Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience and Mentorship – CURE-M

Internship participants and their mentors stand in the lobby of the New Research Building on campus
2023 program participants and their mentors

Summer 2026 Program

Thank you for your interest in our Summer 2026 program.

We have received the maximum number of applications.
The 2026 application portal is now closed.

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American Cancer Society logo

About the Program

This program, sponsored by the ACS Center for Innovation in Cancer Research Training (CICRT) and Georgetown University, is open to all rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors with an interest in STEM, cancer and/or biomedical research.

Applicants who have had limited exposure to biomedical research are encouraged to apply. Eligibility requires students to be rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with at least one year of college-level course attendance, along with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Program Features

  • 10-week full-time program runs June 1 through August 7, 2026 ($5,000 stipend).
  • In-person/virtual workshops, seminars, scientific meetings, mentoring and career development activities during the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Carefully matched mentors and peer mentors for each intern.
  • Designated Slack workspace designed to facilitate mentoring, peer interactions, and community.
  • Georgetown campus housing offered for in-person interns. (NOTE: Georgetown summer housing is for interns only)

FAQs

Can I be in community college? Yes, as long as you will have one year of college-level courses completed when the internship starts

Can I be a senior in college? No, you must have at least one (1) academic year remaining before achieving your bachelor’s degree. Currently, May 2027 is the earliest graduation date

Can I apply if I am on a student visa? Yes

Do I need a minimum GPA? Yes. Your overall GPA should be a minimum of 3.0.

Do I need to submit any letters of recommendation? No. We do not require letters of recommendation.

When will I receive my stipend? Stipends will be paid in one payment approximately halfway through the internship.

What type of housing is provided? We request 2 bedroom (double occupancy), 1 bath apartments with a full kitchen. NOTE: Georgetown summer housing is for interns only.

Is laundry available? There is a laundry room. There is a fee to wash and dry clothes.

What are my expenses for housing? The housing is paid by the program. The intern will need to provide their own food and other personal items. The program has a limited number of kitchen items to lend to each apartment.

Are there stores and restaurants nearby? There are several restaurants, grocery stores and shopping all within walking distance of campus

Can I bring my car? No. There is no parking on campus for interns. If you choose to bring a car, you are subject to $25 daily parking fees in the garage. The streets are zoned for permanent residents only.

How to get to/from campus? Each intern will be responsible for their transportation to/from Georgetown and while staying at the University. Public transportation and rideshare services are readily available. Georgetown also operates a free shuttle service to various locations.

Can I join the intership after the start date if I have a prior school commitment? No. You are required to sign a commitment acknowledgement statement for the full time 10-week time period.

If I sign the commitment acknowledgement, am I required to participate in the program if I’m accepted? No. The commitment acknowledgement applies if you are offered a position and you accept it. It represents your agreement that you will NOT take additional summer classes, have a part-time job, join external academic activities or any other internship commitment during the 10-week time period, no exceptions.

How to Apply

The application period for Summer 2026 will run from Monday, December 15, 2025, through Friday, February 6, 2026 OR until 500 eligible applications have been received.

Questions/More Information

Email cancerresearchtraining@georgetown.edu

In the News

A young Black woman in pink scrubs and blue plastic gloves holds a piece of lab equipment and smiles at the camera

“Competitive Cancer Research Internship Program Offers Rewarding Experiences for Undergraduates” by GUMC Communications

Read/listen to a feature by WTOP about this internship program.

Support This Program

Your gift to Georgetown Lombardi on behalf of this internship program will help ensure opportunities for promising young people interested in cancer research.

Give to Support CURE-M

Note: To direct your gift appropriately, please click the button to go to the form, then scroll down to the “Other” category and enter “CRTEC Fund — Internship” in the space provided. For assistance, please contact Lombardi Advancement at 202-687-2222.

Student Experiences and Outcomes

Presentation Day 2025

A collage of pictures with CURE-M students presenting that represents the last day of presentations.

Presentation Day 2024

Students standing by a welcoming slide

Summer 2024 (10 interns):

80% of mentor respondents think the work done by the intern will lead to an abstract or manuscript.

“Our intern was SO talented! She was able to really jump right in and then ‘run’ with her summer project tasks. It was impactful to see her learn so quickly and take ownership of the work, analyses, etc.” –Mentor ‘24

“I had a pivotal experience that deepened my appreciation for hands-on research and reinforced my interest in pursuing an MD/PhD. My passion for oncology continues to grow, and I am profoundly grateful to [my mentor] and her team for their guidance and support. I’ve gained invaluable knowledge and am thrilled to continue my work in the lab this coming fall. The opportunity to shadow professionals in the field has further solidified my commitment to the MD/PhD path, making it feel less daunting and more achievable after hearing from others who have been in my shoes. I am forever thankful for this transformative experience.” –CURE M ‘24

“I think that the program was developed very well. It was well planned in all aspects from arrival/housing, to research, seminars, and shadowing. I also feel like everyone was welcoming and relatively easy to contact which was helpful for questions.” –CURE M ‘24

Most outstanding/impactful aspects: “My research, getting experience in the lab and being given freedom and independence in the lab.” “The ability to bridge this program with other opportunities and industries.” –CURE M ‘24

Presentation Day 2023

Watch highlights from student presentations in 2023
A collage of images featuring students presenting their capstone internship projects to a group of fellow students and faculty

Opportunities to Present at Outside Conferences

Myra and Dr. Weinberg stand to either side of her poster at a conference
2022 intern Myra G.  presented at the ASCO GI conference January 19-22, 2023, in San Francisco, CA. 
A student stands in front of a bulletin board on which her research poster is pinned
2023 intern Theresa A. presented at the ABRCMS conference November 15-18, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ.

Selected Outcomes from the Program

Summer 2023 (10 interns):

  • 1 student presented a first-author abstract as a poster at a national symposium
  • 1 intern first author, abstract and poster presentation at a national conference annual meeting
  • 1 intern co-author on abstract for a spotlight talk at national conference annual meeting
  • 4 additional interns presented at a national meetings

Summer 2022 (9 interns):

  • 1 student interviewed by WTOP radio about her experience
  • 2 students: hired into research staff positions with cancer centers