Summer Internship Programs

2025 Program Dates: 

May 27, 2025 – Aug. 1, 2025

 

Application Dates

Dec. 2, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025

 

The Houston Methodist Academic Institute offers an unparalleled 10-week summer internship program, providing selected interns with a unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned researchers. The program is open to both high school and undergraduate interns, who are paired with faculty in translational research at Houston Methodist. Each intern will take on their own scientific research project, and at the end of the internship, they will present their findings and compete in a poster presentation competition. 

Throughout the program, interns will participate in weekly seminars focused on career development and professional growth. They will also have the chance to attend didactic lectures delivered by scientists and physician researchers from Houston Methodist.

Interns receive guidance and mentorship from leaders in their respective labs, gaining valuable professional exposure through various networking opportunities. The internship offers a  comprehensive experience, with interns participating in diverse social activities that enrich their summer. Some interns, in collaboration with their mentors, even have the opportunity to publish their work, with many discovering potential career paths at Houston Methodist. Stipends are offered for undergraduates.

We strongly encourage all prospective applicants to carefully review the requirements before applying. 
 

 

Summer Undergraduate Research Internship

The Summer Undergraduate Research Internship (SURI) is a premiere summer program at the Houston Methodist Academic Institute. This 10-week program is designed to enhance interns’ understanding and provide hands-on experience in translational research. Interns are paired with faculty mentors from Houston Methodist, who guide them in mastering essential laboratory techniques and research processes. Each intern is assigned a specific area of study or focus within an ongoing project, allowing them to thoroughly explore their research interests. The program culminates in a scientific poster symposium, where interns present their summer research projects, showcasing the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout the internship.

Fields Rosenberg Surgical Fellowship

The Fields Rosenberg Fellowship provides selected undergraduate fellows with a 10-week direct mentorship from surgeons specializing in various fields, including General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, and other surgical disciplines. During the fellowship, undergraduate fellows shadow surgeons and participate in career and professional development seminars specifically tailored to their needs.

 

Students perform simulation surgery training

Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship

The Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship is a comprehensive 10-week program tailored for second- and third-year undergraduate students considering a future in medicine. Mentors include faculty members from the cardiology, cardiovascular/transplant, and thoracic surgery departments, as well as the Houston Methodist Research Institute. Interns will observe essential surgical techniques, surgical cases, participate in daily patient rounds, and receive personalized exposure to basic translational research.

High School Emerging Researcher Experience

The High School Emerging Researcher Experience is an 8-week program designed to introduce a select group of juniors and seniors to the world of translational research. By working alongside undergraduate research interns, these students gain valuable insights into the research process and explore potential academic career paths following high school. This immersive experience provides them with a foundational understanding of scientific inquiry and prepares them for future academic and professional endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the internship?

All internship programs will begin on May 28, 2024, and end on August 2, 2024. A full-time commitment for all 10 weeks is required. Student workdays are 8 hours, approximately 8:30am-5:00pm, except for the July 4th holiday.

What are the application requirements?

Application Requirements:

 

  • Applications must be completed in full by 5:00pm (CT), February 2, 2024.
  • Undergraduate students may apply to only one of the following programs:
    • Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
    • Fields Rosenberg Surgical Fellowship
    • Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship
  • High school juniors and seniors may apply to the Summer High School Research Internship only.
  • The link to the MERLIN application portal will be visible on the program webpages starting Dec. 1, 2023.
  • The following items must be completed in the MERLIN application portal:
    • Demographic information of student
    • Short essay questions (see below)
    • Upload of current resume
    • Upload of current transcript (official or unofficial)
    • Upload of two letters of recommendation

     

    Note: Documents should be less than 4 MB each and in Adobe PDF format only. Remove hyphens, colons and other special characters ( “ - , : ; ) from all file names before uploading.

     

    Application Essay Questions:

     

  • Essay questions for Undergraduate Research and High School Research Internship (250-word limit):
    • Explain why you would be a great candidate for the summer research program and how it would benefit your career goals.
    • Please describe any previous research or laboratory experience you may have.
    • (OPTIONAL) Please briefly explain any challenges you have experienced in your academic career and how you overcame them.

