Opportunities in Health and Medicine for
Underrepresented Minorities
and Disadvantaged Students
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 and Career Exploration
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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
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 their summer experiences.
Exploring Health Careers
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.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Extensive list of paid internship opportunities consisting mostly of university
programs in research.
Selected Research, Medical, and Public Health Programs
Research and Medical Programs at Harvard
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Harvard School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics Summer
Program in Quantitative Sciences
Program seeks members of groups that are underrepresented in graduate
education (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan
Natives, Pacific Islander, or Multiracial/Biracial).
Harvard School of Public Health Undergraduate Internship ~ Biological
Sciences in Public Health
Internship for students who are interested in doing basic research in a science
laboratory. Internships are available for minority students and are arranged
through a Biological Sciences and Public Health faculty member.
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Division of Medical Sciences: Summer Honors Undergraduate Research
Program (SHURP)
Ten-week summer research program for college students belonging to
underrepresented minority groups in the sciences and who are considering careers
in biological or biomedical research sciences. For students who have already had
at least one summer (or equivalent term-time) of experience in a research
laboratory.
Harvard Medical School Four Directions Summer Research Program (for
Native Americans)
Program seeks individuals who wish to serve Native American communities
through science and medicine. The focus of activity during the summer is
participation in a basic science research project with a medical school faculty
member.
Radcliffe Research Partnerships
Program matches undergraduates (junior partners) with senior scholars (senior
partners). Projects have been in such diverse fields as science, public policy, the
humanities, and the arts.
Research and Medical Programs Outside of Harvard
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Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
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
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)
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BRTPUG offers opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate, postbaccalaureate 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
Nine-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.
Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program
Program intended for potential MD-PhD applicants and involves 10 weeks of
independent research in New York City at either Weill Cornell Medical College,
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or The Rockefeller University. Includes
opportunity to scrub into surgeries. Only freshmen and sophomores are eligible.
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 six-week clinical
research program where students perform clinical research and shadow in a
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
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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 Programs
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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)
Eight-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.