14 Hospital Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re an undergraduate student considering a future in healthcare, a hospital internship is a good way to explore the field and gain professional experience. These programs give you firsthand exposure to how hospitals operate, whether through patient care, medical research, administrative tasks, or shadowing professionals. Along the way, you’ll develop important skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, which are essential in any healthcare career.
What are the benefits of a hospital internship?
Hospital internships give you a closer look at how clinical environments function and what roles exist within them, from laboratory research to public health and patient support. You might analyze data, help coordinate outreach projects, or shadow physicians to understand the patient experience. They also allow you to connect with mentors, peers, and professionals who can guide you as you plan your next academic or career step.
To help you choose the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 14 hospital internships for undergraduates.
If you are looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN
Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 180 students admitted across campuses
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore year and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. International students enrolled full-time at U.S. institutions may apply with OPT/CPT documentation.
The Mayo Clinic SURF Program offers you a paid research experience across Mayo’s major campuses. You will work full-time on mentored laboratory projects in areas such as immunology, biomedical engineering, or molecular biology while strengthening research skills through hands-on lab work, data collection, and scientific communication training. The program includes workshops, networking events, and opportunities to interact with Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists. Students present their final findings at a campus-wide session, gaining confidence in written and spoken research communication. Approximately 180 students are selected each year, making the program highly competitive for undergraduates.
Location: CHOP Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $5,000 stipend, housing, and need-based travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.3 overall GPA who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The CRISSP Program at CHOP is a pediatric research internship that places students in clinical or basic science laboratories, where they work closely with faculty mentors on child-health projects. You’ll work in pediatric medicine, ethics, and research design while helping them build fundamental research and analytical skills. Participants attend weekly CRISSP luncheons hosted by program faculty, where they discuss topics such as mentorship, goal setting, and elevator pitches. You’ll also gain career and professional insights by completing an Individual Development Plan, conducting informational interviews, and participating in clinical shadowing opportunities. The experience culminates in a formal research poster session, where students present their findings to the CHOP research community.
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Stipend: $4,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%
Dates: 10-week summer program (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: December – January
Eligibility: U.S. citizen high school and undergraduate students, at least 16 years old
City of Hope’s Summer Student Academy provides a 10-week mentored program in cancer and biomedical research. Students are paired with research mentors and engage in full-time lab work related to their academic interests. Weekly seminars and workshops focus on scientific communication, poster creation, and career growth. Interns acquire hands-on lab skills and participate in discussions on emerging research areas. The program ends with a formal presentation of their research.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 stipend (including housing and travel allowance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 775 participants
Dates: Runs for 10 weeks in summer; exact dates vary annually
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent-resident undergraduates (18+), demonstrating strong academic performance and commitment to the full 10-week cancer research program.
The CPRIT CURE Program is a full-time summer research internship focused on cancer research and laboratory training. Students dedicate 40 hours weekly working with MD Anderson faculty on projects in genetics, immunology, and translational science. The program includes structured coursework, professional development seminars, and personalized research mentorship. Interns also engage in weekly training modules aimed at improving scientific writing and communication skills. A final poster session allows students to showcase their work to peers and faculty.
Location: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Stipend: $600/week stipend and housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 52 students in the previous cohort
Dates: 10 weeks starting from May 11, May 18, May 26, or June 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens/permanent residents enrolled full-time at a U.S. institution, at least 18 years old with ≥3.4 GPA in science/math and overall, have prior research experience, have completed sophomore year, and cannot already hold a doctoral degree unless pursuing a second one.
The St. Jude POE Program is a 10-week paid internship focused on pediatric cancer research. Trainees participate in rotations in either clinical or laboratory research, based on their academic background and interests. The program includes lectures, department seminars, and ethics training to strengthen professional and scientific skills. You’ll see how research directly influences clinical treatments and learn about the collaborative nature of pediatric oncology. At the conclusion of the program, students present their research in a formal session.
Location: Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,000 stipend and free housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 2
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: A U.S. citizen or permanent-resident undergraduates; rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and 1st year medical students. Priority given to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Four Directions Summer Research Program introduces you to hands-on biomedical research while connecting you with one of the nation’s leading teaching hospitals. As a participant, you’ll join an MGH research lab, learn essential scientific techniques, and contribute to ongoing projects guided by physicians, postdocs, and graduate mentors. Throughout the summer, you’ll also take part in weekly seminars, career panels, and skill-building workshops designed to help you explore pathways in medicine, research, and public health. The program emphasizes community, mentorship, and culturally grounded leadership development, making it especially impactful for students like you interested in serving Native communities. By the end, you’ll walk away with real research experience, a stronger academic portfolio, and a clearer understanding of how to pursue a future in science and medicine.
Location: Member Institutions of Harvard Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: Varies yearly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior, or a college freshman, sophomore, or junior, 16 years old at the start of the program, and residing in and/or attending school in Massachusetts.
