HCI (PathMaker), NIH/NCI (SIP, IRTA/CRTA), ACS (DICR)
Undergraduate & post-baccalaureate research on-ramps
The realistic entry points for an undergraduate in cancer research: HCI PathMaker Scholars (10-week residential summer, up to $4,000, serves Mountain West and rural students), ACS DICR Internship ($5,000/summer), and the NIH/NCI Summer Internship Program plus Student/Postbac IRTA/CRTA (intramural, stipend by education level). Post-bacc graduates use the NIH Postbac IRTA/CRTA to do 1–2 years of full-time research before a PhD. These are NOT national fellowships you 'win' against a R01 — they are mentored training positions.
Who Can Apply
Award Amount
$4,000
Deadline
Vary by pr (2025)
Estimated
Topics
Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate On-Ramps
This is where the ladder starts. None of these require you to already have a track record — they are designed to build one. They are the realistic, undergrad/post-bacc-stage options.
HCI PathMaker Scholars (Huntsman Cancer Institute)
PathMaker increases participation of young learners — including rural and frontier students from the Mountain West — in biomedical cancer research (PathMaker Scholars).
- Format: 10-week residential summer research experience; live on campus, learn lab techniques, work on a PI-mentored project.
- Compensation: up to $4,000 for the 10 weeks (amount depends on circumstances).
- Funded by: an NCI R25 research-education grant (grant record R25-CA240171).
- Community: integrated with NARI, GSRM, and SPUR summer programs at the University of Utah.
This is the most directly relevant on-ramp for a Utah State undergraduate in the Mountain West.
ACS DICR Internship
Underrepresented-minority undergraduates: $500/week × 10 weeks = $5,000 mentored summer research at a participating institution (ACS DICR). See acs-fellowships-dicr.md for full detail. Apply through the host institution.
NIH/NCI Summer Internship Program (SIP) and Student IRTA/CRTA
- The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) places students with NIH scientists for ≥8 weeks, usually starting in May, on the NIH campus; open to ; a stipend is provided ().