15 Genetics Internships for Undergraduates
Internships are a valuable option for college students who want to build professional skills alongside their academic studies. They provide exposure to workplace expectations, allow you to learn professional skills, and help establish meaningful connections in the field. Online internships, in particular, are accessible and affordable options, making it possible to gain experience without relocation costs while still contributing to substantive projects. For students interested in genetics, internships offer a way to explore research, data analysis, policy, and industry roles before committing to a long-term path.
Why should I do a genetics internship in college?
Participating in genetics internships for undergraduates helps you develop technical, analytical, and professional skills that are rarely gained through coursework alone. These experiences demonstrate to employers and graduate programs that you can work effectively in research-driven or industry-focused environments and contribute to complex projects. Internships also expand your professional network, connecting you with mentors and peers who can offer guidance, references, and future career opportunities. Together, these benefits can strengthen your resume and improve your employment prospects after graduation, whether you pursue roles in industry, research, or advanced academic study.
To curate this list of the 15 best genetics internships for undergraduates, we assessed the reputation of the host institution, the quality of the professional experience, and networking access to researchers and industry professionals.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type. No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. 70 to 100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts available throughout the year in winter, spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring January. Summer May. Fall September. Winter November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program places motivated undergraduates in remote internships with startups and nonprofit organizations, offering practical experience in a professional environment. You are matched to organizations based on their academic and career interests, which can include areas such as technology, finance, mental health, or media. You complete a structured, project-based assignment designed to meet real organizational needs, with weekly deliverables and feedback built into the program. You conclude the experience by presenting their final project to both their host organization and a cohort of peers. Alongside a workplace supervisor, students also receive ongoing support from a dedicated Ladder Coach who provides mentorship throughout the internship. Apply now!
2. Johns Hopkins Genomics & Society Mentorship Program (GSMP)
Location: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD (hybrid in-person/remote options)
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 8–10 students per year
Dates: 15‑month program starting with a 10‑week summer internship
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Full-time college students who have completed at least one full year of collegiate study
This genetics internship for undergraduates is a 15-month experience centered on the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of genomic research. Hosted by Johns Hopkins University’s Berman Institute of Bioethics, the program includes a 10-week summer research component followed by academic-year engagement. During the summer, you conduct mentored research while attending weekly journal clubs and seminars focused on genomics policy, ethics, and foundational bioethics concepts. After the summer session, students continue their involvement by leading a genomics-related project or event at their home institution. Further, you return the following summer to rejoin the program community and further develop your work.
3. Icahn Mt. Sinai – Gaurav Pandey Genetics & Genomics Summer Scholars
Location: Mt. Sinai, NYC
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 6–10 scholars per summer
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, early-to-mid February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors; have faced academic challenges, and are majoring in biology, computational biology, mathematics, computer science, statistics, data science, or engineering
This 10-week summer program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai supports undergraduates with an interest in genetics and genomics, particularly those who have faced academic obstacles. You are placed in a research lab within the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, where projects may involve gene editing, statistical genetics, cancer genomics, or neuropsychiatric genomics. You work closely with faculty mentors while developing technical and analytical research skills. The genetics internship for undergraduates includes biweekly seminars and professional development sessions focused on scientific growth and career planning. By the end of the summer, you present your research findings to faculty members.
4. New York Genome Center – Summer Internship Program
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 9–12 interns
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, typically, early June – late July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates in a related course of study and authorized to work in the U.S.
The New York Genome Center’s Summer Internship Program is an eight-week opportunity to engage in applied genomics research or technical development. As an intern, you’ll be matched with a mentor and work within a research lab or operational team on projects such as sequencing data analysis, bioinformatics software development, or genomic data visualization. The program focuses on hands-on learning while exposing students to cutting-edge genomic technologies, including Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms. You’ll also participate in professional workshops, networking sessions, and panel discussions focused on scientific careers. Project work may address real-world challenges like variant detection or data benchmarking.