The CURE Program is a rigorous summer research internship designed to support budding cancer researchers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. You have the opportunity to work on mentored projects across fields like basic science, biotech, mathematics, clinical research, nursing, and public health. Career development workshops and seminars complement the practical experience. Interns are awarded stipends and receive support for preparing for graduate and medical school. This program is regarded as a prestigious, cancer-focused hospital internship for undergraduates in Boston.
Location: Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA
Stipend: $5,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent-resident undergraduates; rising senior, senior, pre-med, or first-year medical student. Priority given to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The STARS Program provides undergraduates with mentored research experience at a Harvard-affiliated hospital, where students work on independent research projects under faculty mentorship. Students collaborate closely with their lab mentor to submit a project abstract and present their findings on the final research presentation day. In addition to hands-on research, the program offers professional and career development workshops led by faculty from Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health, covering topics including MD/PhD pathways, clerkships, medical school admissions, interviewing, and presentation skills. Students also participate in weekly seminars and clinical shadowing to better understand the healthcare and scientific landscape. The cohort benefits from social and networking events with students across Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, fostering community and peer learning.
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $15 /hour (based on experience)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies each year
Dates: May 18 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 17
Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent required. Undergraduate majors in Public health, science/pre-med, education, business administration, and finance. Must reside in one of these Northeast Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, or Summit. Visa sponsorship is not available
Cleveland Clinic offers multiple summer internships in research and healthcare leadership. Students in biomedical investigation can choose between administrative tracks, such as the Leadership in Healthcare Program, or research-oriented tracks. Each intern undertakes project-based tasks that simulate actual hospital procedures. Regular workshops, shadowing sessions, and group activities provide opportunities for students to interact with clinical teams and gain insights into healthcare operations. Interns also gain insight into research careers through seminars and networking sessions. Application timelines differ by track, so students should review program-specific deadlines.
Location: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Stipend: Stipend of $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May – August; 10 weeks
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: US citizen undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a 3.0 GPA. International students who attend a Cincinnati-based university may also be eligible to apply.
The Cincinnati Children’s SURF Program offers a 10-week full-time research internship for students interested in pediatric science. Interns receive practical laboratory training in fields like cancer biology, genetics, and neuroscience. The program features a mentoring workshop, two scientific writing courses, a seminar on ethics in research, an introduction to surgery and pathology, and a career day. Students are paid hourly and collaborate closely with faculty mentors during the summer. The program concludes with a poster presentation, providing interns with experience presenting data professionally.
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Stipend: Funding of $6,000 available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are junior-year college students, or sophomores enrolled in SUNY C-STEP, LSAMP, or McNair programs.
SURE-CAN is a 10-week intensive cancer research program that provides structured scientific training and mentorship. You engage in research across oncology, public health, and translational science, while also attending lectures and skills workshops. The curriculum covers ethics, statistics, bioinformatics, and data analysis. Emphasis is placed on communication skills through required oral presentations and a final scientific poster. Additionally, the program offers career development sessions to help students prepare for graduate studies.
Location: Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY
Stipend: $5,000 stipend and housing allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15–20 students each year
Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Underserved sophomores or juniors in U.S. four-year colleges with a strong science background and a commitment to biomedical research (PhD/MD-PhD)
SURP4US research program is designed for socioeconomically underserved students interested in biomedical sciences. Interns work full-time in Mount Sinai laboratories under faculty mentors, joining seminars on graduate school prep, scientific communication, and lab professionalism. Students participate in community events and weekly scientific discussions, culminating in a summer research poster presentation. SURP4US offers intensive mentorship and opportunities for students with limited research experience, plus a stipend and housing allowance to support participants.
Location: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,100 stipend plus a $400 food stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: 18+ with a SSN/ITIN, currently enrolled in an undergraduate college program (not graduating before the program starts and not enrolled in medical school)
The Seattle Children’s Summer Scholars Program provides a paid internship centered on pediatric and translational research. Interns collaborate directly with faculty investigators and engage in hands-on research most of the time. Every two weeks, workshops are held to enhance professional skills such as ethics, career options, and research presentation. Interns must prepare an abstract and deliver a final poster at a formal symposium. The program also offers a stipend along with extra support for living expenses.
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $15,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizen undergraduates (not graduating before Spring) who intend to pursue a PhD in a UCSF-related field.
The UCSF Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) is an internship in biomedical research designed for undergraduates planning to pursue PhD or MD–PhD studies, providing practical research experience in UCSF laboratories under the mentorship of faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Students strengthen key skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication through weekly seminars, professional development workshops, and community events. The program fosters a strong cohort experience and provides opportunities to explore San Francisco, culminating in oral and poster presentations at the end-of-summer research symposium. Participants receive a benefits package valued at over $15,000, including a competitive stipend, round-trip travel, summer housing, and health insurance for the full duration of the program.
Bonus Option - Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. 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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.
Image Source - MD Anderson Cancer Center logo