15 Biology Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 2
- 10 min read
As an undergraduate, if biology is something you hope to pursue in graduate school or a career, a summer internship can help you test that path while gaining useful skills.
Universities, government labs, and nonprofit organizations across the country offer internships that give you direct exposure to biological research. These programs let you explore topics such as molecular biology, ecology, microbiology, and genetics, while learning how research questions are studied in professional labs and field sites.
Along with technical training, you also develop skills in data analysis, lab methods, and scientific writing that are important for graduate school and research careers. Many internships also connect you with mentors, introduce you to ongoing projects, and give you a clearer idea of how research teams operate.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve listed 15 biology research internships for undergraduates!
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks. Open to college students and young professionals
Ladder Internships is a virtual program where you work on projects for startups in areas such as health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. Each student is paired with a company mentor who gives weekly feedback and guidance. During the program, you build skills in research and communication, and finish with a final presentation. The program matches placements to your interests, offers financial aid, and adds practical experience to your resume. Alumni have later attended universities including Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Location: Laboratories/facilities nationwide
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer and semester-long internships in the spring and fall
Application Deadline: Summer: January 7; Spring: October 1; Fall: May 21
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least one semester, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, are 18 years or older, and are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
The SULI program is a biology research internship for undergraduates where you spend a term at one of 17 Department of Energy national laboratories conducting hands-on research. You work under the guidance of a lab scientist or engineer on a defined project, using advanced equipment and facilities that are typically not available at most universities. Alongside your research, you take part in workshops that build skills in technical writing, presentation, and professional communication. Beyond the lab, enrichment activities such as seminars and facility tours expose you to multiple scientific fields.
Location: Several NIH campuses
Stipend: Based on educational level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Typically 8 weeks starting in May or June
Application Deadline: Typically February or March
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college or university, are at least 16 years of age, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The NIH Summer Internship Program places you in a research group led by a Principal Investigator, where you contribute to projects in areas such as biomedical sciences, epidemiology, or bioinformatics. The program focuses on full-time lab research, with opportunities to take part in basic, translational, or clinical studies as part of a team. Alongside research, you can access career development workshops, advising, and programs that support resilience and professional growth. The program combines hands-on lab work with structured career-building opportunities across the NIH network.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduates in a 2- or 4-year college/university with a B or higher in General Biology (cell and molecular) and Chemistry courses as majors.
The Wistar Institute’s REU program begins with two weeks of lab orientation, giving you direct training in molecular and cellular biology techniques before you start independent research. After orientation, you select a lab and project aligned with your interests, ranging from apoptosis and genome instability to stem cell differentiation and immune response. Weekly workshops on communication, career paths, and graduate school preparation complement your time at the bench. You also meet regularly with a mentor who helps you set research and career goals, guiding the technical aspects of the internship.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college/university who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At Johns Hopkins University’s BioREU, you spend ten weeks conducting independent research with mentoring from faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. This biology research internship is designed for undergraduates from institutions where research opportunities may be limited, giving you access to high-level facilities and mentorship. In addition to lab work, you participate in activities that develop transferable skills such as scientific communication and public speaking. A key component is preparing both talks and a poster that summarizes your findings, which you present in a university-wide poster session at the end of the program.
Location: Longwood Medical Area campus, Boston, MA
Stipend: $5000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 1 – August 9
Application Deadline: Applications open November 1
Eligibility: College students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in biological and/or biomedical sciences
SHURP is a ten-week summer research internship at Harvard Medical School for undergraduates interested in biological and biomedical sciences. You work on mentored lab research under the guidance of faculty and graduate students, gaining experience in a professional research setting. Each week, you take part in sessions on science communication, research ethics, and how to apply to PhD programs. You also present your work at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium and in a final oral presentation. If accepted, you receive housing, travel support, and a stipend.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,304
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Undergraduates entering the summer before their final year, semester, or quarter of study with a background in the sciences or a related area who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Fred Hutch SURP is a mentored biology research internship for undergraduates interested in biomedical sciences. You work on a project with faculty guidance in areas such as structural and molecular biology, public health, vaccine development, or clinical research. Alongside lab work, you join professional development workshops on writing a personal statement, preparing a CV, and creating a scientific abstract. Weekly seminars expose you to different scientific fields and show you how your project connects to broader research. You finish the program by presenting your findings in a poster session to faculty and peers.
