15 Summer Hospital Internships for Undergraduates in Colorado
Internships are a valuable part of undergraduate education, giving students a chance to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional application. For college students, a summer internship can strengthen both work resumes and graduate school applications by showcasing initiative, discipline, and professional readiness. More importantly, they allow you to gain experience, test out different career paths, and develop transferable skills that can enhance your employability in an increasingly competitive job market.
For students interested in healthcare, interning at a hospital is one of the best ways to figure out if this is the right future for you. Whether your interests lie in clinical practice, biomedical research, or public health, working in a hospital exposes you to patient care, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. To help you explore the opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best summer hospital internships for undergraduates in Colorado.
15 Summer Hospital Internships for Undergraduates in Colorado
1. Gates Summer Internship Program (GSIP)
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 20 students
Dates: May 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Undergraduates in a science-related major who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of application | Also open to international students who possess an F1 visa and are enrolled in a U.S. college or university
Hosted by the Gates Institute, GSIP offers undergraduates an immersive, full-time, paid 11-week experience in cell and gene therapy research. It places you in cutting-edge laboratories led by Gates Institute faculty where you engage in a curriculum that includes seminars on scientific topics and professional development. Throughout the program, you contribute to ongoing regenerative medicine projects, gaining direct exposure to experimental design and data analysis under the guidance of experienced mentors. In addition to lab work, participants join social events, community service, and weekly GSIP seminars that promote scientific collaboration. Research placement is determined based on each intern’s stated interests and mentor availability.
2. MRC Summer Internship
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 – 15 students
Dates: 10 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed the first year and not yet commenced the final year of their undergraduate degree
The Musculoskeletal Research Center (MRC) and Center for Gait and Movement Analysis (CGMA) jointly organize a 10-week summer internship for undergraduates and recent graduates. This program offers placements in both clinical research and engineering tracks, depending on the applicant’s background and faculty needs. You work closely with multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, engineers, and statisticians on active research protocols, contributing to data collection, literature reviews, and manuscript preparation. A weekly lecture series introduces topics like research design, biostatistics, and orthopedic innovations, while journal clubs foster discussion of current studies. Participants are also encouraged to shadow medical professionals to observe clinical applications of their research.
3. Children's Hospital Colorado – Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora
Stipend: $4,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 50 students
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically first week of February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students ages 18+
This internship introduces undergraduates to research focused on pediatric and child health under the mentorship of faculty at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado. You work in laboratory or clinical research settings, developing projects that align with their interests and mentor expertise. Weekly seminars by program faculty provide foundational knowledge in pediatric research and foster networking across departments. Throughout the summer, you compile written and oral reports summarizing your contributions and findings, with an emphasis on understanding the research’s broader clinical implications. At the program’s conclusion, you present posters or oral presentations at a research showcase, with opportunities for abstracts to be submitted to professional conferences.
4. eXtraOrdinarY Kids Research Internship Program
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Stipend: $3,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically small, specialized cohort size
Dates: June 2 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
This program centers on research and clinical care for children with sex chromosome aneuploidies–genetic variations involving extra or missing X or Y chromosomes. You join an interdisciplinary team that includes developmental pediatricians, endocrinologists, neuropsychologists, and genetic counselors, participating in both clinical visits and data-driven research. The program assigns you a mentored scholarly project tailored to your academic interests and skill level, with opportunities to assist in ongoing studies related to neurodevelopment and early cardiometabolic health. Educational seminars complement hands-on research, helping interns understand translational approaches in genetics and pediatric medicine. The experience culminates in the eXtraOrdinarY Kids Research eXpo, where you present your work.
