12 Pediatric Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 3
- 8 min read
If you're an undergraduate student interested in pediatric healthcare, a summer internship can provide valuable early exposure to the field. These programs give you the chance to shadow pediatricians, participate in child-focused medical research, and gain hands-on experience in clinical or hospital settings.
Whether you're planning to apply to medical school or considering a career in child health, these internships help build practical skills and professional connections.
In this list, we’ve compiled 12 pediatric summer internships for undergraduates across the country that stand out for their academic rigor, mentorship opportunities, and focus on real-world pediatric care.
12 Pediatric Summer Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (exact dates unspecified)
Application Deadline: Not specified; contact WellsSIP@iu.edu for details
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a strong inclination towards pediatrics research
This internship, grounded in research and offered by Indiana University, allows students to work on practical projects under the guidance of expert scientists at Herman B. Wells. You will have the opportunity to design and carry out your projects while gaining experience in laboratory techniques, data collection, and research practices in pediatric science. The program also includes various talks and panel discussions focused on pediatrics and related areas. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a meet-and-greet organized by the program to connect with other interns. At the end of the internship, the student is expected to submit an abstract describing their work and give an oral presentation at the symposium.
Location: University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado Child Health Research Institute, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: $4,400
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically the first week of February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
This nine-week summer research program allows students to immerse themselves in pediatric science and child health research at the Anschutz Medical Campus, part of the University of Colorado. The program allows you to choose your mentor (you can provide up to three choices) and then assigns you a mentor based on availability and your preference. You will also attend weekly seminars, where the faculty present their work. At the end of the internship, students are expected to deliver both a written and an oral presentation of their work.
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid at hourly rates; housing not provided
Dates: June 1 – August 31 (choose any 8 weeks within this period)
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year with a minimum CGPA of 3.5
This eight-week summer program places you in laboratory and clinical research teams focused on newborn and pediatric medicine, including areas such as nutrition, genetics, radiology, and rare diseases. You will receive faculty mentorship tailored to your interests. Additionally, you can observe professionals in newborn nurseries, labor and delivery units, and neonatal intensive care units. You also have the opportunity to attend weekly symposiums. At the end of the program, you’ll present a summary of a particular patient’s clinical course and summarize the disease to the rest of the students.
Location: Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend + free housing
Dates: June 1 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a minimum CGPA of 3.3
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP) is a rigorous 10-week initiative aimed at undergraduates pursuing careers in pediatric research. Participants conduct an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member, developing skills in research design, laboratory techniques, and data analysis. In addition to the academic benefits of the program, the Office of Academic Training and Outreach Program coordinates professional development opportunities. Students complete an Individual Development Plan, where they get career insights through conducting informational interviews and shadowing pediatrics professionals.
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: $13/hour
Dates: Late May – Early August (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum CGPA of 3.0
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is an immersive 10-week program for undergraduate students seeking hands-on research experience. As a SURF participant, you will be placed in a lab and work on an independent research project within fields such as developmental biology, cancer, genetics, cardiology, immunology, and neurology. Alongside your lab work, the program provides a thorough lineup of seminars, scientific writing courses, and a career day designed to help you explore different career options and connect with professionals. The program concludes with a final presentation of your research.
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $600 per week
Dates: 8–12 weeks between mid-May and mid-August
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students between their first and second year
The CHLA SORF is a highly competitive program providing students with research opportunities in pediatric oncology. Each year, up to 20 students are chosen and assigned projects, receiving mentorship from USC or CHLA faculty. The program features visits to advanced research centers, opportunities to interact with faculty, social activities, and an immersive curriculum. Successful applicants can continue working on their projects throughout the year, either in person or remotely.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
This program introduces college undergraduates to pediatric medicine and research at Cornell, offering two tracks: 6 weeks and 10 weeks. It includes various internships in research, clinical work, and administration where students are paired with faculty and staff mentors aligned with their interests. You’ll gain hands-on experience and build confidence in various medical and research areas.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (for students unable to secure funding from their home universities)
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior undergraduate students
The Yale Child Study Centre, in partnership with the Department of Pediatrics, offers this research-focused program covering a wide range of child care topics, from behavior and physical development to neuroscience. Internships require 40 hours per week, complemented by lectures and seminars that allow students to explore topics beyond their projects. The program also includes career sessions and journal clubs. At its conclusion, students showcase their research through a conference poster presentation to faculty and peers. Many past interns have received letters of recommendation and have pursued master’s degrees, PhDs, and built careers in medical fields.
Location: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: $13.75 per hour
Dates: June – July (8 weeks; exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The Pediatric Student Research Program (PSRP) combines mentored research and shadowing opportunities. You will collaborate with a faculty mentor to explore pediatric research frameworks, methods, and notable case studies. You’ll attend laboratory meetings, acquire practical research experience, and participate in seminars led by seasoned pediatric physicians and scientists. The program offers the potential for clinical shadowing, allowing you to observe and learn from healthcare professionals in a hospital setting.
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: $3,800
Dates: June 2 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current undergraduates interested in pediatric clinical research in sex chromosome aneuploidies
The eXtraOrdinarY Kids Research Internship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a specialized program for undergraduate students interested in pediatric clinical research, particularly in the field of sex chromosome aneuploidies. You will be assigned a mentored project and engage in various research activities, including data analysis, patient visits, and designing your own research study. In addition to your research work, you will attend educational seminars and present your findings at a final research expo.
Location: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: $4,300 stipend
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year undergraduate program, considered underrepresented in the sciences
The Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive, nine-week program for students seeking to explore biomedical research in a hospital environment. The program pairs you with a one-on-one mentor, either a physician or a research scientist, who will guide you through a research project. The program also features a full curriculum of workshops, seminars, training sessions, and networking events.
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Cost/Stipend: $600 per week; housing provided for out-of-town students
Dates: 11 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.4 in math and science and overall
The Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a highly competitive program offering undergraduate students an immersive, hands-on experience in pediatric oncology research. As a POE participant, you will be paired with a mentor and conduct research in either a laboratory or a clinical setting. You'll engage in your own research project, attend a daily "Lunch & Learn" series, and participate in clinical and basic science conferences.
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.
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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