Biological Science

Come be part of the effort to protect coral biodiversity and help secure the future of our reefs. https://mote.org/internships/college/coral-gene-bank/

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank Acropora Coral Husbandry Internship: With Stipend

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank was created to provide a safe haven for coral species preservation worldwide. We do this by collecting and caring for unique and diverse genotypes of coral, which are held within hardened and redundant land based systems, that are managed by experts in coral husbandry, research, and restoration. Mote’s Gene Bank also utilizes a subset of gene banked coral for sexual reproduction to increase genetic diversity that can be used as stock for reef restoration.

Mote is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic intern who is eager to gain hands-on experience working with critically endangered staghorn and elkhorn corals. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to coral conservation while developing practical skills in coral husbandry and restoration. 

This is a full-time, 10-12 week internship with start dates available through January and February 2027. Weekend work may be required, but total hours will not exceed 40/week. A monthly stipend is provided to help offset cost of living expenses during this internship. Prior experience in coral or animal husbandry is not required. A strong work ethic, curiosity, and commitment to conservation are what matter most.

Applicants should be comfortable getting wet and dirty, working hands-on with animals and aquatic systems, and must have reliable personal transportation.

Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) Coral Workforce Development Laboratory Internship: With Stipend

Join the Frontlines of Coral Reef Research and Gene Banking: Internship Opportunity at Mote SEA

Are you passionate about marine science and ready to dive into real-world coral research and conservation efforts? Mote Marine Laboratory’s SEA Coral Workforce Development Lab is seeking a driven and enthusiastic intern to be part of our cutting-edge Coral Health and Disease Program & International Coral Gene Bank team.

This immersive, hands-on experience offers the chance to work side-by-side with Mote scientists as we test innovative methods for coral aquaculture. As an intern, you’ll assist in advancing coral production through research focused on refining aquaculture techniques, developing species-specific care protocols, and engaging in science communication. From coral husbandry and data collection to experimental planning, you’ll gain meaningful, career-building experience in the world of marine science.

This full-time, 10-week internship runs from January through March and is based at the Mote SEA Coral Workforce Development Lab in Sarasota, FL. Weekend availability is required as part of the regular schedule. Supported by Mote’s Protect Our Reefs grant, a monthly stipend of $1500 is provided to help offset cost of living expenses during this internship. Prior experience in coral or animal husbandry is not required. A strong work ethic, curiosity, and commitment to conservation are what matter most.

Some of these are for undergraduates: https://research.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/education-and-training/graduate-medical-education/training-opportunities-search-results?q=all

The Cech Fellows Program gives undergraduate students in the life sciences the opportunity to conduct hands-on research with leading scientists at HHMI laboratories across the US, from universities and research institutions to HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus outside of Washington, DC. Students are matched with HHMI scientists conducting fundamental research that advances our understanding of biology and health. 

Applications Close: Thursday, December 17, 2026 at 5 PM ET

Undergraduate Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Projects in Molecular Biology & Cancer, Genetics & Genomics, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, or Quantitative Biology. https://www.cshl.edu/education/undergraduate-research-program/ 

Leadership Alliance, long-established summer research program based at Brown University and with many partner institutions:  https://www.theleadershipalliance.org

https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/sip

Frankel Cardiovascular Center 

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship 

https://sites.google.com/site/cvcsummerfellowship/home?pli=1&authuser=0

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

The application link will go live on November 16, 2026 and closes January 8, 2027.

Case-Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH is accepting applications for our 10-week summer undergraduate research program (CanSUR) – https://case.edu/cancer/training-education/cansur

Applications for 2027 are open until January 15, 2027. 

The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) is seeking to fill 10 paid REU positions for Summer 2027 at our NSF-funded REU site titled “Saving Endangered Species and Habitats: Next-generation Education, Research, and Training for Conservation Biologists.” This 10-week REU, held from May 24 to July 30, 2027, will give undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct hands-on, full-time conservation research and gain career-ready skills to improve knowledge of and best management practices for threatened species with the goal of helping to alleviate the global extinction crisis. Students will work with mentors to develop an original inquiry-based research project within these topical areas: 1) assessing and monitoring species in the wild, 2) understanding species integrity and resilience to anthropogenic threats, and 3) improving captive management of threatened species. 