5. Colorado Research Experiences (CORE) at CU Anschutz
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $5,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies as per track
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically January or February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in or from the state of Colorado who are not graduating before the fall
The CORE (Creating Opportunities for Research Experience) program provides paid, full-time summer research internships for undergraduates, with particular emphasis on students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in science and medicine. Over eight weeks, the program pairs you with faculty mentors for conducting research across biomedical and clinical disciplines, gaining practical laboratory experience, and exposure to advanced research techniques. Regular seminars focus on professional development, graduate school preparation, and career-building strategies in the health sciences. The program concludes in a summer research symposium where you present your projects in poster format to the campus community. Beyond the summer, CORE offers longitudinal support such as application guidance for graduate or professional school and access to year-round mentorship.
6. Cancer Research Experience for Undergraduates (CREU)
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend up to $6,000 + $1,000 housing allowance; out-of-state students receive up to $500 for travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 26 – 40 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient
CREU is a 10-week summer program that allows undergraduates to participate in full-time, hands-on research in cancer biology. You work under the guidance of experienced mentors to develop an independent research project and prepare a detailed research proposal early in the program. You also attend twice-weekly lectures covering cancer-related topics, clinical workshops, and informal career mentoring sessions led by faculty and industry experts. The program integrates scientific training with professional development through discussions on career paths, work-life balance, and translational research. You receive stipends distributed biweekly and present your work in a final poster session that showcases your summer projects.
7. Colorado Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Location: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 15 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Early to mid-February
Eligibility: All undergraduate students
CUSP at the University of Colorado School of Medicine is a 10-week initiative that immerses undergraduate students in both biomedical research and medical education. Mornings are dedicated to seminars with accomplished physician-scientists and medical school deans, offering insights into research careers and the admissions process for MD and MD/PhD programs. Afternoons are spent conducting original research under the supervision of a faculty mentor, focusing primarily on inflammation and immunology. You also engage in interactive tours of medical school facilities such as the Neonatal ICU and Radiology Teaching Center. To reinforce learning, you analyze real clinical cases and discuss the intersection of medical practice and research.
8. Research Experience for Undergraduates in RNA and Genome Biology Program
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $7,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 8 – 12 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: College undergraduates who will be re-enrolling in the Fall | U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals, and permanent residents
REU-RGB connects undergraduates with faculty mentors for intensive summer research in genomics and molecular biology. In the program, you participate in independent projects on topics like RNA editing, transcriptional regulation, viral RNA structures, and genome replication. Seminars, ethics training, and research skill-building sessions complement laboratory work. You are required to present your findings at the end of the program and acknowledge REU-RGB support in any resulting publications or presentations. The program pays a sizable stipend along with housing and food support.
9. Neuroscience Colorado Research Experience (N-CORE)
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies as per track
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: Typically January or February
Eligibility: Colorado-based undergraduate students
N-CORE at CU Anschutz is an eight-week paid internship focused on providing undergraduates with hands-on neuroscience research training. The program places you with Neuroscience Program faculty and graduate mentors to work on projects exploring brain function and neurological disorders. It combines lab work with educational seminars on scientific literacy, data presentation, and graduate school preparation. You also attend panels on biomedical careers and engage in workshops on reading research papers and effective scientific communication. You also gain exposure to professional development opportunities and long-term mentoring through a pre-doctoral guidance network. The experience wraps up in a research symposium where you present oral and poster summaries of your work.
10. Developing Scholars Program
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically small cohort size
Dates: May 27 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Undergraduates from regional undergraduate institutions across and outside of Colorado
The Developing Scholars Program is a nine-week paid internship designed to give undergraduates direct exposure to biomedical research. You spend 20 hours per week in laboratories conducting molecular and cell biology experiments under the guidance of CSD PhD students. A preparatory Bootcamp introduces participants to essential laboratory techniques, while weekly seminars focus on research communication, developmental disease studies, and applying to graduate school. The program aims to build a pathway for students interested in pursuing advanced biomedical degrees, with structured mentorship and professional skill development. Each participant presents their work at a research symposium at the program’s end, providing experience in formal scientific presentation.
11. Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation – Summer Internship Program
Location: Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; likely 10 – 15 students at a center
Dates: June – September
Application Deadline: Typically January
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in a graduate program who have U.S. work authorization (Educational and skill requirements will vary each year depending upon intern projects identified for that given year)
The Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation’s Summer Internship Program offers undergraduates the chance to work alongside research professionals within one of the largest healthcare organizations in the U.S. You contribute to ongoing clinical and epidemiological studies while being fully integrated into active scientific teams. The program assigns you a distinct project with clear objectives and deliverables, often aligning with public health and healthcare delivery topics such as antibiotic stewardship or cancer surveillance. You engage in administrative sessions, leadership networking events, and skill-building activities related to research methods and data analysis.
12. Graduate Experiences for Multicultural Students (GEMS) - University of Colorado
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora, Colorado)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks long, generally running from early June to early August
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Current undergraduate student (must have completed at least two years of college | Minimum 3.0 GPA overall, 3.2 GPA in science courses | U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
The Graduate Experiences for Multicultural Students (GEMS) program at the University of Colorado is a 10-week summer research internship designed for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. It focuses on heart, lung, and blood (HLB) diseases, with research projects covering areas such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary inflammation, cystic fibrosis, stem cell regenerative medicine, and molecular biology within the context of HLB disorders. You engage in an eight-week mentored laboratory research project, attend lectures on biochemistry and molecular biology, participate in professional development workshops, and present your findings through a written report and a 15-minute oral presentation.
13. Colorado Summer Institute in Biostatistics (CoSIBS)
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 students
Dates: Typically six to seven weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate or early graduate student at an accredited school or university | U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Have some background knowledge of programming and introductory courses in probability, calculus, and linear algebra
The Colorado Summer Institute in Biostatistics (CoSIBS) is a 6-week interdisciplinary training and research program that introduces participants to biostatistics and data science, focusing on biomedical and public health research applications. Topics covered include applied biostatistical methods, data science techniques, and diverse research using clinical and public health data. Students engage in classroom learning, laboratory instruction, and hands-on data analysis using real research data. Activities include interacting with faculty and clinical investigators for mentorship, working with data from medical studies, receiving career guidance, and learning statistical software skills. You develop skills in statistical theory, research methodology, data analysis, and scientific communication essential for biomedical research careers.
14. Human Performance Clinical Research Lab (HPCRL) Internship
Location: Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory (HPCRL) Department of Health and Exercise Science Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies based on the number of faculty research projects available and funding capacity
Dates: Typically 10 – 12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and graduate students who have undergone the current CPR certification
The Human Performance Clinical Research Lab (HPCRL) Internship at Colorado State University is designed to prepare undergraduate students for careers in cardiac rehabilitation, preventative health care, health promotion, and human performance testing. You will explore topics such as exercise testing, body composition analysis, pulmonary function, electrocardiography interpretation, and physical activity interventions. You will engage in activities like conducting exercise tests, analyzing body composition, interpreting electrocardiograms, and implementing physical activity programs for participants. The program requires a 40-hour weekly commitment over at least 10 weeks, and you need to maintain professional attire and current CPR certification.
15. The PEAK Center at Craig Hospital Internship Program
Location: Craig Hospital, S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies based on the operational capacity of the PEAK Center and supervisor availability
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year, including 10 – 15 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Junior or senior in an undergraduate degree program such as exercise science, kinesiology, physiology, sport and exercise science, or related
The PEAK Center at Craig Hospital Internship Program for undergraduate students is an unpaid exercise specialist or pre-physical therapy internship lasting 10 to 15 weeks. The program focuses on clinical exercise science and physical therapy skills tailored to patients with spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injuries. You engage in activities such as assisting with exercise programming, conducting fitness assessments, supervising patient exercises, and learning rehabilitation techniques. You receive hands-on experience in a specialized hospital setting that integrates clinical care with exercise science, and develop skills in patient interaction, exercise prescription, and understanding rehabilitation protocols. This internship is ideal for students aspiring to careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or related health sciences.
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