15 Biotech Summer Internships for Undergraduates

If you’re an undergraduate student interested in biotechnology, a summer internship can be a good way to explore this field. Summer internships can play a critical role in shaping your academic and professional journey. They help you strengthen your resume, build practical skills, and improve your employability. By working on projects, learning how to use industry-standard tools, and collaborating with professionals, you gain clarity about your career interests. 

Why should I do a biotechnology summer internship in college?

A biotechnology summer internship provides exposure to how scientific knowledge is applied, such as laboratory research, clinical studies, product development, or bioinformatics. You will develop technical skills, including in data analysis, experimental design, documentation, and scientific communication. Employers and graduate admissions committees look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience, problem-solving ability, and familiarity with professional research. Working under mentors, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and contributing to projects can give you strong references. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 biotechnology summer internships for undergraduates.

1. Chemers Neustein Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)

Location: New York City, USA (The Rockefeller University, Upper East Side)
Stipend: $6,500 with free housing provided for students who cannot commute
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive | approximately 25 students selected from 700+ applicants annually
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to college sophomores and juniors; international students are eligible

Through the SURF program, participants spend ten weeks conducting full-time laboratory research at The Rockefeller University. You will work alongside leading scientists in fields such as molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, virology, and biochemistry. You are centrally placed in a laboratory based on your research interests and work under close mentorship from faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and senior graduate students. The program focuses on improving core research skills, including experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You participate in weekly journal clubs to discuss scientific literature and attend faculty-led lectures that offer insight related to active research and scientific career paths. The experience concludes in a formal poster presentation where you present your research findings to peers and mentors. In addition to lab work, you engage with a close-knit research community and participate in academic, social, and cultural activities conducted on campus and off campus.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote (work from anywhere globally)
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size varies depending on the season
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter) | typically 8 - 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines by cohort – spring: January; summer: May; fall: September; winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students able to commit 10 - 20 hours/week 

In the Ladder Internship Program, participants work remotely for 8 to 12 weeks with a high-growth startup on real-world projects. Depending on your interests and skills, you are placed with companies across sectors such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Throughout the internship, you collaborate closely with a startup manager and receive structured guidance from a dedicated ladder coach. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, professional communication, and accountability through project milestones. You conclude by presenting your work to the startup team, gaining experience in delivering outcomes to real stakeholders. The remote format allows you to build industry exposure and practical skills from anywhere in the world. Apply now!

3. Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Neural Computation (uPNC)

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (Carnegie Mellon University & University of Pittsburgh partnership)
Stipend: Includes stipend, travel to/from Pittsburgh, and university dormitory housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | small cohort of admitted undergraduates
Dates: May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are sophomores or juniors enrolled at a 4-year accredited institution | applicants must be at least 18 years old 

In this program, participants spend ten weeks focused on intensive, mentored research in computational and theoretical neuroscience at the Neuroscience Institute in Pittsburgh. You will work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on an individual research project, gaining experience in applying computational methods to study neural systems and cognition. Alongside your research, you attend faculty talks, participate in student presentations, and discuss current scientific literature to strengthen your analytical and communication skills. The program also includes sessions on scientific ethics and career pathways, particularly for students considering a Ph.D. after graduation. You present your work at a concluding symposium, gaining experience in communicating research to a scientific audience. 

4. Field and Laboratory Learning in Plant Science (FLLiPS) – Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA (Donald Danforth Plant Science Center)
Stipend: Fully funded (NSF-supported REU) | stipend typically provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size varies each year
Dates: May 26 - July 31 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (associate’s or bachelor’s), majoring in plant science, life sciences, or a related field, and be legally authorized to work in the United States

In the FLLiPS program, you will spend ten weeks conducting plant science research, both laboratory and field-based work. You are matched with a senior researcher at the Danforth Center and work closely with your mentor on a defined research project involving experimental design, data collection, and scientific reporting. The program exposes you to advanced research facilities through workshops on bioimaging, phenotyping, data science, and plant growth systems. You also participate in weekly seminars and career discussions that explore the scientific, social, and policy aspects of biotechnology research. A key component of the experience is presenting your research findings through a final presentation and written report, with structured guidance throughout the process. You additionally participate in a community outreach project, helping you build science communication skills by engaging local K-12 students in plant science activities.

5. Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Summer Research Program

Location: Evanston/Chicago, Illinois, USA (Northwestern University – Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering)
Stipend: Fully funded | stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size varies annually
Dates: June 9 - August 7 (remote preparation: June 9 - 18; on-campus: June 22 - August 7)
Application Deadline: February 27 (letters of recommendation due March 6)
Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old, enrolled in a high school, two-year, or four-year degree program, and authorized to work in the United States 

In the REM Summer Research Program, you will engage in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, engineering, materials science, and medicine. You work closely with faculty mentors and research teams on regenerative engineering projects, gaining hands-on experience with techniques such as cell culture, microscopy, 3D design and printing, and advanced imaging. The program focuses more on collaboration, allowing you to contribute to ongoing research addressing real-world health challenges in areas such as tissue regeneration, cardiovascular systems, and nervous system health. You participate in structured mentoring and research activities that help you build both technical and professional skills. A hybrid format combines early remote preparation with an intensive on-campus research experience. Through this program, you gain exposure to translational research and the practical applications related to regenerative medicine in a highly collaborative academic environment.

6. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program (URP)

Location: Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York, USA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | stipend provided (housing typically included on campus)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective | approximately 20 students per summer
Dates: June 8 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: You must be a returning undergraduate (typically a sophomore or junior) with a strong academic background in science | international students are eligible if enrolled full-time at a U.S. institution or through select partner universities

In the CSHL Undergraduate Research Program, you work full-time on an original research project within one of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s leading research groups. You gain hands-on experience in areas such as molecular biology, genetics and genomics, neuroscience, plant biology, and quantitative biology while learning about advanced experimental and analytical techniques. Alongside lab work, you participate in workshops on  Python programming, bioinformatics, and computational neuroscience, as well as seminars on ethics, career development, and scientific responsibility. You receive structured training in scientific communication, including preparing abstracts, writing a research manuscript, and delivering presentations to the CSHL scientific community. The program concludes in a symposium where you present your research work and engage with faculty and peers. By living and working alongside professional scientists, you gain a realistic understanding of research careers and the culture of a world-class research institute.

7. Amgen Scholars Program (U.S.)

Location: Multiple host institutions across the United States (including Caltech, Duke University, Harvard University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSF, Yale, and others)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | stipend, housing, and travel support provided by host institutions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective | small cohorts at each host institution
Dates: Vary depending on the host institution (generally May - August; 8 - 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1 (for all U.S. host institutions)
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled in an accredited four-year U.S. college or university

In the Amgen Scholars Program, you will conduct full-time, mentored research at one of fourteen leading research institutions in the United States. You work closely with faculty mentors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students on independent research projects in areas such as biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and drug discovery. In addition to lab research, you participate in professional development activities designed to strengthen scientific communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. A key component of the program is the North America Symposium, where you present your research, network with fellow scholars, and engage with scientists from academia and industry. At selected institutions, such as Duke University, you also collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to design and present hypothetical drug discovery projects.

8. Biomedical & Bioinformatics Research Internship and Training Experience (B-BRITE)

Location: Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, Oregon, USA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $4,500 | limited need-based housing and travel support may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size varies each year
Dates: June 22 - August 14 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens in the fall
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least two years of study | not graduated by June in the coming year | enrolled at a U.S. institution (international students with valid visas may be eligible) 

In the B-BRITE program, participants participate in an intensive, mentored summer research experience focused on biomedical and bioinformatics approaches to cancer research. You will work in the Knight Cancer Institute laboratories, contributing to a guided research project under the supervision of scientists. During the program, you gain hands-on training in experimental design, data analysis, and modern biological or quantitative research methods. You also participate in educational seminars and professional development sessions that introduce you to career pathways in cancer research. A key component of the internship is developing your scientific communication skills by preparing and presenting a research poster at the program’s symposium at the conclusion of the experience. Through daily lab work and networking with a broad research community, you can expect to gain an understanding of collaborative biomedical research in an academic medical center environment.

9. ATP-Bio Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Location: University of Minnesota; Massachusetts General Hospital; University of California, Riverside; Texas A&M University (USA)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | stipend provided along with lodging and travel support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size varies depending on the year and site
Dates: 10 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate STEM student enrolled at a U.S. institution, including community colleges 

In the NSF ATP-Bio REU, you spend ten weeks engaged in interdisciplinary research focused on advancing biopreservation technologies. You work as part of a research team exploring methods to preserve and transport cells, tissues, organs, and even whole organisms, with applications across biotechnology and medicine. Your summer research is conducted at one of several leading partner institutions, where you collaborate closely with faculty mentors and researchers. Throughout the program, you gain hands-on experience with experimental design, data collection, and problem-solving in a real research environment. The program emphasizes teamwork and innovation, exposing you to cutting-edge approaches at the intersection of biology and engineering. By the end of the internship, you can expect to develop a foundation for future research opportunities and graduate study in STEM fields.

10. TECBio REU – Training and Experimentation in Computational Biology

Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided, along with housing and travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 18 - July 24
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate student in good academic standing

In the TECBio REU, participants take part in a full-time, 10-week research program in computational biology, addressing problems across molecular, cellular, tissue, and population levels. Depending on your lab placement, your research may involve protein dynamics modeling, signal transduction simulations, image analysis using computational methods, and genomic and metagenomic analysis. You work closely with faculty mentors and graduate researchers in a collaborative research environment that emphasizes skill-building and scientific rigor. The program includes workshops, weekly research meetings, and training in computational and systems biology techniques. Beyond research, you also take part in organized social and cultural activities that complement the academic experience. You conclude the program by presenting your research work at a city-wide research symposium in Pittsburgh. 

11. Biomedical Engineering and Informatics Summer Research Internship Program (IMPACT / CALIBIR REU)

Location: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | stipend provided along with on-campus housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 50 students per summer cohort
Dates: May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old | have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate or master’s study | maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be actively enrolled at a U.S. academic institution

In this summer research program, participants take part in an intensive, mentored research experience at the intersection of biomedical engineering, informatics, and artificial intelligence. You can select from more than 40 available research projects in areas such as injury prediction modeling, medical device prototyping, imaging and AI, biomechanics, cancer diagnostics, and machine learning-based health systems. Your research is conducted under the guidance of faculty mentors and research teams within Wake Forest’s Biomedical Engineering Department and Center for Artificial Intelligence Research. Throughout the program, you gain hands-on experience with experimental methods, computational tools, and data-driven approaches used in modern biomedical research. The internship emphasizes professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to real-world healthcare challenges.

12. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Multi-Scale Biomolecular Networks (BioNetworks)

Location: Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $6,500 stipend for 10 weeks | on-campus housing, and travel support provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (competitive NSF REU cohort)
Dates: May 25 - July 31
Application Deadline: March 1 (priority deadline: February 15)
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited institution 

In the BioNetworks REU at Rice University, participants engage in a 10-week, faculty-mentored research experience focused on biological networks and biomolecular interactions. You will work on research projects that integrate biochemical, genetic, computational, and theoretical approaches to study natural and engineered genetic and metabolic networks. The program exposes you to multi-scale thinking, connecting molecular structure and function to complex biological phenotypes. In addition to research, you participate in seminars on career development, ethics, and responsible conduct of research, as well as leadership and mentorship activities. You also have opportunities to develop innovative biotechnology ideas in a collaborative environment. The program concludes with a capstone poster symposium where you present your research to the Rice scientific community.

13. NanoBio Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) – Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided | paid housing and travel allowance included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 students per summer
Dates: Early June - Early August (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities or U.S. territories 

In the NanoBio REU at Johns Hopkins, you will conduct an independent, graduate-level research project in nanobiotechnology under the mentorship of faculty and graduate students. You work in professional research laboratories at the intersection of biology, medicine, engineering, and nanoscience. You build core laboratory, research, and scientific communication skills while participating in weekly journal clubs and professional development workshops. The program includes structured networking opportunities with researchers across the Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins University. You conclude the experience by presenting your research through an oral presentation and a poster at the CARES Symposium. Group site visits, social activities, and opportunities to explore Baltimore and nearby cities complement the academic experience.

14. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) – Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend | on-campus housing and travel assistance provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 fellows
Dates: May 26 - July 31 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents majoring in science or engineering 

In the LRSM NSF REU at the University of Pennsylvania, you spend 10 weeks working on an individual materials research project under the supervision of Penn faculty. Your research may focus on chemistry, physics, biochemistry, biophysics, materials science, and engineering, using state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. In addition to your research, you participate in weekly lectures and hands-on workshops led by faculty, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers. The program emphasizes professional development through training in scientific communication and career skills. You engage with a diverse cohort of students from across the United States and become part of Penn’s broader research community. Selected students may also collaborate with the AI-driven RNA BioFoundry (AIRFoundry), gaining exposure to AI, RNA, and lipid nanoparticle research.

15. Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP)

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard)
Cost/Stipend: $5,400 stipend | free housing | domestic travel support provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | cohort size not publicly specified
Dates: June 1 - July 31 (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 11 (letters of recommendation due January 13)
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in a U.S. four-year college with a graduation date of December or later | minimum GPA of 3.2 | majors in physical, biological, computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics | legally authorized to work in the U.S.

In the Broad Summer Research Program, participants spend nine weeks conducting original experimental or computational research in biomedical science or genomics. You will work in a Broad Institute laboratory under the mentorship of researchers, contributing to projects in areas such as cancer, infectious disease, and computational biology. Alongside lab work, you participate in a structured curriculum focused on scientific communication, collaborative problem-solving, and preparation for graduate school. You attend seminars led by scientists from Harvard and MIT and take part in weekly professional development workshops. At the conclusion of the program, you present your research through oral and poster presentations. The program is designed to help students build a solid foundation for graduate studies and long-term research careers.

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