Our eight-week Undergraduate Summer Research Programme aims to inspire bright and ambitious undergraduates to start their careers in cancer research.

The programme provides immersive hands-on research experience, with students able to work on their own research project in one of our world-leading Research Groups.

Applications are now closed for our 2023 Summer Research Programme. Please check back in early 2024 for how to apply for our 2024 programme.

Partnerships

Uganda Cancer Institute logo

In partnership with Cambridge Africa, we’ve teamed up with the Uganda Cancer Institute to support them in their mission to provide state-of-the-art cancer care and prevention. Each year, two places on our Undergraduate Summer Research Programme are reserved for students from the UCI and the eastern Africa region. Along with free accommodation and stipend, all Ugandan students will be provided with transport to and from Cambridge. This collaboration should lead to shared learnings for both parties and high-quality training for the African cancer research community.

We have partnered with Black in Cancer to offer 2 summer research places to UK undergraduate students on the Black and Cancer mentorship scheme. Mentees are matched with a mentor from academia or industry currently contributing to the fight against cancer, for career mentoring. Mentees in the scheme will receive training outside of the mentorship including coaching events and presentation training. 

Programme

This opportunity is offered to students who intend to pursue PhD study after completing their current degree. Each student will be embedded in one of our multidisciplinary Research Groups to work on their own project, with access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities. We offer a range of projects each year, from basic experimental and computational cancer biology through translational cancer research to clinical application.

Students work under the supervision of a postdoctoral or PhD researcher and participate in lab meetings. You will have the opportunity to network with Group Leaders at weekly lunchtime lectures and towards the end of your study period, you will be expected to write a brief scientific report on your research project and present your findings at the Summer School Symposium. 

Accommodation and funding

The Summer Research Programme will commence on Monday 10th July and end on Friday 1st September and you must be free to commit for the entire 8-week period.  All Summer Students will be provided with a stipend and accommodation in St Catharine’s College. In addition, we will contribute up to £250 for your travel to and from Cambridge, subject to you providing receipts.

Eligibility

Are you currently a student?

Are you interested in studying for a PhD after you complete your current degree?

Do you intend starting PhD study in September/October 2024?

If you answer ‘YES!’ to all three questions, then you are eligible to apply for our Summer School 2023.

How to apply

Applications are now closed for our 2023 Summer Research Programme. Please check back in early 2024 for how to apply for our 2024 programme.