  • Essay questions for Fields Rosenberg Fellowship and Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship (250-word limit):
    • Describe your career goals in medicine.
    • How could you benefit from a hands-on surgical shadowing experience?
    • Please describe any clinical or hospital volunteer experience you may have.

Is there a minimum age to participate in the high school internship?

Applicants must be completing their junior or senior year and be 16 years of age by the start of the program (May 28, 2024) to be eligible for the High School Research Internship Program. The Summer Undergraduate Research Internship reserves a limited number of slots for high school students. High school students are not eligible to receive a stipend for participation in the Summer Research Internship Program.

Where does the internship take place?

The internship is held at the main Houston Methodist Hospital campus in the Texas Medical Center, located at 6565 Fannin St. Houston, TX 77030.

What field or specialty will I be observing and working in?

The application will ask you to list your top three specialty preferences. While our selection committee will work hard to match accepted students with their preferences, placement in the various research fields is based on availability and lab capacity limitations. The Fields Rosenberg Fellowship and Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship will follow a clinical rotation schedule determined by the program coordinators.

Can I apply if I'm not a US citizen?

Currently, only US citizens, Legal Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals who already hold a legal visa status (F-1, J-1, EADs) are eligible to apply to any of the internship programs. 

Is this a paid internship? Are there any costs to participate?

Stipends are awarded to undergraduate participants. The amounts will vary between $2,500-$6,000 depending on the program and will be specified in the acceptance email. There are no fees for participating in the program, however, Rosenberg and Kadoorie program participants are required to purchase a set of scrubs for clinical rotations.

Does the program offer housing or transportation assistance?

Participants will be responsible for securing their own housing arrangements. However, after admittance into the program, participants will be provided information on housing options available to them. For commuting, interns may choose to receive either a Smithlands parking pass or a paid QCard for using the Houston Metro service.

Can I still apply to the programs if I will not be able to start on May 27th?

No. Full participation is required for the internships starting on May 27th.

Can I apply if I was a previous intern in one of the programs?

Yes, but only if you are now applying to a different program. Students cannot participate in the same program more than once. 

If I’m graduating from college this year, am I still eligible to participate in the programs?

Yes. Currently enrolled college seniors may apply to the summer programs that immediately follow their graduation.

What if my items are not submitted by the Jan 31st deadline?

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for the summer programs. No exceptions.

How do I submit my letters of recommendation and what should they say?

Applicants should submit the letters of recommendation themselves in the MERLIN application portal. The reviewer should be able to speak about your academic and/or extracurricular activities and how those characteristics make you a favorable candidate for this internship. Letters must be submitted on standard letterhead in PDF format with the application by the February 2nd deadline, so we recommend requesting them as early as possible to allow your reviewers time to complete them. We do not provide LOR templates. 

How will I know when my application is complete or if I'm accepted?

You will receive a confirmation email once we have verified your MERLIN application is completed, and your resume, transcript, and two letters of recommendations have been uploaded. Acceptance decisions will be emailed by the end of March 2024.

Are candidates reviewed and accepted while applications are still open?

No. The program does not review or accept candidates until after the application deadline on February 2, 2024.

What can I do to make myself a competitive applicant?

The selection committee looks for academically accomplished applicants in STEM courses, involvement in science/health related extracurricular activities, volunteer service, and good communication skills. Letters of recommendation should be from someone that knows the candidate on a personal level and can speak to their academic strengths and interest in pursuing a research or medical career. All these criteria are carefully weighed by the reviewer to select a competitive, well-rounded candidate.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AT HOUSTON METHODIST


Houston Methodist welcomes volunteers who want to offer their time, talent, and dedication. Volunteers provide a valuable service to our hospital operations. There are a variety of volunteer roles to fit individual time commitments, schedules, abilities and interests. Volunteers may work directly with patients or choose to work behind-the-scenes, providing administrative or customer support. Click Here to learn more about volunteering opportunities at each Houston Methodist location.

 

The Caring Teen Volunteer Program is a volunteer opportunity for high school students, ages 15-18, to serve at Houston Methodist during the summer or fall. A full description of the Caring Teen Volunteer Program, as well as information on applying, can be found at their site. Please note that the Caring Teens Volunteer Program is for non-research volunteers only.

 
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