University of Chicago Medicine ResearchStart Program

The UChicago Medicine researcHStart Program (ResearchStart) is a paid summer cancer research experience for high school juniors and seniors in Illinois and Lake County, Indiana. Students spend the summer working full time in the lab of an established cancer researcher, on topics such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental therapeutics and cancer disparities. Lab work is paired with career and skill-building workshops, a faculty lecture series on cancer, and mentoring from faculty and peers. The summer ends with a research symposium where students present their work. Host sites are the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University and Rush University. The 2027 program runs June 14 to August 6, 2027, at 35 to 40 hours per week. Participants receive a taxable stipend of $4,000. Housing and transportation are not provided, so students should choose sites they can reach. No more than 30 students are chosen across all sites.

Open to high school juniors and seniors at the time of application who live in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana. Applicants must be at least 16 by June 14, 2027, have a strong interest in a science research or medicine career, and be able to commit to 8 full weeks at 35-40 hours/week. To apply, students submit an online application with their GPA, transcript and short essays, plus two recommendations, at least one from a teacher or professor. The 2027 application and recommendations are due January 11, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central. Finalists interview in February 2027, and decisions are sent March 1, 2027.