15 Biotech Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 5 minutes ago
- 10 min read
If you are an undergraduate interested in biotechnology, summer internships are one of the most effective ways to explore the field and build professional skills. Biotech internships give you experience in real labs and organizations, letting you experience research and industry work beyond the classroom. You get to apply what you’ve learned to actual projects in areas like molecular biology, neuroscience, bioinformatics, and drug development.
Universities, hospitals, and biotech companies across the U.S. host programs every summer, often running between May and August, and are designed specifically for undergraduates. These programs give you exposure to lab practices, research methods, and professional environments while also connecting you with mentors and peers who share your interests.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Biotech Summer Internships for Undergraduates!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by format
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall, spring, summer, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort—Summer: May | Winter: November | Spring: January | Fall: September
Eligibility: College students and young professionals who can work for 5–10 hours/week for eight weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective program that connects undergraduate students with high-growth startups, which raise over a million dollars on average. These organizations operate in diverse industries, including engineering and tech. During the internship, you can explore your interests in engineering, develop relevant skills, and gain work experience while working on real projects under the guidance of the startup manager. This internship also provides you with exposure to professional work environments and the opportunity to explore various career paths. By the end of the program, you will complete and present your work to the organization.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25
Cost/stipend: $6,500 stipend + free housing for students who cannot commute.
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: College sophomores and juniors
The Chemers Neustein Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at The Rockefeller University is a highly selective program offering hands-on experience in lab research, including specialized areas of biotechnology like molecular, cell, and developmental biology. You’ll spend 10 weeks working in a Rockefeller lab matched to your research interests, guided by faculty, postdocs, or senior graduate students. Throughout the summer, you’ll join weekly Journal Club meetings to discuss scientific publications, attend lectures led by Rockefeller faculty, and take part in organized off-campus trips. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings at a formal poster session.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette/Indianapolis campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $6,500 stipend + housing subsidy for non-Purdue students (competitive review for housing subsidy for Purdue students)
Dates: May 26 - August 8 (40/week for full-time; 20/week for part-time)
Application Deadline: January 15 (priority deadline, rolling basis after that); faculty post projects November 1 - December 1
Eligibility: Currently enrolled full-time undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Purdue/a U.S. institution/international institution
Purdue University's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) is an 11-week paid research program where you’ll work on advanced projects, including in biotechnology, under the guidance of a faculty mentor and a graduate student or postdoc. You’ll produce a research abstract and a final version that gets published in the SURF Symposium booklet and on the program website. Past fellows have worked on projects like biomedical ultrasound imaging, computational modeling, and 3D printing of lab assistive devices. (Check earlier research projects here.)
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $7,000 stipend (room and board expenses covered)
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 15 (applications typically open in September)
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors with a strong academic background in a science; must be returning to an undergraduate degree program after URP (check all criteria here)
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program (CHSL-URP) is a 10-week, fully funded summer research experience for undergraduates interested in biotechnology, biomedicine, and interdisciplinary life sciences. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work on an original research project in areas like molecular biology, cancer, neuroscience, genomics, or quantitative biology. You’ll attend workshops on scientific writing, data analysis, and programming (including Python), plus seminars on research ethics, career options, and PhD admissions. You’ll also have access to summer courses hosted at CSHL that align with your research.
Location: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $7,550 stipend, $500 travel assistance, and $15/day meal allowance, totaling over $8,600 in support
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate's degree; should be majoring in a plant science, a life science field, or a related field with relevant coursework; must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents of the U.S.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center REU Internship is a 10-week, fully funded summer research experience for undergraduates interested in plant science and biotechnology. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work on a hands-on project in areas like cellular signaling, bioremediation, bioinformatics, genomics, and more. Research takes place in cutting-edge labs focused on bioimaging, bioanalytical chemistry, plant transformation, and data science. You’ll write a research paper and deliver a professional-level presentation at the final symposium.
Location: Multiple educational institutions across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10
Cost/stipend: Free; stipends vary by institution ( $6,620 at MIT, $4,960-$7,700 at other U.S. sites)
Dates: Vary based on host institution, May - August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates in accredited 4-year colleges/universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories + sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors; must be U.S. citizens/U.S. permanent residents with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (check all requirements here)
The Amgen Scholars Program is a fully funded summer research experience for undergraduates who want to explore careers in biomedical science and biotechnology. You’ll spend 8 to 10 weeks working full-time on an independent research project at one of several top-tier institutions, like Harvard, Yale, UCLA, Stanford, Duke, and others. You’ll be mentored by a research scientist, gain hands-on lab skills, and build a strong foundation for graduate school or future careers in science. The program also includes seminars, networking events, and professional development workshops.
Location: CBCB, University of Maryland, College Park Campus, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10
Cost/stipend: $700/week stipend + $140/week meal card
Dates: June 9 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: University-level undergraduates; must be U.S. citizens/U.S. nationals/permanent residents of the U.S.
The BRIDGE program at the University of Maryland’s Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB) is a 10-week, fully funded summer research experience for undergraduates interested in bioinformatics and computational biology. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation as part of its REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) initiative, the program places students in pairs to tackle real-world problems in areas like metagenomics, machine learning, single-cell RNA sequencing, and phylogenomics. You’ll start with a week-long intensive course to build foundational skills, then work closely with mentors to design and implement a research plan.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University Neuroscience Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $4500 stipend + travel to/from Pittsburgh, PA + university dormitory housing.
