15 Child Development Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 10 minutes ago
- 11 min read
If you’re studying psychology, education, or anything related to how children think and grow, an internship in child development can be a solid stepping stone during college. These internships allow you to observe how children learn, communicate, and respond to the world around them in hospitals, research labs, and schools. You’ll build practical skills, gain a professional network, and start seeing how theory translates into real developmental milestones and behavioral patterns.
For many students, this kind of experience is a turning point where interests turn into career goals. The programs highlighted here are distinguished by their reputation, the depth and intensity of professional experience they offer, and the chance to connect with top experts in pediatrics, research, and education. Whether you’re analyzing developmental data, shadowing specialists, or helping design early learning interventions, these internships give you a taste of what a future in child development really looks like.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 child development internships for undergraduates that blend meaningful work with serious professional growth.
If you are looking for internships, check out our blog here.
15 Child Development Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $4,000 stipend
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or international students currently enrolled in U.S. undergraduate degree-granting institutions
The Yale Child Study Center’s eight-week summer internship connects undergraduates with active research across pediatrics and developmental science. As an intern, you participate in projects spanning neuroscience, behavioral health, and community-based child development research. This prestigious child development internship for undergraduates integrates multiple research methods, from lab-based data analysis to clinical observations, under the mentorship of Yale faculty. Weekly lectures, journal clubs, and career discussions broaden your understanding of pediatric medicine beyond your assigned project. Each student completes a final poster presentation summarizing their work to peers and faculty. Past research topics have explored areas like adolescent risk behavior, parenting neuroscience, and family intervention design.
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $5,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
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, and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
CRISSP at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a ten-week paid internship designed to immerse undergraduates in pediatric biomedical and behavioral research. Interns are matched with CHOP faculty mentors working in basic, clinical, or translational science, gaining direct experience with experimental design and data analysis. The program covers professional development sessions on topics like scientific communication, research ethics, and graduate or medical school preparation. In addition to laboratory work, you can participate in clinical shadowing opportunities and interdisciplinary seminars. The summer concludes with a formal poster symposium where you present your independent project.
Location: Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $4,400 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application deadline: Typically first week of February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students ages 18+
Hosted jointly by the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado Child Health Research Institute, this internship exposes undergraduates to pediatric and child health research. Over the summer, interns work under faculty mentors on projects that may include laboratory research, data analysis, or clinical observation at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Regular seminars led by faculty provide insight into emerging research in pediatrics and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue. You are expected to produce written and oral summaries of your work, culminating in a final presentation at a research symposium. This selective child development internship for undergraduates also encourages students to submit abstracts to professional conferences, with travel funding available for accepted presentations.
Location: Strong Children’s Research Center, Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $3,000 stipend paid in four installments
Dates: May 27 – July 31
Application deadline: Rolling (starts November 15)
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore or junior undergraduate year, or who are enrolled in their first year of medical school in good standing at the time of the application (students taking a gap year or recent graduates are also eligible)
The Strong Children’s Research Center Summer Training Program at the University of Rochester immerses students in pediatric research for ten weeks. Participants work on mentored projects in areas such as developmental biology, translational medicine, and clinical pediatrics, contributing to ongoing departmental research efforts. The program supplements research with weekly lectures, journal clubs, and discussions on current pediatric science and career development. Interns also gain experience in academic communication through abstract writing and poster presentations. By the end of this child development internship for undergraduates, you will present your findings to faculty and peers at a research symposium. Some students even earn authorship on manuscripts resulting from their summer work.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: No cost | Stipend provided
Dates: 6-week or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
The Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics hosts a summer internship that introduces students to pediatric medicine and healthcare systems through mentorship, research, and hands-on participation. Interns are placed within divisions that align with their interests, such as behavioral health, health policy, neonatal medicine, or clinical research. You may assist in data collection, shadow clinicians, or engage in projects that examine child health outcomes. Each placement includes structured supervision and culminates in a capstone presentation of your findings.
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $3,800 stipend
Dates: June 2 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
The eXtraOrdinarY Kids Research Internship centers on pediatric genetics and developmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome aneuploidies. You’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that includes pediatric endocrinologists, psychologists, genetic counselors, and therapists. Interns will participate in both clinic-based research and data-driven studies focusing on neurodevelopment and early cardiometabolic health. Each student is assigned a mentored project aligned with their academic background and career goals. Educational seminars supplement your practical experience, deepening your understanding of translational research in child health. The child development internship for undergraduates concludes with the eXtraOrdinarY Kids Research eXpo, where participants formally present their projects.
Location: Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $4,000 stipend
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Applicants who are at least 18 years old, enrolled as an undergraduate student, and a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
Indiana University’s Pediatric Research Summer Internship gives undergraduates an eight-week opportunity to work within one of the country’s largest medical schools. As an intern, you’ll design and execute a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor in areas such as pediatric oncology, immunology, or developmental biology. You are expected to spend 40 hours per week in lab-based research while attending seminars and networking events organized by the Wells Center. The internship lets you develop technical research skills alongside professional communication and presentation abilities. Toward the end of the summer, you submit abstracts and deliver oral presentations summarizing your work.
Location: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | stipend $15/hr
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Applicants who are actively enrolled in a degree-granting program with an institution of higher learning | You can explore all pre-requisites here
The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Pediatrics hosts an eight-week paid internship through the Rangos Research Center for undergraduates pursuing pediatric or biomedical research. You work full-time alongside experienced investigators in areas ranging from child development and endocrinology to genetics and neuroscience. The program focuses on developing practical research skills such as experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication. Participants attend seminars and lab meetings that introduce the fundamentals of translational medicine and pediatric research. The summer culminates in a formal poster presentation during “Poster Day,” where you share your research findings with peers and faculty.
