15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in NYC (New York City)

For undergraduates interested in healthcare and research, medical internships can be a valuable way to gain practical experience. In New York City, you’ll find opportunities across hospitals, research centers, and public health organizations that let you observe clinical work, contribute to ongoing studies, or support community health efforts. These experiences can help you better understand different aspects of the medical field while also developing practical skills and building relationships with professionals in the field.

For this list, we’ve curated 15 medical internships for undergraduates in NYC based on various criteria such as rigor of professional experience, program prestige, and the strength of networking opportunities offered. And if you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.

15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in NYC (New York City)

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Costs vary by program

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

2. Columbia Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program

Location: Columbia University campus

Cost: Free; stipend $5000, $500 in flex, and housing

Dates: 10 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Open to students in their second year, third year, or non-graduating fourth year who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents at four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory; 3.2 cumulative GPA required

At Columbia University, the Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program allows you to conduct full-time biology-related lab research over 10 weeks under the mentorship of Columbia faculty. You’ll work independently on a project–typically at the Morningside Heights or Medical Center campus–and engage in weekly seminars where faculty and peers present their work. Interns are required to produce a final research paper and give oral presentations of their findings. Columbia participants also join other Amgen Scholars from around the country for a symposium in California. This medical internship for undergraduates in NYC is selective and intended for students with strong academic records and an interest in research careers, particularly in biomedical or life sciences. 

3. Mount Sinai School of Medicine – Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underserved Scholars (SURP)

Location: NYC

Cost/Stipend: No cost; competitive stipend

Dates: 10 weeks between June and August

Application deadline: January 10

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. undergraduates in their sophomore or junior year who self-identify as underserved, have a strong science background, and aim to pursue research through a biomedical PhD or MD-PhD program

If you’re from an underserved background and are considering applying to a PhD or MD-PhD program, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underserved Scholars (SURP4US) at Mount Sinai could be a good option. Over ten weeks, you'll be matched with a faculty mentor in one of Mount Sinai’s PhD training areas and spend your summer conducting supervised lab research. Alongside your research, the program includes professional development sessions, guidance on graduate school applications, and mock interviews. You’ll also attend seminars and journal clubs and have access to diversity and inclusion events hosted by the institution. At the end of the medical internship for undergraduates in NYC, you’ll present your findings at a poster session for the research community. 

4. Einstein Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

Location: Einstein campus, NYC

Stipend: $4,000 plus free housing and travel stipend

Dates: May 30 – July 24

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a strong science background who have completed their junior year of college (or occasionally sophomores with significant research experience)

Each summer, the Einstein Summer Undergraduate Research Program brings together around 50 students for an immersive eight-week experience in biomedical laboratory research. As a SURP intern, you’ll be matched with a faculty mentor based on your scientific interests and spend the summer conducting hands-on experiments in an active research lab. Alongside the lab experience, the program also includes weekly seminars on emerging research topics, small group discussions with peers, and a career planning workshop. The program culminates in a poster presentation where you share your project with the campus research community. Participants are considered part of the student body during the program and can join a variety of campus social events, including student mixers and local outings. 

5. Feinstein Institute – Summer Student Intern Program

Location: Feinstein Institutes, Northwell Health, Manhasset

Cost: Free; stipend provided

Dates: 8 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: January 24

Eligibility: Current college students with an interest in medical research; international students must be matriculated in a U.S.-based college

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research hosts a competitive 8-week summer internship where you’ll work alongside researchers in fields such as cancer biology, bioelectronic medicine, molecular medicine, or behavioral science. Interns are matched with faculty mentors and become part of an ongoing research project, contributing to experiments, data analysis, or protocol development. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend professional development seminars, scientific workshops, and journal discussions designed to broaden your understanding of translational research. The medical internship for undergraduates in NYC ends with a poster presentation where you share your findings with faculty and peers. Interns are selected based on academic performance, research interests, and alignment with the institute’s focus areas. 

