UT Austin American Cancer Society Undergraduate Research Internship
Undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Austin are invited to join Dell Medical School for a yearlong experience in cancer research. The American Cancer Society Undergraduate Cancer Research Internship, held by the Livestrong Cancer Institutes and funded by the American Cancer Society, enables students to engage in biomedical sciences firsthand over the summer and throughout the academic school year.
About the Internship
The ACS Cancer Research Internship aims to increase diversity in the cancer research workforce by supporting students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the biomedical field. The yearlong program offers students the following opportunities:
- Supportive relationships with experienced research mentors.
- Exposure to a range of cancer research and related professional opportunities.
- Career and academic preparation centered around cancer research.
Summer Programming
Over a full-time, 10-week period between June and August, interns gain intensive exposure to cancer research. They carry out projects across scientific disciplines under the mentorship of experienced UT faculty, participate in didactic teaching sessions two times a week, and prepare and present a research poster at the end of the summer. The internship offers a $5,000 stipend across its summer programming.
Academic Year Programming
Between September and May, interns further develop research and analytical skills, gain perspective on careers in cancer research research and prepare for postgraduate studies. Interns attend additional activities to extend their experience and interactions with the cancer research community at UT.
Interns meet once a month, with each meeting consisting of a journal club, where participants present a paper chosen with their mentor. Meetings also include activities such as disease lectures, discussions on research, and guidance on career development and graduate admissions.
Program Dates & Eligibility
- Application open date: Nov. 1
- Online information session: Nov. 12. RSVP to attend »
- In-person information session: Dec. 5. RSVP to attend »
- Online office hours for questions about the application: Jan. 14, 2024. RSVP to attend »
- Application close date: Feb. 4, 2025
- Notice of selection via email: March 14, 2025
- Full-time summer programming with weekly discussions: June 9, 2025-Aug. 7, 2025
- Summer research presentations: Aug. 8, 2025
For Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters: Monthly meetings include a journal club; dates to be determined.
- Applicant is at least 18 years of age.
- Applicant is a rising sophomore, junior or senior with an interest in any STEM discipline.
- Applicant is in good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Applicant is a full-time undergraduate student at UT Austin and is not enrolled in summer courses concurrent with the internship.
- Applicant is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or international student on a visa. (Note: The internship is unable to sponsor visas.)
- Applicant will not be awarded a bachelor’s degree before the program ends.
- Applicant has not previously participated in the Livestrong Cancer Institutes’ Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Per the American Cancer Society’s stipulations, applicants from a background shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research according to the National Institutes of Health, which includes first generation college students, low socioeconomic status and medically underserved populations, are highly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The ACS Cancer Research Internship seeks four UT Austin undergraduate students to take part in its 2025-2026 programming. Applications completed in their entirety will be accepted for review until Feb. 4, 2025.
Internship Requirements
Accepted interns are required to sign a student agreement, which commits them to the following program requirements.
Interns are required to complete online training relevant to their individual research project prior to their arrival. Interns will be notified of these training requirements after they’ve been notified of their assigned laboratory and project.
With the help of a mentor, interns write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) report describing the goals of their research project. The report is due within 10 days of their start date, and their mentor will also sign the report. When the program receives the report, interns receive 50% of their stipend.
June-August: Interns attend two discussions per week with cancer experts. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., discussions focus on cancer types, research and professional development.
All interns participate in summer research presentations at the end of the summer. Interns who are unable to attend the poster session should contact program coordinators as soon as a scheduling conflict arises. Interns receive the balance of their stipend after they participate in the poster session and exit survey.
Interns who are unable to attend the poster session are required to write a double-spaced report of at least five pages that describes their project’s results, due at the end of the fellowship. Their mentor will sign the report. Once the report is received, along with the exit survey, interns receive the balance of their stipend.
Within the online application form, applicants select the type(s) of research experiences that they are most interested in participating in:
- Basic and translational research (laboratory experience)
- Clinical and community research (data-focused experience analyzing patient and/or community participant data)
Applicants select three faculty members with whom they’d like to work and create their cancer research project with during the internship. Program leaders make every effort to assign applicants to their first choice but may need to make alternative assignments based on availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The internship starts begins June 2025 and concludes in the Spring 2026 semester.
- From June 9, 2025 to Aug. 11, 2025, it is a full-time experience (40 hours a week for 10 weeks).
- From September 2025 to May 2026, it is a part-time experience (up to three hours a month).
Yes. Interns are expected to work full-time in labs and in discussions. Other work commitments or classes during the summer are not advised.
Yes. Interns receive a stipend of $5,000, paid in two installments of 50% through direct deposit as they complete the program.
For any questions, email the team.