Young Empowered Scientists for ContinUed Research Engagement (YES for CURE)

Young Empowered Scientists for ContinUed Research Engagement (YES for CURE) is a 2.5-year cancer research training program run by the Harvard Cancer Consortium in Boston, Massachusetts, for high school and college students. Scholars start with an orientation and Wednesday evening and Saturday morning training in lab techniques, cancer biology, epidemiology and bioinformatics, then spend two summers doing full-time, mentored research in a cancer lab at a consortium institution such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Massachusetts General Hospital. During the school year, scholars meet twice a month at Dana-Farber on Wednesday evenings for journal club and professional development. In the second year they design and teach a science curriculum for Boston Public Schools middle schoolers, and in the third they mentor new scholars. Summer research is paid with a weekly stipend and takes place in the Longwood Medical Area, five days a week. Housing is not provided. The 2027 program starts February 3, 2027.

High school sophomores and juniors and college freshmen and sophomores can apply if they will be at least 16 when the program starts, live in or attend school in Massachusetts, and can commit to all 2.5 years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and able to travel to the Longwood Medical Area five days a week in summer and several times a month during the school year. There is no minimum GPA, and no research experience is needed. Applicants submit an application form, a recent transcript or report card, a résumé and two or three letters of recommendation, one from a science or math teacher. Letters are due with the application, and late applications are not accepted.