6. NYU Grossman School of Medicine – Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Location: NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Stipend: $5000

Dates: June 1 – August 2

Application deadline: Typically closes in February

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

SURP at NYU Grossman School of Medicine places you in a research lab that aligns with your scientific interests for two intensive months of mentored experience. Open to students who have completed at least their sophomore year, the program is hosted by the Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and includes about 30 participants each summer. Your weekly schedule includes lab work, scientific seminars, and lunch sessions with physician-scientists, giving you a multi-dimensional view of biomedical research in an academic medical center. Placement areas range from neuroscience and immunology to computational biomedicine and population health. You’ll also have opportunities to present your research at both internal poster sessions and national symposia. Beyond the lab, optional activities such as movie nights and museum visits help build community among interns. 

7. Weill Cornell Medicine – Gateways to the Laboratory Program

Location: Weill Cornell campuses

Stipend: $5,500 plus housing

Dates: June 9 – July 31

Application deadline: February 3

Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are college freshmen or sophomores and will be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program

If you are seriously considering the MD-PhD path, the Gateways to the Laboratory Program at Weill Cornell Medicine gives you a structured introduction to physician-scientist training. Over eight weeks, you'll conduct independent research at one of three institutions (Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) while also participating in weekly journal clubs, clinical skills workshops, and shadowing experiences at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Each participant is paired with a current MD-PhD student mentor and takes part in community outreach, science communication training, and symposium presentations. The program includes both oral and poster presentations of your research, which you will present at the final Gateways Symposium and the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. 

8. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics – Summer Internship

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NYC

Cost: No cost; paid

Dates: 6-week or 10-week program from June 2 – August 8

Application deadline: January 5

Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students

This full-time summer internship at the Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics allows you to understand different dimensions of pediatric medicine through practical exposure and faculty mentorship. Based on your interests, you could be placed in divisions such as advocacy and health policy, behavioral health, or pediatric epilepsy research, among others. Interns may assist with clinical shadowing, research data collection, patient education, or administrative tasks tied to pediatric health initiatives. Each placement is supervised and designed to provide insights into both the clinical and operational sides of pediatric healthcare. This medical internship for undergraduates in NYC is well-suited if you're considering a future in pediatrics, public health, or child-focused medical research.

9. Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences – ACCESS Summer Internship Program

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NYC

Stipend: $6,000 plus free housing and travel stipend

Dates: June 2 – August 1

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

The ACCESS Summer Internship Program is designed for undergraduates planning to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences. Held at Weill Cornell Medicine and the Sloan Kettering Institute, this nine-week program places you in a faculty-supervised research lab within one of several core disciplines, including immunology, neuroscience, computational biology, or pharmacology. Alongside your lab work, you'll participate in a seminar series, journal clubs, and workshops on professional development, including graduate school applications and research presentations. Toward the end of the summer, you'll present your findings at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium and the program’s closing poster session. Community-building activities also allow you to connect with graduate students and fellow interns. 

10. LifeSci NYC Internship Program

Location: Varies across NYC institutions, including hospitals, research centers, and biotech firms

Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid

Dates: Summer and academic-year internships (exact dates vary)

Application deadline: Early deadline for summer applications: December 31; check key dates here

Eligibility: NYC residents or students enrolled in NYC colleges/universities; undergraduates pursuing life sciences careers

The LifeSci NYC Internship Program is aimed at connecting undergraduates and graduate students with paid roles across New York’s life sciences sector. As a participant, you could find yourself working in areas like biotechnology, public health research, or clinical data analysis, depending on your skill set and interests. This life sciences internship for undergraduates matches students with organizations across the city, including startups, labs, and healthcare institutions, through a centralized application and referral process. Your internship could take place over the summer or during other terms and is supplemented with workshops focused on building technical capabilities and soft skills relevant to careers in life sciences. Many interns take part in ongoing projects that involve biomedical R&D, health systems innovation, or even regulatory science.

