University of Iowa Opportunities | |||
Program | Description | Due Date | |
| Biomedical Scholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program (BSURP) | The purpose of the BSURP is to provide talented undergraduate bioscience majors with direct laboratory research experience under the mentorship of research faculty members, to introduce them to the challenges and rewards provided by a research career, and to showcase the outstanding biomedical research training opportunities at the University of Iowa. This is a 10-week program. Scholars who have completed the sophomore or junior year, majoring in any area of the biological sciences at an accredited four-year college or university, are eligible. Individuals with limited research experience with interest in attending graduate school are encouraged to apply. | February 1st | |
| Cancer Research Opportunities at Iowa (CROI) | This 10-week program offers undergraduates the opportunity to immerse themselves in the field of cancer research. Participants design and conduct their own projects in state-of-the-art cancer laboratories, receiving support from faculty mentors and participating in career development workshops. The program concludes with both oral and poster presentations, enabling participants to showcase their work and develop essential scientific communication skills. A virtual information session will be held Wednesday, January 14th from 1-2pm CST. Please email HCCC-Summer@healthcare.uiowa.edu for the Zoom link. | February 1st | |
| Graduate College Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) | The SROP is an award-winning eight-week immersion program designed to provide undergraduate students with in-depth research experiences. SROP is a gateway to graduate education in a Big Ten Academic Alliance Initiative at the University of Iowa. Students receive first-hand exposure to the graduate school experience at the University of Iowa and scholarly research by being paired with a faculty mentor whose work is closely related to their academic interests and career goals. Students will showcase their work at the UI Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, which is a culmination of their summer undergraduate research experiences. | February 10th | |
| Iowa Cancer Research Experience (ICARE) Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program | ICARE seeks recent college graduates (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026) looking to gain more research experience and who have a career trajectory toward a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, DrPH) in a cancer-relevant field. Mentors are looking for trainees who have completed a bachelor’s degree in biology or a health science field and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. This is a one-to-two year program starting in August 2026 which provides ICARE fellows with stipends, benefits, professional development, and career coaching. Virtual information sessions will be held Friday, January 9th from 11:30am to 12:30pm CST and Thursday, February 5th, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm CST. | February 13th | |
| Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Bioinformatics | The IIGH is offering a Summer Internship in Bioinformatics for undergraduate students interested in a career in bioinformatics and personalized genomic medicine. The 8-week internship, intended for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, is an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in informatics. Interns will work under the direction of a faculty member at the University of Iowa. | Applications to open in February. | |
| Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Genetic Counseling | The IIHG Summer Internship Program, intended for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, is an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain hands-on experience working under the direction of genetic counselors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The purpose of the internship program is to help individuals gain real world experience to assist in their preparation to become a genetic counselor. The IIHG Summer Internship is open to anyone interested in genetic counseling and is especially beneficial for students with limited access to human genetics opportunities at their home institution. | TBD | |
| Iowa Neuroscience Institute (INI) Summer Scholars Program | The INI Summer Scholars Program supports three Iowa undergraduates planning to pursue research during the summer with any INI faculty member, or any UI faculty member who would like to join the INI. Each INI faculty member may sponsor no more than one applicant. Applicants must have completed at least three semesters at UI to be eligible. This award is highly competitive. | Applications to open soon. | |
| ISA Summer Program | Available only to current ISA students. Over the 8-week program, students attend weekly seminars, do intensive research in a lab, and present a poster on their summer research at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC). | Applications to open soon. | |
| Post Baccalaureate Programs at the University of Iowa | Post-baccalaureate (post-bac.) programs are designed for students wishing to enroll in medical or dental school. Two general types of programs exist: those for students who are changing careers and need preparatory science classes, and those for students who need to enhance their GPA and gain extra science expertise. Some students may choose to not apply to a specific post-baccalaureate program, but instead continue to take science coursework as a non-degree seeking student after their degree, for the same purposes as a post-bac. program. | Varied | |
| Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Iowa | SHPEP is a free, six-week summer program for undergraduate students interested in health professional careers. Students who complete this program are guaranteed an admissions interview at the College of Dentistry and College of Pharmacy. Student applications in the Carver College of Medicine will receive priority. | February 5th | |
| Summer Undergraduate MSTP Research (SUMR) Program | The SUMR Program consists of a 10-week research project conducted in the laboratory of a faculty member in the biomedical sciences (including basic, translational, population health, and engineering sciences). | Applications due February 2nd. Mentor letters due February 13th. | |
Regional/National Opportunities | |||
| 2026 Summer Research Internship Program in Biomedical Engineering & Informatics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine | This 10-week internship program from May 26th to July 26th, 2026, offers research opportunities focused on Imaging and Mechanics-based Projects on Accidental Cases of Trauma (IMPACT), Creative Applied Learning in Biomedical Informatics Research (CALIBIR), and many other topics such as:
The program is highly competitive. Students should be either an undergraduate or master’s level student actively enrolled and pursuing a degree in engineering, mechanics, bioengineering, biotechnology, informatics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, biology, pre-medicine, or other STEM related fields to be eligible. | January 30th | |
| Argonne National Laboratory 2026 Summer Programs | Argonne offers hands-on opportunities to work alongside world-class scientists, engineers, and professionals across a range of disciplines. The following programs are now accepting applications:
Argonne Seasonal Internship Program (SIP) Join a team that’s pushing the boundaries of science and technology. The Argonne Seasonal Internship Program offers students the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research projects while working side by side with some of the brightest minds in their fields. Application Deadline: February 6th
Givens and W.J. Cody Associates These fellowships provide students currently enrolled in applicable PhD programs with the chance to tackle mathematical and computational challenges that drive Argonne’s research forward. Participants develop their skills while contributing to projects that bridge theory and application. Application deadline: January 15th | Varied | |
George Washington Summer Program Advancing Research on Cancer
| Rising Juniors & Seniors: Apply to GW’s Summer Research Internship in Cancer Biology for Undergraduates. This program is intended for undergraduates considering Ph.D. training and a career in research. Stipend and housing provided. Over 10 weeks, students participate in cutting-edge research, learn contemporary cancer research techniques, examine the impact of cancer in different communities, and prepare for research centers. | February 1st Faculty recommendations are also due at this time. | |
| Summer Undergraduate Research, Center for Materials Innovation at the University of Michigan | This 10-week paid research program provides undergraduates with immersive, faculty-mentored research in materials science, engineering, and related STEM fields, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, research skill development, and preparation for graduate study and STEM careers. | February 12th
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| U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Scholars Program | Multiple opportunities in fields such as:
The DOE Scholars Program offers multiple opportunities throughout the year to align with the needs and schedules of individual sponsoring offices. Each opportunity will include specific details regarding eligibility requirements, deadlines, and participating offices. Participant support:
| Varied | |
Consolidated Program Opportunities: Websites | |||
| NSF ETAP (Education & Training Application) Portal | ETAP helps people find and apply to Education and Training Opportunities funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Principal Investigators of NSF Awards can customize NSF’s ETAP application to provide Opportunities for applicants to participate in. | ||
| NIH Summer Internship Program | An opportunity for students in college, graduate, and professional school to perform a summer research internship in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH. Applications are due February 18th. | ||
| NSF Summer REU Opportunities | The U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program supports intensive research by undergraduate students in any area of research funded by NSF. | ||
| Pathways to Science | Research experiences for undergraduates (REU), scholarships, and travel and research opportunities. | ||
| University of Iowa Office of Undergraduate Research | Current summer opportunities include Edge of Space Academy, Kani Dare Summer Camp, SPUR at the University of Utah, and more. | ||
| University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center | The Pomerantz Career Center at the University of Iowa is a resource for students looking for summer opportunities to get tips on applying. This page helps undergraduates with finding, registering, and succeeding at their internships. | ||