9 Cancer Research Programs for Future Oncologists
For high school students who aspire to be oncologists, there are more than enough opportunities to pursue this noble career. And you don’t have to wait until undergrad to kick-start your pre-med journey, either. There are internships and programs high schoolers can explore right now to start familiarizing themselves with the intricacies of oncological research and biomedicine.
Not only will participating in extracurriculars like these put students ahead of the curve academically, further preparing them for college, but these activities also look incredible on a resume. Which, of course, improves college admissions results.
So, here are nine programs specifically geared toward the oncologists of tomorrow.
Fundamentals of Cancer Biology
This Scholar Launch research program is one of our most popular group cohorts. Led by an associate professor from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, “Fundamentals of Cancer Biology” teaches students about the basics of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, using breast cancer as a reference point.
Through a series of interactive lectures over 12 weeks, students will study both classic and contemporary research related to the second leading cause of death in the world. They’ll then work independently to condense what they’ve learned about the fundamentals of cancer biology into a final research paper. Applications for this research program are now open, so future oncologists can apply today.
Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences program’s mission is to encourage high school and college students from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in the biosciences, particularly cancer research. CURE offers a full-time, hands-on summer experience at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center–a comprehensive cancer center with over 1,000 researchers across seven Harvard institutions. Here, students work with the best in the industry to learn more about diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing cancer.
Applications are now open and are due no later than February 3, 2025.
Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR)
Indiana University’s EPCR summer program offers cancer research experiences to graduating high school seniors and undergrads. Specifically, this program is designed to increase diversity in the medical field by targeting students from populations that are underrepresented in biomedical and clinical research.
For 10 weeks, participants of EPCR are paired with a mentor to learn about research methodology by engaging in clinical, laboratory, and database research. Not only do students receive a stipend for their time spent developing skills and designing experiments, but they also gain exposure to renowned cancer investigators and state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, they get to interact with one of the following ongoing IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center research programs:
Students’ final projects will culminate in poster and oral presentations at the end of summer. Applications for summer 2025 will open at the end of this year, and students must submit a transcript, personal statement, and letter of recommendation.
MD Anderson Cancer Center UPWARDS Program
The University of Texas’s MD Anderson Cancer Center, which has retained the number one spot for the best hospital for cancer care in the United States, offers the UPWARDS research training initiative to underserved high schoolers and undergraduates. The overall mission of the program is to generate “enthusiasm for biomedical graduate programs and the cancer research workforce.”
Students of this paid, full-time program are paired with a faculty member with whom they engage in research in a laboratory setting. In addition to this hands-on experience, UPWARDS participants also spend 10 weeks immersed in career development, seminars, scientific lectures, and comprehensive coursework and training. They also receive a stipend of up to $6,800 upon program completion. Applications for the 2025 cohort open on November 18.
Each year, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a paid, 8-week summer research internship to high school seniors and college students. This competitive, prestigious program is ideal for students interested in the many facets of cancer research, including:
Basic, clinical, and translational research
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Genetics/genomics
Behavioral research
While participating in hands-on cancer research, all interns are encouraged to participate in National Institute of Health (NIH) group meetings, seminars, and formal lectures. Applications open in mid-November and will remain open through February.
Summer Scholars Research Program
Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute offers a six-week, paid internship to high school seniors wanting more exposure to real-world cancer research. Interns work one-on-one with either a physician or a lab-based researcher to conduct research, attend lectures by various Winship oncologists and research faculty, and attend field trips to renowned institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention David J. Sencer Museum.
This full-time, on-site program culminates in students presenting their final projects at a symposium on the last day of the internship. Accepted students who complete the program receive a $2,400 stipend for their time.
Pathways Research Explorers Program
Funded by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, the Pathways Research Explorers Program is a two-week, hands-on introduction to the innovative research of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Students participate in various activities, tour working labs, and meet the students and scientists actively engaged in cancer prevention, epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, and other immune-based cancer therapies.
More information about application deadlines hasn’t been posted yet, but you can contact the Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Office of Education and Training at oet@fredhutch.org for more details.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
This is an eight-week summer internship designed to expose high school juniors and seniors to multiple facets of biomedical research at one of the leading research institutions in the United States. Students of SIMR participate in hands-on research, benefit from one-on-one mentorship, and get to choose from one of the following research institutes to work within:
All SIMR students receive a minimum $500 stipend, and applications for the summer 2025 program open on December 15.
Summer Cancer Research Experience Program
The Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s summer program is an excellent opportunity for high school juniors to explore a specific research interest within cancer science. Through classroom instruction, seminars, mentorship, and lab experience, program participants will be exposed to key areas like:
Molecular pharmacology and cancer therapeutics
Cancer prevention/epidemiology
Cancer biophysics
Biostatistics
Cancer genetics
Tumor immunology
Applications for this Summer Cancer Research Experience are now open, and the deadline to apply is February 21, 2025.
In addition to good grades and standardized test scores, students’ extracurricular activities speak volumes about college readiness and demonstrate dedication to a particular career path. With the hustle and bustle of the Spring semester right around the corner, now is the perfect time for college-bound scholars to start strategically planning their 2025-2026 academic year.