Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-based careers are among some of the most innovative and fastest-growing fields in the United States. Many universities have research and internship-based resources that connect some of the best and brightest with graduate school and career opportunities in industry. Below is a sampling of programs that I’ve come across… and that I’d like to share with you.
Summer Research Programs
Each of the programs below were created with undergraduate students in mind. You do not have to be a current student of the institution to apply and/or attend. Many of these summer programs exist so that students who attend smaller or less-resourced colleges have access to pivotal information and experience needed to succeed in graduate school, industry, and beyond. The majority of these programs are also free to attend, and if selected, students receive a stipend (i.e., money!) to participate. Please check the website links below to review more detailed information for each program, eligibility, and how to apply.
Amgen Scholars Program
Approximately 13 different universities host this summer research opportunity program at different sites across the United States. It is designed for students interested in science and biotechnology. Here is the link to more program information: Amgen Scholars
Big10 Alliance Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
SROP was created as a way of connecting talented undergraduate students from across the country with graduate education opportunities. Its goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing research-related careers (i.e., women, minority students, first-generation college students, and students from low-income families). Each student chosen is paired with a faculty mentor from a top-ranked research institution. You participate in weekly campus-based activities to enhance your technical skills, campus workshops to get grad school ready, and develop and present your own unique research project at the end of your summer experience.
Here is a current listing of universities that belong to this program:
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- Indiana University
- University of Iowa
- University of Maryland
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University
- University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Northwestern University
- Ohio State University
- Penn State University
- Purdue University
- Rutgers University
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Here is the link to more program overview information, eligibility requirements, how to apply, etc.: SROP Programs
University of California – Los Angeles
University of California – San Diego
- Marine Physical Laboratory Summer Internship Program – for engineering, physics, applied mathematics, chemistry, biology, geology or related majors.
University of California – San Francisco
- Summer Research Training Program – for students interested in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, biophysics, cell biology, chemistry, developmental and stem cell biology, epidemiology and translational research, genetics, neuroscience, oral and craniofacial sciences, pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacogenomics
University of Cincinnati
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships – for students interested in biomedical sciences
Johns Hopkins University
- Summer Internship Program – for students interested in biomedical or public health research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mayo Clinic
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) – for students interested in one of the following research specialties:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering and Physiology
- Clinical and Translation Sciences
- Immunology
- Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Sciences
- Virology and Experiments
University of Michigan Medical School
The University of Michigan offers a number of summer research experiences for undergraduate students in diverse areas of study, such as biophysics, cancer research, pharmacology, neuroscience, health sciences and more. Here is a quick link to access and review the various programs: Michigan Summer Research Programs
University of Nebraska
- Summer Health Professions Education Program – for students in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy
- STEM Summer Research Programs
Northeastern University
- BEACHES: Bridging Each Applicant’s Chance for Higher Education Success – for students interested in marine science, environmental science, ecology, or geosciences
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
University of Pennsylvania
- Summer Undergraduate Internship Program – for biomedical studies
University of Pittsburgh
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program – for biological and biomedical sciences
- Neuroscience Summer Research Program
University of Rochester
Rutgers University
- Research Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) program – for students interested in biological, physical, and social/behavior sciences, math, and engineering
Sloane-Kettering
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Pediatric Oncology Education Program – for students interested in biomedical science, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health
Stanford University
- Bio-X Undergraduate Research Programs
- Canary Cancer Research Education Summer Training (CREST) Program
- Cardiovascular Institute Summer Research
- Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Internship Program
- Radiological Sciences Laboratory Internship Projects
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship – for engineering students
- Stanford Population Health Summer Research Program
- Undergraduate Pre-Renal Initiative Summer Program