This is a fully funded, 10-week paid research experience. Candidates must be available and in residence for the entire 10-week period. All REU participants will receive a $7,000 stipend, up to $500 in travel support to/from the REU site, plus room and board at the residence and dining facilities of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC), located at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. 

Who should apply? Undergraduate students who are very excited about a career in conservation, or interested in related disciplines, such as biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, animal behavior, endocrinology, anthropology, and environmental sciences, are encouraged to apply. 

NSF-REU eligibility: To be eligible for this REU program, you must be (1) at least 18 years old, (2) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a bachelor’s or associate degree, (3) a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident.

When is the deadline to apply? The deadline to apply is January 15, 2027. 

Start preparing your application materials early! Incomplete applications will not be accepted. This is a competitive program and only 10 students will be selected. Through the online application system (NSF-ETAP), students will need to submit a resume, unofficial transcripts for all college coursework, one letter of recommendation, and a one-page (single-spaced) personal essay. The essay will need to clearly describe your academic and professional interests related to the discipline of conservation and what motivated you to pursue them, as well as describe your future goals and ambitions and how this REU experience would help you achieve those goals.

Apply by following this link to the NSF application portal: https://etap.nsf.gov/. Create an account and enter SMSC in the search bar, or go directly to our program page: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/7921/opportunity/12230

If you have specific questions, please contact the REU Faculty Program Director, Dr. Anneke DeLuycker at adeluyck@gmu.edu

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) hosts a summer internship that is designed to provide biomedical research experience and mentorship for undergraduate students of rising senior status: Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). Here is an informational flyer that offers an overview of the program and a brief snapshot of important dates below, including how to apply.

The SURP is an intensive, 9-week internship designed to provide research experience and mentorship for rising-senior undergraduate students who are interested in biomedical research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students will:

• Complete an independent research project;
• Attend weekly research seminars;
• Participate in professional development workshops designed to facilitate the preparation of competitive applications for graduate/medical school; and
• Present their findings at a competitive poster session.

The program will run from Monday, June 21 – Friday, August 20, 2027. An online application for the 2027 SURP is available on the SURP website.

The application deadline is midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Friday, January 8, 2027. Letters of recommendation for up to two references are due by midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Friday, January 15, 2027.

NSF IRES Wildlife Conservation Training Program in the Caribbean

Florida International University – Institute of Environment

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) | 2027 cohort

Application deadline: 13 November 2026, 11:59 pm (local)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Institute of Environment (IoE) at Florida International University seeks 4 outstanding undergraduate students and 2 graduate students for a one-year NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program in wildlife conservation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The program pairs FIU research mentoring with SVG partner expertise to train the next generation of wildlife conservationists through research, applied conservation, and professional development.

Students choose one of two project tracks:

• Parrot conservation — monitoring and conservation of the endemic St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii), including habitat/population surveys, remote sensing and acoustic approaches to seasonal habitat use, and interviews on people–forest–parrot relationships
• Cetacean conservation — photo-identification, acoustics, and drone-based work on whales and dolphins off SVG, with emphasis on a globally important area for dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima)

PROGRAM STRUCTURE (full participation required):

1. Pre-field course — Spring 2027: ~16 hours on SVG culture and history, wildlife research and conservation, field methods, proposal writing, and scientific presentation
2. Paid field internship — Summer 2027: four weeks of data collection in SVG (parrot or cetacean track), including wildlife/vegetation surveys, interviews, and field instrumentation
3. Post-field course — Fall 2027: ~16 hours on statistics, analysis and interpretation, reporting, and presentations

Activities across the year include proposals, fieldwork, co-authored reports and potential peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and media products about the experience.

SUPPORT:

• Field travel, equipment, lodging, food, and travel insurance covered
• Stipend for the four-week field period (recent cohorts: $600/week)
• Course credit available (students are responsible for tuition/fees and non-FIU enrollment logistics as applicable)

Program page and application materials:

https://environment.fiu.edu/get-involved/ires-wildlife-conservation-training-program-in-the-caribbean

ELIGIBILITY

• U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States
• Currently enrolled at a U.S. university; scheduled to graduate Fall 2027 or later
• Able to attend the entire one-year program, including all Spring and Fall classes
• Undergraduates: at least two semesters of environment-related coursework
• Strong interest in wildlife conservation; comfort with physically demanding forest and/or marine fieldwork for four weeks in SVG

