15 Clinical Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 51 minutes ago
- 11 min read
Clinical research internships for undergraduates are designed for highly motivated students pursuing medicine or healthcare careers. The programs cover theoretical and practical aspects of clinical research, ensuring a holistic learning environment for participants. As an intern, you will work on independent or group research projects under the supervision of a mentor and prepare tangible deliverables in the form of presentations, posters, and scientific papers.
The internships cover a variety of fields, including mental health, cardiology, pediatrics, cancer, and more, allowing students to apply for a program based on their interests. Many of these programs also offer a considerable stipend to cover living, transportation, food, and other expenses. Many prestigious organisations, universities, and hospitals organise clinical research internships for undergraduates each year. They are highly competitive, and completing one can boost your skills, strengthen your resume, expand your professional network, and give you clarity on your future career path.
In this blog, we have compiled a comprehensive list of 15 in-person and virtual clinical research internships for undergraduates. When selecting programs, we consider various factors such as prestige, academic rigor, cost transparency, and networking opportunities.
15 Clinical Research Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost and stipend information not available, but complete financial aid is provided to those in need.
Cohort size: 70 spots
Dates: Multiple cohorts available across the year
Application Deadline: Depends on the cohort
Eligibility: University students in their gap years or early academic journey who can dedicate 5-10 hours a week for 8-15 weeks.
Ladder University Internship Program is a 2-month fully remote opportunity for students interested in clinical research. If selected for this highly competitive program, you will be paired with a health tech or mental health start-up company. You will work closely with a company coach on a real-world project and present your final output to the company during the last week of the internship. The program will equip you with skills in independent research, critical thinking, data analysis, problem solving, and communication. You also get a chance to strengthen your resume by showcasing your project and securing a reference letter from the start-up founder or manager.
Location: Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY
Stipend: No information provided
Cohort size: Information unavailable
Dates: Fall Cohort (August to December)
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Academically strong undergraduate students who have completed 4+ semesters at an accredited institution, can commit around 20 hrs/week for a semester or summer term
The Norton Healthcare Advancing Research Through Inclusivity, Sustainability and Equity (ARISE) Clinical Research Internship Program is a semester-long opportunity for undergraduates. Interns can choose their field of interest within clinical research, including health equity, population health, neuroscience, infectious diseases, oncology, cardiology, and pediatrics. The program involves a 4-part structure, including learning, practical experience, final product, and presentation. As an intern, you will receive an introduction to research followed by hands-on project experience under the guidance of a mentor. During program conclusion, you can present your work to the Norton Research Institute community.
Location: Campus of the flagship hospital of Allina Health, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: A $550 per week stipend, with scholarship opportunities may also be available.
Cohort size: 7-9 new interns and one lead intern from the previous cohort.
Dates: May 28-August 15
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Undergraduate or recent graduate from a 4-year accredited college and not yet accepted to medical school with a GPA of 3.60 or above. Must be available to participate full-time, 40 hrs/week, during the internship tenure.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) offers a 3-month cardiovascular clinical research internship for undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Throughout the internship, you will work under the mentorship of a physician practicing as a clinician and researcher at a nationally recognized hospital. You can participate in cardiovascular research, observe your physician mentor and other healthcare professionals in real-world clinical settings, attend case conferences, and go on medical device industry tours. At the end of the program, you will prepare a research poster and present your outcomes to mentors, medical professionals, MHIF board members, family, and friends. A select few interns also get to publish their research in a national scientific journal or showcase their work at a national cardiovascular conference.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Stipend will be provided, but the exact details are not disclosed
Cohort size: Details unavailable
Dates: June and July
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from any accredited university with an interest in clinical/epidemiologic research, with an eventual goal of MD, PhD, or MD-PhD degrees
The Undergraduate Clinical Scholars Program (UCSP) is a 9-week intensive program that introduces undergraduates to human clinical research specifically in diabetes, digestive, and metabolic health. You can expect weekly lectures, workshops, and group discussions on various topics, including epidemiology, biostatistics, research ethics, and research writing. You will also gain hands-on experience by participating in a clinical research project with your assigned clinical investigator. The program also offers various socializing opportunities, such as community service and sporting events, to ensure participants build lasting bonds with peers and mentors.
