15 Hospital Internships for Undergraduates in New York
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you’re an undergraduate student in New York considering a future in healthcare, hospital internships are one of the most direct and beneficial ways to prepare yourself.Â
Hospitals give you exposure to the professional side of medicine, whether that’s learning practical skills in patient care, understanding how research projects are run, or seeing the systems that keep such large institutions operating every day. These experiences also connect you with people already working in the field, from doctors and nurses to administrators and researchers, and those connections can help guide your next steps.
An internship will also add weight to your resume. Employers, graduate schools, and medical programs pay attention to students who have taken on responsibility in professional environments. It shows that you can handle the demands of healthcare and that you are serious about pursuing it. Many students look for internships that not only give them training but also help them test their interests and see what working in healthcare is really like.Â
With that, here are 15 hospital internships for undergraduates in New York! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs for some of the most respected training grounds for aspiring healthcare professionals. (Note: Some programs are affiliated with hospitals through medical schools or research institutes)
15 Hospital Internships for Undergraduates in New York
Location: Internships take place at NYU Langone Health sites across New York City, including Tisch Hospital, Bellevue, and NYU Langone Hospital.
Cost: None
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (exact dates vary by placement)
Application deadline: Typically open in late fall and close in early spring
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old by program start and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
The Health Career Opportunity Program at NYU Langone Health gives you immersive exposure to healthcare through structured clinical and research placements. You’ll be assigned to a specialty like anesthesiology, emergency medicine, nutrition, psychology, or rehabilitation, and spend each day shadowing professionals, preparing case presentations, and supporting patient care.Â
Depending on your placement, you might observe rounds in the ICU, assist with data analysis in a research lab, or work alongside physical therapists and nutritionists. You’re expected to prepare for each day by reviewing patient cases and actively engaging with your team. Some tracks also include shadowing opportunities with physician assistants, pharmacists, or orthopedic surgeons.
Location: Varies across NYC institutions, including hospitals, research centers, and biotech firms
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Most positions pay $18/hour or more, with a minimum of $16/hour
Dates: Internships run in the summer and academic year, with start/end dates set by host companies.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in late August or early September and remain open for several months
Eligibility: Open to NYC residents enrolled in any college/university or students enrolled in NYC-based colleges/universities.Â
LifeSci NYC Internship Program is a paid opportunity created by the City of New York to help you explore careers in the life sciences industry. You can intern in areas like research and development, healthcare management, biotech entrepreneurship, or bioinformatics, depending on your interests and skills. The program partners with dozens of NYC-based companies and institutions to match students with summer and non-summer internships. You’ll apply through a centralized portal, indicate your preferred roles, and if selected, be referred to host organizations.
Location: Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York City
Cost: A stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, approx 20 interns per year
Dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate juniors and seniors who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented in biomedical sciences.Â
Mount Sinai SURP4US (Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underserved Scholars) is a ten-week, fully funded summer research experience designed for college students who are planning to pursue a PhD or MD-PhD in biomedical sciences. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and conduct supervised research in fields like cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, or AI in medicine. Alongside your lab work, you’ll join workshops on graduate school applications, mock interviews, and one-on-one advising. The program also includes seminars, journal clubs, networking events, and a final poster presentation of your research.
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Cost: None. $6000 stipend
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application deadline: Starts in Fall
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are either enrolled in their junior year of college at the time of application or enrolled in their sophomore year and participating in a SUNY C-STEP, LSAMP, or McNair Program
SURE-CAN at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a hospital-based summer internship focused on cancer research. The program lasts ten weeks and is open to college juniors. You’ll work in a research lab on projects in tumor immunology, epidemiology, experimental therapeutics, or computational oncology. You will also attend seminars on cancer biology and career development. The experience culminates in a formal research presentation at Roswell Park’s summer symposium and Buffalo Research Day.
Location: SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY
Cost: None. Interns receive a $6,200 stipend and free housing for the full 10-week program.
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to students between junior and senior year majoring in chemistry, biology, or related fields, with a strong interest in pursuing a PhD in biomedical research.
SURF at SUNY Upstate Medical University is a ten-week research internship for college juniors and seniors. You’ll work with a faculty mentor to complete a biomedical research project, write a scientific paper, and present your findings at journal clubs and poster sessions. The program includes seminars on graduate school and research careers. Specialized tracks include SURF PS for physician-scientist training, SURF CR for cancer research, and SURF HS for health sciences like nursing or physical therapy.
Location: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYC
Cost: No cost. You will receive a $5,000 stipend, free housing, and round-trip travel reimbursement.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, approx 30 students
Dates: June 1 – August 2
Application deadline: Typically closes in FebruaryÂ
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have completed their sophomore or junior year of college and have completed at least one full semester of bench laboratory research
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a ten-week internship for college students interested in biomedical research. You will be placed in a research lab at NYU Grossman or NYU Langone Health based on your interests and mentor availability. Your main focus will be hands-on lab work under faculty supervision. You will also attend weekly journal clubs, seminar dinners, and discussions with physician-scientists. At the end of the program, you will present your research at NYU Langone and the national Leadership Alliance Symposium.
Location: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
Cost: You receive a $2,000 stipend to offset travel and living expenses.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 25 studentsÂ
Dates: Site orientation on May 28, followed by 8 weeks of internship, concluding with a poster session on July 23
Application deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Current college students with an interest in medical research
The Feinstein Institutes Summer Student Internship Program is an eight-week research experience for undergraduates interested in disease-based research. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor in one of Feinstein’s six core institutes, such as Bioelectronic Medicine, Behavioral Science, or Cancer Research, based on your interests. You’ll work on a real research project, attend workshops and seminars, and present your findings in a formal academic poster session at the end of the program. Rather than rotating across labs, you’ll stay focused on one research area throughout.
Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Cost: You receive a $3,000 stipend, paid in four installments throughout the summer
Dates: May 27 – July 31
Application deadline: Rolling (starts November 15)
Eligibility: Applicants must be completing their sophomore or junior undergraduate year, or be 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 Medical Center is a ten-week internship focused on pediatric research. You will work with a research team on a project in clinical pediatrics, developmental biology, or translational science. Weekly activities include journal clubs, pediatric seminars, and career development sessions. The program ends with a poster symposium where you present your research. Some students also receive clinical shadowing opportunities based on interest and availability.
Location: Tri-Institutional campus, which includes Weill Cornell Medicine, Rockefeller University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Cost: You receive a $5,500 stipend, free housing, and travel reimbursement to/from NYC
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students per year
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Open to college freshmen and sophomores who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 years old, and interested in the MD–PhD pathway.
Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program is a nine-week research and clinical training experience for underrepresented students aspiring to become physician-scientists. Hosted by Weill Cornell, The Rockefeller University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, you'll complete a mentored research project, shadow physicians at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and build clinical skills through hands-on workshops. Weekly journal clubs, professional development sessions, and community outreach are core parts of the experience. You’ll live on campus, work closely with a current MD-PhD student mentor, and present your research at both the Leadership Alliance Symposium and the program’s symposium.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island
Cost: You receive a $6,000 stipend, plus free housing on campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 20 students
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students returning to an undergraduate degree program following their URP summer research experience; current sophomores and juniors, or their equivalent, are eligible. Applicants should have a strong academic background in science.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program (URP) is a ten-week summer research experience for undergraduates from around the world. You’ll work on an original project in fields like cancer biology, neuroscience, genomics, or quantitative biology, mentored by CSHL faculty. The program includes weekly workshops in Python programming, seminars on bioinformatics and responsible research, and career development sessions. You’ll present your work at a final symposium and write a scientific manuscript, with some projects leading to publication. Students live and work on campus, with weekends free to explore NYC or Long Island beaches.
Location: NYC campuses or virtualÂ
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer (exact dates vary based on project scope and mentor availability)
Application deadline: Rolling; early applications recommended
Eligibility: U.S. college students or recent graduates
Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation Internship is a flexible, project-based program focused on fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and performance science. You’ll contribute to clinical operations, educational initiatives, or research development, depending on institutional needs and your background. While you won’t interact directly with patients, you’ll observe real rehabilitation settings and work under experienced staff. The internship ends with a capstone presentation where you share your findings. Each experience is tailored in duration and scope.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NYC
Cost: No cost; pays a stipend
Dates: 6-week or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students
Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship is a full-time program designed for high school, college, and graduate students interested in pediatric medicine. You’ll be matched with a division such as behavioral health, chronic kidney disease research, health policy, or neonatal infections, based on your interests and availability. You will work under faculty or staff mentors on projects that may involve research, clinical education, administration, or community engagement. The internship includes structured oversight and ends with a capstone presentation of your work.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NYC
Cost: You receive a $6,000 stipend, plus free housing and travel stipend
Application deadline: Unspecified (check website for updates)
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private college or university in the U.S. or its territories; must have completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the program
ACCESS Summer Internship at Weill Cornell is a nine-week biomedical research program for underrepresented undergraduates interested in PhD pathways. You’ll work in a lab at Weill Cornell Medicine or the Sloan Kettering Institute, mentored by faculty in fields like immunology, systems biology, or cancer research. The program includes weekly journal clubs, seminars on graduate school prep, and workshops on networking, stereotype threat, and professional development. You’ll present your research at the national Leadership Alliance Symposium and the program’s symposium. Social events across NYC round out the experience.Â
Location: Einstein campus, NYC
Cost: You receive a $4,000 stipend, free housing, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement (for those outside NYC; international travel not covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 studentsÂ
Dates: May 30 – July 24
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates with a strong background in science who are considering a research career
The Einstein College of Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an eight-week lab-based research experience for undergraduates with a strong science background. You’ll be matched with a research team aligned with your interests and spend your summer conducting biomedical research while participating in faculty seminars, ethics workshops, and career planning sessions. The program emphasizes collaborative learning through small-group discussions and peer presentations, culminating in a campus-wide poster symposium.
Location: Lincoln Hospital, Bronx, NY
Cost: No cost; A stipend is provided to all accepted students
Dates: 5-month rotation; typically offered in the spring and/or fall semesters
Application deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at an accredited college, community college, or university—especially those from the Bronx. Students should have an interest in healthcare administration, leadership, or hospital operations.
LEARN (Leadership Education Administrative Rotation and Networking) at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is a paid hospital internship for college students interested in healthcare administration. You’ll rotate through departments like Finance, Hospital Administration, Human Resources, and Ambulatory Care, working directly with executive staff. The program is designed to build administrative skills, offer mentorship, and provide a behind-the-scenes view of hospital operations. Interns receive a stipend and college credit.
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).Â
Program dates:Â 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. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you're looking to pursue independent research, you might want to explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs–selective online research opportunities for undergraduate students developed in collaboration with researchers from Harvard and Oxford. In the past year, over 4,000 students applied for just 500 available spots. You can find the application form here.
You may also want to look into the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a nonprofit initiative that supports talented students from low-income backgrounds. Last year, 150 students received full need-based financial aid through the program.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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