5. NIH Summer Internship Program – (DCEG) Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics
Location: NIH, Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Between $3,010 – $3,310 depending on tenure as an undergraduate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~30 interns
Dates: At least 8 weeks between May and September
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at least half-time in an accredited community college, college, or university as an undergraduate or a graduate; 18 years old by September 30; permanent home address must be within 40 miles of an NIH campus
The DCEG Summer Internship Program allows undergraduates to conduct research in cancer epidemiology, genetics, and biostatistics at the National Institutes of Health. This genetics internship for undergraduates lasts a minimum of eight weeks between May and September and places students under the mentorship of NIH investigators. You may contribute to projects involving clinical genetics, population-based genomics, translational research, or health disparities. In addition to research activities, interns attend NIH-wide seminars, professional development workshops, and wellness events. The experience culminates in a research poster session where participants present their work.
6. UGA – Summer Undergraduate Fellowships in Genetics (SUNFIG)
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Stipend: $6,750 + up to $500 travel and housing allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically small cohort size
Dates: May 26 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or green card holders enrolled at U.S. colleges (current UGA students not eligible)
SUNFIG is a nine-week summer research program at the University of Georgia that immerses undergraduates in genetics and genomics research. You will be paired with faculty mentors in the Department of Genetics and join research labs working on projects. Research areas can include evolutionary genetics, developmental genetics, molecular evolution, and bioinformatics. As an intern, you are engaged in multiple stages of the research process, from project design to data analysis and interpretation. The program also includes training in bioethics and professional development sessions. The experience concludes with a poster presentation where students communicate their research findings to the academic community.
7. Harvard Medical School – SHURP (Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program in Biomedical Sciences)
Location: Boston/Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 20–25 students
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are still undergraduates during the summer in which they participate in the program
This prestigious genetics internship for undergraduates is a 10-week paid research program at Harvard Medical School for undergraduates preparing for a PhD or a biomedical research career. You’ll work full-time in a research lab under faculty mentorship, with placements spanning areas such as genetics, immunology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. Weekly professional development sessions cover topics including graduate school preparation, research ethics, and science communication. You’ll also engage in peer mentoring activities and cohort-based discussions throughout the summer. Research findings are presented both locally at Harvard and nationally at the Leadership Alliance Symposium.
8. NIH Summer Internship Program – NIEHS site
Location: NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC
Stipend: Between $3,010 – $3,310 depending on tenure as an undergraduate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 60–70 interns
Dates: 8 weeks between May and September
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at least half-time in an accredited community college, college, or university as an undergraduate or a graduate; 18 years old by September 30; permanent home address must be within 40 miles of an NIH campus
At the NIEHS location of the NIH Summer Internship Program, students spend at least eight weeks conducting research in environmental health sciences. The program serves undergraduates and graduate students pursuing biological or biomedical fields and places them in laboratories focused on gene regulation, DNA repair, cancer biology, or bioinformatics. You work closely with a mentor on a defined research project while attending weekly seminars led by NIEHS scientists. Workshops and professional development sessions supplement laboratory training throughout the summer. The program concludes with a formal poster session modeled after professional scientific conferences.
9. REU-RGB – Research Experience for Undergraduates in RNA and Genome Biology Program
Location: Aurora, CO & Denver, CO
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10–15 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: College undergraduates who will be re-enrolling in the Fall and are U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals, or permanent residents
The REU-RGB program is a collaborative initiative between CU Anschutz and MSU Denver that offers a 10-week summer research experience in RNA science and genome biology. The genetics internship for undergraduates is designed to support students from diverse and non-traditional academic backgrounds through mentorship and laboratory training. You are matched with a faculty mentor based on your research interests and receive hands-on experience with advanced experimental techniques. Weekly lectures and skill-building workshops complement lab work throughout the program. Students present their research results to faculty and peers and submit a written abstract at the end of the summer.
