In order to increase diversity in the medical profession, a number of internship programs have been developed to support minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in medicine and other health careers. Recently, many of these programs have expanded to also include students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The resources below are only a sampling of the many opportunities available.
Internship Databases & Career Exploration
- Aspiring Docs: Aspiring Docs is part of a broad campaign to raise awareness about the need for more diversity in medicine and to connect students and advisors to key resources. This site hosts a multitude of links about the MCAT, applications, summer programs, and financial aid.
- The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
The AAMC commits to increasing the number of minority physicians available to serve the nation's growing minority population. This site includes a database of opportunities for minority premed students.
- OCS Peer2Peer Network: Connect with fellow Harvard students to discuss what their summer experiences were like.
- Exploring Health Careers: An extensive search engine of employment opportunities with the ability to tailor your search to your needs. In addition to career opportunities, several funding opportunities are available for minority students.
- National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions: The NAAHP is an organization of over 900 health professions advisors at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Included is a list summer programs for minority and disadvantaged students as well as a list of health-related associations that address diversity.
- Rochester Institute of Technology: A very extensive list of paid internship opportunities consisting mostly of university programs in research.
- Columbia University: A brief list of various internship programs. The larger database lists NYC-specific opportunities.
Selected Research, Medical & Public Health Programs
Research and Medical at Harvard
Research and Medical outside of Harvard
- Summer Medical and Dental Education Program: A nationally funded six-week program that seeks individuals who identify with a group that is racially/ethnically underrepresented in medicine and/or come from a disadvantaged background. The program has multiple locations at universities, including Duke and Yale, throughout the United States.
- The Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP): Research program designed to encourage students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, social sciences and humanities to consider research careers in the academic, public or private sectors. Eight to ten weeks under the guidance of a research mentor at a participating Alliance institution. Participating institutions include U. Chicago, Columbia, and others.
- Access Summer Research Program:
An internship established by The Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (WCGSMS) for training underserved college students in the biomedical sciences. Interns are given hands-on experience in a biomedical research laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College.
- American Society for Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF): Program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students who wish to pursue graduate careers in microbiology (PhD or MD/PhD). Students conduct full time summer research with an ASM member at their home or a host institution, and present their research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.
- Biomedical Research Training Program for Individuals from Underrepresented Groups (BRTPUG): offers opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate, post-baccalaureate individuals, and graduate students to receive training in fundamental biomedical sciences and clinical research disciplines. The purpose of the program is to enhance career opportunities in biomedical and behavioral research.
- Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) Summer Research Program: The Sackler School offers 10 week summer internships for undergraduate students interested in pursuing research careers in the biomedical sciences. Students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. They present their project results at a poster presentation at the end of the summer.
- Diversity Student Summer Research Opportunity Program: A 9 week research experience where students are paired with a faculty member at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York City. Intended for rising seniors with an interest in medicine or doctoral programs.
- Massachusetts General Hospital Summer Research Trainee Program: Offers minority students interested in academic biomedical research careers summer internships. These students conduct research with MGH faculty preceptors in basic science labs, at clinical research sites, and/or in health policy.
- MIT Summer Research Program in the Biological Sciences and Related Fields: 10-week summer research-intensive training for advanced sophomore and junior science majors. Program is primarily designed to encourage students from underrepresented minorities, first-generation to attend college, and from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a career in research.
- UC San Diego Medical Scientist Training Program-Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship: The MSTP-SURF provides research opportunities for individuals from disadvantages backgrounds, racial and ethnic minorities, and others who are underrepresented in biomedical research.
- University of Connecticut Health Center Health Career Opportunity Programs: Comprises three different summer enrichment programs: a 6-week clinical research program where students perform clinical research and shadow in community health center; a 10-week research program with a research scientist; and a medical/dental preparatory program that includes MCAT/DAT preparation and medical sciences courses.
- University of Pittsburgh Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underrepresented Students: 10-week summer research and professional development program for underrepresented students in the biomedical sciences interested in careers as physician scientists. Students are matched with biomedical researchers in a variety of areas including Medical Robotics, Transplantation Immunology, and Neuroscience.
- UPenn Summer Undergraduate Minority Research Program:
Summer program for rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors from underrepresented minority groups interested in exploring the field of health services research. Provides students with an opportunity to conduct health services research under the guidance of Penn faculty.
Healthcare and Public Health
- Health Careers Connection: Seeks to expose undergrads to the real world of healthcare through internships. The site includes resources for career information, networking opportunities and paid internships. Internships available in Boston or California.
- Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program: Program brings talented college seniors and recent graduates to Washington, D.C., where they are placed in congressional offices and learn about health policy issues, with a focus on issues affecting racial and ethnic minority and underserved communities. Scholars gain knowledge about federal legislative procedure and health policy issues.
- Minority Health Disparities Summer Research Opportunities Program (MHD/SROP): Summer research opportunity for underrepresented rising juniors and seniors focused on health issues that affect minority communities in a disproportionate manner and specifically research involving pulmonary, heart, and blood diseases and disorders.
- Summer Enrichment Program in Health Management and Policy (SEP): An 8-week summer internship program for undergraduate students interested in eliminating racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities. Students placed in health care organizations in Southeast Michigan and Flint, Michigan.
Financial Aid & Funding Sources