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, TN
Stipend: Stipend of $1,500
Cohort size: Not known
Dates: Beginning of June through the first week in August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at an accredited US college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more and an interest in pursuing an MD degree or a combined MD/Ph.D. degree. Preference will be given to those with a research and advanced science courses background.
The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program (UCRIP) is a 2-month research opportunity for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a medical career. Selected participants will attend a mandatory orientation and training before they begin the clinical research experience. At the start of the program, the director will assign you a project based on your unique interests and pair you with a research mentor. In addition to working on your project, you will attend seminars on medical pathways and healthcare issues and meet with a hospital-based general medicine physician team weekly. The program will conclude with research presentations by the participants.
Location: Cohen Children's Medical Center, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY
Stipend: Unpaid internship
Cohort size: 3-5 students (for developmental & behavioral pediatrics), 1-2 students (for all other pediatric sub-specialties)
Dates: 8-12 weeks (start and end dates not disclosed)
Application Deadline: March 2 (for most pediatric sub-specialties), February 16 (for nephrology)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a strong academic record who aspire to a doctoral program in medicine.
Cohen Children's Medical Center offers Research Internship Programs across nine pediatric subspecialties. Undergraduates can choose their area of interest from developmental and behavioral pediatrics, neurology, nephrology, pulmonology and cystic fibrosis, cardiology, emergency medicine, genetics and genomics, anesthesia, and otolaryngology (ENT). While each internship is tailored to its specialty, all share a standard program structure. You will participate in clinical research and writing projects, attend educational lectures, and gain first-hand exposure to patient care by shadowing physicians in clinical settings.
Location: University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $3,200
Cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: June 9 - August 4
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: Academically strong rising college junior or senior who has completed intermediate- or advanced-level biology, chemistry, and/or physics courses and has exposure to clinical or basic research in the sciences.
Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER) is an 8-week on-campus program to provide highly talented students with in-depth research exposure and increase their interest in medicine and STEM fields. As a participant, you will engage in basic science laboratory research or clinical research work, along with support and mentorship from weekly cluster groups and Pritzker Medical School students and staff. You will delve into relevant topics like research ethics, statistics, health care disparities, and more. At the end of the program, students must present their research project.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY
Stipend: $3,000
Cohort size: 25-27 students
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates in their junior year of college, seniors applying to medical school, and college graduates enrolled in a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program.
The Weill Cornell Medicine Summer Research Fellowship (WCMSRF) is a 7-week program to provide premed students with research training and healthcare knowledge. If selected, you will participate in laboratory or clinical research under the mentorship of a faculty member, which will equip you with investigative techniques. You will also attend lectures on research fundamentals, public health issues, and healthcare disparities. In addition, medical students will offer practical advice on medical school admissions. Participants can also join panel discussions with physicians from nine specialties, including primary care, surgery, and emergency medicine, to name a few. While the topics will vary, one of the discussions will address the question, "What are medical schools looking for?" The fellowship experience will prepare students for their future medical careers.
Location: Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, FL, and Rochester, MN)
Stipend: $3,000
Cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: US citizens, permanent residents, or F-1 visa students enrolled in or recently graduated (≤13 months) from an accredited US college with a GPA of≥3.0 GPA, at least one year of college completed, 18+ years old, not yet in a professional degree program (with rare exceptions), and seriously considering a career in health care or clinical research.
The Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP) by Mayo Clinic is designed for undergraduates looking forward to science, medical, or healthcare careers. Every intern is matched with a Mayo Clinic faculty member who acts as their mentor for the entirety of the program. Apart from undertaking a clinical research project, you will engage in lectures during the 10 weeks, strengthening research methodology and investigation. The program will conclude with participants discussing their work through written reports and oral presentations, improving research writing and communication skills. Students with exceptional projects may have opportunities to present at national conferences and publish in scientific journals.
Location: National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH campus, Bethesda, MD
Stipend: A monthly stipend is provided based on the participants' education level and experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information provided.
Dates: begin between mid-May and early June (for 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Application starts November 3, deadline not given.
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students
The Cancer Research Interns (CRI) Summer Program is a 12-week clinical research internship for undergraduates, graduates, and medical students. Fellows will explore cancer research, epidemiology and genetics, cancer prevention, cancer control and population science, and global health alongside leading scientists. You can expect continuous support from your mentor as you work on research projects, data analyses, literature reviews, presentations, and manuscripts. Besides hands-on research, you will participate in summer intensives, career activities, wellness initiatives, and other networking events. CRI fellows will also be able to enhance their communication skills through research presentations at the NIH Summer Poster Day.