11. NYC Dept of Health – Public Health Internship Program

Location: New York City Dept of Health, multiple boroughs

Cost: Free; paid or volunteer positions

Dates: Summer Session: June–August | Fall Session: September–December | Winter/Spring: January–May

Application deadline: Summer: February 15 | Fall: August 15 | Spring: November 15

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled as a matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional student in a degree program at an accredited college or university in the U.S.; NYC residency is required for Fall/Spring sessions

The HRTP Public Health Internship Program at the NYC Department of Health gives you the chance to explore public health work through real-world projects guided by experienced professionals. The program runs each semester and has a robust summer cohort. You'll be placed in a division within the department based on your background and career interests, such as epidemiology, environmental health, health education, or community engagement. Interns participate in seminars, hands-on practicum assignments, and mentorship opportunities, gaining a clearer understanding of how health policy, planning, and evaluation operate in a large urban health system. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, the internship has had many past interns go on to pursue graduate training in public health or related fields. 

12. NYC Epi Scholars Program

Location: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Cost: No cost; paid

Dates: 10–12 weeks between June and August

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Open to graduate-level epidemiology students (defined as having completed the equivalent of an academic year of graduate courses or more) from participating universities who have graduate-level epidemiology and biostatistics coursework and experience analyzing data.

The NYC Epi Scholars Program is a full-time, paid summer internship designed specifically for graduate students in epidemiology, and can be a useful reference point if you're pursuing undergraduate studies to advance to public health research. Over 10 to 12 weeks, Epi Scholars are embedded within the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where they work under the mentorship of senior epidemiologists on projects that often contribute to publishable research or thesis development. The internship includes seminars on epidemiologic methods, applied public health theory, and data analysis tools such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA. Interns present their work to department leadership and collaborate with peers and public health professionals nationwide.

13. NYU Langone Health – Health Career Opportunity Program Internships

Location: NYC

Cost/Stipend: No cost; likely unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (exact dates vary by placement)

Application deadline: December 22; it is encouraged to get your application in as early as possible

Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old by program start and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2

Through NYU Langone Health’s Health Career Opportunity Program, you can explore a wide range of specialties within the medical field over the course of several weeks. Depending on your interest, you might be assigned to departments such as anesthesiology, emergency medicine, ICU, nursing, or rehabilitation medicine, where you'll observe professionals during clinical rounds, review case files, or attend didactic lectures. In certain placements like research or neurology, you may assist with literature reviews, data entry, and basic analysis under supervision. Most tracks require full-time commitment for a defined session and involve shadowing clinicians or researchers in a professional environment.

14. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Rehabilitation Internship Program

Location: NYC campuses or virtual

Cost: No cost

Dates: Summer (exact dates vary)

Application deadline: Rolling; early applications recommended

Eligibility: U.S. college students or recent graduates

The Rehabilitation Internship Program at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) focuses on non-clinical exposure to physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics, speech-language pathology, and wellness performance. As an intern, you’ll contribute to project-based initiatives that support clinical research, education, and operations without direct patient care. Internships are tailored to your academic interests and career goals, with flexible timelines and guided mentorship from HSS professionals. You’ll gain observational access to rehabilitation settings and may assist with literature reviews, data collection, or operational improvement initiatives. The program culminates in a capstone presentation, allowing you to showcase your contributions and reflect on your learning experience.

15. Charles B. Wang Community Health Center – Project AHEAD Internship

Location: Manhattan and Queens

Cost: No cost; stipend provided

Dates: 10 weeks between June and August

Application deadline: Starts in Fall

Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in healthcare careers, especially community health and Asian American health disparities

Project AHEAD is a 10-week, paid summer internship that places a strong emphasis on community health and healthcare equity, particularly within New York City's Asian American populations. As an intern, you’ll engage in activities that include shadowing primary care providers, supporting health education programs, and contributing to research or outreach initiatives at a federally qualified health center. This medical internship for undergraduates in NYC is also structured around discussions and workshops that study the historical and social dynamics impacting immigrant and underserved communities. Throughout the summer, you’ll collaborate with staff in departments such as social work, health education, and program administration. 

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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