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled at a 4-year accredited institution; must be in the sophomore or junior year; must be 18 years of age before the program starts
The uPNC Summer Fellowship Program at Carnegie Mellon University is a 10-week, fully funded residential research experience for undergraduates interested in computational neuroscience. You’ll work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a project that applies data science and modeling to neuroscience questions, often with relevance to biotech and drug discovery. Past projects have tackled challenges like cleaning neural recordings, building data pipelines for neuroimaging, and analyzing brain activity patterns.
Location: UF Department of Neuroscience College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $5,000 stipend + housing for the summer for non-UF students
Dates: May 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies at U.S.-based institutions and have not already been accepted into postgraduate programs
The Summer Neuroscience Internship Program (SNIP) at the University of Florida is a 10-week, full-time research experience hosted by the Department of Neuroscience and the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work on an independent research project in a UF neuroscience lab. You’ll attend weekly seminars, workshops on scientific writing and public speaking, and sessions on grad school admissions and networking. The summer culminates in an oral presentation at the SNIP Celebration of Research Day, where you’ll share your findings with faculty and peers.
Location: Knight Cancer Institute Labs, OHSU Marquam Hill Campus/South Waterfront Campus, Portland, OR
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: $4,500 stipend (limited need-based housing and airfare support available)
Dates: June 23 - August 15
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates who will graduate in spring or later; should have completed foundational introductory science courses; should have completed at least two undergraduate years, but will not have graduated by program start
The B-BRITE Summer Internship Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is an immersive, 8-week research experience designed for undergraduates interested in biomedical and bioinformatics research, especially in cancer biology. Hosted by the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology and the Knight Cancer Institute, the program matches you with a faculty mentor based on your interests. You’ll gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge techniques like 3D bioprinting, quantitative data analysis, and bioinformatics, while also learning experimental design and scientific communication.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6
Cost/stipend: Paid (stipend amount not known) + housing provision offered to applicants aged at least 18 years from outside the Evanston area.
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates in two-year and four-year degree programs; must be U.S. citizens/nationals/permanent residents
The Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) Program at Northwestern University’s Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) is an eight-week, fully funded summer research opportunity for students interested in biotechnology and tissue regeneration. You’ll work on the Epigenetic Cell Reprogramming In Situ (EFRI) project, which explores how chromatin structure can be manipulated to enhance cellular plasticity and promote tissue repair. As a participant, you’ll gain hands-on lab experience in techniques like 3D printing of surface features, microscopy, immunofluorescence, and cell function assessment.
Location: Boston, MA (internship may also be at other locations)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: Varies by role and location, with compensation typically ranging from $20–$50/hour
Dates: May-end/early June - August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in October
Eligibility: Enrolled in an undergraduate/advanced degree program at the time of your internship
The Vertex Summer Intern Program is a paid, full-time internship designed for undergraduate and graduate students who want to explore careers in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. You will work on projects in areas like research, medicine development, pharmaceutical and preclinical sciences, and more, including roles in regulatory affairs, market access, IT, finance, and corporate communications.
You’ll be mentored by Vertex managers, collaborate with diverse teams, and gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. The program includes professional development workshops, internal speaker events, and networking opportunities with leaders across the company. It wraps up with a capstone event, where interns present their work and reflect on their experience.
Location: OHSU Gibbs Lab, Portland, OR
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not known
Cost/stipend: Information not known (voluntary in the first summer, stipend offered in the next summer)
Dates: 10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school and college students
The Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), hosted by the Gibbs Lab, offers undergraduate students a hands-on introduction to biomedical imaging research. The program begins with a voluntary learning experience, where you’ll build foundational lab skills in areas like fluorescence microscopy, macroscopic imaging, cell culture, and image analysis.
You’ll also attend programming sessions focused on data processing and analytical techniques, gaining exposure to how fluorescence tools are used in medicine and biotechnology. This initial phase is designed to prepare you for more advanced research opportunities, and successful participants may be invited back the following summer for a paid internship.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on faculty project and funding availability
Cost/stipend: Information not known (stipend/scholarships/fellowship details here)
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Current students of NYU Tandon/NYU Abu Dhabi/NYU Shanghai/NYU Dual Degree Program in Engineering (CAS/Tandon) rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 + lab experience/specific coursework may be required
The NYU Tandon Undergraduate Summer Research Program (UGSRP) is a 10-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates interested in lab-based work across fields like biotechnology, engineering, and data science. Each spring, the faculty publishes a list of available research projects, and students can apply to up to five, ranking them by preference.
Once selected, you’ll work closely with a faculty mentor and research team on a hands-on project tailored to your interests. You’ll also enroll in a non-credit seminar course (CP-UY 2340 UGSRP) and participate in weekly seminars led by faculty and administrators. These sessions cover topics like scientific communication, career development, and graduate school prep.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (check here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Cost/stipend: Paid (stipend details not known)
Dates: May-end through August-start (10 weeks, 40hours/week)
Application Deadline: Opportunities are typically posted September - November in the fall
Eligibility: Students enrolled in, or accepted to, an academic program pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD, and returning to school the semester following the internship; cumulative GPA of 3.0 preferred
The Vertex Summer Intern Program offers undergraduates hands-on experience in biotechnology through full-time summer placements at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. You will work on projects in areas such as drug discovery, pharmacogenomics, and clinical development. At the Regeneron Genetics Center (RGC), you will contribute to research on genomic biomarkers, novel drug targets, and clinical indications. You also attend professional development sessions and present your work at a capstone event. Internships are paid, and applications typically open in the fall for the following summer.
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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