15 Biology Summer Internships for Undergraduates
College internships give you a way to learn beyond classes and show employers that you can apply what you’ve learned in professional settings. They help you build a stronger resume, develop practical skills, and make more informed decisions about what you might want to study or pursue after graduation. Employers and graduate programs often look for evidence that you’ve developed your interests through experience, not just coursework.
Why should I do a biology summer internship in college?
If you’re interested in biology, internships let you see how biology is practiced in different settings like labs, healthcare settings, environmental work, or industry roles. Doing a summer internship in biology allows you to use professional lab equipment, run complex experiments, and troubleshoot scientific problems alongside experienced mentors. This practical training is invaluable for figuring out whether you prefer fieldwork, clinical research, or an industry lab setting before committing to a specific career path. Beyond personal growth and networking, completing a summer internship boosts your employment chances after graduation.
With so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start, which is why we’ve narrowed things down to the 15 best biology summer internships for undergraduates. This list includes both in-person and virtual internships, so you can find options that fit your schedule, location, and goals.
1. Columbia University Amgen Scholars Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: $5,000 + $500 in Flex funds
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents; Sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors; 3.2+ GPA; interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
Columbia University's Amgen Scholars Program within the Department of Biological Sciences provides a 10-week intensive summer research opportunity involving full-time laboratory work in molecular biology, genetics, cellular biology, and biochemistry. You are paired with Columbia research faculty who mentor you through developing and executing independent research projects. The program teaches you to construct research questions, perform experiments, interpret data, and compose formal research manuscripts. You'll share your work through an oral presentation at Columbia and a poster at the Amgen Scholars National Symposium in California.
2. Ladder's University Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: 8-week Winter cohort (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: Typically, November
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder's University Internship Program offers a selective opportunity for university students to obtain practical experience with rapidly expanding startups. Participants can engage in sectors including technology, AI, healthcare technology, marketing, media, and business consulting based on individual interests. Throughout the experience, you'll build applicable skills relevant to your field of study, understand business operations, explore various career trajectories, and receive guidance from both managers and company mentors. The program culminates in a team-based final project addressing a practical business challenge, presented at the program's conclusion. Apply now!
3. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students returning to undergraduate programs post-summer
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Undergraduate Research Program is an intensive eight-week experience designed to provide "gifted" undergraduate students with an immersive, independent research experience in a world-renowned laboratory environment. You will investigate scientific methodologies, technical approaches, and theoretical foundations for research while contributing to research in CSHL's specialized laboratories. Available research domains include Molecular Biology and Cancer, Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, and Quantitative Biology. Beyond laboratory research, you engage in training sessions, seminars, and networking events, concluding with research presentations at the URP Symposium.
4. University of Notre Dame NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
Location: University of Notre Dame, IN
Stipend: $6,000
Dates: 10 weeks starting May 25
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; current freshmen through non-graduating seniors in biological sciences
The University of Notre Dame NSF Biology REU is a 10-week summer program where you explore Integrative Cell and Molecular Biology, tackling specific topics like cancer biology, circadian rhythms, and cell signaling. On campus, you will conduct independent research alongside a faculty mentor, attend weekly scientific seminars, participate in ethics workshops, and present your findings at a formal symposium. Through daily lab work, you will learn advanced bench skills like flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. You will also master critical professional skills, including intelligent experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
5. Bernard S. and Sophie G. Gould MIT Summer Research Program in Biology (BSG-MSRP-Bio)
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid weekly, amount not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Full-time U.S. undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, non-graduating seniors) from non-MIT institutions with STEM GPA ≥ 3.5
MIT's BSG-MSRP-Bio is a 10-week intensive program for students interested in biology, brain sciences, cognitive sciences, and chemistry. It is a collaborative effort between the MIT Department of Biology and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS), specifically designed to prepare students for top-tier Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. programs. You will dedicate 40 hours weekly to laboratory research under faculty and graduate student supervision, engaging in hypothesis-based investigations. The program includes weekly faculty sessions, academic seminars, and training in science communication and career development. You also attend departmental events, colloquia, and peer mentoring activities, culminating in a research poster presentation.
6. Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: $6,300
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Current undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors); U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (NSF requirement)
The Princeton Neuroscience Institute Summer Internship Program (SIP) is a highly selective, NSF-funded research experience (REU) designed for undergraduates considering a Ph.D. in neuroscience. It offers a nine-week research opportunity for students interested in neuroscience. You will work in faculty-supervised labs, conducting original investigations in neural circuits, brain imaging, behavioral studies, and computational modeling. Weekly activities include faculty lectures, journal clubs, lab meetings, and technical training in R, Python, and MATLAB for data analysis enhancement. The program ends with a poster presentation session.
7. NSF REU Biological Discovery in Woods Hole
Location: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: June 14 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents; current undergraduates (freshmen through non-graduating seniors); must have completed one course each in Biology and Chemistry.
The NSF REU Biological Discovery in Woods Hole (BDWH) is an elite 10-week summer research residency hosted by the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL). It is specifically designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds or small colleges with limited research facilities. You will collaborate with MBL research scientists to perform independent, mentored research in molecular biology, cellular biology, neurobiology, physiology, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology. You participate in standard laboratory operations, contribute meaningful data, and utilize MBL's state-of-the-art research infrastructure. A student research symposium concludes the program, providing experience in scientific presentation.