Location: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $3,000 - $5,500
Cohort size: 2 students for the fall cohort. Information for other cohorts is not available.
Dates: Year-round cohorts. Summer (May through August), Winter (December through February), Fall (September through December)
Application Deadline: Summer cohort (March 31), Winter cohort (October 31), Fall cohort (August 31)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are available for a minimum of 3 weeks. Students applying for the Fall cohort should be available for at least 10 hours per week in person for at least one semester.
The Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine organizes the Clinical Trials Core Internship Program (OTO-CTC IP). The program is available year-round, and students can choose their internship cohorts and timelines based on their schedules. Selected interns will focus on clinical research and trials, gaining experience in regulatory processes, data management, and patient-facing tasks. You may also participate in basic lab work. Throughout the internship, you can expect guidance, mentorship, and professional development from faculty, staff, and the program director.
Location: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Stipend: Around $600/week (before taxes and withholding)
Cohort size: No exact details mentioned, but previous programs included 40-50 students.
Dates: Start on May 11/ May 18/ May 26/ June 1 and continue for a period of 10-11 weeks
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Applicants (including medical, pharmacy, and graduate students) must be at least 18, have completed at least their sophomore year, hold a minimum 3.4/4.0 GPA in both science/math and overall, and already possess relevant research experience outside the classroom. The internship is open to US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent resident visa holders.
The Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program is a clinical research internship for undergraduate and graduate students seeking a career in cancer research. The program includes hands-on laboratory research and clinical research training. As a trainee, you will learn basic molecular laboratory research techniques and computer research data processing and analysis under the guidance of a mentor. You will gain exposure to cancer genomics, immunology, and pharmacology while working on clinical research in areas such as computational biology, radiology, or radiation oncology. Every participant will present their research project and submit a written report at program conclusion.
Location: Remote
Stipend: Unpaid
Cohort size: Exact details are unavailable, but 96 interns were selected during the first three years of the program.
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school students (at least 15 years old) and undergraduate students interested in health care or clinical research careers.
The Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI) Exposures Program encourages students toward health care, medicine, and clinical and translational research careers. Chosen interns will be assigned a mentor to guide them through the independent or group research project and provide career insights. In addition, you will closely collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists from around the world and network with fellow YCCI Exposure Program interns. You will learn relevant clinical and translational science topics, including human disease traits, telehealth, health care disparities, and clinical trial design and analysis. Beyond lectures and research projects, you will participate in a journal club, virtual lunches, and weekly seminars. At the end of the program, every intern will have the opportunity to present their work.
Location: Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: No costs are involved; a stipend may be available.
Cohort size: 10 interns
Dates: September 29 – May 8
Application Deadline: August 11
Eligibility: Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students (at least 18 years old and a sophomore in college)
The Emergency Department Clinical Research Undergraduate Internship is a long-term on-site opportunity for students who want to pursue a healthcare or medicine career. Selected interns will spend around 15 hours weekly gaining clinical research experience at various Children's National Hospital departments, such as Emergency Medicine and Trauma Services, and Hematology. You can expect exposure to multiple types of clinical research, including basic observational studies and complex randomized controlled trials. You will also attend lectures, shadow physicians in clinical settings, and build lasting relationships with faculty and staff. The program will conclude with research presentations and/or submission of journal-style written reports.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information unavailable.
Dates: May – August 31
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Rising seniors and graduate students in STEM or medical programs
The Brigham-TechFoundation internship is a 6-12 week remote program to help students contribute to ongoing medical research. The internship will begin with IRB training and certification, after which, every participant will be matched with a Principal Investigator (PI) from Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and/or Brigham and Women's Hospital. The program covers medical research immersion (~30 hrs/week) and data science education (~4-10 hrs/week). You will participate in your PI's ongoing research project and help with data collection, validation, and analytics—skills that you will gain through data science online courses and webinars during the internship. Additionally, a mentoring session with the PI will allow you to discuss your professional goals. Apart from gaining research knowledge, skills, and experience, you may even be a co-author on published research papers.
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 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.
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