10. Texas A&M – Genetics & Genomics Undergraduate Summer Program
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10–15 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in genetics, genomics, biology, or any life science
This 10-week summer program at Texas A&M provides undergraduates with mentored research opportunities in genetics and genomics. You’ll work on projects related to plant, animal, microbial, or computational genetics while being guided by faculty across the Genetics and Genomics program. Participants also attend weekly sessions covering research ethics, career planning, and scientific communication. The program includes enrollment in a three-credit course titled “Command Line Skills,” which introduces foundational bioinformatics tools. Students share their research progress through written reports or oral presentations. Full financial support is provided, including a stipend, housing, meals, and travel assistance.
11. University of Utah – Genomics Summer Research for Magnificents (GSRM)
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer between late May and late July
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
GSRM is a 10-week summer research genetics internship for undergraduates at the University of Utah focused on genomics, bioinformatics, and the societal impact of genomic science. You work in established genomics laboratories on projects that may involve data science, molecular biology, or ethical, legal, and social implications research. The program is designed to support students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. You also receive individualized mentorship, technical training, and access to professional development workshops. You also engage with collaborative research teams that include scientists and healthcare professionals.
12. Broad Institute – (BSRP) Broad Summer Research Program
Location: Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $5,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 15–20 students per year
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: US citizens or permanent residents majoring in physical, biological, or computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics with a minimum 3.2 GPA (4.0 scale) and a strong interest in pursuing graduate school (Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.), legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Broad Summer Research Program is a nine-week internship that places undergraduates in mentored research roles at the Broad Institute. You work on projects in areas such as computational biology, cancer genomics, and infectious disease research. You are matched with a laboratory based on your research interests to receive guidance throughout the summer. The program includes weekly seminars featuring researchers from MIT and Harvard, along with workshops on scientific writing and graduate school preparation. You present your work through both oral and poster presentations at the end of the program. Financial support covers housing, travel, and conference participation, reducing barriers to full-time research engagement.
13. Pitt (University of Pittsburgh – SURP (Summer Undergraduate Research Program)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: At least $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 30–35 students
Dates: May 18 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate training before the start of the program, have a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher, and are enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university
SURP is a 10-week summer research program that places undergraduates in biomedical laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. You’ll work approximately 400 hours under the guidance of faculty mentors from one of six participating PhD programs. Research areas include molecular genetics, developmental biology, microbiology, and related disciplines. Weekly seminars, small group discussions, and structured lab training support skill development and exploration of graduate education pathways. You’ll also take part in organized activities and field trips throughout the Pittsburgh area. The genetics internship for undergraduates concludes with a written abstract and an oral presentation summarizing each student’s research project.
14. UT Southwestern – SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
Location: Dallas, TX
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 50 fellows
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate science degree program and have completed their freshman year, and must also be U.S. citizens or possess an F1 visa
The SURF program at UT Southwestern is a 10-week research experience for undergraduates considering PhD or MD/PhD training in biomedical sciences. You are placed in laboratories aligned with their academic interests, with research projects spanning genetics, molecular biology, cancer research, and related fields. You gain hands-on experience in experimental design, laboratory methods, and data analysis. The program includes faculty-led seminars and informal discussions focused on research careers and graduate education. You work full-time in their assigned labs and become integrated into the academic medical center’s research environment. The summer concludes with a poster presentation where participants share their findings with faculty and peers.
15. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – Undergraduate Research Program
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~20 students
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors returning to an undergraduate degree program following their URP summer research experience
The Undergraduate Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory offers a 10-week summer opportunity to conduct independent research under faculty mentorship. Projects span disciplines such as molecular genetics, quantitative biology, plant biology, neuroscience, and cancer biology. You receive personalized training and participate in workshops covering skills like Python programming and scientific writing. The program includes seminars on research ethics, science communication, and career development. You are also required to produce a written manuscript and deliver two formal presentations during the summer. In addition to research training, students engage with a broader scientific community through weekly lectures and organized social activities.
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