Location: Several labs nationwide
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in computer science, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and/or biophysics, who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals, or international students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the United States
The Rosetta Commons REU focuses on computational biology, with an emphasis on protein modeling and design. You start with a week of Rosetta Code School, where you learn to use the PyRosetta coding environment. For the next eight weeks, you will work in a research lab on projects in algorithm development or molecular modeling, applying computational tools to real biological problems. At the end of the program, you present your work at the Rosetta Conference and connect with the wider Rosetta developer community.
Location: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents in a biological science undergraduate program with an interest in pursuing a career in research
The Biological Sciences Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the University at Buffalo is an eight-week research internship for undergraduates interested in biology. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and take part in lab-based research in areas like genome evolution, neuronal physiology, or model organism biology. Throughout the program, you’ll attend weekly workshops focused on research skills, career development, and networking, while also joining social events that connect you with students across different labs. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at a campus-wide symposium.
Location: Geneva, NY
Stipend: Provided; funding varies by citizenship status
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 30 – August 2
Deadline: January 20 (subject to extension)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students age 18+ enrolled in a relevant discipline; U.S. citizens and permanent residents eligible for USDA funding
Cornell AgriTech’s program immerses you in agricultural and food science research across lab, field, and greenhouse settings. Projects may involve entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, or food science, with direct relevance to agricultural production and sustainability. You work with faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on hands-on projects that might include using sensors, robotics, or molecular techniques. By the end of the summer, you’ll gain both research skills and a clearer view of the applications of biology in agriculture and food production.
Location: HHMI labs at various institutions nationwide
Stipend: $12,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or authorized to work in the U.S.
Through HHMI’s summer program, you spend eight weeks doing research in one of its affiliated labs across the country. You work on basic science questions while becoming part of a national research community. Along with lab training, you join activities that build professional skills and connect you with mentors and peers. You also present your work to the community, giving you practice in sharing scientific results. The program combines research experience with structured career development opportunities.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Weekly stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 26 – Aug 2
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors (excluding MIT undergraduates) who are full-time STEM majors at a U.S. university or college with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all STEM courses, and prior research experience
BSG-MSRP-Bio is a ten-week summer research program at MIT that places you in one of over 90 labs across biology, brain and cognitive sciences, or chemistry. You’ll work full-time on a mentored research project, gaining hands-on experience in a lab setting while attending weekly seminars and faculty meetings that deepen your understanding of scientific methods and career pathways. The program includes training in oral presentations, abstract writing, and scientific communication, helping you build skills essential for graduate school. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your work through both a poster session and a written research summary.
Location: The National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $8,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The NHRE program places you at the National Museum of Natural History for a ten-week independent project in biology, anthropology, or earth science. You work closely with a museum scientist, using the Smithsonian’s collections and resources to explore research topics such as invertebrate zoology, botany, or paleobiology. While most of your time is spent on your project, you also participate in lectures, behind-the-scenes tours, and professional development events tied to natural history research. Recent biology projects have focused on subjects like deep-sea crustaceans and plant systematics.
Location: Darling Marine Center, Walpole, ME
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students
Dates: Mid-May to mid-August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science
The Darling Marine Center offers 10–12 week summer internships for undergraduate students interested in marine biology, oceanography, fisheries science, aquaculture, and conservation. You’ll be matched with faculty or visiting researchers who guide your work, which may include field studies, lab experiments, or a combination of both. The program is designed to support independent research and can be used to develop a capstone or honors thesis project. In addition to marine-focused research, you can also pursue interdisciplinary projects in environmental science, engineering, or public policy.
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama.
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 9 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors interested in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, or physical and environmental sciences
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab NSF REU Program is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduates interested in coastal and marine science. You’ll work under the guidance of a faculty mentor to design and complete an independent research project in areas like ecology, genomics, necropsy, or environmental science. The program combines fieldwork and lab training, giving you hands-on experience with sampling methods, molecular techniques, and statistical analysis. You’ll present your findings at a poster symposium and attend scientific meetings, gaining experience in how to share your work with both peers and experts.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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