Biology Opportunities

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.

RAIDERS REU participants will learn important research skills and conduct studies about STEM education. The summer 2026 session will offer 10 project choices (see project descriptions at https://urc.mtsu.edu/raider-reu/). After completing the 8-week REU in July, undergraduate researchers will return to MTSU in January to present their research at the Southeastern STEM Education Research Conference (SSERC). If you are a STEM major or pre-service STEM teacher interested in how people learn, this REU is for you.

Explore the field of nanotechnology at Northwestern University (NU) – it’s the best summer job you’ll ever have!

Participants in the 9-week NU-REU Program will:

• Work full-time on a nanotechnology research project
• Have access to world-class equipment and facilities
• Enjoy research seminars and field trips
• Enhance public speaking and technical writing skills
• Participate in team events

REU participants come from small and large schools across the country.  They receive a $6,300 stipend, plus round-trip airfare, a meal plan, and dormitory housing.

This internship is fully funded with salary, student dorm housing, and travel covered to/from Novartis’ Cambridge, Massachusetts, site or San Diego, California site— we recruit talented students from all over the US. Novartis’ ten-week Summer of Science Internship Program within the Biomedical Research (BR) division of Novartis provides research training opportunities for top-tier undergraduate students who have minimal exposure to industry research. This program enables students to gain both hands-on research experience and personal & professional development experiences that enhance their preparation for careers in biomedical research and application to top graduate PhD programs.  Interns will learn about BR’s approaches to patient-driven research as they work on their own research project under the supervision of a BR scientist mentor at research facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts (research headquarters) or at a west coast site in San Diego, California. BR’s research covers many disease, science, and technology areas that allow them to closely match each intern’s specific interests with one of their labs. 

The Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Frankel CVC) is pleased to offer a 10-week summer undergraduate research fellowship program to engage undergraduate students in basic, cardiovascular research at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Fellows are matched to a laboratory led by a Frankel CVC faculty member conducting research in areas such as atherosclerosis, genetic cardiomyopathies, blood clotting disorders, cardiac arrhythmias, vascular biology, and heart failure. In addition to working as a laboratory assistant within their mentor’s lab, fellows will attend weekly scientific seminars, participate in organized social events, and close the summer with an oral presentation of their research findings to faculty, staff, and peers at the End of Summer Symposium. The fellowship stipend is paid via bi-weekly paychecks (direct deposit available) at a rate of $15 per hour (pre-tax) for ten weeks of full-time work (40 hours per week). Apply here.