Student Research Programs

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Program aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful firsthand exposure to these fields. Selected participants will be paired with a research mentor.

The Future Scientist Program is a summer science program for high school juniors at Indianapolis and all Marion County public schools, providing them the opportunity to spend seven weeks on a research project under the mentorship of a university researcher.

The CTSI SEED/STEM program provides a summer experience for students who want to explore a research career in any of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, such as medicine, dentistry, computer science, information technology, life sciences, chemistry, biomedical engineering and more. Accepted students are matched with a research faculty who host and mentor them in their research labs over the summer (8 weeks; early June to late July). Students currently in grades 10, 11 and 12 are prioritized. Stipends (up to $4,000) are provided to individuals who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged households. 2024 applications are due March 1, 2024.

In this program for high school sophomore, junior and senior students, participants experience the methods scientists use in unlocking and deciphering the molecular, cellular and genetic basis of diseases and processes such as cancer, diabetes, stem cells and angiogenesis. The Molecular Medicine In Action program was developed by IU School of Medicine with the Riley Children’s Foundation, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana Association of Biology Teachers and the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers to provide high school students an inside view of research and science.

The Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists, and Clinicians Preparatory (MPESC-Prep) program aims to provide talented and diverse high school and college students with opportunities for STEM-related professional development and mentorship to prepare them for future careers in biomedical research, clinical care, physician-scientist and physician-engineer roles. High school student participants are selected from public schools in the greater Indianapolis area. The MPESC program considers eligibility factors such as being underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including rural students, first-generation students, students with disabilities and students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The program’s 8-week research-intensive summer experience includes clinical exposure and opportunities to network with peers, higher level trainees and faculty leaders in scientific research and clinical care.

The Indiana Medical Scientist/Engineer Training Program’s Undergraduate Summer Research Program (aka the Indiana MSTP-USRP or pre-MSTP) is available for undergraduate students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior years with a background in biology, chemistry, physics, social & behavioral sciences, or engineering and are interested in pursuing an integrated career as a physician-scientist or physician-engineer. Participants receive compensation for their summer research at IUSM-Indianapolis.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in the Biomedical Sciences Program is designed for undergraduate students with a background in biology, chemistry, physics or biomedical engineering, and are interested in pursuing a doctoral training program in the biomedical sciences. Research areas of study include precision medicine, genomics, bioinformatics, cancer, neuroscience, infectious disease, cell and immunotherapy, musculoskeletal research, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular systems, addiction and more. Participants also engage in professional development. This 10-week summer experience program provides each participant with a stipend. Housing is provided to participants with a permanent address located greater than 30 miles from Indianapolis.

The Wells Center for Pediatric Research Summer Student Internship Program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students who are looking to gain hands-on experience in biomedical science. A long-term goal of the program is to increase the number of medical students and researchers choosing a career in pediatric health research.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Program aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful firsthand exposure to these fields. Selected participants will be paired with a research mentor.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) internship, supported by the American Cancer Society.  This program aims to increase the number of undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing clinical and research careers in cancer by providing positive and meaningful firsthand exposure to these fields.

The Medical Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Indianapolis is administered by the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute. This nine-week program provides a strong foundation for developing and fostering research skills in the field of neuroscience. Basic and translational research specialties of faculty mentors in this program include neuroimmunology, pain and sensor systems, and spinal cord and brain injury along with developmental, affective, mood, movement, neurodegenerative and addictive disorders.

Open to undergraduate sophomore and junior students who are pursuing careers in life and health sciences or thinking about graduate or professional school in these topic areas. The Life-Health Sciences Internships Program connects IUPUI life and health sciences undergraduates with paid research and professional internships on and near the IUPUI campus. This program spans the academic year and matches students with on-campus and campus-affiliated opportunities in research and other professional opportunities. Interns have the opportunity to participate in formal and informal events throughout the year with a final event at the end of the second semester to present project work and findings.

The Indiana CTSI Undergraduate Summer Internship Program is designed to provide Indiana University and University of Notre Dame students with experience in translational research and the opportunity to work with Indiana CTSI-affiliated faculty mentors located at IUPUI. Student interns work on a project designed to increase the student’s awareness of and interest in translational research. Students are selected through a competitive application process in March, and preference is given to those with prior research experience. Participating students will receive a stipend and must commit to a 40-hour work week during the summer months.

The Diversity Scholars Research Program is aimed at attracting academically talented students pursuing an education in the research setting who will contribute to the diversity of IUPUI. Open to all Indiana high school graduates in the top 25 percent of their graduating class who have at least a 1070 SAT (math and critical reasoning sections only) or 23 ACT score. The program provides free tuition plus book and living stipends each year for four years. Research opportunities are available.

The Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists, and Clinicians Preparatory (MPESC-Prep) program aims to provide talented and diverse high school and college students with opportunities for STEM-related professional development and mentorship to prepare them for future careers in biomedical research, clinical care, physician-scientist and physician-engineer roles. Undergraduate students are selected from three partner institutions committed to diversity and mentorship. These partner institutions include the Weldon College of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, Indiana University (IUPUI and IU Bloomington), and Hanover College. The MPESC program considers eligibility factors such as being underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including Pell Grant recipients, rural students, first-generation college students, students with disabilities and students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The program’s 8-week research-intensive summer experience includes clinical exposure and opportunities to network with peers, higher level trainees and faculty leaders in scientific research and clinical care.

The Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) facilitates medical student participation in various medical research and experiential opportunities–ranging from summer programs with IU School of Medicine to year-long opportunities across the world. Explore campus-specific research opportunities on the statewide campus pages.

The International Human Cadaver Prosection Program at IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary is designed for individuals interested in attending medical school or gaining in-depth training in human anatomy as well as medical students or practicing physicians interested in sharpening anatomy skills that can be applied to their professional practice. Program participants conduct a first-hand advanced dissection of the upper and lower extremities of a human cadaver specimens and benefit from hands-on work in radiology and surgical orthopedics, prosthetics and orthotics.

The Indiana CTSI Summer Internship Program is a two-month educational program sponsored by the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute for high school, undergraduate and medical students interested in assisting faculty members in clinical and laboratory research.

As a part of the Indiana Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS), the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology is delighted to offer up to four Van Laeken summer research opportunity for Indiana University School of Medicine medical students completing their first year of training. The Van Laeken Summer Research Internship in Pediatric Gastroenterology is a flexible 10-week program in the Department of Pediatrics Division of Gastroenterology. Interns will work on clinical research projects mentored by pediatric GI faculty; they will also participate in some GI division conferences.

Read more information about the Van Laeken Summer Research Internship.

The Comprehensive Training Program in Musculoskeletal Research is administered by IU School of Medicine at the Indianapolis campus, and provides PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and medical students with a rich, diverse, multidisciplinary research-oriented training environment in musculoskeletal biology. The program is designed to equip trainees with the tools and research training needed to move into successful careers as physicians, scientists and engineers who will find new cures, develop new therapeutic treatments, and generate new devices to reduce and/or eliminate musculoskeletal disease. The program is funded by an NIH-sponsored T32 Training Grant, and includes faculty whose research foci span a broad range of topics in musculoskeletal biology.