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Cancer Research Interns (CRI) Summer Program

THE APPLICATION CYCLE FOR THE 2025 CRI SUMMER PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN

CRI Program Pre-Application Webinar

A pre-application webinar will be held on November 20, 2024 at 3pm ET. 

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The Cancer Research Interns (CRI) Summer Program provides undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, the opportunity to complete a paid summer internship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Candidates will have the ability to spend up to 12 weeks, exploring opportunities in basic and clinical research, cancer epidemiology and genetics research, cancer control science, as well as global health.

CRI provides valuable research experience combined with mentorship and professional development designed to advance your career in biomedical research. CRI serves to provide a research opportunity to those with limited or no previous research experience. CRI will also provide travel support for students who meet the financial eligibility criteria. Training at NCI makes individuals highly competitive for future academic and research pursuits. Since its inception in 2004, over 400 students have participated in CRI. The majority of CRI Fellows have gone on to complete graduate school or medical school or have entered the scientific workforce.

I benefitted greatly from working in the lab both in terms of tangible bench skills and making very valuable connections…I feel like everyone here is looking out for my success and happy to help me figure out my interests and hone my skills.

Ons Mrad Bouali, Former CRI participant
 

How to Apply

Information on eligibility, and the application and selection processes can be found at Train at NCI. NCI is committed to training the next generation of scientific leaders, and it is crucial that this reflects the diversity of the population it serves. Candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research (NOT-OD-20-031) are strongly encouraged to apply.   

The application cycle is currently OPEN through January 6, 2025.

My summer research internship at the NCI was a transformative experience. I gained practical skills, from data analysis to lab techniques, that have been invaluable in my academic journey. I also gained an incredible network comprised of researchers and mentors, who provided me with crucial guidance and opened doors for future opportunities.

Brittni Moore, Former CRI participant

Benefits of a Summer Internship

  • Spend up to 12 weeks conducting research side-by-side with the nation's best researchers

  • Participate in a variety of summer activities including summer intensives, preparing for college or graduate/professional school, wellness activities, and more

  • Present your research at the NIH Summer Poster Day

  • Meet other students from across the U.S.

For Additional Information

If you have questions about the program, please contact ncicri@nih.gov

The highlight of my internship was the weekly meetings [where] we got to know the other summer interns and share all the fun and exciting things we were learning. Being a summer intern at NCI was intellectually enlightening and transformative.

Andrea N. Robinson, Former CRI participant

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