M-ASCEND Undergraduate Summer Internship

The M-ASCEND Summer Undergraduate Research Internship application is closed for summer 2026!

• Program dates typically run from June to August
• Accepted interns will be matched with an academic research mentor.

During the program, participants will:

• Learn how health disparities and cancer are addressed through community-engaged research
• Engage in research related to faculty mentor’s area of investigation in basic biomedical, behavioral, translational, clinical, and/or community-based research
• Attend weekly seminars and workshops on topics such as interdisciplinary research, applying for medical or professional schools, and the root causes of health disparities and cancer
• Mentor the M-ASCEND high school interns
• Present a poster to academic members and community partners at the end of the internship

^{*Program dates are subject to change.
**Programming may be adjusted depending on presenters' availability and program needs.}

Applicants accepted into the program must agree to the following:

• Commit to work full-time (40 hours per week) during normal office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) for the duration of the nine-week program (Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required)
• Attend all weekly seminar series and required activities
• Be a mentor to the M-ASCEND high school interns
• Create and present a poster at the program-end symposium at the close of the program

^{*List is not exhaustive and may change. Expectations will be detailed in the acceptance letter.}

The 2026 summer undergraduate internship dates are June 8 - August 7, 2026. Below is a tentative timeline for when applications open, the selection process, and when the internship begins:

• December: Applications open
• February: Applications were due February 18th, 2026
• March: Interview and Selection Process
• April: Mentor/Mentee Matching
• June – August: Internship Program
• August: Participate in the poster session on August 6, 2026

^{*Timeline is subject to change without notice.}

All students who graduated from a Minnesota High School and/or are attending an accredited Minnesota college or university may apply. Priority will be given to students from medically-underserved communities, and/or who have had social/ economic/ or educational disadvantage. Accepted applicants must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the United States or a permanent resident. We will review all applications and will prioritize applicants based on the following characteristics:

• Individuals with disabilities
• Grew up in a disadvantaged area - rural, CMA-designated low-income area
• First-Generation in college
• Experienced Homelessness
• Experience in the foster care system
• Economic disadvantaged background:
  • Eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program for 2 or more years
  • Eligible for Federal Pell grants
  • Received WIC as a child
• Students who graduated from a Minnesota high school and/or are enrolled in an accredited Minnesota college or university
• Articulation of interest in and commitment to cancer research in the application essay
• Record of academic achievement, including completion of science and math coursework
• Strongly supportive letters of recommendation (2)
• Commitment to participate in all 9 weeks of the summer program.
• Commitment to maintain contact with the M-ASCEND program upon leaving the program
• Articulation of resilience in overcoming challenges as articulated in the application essay

Closed

The application period has ended.

Part 1: Candidate Application

• Applicant information
• Personal Essay
  • Describe your academic and career goals, interest in human health research, how you will benefit from this program, what you want to learn or accomplish from this program, any research experience you have had, if applicable, and any personal challenges you have faced that have influenced your life and/or academic career.
  • 2-page limit; 12 pt font; single-spaced
• Short Essay
  • Take a moment to think about a specific, diverse, or underserved community within Minnesota and how it is impacted by health disparities. In your essay, describe one or two of the most critical health issues facing this Minnesota community. Give examples of how you, in your intended profession, i.e. nurse, researcher, medical doctor, community health worker, etc., would serve in this area of need.
  • 12 pt font, single-spaced, 500 word limit
• Upload your resume or curriculum vitae
  • Include paid and unpaid work experiences, community service, volunteer activities, awards/achievements, and clubs/organizations
    • Examples of unpaid experience: working in the family business; taking care of siblings/elderly adults, etc.
• Upload your transcript(s)
  • Unofficial copies are acceptable
  • Include transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Part 2: Letters of Recommendation

• Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation
• Each letter writer must complete a short survey and upload a recommendation letter that includes the institutional/organization letterhead
• Identify your letter writers and send them the letter of recommendation link to access the survey and to upload their letter
• Deadline was February 18th, 2026 -- no late letters will be accepted

The review committee will score applications based on the following criteria:

• Academic Merit
• Personal Essay
• Short Essay
• Motivation to work in health or research professions
• Extracurricular activities
• Letters of recommendation