About

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Summer Student Program is an eight-week, paid research internship for high school students interested in biomedical sciences and translational cancer research. Hosted at MSK’s research campus in Manhattan, the program embeds students in active laboratories where they contribute to original scientific projects in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, genomics, and bioengineering.

The 2026 session runs from June 29 to August 21, 2026. Designed for high school juniors, the program provides a rigorous introduction to laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. Interns are matched one-on-one with a mentor—typically a postdoctoral researcher or graduate student—and spend the majority of their time conducting bench research. In addition to laboratory work, students attend weekly seminars and professional development sessions.

Eligibility is limited to current high school juniors who are at least 14 years old by the program start date and live within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus. Applicants should have a strong academic record, particularly a 3.5 GPA or higher in science courses. The application for the 2026 cycle must be submitted by 8:00 a.m. EST on February 6, 2026. Decisions are released in early spring following a competitive review process.

The Summer Student Program is a non-residential experience; participants are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Admitted students receive a $1,200 stipend upon successful completion of the full eight-week program. In an effort to provide exposure to non-lab life, participating students also attend a range of MSK events hosted by the Office of Scientific Education & Training, various Memorial Hospital clinical departments, and Human Resources.

As one of the nation’s premier cancer research centers, the MSK program offers a top-tier research experience to high-achieving local students eager to explore biomedical and clinical science in an inspiring setting.