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate or medical student (as of Fall) with proven interest in research, academic medicine, or related fields; adherence to MGB vaccination policy
The Summer Student Research Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers undergraduates eight weeks of in-person research experience in perinatal and neonatal medicine. Student interns are paired with faculty mentors in fields such as nutrition, neurodevelopment, and neonatal physiology, working on active research projects like antioxidant therapies for infants and brain injury prevention. Mentorship is individualized to align with each student’s research background and interests. You gain practical research training under experienced pediatric specialists, learning to conduct data collection, analysis, and presentation. The program runs full-time on weekdays, with an emphasis on professional development through lab meetings, data discussions, and final research presentations.
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $13/hour
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the Fall (with a 3.0 or better GPA) | U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or green card holders
The SURF Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center provides undergraduates with a ten-week, full-time opportunity to explore biomedical research at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Students collaborate with mentors from over 700 faculty-led laboratories, delving into topics like developmental biology, genetics, cardiology, and neurology. This child development internship for undergraduates integrates lab work with academic enrichment activities, including ethics seminars, scientific writing classes, and career development workshops. You’ll also attend research seminars and networking events with peers from other summer programs. By the program’s conclusion, fellows present their findings during a poster session alongside a keynote lecture.
Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $7,100 stipend + $400 food allowance, and an ORCA card for Seattle-area public transportation
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Applicants who are at least 18 years of age by the start of the program and eligible to work in the U.S. | Must be currently enrolled, or will be enrolled, in an undergraduate, community, or technical college | In good standing with their academic institution
The Summer Scholars Program at Seattle Children’s Research Institute allows undergraduates to take part in nine weeks of mentored research across disciplines like neuroscience, behavioral health, public health, and microbiology. As a scholar, you will be matched with mentors whose research aligns with your interests and become an active member of a research team conducting basic, clinical, or community-based studies. Alongside research training, students participate in professional development sessions on responsible research conduct, ethics, and scientific communication. The program culminates in a research symposium where you present your findings and publish abstracts summarizing your projects.
Location: Children’s Mercy Adele Hall campus or specific labs in Kansas City, MO
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Competitive, hourly salary provided
Dates: June 2 – August 7 or August 22
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduates with a 3.0 GPA or higher
Children’s Mercy’s Research Summer Scholars Program gives undergraduates a chance to participate in hands-on, hypothesis-driven research under the mentorship of leading clinicians and scientists. Over the summer, scholars work in fields ranging from cardiology and cancer research to behavioral medicine and clinical pharmacology. Each student receives individualized training to master essential research techniques and engage deeply with their assigned projects. Beyond daily lab work, participants attend seminars on biostatistics, research ethics, and scientific writing, while networking with other researchers through institutional events. At the end of the program, scholars present their findings to faculty and peers, gaining valuable experience in research communication.
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Hourly stipend provided
Dates: 8 weeks between June 1 – August 31; 35-hour commitment per week
Application deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Applicants who are entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college | Must be currently enrolled in a university undergraduate program and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, supported by an unofficial transcript
Boston Children’s Hospital’s Newborn Medicine Summer Student Research Program connects undergraduates with faculty mentors from the Harvard Program in Neonatology for eight weeks of intensive clinical and laboratory research. You’ll investigate topics such as fetal growth, vascular biology, and rare neonatal diseases while also observing patient care in NICUs, labor and delivery units, and specialty clinics. Alongside their research, you’ll also attend weekly conferences on newborn medicine, clinical case discussions, and sessions on epidemiology and health policy. Each student presents both a clinical case and a research summary at the program’s conclusion.
Location: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates who are at least 18 years old
The Pediatric Student Research Program (PSRP) at Washington University School of Medicine is an eight-week, full-time experience that combines pediatric research, clinical shadowing, and academic seminars. You’ll work 40 hours per week alongside leading faculty members, gaining hands-on research experience and exposure to collaborative scientific research. Through weekly seminars and lab meetings, participants explore the full research process, from hypothesis formation to data interpretation. This child development internship for undergraduates covers both independent and team-based research, requiring students to present an abstract and an oral presentation at its conclusion.
Location: Lexington or Charlestown, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduates who plan to be in the Boston area and are interested in clinical and/or research careers related to ASD | Preference for rising juniors and seniors, although exceptional rising sophomores are considered
The Summer Undergraduate Research Internship at the MGH Lurie Center for Autism introduces undergraduates to research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. As an intern, you’ll be paired with faculty mentors and conduct semi-independent projects covering areas such as clinical trial design, patient recruitment, biosample analysis, and data management. Varied seminars explore autism research and clinical care, and participants have the opportunity to observe specialists in neurology, psychiatry, and psychology. The program encourages regular interaction between interns and research teams, fostering both technical and analytical skill development.
Looking for an immersive internship experience? Check out Ladder Internships – Healthcare track!
For students interested in applying their knowledge to real-world healthcare projects, the Ladder University Internship Program offers a virtual, project-based experience with startups and nonprofits across the globe. You’ll collaborate closely with industry professionals, contribute to meaningful initiatives, and present your work at the end of the program. The healthcare track, in particular, allows you to work on innovation-driven projects in child development, medical technology, and community health–building both your research and professional skill set. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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 Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Yale University logo