USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Diversity in Cancer Research Summer Undergraduate Internship Program
Open to rising Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors with an interest in STEM, Cancer and/or Biomedical Research.
This program is intended to support applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research, per the NIH definition.
About our Diversity in Cancer Research Summer Undergraduate Internship Program:
The Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Internship Program, funded by the American Cancer Society, aims to increase diversity in the cancer research workforce by exposing under-represented minority undergraduate students to cancer research and provide career development activities that will help them prepare for a career in cancer research. Students will seek and identify an established faculty mentor based on mutual research interest and will create a research project proposal to be completed over the course of the program.
The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has available funds from the ACS DICR grant to provide $5,000 stipends for eight (8) undergraduate interns for the 10-week summer internship program. Please note additional funding to cover cost of living such housing, food, transportation, etc. is not available.
Interns accepted into the program will get a chance to experience working with a cancer research team that is focused on growth, learning, and exploration.
Components of our program include:
DICR interns spend 10 weeks during the summer engaging in hands-on research. They have the opportunity to explore a career in cancer research, and work on a research project that directly impacts communities and/or patients. In addition, they receive one-on-one mentorship by an accomplished investigator in a cancer research lab or in a clinical or community setting.
Interns receive a total of $5,000 for the summer internship. Additional funding to cover cost of living such as housing, food, transportation, etc. is not available. No academic credit is awarded.
Throughout the year, interns engage in planned, career-development and networking activities.
- Underrepresented Minority Status: Applicants must be a member of an underrepresented population in biomedical research, as defined by the NIH. Eligible groups include certain racial and ethnic groups (Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander), persons with disabilities, persons from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Academic Standing: Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors with an interest in any Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
- Full-time Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 units per semester)
- No Concurrent Summer Classes: Students cannot enroll in summer courses while participating in the internship program.
- Degree Requirements: Applicants must not be graduating before the program ends.
Applications for the 2025 Internship Program are open.
- Step 1: Submit your Eligibility Form by 5:00 PM (PST) on Friday, February 14, 2025.
- Step 2: If your eligibility form is accepted, contact a faculty mentor from the USC Cancer Center. Visit the Cancer Center Members page for a list of potential mentors.
- Step 3: Work with your mentor to develop a research project proposal.
- Step 4: Submit your completed Research Proposal Form by 5:00 PM (PST) on Monday, April 11, 2025.
If you have any questions, contact us at acs-dicr@usc.edu.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Eligibility Form Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025, by 5 PM (PST)
Research Proposal Deadline: Monday, April 11, 2025, by 5 PM (PST)
Q: How do I find a faculty mentor?
First Step: Once your eligibility form is approved by the Review Committee, start by reviewing the USC Cancer Center members page. If you know of a USC faculty member who is not a USC Cancer Center Member, but whose research is cancer focused, they are eligible for serve as your mentor. Contact two potential mentors via email and provide details about your interest in cancer research. Be sure to ask about available positions in their labs and any specific skills or training you would need. In your email, you should include:
- Explain the ACS DICR Undergraduate College Student Internship Program.
- Do you have availability on your research team this summer for me to join?
- What skills will I learn?
- What kind of training will I need?
- What are your current research projects?
- What would my role be in your laboratory?
- I read about your research work in [topic] and I am really interested in learning more. Could you provide a few research papers where I could read more about this topic?
Second step: Once there is a mutual understanding between you and your mentor about your participation in their laboratory and/or on their research team, establish a research project and draft a proposal with your approved mentor.
Third step: Submit your ACS DICR Research Proposal Form by the Friday, April 11, 2025.
Q: When is the application deadline?
Eligibility Form: Due by 5:00 PM (PST) on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Research Proposal: Due by 5:00 PM (PST) on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Q: How long is the internship?
The program is a 10-week summer internship that runs from late May to early August 2025. Students must not be enrolled in other summer classes during this time.
Q: How much is the stipend?
Interns will receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer. Additional funding for living expenses (housing, transportation, etc.) is not available.
Q: What if I’m not an underrepresented minority?
This internship is specifically for underrepresented minority students to increase diversity in cancer research. If you do not identify as part of an underrepresented group, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply.
For more information regarding the ACS-DICR Summer Research Program, please contact acs-dicr@usc.edu.