Biology Opportunities

Northfield and Faribault are home to many amazing nonprofits, educational and governmental entities. The CCCE has worked with some of our regular community partners to bring you a curated list of local summer internship opportunities. The first round of application deadlines is January 11th at 11:59pm. There will be a second round for positions that do not fill.

Applications for the University of California Santa Cruz Conservation Leadership Immersion Program (conservationleadership.ucsc.edu) are due February 1, 2026. Their goal is to serve students from groups with ideas, perspectives and experiences traditionally underrepresented in conservation who can contribute to broadening, redefining, and strengthening efforts to protect land, wildlife, and water.  In March they will select 8 undergraduate Scholars from around the country to participate in a two-week conservation immersion program followed by an 8-week summer internship. Each Scholar receives a $10,800 stipend for living expenses and housing.  The program starts with a two-week (May 31 – June 13, 2026) , immersive field course on conservation practice, leadership, and ecological research on UC Natural Reserves from the coast to the mountains in Central California. For the remainder of the summer (June 15 – August 8, 2026), Scholars pursue eight-week research and practice internships with nationally recognized research labs or conservation organizations. Professional development workshops during Fall 2026 prepare Scholars to apply for jobs and graduate school. In summer 2027, Scholars will attend a national research conference. Throughout the program, teach Scholar is provided ongoing mentoring support that continues past program completion as alumni, and they join a nationwide alumni network for peer support and professional networking. Visit their FAQ for more questions about eligibility and criteria or email scholars@ucsc.edu.

Since 2012 PReP has provided an opportunity for undergraduate students to begin or advance their research careers in clinical and translational science. The program includes a structured core curriculum that includes a mentored research project, weekly training seminars, small group discussions, and a final abstract and poster.

The University of Pittsburgh Training and Experimentation in Computational Biology (TECBio): “Simulation and Visualization of Biological Systems at Multiple Scales” REU program is a 10-week summer program that will provide a  graduate-level research experience to undergraduate students. A wide variety of theoretical and experimental research projects are available to participating students. Students will also receive classroom training in topics pertinent to the emerging field of computational biology, such as computational structural biology, cell and systems modeling, computational genomics, and bioimage informatics. Additionally, TECBio students will participate in a weekly journal club, attend research and career seminars organized specifically for the program, take part in an ethics forum that will instruct them in the responsible conduct of research, present their work at a Pittsburgh-wide annual research symposium, and experience the various social and cultural activities available in Pittsburgh.

The Academy for Research, Clinical, and Health Equity Scholarship (ARCHES) program at Georgetown University School of Medicine is a six-week residential summer enrichment program for pre-health students who are currently enrolled in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. This year, 24 undergraduate fellows will be selected to participate in the program, which offers research engagement, clinical exposure activities, and a range of opportunities to explore health equity challenges that are prominent across the District of Columbia. The program experience provides concentrated support that is geared towards preparing program fellows for medical school and other health professions related graduate level programs.

The Department of Medicine Clinical Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) welcomes undergraduate rising sophomores and juniors who are interested in exploring careers in biomedical research to participate in a summer experience. The aim of the CURE program is to provide students a background in research in clinical medicine. The program consists of an 8-week experience at MSK. Students will have a structured didactic series featuring training in the key aspects of clinical research conduct, as well as exposure to different careers in biomedical research. Each student will be paired with a faculty mentor to participate in an active research project. These projects may involve data derived from clinical trials at MSK, or real-world outcomes from patients treated at the center. The aim is for the student to gain exposure to the conduct of clinical trials in medicine, applications of data science in the medical field, or other topics relevant to clinical research. Summer participants may spend some time observing the care of cancer patients based on their interest.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is currently accepting applications for the Summer Research Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Their 10-week intensive undergraduate Summer Research Program provides a chance for students to delve into cutting-edge research within state-of-the-art facilities while gaining a valuable preview of graduate school life at a Big Ten institution. The majority of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEUs) are generously funded by organizations like the NSF or USDA NIFA, ensuring an enriching experience for participants. By joining, students not only enhance their academic resumes but also forge meaningful connections with faculty and peers. Engaging in social and professional development activities further contribute to a holistic experience, all complemented by benefits.

Field Studies is an interdisciplinary field research program hosted by the Wrangell Mountains Center in McCarthy, Alaska, located in the center of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The program is accredited through the University of Maine and offers six (6) semester-credits for Field Research Experience in Earth and Climate Sciences. Areas of focus include local geophysical processes, glacier dynamics, ecology, natural history, climate change, land use, and public policy. Interested students should apply via our application at https://wrangellmountainsfieldstudies.org/apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is recommended. For questions, please contact fieldstudies@wrangells.org

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (the Cech Fellows Program) gives undergraduate students in the life sciences the opportunity to conduct hands-on research alongside leading scientists at HHMI laboratories across the US, from universities and research institutions to HHMI’s research campusexternal link, opens in a new tab outside of Washington, DC. Students are matched with HHMI scientists conducting fundamental research that advances our understanding of biology and health. This immersive program gives students the chance to contribute to real scientific discovery, gain professional mentorship, and explore potential careers in biological and biomedical research.

The LAKES REU is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense ASSURE program and is currently recruiting our 10^th cohort. The program aims to better understand the root causes of phosphorus pollution and solutions to the problem, while providing students with an interdisciplinary research experience led by mentors in biology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, and computer science. In addition to research, students will have the opportunity to work closely with our community and governmental partners, local citizens, and policy makers. Students will present their work at the end of the summer and will get to see their research directly impact the community around them.