CURE Research Internship Program

The CURE Research Internship is an opportunity for high school and City College of San Francisco students interested in health careers to spend 8-weeks at UCSF supporting various types of research with the primary objectives of:

  1. Immersing promising students in career opportunities across the spectrum of research, including basic, clinical, behavioral, and population sciences;
  2. Providing positive training and support for participating students so they will declare a major aligned with biomedical research and seriously consider research as a career option.

The CURE program provides students with an exceptional scientific, health, and medical environment to further their career interests, as well as college preparation and academic and professional development.


What Students Will Gain from the Program


A collage of scenes from the 2022 UCSF CURE Internship program: high school students participate in group activities and experiment in their labs.
  • CURE Interns will be mentored by UCSF faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. 
  • CURE Interns will have the opportunity to conduct scientific research and present their research project and findings at our Research Symposium.
  • CURE Interns will receive college and career advising and college application support.

What are the Eligibility Requirements


  • Must be a current 11th grader in high school OR a current community college student at CCSF
  • Must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Must have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better
  • Must be able to commit 40 hours/week for 8 weeks
A collage of scenes from the 2022 UCSF CURE Internship program: high school students present their research work in an auditorium and experiment in their labs.

How to Apply


Online Application & Recommendation
  1. Submit the online student application. (You will need to upload your unofficial transcript)
  2. One recommendation form is required. Your recommender should fill out and submit the online recommendation form
Important Program Dates
  • Application opens on: Sunday, October 12, 2025
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 11:59PM PST
  • Mandatory Program dates:
    • Parent Orientation: Thursday, May 21, 2026
    • Student Orientation: Thursday, June 11. 2026
    • Program duration: Monday, June 15 - Friday, August 7, 2026

UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.

If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions and/or email us at [email protected].