15 Summer Health Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
Summer health internships offer undergraduates the chance to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field while developing both professional and academic skills. These programs provide you with direct exposure to clinical environments, research projects, and healthcare administration, giving you a perspective on how the industry functions from multiple angles. Along the way, you’ll also get to strengthen your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, which can add to your learning experience and also make your resume stand out. Â
For students preparing for careers in medicine, nursing, public health, or healthcare management, a summer internship can be a valuable step toward clarifying career goals and building a professional foundation. These opportunities offer exposure to professional standards and valuable networking opportunities.
Here’s a curated selection of 15 exciting summer health internships for undergraduates offering a structured, healthcare-focused experience. For additional internship opportunities, take a look at this collection of blogs.
15 Summer Health Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Financial aid available, varies depending on program type Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort; multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours weekly for 8–12 weeks.
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week opportunity where undergraduates work directly with high-growth startups and corporate businesses on real-world projects. You will be matched with a company based on your interests and collaborate with a manager while receiving weekly guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. Projects span areas such as health tech, business development, and healthcare administration, giving students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly meetings, contribute to ongoing projects, and build practical skills in communication, research, and project management. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of your work to the host company, allowing you to showcase your contributions and leave with a portfolio of completed projects.
Location: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD Cost/Stipend: Stipends range from $3,000 - $5,500, and housing is provided at no cost. Dates: May 25 - August 2 Application Deadline: February 1 Eligibility: Current undergraduate students, with preference for underrepresented, low-income, or students with disabilities
The Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program (SIP) is one of the leading summer health internships for undergraduates, offering you hands-on experience in biomedical and public health research. Open to students from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented in science and medicine, the program provides full-time research training under the guidance of faculty mentors. Over the summer, you’ll learn to read scientific literature, design and run experiments, and apply lab techniques while developing an independent project. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend team meetings, networking sessions, and career development events. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your findings in oral or poster format, and many get the opportunity to share their research at national conferences.
Location:Â Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend:Â Free. No mention of a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Competitive
Dates:Â 8 weeks, typically runs from mid-July to mid-August
Application Deadline:Â March 31
Eligibility:Â Students must be at least 16 years old by June 1 of the application year
The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University offers an eight-week Summer Research Volunteer Program for undergraduate students interested in cancer biology and related biomedical sciences. You’ll work full-time on independent or mentor-guided projects in cutting-edge laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as tumor immunology, cancer genetics, drug development, and survivorship research. You’ll collaborate with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students while attending weekly seminars and research-in-progress sessions. The program emphasizes both laboratory skills and exposure to the scientific process, providing you with opportunities to present findings and engage with a network of peers and professionals.
Location:Â American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend:Â No cost, unpaid
Dates:Â Summer Session 1 (Mid-May to June), Summer Session 2 (July to August). Fall and Spring sessions are also available.
Application Deadline:Â Rolling basis
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates at an AACN Member School
The AACN Government Affairs & Policy Internship is a summer opportunity where you can explore the intersection of healthcare, nursing, and education policy. You’ll work on real-world policy issues affecting academic nursing, attending briefings, hearings, and administrative events. Along the way, you’ll draft policy letters and newsletter articles and assist with AACN’s annual conferences, gaining insight into how healthcare policy is developed. The program helps you build skills in communication, analysis, and collaboration, all of which strengthen your professional experience. You’ll need to commit at least six weeks at 20+ hours per week, and only two interns are selected per session, making it highly competitive. This experience gives you a chance to see how policy impacts healthcare while enhancing your resume.
Location:Â Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend:Â Paid internship
Dates:Â May 22 to July 30
Application Deadline:Â December 19
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate pre-licensure nursing program students entering their senior year
Stony Brook University Hospital offers a 10-week summer internship that gives nursing students a structured clinical experience. As an intern, you will be hired as a state employee, working 37.5 hours per week in adult medicine units such as Med-Surg or Telemetry. Each student is paired with a preceptor for one-on-one guidance and must also complete a 3-credit course through the School of Nursing. Open to rising senior nursing students from any school, the program focuses on building clinical competence, professional communication, and time-management skills. With limited placements, this internship also serves as a potential pathway into future nursing roles at Stony Brook.
Location: Multiple sites, including hospitals and business offices across Northwell Health’s service area Cost/Stipend: None. A stipend will be provided; exact amount not specified. Dates: 10 weeks, typically from June to August Application Deadline: Not specified Eligibility: Current undergraduate students (typically juniors) majoring in a related field
The Northwell Health Healthcare Management Program Internship is a 10-week paid summer program for rising college juniors interested in healthcare administration. You will be placed at hospitals or departments across New York, where you will take on projects such as cost-savings analysis, hospital unit redesign, performance dashboards, business plan development, and certification research. As an intern, you are paired with a mentor and will attend executive-level meetings and gain first-hand exposure to hospital operations and decision-making processes. The program also includes weekly educational sessions, team-building activities, and networking with executives and alumni. This highly selective internship provides structured mentorship and practical experience in healthcare leadership.
Location:Â Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Regional sites
Cost/Stipend:Â Free. A stipend will be provided; the exact amount is not specified
Dates:Â 10 weeks (summer; typically June to August)
Application Deadline:Â December 31
Eligibility:Â Rising Junior and Senior undergraduate students
The Cleveland Clinic Leadership in Healthcare (LiH) Undergraduate Administrative Internship Program is a 10-week summer health internship for undergraduates interested in healthcare administration, public health, business, or health sciences. You’ll be required to submit a 1-page resume, a cover letter, and two short essays on your interest in healthcare administration and how your background shapes your perspective. During the internship, you’ll rotate through clinical and non-clinical departments, working on administrative projects aligned with the Clinic’s strategic goals. Each intern is supported by mentors and a sponsor who help align projects with their professional interests while providing exposure to hospital operations, leadership, and decision-making. The program uses a cohort model, encouraging collaboration and networking among peers, alongside structured educational and professional development opportunities. With meaningful project work and direct access to leaders, you’ll gain practical skills and insights into healthcare administration.
Location: Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend:Â No cost
Dates:Â Expected start date is mid-May, approximately 12 weeks
Application Deadline:Â February 28
Eligibility:Â Graduate students enrolled in a relevant degree program (health, global health, policy, business, education) before the internship begins
The Texas Children’s Global Health Internship, offered through Baylor College of Medicine, provides graduate students with practical experience in global health program management and operations. During the course of the internship, you get to assist with day-to-day activities such as tracking project progress, creating communications and outreach materials, supporting training development, and contributing to fundraising efforts through research and proposal writing. The program emphasizes understanding how health initiatives are implemented across countries, particularly in low-resource settings, while fostering skills in teamwork, coordination, and evaluation. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary experts, gaining exposure to clinical programming and global health challenges in diverse environments. The internship is based in Houston, and interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation.
Location:Â Harvard University, Division of Medical Sciences, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend:Â Paid internship
Dates:Â June 1 to August 9
Application Deadline:Â February 1
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate U.S. citizens or permanent residents with at least one summer or semester of lab research and one upper-level molecular biology course
The Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) at Harvard Medical School is a 10-week paid research experience for undergraduates, with a focus on students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. You will conduct research in the life sciences, with additional opportunities in fields such as bioengineering, computational biology, and bioinformatics. Alongside lab work, the program includes weekly career development sessions, peer mentoring, and networking opportunities with alumni and faculty. You’ll get to present your findings in a poster presentation at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium and give an oral presentation at the program’s conclusion. Similar to other summer health internships for undergraduates, SHURP gives you hands-on research experience and helps you build skills for a career in biomedical science or healthcare.