TO APPLY: Email the following to jkiszka@fiu.edu and gannd@fiu.edu with subject line: “IoE IRES Program application”

1. Completed application form (attachment)
2. Letter of interest (400-word limit; attachment)
3. YouTube link to a ~1-minute video cover (reasons for interest, relevant experience, career goals; paste link in email body)
4. CV (attachment)
5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors, professors, or work associates (sent directly by the letter writers)

Application form (2027): https://environment.fiu.edu/get-involved/ires-wildlife-conservation-training-program-in-the-caribbean/ires_wildlifeconservationsvg_applicationform_2027.pdf

Late applications will not be considered. Up to 16 candidates will be interviewed; 6 will be offered positions. Applicants will be notified by 20 November 2026 if selected for interview and by 30 November 2026 if invited to participate. Please refrain from status inquiries before those dates.

Questions: jkiszka@fiu.edu and gannd@fiu.edu

This program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Florida International University is an equal opportunity employer. Students from underrepresented groups in STEM are especially encouraged to apply.

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is offering four internships at its Aquarium during the 2027 summer season. The Maria Mitchell Aquarium houses roughly 65-75 different marine species each year. 

One of the most unique public aquarium internships in the country, this paid opportunity immerses interns in all facets of public aquarium operations, including exhibit design, collection and husbandry of 75+ marine species, plumbing and troubleshooting of filtration systems, program and tour leadership, volunteer management, retail in the gift shop, and more! 

The ideal candidates have interest and experience with marine biology and environmental education, as well as an interest in asking biological questions, making careful observations, following procedures, keeping accurate records, and thinking critically about results. Many former Aquarium interns are working in the fields of outdoor education, public aquarium husbandry and education, aquaculture, K-12 science education, and marine biological science

The 2027 Aquarium Internship application will open February 1, 2027 at 11PM EST. Completed applications consist of a resume, cover letter, 3 references and 2 letters of recommendation from these references, official or unofficial transcripts, and the digital Internship application. 

To learn more, please visit: https://www.mariamitchell.org/aquarium-internship

The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is offering two intern positions at its Natural Science Museum for the 2027 summer. The Natural Science Museum is divided into an Aquatics Room housing numerous freshwater and brackish water animals, a Herpetology Room housing snakes, frogs, and turtles, a Collections Room that displays various animal specimens from across Nantucket, and lastly a STEM Activity Room where guests can learn about science through hands-on activities. 

A unique position and a unique museum allows the intern to learn everything that goes into running a natural science museum. This paid internship immerses the intern into all facets of museum operations, which includes animal husbandry, animal collection, exhibit and signage design, educational programming, volunteer management, collections preservation, leading tours, gift shop management, and much more. 

The ideal candidate should have an interest in biology, ecology, and/or environmental education. Many former MMA Natural Science Museum interns are working in the fields of outdoor education, animal husbandry, environmental education, veterinary medicine, K-12 science education, STEM graduate school, environmental technicians, and environmental stewardship.

The 2027 Natural Science Museum Internship application period will open February 1, 2027 at 11PM EST. Completed applications consist of a resume, cover letter, 3 references and 2 letters of recommendation, official or unofficial transcripts, and the digital Internship application.

For more information, please visit: https://www.mariamitchell.org/natural-science-internship

Applications are now open for the MDI Biological Laboratory Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program.

We are seeking talented undergraduates interested in hands-on biomedical research. Each summer, students join MDIBL’s collaborative research community, working closely with faculty mentors while building technical, analytical, and scientific communication skills.

The SURF program supports undergraduate researchers across a range of scientific interests and funding pathways, with placements matched based on student interests and mentor availability. Full program details, eligibility information, and the application portal are available on our website.

Conservation Corps work all over the U.S. on projects ranging in focus from Ecology to History: Conservation Legacy and Corps Network.  You can serve on a crew with other young(er) folks, or be placed individually.  Most positions will come with an AmeriCorps stipend, education award, and other benefits.

Open Positions

Biomedical Research Internships Resources (PDF)

Paid internships all around the country, ranging from 3 to 12 months, most with housing provided and an AmeriCorps Education award upon completion.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces across the country. After working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

For students and faculty in search of internships with government laboratories:

• Zintellect – Climb Higher
• Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)

Summer and school-year internships with GSK, a science-led global healthcare and pharmaceutical company: