Summer Internship in Biological Sciences in Public Health
The BPH summer internship program provides college science students an opportunity to experience the rewards of laboratory research directed toward solving important public health problems. The overall mission of our program is to recruit qualified students for graduate-level training leading to research careers in the biological sciences.
677 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Summary
The Biological Sciences in Public Health Summer Internship Program (BPH-SIP) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to conduct laboratory-based research focused on basic biology questions with public health implications. The overall mission of our program is to recruit qualified students for graduate-level training leading to research careers in the biological sciences. BPH-SIP students focus on wet lab or computational projects within the Departments of Environmental Health, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, or Molecular Metabolism at Harvard Chan. This eight-week program provides a stipend, housing at Emmanuel College, and travel to/from Boston. Interns work on independent research projects under Harvard faculty mentorship, culminating in a research presentation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 or older, and have strong interest in biology research. Additional details, eligibility criteria, and application questions for BPH-SIP will be posted in September 2026.
Application
The BPH Summer Internship Program (SIP) will be offered in summer 2027.
Application details and eligibility criteria will be posted here in early fall. To be notified when details have been posted, please sign up here.
Program overview
The program goal is to expose college science students (who will be juniors or seniors in the fall of 2027) to the rewards of laboratory research directed toward solving important public health problems. The overall mission of our program is to recruit qualified students for graduate-level training leading to research careers in the biological sciences. Interns apply state-of-the art technology in their own research projects under the direction of a Harvard faculty member. Research projects focus on biological science questions that are important to the prevention of disease. Disease areas include infections (tuberculosis, malaria, Chagas disease), cancer, lung diseases, multifactorial, multigenic and common diseases of aging, diabetes, obesity, etc. Scientific approaches include regulation of cell growth and gene regulation, cellular metabolism, DNA modification, cellular signaling, structure-function analyses, etc.
Visit the Biological Sciences in Public Health degree program page for more detailed information about program faculty and their research. Note that an interest in a particular faculty member does NOT guarantee placement in their lab.
Program dates
The Summer Internship Program will run from Monday, June 7 through Friday, July 30, 2027.
Eligibility
Application details and eligibility criteria will be posted here in early fall. To be notified when details have been posted, please sign up here.
Curriculum
Participants are required to attend and participate in all SIP activities including Orientation, Peer Mentoring Events, Career and Professional Development workshops, Community and Mental Health and Well being sessions, Research Discussions and Faculty Talks, and the Final Presentations.
Orientation will be held on the first day of the program and will include an overview of Harvard University, the Harvard Chan School, and available resources at participants’ disposal. The Program Director and Program Coordinator will be in attendance to answer questions regarding research, labs, on campus resources, housing, and program requirements and expectations. Following the Orientation, participants will pick up their Harvard ID cards and be escorted to their labs, where they will typically meet with both their research mentor and lab mentor.
Career and Professional Development Workshops are meant to (1) equip SIP students with skills that will help them prepare for and succeed in graduate school and during the program and (2) provide SIP students with opportunities to connect with graduate students and faculty. Topics typically include (but are not limited to):
- Giving Presentations and Finding Original Literature
- “What Can You Do with a Science PhD?” Career Panel
- PhD Admissions Best Practices
- Statement of Purpose Workshop
- Networking and Conferences
- Predoctoral Fellowships
Final Presentations
Participants in the Program are required to create and present a poster to the BPH community as the culmination of their research project at our annual Summer Intern Research Presentation Session.
Funding
Funding includes a living stipend, travel support, and complimentary dormitory housing at Emmanuel College (located a short walk away from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
Health insurance
Massachusetts State Law requires all residents (permanent and temporary) to have health insurance. Applicants are required to have health insurance to participate in the program.
Application details
Application details and eligibility criteria will be posted here in early fall. To be notified when details have been posted, please sign up here.
Questions
Questions should be directed to bph@hsph.harvard.edu.
Other summer internship programs at Harvard
There are many summer internship opportunities and pathway programs for high school and undergraduate students at Harvard. We’ve highlighted a few below.
Post-baccalaureate program
The Harvard Griffin GSAS Research Scholar Initiative is a non-degree granting post-baccalaureate program that provides mentored research and training for individuals interested in pursuing doctoral studies. In the program, research scholars work with a Harvard faculty member as a research assistant, participate in professional development seminars, and receive GRE preparation support. In addition, scholars may take undergraduate and/or graduate coursework in preparation for doctoral studies.