15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates

If you’re an undergraduate student interested in medicine, internships are a great way to get practical, relevant experience in the fields of medicine and healthcare while still in college. These programs expose you to clinical settings, research environments, and public health initiatives, allowing you to develop practical skills, explore career paths, and build strong additions to your resumes. Internships also give students a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the medical field while building a network of mentors and peers.

There are a number of such opportunities for undergraduate students, and it can be difficult to identify which ones are best suited to your interests and skills. To help you get started, we’ve shortlisted the top 15 medical internships for undergraduates based on these key criteria: the prestige of the institution, the rigor and relevance of the professional experience provided, and the strength of networking opportunities built into the program. Let’s take a look!

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies with program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students who can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks. Open to college students and young professionals

If you're currently enrolled in college and interested in gaining experience in a fast-paced, practical setting, the Ladder University Internship Program is worth applying to. This program places you with a high-growth start-up aligned with your interests, in fields such as health tech, AI/ML, sustainability, and consulting, among others. You’ll work closely with a startup manager and Ladder coach to address a current issue, and you will present your work at the end of the internship. Students with an interest in medicine, healthcare, or health technology will find relevant opportunities within this diverse framework. This internship emphasizes mentorship and tangible outcomes. 

2. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Location: Jacksonville, Florida | Scottsdale, Arizona | Rochester, Minnesota
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend of $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Eligibility: Current second- or third-year college undergraduate students at a U.S. college or university who will be a continuing student in the subsequent fall semester, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) 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’s SURF program places you in a full-time, 10-week research experience under the supervision of faculty and lab teams at one of the nation’s top medical centers. You’ll work on a specialized project in areas like immunology, neuroscience, or regenerative science, and develop key research skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and presentation. Mentorship is a central part of the experience, with daily guidance from researchers and structured interactions with graduate students and medical professionals. Facilities are state-of-the-art, and you’ll also attend weekly seminars and social events to connect with your peers. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings and may have the opportunity to co-author a scientific publication.

3. Massachusetts General Hospital Summer Research Trainee Program

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, small cohort
Application Deadline: January 17
Dates: June 2 - July 25
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors, rising first-year medical students, first-year medical students, graduate-school students or post-baccalaureate students who attended/are attending a college, graduate school, or medical school in the US and Puerto Rico and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. You must also be a member of a group that is underrepresented in medicine (UiM).

As a participant in the Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP) at Mass Gen, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor to work on biomedical or health policy research that aligns with your interests. This program is designed for underrepresented students in medicine, and includes more than just lab and clinical research. Seminars on career development, scientific writing, and leadership in academic medicine are part of the program, too. Weekly didactic sessions, clinical shadowing, and career workshops round out the experience. You’ll be expected to prepare an abstract midway through the program and present your project findings orally at the end. Networking opportunities are built into the schedule, giving you direct exposure to faculty, residents, and peers in the medical field.

4. Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend of $3,000-5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Application deadline: February 1
Dates: May 25 - August 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from all backgrounds

The Summer Internship Program (SIP) at Johns Hopkins offers research experience in biomedical and public health fields to undergraduate students from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented in science and medicine. Over approximately ten weeks, you’ll conduct a lab-based research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor, gaining practical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly presentation. You’ll participate in workshops, networking events, and career development sessions, and present your research in either oral or poster format at the program’s conclusion. Each intern is assigned an independent project and receives reading materials ahead of the program to help prepare. Your experience will be similar to that of a first-year graduate student, including regular lab meetings to discuss ongoing research and literature.

5. Feinstein Summer Research Internship Program

Location: Manhasset, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students per year
Application Deadline: January 24
Dates: May 28 - July 23
Eligibility: College students interested in medical research

At the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, students spend eight weeks exploring disease-focused research, guided by faculty from one of six specialized institutes, including areas like Cancer Research and Bioelectronic Medicine. This mentored summer experience gives you a practical understanding of the research process, from project design to data collection and presentation. Weekly seminars and workshops introduce broader topics in medical research and help you build relevant skills. By the end of the internship, you’ll create and present an academic poster summarizing your findings to a faculty audience. Placement is competitive and based on your chosen area of interest and availability within the corresponding lab.

6. Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program (UCRIP)

Location: Vanderbilt campus, Nashville, Tennessee
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June–August
Eligibility: Students who are college undergraduates at an accredited US college or university during the summer of the program year, are US citizens, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

In Vanderbilt’s UCRIP program, you’ll combine clinical observation with a structured research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Each week, you will join a hospital-based general medicine team during rounds and spend the rest of your time focusing on your assigned research. The research component may involve either basic science or clinical inquiry, and you're expected to present your work at the program's conclusion. You will also attend seminars that cover topics such as medical school admissions and careers in healthcare. Housing and a stipend are provided, and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds may be eligible for additional support. This internship is a full-time experience suited for those who want to understand both the academic and patient-care dimensions of the field.

7. NYC Health Department’s Public Health Internship Program

Location: New York City, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend may be available based on funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: This information is not available
Application Deadline: February 15 (summer), August 15 (fall), or November 15 (spring)
Dates: June – August (summer), September – December (fall), or January – May (spring)
Eligibility: Matriculated undergraduate, graduate or professional students in a degree program at an accredited college or university in the U.S. who are in good academic standing. Residency in NYC is required for the fall and winter/spring sessions.

At the NYC Department of Health, the HRTP summer internship lets you work on addressing public health challenges while applying your classroom learning in a practical setting. Working alongside experienced professionals, you’ll be assigned a practicum project based on your stated interests and career goals. The summer term may be full- or part-time, and includes workshops, seminars, and skill-building sessions. You’ll gain a working understanding of public health research, program implementation, and data analysis in a municipal context. This internship is particularly beneficial if you're interested in healthcare from a systems or policy perspective rather than direct clinical care.

8. NIH Clinical Center Summer Internship Program

Location: Various NIH campuses across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend depends on educational level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Application Deadline: February 19
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled in high school, college, graduate school, or a health professional school and are 18 years or older on June 1

At the NIH Clinical Center Summer Internship Program, you’ll be selected to join a federally-funded biomedical research team where you will get experience in clinical and laboratory-based research. Under the direction of a Principal Investigator (PI), you’ll contribute to projects in fields like bioethics, radiology, rehabilitation medicine, nursing, or social work, depending on your background and interests. The program includes participation in the NIH Summer Poster Day, where you will present your work to peers and researchers across the NIH network. Throughout the internship, you’ll have access to professional development workshops, lectures from NIH scientists, and career-focused events such as the Graduate and Professional School Fair. With placements at NIH campuses across the country, the experience is designed to expose you to the daily workings of a major medical research institution.

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

Location: Rockefeller University, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students approx
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Eligibility: College sophomores and juniors majoring in the life or physical sciences

This ten-week fellowship places you in a Rockefeller University lab to take part in research in disciplines such as immunology, neuroscience, virology, and structural biology. You’ll work closely with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and senior graduate students on an independent project aligned with your interests. Journal clubs and lectures will introduce you to scientific communication and the research careers of leading faculty. This internship emphasizes public speaking and professional development, concluding with a poster session where you present your results. You’ll also have access to campus facilities and participate in planned cultural and social events.

10. Novartis’s Summer of Science Internship Program

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts | San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is competitive with local internship wages
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, small cohort
Application Deadline: November 25
Dates: 10 weeks starting May 27
Eligibility: Applicants who are at least 18 years of age at the start of the program, have completed at least three semesters or four quarters at an accredited US college or university before the start of the internship, are attending a school in a US state or territory and are eligible to work in the US, have a strong desire to pursue a Ph.D. in a biomedical field and have a GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

At Novartis’s Biomedical Research division, the Summer of Science Internship gives you the chance to conduct research in the pharmaceutical industry while collaborating directly with a scientist mentor. You’ll get to design your own project, conduct experiments, and analyze data that may contribute to ongoing drug discovery efforts. This internship also includes weekly sessions to explore professional development topics and presentations from research leaders, giving you a broader understanding of the biotech sector. Projects span a variety of therapeutic and technical areas, and interns are matched with labs in either Cambridge or San Diego. Students with an interest in science and business can also be considered for finance-related projects.

11. Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Microbial Biofilm Development, Resistance, & Community Structure

Location: Binghamton University, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some students receive a stipend of $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Application Deadline: February 16
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who have completed their first year of undergraduate education, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and are U.S citizens or permanent residents

This NSF-sponsored REU program focuses on microbial biofilms, which are microorganism communities that exhibit unique tolerance and resistance behaviors. Over ten weeks, you’ll join a faculty-led research team and work collaboratively on projects investigating biofilm development, antimicrobial resistance, and microbial community structure. After a week-long orientation that includes lab safety and microbiology training, you’ll begin work in a laboratory with mentorship from graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. The program includes weekly meetings, seminars, and workshops on topics such as research ethics, communication, and career planning. The final week features a public poster session and submission of a written research summary. Students also receive support after the program ends with graduate school and career guidance.

12. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors graduating in the spring who are currently enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university at the time of application, have a minimum 3.3 overall GPA, are interested in research related to child health and wellness, and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

CRISSP places you within the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s extensive research network, where you’ll work alongside scientists on active investigations in pediatrics. During the 10-week program, you’ll engage in laboratory work, contribute to research goals, and attend professional development seminars. The curriculum includes sessions on bioethics, scientific writing, and navigating the graduate and medical school admissions process. Participants are selected from across the country and paired with faculty mentors whose research aligns with their interests, ranging from infectious disease to genetics. At the end of this internship, you'll share your findings in a formal poster session. The program is paid, includes housing, and is ideal for undergraduates looking to explore pediatric medicine in a research-intensive environment.

13. Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program

Location: New York, Weill Cornell Medicine | The Rockefeller University | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students per year
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

If you are seriously considering an MD-PhD path, the Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program can give you a realistic preview of that career route. In this medical internship, you will spend nine weeks conducting independent research at one of three reputed institutions: Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The program also includes weekly journal clubs, clinical shadowing, and professional development sessions, all designed to build both scientific and medical insight. Each participant is paired with a current MD-PhD student mentor, helping you navigate both the academic and professional expectations of this career track. Your work will culminate in oral and poster presentations at symposia where you’ll present your findings. 

14. Amgen Scholars Program

Location: Columbia University, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 students
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: 10 weeks starting the Tuesday after Memorial Day
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors at a four-year college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other US territory

The Amgen Scholars Program at Columbia University gives you the opportunity to conduct full-time biology-related research over ten weeks, either on the Morningside Heights or Medical Center campus. As a participant, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and carry out an independent project, supported by regular meetings, lab work, and discussions with peers. You will also take part in seminars covering current research topics and peer presentations. Further, you will write a formal research article and deliver an oral presentation of your findings. In addition to campus activities, Amgen Scholars attend the national symposium in California. If you’re a Columbia student, applying to the university’s SURF program includes consideration for Amgen as well. 

15. Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Anesthesia Clinical and Research Internship (PACaRI)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive
Application Deadline: Applications are currently open for the 2025–26 cycle.
Dates: May - August (Summer Track)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a GPA of at least 3.0.

PACaRI at Boston Children’s Hospital offers a hybrid model of clinical exposure and research involvement over a 12-week period. After an initial training phase, you’ll shadow anesthesia technicians in the operating room one day per week while also participating in a group-based research project. Lectures and workshops are integrated into the curriculum to support your understanding of anesthesiology and pediatric care. Your time will be divided between clinical observation, literature review, and skills-building activities such as mock interviews and application prep. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in a research forum. This program is well-suited for students exploring healthcare roles, particularly in pediatric settings, and allows for flexible scheduling up to 25 hours per week. 

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