8. UNF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Coastal Biology
Location: University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: $5,500
Dates: Late May – Late July
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in baccalaureate programs
The UNF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Coastal Biology is a flagship summer research intensive funded by the National Science Foundation. It is designed to immerse early-stage science students in the field and laboratory culture of coastal and marine biology. You collaborate with coastal biologists at UNF and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve on field-based coastal ecosystem projects. The program begins with a week-long orientation covering research methodologies, safety procedures, and project development. Additional activities include departmental seminars and workshops on science communication and research ethics, ending with presentations at a departmental mini-symposium.
9. Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) Amgen Scholars Program
Location: Stanford Biosciences, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $4,800 and Flex card
Dates: June 20 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors at accredited four-year institutions in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; CGPA of 3.2 and above
The Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) – Amgen Scholars Program is a premier, research-intensive residential internship. It is designed to prepare undergraduates, particularly those from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences, for Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs in the biomedical and biological sciences. You will work in Stanford laboratories under faculty and lab mentor guidance, learning advanced research methods and contributing to studies in molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or bioengineering. Beyond laboratory work, you attend weekly faculty lectures, journal clubs, and professional development sessions on scientific communication, graduate school preparation, and career strategies.
10. Yale BioMed Amgen Scholars Program
Location: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Stipend: $5,000 + $725 food allowance + travel reimbursement up to $750
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors at accredited four-year colleges in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories, have a minimum 3.2 GPA, and who will return in the Fall to continue studies
The Yale BioMed Amgen Scholars Program is a premier research-intensive residency at the Yale School of Medicine. It is specifically designed for students intending to pursue a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences, with a strong emphasis on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and those who have faced significant social or financial obstacles. You will conduct original research in Yale School of Medicine laboratories under faculty mentorship in molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or biomedical engineering. A research symposium concludes the program, where participants present findings and network with senior researchers and scholars nationwide.
11. The Syracuse University REU Program, MicroFFABS
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Stipend: $6,000
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, permanent residents who have finished at least freshman year in STEM, and who won't graduate in the spring
The Syracuse University MicroFFABS REU (Using Microscopy to Understand Form and Function Across Biological Scales) is a specialized summer research program designed to provide undergraduates with an intensive, 10-week immersion into biological research specifically through the lens of advanced microscopy. You collaborate closely with faculty to learn specialized imaging methods using Syracuse's advanced microscopy equipment. Your training will include confocal microscopy, fluorescence imaging, and live-cell analysis while supporting research initiatives. A formal research symposium concludes the summer, where participants present findings to peers and faculty.
12. The Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Bioinformatics
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Stipend: $5,768
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students or recent graduates; must have completed Computer Science and Biology coursework
The Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Bioinformatics is a premier research opportunity for undergraduates to explore the intersection of high-performance computing and personalized genomic medicine. You will work under the University of Iowa faculty’s mentorship, contributing to research in genomic data analysis, variant interpretation, and precision medicine. Following an orientation, the program includes regular seminars on genetics, research ethics, and career planning. You deliver two formal 15-to-20-minute presentations throughout the summer, sharing research progress and outcomes with peers and faculty.
13. Bigelow Laboratory's summer REU Program
Location: Laboratory's East Boothbay campus, East Boothbay, ME
Stipend: $6,500
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; should have a minimum of one year of basic biology and have taken at least one earth or ocean science course
The Bigelow Laboratory REU Program (Research Experience for Undergraduates) is a premier 10-week summer residency funded by the National Science Foundation. Based at their state-of-the-art campus in coastal Maine, the program focuses on the "foundation of global ocean health"—microbes and the ocean’s chemical and physical systems. You will perform independent research with a scientist mentor’s guidance in marine microbiology, ocean biogeochemistry, optical oceanography, remote sensing, bioinformatics, sensory biology, and phytoplankton ecology. The program concludes with research poster presentations and talks at a student symposium. Additional activities include seminars, field excursions, laboratory outreach initiatives, and social gatherings.
14. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Internship Program
Location: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Olivette, MO
Stipend: $8,900
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students legally authorized to work in the United States; majoring in a plant science, a life science field, or a related field, and have relevant coursework
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center REU is a premier 10-week summer program that offers a unique opportunity for students to work at one of the world's largest independent plant science research institutes. You will explore areas including Biofortification, Bioremediation, Cell Biology, Structural Biology, and Translational Plant Science. Training workshops are held at facilities including the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, Bellwether Phenotyping Facility, Data Science Center, Plant Growth Facility, Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, and Plant Transformation Facility. Summer sessions conclude with peer research presentations.
15. The University of Maryland Scholars (UM Scholars) Summer Research Program - Bioinformatics and Data Science track
Location: University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore Campus)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, small cohorts
Dates: May 26 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) undergraduates
The University of Maryland Scholars Summer Research Program in Bioinformatics and Data Science engages you in the intersection of computer science and modern biology. During this experience, you will explore topics like transcriptomics, computational biology, microbiome science, and personalized medicine. Your activities will involve analyzing complex genomic datasets, attending professional training workshops, participating in weekly faculty seminars, and presenting your research at the End of Summer Research Forum. The program features a pipeline structure, connecting College Park undergraduates directly with the Baltimore medical campus to preview advanced clinical and graduate opportunities.
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