10. Georgetown University, Academy for Research, Clinical, and Health Equity Scholarship (ARCHES) – School of Medicine
Location: Georgetown School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $4000 stipend
Dates: June 12 - July 25
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors at U.S. colleges with a 2.5+ GPA; U.S. work authorization required, international aspirants should check eligibility here.Â
The Academy for Research, Clinical, and Health Equity Scholarship (ARCHES) at Georgetown University is a six-week residential summer program for pre-health undergraduates. Each year, ten fellows are selected to gain research experience in Georgetown labs, clinical exposure through rounds with physicians at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and community-based learning at D.C. health equity nonprofits. The program emphasizes three guiding tenets: Build, Bridge, and Be Bold, which shape its academic, professional, and skill-building activities. You’ll receive concentrated support to strengthen their preparation for medical school or other health professions graduate programs, while also addressing pressing health equity challenges in the Washington, D.C. area.
Location:Â Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or other business offices. Check your closest location online
Cost/Stipend:Â $25.09 to $29.16 per hour
Dates:Â June 9 to August 1
Application Deadline:Â January 6
Eligibility: Undergraduates aged 18–24 with a high school diploma or GED, enrolled in or recently graduated from college or trade school, and authorized to work in the U.S.
The KP LAUNCH College Program is an eight-week paid summer health internship for undergraduates, hosted by Kaiser Permanente. You’ll work in non-clinical roles such as finance, HR, marketing, IT, and operations, while shadowing professionals and exploring how healthcare systems operate behind the scenes. It also offers you mentorship, networking opportunities with senior leaders, and professional and personal development workshops. In addition, you get to participate in a community service project and benefit from concentrated exposure to healthcare administration careers. The program is designed for students from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds, giving you the opportunity to build practical skills and expand your understanding of healthcare operations.
Location:Â WHO organizational locations (regional offices, country offices, or headquarters)
Cost/Stipend:Â Free. Living allowance available for interns with financial need
Dates:Â Internship opportunities are posted continuously throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Varies based on location
Eligibility:Â Applicants must be 20 or older, with three years of university study, enrolled in or recently graduated from public health, medicine, social sciences, or administration
The WHO Internship Programme offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in global public health while contributing to the mission of the World Health Organization. You’ll work within WHO teams on projects ranging from public health research to communications, external relations, and human resources. The program provides a framework for students to enhance their educational experience through capacity-building opportunities while allowing WHO to benefit from their specialized skills. Through this experience, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how health systems operate, how international stakeholders interact, and what it takes to advance global health goals. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable professional skills and global public health experience that can strengthen your future career or academic opportunities.
Location:Â Headquarters in Cambridge, MA, or West Coast, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend:Â Paid, full-time research opportunity. Pay is competitive with local internship wages
Dates:Â May 27, duration of 10 weeks
Application Deadline:Â November 25
Eligibility:Â Applicants must be 18 or older, have completed three semesters or four quarters at a U.S. college, and be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Novartis Summer of Science Internship Program is a ten-week research training experience that allows students to contribute to biomedical research projects under the guidance of a Novartis Biomedical Research (BR) scientist. You will design and conduct your own experiments, analyze data, and deepen your understanding of drug discovery and patient-driven research. The program takes place at Novartis research facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, or San Diego, California, with placements matched to students’ scientific interests. Alongside research, you’ll engage in professional development activities, explore diverse career paths in biomedical science, and present your findings to the Novartis research community. The program also includes social activities to foster networking and collaboration, and it encourages applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from HBCUs, TCUs, and INBRE programs.
Location:Â National Institutes of Health
Cost/Stipend:Â Stipend granted based on educational level
Dates:Â 8 to 10 weeks, from May to August or early September
Application Deadline:Â February 15
Eligibility:Â U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 17 years old, and enrolled at least half-time in high school or college
The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP) at NIH gives students the chance to work alongside leading scientists on projects that explore the causes of genetic diseases and approaches for their detection, prevention, and treatment. As an intern, you will receive hands-on lab training, develop research skills, and work closely with an NIH mentor on a focused project. The program also includes the NIH Summer Seminar Series, where top researchers present cutting-edge biomedical and clinical findings, as well as career development sessions hosted by the National Human Genome Research Institute. At the end of the summer, participants present their findings at the NIH Summer Research Poster Day, gaining valuable feedback from peers and scientists across NIH institutes. Students receive a monthly stipend, while being responsible for their own housing and travel arrangements, with resources provided to assist in planning.
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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