15 Biomedical Summer Internships for Undergraduates
For a college student, internships offer the chance to develop practical skills, strengthen their resume, and clarify whether a field fits their long-term goals. If you’re drawn to biomedicine, these experiences matter even more, since understanding how research, clinical work, or biotech operations function isn’t something textbooks can fully capture. Biomedical summer internships also offer a practical way to test your interest in biomedicine.
Why should I do a biomedical summer internship in college?
A biomedical summer internship gives you the chance to witness how science is applied, whether that means generating data in a lab, analyzing biomedical datasets, or contributing to disease-focused research. These experiences help you build skills that employers and graduate programs look for, such as problem-solving, technical competence, and the ability to work within research teams. You’ll get letters of recommendation, which can improve your chances of landing a research role, industry position, or advanced degree after graduation.
To make your search easier, here are 15 biomedical summer internships for undergraduates, including both in-person and virtual options, based on structure, mentorship, and experience.
1. UC San Diego Bioengineering Undergraduate Research
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Stipend: $5,000 living allowance stipend + $1,120 food stipend
Cohort Size: 8 students
Dates: June 21 – August 14
Application Deadline: Typically, February
Eligibility: College first-years, sophomores, or juniors (18+) at N.C. A&T in a relevant STEM degree program; Must have a GPA of 3.0+
As an intern in the UC San Diego Bioengineering Undergraduate Research program, you will work full-time on an active faculty-led research project in areas such as biomaterials, biomedical imaging, or computational approaches to biomedicine. You will be matched to one of several ongoing projects, which may involve topics like macrophage behavior in tumor environments, pulmonary arterial hypertension, or cell mechanics studied through advanced imaging techniques. Throughout the summer, you will contribute directly to your mentor’s research rather than completing a standalone student project. Weekly workshops focus on research methods, professional development, and scientific communication, while cohort activities support peer interaction. You will be required to design and present a research poster at the UC San Diego Research Symposium. You will also get to attend the annual Biomedical Engineering Society Conference, with travel fully covered.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers a two-month, remote internship model that connects you with early-stage startups, including companies working in biomedicine and health technology. You’ll collaborate with a startup team on a defined research or technical project, which may involve medical devices, applied biomedical engineering, or health-focused data analysis. At the start of the internship, you’ll work with a company coach to define deliverables and scope your project based on the organization’s needs. Ladder interns complete structured milestones throughout the internship and finish with a formal presentation to the startup’s leadership team. The format is designed for flexibility alongside academic coursework. Apply now!
3. 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)
Cohort Size: ~10 interns
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors (must be enrolled as an undergraduate in the fall); Not open to Columbia/Barnard students; Previous research experience not required
Columbia’s Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics runs a ten-week, full-time summer research program focused on the intersection of cancer biology, mathematics, and computational science. As an intern, you will be paired with a faculty mentor and work on a research project that applies quantitative methods to biomedical questions such as tumor evolution, cancer metabolism, or genomic data analysis. Depending on your background, your work may involve computational biology, data science, statistical modeling, or genomics. You’ll also engage in seminars, lab tours, and workshops that expose you to current cancer research practices and scientific communication standards. You’ll receive regular feedback on research progress through close mentorship and conclude the experience with written and oral research presentations.
4. PCCM’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid a monthly stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~4%; 10-15 students
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: November 3 – January 16
Eligibility: U.S. rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors; Must have a current insurance plan
This nine-week Research Experience for Undergraduates at Princeton places you into an active faculty research group within the Center for Complex Materials. As an intern, you will get to work on research efforts alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Faculty mentors come from departments spanning molecular biology, chemical and biological engineering, physics, and materials science. Many projects involve biomaterials, biological interfaces, or materials used in medical and biomedical applications. In addition to lab research, you’ll participate in short courses and seminars on materials research and its societal implications. The program also includes visits to Princeton and regional industry labs. You’ll present your work during a formal poster session at the end of the summer. You can check out last year’s research projects here.
5. Feinstein Institute: Summer Student Intern Program
Location: Feinstein Institutes, Manhasset, NY
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: Up to 25 students
Dates: May 27 – July 22
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Current college students; International students must be matriculated in a U.S.-based college
The Feinstein Institutes’ eight-week Summer Student Intern Program will place you into disease-oriented biomedical research labs, including cancer biology and related fields. As an intern, you will work under the guidance of a faculty mentor and contribute to an ongoing research project where daily responsibilities may include experimental work, data analysis, literature review, or protocol development, depending on the lab. The internship introduces you to the full research process, from hypothesis development to data interpretation. You’ll also attend regular seminars and workshops focused on translational medicine and research career pathways, while journal discussions help strengthen your scientific reading and analysis skills. You’ll conclude the internship by presenting a research poster to faculty and peers.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Computational Biology Summer Program (CBSP)
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $6,500
Cohort Size: ~15 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 3 – February 2
Eligibility: Current U.S. undergraduate freshmen to juniors majoring in computer science, applied math, or related fields; Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and experience with coding languages (e.g., Python, R, C++); Biology coursework recommended but not required
CBSP is a ten-week, full-time summer biomedical internship designed for those with strong quantitative skills who are interested in computational approaches to cancer and biomedical research. As an intern, you’ll work in a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, or Rockefeller University on an independent computational biology project. Research topics commonly involve applying computer science, mathematics, or statistics to biological datasets related to cancer. Faculty mentors will guide you through project design, analysis, and interpretation, and journal clubs and seminars introduce current issues in computational oncology and biomedical data science. You’ll also participate in professional development sessions focused on research careers and graduate training. The program concludes with a formal poster presentation of your work.
7. Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program in Biomedical Sciences (SHURP)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 3
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD in the life sciences
The Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) is a ten-week, paid research experience for undergraduates planning careers in biomedical science. You’ll work in a faculty-led research lab, with placement areas ranging from genetics and immunology to neuroscience and computational biology. Research expectations mirror those of early-stage graduate trainees, with close mentorship from faculty and lab members. Weekly lectures cover topics such as research ethics, graduate school preparation, and scientific communication. You’ll also take part in peer mentoring and cohort discussions throughout the summer. Research findings are presented locally at Harvard Medical School, as well as at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.
8. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: ~14-16 students
Dates: June 4th week through August 25
Application Deadline: November 4 – March 8; Applications stay open until positions are filled
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate freshmen and sophomores (16+) attending a NJ or Tri-state area school or university; Must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program offers a cancer-focused biomedical research experience housed at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. During the summer, you’ll spend ten weeks working in a research lab under faculty mentorship, contributing to projects in cancer biology or related biomedical fields. This biomedical summer internship for undergraduates places a focus on both laboratory research and its connection to public health and community engagement. You’ll receive training as a “community scientist,” with professional development sessions that introduce you to careers in oncology and biomedical science. You’ll prepare a research poster and deliver an oral presentation at the annual RUYES Research Day.
9. NIH Summer Internship Program at NIEHS
Location: NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 60-70 interns at the NIEHS site
Dates: 8 weeks from May to September
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old by June 1 of the year they are seeking an internship and are in college (including community college) or graduate/professional school
The NIH Summer Internship Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will place you in biomedical research labs for at least eight weeks. As an intern, you will work with a research mentor on a defined project in areas such as gene regulation, DNA repair, cancer biology, or bioinformatics. The research experience exposes you to modern molecular, biochemical, and analytical techniques. You’ll also take part in seminars led by NIEHS scientists that provide a broader context in environmental health sciences, as well as workshops that supplement lab work with training in professional and scientific development. You will conclude the summer by presenting your findings at a formal poster session.
10. Pitt’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: May 18 – July 25
Application Deadline: November 3 – February 15
Eligibility: Rising undergrad juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher; Must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university
The University of Pittsburgh’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is a ten-week immersion into biomedical research within the School of Medicine. As an intern, you will work in a laboratory aligned with your academic interests under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Research areas span molecular genetics, developmental biology, microbiology, and related biomedical disciplines. Along with hands-on lab work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, lab meetings, and small-group discussions. The mentorship element focuses on both technical skill development and preparation for graduate education, and you complete the program by submitting a written abstract and delivering an oral research presentation.
11. Fred Hutch Cancer Center: Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,304 (minus taxes)
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: Typically, early January
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their final year/term of undergrad; A strong science background required
Fred Hutch’s nine-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program will place you in a full-time biomedical and cancer research role. You’ll complete an independent project under faculty supervision in one of several focus areas, including basic science, clinical research, public health, or infectious disease. The research may be laboratory-based, computational, or population-focused, depending on your track. The internship also includes professional development workshops addressing scientific communication and post-undergraduate training pathways. You’ll present your findings during a competitive poster session at the end of the summer.
12. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, Scottsdale, AZ, or Rochester, MN
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 180 undergrads
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 3
Eligibility: Current 2nd or 3rd-year college undergraduates at a U.S. college or university who have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 and are seriously considering a biomedical research career as a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. (as opposed to a full-time practicing physician)
The Mayo Clinic SURF program offers a ten-week, full-time research experience within a major academic medical center. As an intern, you will be placed in a lab and work on a defined research project in areas such as immunology, neuroscience, regenerative science, or biomedical engineering. Faculty and lab teams provide daily mentorship, while weekly seminars supplement lab work with discussions on biomedical research careers. You’ll gain exposure to advanced research instrumentation and clinical research infrastructure, and conclude the summer by formally presenting your research findings.
13. Novartis’s Summer of Science Internship Program
Location: Novartis research facilities in Cambridge, MA, or San Diego, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 10 weeks starting at the end of May
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: College students (18+) with at least three semesters or four quarters completed at an accredited U.S. institution who are eligible to work in the U.S.; Must have a GPA of 3.4 or higher and be committed to pursuing a Ph.D. in a biomedical field
Novartis’s Summer of Science Internship is a ten-week, industry-based research program within its Biomedical Research division. You’ll work on designing and conducting a research project under the mentorship of a Novartis scientist, contributing to ongoing drug discovery or biomedical research efforts. These projects span a range of disease and technology areas and are matched to your interests and background. This internship also includes scientific and professional development sessions led by industry researchers.
14. Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience and Mentorship (CURE-M)
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 6
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a GPA of 3.0+ and at least one year of college-level coursework completed by program start; U.S. and international students, including those at community colleges
The Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience and Mentorship (CURE-M) at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is a ten-week summer program focused on cancer and biomedical research. As a participant, you will be paired with both a faculty mentor and a peer mentor while working on a research project. You will attend regular workshops and seminars throughout the summer that address research skills, scientific communication, and career development. The program continues during the academic year through virtual seminars and mentoring with a dedicated online platform that supports collaboration and discussion among participants. You’ll present your research during a capstone session at the end of the summer. You may also attend external scientific meetings.
15. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Stipend: $5,000
Cohort Size: Approx. 50 fellows
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in a science degree program who have completed their freshman year; Must also be U.S. citizens or possess an F1 visa
UT Southwestern’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is a ten-week program designed for undergraduates considering PhD or MD/PhD training in biomedical sciences. You’ll work in a faculty laboratory on a research project aligned with your academic background and interests within genetics, cancer biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and pharmacology. You’ll gain experience in experimental planning, laboratory techniques, and data analysis within an academic medical center. The program includes weekly faculty-led seminars that introduce current topics in biomedical research, along with informal discussions focused on graduate training and research careers. It concludes with a poster presentation showcasing your research outcomes.
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