Lahey Hospital, Medical Center clinical research sites, Worcester and Burlington, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 12 students selected per term
Dates: May 26–July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified (typically in February)
Eligibility: UMass undergraduates (rising juniors, seniors, or recent graduates) with a GPA of 3.0+; interest in health research; U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents
UMass Chan offers the ExceLab Summer Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship for students interested in working in clinical and translational research. The internship takes place over 10 weeks, where you will be introduced to the field of clinical research. During the program, you will receive research training from professional researchers and gain practical experience working as part of a clinical research team. The experience includes learning about research protocols, participating in team meetings, shadowing professional research staff, and engaging in the research regulatory process and patient care. The internship gives you a holistic view of the medical field, where you get to work on research and also engage in patient care. Past participants have stated that working in a lab and with patients allowed them to see a complete picture of clinical research and gain a wider range of skills.
10. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Orthopedic Research Internship
Location: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center orthopedic clinical research facilities, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June–August (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate/medical students enrolled full-time
Beth Israel Tacones Medical Center offers an orthopedic research internship for students interested in gaining research experience. As an intern, you'll have the opportunity to be placed in both clinical research and basic science domains. Some of the clinical divisions you can explore include joint replacement, musculoskeletal medicine, orthopedic oncology, sports medicine, and orthopedic trauma, among others. The structure of the program focuses on giving you a basic understanding of clinical, translational, and basic research through practical experience. You'll have the opportunity to explore pathways in the field through clinical shadowing, working on research, and receiving mentorship from faculty members.
11. Mass General Brigham Lurie Center for Autism Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program
Location: Lurie Center for Autism clinical research internship, Massachusetts General Hospital, Lexington and Charlestown, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1–July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in ASD research
The Mass General Brigham Lurie Center for Autism offers a summer research program for undergraduates. The structure of the program focuses on practical research training in Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with experience in clinical, preclinical, and translational research areas such as literature analysis, research study design, clinical trials, and patient recruitment, among others. You will be paired with a faculty researcher to conduct a research project. The program includes exposure to concepts through seminars on ASD, fundamentals of research, and shadowing opportunities in clinical care.
12. Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine
Location: Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine hosted at Harvard Medical School partner institutions (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital), Boston, MA area
Cost/Stipend: Paid housing and stipend (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8–August 5
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Undergraduates; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; commitment to the entire 8+ week program
The Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine offers an introduction to nephrology for students looking to pursue higher education in the field. During the internship, you will be assigned to a lab, learn how to conduct research in a professional environment, and work alongside researchers. The program is structured to give you insight into core concepts and clinical fundamentals of kidney physiology and pathophysiology. You will engage in patient care through shadowing a nephrologist, visiting a dialysis unit, and screening for kidney disease. You'll have the opportunity to strengthen your scientific communication skills by presenting your research at an all-paid national symposium.
13. The Harvard/MIT Early Access to Research Training (HEART)
Location: Harvard/MIT Early Access to Research Training (HEART) through Harvard Medical School and partner sites, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Competitive stipend (typically $5,000) with housing and travel reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 31–August 8
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduates with a strong interest in physician-scientist/MD-PhD careers
The Harvard-MIT Early Access to Research Training Program is for students looking to access physician-scientist training and explore pathways in the field. Over 10 weeks, you will work on a research project under the mentorship of a Harvard faculty researcher, learn how to showcase your research work effectively, and present it at different symposiums. The program also provides you with access to guidance from current MD PhD mentors. You will also access clinical experience by working in clinical simulations, skill workshops, and shadowing clinicians at Harvard hospitals. The program includes professional development through weekly seminars and workshops.
14. Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute (Center for Injury Research and Prevention), Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend with travel reimbursement and free housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Undergraduates with at least one year completed by June; anticipated graduation after August 7; minimum GPA of 3.0; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Injury Science Research Experience for Undergraduate Program is for students interested in gaining research experience in a clinical setting. The program takes place over 10 weeks, where you will gain practical experience in a multidisciplinary setting, engaging in behavioral science, statistics, engineering, and education, among others. You will work alongside mentors and trained pediatric researchers to work on the scientific foundation for injury intervention, converting them into practical solutions and then evaluating their success by working with patients. You will assist in developing injury prevention products, policies, programs, and interventions.
15. Emergency Department Clinical Research Undergraduate Internship
Location: Children’s National Hospital clinical research internship, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 18–August 14
Application Deadline: Not published
Eligibility: Undergraduate or post-baccalaureate students; minimum 30 hours per week onsite
The Emergency Department Clinical Research Undergraduate Internship allows students to conduct research in a clinical setting. During the internship, you will gain research experience working in various clinical departments and be exposed to the practical application of research, engaging in overall research operations that include observational studies and randomized controlled trials, providing a comprehensive spectrum of research applications in a clinical setting. You'll also receive mentorship from faculty and clinical staff and participate in professional development workshops that will help you explore pathways in healthcare.
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